Love Opposes Fear

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today identify fear in our community groups as a state that is diminished through Love.

Love to conquer fear

The reading from the First Letter of John shares the role of God’s Love in the Christian Life.

* [4:13–21] The testimony of the Spirit and that of faith join the testimony of love to confirm our knowledge of God. Our love is grounded in the confession of Jesus as the Son of God and the example of God’s love for us. Christian life is founded on the knowledge of God as love and on his continuing presence that relieves us from fear of judgment (1 Jn 4:16–18). What Christ is gives us confidence, even as we live and love in this world. Yet Christian love is not abstract but lived in the concrete manner of love for one another.1 

Psalm 72 is a prayer for guidance and support for the King.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.2 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus walks on the water.

* [6:50] It is I, do not be afraid!: literally, “I am.” This may reflect the divine revelatory formula of Ex 3:14; Is 41:4, 10, 14; 43:1–3, 10, 13. Mark implies the hidden identity of Jesus as Son of God.3 

Beth Samson comments that the experience of many migrants, immigrants, and refugees is reflected in the story of the Holy Family – displaced from their home, on the move, and looking for a safe place to stay. Mary and Joseph were not welcomed warmly in the new land, instead found shelter in a barn, certainly not ideal to welcome a baby into the world. There are countless examples where migrants are considered a threat. The first reading today might encourage us to react in a different way. The National Shrine of St. John Neumann offers this prayer.

God of the Journey, through the intercession of St. John Neumann, patron of immigrants, we pray for those who leave their homelands longing for freedom and new opportunities. May they recognize you as their traveling companion and find a welcome awaiting them. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. O Jesus, who on earth commanded and practiced a hidden life, grant that in these our days of pride and outward display, the example of your servant John Neumann may lead us to follow your humble ways. Grant, O Lord, that like your holy bishop we may do all our work with the pure intention of pleasing you and let not our deeds be done to win the favor of others but to give glory to our Father in heaven. We thank you that our fellow citizen and devoted missionary bishop is recognized among the saints of your Church in heaven, and we beseech you, O Lord, to glorify him on earth by granting the favors we ask through his intercession. Amen.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “The wind was against them,” by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).

"Meanwhile the boat carrying the disciples - that is, the church - is rocking and shaking amid the storms of temptation, while the adverse wind rages on. That is to say, its enemy the devil strives to keep the wind from calming down. But greater is he who is persistent on our behalf, for amid the vicissitudes of our life he gives us confidence. He comes to us and strengthens us, so we are not jostled in the boat and tossed overboard. For although the boat is thrown into disorder, it is still a boat. It alone carries the disciples and receives Christ. It is in danger indeed on the water, but there would be certain death without it. Therefore stay inside the boat and call upon God. When all good advice fails and the rudder is useless and the spread of the sails presents more of a danger than an advantage, when all human help and strength have been abandoned, the only recourse left for the sailors is to cry out to God. Therefore will he who helps those who are sailing to reach port safely, abandon his church and prevent it from arriving in peace and tranquility?" (excerpt from SERMON 75.4)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 6:45-52 comments that like the disciples, sometimes we feel tossed about and vulnerable. We might feel stuck, as if we can’t make any headway against forces stronger than we are. In these moments, we may wonder if God knows or cares about our situation. But today’s passage assures us that Jesus sees and Jesus cares. We are never too far off, never outside the Lord’s sight, never beyond the reach of his love. Just as Jesus saw the disciples from afar, he sees our struggles and the forces that harass us. And he comes to us and reminds us, “It is I.”

Today Jesus wants to be close to you. He wants to enter your “boat” and bring peace to your heart. Just as he revealed himself as Lord over the wind and waves, he wants to remind you that he is the powerful I AM. He sees you, he loves you, and he is interceding for you right now. He can—and will—help you with anything that you face today. He will join you in your troubles and give you strength and hope. “Take courage,” he says, “it is I” (Mark 6:50). “Be near me, Lord Jesus. Calm the winds about me.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler emphasizes the need for us to to accept and live God’s Love. The sin against the Spirit is to deny the power of the Love of God. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of the theophany of the disciples on the lake to Moses and Psalm 23.

 

The Franciscan Media article on Saint John Neumann notes that he was well known for his holiness and learning, spiritual writing and preaching. On October 13, 1963, John Neumann became the first American bishop to be beatified. Canonized in 1977, he is buried in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia.

Neumann took seriously our Lord’s words, “Go and teach all nations.” From Christ he received his instructions and the power to carry them out. For Christ does not give a mission without supplying the means to accomplish it. The Father’s gift in Christ to John Neumann was his exceptional organizing ability, which he used to spread the Good News. Today the Church is in dire need of men and women to continue in our times the teaching of the Good News. The obstacles and inconveniences are real and costly. Yet when Christians approach Christ, he supplies the necessary talents to answer today’s needs. The Spirit of Christ continues his work through the instrumentality of generous Christians.7 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, emphasizes that to live the gospel, we need each other. There is no other form for the Christian life except a common one. This may even be a matter of culture, if culture refers to something which is shared and passed on. In this sense, he is wondering if there is any other kind of Christianity except “cultural Christianity,” for better and for worse. Until and unless Christ is someone happening between people, the gospel remains largely an abstraction. Until Jesus Christ is passed on personally through faithfulness and forgiveness, through bonds of union, he doubts whether he is passed on at all.

For Jesus, such teachings as forgiveness, healing, and justice are not just a spiritual test or obstacle course. They are quite simply the necessary requirements for a basic shared life. Peacemaking and reconciliation are not some kind of box seat tickets to heaven. They are the price of peoplehood. They express the truth in the heart of God, the truth that has been shared with us in the Holy Spirit, the union in Jesus the Christ who is reconciling all people to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:18–19).8 

The teaching of the Christian faith aids our openness to the Spirit, prompting us to act in love as a community for people in need.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). 1 John, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB - United States Conference of Catholic .... Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010522-US.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jan5
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/01/05/286405/
7	(n.d.). Saint John Neumann | Franciscan Media. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-neumann
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://cac.org/creating-a-people-2022-01-05/

Loyal and Trustworthy Disciples

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today contrast the example of times when we are loyal and trustworthy with those when we are distracted by concern over our personal wealth.

Faithful Helpers

 

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans contains greetings to his faithful helpers and a final Doxology.

* [16:25] Paul’s gospel reveals the mystery kept secret for long ages: justification and salvation through faith, with all the implications for Jews and Gentiles that Paul has developed in the letter.1

 

Psalm 145  praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.2

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus applies the parable of the dishonest steward as He praises the Law and the Kingdom of God.

* [16:13] The third conclusion is a general statement about the incompatibility of serving God and being a slave to riches. To be dependent upon wealth is opposed to the teachings of Jesus who counseled complete dependence on the Father as one of the characteristics of the Christian disciple (Lk 12:22–39). God and mammon: see note on Lk 16:9. Mammon is used here as if it were itself a god.3 

Cindy Costanzo connects fears she has of not having enough money to retire, fears of not meeting the obligations of her position, fears of not providing for her family, fears of not meeting expectations to her attraction to “mammon”. She shares the contemporary version of the First Principle and Foundation from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola by David Fleming, S.J. which she believes is a great morning prayer.

“The goal of our life is to live with God forever. God, who loves us, gave us life. Our own response of love allows God’s life to flow into us without limit. All the things in this world are gifts of God, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily. As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God insofar as they help us develop as loving persons. But if any of these gifts become the center of our lives, they displace God and so hinder our growth toward our goal. In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all of these created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some obligation. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening his life in me.”4 

 

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus recommends the foresight, prudence, and ingenuity of the steward,”  by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Mammon is the Hebrew word for 'riches,' just as in Punic the word for 'profit' is mammon. What are we to do? What did the Lord command? 'Make yourselves friends with the mammon of iniquity, so that they too, when you begin to fail, may receive you into eternal shelters.' It is easy, of course, to understand that we must give alms and a helping hand to the needy, because Christ receives it in them... We can understand that we have to give alms and that we must not really pick and choose to whom we give them, because we are unable to sift through people's hearts. When you give alms to all different types of people, then you will reach a few who deserve them. You are hospitable, and you keep your house ready for strangers. Let in the unworthy, in case the worthy might be excluded. You cannot be a judge and sifter of hearts." (excerpt from Sermon 359A.11-12)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27 comments that friendships weren’t important only for St. Paul. God doesn’t want any of us to be alone as we journey toward heaven. He created us with a natural longing for friendship, and he wants to help us find faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who can help fill that longing.

Whose names would you include if you were writing a letter like St. Paul’s? Whose witness—past or present—encourages you and helps keep your eyes fixed on Jesus? Take some time in prayer today, not just to remember their names, but also to recall what it is about them that inspires you. Then thank the Lord for each of them and ask him to pour out a special blessing on them. “Thank you, Father, for my brothers and sisters in Christ! Draw us even closer together in you.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler suggests the last verses of Romans may have been a cover letter that addressed disciples in Rome and Ephesus. The Gospel underlines the tension between earthly wealth and spiritual wealth. Friar Jude reminds us of the wisdom saying that our excess is robbed from the poor.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service, who is a leader of the “Nuns on the Bus” who advocate for fair and generous federal budgeting, particularly for those on the margins. She is also vocal about her need for a daily contemplative practice of meditation to balance her action on behalf of the common good.

After focusing on becoming present, I try to be open and listen through my body to the Divine. Sometimes, it is good to have a word or mantra to use as I breathe. It gives my mind a focus while I try to be open. This mantra can be an expression of desire or spiritual openness. Trust what comes to mind and breathe with the word(s). . . .Do not expect fireworks in this form of meditation. Most days are very quiet. Every now and then there might be some insight or awareness that is important and sets a direction. However, know that the consistent practice brings a profound openness to others and a willingness to risk for the common good.7

 

As we contemplate our attention to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor we seek inspiration of the Spirit to guide our Way.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Romans, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/16
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110621.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=nov6
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/11/06/240289/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://cac.org/rediscovering-the-common-good-weekly-summary-2021-11-06/

Working with Intention

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to the Spirit nudging us to work with the intention of wisely using our gifts to build the Kingdom of God.

Develop our gifts

 

In the Letter of Paul to the Romans, he shares his reason for writing so boldly.

* [15:21] The citation from Is 52:15 concerns the Servant of the Lord. According to Isaiah, the Servant is first of all Israel, which was to bring the knowledge of Yahweh to the nations. In Rom 9–11 Paul showed how Israel failed in this mission. Therefore, he himself undertakes almost singlehandedly Israel’s responsibility as the Servant and moves as quickly as possible with the gospel through the Roman empire.1 

Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).2 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses the Parable of the Dishonest Manager to comment on cleverness and prudence.

* [16:1–8a] The parable of the dishonest steward has to be understood in the light of the Palestinian custom of agents acting on behalf of their masters and the usurious practices common to such agents. The dishonesty of the steward consisted in the squandering of his master’s property (Lk 16:1) and not in any subsequent graft. The master commends the dishonest steward who has forgone his own usurious commission on the business transaction by having the debtors write new notes that reflected only the real amount owed the master (i.e., minus the steward’s profit). The dishonest steward acts in this way in order to ingratiate himself with the debtors because he knows he is being dismissed from his position (Lk 16:3). The parable, then, teaches the prudent use of one’s material goods in light of an imminent crisis.3 

Edward Morse comments that, as Paul suggests, even people full of goodness may need admonishment from time to time.  Perhaps we can get a little too full of our goodness for our own good! Focusing on thanksgiving, mercy, and goodness that comes from the works of God in our midst can help us escape this trap.  And perhaps effective admonishment also comes from examples of living out and honoring goodness, albeit imperfectly.

 I would venture that most of us do not like being admonished – particularly if it comes with being judged.  But we often need things we do not like.  The medicine we need in this life is sometimes bitter, not sweet.  Lord, help us accept your admonishments and live wisely in light of the truth and goodness we know, but sometimes fail to execute.  And when we fail, help us to flee to your tender mercies, knowing that your love endures forever.  Amen.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus recommends the foresight, prudence, and ingenuity of the steward,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Why did the Lord Jesus Christ present this parable to us? He surely did not approve of that cheat of a servant who cheated his master, stole from him and did not make it up from his own pocket. On top of that, he also did some extra pilfering. He caused his master further loss, in order to prepare a little nest of quiet and security for himself after he lost his job. Why did the Lord set this before us? It is not because that servant cheated but because he exercised foresight for the future. When even a cheat is praised for his ingenuity, Christians who make no such provision blush. I mean, this is what he added, 'Behold, the children of this age are more prudent than the children of light.' They perpetrate frauds in order to secure their future. In what life, after all, did that steward insure himself like that? What one was he going to quit when he bowed to his master's decision? He was insuring himself for a life that was going to end. Would you not insure yourself for eternal life?" (excerpt from 359A.10.)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 16:1-8 comments that Jesus wants us to learn from this steward—not from his dishonesty, but from his shrewdness and ability to think about his future. We may or may not have material wealth, but we are all “stewards” of God’s gifts. We can be as creative as this steward when we consider how to use what God has given us to help ourselves—and the people around us. One day our “stewardship” will end. Our resources are only temporary. All the more reason to use them to build the kingdom of God here and now so that one day we can enter the “eternal dwellings” in heaven (Luke 16:9).

Take a look at what you’re doing with the goods you have. How can your gifts benefit God’s kingdom here on earth? How can you use your resources for the good of other people? As a child of God, you don’t have to act in fear like the steward. You can be sure that your heavenly Father will never let go of you. So get creative! Freely give of the gifts God has given to you, and build his kingdom in the process. “Lord, help me to be a good steward of all that you have given me!”6 

Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out some of the concerns of Paul as he prepares to evangelize the Gentiles of Rome. The journey of Paul reminds us that our peace is found living in the Lord. Friar Jude reminds us of the appreciation of the culture of Jesus' time for cleverness that was seen as a survival technique.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in ‘Laudato Si’, Pope Francis urges Christians to consider the long-term effects of our actions which impact the future well-being of the human species, all living things, and our planet itself.

The notion of the common good also extends to future generations. The global economic crises have made painfully obvious the detrimental effects of disregarding our common destiny, which cannot exclude those who come after us. We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity. Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others. . . . Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us. The Portuguese bishops have called upon us to acknowledge this obligation of justice: “The environment is part of a logic of receptivity. It is on loan to each generation, which must then hand it on to the next.” [1]7

 

Our gifts of prudence and cleverness are called to be in service of the common good as we respond to the direction of the Spirit.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). Romans, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/15
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110521.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=nov5
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/11/05/239650/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 5, 2021, fromhttps://cac.org/the-global-common-good-2021-11-05/