Enemy Action

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to pray for guidance as we apply the “Golden Rule” to our interaction with the people in our environment.

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” 

The reading from the Book of Esther is Esther’s Prayer.

Psalm 138 offers Thanksgiving and Praise.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus exhorts us to Ask, Search, and Knock.

* [7:9–10] There is a resemblance between a stone and a round loaf of bread and between a serpent and the scaleless fish called barbut.

* [7:12] See Lk 6:31. This saying, known since the eighteenth century as the “Golden Rule,” is found in both positive and negative form in pagan and Jewish sources, both earlier and later than the gospel. This is the law and the prophets is an addition probably due to the evangelist. (Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Angela Maynard notes that the final lesson today is known as the Golden Rule. “"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” 

There is so much division, anger and unrest all over our world.  I truly believe most of this could be resolved if we could take a collective deep breath and get back to the basics.  Living as Jesus teaches us seems like the balm that is needed to heal the division, anger and unrest that too many are impacted by. (Maynard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The gift of being good,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"He who has given us the gift of being gives us also the gift of being good. He gives to those who have turned back to Him. He even sought them out before they were converted and when they were far from his ways!" (Commentary on Psalm 103, 2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 7:7-12 comments that holy men and women through the ages have asked and knocked and sought God. Sometimes what they received didn’t look much like a gift. But they kept seeking. And in their seeking, their eyes were opened to see God’s blessing in their lives.

Our loving Father wants to share the “bread” of his blessings with each of us, but not everyone can recognize it. How can you imitate the holy men and women who have gone before us and find God’s goodness in your life?

“Father, open my eyes to see the bread you are offering me!” (Meditation on Matthew 7:7-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Esther is one of the Hebrew Testament books in various versions. Esther prays to God recognizing Covenant and her status as orphan while seeking help for the rescue of the Israelites. Matthew asserts that God provides much better than a parent. The most loving answer to prayer sometimes involves perseverance or meeting us on the Cross. Friar Jude cites the version of the Golden Rule attributed to the Jewish sage, Hillel the Elder. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author and Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz-Weber who describes an experience of lapsing into guilt and self-incrimination during a silent retreat. She recalls how the prophet Jonah had difficulty accepting God’s grace and forgiveness for all, especially his enemies.

The image that comes to my mind as I am cry-laughing during this “silent retreat” is that of Jonah sitting alone on his own hill, questioning God’s forgiveness…. When Jonah’s enemies repent and are shown mercy by God, Jonah … says: “That’s why I didn’t want this stupid job in the first place—because I knew, God, that you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” [see Jonah 4:2]. And it’s hard to manipulate a God like that….   

God’s grace and mercy throws the whole reward and punishment system out the window. So sometimes I want to yell “noooooo” and reach as fast as I can to get it back. Forgiveness can sting when we don’t feel “worthy” of it, when it seems like we are getting away with something…. As if feeling bad for what I have done is the same as being good, when in fact it is not.   

What if we’ve already been forgiven for the ways we’ve hurt the people we love? What if we’ve already been forgiven for not being perfect parents? What if we’ve already been forgiven for the [stuff] we haven’t even done yet?… Maybe forgiving myself isn’t something that happens once on a silent retreat but is a daily option. Give us this day our daily forgiveness, even for ourselves. (Rohr, n.d.)

Even as we are encouraged by the Gospel invitation to Seek, Ask, and Knock, we consider our experience of using the Golden Rule to guide our actions particularly involving the people we do not treat as friends.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?7 

Maynard, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031325.html 

Meditation on Matthew 7:7-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/13/1225988/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Already Forgiven. CAC Online Ministries. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/already-forgiven/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Ask and You Will Receive from Your Father in Heaven. Daily Scripture Net. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar13 

Seeking Support

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us that prayer is the response to the unsettling and challenging events of life that opens our path to trust and hope in God.

The reading from the Book of Esther is Esther’s Prayer for her people.

Esther’s character matures over the course of the narrative. As a girl she is recruited for the king’s harem because of her physical beauty. But at a key moment in the book (chap. 4), she rises to the challenge to risk her life for the salvation of her people. At that point, she transforms her status as queen from a position of personal privilege to one of power and public responsibility. (Esther, THE BOOK OF ESTHER, n.d.)

Psalm 138 offers Thanksgiving and Praise.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, we are taught to Ask, Search, and Knock in the answer to our Prayers and live the Golden Rule.

* [7:9–10] There is a resemblance between a stone and a round loaf of bread and between a serpent and the scaleless fish called barbut.

* [7:12] See Lk 6:31. This saying, known since the eighteenth century as the “Golden Rule,” is found in both positive and negative form in pagan and Jewish sources, both earlier and later than the gospel. This is the law and the prophets is an addition probably due to the evangelist. (Matthew, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock speaks about her Big Ask of God.

I was heartbroken. this was God’s special cat and with a bum leg to boot. I begged God to show me a sign - a bluebird in my back yard, to assure me she was in heaven with him. Well, about three days later, as I walked through my kitchen I glanced up at the electric wire outside my window - and there sat a BLUE PARAKEET!! It stayed long enough for me to photograph, then flew away. I was stunned and amazed and so grateful that God hears even a prayer about a pet cat with a freed pet bird! (Braddock, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The gift of being good,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"He who has given us the gift of being gives us also the gift of being good. He gives to those who have turned back to Him. He even sought them out before they were converted and when they were far from his ways!" (Commentary on Psalm 103, 2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8 urges us to think about the big things that are on our heart today.

Lay them before the Lord. Remember how faithful he has been. Invite others to join you in prayer and maybe even fasting. Linger in prayer long enough for God to make your role clear to you. Then let the Lord strengthen you to overcome any nervous hesitation you might feel so that you can do what he inspires you to do.

Like Esther, we can be confident that God has put us here for a reason and that he will give us the strength to do his will.

“Lord, thank you for putting this need on my heart. Show me what you are asking me to do about it. I count on your strength within me.” (Meditation on Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the prayerful efforts of Ester to have the Emperor retract the edict calling for execution of the Jews. Our prayers for intercession recognize that we can’t do it all on our own and that God loves us more than any human. Friar Jude reminds us to ask for what we believe we need as we trust God to respond by addressing our deepest need.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest and writer Mary Earle who finds inspiration for spiritual practice in the sayings of a Desert Mother known as Syncletica of Alexandria. The wisdom of the desert tempers our instinct to avoid boredom and discomfort.

Our ancient mothers knew that when boredom threatened, it could very well be the outward and visible sign of God’s secret, hidden, inner work within the human heart and soul. Consequently, they emphasized staying in the cell, in the little room of daily living, and letting that cell be their teacher…. 

Staying in the cell, or “sitting on the eggs,” means noticing our appetite for overstimulation. The cell teaches us to slow down, …. to notice what is right in front of us. The wisdom the desert mothers offer us is that by staying with ourselves, with our inner ups and downs, with our hurts and our fears, we will bring forth the new life that God is creating within us. (Rohr, 2023)

We are invited by the Spirit to accept the mindfulness and patience that resonate with our prayer as we are challenged by the changes in our journey.

References

Braddock, S. (2023, March 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030223.html 

Esther, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/esther/4?17=#19004017 

Esther, THE BOOK OF ESTHER. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/esther/0 

Matthew, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7? 

Meditation on Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/02/621082/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 2). Bringing Forth New Life — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/bringing-forth-new-life-2023-03-02/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Ask and You Will Receive from Your Father in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar2 

Penance Prayer Perseverance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be open to the promptings of the Spirit to pray about our desires and seek openness to surrender to the will of God calling us into communities of Love.

Seeking Reconciliation

In the reading from the Book of Genesis, Abraham intercedes for Sodom.

* [18:20] The immorality of the cities was already hinted at in 13:13, when Lot made his choice to live there. The “outcry” comes from the victims of the injustice and violence rampant in the city, which will shortly be illustrated in the treatment of the visitors. The outcry of the Hebrews under the harsh treatment of Pharaoh (Ex 3:7) came up to God who reacts in anger at mistreatment of the poor (cf. Ex 22:21–23; Is 5:7). Sodom and Gomorrah became types of sinful cities in biblical literature. Is 1:9–10; 3:9 sees their sin as lack of social justice, Ez 16:46–51, as disregard for the poor, and Jer 23:14, as general immorality. In the Genesis story, the sin is violation of the sacred duty of hospitality by the threatened rape of Lot’s guests. (Genesis, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Colossians declares the sovereign tole of Christ.

* [2:14] The elaborate metaphor here about how God canceled the legal claims against us through Christ’s cross depicts not Christ being nailed to the cross by men but the bond…with its legal claims being nailed to the cross by God. (Colossians, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke shares the Lord’s Prayer and a metaphor about perseverance in prayer.

* [11:13] The holy Spirit: this is a Lucan editorial alteration of a traditional saying of Jesus (see Mt 7:11). Luke presents the gift of the holy Spirit as the response of the Father to the prayer of the Christian disciple. (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)

Molly Mattingly comments that remembering Jesus’ words within the context of teaching us how to pray helps bring them into focus. In Ignatian spirituality, we know God speaks to us through our deepest desires. Naming our desires before God is an honest prayer. God wants us to ask, seek, and knock about those desires! Honesty like that is the foundation of good discernment, a collaboration with God, a participation in the abundant life God wants to give us. “Even when you were dead,” writes Paul, “[Christ] brought you to life along with him.” God draws us close through our desires. Abraham “drew nearer” to God to pray centuries before Jesus taught his disciples.

So who is this God to whom Jesus teaches us to pray? A loving parent, a generous friend, a just king, and a compassionate teacher who is with us amid our struggles (Jesus himself). This God is not a trickster, a miser, or cruel. If we are skeptical that God could be that good to us, Jesus holds up a mirror to help us out. If we know how to be loving parents, generous friends, fair judges, and compassionate, encouraging teachers – and most of us have a pretty good idea of how to do those things, even if we don’t always do them perfectly – how much more does God know how to love us? Then Jesus teaches us to ask for what draws us closer to God: for forgiveness, for what we need, for the coming of the Kingdom. If we seek the coming of the Kingdom, we can begin to see it and participate in it. If we knock on the door of abundant life, it opens. Indeed, we may find we were holding it closed to begin with, and it opens easily once we let go of the handle to knock. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The privilege and responsibility of calling God Father”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"For the Savior said, 'When you pray, say, 'Our Father.' And another of the holy Evangelists adds, 'who art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9)... He gives his own glory to us. He raises slaves to the dignity of freedom. He crowns the human condition with such honor as surpasses the power of nature. He brings to pass what was spoken of old by the voice of the psalmist: 'I said, you are gods, and all of you children of the Most High' (Psalm 82:6). He rescues us from the measure of slavery, giving us by his grace what we did not possess by nature, and permits us to call God 'Father,' as being admitted to the rank of sons. We received this, together with all our other privileges, from him. One of these privileges is the dignity of freedom, a gift peculiarly befitting those who have been called to be sons. He commands us, therefore, to take boldness and say in our prayers, 'Our Father.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 71) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:1-13 comments that boldness didn’t come naturally to the disciples—and it doesn’t come naturally to us. So Jesus gives all of us an insider’s view of the kind of Father we have. He is more merciful and generous than the best human father (Luke 6:36; 11:13). He is attentive to our needs and always ready to hear and answer our prayers (12:30; 11:10). He will not give us a scorpion when we ask for an egg (11:12). He is rich in kindness and forgiveness (23:34). How awesome that he welcomes us as his children!

Jesus wants to give you the courage to pray, “Father.” So at Mass today, pray the Lord’s Prayer with gratitude and awe that God is your loving Father.

“Father! Thank you for making me your child.” (Meditation on Luke 11:1-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the chutzpah of the prayer conversation of Abraham with God in Genesis. The author of Colossians shares how God responds to our transgressions calling us to rise with Christ in Baptism. Luke notes Jesus' prayer for discernment eleven times in his Gospel. Friar Jude connects our persistence in prayer to communicating with chutzpah our desire to accept the Will of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that this year’s Daily Meditations theme is “Nothing Stands Alone,” a truth revealed in God as Trinity and throughout all of creation. This week we explore how listening with depth, respect, and even reverence is key to building and maintaining loving relationships. In this homily, Father Richard speaks of Jesus’ desire for us to remain connected.

Everybody seems to be trying to prove that they are right. We have almost a collective incapacity to admit failure, to ever admit that we are wrong, which makes us liars most of the time. Jesus is calling forth a very different kind of human being.

Jesus says people who live the vulnerable life of connection and relationship will bear much fruit. These are the people we trust, like, and admire. And yet so many of us are afraid to be the very thing that we admire the most. How foolish human beings are! But again, Jesus has told us the way: he is the vine. We are the branches. None of us can be or need to be correct, but we can always be connected. (Rohr, 2022)

We pray and explore our relationship with God through which the Spirit encourages us to knock and receive our family in the Body of Christ.

References

Colossians, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/2?12 

Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/072422.html 

Genesis, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/18?20 

Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?1 

Meditation on Luke 11:1-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/07/24/447868/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Rohr, R. (2022, July 24). Remain in Relationship — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/remain-in-relationship-2022-07-24/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jul24