Service and Survival

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to remain true to the values and teachings that guide our fullness of life in the service of love, hope, and charity.

At The Edge

The Reading from the Second Letter of Timothy is Solemn Charge to persevere to a Reward for Fidelity.

* [4:1–5] The gravity of the obligation incumbent on Timothy to preach the word can be gauged from the solemn adjuration: in the presence of God, and of Christ coming as universal judge, and by his appearance and his kingly power (2 Tm 4:1). Patience, courage, constancy, and endurance are required despite the opposition, hostility, indifference, and defection of many to whom the truth has been preached (2 Tm 4:2–5).

* [4:3] Insatiable curiosity: literally, “with itching ears.”

* [4:6] The apostle recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out in sacrifice; cf. Ex 29:38–40; Phil 2:17.

* [4:7] At the close of his life Paul could testify to the accomplishment of what Christ himself foretold concerning him at the time of his conversion, “I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).

* [4:8] When the world is judged at the parousia, all who have eagerly looked for the Lord’s appearing and have sought to live according to his teachings will be rewarded. The crown is a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the heads of victorious athletes and conquerors in war; cf. 2 Tm 2:5; 1 Cor 9:25. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 71 is a lament of an old person who remains buoyant.

* [Psalm 71] A lament of an old person (Ps 71:9, 18) whose afflictions are interpreted by enemies as a divine judgment (Ps 71:11). The first part of the Psalm pleads for help (Ps 71:1–4) on the basis of a hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God; the second part describes the menace (Ps 71:9–13) yet remains buoyant (Ps 71:14–16); the third develops the theme of hope and praise. (Psalms,CHAPTER 71 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus blesses The Poor Widow’s Contribution.

* [12:41–44] See note on Lk 21:1–4. (Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [21:1–4] The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness (Lk 6:20). Her simple offering provides a striking contrast to the pride and pretentiousness of the scribes denounced in the preceding section (Lk 20:45–47). The story is taken from Mk 12:41–44. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason asks “What does it truly mean to serve the Lord with a humble heart and soul? Today’s Gospel and first reading placed that question heavily on my heart. Do I seek validation for my time spent in service? Are my monetary contributions appropriately sized? If I truly take the time to be honest with myself, is my motivation pure? 

It can be scary to address those questions head on because human nature craves attention… Although, for each question we ask ourselves we have a decision to make. Sometimes, the vast number of decisions we are presented with as humans can feel paralyzing, but I think part of that fear comes from the unknown. We don’t know what may come of our choices, and we are nervous that it may hurt us. Modern Christians especially may feel like following Christ isolates them from society, but we have to remember that we are called to walk the narrow way. 2 Timothy urges us to remain confident and focused on our mission, emphasizing that it will be difficult. But there is also hope in the knowledge that we know what will come of choices of this nature. Every time we choose the path of our Lord, we become closer with Him on our journey to everlasting life.

Each day I am able to choose the Lord in a thousand tiny ways. I can decide to give of my time today, I can choose to show up for mass. How will you choose the Lord today? (Mason, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes Mercy and compassion are never worthless, by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"Although the spite of some people does not grow gentle with any kindness, nevertheless the works of mercy are not fruitless, and kindness never loses what is offered to the ungrateful. May no one, dearly beloved, make themselves strangers to good works. Let no one claim that his poverty scarcely sufficed for himself and could not help another. What is offered from a little is great, and in the scale of divine justice, the quantity of gifts is not measured but the steadfastness of souls. The 'widow' in the Gospel put two coins into the 'treasury,' and this surpassed the gifts of all the rich. No mercy is worthless before God. No compassion is fruitless. He has given different resources to human beings, but he does not ask different affections." (excerpt from SERMON 20.3.1.6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation was not available at publication time.

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the reading from 2 Timothy is a continuation of an exhortation to hold faithful to the Gospel. This action against the Gospel occurs later in the 1st century and is one argument against the authorship of Paul of this letter. A libation, offered to the gods, is traditionally poured out on the ground. We must be willing to pay the price for our faith. Difficulties of Christian life may occur in gossip or on the highway.  St. Thérèse of Lisieux described a “martyrdom of pin pricks” originating in the annoying things of our daily lives. The leaders are accused, by Jesus, of being in it for the honour and their pride. The poor widow has given all she had, far more consequential than giving from excess. Friar Jude asks: “What are we capable of doing?” The best we can with what we have received.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Poet Alison Davis who finds blessings for those who are on the edges of who they are and what they think they know.

“A Blessing for Those at the Edge”

Maybe you walked here.
Maybe you ran here.
Maybe you followed a trail of stones, of feathers, of flowers,
of scents, of sky.
Maybe you went afoot with the Mystery & so how you got here
is also a mystery.
But here is where you are & here
is always its own kind of blessing & here
at the edge, blessings compound.

Bless those at the edge of the river
of their heart,
full of promise.

Bless those at the edge of the morning,
singing the bright face of day
into the blue.

Bless those at the edge of what they know,
watching the old certainties crumble.

Bless those at the edge of doom,
bearing it out, as the famous bard wrote,
with or without the draw of a happy ending.

Bless those at the edge of love
of self, of other, of world,
as the way forward grows more subtle, less sound.

Bless those at the edge of language,
whose tongues & tales & names
are more pledge than guarantee.

Bless those at the edge of believing
a life can be lived at the edge. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit when we are confused about the Way in which we live a quality life that displays gratitude for our blessings in the joy of our service particularly “on the edge”.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/lk/21?1#50021001 

Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?38 

Mason, M. (2026, June 6). Daily Reflection June 6, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-6-2026 

Psalms,CHAPTER 71 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/71?8 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Beyond Binaries: Weekly Summary. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/beyond-binaries-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Poor Widow Has Put in More Than the Rest. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?1 

Regret and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to continue to trust in Providence in situations where we endure loss and rejection.

loss and rejection

In the reading from the Book of Job, he curses the day he was born.

* [3:1] His day: that is, the day of his birth.

* [3:17] There: in death.

* [3:23] Hemmed in: contrast the same verb as used in 1:10. (Job, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 88 is a prayer for help in despondency.

* [Psalm 88] A lament in which the psalmist prays for rescue from the alienation of approaching death. Each of the three stanzas begins with a call to God (Ps 88:2, 10, 14) and complains of the death that separates one from God. The tone is persistently grim.

* [88:4–8] In imagination the psalmist already experiences the alienation of Sheol. (Psalms, PSALM 88 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, a Samaritan village refuses to receive Jesus.

* [9:51–55] Just as the Galilean ministry began with a rejection of Jesus in his hometown, so too the travel narrative begins with the rejection of him by Samaritans. In this episode Jesus disassociates himself from the attitude expressed by his disciples that those who reject him are to be punished severely. The story alludes to 2 Kgs 1:10, 12 where the prophet Elijah takes the course of action Jesus rejects, and Jesus thereby rejects the identification of himself with Elijah.

* [9:51] Days for his being taken up: like the reference to his exodus in Lk 9:31 this is probably a reference to all the events (suffering, death, resurrection, ascension) of his last days in Jerusalem. He resolutely determined: literally, “he set his face.”

* [9:52] Samaritan: Samaria was the territory between Judea and Galilee west of the Jordan river. For ethnic and religious reasons, the Samaritans and the Jews were bitterly opposed to one another (see Jn 4:9). (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney quotes REM “Everybody hurts, sometimes.” It’s natural to want someone to blame. And it’s easy to want to give up. REM says, “well hang on, don’t let yourself go.”

Job, who really has a very bad time, wishes he was never even born to live through such suffering, but he doesn’t blame, and he doesn’t give up, and he knows if it doesn’t get better here on earth, it will get better after. Job’s life does actually get better here on earth (although I don’t think he is made whole – his children die and even though he ends up with more children, they are not the ones who died. You can’t get that back) and he lives a long life seeing those children and their children grow up. But he knows throughout that this world is not his, these things are not his, and his real home is where he will see God. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"It would be false to affirm that our Savior did not know what was about to happen, because he knows all things. He knew, of course, that the Samaritans would not receive his messengers. There can be no doubt of this. Why then did he command them to go before him? It was his custom to benefit diligently the holy apostles in every possible way, and because of this, it was his practice sometimes to test them... What was the purpose of this occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of his passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon him when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness. He did not want them to be offended when they saw him suffering. He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly, although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the Samaritans' hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had not received the messengers... For their benefit, he rebuked the disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is unmovable by anything like this."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 56) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:51-56 asks how often does God’s justice look like mercy instead! In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus didn’t just rebuke the disciples for asking if they should destroy the village. He also wanted them to realize that God is merciful. Maybe these Samaritans just needed more time to understand that Jesus was the Messiah. It’s even possible that after Jesus’ death and resurrection, some became his loyal followers (Acts 8:4-8).

In the end, the disciples learned the lessons that Jesus wanted to teach them. As they went out to preach the gospel after Jesus had ascended into heaven, they were slandered and persecuted. Most were martyred. But like Jesus, they didn’t fight back or retaliate. They trusted in God’s justice and mercy instead.

Today, think of a situation where you’ve been tempted to retaliate. Then pray for the person or people who hurt or rejected you. Ask the Lord to be just as merciful to them as he has been to you!

“Lord, help me to love my enemies!” (Meditation on Luke 9:51-56, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the bet that Satan made that Job would curse God, but he only curses his lot in life. The great antipathy between Jews and Samaritans meant that hospitality was not offered to Jesus and His disciples. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus seeks to forgive and build up people and not to destroy them.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how Francis, Clare, and later, Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), found a direct experience of God through humility. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who became the youngest, least educated, and most quickly designated doctor of the Church, sought this downward path, which she called “a new way” or her “little way.” 

Thérèse—lovingly called the Little Flower by most Catholics—was right, on both counts, since her way of life was indeed very new for most people and very “little” instead of the usual upward-bound Christian agenda. Doing “all the smallest things and doing them through love” was the goal for Thérèse. [1] The common path of most Christianity by her time had become based largely on perfectionism and legalism, making the good news anything but good or inviting for generations of believers. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We may face trials and troubles on our journey that will require us to trust in the Spirit to reveal truth, goodness and love that counteracts feelings of rejection and loss.

References

Job, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/3?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?51 

Meditation on Luke 9:51-56. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/01/1093683/ 

Psalms, PSALM 88 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/88?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Embracing the Little Way. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/embracing-the-little-way/

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Face Was Set toward Jerusalem. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct1 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100124.html 

Close to the Kingdom

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the depth of our attention to the Great Commandment of love for God and neighbour.

Love of God and Neighbour

The reading from the Prophet Hosea is an assurance of forgiveness.

* [14:4] These good intentions promise a reversal of Israel’s sins: no more reliance on “Assyria,” i.e., on foreign alliances (see notes on 8:9 and 12:2), on “horses,” i.e., on human power (10:13), and on idolatry (8:4–6; 13:2). Israel will trust in the Lord alone.

* [14:9] Verdant cypress tree: the symbol of lasting life, the opposite of the sacred trees of the Baal cult (4:13). The Lord provides the “fruit” (peri) to Israel (2:7, 10), another instance of the wordplay on Ephraim (see notes on 9:16 and 13:15).

* [14:10] A challenge to the reader in the style of the wisdom literature. (Hosea, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)

Psalm 81 expresses God’s Appeal to stubborn Israel.

* [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13). But if Israel repents, God will be with them once again, bestowing protection and fertility (Ps 81:14–16). (Psalms, PSALM 81, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents the First Commandment

* [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). (Mark, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley has been blessed to be exposed to an Ignatian approach/meditation of using our imagination to enter into the scripture and dialogue/experience the story as a participant not just a reader.

To my amazement, the scribes seem satisfied with His response and continue with some agreement and no one dares ask further questions. I shake my head since it is full of questions.  I have no problem with understanding the first statement as the most important commandment.  However, I’m baffled by the second – who is my neighbor? How can I love my neighbor as myself?  This certainly seems impossible.  Perhaps this is meant to be interpreted as one of those parables I’ve heard that Jesus tells. His teachings seem so matter of fact and simple in many ways but challenging to be able to live in such seemingly simple directives. I want so much to follow Him as I see others do, but how can I live up to those standards?  How can I give up what I have – my home, my belongings – and follow.  Yet, the apostles, as they are called, seem to have a contentment, a serenity that has always been elusive to me no matter how much I have.  Is that the reward for following Him?  An inner peace and new sense of priorities where the physical possessions on earth have little or no meaning and we await a more glorious kingdom.  I want to find that contentment and focus on what is most important.  I think I will tag along at least for a bit and maybe learn who my neighbor really is . . . (Shirley, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of God's love,” by Augustine of Hippo,354-430 A.D.

"Gravity keeps everything in its own place. Fire climbs up, while a stone goes down. Elements that are not in their own place are restless until they find it. This applies also to us. My weight is my love; wherever I go, I am driven by it. By the love of God we catch fire ourselves and, by moving up, find our place and our rest." (excerpt from Confessions 13,9) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 12:28-34 comments that we may think that being “not far” from the kingdom means that we are only a step or two away from entering heaven, but the truth is, God’s kingdom is all around us. And that means that we can taste its goodness every time we try to love the Lord and our neighbor. Here are some examples:

• When you offer your day to God as soon as you get out of bed, you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

• When you forgive the family member who slights you, you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

• When you stop off at church during lunch and spend five minutes before the Blessed Sacrament, you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

• When your coworker mentions a need in her family, and you promise to pray for that need—or even offer to pray with her—you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

• When you stop what you’re doing yet again to comfort your child during a thunderstorm, you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

• When you remember that your friend’s spouse died on this date last year and you pray for him and call to check in on him, you aren’t far from the kingdom of God.

God’s kingdom is a lot closer than we often realize. It’s only a matter of living in his love.

“Jesus, thank you for bringing your kingdom to earth!” (Meditation on Mark 12:28-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the call of Hosea to return to the Lord, Who is always ready to forgive. Hosea presented the Covenant in terms of a marriage. The Great Commandment is part of the Shema Israel, through which our intellect, our persecution in life, and our physical possessions are given to serve God. Friar Jude reminds us that our liturgy needs to be an expression of the love we are already living and want to live.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares what drew him to Teresa of Ávila. He describes the gifts of mystical experience. 

Where can we expect to go in life if we follow this way of perfection? What are its fruits? When we are enjoying deep union, we won’t need to create divisions, mistrust, and separation.  

True spiritual encounter changes our politics, our attitude toward money, our use of time, our relationships toward foreigners and the weak, our attitude toward war and nationalism. We are citizens of God’s Big Kingdom now (see Philippians 3:20). Be prepared to have a very different lifestyle afterward.  

If you are not ready to change, don’t seek out God. Once we have one sincere moment of divine union, we will want to spend all our time on the one thing necessary, which is to grow deeper and deeper in love every chance that we get.  

Talk to those who have had a near-death, or nearing-death, experience. They all agree: it’s all about love. It’s all about union.  

Saint Teresa of Ávila and her Way of Perfection are time-tested, reliable guides to this life: 

Of love, nonattachment, and humility. 

Of letting go, entering luminous darkness, and being ambushed by the Lover of the Cosmos. 

Of recognizing union on the other side of fading dualisms. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to integrate our practice of love, non attachment, and humility into our observance of the Great Commandment.

References

Hosea, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/14?2 

Mark, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?28 

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/17/632673/ 

Psalms, PSALM 81. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Let Nothing Frighten You. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/let-nothing-frighten-you-2023-03-17/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar17 

Shirley, N. (2023, March 17). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031723.html