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 

Service in Evil Times

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to situations of inequity and selfishness that we are inspired by the Spirit to address with the gentleness and meekness of the Suffering Servant.

A Day for Service

The reading from Micah is about social evils denounced by the prophet.

* [2:1–5] The cry “Ah” (hoy) begins a typical prophetic speech that is usually continued, as here (vv. 1–2), by a description of the addressees in terms of their unrighteous activities. This description is an indictment which gives the reasons for punishment announced to a particular group of people (vv. 3–5). The prophet spells out the crimes; the Lord announces the punishment, which corresponds to the crime: those who take the land of others will have their own land taken. (Micah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Psalm 10 is a prayer for deliverance from enemies.

But you do see;

you take note of misery and sorrow; . [10:14] Ps 31:8; 56:9; 2 Kgs 20:5; Is 25:8; Rev 7:17. (Psalms, PSALM 10, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is declared as God’s Chosen Servant.

* [12:15–21] Matthew follows Mk 3:7–12 but summarizes his source in two verses (Mt 12:15, 16) that pick up the withdrawal, the healings, and the command for silence. To this he adds a fulfillment citation from the first Servant Song (Is 42:1–4) that does not correspond exactly to either the Hebrew or the LXX of that passage. It is the longest Old Testament citation in this gospel, emphasizing the meekness of Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, and foretelling the extension of his mission to the Gentiles. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was unavailable at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “The Savior's meekness,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"The prophet celebrated in advance both the Savior's meekness right alongside his unspeakable power. Thereby he opened to the Gentiles a great and effective door. Isaiah also foretold the ills that were to overtake the Jews. He foreknew the Son's oneness with the Father: 'Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him' (Isaiah 42:1). For it is not as an adversary that Christ transcends the law, as if he were an enemy of the Lawgiver, but as though he were of one mind with the Lawgiver and held to the very same purposes. Then, proclaiming the Lord's meekness, Isaiah said, 'He shall not cry nor lift up his voice' (Isaiah 42:20). For his desire indeed was to enable healing in their presence. But since they pushed him away, he did not contend any further against their opposition." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.2.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21 comments that unfortunately, many people still don’t know the Lord. Some live in countries where the government has made it difficult for the Church to flourish. And others live in places where the hope of Christ has been confused or forgotten. And so in every age, God calls certain people to spread the gospel as missionaries. These men and women give up their comfort and careers to proclaim the good news to people who have never heard of Jesus.

Even if we aren’t sent to another country, we can still participate in this mission. We can learn about different countries with our children or grandchildren and talk with them about the challenges facing the Church in that region. We can donate to a charity that serves people in one of these places. And we can pray for missionaries around the world to be strengthened and encouraged.

You can make a difference.

“Jesus, you are our hope, wherever we live. Help me spread your gospel.” (Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the horizontal and vertical dimensions of our faith as he comments on Micah’s condemnation of inequity that is punished by the Lord. The language and theology of the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah are different from the texts in which they are found. In Matthew, Jesus recalls the Son of Man from Daniel and uses the image of the Suffering Servant to underline meekness, compassion, and empathy.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in their book The Courage Way, Shelly Francis and the Center for Courage and Renewal share ideas about creating spaces of trust among people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. They have identified eleven “touchstones” or “ground rules” to help move groups into greater trust, belonging, and understanding.

Give and Receive Welcome

Extend hospitality, and presume welcome, too. This includes welcome and support for diverse perspectives, opinions, and approaches. . . .

Be Present as Fully as Possible

. . . Bring all of yourself—your doubts, fears, and failings as well as your convictions, joys, and successes, your listening as well as your speaking—to the work. . . .

Extend Invitation, Not Demand

. . . Participation by listening with care is no less a contribution than participation by speaking with care. . . .

Speak Your Truth in Ways That Respect Other People’s Truth

. . . When you’re getting to know people, it’s vital to share stories across lines of difference, not to debate who’s right or wrong, and not to cast blame or shame. . . .

No Fixing, Saving, Advising, or Correcting Each Other

. . . Good leaders point their team in a direction where they can find answers, and also instill the belief that team members have the gifts and capacity to make good decisions the leaders will support. . . .

When the Going Gets Rough, Turn to Wonder

If you feel judgmental, or defensive . . . ask yourself, “I wonder what brought her to this belief?” “I wonder what he’s feeling right now?” “I wonder what my reaction teaches me about myself?” . . .

Practice Asking Open, Honest Questions

. . . Open, honest questions are the ones you cannot possibly know the answer to in advance; they are meant to elicit insights, to help people access their own resourcefulness. . . .

Attend to Your Own Inner Teacher

As you listen to and interact with others, pay close attention to your own reactions and responses. . . .

Trust and Learn from the Silence

Silence, or stillness, is a gift in our noisy world, and a way of knowing in itself. . . .

Commit to and Maintain Confidentiality

People are more likely to trust each other . . . when they know that their words and stories will remain with those with whom they choose to share them, and will never be passed on to others without permission. . . .

Know That It’s Possible for the Seeds Planted Here to Keep Growing

. . . We stand in many tragic gaps in life, and recognize that our vocation lies somewhere between what is real and what can be. (Rohr, n.d.)

We have the guidance of the Spirit as we work for peace and community in environments harmed by greed and selfishness.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?14 

Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/16/442932/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/10?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Practice of the Better. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/practice-of-the-better-weekly-summary-2022-07-15/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Until Jesus Brings Justice to Victory. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul16