Gifts of Faith and Mercy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the call of the Holy Spirit that challenges us to grow in faith that the hope for unity and mercy as hallmarks of the Body of Christ will be celebrated in our lives.

One Faith, Hope, Baptism

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians is a call for unity in the Body of Christ.

* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). But Christian unity is more than adherence to a common belief. It is manifested in the exalted Christ’s gifts to individuals to serve so as to make the community more Christlike (Eph 4:11–16). This teaching on Christ as the source of the gifts is introduced in Eph 4:8 by a citation of Ps 68:18, which depicts Yahweh triumphantly leading Israel to salvation in Jerusalem. It is here understood of Christ, ascending above all the heavens, the head of the church; through his redemptive death, resurrection, and ascension he has become the source of the church’s spiritual gifts. The “descent” of Christ (Eph 4:9–10) refers more probably to the incarnation (cf. Phil 2:6–8) than to Christ’s presence after his death in the world of the dead (cf. 1 Pt 3:19).

* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.

* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem. (Psalms, PSALM 19, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew describes the calling of Matthew.

* [9:9] A man named Matthew: Mark names this tax collector Levi (Mk 2:14). No such name appears in the four lists of the twelve who were the closest companions of Jesus (Mt 10:2–4; Mk 3:16–19; Lk 6:14–16; Acts 1:13 [eleven, because of the defection of Judas Iscariot]), whereas all four list a Matthew, designated in Mt 10:3 as “the tax collector.” The evangelist may have changed the “Levi” of his source to Matthew so that this man, whose call is given special notice, like that of the first four disciples (Mt 4:18–22), might be included among the twelve. Another reason for the change may be that the disciple Matthew was the source of traditions peculiar to the church for which the evangelist was writing.

* [9:10] His house: it is not clear whether his refers to Jesus or Matthew. Tax collectors: see note on Mt 5:46. Table association with such persons would cause ritual impurity. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Jay Carney comments on the profound influence of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount on radical modern thinkers as diverse as Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day. As Gandhi himself once wrote, “I saw that the Sermon on the Mount was the whole of Christianity for him who wanted to live a Christian life.”

Matthew’s gospel reminds us that the call to Christian holiness also brings us into closer touch with our own sin and our fellow sinners. In this sense, holiness is not about achieving perfection, but rather receiving the encounter of Christ, and sharing Christ’s mercy with others. Matthew, the despised tax collector and Roman collaborator, responds to Christ’s beckoning. Nor is he the exception to the rule. Rather, his subsequent house party is full of tax collectors, prostitutes, and other public sinners feasting with Jesus and his motley friends. The Pharisees, those denizens of first-century holiness, are of course scandalized. Where is the justice? Where is the judgment? Where are the lines of separation? Does Jesus not know that holiness means “set apart”?

Ultimately, Jesus is set apart by the boundless mercy he offers, beckoning us to turn, receive, share, and follow. On this Feast of St. Matthew, may we let Christ encounter us and call us deeper into encounter with others. (Carney, 2022)

Don Schwager quotes “Matthew did not delay when called by Jesus,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"The Lord, about to give salvation to all sinners believing in him, willingly chose Matthew the former publican. The gift of his esteem for Matthew stands as an example for our salvation. Every sinner must be chosen by God and can receive the grace of eternal salvation if one is not without a religious mind and a devout heart. So Matthew was chosen willingly by God. And though he is immersed in worldly affairs, because of his sincere religious devotion he is judged worthy to be called forth by the Lord ("Follow me"), who by virtue of his divine nature knows the hidden recesses of the heart. From what follows, we know that Matthew was accepted by the Lord not by reason of his status but of his faith and devotion. As soon as the Lord says to him, "Follow me," he does not linger or delay, but thereupon "he arose and followed him." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 45.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13 comments that we can see from the Gospel that bears his name, Matthew gradually shed the trappings of his old life and began to “live in a manner worthy of the call” he had received (Ephesians 4:1). This process of conversion took time: time spent with Jesus and time to mature. And that’s just as true for us as it was for Matthew.

Jesus called us by name at our baptism, and he continues to call us to follow him each day. As he did with Matthew, he asks us to drop what we’re doing and take that first step. He invites us to listen to what he’s saying and discover what it means for our lives. Then, as we spend time with him, our attachments to sin and our desires for worldly comforts begin to decrease. Our love for Jesus and God’s people begins to grow. And so does our desire to invite him into our “homes,” our daily lives.

Jesus longs to set you free so that you can love and serve him as Matthew did. He will gladly come into your life more deeply if you invite him. Who knows how God might use you as a witness to his love? But your journey along the path of conversion begins with a simple step taken each day. So imitate Matthew’s wholehearted yes, and let Jesus lead you so that you can live a life worthy of his call.

“Jesus, I want to follow you today and every day.” (Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the letter likely written in the name of Paul to the Ephesians exhorts his audience to live in oneness of faith, hope, and baptism. Jesus sought to bring mercy to the hated collaborators with Rome in conflict with the concern of the Pharisees about the contagion of sin. Friar Jude reminds us of the desire of Jesus to address the alienation of sin by showing how to live up to our dignity.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Kathleen Dowling Singh (1946–2017), known for her deep wisdom around death and dying, also wrote about the awakening that can occur when we consciously address aging. When we choose to ripen, to awaken as we age, we offer a gift to the world and future generations.

If we are to claim the last years of life as years that hold the possibility of awakening into equanimity and lightness, into the very embodiment of grace, we need to bear witness to the ripening of that possibility. Not only would it be a blessing for each of us, it would be a blessing for a world starving for such witnessing. . . .

Mindful of impermanence, the breath-by-breath arising and abiding and falling of each moment, we can remain in remembrance of our longing to exist in wisdom and love and compassion. We can remain in our intention to ripen into the spiritual maturity that is our birthright to cultivate. There is no more noble way to spend these years than to become an elder, to bear witness to the world as placeholders for peace, love, wisdom, and fearlessness. (Rohr, 2022)

We are gifted by the Spirit to be people who welcome others and humbly relate to them with kindness, compassion, generosity and mercy.

References

Carney, J. (2022, September 20). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092122.html 

Ephesians, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?9 

Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/09/21/493081/ 

Psalms, PSALM 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?2 

Rohr, R. (2022, September 21). A Noble Task — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-noble-task-2022-09-21/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Desire Mercy - Not Sacrifice. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=sep21a 

Truth amid tribulation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to contemplate the triumph over tribulation of the Spirit.

Seeking truth and action

The declaration of the Lamb worthy to open the Scroll in the Book of Revelation is symbolic of the authority of Christ to free us in the Spirit.

* [5:1] A scroll: a papyrus roll possibly containing a list of afflictions for sinners (cf. Ez 2:9–10) or God’s plan for the world. Sealed with seven seals: it is totally hidden from all but God. Only the Lamb (Rev 5:7–9) has the right to carry out the divine plan.

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus laments for Jerusalem as the city rejects Him and suffers destruction at the hands of the Romans.

* [19:41–44] The lament for Jerusalem is found only in Luke. By not accepting Jesus (the one who mediates peace), Jerusalem will not find peace but will become the victim of devastation.
* [19:43–44] Luke may be describing the actual disaster that befell Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when it was destroyed by the Romans during the First Revolt.

Tamora Whitney, reflecting today on the Memorial of St Cecilia, like Cecilia’s husband, was baptized and converted. She thinks singing is the purest means of praise.

In the first reading from Revelation, when the lamb who was slain was worthy to open the scrolls, the elders sang a hymn praising the one who paid for our salvation in blood. They sang a new hymn. Until Jesus’ sacrifice, no one could open the scroll. But now this wonderful occurrence deserved a new song worthy of situation. Their song was created from the sacrifice of love. The psalm encourages us to sing a new song to God, to praise him in singing and dancing, to use music and movement to express our love for God where ever we are, since he loves us so much. We need to sing a new song like the elders. We should not harden our hearts, but should sing in our hearts to God.

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who weep”, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"When our Lord and Savior approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept... By his example, Jesus confirms all the Beatitudes that he speaks in the Gospel. By his own witness, he confirms what he teaches. 'Blessed are the meek,' he says. He says something similar to this of himself: 'Learn from me, for I am meek.' 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' What other man brought as much peace as my Lord Jesus, who 'is our peace,' who 'dissolves hostility' and 'destroys it in his own flesh' (Ephesians 2:14-15). 'Blessed are those who suffer persecution because of justice.'"No one suffered such persecution because of justice as did the Lord Jesus, who was crucified for our sins. The Lord therefore exhibited all the Beatitudes in himself. For the sake of this likeness, he wept, because of what he said, 'Blessed are those who weep,' to lay the foundations for this beatitude as well. He wept for Jerusalem and said,'If only you had known on that day what meant peace for you! But now it is hidden from your eyes,' and the rest, to the point where he says, 'Because you did not know the time of your visitation'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 38.1–2)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:41-44 suggests it may be surprising to see Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.

There is no reason that we should be any different: you’re allowed to have feelings! If you care enough about standing for righteousness and truth, you will speak and act with conviction. You will live out your faith, not only when you’re engaged in meditation, prayer, and study, but also when you are full of the passion of life.

Friar Jude Winkler describes the type of scroll in the Book of Revelation. Seven horns and seven eyes symbolize the Lamb of God, slain and risen gives the Holy Spirit with full authority. Friar Jude explains the details in Luke’s Gospel concerning the destruction of Jerusalem.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, observes that in one way or another, almost all religions say that you must die before you die, and then you will know what dying means—and what it does not mean!

Kathleen Dowling Singh explains why we must die before we die: “The ordinary mind and its delusions die in the Nearing Death Experience. As death carries us off, it is impossible to any longer pretend that who we are is our ego. The ego is transformed in the very carrying off.” [1]
Some form of death—psychological, spiritual, relational, or physical—is the only way we will loosen our ties to our small and separate false self. Only then does it return in a new shape which we might call the Risen Christ, the soul, or the True Self

Nondual consciousness helps to begin to view reality in a holistic, undivided way.  Truth amid tribulation is a pattern that can be experienced as nondual reality.

References

(n.d.). Revelation, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation5:23
(n.d.). Luke, chapter 19 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/19
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved November 22, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Working through reality

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today ground us in reality as we realize our journey involves dealing with cultural conflicts in a Christian way.

Darker days on the journey

The Letter of Paul to Philemon identifies a plea from the Apostle to his friend to allow Onesimus the freedom that is properly Christian as an example to a culture that did not understand such an action.

Paul breathes into this letter the spirit of Christ and of equality within the Christian community. He does not attack slavery directly, for this is something the Christian communities of the first century were in no position to do, and the expectation that Christ would soon come again militated against social reforms. Yet Paul, by presenting Onesimus as “brother, beloved…to me, but even more so to you” (Phlm 16), voiced an idea revolutionary in that day and destined to break down worldly barriers of division “in the Lord.”

The time of the Messianic Kingdom imagined by the Pharisees, is not part of Jesus mission as He explains in the Gospel of Luke.

* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.

Tom Quinn declares that the Kingdom of God is, indeed, among us.

God is the vine, and we are the branches. God is with us and in us.  We are his instruments, and the living Kingdom, especially when we carry out his greatest commandment -- love one another.   Provide food for the hungry; set captives free; protect strangers. These acts desperately need to be done. The Kingdom of God is among us. We should make it as evident as a flash of lightning, but possibly, more lasting.

Don Schwager quotes “Don't pursue human glory”, by John Cassian (360-435 AD).

"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from  CONFERENCE 1.13.5)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:20-25 shares that the kingdom of God is not about a location or even the regime in power; it’s about a new way of relating to one another that brings healing and freedom.

Today, think about how you can bring the kingdom of God into just one relationship. Look for one opportunity to encourage someone, to forgive, or to be an instrument of God’s presence. It doesn’t have to be dramatic and life changing. It just has to be upbuilding and life affirming. You are a citizen of this kingdom, an ambassador for Christ. Because of that, you can bring his presence wherever you go. You can make a difference!

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul implies that that Onemisus should be set free. A Christian should not own a Christian. Friar Jude shares that we all desire to go to Heaven… but maybe not today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the dying process at every stage of life is a natural opportunity to let go of the small, separate self and return to the fullness of True Self. He quotes Kathleen Dowling Singh, who spent hundreds of hours contemplatively ministering to dying people.

As we return and/or are returned to our Original Nature, virtues that we have acquired, usually through deliberate cultivation, flow naturally as water from a spring. The qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, presence, centeredness, spaciousness, mercy, and confidence all radiate naturally forth from our transformed being as we come closer to death. . . . Many a time I have seen the dying comfort those in pain around them. . . .

The real encounters of our daily life are opportunities to engage the Life that is the Kingdom of God now. The reluctance we have to experience dying is in tension with Christian understanding of our ultimate complete union with Christ and the gifts of Love we may create for others as we surrender to the dying process.

References

(n.d.). Philemon, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/philemon/1
(n.d.). Luke chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/17
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 32nd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Grace and faith that bring life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present a plan of civil obedience and grace filled exemplary living that stands in tension with our need for mercy and healing of the contagions that separate us from others.

A message of gratitude

The Pastoral Letter to Titus urges an improved attitude toward civil authority as fruit of our Baptism.

* [3:1–8] The list of Christian duties continues from Ti 2:9–10, undergirded again as in Ti 2:11–13 by appeal to what God in Christ has done (Ti 2:4–7; cf. Ti 2:11–14). The spiritual renewal of the Cretans, signified in God’s merciful gift of baptism (Ti 3:4–7), should be reflected in their improved attitude toward civil authority and in their Christian relationship with all (Ti 3:1–3).

In the Gospel of Luke, a Samaritan expresses gratitude to Jesus after His saving mercy has healed the leprosy of the foreigner.

* [17:11–19] This incident recounting the thankfulness of the cleansed Samaritan leper is narrated only in Luke’s gospel and provides an instance of Jesus holding up a non-Jew (Lk 17:18) as an example to his Jewish contemporaries (cf. Lk 10:33 where a similar purpose is achieved in the story of the good Samaritan). Moreover, it is the faith in Jesus manifested by the foreigner that has brought him salvation (Lk 17:19; cf. the similar relationship between faith and salvation in Lk 7:50; 8:48, 50).

Charity Oliver connects Psalm 23 to an attitude of gratitude.

Chas Kestermeier, S.J. comments that the Gospel passage, brings out the Samaritan's very personal reaction as primary: he was indeed obeying Jesus and saw his healing, but the urge to give thanks and praise overcame all other imperatives for him.

Jesus heals all the lepers, not making them into angels but allowing them to be renewed and refreshed, ready to live normal lives, to seek and serve God once again.  When Jesus heals us, do we return to give thanks and praise even though we have not yet seen the end of our healing? Do we appreciate and use that new life with as much fidelity as we can?

Don Schwager explores gratitude and ingratitude by addressing the question: “Why did only one leper out of ten return to show gratitude?”

Gratefulness, a word which expresses gratitude of heart and a thankful disposition, is related to grace -which means the release of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Titus 3:1-7 observes there is so much here that explains God’s eternal love and his plan for us that we might miss if we read it too quickly. So let’s try reading it “backwards” from verse 7 to the line speaking of the Spirit.

Speaking of the Spirit, the next line tells us that God has “richly poured” him out on us (Titus 3:6). Our generous Father is always offering us a share in his life. He wants nothing more than to fill us with his divine life, which only his Spirit can provide.

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the directive to Titus to live an ordered lifestyle and be obedient as good Christians. Luke, with Stocic respect for ancient traditions, shows how Jesus followed Jewish Law. Friar Jude notes the hero is a Samaritan. This zinger is to remind us to treat people with respect noting the foreign individual is saved and others are healed.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments how we begin the process of individuation, which includes at least four major splits. These are ways of forgetting our inherent oneness and creating an illusion of separation. Kathleen Dowling Singh observed that the Path of Return involves the healing of previously created dualities [or splits]—in reverse order.

The first split is very understandable. We split ourselves from other selves... The second split divides life from death. It comes when we first experience the death of someone we know… The third split separates mind from body and soul... our thinking that largely defines us. This is the lie that meditation helps us unravel… The fourth split is the acceptable self from the unacceptable self. We split from our shadow self and pretend to be our idealized self, or what others say we should be.

The attitude of followers of Christ is developed out of deep gratitude. In our experience of grace and faith is the seed that becomes the verdant pasture where we can dwell in the house of the Lord.

References

(n.d.). Titus chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/titus/3
(n.d.). Luke chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/17
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved November 14, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/