The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the inspiration of the Spirit that nudges us to reevaluate our relationships in anticipation of living in the Kingdom of God.
The reading from the Letter to Philemon is Paul’s Plea for Onesimus.
* [7] Encouragement: the Greek word paraklēsis is cognate with the verb translated “urge” in Phlm 9, 10, and serves as an introduction to Paul’s plea. Hearts: literally, “bowels,” expressing in Semitic fashion the seat of the emotions, one’s “inmost self.” The same Greek word is used in Phlm 12 and again in Phlm 20, where it forms a literary inclusion marking off the body of the letter.
* [8] Full right: often translated “boldness,” the Greek word parrēsia connotes the full franchise of speech, as the right of a citizen to speak before the body politic, claimed by the Athenians as their privilege (Euripides).
* [9] Old man: some editors conjecture that Paul here used a similar Greek word meaning “ambassador” (cf. Eph 6:20). This conjecture heightens the contrast with “prisoner” but is totally without manuscript support.
* [11] Useless…useful: here Paul plays on the name Onesimus, which means “useful” or “beneficial.” The verb translated “profit” in Phlm 20 is cognate.
* [13] Serve: the Greek diakoneō could connote a ministry.
* [15] Was away from: literally, “was separated from,” but the same verb means simply “left” in Acts 18:1. It is a euphemism for his running away.
* [16] As a man: literally, “in the flesh.” With this and the following phrase, Paul describes the natural and spiritual orders.
* [18–19] Charge it to me…I will pay: technical legal and commercial terms in account keeping and acknowledgment of indebtedness. (Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON, n.d.)
Psalm 146 offers Praise for God’s Help.
* [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal human beings (Ps 146:3–4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Ps 146:5–9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter. (Psalms, PSALM 146, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus advises about the Coming of the Kingdom.
* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.
* [17:21] Among you: the Greek preposition translated as among can also be translated as “within.” In the light of other statements in Luke’s gospel about the presence of the kingdom (see Lk 10:9, 11; 11:20) “among” is to be preferred. (Luke, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)
David Crawford comments that as a friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, Paul could have worried about damaging his personal relationships with one or both, but as a spiritual brother Paul knew that healing was needed. He held each one accountable, and in so doing provided a wonderful model of us to follow with our own spiritual siblings.
In short, Paul’s example emphasizes to me that accountability is more than pointing out when someone does or says something wrong. It certainly is more than standing back and hoping that the situation resolves itself. It requires allowing (or at least not resisting) the Holy Spirit to use me as an instrument of encouragement, support and God’s love for a soul in need. (Crawford, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Don't pursue human glory,” by John Cassian (360-435 AD).
"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from CONFERENCE 1.13.5)
[John Cassian was an early 5th century church father who lived for several years with the monks in Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern Gaul.] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:20-25 asks how does a meek and humble rabbi overcome the powers of darkness and bring a kingdom of goodness and light? This is the paradox of the gospel. God’s kingdom enters the world in smallness, as a helpless infant. He brings victory through sacrifice and exaltation through humiliation.
It’s not easy to let go of our own expectations. But it is possible. Begin today! Don’t let your heart get hardened by frustration or disappointment. As you live in the “in-between,” keep your eyes open to how Jesus is working. Rather than growing disenchanted by what God’s kingdom isn’t, you can embrace the beauty of what it already is.
Ask Jesus to help you believe: behold, the kingdom of God is among you!
“Jesus, I trust that your kingdom is here, right now. Give me eyes to see it!” (Meditation on Luke 17:20-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the letter to Philemon as the only authentic letter of Paul to an individual. Paul uses word play and conversion of Onemisus to plead for dignity and not punishment for his helper in imprisonment. Friar Jude notes the warning of Jesus in Luke to expect the Kingdom to come in an instant for which we may not be ready.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Randy and Edith Woodley who explore interconnectedness through Indigenous traditions and language. By realizing the connectedness of humankind to all animal and plant life, the Lakota believe that we become aware of new possibilities for preserving all living things. In humanity’s dependence on the Earth, the Lakota and others believe we can learn to sustain our planet and can find fresh prospects for nurturing food, conserving water, and developing renewable energy. All this and more is contained in their two simple prayer words: mitakuye oyasin, “All my relations.” The Woodleys share the insight of an Iroquois teacher:
Tadodaho, also known as Chief Leon Shenandoah, commented:
The teachings are very good. The most important thing is that each individual must treat all others, all the people who walk on Mother Earth, including every nationality, with kindness. That covers a lot of ground. It doesn’t apply only to my people. I must treat everyone I meet the same. When people turn their thoughts to the Creator, they give the Creator power to enter their minds and bring good thoughts. The most difficult part of this is that the Creator desired that there be no bloodshed among human beings and that there be peace, good relations, and always a good mind. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder how our actions and attitudes may be shaped by expectations about people and society that need to be transformed by invoking the Spirit to realign us closer to Jesus Way.
References
Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111424.html
Luke, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?20
Meditation on Luke 17:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/14/1129699/
Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philemon/1
Psalms, PSALM 146. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/146?7
Rohr, R. (n.d.). All My Relations. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/all-my-relations/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Coming of Christ's Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov14
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