The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the ability of our virtuous living to be a guide and positive influence in our environment.
The reading from the Book of Proverbs notes that Justice Toward One’s Neighbor brings Blessing.
* [3:21–35] As in other instructions, the father in vv. 21–26 urges the son to seek wisdom, which in this case means practicing the virtues of “deliberation and planning,” a specification of wisdom. Practicing these virtues brings protection from violence (vv. 22–26) and friendship with God (vv. 32–35). The language is like Ps 91.
Verses 27–35 are arranged according to a clear order. Serving God requires serving one’s neighbor through kindness (vv. 27–28), maintaining peace with the good (vv. 29–31), having no envy of the wicked (v. 31), because the Lord’s friendship and kindness are with the just, not with the wicked. Matching the six exhortations of vv. 1–12, vv. 27–34 contain six prohibitions. The righteous/wicked contrast is progressively developed: in contrast to the wicked, the righteous are in God’s inner circle, their houses are blessed, they deal with a merciful God, and obtain honor. (Proverbs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 15 asks Who shall abide in God’s Sanctuary?
* [Psalm 15] The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3–6; Is 33:14b–16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor. (Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke explores placing a Lamp under a Jar.
* [8:16–18] These sayings continue the theme of responding to the word of God. Those who hear the word must become a light to others (Lk 8:16); even the mysteries of the kingdom that have been made known to the disciples (Lk 8:9–10) must come to light (Lk 8:17); a generous and persevering response to the word of God leads to a still more perfect response to the word. (Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. comments on His invitation and grace to be like Him in loving and forgiving others, and of a life of self-sacrificing love and accompanying others.
The help Jesus offers us today is to remember that I often "forget" what I've heard. The good news of his love, the promise of his closeness and the assistance offered me, all fade away when I let stress, anxiety, compromises, bad choices cloud my memory. I forget. The grace I ask for today is that I might continue to remember what I've heard and to rely on that good news in living my life more gratefully and with greater trust. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Word of God is like a lamp to guide us,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Scripture does not say this about a tangible lamp but about a comprehensible one. One does not 'light' the lamp and conceal it 'with a vessel' or put it 'under a bed, but on the lamp stand' within himself. The vessels of the house are the powers of the soul. The bed is the body. 'Those who go in' are those who hear the teacher... He calls the holy church a 'lamp stand.' By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge. (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON LUKE 120, 122) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 8:16-18 comments that we can hear the Scriptures every day at Mass. We can read and even study the Bible during our prayer time. But how are we hearing God’s message? Are we putting it into practice, or are we taking God’s word for granted, rushing through it, or even allowing it to stay at a superficial level?
God speaks to us most clearly and directly through his word. So spend time with the Scriptures today. The more you do this, the more you’ll hear God speaking to you—and the more you’ll be inspired to obey him. And that will make you like a lamp on a lampstand, shining brightly and illuminating the world around you.
“Lord, thank you for speaking to me in your word! May it shine forth from me as I follow you.” (Meditation on Luke 8:16-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the simple teaching of Proverbs on how to live a good life and be supported by God. He notes another emphasis in Matthew about being secret as a technique of Jewish teaching that presents both extremes. There is no such thing as a hidden sin. Our sin is sensed by others so we need to seek transparency. Friar Jude reminds us that God cannot increase our faith if we are not willing to accept it.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual teacher Beverly Lanzetta who considers what constitutes a “new monk”. Lanzetta describes how “new monks” practice their spirituality outside monastic enclosure.
New expressions of monasticism are not only authentic, but also offer a vital and necessary counterpoint to secular society. This is especially true because the monk in the world is bound by his or her vocation to be a self-reflective person—one who seeks higher meaning and dedicates his or her life on Earth to its pursuit. It is arduous work to dig deep into one’s soul, bringing forth hidden or unconscious motives contrary to a spiritual life. I find that the younger generations are especially drawn to the movement of new monasticism, as many were born with awareness of a new religious sensibility and a global Earth community. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are spiritual beings who are drawn by the Spirit to virtuous living hopefully as a lamp of truth, goodness, and love in our environment.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092324.html
Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?16
Meditation on Luke 8:16-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/23/1078725/
Proverbs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/3?27
Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/15?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The New Monk. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-new-monk/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Every Secret Shall Come to Light. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep23
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