Works Indifference and Salvation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the obstacles in our environment that impede our good works and reduce our commitment to conquering indifference.

Open the door against indifference

The reading from the Book of Revelation is the Message to Sardis and Laodicea

* [3:1–6] The letter to Sardis does not praise the community but admonishes its members to watchfulness, mutual support, and repentance (Rev 3:2–3). The few who have remained pure and faithful will share Christ’s victory and will be inscribed in the book of life (Rev 3:4–5).

* [3:14–22] The letter to Laodicea reprimands the community for being lukewarm (Rev 3:15–16), but no particular faults are singled out. Their material prosperity is contrasted with their spiritual poverty, the violet tunics that were the source of their wealth with the white robe of baptism, and their famous eye ointment with true spiritual perception (Rev 3:17–18). But Christ’s chastisement is inspired by love and a desire to be allowed to share the messianic banquet with his followers in the heavenly kingdom (Rev 3:19–21). (Revelation, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 15 asks Who shall abide in God’s Sanctuary?

* [Psalm 15] The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3–6; Is 33:14b–16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor.(Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus.

* [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). (Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamara Whitney comments that even after Mother went into home hospice, last year, it was ten months after that when she died. We do not know the hour, even when we think we do. 

In the Gospel a short man called Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus, but he is too short to see over the crowd. I can relate to that. I too am short of stature and can never see the parade or the movie when there are tall people in front of me. Zacchaeus climbs a tree and gets the attention of Jesus who changes Zach’s life in this encounter. Jesus calls to him, and Zacchaeus answers the call. He welcomes Jesus into his home and more importantly into his heart. The churches need to answer the call and the people need to answer the call before it’s too late. (Whitney, n.d.)

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 Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 comments that violence, and the idea of retribution or “getting even,” is commonplace. We may even have personal experience of a parent or teacher or other authority figure coming down on us too hard or making us feel guilty or inadequate. So it should be no surprise to discover that we assume that God acts the same way. When we have sinned, we might expect a wrath-filled, overpowering, and outsize reprisal.

God assured the Laodiceans that he chastises only out of love (Revelation 3:19). He showed them where they needed to change so they could once more know the joy of being in his presence. The same is true for you. Don’t let fear hold you back. Open the door and let God in!

“Father, thank you for loving me enough to want to heal me!” (Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the Revelations passage addresses the deficiency of each city using imagery that is meaningful to the geography, history and lifestyle of the particular city. Zacchaeus was hated as tax collector and of short stature. He had to climb the sycamore tree where he could be attacked. Friar Jude reminds us that in John and Luke, salvation begins when we encounter Jesus.

Dr. Barbara Holmes’ book Joy Unspeakable explores contemplative practices in the Black church. She shows us how contemplation can be practiced through community, music, and movement. Holmes considers the transcendent nature of “ecstatic singing”:  

It is anointed singing from consecrated singers … that allows access to the holy, but more specifically it is the repetition of verses that shifts perception … [and] allows individuals to fill in their own story, silently or through the cries of recognition and affirmation. This is the contemplative moment, the recognition that each and every member of the congregation shares the same angst over the troubles of the world and the need for reunion…. The “ohs” are repeated over and over again until every person remembers a time when they cried out for God’s intervention. A deep listening abides between every note and stanza. Those who listen know that the Holy Spirit is in control. [2] (Holmes, n.d.)

We ponder the enthusiasm and action of Zacchaeus and express our openness to being called to full life in Christ by the Spirit.

References

Holmes, B. (n.d.). Contemplation in Community. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplation-in-community/ 

Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?1

Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/15? 

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/19/1132926/ 

Revelation, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/3?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Zacchaeus Received Jesus Joyfully. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov19

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111824.html 

 

For Doing the Right Thing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the wisdom of approaching our plans with humility, wisdom, and guidance from the Spirit.

Doing the Right Thing

The reading from the Letter of James warns against boasting about tomorrow and against presumption.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).

* [4:14] Some important Greek manuscripts here have, “You who have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Why, what is your life?”

* [4:15] If the Lord wills it: often in piety referred to as the “conditio Jacobaea,” the condition James says we should employ to qualify all our plans.

* [4:17] It is a sin: those who live arrogantly, forgetting the contingency of life and our dependence on God (Jas 4:13–16), are guilty of sin. (James, CHAPTER 4, 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.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus supports another exorcist.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded. (Mark, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that in keeping with the wisdom shared by Ignatius almost 500 years ago, today, as we do our Examen of Conscience, let us focus not so intently on our sins of commission, but rather on gratitude for all God has done for us. To see God in all things, from the air we breathe to those we love, God is present in all. And let us see how the Holy Spirit is gently moving us toward all that is right and just.

In a letter to the Portuguese Jesuits dated March 18, 1542, St. Ignatius expressed his thoughts about the worst sin of omission, that of ingratitude:

It seems to me, in light of the divine Goodness, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.

On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth. (Scholer, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 4:13-17 comments on a process that we embark upon with the Lord, with the goal of having our will and desires mesh with his. We can start by acknowledging our hopes and plans. Then we can pray and listen for how God might be leading us. We seek his wisdom and guidance; we open our hearts and wills to what moves him and what he desires for us. Far from trying to convince God to bless the decision we’ve already made, we’re inviting him into our decision-making process, and we’re asking him to guide us because we don’t know what the future holds.

As you do that, you can have confidence that God knows and loves you. He knows the plans he has for you. And even if you don’t get a clear answer from God about a particular plan, you can take comfort knowing that you have placed your life in the hands of the One who holds the future.

“Lord, I am open to whatever you desire for me this day.” (Meditation on James 4:13-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the message in the Letter of James against arrogance and how we attempt to control our destiny. We accept whatever God sends. “If God wills it” is our guide for action. Friar Jude reminds us to avoid the thinking of the disciples about having a monopoly on doing the right thing.

Brian McLaren reflects on the Holy Spirit’s work in the early church and today. He shares that theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim urges Christians to be open to the Spirit’s life-giving movement.

We must be guided by the Spirit in all that we do. We work with the movement of the Spirit as wind, light, and breath to change us and empower us to be agents of change.  

When the Spirit fills our lives, we follow the rhythm of the Spirit. We are guided by the Spirit to become new creatures and become agents of change. We become workers in the Spirit and for the Spirit….  

The love of the Spirit will empower us to work for God: to generate justice, be merciful, and fill the world with God’s love…. As we experience God’s presence, we each contribute to the building of the reign of God here on Earth. It is a task that calls all of us. 

We recognize that this Spirit transforms us to become the best that we can be by our love. Love is the force that challenges us to move towards justice and wholeness. [3] (McLaren, n.d.)

We seek the Holy Spirit to guide our plans and apply humility and gratitude to the action we undertake to do the right thing.

References

James, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/4?13 

Mark, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?38 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). A Living Spirituality. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-living-spirituality/ 

Meditation on James 4:13-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/22/973254/ 

Psalms, PSALM 49. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49?2 

Scholer, S. (2024, May 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052224.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may22