The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be attentive to the call and mission of Christ to bring us together as children of God.
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians calls for Unity in the Body of Christ.
* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11).
* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 24 is a prayer for Entrance into the Temple
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about interpreting the times and settling with your opponent.
* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner thinks Jesus is telling all of us to pay attention. We know how. We can read the signs of a friend’s distress, a colleague happy about a good meeting, a family member’s need for reassurance. We can read them, but what happens when we are distracted? How can I see God in others if our only communication is a grinning emoji and an abbreviation? Any communication can be good, but we need to go beyond that surface level.
I think we are all starved to that kind of attention that is focused, caring, empathetic. We all need to really see the signs and really listen to what those around us are saying. It takes time and effort to see beyond the surface and to interpret the signs of how those around us are coping. Those text messages can wait. I don’t have to watch that video right now. I can pay attention to those around me and pay attention to me. (Zuegner, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).
"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6 notes that when Pope Francis was asked, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio?” his answer surprised many: “I am a sinner whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.” But to fellow Jesuits around the world, his response was anything but surprising. They knew that this is the standard answer for a Jesuit when he is asked about his identity: that he is “a sinner loved and redeemed by God.”
This recognition of who we are can also help us in “bearing with one another through love” (Ephesians 4:2). We aren’t perfect, and we can’t expect other people to be perfect, either. We are all in the same boat—all sinners striving to please the Lord but also in need of God’s mercy every day. That awareness softens our hearts, allowing us to treat others with patience and gentleness and to forgive them as the Lord forgives us.
Yes, God has called us who are sinners to follow him. But through his love, grace, and mercy, we can live in a way that makes us worthy of this call!
“Jesus, thank you for calling me. Help me to glorify you.” (Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Ephesians is set by the author as from Paul in prison as it urges a life of gentleness, patience, and love as a sign of unity in Christ. Our cleverness in interpretation of the physical world should extend to our spiritual reality. Friar Jude reminds us of the preparation practice of living as if it is our last day on earth.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that visionaries, prophets, and Jesus have all warned us that this journey that we are on will be beset by troubles. In this life, you will have trouble. How we handle that trouble is our witness to future generations.
What I want to say about the wisdom that matters now is that this wisdom often comes from discernment of Divine Spirit in our midst. Hearing and heeding the voice of the Divine is critical during difficult times. But sometimes, with all of our media distractions and our own boredom, it’s difficult to hear the voice of the Creator. So, I’m going to suggest that if you’re hoping to hear beyond this realm into the next, remember that the key is newness. The Creator does not come as we expect. The Spirit does not move under our command. When we expect divine intervention in one way, it usually comes in another. We expect the warrior king to set things right, God sends a baby in a manger. We expect wrongs to be punished, God extends grace and mercy to all. (Rohr, n.d.)
As we contemplate the nature of the unity among us, we consider our state and common condition as “sinners whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.”
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?54=
Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/25/1112765/
Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Wisdom Will Come. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wisdom-will-come/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct25
Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102524.html
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