At the foot of faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the actions and attitudes from which evangelization is a natural consequence.

Missionary effort

The Book of Acts describes Paul’s arrival at Antioch and his address in the Synagogue tracing salvation history to Jesus.

* [13:16–41] This is the first of several speeches of Paul to Jews proclaiming that the Christian church is the logical development of Pharisaic Judaism (see also Acts 24:10–21; 26:2–23).1 

In Psalm 89 the community laments the defeat of the Davidic king.

 * [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38).2

In the Gospel from John, the action of Jesus in the washing of the disciples’ feet models leadership routed in humble service.

* [13:1–20] Washing of the disciples’ feet. This episode occurs in John at the place of the narration of the institution of the Eucharist in the synoptics. It may be a dramatization of Lk 22:27—“I am your servant.” It is presented as a “model” (“pattern”) of the crucifixion. It symbolizes cleansing from sin by sacrificial death.3

Jeanne Schuler reflects on Jesus, Paul and other figures from religion, history, and literature that shape us.

Whomever he [Paul] shared a meal with learned about Jesus… We feel the impact of another’s life, and that story stays with us.  We are less isolated than supposed. A tribe travels with me. No one makes this journey alone. Jesus washed their feet a last time.  Still on his knees he said once again: remember me. I AM. I am the one beside you. Should you reject me, I will remain.4 

Don Schwager quotes “The Master wants his servants to reach their potential,” by Origen, 185-254 A.D.

"The Savior, who is Lord, does something that surpasses all other lords, who have no desire to see their servants rise up to their level. He is such a Son of the Father's goodness and love that, although he was Lord, he produced servants who could become like him, their Lord, not having the spirit of bondage, which comes from fear, but the spirit of adoption in which they too cry, 'Abba, Father.' So then, before becoming like their teacher and lord, they need to have their feet washed because they are still deficient disciples who possess the spirit of bondage to fear. But when they attain the stature of master and lord... then they will be able to imitate their master and wash the disciple's feet as the teacher. (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.120-22)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 13:13-25 comments that Paul felt worthy to preach, not because he was faultless, but because he had been forgiven.

Do you have a “word of exhortation” that you’d like to share with a friend or family member? Go ahead and say it! Don’t let your past get in the way. Have you committed some sins in your life? Yes, and some of them might even be big, embarrassing ones. But these transgressions can help convince you of the power of God’s love and mercy. They can become the fuel for your courage and humility 6.

The Novalis Seeds of Faith blog quotes from Fr. James Mallon’s book “Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish” on the evangelization of Pope Francis.

 I remember my first words: “Who?” and “Francesco!” Although he would go on to explain his choice of name based on his love for the poor, my first thoughts were that this man was declaring himself to be a reformer after the saint who heard the Lord say to him, “Francis, rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.” I like to believe that he chose this name for both reasons, and his actions so far as pope would confirm this hope.
Since that momentous day, Pope Francis has exploded onto the international scene. He speaks to all Christians with clarity and urgency, challenging us to recall our identity and to be a Church that goes out and a Church that makes “missionary disciples.” In doing this, he continues the call of his predecessor, who spoke often of the New Evangelization and called for the reevangelization of the West.”7

Friar Jude Winkler connects the preaching of Paul in the synagogue to an implied threat that the “Chosen People” may experience a fate of rejection similar to King Saul. The high Christology of the Gospel of John makes the point that Jesus foreknew that He would be betrayed by Judas. Friar Jude reminds that the hour of glory for I AM in this Gospel is the power of love shown on the Cross.

Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a brief introduction from Cynthia Bourgeault, CAC core faculty member and Episcopal priest, to her book “The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three” (Law of Three: originally developed by the Armenian-born spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff (1866–1949)).

Actually, the entire Paschal Mystery can be seen to play itself out as a fairly straightforward configuration of the Law of Three. If you assign affirming as Jesus, the human teacher of the path of love; denying as the crucifixion and the forces of hatred driving it; and reconciling as the principle of self-emptying, or kenotic love willingly engaged, then the fourth or new arising, which is inescapably revealed through this weaving, is the Kingdom of Heaven, visibly manifest in the very midst of all the human cruelty and brokenness.8 

Following Jesus model of evangelization allows humility to present truth and offer peace in reconciliation.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/13
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 89 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/13
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/16/
7	(2014, November 19). From Vatican II to Pope Francis | Seeds of Faith. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://novalisseedsoffaith.com/2014/11/19/from-vatican-ii-to-pope-francis/
8	(n.d.). Law of Three Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://cac.org/tag/law-of-three/

A Spirit for the unexpected

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us in the direction of contemplation of how we may be seeing change toward living in non judgmental and caring ways.

Caring path

The text from the First Book of Samuel relates how David spares Saul who is out to kill him.

 * [26:1] The second account of David sparing Saul’s life; cf. note on 24:1.1

In the 2nd reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians Paul describes our natural and spiritual heritage that culminates in the Resurrection Body.

* [15:42–44] The principles of qualitative difference before and after death (1 Cor 15:36–38) and of diversity on different levels of creation (1 Cor 15:39–41) are now applied to the human body. Before: a body animated by a lower, natural life-principle (psychē) and endowed with the properties of natural existence (corruptibility, lack of glory, weakness). After: a body animated by a higher life-principle (pneuma; cf. 1 Cor 15:45) and endowed with other qualities (incorruptibility, glory, power, spirituality), which are properties of God himself.2 

In the Sermon on the Plain from the Gospel of Luke Jesus exhorts us to Love of Our Enemies and restraint from Judging Others.

At the core of the sermon is Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s enemies (Lk 6:27–36) that has as its source of motivation God’s graciousness and compassion for all humanity (Lk 6:35–36) and Jesus’ teaching on the love of one’s neighbor (Lk 6:37–42) that is characterized by forgiveness and generosity.3 

 Diane Jorgensen observes that today’s gospel continues Jesus discourse in the Sermon on the Plain with the same seemingly paradoxical, even absurd, directives for his followers.

 Those who live in the kingdom are willing to risk being generous, forgiving and vulnerable, as they draw from the Ultimate Abundant Source – God – the source of all generosity, forgiveness and vulnerability. They live without the protection of power, position, privilege and righteousness. “We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God!” is how the song goes. Letting our light shine brightly, without fear of being snuffed out, ushers us into the kingdom of God now, not later.
Our first reading tells the story of David’s restraint in not killing Saul when seemingly, God had presented this auspicious moment. We are challenged daily to show restraint, not in the battlefield, but in boardrooms, classrooms and family rooms. Restraint from harming others is a good thing, demonstrates human maturity, but Jesus is offering us so much more: Spiritual Freedom!
The second reading from Paul reminds me of a quotation attributed to Teilhard de Chardin. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” And what an adventure it is.4

Don Schwager quotes “The virtue of charity,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"Love is commanded when it is said, 'Love your enemies' so that the saying which was uttered already before the church may be fulfilled: 'Set in order love in me' (Song of Solomon 2:4). For love is set in order when the precepts of love are formed. See how it began from the heights and cast the law underneath the backs of the Gospel's blessing. The law commands the revenge of punishment (see Exodus 21:23-36). The gospel bestows love for hostility, benevolence for hatred, prayer for curses, help for the persecuted, patience for the hungry and grace of reward. How much more perfect the athlete who does not feel injury!"  (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.73)5  

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:27-38 urges that to the best of our ability, we put aside harsh judgments and condemning thoughts. If not for the other person’s sake, then for our own sake. Try to rise above the realm of judgment, where everyone gets what’s coming to them—because everyone in that realm will be judged harshly.

Instead, step into the realm of God’s mercy. Move into the realm where everyone is invited to forgiveness and treated with love, dignity, and generosity. Even you. Give the gift of forgiveness, and it will be given to you. Give the gift of a second chance—or a third or fourth or hundredth—and it will be given to you. Give the gift of the benefit of the doubt, and it will be given to you.6 

Fr. James Mallon shares how an encounter with the Word Among Us magazine moved him to a transformation that has become work on “Divine Renovation”

Friar Jude Winkler connects the time of writing of the Hebrew Testament text from Samuel to the desire of David for royal protection. The comparison by Paul of Adam and Jesus refers to our resurrected body that is not our earthly one. Friar Jude cautions judgement of those for whom we have no idea of how they have been gifted by God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the entire biblical revelation involves gradually developing a very different consciousness, a recreated self, and eventually a full “identity transplant” or identity realization, as we see in both Jesus and Paul.

The sacred text invites us, little by little, into a very different sense of who we are: We are not our own. Your life is not about you; you are about Life! We gradually find ourselves part of the Great Vine, eventually realizing that we have never truly been separate from that Source (John 15:1-5). Once we are consciously connected to the True Vine, our life will bear much fruit for the world.

Paul seems to understand this well because it happened rather dramatically to him. He writes, “I live no longer, not I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Like Paul, the spiritual journey leads us to know that Someone Else is living in us and through us. We are part of a much Bigger Mystery. We are recipients, conduits, and gradually become fully willing participants in the Christ Mystery (which is not to be equated with simply joining the Christian religion).7

Our journey is in the Spirit toward a transformed self that shows to others unexpected love and compassion.

References

1	(n.d.). 1 Samuel chapter 26 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/1Samuel/26:2
2	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians15:51
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/luke/6:27
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 24, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/24
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/