Love without Limit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the extent of the action we would take to demonstrate the Love, compassion, and mercy of God to the people in our environment.

Celebrate Family

 

The Reading from The Letter of Paul to the Romans declares his Love for Israel.

* [9:1–5] The apostle speaks in strong terms of the depth of his grief over the unbelief of his own people. He would willingly undergo a curse himself for the sake of their coming to the knowledge of Christ (Rom 9:3; cf. Lv 27:28–29). His love for them derives from God’s continuing choice of them and from the spiritual benefits that God bestows on them and through them on all of humanity (Rom 9:4–5).

* [9:5] Some editors punctuate this verse differently and prefer the translation, “Of whom is Christ according to the flesh, who is God over all.” However, Paul’s point is that God who is over all aimed to use Israel, which had been entrusted with every privilege, in outreach to the entire world through the Messiah. (Romans, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 exhorts the holy city as the place of disclosure for God’s word.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy on the Sabbath.

* [14:1–6] See note on Lk 13:10–17.

* [14:2] Dropsy: an abnormal swelling of the body because of the retention and accumulation of fluid.

* [14:5] Your son or ox: this is the reading of many of the oldest and most important New Testament manuscripts. Because of the strange collocation of son and ox, some copyists have altered it to “your ass or ox,” on the model of the saying in Lk 13:15. (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that sometimes it’s more important to do the right thing than to just follow the rules.

Our lives are different now, and a lot of businesses are open every day that are not in the emergency business, but even in Jesus’ time, people knew that some things just need to be done and can’t wait. On the Sabbath, the farmers still feed and water their animals, and they take the animals out of their yokes. Animals would not be denied their exercise and food on the Sabbath. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The law does not forbid mercy on the Sabbath,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"As they were silent from ill will, Christ refutes their unrelenting shamelessness by the convincing arguments that he uses. 'Whose son of you,' he says, 'or whose ox shall fall into a pit, and he will not immediately draw him out on the sabbath day?' If the law forbids showing mercy on the sabbath, why do you take compassion on that which has fallen into the pit?... The God of all does not cease to be kind. He is good and loving to people."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101) (Schwager, n.d.) 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 9:1-5 comments that Paul knew what his Jewish kin were missing—a life-changing encounter with Christ. His fellow Pharisees were devout, God-fearing men and women. They loved God and treasured his word. They devoted themselves to helping their people follow the Law of Moses. But so many of them just couldn’t see how Jesus was the fulfillment of all their hopes and dreams.

Like Paul, we, too, may feel separated from loved ones who don’t share our faith. We long for them to know how Jesus can change their lives. We want them to know how he can help them overcome sin and fill them with hope.

We’ll never know why some people accept Jesus while others don’t. We’ll never know why some of the people we love keep Christ at a distance. But Paul never gave up sharing his faith, and neither should you. Keep praying for your loved ones and keep sharing with them. And most of all, keep loving them!

“Jesus, give me the courage and compassion of St. Paul.” (Meditation on Romans 9:1-5, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes how God’s mercy is incredible as Paul admits to a broken heart rooted in the decision of people to reject Jesus. Paul’s example of the essence of True Love that puts others ahead of self, includes accepting the torment of hell for the salvation of another. Faith is about how we can love and extend  “You first” to our worst enemy. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man with edema and critiques the rule that it is lawful to cure on the Sabbath only when a person is at the point of death. Jesus cites care of animals on the Sabbath. Friar Jude comments that we make a day of service on Sunday to bring a bit of God’s love to others.

Fr. Mike Schmitz focuses on the powerful theme that connects all of our readings today- the reality of life beyond death. In the story of the martyrdom of the seven brothers in 2 Macabees, we see how the brothers and their mother fiercely reject the temptation to violate God's law, and boldly hold onto their hope in the resurrection of the dead. Our readings from Wisdom also remind us that death is not the end, because we know that eternal life is waiting for us beyond death. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 7, Wisdom 3-4, and Proverbs 24:27-29.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, honors the significance of “thin times” that draw us nearer to the threshold between this realm and the next as he asks notes that what became All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1–2) was already called “thin times” by the ancient Celts (as were February 1–2: St. Bridget’s Day and Candlemas Day, when candles were blessed and lit). The veil between this world and the next world was considered most “thin” and easily traversed during these times.

Thin Place

Living in the communion of saints means that we can take ourselves very seriously (we are part of a Great Whole) and not take ourselves too seriously at all (we are just a part of the Great Whole) at the very same time. I hope this frees us from any unnecessary individual guilt—and, more importantly, frees us to be full “partners in God’s triumphant parade” through time and history (2 Corinthians 2:14). We are in on the deal and, yes, the really Big Deal. We are all a very small part of a very Big Thing! (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit as we wrestle with our priorities and the tension that exists with our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?1 

Meditation on Romans 9:1-5. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/31/1418480/ 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Fullness of Time. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/fullness-of-time/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/9?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Watching Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-31-2025 

Confident Restoration of Sight

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek restoration by the Spirit from our blindness to violence and hatred.

Restoration and Review

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah declares Hope for the Future.

* [29:17–24] The prophet presents the positive aspects of God’s plan in terms of a series of reversals: an end to pride, ignorance, and injustice. Cf. 32:3–5.

* [29:22] Who redeemed Abraham: perhaps by revealing himself and delivering Abraham from idolatrous worship; cf. Gn 12:1–3; 17:1; Jos 24:2–3. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 29 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 is a Triumphant Song of Confidence.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Heals Two Blind Men.

* [9:27–31] This story was probably composed by Matthew out of Mark’s story of the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46–52). Mark places the event late in Jesus’ ministry, just before his entrance into Jerusalem, and Matthew has followed his Marcan source at that point in his gospel also (see Mt 20:29–34). In each of the Matthean stories the single blind man of Mark becomes two. The reason why Matthew would have given a double version of the Marcan story and placed the earlier one here may be that he wished to add a story of Jesus’ curing the blind at this point in order to prepare for Jesus’ answer to the emissaries of the Baptist (Mt 11:4–6) in which Jesus, recounting his works, begins with his giving sight to the blind.

* [9:27] Son of David: this messianic title is connected once with the healing power of Jesus in Mark (Mk 10:47–48) and Luke (Lk 18:38–39) but more frequently in Matthew (see also Mt 12:23; 15:22; 20:30–31). (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that just as the people of Isaiah’s time, we seek to hear the word of the Lord and see through the gloom and darkness that surrounds our lives. We also seek a time when those who find fault with the lowly and the just, and are on the alert to do evil, shall receive instruction from the God of the house of Jacob.

But during Advent, we believe and wait for the Lord with courage, trusting that our Lord shall come with power and enlighten us so that we may see with more than just our eyes. At this time of Advent, we can look forward to acquiring spiritual understanding according to our faith. I pray that we will not be afraid of the light that reveals the spiritual truths we seek to understand the loveliness, the bounty, and the power of the Lord. (Dilly, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “They saw because they believed in the Messiah,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"At that point, two blind men follow the Lord as he was passing by. But if they could not see, how could the blind men know of the Lord's departure as well as his name? Moreover, they called him 'Son of David' and asked to be made well. In the two blind men, the entire earlier prefiguration [miracles in Matthew 9:18-26] is complete. The ruler's daughter seems to be from these people, namely, the Pharisees and John's disciples, who already made common cause in testing the Lord. To these unknowing persons the law gave evidence as to the one from whom they sought a cure. It indicated to them that their Savior in the flesh was of the line of David. It also introduced light to the minds of those who were blind from past sins. They could not see Christ but were told about him. The Lord showed them that faith should not be expected as a result of health but health should be expected because of faith. The blind men saw because they believed; they did not believe because they saw. From this we understand that what is requested must be predicated on faith and that faith must not be exercised because of what has been obtained. If they should believe, he offers them sight. And he charges the believers to be silent, for it was exclusively the task of the apostles to preach." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 9.9) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:27-31 comments that we may have a serious need for physical healing, as these blind men did, or we may have any number of other pressing needs. Seeking out the Lord for these things is good and a blessing, but it’s just the beginning of what he has in store for us. Because it is when we seek him out in this way that he captures our hearts and invites us into a deeper relationship with him.

Are you calling out to the Lord today for some very practical need? He hears you and asks, “Do you believe that I can do this?” Trust that he can do what you are asking of him, even if you don’t receive an answer right away. But trust, also, that he has so much more that he wants to give you. As he invites you into a deeper relationship, he will soften your heart, unburden your conscience, bless you with joy and peace, and share a love beyond measure. Just like these two blind men, the need that brought you to Jesus is just the beginning of a transformation that has no end!

“Lord, let today be the beginning of my journey of following you, hoping in you, and understanding you more deeply!” (Meditation on Matthew 9:27-31, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah celebrates how God transforms gloom and darkness to rejoicing in the God of Abraham and faithfulness to the Covenant that brings meaning to their lives. In healing the two blind men, Jesus asks “Do you believe?” Friar Jude reminds us that God heals us in the way we most need it.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author John Philip Newell who honors the work of scientist and Catholic priest Thomas Berry (1914–2009) who witnessed God throughout the cosmos.

Berry wanted us to be amazed, constantly amazed, by this one, single, interrelated body of the universe that new science describes as a single multiform reality, or as “Undivided Wholeness in Flowing Movement.” [2] It just keeps flowing and flowing into ever-new form. Four and a half billion years ago it flowed into the form of a planet of burning molten rock. And over the course of four billion years this globe of burning rock, Earth as it was later called, has transformed itself into birds and bees and butterflies, and into the emergence of human thought and music and love. We are each a shining flow of sacred energy.  

Homo sapiens, meaning wise ones, appeared 200,000 years ago. We are latecomers in this story. The term “wise ones” does not accurately describe what we have been to one another and to Earth, but it could yet describe what we will become. As Berry adds, there is good reason to hope that “the universe is for us rather than against us.” [3] Given the dangerous moments that have been navigated thus far in the unfolding story of humanity and Earth, there is good reason to hope. It is now up to us to live from the wisdom of the Spirit that is deep within us. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)

We reflect today, the anniversary of the Halifax Explosion in 1917 and the murder of the young women at the Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989, on the interruption of our vision of peace and progress in gender equality and resolve to work with the guidance of the Spirit to live in peace and love.

References

Dilly, B. (2024, December 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120624.html 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 29 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/29?17 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9? 

Meditation on Matthew 9:27-31. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/06/1146168/ 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Universe Story Is Spiritual. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-universe-story-is-spiritual/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do You Believe? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec6