Conflict and Cleansing

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the paths we walk that we did not choose as we struggle for restoration of health.

Hope in the Journey to Health

The Reading from the Second Book of Kings describes breaching of the city walls.

* [25:3] Ninth day of the month: the text does not say which month, but Jer 39:2 and 52:6 set the breaching of the city walls in the fourth month; in later times that was the date of a fast commemorating the event (cf. Zec 8:19). People of the land: the influential citizens (see note on 11:14); even they, whose resources went beyond those of the ordinary people, were starving.

* [25:4] The Hebrew text of this verse is missing some words. The present translation is based on a likely reconstruction.

* [25:11] Those who had deserted: perhaps on the advice of Jeremiah; cf. Jer 38:2–3. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 137 presents difficulty to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land.

* [Psalm 137] A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land despite demands from Babylonian captors (Ps 137:1–4). The singer swears an oath by what is most dear to a musician—hands and tongue—to exalt Jerusalem always (Ps 137:5–6). The Psalm ends with a prayer that the old enemies of Jerusalem, Edom and Babylon, be destroyed (Ps 137:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents the Cleansing of a Leper.

 

[8:2] A leper: see note on Mk 1:40.

* [8:4] Cf. Lv 14:2–9. That will be proof for them: the Greek can also mean “that will be proof against them.” It is not clear whether them refers to the priests or the people. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley reflects on our conflict in the prayer phrase “Thy Will Be Done”.  

We will ask and accept whatever the answer with the acceptance that the outcome is what it should be.  I may not always understand (or like) the outcome at the time or even ever, yet I always knew on some level it was meant to be. 

This idea of unanswered prayers is sometimes difficult to accept in the short term but inevitably turns out to be exactly what it should. It is challenging to accept some of the events that happen to us or to others. Sometimes it seems unfathomable that some things are “allowed” to happen.  How can an all-powerful God allow such evil to happen? I certainly don’t have an answer but I do know that everything that has happened to me, shaped me and led me to decisions that were exactly what I should do or where I should be. That doesn’t mean there weren’t times when I felt broken by the circumstances yet truly I would/could say, God has never let me down before and I have no reason to believe that He will now. (Shirley, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The authority to heal and make clean belongs to Christ,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD)

"With great fervor before Jesus' knees, the leper pleaded with him (Mark 1:40) with sincere faith. He discerned who Jesus was. He did not state conditionally, 'If you request it of God' or 'If you pray for me.' Rather, he said simply, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' He did not pray, 'Lord, cleanse me.' Rather, he leaves everything to the Lord and makes his own recovery depend entirely on him. Thus he testified that all authority belongs to him. One might ask, 'What if the leper had been mistaken in this assumption?' If he had been mistaken, wouldn't it have been fitting for the Lord to reprove him and set him straight? But did he do this? No. Quite to the contrary, Jesus established and confirmed exactly what he had said." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.1) (Schwager, D. n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:1-4 comments that this story reminds us that we are all like this poor man. We are all “diseased” because of our sins. They burden us, separate us from God, and isolate us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. But like this man, we have received God’s overflowing grace! Jesus died to cleanse us from every sin. We have new life in him, and he is now asking us to go and “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Every time you celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you relive this Gospel story. You enter the confessional like the sick man, afflicted with sin but turning to Jesus for help and healing. And every time you confess your sins, he cleanses and heals you. Now you are free! You can “go show yourself” to the people around you (Matthew 8:4). By your witness of humility, joy, and peace, you can help them see what Jesus has done for you—and they will be moved to seek out the Lord for themselves!

“Thank you, Lord, for forgiving my sin! Help me tell the world what you have done for me.” (Meditation on Matthew 8:1-4, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today

Brian McLaren suggests that love can serve as a deep source of hope that is not dependent on outcome.

To put it differently, even if we lose hope for a good outcome, we need not lose hope of being good people, as we are able: courageous, wise, kind, loving, “in defiance of all that is bad around us.” [1] … 

We feel arising within us this sustained declaration: We will live as beautifully, bravely, and kindly as we can as long as we can, no matter how ugly, scary, and mean the world becomes, even if failure and death seem inevitable. In fact, it is only in the context of failure and death that this virtue develops. That’s why Richard Rohr describes this kind of hope as “the fruit of a learned capacity to suffer wisely and generously. You come out much larger and that largeness becomes your hope.” [2]

We seek the consolation of the Spirit when the situation of our journey seems to lead in a direction that defies our understanding and makes hope our Way to maintain our faith and ultimate healing of our wounds.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?1 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). The Prime Motive of Love. CAC.org. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prime-motive-of-love/ 

Meditation on Matthew 8:1-4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/26/1600610/ 

Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/137? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, You Can Make Me Clean. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shirley, N. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-26-2026 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/25?

Building Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the connections we have to God and our community and the action we take to grow our relationship in Jesus Way.

Building Community

The Reading from the Prophet Nehemiah describes his Appointment by the King to restore his native city. (Nehemiah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 137 celebrates a singer who refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land

* [Psalm 137] A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land despite demands from Babylonian captors (Ps 137:1–4). The singer swears an oath by what is most dear to a musician—hands and tongue—to exalt Jerusalem always (Ps 137:5–6). The Psalm ends with a pr ayer that the old enemies of Jerusalem, Edom and Babylon, be destroyed (Ps 137:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus sets priorities for Would-be Followers.

* [9:57–62] In these sayings Jesus speaks of the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one no matter how briefly from proclaiming the kingdom of God. The first two sayings are paralleled in Mt 8:19–22; see also notes there.

* [9:60] Let the dead bury their dead: i.e., let the spiritually dead (those who do not follow) bury their physically dead. See also note on Mt 8:22. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments that these words of Jesus sound very harsh. Thinking through this reading made no sense to her. Praying with these verses opened her ears and heart– She began to hear Jesus differently.

P

ossibly, these verses are about the urgency of the Kingdom and the spiritual family of Jesus. Numerous times throughout scripture, we hear references to who is part of Jesus’ family. “…those who do the will of my Father…are (His) Jesus’ brothers, sisters and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50). This verse, among others, gives meaning to spiritual kinship over blood relationship. “Follow me”

“The kingdom is at hand,” and I want you with me. We have to be about it now. Make up your mind. Possibly harsh and callous, but carries a sense of urgency and opportunity. Jesus calls and will gently reveal my personal role in the building of the Kingdom. Will I take this opportunity or not? (Blandin Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Put to death what is earthly in you,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

"The statement 'Let the dead bury their dead' implies spiritually: Waste no more time on dead things. You are to 'put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5). These things therefore are dead. Cast them away from you. Cut them off as you would cut off gangrenous flesh to prevent the contamination of the whole body, so that you may not hear it said, 'Leave the dead [spiritually dead] to bury their dead' (Matthew 8:22). But to some it seems abnormal and contradictory that the Savior does not allow the disciple to bury his father. It seems inhumane. But Jesus does not in fact forbid people from burying the dead, but rather he puts before this the preaching of the kingdom of heaven, which makes people alive (Luke 9:60). As for burying the body, there were many people who could have done this." (excerpt from Fragment 161) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Nehemiah 2:1-8 comments that His work doesn’t always involve restoring a structure. Often it’s a relationship that needs to be rebuilt—perhaps with a family member, friend, or coworker. We may see that we are estranged from our parish or the Church at large—or even from the Lord himself. Whatever it is, God wants to bring healing!

Nehemiah accomplished a great work, but he didn’t do it alone. God gave him the courage to ask the king for help and the wisdom and stamina to see the work to completion. With his grace, God can do the same for you!

“Lord, show me what I need to rebuild, and help me to do it!” (Meditation on Nehemiah 2:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today

Fr. Mike Schmitz continues to describe Nehemiah’s process of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and encountering a variety of challenges in his calling. He explains that in doing God's work, we will often face internal or external opposition which we must meet with prayer and perseverance, trusting God entirely. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 4-5, Esther 11-12, and Proverbs 20:27-30.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how the prophetic lives of Francis and Clare shaped others through their witness.

By “living on the edge of the inside” I mean building on the solid Tradition (“from the inside”) from a new and creative stance (“on the edge”) where we cannot be co-opted for purposes of security, possessions, or the illusions of power. Francis and Clare placed themselves outside the social and ecclesiastical systems. Francis was not a priest, nor were Franciscan men to pursue priesthood in the early years of the order. Theirs was not a spirituality of earning or seeking worthiness, career, church status, moral one-upmanship, or divine favor (which they knew they already had). Within their chosen structural freedom, Francis and Clare also found personal, mental, and emotional freedom. They were free from negativity and ego. Such liberation is full gospel freedom.  

Today, most of us try to find personal and individual freedom even as we remain inside of structural boxes and a system of consumption that we are then unable or unwilling to critique. Our mortgages, luxuries, and privileged lifestyles control our whole future. Whoever is paying our bills and giving us security and status determines what we can and cannot say or even think. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to assess the systems in society that may be restricting our full response to Jesus' call to live our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-1-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?57 

Meditation on Nehemiah 2:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/01/1399013/ 

Nehemiah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/nehemiah/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/137?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/prophetic-living/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Fit for the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=oct1 

Tyrants and Lepers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present a sharp contrast between life that follows the lead of powerful tyrants and action that restores opportunity for full life to the outcast and rejected in our environment.

Care for Neighbours

The reading from the Second Letter of Kings describes the destruction of Jerusalem.

* [25:3] Ninth day of the month: the text does not say which month, but Jer 39:2 and 52:6 set the breaching of the city walls in the fourth month; in later times that was the date of a fast commemorating the event (cf. Zec 8:19). People of the land: the influential citizens (see note on 11:14); even they, whose resources went beyond those of the ordinary people, were starving.

* [25:4] The Hebrew text of this verse is missing some words. The present translation is based on a likely reconstruction.

* [25:11] Those who had deserted: perhaps on the advice of Jeremiah; cf. Jer 38:2–3.

* [25:19] People of the land: see note on 11:14. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 137 is a lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 137] A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land despite demands from Babylonian captors (Ps 137:1–4). The singer swears an oath by what is most dear to a musician—hands and tongue—to exalt Jerusalem always (Ps 137:5–6). The Psalm ends with a prayer that the old enemies of Jerusalem, Edom and Babylon, be destroyed (Ps 137:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Cleanses a Leper.

* [8:1–9:38] This narrative section of the second book of the gospel is composed of nine miracle stories, most of which are found in Mark, although Matthew does not follow the Marcan order and abbreviates the stories radically. The stories are arranged in three groups of three, each group followed by a section composed principally of sayings of Jesus about discipleship. Mt 9:35 is an almost verbatim repetition of Mt 4:23. Each speaks of Jesus’ teaching, preaching, and healing. The teaching and preaching form the content of Mt 5–7; the healing, that of Mt 8–9. Some scholars speak of a portrayal of Jesus as “Messiah of the Word” in Mt 5–7 and “Messiah of the Deed” in Mt 8–9. That is accurate so far as it goes, but there is also a strong emphasis on discipleship in Mt 8–9; these chapters have not only christological but ecclesiological import.

* [8:2] A leper: see note on Mk 1:40.

* [8:4] Cf. Lv 14:2–9. That will be proof for them: the Greek can also mean “that will be proof against them.” It is not clear whether them refers to the priests or the people. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Matthew Walsh, S.J. made his annual retreat at the Trappist monastery, New Melleray Abbey, in eastern Iowa. This recent experience gave him a good opportunity to make a retreat in a prayerful place, and to sing some of the Psalms with the community. In Psalm 137, the people lament the dreadful experience of exile.

While I was on retreat, and chanted some of the Psalms and prayers with the community, I was struck by the bond of music and prayer we have with our ancestors across the ages. And if we consider the Psalms, we see that they are filled with reference to music and song, as well as the instruments used by the community in the temple. It must have been an amazing experience to enter the temple thousands of years ago, and to hear—and sing—the songs of the community at prayer. Even more amazing, to my mind, is the notion of singing a “new song” to the Lord (as noted in Psalms 96 and 149). What might that have been like, to hear a new song with the community at prayer? I returned to my ministry after retreat with a deeper appreciation for the music and song that enriches our prayer and liturgy. What a gift we have to gather together and glorify God in song! (Walsh, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The authority to heal and make clean belongs to Christ,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"With great fervor before Jesus' knees, the leper pleaded with him (Mark 1:40) with sincere faith. He discerned who Jesus was. He did not state conditionally, 'If you request it of God' or 'If you pray for me.' Rather, he said simply, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' He did not pray, 'Lord, cleanse me.' Rather, he leaves everything to the Lord and makes his own recovery depend entirely on him. Thus he testified that all authority belongs to him. One might ask, 'What if the leper had been mistaken in this assumption?' If he had been mistaken, wouldn't it have been fitting for the Lord to reprove him and set him straight? But did he do this? No. Quite to the contrary, Jesus established and confirmed exactly what he had said." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 25:1-12 comments that life here holds great beauty and blessing as well as suffering and pain. Most importantly, it holds the ever-present help of our Father. He is our refuge and our fortress. And one day, just as he did for Israel, he will bring us home.

Today you are heading toward heaven, toward the One who made you. He invites you to stay close to him. He walks beside you and offers you strength for the journey. He will never leave your side. He will lead you home!

“Thank you, Lord, for being with me today!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 25:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler describes the completion of the exile to Babylon in 587 BCE and the blinding of Zedekiah as only the poorest were left in Jerusalem. In 539 BCE, the Persians who had captured Babylon, released the exiled peoples to return to their lands. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' fulfillment of the Law especially in addressing the need to make all things clean.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, dedicated many years of his ministry to working with men, emphasizing the importance of grieving.

Many Christians think we know God through our minds. Yet corporeal theology, body theology, indicates that perhaps weeping will allow us to know God much better than through ideas. In this Beatitude, Jesus praises the weeping class, those who can enter into solidarity with the pain of the world and not try to extract themselves from it. Weeping over our sin and the sin of the world is an entirely different mode than self-hatred or hatred of others. The “weeping mode” allows us to carry the tragic side, to bear the pain of the world without looking for perpetrators or victims. Instead, we recognize the sad reality in which both sides are trapped. Tears from God are always for everybody, for our universal exile from home. “It is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted” (Jeremiah 31:15).  (Rohr, n.d.)

We continue to need healing in which the Spirit opens our hearts to care for those in need and guides our efforts to reject tyrants in our society who advocate self interest over the wellbeing of our brothers and sisters.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?1 

Meditation on 2 Kings 25:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/28/1009809/ 

Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/137?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-healing-of-tears/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, You Can Make Me Clean. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun28 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/25?1 

Walsh, M. (2024, June 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062824.html