Called to Be A Great Nation

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Canada Day, resonate with themes of the question of what makes a great nation.

Faith and A Great Nation

The Reading from the Prophet Amos contains a double appeal to “seek” the Lord .

* [5:1–17] These verses form a chiastic section beginning and ending with a lament over Israel (vv. 2, 16–17) and containing a double appeal to “seek” the Lord (vv. 4, 14). This editorial arrangement gives the whole section a negative cast, in effect nullifying the only hopeful verse in Amos (v. 15). Israel is as good as dead.

* [5:21–27] The prophet does not condemn cultic activity as such but rather the people’s attempt to offer worship with hands unclean from oppression of their fellow Israelites (cf. Ps 15:2–5; 24:3–4). But worship from those who disregard justice and righteousness (v. 24) is never acceptable to the God of Israel. Through the Sinai covenant the love of God and the love of neighbor are inextricably bound together. (Amos, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 50 presents what is required of the faithful and rebukes the hypocritical worshiper

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals the Gadarene Demoniacs.

* [8:28] Gadarenes: this is the reading of Codex Vaticanus, supported by other important textual witnesses. The original reading of Codex Sinaiticus was Gazarenes, later changed to Gergesenes, and a few versions have Gerasenes. Each of these readings points to a different territory connected, respectively, with the cities Gadara, Gergesa, and Gerasa (modern Jerash). There is the same confusion of readings in the parallel texts, Mk 5:1 and Lk 8:26; there the best reading seems to be “Gerasenes,” whereas “Gadarenes” is probably the original reading in Matthew. The town of Gadara was about five miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, and Josephus (Life 9:42) refers to it as possessing territory that lay on that sea. Two demoniacs: Mark (5:1–20) has one.

* [8:29] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Before the appointed time: the notion that evil spirits were allowed by God to afflict human beings until the time of the final judgment is found in Enoch 16:1 and Jubilees 10:7–10.

* [8:30] The tending of pigs, animals considered unclean by Mosaic law (Lv 11:6–7), indicates that the population was Gentile. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeanne Schuler of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, notes that as the United States celebrates her nation’s founding, what appears exceptional is entwined with injustice. 

 

We are a remarkable nation settled by immigrants and dedicated to freedom.  We are a nation that enslaved Africans to grow prosperous and decimated native people by taking their land.  Our achievements fill us with pride; what underlies the hoopla unsettles us.  Both matter.  Like our ancestors, we cannot be complacent.  There is work to be done.

In the gospel, two persons are ravaged by destructive spirits.  Their rage and violence make travel near the tombs dangerous.  How do we determine what is good?  Jesus shows mercy to both the men and spirits.  He heals those afflicted with madness and heeds the pleas of the spirits to enter the swine.  Pigs were seen by Jewish people as unclean.  The townspeople, however, view the herd’s demise differently. (Schuler, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ is triumphant over the forces of demons,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)

"[Jesus] said to them, 'Go!' The foul-smelling animals are delivered up, not at the will of the demons but to show how savage the demons can become against humans. They ardently seek to destroy and dispossess all that is, acts, moves and lives. They seek the death of people. The ancient enmity of deep-rooted wrath and malice is in store for the human race. Demons do not give up easily unless they are forcibly overcome. They are doing the harm they are ordered to do. Therefore the foul-smelling animals are delivered up that it may be made clear to the demons that they have permission to enter the swine but not to enter humans. It is by our vices that we empower them to do harm. Similarly, by our power of faith we tread on the necks of demons. They become subject to us under Christ who is triumphant." (excerpt from SERMONS 16.8)

[Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD) was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 comments that God is calling us to “seek good.” He is calling us to actively look for ways we can build up our loved ones and relieve other people’s suffering.

So take the time to listen to a friend who is struggling, and offer to pray with them. Invite a coworker out for coffee, and let them sense how valuable they are to the Lord. Show up with some groceries at the door of a neighbor with financial troubles—or invite them over for dinner.

Seek good! Love the Lord and love your neighbor! It’s the most joy-filled, fulfilling life you’ll ever know!

“Lord, help me to seek and do good to others.” (Meditation on Amos 5:14-15, 21-24, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the reading from Amos proclaims conversion for the people from evil to good. Amos proclaims that  God is sick of hypocritical worship and going through motions without change for the poor of the country who live in great contrast to the rich. Amos warns that we can’t bribe God. The healing of the demoniacs in Matthew 28 is a parallel to the account in Mark even though there are two demonics in two different events. The demonics were living in a location where the Jews thought was unclean. The “Son of God” is a true recognition from the demonics possessed by spiritual creatures who knew Jesus' divinity.  Swine was raised by non Jews who drowned themselves because the demons caused them to flee Jesus. Friar Jude comments that they beg Jesus to leave the neighbourhood and are frightened by the potential for loss of their herds.

The reflection from the Centre for Contemplation and Action, founded by Father Richard Rohr, OFM, today begins with two quotes.

I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

—Genesis 12:1–4

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

—John 3:16

Brian McLaren reflects on how God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–4 softened the exclusive way his evangelical tradition has sometimes interpreted John 3:16. McLaren summarizes the way that John 3:16 has often been taught, and contrasts it with the biblical message of blessing, which is always to love and bless others.

That is the way many people [have been] taught John 3:16. All you have to do is raise your hand, say yes to the privileges promised to those who are chosen, and you will be pronounced as a “born again Christian,” which means you would have a free ticket to safety, security, and enjoyment in heaven for yourself and yourself alone, forever.

But that is not what Genesis 12 or John 3:16 are actually about, contrary to a very popular belief. God chooses Abram, not for elite and exclusive privilege for his descendants alone, but for deep responsibility and service for all the nations of the world. God chooses Abram not to the exclusion of others, but to the benefit and blessing of others. As Lesslie Newbigin said, you can’t claim God’s blessings for yourself, your race, your culture, or your religion, and leave out and “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”…

God’s desire, Jesus says, is not to condemn everyone or anyone, but to save everyone. In other words, divine blessing is not exclusive; it is instrumental. We are not blessed to the exclusion of others; we are blessed to be a blessing to others, so that through us, others can be included in the generous circle of divine blessing. (McLaren, n.d.)

We invoke the Holy Spirit as we contemplate the characteristics of the people of a great nation who reject hypocritical worship and injustice. People of great nations free injured people from demons and put into action God's blessing for all the people of the world.

References

Amos, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/5? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?28 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-came-for-everyone/ 

Meditation on Amos 5:14-15, 21-24. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/01/1606059/ 

Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50? 

Schuler, J. (2026, July 1). Daily Reflection July 1, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-1-2026 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Frees Those Who Are Bound Up. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Restoration Now

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense for the need to begin restoration of righteousness and peace now, as Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States, takes office today.

A need for peace and righteousness

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The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews describes the righteousness and peace connected with the Priestly Order of Melchizedek.

* [7:1–3] Recalling the meeting between Melchizedek and Abraham described in Gn 14:17–20, the author enhances the significance of this priest by providing the popular etymological meaning of his name and that of the city over which he ruled (Heb 7:2). Since Genesis gives no information on the parentage or the death of Melchizedek, he is seen here as a type of Christ, representing a priesthood that is unique and eternal (Heb 7:3).1 

Psalm 110 is assurance of victory for God’s Priest-King.

* [Psalm 110] A royal Psalm in which a court singer recites three oracles in which God assures the king that his enemies are conquered (Ps 110:1–2), makes the king “son” in traditional adoption language (Ps 110:3), gives priestly status to the king and promises to be with him in future military ventures (Ps 110:4–7).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus has compassion for the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.

* [3:1–5] Here Jesus is again depicted in conflict with his adversaries over the question of sabbath-day observance. His opponents were already ill disposed toward him because they regarded Jesus as a violator of the sabbath. Jesus’ question Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil? places the matter in the broader theological context outside the casuistry of the scribes. The answer is obvious. Jesus heals the man with the withered hand in the sight of all and reduces his opponents to silence; cf. Jn 5:17–18.3

 

Edward Morse queries whether they reflected on the implications of Jesus’ question, perhaps reordering it to ask: “Is it lawful to do evil on the sabbath rather than to do good, to destroy life rather than to save it?”

 

Signs can give us useful information, but so can our responses to them.  If we are open to repentance, we can change our ways before we reach a bad end.  But if we close our eyes to them, woe unto us.  God has not left himself without witnesses.  What is our response?

Lord, help us to recognize signs in our midst that reveal your mind and your work.  When we stray, help us find our way back to you.  When we experience anger and grief, help us to respond with signs of your love, helping, restoring, and healing.  Give us faith, hope, and charity we need to persevere until that day when your Kingdom comes in fullness.  Thanks be to God.4

Don Schwager quotes “The tender compassion of the Lord,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.

"Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, 'Come here.' Then he challenged the Pharisees as to whether it would be lawful to do good on the sabbath. Note the tender compassion of the Lord when he deliberately brought the man with the withered hand right into their presence (Luke 6:8). He hoped that the mere sight of the misfortune might soften them, that they might become a little less spiteful by seeing the affliction, and perhaps out of sorrow mend their own ways. But they remained callous and unfeeling. They preferred to do harm to the name of Christ than to see this poor man made whole. They betrayed their wickedness not only by their hostility to Christ, but also by their doing so with such contentiousness that they treated with disdain his mercies to others." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.1)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:1-6 comments the truth is, anger is not always bad. In fact, sometimes it can be good. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that righteous anger is a strong reaction to injustice, and its purpose is to move us to correct whatever wrong we have witnessed.

Jesus should be our model for the kind of anger that can spur us to positive action. In today’s Gospel, his anger moved him to take action. He didn’t allow his anger to fester, nor did he let it explode into rage. Rather, he controlled it with the grace of the Spirit and channeled it for good. Notice that Jesus also felt sadness about his enemies’ lack of compassion—Mark says he was angry and “grieved” at their hardhearted attitude (3:5). In a way, righteous anger always includes a sense of sadness over whatever injustice we are seeing.6 

Friar Jude Winkler explores the connection of Christ to the priesthood of Melchizedek, and the qualities of peace and righteousness. Jesus acts immediately with compassion rather than wait until the Sabbath ends to heal the man. Friar Jude urges us to recognize good even when we see it in those who oppose our ways.

 

 Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares his connection to Brazilian Archbishop Dom Hélder Câmara (1909‒1999) who was a truly saintly man and one of Fr. Richard’s heroes for the Gospel. Although many are not familiar with him today, he was well-known in his lifetime for his love for the poor and his embrace of nonviolence.

When you look at our continent [of South America], where more than two-thirds of the people live in sub-human conditions as a result of injustices, and when you see that the same situation is repeated all over the world, how can you help wanting to work towards human liberation? Just as the Father, the Creator, wants us to be co-creators, so the Son, the Redeemer, wants us to be co-redeemers. So it is up to us to continue the work of liberation begun by the Son: the liberation from sin and the consequences of sin, the liberation from egoism and the consequences of egoism. That is what the theology of liberation means to us, and I see no reason why anyone should be afraid of a true, authentic theology of liberation. [1]7

 

Transition to peace and righteousness is always core to our transformation as disciples of Jesus as we work to bring justice for all.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Hebrews, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/7
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 110 | USCCB. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/110
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012021.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=jan20
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/01/20/180643/
7	(2021, January 17). Theme: Liberation - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://cac.org/themes/liberation/