Belonging Believing and Bias

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary challenge us to awareness of the potential cost of our commitment to the Way of Jesus.

Consider the Cost

The Reading from the Second Book of Maccabees describes the Martyrdom of Eleazar.

* [6:18–7:42] The stories of Eleazar and of the mother and her seven sons, among the earliest models of “martyrology,” were understandably popular. Written to encourage God’s people in times of persecution, they add gruesome details to the record of tortures, and place long speeches in the mouths of the martyrs. (2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 3 hopes for God’s protection.

* [Psalm 3] is an individual lament complaining of enemies who deny that God will come to the rescue (Ps 3:2–3). Despite such taunts the psalmist hopes for God’s protection even in sleep (Ps 3:4–7). The Psalm prays for an end to the enemies’ power to speak maliciously (Ps 3:8) and closes peacefully with an expression of trust (Ps 3:9). (Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus encounter with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector.

* [19:1–10] The story of the tax collector Zacchaeus is unique to this gospel. While a rich man (Lk 19:2), Zacchaeus provides a contrast to the rich man of Lk 18:18–23 who cannot detach himself from his material possessions to become a follower of Jesus. Zacchaeus, according to Luke, exemplifies the proper attitude toward wealth: he promises to give half of his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8) and consequently is the recipient of salvation (Lk 19:9–10).

* [19:9] A descendant of Abraham: literally, “a son of Abraham.” The tax collector Zacchaeus, whose repentance is attested by his determination to amend his former ways, shows himself to be a true descendant of Abraham, the true heir to the promises of God in the Old Testament. Underlying Luke’s depiction of Zacchaeus as a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jews (Lk 1:73; 16:22–31), is his recognition of the central place occupied by Israel in the plan of salvation.

* [19:10] This verse sums up for Luke his depiction of the role of Jesus as savior in this gospel. (Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Desiree Nownes comments that today’s readings are about doing what is right for the betterment of all, no matter the cost. Both Eleazar and Jesus know what standing up and speaking the truth will cost.

The gospel teaches us several real lessons:

1. No one is beyond God’s reach; Even the most unredeemed can be forgiven.

2. Encountering God’s love can change lives; Real faith is action, generosity, and justice.

3. God sees us all; God’s love is intimate and personal.

4. God’s grace is transformational; Acceptance and forgiveness inspire change.

5. The mission for us all as Christians is to find the lost, lonely, and suffering who have lost their way, to forgive them, and bring them home to Christ.

Be good to one another. God’s grace allows us to do great things. Be a person of integrity and lead with character.

“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” ― Frederick Douglass (Nownes, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “To see Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"Come and let us see what was the method of Zacchaeus's conversion. He desired to see Jesus and therefore climbed into a sycamore tree, and so a seed of salvation sprouted within him. Christ saw this with the eyes of deity. Looking up, he also saw Zacchaeus with the eyes of humanity, and since it was his purpose for all to be saved, he extends his gentleness to him. To encourage him, he says, 'Come down quickly.' Zacchaeus searched to see Christ, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people but of his sins. He was short of stature, not merley in a bodily point of view but also spiritually. He could not see him unless he were raised up from the earth and climbed into the sycamore, by which Christ was about to pass. The story contains a puzzle. In no other way can a person see Christ and believe in him except by climbing up into the sycamore, by making foolish his earthly members of fornication, uncleanness, etc." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 127) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:1-10 invites us to imagine Zacchaeus’ amazement as he scrambles down from that tree to receive Jesus “with joy” (Luke 19:6). He takes no thought of his readiness; he just wants to welcome the Lord. Instead of hiding or delaying Jesus’ visit, he allows the Lord to love him as he is: a sinner in need of mercy. Through that encounter with divine love, Zaccheaus’ heart is changed—and that interior change will transform the way he lives. 

So how can you receive Jesus with joy today instead of holding back in fear at what he might uncover? Remember that as he did with Zaccheaus, Jesus sees past your sins. He loves you and longs to dwell with you. So welcome him. Let him cleanse and heal your heart. Let his love change you from the inside out. The reward will be priceless: union with the Son of God!

“Jesus, help me to welcome you into my heart with joy.”(Meditation on Luke 19:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that 2 Maccabees presents persecution against Jewish people by the Seleucid Empire as an example. Eleazar refuses the pretence of eating pork as the young people will be scandalized. Perhaps being a model of courage and virtue is the key to our golden years as an example of goodness and kindness. Tax collection for the Romans was by agents who had no incentive for honesty and Zaccheaus was taking a risk of injury as a hated agent. Jesus declares Zaccheaus a child of Israel to whom salvation has come.  This is a realized eschatology where we are experiencing salvation now and there is more to come in Heaven. Friar Jude notes Jesus reaches out to Zaccheaus, an anawim, to whom He gives love for healing.

Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces Jeff Cavins who joins Fr. Mike to discuss the final time period of the Bible Timeline. They discuss the historical context of the early Church, why Rome and the early martyrs are so significant, and how the Holy Spirit takes on a major role. They also explain the differences between Acts, the epistles, and the book of Revelation.

Brian McLaren has identified sixteen biases that prevent us from seeing things in their complexity and with greater clarity:

Confirmation Bias: … our belief system excludes whatever doesn’t fit. 

Complexity Bias: prefers a simple falsehood to a complex truth. 

Community Bias: don’t see what our community doesn’t, can’t, or won’t see. 

Complementarity Bias: If you are hostile… I’ll be hostile to your ideas. 

Competency Bias:  Incompetent people assume that most are incompetent.

Consciousness Bias: Some things simply can’t be seen from where I am right now. 

Comfort or Complacency Bias: I prefer not to have my comfort disturbed. 

Conservative/Liberal Bias: I lean toward an expression of my political identity. 

Confidence Bias: I often prefer the bold lie to the hesitant truth. 

Catastrophe Bias: I remember dramatic catastrophes but don’t notice gradual decline.

Contact Bias:  I don’t have intense and sustained personal contact with “the other”.

Cash Bias:  My way of making a living requires me not to see it. 

Conspiracy Bias: Our brains are attracted to stories that portray us as innocent victims.

Constancy/Baseline Bias: Our baselines may be reset when a new normal becomes our constant experience.

Certainty/Closure Bias: reaches for premature closure on an unwarranted certainty.

Cleverness Bias: Our brains are vigilant to protect us against deceptions, insulate ourselves from positive possibilities. (McLaren, n.d.)

We ask the help of the Spirit to help us resist prejudice and judgement in our encounters with people for whom we have a biased understanding.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?1 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Biases at Work Within All of Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/biases-at-work-within-all-of-us/ 

Meditation on Luke 19:1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/18/1431372/ 

Nownes, D. (2025, November 18). Daily Reflection November 18, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-18-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/3?2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Zacchaeus Received Jesus Joyfully. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/6?18 

Transgressions and Weeds

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the restorative action of God through the Holy Spirit to bring us to full life.

Weeds and Wheat

The reading from the Book of Exodus shares the relationship of Moses with God in the camp and through the reception of the Ten Commandments.

Psalm 103 offers thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds.

* [13:37–43] In the explanation of the parable of the weeds emphasis lies on the fearful end of the wicked, whereas the parable itself concentrates on patience with them until judgment time.

* [13:38] The field is the world: this presupposes the resurrection of Jesus and the granting to him of “all power in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18).

* [13:39] The end of the age: this phrase is found only in Matthew (13:40, 49; 24:3; 28:20).

* [13:41] His kingdom: the kingdom of the Son of Man is distinguished from that of the Father (Mt 13:43); see 1 Cor 15:24–25. The church is the place where Jesus’ kingdom is manifested, but his royal authority embraces the entire world; see note on Mt 13:38.

* [13:43] See Dn 12:3. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney is grateful for God’s patience.

Dear Lord,

The passage from Exodus leaves me longing for a firsthand encounter with You.

Too often I look for a direct answer to my prayer and instead I experience silence.

I find myself asking for Your forgiveness for the bad seeds that I have sown.

I am grateful for Your response even when it is mediated through Scripture.

I think of Your patience described in today’s parable

and Your mercy described in today’s Psalm.

I am bothered when I encounter the seeds of discord in the mainstream of discourse.

I look for Your guidance in my interactions with this world. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager presents a meditation on “The Righteous Will Shine like the Sun in the Father's Kingdom.”

The Word Among Us Meditation on Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28 comments on how God poured out the Spirit so that we could know his love and affection, not just know about it (Romans 5:5).

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the special relationship between God and Moses in the tent of meeting and during the second reception of the Ten Commandments. The Israelites are described by Moses as a “stiff-necked” people. Friar Jude reminds us of the reward of the righteous as described in the parable.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan sister Nancy Schreck who locates Jesus’ commitment to nonviolence in God’s unconditional and inclusive love. Schreck points to healing as a natural consequence of belonging.

If the starting place for exploring the nonviolence of Jesus is in his vison of the all embracing love of God, our reflection is furthered by his vision of universal healing. This approach to life includes hope for the basic well-being of the other. This was Jesus’ deepest wish for each person he encountered. In the gospel we see him moving among so many kept outside the circle of well-being by institutional violence which claimed that healing and well-being belonged to some and not to others. Jesus always found those who had been pushed outside the circle of care and invited them back into the community through the door of healing. He taught the community that its well-being was tied to the well-being of each member. (Rohr, 2023)

The prompts of the Spirit remind us of the patience of God in calling us to be numbered among the wheat rather than the weeds.

References

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton University OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?36 

Rohr, R. (2023, August 1). Inclusive Love Heals All — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/inclusive-love-heals-all-2023-08-01/

Service in Evil Times

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to situations of inequity and selfishness that we are inspired by the Spirit to address with the gentleness and meekness of the Suffering Servant.

A Day for Service

The reading from Micah is about social evils denounced by the prophet.

* [2:1–5] The cry “Ah” (hoy) begins a typical prophetic speech that is usually continued, as here (vv. 1–2), by a description of the addressees in terms of their unrighteous activities. This description is an indictment which gives the reasons for punishment announced to a particular group of people (vv. 3–5). The prophet spells out the crimes; the Lord announces the punishment, which corresponds to the crime: those who take the land of others will have their own land taken. (Micah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Psalm 10 is a prayer for deliverance from enemies.

But you do see;

you take note of misery and sorrow; . [10:14] Ps 31:8; 56:9; 2 Kgs 20:5; Is 25:8; Rev 7:17. (Psalms, PSALM 10, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is declared as God’s Chosen Servant.

* [12:15–21] Matthew follows Mk 3:7–12 but summarizes his source in two verses (Mt 12:15, 16) that pick up the withdrawal, the healings, and the command for silence. To this he adds a fulfillment citation from the first Servant Song (Is 42:1–4) that does not correspond exactly to either the Hebrew or the LXX of that passage. It is the longest Old Testament citation in this gospel, emphasizing the meekness of Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, and foretelling the extension of his mission to the Gentiles. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was unavailable at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “The Savior's meekness,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"The prophet celebrated in advance both the Savior's meekness right alongside his unspeakable power. Thereby he opened to the Gentiles a great and effective door. Isaiah also foretold the ills that were to overtake the Jews. He foreknew the Son's oneness with the Father: 'Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him' (Isaiah 42:1). For it is not as an adversary that Christ transcends the law, as if he were an enemy of the Lawgiver, but as though he were of one mind with the Lawgiver and held to the very same purposes. Then, proclaiming the Lord's meekness, Isaiah said, 'He shall not cry nor lift up his voice' (Isaiah 42:20). For his desire indeed was to enable healing in their presence. But since they pushed him away, he did not contend any further against their opposition." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.2.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21 comments that unfortunately, many people still don’t know the Lord. Some live in countries where the government has made it difficult for the Church to flourish. And others live in places where the hope of Christ has been confused or forgotten. And so in every age, God calls certain people to spread the gospel as missionaries. These men and women give up their comfort and careers to proclaim the good news to people who have never heard of Jesus.

Even if we aren’t sent to another country, we can still participate in this mission. We can learn about different countries with our children or grandchildren and talk with them about the challenges facing the Church in that region. We can donate to a charity that serves people in one of these places. And we can pray for missionaries around the world to be strengthened and encouraged.

You can make a difference.

“Jesus, you are our hope, wherever we live. Help me spread your gospel.” (Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the horizontal and vertical dimensions of our faith as he comments on Micah’s condemnation of inequity that is punished by the Lord. The language and theology of the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah are different from the texts in which they are found. In Matthew, Jesus recalls the Son of Man from Daniel and uses the image of the Suffering Servant to underline meekness, compassion, and empathy.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in their book The Courage Way, Shelly Francis and the Center for Courage and Renewal share ideas about creating spaces of trust among people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. They have identified eleven “touchstones” or “ground rules” to help move groups into greater trust, belonging, and understanding.

Give and Receive Welcome

Extend hospitality, and presume welcome, too. This includes welcome and support for diverse perspectives, opinions, and approaches. . . .

Be Present as Fully as Possible

. . . Bring all of yourself—your doubts, fears, and failings as well as your convictions, joys, and successes, your listening as well as your speaking—to the work. . . .

Extend Invitation, Not Demand

. . . Participation by listening with care is no less a contribution than participation by speaking with care. . . .

Speak Your Truth in Ways That Respect Other People’s Truth

. . . When you’re getting to know people, it’s vital to share stories across lines of difference, not to debate who’s right or wrong, and not to cast blame or shame. . . .

No Fixing, Saving, Advising, or Correcting Each Other

. . . Good leaders point their team in a direction where they can find answers, and also instill the belief that team members have the gifts and capacity to make good decisions the leaders will support. . . .

When the Going Gets Rough, Turn to Wonder

If you feel judgmental, or defensive . . . ask yourself, “I wonder what brought her to this belief?” “I wonder what he’s feeling right now?” “I wonder what my reaction teaches me about myself?” . . .

Practice Asking Open, Honest Questions

. . . Open, honest questions are the ones you cannot possibly know the answer to in advance; they are meant to elicit insights, to help people access their own resourcefulness. . . .

Attend to Your Own Inner Teacher

As you listen to and interact with others, pay close attention to your own reactions and responses. . . .

Trust and Learn from the Silence

Silence, or stillness, is a gift in our noisy world, and a way of knowing in itself. . . .

Commit to and Maintain Confidentiality

People are more likely to trust each other . . . when they know that their words and stories will remain with those with whom they choose to share them, and will never be passed on to others without permission. . . .

Know That It’s Possible for the Seeds Planted Here to Keep Growing

. . . We stand in many tragic gaps in life, and recognize that our vocation lies somewhere between what is real and what can be. (Rohr, n.d.)

We have the guidance of the Spirit as we work for peace and community in environments harmed by greed and selfishness.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?14 

Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/16/442932/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/10?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Practice of the Better. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/practice-of-the-better-weekly-summary-2022-07-15/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Until Jesus Brings Justice to Victory. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul16