The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the risk of involvement in human intrigues that may divert us from trust in our relationship with Christ the Rock.
The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the reign and captivity of Jehoiachin and the capture of Jerusalem.
* [24:12] The eighth year of his reign: that is, of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, not Jehoiachin’s. The year was 597 B.C.
* [24:14] People of the land: see note on 11:14. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, 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.)
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning Self-Deception and being Hearers rather than Doers like the True Disciples who choose the rock from the Two Foundations.
* [7:21–23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.
* [7:23] I never knew you: cf. Mt 10:33. Depart from me, you evildoers: cf. Ps 6:9.
* [7:24–27] The conclusion of the discourse (cf. Lk 6:47–49). Here the relation is not between saying and doing as in Mt 7:15–23 but between hearing and doing, and the words of Jesus are applied to every Christian (everyone who listens).
* [7:28–29] When Jesus finished these words: this or a similar formula is used by Matthew to conclude each of the five great discourses of Jesus (cf. Mt 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).
* [7:29] Not as their scribes: scribal instruction was a faithful handing down of the traditions of earlier teachers; Jesus’ teaching is based on his own authority. Their scribes: for the implications of their, see note on Mt 4:23. (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
David Crawford asks what should be at the foundation of our faithful work?
When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus responded that loving God was first, loving your neighbor was second, and that “all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-38) I John 4 tells us that all who love know God, but those who do not love do not know God “because God is love.” From the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (chapter 13), we know that prophecy, wisdom, faith or charitable acts without love are nothing.
Loving God, help us to love one another as Christ loves us. Help us continually to love those around us, even the “enemy” who opposes us at work or who espouses views we abhor. Help us so that we walk humbly with you, God Who is love, in our search for justice and mercy, in our attempts to forgive as You have forgiven us. Holy Spirit, work in us and through us so that all we do is done lovingly and glorifies God. (Crawford, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The house falls if Christ is not the rock and foundation,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"'For neither death nor life nor angels nor other things can separate us from the love of Christ' (Romans 8:38-39). Neither can the flooding of rivers, as in the lands of Egypt and Assyria [symbolize worldly wisdom opposed to God], do harm. Only those are harmed who build on sand, who practice the wisdom of the world. The winds that blow are like the false prophets. All these, coming together in one place, 'beat upon' the house. If it is founded on rock, they do no harm. 'The way of a snake upon a rock' is not to be found (Proverbs 30:19). But in the form of temptations and persecutions, which may mount into a flood, they beat upon even the one who seems to be well-founded. The house falls if it does not have Christ as its basis and foundation. But the truly wise person builds one's house 'upon a rock.' This is the way the Lord builds his church - upon the rock, with steadfastness and strength. This is why 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matthew 16:18). All the persecutions that fall upon that house accomplish nothing. The house is founded upon the rock. (excerpt from FRAGMENT 153) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 7:21-29 shares a reader’s testimony for today’s meditation.
“The house did not collapse. We’ve been married more than twenty-five years now. Things haven’t always been picture-perfect, but we keep trying to trust Jesus. His word has helped us so far, and we’re confident it will in the future.”
“Jesus, you help us weather the storms of life. Keep us on your firm foundation.” (Meditation on Matthew 7:21-29, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the events in Jerusalem before the 597 BCE exile of the king and ruling class from Jerusalem to Babylon. The Sermon on the Mount contains five major sections of teaching as a parallel to the Pentateuch. Friar Jude reminds us that a true relationship with God brings us trust in hard times.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC friend Mirabai Starr who founded the online grief community, Holy Lament: The Transformative Path of Loss and Longing. It is a space for people to experience grief together.
What I experienced when my daughter died was two things. One was that nobody could possibly know what I’m going through right now. But quickly on the heels of that was, “Oh, every person ever who has experienced the death of a child knows.” I was realizing in the bones of my own body … that there had been mothers throughout time whose children had died and mothers right now [whose children are dying]…. We all belong to each other. In some ways that was the first time I ever took my seat in the web of interbeing—when I realized that I belong here and we belong to each other. Even if right now it was my turn to be held by that web, I couldn’t imagine it yet, but I knew somehow, someday I would be able to do some of that holding of the other mothers to come. And I have and I do. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the reassurance of the Spirit in the tough times that threaten our trust in God to guide us through our exile in grief and turmoil.
References
Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062724.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?
Meditation on Matthew 7:21-29. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/27/1008967/
Psalms, PSALM 79 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/79?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/grieving-together/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Wise Who Built Their House upon the Rock. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun27
2 Kings, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/24?
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