Favour and Surrender

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the preparation we need to respond “yes” to nudges of the Spirit to bring Christ into our environment.

St Mary's Basilica 

In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah he gives Ahaz the Sign of Immanuel.

* [7:14] Isaiah’s sign seeks to reassure Ahaz that he need not fear the invading armies of Syria and Israel in the light of God’s promise to David (2 Sm 7:12–16). The oracle follows a traditional announcement formula by which the birth and sometimes naming of a child is promised to particular individuals (Gn 16:11; Jgs 13:3). The young woman: Hebrew ‘almah designates a young woman of marriageable age without specific reference to virginity. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew term as parthenos, which normally does mean virgin, and this translation underlies Mt 1:23. Emmanuel: the name means “with us is God.” Since for the Christian the incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s willingness to “be with us,” it is understandable that this text was interpreted to refer to the birth of Christ. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 40 offers thanksgiving for Deliverance and a Prayer for Help.

* [Psalm 40] A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17). (Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims One Sacrifice instead of Many.

* [10:1–10] Christian faith now realizes that the Old Testament sacrifices did not effect the spiritual benefits to come but only prefigured them (Heb 10:1). For if the sacrifices had actually effected the forgiveness of sin, there would have been no reason for their constant repetition (Heb 10:2). They were rather a continual reminder of the people’s sins (Heb 10:3). It is not reasonable to suppose that human sins could be removed by the blood of animal sacrifices (Heb 10:4). Christ, therefore, is here shown to understand his mission in terms of Ps 40:5–7, cited according to the Septuagint (Heb 10:5–7). Jesus acknowledged that the Old Testament sacrifices did not remit the sins of the people and so, perceiving the will of God, offered his own body for this purpose (Heb 10:8–10). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, the Birth of Jesus is Foretold.

* [1:26–38] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:11–12, 26–29) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). After the announcement is made (Lk 1:14–17, 31–33) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (Lk 1:32–33) and Son of God (Lk 1:32, 35).

* [1:32] Son of the Most High: cf. Lk 1:76 where John is described as “prophet of the Most High.” “Most High” is a title for God commonly used by Luke (Lk 1:35, 76; 6:35; 8:28; Acts 7:48; 16:17).

* [1:34] Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child (Lk 1:35). According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God.

* [1:36–37] The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that Mary listened, heard, reacted humanly and responded generously. She did not stop these elements of a relationship of trust and surprises.Now to our living and listening these days in the Second Week of Lent. We are encouraged to reflect on just to what we are listening ourselves.

There are sounds, voices, noises which are quite harmful to our living receptively. I am not suggesting total silence or withdrawal from life. I do suggest withdrawing from what is not life, not grace, not relational. What takes me down? The downer we feel, the less relational we become. I know of families who are divided by politics and so are divided, separated, angry and dismissive. I wonder to what they have been listening which makes them unavailable to listen to each other.  Doesn’t sound like Easter at all, but it does sound like it does keep us separated from what separates us from our better selves, our graceful presence. (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Do you wish to be great?”, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Just imagine the incredible kindness and mercy! He was the only Son, but He did not want to remain alone. So that humans might be born of God God was born of humans. Begotten of God is He through Whom we were created - Born of a woman is He through Whom we are to be re-created. The Word first wished to be born of humans, so that you might be assured of being born of God" (excerpt from Sermon on John 2, 13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 comments that ,in contrast with Ahaz, Mary does not weary God. She responds to the angel’s announcement with faith and trust. She asks him how such a marvelous thing will happen. But when the angel says that “nothing will be impossible for God,” she simply replies, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:37, 38).

We might struggle to have the same faith and trust that Mary had. But remember: God has already done the impossible for you. He has given you Emmanuel, the One who became man to save you from your sins and to be with you into eternity. Today, as you celebrate this special feast, thank God for his love and faithfulness. Then ask for the grace to trust in all his promises!

“Holy Mary, teach me to place all my trust in your son!” (Meditation on Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the strategy of Isaiah to influence Ahaz to trust in God by naming his child Emmanuel or “God is with us”. Hebrews proclaims the sacrifice of Christ as replacing the transfusion of life in the blood of bulls and goats with the one sacrifice of the Son. The worthiness of Mary resonates with her fullness of grace being expressed in the perfect tense in Greek. Friar Jude notes that the example of Mary, the New Ark of the Covenant, shows us the Way to surrender to make Jesus present.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC Faculty Emerita Cynthia Bourgeault who has spent decades teaching the practice of Centering Prayer.

For over forty years now, the following four guidelines have successfully introduced tens of thousands of people worldwide to Centering Prayer: 

1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. 

2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within. 

3. When engaged with your thoughts [including body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections], return ever-so-gently to the sacred word. 

4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. [1] 

Father Thomas Keating suggests praying for twenty minutes twice a day. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder our favour with God and seek the guidance of the Spirit to respond with “yes” to invitations to surrender to the Will of God.

References

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032525.html 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10?4 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?10 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?26 

Meditation on Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/25/1234759/ 

Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/40?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Centering Prayer. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/centering-prayer/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Have Found Favor with God. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar25a 

Stream of Conscious Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider the opportunities for growth we may have rejected through pride or misunderstanding.

Healing Environment

The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the Healing of Naaman.

* [5:1] Leper: the terms traditionally translated “leper” and “leprosy” covered a wide variety of skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrhea, but probably not Hansen’s disease (modern “leprosy”); there is no clear evidence of its existence in biblical times.

* [5:12] Wash in them and be cleansed: typical of the ambiguity in ritual healing or cleanliness. The muddy waters of the Jordan are no match hygienically for the mountain spring waters of Damascus; ritually, it is the other way around. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 42 expresses longing for God and His Help in Distress.

* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds. (Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

* [4:25–26] The references to Elijah and Elisha serve several purposes in this episode: they emphasize Luke’s portrait of Jesus as a prophet like Elijah and Elisha; they help to explain why the initial admiration of the people turns to rejection; and they provide the scriptural justification for the future Christian mission to the Gentiles.

* [4:26] A widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon: like Naaman the Syrian in Lk 4:27, a non-Israelite becomes the object of the prophet’s ministry. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Leonard asks a few questions. How many of us have doubted God’s plans for us even up until the last second? Tried to avoid the way he was nudging us or complained and prayed for anything different to happen. Have we thanked and worshiped God only after we got what we wanted?

We should take heart, though, because we are no less worthy of God’s love and attention, as Naaman was. We may occasionally stray from the path of his direction, but God will seek out the one to bring them home. My prayer today is that we may have the fortitude to praise the Lord through our trials. To spend consistent time in prayer listening to God so that we might discern our path. Finally, that we may serve all those in need, and be happy for those who receive God’s grace. (Leonard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Could anyone refuse to love our God?”, by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all his ways? Could anyone deny love to him who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love the God who so loved us as to send his only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?" (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15 comments that many times the Lord doesn’t do what we think he should do. As he did with Naaman, he asks us to go beyond what’s familiar or comfortable. Those are times when our faith can grow. We might think we know better. But as we humbly listen to the Lord—even when he’s speaking to us in ways we don’t expect—we have the chance to encounter him more deeply.

Maybe something like this has happened to you: you went to Confession, and the priest gave you a penance that didn’t make sense to you. But as you followed his direction, God blessed you in an unexpected way. Or maybe you were confused or struggling, and words of wisdom came from someone you would never have consulted—maybe even your own teenager. But as you took them to heart, God brought you peace or clarity.

Today, ask the Lord to help you see these opportunities when they present themselves. Say yes to humility. You will never regret it.

“Lord, help me to be humble enough to see how you might be working unexpectedly in my life!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the difficulty of Naaman the Syrian with the healing offered by Elisha, in the Jordan river, without recognizing the warrior’s status. At that time, the Israelites were mostly henotheists, worshipping Yahweh, but recognizing other gods. Friar Jude suggests that Jesus passing through the crowd in Nazareth may not have been supernatural.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages regular contemplative practice. In contemplation, we move beneath thoughts and sensations to the level of pure being and naked awareness. Inspired by Father Thomas Keating (1923–2018), the founder of Contemplative Outreach, Fr. Richard developed this exercise.

Imagine you are sitting on a riverbank. Boats and ships—thoughts, feelings, and sensations—are sailing past. While the stream flows by your inner eye, name each of these vessels. For example, one of the boats could be called “my anxiety about tomorrow.” Or along comes the ship “objections to my husband” or the boat “I don’t do that well.” Every judgment that you let pass is one of those boats; take time to name each one and then allow them move down the river.  

This can be a difficult exercise because you’re used to jumping aboard the boats—your thoughts—immediately. As soon as you own a boat and identify with it, it picks up energy. This is a practice in un-possessing, detaching, letting go. With every idea, with every image that comes into your head, say, “No, I’m not that; I don’t need that; that’s not me.”  

Sometimes, a boat turns around and heads back upstream to demand your attention again. It’s hard not to get hooked by habitual thoughts. Sometimes you’ll be tempted to torpedo your boats. But don’t attack them. Don’t hate them or condemn them. Contemplation is also an exercise in nonviolence. The point is to recognize your thoughts, which are not you, and to say, “That’s not something I need.” But do it very amiably. As you learn to handle your own soul tenderly and lovingly, you’ll be able to carry this same loving wisdom out into the world. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the issues and concerns that preoccupy our thoughts and implore the Spirit to assist our reconsideration that precedes healing.

References

Leonard, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032425.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24 

Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/24/1232390/ 

Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Simple Practice. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-practice/

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Power to Heal and Cleanse. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar24 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?1