Deception or Compassion

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense of injustice from deception and gratitude for restoration.

Feeding Body and Soul

In the reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, Hananiah opposes Jeremiah and dies.

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Jesus feeding the Five Thousand.

* [14:13–21] The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus that is recounted in all four gospels. The principal reason for that may be that it was seen as anticipating the Eucharist and the final banquet in the kingdom (Mt 8:11; 26:29), but it looks not only forward but backward, to the feeding of Israel with manna in the desert at the time of the Exodus (Ex 16), a miracle that in some contemporary Jewish expectation would be repeated in the messianic age (2 Bar 29:8). It may also be meant to recall Elisha’s feeding a hundred men with small provisions (2 Kgs 4:42–44).

* [14:19] The taking, saying the blessing, breaking, and giving to the disciples correspond to the actions of Jesus over the bread at the Last Supper (Mt 26:26). Since they were usual at any Jewish meal, that correspondence does not necessarily indicate a eucharistic reference here. Matthew’s silence about Jesus’ dividing the fish among the people (Mk 6:41) is perhaps more significant in that regard.

* [14:20] The fragments left over: as in Elisha’s miracle, food was left over after all had been fed. The word fragments (Greek klasmata) is used, in the singular, of the broken bread of the Eucharist in Didache 9:3–4. (Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that the miraculous sign he performed is the only miracle that appears in all four gospels. It calls to mind the prophet Elisha, who miraculously fed a hundred men with twenty loaves, also with plenty left over.  (2 Kings 4: 42-44).  It also reflects the manna that God used to feed Israel during the exodus.  And it foreshadows Jesus’ own transformation into the bread of life, which comes to us in the eucharist (John 6).

Jesus follows after the line of prophets who went before him, sharing a life of difficulty and suffering to bring a message that was not always well received.  Only Jesus delivers on the promise of peace, uniting us to God in a way that only He could bring, thereby also fulfilling the words Jeremiah spoke so many years before.   

Lord, help us to follow the words of the Psalms today, coming to you in humility to hear your words and to live according to them.  Save us from false prophets and false promises.  Draw us to the living bread that you alone provide to sustain us, even in the midst of hard times and difficulties that accompany us in this life.   Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Lord fills all things with blessing from above,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"So that by every means the Lord might be known to be God by nature, he multiplies what is little, and he looks up to heaven as though asking for the blessing from above. Now he does this out of the divine economy, for our sakes. For he himself is the one who fills all things, the true blessing from above and from the Father. But, so that we might learn that when we are in charge of the table and are preparing to break the loaves, we ought to bring them to God with hands upraised and bring down upon them the blessing from above, he became for us the beginning and pattern and way." (excerpt from FRAGMENT 177) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 14:13-21 comments that being in this place of scarcity, where what they had wasn’t enough, gave the disciples an opportunity to rely on God, who is good and powerful and trustworthy. As they stared open-mouthed at the twelve baskets of leftovers, they were blessed by his overflowing love and generosity (Matthew 14:20).

Are you like Jesus in the boat, weary and hoping for rest? Are you like the disciples, feeling empty-handed in the face of some great need? You might look at a situation in your life and think, “This is all the energy I have; there’s nothing left.” Or “This is all the certainty I have; I don’t know what to do next.” But that’s a blessed place to be! Like the disciples, you can lay what you do have before your Father and trust him to provide whatever it is that you need.

Times like these are invitations to stay close to the Lord and grow in trust. They give you a chance to recognize that uncertainty or weariness are a call to give what you have to God. And as you exercise your trust in him, you can watch what your heavenly Father can do with what you’ve given him!

“Father, I love you. I offer you what I have and trust you to use it to accomplish your will.” (Meditation on Matthew 14:13-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.

James Finley shares his personal experience with domestic abuse. We invite readers to ground themselves as Finley describes growing up with a violent, alcoholic father.

In looking back at these moments, I can see how I was being led by God into enigmatic and paradoxical waters in which I was invited to realize that ultimately speaking there is no wall, no barrier between the polar opposite realms of trauma and transcendence that meet and merge and interpenetrate each other in endlessly varied ways throughout our lives. (Finley, n.d.)

We ponder the events of our journey that were experiences of deception as we express gratitude for the care and compassion that reflect Jesus' Way and nourish the wounds of deception with transformation.

References

Finley, J. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. God’s Sustaining Presence. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gods-sustaining-presence/ 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/28?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?13 

Meditation on Matthew 14:13-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/08/05/1041955/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/080524.html 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Blessed the Loaves and Fishes. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=aug5 

 

Victory and Doers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today reassure us that the triumph of good over evil lies in our openness to the message of Jesus as the foundation for our victory.

Build on the Rock

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah declares Judah’s Song of Victory.

* [26:1–19] This text is a mixture of praise for the salvation that will take place, a confession of Judah’s inability to achieve deliverance on its own, and earnest prayer that God may quickly bring about the longed-for salvation.

* [26:1] Strong city: Jerusalem, the antithesis of the “city of chaos” (24:10); see note on 24:1–27:13. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 26, n.d.)

Psalm 118 is a A Song of Victory.

* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29). (Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches concerning self-deception and hearers and doers.

* [7:21–23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.

* [7:23] I never knew you: cf. Mt 10:33. Depart from me, you evildoers: cf. Ps 6:9.

* [7:24–27] The conclusion of the discourse (cf. Lk 6:47–49). Here the relation is not between saying and doing as in Mt 7:15–23 but between hearing and doing, and the words of Jesus are applied to every Christian (everyone who listens). (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that in the gospel from Matthew Jesus shares a metaphor of the wise man who built his house on rock is like the person who listens to the will of God and acts on those words. Let us be inspired to engage in that level of planning and careful action as we strive to live a life grounded in justice, peace and trust in God.

During this Advent season I pray for the grace to see ways I can build my house on rock.  I ask God to help me hear the cries of the poor. I ask to be shown how I can share my gifts without getting distracted or overscheduled. And I ask God to help me answer the question: What Am I Waiting For? (Brock, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Turn your vision to the Savior,” by Verecundus (died 552 AD).

"When Hezekiah, the king of Judah and son of Ahaz, was gravely ill and had learned of his coming death by the prophecy of Isaiah, he turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:1-3). Immediately the Lord in his mercy not only averted the destruction of imminent death but also added fifteen years to the man's life. Then, at last, Hezekiah sang this song (Isaiah 38:10-20). Hezekiah, a holy man who reigned at that time over all of Israel, displayed the Lord's form: clearly he had every movement of body, soul and mind in subjection to himself, and he accepted the consequences of his infirmity and weakness. He knew without doubt through the prophetic message that the end of his life was approaching. For the longer we seem to live, the more indubitably is our future death foreknown to us. And if we turn our face to the wall when struck by the fear of death, that is, if we direct the vision of our hearts to the Savior, who is here represented by the wall because he is elsewhere called 'a wall,' we will be saved, inasmuch as he saves the faithful who dwell within him from a great many attacks. 'In the city of our strength,' says Isaiah, 'is the Savior established as a wall and a fortress' (Isaiah 26:1). Behold, the Savior is said to be a wall." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE CANTICLE OF EZEKIEL 5.1-2) 

[Verecundus was an African Christian writer and bishop in the 6th century AD.] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-27 comments that one of the best ways to put Jesus’ advice into practice when we are experiencing trials is to spend more time in prayer. No doubt, it’s harder to pray when we are anxious and discouraged. But as we sit with the Lord and persevere, he may point us to a word in Scripture that we can hold onto. He may gently show us areas in our lives that need to change. He may also shift our perspective on a particular issue, increasing our ability to handle it more peacefully. In all these ways, we are listening to the Lord’s words and then acting on them.

Jesus assures us that we will not collapse amid storms if we have set ourselves solidly on the rock of his love and mercy. So when these storms of life threaten to overtake you, try to regain your footing. Allow the Lord to remind you that you have built your foundation on him, your rock and safety. He is full of mercy and compassion; he knows full well your situation. So turn to him, and feel the stable ground of his love beneath your feet.

“Lord Jesus, you are the rock of my salvation! Help me to cling to you in every storm.” (Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-27, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah 26, probably written later than First Isaiah, declares God will rescue Judah and bring down the enemies of Israel. The Gospel of Matthew warns that lip service is not enough; we have to live our faith. Friar Jude reminds us to build our life on trust in God so we will be less affected by the storms on our journey.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces writer and liturgist Cole Arthur Riley who describes awe as a spiritual practice. She describes how wonder increases our capacity to love ourselves, our neighbor, and the stranger.

Wonder includes the capacity to be in awe of humanity, even your own. It allows us to jettison the dangerous belief that things worthy of wonder can only be located on nature hikes and scenic overlooks. This can distract us from the beauty flowing through us daily. For every second that our organs and bones sustain us is a miracle. When those bones heal, when our wounds scab over, this is our call to marvel at our bodies—their regeneration, their stability or frailty. This grows our sense of dignity. To be able to marvel at the face of our neighbor with the same awe we have for the mountaintop, the sunlight refracting—this manner of vision is what will keep us from destroying each other….

Wonder requires a person not to forget themselves but to feel themselves so acutely that their connectedness to every created thing comes into focus. In sacred awe, we are a part of the story. [2] (Rohr, 2019)

Our attention to the prompting of the Spirit builds our faith and enhances the likelihood that we will do what we hear in Jesus' messages.

References

Brock, M. L. (2023, December 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistr y/120723.html 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 26. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/26?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?21 

Meditation on Matthew 7:21, 24-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/07/843767/ 

Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?1 

Rohr, R. (2019, June 24). The Spiritual Practice of Awe. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spiritual-practice-of-awe/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Shall Enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=dec7