Life Today

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense of life today that is rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable.

Changing Situations

The reading from the Letter of James warns against presumption and boasting about tomorrow.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).1

 

Psalm 49 declares the folly of trust in riches.

* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples are concerned about another exorcist in their midst.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.3

 

Barbara Dilly asks: Do we secretly resent our modest lives, thinking that eschewing wealth is the price for our redemption? Do we avoid facing the ugly realities of structural inequality because we do not have the courage to address the brokenness of greed and corrupt power that ensnares us?

These lessons today challenge me to seek the way and the truth and the life of the Lord toward living in the Kingdom of heaven in this life. Why should we fear the wicked and the evil ensnarers of this world when in fact we can live in confidence that we will find more colleagues and friends of the Spirit than we think if we follow Jesus. Together, we too can perform mighty deeds in his name. The lessons for today should give us all the confidence to live out our lives knowing that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. I pray we will all know the Lord’s will for our lives and through the Spirit we will live to do it.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 4:13-17 asks what if our circumstances suddenly change? This can tempt us to doubt God’s ability to guide us—and we might even blame him for the change in plans! But James reminds us of the attitude we should take: “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that” (4:15). Which means that as we make our plans, we should always remember that everything depends on the grace and mercy of God.

So don’t grasp too tightly to any of your plans! Instead, trust in God’s faithful care for you, and believe that he is still at work in spite of an unexpected development. Then when your plans are disrupted—even quite unexpectedly, as they were with Covid—you can still have peace and confidence. “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding” will, in fact, sustain you because you have placed your hope and trust in God and not in the outcome of your plans and decisions (Philippians 4:7). “Lord, guide me in all my comings and goings.”6

 

Franciscan Media writes that The “Acts” of Saint Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155.

Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion, he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14).7

 

Friar Jude Winkler underlines that we are not in charge citing the humour of Teresa of Avila and the Muslim expression “inshallah”. Three years of Covid changed our way of life and our vision of the future. Friar Jude reminds us that the disciples' mistaken attitude to the other exorcist teaches us to affirm all service to others.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that marriage and friendship are fruitful training grounds for intimacy with both God and people.

Divine intimacy and human intimacy share the same dynamics. I believe one is a school for the other. Most people start with human intimacy and move toward divine intimacy. But I do believe there are a few souls who start with God’s divine ambush, who first learn how to be vulnerable before God and then transfer this to their human relationships. Two who have taught me that best are Thérèse of Lisieux and Julian of Norwich. Both are among my favorite mystics, and both are women. Women, and those in touch with their feminine side, seem to have a readiness for intimacy, mutuality, and vulnerability that offers a central message for all believers.8

 

In our changing and unpredictable lives, the Spirit prepares our heart for intimacy as the deepest connection to eternal and unchanging love.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 49 | USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022322.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb23
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/02/23/319102/
7	(n.d.). Saint Polycarp | Franciscan Media. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-polycarp
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2022 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://cac.org/an-opportunity-to-grow-stronger-2022-02-23/

 

A time for revelation and reality

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today refocus our understanding of the relationship between Creator and Creature.





The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that things happen in God’s time.

* [3:1–8] The fourteen pairs of opposites describe various human activities. The poem affirms that God has determined the appropriate moment or “time” for each. Human beings cannot know that moment; further, the wider course of events and purposes fixed by God are beyond them as well.

The Gospel from Luke emphasizes the role of prayer in our preparation to live as Jesus describes to His disciples.

* [9:18–22] This incident is based on Mk 8:27–33, but Luke has eliminated Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus as suffering Son of Man (Mk 8:32) and the rebuke of Peter by Jesus (Mk 8:33). Elsewhere in the gospel, Luke softens the harsh portrait of Peter and the other apostles found in his Marcan source (cf. Lk 22:39–46, which similarly lacks a rebuke of Peter that occurs in the source, Mk 14:37–38).

The rhythm of Ecclesiastes resonates with the theme of Inshallah in Islam.

In the Gospel of Luke, important moments in Jesus journey are preceded by prayer.

* [3:21] Was praying: Luke regularly presents Jesus at prayer at important points in his ministry: here at his baptism; at the choice of the Twelve (Lk 6:12); before Peter’s confession (Lk 9:18); at the transfiguration (Lk 9:28); when he teaches his disciples to pray (Lk 11:1); at the Last Supper (Lk 22:32); on the Mount of Olives (Lk 22:41); on the cross (Lk 23:46).

Larry Gillick, S.J. chooses to ponder about Jesus’ praying in solitude.

What is new and different is the quality of our life after we spend time praying.  That is what can be evaluated if you are into such things. The encounter comes before results just as pregnancy comes before birth.  What is “new” then is the fruit of praying. Jesus was interrupted in His prayer, not just by wandering thoughts, but by wondering disciples.  His relationships, His authenticity, His fidelity were the fruits of His praying in solitude. His compassionate availability was the fruit of His being so available to His humanity and His prayer.

In the Summa Theologiæ of St. Thomas Aquinas Article 1 asks whether it is becoming of Christ to pray?

I answer that, As was said in the II-II:83:1; II-II:83:2, prayer is the unfolding of our will to God, that He may fulfill it. If, therefore, there had been but one will in Christ, viz. the Divine, it would nowise belong to Him to pray, since the Divine will of itself is effective of whatever He wishes by it, according to Psalm 134:6: "Whatsoever the Lord pleased, He hath done." But because the Divine and the human wills are distinct in Christ, and the human will of itself is not efficacious enough to do what it wishes, except by Divine power, hence to pray belongs to Christ as man and as having a human will.

The Word Among Us Meditation is on the mention of hate in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11.

For instance, you may hate someone because of something hurtful they have said or done to you. Jesus wants to help you try to forgive. Perhaps you hate someone because they are embroiled in a pattern of sin that is overflowing to other people. Let Jesus remind you that we are all sinners. Sometimes, when a person is doing truly evil things, it is especially hard to love them. Maybe all you can do is pray. Even this is a step out of the darkness.

Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, is reminded of a song by the Byrds about Ecclesiastes 3.1-11. Jesus is praying often in Luke’s Gospel. In the prediction of the passion Christ is the Messiah but not a wonder worker but the Son of Man is likened to the Suffering Servant in Second Isaiah.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes the book “God of Love” by Mirabai Starr to show how at the nondual or contemplative levels the teachings of the three Abrahamic Traditions are quite similar, especially regarding the transformation of the separate self into union with God.

“Wash yourself of yourself,” says Rumi [a Sufi]. “Be melting snow.” In Kabbalah [Jewish mysticism], this process is known as bitul hayesh, “nullification of one’s somethingness,” and is consciously cultivated through prayer. In Christian tradition, the union of the soul with God in love is called “bridal mysticism.” And in Sufism, it is fana, where the soul attains complete unity with Allah. In every case, there is a dying of the false self into the truth of the Divine.

Authentic God experience always “burns” us, yet it does not destroy us (Exodus 3:2-3), just as the burning bush was revealed to Moses. Most of us are not prepared for such burning, nor even told to expect it. Authentic God experience is always “too much”! It consoles our True Self only after it has devastated our false self.

References

(n.d.). Ecclesiastes chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/3
(n.d.). Luke chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/9
(n.d.). Luke chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke3:123
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). SUMMA THEOLOGIAE Christ's prayerTertia Pars Q 21 - New Advent. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4021.htm
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Discerning For and Against

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn against presumption and rejecting others who do good to help those in need.

Good works for others

The Letter of James reminds us that life is unpredictable and counsels us to accept the will of God for the future.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus corrects His disciples who want to reject those not in the group who do good in Jesus Name.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.

Ibrahim Al-Ammar explains the Arabic “Insha Allah”, that resonates with the teaching of James.

we are taught by Islam not to make definitive statements about the future, since only God knows what will happen. This means that if someone asked me to provide him with something, instead of “I will give it to you today” I should say: “I will give it to you today, Insha Allah.”

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), an American theologian and bishop, taught we must be tolerant to persons because they are human and we must be intolerant about principles because they are divine.

The doctor must be intolerant about disease in his patients, and the professor must be intolerant about error in his pupils. So, too, the Church, founded on the Intolerance of Divinity, must be equally intolerant about the truths commissioned to her. There are to be no one-fisted battles, no half-drawn swords, no divided loves, no equalizing Christ and Buddha in a broad sweep of sophomoric tolerance or broad-mindedness, for as Our Blessed Lord has put it: "He that is not with Me is against Me"... (Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23 )

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. on encouraging good works done in Christ.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from  LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)

The Word Among Us meditation on James 4:13-17, recalls an expression that goes back to the primitive Church, that many Arab Christians end their conversations with “if God wills.”

Worrying about the future is neither helpful nor necessary. It drains our faith and saps us of our energy. God wants us to place our hope in him and in his plans for us. He wants us to be free to serve him. So don’t let the cares of this world make you afraid. Don’t let your worries convince you that you have to overcome every obstacle on your own. Instead, keep following the Lord, and leave the future to him. Try your best to let go of worry so that you can live in the light of his promises.

Friar Jude Winkler mentions the resonance between the Letter of James and the Muslim idea contained in “Insha Allah”. We see a mistaken interpretation of Jesus Kingdom by the disciples in the Gospel today. They want monopoly over the power and are not concerned with the one needing service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes a poem cited by Barbara A. Holmes, in her book, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. A verse of this poem speaks to particularly to Canadians us of our responsibility to those escaping persecution regardless of who helps them or what group they belong to.

Joy Unspeakable is humming
“how I got over”
after swimming safely
to the other shore of a swollen Ohio river
when you know that you can’t swim.
It is the blessed assurance
that Canada is far,
but not that far.

We seek to discern God’s will as we struggle with the chaos of our time.

References


(n.d.). James, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/james4:21

(n.d.). Mark, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/9

(2015, March 9). 'Insha Allah' — please don't fear this phrase! | Arab News. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.arabnews.com/columns/news/715716

(n.d.). Love and Truth: A Plea for Intolerance - Living Bulwark. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/august2015p8.htm

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings .... Retrieved May 23, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 23, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/

Live Inshallah and be tolerant