Humility Serves All

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to resolve contradictions in our call to action as Christians to address special needs of some communities and at the same time offer our loving service to all people in our community.

Serving All

 

In the Reading from Romans Paul declares Love Fulfills the Law.

* [13:8–10] When love directs the Christian’s moral decisions, the interest of law in basic concerns, such as familial relationships, sanctity of life, and security of property, is safeguarded (Rom 13:9). Indeed, says Paul, the same applies to any other commandment (Rom 13:9), whether one in the Mosaic code or one drawn up by local magistrates under imperial authority. Love anticipates the purpose of public legislation, namely, to secure the best interests of the citizenry. Since Caesar’s obligation is to punish the wrongdoer (Rom 13:4), the Christian who acts in love is free from all legitimate indictment. (Romans, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 112 declares blessings are received by those who remain close to God.

* [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Ps 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Ps 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Ps 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Ps 112:10). The logic resembles Ps 1; 111. (Psalms, PSALM 112|USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus presents Sayings on Discipleship.

* [14:25–33] This collection of sayings, most of which are peculiar to Luke, focuses on the total dedication necessary for the disciple of Jesus. No attachment to family (Lk 14:26) or possessions (Lk 14:33) can stand in the way of the total commitment demanded of the disciple. Also, acceptance of the call to be a disciple demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering (Lk 14:27) and a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs (Lk 14:28–32).

* [14:26] Hating his father…: cf. the similar saying in Mt 10:37. The disciple’s family must take second place to the absolute dedication involved in following Jesus (see also Lk 9:59–62). (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of Creighton University Community asks us to face the fact that total commitment is not part of our culture. We change jobs frequently, we move from one place to another rather often (and often enough across long distances), and few of us can look back at a family home that we have had for generations and can still call ours. Marriage is only temporary for too many of our brothers and sisters, and among the young, sex is so casual and uncommitted that often enough the two don’t even know each other’s names. Change is a constant in our lives on many levels, if not most of them.

The Lord asks us to commit ourselves to him fully, and many of us try to do so, but none of us is able to reach the absolute commitment of Mary. If we really do put ourselves out, however, as prudently and wisely as today’s reading suggests, the Three Persons will each work to support us and we will win through, but we need to pay attention, to truly discern just what God is asking and how serious we are.

God is waiting for our decision, which is absolutely necessary, and if we stand in fear we need to remember that Christ also says “Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light“ (Matthew 11:29).

So what demands is he asking of me in particular? And what is my response? (Member of the Creighton University Community, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus permits us to love family but not more than God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"He says, 'He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me' (Matthew 10:37). By adding 'more than me,' it is plain that he permits us to love, but not more than we love him. He demands our highest affection for himself and that very correctly. The love of God in those who are perfect in mind has something in it superior both to the honor due to parents and to the natural affection felt for children." (excerpt fromCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 105) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 13:8-1 comments that we all tend to want to take care of ourselves and those closest to us. But love involves more than our feelings. It’s a choice to do something for someone else even when we don’t feel like it. And that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.

In each of these situations, the Spirit is bringing God’s own love to life in you and empowering you to share it! As you experience God’s love, the Holy Spirit is forming that love in your heart. You start to care for people as you have been cared for. You begin to look upon everyone, even those you might consider enemies, through the lens of the love you’ve received. And that perspective changes the way you treat people. It moves you to look out for their needs and place a priority on their good. You are learning to love the way that God does. And that means you are fulfilling the law!

“Holy Spirit, teach me to love today!” (Meditation on Romans 13:8-1, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Romans, Paul sums the commandments in love of God and love of neighbour. In speaking to a community of Jewish Christians, Paul is challenged to show Love is the basis of our actions rather than adherence to laws. Luke presents Jesus' expression of hating in a very Jewish way of making a point unlike Matthew who softens the words. Luke, a Gentile, tends to quote Jesus exactly to avoid criticism. Friar Jude underlines the importance of knowing the cost of discipleship. We should know the cost is everything and our love has Jesus as the centre of our life.

Fr. Mike Schmitz breaks down the doctrine of purgatory as we read about Judas Maccabeus and his army praying for the dead in 2 Maccabees 12. We learn that purgatory is a process of purification that our hearts need in order to be ready to love God and to enter into his presence. In our reading of Wisdom today, Fr. Mike emphasizes the insanity of worshipping idols and how it's more tempting to make idols out of good things rather than evil things. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 12, Wisdom 13-14, and Proverbs 25:11-14.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls that in 1942, Clarence Jordan established Koinonia Farm in Georgia as a pacifist, interracial “demonstration plot” for the kingdom of God. Jordan understood the gospel as something Christians must consciously choose to live out. What does Jesus mean by “poor in spirit”? In Luke’s account it is simply “you poor.” What kind of poverty is he talking about? If you have a lot of money, you’ll probably say spiritual poverty. If you have little or no money, you’ll probably say physical poverty. The rich will thank God for Matthew; the poor will thank God for Luke. Both will say, “He blessed me!” Well, then, who really did get the blessing?

It is neither wealth nor poverty that keeps people out of the kingdom—it is pride.  

So the poor in spirit are not the proud in spirit. They know that in themselves—in all people—there are few, if any, spiritual resources. They must have help from above. They desperately need the kingdom of heaven. And feeling their great need for the kingdom, they get it. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are sadly aware of our tendency to restrict our attention and action to those who are in our social and political silos even as we seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to ponder Jesus teaching that we need to expand our love to the point of rejection of the limits we have placed through priorities on our care and compassion.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?25 

Meditation on Romans 13:8-1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/05/1422417/ 

Member of the Creighton University Community. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-5-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 112|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/112?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/not-for-the-proud/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/13?8 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The True Cost of Discipleship. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Integrity and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live with an integrity that seeks to relate with our community in a manner deeper than the “letter of the Law”.

Living with Integrity

The reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians urges Integrity in the Ministry.

* [3:14b–16] The parallelism in these verses makes it necessary to interpret corresponding parts in relation to one another. To this present day: this signals the shift of Paul’s attention to his contemporaries; his argument is typological, as in 1 Cor 10. The Israelites of Moses’ time typify the Jews of Paul’s time, and perhaps also Christians of Jewish origin or mentality who may not recognize the temporary character of Moses’ glory. When they read the old covenant: the lasting dullness prevents proper appraisal of Moses’ person and covenant. When his writings are read in the synagogue, a veil still impedes their understanding. Through Christ: i.e., in the new covenant. Whenever a person turns to the Lord: Moses in Exodus appeared before God without the veil and gazed on his face unprotected. Paul applies that passage to converts to Christianity: when they turn to the Lord fully and authentically, the impediment to their understanding is removed. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

* [4:1–2] A ministry of this sort generates confidence and forthrightness; cf. 2 Cor 1:12–14; 2:17.

* [4:3–4] Though our gospel is veiled: the final application of the image. Paul has been reproached either for obscurity in his preaching or for his manner of presenting the gospel. But he confidently asserts that there is no veil over his gospel. If some fail to perceive its light, that is because of unbelief. The veil lies over their eyes (2 Cor 3:14), a blindness induced by Satan, and a sign that they are headed for destruction (cf. 2 Cor 2:15).

* [4:5] We do not preach ourselves: the light seen in his gospel is the glory of Christ (2 Cor 4:4). Far from preaching himself, the preacher should be a transparent medium through whom Jesus is perceived (cf. 2 Cor 4:10–11). Your slaves: Paul draws attention away from individuals as such and toward their role in relation to God, Christ, and the community; cf. 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 4:1.

* [4:6] Autobiographical allusion to the episode at Damascus clarifies the origin and nature of Paul’s service; cf. Acts 9:1–19; 22:3–16; 26:2–18. “Let light shine out of darkness”: Paul seems to be thinking of Gn 1:3 and presenting his apostolic ministry as a new creation. There may also be an allusion to Is 9:1 suggesting his prophetic calling as servant of the Lord and light to the nations; cf. Is 42:6, 16; 49:6; 60:1–2, and the use of light imagery in Acts 26:13–23. To bring to light the knowledge: Paul’s role in the process of revelation, expressed at the beginning under the image of the odor and aroma (2 Cor 2:14–15), is restated now, at the end of this first moment of the development, in the imagery of light and glory (2 Cor 4:3–6). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Psalm 85 is a national lament reminding God of past favors.

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Teaching About Anger in the Sermon on the Mount.

* [5:22–26] Reconciliation with an offended brother is urged in the admonition of Mt 5:23–24 and the parable of Mt 5:25–26 (//Lk 12:58–59). The severity of the judge in the parable is a warning of the fate of unrepentant sinners in the coming judgment by God.

* [5:22] Anger is the motive behind murder, as the insulting epithets are steps that may lead to it. They, as well as the deed, are all forbidden. Raqa: an Aramaic word rēqā’ or rēqâ probably meaning “imbecile,” “blockhead,” a term of abuse. The ascending order of punishment, judgment (by a local council?), trial before the Sanhedrin, condemnation to Gehenna, points to a higher degree of seriousness in each of the offenses. Sanhedrin: the highest judicial body of Judaism. Gehenna: in Hebrew gê-hinnōm, “Valley of Hinnom,” or gê ben-hinnōm, “Valley of the son of Hinnom,” southwest of Jerusalem, the center of an idolatrous cult during the monarchy in which children were offered in sacrifice (see 2 Kgs 23:10; Jer 7:31). In Jos 18:16 (Septuagint, Codex Vaticanus) the Hebrew is transliterated into Greek as gaienna, which appears in the New Testament as geenna. The concept of punishment of sinners by fire either after death or after the final judgment is found in Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., Enoch 90:26) but the name geenna is first given to the place of punishment in the New Testament. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

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Don Schwager quotes “Taming the Tongue,” by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).

"What are we to do? Whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. But no human being can tame the tongue. Will everyone therefore go to the hell of fire? By no means. Lord, you have become our refuge from generation to generation (Psalm 90:1). Your wrath is just. You send no one to hell unjustly. Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence (Psalm 139:7), unless to you? Thus let us understand, my dearly beloved, that if no human being can tame the tongue, we must take refuge in God, who will tame it. Does your own human nature prevent you from taming your tongue? No human being can tame the tongue (James 3:8). Consider this analogy from the animals that we tame. A horse does not tame itself; a camel does not tame itself; an elephant does not tame itself; a snake does not tame itself; a lion does not tame itself. So too a man does not tame himself. In order to tame a horse, an ox, a camel, an elephant, a lion and a snake, a human being is required. Therefore God should be required in order for a human being to be tamed. (excerpt from Sermon 55:2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1, 3-6 comments that God has revealed his glory “on the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). That’s where God wants us to fix our gaze: on the face of the One who came to save us. He wants us to look into Jesus’ eyes and see the love that moved him to bring healing, deliverance, and mercy to the people he encountered. He wants us to see the “glory” of someone who, though he had been mocked, beaten, crowned with thorns, and crucified, still prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). It’s the face of One who, even after he rose from the dead, still bore the marks of his crucifixion—wounds that he bore for each one of us.

This is the glory that Paul urges us to contemplate. So find a crucifix or an icon or a holy card, and dare to look at the Lord. Spend some time keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus. As you do, you will see love incarnate. And that vision will transform you “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

“Jesus, show me your glory!” (Meditation on 2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1, 3-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from  2 Corinthians speaks about the veil covering Moses face. His face is shown with great light and we cannot see God face to face. We are not veiled anymore and those who reject Paul’s message are contrasted with those who accept that are transformed. The Gospel of Matthew in The Sermon on the Mount presents Jesus' declaration that we need to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees who built a fence around the Law and were very scrupulous. Jesus extends the spiritual sense of the law to anger that can “kill” a person in many ways. Friar Jude reminds us that purgatory is not a prison but it is a time of purification of the damage of sin in our hearts. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Jim Wilhoit and Author Evan Howard who highlight how our experiences and contexts shape how we read and interpret the Bible. Father Ernesto Cardenal reflected on the Gospels each week with communities of campesinos [2] living in poverty. Commenting on the Beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 6:20), Cardenal shares their conversation:

ÓSCAR: “Ernesto, I also think that the poor person can practice love more sincerely, without being afraid, and fight for it, without being afraid of the word of God. But the rich person can’t because it doesn’t suit him. Even though he may know what’s good, he doesn’t practice it, because he is always ready to [exploit] people…. God sees the poor person’s sincerity and promises him the kingdom of God.”…  

ALEJANDRO: “What we see here is that there are two things. One is the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of love, of equality, where we must all be like brothers and sisters; and the other thing is the system we have, which isn’t brand new, it’s centuries old, the system of rich and poor, where business is business. And so we see that they’re very different things. Then we have to change society so that the kingdom of God can exist. And we’re sure that the kingdom will have to be established with the poor, right?” (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we struggle with the application of Law to our mission to bring Jesus' gift of “fullness of life” to people excluded from our communities.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?20 

Meditation on 2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1, 3-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/12/1304760/ 

Psalms, PSALM 85. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Reading with Others. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/reading-with-others/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Reconciled to Your Brother. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun12 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/3 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4