Healing and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to test our preconceptions about our relationships with God and the people we encounter that may deepen our faith, hope and love.

Call to Healing

The reading from the Second Book of Kings tells of the Healing of Naaman by Elisha.

* [5:1] Leper: the terms traditionally translated “leper” and “leprosy” covered a wide variety of skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrhea, but probably not Hansen’s disease (modern “leprosy”); there is no clear evidence of its existence in biblical times.

* [5:12] Wash in them and be cleansed: typical of the ambiguity in ritual healing or cleanliness. The muddy waters of the Jordan are no match hygienically for the mountain spring waters of Damascus; ritually, it is the other way around. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

Psalm 42 expresses a longing for God and His Help in Distress.

* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds. (Psalms, PSALM 42, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

* [4:25–26] The references to Elijah and Elisha serve several purposes in this episode: they emphasize Luke’s portrait of Jesus as a prophet like Elijah and Elisha; they help to explain why the initial admiration of the people turns to rejection; and they provide the scriptural justification for the future Christian mission to the Gentiles.

* [4:26] A widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon: like Naaman the Syrian in Lk 4:27, a non-Israelite becomes the object of the prophet’s ministry. (Luke, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney knows someone who grew up in Minnesota, and always said she never understood the big deal about Bob Dylan, who grew up down the street from her. She said why is everyone so impressed with Bobby from down the block? Jesus is telling the story of Naaman and Elisha when he is in Nazareth – his own home region. And he’s telling this story to his own countrymen who do not accept that Jesus is the messiah and do not recognize his power.

There’s an ad running on tv now about saving money on car insurance. A man needs to save some money and his father suggests this car insurance, but the man disregards his advice. Then he sees a tv commercial where a tv dad says the same thing, and this time the man thinks it’s a great idea. People want something fancy and flashy, something different, and can disregard the best answer that’s right in front of them because it seems too ordinary.

Jesus is right in front of us telling us to follow him. Maybe we should do that. (Whitney, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Could anyone refuse to love our God?,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all his ways? Could anyone deny love to him who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love the God who so loved us as to send his only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?" (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15 comments that Lent is a time for us to seek a deeper, stronger relationship with the Lord, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Perhaps we attack Ash Wednesday with a heroic regimen of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We sense that we won’t be able to sustain it, but we try to keep it up anyway, hoping it will bear awesome fruit. We may even have a list of ideas of how the Lord should reward our piety.

But God’s grace is so accessible that we just have to ask for it. Our elaborate prayers don’t change God. It’s quite the opposite. When we come to him with humility and simplicity, he changes us. More than anything else, Jesus is looking for hearts that are open and ready to receive his word and act on it. He is looking for people who are willing to transform their everyday lives simply by welcoming him to be a part of them.

So set aside the complexities on this Lenten journey. Set aside time to simply be with Jesus. He just wants to be near you.

“Jesus, let me simply follow you today!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the concern that Naaman may be attempting a pretense for war as he seeks a cure from the Prophet Elisha. Jesus' examples of healing for the people of Nazareth show that pagans may profess a greater faith than the people of Israel. Friar Jude suggests that the confidence and authority of Jesus may have allowed Him to pass through the hostile crowd.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that what the mystics know, and what we’re having to relearn, is that it’s through a kind of luminous darkness of nonattachment and humility that we come to be seized by real love, God’s love.

God tries to bring us into a bigger world. 

A world where, by definition, we are not in control. 

A world where we no longer need to look good. 

A terrible lust for certitude and rigid social order has characterized the last five hundred years of Western Christianity, and it has simply not served the soul well at all. Once we lost a spirituality of darkness as its own kind of light, there just wasn’t much room for growth in faith, hope, and love.  

So God, as The Way of Perfection attests,has to come indirectly: catching us off guard and out of control, when we are empty instead of full of ourselves.  

That is why the saints—including Teresa—talk about suffering so much. About nonattachment to the fleeting passions that put us on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs. (Rohr, 2023)

We find comfort in established patterns that may be shielding us from attending to the prompting of the Spirit to live more fully.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24 

Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/13/630416/ 

Psalms, PSALM 42. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 13). Perfection Is Practicing Love — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/perfection-is-practicing-love-2023-03-13/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Power to Heal and Cleanse. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar13 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?1 

Whitney, T. (2023, March 13). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031323.html 

Walking Witness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how the Grace to act in Jesus name may be available to us through prayer.

Word and Sacrament

In the reading from the Book of Acts, Peter heals a crippled beggar.

 * [3:6–10] The miracle has a dramatic cast; it symbolizes the saving power of Christ and leads the beggar to enter the temple, where he hears Peter’s proclamation of salvation through Jesus.1

Psalm 105 declares God’s faithfulness to Israel.

 * [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11).2

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus joins disciples on the walk to Emmaus.

 * [24:16] A consistent feature of the resurrection stories is that the risen Jesus was different and initially unrecognizable (Lk 24:37; Mk 16:12; Jn 20:14; 21:4)3.

Jay Carney shares the line that resonates most with him is Luke 24:17: “They stopped, looking downcast.” In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, our global society has ground to a halt.

 Jesus’ resurrection does not eliminate pandemics, nor suffering, nor the needy lying at the “Beautiful Gates” of our own homes and churches. What the resurrection should do, however, is give us the grace to discern and the courage to respond. Following Peter and John, how are we called to assist those who are crippled today, those locked down in their homes? Like the Emmaus disciples, how are we called to extend hospitality to our families, our neighbors, and even the strangers in our midst? In the time of COVID-19, answers to these questions will require careful discernment; we may find our hearts “burning within us” in a desire to do more. But we trust that small acts of outreach and healing open space for God’s transforming spirit to rush in. Whether in our homes, our neighborhoods, or our virtual villages, may Christ be revealed to us this Easter season in the breaking of the bread.4

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

 "Now therefore, brethren, we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say Alleluia. You say to your neighbor, "Praise the Lord!" and he says the same to you. We are all urging one another to praise the Lord, and all thereby doing what each of us urges the other to do. But see that your praise comes from your whole being; in other words, see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone, but with your minds, your lives and all your actions." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 3:1-10 comments that all these events convinced Peter and John that their spiritual bank account had seen a sudden infusion of wealth. That’s why Peter was so confident as he grasped this man’s hand and raised him to his feet.

 You have a spiritual bank account too. It contains the grace God put there when you were baptized. It also contains all the grace he has been giving you every day since then. This grace is a free gift, as surprising as an unexpected inheritance. Divine mercy, access to your heavenly Father, the power of the Holy Spirit—it’s all there for you.6

Friar Jude Winkler shares the Christian connection to the Temple that lasted until it was destroyed in 70 CE. In three Scripture accounts, the disciples do not recognize the Resurrected Christ, who is changed but has continuity with Jesus before death. Friar Jude reminds us that Christ is revealed in Word and Sacrament in the Emmaus account.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that both St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) and St. Clare (1194–1253) let go of their fear of suffering; any need for power, prestige, and possessions; and any need for their small self to be important. By doing so they came to know who they really were in God—and thus who they objectively were.

Such a profound ability to change is often the fruit of suffering and various forms of poverty. The small self does not surrender without a fight to its death. If we understand suffering to be whenever we are not in control, then we see why some form of suffering is absolutely necessary to teach us how to live beyond the illusion of control and to give that control back to God and the flow of reality.

 I find myself in prayer much of the time right now, not simply because of the limitations of our current circumstances, but because I want to be a witness to such divine freedom. I believe it is this kind of prayer that may keep us from simply hoping things quickly return to “normal” (though that is a comforting thought to many) and instead praying for the courage to “change and grow in love.” Such courage is surely what we and the world truly need.7

Our transformation to deeper union with Christ continues through our experience recognizing Him in daily events through prayerful meditation.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts 3:1-10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 105 - United States Conference. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 24 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/24
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Wednesday within the Octave of Easter - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved April 15, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/04/15/
7	(2020, April 15). The Prayer of Francis and Clare — Center for Action and .... Retrieved April 15, 2020, from https://cac.org/the-prayer-of-francis-and-clare-2020-04-15/

Perpetual Covenant

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage contemplation of the promise of God to be with us in our journey to truth, beauty, and goodness.

Covenant journey

The reading from the Book of Genesis is an account of the Covenant.

 * [17:1–27] The Priestly source gathers the major motifs of the story so far and sets them firmly within a covenant context; the word “covenant” occurs thirteen times. There are links to the covenant with Noah (v. 1 = 6:9; v. 7 = 9:9; v. 11 = 9:12–17). In this chapter, vv. 1–8 promise progeny and land; vv. 9–14 are instructions about circumcision; vv. 15–21 repeat the promise of a son to Sarah and distinguish this promise from that to Hagar; vv. 22–27 describe Abraham’s carrying out the commands. The Almighty: traditional rendering of Hebrew El Shaddai, which is P’s favorite designation of God in the period of the ancestors. Its etymology is uncertain, but its root meaning is probably “God, the One of the Mountains.”1

Psalm 105 proclaims God is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors.

 * [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants.2

In the Gospel of John, Jesus continues a discourse on His relationship with Abraham.

 * [8:58] Came to be, I AM: the Greek word used for “came to be” is the one used of all creation in the prologue, while the word used for “am” is the one reserved for the Logos.3

Julie Kalkowski quotes Monsignor John J. Michonne.

 “…Jesus represented the final covenant God made with humankind….The mark of the new covenant was Jesus Christ and his new way of living….God designed that a divinely chosen people be distinguished from all others by the kind of love Jesus generously displayed.”

Julie recognizes the contrast to a world where the human misery index is soaring and many of us are paralyzed by what Pope Francis calls the “Globalization of Indifference”. Since we didn’t cause it and certainly cannot fix it, we either do nothing or look the other way.

 Could this be our moment?  The time to renew God’s final covenant?  Can we move away from war and violence? Can we create societies where all people have the opportunity to thrive?   Often, I am called a dreamer, but right now we have some unexpected opportunities and I am hoping we will use this time to come together and work to create God’s kingdom in our communities and the world.  As followers of Jesus we know there is a better way. Following Jesus’ example will take lots of prayer and courage, but isn’t that what Lent is about?4

Don Schwager quotes “Christ died that you might live,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "For you Christ allowed Himself to be crucified, to teach you humility. He was alive, and you were dead. He died that you might live. God vanquished death so that death might not overcome human beings." (excerpt from Sermon on John 2,4;14,13)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 17:3-9 comments like Abraham and Sarah, we can struggle to trust in God’s promises. Difficulties and delays can cause us to wonder if God has forgotten us. We may even try to take matters into our own hands. And yet, God does not withdraw his covenant. Just as he remained faithful to Abraham and Sarah and just as he remained faithful to the Israelites despite the many times they turned from him, so too will he remain faithful to us.

 On the cross, Jesus forged a new covenant with us; he has promised to save us from sin and death and to be with us always. These are solid promises that we can rely on, no matter what else is going on in our lives.
God’s covenant is forever. It was his initiative, and he has pledged to uphold it. As he promised to Abraham, he will always maintain his covenant with us (Genesis 17:7). Let’s give thanks to the Lord for his faithfulness. Let’s continue to trust in his word and strive to remain faithful to him. Let’s believe in our hearts that he is our God and that he will always keep his word to us.
“Thank you, Lord, that your faithfulness lasts forever!”6

Friar Jude Winkler discusses how all nations including pagans receive blessing by Abraham. In the Hebrew Testament, God, named Emet, is truthfulness and fidelity. Friar Jude reminds us the proclamation of Jesus as God is much more direct in John’s Gospel than in the Synoptic Gospels.

Rabbi Julian Sinclair comments that "Emet" means "truth."

 We live in a time when truth is not held in high regard in our public life. The political culture of spin and plausible deniability contrives to make the truth retrospectively malleable. Post-modern critical theory questions the idea of truth altogether.
The Torah teaches that, making all allowances for human weakness and subjectivity, there is truth and we should strive to reach it.7

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that to be in control of one’s destiny, job, or finances is nearly an unquestionable moral value in Western society. The popular phrase “take control of your life” even sounds mature and spiritual. It is the fundamental message of nearly every self-help book. On a practical level, it is true, but not on the big level. Our bodies, our souls, and especially our failures teach us this as we get older. We are clearly not in control, as this pandemic is now teaching the whole planet. It is amazing that we need to assert the obvious.

 In my life I have found the mystic teachings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) helpful for living into this truth. She was a master teacher who was never afraid of presenting humiliating evidence about herself. She called this her “little way.” As she so brilliantly put it, “If you are willing to bear serenely the trial of being displeasing to yourself, you will be for [Jesus] a pleasant place of shelter.” [2] What gives religion such a bad name is that most religious people are eager to be pleasing to themselves, and want to be a part of a “big way.”
Being willing to be “displeasing to ourselves,” or to allow our autonomous ego’s needs to take a back seat to the larger field of love, is part of what it means to not be in willful control.8

Our Covenant relationship with God invites us to contemplate truths that include surrender of our control to God for fullness of life.

References

1	(n.d.). Genesis, chapter 17. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/17
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 105. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 8 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/8:32
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/04/02/
7	(2008, November 5). Emet - The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/emet-1.5965
8	(2020, April 2). Lesson Four: You Are Not In Control — Center for Action and .... Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://cac.org/lesson-four-you-are-not-in-control-2020-04-02/