Heroic and Crazy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to explore the painful and pitiful events of our lives for signs of Divine Presence in our journey.

Presence on the Journey

In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David mourns for Saul and Jonathan.

Psalm 80 praises Divine Majesty and Human Dignity.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is regarded as out of his mind.

* [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. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth asks how crazy do serious followers of Jesus have to be?

Hopefully we are willing to be at least a little crazy for Christ even if that just means stepping outside our convenience zones on behalf of others.

Within my parish, there’s a woman who accompanied a death row inmate on his road to execution. That’s beyond most of us but another friend spends hours overseeing health care for our refugee family and many others who help at homeless shelters or just reach out to relatives and friends in need.   We can all incorporate at least one regular significant work of charity or justice into our lives.

We may even feel the radical Jesus hovering near us as we take a friend with dementia to coffee to give their caretaker a break. We can strive to be radically kind -- the craziness that Christ asks of all of us. (Wirth, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus' worried kinfolk,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"In the Gospel we read that even his kinsfolk desired to bind him as one of weak mind (Mark 3:21). His opponents also reviled him saying, 'You are a Samaritan and have a devil' (John 8:48)." (excerpt from LETTER 108, TO EUSTOCHIUM) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:20-21 comments that some people might not understand us, but many will see our example and wonder what makes us tick. They may even ask us why we are different, because the witness of our lives has awakened a hunger for the Lord inside them. Francis, Maximilian, and many other saints show us this is true. Their way of life is still drawing people to faith today.

So keep on following the Lord and living a life of love and mercy, just as he did. Don’t be deterred if some people think you’re “out of your mind.” Because as you do your best to follow Jesus, you’ll be drawing other people to follow him as well.

“Lord, may I love you with fearless abandon, no matter what anyone else may think!” (Meditation on Mark 3:20-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explores the reaction of David to news of the death of his “blood brother” Jonathan and Saul who tried to kill David. The Greek in Mark’s Gospel may be translated as “family” or “those who were to Jesus.” Friar Jude reminds us of instances in Mark’s Gospel where His followers are confused about His Mission that leads to the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in Cole Arthur Riley’s book Black Liturgies, she prays for our capacity to hold together the extraordinary and the ordinary.

God of every beautiful thing,

Make us people of wonder. Show us how to hold on to nuance and vision when our souls become addicted to pain, to the unlovely. It is far easier to see the gloom and decay; so often it sings a louder song. Attune our hearts to the good still stirring in our midst, not that we would give ourselves to toxic positivity or neglect the pain of the world, but that we would be people capable of existing in the tension. Grant us habits of sacred pause. Let us marvel not just at the grand or majestic, but beauty’s name etched into every ordinary moment. Let the mundane swell with a mystery that makes us breathe deeper still. And by this, may we be sustained and kept from despair. Amen. (Rohr, 2024)

We contemplate our journey and seek understanding of how the aspects of life that are mysterious and confusing are often the Way to a closer relationship with God.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3? 

Meditation on Mark 3:20-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/20/878488/ 

Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2 

Rohr, R. (2024, January 20). Holding the Tension: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/holding-the-tension-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). People Were Saying of Jesus, 'He Is beside Himself'. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan20 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/1?1 

Wirth, E. (2024, January 20). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012024.html 

 

Multitudes and Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be prepared to stand against the deep hatred and jealousy that threaten the relationship between all children of God.

People and Persecution

In the reading from the First Book of Samuel, Jonathan Intercedes for David.

* [19:4] Jonathan reminds Saul that David has served him loyally and done nothing to earn a traitor’s death. Cf. 24:18–20. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 56 presents trust in God under persecution.

* [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Ps 56:2–3) and psychologically (Ps 56:6–7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Ps 56:5, 9–10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life (Ps 56:13). A refrain (Ps 56:5, 11–12) divides the Psalm in two equal parts. (Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus ministers to a multitude at the lakeside.

* [3:7–19] This overview of the Galilean ministry manifests the power of Jesus to draw people to himself through his teaching and deeds of power. The crowds of Jews from many regions surround Jesus (Mk 3:7–12). This phenomenon prepares the way for creating a new people of Israel. The choice and mission of the Twelve is the prelude (Mk 3:13–19). (Mark, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard reflects that prayer was the gentle, comforting, refreshing presence of Jesus experienced in the chaos of her daily life as a mother of five children.

Today, 30 years later, I still love Jesus being with me as we hang laundry outside, wash dishes and above all sit in solitude and silence in awe of the rising sun, the setting sun, sparkling winter snow, swirling autumn leaves, and above all the laughter of our grandchildren and neighbor children as they play and call to their mothers. (Howard, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Faith works by love,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The 'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6), is not the same faith that demons have. 'For the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19) but do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41). But if they had loved, they would not have said: 'What have we to do with you?' (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194, To Sixtus) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:7-12 comments that Jesus came to do more than heal diseases, and he didn’t come just to give demons a fright. He came to deliver us from slavery to sin and from death itself. He came to establish a relationship with us that will heal our wounded souls and open up the possibility of healing for our bodies as well. These are the truths that Jesus deeply longed for them—and for us—to understand!

Jesus came to overcome the power of sin and death, and he did it not as a distant god but by becoming one of us and dying and rising for us. If he would go through all of that for you, of course he will hear you when you cry out to him!

“Lord Jesus, I’m not ashamed to admit that I need your healing touch!” (Meditation on Mark 3:7-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the paranoia that Saul felt concerning David. The spiritual creatures in Mark recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Friar Jude reminds us that the centurion under the Cross expressed his understanding of the love of God in the person of Jesus as Son of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III who speaks about the unique way Black Americans hold the tension between despair and hope.

It’s a strange affair to be Black and live in America, and even stranger to be Black and a person of faith in these yet-to-be-United States, to carry around the burden of a socially constructed idea called race and yet be filled with a divinely inspired mandate to eradicate all limitations to the human soul. Being Black means you are born with a Blues song tattooed on your heart, and at the same time you still have a Gospel shout that is welling up in your soul about to come out.

Another way to say it is that we live with repression and revelation simultaneously swimming in the same tributary of our spirit. There is nothing more confusing to the postmodern personality, to the millennial sojourner, than to have to exist between the strange life of dealing with your Blues and Gospel all the time. Madness and ministry, chaos and Christ. My father heard an elder in Georgia say it this way. When he asked her, “How are you doing, Mother?” she said, “I’m living between Oh Lord and Thank you, Jesus.” (Rohr, 2024)

As we become more aware of living in a world in desperate need of the healing the multitudes sought with Jesus, we implore the help of the Spirit to be a Jonathan like brother to those in existential need.

References

Howard, J. B. (2024, January 18). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011824.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?7 

Meditation on Mark 3:7-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/18/877343/ 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/19 

Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/56?2 

Rohr, R. (2024, January 18). The Gospel and the Blues — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gospel-and-the-blues/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Pressed upon Jesus to Touch Him. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan18 

Beyond Rational

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the experience we have of love that transcends mourning and our understanding of the confusing behavior of our loved ones.

Experience of Transcendent Love 

 

In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David mourns for Saul and Jonathan.

They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.1

 

Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s restoration.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19).2

 

The Gospel of Mark tells of family Intervention in Jesus’ ministry.

* [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 

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that in the days of Jesus, family relations, especially with parents, were sacred. Most things religious, according to the Law, were binding. These relatives show up right before the Jewish keepers of the Law, the Scribes. Jesus, early in His public life, is a Law-breaking threat. The good things early in Mark’s Gospel are mainly personal encounters of healing and inviting. His miracles are individual instances of His entire mission to turn it down-side up and be Himself the Divine Intervener in the lives of those who will let Him touch them. Those who were at a distance, who came to challenge or correct Him, were kept at a safe distance from His healing words and touch.

In my own Jesuit life, I have profited from many interventions by persons who loved me perhaps more than I loved myself. Their intrusions have created a me that is definitely God’s work. I needed incarnations of that Love to bring me to this life of mission and ministries. That took faith and courage and some fear of course that I might think they were out of their minds. Be assured, it was not always received with gratitude, joy and immediate change. I make a quite solemn declaration here. The good things which I do, which are many, are absolutely the result of God’s goodness lived out through those who took me by the shoulders, or kicked me in the butt, or hugged me into the humiliating and humbling acceptance of the good they saw and I was afraid to accept.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus' worried kinfolk,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"In the Gospel we read that even his kinsfolk desired to bind him as one of weak mind (Mark 3:21). His opponents also reviled him saying, 'You are a Samaritan and have a devil' (John 8:48)." (excerpt from LETTER 108, TO EUSTOCHIUM)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:20-21 notes that today is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 US Supreme Court decision that paved the way for legalized abortion. It’s a sad day, and many of us might feel a little like Jesus in today’s Gospel: misunderstood or even ridiculed for our commitment to pro-life causes.

The road to full recognition of the rights of the unborn is long, and we may feel as if we are just beginning. The hope for a culture of healing and mercy for those affected by abortions may appear dim. But Jesus faced an even longer road and dimmer hopes on his way to the cross. He didn’t let his detractors keep him from that road, and he never rejected them. Instead, he pressed on, filled with love for all people and trust in his heavenly Father. We can do the same. “Jesus, hasten the day when all unborn children are protected in law and welcomed in love!”6 

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the mortal failure of Saul in battle compared to David’s success. David mourns Jonathan who he loved deeply and Saul, who was anointed by God. Friar Jude reminds us of the cognitive dissonance experienced by those seeking a Messiah who encounter Jesus as the Suffering Servant.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that Francis of Assisi called animals “Sister” and “Brother” and viewed humans as one part of a wider family of creation. Franciscan writers Ilia Delio, Keith Douglass Warner, and Pamela Wood recommend adapting a historic Christian practice of “examination of conscience” to focus on how we have harmed or helped our relationships with the Earth.

To prepare to do an ecological examination of conscience, take a few minutes to quiet yourself and enter into a state of prayer. Going back over your day or week, ask yourself the following questions: Is my whole life centered on God’s overflowing love in my life, revealed through Jesus and through all of creation? . . . Do I accept with a grateful heart the gifts of God’s goodness and diversity in creation? . . . Do I pray for the forgiveness of sins between humans and the created world, and for the healing and reconciliation of our broken relationship with creation? . . .  Have I used my God-given gifts to honor and protect the diverse, interdependent, fragile nature of all life and to preserve it for all future beings? . . . Have I stolen from or damaged the habitat of other creatures by wasting or consuming more than I need? . . .  Do I seek to eliminate from the world whatever keeps all creatures from their full development intended by their Creator: pollution, greed, overconsumption, loss of habitat, disease, war, extinction of species, oppressive laws and structures? . . . Have I encouraged others to take care for creation seriously? . . . After spending time with these questions, hold in your mind and heart the ways in which you have lived in disharmony with creation. . . Offer these mistakes up to God and ask for the strength and the wisdom to learn to live with integrity within the web of creation.7

 

The Spirit calls us to trust our relationship with God as we live in experiences of love that are beyond the rational boundaries set by our culture.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). 2 Samuel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/1
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012222.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jan22
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/01/22/297266/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://cac.org/a-connected-universe-weekly-summary-2022-01-22/