Wisdom and Support

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the gift of Wisdom to guide our choice of preparation and action as disciples of Christ in our environment.

The Gift of Wisdom

The reading from the Book of Sirach proclaims rewards of Wisdom.

* [4:11–19] The Hebrew text in vv. 15–19 presents wisdom speaking in the first person, as in chap. 24. The precious fruits of wisdom—life, favor, glory, blessings, God’s love—arouse desire for her (vv. 11–14). Her disciples are like ministers (v. 14) and judges (v. 15), whose descendants have her for their heritage (v. 16). They enjoy happiness and learn her secrets after surviving her tests (vv. 17–18). Those who fail her are abandoned to destruction (v. 19). (Sirach, CHAPTER 4 | 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 Mark, the disciples encounter another Exorcist.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded. (Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that throughout the New Testament, we can imagine Jesus shaking his head at his disciples who “get in wrong” missing the point of his stories and actions. We are all called to spread the good news Jesus brought. Jesus asked us to love one another and to spread his teachings by the example of our lives. 

I haven’t been asked to drive out demons. But can’t I work on my own demons of jealousy and envy?  Can I decide today to love my family better, to be kinder to the neighbor who always wants to talk too long?  To stop judging those who are different than me?

Loving Jesus, take my hand today as I try to follow your teachings more closely.  Help me to open my heart to those around me who are part of my life.  And especially let me see those on the margins who are not ‘inside my circle’ and too easy for me to pass by or ignore.  You gave me your example of how to live and love others.  Let me follow it today. (McCann, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:38-40 comments that Jesus is not about exclusion. His kingdom is open to everyone equally. No one gets special access or receives special treatment. Quite the opposite, in fact. If anyone is the “greatest,” it’s the “one who serves” (Luke 22:27). It’s the one who welcomes little children (Mark 9:37) and who feeds the hungry, visits prisoners, and clothes the naked (Matthew 25:35-36). In other words, it’s the ones who strive to be like Jesus, who “did not come to be served but to serve” (20:28).

Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). Anyone who works to liberate people—emotionally, spiritually, physically—is doing God’s work. The world is hurting too much for us to worry about who is and who is not part of our group. The only real question is whether we are joining Jesus in his work of salvation.

“Jesus, give me your heart of humility and love and service.” (Meditation on Mark 9:38-40, 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Sirach passage is a continuation about Wisdom. She tests people to see if they are willing to surrender to God’s will. If we choose foolishness we suffer foolishness. If we are wise, we know and serve God. Jesus asserts that driving out demons is not a monopoly. Friar Jude reminds us if we see good we should celebrate not meditate on hidden motives or association. God works in many ways.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces scholar Wendy Farley who writes about the Rhineland mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg.

Mechthild uses royal imagery for God (empress, queen, or lord). But because she conceives of power as a form of love, she understands monarchical metaphors in a distinctive way. God’s majesty and omnipotence are qualities related to the divine desire for intimacy with humanity. For Mechthild, it is not sheer power that makes God divine. It is love. This play between love and power is evident in the preface of Mechthild’s book, where God claims authorship of the book. “I made [gemachet] it in my powerlessness [unmaht], for I cannot restrain myself as to my gifts.” [2] This is a paradoxical way of describing divine power. Even God is powerless to contain God…. God is powerless to stop giving gifts to humanity. Because the divine nature is love, to do so would require the unmaking of divinity itself.  

Theologians such as Augustine and [Martin] Luther struggle to understand how to reconcile love and justice or divine omnipotence and human agency. This is in part because they think of power as coercive or univocal agency. But for Mechthild, God’s desire for humanity is incompatible with sheer omnipotence, not because God has less power but because it is a different kind of power. God renounces power as “might,” in favor of love…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the role of our membership and participation in groups in society and implore the Spirit for the Wisdom that retrains our openness to others and their needs.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?38 

McCann, M. (2025, February 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022625.html 

Meditation on Mark 9:38-40. (2025, February 26). The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/26/1210968/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?165  

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Mechthild of Magdeburg: God’s Power Is Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mechthild-of-magdeburg-gods-power-is-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Any One Who Does a Mighty Work in My Name. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb26 

Sirach, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/4? 

Going to the Father

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the help we need from our relationship with Christ and to welcome with gratitude the efforts of people in our environment to come to our needs.

Community of Faith

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Ministry of Apollos

* [18:24, 25] Apollos appears as a preacher who knows the teaching of Jesus in the context of John’s baptism of repentance. Aquila and Priscilla instruct him more fully. He is referred to in 1 Cor 1:12; 3:5–6, 22.

* [18:26] The Way [of God]: for the Way, see note on Acts 9:2. Other manuscripts here read “the Way of the Lord,” “the word of the Lord,” or simply “the Way.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 47 praises God’s Rule over the Nations.

* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises Peace for the Disciples.

* [16:25] See note on Jn 10:6. Here, possibly a reference to Jn 15:1–16 or Jn 16:21. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that seeing the collaboration of Priscilla and Aquila inspires her to appreciate the good that can come when we make the time and effort to work together.

As I watch our hard-working students and colleagues celebrate the milestone of graduation, I ask for the grace to be open to God’s call to collaboration, especially when there are challenges.  I pray for courage to raise important issues in a respectful manner.  I celebrate when difficult conversations lead to learning, growth and compassion.  I am grateful for the many fruits collaborative ministry has yielded. (Brock, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Offer prayers in Christ's name,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444 A.D.

"He urges the disciples to seek for spiritual gifts and at the same time gives them confidence that, if they ask for them, they will not fail to obtain them. He adds the word Amen, that he might confirm their belief that if they ask the Father for anything they would receive it from him. He would act as their mediator and make known their request and, being one with the Father, grant it. For this is what he means by 'in my name'. For we cannot draw near to God the Father in any other way than through the Son. For it is by him that we have access in the one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:8). It was because of this that he said, 'I am the door. I am the way. No one comes to the Father but by me' (John 10:7; 14:6). For as the Son is God, he being one with the Father provides good things for his sanctified people and is found to be generous of his wealth to us... Let us then offer our prayers in Christ's name. For in this way, the Father will most readily consent to them and grant his graces to those who seek them, that receiving them we may rejoice." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 18:23-28 comments that Paul travels throughout Galatia “bringing strength to all the disciples” along the way (Acts 18:23). Then, we meet Apollos, a believer with great zeal but little understanding of the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila spend time “fertilizing” his faith, and as a result, he becomes an even more powerful witness to Christ. So much so that when they send him out to preach, he is able to give “great assistance to those who had come to believe” (18:27).

Today, thank God for the ways that your faith already builds up the people around you. But also consider if he is inviting you to spend a little extra time with him so that you can become an even more effective witness to his love. You don’t have to memorize the entire Bible, and you don’t need a theologian’s training. You just need to take one small step. He does the rest.

“Here I am, Lord; I’m ready to learn. How can I become a better witness to your love?” (Meditation on Acts 18:23-28, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the arrival of Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, who is instructed in the Way by Priscilla and Aquila, and who preaches powerfully. The language and knowledge in the Book of Hebrews suggests an author other than Paul. Martin Luther thought Apollos may be a candidate. Friar Jude reminds us that the Gospel of John teaches that eternity begins with our encounter with Christ and His Resurrection and return to the Father.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Kaitlin Curtice who writes about the sacred legacy of home.

I believe some of the most powerful places on earth are the rocking chairs on front porches, the benches nestled around dinner tables, the stones set up around firepits, and the rug at the base of a child’s bed. They are the places where we tell stories, where we examine what it means to be human and decide how much kindness we will show ourselves and one another. 

Those are the places where we learn who God is and who God isn’t, where we are taught what kind of lives to live, where we learn about how the children and the elders are connected and find the Sacred in their everyday experiences because they are leaning in and listening with their whole beings. 

May we always return to the places where the stories begin, to challenge them, to accept and honor them, and to whisper to ourselves and one another that we are always, always arriving. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the growth we have experienced through communion with human and Divine influences on our journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?23 

Brock, M. L. (2024, May 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051124.html 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?23 

Meditation on Acts 18:23-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/11/961602/ 

Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Homecoming: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/homecoming-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may11 

Restoration in the Spirit of the Word

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the events in life that restore our communion with God and others through the work of the Spirit.

Led by the Spirit

The reading from the Prophet Zechariah celebrates the Coming Ruler of God’s People.

* [9:9–10] These two verses form the centerpiece of chap. 9. The restoration of a royal figure connects the first part of the chapter (vv. 1–8), which depicts the restored land of Israel, with the second part (vv. 11–17), which concerns the restoration of the people Israel.

* [9:9] Your king: a just savior, a figure of humble demeanor, but riding on a donkey like royalty in the ancient Near East (Gn 49:11; Jgs 5:10; 10:4). The announcement of the coming of such a king marks a departure from the view of the royal figure as a conquering warrior. This depiction is in keeping with the tone of First Zechariah (3:8; 4:6–10; 6:12) but contrasts with Haggai (2:20–23). New Testament authors apply this prophecy to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:4–5; Jn 12:14–15).

* [9:10] The River: probably the Euphrates; see note on Ps 72:8. (Zechariah, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans contrasts the Flesh and the Spirit.

* [8:1–13] After his warning in Rom 7 against the wrong route to fulfillment of the objective of holiness expressed in Rom 6:22, Paul points his addressees to the correct way. Through the redemptive work of Christ, Christians have been liberated from the terrible forces of sin and death. Holiness was impossible so long as the flesh (or our “old self”), that is, self-interested hostility toward God (Rom 8:7), frustrated the divine objectives expressed in the law. What is worse, sin used the law to break forth into all manner of lawlessness (Rom 8:8). All this is now changed. At the cross God broke the power of sin and pronounced sentence on it (Rom 8:3). Christians still retain the flesh, but it is alien to their new being, which is life in the spirit, namely the new self, governed by the holy Spirit. Under the direction of the holy Spirit Christians are able to fulfill the divine will that formerly found expression in the law (Rom 8:4). The same Spirit who enlivens Christians for holiness will also resurrect their bodies at the last day (Rom 8:11). Christian life is therefore the experience of a constant challenge to put to death the evil deeds of the body through life of the spirit (Rom 8:13). (Romans, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus thanks His Father and declares the Gentle Mastery of Christ.

* [11:25–27] This Q saying, identical with Lk 10:21–22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes.

* [11:28–29] These verses are peculiar to Matthew and are similar to Ben Sirach’s invitation to learn wisdom and submit to her yoke (Sir 51:23, 26).

* [11:28] Who labor and are burdened: burdened by the law as expounded by the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:4).

* [11:29] In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by scribal interpretation, Jesus invites the burdened to take the yoke of obedience to his word, under which they will find rest; cf. Jer 6:16. (Matthew, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron (in 2020) comments that we are also called by Jesus to take up his yoke on our shoulders and continue the work of caring for those around us, offering support to so many weary people, worn out under the unbearable weight of neglect and indifference. How are we supposed to do that when we may not feel all that strong ourselves? We beg for a humility that can place us in the shoes of another to see and begin to understand their world and point of view. We are not in this alone, but side by side with Jesus, doing our part but knowing we are guided and loved by his great heart.

Dear Jesus, 

I want to be humble enough to remember that you have everything I need to make me safe and happy; to be secure and unafraid.

I come to you with my burdens.  Help me to take up your yoke and share what you have asked of us – caring for others.  That is where I know I will find peace. (McCann Waldron, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The grace of Christ bears us up,” from an anonymous early Christian teacher.

"'My yoke is easy and my burden light'... The prophet says this about the burden of sinners: 'Because my iniquities lie on top of my head, so they have also placed a heavy burden on me' (Psalm 38:4)... 'Place my yoke upon you, and learn from me that I am gentle and humble of heart.' Oh, what a very pleasing weight that strengthens even more those who carry it! For the weight of earthly masters gradually destroys the strength of their servants, but the weight of Christ rather helps the one who bears it, because we do not bear grace; grace bears us. It is not for us to help grace, but rather grace has been given to aid us." (excerpt from the INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 29: PG 56:780) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30 comments that we often equate meekness with weakness, and who wants to think of Jesus as weak? But surprisingly, meekness is the exact opposite. It requires strength—a strength that exercises control and restraint over our impulses so that we can manifest the presence of God.

Jesus calls us to learn the same gentleness from him. So consider: where do you need a little more meekness? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Maybe you need the grace to curb your tongue instead of responding angrily to an insult. Maybe you need the strength to react thoughtfully when you see injustice instead of flying off the handle. The more you practice, the more you imitate Jesus, the more his grace can lay a foundation of gentleness and meekness in your heart.

“Jesus, lead me on the path of true strength through meekness.” (Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the image shared by Zachariah of God coming to Jerusalem on the back of a very young donkey humbly proclaiming shalom. Paul addresses life in the Spirit with words that Greek ideas of the spiritual being superior to the material would not accept. Friar Jude reminds us of the custom fit of the yoke Jesus invites us to share that will plow a straight row when we join Jesus in the action.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, affirms that “everything belongs,” both the good and the bad, and it takes discernment to learn how to hold the paradox.

Jesus uses a number of mixture images to illustrate the tension of our own mixture of good and evil. They seem to say this world is a mixture of different things, and unless we learn how to see, we don’t know how to separate; we get lost in the weeds and can’t see the wheat. In one parable, servants ask, “Should we pull out the weeds?” Jesus responds, “No. Let them both grow together until the harvest.” Then, at the end of time, he will decide what is wheat and what is weed (Matthew 13:24–30). But we are a mixture of weed and wheat, and we always will be. As Martin Luther put it, we are simul justus et peccator [at once justified and a sinner], each of us simultaneously saint and sinner. That’s the mystery of holding weed and wheat together in our one field of life. It takes a lot more patience, compassion, forgiveness, and love than aiming for some illusory perfection that usually cannot see its own faults. The only true perfection available to us is the honest acceptance of our imperfection. (Rohr, 2023)

We are prompted by the Spirit to openness to humility through which we will accept our role with Christ in bringing experience of the Spirit to our environment.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?25 

McCann Waldron, M. (2023, July 8). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070923.html 

Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/07/09/730417/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, July 9). Holding the Paradox — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/holding-the-paradox-2023-07-09/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?9 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Learn from Me and You Will Find Rest for Your Soul. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jul9 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/9?9