Willed to Be Brothers and Sisters

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our progress in surrendering to the Will of God that we live with Love for all Creation.

Brothers and Sisters

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims Christ’s Sacrifice once for All.

* [10:1–10] Christian faith now realizes that the Old Testament sacrifices did not effect the spiritual benefits to come but only prefigured them (Heb 10:1). For if the sacrifices had actually effected the forgiveness of sin, there would have been no reason for their constant repetition (Heb 10:2). They were rather a continual reminder of the people’s sins (Heb 10:3). It is not reasonable to suppose that human sins could be removed by the blood of animal sacrifices (Heb 10:4). Christ, therefore, is here shown to understand his mission in terms of Ps 40:5–7, cited according to the Septuagint (Heb 10:5–7). Jesus acknowledged that the Old Testament sacrifices did not remit the sins of the people and so, perceiving the will of God, offered his own body for this purpose (Heb 10:8–10). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

Psalm 40 is a thanksgiving for Deliverance and a Prayer for help.

* [Psalm 40] A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17).

* [40:4] A new song: a song in response to the new action of God (cf. Ps 33:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1; Is 42:10). Giving thanks is not purely a human response but is itself a divine gift.

* [40:7–9] Obedience is better than sacrifice (cf. 1 Sm 15:22; Is 1:10–20; Hos 6:6; Am 5:22–25; Mi 6:6–8; Acts 7:42–43 [quoting Am 5:25–26]). Heb 10:5–9 quotes the somewhat different Greek version and interprets it as Christ’s self-oblation. (Psalms, PSALM 40, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, we hear about the true kindred of Jesus.

* [3:20–35] Within the narrative of the coming of Jesus’ relatives (Mk 3:20–21) is inserted the account of the unbelieving scribes from Jerusalem who attributed Jesus’ power over demons to Beelzebul (Mk 3:22–30); see note on Mk 5:21–43. There were those even among the relatives of Jesus who disbelieved and regarded Jesus as out of his mind (Mk 3:21). Against this background, Jesus is informed of the arrival of his mother and brothers [and sisters] (Mk 3:32). He responds by showing that not family ties but doing God’s will (Mk 3:35) is decisive in the kingdom; cf. note on Mt 12:46–50. * [3:32] Your brothers: see note on Mk 6:3. (Mark, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

Molly Mattingly comments that these are challenging readings. She works with many college students who wonder what, exactly, God’s will for them is so that they can follow it. On days with challenging readings, she sometimes goes to the saint whose memorial we celebrate, to see if their life sheds any light on the matter. St. Francis de Sales did not disappoint. In a nutshell: he was a lawyer, a teacher, a writer, a spiritual director, a mystic, and he laid the groundwork for Vatican II’s focus on the “universal call to holiness” as far back as the Reformation.

Prayer was essential for him; he didn’t want to do anything for which he hadn’t sought God’s input first. He showed up to life saying, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” His insistence that people in every stage and state of life are called to holiness helps me connect with Jesus’ words in the gospel: “Whomever does the will of God is [my family].” In St. Francis de Sales’ time, it was thought that only clergy and religious were really called to be holy; lay or family life simply wasn’t a way to grow closer to God. He saw spiritual direction for laypeople as one of his most important ministries as bishop, and wrote in his most famous book that family life is a path to holiness just as much as religious life. Jesus calls everyone! As Paul wrote to the Hebrews at the end of today’s first reading, Jesus has also consecrated us – we the Body of Christ on earth – through the offering of his Body once for all. (Mattingly, 2023)

The Franciscan Media article on Saint Frances de Sales comments that his writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world.”

Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.” (Saint Francis De Sales, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The cross of Christ as victory,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"[Mary] did the Father's will. It was this in her that the Lord magnified, not merely that her flesh gave birth to flesh... When he said, 'Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it' (Luke 11:28), he was in effect saying: 'My mother whom you have called blessed is blessed for the reason that she keeps the Word of God, not that the Word was made flesh in her and dwelt among us (John 1:14), but that she keeps the very Word of God through which she was made and which was made flesh in her." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 10.3.2) (Schwager, 2022)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:31-35 comments that Jesus wants us to try to stay true to our Christian family, as imperfect as it is, and to deepen our relationships with each other. He knows we can develop a more intimate spiritual family around us, even if we start small. Is there someone in your parish whom God may be asking you to get to know a little better? Is there a Bible study or parish ministry you’ve been thinking of joining?

Whatever you do, remember that with Jesus as the head of this family, you’re always in good hands. He has claimed you as his own brother or sister and given you a host of siblings to help you on your path of discipleship.

“Jesus, thank you for calling me into your very own family! By your Spirit, help us all to build a community of faith and love.” (Meditation on Mark 3:31-35, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the thoughts in Hebrews about the contrast between the concern about sin in the Hebrew Covenant and the theme of the Beatitudes in the Christian Covenant. There is a different understanding of brothers and sisters of Jesus in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant tradition. Friar Jude suggests that it is often difficult to surrender as much as we can to the mystery of faith.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, understands Jesus in a long line of Jewish prophets who revealed inconvenient truths to their people. Jesus exposes the shadow, confronts the ego, and calls the people to be transformed. 

The genius of Jesus is that he wastes no time on repressing or denying the shadow. In that, he is a classic prophet, one of those who does not merely expose the denied shadow of Israel, but instead attacks the real problem, which is the ego and arrogance of Israel and people misusing power. Once we expose the shadow for what it is, its game is over. Its effectiveness entirely depends on disguise (see 2 Corinthians 11:14) and not seeing the plank in our own eye. Once we see our own plank, the “speck” in our neighbor’s eye becomes inconsequential.  

Jesus is not too interested in moral purity because he knows that any preoccupation with repressing the shadow does not lead us into personal transformation, empathy, compassion, or patience, but invariably into denial or disguise, repression or hypocrisy. Isn’t that rather evident? Immature religion creates a high degree of cognitively rigid people or very hateful and attacking people—and often both. It is almost the public image of Christianity today, yet God’s goal is exactly the opposite. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek to be open to the prompting of the Spirit to continue our transformation as brothers and sisters of all members of God’s Creation.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10 

Mark, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3 

Mattingly, M. (2023, January 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012423.html 

Meditation on Mark 3:31-35. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/24/593107/ 

Psalms, PSALM 40. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/40?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-exposes-the-shadow-2023-01-24/ 

Saint Francis de Sales. (n.d.). Franciscan Media. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-de-sales/ 

Schwager, D. (2022, August 10). Whoever Does the Will of God Is My Brother and Sister. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan24 

Kingdom and the Spirit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to prayerfully meditate on the image of the Kingdom as demonstrated by David and as lived by Jesus.

Kingdom in the Capital

 

In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David is anointed King of all Israel and Jerusalem is made capital of the Combined Kingdom.

* [5:6–12] David’s most important military exploit, the taking of Jerusalem, is here presented before his battles with the Philistines, vv. 17–25, which took place earlier. The sense of vv. 6 and 8 is in doubt. Perhaps the Jebusites boasted that Jerusalem was impregnable, using a metaphorical or proverbial expression that claimed the city was defensible even by people not suited for military action. The saying then received a different sense (v. 8), to the effect that “the blind and the lame” were David’s enemies. Mt 21:14 and Lk 14:13 seem to play off, and transform, this saying.1

 

Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.

* [89:26] The sea…the rivers: geographically the limits of the Davidic empire (the Mediterranean and the Euphrates); mythologically, the traditional forces of chaos. See note on Ps 89:11.2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is confused with Beelzebul.

* [3:22] By Beelzebul: see note on Mt 10:25. Two accusations are leveled against Jesus: (1) that he is possessed by an unclean spirit and (2) by the prince of demons he drives out demons. Jesus answers the second charge by a parable (Mk 3:24–27) and responds to the first charge in Mk 3:28–29. * [3:29] Whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit: this sin is called an everlasting sin because it attributes to Satan, who is the power of evil, what is actually the work of the holy Spirit, namely, victory over the demons.3

 

Angela Maynard is reminded that Satan is a powerful force and is often disguised making it difficult to realize he is always at work.

* [3:22] By Beelzebul: see note on Mt 10:25. Two accusations are leveled against Jesus: (1) that he is possessed by an unclean spirit and (2) by the prince of demons he drives out demons. Jesus answers the second charge by a parable (Mk 3:24–27) and responds to the first charge in Mk 3:28–29. * [3:29] Whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit: this sin is called an everlasting sin because it attributes to Satan, who is the power of evil, what is actually the work of the holy Spirit, namely, victory over the demons.3

 

Don Schwager quotes “The cross of Christ as victory,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"It is not difficult, therefore, to see how the devil was conquered when he, who was slain by him, rose again. But there is something greater and more profound of comprehension: to see how the devil was conquered precisely when he was thought to be conquering, namely, when Christ was crucified. For at that moment the blood of him who had no sin at all, was shed for the remission of our sins (Matthew 26:28, 1 John 3:5). The devil deservedly held those whom he had bound by sin to the condition of death. So it happened that One who was guilty of no sin freed them justly from this condemnation (Hebrews 2:14). The strong man was conquered by this paradoxical justice and bound by this chain, that his vessels [booty] might be taken away. Those vessels which had been vessels of wrath were turned into vessels of mercy (Romans 9:22-23)." (excerpt ON THE TRINITY 13.15.19)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 comments that considering David’s inconsistent history, how can we understand what seems like an unconditional statement that God was with David? God’s love for David did not rise and fall with David’s actions. The Lord knew him inside and out. David had potential for greatness and he had his weaknesses. But even when David was mired in sin, there was still some part of him that wanted to please the Lord. Even when he disobeyed, his heart was open enough to hear the call to repentance and see the error of his ways.

That can be a lesson for us. Like David, we have been blessed by God, but his love for us isn’t won by our good behavior. Even when we’re lost in sin, God is still beside us, always prepared to take us back. That’s when our hearts need to be like David’s—ready to hear and respond to God’s call to repentance, always trusting that he is with us. “Lord, thank you for your unfailing love for David. Help me to be like David in my response to you.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler shares the history of David and Saul’s family on his path to choose Jerusalem, midway between the northern and southern tribes as the capital of the United Kingdom. Beelzebub is a play on the words for the “Lord of the Flies”. Friar Jude reminds us of the understanding of St. John Paul II on the nature of the unforgivable sin of rejection of the mercy of God.

 

The post by Franciscan Media about Saint Frances de Sales calls him a Champion of Prayer. In the Salesian tradition, prayer, even in this fairly elementary method, never remains notional but always draws the one praying toward active growth and alignment of the will with the divine prompting.

The final movements of this interior process include thanksgiving, the offering of one’s affections and resolutions, and supplication. Then, with his typically encouraging spiritual pedagogy, Francis assures that the fruits of the meditation will not fade by proposing that we collect a souvenir or “spiritual bouquet.” As a prayer coach, St. Francis de Sales encourages us to jump in and swim in the grace of God. Amen!7

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that Jesus’ life and teachings offer us a foundational example of God’s all-inclusive love that we are asked to emulate.

Jesus is shockingly not upset with sinners. This is a shock so total that most Christians, to this day, refuse to see it. He is only upset with people who do not think they are sinners: these denying, fearful, and illusory individuals are the actual blockage. They are much more likely to hate and feel no compunction. Formerly, religion thought its mission was to expel sin and evil. Through Jesus, we learn that sin lies in the very act of expelling. There is no place to expel it to. We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us. We either carry and transform the evil of human history as our own problem, or we increase its efficiency and power by hating and punishing it “over there.” The Jesus pattern was put precisely and concisely by Paul: “for our sake he made the sinless one a victim for sin, so that in him we might become the uprightness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). I admit, that is counterintuitive for most people. Only mystics and sinners seem to get it.8 

Our contemplation of salvation history, in prayer, awakens the Spirit to gratitude for God’s grace and mercy.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 2 Samuel, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/es/node/4326
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012422.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jan24
6	(n.d.). Meditation: 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 - The Word Among Us. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020
7	(2022, January 24). St. Francis de Sales: Champion of Prayer | Franciscan Media. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/st-francis-de-sales-champion-of-prayer
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/goodness-exposed-2022-01-24/