Wayward in old practice

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of our practices that may lead to dire consequences and the Way Jesus can bring good from such situations.

Dire consequences and good outcomes

The reading from the Book of Exodus details the birth and adoption of Moses and some imprudent action that leads to his flight to Midian.

* [2:15] Land of Midian: the territory under the control of a confederation made up, according to Nm 31:8, of five Midianite tribes. According to Gn 25:1–2, Midian was a son of Abraham by Keturah. In view of the extreme hostility in later periods between Israel and Midian (cf. Nm 31; Jgs 6–8), the relationship is striking, as is the account here in Exodus of good relations between Moses and no less than a Midianite priest.1 

Psalm 69 prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice.

 * [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all.2

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus reproaches two unrepentant towns.

* [11:23] Capernaum’s pride and punishment are described in language taken from the taunt song against the king of Babylon (Is 14:13–15).3 

Scott McClure asks rather than focusing on the one doing the reproaching, what does our response reveal about ourselves?

Understanding that someone’s correction does not, in itself, prove our wrongdoing (indeed, maybe it is our very righteousness that has elicited reproachment), our conscience does have a way of cutting through that brush, clearing the way for us to honestly evaluate our words and deeds. Our conscience is quick to catch up to us and the hardest to outrun. When this occurs, whatever our emotions in the moment, we owe it to ourselves to step back and reflect on what has happened and what elicited the correction. This can be a humbling exercise, but Jesus calls us to just this humility. He calls us to union with him. That is our end and we have been equipped with the means to seek it and, with the grace of God, achieve it.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Even after miracles they did not repent,” by Saint Jerome (347-420 AD).

"Our Savior laments Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities of Galilee, because after such great miracles and acts of goodness they did not repent. Even Tyre and Sidon, cities that surrendered to idolatry and other vices, are preferred to them. Tyre and Sidon are preferred for the reason that although they trampled down the law, still Chorazin and Bethsaida, after they transgressed natural and written law, cared little for the miracles that were performed among them."  (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.22.1)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34 comments that at one time or another, most of us have felt overwhelmed by circumstances beyond our control. We might think that all we can do is hold on and cry out for mercy, as the psalmist and Moses’ mother did. We know that God loves us, but at the moment, we can’t imagine how he will bring good out of our dire circumstances.

If that’s how you’re feeling right now, hang in there. It will take a deliberate act of faith to rely on God’s goodness, just as it took the psalmist in today’s reading. Everything you see around you may tell you that he isn’t with you, but don’t believe it! Don’t give in to fear or bitterness; instead, cry out to God. Tell him your doubts and questions. Praise him for the ways he has been faithful in the past. Remind yourself that “the Lord hears the poor” when they cry out (Psalm 69:34).6 

The Optional Memorial today is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A post by Franciscan Media shares that the Carmelites were known from early on as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The title suggests that they saw Mary not only as “mother,” but also as “sister.”

Friar Jude Winkler recalls the priestly family of Moses and how he is saved and prepared for his mission by adoption by Pharaoh's daughter. The ones Moses protects abuse him. Friar Jude notes our “what have you done for me lately” attitude is an obstacle to consistency and integrity as followers of Christ.

I find some resonance today with reflection on how rejection and being reproached, though difficult in the moment and in times of self pity later, can be nudges to revelation of bringing good out of difficult circumstances. The on going conversion of my attitude has often been helped by the experiences like that shared today by Caryll Houselander as quoted by Richard Rohr.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes twentieth-century English mystic Caryll Houselander (1901–1954) as he would say that his only real definition of a Christian is one who can see Christ everywhere else and even in oneself.

All sorts of people jostled together, sitting and strap-hanging—workers of every description going home at the end of the day. Quite suddenly I saw with my mind, but as vividly as a wonderful picture, Christ in them all. But I saw more than that; not only was Christ in every one of them, living in them, dying in them, rejoicing in them, sorrowing in them—but because He was in them, and because they were here, the whole world was here too . . . all those people who had lived in the past, and all those yet to come.
I came out into the street and walked for a long time in the crowds. It was the same here, on every side, in every passer-by, everywhere—Christ.7 

Our practice of self righteous self defense in times of criticism and reproach may delay the revelation that God, not bound by time and space, is building our consistency and integrity to prepare us for our mission.

References

1	(n.d.). Exodus, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus/2
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 69 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 16, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved July 16, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/07/16/
7	(n.d.). Christ Is Everywhere — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from https://cac.org/christ-is-everywhere-2019-07-16/

Restrictions lifted

The images from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the sense declared by the authors that we have seen incredible things.

Free from anxiety

The Prophet Isaiah paints a picture of the abundant love and care God has for His people.

* [35:1–10] This chapter contains a number of themes similar to those in Deutero-Isaiah (chaps. 40–55), for example, the blossoming of the wilderness (vv. 1–2; cf. 41:18–19), which is now well-irrigated (v. 7; cf. 43:19–20); sight to the blind (vv. 5–6; cf. 42:7, 16); a highway in the wilderness (v. 8; cf. 41:3); and the return of the redeemed/ransomed to Zion (vv. 9–10; cf. 51:11). Nevertheless, it forms a unit with chap. 34 (see note on 34:1–35:10) and reflects, along with that chapter, themes found in chaps. 1–33.

In the Gospel from Luke, effort beyond the ordinary for a friend initiates Jesus healing of the soul and body of a paralyzed man.

* [5:20] As for you, your sins are forgiven: literally, “O man, your sins are forgiven you.” The connection between the forgiveness of sins and the cure of the paralytic reflects the belief of first-century Palestine (based on the Old Testament: Ex 20:5; Dt 5:9) that sickness and infirmity are the result of sin, one’s own or that of one’s ancestors (see also Lk 13:2; Jn 5:14; 9:2).

Kathy Martin declares that God loves us with such abundance that he heals our bodies, forgives our sins, and knows our hearts.

The Gospel concludes with, “Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, ‘We have seen incredible things today’” (Lk 5:26).  What incredible things is God doing today that leave you astonished and filled with joy and gladness? If you haven’t felt astonished by God recently, may I suggest you do something audacious and zealous to help someone, perhaps a friend, in need?

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus heals spiritually and physically,”  by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"When the Savior says to him, 'Man, your sins are forgiven you,' he addresses this to humankind in general. For those who believe in him, being healed of the diseases of the soul, will receive forgiveness of the sins which they formerly committed. He may also mean this: 'I must heal your soul before I heal your body. If this is not done, by obtaining strength to walk, you will only sin more. Even though you have not asked for this, I as God see the maladies of the soul which brought on you this disease.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 35:1-10 recognizes that anxiety is a very real part of life, but with the Lord’s help, we can take steps to put it to rest.

One way is to practice praying for peace. Let’s say you are going about your day and an anxious thought comes into your mind. Try to pinpoint the worry, and then talk to the Lord about it. Imagine yourself leaning against Jesus’ chest, as the apostle John did at the Last Supper. Tell him what is making you unsettled. Then tell him that you want to lay your anxieties at his feet and leave them there for him to deal with.

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the very fertile regions that the Prophet Isaiah describes in connection to the restoration of Israel. The deepest hurt of the paralysed man was in his soul. Friar Jude reiterates that the proper response to the action of God is amazement.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, offers a taste of what Thomas Merton has written in “New Seeds of Contemplation” about connecting with the Divine.

Contemplation is the highest expression of [human] intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder. It is spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness and for being. It is a vivid realization of the fact that life and being in us proceed from an invisible, transcendent and infinitely abundant Source. Contemplation is above all, awareness of the reality of that Source. It knows the Source, obscurely, inexplicably, but with a certitude that goes both beyond reason and beyond simple faith. . .

Our gratitude for life is revived through our response to the gift of relationship with God and the experience of healing of our anxiety.

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah chapter 35 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/35
2	(n.d.). Luke chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/5
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved December 10, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved December 10, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
6	(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Making Hope a Habit

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring us to the geography of The Holy Land and some of the hope and despair which is in our spiritual heritage. The Land of Egypt which welcomed Joseph and his family was at that time controlled in the north by Hyksos, a Semitic people from Palestine. When the authority in Egypt returned to native people, Friar Jude Winkler reminds us that the Israelites were persecuted and the male children killed. The passage from Exodus today places Moses in the care of the daughter of Pharaoh until his rash action in killing an Egyptian, forces his exile to Midian in the Sinaitic Peninsula. The despair which prompted Moses to flee Egypt reminds us of those situations which are echoed in the prayer of the psalmist when we know that God will act in our lives at the acceptable time.  Friar Jude notes rabbinic tradition that Moses lived 40 years in each of three places, Egypt, Midian and the Sinai desert. We continue to put one foot in front of the other trusting in the abundance of the steadfast love of God. We will receive an answer to our petition. Our faithfulness is to continue to “Listen.” The residents of the cities around Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee have not heard the Word spoken by Jesus. We feel the distress in the expression of Jesus concern in the Gospel of Matthew about the woe they are bringing upon themselves. The feast, today, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is tied to the geography of the region of northwesternIsrael near Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea. A Carmelite monastery was founded at the site shortly after the order itself was created, and was dedicated to Mary, in her aspect of Star of the Sea (stella maris in Latin) This is a common medieval presentation of Mary and one which is familiar in l’Acadie. The despair about the many persecutions raised against the Order of Mount Carmel, when it was newly arrived in Europe, prompted Saint Simon Stock, General of the Order, to turn with filial confidence to the Blessed Mother of God. As he knelt in prayer on July 16, 1251, in the White Friars’ convent at Cambridge, she appeared before him and presented him with the well-known brown scapular, a loose sleeveless garment destined for the Order of Carmel. Friar Jude encourages us to listen and live the Word we have heard from Jesus to avoid the fate of those cities mentioned in the Gospel today.