Checking our path

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today bridge our contemplation between real daily sorrow and reconciliation and our mystical connection to people and the evolution of oneness with the eternal Life of Christ.

Checking our path

The Prophet Ezekiel emphasizes the role of personal responsibility for our struggle to overcome evil with good.

 * [18:25] The LORD’s way is not fair: this chapter rejects the idea that punishment is transferred from one generation to the next and emphasizes individual responsibility and accountability.1

Psalm 130 is named the “De profundis” and is a traditional prayer for the departed.

* [Psalm 130] This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1–2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3–4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5–6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7–8).2 

In the Gospel from Matthew Jesus teaching about anger invites contemplation of how we can separate ourselves from others in our actions that originate in anger.

* [5:22–26] Reconciliation with an offended brother is urged in the admonition of Mt 5:23–24 and the parable of Mt 5:25–26 (//Lk 12:58–59). The severity of the judge in the parable is a warning of the fate of unrepentant sinners in the coming judgment by God.3

The Poem of the Day on the You Mattered website is “Sometimes” by Colleen Ranney.

Sometimes I catch a glimpse, In softened waves of blue My child, my heart …when I see a smile I can’t help but think of you4 

In memory

Tamora Whitney shares that we are not a mistake and if we start off on the wrong track, we can change our path, and change our lives.

 But there’s a responsibility that goes along with that. We are held responsible for our choices. We should use our powers for good instead of evil. And we cannot make justifications. We need to own up to our mistakes and make the appropriate changes. In the gospel Jesus says that we cannot act only to the letter of the law, but instead must go to the intent. We can’t say, well, I never actually killed anyone so I haven’t done anything bad. But what if we wished the person dead? What if we held animosity for that person? We need to examine our actions and our motives. Where have we made mistakes, and what can we do better. We are not mistakes, and we can change our lives for the better.5

Don Schwager quotes “Are you ashamed to ask pardon?” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "How many there are who know that they have sinned against their brothers or sisters and yet are unwilling to say: 'Forgive me.' They were not ashamed to sin, but they are ashamed to ask pardon. They were not ashamed of their evil act, but they blush where humility is concerned." (excerpt from Sermon 211,4)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:20-26 connects with the mysticism of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings that centers around a magical ring that gives its wearers a dark power over others.

 That’s why we need to take Jesus’ warning about anger seriously. He describes a scenario in which anger leads to a man being thrown in prison. Tolkien’s ring has the power to, as the book says, “in the darkness bind them.” Similarly, we can bind people in darkness when we let our anger harden into bitterness and resentment. But ironically, we too are left bound up and in spiritual darkness if we persist. We end up in a kind of prison of our own making.7

Stan Williams quotes J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision."

 Like all Christians, Frodo is called to risk his life through great peril to save others. Frodo, like us, does not appear to be up to the task. He does not have any obvious talent suited for war. But he is chosen, as we are. We are all necessary for God's grand plan to be fulfilled; and even the most unlikely and disgusting Gollum-like beast in our life is necessary. And when Frodo asks, "What can a little hobbit do?" — Isaiah answers, "A little child will lead them" (11:6).8

Crossing

Friar Jude Winkler understands a call for consistency in the text from Ezekiel. God is a loving parent who sometimes is broken hearted over His children. Friar Jude draws our attention to our call to avoid the “letter of the Law” scrupulous attitude of the Pharisees as become more aware of our responsibility to avoid generating the anger that divides.

Ilia Delio explores what it means to consciously, intentionally participate in evolution. In the spirit of Sister Ilia, we choose to be whole and to be attentive to God’s ongoing work in our lives. God invites us to become more whole within ourselves so that we may become more whole among ourselves.

References

1	(n.d.). Ezekiel 18, chapter 18 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved March 15, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Ezekiel/18:21
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 130. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Psalms/130:1
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 5. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/5:20
4	(n.d.). De Profundis | Grief Resources - YouMattered.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from http://youmattered.com/resources/?artID=41
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved March 15, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 1st Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 15, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/15
8	(n.d.). 20 Ways The Lord of the Rings Is Both Christian and Catholic. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/art/20-ways-the-lord-of-the-rings-is-both-christian-and-catholic.html
9	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 15, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Connections to Infinity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today point to a connectedness that is in the mystical realm where we may experience God in mercy and joy as recipients of grace that continues to restore creation.

Good friends witness to our strengths

In the Book of Exodus, Moses describes learning the depth with which God maintains His people in spite of rejection.

* [32:11–13] Moses uses three arguments to persuade the Lord to remain faithful to the Sinai covenant even though the people have broken it: (1) they are God’s own people, redeemed with God’s great power; (2) God’s reputation will suffer if they are destroyed; (3) the covenant with Abraham still stands. The Lord’s change of mind is a testimony to Israel’s belief in the power of intercessory prayer.

The religious authorities in the Gospel of John are blind to the evidence of Jesus connection to the Father.

* [5:32] Another: likely the Father, who in four different ways gives testimony to Jesus, as indicated in the verse groupings Jn 5:33–34, 36, 37–38, 39–40.

Jeanne Schuler shares the concerns of John Kavanaugh, S.J., about the idols of consumer society. She reminds us that persons are known by the company they keep.  Good friends witness to our strengths and help us to face our weakness.

We too get ensnared by shiny things.  John Kavanaugh, S.J., wrote about the idols of consumer society: Things are not woundable.  They do not bleed or suffer or die. And the culture that enthrones things, products, objects as its most cherished realities is ultimately a culture in flight from the vulnerability of the human person. Idols bring disorder.  What matters more than prayer, simplicity, and community is the drive to produce, compete, and consume. Society should be directed at persons and the gifts of creation. The idol cons us: it promises salvation but delivers emptiness and violence.  Once money defines reality, creatures get tossed aside.

Don Schwager writes that God reveals himself to the lowly of heart through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who opens our ears so that we may hear his voice and he fills our hearts and minds with the love and knowledge of God. He quotes Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.)

"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not ones who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, and something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for study."

Friar Jude Winkler identifies some chutzpah in the intervention of Moses with God around the Golden calf. Jesus is that which God had always intended. This revelation of the Father is witnessed by Moses and the works of Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Joanna Macy who vividly reconnects our seemingly separate selves with nature, both present and past.

Unless you have some roots in a spiritual practice that holds life sacred and encourages joyful communion with all your fellow beings, facing the enormous challenges ahead becomes nearly impossible. .

Father Richard offers thoughts on the consequence of expanding our self-interest to include other beings in the body of the Earth, This widens our window on time. It enlarges our temporal context, freeing us from identifying our goals and rewards solely in terms of our present lifetime. The life pouring through us, pumping our heart and breathing through our lungs, did not begin at our birth or conception. Like every particle in every atom and molecule of our bodies, it goes back through time to the first splitting and spinning of the stars. The mystical power of the Word includes the ability to speak to us about today.

It is the one year anniversary of the death of my nephew, Shawn and phrases from the commentators today resonate with his short, 30 year life.

Shawn Donald Macpherson

He discovered some of the shallowness in the idols of consumer society as he experienced good friends who witnessed to his strengths and helped him to face his weaknesses. The chutzpah of Moses reminds us of his wisdom and wit in interactions with people. He drew strength from his connections to nature in the mountains, on the lakes and by the sea and from this strength  expanded his self-interest to include other beings. His atomic and molecular connection to the universe goes back through time to the first splitting and spinning of the stars and continues in the mystical domain that is near enough to influence our lives for good today. (https://davmacit.blogspot.ca/2017/03/the-finish-carpenter-completes-journey.html )

References


(n.d.). Exodus, chapter 32 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus32:45

(n.d.). John, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john5:51

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved March 15, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

The Finish Carpenter completes the journey of creating love

Joseph and saying "yes"