The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to persevere, stoically and humbly, in our journey of faith even as we experience the paradox of signs that the Spirit is our guide.
The reading from the Letter of James teaches about Faith and Wisdom, Poverty and Riches.
* [1:3–8] The sequence of testing, perseverance, and being perfect and complete indicates the manner of attaining spiritual maturity and full preparedness for the coming of Christ (Jas 5:7–12; cf. 1 Pt 1:6–7; Rom 5:3–5). These steps require wisdom (Jas 1:5).
* [1:5] Wisdom: a gift that God readily grants to all who ask in faith and that sustains the Christian in times of trial. It is a kind of knowledge or understanding not accessible to the unbeliever or those who doubt, which gives the recipient an understanding of the real importance of events. In this way a Christian can deal with adversity with great calm and hope (cf. 1 Cor 2:6–12).
* [1:9–11] Throughout his letter (see Jas 2:5; 4:10, 13–16; 5:1–6), the author reaffirms the teaching of Jesus that worldly prosperity is not necessarily a sign of God’s favor but can even be a hindrance to proper humility before God (cf. Lk 6:20–25; 12:16–21; 16:19–31). (James, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.
* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Demand for a Sign.
* [8:11–12] The objection of the Pharisees that Jesus’ miracles are unsatisfactory for proving the arrival of God’s kingdom is comparable to the request of the crowd for a sign in Jn 6:30–31. Jesus’ response shows that a sign originating in human demand will not be provided; cf. Nm 14:11, 22. (Mark, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Suzanne Braddock asks which of us has never asked God for a sign? Have we opened the Bible at random hoping to find a word or a phrase as a sign to help us? Have we even asked God directly for a sign to guide us in an important decision or outcome or reassurance?
By seeking a sign we want to avoid the necessary journey of death and rebirth, of resurrection, of transformation. I wonder if one sign would be enough to cement perfect faith? The desire for one sign will lead to another and another, deep faith never satisfied. We might think that a sign would eliminate doubt and offer proof, but in my mind faith always leaves room for doubt or it wouldn’t be faith.
An old song came to my mind as I reflected on the Gospel: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign by Five Man Electrical Band. Truly there are signs everywhere if we have eyes to see. The resurrection of Springtime, the kindness of strangers, the cry of a newborn. Name your own. Psalm 78 agrees: What they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved. (Braddock, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Why does this generation seek a sign,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"But for what sign from heaven were they asking? Maybe that he should hold back the sun, or curb the moon, or bring down thunderbolts, or change the direction of the wind, or something like that?... In Pharaoh's time there was an enemy from whom deliverance was needed (Exodus 3-15). But for one who comes among friends, there should be no need of such signs." (excerpt from GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 53.3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on James 1:1-11 comments that the Lord also can use our suffering to help us grow in holiness. St. James says that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance . . . so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:3-4). Suffering provides many opportunities to persevere in turning to the Lord and asking for his help. As we spend time with him, he works in us, giving us strength and grace and building up our trust in him.
On the cross, Jesus conquered sin and death. As you take up your crosses and walk with him, he will lead you to the resurrection. Your hardships don’t have to ruin your joy; they can be the path to ultimate unending joy with God. A paradox? Yes. But one you can put your faith in every time you face a trial.
“Jesus, please rescue me from this trial. But as long as it is mine to bear, I unite it to your cross. I trust that you will use it for my ultimate good.” (Meditation on James 1:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from James’s letter, likely written by a cousin of Jesus, offers very practical Stoic teaching on suffering and perseverance. James' letter resonates with the Jewish concept of storming the heavens filled with faith and trust. Friar Jude reminds us that Mark presents our need to take “a leap of faith” in the arms of a loving God, rather than seek a sign for absolute truth.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers the image of fire in the Scriptures.
In one chapter, Ezekiel repeats the word restore. God says to the people, “I will restore them … I will restore them … I will restore you” (see Ezekiel 16:53–56, Jerusalem Bible). The prophet has spent chapters scolding them for their unfaithfulness to their covenant with God, and then he changes course. Ezekiel says that God’s love, forgiveness, and commitment to restorative justice are so complete that Israel’s conscience will awaken. They will understand what they have done and be reduced to silence and confusion (see Ezekiel 16:63). That’s what we Catholics understood as purgatory. Here’s an example: Have you ever spoken ill of somebody, actively disliked somebody, or put someone down in the presence of others? Then they approach you, and it turns out they’re not only nice, but they’re really nice. They wish you well. That feeling is called remorse; we used to call it compunction. We are reduced to silence and confusion. Let’s be honest, grace is always a humiliation for the ego.
Of course, we clergy overplayed the notion of purgatory, making it some kind of retributive justice instead of restorative love. We couldn’t deny the mercy of God, and we knew that the love of God was going to win, but we still made it necessary to burn there for some number of years. We had a deeper intuition of love’s flame, but we settled instead for the literal fire. [1] (Rohr, 2024)
We ponder our confusion over signs as our experience testifies to them and our development of faith seeks to assure us that God is present in all the events of our journey.
References
Braddock, S. (2024, February 12). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021224.html
James, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/1?1
Mark, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/8?
Meditation on James 1:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/12/893717/
Psalms, PSALM 119. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?
Rohr, R. (2024, February 12). A Single Flame — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-single-flame/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb12
No comments:
Post a Comment