The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the experiences in our lives where our faith and the support of our community became the rocks of refuge and restoration.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims Judah’s Song of Victory.
* [26:1–19] This text is a mixture of praise for the salvation that will take place, a confession of Judah’s inability to achieve deliverance on its own, and earnest prayer that God may quickly bring about the longed-for salvation.
* [26:1] Strong city: Jerusalem, the antithesis of the “city of chaos” (24:10); see note on 24:1–27:13. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 118 is A Song of Victory.
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29). (Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning Self-Deception and Hearers and Doers.
* [7:21–23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.
* [7:23] I never knew you: cf. Mt 10:33. Depart from me, you evildoers: cf. Ps 6:9.
* [7:24–27] The conclusion of the discourse (cf. Lk 6:47–49). Here the relation is not between saying and doing as in Mt 7:15–23 but between hearing and doing, and the words of Jesus are applied to every Christian (everyone who listens). (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Susan Naatz comments that To be a rock for someone may require great courage and resilience. They are there when times are difficult, joyful, or challenging. They consistently do what they say they will do and deeply care for others. They are a safe haven.
Have you had someone in your life who you would describe as your rock? Picture them right now. Think of their precious qualities and inherent goodness. You might want to take a moment to thank them and tell them what they mean to you. It is often through those relationships that we encounter God.
Matthew’s gospel invites us to have faith in God who is our eternal rock. God provides strength, love, and hope. God roots us and anchors us when the winds of life push and pull. We can ask ourselves if we are building the dreams of our life on the rock, who is God. Or are we settling on the sand of cultural disruptions and superficiality which can blow us away from God when the storms surge in? (Naatz, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Turn your vision to the Savior,” by Verecundus (died 552 AD).
"When Hezekiah, the king of Judah and son of Ahaz, was gravely ill and had learned of his coming death by the prophecy of Isaiah, he turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:1-3). Immediately the Lord in his mercy not only averted the destruction of imminent death but also added fifteen years to the man's life. Then, at last, Hezekiah sang this song (Isaiah 38:10-20). Hezekiah, a holy man who reigned at that time over all of Israel, displayed the Lord's form: clearly he had every movement of body, soul and mind in subjection to himself, and he accepted the consequences of his infirmity and weakness. He knew without doubt through the prophetic message that the end of his life was approaching. For the longer we seem to live, the more indubitably is our future death foreknown to us. And if we turn our face to the wall when struck by the fear of death, that is, if we direct the vision of our hearts to the Savior, who is here represented by the wall because he is elsewhere called 'a wall,' we will be saved, inasmuch as he saves the faithful who dwell within him from a great many attacks. 'In the city of our strength,' says Isaiah, 'is the Savior established as a wall and a fortress' (Isaiah 26:1). Behold, the Savior is said to be a wall." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE CANTICLE OF EZEKIEL 5.1-2)
[Verecundus was an African Christian writer and bishop in the 6th century AD.] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-2 invites us to picture a large flat rock by the ocean, covering a wide expanse of beach. Now imagine the sand nearby. The rock has been there for ages; it hasn’t moved or been damaged despite the many storms that have pounded it. The sand, however, is always shifting. Depending on the tides, it can get pushed out to sea and then end up back on the beach in the same day.
Perhaps you know someone who has been shaken by the shifting sands beneath them. If so, you might want to remind them of this parable. Tell them how Jesus and his teachings have helped you weather the storms in your life. If you once followed one of these belief systems, tell them how and why you eventually found the Lord. Your witness just might convince them to build their own life on the rock of Christ!
“Jesus, thank you for being the firm ground beneath my feet!” (Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-2, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage today, like yesterday, from the central section of Isaiah was probably written by a different author who declares Jerusalem as a refuge and home of a nation that is just. The Gospel of Matthew declares the just who live in fidelity to God’s will are able to stand firm in a tempest. Friar Jude reminds us to review our relationship with God who teaches us and gives us strength to do His Will.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how love and grace are present and operational in the world. Scientist and theologian Ilia Delio, having studied the work of French priest and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955), writes:
Teilhard thought that love is the most mysterious and unknown energy in the universe. It is this center drawn to that center; this person drawn to that person. There is no logical explanation for this core energy of life; it is deeply personal and yet whimsical; … an energy field that is somehow entangled with an infinite energy of divine love—for God alone, who is absolute love, is completely personal and ineffable intimacy. Love is rooted in the fundamental nature of reality itself…. Love forms every star, atom, leaf, daffodil, bird, earthworm, cat, giraffe, tiger, and human; everything that exists is born from love. Even consciousness is born of love so that mind is not intellect alone but includes the body and senses and emotional life. Love makes the world go around because love makes the world; matter is formed by love. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)
We recall with great gratitude the tempests on our journey through which by the grace of God we found peace and the loving concern of family and friends.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/26?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?21
Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-2. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/05/1145637/
Naatz, S. (2024, December 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120524.html
Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Is the Source of All. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-the-source-of-all/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec5
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