The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess our journey and recommitment to a path in Christ that brings the fruit of fullness of life to our environment.
The reading from the Second Letter of Kings describes Josiah’s Reformation
* [22:3] Shaphan: head of a prominent family in the reign of Josiah, secretary to the king, bearer and reader of the newly found book of the law (vv. 3–13; 25:22). He and his sons favored the reform of King Josiah and supported the prophet Jeremiah; cf. Jer 26:24; 29:1–3; 36:10–12; 39:14.
* [22:8] Book of the law: probably an early edition of material now found in the Book of Deuteronomy. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses a Tree and Its Fruit to teach about False Prophets.
* [7:15–20] Christian disciples who claimed to speak in the name of God are called prophets (Mt 7:15) in Mt 10:41; Mt 23:34. They were presumably an important group within the church of Matthew. As in the case of the Old Testament prophets, there were both true and false ones, and for Matthew the difference could be recognized by the quality of their deeds, the fruits (Mt 7:16). The mention of fruits leads to the comparison with trees, some producing good fruit, others bad. (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner comments that, in today’s Gospel, Jesus warns the disciples and us of false prophets who are really ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing.
False prophets sound good. They look the part. But when does playing one more computer game, one more video game become too much? It becomes a time of discernment for myself. What is the cura personalis — the care for the whole person? I have to think of my mind, my body, my spirit. We French talk about showing cura personalis to others. We have to take care of ourselves. I applaud and am thankful for modern technology that allows connection and virtual contact, entertainment, relaxation. But I also need stillness and quiet to discern and pray. I need unmediated human connection as a way to show care for others and to have others care for me.
My prayer today is to recognize the wolves on sheep’s clothing that can certainly come in many disguises. I ask for the grace to recognize when too much is too much. (Zuegher, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Beware of false prophets,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"Jesus reminded them of what happened to their ancestors who were attracted to false prophets. The same dangers are now faced as those that occurred in earlier days. He reminded them of the experience of their ancestors so that they would not despair at the multitude of troubles that would mount up on this way that is narrow and constricted. He reminded them that it is necessary to walk in a way that goes contrary to the common opinion. One must guard oneself not only against pigs and dogs but those other, more elusive creatures: the wolves. They were going to face inward anxieties as well as outward difficulties, but they are not to despair. 'Therefore do not be thrown into confusion,' Jesus says in effect, 'for nothing will happen that is new or strange. Remember that the ancient adversary is forever introducing deception as if true.'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 23.6) (Schwager, 2024)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 comments that King Josiah’s sincere and wholehearted response calls to mind the words of St. Paul to the Romans: “The kindness of God” can “lead you to repentance” (2:4). When he learned of the kindness, faithfulness, and generosity of God, Josiah was cut to the heart and changed the course of his life—and the course of the nation he led.
As you reflect on these times, let God’s kindness move you to repent of any ways you may have strayed from obeying his commands or forgotten his goodness to you. Then rededicate your life to the Lord. May his goodness fill your heart with love for him and his people and give you an ever-greater desire to follow him wherever he may lead you!
“I praise you, Lord, for all the goodness you have shown to me!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the origin of the Book of Deuteronomy as a Law that would be followed that was an injunction to worship in the Temple. The Gospel of Matthew warns of ravenous wolves, false preachers who are not transparent or trustworthy. Friar Jude reminds us to avoid teaching that is not what God calls us to do.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill who call on Christians to embrace the path of lament, which includes confession.
We lament the exploitation and destruction of black lives and communities; the abuse of basic human rights; systemic injustice, expressed in policing, judicial, educational, economic, social, and other systems and structures….
We lament corruption among politicians, police forces, and bankers; military interventions and the militarization of society and police forces; uncaring government agencies and big business; and urban poverty and homelessness…. We lament the nature, extent, and effects of white privilege, nationalism, xenophobia, and racism; the unwelcome shown to refugees and asylum seekers; and the fear, anxiety, and suffering experienced by undocumented migrants.
We lament the treatment of women in society and church…. We lament gender inequalities, the discrimination and harassment women suffer, the sexualization of women and girls, and the domestic violence many women suffer daily.… We lament the colonization, devastation, and assimilation of First Nations and indigenous peoples, and the role Christianity has played….
We lament the silence of the people of God about many of these things. We lament the complicity of the church in many of these things.
This practice of lament is necessary if we are to experience healing and hope and transformation. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the guideposts set by the Law and seek the guidance of the Spirit to discern and follow the path that bears the fruit of our truth, love, and goodness.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?
Meditation on 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/26/1008187/
Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/collective-lament-and-confession/
Schwager, D. (2024, June 25). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun26
2 Kings, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/22?8
Zuegher, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062624.html
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