The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, contrast the struggle as workers in Jesus' vineyard, with the deep joy that comes to us from our relationship with Christ.
In the reading from the Prophet Jeremiah he complains again and is reassured.
* [15:13–14] Though the wording of these verses is close to that in 17:3–4, the present passage is evidently God’s word to Jeremiah, whereas 17:3–4 is evidently a word of judgment on Judah. It is noteworthy that the references to “you” in the present passage are singular, until a shift to plural in “against you” in the last line; this “you” is then doubtless a reference to both the prophet and his enemies. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 59 is a prayer for Deliverance from Enemies.
* [Psalm 59] A lament in two parts (Ps 59:2–9, 11b–17), each ending in a refrain (Ps 59:10, 18). Both parts alternate prayer for vindication (Ps 59:2–3, 4b–5, 11b–14) with vivid depictions of the psalmist’s enemies (Ps 59:4–5a, 7–8, 15–16). The near curse in Ps 59:12–13 is not a crude desire for revenge but a wish that God’s just rule over human affairs be recognized now. (Psalms, PSALM 59 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents Three Parables
* [13:44–50] The first two of the last three parables of the discourse have the same point. The person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds a pearl of great price sell all that they have to acquire these finds; similarly, the one who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. The joy with which this is done is made explicit in the first parable, but it may be presumed in the second also. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cynthia Schmersal finds herself romanticizing or glossing over the gritty realities of St. Ignatius’ pilgrim journey – his thwarted plans, his struggles – exterior and interior, and his invitations to humility.
On his Feast this year, in our remembering and our celebrating, may we also acknowledge the complexity of St. Ignatius’ life and of our own lives, lovingly and ever so gently attending to the spaces in our lives that cry out “Woe to me, mother that you gave me birth!”, that question “Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?” May we – trusting in our identities as beloved pearls of great price and in the One who is indeed our refuge – turn to our God and hear – in the depths of our being – the abiding assurance “I am with you." (Schmersal, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Finding the pearl of great price,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Now among the words of all kinds that profess to announce truth, and among those who report them, he seeks pearls. Think of the prophets as, so to speak, the pearls that receive the dew of heaven and become pregnant with the word of truth from heaven. They are goodly pearls that, according to the phrase here set forth, the merchant seeks. And the chief of the pearls, on the finding of which the rest are found with it, is the very costly pearl, the Christ of God, the Word that is superior to the precious letters and thoughts in the law and the prophets. When one finds this pearl all the rest are easily released. Suppose, then, that one is not a disciple of Christ. He possesses no pearls at all, much less the very costly pearl, as distinguished from those that are cloudy or darkened." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 18.8) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46 comments that Ignatius renounced his past ambitions and turned his relentless zeal toward the quest for holiness. Out of love for Christ, he rigorously pursued prayer, penance, and contemplation. In 1522, he confessed his sins, gave away his fine clothes, and left his sword at an altar in the shrine of Montserrat. Together with several companions, he formed the Society of Jesus in 1539 and brought many people to faith in the Lord. Even today, Ignatius’ witness continues to inspire men and women to prize Jesus above all else and follow him unreservedly.
God may not be calling you to live as Ignatius did, but he does want you to find the pearl of great price. He wants you to taste the goodness of his Son Jesus and experience his love. He wants you to discover that nothing compares with knowing him. So open your heart to the Lord today. Ask the Spirit to help you love Jesus singleheartedly. By his grace, you can “sell all you have” to follow Christ and spread the good news of his love. It’s worth it!
“Thank you, Jesus, for being my pearl of great price.” (Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler introduces the confessions of Jeremiah that challenge God about the persecution that he endures as a possible betrayal by God. Our mission is to do our best and realize that failure to human eyes may be success in the eyes of faith. Friar Jude reminds us that the use of the Kingdom of Heaven phrase likely indicates a final editing of Matthew’s Gospel by a converted Pharisee.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Dorothee Sölle (1929–2003) who understood God’s kingdom as good news for women and all oppressed people.
The Jesus movement lived in conflict with its society. Jesus expected the reversal of all social oppositions through God’s intervention, and this expectation—“the kingdom of God is at hand”—characterized the movement. All those who were outsiders according to the norms of society and held to be “impure” according to the law—the poor, the landless, public sinners, tax collectors, and women—were accepted here. “The last will be first” [Matthew 20:16] is a keynote permeating the whole message of Jesus. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate our journey and process the setbacks and struggles in the light of the joy that comes from our relationship with selfless love that is the treasure of immeasurable value.
References
Jeremiah, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/15?10
Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?44
Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/31/1036536/
Psalms, PSALM 59 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/59?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Last Shall Be First. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-last-shall-be-first/
Schmersal, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/073124.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Joy in Finding Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul31
No comments:
Post a Comment