Strife and Joy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, contrast the struggle as workers in Jesus' vineyard, with the deep joy that comes to us from our relationship with Christ.

Joy in the Struggle

In the reading from the Prophet Jeremiah he complains again and is reassured.

* [15:13–14] Though the wording of these verses is close to that in 17:3–4, the present passage is evidently God’s word to Jeremiah, whereas 17:3–4 is evidently a word of judgment on Judah. It is noteworthy that the references to “you” in the present passage are singular, until a shift to plural in “against you” in the last line; this “you” is then doubtless a reference to both the prophet and his enemies. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 59 is a prayer for Deliverance from Enemies.

* [Psalm 59] A lament in two parts (Ps 59:2–9, 11b–17), each ending in a refrain (Ps 59:10, 18). Both parts alternate prayer for vindication (Ps 59:2–3, 4b–5, 11b–14) with vivid depictions of the psalmist’s enemies (Ps 59:4–5a, 7–8, 15–16). The near curse in Ps 59:12–13 is not a crude desire for revenge but a wish that God’s just rule over human affairs be recognized now. (Psalms, PSALM 59 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Three Parables

* [13:44–50] The first two of the last three parables of the discourse have the same point. The person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds a pearl of great price sell all that they have to acquire these finds; similarly, the one who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. The joy with which this is done is made explicit in the first parable, but it may be presumed in the second also. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cynthia Schmersal finds herself romanticizing or glossing over the gritty realities of St. Ignatius’ pilgrim journey – his thwarted plans, his struggles – exterior and interior, and his invitations to humility.

On his Feast this year, in our remembering and our celebrating, may we also acknowledge the complexity of St. Ignatius’ life and of our own lives, lovingly and ever so gently attending to the spaces in our lives that cry out “Woe to me, mother that you gave me birth!”, that question “Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?” May we – trusting in our identities as beloved pearls of great price and in the One who is indeed our refuge – turn to our God and hear – in the depths of our being – the abiding assurance “I am with you." (Schmersal, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Finding the pearl of great price,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Now among the words of all kinds that profess to announce truth, and among those who report them, he seeks pearls. Think of the prophets as, so to speak, the pearls that receive the dew of heaven and become pregnant with the word of truth from heaven. They are goodly pearls that, according to the phrase here set forth, the merchant seeks. And the chief of the pearls, on the finding of which the rest are found with it, is the very costly pearl, the Christ of God, the Word that is superior to the precious letters and thoughts in the law and the prophets. When one finds this pearl all the rest are easily released. Suppose, then, that one is not a disciple of Christ. He possesses no pearls at all, much less the very costly pearl, as distinguished from those that are cloudy or darkened." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 18.8) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46 comments that Ignatius renounced his past ambitions and turned his relentless zeal toward the quest for holiness. Out of love for Christ, he rigorously pursued prayer, penance, and contemplation. In 1522, he confessed his sins, gave away his fine clothes, and left his sword at an altar in the shrine of Montserrat. Together with several companions, he formed the Society of Jesus in 1539 and brought many people to faith in the Lord. Even today, Ignatius’ witness continues to inspire men and women to prize Jesus above all else and follow him unreservedly.

God may not be calling you to live as Ignatius did, but he does want you to find the pearl of great price. He wants you to taste the goodness of his Son Jesus and experience his love. He wants you to discover that nothing compares with knowing him. So open your heart to the Lord today. Ask the Spirit to help you love Jesus singleheartedly. By his grace, you can “sell all you have” to follow Christ and spread the good news of his love. It’s worth it!

“Thank you, Jesus, for being my pearl of great price.” (Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler introduces the confessions of Jeremiah that challenge God about the persecution that he endures as a possible betrayal by God. Our mission is to do our best and realize that failure to human eyes may be success in the eyes of faith. Friar Jude reminds us that the use of the Kingdom of Heaven phrase likely indicates a final editing of Matthew’s Gospel by a converted Pharisee.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Dorothee Sölle (1929–2003) who understood God’s kingdom as good news for women and all oppressed people.

The Jesus movement lived in conflict with its society. Jesus expected the reversal of all social oppositions through God’s intervention, and this expectation—“the kingdom of God is at hand”—characterized the movement. All those who were outsiders according to the norms of society and held to be “impure” according to the law—the poor, the landless, public sinners, tax collectors, and women—were accepted here. “The last will be first” [Matthew 20:16] is a keynote permeating the whole message of Jesus. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate our journey and process the setbacks and struggles in the light of the joy that comes from our relationship with selfless love that is the treasure of immeasurable value.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/15?10 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?44 

Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/31/1036536/ 

Psalms, PSALM 59 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/59?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Last Shall Be First. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-last-shall-be-first/ 

Schmersal, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/073124.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Joy in Finding Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 31, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul31 

Persecution Preaching and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the essential role of the Bread of Life in the energy and conviction of our witness in word and deed.

Bread of Life

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Saul persecutes the Church and Philip preaches in Samaria.

* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.

* [8:3] Saul…was trying to destroy the church: like Stephen, Saul was able to perceive that the Christian movement contained the seeds of doctrinal divergence from Judaism. A pupil of Gamaliel, according to Acts 22:3, and totally dedicated to the law as the way of salvation (Gal 1:13–14), Saul accepted the task of crushing the Christian movement, at least insofar as it detracted from the importance of the temple and the law. His vehement opposition to Christianity reveals how difficult it was for a Jew of his time to accept a messianism that differed so greatly from the general expectation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 66 offers praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.

* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). (Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares He is the Bread of Life.

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky notes that Lydia of Thyatira, with the Apostle Paul, co-founded the first Christian home church in Europe (Acts 16:15). Lydia brings her entire household together for a celebratory meal.  Everyone wants to hear about her journey, expecting tales about the sights, sounds, and people.  Imagine their surprise when the conversation focuses on one encounter.

I want to tell you about a Prophet named Jesus, a man sent by God.  He spoke about why God sent him -to bring everyone to God.  Jesus accepts anyone God sends to him  – even you and me if we listen to his message.  He called God Aba and talked about the last day.  Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” offering anyone who listens God’s healing nourishment.  The temple authorities follow Jesus throughout Judea, seeing the miracles he performs and hearing his teachings, but refuse to “see” him.  I know what it is like to be not seen and how I felt in Jesus’ presence.  His message has entered my heart.  My soul did not feel hungry for the first time, and I  found water that quenches my thirst.  This Jesus is changing everything, or maybe he is simply calling us back to how the world should be – focused on God.  When Jesus comes to Thyatira, he will be welcome in this household so that you can eat the living bread and drink the water God offers.   

Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,
And I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord (Jn 6:40). (Janky, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Possessing the Scriptures,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When you understand anything in the Scriptures, it is love that is manifesting itself to you. When you fail to understand, it is love that is hiding itself from you. Those, therefore, who possess charity possess both what is manifest in the divine words and what is hidden in them." (excerpt from Sermon 350,2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 8:1-8 comments that over the centuries, the hope in the risen Lord has continued to sustain God’s people as they preached the good news. Today believers in nearly every nation on earth continue to proclaim the gospel, no matter how dangerous the situation. Nothing, not even direct opposition or violence, can overcome their hope in Christ. How can we sustain a vibrant hope in the Lord? By rooting ourselves in the word of God and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus each day. As we draw near to him in prayer, we will experience his goodness, his mercy, and his care for us. Then we will become more confident that he will remain faithful to his promises, whether we are living in peaceful or stormy times.

Do you know someone who has lost hope? The early Christians couldn’t be silenced even when they were being persecuted. Don’t be silent, either! Share with that person the hope that is in your heart, a hope that never runs dry because its source is Jesus himself!

“Jesus, help me to share the reason for my hope.” (Meditation on Acts 8:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the persecution of the Hellenistic Jews that started with Stephen. The Gospel is spread from Aramaic speaking Jews to Greek speaking Jews and then to the heretical Jews in Samaria. Friar Jude notes that Jesus Bread of Life discourse speaks of both realized and future eschatology emphasizing Presence in the Eucharist now.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brazilian liberation theologian Leonardo Boff who witnesses the presence of the Holy Spirit in the creativity of the arts.

The arts are very much like the Spirit. They are intangible. They are ends in themselves. They have an intrinsic value…. Art, music, and poetry in themselves are priceless. They are unique creations, not serial productions. They are like a gift we give to a loved one, valuable for its own sake. Somehow they escape the limits of time and bring us a foretaste of eternity.   

Inspiration is in the air and settles on people without regard for their skin color, their social background, or their educational level. How many illiterate artists have emerged in [Brazil], in marginal communities, and were never noticed: poets, artisans, painters, singers, musicians, mystics? Boasting is not the Spirit’s way; it is like water that quietly runs along the ground, fills the vessels it is poured into, and always chooses to run downhill.  

That is why the Spirit does not have its own figure, as the Father and the Son do. It is portrayed as a dove, but what is important is the radiant light it gives off. It is the Breath (Spiritus in Latin) that reveals life, sustains life, and renews life in every way.   

The universe and all beings are saturated with Spirit. To recognize its presence in every corner of the cosmos is the work of spirituality, of life in the Spirit. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the action of the Spirit that continues to inform our journey and lead us to live in gratitude for the Bread of Life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8?1 

Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041724.html 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?35 

Meditation on Acts 8:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/17/938113/ 

Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Inspires. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-inspires/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Raise You up at the Last Day. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr17