Complacency and Curiosity

The Church in Canada today celebrates St. John de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues and Companions with  alternate texts. 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, from the USCCB, challenge us to respond to the contrast between the fullness of life promised by Jesus and the drudgery and disappointment that is too often our experience on our journey.

Called to Consider

The Book of Ecclesiastes declares All things are vanity.

* [1:1] David’s son…king in Jerusalem: the intent of the author is to identify himself with Solomon. This is a literary device, by which the author hopes to commend his work to the public under the name of Israel’s most famous sage (see 1 Kgs 5:9–14).

* [1:2] Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness.

* [1:3] Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify “on the earth.”

* [1:8] All things are wearisome: or, “All speech is wearisome.”

* [1:11] Movement in nature and human activity appears to result in change and progress. The author argues that this change and progress are an illusion: “Nothing is new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 declares God’s Eternity and Human Frailty.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Herod’s Opinion of Jesus.

* [9:7] Herod the tetrarch: see note on Lk 3:1.

* [9:9] And he kept trying to see him: this indication of Herod’s interest in Jesus prepares for Lk 13:31–33 and for Lk 23:8–12 where Herod’s curiosity about Jesus’ power to perform miracles remains unsatisfied. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason comments that in today’s reading, Herod was being confronted with the idea of a miraculous being and could not grasp that concept, so he interpreted it as a threat to his monarchy and made it clear his desire was to end Jesus. In a way, he was denying the true nature of the Lord.

The idea of denying my Lord makes me uncomfortable. But, if I sit with the question, the answer becomes maybe…. Yes. I deny the Lord when I sin. I struggle to welcome certain teachings in the bible. It is difficult for me to accept the scope of His power. Now, what can I do with all this introspection? I have managed to reflect my way into thinking I may not be a great Catholic. But then I am reminded that these questions are not meant to be easy. Following Christ was not and is not the path of least resistance. Herod denied that path, the people we meet throughout the Gospels struggled, and we continue to struggle today. Therefore, I ask Christ for the perseverance to continue my faith journey, for my peace and understanding in the Lord’s Word to increase. I place my struggles and denials at His feet, asking for patience, love, and forgiveness on this journey to heaven and greater understanding. (Mason, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:7-9 comments that we may want to see the Lord yet are hampered by blurred vision. Unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, and anxiety—all of these and more can keep us in a fog of our own. The Holy Spirit can clear away the clouds. Through the gift of repentance, we can cooperate with him in this work. In fact, getting into the habit of repenting at the end of every day is probably one of the best ways to sharpen our vision.

Every evening, look over your day, and ask the Spirit to help you identify anything that you may have thought or said or done that was displeasing to the Lord. Then simply ask for forgiveness and for the Spirit’s help to do better tomorrow. If the sin is serious, resolve to bring it to Confession as soon as you can. Then end by thanking God for his mercy. Over time, your vision will become clearer simply because you are giving the Holy Spirit room to work in your heart.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and remove the clouds that keep me from seeing Jesus clearly.” (Meditation on Luke 9:7-9, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes how the Book of Qoheleth or Ecclesiastes challenges the traditional wisdom of Israel by expressing that things do not always work out and we are challenged to do our best in sometimes messy situations. Herod son of Herod the Great wonders and is fascinated about Jesus. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus attracts people that we would not expect.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Authors Adam Bucko and Rory McEntee who envision what a “new monasticism” could mean today.

 

By new, we refer to the phenomenon of living out this spiritual vocation in the world…. We have found that many people today are feeling the same deep calling as the monks of old, a calling of complete commitment to the transformative journey, yet without the urge to act out this calling in the traditional way. They do not find themselves necessarily drawn to a monastery, or to celibacy, or to disengagement and liberation from the world. They instead feel a radical urge to live out this calling in the world—to be embedded in the world, with the hardship of financial realities, the ups and downs of political unrest, the blessings and difficulties of relationships—all in the midst of a contemporary society that does not support such a calling. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the situation of the world and open ourselves to the prompting of the Spirit to seek fullness of life as brothers and sisters of Christ.

References

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/1? 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?7 

Mason, M. (2024, September 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092624.html 

Meditation on Luke 9:7-9. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/26/1081064/ 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Set Apart and Within the World. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/set-apart-and-within-the-world/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Suppressing Truth to Ease a Guilty Conscience. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep26 

Virtue and Visibility

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the ability of our virtuous living to be a guide and positive influence in our environment.

Let the Light Shine

The reading from the Book of Proverbs notes that Justice Toward One’s Neighbor brings Blessing.

* [3:21–35] As in other instructions, the father in vv. 21–26 urges the son to seek wisdom, which in this case means practicing the virtues of “deliberation and planning,” a specification of wisdom. Practicing these virtues brings protection from violence (vv. 22–26) and friendship with God (vv. 32–35). The language is like Ps 91.

Verses 27–35 are arranged according to a clear order. Serving God requires serving one’s neighbor through kindness (vv. 27–28), maintaining peace with the good (vv. 29–31), having no envy of the wicked (v. 31), because the Lord’s friendship and kindness are with the just, not with the wicked. Matching the six exhortations of vv. 1–12, vv. 27–34 contain six prohibitions. The righteous/wicked contrast is progressively developed: in contrast to the wicked, the righteous are in God’s inner circle, their houses are blessed, they deal with a merciful God, and obtain honor. (Proverbs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 15 asks Who shall abide in God’s Sanctuary?

* [Psalm 15] The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3–6; Is 33:14b–16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor. (Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke explores placing a Lamp under a Jar.

* [8:16–18] These sayings continue the theme of responding to the word of God. Those who hear the word must become a light to others (Lk 8:16); even the mysteries of the kingdom that have been made known to the disciples (Lk 8:9–10) must come to light (Lk 8:17); a generous and persevering response to the word of God leads to a still more perfect response to the word. (Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Andy Alexander, S.J. comments on His invitation and grace to be like Him in loving and forgiving others, and of a life of self-sacrificing love and accompanying others.

The help Jesus offers us today is to remember that I often "forget" what I've heard. The good news of his love, the promise of his closeness and the assistance offered me, all fade away when I let stress, anxiety, compromises, bad choices cloud my memory. I forget. The grace I ask for today is that I might continue to remember what I've heard and to rely on that good news in living my life more gratefully and with greater trust. (Alexander, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Word of God is like a lamp to guide us,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Scripture does not say this about a tangible lamp but about a comprehensible one. One does not 'light' the lamp and conceal it 'with a vessel' or put it 'under a bed, but on the lamp stand' within himself. The vessels of the house are the powers of the soul. The bed is the body. 'Those who go in' are those who hear the teacher... He calls the holy church a 'lamp stand.' By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge. (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON LUKE 120, 122) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 8:16-18 comments that we can hear the Scriptures every day at Mass. We can read and even study the Bible during our prayer time. But how are we hearing God’s message? Are we putting it into practice, or are we taking God’s word for granted, rushing through it, or even allowing it to stay at a superficial level?

God speaks to us most clearly and directly through his word. So spend time with the Scriptures today. The more you do this, the more you’ll hear God speaking to you—and the more you’ll be inspired to obey him. And that will make you like a lamp on a lampstand, shining brightly and illuminating the world around you.

“Lord, thank you for speaking to me in your word! May it shine forth from me as I follow you.” (Meditation on Luke 8:16-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the simple teaching of Proverbs on how to live a good life and be supported by God. He notes another emphasis in Matthew about being secret as a technique of Jewish teaching that presents both extremes. There is no such thing as a hidden sin. Our sin is sensed by others so we need to seek transparency. Friar Jude reminds us that God cannot increase our faith if we are not willing to accept it.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual teacher Beverly Lanzetta who considers what constitutes a “new monk”. Lanzetta describes how “new monks” practice their spirituality outside monastic enclosure.

New expressions of monasticism are not only authentic, but also offer a vital and necessary counterpoint to secular society. This is especially true because the monk in the world is bound by his or her vocation to be a self-reflective person—one who seeks higher meaning and dedicates his or her life on Earth to its pursuit. It is arduous work to dig deep into one’s soul, bringing forth hidden or unconscious motives contrary to a spiritual life. I find that the younger generations are especially drawn to the movement of new monasticism, as many were born with awareness of a new religious sensibility and a global Earth community. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are spiritual beings who are drawn by the Spirit to virtuous living hopefully as a lamp of truth, goodness, and love in our environment.

References

Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092324.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?16 

Meditation on Luke 8:16-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/23/1078725/ 

Proverbs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/3?27 

Psalms, PSALM 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/15?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The New Monk. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-new-monk/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Every Secret Shall Come to Light. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep23