Faith Forgiveness and Hypocrisy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the necessity of faith in the path to our peace with God and love of neighbour.

Faith on our Journey

In the reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul cites the example of Abraham.

* [4:2–5] Rom 4:2 corresponds to Rom 4:4, and Rom 4:3–5. The Greek term here rendered credited means “made an entry.” The context determines whether it is credit or debit. Rom 4:8 speaks of “recording sin” as a debit. Paul’s repeated use of accountants’ terminology in this and other passages can be traced both to the Old Testament texts he quotes and to his business activity as a tentmaker. The commercial term in Gn 15:6, “credited it to him,” reminds Paul in Rom 4:7–8 of Ps 32:2, in which the same term is used and applied to forgiveness of sins. Thus Paul is able to argue that Abraham’s faith involved receipt of forgiveness of sins and that all believers benefit as he did through faith.

* [4:3] Jas 2:24 appears to conflict with Paul’s statement. However, James combats the error of extremists who used the doctrine of justification through faith as a screen for moral self- determination. Paul discusses the subject of holiness in greater detail than does James and beginning with Rom 6 shows how justification through faith introduces one to the gift of a new life in Christ through the power of the holy Spirit. (Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 32 praises the Joy of Forgiveness.

* [Psalm 32] An individual thanksgiving and the second of the seven Penitential Psalms (cf. Ps 6). The opening declaration—the forgiven are blessed (Ps 32:1–2)—arises from the psalmist’s own experience. At one time the psalmist was stubborn and closed, a victim of sin’s power (Ps 32:3–4), and then became open to the forgiving God (Ps 32:5–7). Sin here, as often in the Bible, is not only the personal act of rebellion against God but also the consequences of that act—frustration and waning of vitality. Having been rescued, the psalmist can teach others the joys of justice and the folly of sin (Ps 32:8–11). (Psalms, PSALM 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus offers a warning against hypocrisy and an exhortation to fearless confession.

* [12:1] See notes on Mk 8:15 and Mt 16:5–12.

* [12:2–9] Luke presents a collection of sayings of Jesus exhorting his followers to acknowledge him and his mission fearlessly and assuring them of God’s protection even in times of persecution. They are paralleled in Mt 10:26–33.

* [12:5] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22.

* [12:6] Two small coins: the Roman copper coin, the assarion (Latin as), was worth about one-sixteenth of a denarius (see note on Lk 7:41). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Lenz notes that if we pay attention to the patterns of our lives, fear seems to play a prominent role as a motivating factor for our thoughts and actions. We fear what others are thinking and saying about us based on our looks and performances, and it causes us to project our fears and anxieties onto others in ways that most of us are not conscious of – like the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

But the readings from today offer us an alternative message and an alternative approach to life. Jesus clearly tells us through Luke's reading that we “do not [need to] be afraid of those who kill the body.” The wounds of others can only go so far. The real killing, and the one we need to be afraid of, is actually ourselves. We are the ones who have “the power to cast [ourselves] into Gehenna” with our over-obsessions and anxieties. Our individual and collective fears about not being and doing enough are the real reasons for our anxiety. So, we cover our fears and mask our pain.

But here is the Good News, “God credits righteousness apart from works,” as Paul says in Romans, and we “are worth more than many sparrows,” as Jesus says in Luke. Everything is included in the Kingdom of God – all of our successes and all of our faults. “Even the hairs on your head have been counted.” They are all good, and they all matter – the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Lenz, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Comfort for those who doubt God's providence in Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"To bestow yet another means of comfort on our minds, he forcibly added that five sparrows are scarcely perhaps worth a penny, and yet God does not forget even one of them. He also said that the separate hairs of your head are all numbered. Consider how great care he takes of those that love him. The Preserver of the universe extends his aid to things so worthless and descends to the smallest animals. How can he forget those who love him, especially when he takes so great care of them? He condescends to visit them, to know exactly each particular of their state, and even how many are the hairs of their heads... Let us not doubt that with a rich hand he will give his grace to those who love him. He will not permit us to fall into temptation. If, by his wise purpose he permits us to be taken in the snare in order that we may gain glory by suffering, he will most assuredly grant us the power to bear it." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 87) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 4:1-8 comments that a life lived with nothing more than verbal faith is not a life of faith at all. We must let God’s word take root in our hearts and allow it to transform the way we live. Paradoxically, as we do, we will come to realize just how important our faith in Christ is: faith in Jesus’ unconditional love for us, no matter how unworthy we might think we are. Faith that he will always give us all the grace we need to do what he asks of us. And faith that he will shower us with his mercy whenever we come to him in repentance.

As we live this life of faith day in and day out, we can rest assured: it will be credited to us as righteousness!

“Jesus, thank you for making me righteous before your Father. Help me to live out my faith in you today and every day.” (Meditation on Romans 4:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on Paul’s use of the “midrash” form in Romans as he addresses the influence of Jewish Christians on his audience. Abraham required trust in God to be justified or being at peace with God. Friar Jude notes some of the sayings of Jesus that declare not secret in virtue or sin as people can sense our disposition and hypocrisy.

Brian McLaren introduces Leroy Barber who explains the importance of overcoming barriers to healthy relationships with people whom we perceive as different from us.

Is it possible for us to see each other the way God sees us instead of through our biases? The truth is that God doesn’t see people the way we do, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves and others that our way is the Creator’s way. In God’s eyes, each and every person is a bearer of [God’s] image. Each is a special creation, each is loved, each is in need of God’s love and forgiveness….

As ambassadors for the kingdom of God, we need to begin to see others as Christ does—as people in need of the same divine love, mercy, and grace that has been extended to us. [3] (McLaren, 2023)

We learn that faith is connected to surrender of our plans to the Will of God yet we need the inspiration of the Spirit to make us aware of our hypocrisy in working for our aggrandizement. 

References

Lenz, T. (2023, October 20). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102023.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?1 

McLaren, B. (2023, October 20). Moving outside Our Comfort Zones — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/moving-outside-our-comfort-zones/ 

Meditation on Romans 4:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/20/808915/ 

Psalms, PSALM 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/32?1 

Romans, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/4?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct20 

Trust the Way of Life

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate how our actions toward others reflect our trust in the Lord or in something else.

Life with Trust

 

The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah declares “blessed are those who trust in the Lord.”

 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord1

Psalm 1 describes the Two Ways of living.

 

* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.2

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

 

* [16:19–31] The parable of the rich man and Lazarus again illustrates Luke’s concern with Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor. The reversal of the fates of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:22–23) illustrates the teachings of Jesus in Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” (Lk 6:20–21, 24–25).3

Colleen Chiacchere shares that we are called to repent, or to change our perspective, and move beyond the mindset that we usually have. We are called to know our own belovedness, which helps us reach out to help others know their own belovedness. We are asked to enter deeper into our relationship with Jesus, and the poor. We are called to see each person the way God sees them. We are called to build a more loving and inclusive world through our acts of penance, almsgiving and fasting.

 

As I have been reading and unpacking Fratelli Tutti (Pope Francis’s most recent encyclical), with my Christian Life Community faith sharing group over the past several weeks,  I couldn’t help but make the connection to chapters 2 and 3.  Pope Francis calls us to move out of the social category that we are in, beyond borders and norms.  He urges us to reach out, like the Good Samaritan, to built a social fraternity built on love, respect and care for each individual person, even if they are not in our own circle or tribe.  He calls us, like Christ does, to envision and work towards a more inclusive community that welcomes and lifts up each person.  Christian love means prioritizing, or changing our mindset towards, a growing concern for everyone’s personal, communal, national and international good, especially by including those hidden on the margins (93-98). 4

Don Schwager quotes “Creator of both rich and poor,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 3540-430 A.D.

 

"God made both the rich and the poor. So the rich and the poor are born alike. You meet one another as you walk on the way together. Do not oppress or defraud anyone. One may be needy and another may have plenty. But the Lord is the maker of them both. Through the person who has, He helps the one who needs - and through the person who does not have, He tests the one who has." (excerpt from Sermon 35, 7)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 16:19-31 comments that Jesus told this parable to wake us up to the reality of the poor—people who are right in front of us but whom we do not see because we are too focused on ourselves. These are the people whom, like Lazarus, God cares for deeply. He suffers when any one of them suffers, and he calls us to respond to their cries. So what can we do?

 

God wants us to have the same generous heart that he has, one ready to give freely to people in need. Jesus’ parable shows us just how important it is to God that we take care of one another. So today, open your eyes and your heart to someone who could use more of God’s love in their life—through your prayers, through your presence, and through your provision. “Jesus, give me your heart for the ‘Lazarus’ at my door.”6

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Jeremiah was pointing to our inner motivations that sometimes drive us away from trust in God. Lazarus (“God helps”) is named but the man with very rare and expensive purple garments is not named. Friar Jude reminds us that even the Resurrection does not convince some to avoid choosing the path to death.

 

Brian McLaren describes what he calls “contact bias,” when a lack of personal and ongoing contact with people who are different from us causes us to fail to see them for who they truly are.

 

But if we are willing to listen to [“the other”] and learn from them, we can break out of our contact bias, which opens us up to seeing in a new way. . . . On page after page of the gospels, Jesus doesn’t dominate the other, avoid the other, colonize the other, intimidate the other, demonize the other, or marginalize the other. Instead, he incarnates into the other, joins the other in solidarity, protects the other, listens to the other, serves the other, and even lays down his life for the other. [1]7

Brian McLaren, Jacqui Lewis, and Richard Rohr, discuss “Why Can’t We See?,” from October 5, 2020, in the podcast Learning How to See, episode 1 (Center for Action and Contemplation: 2020, podcast, MP3 audio). Our comfort with our place in life inhibits our mission to bring full life to ourselves through our care for others.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Jeremiah, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/17
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online .... Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030421.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/03/04/181151/
7	(2021, March 4). Overcoming Contact Bias — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://cac.org/overcoming-contact-bias-2021-03-04/