The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to allow faith to reassure us as we seek courage to continue our transformation through repentance.
In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah, he reassures King Ahaz.
* [7:1–8:18] These verses (often termed Isaiah’s “Memoirs”) contain a series of oracles and narratives (some in first person), all closely related to the Syro-Ephraimite war of 735–732 B.C. Several passages feature three children whose symbolic names refer to the Lord’s purposes: Shear-jashub (7:3), Emmanuel (7:10–17; 8:8–10), and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (8:1–4). Judah and its Davidic dynasty should trust God’s promises and not fear the combined armies of Israel and Syria; within a very short time these two enemy states will be destroyed, and David’s dynasty will continue.
* [7:1] Days of Ahaz: who ruled from 735 to 715 B.C. This attack against Jerusalem by the kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel in 735 B.C. was occasioned by the refusal of Ahaz to enter with them into an anti-Assyrian alliance; cf. 2 Kgs 16.
* [7:3] Shear-jashub: this name means “a remnant will return” (cf. 10:20–22).
* [7:5] Planned: the plans of those who plot against Ahaz shall not be accomplished (v. 7). What the Lord plans will unfailingly come to pass, whereas human plans contrary to those of the Lord are doomed to frustration; cf. 8:10; 14:24–27; 19:11–14; 29:15; 30:1. See further the note on 14:24–27.
* [7:6] Son of Tabeel: a puppet of Jerusalem’s enemies. His appointment would interrupt the lawful succession from David.
* [7:8–9] God had chosen and made a commitment to David’s dynasty and his capital city Jerusalem, not to Rezin and his capital Damascus, nor to the son of Remaliah and his capital Samaria (2 Sm 7:12–16; Ps 2:6; 78:68–72; 132:11–18). Within sixty-five years…nation: this text occurs at the end of v. 8 in the Hebrew. Ahaz would not have been reassured by so distant a promise; the phrase is probably a later addition. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 48 praises the Glory and Strength of Zion.
* [Psalm 48] A Zion hymn, praising the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God. Unconquerable, it is an apt symbol of God who has defeated all enemies. After seven epithets describing the city (Ps 48:2–3), the Psalm describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8). The second half proclaims the dominion of the God of Zion over all the earth (Ps 48:9–12) and invites pilgrims to announce that God is eternally invincible like Zion itself (Ps 48:13–14). (Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus expresses woes to Unrepentant Cities.
* [11:21] Tyre and Sidon were pagan cities denounced for their wickedness in the Old Testament; cf. Jl 4:4–7.
* [11:23] Capernaum’s pride and punishment are described in language taken from the taunt song against the king of Babylon (Is 14:13–15). (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that leadership is a complex adventure into the unknown and the uncertain.
So, maybe we could begin from within; reflecting on our sins, forgiving others, and feeling forgiven, so we can hear the voice of God and be led by God. When we are led by God, we can then lead ourselves forward, and then, lead others the best we can, especially in times of crisis. “Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear…...let not your courage fail…...unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm.” Maybe we could use these words of Jesus to encourage a leader, or even help us stay grounded when we lead.
Lord, please soften my heart so I may clearly hear your voice as you faithfully lead me. (Amu, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Even after miracles they did not repent,” by Jerome (347-420 AD)
"Our Savior laments Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities of Galilee, because after such great miracles and acts of goodness they did not repent. Even Tyre and Sidon, cities that surrendered to idolatry and other vices, are preferred to them. Tyre and Sidon are preferred for the reason that although they trampled down the law, still Chorazin and Bethsaida, after they transgressed natural and written law, cared little for the miracles that were performed among them." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24 comments that It may not be an attractive topic, but repentance is a vital part of our life in the Spirit. Without it, we would remain subject to the pride and self-centeredness that trapped our first parents—and with dire consequences.
Jesus’ words against Chorazin and Bethsaida are not the words of an angry God looking to punish the wayward. They are the words of a mournful God lamenting the path of self-destruction the people had chosen. They are the words of a passionate God pleading with his children, “Come back to me so that I can save you from the consequences of your sin!”
In prayer today, fix your eyes on God, your heavenly Father. Let his love free you from fear. Open your heart to him, and let him take away your sin.
“Father, I want to be set free!” (Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the political situation that Isaiah reassures King Ahaz about as they survey the water supply in anticipation of a siege. After Jesus spends a lot of time in towns where He was known, He condemns their lack of acceptance of His message. Friar Jude warns that our being too familiar can cause us to take the truth for granted.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how the gift of Step 2, came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity, can only be received through a full, embodied acceptance of God’s grace. To keep our bodies less defended is also the work of healing past hurts and the many memories that seem to store themselves in the body. The body seems to never stop offering its messages. Fortunately, the body never lies, even though the mind will deceive us constantly. It’s very telling that Jesus usually physically touched people when he healed them. He knew where memory and hurt were lodged: in the body itself.
If we are to come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, then we will come to that belief by developing the capacity for a simple, clear, and uncluttered presence. Those who can be present with head, heart, and body at the same time will always encounter the Presence, whether they call it God or use another word. For the most part, those skills are learned by letting life come at us on its own terms, without resisting the wonderful, underlying Mystery that is everywhere, all the time, and offered. (Rohr, n.d.)
We move forward with faith that the nudges of the Spirit are pointing us to needed repentance and forgiveness.
References
Amu, V. (2024, July 16). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071624.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?
Meditation on Matthew 11:20-24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/16/1023721/
Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/48?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Trusting Enough to Open Up. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/trusting-enough-to-open-up/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Will You Be Exalted to Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul16
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