Teaching Care for the People

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, invite us to be open to the prompting of the Spirit and the teaching of members of our community concerning our mission as followers of Christ.

Teaching and Learning the Way

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah declares that your Teacher will not hide himself any more.

* [30:20] Teacher: God, who in the past made the people blind and deaf through the prophetic message (6:9–10) and who in his anger hid his face from the house of Jacob (8:17), shall in the future help them to understand his teaching clearly (cf. Jer 31:34). (Isaiah, CHAPTER 30, n.d.)

Psalm 147 offers praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, we learn the harvest Is great but the labourers are few  as Jesus initiates the Mission of the Twelve Apostles.

* [9:37–38] This Q saying (see Lk 10:2) is only imperfectly related to this context. It presupposes that only God (the master of the harvest) can take the initiative in sending out preachers of the gospel, whereas in Matthew’s setting it leads into Mt 10 where Jesus does so. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that the Gospel has Jesus showing his compassion and missioning his disciples to go out and carry on His work. While these are the normal Lectionary texts for Advent, the Gospel seems particularly appropriate to today’s feast of Saint Francis Xavier. 

When I read today’s Gospel, I was reminded of John F Kennedy’s inaugural address which concludes "here on earth God’s work must truly be our own." (Rereading its full text, I was reminded how many of the issues of 1961 remain issues today.) I can imagine that 500 years ago, St. Ignatius and his initial followers had many of the same responses to this Gospel of compassion and missioning. Francis Xavier, whom we commemorate today, was among these founding members of the Society of Jesus. He spent the last 11 years of his life (dying at only 46 years of age) on a mission initially to India and then repeatedly to the Far East. His was a mission in line with Jesus’ charge in today’s Gospel. While many of the existing clergy in India saw their role as being in service to the Portuguese (Francis Xavier was also given a royal charge of restoring Christianity to Portuguese fortune seekers.), he often chose to build his community from the grassroots based on service to the indigenous population including a willingness to recognize the language and ways of other cultures. His concern for the poor and sick, along with the development of local leaders showed the same aspects of compassion which I read in today’s description of Jesus.

Dear Lord,

Grant me trust in Your promises.

Strengthen my patience recognizing that which is “worth waiting for”.

Forgive me for the moments when I capitulate out of weakness.

Help me to identify my mission of service that is based on compassion. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “In remembrance of heavenly life,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Why should the lunar reckoning be calculated from the noontide hours, seeing that the moon had not yet been placed in the heavens or gone forth over the earth? On the contrary, none of the feast days of the law began and ended at noon or in the afternoon, but all did so in the evening. Or else perchance it is because sinful Adam was reproached by the Lord 'in the cool of the afternoon' (Genesis 3:8) and thrust out from the joys of Paradise. In remembrance of that heavenly life which we changed for the tribulation of this world, the change of the moon, which imitates our toil by its everlasting waxing and waning, ought specifically to be observed at the hour in which we began our exile. In this way every day we may be reminded by the hour of the moon's changing of that verse, 'a fool changes as the moon' (Sirach 27:11) while the wise man 'shall live as long as the sun' (Psalm 72:5), and that we may sigh more ardently for that life, supremely blessed in eternal peace, when 'the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days.' Indeed, because (as it is written) 'from the moon is the sign of the feast day' (Sirach 43:7), and just as the first light of the moon was shed upon the world at eventide, so in the law it is compulsory that every feast day begin in the evening and end in the evening (see Exodus 12:18). (excerpt from THE RECKONING OF TIME 3.43) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 comments that there are times when God seems like he isn’t answering our prayers, when, in fact, he is working on them. We may not be able to see his ultimate plan right away, but Isaiah wants us to know that God is not ignoring us. He is cultivating our faith and bringing us to greater holiness.

For example, we may equate an immediate answer from God with an immediate solution to our problem. Maybe we are praying for our spouse to finally seek help in dealing with an addiction. But even as we pray and wait, God can use this situation to build up the virtue of patience in us even as we endure the struggle. Or we may want God to do something for us—like put the right job in our path. But God may be inviting us to be like the persistent widow in Jesus’ parable and keep on looking ourselves (Luke 18:1-8).

God is always “gracious” to us, even when we can’t see it (Isaiah 30:19). May we always place our faith in him.

“Lord, help me to trust that you are always caring for me.” (Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the description of Isaiah of the restoration of Israel in physical richness and in teaching of the Way of the Lord to the people. On our journey, God will make it better by walking with us through the difficulties. Friar Jude notes the reluctance of a Pharisee editor of the Gospel of Matthew to use the title of God. We are involved in the ministry of sharting the Good News by our actions, forgiveness, and prayer.

 Brian McLaren extends an invitation to contemplate the deep issues in the Christian faith in a spirit of openness.

God, Lord of all creation, lover of life and of everything, please help us to love in our very small way what You love infinitely and everywhere. We thank You that we can offer just this one prayer and that will be more than enough,  because in reality every thing and every one is connected, and nothing stands alone. To pray for one part is really to pray for the whole, and so we do. Help us each day to stand for love, for healing, for the good, for the diverse unity of the Body of Christ and all creation, because we know this is what You desire: as Jesus prayed, that all may be one. We offer our prayer together with all the holy names of God, we offer our prayer together with Christ, our Lord, Amen. (McLaren, 2022)

We are called to be part of sharing the transformation of our society in the Way of Jesus as we contemplate the teaching that we have received on our journey.

References

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120322.html 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 30. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/30?9 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?35 

McLaren, B. (2022, December 3). The Future of Christianity: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-future-of-christianity-2022-12-03/ 

Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/12/03/547643/ 

Psalms, PSALM 147. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=dec3 

Glory and Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on the blessings and glory we experience in our relationship with Christ as we attend to the prompting of the Spirit to reach out in healing and compassion to all people we encounter on our journey.

Reach Out for Healing

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah describes the Future Glory of the survivors in Zion as Jerusalem is purified.

* [4:2–6] Usually judged a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah. It relieves the threatening tone of the surrounding chaps. 3 and 5.

* [4:2] Branch: the term (Heb. semah) that is sometimes used of the ideal Davidic king of the future (cf. Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). However, the parallel “fruit of the land” does not favor that usage here.

* [4:3] Inscribed for life: in God’s list of the elect; cf. Ex 32:32. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is a song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals a Centurion’s Servant.

* [8:5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see note on Mt 14:1.

* [8:8–9] Acquainted by his position with the force of a command, the centurion expresses faith in the power of Jesus’ mere word.

* [8:10] In no one in Israel: there is good textual attestation (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) for a reading identical with that of Lk 7:9, “not even in Israel.” But that seems to be due to a harmonization of Matthew with Luke. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Tom Quinn comments that Jesus was amazed at the faith and humility of this Roman officer. His faith surpassed that of many of the Jews. We can learn from this humility, respect for others and an understanding of the true source of authority. Jesus was able not only to heal the servant, but also demonstrated the destiny of Christianity as a faith based on love and open to all people.

We have supplanted in the Mass the words “and my servant will be healed” with “my soul [anima] will be healed.” We approach God with humility and faith as the centurion did. As we humbly and faithfully receive the eucharist, we not only will bring Jesus into ourselves, but in this way, our souls will be healed. (Quinn, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord promised to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.' By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). (excerpt from SERMON 62.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11 comments that we believe in Jesus’ power and authority to heal, but sometimes our own misconceptions can act as obstacles as well. For example, we might think that miraculous healings don’t happen today or that only the prayers of saints can heal people. Or we might think that God won’t answer us when we pray for healing. Maybe we don’t ask for healing because we have become so resigned to the situation that we think nothing will ever change.

God wants to heal and wants to use us as instruments to heal other people. It’s that simple. So let’s clear away any misconceptions or assumptions that tempt us to question that reality. Keep believing and keep praying, and the Lord will praise your faith, just as he did for this Roman centurion.

“Jesus, I believe that you can heal. Help me to be ready and willing to pray for healing whenever I see a need.” (Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler describes the blessings of God for the remnant of Israel to cleanse and protect them in the manner of the Israelites in the desert. In our difficult times of testing, God retains great plans and dignity for us. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus' interaction with the Centurion signifies the presence of other peoples at the Table, and underlines the responsibilities and expectations of those who have received more in spiritual gifts.

 Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages trust in the mystery of faith. Our faith also offers us a foundational belief that life is a succession of dyings and risings. At the center of the Eucharist, we proclaim, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.” [1] That is the saving pattern! It is not a mystery of faith; it is the mystery of faith. It will never change. But Western people, trained in the philosophy of progress and problem-solving, don’t really believe that anymore. We much more believe that we can overcome the paschal mystery. That we can create a family, a parish, a church, an institution, a country that will not have to go through the dying of things.

Jesus never told us to put our trust in the larger institutions of culture or even the church. That doesn’t mean they are bad or that we should abandon them, but we must recognize that they are also subject to the paschal mystery, the dying and the rising of all things. And I think we must be honest that we’re at the downside of the curve. All the indices suggest that we are at the end of the dominance of the United States, Western civilization, and even of Christianity. The question for us becomes: What will we do about it? (Rohr, n.d.)

We express gratitude for the life we know in Christ as we trust in Providence to guide our journey through the changes and challenges of our time.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/4?2 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?5 

Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/28/545091/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Quinn, T. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112822.html 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Future of Christianity. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/in-the-end-a-new-beginning-2022-11-28/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Will Sit at Table in the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov28