Rescue and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to continue our mission to bring fullness of life to our environment as followers of Christ even if our message is not received as we would like.

Return to Life

The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah presents Jeremiah’s Prophecies in the Temple.

* [26:1] The beginning of the reign: a technical expression for the time between a king’s accession to the throne and the beginning of his first official (calendar) year as king. Jehoiakim’s first regnal year was 608 B.C. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecution.

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). (Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

* [13:54–58] After the Sermon on the Mount the crowds are in admiring astonishment at Jesus’ teaching (Mt 7:28); here the astonishment is of those who take offense at him. Familiarity with his background and family leads them to regard him as pretentious. Matthew modifies his Marcan source (Mk 6:1–6). Jesus is not the carpenter but the carpenter’s son (Mt 13:55), “and among his own kin” is omitted (Mt 13:57), he did not work many mighty deeds in face of such unbelief (Mt 13:58) rather than the Marcan “…he was not able to perform any mighty deed there” (Mt 6:5), and there is no mention of his amazement at his townspeople’s lack of faith. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that Jesus did not need popular-acceptance. He was advancing in holy self-acceptance and so came and went. He was growing in the awareness of Who He was. He did not need any validation for His growing into.

I write just a closing thought about living with memories of what we thought in the past which have frozen into the comfortable concrete. Memories can form images and we grow holding them tightly against the intrusion of the new, different and so uncomfortable.

Now here’s the punchline. What Jesus really came to do was to change the ideas of God! Imagine that! Once a relationship is concretely comfortable, it is dying and probably dead.    So, if we are unmovable and relaxed with our image of Jesus and or the unknowable God, that Jesus and His Father are moving on to more receptive soil.   (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Few miracles done because of their unbelief,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness' (Genesis 1:11). It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power.' (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:54-58 comments that Jesus has told us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Sometimes “the least” are also the most familiar, the ones we spend “the least” time considering. But when we take the time to see them, the Holy Spirit will open our hearts as well as our eyes. He may even show us a few things about them that may surprise us.

When the people of Nazareth heard Jesus preach, they asked, “Where did this man get such wisdom?” (Matthew 13:54). Maybe, if they had been paying attention while he was growing up around them, they wouldn’t have had to ask that question. The same is true for us. The more we see Christ in the people closest to us, the more open we will be to hearing him speaking to us through them. Just imagine how good that will be!

“Jesus, open my eyes so that I can see you in my closest family members!” (Meditation on Matthew 13:54-58, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares a reflection on the texts for today.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2021) who recounts the many ways Jesus talked about the reign of God. Evans names how the church is called to manifest the kingdom of God.

The purpose of the church, and of the sacraments, is to give the world a glimpse of the kingdom, to point in its direction…. 

In this sense, church gives us the chance to riff on Jesus’ description of the kingdom, to add a few new metaphors of our own. We might say the kingdom is like St. Lydia’s in Brooklyn where strangers come together and remember Jesus when they eat. The kingdom is like the Refuge in Denver, where addicts and academics, single moms and suburban housewives come together to tell each other the truth. The kingdom is like Thistle Farms where women heal from abuse by helping to heal others….

And even still, the kingdom remains a mystery just beyond our grasp…. All we have are almosts and not quites and wayside shrines. All we have are imperfect people in an imperfect world doing their best to produce outward signs of inward grace and stumbling all along the way.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We exercise our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader with the guidance of the Spirit in presenting the Word and action of Christ to our environment.

References

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/26?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?54 

Meditation on Matthew 13:54-58. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/08/02/1039677/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69?5 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. A Glimpse of Love, Joy, and Peace. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-glimpse-of-love-joy-and-peace/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=aug2 

Cleansing the Temple

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to celebrate and sanctify those places wherein we experience God in the assembly of His children.

Gathered as the Body of Christ

The reading from the First Book of Maccabees describes the Cleansing and Rededication of the Temple.

* [4:52] Twenty-fifth day of the ninth month…in the year one hundred and forty-eight: December 14, 164 B.C.

* [4:59] Days of the dedication: institution of the feast of Hanukkah, also called the feast of Dedication (Jn 10:22). Josephus calls it the feast of Lights (Ant. 12:325). (1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

The reading from the First Book of Chronicles is David’s Praise to God.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Cleanses the Temple.

* [19:45–46] Immediately upon entering the holy city, Jesus in a display of his authority enters the temple (see Mal 3:1–3) and lays claim to it after cleansing it that it might become a proper place for his teaching ministry in Jerusalem (Lk 19:47; 20:1; 21:37; 22:53). See Mt 21:12–17; Mk 11:15–19; Jn 2:13–17 and the notes there. (Luke, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that we need the reverence we experience in our sacred spaces and it is imperative that we preserve them for that reason.

Religious people are often criticized for spending money on buildings that could be spent on human needs. Some critics even suggest that the Vatican should sell its priceless art works for the poor. Like who would buy the Sistine Chapel? But we NEED our sacred spaces.

Think about your place of worship whether it’s a Cathedral or a tiny rural church. What has it meant to your life and that of your community? Where have you turned in time of sorrow for hope and inspiration? What are your joyful memories of Christmas or weddings and baptisms? In recently writing a book about the history of St. John’s, I found that for many members, all these things are almost inseparable from the church itself. (Wirth, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The home of sanctity,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God does not want his temple to be a trader's lodge but the home of sanctity. He does not preserve the practice of the priestly ministry by the dishonest duty of religion but by voluntary obedience. Consider what the Lord's actions impose on you as an example of living... He taught in general that worldly transactions must be absent from the temple, but he drove out the money changers in particular. Who are the money changers, if not those who seek profit from the Lord's money and cannot distinguish between good and evil? Holy Scripture is the Lord's money." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 9.17-18) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:45-48 comments that Jesus’ words can stir our hearts the same way they did for those people so long ago. We might come to him for a variety of reasons: maybe we’re curious or maybe we’re skeptical. Maybe we’re looking for a deeper relationship with him, or maybe it’s just something we do because of the way we were raised.

But whatever our motive, Jesus can still work in us. As we listen to his words, we’ll find something stirring in our hearts. Our hope might surge as we begin to understand that God is a heavenly Father who loves us and wants a relationship with us. As his unmerited love inspires us, we might start to long for a holier life. Maybe we’ll even feel led to tell other people about the ways Jesus’ words are changing our lives.

Like those people in the Temple, let’s come to Jesus and hang onto his words. Let’s listen to him and linger with him. Because Jesus’ words are meant to well up in our hearts and change us.

“Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. Touch my heart today.” (Meditation on Luke 19:45-48, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the desecration of the Temple under the rule of the Seleucid Empire that was reconsecrated by the Macaabees with the eight day celebration now known as Hanukkah when one day supply of oil in the lamp lasted for eight days. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple raised concern among the leaders of a riot or rebellion against Rome even as Jesus spoke and acted with the authority of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, finds a hopeful vision for the cosmos in the teachings of 13th-century Franciscan theologian Bonaventure.

The lovely symmetry of St. Bonaventure’s theology can be summarized in what Bonaventure himself named as the three great truths that hold everything together for him:

Emanation: We come forth from God bearing the divine image, and thus our inherent identity is grounded in the life of God from the beginning (Genesis 1:26–27).

Exemplarism: Everything, the entire chain of being, and everything in creation is an example and illustration of the one God mystery in space and time (Romans 1:20). No exceptions.  

Consummation: All returns to the Source from which it came (John 14:3). The Omega is the same as the Alpha and this is God’s supreme and final victory.

What a positive and safe world this describes! In Bonaventure’s teachings we have a coherent and grounded meaning the post-modern world no longer enjoys—and yet longs for. Note this is clearly not the later reward/punishment frame that almost totally took over when people did not experience God, but only believed propositions. Most people today are not sure where we came from, who we are, and where we’re going, and many do not even seem to care about the questions. (Rohr, 2023)

We have a supposedly Celtic tradition of “thin places” where the boundary between heaven and earth is very small and we can experience Divine Presence. It is so important to seek and nourish these time and space anomalies that enhance the truth, beauty, and goodness of our journey.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?45 

Meditation on Luke 19:45-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/24/835901/ 

1 Maccabees, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/4?36 

Rohr, R. (2023, November 24). Bonaventure's Three Great Truths — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/bonaventures-three-great-truths/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov24 

Wirth, E. (2023, November 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112423.html 

Building Christian Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to seek the guidance of the Spirit to be open to the call to use our talents to build gentleness, humility, and patience in the community in which we live.

Building Community

The reading from Ephesians is a plea 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). But Christian unity is more than adherence to a common belief. It is manifested in the exalted Christ’s gifts to individuals to serve so as to make the community more Christlike (Eph 4:11–16). This teaching on Christ as the source of the gifts is introduced in Eph 4:8 by a citation of Ps 68:18, which depicts Yahweh triumphantly leading Israel to salvation in Jerusalem. It is here understood of Christ, ascending above all the heavens, the head of the church; through his redemptive death, resurrection, and ascension he has become the source of the church’s spiritual gifts. The “descent” of Christ (Eph 4:9–10) refers more probably to the incarnation (cf. Phil 2:6–8) than to Christ’s presence after his death in the world of the dead (cf. 1 Pt 3:19).

* [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 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.

* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.

* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom. (Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew describes the Calling of Matthew.

* [9:9] A man named Matthew: Mark names this tax collector Levi (Mk 2:14). No such name appears in the four lists of the twelve who were the closest companions of Jesus (Mt 10:2–4; Mk 3:16–19; Lk 6:14–16; Acts 1:13 [eleven, because of the defection of Judas Iscariot]), whereas all four list a Matthew, designated in Mt 10:3 as “the tax collector.” The evangelist may have changed the “Levi” of his source to Matthew so that this man, whose call is given special notice, like that of the first four disciples (Mt 4:18–22), might be included among the twelve. Another reason for the change may be that the disciple Matthew was the source of traditions peculiar to the church for which the evangelist was writing.

* [9:10] His house: it is not clear whether his refers to Jesus or Matthew. Tax collectors: see note on Mt 5:46. Table association with such persons would cause ritual impurity.

* [9:11] Teacher: see note on Mt 8:19.

* [9:12] See note on Mk 2:17.

* [9:13] Go and learn…not sacrifice: Matthew adds the prophetic statement of Hos 6:6 to the Marcan account (see also Mt 12:7). If mercy is superior to the temple sacrifices, how much more to the laws of ritual impurity. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Ed Morse comments that we might see something of ourselves in those tax collectors, who were physically comfortable but spiritually needy. We might also see ourselves in the Pharisees, who sealed themselves off from those who needed God’s love the most. We would do well to ponder Jesus’ instruction to them: “Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

Is this desire for mercy to be realized on a human level by showing mercy to others? Or is the desire for mercy satisfied by God’s own efforts to extend mercy to sinners like us? I think both senses of this desire for mercy are true, particularly if we take Paul’s instructions for worthy living to heart.

Lord, help us to ponder how we might show mercy. Help us to become vessels to transmit the grace we have received to others in humility, showing gratitude for your generous mercy. Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Matthew did not delay when called by Jesus,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"The Lord, about to give salvation to all sinners believing in him, willingly chose Matthew the former publican. The gift of his esteem for Matthew stands as an example for our salvation. Every sinner must be chosen by God and can receive the grace of eternal salvation if one is not without a religious mind and a devout heart. So Matthew was chosen willingly by God. And though he is immersed in worldly affairs, because of his sincere religious devotion he is judged worthy to be called forth by the Lord ("Follow me"), who by virtue of his divine nature knows the hidden recesses of the heart. From what follows, we know that Matthew was accepted by the Lord not by reason of his status but of his faith and devotion. As soon as the Lord says to him, "Follow me," he does not linger or delay, but thereupon "he arose and followed him." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 45.1)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13 comments that just as he did for Matthew, Jesus calls people before their lives are changed. As he told the Pharisees who objected that day, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).

So imagine Jesus passing by your home, classroom, or work site today. He stops and calls you to follow him. Don’t worry if you think you aren’t worthy to be his disciple; recommit yourself to him just as you are. Then trust that Jesus will give you all that you need to be his faithful follower.

“Jesus, I say yes to your call today.” (Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the author of Ephesians calls for the community to live in gentleness, humility, and patience. The role of tax collector was seen by the Jewish community as collaboration with the occupying Romans. Jesus shared table fellowship with tax collectors even as the Pharisees feared contagion of sin in such encounters.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan scholar Ilia Delio, for whom compassion stems from knowing that we belong to one another. Delio stresses that compassion nourishes our interconnectedness with each other and the earth.

We must seek to unite—in all aspects of our lives—with one another and with the creatures of the earth. Such union calls us out of isolated existences into community. We must slow down, discover our essential relatedness, be patient and compassionate toward all living creatures, and realize that it is a shared planet with finite resources. We are called to see and love in solidarity with all creation. Only in this way can the earth enjoy justice and peace which means right, loving relations with the natural world of God’s good creation.   

Compassion requires a depth of soul, a connectedness of soul to earth, an earthiness of person to person, and a flow of love from heart to heart. [2] (Rohr, 2023)

Got Questions?

The Alpha Group at Holy Trinity Parish in Lower Sackville invites us to join them as they explore our relationship to Christ in the small group presentations and discussions of the Alpha Course. This is a link to more information.

We are nudged by the Spirit to use the talents and gifts we have received to build up the community of followers of Christ.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?9 

Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/21/788956/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092123.html 

Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?2 

Rohr, R. (2023, September 21). Compassion through Connection — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/compassion-through-connection-2023-09-21/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Desire Mercy - Not Sacrifice. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep21a