Contemplative Life and Joy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our journey and the opportunities we have to be agents of support and life to the people in our environment.

Contemplate Life

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts us to Freedom from Sin and to Life in God.

* [6:12–19] Christians have been released from the grip of sin, but sin endeavors to reclaim its victims. The antidote is constant remembrance that divine grace has claimed them and identifies them as people who are alive only for God’s interests.

* [6:17] In contrast to humanity, which was handed over to self-indulgence (Rom 1:24–32), believers are entrusted (“handed over”) to God’s pattern of teaching, that is, the new life God aims to develop in Christians through the productivity of the holy Spirit. Throughout this passage Paul uses the slave-master model in order to emphasize the fact that one cannot give allegiance to both God and sin. (Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 124 heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation.

* [Psalm 124] A thanksgiving which teaches that Israel’s very existence is owed to God who rescues them. In the first part Israel’s enemies are compared to the mythic sea dragon (Ps 124:2b–3a; cf. Jer 51:34) and Flood (Ps 124:3b–5; cf. Is 51:9–10). The Psalm heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation. Israel is a bird freed from the trapper’s snare (Ps 124:6–8)—freed originally from Pharaoh and now from the current danger. (Psalms, PSALM 124, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke advocates that Vigilant and Faithful Servants prepare for the End Times.

* [12:35–48] This collection of sayings relates to Luke’s understanding of the end time and the return of Jesus. Luke emphasizes for his readers the importance of being faithful to the instructions of Jesus in the period before the parousia.

* [12:45] My master is delayed in coming: this statement indicates that early Christian expectations for the imminent return of Jesus had undergone some modification. Luke cautions his readers against counting on such a delay and acting irresponsibly. Cf. the similar warning in Mt 24:48. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Maggie Knight is reminded of one of the meditations in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She encountered it through Kevin O’Brien, SJ’s book The Ignatian Adventure, which includes George E. Ganss, SJ’s traditional translation of the Principle and Foundation from the Spiritual Exercises. It begins:

“What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I do for Christ? May all decisions and actions help me praise, reverence, and serve God.”

For me, returning to these questions helps keep my focus where it belongs. If I use them as a touchstone, it becomes much harder to serve any master other than the Lord. Of course, living this out is easier said than done. But this simple reminder has become both powerful and comforting in my own life.

Paul’s reminder in Romans 6 and the wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises both seem to call us to the same truth: real freedom comes from choosing God and living as His servants.(Knight, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God's great promise for faithful and wise servants,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"'Blessed is the servant whom the Lord will find so doing when he comes. A great promise is extended to the Lord's faithful and wise stewards. It is like the promise he made to those to whom he said, 'Take authority over five cities' or 'take authority over ten cities' (Luke 19:17-19). For to be made the head 'over all his possessions' is nothing other than to be made an 'heir of God and coheir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) and to reign with Christ. The Father has given him everything he himself possesses, as Christ said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18). The Son of the good Father who is given authority over all his Father's possessions also shares this honor and glory with his faithful and wise stewards, so they also might be with Christ above every creature and authority. This is what he meant when he said, 'Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.'" (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 62) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments Paul speaks that justified through faith we cannot reject a moral life for licentiousness. We are aiming to be a slave to the Love of God that requires a moral good life. In Luke, we are reminded that we don’t know the hour when the Master returns. Therefore we need to build up the kingdom with our gifts and talents. Our punishment will be based on our response. “Much is required of those given much” We avoid need to avoid the trap of living just for ourselves.

Fr. Mike Schmitz mirrors the story of 1 Maccabees and Israel’s expectations of continued success onto our own lives, emphasizing that God’s marvelous plan exceeds our expectations and what we think should happen next in our lives. He invites us to worship and give to the Lord with freedom and generosity in response to God’s sacrificial love for us. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 14, Sirach 34-35, and Proverbs 23:22-25.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces E. Trey Clark, a Professor of Preaching and Spiritual Formation, who considers the rich history of Black contemplative preaching.

Black contemplative preaching is shaped by the holistic spirituality, communal orientation, and vibrant orality that is part of the rich Africana heritage—even when embodied outside of predominantly Black contexts. Moreover, Black contemplative preaching unites the head and the heart, the personal and the communal, and spiritual formation and social transformation as it bears witness to the liberating and life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. While recognizing that contemplation is ultimately a gift, Black contemplative preachers seek to guide people to experience loving communion with the divine, while also pursuing the flourishing of Black people and all of God’s creation.… 

It is essential to note that Black contemplative preaching is not a recent development. Its deep roots can be traced to the lineage of biblical prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, Mary, and Jesus himself. Moreover, it stems from a tradition of African mystics, including St. Anthony, Moses the Black, and St. Mary of Egypt. It is also part of a larger history of mystic preachers in the Christian tradition that includes Augustine of Hippo, Hildegard of Bingen, St. Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart, Dona Beatriz, Kimpa Vita, and others. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the “Cloud of Witnesses” in our tradition that model for us the fullness of life in being the faithful servant of Jesus Way.

References

Knight, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-22-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?39 

Psalms, PSALM 124. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/124?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/black-traditions-of-contemplation/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6?12 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Ready to Answer - the Lord Draws Near. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Witness and Idols

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the “idols” to which we give attention while ignoring the fullness of life Jesus invites us to experience.

Consider Our Idols

The reading from the Book of Exodus describes the Golden Calf.

* [32:11–13] Moses uses three arguments to persuade the Lord to remain faithful to the Sinai covenant even though the people have broken it: (1) they are God’s own people, redeemed with God’s great power; (2) God’s reputation will suffer if they are destroyed; (3) the covenant with Abraham still stands. The Lord’s change of mind is a testimony to Israel’s belief in the power of intercessory prayer. (Exodus, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 106 contains a Confession of Israel’s Sins.

* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5). Confident of God’s mercy, the speaker invites national repentance (Ps 106:6) by reciting from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness. The sins are the rebellion at the Red Sea (Ps 106:6–12; see Ex 14–15), the craving for meat in the desert (Ps 106:13–15; see Nm 11), the challenge to Moses’ authority (Ps 106:16–18; see Nm 16), the golden calf episode (Ps 106:19–23; see Ex 32–34), (Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John identifies the Witnesses to Jesus.

* [5:32] Another: likely the Father, who in four different ways gives testimony to Jesus, as indicated in the verse groupings Jn 5:33–34, 36, 37–38, 39–40.

* [5:35] Lamp: cf. Ps 132:17—“I will place a lamp for my anointed (= David),” and possibly the description of Elijah in Sir 48:1. But only for a while, indicating the temporary and subordinate nature of John’s mission.

* [5:39] You search: this may be an imperative: “Search the scriptures, because you think that you have eternal life through them.”

* [5:41] Praise: the same Greek word means “praise” or “honor” (from others) and “glory” (from God). There is a play on this in Jn 5:44. (John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments that she had the opportunity of visiting the monastery which housed the famous monk, Thomas Merton. Over the arch leading into the monastery and chapel were the words: “God Alone.”

All this has me considering my idols. Anxiety over our country’s situation has me turning to news reports too often. Anxiety in general - I’m not in charge, why worry as if I must control events and outcomes? I'm sure we can all, with a little searching, find the ways we lack trust in Jesus. Each day gives me innumerable opportunities to renew my trust in Jesus. As the poet Rumi said long ago, “Try something different: surrender." (Braddock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ is our Master who teaches us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354- 430 A.D.

"There is a Master within Who teaches us. Christ is our Master, and his inspiration and his anointing teaches us. Where his inspiration and his anointing are lacking, it is in vain that words resound in our ears. As Paul the Apostle said: 'I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.' Therefore, whether we plant or whether we water by our words, we are nothing. It is God Who gives the increase; His anointing teaches you all things." (excerpt from Sermon on 1 John 3,13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:31-47 comments that we, too, can sometimes fail to notice or acknowledge the works of God or the effect they have on our lives. Yet when we take the time to step back and look at all that God is doing in us and for us, we can grow in faith and in our love for him.

All these works testify to Jesus. Let’s remember to keep them in the forefront of our minds, especially when we are tempted to doubt the love and power of the Lord.

Jesus’ works didn’t stop when he ascended to heaven. He is working even now, even today. Can you see it?

“Lord, help me to recognize and give thanks to you for all the great works you are doing in the world today!” (Meditation on John 5:31-47, 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the chutzpah of Moses as he talks down God by recalling the promises of the Covenant with Israel. The Gospel of John declares Jesus as the witness from the Father who reveals who God is and what God requires of people. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus is the Great Prophet that Moses to whom Moses gave witness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Reverend Liz Walker, the founder of the Can We Talk… network, which creates safe spaces for people to connect through sharing their stories. She describes the importance of contemplative, healing practices to support the work of social justice.

[In contemplative practice] we are fully claiming the space and community we are in. We are seeking help in tending to our suffering. We are honoring our ancestors who testified, danced, and sang their way to transcendence in the midst of chaos and pain. In celebrating those past practices, we gently hold this community in hope and possibility. We trust that whatever needs to be healed will be healed by the Spirit of a creative God who works in and through us…. (Rohr, n.d.)

Dr. [Barbara] Holmes writes that the civil rights movement was born through the contemplative spirit of the Black church.  

The spark that ignited the justice movements did not come from the hierarchical institutional black church. Rather, it was the quixotic and limber heart of that institution, its flexible, spiritually open, and mystical center, that ignited first the young people and then their elders to move their symbolic initiatives from ritual ring shouts to processional and contemplative marches. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are challenged to recognize the “idols” we tend to advocate as “First” in our lives as we implore the Spirit to energize our commitment to Jesus' Way of truth, compassion, and love.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040325.html 

Exodus, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/32?7 

John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?31 

Meditation on John 5:31-47. (2025, April 3). The Word Among Us. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/03/1239902/ 

Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106?19 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Foundation Is Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-foundation-is-contemplation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 3, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr3