The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to boldness in seeking and working for healing of the tragedies that have separated us from full participation in life.
In the reading from the First Book of Samuel the Ark of God is captured.
* [4:1–7:1] The Ark Narrative: A striking indication that this is an independent narrative is the absence of any mention of Samuel. The Philistines: one of the Sea Peoples, of Aegean origin, who occupied the coastal plain of Palestine and threatened the Israelites who settled the inland hills.
* [4:4] Enthroned upon the cherubim: this divine title first occurs in the Old Testament at the sanctuary at Shiloh (cf. 2 Sm 6:2); God is represented seated upon a throne borne through the heavens by cherubim, creatures partly human being, partly beast (cf. Ez 1 and 10).
* [4:8] These mighty gods: the Philistines, who were polytheists, presume that the Israelites also honored several gods.
* [4:10] To their own tents: the defeat is so catastrophic that the soldiers abandon the army for home; cf. 2 Sm 18:17. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 44 is a national Lament and Prayer for Help.
* [Psalm 44] In this lament the community reminds God of past favors which it has always acknowledged (Ps 44:2–9). But now God has abandoned Israel to defeat and humiliation (Ps 44:10–17), though the people are not conscious of any sin against the covenant (Ps 44:18–23). They struggle with being God’s special people amid divine silence; yet they continue to pray (Ps 44:24–26). (Psalms, PSALM 44 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Cleanses a Leper
* [1:40] A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see Lv 13:1–50 and the note on Lv 13:2–4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (Nm 12:10–15; 2 Kgs 5:1–14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also note on Lk 5:14. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Mirielle Mason asks who do I consider a leper today?
It should be our desire as Christians to minister to the lepers in our community. We are God’s hands in the world… My own thoughts set me on fire a bit there, but what is the reality? Even as I strive to act this way in my career, sometimes people frighten me. It can be hard to care for those with violent or erratic tendencies, and yet, aren’t they the very “lepers” I should be helping? I pray that God’s love gives me strength to care for those that present a difficult situation, and that his kindness always shines through me to those in need. (Mason, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Why did Jesus touch the leper,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
And why did [Jesus] touch him, since the law forbade the touching of a leper? He touched him to show that 'all things are clean to the clean' (Titus 1:15). Because the filth that is in one person does not adhere to others, nor does external uncleanness defile the clean of heart. So he touches him in his untouchability, that he might instruct us in humility; that he might teach us that we should despise no one, or abhor them, or regard them as pitiable, because of some wound of their body or some blemish for which they might be called to render an account... So, stretching forth his hand to touch, the leprosy immediately departs. The hand of the Lord is found to have touched not a leper, but a body made clean! Let us consider here, beloved, if there be anyone here that has the taint of leprosy in his soul, or the contamination of guilt in his heart? If he has, instantly adoring God, let him say: 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON MATTHEW 2.2-3) (Schwager, 2021)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Samuel 4:1-11 comments that too often, we don’t see the big picture. We bargain with God. We obey him to avoid punishment and get the blessings that we want. This is a bit like trying to “fetch the ark” to win some small prize. All the while, the greatest prize, God himself, is in the ark.
God himself is with you today. Like a good parent, he didn’t give up on the Israelites, and he won’t give up on you.
“Lord, thank you for your patience with me. You are my treasure.” (Meditation on 1 Samuel 4:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler asks why Israel was denied victory in the battle with the Philistines that resulted in the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. Jesus heals a leper by touching the untouchable and destroying separation. Friar Jude compares our need for Jesus in our hearts to the multitudes desperate for His intervention in Mark.
Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces retreat leader and author Lerita Coleman Brown highlights the work of mystic-activist Howard Thurman (1899–1981). Brown provides examples of the wide range of actions we might take towards healing and justice in the world.
When people hear the word “activism,” many think of marches and protests in the street. Yet not all participants in major human rights struggles like the civil rights movement marched. People cooked meals, babysat children, wrote and filed legal briefs, trained marchers, and became community organizers. Others who were unable to march prayed, made phone calls, and hosted movement gatherings. Activism can be anything that helps to heal people [and other beings] and the world. The call one hears in a unitive moment might involve work on gender or environmental justice concerns or humanitarian crises. It might mean working in a soup kitchen or connecting with military veterans or tutoring children. Or it might mean playwriting, choreography, painting, or sculpting.
Mystical experiences can give people a sense of vitality and lead them to their holy assignments. Part of Howard Thurman’s response to God was to provide the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings for the work that calls people to action…. (Rohr, 2024)
We experience losses large and small on our journey and we seek the consolation and healing that our faith in Christ promises.
References
Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?
Mason, M. (2024, January 11). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011124.html
Meditation on 1 Samuel 4:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/11/873255/
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/4?1
Psalms, PSALM 44 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/44?10
Rohr, R. (2024, January 11). Mysticism and Social Change — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mysticism-and-social-change/
Schwager, D. (2021, September 22). The Lord Jesus Can Make Me Clean. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan11
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