Source of Peace and Joy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the awe and wonder with which we encounter love, compassion, and mercy on our journey.

Revealed to the childlike

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a vision of the Peaceful Kingdom.

* [11:1–16] Isaiah 11 contains a prophecy of the rise of a new Davidic king who will embody the ancient ideal of Davidic kingship (vv. 1–9), an elaboration of that prophecy in a further description of that king’s rule (v. 10), and a prophecy of God’s deliverance of the chosen people from exile and cessation of enmities (vv. 11–16).

* [11:1–9 (10)] Here Isaiah looks forward to a new Davidide who will realize the ancient ideals (see Ps 72). The oracle does not seem to have a particular historical person in mind.

* [11:1] Shoot…stump: the imagery suggests the bankruptcy of the monarchy as embodied in the historical kings, along with the need for a new beginning, to spring from the very origin from which David and his dynasty arose. Jesse: David’s father (cf. 1 Sm 16:1–13).

* [11:2–3] The source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint and the Vulgate read “piety” for “fear of the Lord” in its first occurrence, thus listing seven gifts.

* [11:6–9] This picture of the idyllic harmony of paradise is a dramatic symbol of universal peace and justice under the rule of the new Davidic king. The peace and harmony even among carnivores and their natural prey in this description suggest a paradisiac aspect of the reign of the new king. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)

Psalm 72 is a prayer for Guidance and Support for the King.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.

* [72:2] The king…the king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.

* [72:8] From sea to sea…the ends of the earth: the boundaries of the civilized world known at the time: from the Mediterranean Sea (the western sea) to the Persian Gulf (the eastern sea), and from the Euphrates (the river) to the islands and lands of southwestern Europe, “the ends of the earth.” The words may also have a mythic nuance—the earth surrounded by cosmic waters, hence everywhere. (Psalms, PSALM 72, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Rejoices.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

Steve Scholer recommends that as we journey through this Advent season, let us not only enjoy the miracle of Christ’s birth, but patiently listen to what God is telling us. Whether from the pulpit, our daily reflections, prayer, or our myriad experiences as we interact with others, let us strive to discern how God reveals his love for us and how we are responding to it.

Are we living as Christ would want us to, unselfish in how we treat those less fortunate, merciful in our judgments about the actions of others, forgiving the wrongs we suffer? If the foundation of our faith is built on God’s love for us, then these things should come easily. If they don’t, then we need to remember this Advent season that “There are three things that will endure; faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (Scholer, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The Seven Gifts of the Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"So, then, the Holy Spirit is the river, and the abundant river, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:12). This is the great river that flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: 'The stream of the river makes glad the city of God' (Psalm 46:4). For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the fount of life, by a short draught of whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial thrones, dominions and powers, angels and archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when he touches the low-lying fields of our minds, as it were, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of his sanctification.

And let it not trouble you that either here it is said 'rivers' (John 7:38) or elsewhere 'seven Spirits,' (Revelation 5:6) for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said, is signified the fullness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then is the river, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This river, then, goes forth from the fount of life." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10 comments that we all long for that day when peace will reign because we all have “impossible” situations that we can’t resolve. They may even seem too difficult to pray for. Yet Isaiah declares that we can have hope. The new creation has come, and Jesus has the power to help us. He can bring new life even where it seems impossible.

As you begin Advent, surrender your impossibilities to Jesus. Trust him to come and act. He will move forward his plan of peace for you. He’s not bound by what seems impossible.

“Come, Jesus, make all things new in my life!” (Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler considers how the text from Isaiah seeks a king to rule with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and bring justice and shalom to Jews and Gentiles. Jesus notes that the mysteries are revealed to the childlike with a sense of awe and wonder and are often invisible to the overly analytic. Friar Jude invites us to reacquire awe and wonder in the Eucharist and our community.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Judy Cannato (1949–2011) who emphasizes the importance of amazement as the starting point for contemplation. She names the difficulty we face trying to recognize and hold on to what’s “real”.

Contemplation is a long loving look at what is real. How often we are fooled by what mimics the real. Indeed, we live in a culture that flaunts the phony and thrives on glittering fabrication. We are so bombarded by the superficial and the trivial that we can lose our bearings and give ourselves over to a way of living that drains us of our humanity. Seduced by the superficial, we lose the very freedom we think all our acquisitions will provide. When we are engaged in the experience and practice of radical amazement, we begin to distinguish between the genuine and the junk. Caught up in contemplative awareness and rooted in love, we begin to break free from cultural confines and embrace the truth that lies at the heart of all reality: We are one. (Rohr, 2023)

We implore the guidance of the Spirit to restore our sense of awe and wonder at our experiences of truth, goodness, and love as we seek to live in the “shalom” described by Isaiah.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10? 

Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/05/842584/ 

Psalms, PSALM 72. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, December 5). An Awe That Connects — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-awe-that-connects/ 

Scholer, S. (2023, December 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120523.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Are the Eyes Which See What You See! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=dec5 

Called to Serve

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our experiences of being called to serve others, especially when it was difficult and without affirmation for our efforts.

Called to Serve

The reading from the First Book of Samuel describes Saul being chosen to be King.

* [10:1] The sign: the role of the new ruler is confirmed by specific signs; cf. Ex 7:9.1

 

Psalm 21 is a thanksgiving for victory.

* [Psalm 21] The first part of this royal Psalm is a thanksgiving (Ps 21:2–8), and the second is a promise that the king will triumph over his enemies (Ps 21:9–13). The king’s confident prayer (Ps 21:3–5) and trust in God (Ps 21:8) enable him to receive the divine gifts of vitality, peace, and military success. Ps 21:14 reprises Ps 21:2. When kings ceased in Israel after the sixth century B.C., the Psalm was sung of a future Davidic king.2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus calls Levi.

* [2:14] As he passed by: see note on Mk 1:16–20. Levi, son of Alphaeus: see note on Mt 9:9. Customs post: such tax collectors paid a fixed sum for the right to collect customs duties within their districts. Since whatever they could collect above this amount constituted their profit, the abuse of extortion was widespread among them. Hence, Jewish customs officials were regarded as sinners (Mk 2:16), outcasts of society, and disgraced along with their families. He got up and followed him: i.e., became a disciple of Jesus.3

 

David Crawford recalls when Fred Rogers, the Presbyterian minister best known for his children’s television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was in New York City and encountered one young man whose appearance and language suggested he was street tough and perhaps even dangerous. Mister Rogers expressed that it was obvious that this young man had a lot of pain in his life, and seeing Mister Rogers brought joy as the young man recalled fond memories from his childhood.

It can be tempting, albeit subconsciously, to align with the Pharisees, dismissing “tax collectors and sinners” as I judge the actions of others and expect God to judge them in the same way.  I can forget what Jesus told Nicodemus (a Pharisee):  God sent his Son not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17).  I can forget Paul’s reminder that all have sinned – including and especially me – and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), or the admonition of Jesus to take the log out of my own eye before addressing the speck in another’s (Matthew 7: 4-5).  I can forget that God desires that all should be saved (I Timothy 2:4), even those whose actions I find appalling or those who don’t believe that they merit God’s love.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “No physician can avoid the arena of sickness,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).

"When Jesus is attacked for mixing with sinners, and taking as his disciple a despised tax collector, one might ask: What could he possibly gain by doing so? (Luke 15:2) Only the salvation of sinners. To blame Jesus for mingling with sinners would be like blaming a physician for stooping down over suffering and putting up with vile smells in order to heal the sick." (excerpt from ORATION 45, ON HOLY EASTER 26)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:13-17 comments on Matthew, a tax collector who had presumably lived in a manner opposed to God, choosing to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him. But the rich young man, (Mark 10:17-31) who has conscientiously followed the commandments his entire life, hesitates and walks away.

What can we take from this? First, even if we have followed the Lord faithfully for years, he is continually calling us into a deeper relationship with him. Just as he wanted to move the rich young man further on in his faith, so he wants to move us along in our walk of discipleship. There is never a time in our lives when we can safely say, “Okay, I have arrived and will now stay here at this point in my friendship with God.” Second, God is always calling us, so we need to be on the alert at all times. We need to be ready, listening, and poised to act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do whatever God is asking of us. Because while discipleship begins with a call, it doesn’t end there. And for that we should give praise to God! “Jesus, thank you for calling me on in my walk with you. Help me to hear you and respond.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler explains how the anointing of Saul makes him a messiah. Levi, also known as Matthew, worked as a collaborator with the Roman conquerors. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus sees the hurt that needs healing as He brings healing.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the work of a Catholic writer about the new cosmology, Judy Cannato (1949–2011), who suggests a practice of being on the “receiving end” of Love, which is essential to participating in the trinitarian flow. She encourages readers to practice receiving love from both God and people in our lives.

Try this exercise: sit quietly and bring to mind those who care for you—in the present and in the past. As you recall each person, receive the love that is there for you. Let it into your heart. Even if someone has a quirky way of showing love, receive the love. Sift through the dysfunction if you have to, but receive the love. Never mind if the person has never said, “I love you.” Receive the love, one by one. Hold all that love in your heart. Let it penetrate your whole being. How does it feel to consciously, intentionally receive all of that love? Can you allow that to sustain your journey for today?7

 

As we meditate on the Love we have received, we are energized by the Spirit to renew our efforts to love when our efforts do not receive immediate affirmation.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 1 Samuel, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/10
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 21 | USCCB. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/21
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011522.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jan15
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for January 15, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/01/15/292794/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://cac.org/trinity-weekly-summary-2022-01-15/