Tradition and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to contemplate how lessons in our sacred texts speak to our human failings in our relationships with people and the Divine.

Truth Sowed in Tradition

1st Reading from the Second Letter of Samuel describes David’s Sin.

a. [11:1] 2 Sm 10:7; 1 Chr 20:1.

b. [11:3] 2 Sm 23:39.

c. [11:4] Lv 15:19. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents the Parables: Seed Grows of Itself and The Mustard Seed.

* [4:1–34] In parables (Mk 4:2): see note on Mt 13:3. The use of parables is typical of Jesus’ enigmatic method of teaching the crowds (Mk 4:2–9, 12) as compared with the interpretation of the parables he gives to his disciples (Mk 4:10–25, 33–34) to each group according to its capacity to understand (Mk 4:9–11). The key feature of the parable at hand is the sowing of the seed (Mk 4:3), representing the breakthrough of the kingdom of God into the world. The various types of soil refer to the diversity of response accorded the word of God (Mk 4:4–7). The climax of the parable is the harvest of thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold, indicating the consummation of the kingdom (Mk 4:8). Thus both the present and the future action of God, from the initiation to the fulfillment of the kingdom, is presented through this and other parables (Mk 4:26–29, 30–32).

* [4:26–29] Only Mark records the parable of the seed’s growth. Sower and harvester are the same. The emphasis is on the power of the seed to grow of itself without human intervention (Mk 4:27). Mysteriously it produces blade and ear and full grain (Mk 4:28). Thus the kingdom of God initiated by Jesus in proclaiming the word develops quietly yet powerfully until it is fully established by him at the final judgment (Mk 4:29); cf. Rev 14:15.

* [4:32] The universality of the kingdom of God is indicated here; cf. Ez 17:23; 31:6; Dn 4:17–19. (Mark, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche had a difficult time with David. He trusts God knows his heart, but he doesn't like him. In his early days, he was something special. As he got fat and entitled, he drifted – badly. He used his privilege as King to avoid his duty and stayed back while he sent his army out. He napped during the day and strolled out on his roof to look around. He was a predator hunting for something to fill an emptiness.

David continued a long tradition, as do I. Not the same level as David, but I too grasp for what I want instead of receiving what God offers. Thankfully, the story continues. In Psalm 51, David repented. He switched from taking to asking God to create. “Be merciful, O Lord, for we (I) have sinned.” 

Today’s readings held so much for me that I feel like I can’t put it all in one reflection. I’m all over the place. I do not apologize. I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I have read what it was like for David’s kingdom. Now I get to read what it is like for the Kingdom of God. The farmer does not take the seed and rip it out of the ground because he desires the fruit. The farmer waits and receives. The farmer can sleep, knowing God will take care of God’s Kingdom. I feel like I am being asked, “Where do I want to live?” 

Maybe He’s asking you too? (Dyche, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God gave us what was most precious,” by Isaac of Nineveh (a Syrian monk, teacher, and bishop), 613-700 A.D.

"The sum of all is God, the Lord of all, who from love of his creatures has delivered his Son to death on the cross. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for it. Not that he was unable to save us in another way, but in this way it was possible to show us his abundant love abundantly, namely, by bringing us near to him by the death of his Son. If he had anything more dear to him, he would have given it to us, in order that by it our race might be his. And out of his great love he did not even choose to urge our freedom by compulsion, though he was able to do so. But his aim was that we should come near to him by the love of our mind. And our Lord obeyed his Father out of love for us." (excerpt from ASCETICAL HOMILY 74.28) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 4:26-34 comments that the man doesn’t control much here, and neither do we. We don’t completely know how our attempts to witness to our faith affect the people around us. A small act of kindness to a stranger that we quickly forget, for instance, may have a much bigger impact than we expect. Or an invitation for a friend to join you at a parish event might come at just the right time for them.

So don’t lose sight of the real power behind the spread of the kingdom of God—and try to entrust the outcome to the Lord. Remember that farmer whose crops grew on their own! Even if you don’t see results right away, trust that God will provide the growth. If he could change the world through men and women of no special status, can’t he also do amazing things through you?

“Father, work through me to plant seeds of faith.” (Meditation on Mark 4:26-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the reading from 2 Samuel, the story of David in adultery with Bathsheba who becomes pregnant while her husband Uriah is away at battle. After trying to involve Uriah, who decided to observe the custom of warriors abstinence from sexual relations, David arranges the conditions that Uriah be killed in battle. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus describes the growth of the Kingdom like the growth of seed unknown to the farmer. We plant seeds in our good soil and we should recognize it will come to fruition in God' s time. It begins with a smile, doing a favour, helping people.  Friar Jude reminds us that good deeds are contagious and can transform the world little by little. In addition, we note that mustard seeds are very invasive and the Kingdom will take over the world.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces writer Liz Charlotte Grant who describes how she has moved beyond the literal and “inerrant” way she was taught to read the Bible through her religious upbringing. She discovered a way to reapproach the Bible with curiosity and respect for its history. Even if we readers leave literalism behind. Truth is not the same as fact. To refuse ourselves these stories is a death by starvation. These spiritual stories sustained our spiritual forebears; without these stories, she suggests that we cannot maintain the imagination required to nurture belief….

I believe the Bible does have the power to tell us what God is like, even to introduce us to the Creator. But I read the Bible differently than I used to. I move more cautiously, listening closely to a variety of careful scholars—theologians, archaeologists, philologists, linguists, and manuscript critics. I am determined to be patient and humble. I myself am a learner, not a scholar….

You too have permission to question the sacred without fearing a backslide into unbelief. Knock loudly. Listen to your gut and let your tears run. Reject answers that do not admit complication. Seek the resonance at the base of the story. The seeking is the point. Because there, in your wandering, God is. (Rohr, n.d.)

Catholic theologian David Deane talks with Jeff Douglas, on CBC Mainstreet, about why so many American Christians support US President Donald Trump in spite of his sins. Deane cites the Biblical King David as a source of the American belief that good can come from evil actions by our leaders.

We implore the Spirit as we ponder our falling short in sin and seek consolation in the restoration to full life that Jesus has seeded in our environment.

References

Dyche, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-30-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/4?26 

Meditation on Mark 4:26-34. (n.d.). Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/30/1490498/ 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/truth-beyond-literalism/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What the Kingdom of God Is Like. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/11?1 

In with and through

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the tension between people with differing opinions in contrast with the unity of living in, through, and with Christ in the Father and the Spirit.

Dealing with different opinions

In the passage from Acts, Paul speaks before the Sanhedrin and the assembly deteriorates to conflict.

* [23:5] Luke portrays Paul as a model of one who is obedient to the Mosaic law. Paul, because of his reverence for the law (Ex 22:27), withdraws his accusation of hypocrisy, “whitewashed wall” (cf. Mt 23:27), when he is told Ananias is the high priest.1 

Psalm 16 reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God.

 * [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11).2

In the Gospel from John, the Priestly Prayer of Jesus turns to our unity.

* [17:24] Where I am: Jesus prays for the believers ultimately to join him in heaven. Then they will not see his glory as in a mirror but clearly (2 Cor 3:18; 1 Jn 3:2).
* [17:26] I will make it known: through the Advocate.3 

Barbara Dilly asks how does faith sustain us on a day to day basis?

Can it be, that we too are in the presence of angels as spirit messengers from God?  The Bible says angels exist, so I believe they are real. But I don’t know exactly what they look like or sound like.  I don’t think anyone has a definitive definition of their essence, despite the fact artists have imagined them variously for ages.  I’ve never seen those angels except for maybe at a children’s Christmas pageant. But I do believe angels comfort and protect us and help keep us on the right path by bringing messages to us even today just as they did for our ancestors throughout the Old and New Testaments.   I often feel them near, especially during difficulties, and always in times when I am drawing on my faith for courage to witness to the Gospel. I can’t explain it in concrete terms and I don’t feel the need to do so. It is a matter of faith and I think it is an individual thing with each of us.  We all must develop our own faith and our own relationships with angels. It isn’t going to be the same for everybody.4 

Don Schwager notes that Jesus' prayers were personal, direct, and focused on the welfare and well-being of others - especially that they might find peace and unity with God and with one another. Schwager quotes “Prayer of unity for all who believe,” by Cyprian of Carthage - first martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.

"The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 17:20-26 comments that unity of purpose can help us understand one facet of the unity that Jesus prayed for in today’s Gospel, but he wants us to know much more than unity of purpose. He wants us to know unity of love and unity of vision as well.

It’s no secret that the Church is fractured and that Jesus’ prayer remains unfulfilled. We know that Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox are separated. There are countless different denominations, and the Catholic Church continues to suffer from internal divisions. Even on a smaller level, every parish seems to have its own difficulties.
And so Jesus continues to pray that his followers become one as they share in his Father’s perfect, selfless love. He wants more than cooperation and tolerance. He wants reconciliation and love. When our divisions no longer define our relationships, we’ll begin to see each other as brothers and sisters. We may not believe everything in exactly the same way, but we can rejoice that there is far more that unites us than divides us.
How can we promote Christian unity? By praying. We can bless our brothers and sisters from other traditions. We can ask the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts toward each other. We can echo Jesus’ prayer that all barriers of hostility would be broken down and that God’s children would be one.6 

Friar Jude Winkler provides background to the differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees concerning Sacred Texts, angels, and resurrection. Paul is called to take the message of Christ from the spiritual centre of the world, Jerusalem, to the political centre in Rome. Friar Jude restates the theme of Jesus prayer for all to be in a relationship of truth and love.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a short excerpt from Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis’ book “The Power of Stories” as he hopes we will commit to change our culture, communities, churches, and institutions into places where all feel like they belong and are completely welcome.

The gospel message is clear, yet relatively few clergy are able to lead their congregants into this vision of shalom. Clergy do not lead in a vacuum; they work in a context and in a culture that is often counter to the gospel. In other words, the vision we are called to story is often met with resistance that needs to be navigated. We must learn to cross cultural borders and break down resistance to a radical ethic of welcome.7 

In the excellent podcast discussion AST Podcast on Climate Catastrophe, David Deane of the Atlantic School of Theology expresses concern about the tension that labels Catholics, including Pope Francis as “liberal” and “conservative”.

The differing opinions of people present challenges to overcome as we strive to choose unity supported by our Life in the Spirit of the Father and Son.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/23
2	(n.d.). Psalm 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/17
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved June 6, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Saint Norbert, Bishop (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved June 6, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/06/06
7	(2019, June 6). Breaking Down Walls — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from https://cac.org/breaking-down-walls-2019-06-06/