Justification and Persistence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the relative importance of peace with God, Traditional Law, and persistent faith in deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Persistent Faith

In the reading from the Letter to the Galatians, Paul compares Law and Faith to extol Justification by Faith.

* [3:1–14] Paul’s contention that justification comes not through the law or the works of the law but by faith in Christ and in his death (Gal 2:16, 21) is supported by appeals to Christian experience (Gal 3:1–5) and to scripture (Gal 3:6–14). The gift of God’s Spirit to the Galatians came from the gospel received in faith, not from doing what the law enjoins. The story of Abraham shows that faith in God brings righteousness (Gal 3:6; Gn 15:6). The promise to Abraham (Gal 3:8; Gn 12:3) extends to the Gentiles (Gal 3:14).

* [3:1] Stupid: not just senseless, for they were in danger of deserting their salvation.

* [3:2] Faith in what you heard: Paul’s message received with faith. The Greek can also mean “the proclamation of the faith” or “a hearing that comes from faith.”

* [3:3] On the contrast of Spirit and flesh, cf. Rom 8:1–11. Having received the Spirit, they need not be circumcised now.

* [3:4] Experience so many things: probably the mighty deeds of Gal 3:5 but possibly the experience of sufferings. (Galatians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from Luke is from the canticle of Zechariah.

* [1:68–79] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46–55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from Lk 1:76–77, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Again like Mary’s canticle, it is largely composed of phrases taken from the Greek Old Testament and may have been a Jewish Christian hymn of praise that Luke adapted to fit the present context by inserting Lk 1:76–77 to give Zechariah’s reply to the question asked in Lk 1:66. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' parable teaches Perseverance in Prayer and declares the Answer to Prayer.

* [11:1–13] Luke presents three episodes concerned with prayer. The first (Lk 11:1–4) recounts Jesus teaching his disciples the Christian communal prayer, the “Our Father”; the second (Lk 11:5–8), the importance of persistence in prayer; the third (Lk 11:9–13), the effectiveness of prayer.

* [11:13] The holy Spirit: this is a Lucan editorial alteration of a traditional saying of Jesus (see Mt 7:11). Luke presents the gift of the holy Spirit as the response of the Father to the prayer of the Christian disciple. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that If we are to evaluate ourselves based solely upon saying a blessing before our meals, reading daily reflections and going to Mass on Sunday, most would probably have high marks and proudly claim we are “persistent.”

But is that the type of “persistence” Jesus was talking about? Or, was he telling his disciples that it takes so much more to be true to our faith, lots of knocking on doors, seeking answers, and lots of questions to ask about how to grow each and every day in strengthening our faith and our love for God. For, as we all know so very well, there are many distractions along the way to prevent us from reaching our goal. 

As we focus upon the Gospel, we need to remember that despite our slips, stumbles or falls, we need to “persist” in practicing our faith and living it in our thoughts, words and deeds. Let’s pause and reflect upon how we interact with others, be it family, co-workers, neighbors or complete strangers, and think about the love we show them. Is it Christ like, full of compassion, understanding and a willingness to help? This may be the best indicator of just how deeply Christ is part of our lives and how “persistent” we are. (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Ask by praying, seek by proper living, knock by persevering,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Desiring that we arrive at the joys of the heavenly kingdom, our Lord and Savior taught us to ask these joys of him and promised that he would give them to us if we asked for them. 'Ask,' he said, 'and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.' Dearly beloved..., we earnestly and with our whole heart must ponder these words of our Lord. He bears witness that the kingdom of heaven is not given to, found by and opened to those who are idle and unoccupied but to those who ask for it, seek after it and knock at its gates. The gate of the kingdom must be asked for by praying. It must be sought after by living properly. It must be knocked at by persevering." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.51.20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:5-13 comments that God gave us the most amazing gift we could ever imagine: the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Spirit, God is now present to us in a new way. He is our advocate as we work through our struggles, our guide to knowing the truth, and our comforter in the face of distress. He is present in the sacraments and his word. And he is present in each one of us.

Jesus promised that his Father in heaven would give the Spirit to anyone who asks him (Luke 11:13). You have already received the Holy Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation. Praise God! But this is a gift that keeps on giving. The Lord always has more of his Spirit available to you. He wants to refresh you, renew you, and enliven you so that you can love him and follow him more closely. So “ask and you will receive” (Luke 11:9).

“Lord God, fill me with your Spirit today!” (Meditation on Luke 11:5-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul is almost irate in dealing with assertions of justification or peace with God by observance of the Law. Our ability to experience the unconditional love of God for us is increased when we activate our love of others in response to the love of God for us. Friar Jude reminds us that God always responds with what we NEED in response to our persistent prayer.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Dr. Jacqui Lewis who considers the rich historical tradition of dance in African American culture. Lewis emphasizes our partnership with God in the dance of creating a new world.

We need to choreograph new theological understandings of God. What if God is not organizing the universe on our behalf after all? What if God is instead watching, listening, and waiting—waiting for our choices, our decisions, our agency to make of the world and our lives what we want? What if God is not manipulating all the things, but yearns for our partnership? What if God wants us to dance with them?  

And what if God is willing to follow our lead? What would life be like and how would we navigate hot-mess times if we felt our own power to shape the world? (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the impact of our sense of “peace with God” or “justification” on our persistence to invoke the Spirit in our prayer as guide to love, beauty, and compassion.

References

Galatians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/3?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?5 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1? 

Meditation on Luke 11:5-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/10/1102161/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Following God’s Lead. Richard Rohr. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/following-gods-lead/ 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). How Much More Will the Heavenly Father Give! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct10

Testimony and Trinity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the connection between the mystical love of Father, Son and Spirit and our activation of that Love on our journey.

Holy Trinity Parish

The reading from the Book of Deuteronomy declares God’s Fidelity and Love.

Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares we are Children of God through Adoption.

* [8:14–17] Christians, by reason of the Spirit’s presence within them, enjoy not only new life but also a new relationship to God, that of adopted children and heirs through Christ, whose sufferings and glory they share.

* [8:15] Abba: see note on Mk 14:36. (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

The end of the Gospel of Matthew includes the Commissioning of the Disciples.

* [28:19] Therefore: since universal power belongs to the risen Jesus (Mt 28:18), he gives the eleven a mission that is universal. They are to make disciples of all nations. While all nations is understood by some scholars as referring only to all Gentiles, it is probable that it included the Jews as well. Baptizing them: baptism is the means of entrance into the community of the risen one, the Church. In the name of the Father…holy Spirit: this is perhaps the clearest expression in the New Testament of trinitarian belief. It may have been the baptismal formula of Matthew’s church, but primarily it designates the effect of baptism, the union of the one baptized with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

* [28:20] All that I have commanded you: the moral teaching found in this gospel, preeminently that of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5–7). The commandments of Jesus are the standard of Christian conduct, not the Mosaic law as such, even though some of the Mosaic commandments have now been invested with the authority of Jesus. Behold, I am with you always: the promise of Jesus’ real though invisible presence echoes the name Emmanuel given to him in the infancy narrative; see note on Mt 1:23. End of the age: see notes on Mt 13:39 and Mt 24:3.(Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Leonard shares a testimony on love that her parents recounted to her.

We believe in the fervor Christ has for our connection with him. This devotion and promise of being a joint heir in Christ should be motivation for us to live our Christian lives visibly, that we may possibly bring others to the same joy. (Leonard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The pledge of the Holy Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with His sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed His pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts" (excerpt from De Mysteriis 7, 42). (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 comments that with the coming of Christ, we have an even greater understanding of who this one true God truly is. And at the heart of that understanding is the proclamation that our God is a Trinity of Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is our God! But we live in a world that tempts us to make false gods of riches and self-indulgence and to be indifferent to the needs of the poor. These “gods” aren’t real; all they can promise are fleeting pleasures. By contrast, the one true God loves us unconditionally and wants to save us and care for us. So follow Moses’ advice and “fix in your heart” the truth that you belong to God—and he belongs to you (Deuteronomy 4:39)! 

“Almighty God, Father, Son, and Spirit, may you be praised and worshipped for all eternity!” (Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the response of the Hebrews chosen nation is to keep the ordinances set out by God. Though Paul did not express a deep Trinitarian theology, the passage on our adoption as children of God refers to Father, Son, and Spirit. Friar Jude shares an image from the Eastern Church of the Trinity in a dance and our invitation to be involved and not be a wallflower.

Rev. Dr. James Hanvey SJ, lecturer in Systematic Theology at Heythrop College, University of London, considers how we might begin to think and speak about the loving relationship between Father, Son and Spirit into which we ourselves are welcomed. 

Yet once we’re clear about what we don’t mean we can begin very tentatively to glimpse something profound: that ‘person’ in the Trinity points us to the eternal relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that these relationships both distinguish them from each other but simultaneously open up a union in which each dwells in the other. The Trinity is a sort of ‘communion’ (co-union).

This has two important consequences for us. First, if they ‘indwell’ in each other then they also reveal each other: to know one is to know all and to know each in their distinctness and in their communion. Second, we know that these relationships are relationships of love. The Trinity is the revelation that God is Love. Now we get Love wrong if we think of it as a ‘thing’ – something we can possess or control. It is a relationship and it is a verb – we can only ‘have’ love by loving, by participating in a relationship of love. So, the Trinity is Love Loving – dynamic, unfathomable, inexhaustible, eternally complete and creative. (Hanvey, 2010)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, connects our ability to love others with our ability to receive God’s love. 

Finally, of course, there’s a straight line between love and suffering. If we love anyone or anything deeply and greatly, it’s fairly certain we’ll soon suffer because we have offered control to another, and the cost of self-giving will soon show itself. Undoubtedly, this is why we are told to be faithful in our loves, because such long-term loyalty and truly conscious love will always lead us to the necessary pruning (John 15:2) of the narcissistic self. 

Until we love and until we suffer, we all try to figure out life and death with our minds. Then a Larger Source opens up within us and we “think” and feel quite differently through “knowing the Love, which is beyond all knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). Thus, Jesus would naturally say something like, “This is my commandment: you must love one another!” (John 13:34). Authentic love (which is always more than an emotion) initially opens the door of awareness and aliveness, and then suffering for that love keeps that door open for mind, body, and will to enter. I suspect for most of us that is the work of a lifetime. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are grateful for the love we experience in our relationships as we ponder the source of the dance of Love in the mystical communion of the Trinity.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/4?32 

Hanvey, J. (2010, May 28). The Trinity: On Loving Love Loving. Thinking Faith. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100528_1.htm 

Leonard, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052624.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28?16 

Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/26/975942/ 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). One Source of Love. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/one-source-of-love/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?14 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 26, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may26