Presence in Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrate living with compassion and mercy and no fear of others who may be jealous of a loving disposition that attracts friends.

A loving disposition that attracts friends.

The Reading from the First Book of Samuel presents Saul’s Jealousy and his Persecution of David.

* [18:6] Stringed instruments: perhaps a lute-like instrument with three strings; the Hebrew word, shalshim, perhaps related to the root shlsh (“three”), occurs only here in the Old Testament. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [19:4] Jonathan reminds Saul that David has served him loyally and done nothing to earn a traitor’s death. Cf. 24:18–20. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 56 proclaims a firm confidence in God and gives thanks for God’s gift of life.

* [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Ps 56:2–3) and psychologically (Ps 56:6–7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Ps 56:5, 9–10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life (Ps 56:13). A refrain (Ps 56:5, 11–12) divides the Psalm in two equal parts. (Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark proclaims the Mercy of Jesus that draws people to him.

* [3:7–19] This overview of the Galilean ministry manifests the power of Jesus to draw people to himself through his teaching and deeds of power. The crowds of Jews from many regions surround Jesus (Mk 3:7–12). This phenomenon prepares the way for creating a new people of Israel. The choice and mission of the Twelve is the prelude (Mk 3:13–19).

* [3:11–12] See note on Mk 1:24–25. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sara Schulte-Bukowinski comments that in Jesus, God demonstrates willingness to sacrifice reputation, and ultimately even life itself, to show the greatest mercy possible.

How do I live into mercy? Where do I cling to power, jealousy, or resentment? How do I, as a Christian, raise up the kind of leadership to which Jesus calls all of us? How do I provide a fair and honest critique of leadership that is incompatible with God’s vision? I have to pray and work with God to be freer of the things that can put a cap on mercy, first in my own heart. If I’m too worried about just protecting “me and my own,” if I’m too concerned about what other people will think, if I permit unjust rules (or even laws) to undermine my conscience, I will not be free enough for mercy. (Schulte-Bukowinski, n.d.)

Don Schwager “Faith works by love”, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The 'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6), is not the same faith that demons have. 'For the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19) but do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41). But if they had loved, they would not have said: 'What have we to do with you?' (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194, To Sixtus) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:7-12 declares we can help establish a culture that welcomes all human life in our homes and among our friends.

Everything you do matters! Every time you imitate Jesus by offering yourself for others, you become an instrument of his healing power. You welcome him into new situations every time you put your faith into action. So prepare a meal for someone who is bedridden, visit someone who is lonely, teach a child to read, or offer to pray with a parishioner. And expect beautiful things to happen because you are working side by side with the Lord!

“Blessed László, pray that I can become a vessel of Christ’s healing love!” (Meditation on Mark 3:7-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the reading from 1 Samuel, Saul and David return from battle praising David who is accorded a greater victory than Saul, who senses he is being robbed of glory. Jonathan talks Saul, temporary, out of killing David. All the people flock to Jesus for healing and also including Gentiles. The unclean spirit proclaims “Son of God”. They declare the truth of Jesus' identity. That's why He warns the spirit not to make Him known so people will receive the Kingdom where they hear and observe God’s Law to the best possible degree. 

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls that after receiving a threatening late-night phone call, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s was renewed through prayer and an experience of God’s presence and call.

It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point…. I was ready to give up…. I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward…. And I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer…. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory: “Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. And I can’t let the people see me like this because if they see me weak and losing my courage, they will begin to get weak. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”

It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We confirm that the greatest gift is love as we attend to the Presence of the Spirit that calls us to be friend, leader, and healer in our family and beyond.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?7 

Meditation on Mark 3:7-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/22/1484856/ 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/18?6 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/19?4 

Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/56?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/stand-and-i-will-be-with-you/ 

Schulte-Bukowinski, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-22-2026 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Pressed upon Jesus to Touch Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Children Degreed to Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to openness to the action of the Divine in every person who acts with love towards others.

Living Love

The Reading from the Book of Ezra declares The Decree of Darius.

Psalm 122 is sung by pilgrims visiting Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus and His Family are introduced.

* [8:19] His brothers: see note on Mk 6:3.

* [8:21] The family of Jesus is not constituted by physical relationship with him but by obedience to the word of God. In this, Luke agrees with the Marcan parallel (Mk 3:31–35), although by omitting Mk 3:33 and especially Mk 3:20–21 Luke has softened the Marcan picture of Jesus’ natural family. Probably he did this because Mary has already been presented in Lk 1:38 as the obedient handmaid of the Lord who fulfills the requirement for belonging to the eschatological family of Jesus; cf. also Lk 11:27–28. (Luke, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Edward Morse sees Jesus' response in the Gospel, not as a rebuke to his family, but as an invitation to the rest of us.

The people of Israel suffered exile for not following what they had been taught, but they also received mercy and deliverance.  Our Lord reminds us that we, too, are called to be in his family, to have close and tight kinship bonds that are unbreakable.  We expected Jesus to do something for his family because of the strength of that relationship, but he used this moment to teach us that we can have this relationship, too, by following him and doing what he teaches. 

Lord, help us to listen, and then to do what is right because of our relationship with you.  Help us to love and honor our families, but also the greater family into which we are adopted through faith, made possible by your Holy sacrifice.  Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Those who listen and obey God's word become true children of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"The present lesson teaches us that obedience and listening to God are the causes of every blessing. Some entered and spoke respectfully about Christ's holy mother and his brothers. He answered in these words, 'My mother and my brothers are they who hear the word of God and do it.' Now do not let any one imagine that Christ scorned the honor due to his mother or contemptuously disregarded the love owed to his brothers. He spoke the law by Moses and clearly said, 'Honor your father and your mother, that it may be well with you' (Deuteronomy 5:16). How, I ask, could he have rejected the love due to brothers, who even commanded us to love not merely our brothers but also those who are enemies to us? He says, 'Love your enemies' (Matthew 5:44).

"What does Christ want to teach? His object is to exalt highly his love toward those who are willing to bow the neck to his commands. I will explain the way he does this. The greatest honors and the most complete affection are what we all owe to our mothers and brothers. If he says that they who hear his word and do it are his mother and brothers, is it not plain to every one that he bestows on those who follow him a love thorough and worthy of their acceptance? He would make them readily embrace the desire of yielding themselves to his words and of submitting their mind to his yoke, by means of a complete obedience." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 42) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments how Darius allows for reconstruction of the Temple by remitting taxes owed by the released exiles.They kept Passover in the land of home. In Luke, Jesus is told His brothers (Roman Catholic Tradition understands them as cousins) are standing outside. Jesus declares brothers and sisters as those who have heard and obey The Word. Friar Jude contrasts the treatment of Jesus' family in Mark and Luke.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, offers a summary of Martin Luther King Jr.s principles of nonviolence.

1. Nonviolence is a way of strength and not a way for cowards

2. The goal of nonviolence is always winning the friendship and the understanding of the supposed opponent, not their humiliation or personal defeat.  

3. The opponent must be seen not so much as an evil person, but as a symbol of a much greater systemic evil—of which they also are a victim! We must aim our efforts at that greater evil, which is harming all of us, rather than at the opponent.  

4. There is a moral power in voluntarily suffering for the sake of others. Christians call it the “myth of redemptive suffering,” whereas almost all of history is based on the opposite, the “myth of redemptive violence.”  

5. This love ethic must be at the center of our whole life, or it cannot be effective or real in the crucial moments of conflict.  

6. Nonviolence relies on a kind of cosmic optimism which trusts that the universe/reality/God is finally and fully on the side of justice and truth. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the guidance of the Spirit to hear the Word of God and to base our actions in relationships on Love for All.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?19 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-23-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/kings-principles-of-nonviolence/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Hear the Word of God and Do It. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep23