The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present two paths for our journey and urge us to choose the Way that contains the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul declares the Fruit of the Spirit.
* [5:16–25] Spirit…flesh: cf. Gal 3:3 and the note on Rom 8:1–13.
* [5:19–23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf. Rom 1:29–31; 1 Cor 6:9–10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits.
* [5:21] Occasions of envy: after the Greek word phthonoi, “envies,” some manuscripts add a similar sounding one, phonoi, “murders.” (Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 1 compares the Two Ways.
* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.
* [1:1] The way: a common biblical term for manner of living or moral conduct (Ps 32:8; 101:2, 6; Prv 2:20; 1 Kgs 8:36).
* [1:2] The law of the LORD: either the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, or, more probably, divine teaching or instruction.
* [1:4] The wicked: those who by their actions distance themselves from God’s life-giving presence. (Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus continues a Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.
* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there).
* [11:44] Unseen graves: contact with the dead or with human bones or graves (see Nm 19:16) brought ritual impurity. Jesus presents the Pharisees as those who insidiously lead others astray through their seeming attention to the law.
* [11:45] Scholars of the law: see note on Lk 10:25. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Maureen McCann Waldron comments that today we can ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to these incredible graces, Love, Patience, Gentleness, and be grateful that God wants to give us these attitudes and ways of dealing with people and our own selves. These are graces that we can share with others, spreading that joy.
Spirit of wisdom and gentleness, thank you for being in my heart today, offering me what I don’t always realize I need. Be with me as I prepare to meet the world, and myself. Remind me of the joy, love and peace you offer me, and help me to spread your great gifts in each hour of my day. (McCann Waldron, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won't even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:42-46 comments that when it comes to the practices of our faith, it can be easy to derive a sense of security from following “The Rules.” We might also use those rules as a quick way to assess whether someone is a “good” Catholic. We might even use these rules as a checklist to determine if we are right with God. But such an approach risks draining the lifeblood from our practices. It risks reducing our relationship with the Lord to a set of obligations. And when that happens, the rules become a burden, not a way to freedom.
Of course, the habits and rhythms of faith are important. Without them, our relationship with the invisible God would descend to the level of theory and speculation. But if you ever find yourself just “ticking off a checklist” or judging someone who doesn’t, perhaps that’s a sign that you need to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. Perhaps that’s a sign urging you to go back to the heart of the gospel: justice and the love of God.
“Jesus, help me never to reduce my relationship with you to a matter of rules and practices!” (Meditation on Luke 11:42-46, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the contrast that Paul describes between living under the Law or the Spirit. The list of evils is disorganized but the virtues resonate with the Hebrew superlative structure as an organization of three groups of three. Friar Jude underlines the seriousness of excess scrupulosity in the actions of the Pharisees and Lawyers.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sarah Augustine, a Pueblo (Tewa) author and activist, who identifies what we can learn from creation about the Creator. The Indigenous caucus at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches shared the ecological wisdom of their traditions.
We as Indigenous Peoples believe that the Creator is in Creation. God revealed himself/herself as Creator and Sustainer in the act of creation. The triune God along with land co-parents all life. The mystery in John chapter 1 unfolds how the Creator abides in creation. The incarnation of God in Christ becomes totality in God’s creation…. Through God all things were made, without God nothing was or is made. In God there is life, and in God is the light of all Creation. The presence of God made the world and therefore [it] is sacred. The work of creation in God is the unity of diversity, where all lives coexist in a harmonious balance because they are all from God. Each seed that sprouts begins creation anew, and not one seed can grow unless the Creator enables it. We believe that doing justice to God’s creation is the basis of liberation and the human search for selfhood. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We are challenged by the Word to ponder our choices in our practice of our faith and to contemplate the actions we can take to cultivate truth, goodness, and love.
References
Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?18
Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?
McCann Waldron, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101624.html
Meditation on Luke 11:42-46. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/16/1105745/
Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Creation’s Revelation. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/creations-revelation/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Load Burdens Hard to Bear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct16
No comments:
Post a Comment