The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate Jesus' declaration of brotherhood and sisterhood and to respond with care and compassion to the people on our journey.
The reading from the Prophet Micah invokes God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love.
* [7:14–17] A prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days (v. 14) is answered (vv. 15–17) when the Lord promises to do marvelous things. The nations shall be afraid and turn to the Lord.
* [7:18–20] The final lines of the book contain a hymn of praise for the incomparable God, who pardons sin and delights in mercy. Thus the remnant, those left after the exile, is confident in God’s compassion and in the ancient promises sworn to the ancestors. (Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 85 is a prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour.
* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, the True Kindred of Jesus are identified.
* [12:46–50] See Mk 3:31–35. Matthew has omitted Mk 3:20–21 which is taken up in Mk 3:31 (see note on Mt 12:22–32), yet the point of the story is the same in both gospels: natural kinship with Jesus counts for nothing; only one who does the will of his heavenly Father belongs to his true family.
* [12:47] This verse is omitted in some important textual witnesses, including Codex Sinaiticus (original reading) and Codex Vaticanus. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
George Butterfield comments that Saint Peter once said that he had written a letter to remind us of important things. The readings for today do this. No great theological insights are required; the readings simply tell us what kind of God we have.
Don Schwager quotes “My mother through faith,” by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD).
"If someone can become the brother of the Lord by coming to faith, we must ask how one can become also his mother. We must realize that the one who is Christ's brother and sister by believing becomes his mother by preaching. It is as though one brings forth the Lord and infuses him in the hearts of one's listeners. And that person becomes his mother if through one's voice the love of the Lord is generated in the mind of his neighbor. (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 3.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 urges us to look toward our merciful God and recall his promises of restoration, of reunion, and of reconciliation. Put those troubling situations into his hands and trust him with the results.
Our God “delights . . . in clemency” (Micah 7:18). So put aside any fears that he is like an impatient, ill-tempered parent, ready to punish at the first misstep. Turn to him, the One who never ceases to offer mercy, and receive his kindness and forgiveness.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for your compassion!” (Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Micah calls upon God to shepherd His people to the lands that have become pagan territory. Chesed and emet are Hebrew concepts of the covenant love and fidelity of God. Friar Jude offers a summary of the understanding of Jesus' siblings in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant tradition as he notes that even Jesus' family had trouble figuring who He was.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites readers to consider the “skillful means” of making amends. Anglican priest Mpho Tutu van Furth defines reparation as “the action of making amends for a wrong one has done,” and describes it as a dance.
Humility speaks: “We are sorry.” This “we are sorry” will not stand on the dais dictating the terms of its own surrender. This “we are sorry” will not try to define for the victims the edges of their experience. This “we are sorry” will not lay upon those wronged the weight of expectation. You are not required to be gracious in response. We hope that you will hear that we are genuinely sorry.
The door is open. The dance begins. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to open our mind and experience to live in a restored understanding that our brothers and sisters are all the people of God’s Creation.
References
Butterfield, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/072324.htm
Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?46
Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/23/1031116/
Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/7?14
Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dance-of-repair/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Are My Brothers and Sisters? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul23
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