Clemency and Celebration

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to be open to transform hurt and pain in our relationships to celebration as the Spirit leads us to reconciliation and new life.

A prodigal celebration

The reading from the Prophet Micah proclaims God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love.

* [7:14–17] A prayer that God will care for the people as in ancient days (v. 14) is answered (vv. 15–17) when the Lord promises to do marvelous things. The nations shall be afraid and turn to the Lord.

* [7:18–20] The final lines of the book contain a hymn of praise for the incomparable God, who pardons sin and delights in mercy. Thus the remnant, those left after the exile, is confident in God’s compassion and in the ancient promises sworn to the ancestors. (Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother (Son?).

* [15:1–32] To the parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7) that Luke shares with Matthew (Mt 18:12–14), Luke adds two parables (the lost coin, Lk 15:8–10; the prodigal son, Lk 15:11–32) from his own special tradition to illustrate Jesus’ particular concern for the lost and God’s love for the repentant sinner. (Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments on one aspect of the gospel for today…the image of the father seeing from afar his wayward son returning.

I can picture the father eagerly sighting him who he had waited for perhaps for years. He runs to embrace his son…..he is all love, all forgiveness, all joy that his son has returned. I hope all that read this may have experienced something like this from a parent. Surely we can all hope to experience this from our loving Lord. I remember a wonderful father figure whom I used to visit many miles away. His kindness and wisdom molded me in many ways, and when he was struck with cancer I made the trip to see him often. Even as he weakened, he was determined to go outside and wait on his lawn for me to arrive, and to follow me with his gaze as I drove away. His fidelity and compassion always reminded me of the father of the prodigal son. He is gone to be with his loving Lord now, but when guests leave my house I always wait outside for them until they are out of sight. (Braddock, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Life through death,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Did you make it possible for yourselves to merit God's mercy because you turned back to him? If you hadn't been called by God, what could you have done to turn back? Didn't the very One Who called you when you were opposed to Him make it possible for you to turn back? Don't claim your conversion as your own doing. Unless He had called you when you were running away from Him, you would not have been able to turn back." (Commentary on Psalm 84, 8) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 comments that no matter where we find ourselves, today’s Gospel urges us to “come home.” Whether it’s returning to the Church or to an estranged loved one, Jesus is inviting us to take the next step toward reconciliation. At the same time, he is also urging us to be like the father and welcome back into our lives those who have become separated from us.

Is something holding you back from this kind of reconciliation? Are you afraid of the reception you might get from those you have hurt? Or perhaps sadness over your separation has clouded your perspective so that you can’t imagine opening your arms and your heart to the returning “prodigal.” Today, take one step closer to forgiving and embracing, and see where the Lord takes you.

“Father, show me the way home to you!” (Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the tremendous restoration promised by God to Israel in the passage from Micah. God would present “chased and emet” as faithfulness and mercy to the exiles. The prodigal, or generous, father in the Gospel awaits the son who in taking his inheritance was saying to him “I wish you were dead.” Friar Jude reminds us that even if our contrition often is like that of the returning son, God offers us compassion and mercy so we might learn and share with others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh who offers instructions for softening our anger by letting it “cook”.

Your anger is like that—it needs to be cooked. In the beginning it is raw. You cannot eat raw potatoes. Your anger is very difficult to enjoy, but if you know how to take care of it, to cook it, then the negative energy of your anger will become the positive energy of understanding and compassion.

You can do it. It is not something only a Great Being can do. You can do it, too. You can transform the garbage of anger into the flower of compassion.… The secret is to continue the practice of mindful breathing, the practice of mindful walking, generating the energy of mindfulness in order to embrace your anger.

Embrace your anger with a lot of tenderness. Your anger is not your enemy, your anger is your baby. It’s like your stomach or your lungs. Every time you have some trouble in your lungs or your stomach, you don’t think of throwing them away. The same is true with your anger. You accept your anger because you know you can take care of it; you can transform it into positive energy. (Rohr, 2024)

We ponder offense and forgiveness as we invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit to move to reconciliation while our “son” is still a long way off.

References

Braddock, S. (2024, March 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030224.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?1 

Meditation on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/02/904852/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/7?14 

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Rohr, R. (2024, March 2). When Anger Meets Love: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/when-anger-meets-love-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Father, I Have Sinned against Heaven and You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar2 

Faith and Vision

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the essential role of faith in our relationship with each other and with God.

Walking in Faith

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews defines the meaning of Faith with examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah.

* [11:1] Faith is the realization…evidence: the author is not attempting a precise definition. There is dispute about the meaning of the Greek words hypostasis and elenchos, here translated realization and evidence, respectively. Hypostasis usually means “substance,” “being” (as translated in Heb 1:3), or “reality” (as translated in Heb 3:14); here it connotes something more subjective, and so realization has been chosen rather than “assurance” (RSV). Elenchos, usually “proof,” is used here in an objective sense and so translated evidence rather than the transferred sense of “(inner) conviction” (RSV). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)

Psalm 145 The Greatness and the Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the Transfiguration and the coming of Elijah.

* [9:2–8] Mark and Mt 17:1 place the transfiguration of Jesus six days after the first prediction of his passion and death and his instruction to the disciples on the doctrine of the cross; Lk 9:28 has “about eight days.” Thus the transfiguration counterbalances the prediction of the passion by affording certain of the disciples insight into the divine glory that Jesus possessed. His glory will overcome his death and that of his disciples; cf. 2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pt 1:16–19. The heavenly voice (Mk 9:7) prepares the disciples to understand that in the divine plan Jesus must die ignominiously before his messianic glory is made manifest; cf. Lk 24:25–27. See further the note on Mt 17:1–8.

* [9:5] Moses and Elijah represent, respectively, law and prophecy in the Old Testament and are linked to Mount Sinai; cf. Ex 19:16–20:17; 1 Kgs 19:2, 8–14. They now appear with Jesus as witnesses to the fulfillment of the law and the prophets taking place in the person of Jesus as he appears in glory. (Mark, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley comments that it is so easy to be grateful children when everything goes our way.  So different when we face challenges and have the need to “dig into” that reserve of faith to keep us going.

I was recently at a wake service for a relative that was also a woman of deep faith.  I had not realized how deep her faith was until I heard her grown sons (men in their 40s & 50s) eulogize their mother.  One by one each provided stories of the incredible faith that his mom had imparted to him.  When each son quoted scripture to honor his mom, I knew it was the real deal.  She had instilled in each of them a resiliency built on a foundation of faith steeped in scripture. They had all faced difficult times and extraordinary challenges including months of deployment, the recent death of a spouse, and a mom dealing with the aftermath of a major stroke for more than five years. Yet these awesome men were exemplary men of faith – each reflected on some parts of first Corinthians 13 and each one concluded the honoring of his mom with . . .and now these three remain, faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love. (Shirley, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The transfiguration of Jesus,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 11:1-7 asks if we have ever experienced a quiet yearning in our heart for something more than what this world offers? That’s our faith giving us “evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Have we ever heard a quiet voice in our conscience urging us to obey God or moving us to turn to him in prayer? That’s the inner proof that we really do believe that there is a God who wants to bless us and fill us with his love.

So whenever you feel your heart tugging you toward the Lord, stop what you’re doing for a moment and give him thanks for this gift of faith. Thank him for this divine “evidence” that the unseen God has chosen you to know him personally and to live in his presence forever.

“Thank you, Father, for the precious gift of faith. Help me to nurture it so that it can grow stronger every day.” (Meditation on Hebrews 11:1-7, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the faith of the patriarchs Abel, Enoch, and Noah as examples to illustrate realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Theophany on the mountain of the transfiguration (Mt Tabor?) was a momentary vision. Friar Jude reminds us how this experience sustained the disciples through Jesus' crucifixion.  

  

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, suggests that our emotions are also places where we can meet God. In her book Atlas of the Heart, which describes over seventy-five defining human emotions and experiences, researcher Brené Brown shares that one of the most valuable gifts in her life was from her mom. She taught us to never look away from pain.

Don’t look away. Don’t look down.  

Don’t pretend not to see hurt.  

Look people in the eye.  

Even when their pain is overwhelming.  

And when you’re hurting and in pain, find the people who can look you in the eye.  

We need to know we’re not alone—especially when we’re hurting.  

Even in my fifties, I find myself wrestling with the same questions that left me confused as a kid: Why do we cause each other so much pain, and why do we turn away from hurt when the only way to the other side of struggle is through it?… It just takes so much more energy and creates so much more emotional churn than having a seat and asking hurt or uncertainty to pull up a chair….  

Every single day, our feelings and experiences show up in our bodies, they’re shaped by where we come from and how we were raised, they drive how we show up, and each feeling has its own unique backstory. Understanding these emotions and experiences is our life’s work. The more we learn, the deeper we can continue to explore. (Rohr, 2023)

We exercise trust in one another daily as we step forward to live more fully in response to the prompting of the Spirit.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?2 

Meditation on Hebrews 11:1-7. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/02/18/612818/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?2 

Rohr, R. (2023, February 18). The Hebrew Prophets — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-hebrew-prophets-2023-02-18/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Is My Son, the Beloved - Listen to Him! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=feb18 

Shirley, N. (2023, February 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021823.html