The Family of Faith

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the understanding of our relationship to Christ as brothers and sisters in faith, hope, and love who continue His Way of relationship with all people.

Family and Faith

The Reading from the Prophet Micah is a prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days.

* [7:14–17] A prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days (v. 14) is answered (vv. 15–17) when the Lord promises to do marvelous things. The nations shall be afraid and turn to the Lord.

* [7:18–20] The final lines of the book contain a hymn of praise for the incomparable God, who pardons sin and delights in mercy. Thus the remnant, those left after the exile, is confident in God’s compassion and in the ancient promises sworn to the ancestors. (Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 85 presents a national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness.

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus proclaims The True Family of Jesus.

* [12:46–50] See Mk 3:31–35. Matthew has omitted Mk 3:20–21 which is taken up in Mk 3:31 (see note on Mt 12:22–32), yet the point of the story is the same in both gospels: natural kinship with Jesus counts for nothing; only one who does the will of his heavenly Father belongs to his true family.

* [12:47] This verse is omitted in some important textual witnesses, including Codex Sinaiticus (original reading) and Codex Vaticanus. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “My mother through faith,” by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD).

"If someone can become the brother of the Lord by coming to faith, we must ask how one can become also his mother. We must realize that the one who is Christ's brother and sister by believing becomes his mother by preaching. It is as though one brings forth the Lord and infuses him in the hearts of one's listeners. And that person becomes his mother if through one's voice the love of the Lord is generated in the mind of his neighbor. (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 3.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Prophet Micah speaks the Lord as shepherd of Israel with a staff that indicates the original territories will be returned to Israel. Just as the people can see the faithfulness of the promises, God is always faithful. Matthew declares the mother and brothers of Jesus are those who do the will of the Father. We belong as brothers and sisters of Jesus by faith more than blood. Catholics consider the “brothers and sisters” in the Gospel are cousins often as close as siblings in Jesus' time. Orthodox Christians accept they are half brothers and sisters through the remarriage of Joseph. Some Protestant communities hold they are full brothers and sisters. Friar Jude notes that Roman Catholics hold to an ancient tradition of Jesus as the only son of Mary.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 comments that in the centuries after Micah, God did show the people marvelous signs when they cried out to him. But all these signs found their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

The signs are all around. And like the signs that Micah prayed for, they are all meant to point you to the greatest and most powerful of all signs: the sign of a Savior who gave up his very life to set you free.

God has done wonderful things for us. May we never grow weary of recalling them. And may we never forget his most powerful marvel: the sign of his cross!

“Lord, I am amazed at all that you have done and continue to do in my life!” (Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recounts how he came to know the work of Thomas Merton (1915–1968). Amidst the societal disruptions of the 1960s, it was not enough for him to simply pray. He also devoted himself to action—writing, teaching, and collaborating with others—though he never lost his deep yearning for solitude and contemplation. [1]

The monastic flight from the world [or what Father Richard calls ‘the system’] into the desert is not a mere refusal to know anything about the world, but a total rejection of all standards of judgment which imply attachment to a history of delusion, egoism and sin … a definitive refusal to participate in those activities which have no other fruit than to prolong the reign of untruth, greed, cruelty and arrogance…. 

Therefore it seems to me to be a solemn obligation of conscience at this moment of history to take the positions which are … in vital relation with the obligations I assumed when I took my monastic vows. To have a vow of poverty seems to me illusory if I do not in some way identify myself with the cause of people who are denied their rights and forced, for the most part, to live in abject misery. To have a vow of obedience seems to me to be absurd if it does not imply a deep concern for the most fundamental of all expressions of God’s will: the love of [God’s] truth and of our neighbor. [2]

References:

[1] Adapted from Richard Rohr, The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of Saint Francis, (Sounds True, 2010).

[2] Adapted from Thomas Merton, Seeds of Destruction (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1980), xiii, xiv–xv, xv–xvi. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to inform our faith and action with the understanding of family as expressed by Jesus to his society and in our mission to act as members of a community that seeks to do the “will of the Father”.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12? 

Meditation on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/21/1627733/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/7? 

Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Thomas Merton: A Monk in Action. Thomas Merton: A Monk in Action. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/thomas-merton-a-monk-in-action/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Are My Brothers and Sisters? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Division and Demons

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to inspiration for living with Christ from people that we encounter unexpectedly who strengthen our faith.

Faith and New Friends

 

The Reading from the First Book of Kings describes the End of Solomon’s Reign.

* [11:1–13] The next major unit of the Solomon story corresponds to 3:1–15. Like the earlier passage it includes the narrator’s remarks about Solomon’s foreign wives and his building projects, and a divine word commenting on Solomon’s conduct. However, where 3:1–15 is generally positive toward Solomon, the present passage is unrelievedly negative. Chronicles has no parallel to this material.

* [11:2] Them: both the nations and their gods. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 106 seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin.

* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5)... mingling with the nations (Ps 106:34–47). The last, as suggested by its length and generalized language, may be the sin that invites the repentance of the present generation. The text gives the site of each sin: Egypt (Ps 106:7), the desert (Ps 106:14), the camp (Ps 106:16), Horeb (Ps 106:19), in their tents (Ps 106:25), Baal-Peor (Ps 106:28), the waters of Meribah (Ps 106:32), Canaan (Ps 106:38). (Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proclaims the Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith.

* [7:24–37] The withdrawal of Jesus to the district of Tyre may have been for a respite (Mk 7:24), but he soon moved onward to Sidon and, by way of the Sea of Galilee, to the Decapolis. These districts provided a Gentile setting for the extension of his ministry of healing because the people there acknowledged his power (Mk 7:29, 37). The actions attributed to Jesus (Mk 7:33–35) were also used by healers of the time.

* [7:27–28] The figure of a household in which children at table are fed first and then their leftover food is given to the dogs under the table is used effectively to acknowledge the prior claim of the Jews to the ministry of Jesus; however, Jesus accedes to the Gentile woman’s plea for the cure of her afflicted daughter because of her faith. (Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Desiree Nownes reflects on the impact of Saint Anthony of Padua (Memorial on June 13) on her experience of recovery of lost spiritual connection.

Don Schwager quotes “Great was the power of her faith, and for our learning,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"See her humility as well as her faith! For he had called the Jews 'children,' but she was not satisfied with this. She even called them 'masters,' so far was she from grieving at the praises of others. She said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.' Behold the woman's wisdom! She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else. She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy. When he answered, 'It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs,' she said, 'Yes, Lord.' He called them 'children'- but she called them 'masters.' He used the name of a dog, but she described the action of the dog. Do you see this woman's humility? Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews: 'We are Abraham's seed and were never in bondage to any man'(John 8:33). 'We are born of God' (John 8:41). But not so this woman. Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters. So for this reason she became a child. For what does Christ then say? 'O woman, great is your faith.'

"So we might surmise that this is the reason he put her off, in order that he might proclaim aloud this saying and that he might crown the woman: 'Be it done for you as you desire.' This means 'Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these. Nevertheless be it unto you even as you wish.' This voice was at one with the voice that said, 'Let the heaven be,' and it was (Genesis 1:1). 'And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.' Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter? For note that Christ did not say, 'Let your little daughter be made whole,' but 'Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.' These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words, but great was the power of her faith, and for our learning.

He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events. Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW, Homily 52.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13 asks how can we give our whole hearts to the Lord? By giving him first place in our lives. One way to do this is by turning to God a few times each day. We can dedicate the day to him when we first wake up. We can set aside time for prayer and ask him how we can best serve him. We can stop at midday to ask him to help us and guide us. Finally, when we retire at night, we can thank him for the day and ask forgiveness for any ways that we may have turned away from him.

As you try to keep your heart “with the Lord” like this, you won’t just avoid the idolatry that Solomon fell into (1 Kings 11:4). You’ll discover the goodness of your God. You’ll find peace in his presence. You’ll find wisdom because you’re more attuned to his voice. And you’ll find joy as you delight in a kingdom that lasts forever!

“Lord, I give you my whole heart today!” (Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in 1 Kings Solomon had many wives and foreign women who enticed the King to move away from the Lord and build temples to gods of child sacrifice. The Lord orders the Kingdom would be split in the life of Solomon’s son into two tribes. Jesus travels to Tyre and encounters a pagan woman and Jesus responds to her request for healing for her daughter possessed by demons with "Let the children be fed first” The purpose of this response is really unclear. The woman demonstrates “chutzpah” and Jesus is impressed. We have to tell God our deepest thoughts “What we are really feeling”. Friar Jude prays “May God bless us in our arguments with the Divine.”

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces psychotherapist Fiona Gardner who shares how we might once again experience paradise in the writings of contemplative writer and monk Thomas Merton. Contemplative practice creates opportunities to return to the ‘enchantment’ of the garden:

Present-moment awareness is about creating a gap in the constant busyness of the mind…. It is through such a clear space that new and creative possibilities are born…. There may be an inner prompting in the midst of a busy life to take stock, perhaps to stop and consider…. The focus is then on the inner desire for that thirst-quenching water of life. In other words to move to a place of renewal and rebirth, where there may be glimpses in adulthood of life beyond the shadow and disguise, and experiences, even if fleeting, of the spirit of the child. One way to start to shift out of the obscured false self way of living is to begin to develop awareness, to awaken the senses, to look, listen, feel, and touch as the small child does—to return to one’s senses. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to enhance our appreciation of the Way of the Lord in our interaction with people from unfamiliar circumstances and journeys different from ours.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/7?24 

Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/12/1498221/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/11?4 

Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplation-and-paradise/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Demon Has Left Your Daughter. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Fellowship and Forgiveness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the guidance of the Spirit in removing the barriers we create that separate us from loving fellowship with all the people we encounter on our journey.

Life and Fellowship

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians refers to the Council of Jerusalem and the mission of Paul and the other Apostles citing how Paul rebukes Peter at Antioch.

* [2:2] A revelation: cf. Gal 1:1, 12. Paul emphasizes it was God’s will, not Jerusalem authority, that led to the journey. Acts 15:2 states that the church in Antioch appointed Paul and Barnabas for the task. Those of repute: leaders of the Jerusalem church; the term, while positive, may be slightly ironic (cf. Gal 1:6, 9). Run, in vain: while Paul presents a positive picture in what follows, his missionary work in Galatia would have been to no purpose if his opponents were correct that circumcision is needed for complete faith in Christ.

* [2:11–14] The decision reached in Jerusalem (Gal 2:3–7) recognized the freedom of Gentile Christians from the Jewish law. But the problem of table fellowship between Jewish Christians, who possibly still kept kosher food regulations, and Gentile believers was not yet settled. When Cephas first came to the racially mixed community of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Antioch (Gal 2:12), he ate with non-Jews. Pressure from persons arriving later from Jerusalem caused him and Barnabas to draw back. Paul therefore publicly rebuked Peter’s inconsistency toward the gospel (Gal 2:14). Some think that what Paul said on that occasion extends through Gal 2:16, 21. (Galatians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 117 is a Universal Call to Worship.

* [Psalm 117] This shortest of hymns calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy. The supremacy of Israel’s God has been demonstrated to them by the people’s secure existence, which is owed entirely to God’s gracious fidelity. (Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus presents the Lord’s Prayer.

* [11:1–4] The Matthean form of the “Our Father” occurs in the “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt 6:9–15); the shorter Lucan version is presented while Jesus is at prayer (see note on Lk 3:21) and his disciples ask him to teach them to pray just as John taught his disciples to pray. In answer to their question, Jesus presents them with an example of a Christian communal prayer that stresses the fatherhood of God and acknowledges him as the one to whom the Christian disciple owes daily sustenance (Lk 11:3), forgiveness (Lk 11:4), and deliverance from the final trial (Lk 11:4). See also notes on Mt 6:9–13.

* [11:2] Your kingdom come: in place of this petition, some early church Fathers record: “May your holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us,” a petition that may reflect the use of the “Our Father” in a baptismal liturgy.

* [11:3–4] Daily bread: see note on Mt 6:11. The final test: see note on Mt 6:13. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Michael Kavan examines the prayer that Jesus taught us, that we might reflect on its meaning, and maybe better appreciate it and apply it to our spiritual and corporeal lives into the future.

Father - First, to call God “Father” tees up the remaining words in the prayer. If God is our Father, then we are certainly his children…

Hallowed be your name - Common definitions of “hallowed” include made holy, consecrated, and greatly revered and honored…

Your Kingdom come– One of my favorite lines in the prayer..

Give us this day our daily bread – We ask God to help us meet our daily needs for food…

Forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us – Any amount of reflection allows us to understand that we all sin… (Kavan, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The privilege and responsibility of calling God Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"For the Savior said, 'When you pray, say, 'Our Father.' And another of the holy Evangelists adds, 'who art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9)... He gives his own glory to us. He raises slaves to the dignity of freedom. He crowns the human condition with such honor as surpasses the power of nature. He brings to pass what was spoken of old by the voice of the psalmist: 'I said, you are gods, and all of you children of the Most High' (Psalm 82:6). He rescues us from the measure of slavery, giving us by his grace what we did not possess by nature, and permits us to call God 'Father,' as being admitted to the rank of sons. We received this, together with all our other privileges, from him. One of these privileges is the dignity of freedom, a gift peculiarly befitting those who have been called to be sons. He commands us, therefore, to take boldness and say in our prayers, 'Our Father.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 71) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 comments that Paul wanted the Jewish believers in Galatia to recognize the same grace of God in the lives of their Gentile brothers and sisters and vice versa. He pleaded with them to see each other as members of one family (Galatians 6:10). But it wasn’t easy for them—and it isn’t easy for us. It’s hard to let go of our opinions, and that can strain our relationships. But Jesus can help us recognize his grace at work in another person, and that can strengthen bonds of love.

So how does this happen? A good first step is to recognize and let go of any negative biases you may have. By the Spirit, you can see positive qualities in other people and take a generous outlook toward them.

Second, you can put on humility. When you remember that God has shown you mercy, you view people more mercifully and recognize God’s grace at work in them. You see the patience a father shows his children or a coworker’s diligence at the office. You notice the quiet faith of a Mass-goer who lingers to pray, or you rejoice when you see someone extend a hand to a gruff neighbor. And this can move you to do the same.

Today, let the Spirit help you to appreciate God’s grace in the whole family of God.

“Lord, I want to see my brothers and sisters as you do!” (Meditation on Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler positions the visit of Paul and the Gentile Titus to Jerusalem, later in Paul’s mission, to establish Paul as for the uncircumcised and Peter for the circumcised. When visiting Antioch, Peter delivers conflicting messages in his table fellowship. Friar Jude reminds us of the elements of praise, surrender, Providence, and forgiveness in the non liturgical version of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke’s Gospel.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual writer Joyce Rupp who understands all of creation as part of a “cosmic dance”.

No one person has been able to fully communicate this amazing dance of life to me, but Thomas Merton comes close with his description in New Seeds of Contemplation. Merton’s use of the phrase “cosmic dance” set my heart singing. When I read it, I felt my early childhood experience [in nature] of the inner dance being echoed and affirmed:  

When we are alone on a starlit night; when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children; when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet Bashō we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash—at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the “newness,” the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the elements that connect the human family as we petition the Father to give us sustenance and forgive our actions that separate us from one another.

References

Galatians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/2?1 

Kavan, M. (2024, October 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100924.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?1 

Meditation on Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/09/1101512/ 

Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Cosmic Dance. Richard Rohr. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-cosmic-dance/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Teach Us to Pray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct9