Holiness Happiness and Health

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess and act on the conditions in our lives that support our seeking fullness of life for all communities.

Christian Care for Cuba

The Reading from the First Book of Kings explores Solomon’s Listening Heart and the visit of the Queen of Sheba.

* [10:1–13] The sub-unit on Solomon’s wisdom contrasts with 3:16–28. There Solomon’s gifts led him to listen to the humblest of his subjects; he accomplished justice and was revered by all his people. Here the emphasis is on his clever speech to a foreign monarch. She is duly impressed by the glory of his court, but it is she, not Solomon, who recalls the monarch’s duty of establishing justice (v. 9). The unit is interrupted briefly by a remark about Solomon’s maritime commerce (10:11–12).

* [10:1] Queen of Sheba: women rulers among the Arabs are recorded in eighth-century B.C. Assyrian inscriptions. Sheba was for centuries the leading principality in what is now Yemen. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 37 proclaims people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked.

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. The perspective is concrete and earthbound: people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked. Each group or “way” has its own inherent dynamism—eventual frustration for the wicked, eventual reward for the just. The Psalm is an acrostic, i.e., each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has its own imagery and logic.

* [37:3] The land: the promised land, Israel, which became for later interpreters a type or figure of heaven, cf. Heb 11:9–10, 13–16. The New Testament Beatitudes (Mt 5:3–12; Lk 6:20–26) have been influenced by the Psalm, especially their total reversal of the present and their interpretation of the happy future as possession of the land. (Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proclaims what comes out of a person, that is what defiles.

* [7:17] Away from the crowd…the parable: in this context of privacy the term parable refers to something hidden, about to be revealed to the disciples; cf. Mk 4:10–11, 34. Jesus sets the Mosaic food laws in the context of the kingdom of God where they are abrogated, and he declares moral defilement the only cause of uncleanness.

* [7:19] (Thus he declared all foods clean): if this bold declaration goes back to Jesus, its force was not realized among Jewish Christians in the early church; cf. Acts 10:1–11:18. (Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that what we do and say should accurately reflect Christ, but too often there is a disconnect between what Christians are called to do and what Christians actually do. We often are tempted to become like the Pharisees, so sure in our righteousness and how we see the world that we assume everything we do, say, or think is in concert with what God wants, and equally sure that anyone who disagrees with us is somehow deficient.

To be a better representative, my daily interactions with those who are suffering should bring healing, not add to pain. I should follow the Spirit’s promptings to foster unity (not division) and reconciliation (not distrust). I should welcome people with God’s love and mercy, not drive them away with self-righteous condemnation. When someone falls short,

I should joyfully forgive (like the Prodigal Father), not begrudge that forgiveness (like the Prodigal Brother). I should seek to be the just one described in today’s psalm, one whose mouth tells of wisdom and whose tongue utters what is right.

Loving God, change our hearts and our minds so that everything we say, everything we do, everything we think is worthy of you. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The cycle of bitterness broken by forbearance,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.

"Let us, then, his servants, follow our Lord and patiently submit to denunciations that we may be blessed! If, with slight forbearance, I hear some bitter or evil remark directed against me, I may return it, and then I shall inevitably become bitter myself. Either that, or I shall be tormented by unexpressed resentment. If I retaliate when cursed, how shall I be found to have followed the teaching of our Lord? For his saying has been handed down that one is defiled not by unclean dishes but by the words which proceed from his mouth ( Mark 7:15)."(excerpt from ON PATIENCE 8)

[Tertullian (160-225 AD) was an early Christian writer and theologian from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He was a noted early Christian apologist who defended Christianity and the practice of Christians against the reproaches of the pagans. He promoted the principle of freedom of religion as an inalienable human right and demanded a fair trial for Christians before they were condemned to death.] (Crawford, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 7:14-23 asks how can we be pleasing to the Lord in our hearts and walk in holiness throughout our days?

First, don’t be discouraged! Remember: the same Jesus who asks you to strive for purity is the One whose blood can cleanse your conscience from “dead works” (Hebrews 9:14), and his cross and resurrection can give you the grace to turn from sin. He offers you power to love him and follow him. Second, remember that the Sacrament of Confession offers the perfect opportunity to bring your weaknesses and sins to Christ. There, you can receive his mercy and strength. There, Jesus will meet you in your heart and provide you with all the help you need.

“Come, Lord, and purify my heart! May my every thought, every motive, every intention be pleasing in your sight!” (Meditation on Mark 7:14-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 1 Kings the Queen of Sheba comes to see Solomon attracted by his wisdom. Israel had trading outposts in the Queen’s area. Wisdom is also knowing nature, medicine, solution to riddles, alchemy and magic. The Queen brings spices and gold to Solomon recognizing the blessing of God in his person and reign. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus attacks the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who are worrying what is outside ourselves and we should focus inside. Friar Jude notes Jesus' call to a radical transformation of our way of living, thinking, and seeing reality. 

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Ruth Patterson who has worked for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. In CAC’s journal ONEING, she characterizes our life’s journey as a return to a knowledge of God’s love and acceptance.

This longing inevitably leads to an expulsion from the false Eden and a pilgrimage that goes by the way of dispossession. Such a journey is not for the faint-hearted but for those who, in the words of Leonard Cohen, are willing to forget their perfect offering. They begin to see that the cracks are gift. The wounds of the journey allow the light to shine through. The softening of the heart welcomes the diversity that its Creator proclaims is good. Out of uncertainty, not knowing, vulnerability, and openness, they become the mercy-givers, the peacemakers, the light-bearers. With them, there is always more….

The way back to Eden, the space between “paradise lost” and “paradise regained,” the place where we live our lives, can be one of great love and great suffering, of newfound humility and awe. It can also be a return to wonder … to the movement or the dance of belonging and becoming. It is the place where we laugh and cry and sing. It is the place where we risk taking off our shoes. It is the place of ever-increasing awareness. This is the way in which we “are not” and along which we, and even I, may dance with joy. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to lead us in contemplation and action to seek transformation of our greed and energy for self gratification to acts of kindness, mercy, and peace for all people in our environment.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-11-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/7?14 

Meditation on Mark 7:14-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved Month 11, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/11/1497878/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/10?1 

Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37?5 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/longing-for-the-garden/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Out of the Heart Come Evil Thoughts. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Greeting and Attending

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, invite us to appreciate the unique gifts, especially in family, that we may overlook.

Family and Friends

1st Reading from the Book of Exodus proclaims Moses’ Intimacy with God.

Psalm 103 The Lord is kind and merciful.

Gospel of John The Raising of Lazarus

Gospel of Luke Martha and Mary

Cindy Schmersal shares her connection with Christ through Martha and Mary.

Don Schwager quotes “The voice of life and joy that awakens the dead,” by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD).

"I am the voice of life that wakens the dead. I am the good odor that takes away the foul odor. I am the voice of joy that takes away sorrow and grief.... I am the comfort of those who are in grief. Those who belong to me are given joy by me. I am the joy of the whole world. I gladden all my friends and rejoice with them. I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on Worthiness Is Not the Way. He cites Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem” that serves as a reminder to him when … “I’m trying to control everything and make it perfect.” The line is, “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”… This line helps him remember the beauty of the cracks (and the messy house and the imperfect manuscript and the too-tight jeans).

We ponder the humanity of Martha and Mary as presented in their encounters and relationship with Jesus.

Burning with Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solem­ni­ty of the Most Sacred Heart, challenge us to be receptive to acts of love, mercy and compassion through which we experience the Love in the Heart of Christ.

The Good Shepherd

The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel proclaims the Parable of the Shepherds.

* [34:2] Shepherds: the leaders of the people. A frequent title for kings and deities in the ancient Near East; the ideal ruler took care of his subjects and anticipated their needs. Ezekiel’s oracle broadens the reference to include the whole class of Jerusalem’s leaders (v. 17). The prophet assures his audience, the exiles in Babylon, that God holds these leaders responsible for what has happened to Jerusalem and will give Israel a new shepherd worthy of the title. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 23 declares The LORD is my shepherd. 

* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10). (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims Faith, Hope, and Love.

* [5:1–11] Popular piety frequently construed reverses and troubles as punishment for sin; cf. Jn 9:2. Paul therefore assures believers that God’s justifying action in Jesus Christ is a declaration of peace. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ displays God’s initiative in certifying humanity for unimpeded access into the divine presence. Reconciliation is God’s gift of pardon to the entire human race. Through faith one benefits personally from this pardon or, in Paul’s term, is justified. The ultimate aim of God is to liberate believers from the pre-Christian self as described in Rom 1–3. Since this liberation will first find completion in the believer’s resurrection, salvation is described as future in Rom 5:10. Because this fullness of salvation belongs to the future it is called the Christian hope. Paul’s Greek term for hope does not, however, suggest a note of uncertainty, to the effect: “I wonder whether God really means it.” Rather, God’s promise in the gospel fills believers with expectation and anticipation for the climactic gift of unalloyed commitment in the holy Spirit to the performance of the will of God. The persecutions that attend Christian commitment are to teach believers patience and to strengthen this hope, which will not disappoint them because the holy Spirit dwells in their hearts and imbues them with God’s love (Rom 5:5).

* [5:1] We have peace: a number of manuscripts, versions, and church Fathers read “Let us have peace”; cf. Rom 14:19.

* [5:7] In the world of Paul’s time the good person is especially one who is magnanimous to others. (Romans, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

* [15:1–32] To the parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7) that Luke shares with Matthew (Mt 18:12–14), Luke adds two parables (the lost coin, Lk 15:8–10; the prodigal son, Lk 15:11–32) from his own special tradition to illustrate Jesus’ particular concern for the lost and God’s love for the repentant sinner. (Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Jim Caime, SJ wonders about having the kind of love of the Sacred Heart inside himself.

But maybe that’s exact­ly where the Sacred Heart meets us—not in our strength, but in our pover­ty. This feast isn’t a moral chal­lenge to love per­fect­ly. It’s an invi­ta­tion to be loved first. To be met by the mer­cy of Christ right where we’re emp­ty. To let our­selves be loved like that—in all our weak­ness, resent­ment, con­fu­sion, and pain. To be held by a heart that nev­er hard­ens against us, no mat­ter how long we wander.

And if we let that love in—just a crack—something begins to soft­en. Maybe our hearts ache in the same direction—bruised by grief, cracked open by com­pas­sion, stretched by the long­ing for peace. Maybe just a sin­gle moment when we don’t lash out. When we choose silence over spite. When we weep instead of retal­i­ate. Maybe the cycle breaks. Even just once.

So don’t try to have that kind of love.

Let it have you.

And maybe that is enough. (Caime, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus is Son of David and Son of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"We also will ask the Pharisees of today a similar question. They deny that he who was born of the holy Virgin is very Son of God the Father and himself also God. They also divide the one Christ into two sons. Let these people explain to us how David's Son is his Lord, not so much as to human lordship as divine. To sit at the right hand of the Father is the assurance and pledge of supreme glory. Those who share the same throne are equal also in dignity, and those who are crowned with equal honors are understood of course to be equal in nature. To sit by God can signify nothing else than sovereign authority. The throne declares to us that Christ possesses power over everything and supremacy by right of his substance. How is the Son of David David's Lord, seated at the right hand of God the Father and on the throne of Deity? Is it not altogether according to the unerring word of the mystery that the Word as God sprung from the very substance of God the Father? Being in his likeness and equal with him, he became flesh. He became man, perfectly and yet without departing from the incomparable excellence of the divine dignities. He continued in that state in which he had always been. He still was God, although he became flesh and in form like us. He is David's Lord therefore according to that which belongs to his divine glory, nature and sovereignty. He is his son according to the flesh." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 137.52) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 5:5-11 comments on the fiery uncontainable love that Jesus shows throughout the Gospels.

Every day Jesus seeks you out. He wants to heal your sorrow over losing a loved one, your anxiety over finances, your desire to reconcile with an estranged friend, or the pain you experience because of sin. As you offer him your wounds and worries, the love that flows from his Sacred Heart will fill your heart. That heart, “so inflamed with love” for you, will bestow on you his infinite treasures: his peace, healing, mercy, and comfort.

Jesus is waiting for you with open arms! Come and let him embrace you.

“O Jesus, let me know the fire of your love today!” (Meditation on Romans 5:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Ezekiel 34 passage that declares the shepherds to guide the people had failed and God himself would now lead them. This prophecy is fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Romans declares that God has poured the Spirit into our hearts. As sinners we did not deserve mercy and compassion but Love has reconciled us. The Shepherd who finds the one may have us ask “what about the 99?” God reaches out to those who need His Love. He does like the parent who rejoices at the transformation of a wayward child.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces authors Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom reflect on the Alcoholics Anonymous community and the powerful lessons we can learn from them. The organization models how to be responsible for self and others.  

At Alcoholics Anonymous, no one’s in charge. And yet, at the same time, everyone’s in charge…. The organization functions just like a starfish. You automatically become part of the leadership—an arm of the starfish, if you will—the moment you join. Thus, AA is constantly changing form as new members come in and others leave. The one thing that does remain constant is the recovery principle—the famous twelve steps. Because there is no one in charge, everyone is responsible for keeping themselves—and everyone else—on track.… There’s no application form, and nobody owns AA.   

Nobody owns AA. Bill realized this when the group became a huge success and people from all over the world wanted to start their own chapters. Bill had a crucial decision to make. He could go with the spider option and control what the chapters could and couldn’t do. Under this scenario, he’d have had to manage the brand and train applicants in the AA methodology. Or he could go with the starfish approach and get out of the way. Bill chose the latter. He let go. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the experiences of burning love when the hymn of Leonard Cohen “there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” resonates with our journey.

References

Caime, J. (2025, June 27). Daily Reflection June 27, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-27-2025 

Ezekiel, CHAPTER 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/34?11 

Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?3 

Meditation on Romans 5:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/27/1317323/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Individual and Collective Responsibility. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/individual-and-collective-responsibility/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/5?5 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Rejoice, I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun27a