The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognize that we are led away from deep connection to God and the people in our lives by action that is based in selfishness rather than surrender to the Will of God.
The reading from the Prophet Baruch calls the Exiles in Babylon to Confession of Sins.
* [1:15–2:10] This confession of sin is similar to Dn 9:7–14, and echoes ideas from Deuteronomy and Jeremiah; cf. also Neh 9. (Baruch, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 79 is a plea for Mercy for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 79] A communal lament complaining that the nations have defiled the Temple and murdered the holy people, leaving their corpses unburied (Ps 79:1–4). The occasion is probably the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 587 B.C. The people ask how long the withdrawal of divine favor will last (Ps 79:5), pray for action now (Ps 79:6–7), and admit that their own sins have brought about the catastrophe (Ps 79:8–9). They seek to persuade God to act for reasons of honor: the nations who do not call upon the Name are running amok (Ps 79:6); the divine honor is compromised (Ps 79:1, 10, 12); God’s own servants suffer (Ps 79:2–4, 11). (Psalms, PSALM 79 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus laments woes to unrepentant cities.
* [10:13–16] The call to repentance that is a part of the proclamation of the kingdom brings with it a severe judgment for those who hear it and reject it.
* [10:15] The netherworld: the underworld, the place of the dead (Acts 2:27, 31) here contrasted with heaven; see also note on Mt 11:23. (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that it is said that whom we listen to will determine what we hear. It is so very difficult to know what’s good for us. These present and holy days of the Synod in Rome, there are being words spoken which are very, very hard for all to hear, yes all! As is usual with us, what is good for us is what we know, believe and hold fast already. What is not good are the words which invite us to listen for the change, deeply, to uncertainty and fear.
We would like the comforting assurance of divine God-o-Grams to secure us, as individuals and as a Church. God will never give us anything or anyone who will render our trust in God unnecessary.
That to which the Synod is calling the participants, that is all of us, is to listen to the One Who is speaking what calls us to faith and hope and acceptance of what is ultimately good for us as people of faith. We will be listening for His steps. (Gillick, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ speaks through the disciples,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"Christ gives those who love instruction the assurance that whatever is said concerning him by the holy apostles or evangelists is to be received necessarily without any doubt and to be crowned with the words of truth. He who hears them, hears Christ. For the blessed Paul also said, 'You desire proof that Christ is speaking in me' (2 Corinthians 13:3). Christ himself somewhere also said to the holy disciples, 'For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you' (Matthew 10:20). Christ speaks in them by the consubstantial Spirit. If it is true, and plainly it is, that they speak by Christ, how can they err? He affirms that he who does not hear them, does not hear Christ, and that he who rejects them rejects Christ, and with him the Father."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 63) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Baruch 1:15-22 comments that the confession of sins, written by the prophet Baruch for the people to recite from their hearts, does not mince words: “We did not heed the voice of the Lord, . . . but each one of us went off after the devices of his own wicked heart, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God” (21, 22). Baruch tells the people to be very clear in acknowledging how their choices have turned their lives upside down before they then ask God to deliver them.
Do you know that you can be just as straightforward with God? You can be honest with him about any ways in which you’ve ignored his voice or chased after fleeting pleasures. Then, as you receive his mercy, you will be able to follow him with more freedom, joy, and peace than ever before.
So don’t be afraid to face up to your sins. It’s the first step in growing in holiness. Then bring them to the Lord in all honesty. As you do, remember that you already know the outcome! You know that Jesus will lavish his mercy upon you and will forgive you as you come to him.
“Jesus, thank you for leading me as I confess my sins and receive your mercy.” (Meditation on Baruch 1:15-22, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the role of Baruch as the secretary of Jeremiah who is addressing the exiles in Babylon urging them to recognize the sins that are connected to their situation and the mercy of God that is being offered to them. Jesus laments the rejection from Bethsaida and Capernaum even as the Gentiles accept His call to a deeper relationship with God. Friar Jude reminds us to take on attitudes of surrender rather than attitudes that God owes us because we are “good Christians”.
Barbara Holmes, CAC teacher, shares how communal healing begins after we make space for communal grieving. Author Marcie Alvis Walker witnesses how making space for lament can give birth to authentic gratitude and praise:
Back in the day, church services began with loss and lament. Today most churches begin with praise and worship. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but if given the choice, I think a Bible character such as Job, who was abandoned, homeless, broke, and covered in sores and dirt and judgment, would rather attend the old-school church service of my youth, while believers today, bathed in candlelight and adoration, would much prefer a worship service that begins and ends on the upbeat swing of praise and gratitude.
If given the choice, … I think a crucified Jesus being executed on a cross would choose to lament because there was darkness and the tomb before the resurrection and the feast at the shore. (Holmes, 2023)
We reflect on the decisions we make that take us away from the path we are invited to follow by the Spirit even as we seek surrender to love and mercy in our relationship with God and others.
References
Baruch, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/baruch/1?15
Gillick, L. (2023, October 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100623.html
Holmes, B. (2023, October 6). Grief Precedes Gratitude — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/grief-precedes-gratitude/
Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?13
Meditation on Baruch 1:15-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/06/799703/
Psalms, PSALM 79 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/79?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Hears You Hears Me. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct6
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