Prayer and Prophecy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to appreciate our relationship with the Divine that precedes our birth and seeks to grow daily in our minds, heart, and action.

In Good Soil

The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah describes Jeremiah’s Call and Commission.

* [1:5] Jeremiah was destined to become a prophet before his birth; cf. Is 49:1, 5; Lk 1:15; Gal 1:15–16. I knew you: I loved you and chose you. I dedicated you: I set you apart to be a prophet. The nations: the neighbors of Judah, along with Assyria, Babylonia, and Egypt.

* [1:6] I am too young: like Moses (Ex 3:11, 13; 4:10), Jeremiah at first resists God’s call. This narrative is perhaps patterned after the story of Moses’ call in order to identify Jeremiah as the prophet “like me” in Dt 18:15. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 71 is a prayer for lifelong protection and help.

* [Psalm 71] A lament of an old person (Ps 71:9, 18) whose afflictions are interpreted by enemies as a divine judgment (Ps 71:11). The first part of the Psalm pleads for help (Ps 71:1–4) on the basis of a hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God; the second part describes the menace (Ps 71:9–13) yet remains buoyant (Ps 71:14–16); the third develops the theme of hope and praise. (Psalms, PSALM 71, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower.

* [13:3–8] Since in Palestine sowing often preceded plowing, much of the seed is scattered on ground that is unsuitable. Yet while much is wasted, the seed that falls on good ground bears fruit in extraordinarily large measure. The point of the parable is that, in spite of some failure because of opposition and indifference, the message of Jesus about the coming of the kingdom will have enormous success. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that the seed, the word of God, is a precious gift.  Not a fragile gift but one that needs proper attention.   In the right conditions the seed thrives as Matthew describes:  But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

Planting in the soil and truly hearing the word of God are both just the beginning.   My efforts to provide plants the proper amount of water, to pull weeds, to guard against ravenous insects, to encourage the bee and butterfly pollinators help me focus on ways I can live the word of God.  I pray with these questions:  How can I make sure I give the proper time and attention to hear the word of God?  What temptations distract me and how can I confront those temptations?  In what concrete ways do I live the invitation at the end of Mass to “go forth” to live the word of God in the world?  When do I celebrate the moments that my life is rich soil?

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Shallow and rootless minds,” by Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD).

"Let us look, as from a broader perspective, at what it means to be on the road. In a way, every road is hardened and foolish on account of the fact that it lies beneath everyone's feet. No kind of seed finds there enough depth of soil for a covering. Instead, it lies on the surface and is ready to be snatched up by the birds that come by. Therefore those who have in themselves a mind hardened and, as it were, packed tight do not receive the divine seed but become a well-trodden way for the unclean spirits. These are what is here meant by 'the birds of the heaven.' But 'heaven' we understand to mean this air, in which the spirits of wickedness move about, by whom, again, the good seed is snatched up and destroyed. Then what are those upon the rock? They are those people who do not take much care of the faith they have in themselves. They have not set their minds to understand the touchstone of the mystery [of communion with Christ]. The reverence these people have toward God is shallow and rootless. It is in times of ease and fair weather that they practice Christianity, when it involves none of the painful trials of winter. They will not preserve their faith in this way, if in times of tumultuous persecution their soul is not prepared for the struggle." (Excerpt from FRAGMENT 168) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:1-9 comments that God has an unlimited supply of different types of seeds to sow into our hearts. One day it might be a word from the day’s Mass readings or meditation. Another day it might be something a friend or family member says to us. He knows the best time to plant these seeds and just when we will be receptive to them so that they can take root in us.

And the fruit that might come from God’s planting? One day you find love growing for a family member you struggled to tolerate. Or you find yourself more prayerful and peaceful when you used to worry. Or you talk with a suffering neighbor and bring comfort and hope to them.

All because God, the sower, went out to sow!

“Father, I offer you my heart. May your word bear rich fruit in my life!” (Meditation on Matthew 13:1-9, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the priestly family of Jeremiah that also included Paul. Jeremiah is sent by God to root out, rear down, and build up; a mission to people who never like radical change. Friar Jude connects the Parable of the Sower to the Great Commandment to love God with heart, mind, and material possessions.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896–1985), a Russian baroness whose family emigrated to Canada to escape the collapse of Russia’s tsarist monarchy. She formed a contemplative community called Madonna House in Canada, where she helped bring the spirituality of the Eastern Church to Western Christianity. Like many mystics, Doherty experienced God’s presence and deep love in silence.

Yes, such silence is holy, a prayer beyond all prayers. True silence leads to the final prayer of the constant presence of God, to the heights of contemplation, when the soul, finally at peace, lives by the will of [God] whom she loves totally, utterly, and completely.

This silence, then, will break forth in a charity that overflows in the service of the neighbor without counting the cost. It will witness to Christ anywhere, always. Availability will become delightsome and easy, for in each person the soul will see the face of her Love. Hospitality will be deep and real, for a silent heart is a loving heart, and a loving heart is a hospice to the world. (Rohr, 2022)

As we ponder our spiritual heritage in the Great Commandment we seek to be open to the prompting of the Spirit to work with the Sower to yield the fruit of Love.

References

Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/072022.html 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/1?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?1 

Meditation on Matthew 13:1-9. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/20/445474/ 

Psalms, PSALM 71. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/71?1 

Rohr, R. (2022, July 20). Standing Still — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/standing-still-2022-07-20/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul20 

Recognize Regret

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with a tone of regret that is linked to our rejection of the path that God is calling us to follow.

Staying on the path

 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah contains exhortations to the Exiles: “O that you had paid attention to my commandments!”

 * [48:22] No peace: while the good news proclaimed by the prophet is directed to the people as a whole, “peace,” which can represent the fullness of God’s blessings and which would here include deliverance from exile, is not extended to all regardless of disposition.1

Psalm 1 presents the Two Ways as a preface to the Book of Psalms.

 * [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.2

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks” But to what will I compare this generation?”

 

* [11:16–19] See Lk 7:31–35. The meaning of the parable (Mt 11:16–17) and its explanation (Mt 11:18–19b) is much disputed. A plausible view is that the children of the parable are two groups, one of which proposes different entertainments to the other that will not agree with either proposal. The first represents John, Jesus, and their disciples; the second those who reject John for his asceticism and Jesus for his table association with those despised by the religiously observant. Mt 11:19c (her works) forms an inclusion with Mt 11:2 (“the works of the Messiah”). The original form of the saying is better preserved in Lk 7:35 “…wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” There John and Jesus are the children of Wisdom; here the works of Jesus the Messiah are those of divine Wisdom, of which he is the embodiment. Some important textual witnesses, however, have essentially the same reading as in Luke.3

Tamora Whitney is grading student work and she observes that they make their own choices about whether to attend class, how much to study, whether to do their homework.

 

If we follow God we will be like the tall healthy tree, but if we don’t we will be like the chaff. In the Gospel Jesus reiterates that the foundation is given us, but we have to accept it. We are given the joyful music, but we have to dance. My students are given the syllabus, but they have to do their homework. We have to follow God’s teaching. But he can’t physically make us. If we do follow God’s teaching we will have the spiritual life we should, and we will have our reward in heaven.4

Don Schwager quotes “The river of forgiveness washes us clean,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

 "This water is good, then. I mean here the grace of the Spirit. Who will give this Fountain to my heart? Let it spring up in me, let that which gives eternal life flow on me. Let that Fountain overflow on us and not flow away. For Wisdom says, 'Drink water out of your own vessels and from the fountains of your own wells, and let [not] your waters flow abroad in your streets' (Proverbs 5:15-16). How shall I keep this water so that it does not seep out or glide away? How shall I preserve my vessel, lest any crack of sin penetrating it should let the water of eternal life exude? Teach us, Lord Jesus, teach us as you taught your apostles, saying, 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where rust and moth destroy and where thieves break through and steal (Matthew 6:19)... "If you seek Jesus, forsake the broken cisterns, for Christ did not make it his custom to sit by a pool but by a well. There that Samaritan woman (John 4:6) found him, she who believed, she who wished to draw water. Although you ought to have come in early morning, nevertheless if you come later, even at the sixth hour, you will find Jesus wearied with his journey. He is weary, but it is because of you, because he has long looked for you, your unbelief has long wearied him. Yet he is not offended if you only come now. He asks to drink who is about to give. But he drinks not the water of a stream flowing by, but your salvation. He drinks your good dispositions. He drinks the cup, that is, the passion that atoned for your sins, that you, drinking of his sacred blood, might quench the thirst of this world." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16.182-84)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:16-19 comments that Jesus himself did not follow along; in fact, he told the crowd, “Wisdom is vindicated by her works” (11:19). In other words, accept or reject something based on the fruit it bears, not on whether it is in step with current opinion.

 

For some of us, it could mean being willing to serve side by side with fellow believers who might disagree with us on some points of doctrine or politics. Or maybe we will sense Jesus nudging us to put aside a judgmental thought about that neighbor who always seems to look down her nose on us. We might try to understand the viewpoint of people from a different social or economic background so that we see them in a new way. Or perhaps the Spirit is asking us to distance ourselves from conversations that aren’t all that upbuilding.6

Friar Jude Winkler discusses how God presents as goel in the text from Second Isaiah. Rejection blocks our return to the heart of God. Friar Jude cites Biblical persons who show God is full of surprise and mystery.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the work of Catherine de Hueck Doherty, author of “The Gospel without Compromise” from Madonna House Publications.

 Christians are called to become icons of Christ, to reflect him. But we are called to even more than that. Ikon is the Greek word for “image of God.” We are called to incarnate Christ in our lives, to clothe our lives with him, so that people can see him in us, touch him in us, recognize him in us. . . . [3]7

Our contemplation of action to reflect Christ to others may be the fruit of our recognition of regret.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/48
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1
3	(n.d.). Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/121120.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=dec11
6	(2020, December 11). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for December .... Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/11/177565/
7	(n.d.). Becoming Icons of Christ - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://cac.org/becoming-icons-of-christ-2020-12-11/