Authority for Wellness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today affirm our trust in Providence for our wellbeing and underline the mission of mercy to

Recall Mercy

which we are called by the Spirit.

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah tells of the cure for Hezekiah’s illness.

* [38:1] In those days: before the siege of Jerusalem in 701 B.C.

* [38:5] Since Hezekiah died in 687 B.C., his sickness may have occurred in 702 B.C., that is, fifteen years before. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 38, n.d.)

The response from Isaiah is Hezekiah’s Hymn of Thanksgiving.

* [38:10] In the noontime of life: long before the end of a full span of life; cf. Ps 55:24; 102:25.

* [38:11] See the LORD: go to the Temple and take part in its service.

* [38:12] These two metaphors emphasize the suddenness and finality of death.

* [38:15–16] The Hebrew text is very problematic and its meaning uncertain. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 38, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus confronts the Pharisees about plucking grain on the Sabbath.

* [12:5–6] This and the following argument (Mt 12:7) are peculiar to Matthew. The temple service seems to be the changing of the showbread on the sabbath (Lv 24:8) and the doubling on the sabbath of the usual daily holocausts (Nm 28:9–10). The argument is that the law itself requires work that breaks the sabbath rest, because of the higher duty of temple service. If temple duties outweigh the sabbath law, how much more does the presence of Jesus, with his proclamation of the kingdom (something greater than the temple), justify the conduct of his disciples. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Thomas Quinn notes that the Gospel today revisits a common theme: Jesus reasons with the Pharisees.

Jesus reasoned that priests in the Temple do their work on the Sabbath; King David and some of his men entered the Temple and ate sacrificial food. They were found innocent. Jesus then inferred that the field in which they stood was greater than the Temple, since the “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” “ These men (the disciples) are [as] innocent as the priests in the Temple.” God does not require sacrifice, but mercy. God asks us to be motivated not by the letter of the law, but by mercy and love. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Seventh Day,” from the early Greek fathers, attributed to Eusebius of Alexandria (5th century AD).

"Now every week has seven days. Six of these God has given to us for work, and one for prayer, rest, and making reparation for our sins, so that on the Lord's Day we may atone to God for any sins we have committed on the other six days. Therefore, arrive early at the church of God; draw near to the Lord and confess your sins to him, repenting in prayer and with a contrite heart. Attend the holy and divine liturgy; finish your prayer and do not leave before the dismissal. Contemplate your master as he is broken and distributed, yet not consumed. If you have a clear conscience, go forward and partake of the body and blood of the Lord." (excerpt from SERMON 6, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 12:1-8 asks what are Hosea and Jesus telling us? That we shouldn’t care about whether we or someone else is honoring God’s commands and guidelines? No. In fact, Jesus valued and upheld God’s law. But he often went out of his way to remind us that everyone needs mercy. And the reason why we are trying to follow God’s rules is more important than being preoccupied with fulfilling them with perfect precision.

So if you tend to be overly critical of yourself, receive God’s tender affirmation: You are my child, and I love you. If you are bound up in worry, receive his assurance: I am with you, whatever may come.

Then give it away! Start with those you are closest to. Offer mercy and compassion to your spouse, your parents, your children, and your colleagues and friends. Through your words and actions, proclaim that mercy is more powerful than differences of opinions or misunderstandings. Assume their best intentions, not the worst. Make that apology that you’ve been putting off. “Waste” a little time being present to someone who needs company.

Receive God’s mercy today, that you may be able to give it away.

“Jesus, help me to treasure your mercy above all else.” (Meditation on Matthew 12:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the contrast between the sign given Hezekiah by God and the reluctance of his father Ahaz to ask for a sign. Often when we are discerning a path for our growth in Christ, signs are quite visible in our environment. Friar Jude reminds us that the interpretation of the Law like the Pharisees disregards our call to show mercy.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Gary Paul Nabhan, a graduate of the CAC’s Living School and a professed member of the Ecumenical Order of Franciscans, who is a conservation biologist, orchard-keeper, and storyteller. He shares about his involvement in the first Earth Day celebration in 1970 ,when he was sent to a small Catholic college near the Mississippi River to be the youngest presenter at a campus-wide convocation.

Whatever words I spoke were directed toward those eagles as much as they were to the humans assembled there that day; to the catfish in the river as much as to the Christian community; a call of the wild as much as a call for a communion of all races, faiths, and classes.

Actually, I can’t recall that any words spilled out my mouth that morning. I am not at all sure that my voice was heard—let alone remembered—by anyone present that first Earth Day morning, but that did not matter much to me. I felt as though I was present at the dawning of Creation, at the first sanctioned gathering of two-leggeds, four-leggeds, winged ones, and rooted ones where all came to express their joy in being part of this sacred place that was careening through space and time.

It is true: whenever any of us feels gratitude for all of Earth’s creatures, we have become fully Present, fully alive ourselves.

That may be what Saint Francis of Assisi meant when he urged us to “go out and preach the Good News and only when necessary use words.” (Rohr, 2020)

We are alerted by the Spirit to the events of our day that are opportunities to share a fuller life through acts of healing and mercy.

References

Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071522.html 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 38. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/38?1 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 38. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/38?10 

Matthew, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?1 

Meditation on Matthew 12:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/15/442243/  

Rohr, R. (2020, April 15). Loving the Earth. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-the-earth-2022-07-15/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul15 

Rejection and Resurrection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to the transformation of our talents by the Spirit to bring people to Christ.

Building at Breakfast

 

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John appear before the Council.

[4:11] Early Christianity applied this citation from Ps 118:22 to Jesus; cf. Mk 12:10; 1 Pt 2:7. * [4:12] In the Roman world of Luke’s day, salvation was often attributed to the emperor who was hailed as “savior” and “god.” Luke, in the words of Peter, denies that deliverance comes through anyone other than Jesus.1

 

Psalm 118 is a song of victory.

* [118:22] The stone the builders rejected: a proverb: what is insignificant to human beings has become great through divine election. The “stone” may originally have meant the foundation stone or capstone of the Temple. The New Testament interpreted the verse as referring to the death and resurrection of Christ (Mt 21:42; Acts 4:11; cf. Is 28:16 and Rom 9:33; 1 Pt 2:7).2

 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to Seven Disciples.

* [21:1–23] There are many non-Johannine peculiarities in this chapter, some suggesting Lucan Greek style; yet this passage is closer to John than Jn 7:53–8:11. There are many Johannine features as well. Its closest parallels in the synoptic gospels are found in Lk 5:1–11 and Mt 14:28–31. Perhaps the tradition was ultimately derived from John but preserved by some disciple other than the writer of the rest of the gospel. The appearances narrated seem to be independent of those in Jn 20. Even if a later addition, the chapter was added before publication of the gospel, for it appears in all manuscripts.3

 

Steve Scholer asks us to imagine we walk into our favorite spot for breakfast and there, sitting in the corner booth, is Jesus, and he looks you in the eye and says, “Come, have breakfast.”

Much has been said and written about the power of “visualization.” Properly applied, it helps us anticipate the moment and prepare ourselves for what will happen. If we want to come closer to Jesus in our prayer life, maybe visualizing Christ sitting next to us as we pray, or being at our side throughout the day, might be a good place for us to start. For many of us, the visualization might be the traditional image of Jesus in a long white robe. For others, Jesus might be sitting across from them wearing a hoodie. It really doesn’t matter, if we just close our eyes and let our minds imagine what it would be like to have Jesus at our side, listening to what we have to say, and participating in our conversation. Visualizing Jesus at our side while praying might lead to a much deeper and more honest conversation with God. As we all know, it is a lot harder to avoid our true thoughts and feelings when the person we are talking to is sitting face-to-face with us. As Easter Week draws to a close, let us continue to not only see God in all things, but to always see God with us at all times, asking us to “come” and be with him in our thoughts, words and deeds.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Resurrected Bodies,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The bodies of the righteous at the resurrection will need neither any fruit to preserve them from dying of disease or the wasting decay of old age nor any bodily nourishment to prevent hunger and thirst. For they will be endowed with such a sure and inviolable gift of immortality that they will not eat because they have to, but only if they want to. Not the power but the necessity of eating and drinking shall be taken away from them... just like our Savior after his resurrection took meat and drink with his disciples, with spiritual but still real flesh, not for the sake of nourishment, but in an exercise of his power." (excerpt from City of God 13.22)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:1-14 comments that today, at every Eucharistic feast celebrated throughout the world, Jesus comes to us really and truly, in the form of bread and wine. He comes to us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, to transform us and fill us with his grace. But Jesus can also use ordinary gatherings to reveal himself and make his presence known.

Jesus wants to be present with you at your mealtimes. Try to share a meal with someone this week. If you live alone, you might invite a friend to join you, even if it’s just for coffee or dessert. If you have a family, eating together may already be part of your routine, but maybe it’s not. Put away your phones, turn off the TV, and sit down together. As you gather, invite the Lord to be with you and to reveal himself. Share some food; talk about your day. And keep an eye out for how Jesus might be working among you. “Lord, as you did with the disciples, reveal yourself to me again.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the Sadducees, who put Peter and John on trial, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The rejected quarry stone that supported the Cross on Calvary is a symbol of Jesus who becomes the cornerstone. Friar Jude reminds us that, after encountering Jesus at Mass, we are called to the mission of fishers of people.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that, on Earth Day, for Catholic theologian Elizabeth Johnson, the resurrection of Jesus is a promise of new life for all creation.

The reasoning runs like this. This person, Jesus of Nazareth, Wisdom incarnate, was composed of star stuff and earth stuff; his life formed a genuine part of the historical and biological community of Earth; his body existed in a network of relationships drawing from and extending to the whole physical universe. As a child of the earth he died, and the earth claimed him back in a grave. In his resurrection his flesh was called to life again in transformed glory. Risen from the dead, Jesus has been reborn as a child of the earth, radiantly transfigured. . . . The evolving world of life, all of matter in its endless permutations, will not be left behind but will be transfigured by the resurrecting action of the Creator God. [2]7

 

Writing at the beginning of the pandemic, Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio reminds us that we can celebrate the risen Christ in our lives and in the natural world.

We have an invitation to go to church in a new way, by praying before the new leaves budding through dormant trees or the wobbly flowers by the side of the road pushing through the solid earth. . .  [With Francis of Assisi], we too can sing with the air we breathe, the sun that shines upon us, the rain that pours down to water the earth. And we can cry with those who are mourning, with the forgotten, with those who are suffering from disease or illness, with the weak, with the imprisoned. We can mourn in the solidarity of compassion but we must live in the hope of new life. For we are Easter people, and we are called to celebrate the whole earth as the body of Christ. Every act done in love gives glory to God: a pause of thanksgiving, a laugh, a gaze at the sun, or just raising a toast to your friends at your virtual gathering. The good news? “He is not here!” Christ is everywhere, and love will make us whole. [3]7

As we gather with friends and family in the Easter season, or on Earth Day, we are open to the prompting of the Spirit to action that calls us to the fullness of life.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042222.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=apr22
6	(n.d.). Meditation: John 21:1-14 - The Word Among Us. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2015
7	(n.d.). 2022 Daily Meditations: Nothing Stands Alone - Center for Action .... Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://cac.org/a-promise-for-all-creation-2022-04-22/

 

Whoever Believes

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to meditate on the joy of following Jesus and our ways of expressing that joy in our lifestyle.

 

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes joy in the encounter of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.

 * [8:26–40] In the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, Luke adduces additional evidence to show that the spread of Christianity outside the confines of Judaism itself was in accord with the plan of God. He does not make clear whether the Ethiopian was originally a convert to Judaism or, as is more probable, a “God-fearer” (Acts 10:1), i.e., one who accepted Jewish monotheism and ethic and attended the synagogue but did not consider himself bound by other regulations such as circumcision and observance of the dietary laws. The story of his conversion to Christianity is given a strong supernatural cast by the introduction of an angel (Acts 8:26), instruction from the holy Spirit (Acts 8:29), and the strange removal of Philip from the scene (8:39).1

Psalm 66 is praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.

 

* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). In the second part (Ps 66:13–20), an individual from the rescued community fulfills a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. As often in thanksgivings, the rescued person steps forward to teach the community what God has done (Ps 66:16–20).2

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares “whoever believes has eternal life.”

 

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51.3

Barbara Dilly reflects on our call to proclaim the good news of our redemption through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as a fulfilled promise of God. The hymn “On Our Way Rejoicing” by John S. B. Monsell, is about rejoicing as in Psalm 66, where we are reminded to "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!"

 

Verse 1:

On our way rejoicing, gladly let us go,

Christ our Lord has conquered, vanquished is the foe.

Christ without our safety, Christ within our joy,

Who, if we be faithful, can our hope destroy?

Refrain:

On our way rejoicing, 

As we (homeward, forward, or onward) move.   (changed for recessions or processions)

Hearken to our praises,

O, blest God of love.4

Don Schwager quotes “Studying the Scriptures with humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 

"My ambition as a youth was to apply to the study of the Holy Scriptures all the refinement of dialectics. I did so, but without the humility of the true searcher. I was supposed to knock at the door so that it would open for me. Instead I was pushing it closed, trying to understand in pride what is only learned in humility. However, the all-merciful Lord lifted me up and kept me safe." (excerpt from Sermon 51,6)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 comments that Joy is not simply a passing feeling but a fruit of the indwelling Spirit and the product of God’s life in us (Galatians 5:22). Rather than distinct instances of feeling joyful, it’s possible to live in a state of underlying joy. This is a joy infused with hope—the expectation of good—even when our immediate circumstances aren’t themselves joyful. God’s life in us grows and matures, and as it does, our joy increases.

 That means you can grow in joy as well. And you can begin by expressing it! Start with “Bless our God” (Psalm 66:8). Then open your heart to the Lord. Turn your thoughts to him frequently. Adore him in prayer, find him in the Scriptures, and celebrate him in the Eucharist. Tell him all the reasons for your gratitude: for giving you this day; for healing you, forgiving you, and comforting you. “Sound his praise” (66:8) by telling someone else about what God has done for you, even—and especially—those little blessings the Lord gives you each day.6

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the spread of Christianity from Jews in Jerusalem to Samaritan Jews and in this passage to “god-fearers”. The eunuch could not become a Jew because he was not fully intact. Friar Jude reminds us that the ”Bread of Life” discourse in John now turns to Jesus as “Real Presence”.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, on this Earth Day, introduces Sherri Mitchell, a Native American attorney and sacred activist for environmental protection and human rights, who shares some particular terms which offer us some much-needed Indigenous wisdom and compassion.

 

This understanding is very different than the belief that human beings are chosen above all others. That view creates countless distortions that not only elevate [humanity] inappropriately, but also diminish the rest of creation. The world is one unified system. It cannot be separated into fragmented, saleable parts. The Eurocentric view of property ownership requires us to see the land as being disconnected from us. This view separates us from the source of life. The Indigenous view recognizes the land as kin [as did my spiritual father, St. Francis], as part of the lineage of life that we are all connected to. Thus, we have an obligation to care for the land in the same way that we would care for our human relatives. . . .7

Our journey will reflect the joy of being in relationship with Jesus as we respond to the Spirit as our guide.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042221.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
6	(2021, April 19). 3rd Week of Easter - The Word Among Us. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/04/22/188682/
7	(2021, April 22). One Life, One Breath — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://cac.org/one-life-one-breath-2021-04-22/