Distraction and Temptation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept some truths about inequality and inequity in our world and to express our gratitude for our journey in our service to the “little ones” in our environment.

Example for the "little ones"

The reading from the Book of James is a warning to Rich Oppressors.

* [5:1–6] Continuing with the theme of the transitory character of life on earth, the author points out the impending ruin of the godless. He denounces the unjust rich, whose victims cry to heaven for judgment on their exploiters (Jas 5:4–6). The decay and corrosion of the costly garments and metals, which symbolize wealth, prove them worthless and portend the destruction of their possessors (Jas 5:2–3).

* [5:6] The author does not have in mind any specific crime in his readers’ communities but rather echoes the Old Testament theme of the harsh oppression of the righteous poor (see Prv 1:11; Wis 2:10, 12, 20). (James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 49 declares the Folly of Trust in Riches.

* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20). (Psalms, PSALM 49, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark warns of temptations to Sin.

* [9:43, 45, 47] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22.

* [9:44, 46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48 itself a modified citation of Is 66:24.

* [9:49] Everyone will be salted with fire: so the better manuscripts. Some add “every sacrifice will be salted with salt.” The purifying and preservative use of salt in food (Lv 2:13) and the refinement effected through fire refer here to comparable effects in the spiritual life of the disciples of Jesus. (Mark, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Vivian Amu comments that today’s gospel makes it seem so easy to just cut something off when it causes us to sin.

But it isn’t easy, is it? Removing the things in our life that separate us from the unconditional love of God should be easy, and yet, we hold on to our vices, our hurts, our frustrations, our grudges, and our fears. I have not figured out why my first instinct is usually to hide in my grief rather than run to Jesus, who is the healer of wounded souls. But one thing I do know is that it takes courage to grieve well. It takes courage to let go of that which separates us from God. It takes courage to retain our spiritual flavor that allows us to live in peace with ourselves and others. It takes courage to allow ourselves to be poor in spirit by giving up all the things that prevent us from experiencing God’s love and peace in our lives. It takes courage to offer no resistance when the opportunity arises to let go.

Merciful and loving God, grant us the courage to let go of all that prevents us from completely loving God, self, and others. Amen. (Amu, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Why not skip over such passages,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"This is no trivial subject of inquiry that we propose, but rather it concerns things most urgent, and about which many inquire: namely, whether hell fire has any end. For that it has no end Christ indeed declared when he said, 'Their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die' (Isaiah 66:24). Yes, I know a chill comes over you on hearing these things. But what am I to do? For this is God's own command... Ordained as we have been to the ministry of the word, we must cause our hearers discomfort when it is necessary for them to hear. We do this not arbitrarily but under command." (excerpt from the HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 9.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 5:1-6 is telling us that when we treasure possessions too dearly, we become self-centered and build walls around us. We cut ourselves off from him, the only One who can satisfy the deepest longings of our heart, and from the ones the Lord has called us to love.

God wants to free us from the materialism that leads to selfishness and sin. He wants to give us a spirit of justice and generosity so that we love others, especially the poor, the way he loves us. So let’s remember how fleeting wealth is. Let’s share our blessings. And let’s do what we can to make sure that the people around us are loved and cared for.

“Father, help me to find my true treasure in knowing and serving you.” (Meditation on James 5:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that James is very tough on the rich. Goods are gifted to us to share. The Wisdom sayings in Mark include a severe warning about bad examples to children and the simple. Friar Jude reminds us of the Jewish exaggeration in Mark that underlines our mission to be filled with zest and vitality to serve the Kingdom.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Lisa Sharon Harper who describes the diversity of the early church. At Pentecost, God brought the languages together, but not in the way we would imagine. God did not unite the world under one imperial language. Rather, the power of God made it possible to have unity in the midst of diversity. God made it possible for people to speak languages that were not their own and to understand one another.   

And in the same way Jesus had broken gender and class barriers, this multiethnic, multilingual group turned its back on misogyny and economic favoritism. Peter [quoting Joel 3:1–2] explained to the crowd why women and slaves were prophesying along with free men:   

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17–18)….   

In other words, all the cultural, economic, and gender barriers between them were broken down. [1]   (Rohr, n.d.)

We open our minds to the Wisdom of the Spirit that reveals the true riches in the people who surround us and with whom we share our journey and fight against the distractions and temptations that lead away from fullness of life.

References

Amu, V. (2024, May 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052324.html 

James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?41 

Meditation on James 5:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/23/973839/ 

Psalms, PSALM 49. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49?14 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Is for All. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-is-for-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). If Your Hand or Eye Causes You to Sin. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may23 

Wary of Self Satisfaction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to identify those habits and attitudes that draw us away from acting as disciples of Christ in our relationships with others.

War and Greed

 

The reading from the Book of James is a warning to rich oppressors.

* [5:1–6] Continuing with the theme of the transitory character of life on earth, the author points out the impending ruin of the godless. He denounces the unjust rich, whose victims cry to heaven for judgment on their exploiters (Jas 5:4–6). The decay and corrosion of the costly garments and metals, which symbolize wealth, prove them worthless and portend the destruction of their possessors (Jas 5:2–3).1

 

Psalm 49 shares the folly of trust in riches.

* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches about temptations to sin.

* [9:43, 45, 47] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22. * [9:44, 46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48 itself a modified citation of Is 66:24.3

 

Mary Lee Brock comments that the delicious recipes her mother would read to her can be seen as the worldly wealth that James warns us about…. as temporary and arbitrary.  Focusing solely on acquiring wealth at all cost always comes at the expense of someone else.

As I pray today I ask for God to show me ways I can offer a drink of water to someone who thirsts.  I ask for clarity on the attachments I may feel for earthly wealth.  I wonder how I can identify and set aside the habits that prevent me from living the Gospel.  These answers are the delicious recipe I am looking for.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Why not skip over such passages,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"This is no trivial subject of inquiry that we propose, but rather it concerns things most urgent, and about which many inquire: namely, whether hell fire has any end. For that it has no end Christ indeed declared when he said, 'Their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die' (Isaiah 66:24). Yes, I know a chill comes over you on hearing these things. But what am I to do? For this is God's own command... Ordained as we have been to the ministry of the word, we must cause our hearers discomfort when it is necessary for them to hear. We do this not arbitrarily but under command." (excerpt from the HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 9.1)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:41-50 comments that holiness, like sinfulness, can become a habit, but we have to work diligently at it and aggressively seek God’s help and grace. Investing time in prayer, adding positive structure to our day, and looking for ways to be Christ’s body on earth might take a little extra planning and effort.

Don’t stop there! Take a look at how you use your money, your time, even your hobbies. Instead of using them for yourself, look for ways that you can use them to be Christ to others. By focusing on turning opportunities to sin into opportunities to love others, you will begin to feel your whole body—especially your heart—reorienting itself toward Christ. Gradually, your hands and eyes and feet will become instruments of service rather than instruments of sin. “Lord, help me find ways to use everything you have given me to love you and serve your people.”6

 

The Gospel of Mark today includes the line where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ based on Isaiah 66.24. In his book “No birds Sang”, Farley Mowat uses this refrain many times.

Mowat and his regiment engaged with elite German forces in the mountains of Sicily, the optimism of their early days as soldiers was replaced by despair. With a naturalist's eyes and ears, Mowat takes in the full dark depths of war; his moving account of military service, and the friends he left behind, is also a plea for peace.7

 

It is tragically resonant with the invasion today of Ukraine by armed forces from Russia.

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes that James continues the warning about trusting in wealth. Our charity, in service of the weak, lasts. Our actions in giving bad witness to the weak have serious consequences. Friar Jude describes the Hinnom valley, where the Temple dump existed, as Jesus described Gehenna.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces therapists Jett Psaris and Marlena Lyons, who write about how it is only through a willingness to practice “undefended love” that we can experience intimacy with ourselves, God, and others.

Ultimately, intimacy is about the freedom to be ourselves. True emotional freedom means no longer needing confirmation, agreement, or validation from another to know our basic goodness. Knowing our intrinsic worth, we are able to be present with ourselves and our partners, whatever the circumstances. This freedom means no longer being defined by our personal history. It means being who we are essentially, unencumbered, and undefended. . . . When we open our hearts to the wonder of the journey and search through the pain for the truth of our experience, we begin to glimpse a new light that will guide us deeper into ourselves, below our insecurities and the broken dreams of our lives. There we will meet our whole, undamaged, and pristine essential self [or True Self]. In touch with this essential self, we can experience powerful levels of intimacy while engaged in the most ordinary behaviors. This is the promise of undefended intimacy. This is the satisfaction of the longing to love and be loved, directly, immediately, and without restriction.8

 

The Spirit opens the door to the experience of  “undefended love” that stands in stark contrast to the darkness of terror and oppression that we witness in a world possessed by the evil of war and greed.

 

References

1	(n.d.). James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 49 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022422.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb24
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/02/24/319366/
7	(n.d.). And No Birds Sang - Farley Mowat - The Vespiary. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.thevespiary.com/history-politics/and-no-birds-sang-farley-mowat
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Yearly Theme Archive - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/undefended-love-2022-02-24/