Strength Disguised in Weakness

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to meet the challenges of being diminished in status, wealth, or influence as an opportunity to grow even while planted in a difficult field.

Strong and True

The Reading from the Book of Nahum declares Nineveh’s Inescapable Fate

a. [3:1] Is 10:13–14; Hb 2:12. (Nahum, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from the Book of Deuteronomy is a poetic sermon, having for its theme the Lord’s benefits to Israel.

* [32:1–43] The whole song is a poetic sermon, having for its theme the Lord’s benefits to Israel (vv. 1–14) and Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry in turning to the gods of the nations; these sins will be punished by the nations themselves (vv. 15–29); in turn, the foolish pride of the nations will be punished, and the Lord’s honor will be vindicated (vv. 30–43).

* [32:36] Neither bond nor free: an all-inclusive expression; cf. 1 Kgs 14:10; 2 Kgs 9:8. (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus proclaims to deny someone is to disown him (see Mt 10:33; 26:34–35) and to deny oneself is to disown oneself as the center of one’s existence.

* [16:24] Deny himself: to deny someone is to disown him (see Mt 10:33; 26:34–35) and to deny oneself is to disown oneself as the center of one’s existence.

* [16:25] See notes on Mt 10:38, 39.

* [16:27] The parousia and final judgment are described in Mt 25:31 in terms almost identical with these.

* [16:28] Coming in his kingdom: since the kingdom of the Son of Man has been described as “the world” and Jesus’ sovereignty precedes his final coming in glory (Mt 13:38, 41), the coming in this verse is not the parousia as in the preceding but the manifestation of Jesus’ rule after his resurrection; see notes on Mt 13:38, 41. (Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Becky Nickerson reflects there is often a temptation to focus on achievement, recognition, or control. Yet Jesus’ invitation to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” reminds me that true leadership and discipleship begin with humility, trust, and a willingness to let faith guide my actions.

The call to take up my cross is not necessarily about dramatic acts of sacrifice but about the daily choices I make. As a professional, it may mean putting people before projects and leading with integrity rather than seeking personal success. As a family member and friend, it may mean being patient, present, and supportive even when it requires setting aside my own ideas or timeline. In every role I hold, following Christ pushes me to look beyond my own preferences and priorities, choosing instead to lead, serve, and love in ways that place others at the center. Through these daily acts of selflessness, I am continually shaped by God’s grace and grow in my faith. (Nickerson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Walk as Christ has walked,” by Caesarius of Arles (470-543 AD).

"When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us. But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair - by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ's promise... One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ's resurrection leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top - well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you - do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing." (excerpt from SERMONS 159, 1.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares a reflection on today's Mass readings. Nathum is a prophet who tends to be vindictive against the Assyrians who were infamous for crimes against humanity. It is one way in which the Hebrew Testament differs from Jesus' Testament. We have to follow Christ in the martyrdom of pinpricks. The Son Of Man will repay each for transgressions and there will be a time of reckoning. Friar Jude invites us to ponder the declaration in the Gospel of Matthew declares that some will not taste death until they will see the transcendent reality of Jesus and the defeat of evil.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 16:24-28 comments Jesus is asking us to follow in his footsteps—not to embrace martyrdom, unless that is the Lord’s will, but to “deny” ourselves and to “lose” our lives as we follow him (Matthew 16:24, 25). Let’s look at a common everyday situation that can help us see how the Lord might be calling us to do this.

As you do, the Holy Spirit enables you to step back from your strong reaction and viewpoint, and you begin to see things differently. Maybe you realize that you have a very different personality and way to approach life’s circumstances than the other person. Your upbringing and life experience—both positive and negative—are different from the other person’s. And the opportunities that you’ve been given—whether many or few—have given you a lens through which you view many situations, including this one.

This perspective helps you. Now you see that the best approach to the conflict is to choose humility. You resolve in your heart to “deny” yourself and “lose” your life a little bit. You decide to deny the drive to defend yourself and you lose the urge to be proven right at all costs. You decide to apologize, if necessary, and to see the good in the other person. Being right isn’t the point; following Jesus is.

How is Jesus leading you to follow in his footsteps of humility? (Meditation on Matthew 16:24-28, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on Job’s story as a source of wisdom about the path of transformation. Every movement toward union with God will feel like a loss of self-importance and self-control. We are realigned with truth when the real person meets the real God—which is exactly the stuff of spirituality, good theology, and transformation.

The book of Job ultimately assures us that faith can forever be found, like the hill of Calvary, “outside the walls.” In fact, that is where it finds its most ready soil—at the bottom, the broken, the edges of things.

If no meaning can be given to human suffering, if our wounds are not capable of becoming sacred wounds, the human project is surely doomed to a blaming war of all against all. The future, like the past, will be full of scapegoats and victims. This is no peripheral question the book of Job pursues.

Without the response from God in the whirlwind—what we might call today the sacred or transcendent dimension—life will surely be “nasty, brutish, and short” for most people in the twenty-first century. There will be no place to go to make our wounds sacred, but they will still be wounds, sore and bleeding. If there is no voice from the whirlwind, no calming eyes in the heart of the tempest, humanity can only “sit on its dung heap picking at its sores.” But in Job and in Jesus, we have heard a story that is always true, a story that makes all our wounds sacred. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the inspiration of the Spirit to accept that true leadership and discipleship begin with humility, trust, and a willingness to let faith guide our actions as we seek to demonstrate that strength can be disguised in weakness.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/32?35 

Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?24 

Meditation on Matthew 16:24-28. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/07/1640975/ 

Nahum, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/nahum/0 

Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection August 7, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-7-2026 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). From Suffering to Sacred Wounds. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/from-suffering-to-sacred-wounds/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Loses His Life for My Sake Will Find It. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 7, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Strive for the Kingdom

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to prioritize our actions by striving to live as members of the Body of Christ.

Building the Kingdom

The reading from the Second Letter of Chronicles describes the death of Joash.

Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.

* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew warns against serving Two Masters and exhorts us to Not Worry.

* [6:24] Mammon: an Aramaic word meaning wealth or property.

* [6:25–34] Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs (Mt 6:32), but forbids making them the object of anxious care and, in effect, becoming their slave.

* [6:27] Life-span: the Greek word can also mean “stature.” If it is taken in that sense, the word here translated moment (literally, “cubit”) must be translated literally as a unit not of time but of spatial measure. The cubit is about eighteen inches.

* [6:30] Of little faith: except for the parallel in Lk 12:28, the word translated of little faith is found in the New Testament only in Matthew. It is used by him of those who are disciples of Jesus but whose faith in him is not as deep as it should be (see Mt 8:26; 14:31; 16:8 and the cognate noun in Mt 17:20).

* [6:33] Righteousness: see note on Mt 3:14–15. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that life itself can be overwhelming. There are plenty of negative events each of us may face, including the death of a loved one, a divorce, losing one’s job, a serious medical diagnosis, or financial hardship.

With so much heaped upon us, where do we turn? To whom do we ask for help and guidance? Our family and friends can be a great source of support, but the best thing to do is to take our worries to the Lord. Let God know what is overwhelming you. Share your fears and anxieties with God and ask him to take them from you.

In your prayer today, acknowledge that in all things it is God who is in control, and that because of his infinite love for each of us, and because he accepts us regardless of our frailties and faults, we need not worry. With this burden off our shoulders, we can live a joyful life serving the Lord. (Scholer, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The value of life,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.

"Note the acceleration of images: just when the lilies are decked out, he no longer calls them lilies but 'grass of the field' (Matthew 6:30 ). He then points further to their vulnerable condition by saying 'which are here today.' Then he does not merely say 'and not tomorrow' but rather more callously 'cast into the oven.' These creatures are not merely 'clothed but 'so clothed' in this way as to be later brought to nothing. Do you see how Jesus everywhere abounds in amplifications and intensifications? And he does so in order to press his points home. So then he adds, 'Will he not much more clothe you?' The force of the emphasis is on 'you' to indicate covertly how great is the value set upon your personal existence and the concern God shows for you in particular. It is as though he were saying, 'You, to whom he gave a soul, for whom he fashioned a body, for whose sake he made everything in creation, for whose sake he sent prophets, and gave the law, and wrought those innumerable good works, and for whose sake he gave up his only begotten Son.'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34 asks what does it mean to seek first the kingdom? It means to seek Jesus himself. Seek him before all else, and as we do, he will change our attitudes, our priorities, and even the things we worry about. He will help us to trust in his provision. What might this look like? Let’s start with prayer.

God honors your efforts to worship him; he changes your heart so that it reflects his own. He makes it humbler, simpler, more loving. And that affects everything else.

It changes the way you relate to your family. You find joy in expecting not to be served at home but to serve your family members. When you seek to love as Jesus loves, you create a loving environment in your home, where strained relationships can be healed.

It changes the way you approach your work. You try to honor God whether or not you get rewarded for it. As you take the focus off yourself, your performance might even improve!

It changes your perspective. You start to see with Jesus’ eyes what you really need and what’s not essential. With that new outlook, you might even realize you’re the richest person in the world!

So seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Because as you do, you will receive the blessing of becoming more and more like Jesus and sharing his love in every area of your life.

“Lord, help me to seek you above all things.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how the priest who saved Joash is stoned to death as a consequence of bringing back the cult of pagan objects. Matthew expresses Jesus' proclamation that we cannot serve two masters. Friar Jude reminds us that we are in the world but not of the world when we do not forget the needs of the poor.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces indigenous author and poet Pixie Lighthorse who names the conscious care and attention we must give to our wounds in order for them to heal.

Yes, we humans can power through—and it is a most helpful skill when it is used in the short term to get through the immediate tasks at hand. Over long periods, hyper-strengthening has a tightening effect—cutting off the flow of oxygen to whatever within us is still seeking healing.  

The tissue is pale at the site where the wound is held, and my body has experienced problems in places like these. Where there is constriction, there is no air or blood flow. Our parts are cut off from the whole, separated and over-protected, if not strangulated.  

Breathe deep and long into these areas, bringing conscious awareness into the constricted focal points, warming them with your breath and even physical touch. Let your breath be deep and prolonged over tight areas; this is akin to the act of stretching muscles that have been engaged in heavy lifting, giving them space and the opportunity to repair. Growth happens on the emotional and spiritual level when you work an area and give equal time to relaxing it with the spaciousness of your care and attention.  

I allow oxygen to infuse my cells with life force,  

breathing into the constricted places in my body  

that have grown tight with fear. (Rohr, n.d.)

We may find ourselves very busy and occupied with the tasks of our daily lives and we are invited to seek the peace of guidance by the Spirit to transform our actions into movements toward fullness of life in Jesus Way.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6 

Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/22/1005562/ 

Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Scholer, S. (2024, June 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062224.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun22 

2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2chronicles/24?17 

Seed for Transformation

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of our response to the Word of God that is the seed of our transformation.

Seed for transformation

 

The reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians describes the Resurrection Body.

 * [15:35–49] Paul approaches the question of the nature of the risen body (what kind of body?) by means of two analogies: the seed (1 Cor 15:36–44) and the first man, Adam (1 Cor 15:45–49).1

Psalm 56 seeks the mercy of God in trials.

 

* [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 parts2

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches using the Parable of the Sower.

 

* [8:11–15] On the interpretation of the parable of the sower, see note on Mt 13:18–23.3 * [13:18–23] See Mk 4:14–20; Lk 8:11–15. In this explanation of the parable the emphasis is on the various types of soil on which the seed falls, i.e., on the dispositions with which the preaching of Jesus is received. The second and third types particularly are explained in such a way as to support the view held by many scholars that the explanation derives not from Jesus but from early Christian reflection upon apostasy from the faith that was the consequence of persecution and worldliness, respectively. Others, however, hold that the explanation may come basically from Jesus even though it was developed in the light of later Christian experience. The four types of persons envisaged are (1) those who never accept the word of the kingdom (Mt 13:19); (2) those who believe for a while but fall away because of persecution (Mt 13:20–21); (3) those who believe, but in whom the word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches (Mt 13:22); (4) those who respond to the word and produce fruit abundantly (Mt 13:23).4

Tom Purcell comments as people of faith, we are in a unique situation – we are both the soil that receives the seed and we are in turn sowers of seeds to others.  We are part of a process regarding the seed – receiving and (hopefully) nurturing it, and through our efforts of successful harvesting, creating new seeds to be propagated in others.

 

As Jesus reminds us, if we are persistent over the years, eventually the sowing of the seed will bear fruit in us.  If we keep trying to improve our soil (as all farmers do), eventually all the growing conditions will be favorable, and we will enjoy bumper crops.  We will be able to harvest our crops and share the seeds with others.  The key is not whether our soil conditions are favorable when we first receive the seed, but whether we persist in improving our soil so the seed will ultimately bear fruit.5

Don Schwager quotes “The Devil snatches good seed off the path,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

 

"The seed is the Word of God. Those on the way are they who have heard. Afterwards, the devil comes and takes away the Word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. We see in a moment that the hardness of the ground causes the seed on the pathways to be snatched away. A pathway always is hard and untilled, because it is exposed to every one's feet. It does not admit any seed into it, but it lies rather upon the surface, ready for any birds that will to snatch it away. All whose minds are hard and unyielding, and so to speak, pressed together, do not receive the divine seed. The divine and sacred admonition does not find an entrance into them. They do not accept the words that would produce in them the fear of God and by means of which they could bring forth as fruits the glories of virtue. They have made themselves a beaten and trampled pathway for unclean demons, yes, for Satan himself, such as never can bear holy fruit. Let those who are awake, whose heart is sterile and unfruitful, open your mind, receive the sacred seed, be like productive and well-tilled soil, bring forth to God the fruits that will raise you to an incorruptible life."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 41)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 8:4-15 comments that our experience tells us that there’s an element of each type of “soil” in each of us. From one day to the next, we might identify more closely with one or another of them.

 We all want to respond to God’s word in a fruitful way. But no matter how we respond, it is immensely encouraging to know that our heavenly Father is always sowing seeds! He never tires of speaking to us and inviting us to bear fruit for his kingdom.7

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the resurrected body as described by Paul and Karl Rahner. The Parable of the Sower echoes the Great Commandment. Friar Jude reminds us that the people in Jesus time closed their minds to even the lessons in simple parables.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that psychotherapist Carl Jung believed wounded healers developed insight and resilience from their experiences which enabled the emergence of transformation to occur. African American philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman (1900–1981) was a living example of such insight. With tenderness and pastoral concern, he reminds us that one of the most important aspects of healing is the process of offering our wounding to God.

 

Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!

The quietness in Thy Temple of Silence again and again rebuffs us:

For some there is no discipline to hold them steady in the waiting

And the minds reject the noiseless invasion of Thy Spirit.

For some there is no will to offer what is central in the thoughts—

The confusion is so manifest, there is no starting place to take hold.

For some the evils of the world tear down all concentrations

And scatter the focus of the high resolves…

Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!

Brood over our spirits, Our Father,

Blow upon whatever dream Thou hast for us

That there may glow once again upon our hearths

The light from Thy altar.

Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of lift, of release

That we may find strength for these days—

Courage and hope for tomorrow.

In confidence we rest in Thy sustaining grace

Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.

We rejoice this day to say:Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!8

Our journey from brokenness to full life is marked by receiving the Word in soil prepared for growth.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB. Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/56
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8
4	(n.d.). Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13
5	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/091920.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=sep19
7	(2020, September 19). Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial .... Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/09/19/176119/
8	(n.d.). Wounded Healers: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and .... Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://cac.org/wounded-healers-weekly-summary-2020-09-19/