Saving Rules

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn us of the obstacles we may encounter when we attempt to “save others” in our own way.

Prepare our Encounter with Others

The Reading from the Second Book of Kings presents the roles of Sennacherib, Hezekiah, and Isaiah as God promises to shield and save the city.

c. [19:15] Ex 25:17–22; 1 Kgs 6:23–28; 8:6–7.

d. [19:19] 1 Kgs 18:36.

f. [19:34] 2 Sm 7:12.

g. [19:35] 1 Mc 7:41; 2 Mc 8:19. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 48 praises the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God

* [Psalm 48] A Zion hymn, praising the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God. Unconquerable, it is an apt symbol of God who has defeated all enemies. After seven epithets describing the city (Ps 48:2–3), the Psalm describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8). The second half proclaims the dominion of the God of Zion over all the earth (Ps 48:9–12) and invites pilgrims to announce that God is eternally invincible like Zion itself (Ps 48:13–14). (Psalm 48, PSALMS | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus expresses in the Sermon on the Mount teaching about Pearls Before Swine, The Answer to Prayers, The Golden Rule, and The Narrow Gate.

* [7:1–12] In Mt 7:1 Matthew returns to the basic traditional material of the sermon (Lk 6:37–38, 41–42). The governing thought is the correspondence between conduct toward one’s fellows and God’s conduct toward the one so acting.

* [7:12] See Lk 6:31. This saying, known since the eighteenth century as the “Golden Rule,” is found in both positive and negative form in pagan and Jewish sources, both earlier and later than the gospel. This is the law and the prophets is an addition probably due to the evangelist.

* [7:13–28] The final section of the discourse is composed of a series of antitheses, contrasting two kinds of life within the Christian community, that of those who obey the words of Jesus and that of those who do not. Most of the sayings are from Q and are found also in Luke.

* [7:13–14] The metaphor of the “two ways” was common in pagan philosophy and in the Old Testament. In Christian literature it is found also in the Didache (1–6) and the Epistle of Barnabas (18–20). (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that part of the Lord’s answer also had a mystical and futuristic element, mentioning a “remnant” and “survivors” that would “strike root below and bear fruit above.” (See verses 30-31). Not only would the people be saved from domination, but they would be saved for a fruitful future. That is more than Hezekiah asked for – the kind of generosity that is characteristic of the Lord, always building a future plan. The Lord knows what he is doing, even when we cannot see the end.

It is evident that Jesus expects his disciples to exercise discernment. Despite caution about the perils of judging others harshly, he also expected them to exercise discernment over such matters as false prophets, rotten trees, and bad fruits. We should expect resistance in this world. We will face challenges that are not so obvious as a massive army threatening a siege. Most of our battles are on a smaller scale, but they require similar courage, patience, and prudence, accompanied by faithful prayer.

The second teaching emphasized here, concerning the narrow gate and the wide road, also calls for discernment and directs us in our prayer. Not all roads lead to life with God. Some lead to destruction. Jesus is the narrow gate. His way can be trusted, even though other paths may look more promising. He knows what he is doing and where he is leading us, even when we may not be so sure. Lord, give us the wisdom we need for discernment, and the faith we need to trust you. Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Unreadiness to receive Godly teaching,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"Now in this precept we are forbidden to give a holy thing to dogs or to cast pearls before swine. We must diligently seek to determine the gravity of these words: holy, pearls, dogs and swine. A holy thing is whatever it would be impious to profane or tear apart. Even a fruitless attempt to do so makes one already guilty of such impiety, though the holy thing may by its very nature remain inviolable and indestructible. Pearls signify all spiritual things that are worthy of being highly prized. Because these things lie hidden in secret, it is as though they were being drawn up from the deep. Because they are found in the wrappings of allegories, it is as though they were contained within shells that have been opened.(1) It is clear therefore that one and the same thing can be called both a holy thing and a pearl. It can be called a holy thing because it ought not to be destroyed and a pearl because it ought not to be despised. One tries to destroy what one does not wish to leave intact. One despises what is deemed worthless, as if beneath him. Hence, whatever is despised is said to be trampled under foot... Thus we may rightly understand that these words (dogs and swine) are now used to designate respectively those who assail the truth and those who resist it." (excerpt from SERMON ON THE MOUNT 2.20.68-69)

(1) The interpretive task is to crack through the shell of the language to its inner spiritual meaning. (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36 comments that how Hezekiah reacted serves as a model for us… even if our challenges don’t rise to the level of international diplomacy!

First, Hezekiah didn’t react right away. He took hold of the letter and made a beeline for the Temple, where he could find peace in God’s presence. Rather than trust his initial reactions, he went to the Lord first.

Second, Hezekiah sought guidance from the Lord. Spreading out the letter before the Lord, he opened his heart to God and asked for help. He needed to distinguish between the thoughts arising from his emotions and the thoughts that come from a heart established in faith and trust.

In response, God assured Hezekiah that he had “listened” and that he would indeed protect Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:20). And sure enough, he did!

Hezekiah’s example shows us that we don’t have to give in to the first thoughts that come to mind—especially when we are feeling anxious, fearful, or upset. Instead, we can seek the help of the God who listens. If we learn to listen as well, we’ll find the peace that we need to move forward in confidence.

“Lord, help me always to run to you when I am in trouble and I don’t know what to do!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from 2 Kings tells us about the king of Assyria sending troops to attack Judah where there is no way to defend itself. Hezekiah goes and seeks God’s intervention. The text may suggest a plague that, in those times, killed many more soldiers than war. This may be a sanitized version of the outcome that may have resulted from paying a bribe? The Gospel exhorts that we don’t give what is holy to dogs. This reminds us not to preach to those who are not ready. We may plan seeds and wait for the time for them to convert. The golden rule is proclaimed in several different cultures and is a great source of wisdom. The narrow gate implies we have to say no to illusory things that seem to be a path.  We are called to the path of life, every day of our life. Friar Jude reminds us that we have to keep working on the attitudes and motivations that are not of the Kingdom.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Grammy Award–winning artist and musician Jon Batiste who shares a response to “Where are you seeing that dehumanization right now, and how might we lean into joy as an act of resistance?”

We [can] lose hope when we don’t believe or see evidence of a positive outcome anymore, but the deepest hope is this inner knowing that the brightest light can come from the darkest moments. You find that hope … by first questioning, “What are the things that I’m hoping for? Who are they for? Who is in control of hope? What is my hope rooted in? What is my belief about the ultimate outcome?” 

I’ve started to learn that hope transcends the physical. Hope is the language of the invisible. It transcends circumstances because it transcends physicality. It’s spiritual. It’s the language of the invisible realm, which is just as real, if not more real, than the things we can see and touch. Hope is the deep inner knowing that comes from building that [foundation]. That’s why I like to say that hope is like a contact sport. You work on it. You get better at it. My house could be flooded, and the roof could be on fire, and still, there’s a sense of hope I can have. I’m going to stay in that boat. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the Spirit to continue to remind us that “haste makes waste” even in our effort to activate our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to “convert” our community.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7? 

Meditation on 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/23/1597216/ 

Morse, E. (2026, June 23). Daily Reflection June 23, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-23-2026 

Psalm 48, PSALMS | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/48?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hope Takes Practice. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hope-takes-practice/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Throw Your Pearls before Swine. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/19? 

Ambition for Service

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, proclaim our mission to live in mutual love with the people in our environment.

Care in Service

The Reading from the First Letter of Peter proclaims Mutual Love of Christians.

* [1:19] Christians have received the redemption prophesied by Isaiah (Is 52:3), through the blood (Jewish symbol of life) of the spotless lamb (Is 53:7, 10; Jn 1:29; Rom 3:24–25; cf. 1 Cor 6:20).

* [1:22–25] The new birth of Christians (1 Pt 1:23) derives from Christ, the imperishable seed or sowing that produces a new and lasting existence in those who accept the gospel (1 Pt 1:24–25), with the consequent duty of loving one another (1 Pt 1:22).

* [1:23] The living and abiding word of God: or, “the word of the living and abiding God.” (1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents a Third Prediction of the Passion and notes the Ambition of James and John.

* [10:38–40] Can you drink the cup…I am baptized?: the metaphor of drinking the cup is used in the Old Testament to refer to acceptance of the destiny assigned by God; see note on Ps 11:6. In Jesus’ case, this involves divine judgment on sin that Jesus the innocent one is to expiate on behalf of the guilty (Mk 14:24; Is 53:5). His baptism is to be his crucifixion and death for the salvation of the human race; cf. Lk 12:50. The request of James and John for a share in the glory (Mk 10:35–37) must of necessity involve a share in Jesus’ sufferings, the endurance of tribulation and suffering for the gospel (Mk 10:39). The authority of assigning places of honor in the kingdom is reserved to God (Mk 10:40).

* [10:42–45] Whatever authority is to be exercised by the disciples must, like that of Jesus, be rendered as service to others (Mk 10:45) rather than for personal aggrandizement (Mk 10:42–44). The service of Jesus is his passion and death for the sins of the human race (Mk 10:45); cf. Mk 14:24; Is 53:11–12; Mt 26:28; Lk 22:19–20. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that, in today’s gospel, we see that even the apostles behaved selfishly and badly. Even though they lived with Jesus and heard his teachings, this intimate knowledge did not prevent them from seeking after their own glory at the expense of others.

This divine mystery was not yet known to them. But it has been made known to us. Does that knowledge have the potential to change the way we see ourselves and others? Even those we find difficult to love?

As we journey on toward our eternal destiny, we are accompanied by these mysteries. Let us draw hope and strength for the journey, even though we do not understand them fully. Perhaps for now it is enough to know that we are deeply loved, even when we struggle to love others, who are also deeply loved by God. And perhaps grace and mercy will be nearby, helping us to love more fully, as we ought. Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:32-45 comments that, at first glance, being a “servant” doesn’t usually seem appealing. It’s only when we remember how much Jesus loves us that our hearts begin to soften. It’s as we recall that we were created to give him glory by reflecting his own generosity and kindness. The simple truth is that the more we give of ourselves, the more Christlike we become. We grow in holiness. We become more peaceful, more contented, and even more joyful!

Probably the best way to look at our call to serve is to look at Jesus. He is the perfect model of what a life of service looks like. We can ask him, “How can I serve you today, Lord?” If the opportunities before you seem mundane—like making a meal for your family or taking an elderly parent to a doctor’s appointment—remember Jesus’ great promise: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Every opportunity to care for someone else is another opportunity to meet Jesus!

“Lord, help me desire to serve you and your people above all else!” (Meditation on Mark 10:32-45, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage today is in tenor with 1 Peter yesterday that presents the ransom by the blood of Christ as God’s plan from the beginning and we are called to live godly lives and dedicate ourselves to brotherly love as the text notes that all flesh is grass as a symbol of our limited life. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus predicts His Passion in Chapters 8, 9, and 10. He presents the image of  the Son of Man from Daniel 7 who has authority over all the nations and the Suffering Servant from the poems in Isaiah that define the mission of Jesus. James and John ask to sit on His right and left as they talk about inheritance and when Jesus speaks of death. They claim to be willing to take up their crosses. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus declares the Son of Man came to serve and not be served. We are called die in our ministry, a bit each day, to our selfishness to serve those who most need God’s love.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, envisions the Holy Spirit as the loving immensity of God’s presence within us. Consciousness, the soul, love, the Holy Spirit, on both the individual and shared levels, have sadly become largely unconscious! No wonder some call the Holy Spirit the “missing person” of the Blessed Trinity. No wonder we try to fill this radical disconnectedness through various addictions.

There is an Inner Reminder, an Inner Rememberer, (see John 14:26, 16:4) who holds together all the disparate and fragmented parts of our lives, fills in all the gaps, owns all the mistakes, forgives all the failures, and loves us into an ever-deeper life. This is the job description of the Holy Spirit, who is the spring that wells up within us (John 7:38–39)—and unto eternal time. This is the breath that warms and renews everything (John 20:22). These are the eyes that see beyond the momentary shadow and disguise of things (John 9); these are the tears that wash and cleanse the past (Matthew 5:4). And better yet, they are not only our tears but are actually the very presence and consolation of God within us (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).

You must contact this Immensity! You must look back at your life from the place of this Immensity. You must know that this Immensity is already within you. The only thing separating you from such Immensity is the ego’s unwillingness to trust such an utterly free grace, such a completely unmerited gift. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We recognize our need for the inspiration and guidance of the Spirit as we proclaim our desire to work with Jesus in the mission to serve with love in our environment.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?32 

Meditation on Mark 10:32-45. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/26/1578480/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-27-2026 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1?18 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Is Always with Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-is-always-with-us/ 

Liturgy and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the role of our social and cultural practices in generating the opportunity to commit to a life governed by love for all who come into our environment.

Liturgy of Life

 

In the Reading from the Second Book of Samuel The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem.

* [6:14] Girt with a linen ephod: the ephod was some sort of priestly vestment (probably like an apron); cf. Ex 28:4; Jgs 17:5; 1 Sm 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6. The cultic procession that accompanies the ark to the holy mountain, Zion, is led by King David, dancing ecstatically and wearing a priestly vestment. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 presents a choir that identifies the approaching God.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus and His Family.

* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Colette O’Meara-McKinney comments that we are all invited to witness, engage, and live with the presence of God as the guiding light. We are invited to witness this joy and bring our own full selves to the experience of God.

This is a positive entry into the Gospel. Just as David’s joy is both personal and communal, Jesus reminds us that we are all in this together. He refers to his family as all of us, humanity with our flaws and strengths, our successes, and our stumbles. This commitment to each other enhances the joys while demanding that we don’t turn away in darker times. We hold each other up in support while holding each other accountable.

Perhaps our prayer in reflection is to better understand what it means to be a person of God’s family and live in a way that demonstrates that connection through words, actions, and spirit. (O'Meara-McKinney, 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, n.d.)

 The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:31-35 comments that Jesus wants us to know him in a new way, too. We might have our routines that we’re accustomed to. We go to Mass; we read the Scriptures. But are we listening attentively to what he might have to say to us today? Or have we, like his family, settled into the status quo in our relationship with Jesus and are happy to stay that way?

Today, accept Jesus’ invitation to approach him anew as Teacher and Lord. Take the next step toward a deeper faith in him. Align yourself with the family of believers who listen to his voice and obey God’s will. Then, as Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

“Lord Jesus, I want to see you with fresh eyes. I want to listen to your voice and do your will.” (Meditation on Mark 3:31-35, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 2 Samuel, David brings the Ark to Jerusalem. He recounts the consequence of the death of the soldier at the home of Obed Edom from touching the Ark. He brings the Ark with sacrifice and dancing. Kings had priestly functions at that time. It seems to have ended around 780 BCE. The idea of a King considered as a priest continues at British coronations. Jesus proclaims “here are my brothers and sisters” Jesus suggests here that the disciples are better than Jesus' family, who are not quite believing and even the inappropriate response of the apostles supports this. A dusty and dirty prophet as the “Son of God” is difficult to accept. The Pharisees reject him. In Mark’s Gospel there is much difficulty in accepting Jesus. Friar Jude presents this as a consolation for us, as God reveals Himself in His time not our time.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who recounts the historical circumstances that led to the creation of the Old Testament. The Bible can be understood as a call to remember our shared humanity.

And so we have on our hands a Bible that includes psalms of praise, but also psalms of complaint and anger, a Bible that poses big questions about the nature of evil and the cause of suffering without always answering them. We have a Bible that says in one place that “with much wisdom comes much sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18) and in another “wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7 HCSB). We have a Bible concerned with what to do when your neighbor’s donkey falls into a pit…. We have a Bible that depicts God as aloof and in control in one moment, and vulnerable and humanlike in the next, a Bible that has frustrated even the best systematic theologians for centuries because it’s a Bible that so rarely behaves.

In short, we have on our hands a Bible as complicated and dynamic as our relationship with God, one that reads less like divine monologue and more like an intimate conversation. Our most sacred stories emerged from a rift in relationship, an intense crisis of faith. Those of us who spend as much time doubting as we do believing can take enormous comfort in that. The Bible is for us too. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the Spirit to lead us to the uncomfortable truths of narrow application of our mission as disciples of Christ and call us to serve all of God’s Children and as family in the Body Of Christ.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?31 

Meditation on Mark 3:31-35. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/27/1488130/ 

O'Meara-McKinney, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton University Online Ministries. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-27-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-book-to-remember/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Does the Will of God Is My Brother and Sister. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/6?12