Preparation and Lament

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to assess the preparation we need to be servant leaders in sharing the mission of Jesus.

Preparing to Serve

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians describes the Whole Armour of God and exhorts us to Constant Prayer.

* [6:10–20] A general exhortation to courage and prayer. Drawing upon the imagery and ideas of Is 11:5; 59:16–17; and Wis 5:17–23, Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian’s readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10). Unique importance is placed upon prayer (Eph 6:18–20).

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?10 (Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 144 is a prayer for National Deliverance and Security.

* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Herod’s Desire to Kill Jesus and His Lament over Jerusalem.

* [13:32] Nothing, not even Herod’s desire to kill Jesus, stands in the way of Jesus’ role in fulfilling God’s will and in establishing the kingdom through his exorcisms and healings.

* [13:33] It is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is the city of destiny and the goal of the journey of the prophet Jesus. Only when he reaches the holy city will his work be accomplished. (Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeanne Schuler (2002) asks Where do they struggle for justice?  Where do they proclaim peace?  Where do they resist the cry for war?

Am I with them?  God, give me the courage to hold my faith high.

The death threats continued.  Jesus was a marked man who would not be silenced.  Still he healed the sick, drove out evil spirits, and prophesized against the leaders of Jerusalem: you who will kill me in due time do not see the destruction bearing down upon you.  Even your mighty temple will fall.

Searching for expression of his love for us, Jesus found the mother bird.  Don’t you see how deeply I long for you?  Seek shelter under my wings.  Come home.

The evils of our day will not separate us from the love of God. (Schuler, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus foreshadows his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"'And I tell you,' he says, 'you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.' What does this mean? The Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and left as unworthy of his presence those who said, 'Get away from here.' And after he had walked about Judea and saved many and performed miracles which no words can adequately describe, he returned again to Jerusalem. It was then that he sat upon a colt of a donkey, while vast multitudes and young children, holding up branches of palm trees, went before him, praising him and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord' (Matthew 21:9). Having left them, therefore, as being unworthy, he says that when the time of his passion has arrived, he will then barely be seen by them. Then again he went up to Jerusalem and entered amidst praises, and at that very time endured his saving passion in our behalf, that by suffering he might save and renew to incorruption the inhabitants of the earth. God the Father has saved us by Christ."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that even as we keep watch, we can be filled with peace. We can draw “strength from the Lord and from his mighty power” as we take up “the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13).

How can we be so confident? Because Jesus has already conquered sin, death, and darkness. Because we received a share of his victory when we were baptized into his death and resurrection. So we triumph over the evil one by surrendering to God’s strength, not by fighting with our own. In our struggles, we can face the forces of darkness with open hands rather than clenched fists, trusting that the Lord will fight for us.

So be alert! When you face temptation or notice the lies of the evil one, don’t confront them on your own. Instead, take a breath and call on the name of Jesus. Say it out loud! Welcome his presence, arm yourself with the victory he has won for you, and trust in his strength. This is the path to peace and victory. This is the way you can overcome every “struggle” (Ephesians 6:12).

“Lord Jesus, victor over darkness, come to my aid today!” (Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Ephesians describes the spiritual warfare against temptations and describes the amour we need to live in virtue. The author writes as Paul in prison who is an ambassador in chains. Herod is trying to kill Jesus and He declares He will die in Jerusalem like earlier prophets.

Brian McLaren highlights solidarity as a universal value supporting our common life. He describes the new friendships that are possible when we embrace the inclusive message of Jesus.

You will look around and feel that all are welcome here. They have come from different places, but by the same path, the path of love. Muslims have come in their caravan of love. Jews have pursued the Torah of solidarity. Buddhists have followed the noble truth of compassion. Sikhs have learned to see no stranger, and Hindus have descended into essential oneness. Atheists and agnostics have discovered in humanism a path into our common humanity….  

When you find that this option of solidarity is open to you, this option of going to the deepest and most genuine core of your Christian tradition and there finding a love that connects you to everyone and everything, everywhere … you don’t need to go anywhere else. Of course, you can if you want to. But here is a way of staying Christian that connects you to others in a quest for solidarity rather than separating you from them in a quest for innocence, dominance, or supremacy. This feels to me like the way of Christ. This feels like the way of life. (McLaren, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to prepare us to resist the distractions and temptations that accompany our mission to act in accord with our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?10 

Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Seeking Love Through Solidarity. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/seeking-love-through-solidarity/ 

Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/31/1116183/ 

Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1 

Schuler, J. (2024, October 31). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/103124.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct31 

Discipline and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our understanding of our relationship to Christ in our reaction to discipline and to the fullness of Jesus divinity and humanity.

Prophets and Progress

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews shares warnings against rejecting God’s Grace.

* [12:1–13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Heb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Heb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Heb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Psalm 103 offers thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

* [6:3] Is he not the carpenter?: no other gospel calls Jesus a carpenter. Some witnesses have “the carpenter’s son,” as in Mt 13:55. Son of Mary: contrary to Jewish custom, which calls a man the son of his father, this expression may reflect Mark’s own faith that God is the Father of Jesus (Mk 1:1, 11; 8:38; 13:32; 14:36). The brother of James…Simon: in Semitic usage, the terms “brother,” “sister” are applied not only to children of the same parents, but to nephews, nieces, cousins, half-brothers, and half-sisters; cf. Gn 14:16; 29:15; Lv 10:4. While one cannot suppose that the meaning of a Greek word should be sought in the first place from Semitic usage, the Septuagint often translates the Hebrew ’āh by the Greek word adelphos, “brother,” as in the cited passages, a fact that may argue for a similar breadth of meaning in some New Testament passages. For instance, there is no doubt that in v. 17, “brother” is used of Philip, who was actually the half-brother of Herod Antipas. On the other hand, Mark may have understood the terms literally; see also 3:31–32; Mt 12:46; 13:55–56; Lk 8:19; Jn 7:3, 5. The question of meaning here would not have arisen but for the faith of the church in Mary’s perpetual virginity.

* [6:4] A prophet is not without honor except…in his own house: a saying that finds parallels in other literatures, especially Jewish and Greek, but without reference to a prophet. Comparing himself to previous Hebrew prophets whom the people rejected, Jesus intimates his own eventual rejection by the nation especially in view of the dishonor his own relatives had shown him (Mk 3:21) and now his townspeople as well. (Mark, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that self-discipline is easier said than done. Think back to a month ago, to our New Year’s resolutions. How firm and committed we were on January 1st, to a dry January, 10,000+ steps a day, or attending daily Mass. Truth be told, probably close to half of us were not able to follow through on our resolutions for even a month. So, how do we improve? They say that one of the best ways to discipline yourself and to achieve your goals is to team up with someone.

Who better to partner with on our most personal goals and aspirations, than Christ? For Christ is always at our side and more than anyone else, wants us to succeed and be the very best person we can be.  

As we go about our busy lives, trying to become better Christians, take the time to share your thoughts and goals with Jesus. In prayer, let Jesus know how you want to become better and ask Jesus to guide and influence you through your day, so you can live up to your own expectations and to Christ’s expectations of us.

With this dynamic partnership, there is nothing we cannot accomplish or overcome. (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Distinguishing God's power and our faith,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"And perhaps, as in the case of metallic substances there exists in some a natural attraction toward some other thing, as in the magnet for iron, and in naphtha for fire, so there is an attraction in such faith toward the divine power according to what Jesus said: 'If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, 'Move to another place,' and it shall be moved' (Matthew 17:20). Matthew and Mark wished to present the all-surpassing value of that divine power as a power that works even in those who do not believe. But they did not deny that grace works even more powerfully among those who have faith. So it seems to me that they accurately said not that the Lord did not do any mighty works because of their unbelief, but that he did not do many there (Mark 6:5). Mark does not flatly say that he could do no mighty work there at all, and stop at that point, but added, 'except that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them' (Mark 6:5). Thus the power in him overcame even their unbelief." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation: Mark 6:1-6 comments that we might also have a problem with being too familiar with Jesus, but in the opposite direction. We might take offense at the fact that Jesus was really a human being like ourselves. We’ve grown up knowing him as the God who redeemed us by his cross and resurrection. It can scandalize us to think that he was like us in every way but sin.

We celebrated the birth of Jesus only five weeks ago, but the incarnation is a mystery of our faith that we can meditate on all year long. God stooped down to earth to become just like one of his lowly creatures. But don’t let that offend you! He did it out of pure love for you and for each one of us. So let’s rejoice today. Jesus is our Lord and Savior, yes, but because he is human, he is also our brother and friend.

“Jesus, in your humanity, draw me close to you.” (Meditation: Mark 6:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the discipline that suffering imposes on our lives in which we have the opportunity for purification of our intentions. Accepting Jesus as the “Son of God” was particularly challenging for Hebrew believers. The relationship of “brothers and sisters” to Jesus is interpreted differently by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. Friar Jude reminds us that we often see the flaws in those close to us that others may not appreciate.

Brian McLaren charts growth in spiritual life as coming to greater fullness when we move beyond the simplicity of the First Season of Faith.

 

Nearly all of us in this dynamic season of Simplicity tend to share a number of characteristics. We see the world in simple dualist terms: we are the good guys who follow the good authority figures and we have the right answers; they are the bad guys who consciously or unconsciously fight on the wrong side of the cosmic struggle between good and evil. We feel a deep sense of identity and belonging in our in-group…. This simple, dualist faith gives us great confidence.  

This confidence, of course, has a danger, as the old Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side” makes clear: “You don’t count the dead when God’s on your side.” [1] The same sense of identification with an in-group that generates a warm glow of belonging and motivates sacrificial action for us can sour into intolerance, hatred, and even violence toward them. And the same easy, black-and-white answers that comfort and reassure us now may later seem arrogant, naive, ignorant, and harmful, if we don’t move beyond Simplicity in the fullness of time. (McLaren, 2023)

We ponder our spiritual journey recalling the ecstasy and certainty as we implore the help of the Spirit with the challenges of the transitions we are invited to accept on the journey to fullness of life.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12?4 

Mark, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?1 

McLaren, B. D. (2023, February 1). The First Season of Faith — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-first-season-of-faith-2023-02-01/ 

Meditation: Mark 6:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/02/01/599098/ 

Psalms, PSALM 103. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020123.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Marveled because of Their Unbelief. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=feb1