Fruit or Folly

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present two paths for our journey and urge us to choose the Way that contains the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Two Ways

In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul declares the Fruit of the Spirit.

* [5:16–25] Spirit…flesh: cf. Gal 3:3 and the note on Rom 8:1–13.

* [5:19–23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf. Rom 1:29–31; 1 Cor 6:9–10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits.

* [5:21] Occasions of envy: after the Greek word phthonoi, “envies,” some manuscripts add a similar sounding one, phonoi, “murders.” (Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 1 compares the Two Ways.

* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.

* [1:1] The way: a common biblical term for manner of living or moral conduct (Ps 32:8; 101:2, 6; Prv 2:20; 1 Kgs 8:36).

* [1:2] The law of the LORD: either the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, or, more probably, divine teaching or instruction.

* [1:4] The wicked: those who by their actions distance themselves from God’s life-giving presence. (Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus continues a Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.

* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there).

* [11:44] Unseen graves: contact with the dead or with human bones or graves (see Nm 19:16) brought ritual impurity. Jesus presents the Pharisees as those who insidiously lead others astray through their seeming attention to the law.

* [11:45] Scholars of the law: see note on Lk 10:25. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that today we can ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to these incredible graces, Love, Patience, Gentleness, and be grateful that God wants to give us these attitudes and ways of dealing with people and our own selves.  These are graces that we can share with others, spreading that joy.

Spirit of wisdom and gentleness, thank you for being in my heart today, offering me what I don’t always realize I need.  Be with me as I prepare to meet the world, and myself. Remind me of the joy, love and peace you offer me, and help me to spread your great gifts in each hour of my day. (McCann Waldron, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won't even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:42-46 comments that when it comes to the practices of our faith, it can be easy to derive a sense of security from following “The Rules.” We might also use those rules as a quick way to assess whether someone is a “good” Catholic. We might even use these rules as a checklist to determine if we are right with God. But such an approach risks draining the lifeblood from our practices. It risks reducing our relationship with the Lord to a set of obligations. And when that happens, the rules become a burden, not a way to freedom.

Of course, the habits and rhythms of faith are important. Without them, our relationship with the invisible God would descend to the level of theory and speculation. But if you ever find yourself just “ticking off a checklist” or judging someone who doesn’t, perhaps that’s a sign that you need to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. Perhaps that’s a sign urging you to go back to the heart of the gospel: justice and the love of God.

“Jesus, help me never to reduce my relationship with you to a matter of rules and practices!” (Meditation on Luke 11:42-46, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the contrast that Paul describes between living under the Law or the Spirit. The list of evils is disorganized but the virtues resonate with the Hebrew superlative structure as an organization of three groups of three. Friar Jude underlines the seriousness of excess scrupulosity in the actions of the Pharisees and Lawyers.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sarah Augustine, a Pueblo (Tewa) author and activist, who identifies what we can learn from creation about the Creator. The Indigenous caucus at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches shared the ecological wisdom of their traditions.

We as Indigenous Peoples believe that the Creator is in Creation. God revealed himself/herself as Creator and Sustainer in the act of creation. The triune God along with land co-parents all life. The mystery in John chapter 1 unfolds how the Creator abides in creation. The incarnation of God in Christ becomes totality in God’s creation…. Through God all things were made, without God nothing was or is made. In God there is life, and in God is the light of all Creation. The presence of God made the world and therefore [it] is sacred. The work of creation in God is the unity of diversity, where all lives coexist in a harmonious balance because they are all from God. Each seed that sprouts begins creation anew, and not one seed can grow unless the Creator enables it. We believe that doing justice to God’s creation is the basis of liberation and the human search for selfhood. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are challenged by the Word to ponder our choices in our practice of our faith and to contemplate the actions we can take to cultivate truth, goodness, and love.

References

Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?18 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11? 

McCann Waldron, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101624.html 

Meditation on Luke 11:42-46. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/16/1105745/ 

Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Creation’s Revelation. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/creations-revelation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Load Burdens Hard to Bear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct16 

Freedom and Lawyers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to go beyond our comfort with religious practices and favourite texts to relationships with God and others based on trust and love.

Law and Freedom

In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul defines the nature of Christian Freedom and the Importance of Faith.

* [5:1–6] Paul begins the exhortations, continuing through Gal 6:10, with an appeal to the Galatians to side with freedom instead of slavery (Gal 5:1). He reiterates his message of justification or righteousness by faith instead of law and circumcision (Gal 5:2–5); cf. Gal 2:16; 3:3. Faith, not circumcision, is what counts (Gal 5:6).

* [5:1] Freedom: Paul stresses as the conclusion from the allegory in Gal 4:21–31 this result of Christ’s work for us. It is a principle previously mentioned (Gal 2:4), the responsible use of which Gal 5:13 will emphasize.

* [5:3] Cf. Gal 3:10–12. Just as those who seek to live by the law must carry out all its contents, so those who have faith and live by promise must stand firm in their freedom (Gal 5:1, 13).

* [5:6] Cf. Rom 2:25–26; 1 Cor 7:19; Gal 6:15. The Greek for faith working through love or “faith expressing itself through love” can also be rendered as “faith energized by (God’s) love.” (Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus denounces Pharisees and Lawyers.

* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there). (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford suspects that many of us can get so caught up in the particulars of individual commandments that we forget the main purposes are, as Jesus stated (Matthew 22:37-40) to help us love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Sometimes each one of us needs this reminder:  God loves you and wants good for you.  God did not give the Law so we could make ourselves and those around us miserable.  God’s word, found in the Law and manifested in Christ, is intended to bring us close to God.  And when we are close, our Good Shepherd can lead us through good times and bad, give us rest and food when we need it, and guide us so we don’t have to navigate the difficult, frightening and dangerous places on our own.  Seemingly difficult commandments, like forgiving others and loving your enemies, help us by easing the pains, bitterness and dread that result from holding grudges.  “Do not fear,” repeated so many times in the Word, encourages us to replace feelings of anxiety and terror with the calm and peace that comes from trusting and hoping in our Lord.

Loving God, draw each one of us close to you.  Let us delight in your commands.  Let your mercy come to each one of your children, O Lord.  Amen. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Acts of mercy are examples of almsgiving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"What our Lord says, 'Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you,' applies to all useful acts of mercy. It does not apply just to the one who gives food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, hospitality to the wayfarer or refuge to the fugitive. It also applies to one who visits the sick and the prisoner, redeems the captive, bears the burdens of the weak, leads the blind, comforts the sorrowful, heals the sick, shows the erring the right way, gives advice to the perplexed, and does whatever is needful for the needy. Not only does this person give alms, but the person who forgives the trespasser also gives alms as well. He is also a giver of alms who, by blows or other discipline, corrects and restrains those under his command. At the same time he forgives from the heart the sin by which he has been wronged or offended or prays that it be forgiven the offender. Such a person gives alms not only because he forgives and prays but also because he rebukes and administers corrective punishment, since in this he shows mercy... There are many kinds of alms. When we do them, we are helped in receiving forgiveness of our own sins." (excerpt from ENCHIRIDION 19.72) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:37-41 comments that God doesn’t need us to be doing anything special for him to speak to us. Of course, regular prayer and Scripture reading can help us become more attuned to his voice, but God isn’t limited to those times. We might hear him while we are washing the dishes or driving to work. He might catch our attention through a friend’s words or a newspaper article. Maybe a new thought pops into our mind, seemingly out of nowhere, and gives us a fresh perspective or brings a sense of peace we didn’t have before. Or we have a disagreement with someone close to us, and we sense the Spirit helping us to stay peaceful. No matter how he chooses to speak to us, we can be sure that it is God when we feel drawn to love him and each other more fully.

So keep your heart and mind open today. Don’t doubt God’s involvement in your life. There is so much he wants to say. There is so much more love he wants to share. He is not a distant God. He is your Father, and he loves speaking with you.

“Lord, come speak to me at any time of the day. Help me to recognize your voice.” (Meditation on Luke 11:37-41, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the teaching of Paul about freedom and the danger of submitting to the yoke of slavery that is connected to circumcision and dietary laws when peace with God, or justification, is through an act of faith or trust in God. In Luke, the Pharisees' extension of the Law to washing before meals precedes Jesus' concern that religious observance may supersede love of God and His children. Friar Jude reminds us to seek clarity that our practices align with God’s intentions.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers what we can learn from the first Bible of nature.

Science often affirms what were for centuries the highly suspect intuitions of the mystics. We now take it for granted that everything in the universe is deeply connected and linked, even light itself, which interestingly is the first act of creation (Genesis 1:3). Objects—even galaxies!—throughout the entire known universe are in orbits and cycle around something else. There’s no such thing in the whole universe as autonomy. It doesn’t exist. That’s the illusion of the modern, individualistic West, which imagines the autonomous self to be the basic building block and the true Seer. [2] 

Yet all holy ones seem to say that the independent self sees everything incorrectly. Parts can only recognize parts and so split things even further. Whole people see things in their wholeness and thus create wholeness (“holiness”) wherever they go and wherever they gaze. Holy people will find God in nature and everywhere else too. Heady people will only find God in books and words, and finally not even there. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the help of the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the freedom that our being at peace with God is based on our relationship of faith, trust in God, and love of God and neighbour.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101524.html 

Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5? 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11? 

Meditation on Luke 11:37-41. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/15/1105265/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The First Bible. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-first-bible/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Makes the Heart Clean and Holy? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct15