Living Grace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to fan into flames the coals of our faith in Providence and our journey to a deeper relationship with God.

Life and the Spirit

The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy offers Thanksgiving and Encouragement.

* [1:6] The gift of God: the grace resulting from the conferral of an ecclesiastical office. The imposition of my hands: see note on 1 Tm 4:14.

* [1:8] Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord: i.e., of preaching and suffering for the sake of the gospel.

* [1:9–10] Redemption from sin and the call to holiness of life are not won by personal deeds but are freely and graciously bestowed according to God’s eternal plan; cf. Eph 1:4.

* [1:11] Teacher: the overwhelming majority of manuscripts and Fathers read “teacher of the nations,” undoubtedly a harmonization with 1 Tm 2:7. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 123 is a Supplication for Mercy.

* [Psalm 123] A lament that begins as a prayer of an individual (Ps 123:1), who expresses by a touching comparison exemplary confidence in God (Ps 123:2). The Psalm ends in prayer that God relieve the people’s humiliation at the hands of the arrogant (Ps 123:3–4). (Psalms, PSALM 123 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Question about the Resurrection.

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1–3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34).

* [12:18–27] See note on Mt 22:23–33. (Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments on the dead being raised, and Jesus questioning the Sadducces about the Book of Moses ( the Torah) about the bush, and how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? " He is not God of the dead but of the living.” Of course Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were all “dead” before God spoke to Moses at the burning bush -She takes this to mean even if one is “dead’, one is alive to God. God is the God of all, because all are alive in him.

I have heard that there are many today who do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus or of anyone for that matter. Even some people affiliated in an official capacity with the Church express their doubts. The blinking light by my father’s chair may have been a  signal, a reminder of a promise kept, but for sure the power of God is greater. I recall Jesus’ words: “I am the Resurrection and the  Life.” Jesus didn’t say “IF they rise from the dead” but “WHEN they rise from the dead”. What a wonderful future awaits. The exact parameters  of that mystery are unknown, but we trust in the Love that created us, the Love that sustains us, the Love that welcomes us home. (Braddock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “No marriage in the resurrection,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"What did the Lord say to the Sadducees? He said, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God. For in the resurrection they marry neither husbands nor wives; for neither do they start dying again, but they will be equal to the angels of God' (Mark 12:24-25; Matthew 22:29-30). The power of God is great. Why do they not marry husbands or wives? They will not start dying again. When one generation departs, another is required to succeed it. There will not be such liability to decay in that place. The Lord passed through the usual stages of growth, from infancy to adult manhood, because he was bearing the substance of flesh that still was mortal. After he had risen again at the age at which he was buried, are we to imagine that he is growing old in heaven? He says, 'They will be equal to the angels of God.' He eliminated the assumption of the Jews and refuted the objection of the Sadducees, because the Jews did indeed believe the dead would rise again, but they had crude, fleshly ideas about the state of humanity after resurrection. He said, 'They will be equal to the angels of God.' ... It has already been stated that we are to rise again. We have heard from the Lord that we rise again to the life of the angels. In his own resurrection, he has shown us in what specific form we are to rise again." (excerpt from SERMON 362.18-19.30) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 comments that Paul may have been concerned that the burdens of leadership and the challenges of discipleship had caused Timothy to grow weary. So he exhorts Timothy to rouse the gift he already has. Why? So that the fire of God could blaze brightly through him and enable him to bring the light of Christ to the people of Ephesus.

The Spirit is always with you. But like that smoldering campfire, sometimes it needs stirring. You can rekindle your flame by shaking off the ash—by repenting and turning away from sin. You can stoke the embers by reading the word of God and letting it move you to walk in God’s ways. Like bellows, you can bring oxygen to the fire by opening your heart to God’s grace as you pray. The Spirit will bless your efforts so that your flame burns brightly before everyone around you.

“Help me, Lord, to stir up the gift of your Spirit!” (Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the advanced ecclesiology of the Pastoral Letters and the likelihood that they were not written by Paul. The letters are set in the time of Paul’s imprisonment and share Paul’s experience of a passion like Jesus and the need to trust in God who we realize is in charge. Friar Jude reminds us that the Sadducees only accepted the first five books of the Torah where there is no mention of resurrection as they use the Levirate marriage custom to question Jesus.

James Finley continues to reflect on St. Symeon’s instructions for praying the Jesus Prayer.

St. Symeon instructs us to “shut your eyes” when praying the Jesus Prayer. What if we could all close our eyes right now and be interiorly awakened? And what if, when we open our eyes, we would see through our own awakened eyes what Jesus saw in all that he saw? What would we see? We’d see God! Because Jesus saw God in all that he saw. (Finley, n.d.)

We are aided by the Spirit in our contemplation of the Presence of God, today, and the eternal nature of our relationship with the Divine.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060524.html 

Finley, J. (n.d.). From Head to Heart. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/from-head-to-heart/ 

Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12? 

Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/05/989959/ 

Psalms, PSALM 123 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/123?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Know Neither the Scriptures nor the Power of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun5 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/1? 

Living the Mission

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on our commitment to our mission as disciples of Christ as we navigate acceptance and rejection.

On the Mission

The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy describes Paul’s Loneliness.

* [4:9–13] Demas either abandoned the work of the ministry for worldly affairs or, perhaps, gave up the faith itself (2 Tm 4:10). Luke (2 Tm 4:11) may have accompanied Paul on parts of his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16:10–12; 20:5–7). Notice the presence of the first personal pronoun “we” in these Acts passages, suggesting to some that Luke (or at least some traveling companion of Paul’s) was the author of Acts. Mark, once rejected by Paul (Acts 13:13; 15:39), is now to render him a great service (2 Tm 4:11); cf. Col 4:10; Phlm 24. For Tychicus, see Eph 6:21; cf. also Acts 20:4; Col 4:7. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke defines the Mission of the Seventy (-two).

* [10:1–12] Only the Gospel of Luke contains two episodes in which Jesus sends out his followers on a mission: the first (Lk 9:1–6) is based on the mission in Mk 6:6b–13 and recounts the sending out of the Twelve; here in Lk 10:1–12 a similar report based on Q becomes the sending out of seventy-two in this gospel. The episode continues the theme of Jesus preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day. Note that the instructions given to the Twelve and to the seventy-two are similar and that what is said to the seventy-two in Lk 10:4 is directed to the Twelve in Lk 22:35.

* [10:1] Seventy[-two]: important representatives of the Alexandrian and Caesarean text types read “seventy,” while other important Alexandrian texts and Western readings have “seventy-two.”

* [10:4] Carry no money bag…greet no one along the way: because of the urgency of the mission and the singlemindedness required of missionaries, attachment to material possessions should be avoided and even customary greetings should not distract from the fulfillment of the task.

* [10:5] First say, ‘Peace to this household’: see notes on Lk 2:14 and Mt 10:13.

* [10:6] A peaceful person: literally, “a son of peace.” (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

John Shea, S.J. comments that perhaps we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the loyalty and commitment of certain brothers and sisters in Christ. Or perhaps we’ve been let down by their word and example.

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke, we remember how he spread the Good News not just among the Jews, but to all Gentiles. The Church continues this evangelization, especially with this month’s Synod on Synodality. The synod is an opportunity for each of us to continue the work of Jesus’ 72 disciples, Paul, and Luke. We can support the synod with our prayers. We can also imitate the model of the synod, listening to one another and allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire us so we can continue to fulfill our mission to evangelize in the world. And we can pray for those who, like Demas and Alexander, work against the Holy Spirit. (Shea, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can one so peaceful conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and nothing can resist my will.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17 comments that every Christian life is an adventure. That’s because following Jesus is never boring. Every day when we come to him in prayer, we never know what he has in store for us or where he is going to send us.

You may never travel widely or go on a missionary journey, as St. Luke did. But today, on his feast day, you can ask him to help you see your life in Christ as an adventure. Nothing can be more exciting than living for Jesus—even if you never leave home!

“Jesus, I’m ready for an adventure. Send me where you want me to go!” (Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Pastoral Letters written in Paul’s name. Acts indicates in the “we” sections that Luke accompanied Paul for a short time. The Seventy Two in Luke’s Gospel is connected to the number of elders in the camp of Israel. Friar Jude notes the usual request of Pope Francis to prisoners he visits that they participate in the mission by praying for him.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis who recalls her mother’s deep devotion to justice.

My mom’s favorite Bible passage … was always Micah 6:8. She knew that doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God were the true instructions for living a faithful and impactful life. Her faith and activism were one.

Micah 6:6–8 is a typical story of the prophets. Biblical prophets tell the people what is necessary for honoring and worshipping God. Indeed, they all tell the same story: that God desires mercy, justice, and peace, especially for the poor, the widows, the suffering, and the victims of war. The prophets admonish us and the ruling authorities to work for peace and dedicate ourselves to ending poverty.

The book of Micah instructs that the only way to honor and worship God is to welcome the immigrant neighbor, the homeless, and the bruised and battered. Micah says we must overcome bias and inequality and advocate for all God’s children to have what they need to thrive, not merely and barely survive…. (Rohr, 2019)

We are led by the Spirit to the mission we have to present Life in Christ to the people we encounter on our journey.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?1 

Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/18/807773/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10 

Rohr, R. (2019, March 9). Inheriting a Prophetic Call. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/inheriting-a-prophetic-call/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Kingdom of God Has Come near to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct18a 

Shea, J. (2023, October 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101823.html 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?10