Thanksgiving for Mercy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be thankful for the events in which mercy brought new life to our journey even as we extend mercy to those in need in our environment.

Mercy on our Journey

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah presents the cure of Hezekiah’s Illness.

* [38:1] In those days: before the siege of Jerusalem in 701 B.C.

* [38:5] Since Hezekiah died in 687 B.C., his sickness may have occurred in 702 B.C., that is, fifteen years before.

* [38:8] Stairway to the terrace of Ahaz: this interpretation is based on a reading of the Hebrew text revised according to the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah; cf. 2 Kgs 23:12. Many translate the phrase as “steps of Ahaz” and understand this as referring to a sundial.

* [38:21–22] These verses are clearly out of place. Logically they should come after v. 6, as they do in the parallel account in 2 Kgs 20, but the two accounts are not identical, and it appears that the version in Isaiah is abbreviated from that in Kings. If that is so, Is 38:21–22 would be a secondary addition from Kings, inserted by a later reader who thought the account incomplete. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from the Prophet Isaiah is Hezekiah’s Hymn of Thanksgiving.

* [38:10] In the noontime of life: long before the end of a full span of life; cf. Ps 55:24; 102:25.

* [38:11] See the LORD: go to the Temple and take part in its service.

* [38:12] These two metaphors emphasize the suddenness and finality of death.

* [38:15–16] The Hebrew text is very problematic and its meaning uncertain. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees criticize Jesus for plucking grain on the Sabbath.

* [12:1–2] The picking of the heads of grain is here equated with reaping, which was forbidden on the sabbath (Ex 34:21).

* [12:3–4] See 1 Sm 21:2–7. In the Marcan parallel (Mk 2:25–26) the high priest is called Abiathar, although in 1 Samuel this action is attributed to Ahimelech. The Old Testament story is not about a violation of the sabbath rest; its pertinence to this dispute is that a violation of the law was permissible because of David’s men being without food.

* [12:5–6] This and the following argument (Mt 12:7) are peculiar to Matthew. The temple service seems to be the changing of the showbread on the sabbath (Lv 24:8) and the doubling on the sabbath of the usual daily holocausts (Nm 28:9–10). The argument is that the law itself requires work that breaks the sabbath rest, because of the higher duty of temple service. If temple duties outweigh the sabbath law, how much more does the presence of Jesus, with his proclamation of the kingdom (something greater than the temple), justify the conduct of his disciples.

* [12:7] See note on Mt 9:13.

* [12:8] The ultimate justification for the disciples’ violation of the sabbath rest is that Jesus, the Son of Man, has supreme authority over the law. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner is not sure if Jesus ever rolled his eyes – he was human, after all – and this seems a perfect opportunity to do it. Jesus tells the Pharisees that he desires mercy, not sacrifice.

Do I close my prayer journal with a snap and then go on into my day, doing things that might not involve mercy? I roll my eyes at a slow clerk. I avoid my sister’s phone call even though I know she might need that human connection, but I don’t want to take the time. I don’t even acknowledge the humanity of the man at the intersection who is asking for some change.

Where is my mercy? My faith demands more of me than lip service to prayers and following rules. Love your neighbors means that while I am walking my dog, I can engage in conversation with the overly chatty elderly woman who lives down the street instead of beating a hasty retreat to the backyard because I don’t want to take that time. Being present to friends and family instead of only thinking of what’s left on my to-do list.

Mercy can be extending that time and attention to those around me. I may be busy or tired, but that mercy is no sacrifice. I pray for mercy and the willingness to extend mercy to those I encounter. (Zuegner, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The Seventh Day,” from the early Greek fathers, attributed to Eusebius of Alexandria (5th century AD).

"Now every week has seven days. Six of these God has given to us for work, and one for prayer, rest, and making reparation for our sins, so that on the Lord's Day we may atone to God for any sins we have committed on the other six days. Therefore, arrive early at the church of God; draw near to the Lord and confess your sins to him, repenting in prayer and with a contrite heart. Attend the holy and divine liturgy; finish your prayer and do not leave before the dismissal. Contemplate your master as he is broken and distributed, yet not consumed. If you have a clear conscience, go forward and partake of the body and blood of the Lord." (excerpt from SERMON 6, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 comments that God certainly knew Hezekiah’s flaws, just as he knows ours. But he looks at everyone with love and generosity. His desire to make us whole does not depend on our behavior or merit. He is eager to do good for us simply because he loves us. In that love, God wants to heal us, to show mercy to us, and to fill us with his own life.

You may be dealing with a situation that you think is impossible. Perhaps, like Hezekiah, it’s an illness. Perhaps it is a problem in your family or with your job. And perhaps you think you need to be perfect in order for God to answer your prayers. Bring your needs to the Lord anyway. Trust in his goodness. He loves and cares for you! Even when God doesn’t give you the healing you are hoping for, he will always heal you in some way.

Never lose sight of the truth that God is always good!

“Lord, thank you for hearing my every prayer! I know that you are faithful and just and that you will answer me according to your goodness.” (Meditation on Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Hezekiah was a very good king who trusted in the ways of the Lord and did what was right. Isaiah cured him and showed the sign of the retreat of the shadow of the sun on the terrace of Ahaz. The scrupulosity of the Pharisees criticized Jesus picking the grain as a harvest. Friar Jude reminds us to question blind observance and remember that scrupulosity is a guideline and not a prison. Pharisees were unable to see beyond legalism and be free in the Spirit.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, names accountability and confession as vital in the healing process. 

Early Christians were encouraged to participate in the healing power of communal confession: “So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, and this will cure you” (James 5:16). Step 5 of the Twelve Steps says the same thing. Clearly, some notion of peer accountability and personal responsibility for our mistakes and failures is essential to heal or restore actual human relationships.  

When we human beings honestly and humbly “admit” to one another “the exact nature of our wrongs,” we invariably have a human and humanizing encounter that deeply enriches both sides, and even changes lives—often forever! It’s no longer an exercise to achieve moral purity or regain God’s love, but in fact a direct encounter with God’s love. It’s not about punishing one side, but liberating both sides. God resists our evil and conquers it with good, or how could God ask the same of us?! God shocks and stuns us into love. Only love affects true, healthy inner transformation. Duress, guilt, shunning, or social pressure cannot do this. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to help us recall with gratitude the life that we have received through the mercy extended to us by others on our journey 

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/38?1 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/38?10 

Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?1 

Meditation on Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/19/1025555/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/confession-not-cancellation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Desire Mercy and Not Sacrifice. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul19 

Zuegner, C. (2024, July 19). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071924.html 

Faith in the Face of Evil

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to prayer as we encounter evil and illness in the world around us.

Children Lead

 

The reading from the Letter of James reminds us of the Prayer of Faith.

* [5:14] In case of sickness a Christian should ask for the presbyters of the church, i.e., those who have authority in the church (cf. Acts 15:2, 22–23; 1 Tm 5:17; Ti 1:5). They are to pray over the person and anoint with oil; oil was used for medicinal purposes in the ancient world (see Is 1:6; Lk 10:34). In Mk 6:13, the Twelve anoint the sick with oil on their missionary journey. In the name of the Lord: by the power of Jesus Christ. * [5:15] The results of the prayer and anointing are physical health and forgiveness of sins. The Roman Catholic Church (Council of Trent, Session 14) declared that this anointing of the sick is a sacrament “instituted by Christ and promulgated by blessed James the apostle.”1

 

Psalm 141 is a prayer for preservation from Evil.

* [Psalm 141] A lament of an individual (Ps 141:1–2) who is keenly aware that only the righteous can worship God properly and who therefore prays to be protected from the doomed wicked (Ps 141:3–10).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus blesses little children.

* [10:15] Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child: i.e., in total dependence upon and obedience to the gospel; cf. Mt 18:3–4.3

 

Michael Kavan comments that Jesus has a special place in his heart for those with no social standing in society. As such, he becomes “indignant” and actually angry with his disciples for rebuking the parents.

So, how does this parable apply to us today? To me, it’s pretty simple. Take the best qualities of being “like a child” and incorporate them into our lives as adults. Go into our interactions with a basic sense of trust, be open and accepting of people from all backgrounds – especially those that are different from ourselves. Be quick to forgive and let go of grudges. Maybe, most importantly, have trust and faith in God and live joyfully. And as Mark wrote, we will be embraced and blessed.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “When the reception of grace begins,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"The apostle praised one [Timothy] who had known the holy Scripture from infancy (2 Timothy 3:15). He also instructed that children be reared 'in the discipline and correction of the Lord' (Ephesians 6:4). So we consider every time of life, even the very earliest, suitable for receiving persons into the community of faith."(excerpt from THE LONG RULES 15)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:13-16 comments that to Jesus, each little child is a masterpiece of God’s loving creation. Beginning with their very conception, each one is a work of art made in the image of their heavenly Father. By correcting his disciples and embracing the children, Jesus is telling them, and us, how precious children are to him.

What a blessing it is for a child to learn that Jesus is approachable! That God cares about them and that he is available to them. And what a blessing it is for us to discover, or rediscover, the childlike innocence and freedom that Jesus wants to give all of us! “Jesus, I pray for every child today. Touch each one with your love and your presence.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes that James continues his paraenesis at the end of the letter that includes our responsibility to bring people back to the community with our love. The Kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike trust in Providence. Friar Jude reminds us that most of the Marian apparitions are to the humble and simple.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that one of our primary blocks to intimacy occurs in childhood when our needs for comfort and connection are not met. Buddhist practitioners Peggy Rowe Ward and Larry Ward offer a meditation exercise to connect with younger versions of ourselves and our partners.

Breathing in, seeing your partner as a five-year-old little boy or little girl, fragile and vulnerable. Breathing out, smiling to your partner as a five-year-old child. See or imagine holding the hands of your partner. See your partner as a five-year-old child. Holding your partner’s small hands.   Breathing in, becoming aware that your partner is in you, breathing out, holding your partner in you tenderly. Aware that your partner is in you. Holding your partner tenderly.7

 

In times when evil threatens our peace, we pray that the Spirit will reunite us with our inner child seeking joy and connection with everyone.

 

References

1	(n.d.). James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 141 | USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/141
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022622.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb26
6	(n.d.). Meditation: Mark 10:13-16 - The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://cac.org/intimacy-weekly-summary-2022-02-26/