The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in a selfless manner.
In the reading from the Second Letter of Kings, Elijah ascends to heaven and Elisha succeeds Elijah.
* [2:1–25] The story of Elisha’s succession to Elijah’s prophetic office is oddly set between the death of Ahaziah (1:17) and the accession of his successor (3:1). The effect is to place this scene, which is the central scene in the whole of 1–2 Kings, outside of time. It thereby becomes almost mythic in its import and reminds us that, behind the transitory flow of kings and kingdoms, stand the eternal word of God and the prophets who give it voice. Just as 1–2 Kings pivots on this chapter, so this scene too is concentrically constructed. Together Elijah and Elisha journey to Bethel, thence to Jericho, and thence across the Jordan. There Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind and Elijah’s mantle of power comes to Elisha. Now alone, Elisha crosses the Jordan again, returns to Jericho and thence back to Bethel. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 31 offers Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies
* [Psalm 31] A lament (Ps 31:2–19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Ps 31:4, 6, 15–16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Ps 31:20–24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth” (Ps 31:6). (Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting.
* [6:1–18] The sermon continues with a warning against doing good in order to be seen and gives three examples, almsgiving (Mt 6:2–4), prayer (Mt 6:5–15), and fasting (Mt 6:16–18). In each, the conduct of the hypocrites (Mt 6:2) is contrasted with that demanded of the disciples. The sayings about reward found here and elsewhere (Mt 5:12, 46; 10:41–42) show that this is a genuine element of Christian moral exhortation. Possibly to underline the difference between the Christian idea of reward and that of the hypocrites, the evangelist uses two different Greek verbs to express the rewarding of the disciples and that of the hypocrites; in the latter case it is the verb apechÅ, a commercial term for giving a receipt for what has been paid in full (Mt 6:2, 5, 16).
* [6:2] The hypocrites: the scribes and Pharisees, see Mt 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29. The designation reflects an attitude resulting not only from the controversies at the time of Jesus’ ministry but from the opposition between Pharisaic Judaism and the church of Matthew. They have received their reward: they desire praise and have received what they were looking for. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tom Lenz asks “Why have there been times when my actions and intentions were not aligned?”
It doesn’t seem hard to answer my own question…my ego loves the attention. Getting praise from my peers for helping out, going to church, or putting in the extra effort on a project seems to be some sort of fuel for my actions. But after reflecting on it for a good long time, that reward, compared to the reward when my intentions are in the right alignment, doesn’t even compare. I think this is what Jesus means when he says, “Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Yes, it is a reward, but not THE reward…”And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” The quick “feel good” that my ego receives somehow always fades quickly and is never enough. But, the reward I receive from doing good things, praying, or sacrificing without the fanfare when my intentions are rightly aligned is always enough and has a kind of staying power and depth that my ego rewards just cannot match. (Lenz, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Pray with the angels,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"When you pray, it is as if you were entering into a palace - not a palace on earth, but far more awesome, a palace in heaven. When you enter there, you do so with complete attentiveness and fitting respect. For in the houses of kings all turmoil is set aside, and silence reigns. Yet here you are being joined by choirs of angels. You are in communion with archangels and singing with the seraphim, who sing with great awe their spiritual hymns and sacred songs to God, the Lord of all. So when you are praying, mingle with these voices, patterning yourself according to their mystical order. It is not to human beings that you are praying but to God, who is present everywhere, who hears even before you speak and who knows already the secrets of the heart. If you pray to this One, you shall receive a great reward. 'For your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.' He did not merely say he would give it to you but reward you, as if he himself had made a pledge to you and so honored you with a great honor. Because God himself is hidden, your prayer should be hidden." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 comments that Our Father in heaven sees the sacrifices we make “in secret” (Matthew 6:6). He is the audience that matters; he is the One we are trying to please. And as we cultivate the habit of performing good deeds for his eyes alone, we will find that he “repays” us with a deepening love for him and for the people we serve.
Our growth in holiness has little to do with flashy appearances or impressive demonstrations of devotion. It consists in offering our hearts without fanfare to God, who sees and treasures not an external image, but what lies within.
“Heavenly Father, I want all of my actions to be for you and pleasing to you.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on how Elijah was taken up to where God’s Throne was. In the Hebrew Testament, Enon, Elijah, and Moses did not die and are attributed as sources of some apocalyptic books. Friar Jude reminds us that alms, prayer, and fasting were suggested as a means of transfer of guilt after the destruction of the Temple and we need to give witness to our faith without seeking praise.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces psychotherapist Resmaa Menakem who connects our individual healing from trauma with our communal healing from racism and other social ills. He describes “clean pain” as that which is faced and transformed instead of denied. Father Richard considers the effects of trauma in individuals and social systems.
When people at work, in our families, in politics, or in the church seem to be completely irrational, counterproductive, paranoid, or vengeful, there’s a good chance they’re acting out of some form of the survival mode, which can be triggered in many ways. Persons with trauma deserve deep understanding (which is hard to come by), sympathy (which is difficult if we have never been there ourselves), patience (because it’s not rationally controllable), healing (not judgment), and, frankly, years of love from at least one person or animal over time.
Could this be what mythology means by the “sacred wound” and the church meant by “original sin”—not something we did, but the effects of something done to us? I believe it is. It’s no wonder Jesus teaches so much about forgiveness, and practices so much healing touch and talk. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
Our Baptismal anointing calls us to practice piety, study, and action even as the text today warns us against the hypocrisy of seeking self aggrandizement for our practices.
References
Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/061924.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?1
Meditation on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/19/1003749/
Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Choosing to Face Our Pain. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/choosing-to-face-our-pain/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun19
2 Kings, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/2?1
No comments:
Post a Comment