The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to remain confident in our relationship with God as we journey through troubles and times when witnessing to our faith is difficult. The Texts and comments from the USCCB website were not available at publication time. The daily readings from the CCCB are available.
In the reading from the Book of Job, he declares that “My Redeemer lives”
Psalm 27 is a triumphant Song of Confidence.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus initiates the Mission of the Seventy.
Barbara Dilly asks about Jesus' disciples. Why don’t we know their names? Why didn’t they leave behind their journals for us to read like Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did? Their stories were not about them, they were about Jesus.
In fact, if we read the Psalm for today, we find some bold language that we can apply to our attitude. As we set out on our way, we can be stouthearted and courageous. And would not it be great if we left behind a few journals of our faith journeys for our loved ones to read some day. We just need to be sure that they are not just stories about us, and how God uses us, but stories focused on the glory of Jesus. Well, that might be more difficult, but we can do this. (Dilly, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can one so peaceful conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and nothing can resist my will.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 19:21-27 comments that imagine how Job would have felt if his wife and friends had told him, “We don’t understand why all this is happening. But we believe that somehow, God can bring good out of this. Know that we’re standing with you in faith.” Or, “How can we support you right now?” He might have found extra strength to persevere rather than facing his trials alone!
When someone you love is suffering, try to avoid the mistakes that Job’s wife and friends made. Try not to offer unsolicited advice or criticism. When you speak, let your words be filled with encouragement and faith and hope. Or maybe don’t say anything at all! Sometimes we can be Christ’s presence simply by showing up: sitting with them in the hospital, visiting them in prison, or joining them in their pew at Mass.
Through our support and God’s faithfulness, may our friends come to say, “I know that my Vindicator lives” (Job 19:25).
“Lord, you are so faithful. Help me to be a faithful friend when someone needs me.” (Meditation on Job 19:21-27, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the transition among the friends of Job from silent mourning to asserting that Job must be a sinner in need of repentance. Job awaits his goel and affirms the beginning of an understanding of the resurrection of the dead. Friar Jude reminds us that we are to accept the hospitality of others on our journey as disciples and accept that people will choose and encounter the consequences of their choice.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares an early account of Francis praying outside, as Ilia Delio reflects on Francis’ understanding of God as love.
Francis was praying alone …, uttering a mantra in the form of a question: “Who are You, O God? And who am I?” [1] The more Francis wandered into the fields of nature, the more he wandered into the fields of his own heart. The outer world invited him to enter his inner world. There he encountered the mystery of God who was at once, Most High, and yet infinitely near; more intimate than his own self. Francis experienced God as his “All”: All good, All love, All present, All merciful. As he exclaimed, “Deus meus et omnia,” meaning “My God and my All!” The more he found God within himself, the more he saw God outside himself where every detail of nature spoke to him of God. As the Franciscan penitent Angela of Foligno exclaimed: “All creation is pregnant with God!” [2] Prayer led Francis into the truth of his own reality and into the truth of the world. Nothing was outside the embrace of God’s love.
Prayer is an invitation to grow in love: as we grow into God’s life, God’s life grows in us. We are reborn in the Spirit through the power of love, entering into the chaos and uncertainty of the world. Love does not retreat from suffering and pain but enters into the darkness of life with energy and hope that the future will be different; love creatively empowers life toward more life. Life in God is a gamble in love that requires faithful commitment, even when darkness persists and suffering prevails. To grow in love through prayer is to throw ourselves into the heart of God…. Only when we can weep at what is not yet loved can we live into a new reality; for love is waiting to be born. This is the heart of Franciscan prayer. (Rohr, n.d.)
We express gratitude to the Holy Spirit for the inspiration to find confidence and consolation in prayer and Love when our journey becomes mentally and physically challenging.
References
Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100324.html
Meditation on Job 19:21-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/03/1096109/
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love in the Created World. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-in-the-created-world/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Kingdom of God Has Come near to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct3
No comments:
Post a Comment