Life Today

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our sense of life today that is rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable.

Changing Situations

The reading from the Letter of James warns against presumption and boasting about tomorrow.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).1

 

Psalm 49 declares the folly of trust in riches.

* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples are concerned about another exorcist in their midst.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.3

 

Barbara Dilly asks: Do we secretly resent our modest lives, thinking that eschewing wealth is the price for our redemption? Do we avoid facing the ugly realities of structural inequality because we do not have the courage to address the brokenness of greed and corrupt power that ensnares us?

These lessons today challenge me to seek the way and the truth and the life of the Lord toward living in the Kingdom of heaven in this life. Why should we fear the wicked and the evil ensnarers of this world when in fact we can live in confidence that we will find more colleagues and friends of the Spirit than we think if we follow Jesus. Together, we too can perform mighty deeds in his name. The lessons for today should give us all the confidence to live out our lives knowing that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. I pray we will all know the Lord’s will for our lives and through the Spirit we will live to do it.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 4:13-17 asks what if our circumstances suddenly change? This can tempt us to doubt God’s ability to guide us—and we might even blame him for the change in plans! But James reminds us of the attitude we should take: “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that” (4:15). Which means that as we make our plans, we should always remember that everything depends on the grace and mercy of God.

So don’t grasp too tightly to any of your plans! Instead, trust in God’s faithful care for you, and believe that he is still at work in spite of an unexpected development. Then when your plans are disrupted—even quite unexpectedly, as they were with Covid—you can still have peace and confidence. “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding” will, in fact, sustain you because you have placed your hope and trust in God and not in the outcome of your plans and decisions (Philippians 4:7). “Lord, guide me in all my comings and goings.”6

 

Franciscan Media writes that The “Acts” of Saint Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155.

Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion, he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14).7

 

Friar Jude Winkler underlines that we are not in charge citing the humour of Teresa of Avila and the Muslim expression “inshallah”. Three years of Covid changed our way of life and our vision of the future. Friar Jude reminds us that the disciples' mistaken attitude to the other exorcist teaches us to affirm all service to others.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that marriage and friendship are fruitful training grounds for intimacy with both God and people.

Divine intimacy and human intimacy share the same dynamics. I believe one is a school for the other. Most people start with human intimacy and move toward divine intimacy. But I do believe there are a few souls who start with God’s divine ambush, who first learn how to be vulnerable before God and then transfer this to their human relationships. Two who have taught me that best are Thérèse of Lisieux and Julian of Norwich. Both are among my favorite mystics, and both are women. Women, and those in touch with their feminine side, seem to have a readiness for intimacy, mutuality, and vulnerability that offers a central message for all believers.8

 

In our changing and unpredictable lives, the Spirit prepares our heart for intimacy as the deepest connection to eternal and unchanging love.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 49 | USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022322.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb23
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/02/23/319102/
7	(n.d.). Saint Polycarp | Franciscan Media. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-polycarp
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2022 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://cac.org/an-opportunity-to-grow-stronger-2022-02-23/

 

Humility compassion and awareness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to examine our spiritual practice for the humility and compassion that leads to greater awareness of God and others.

awareness of compassion

The Prophet Hosea observes that presumptuous Israel expects that soon God will renew them.

* [6:2] After two days; on the third day: presumptuous Israel expects that soon God will renew them (cf. Ez 37).1

In Psalm 51 the verses assume that the rebuilt Temple will be an ideal site for national reconciliation.

* [51:20–21] Most scholars think that these verses were added to the Psalm some time after the destruction of the Temple in 587 B.C. The verses assume that the rebuilt Temple will be an ideal site for national reconciliation.2 

In the Gospel from Luke the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates how humility connects us with Mercy.

* [18:15–19:27] Luke here includes much of the material about the journey to Jerusalem found in his Marcan source (Lk 10:1–52) and adds to it the story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1–10) from his own particular tradition and the parable of the gold coins (minas) (Lk 19:11–27) from Q, the source common to Luke and Matthew.3

Steve Scholer invites us to pause and assess our own humility. In our daily prayers to God are we sometimes like the Pharisee reminding him about all the good things we have done? Or, do we embrace humility as a sign of our growing spiritual development and willingness to accept a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God?

Being humble is a freeing experience. You don’t feel the need to compare yourselves with others, be it the car they drive or the house they live in, because you know yourself and don’t need someone else’s opinion to validate your own self-worth. The only opinion that matters is God’s.
Humility makes it easy for us to interact with others, as the humble person rarely takes offense at slights, real or imagined, and is quick to acknowledge their own errors. Humility also leads to greater compassion, as a deeper awareness of our own faults and weaknesses makes it easier to be understanding of those who, like us, have stumbled along the way.4 

Don Schwager quotes “God's mercy is our only hope,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Driven out of paradise by You and exiled in a distant land, I cannot return by myself unless You, O Lord, come to meet me in my wandering. My return is based on hope in your mercy during all of my earthly life. My only hope, the only source of confidence, and the only solid promise is your mercy." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 24,5)5  

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:9-14 asserts that these two characters show us a key element to prayer. Fruitful prayer involves moving away from ourselves and toward God. It involves listening to his words of mercy rather than offering him our words of self-congratulation.

 We know how much of a struggle it can be to keep God at the center of our prayer. We might have pressing concerns that fight for our attention. We might be tired and find our minds wandering. Or we might find it hard to focus because we are excited about some good news—or bad news—we have just heard. God knows it’s a struggle. He knows the obstacles we face, and he is delighted with our efforts to turn our minds and hearts back to him.
Keep that in mind as you approach God in prayer today. Whether it’s your own personal prayer or prayer at the vigil Mass this evening, know that God waits eagerly, like a parent ready to scoop up his child the moment the child lifts her arms toward him.6

Friar Jude Winkler points to the likely intervention of God after a period of three days in Hosea. Sincere penitential practice expresses our intention to change “from today on”. Friar Jude invites us to recognize our brokenness and seek from God that which we cannot provide.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, presents this week’s invitation to contemplative practice from Jim Marion’s book Putting on the Mind of Christ.

 In the spiritual path we cannot jump steps. We must start exactly where we are now... Second, we must listen to the “small still voice” of the Spirit within (see 1 Kings 19:11-13)... Third, we must work hard on ourselves. . . Fourth, we must be patient. The spiritual path takes years. . .Fifth, we should find a community of people who think as we do, who are as serious about the spiritual path as we are, and who can pray with us and support us. As Jesus said, two or three gathered in his name are far more effective than going it alone (Matthew 18:20).7

The humble approach of the tax collector is a model to increase our awareness of the state of our transformation and our need to be the mercy and compassion we seek to others.

References

1	(n.d.). Hosea, chapter 6 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hosea/6
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 51 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 18 - usccb. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/18
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(2019, March 29). 3rd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/30/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/

Responding to the truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today connect to many links that invite a response from us in our relationship to God.

The reading from Deuteronomy invites response to God during thanksgiving for the harvest.

 Thanksgiving for the Harvest 1

For Psalm 91 the response “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.” echoes a prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord.

 * [Psalm 91] A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1–2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3–13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14–16).2

The passage from the Letter to the Romans keys on our confession and response.

 * [10:9–11] To confess Jesus as Lord was frequently quite hazardous in the first century (cf. Mt 10:18; 1 Thes 2:2; 1 Pt 2:18–21; 3:14). For a Jew it could mean disruption of normal familial and other social relationships, including great economic sacrifice. In the face of penalties imposed by the secular world, Christians are assured that no one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame (Rom 10:11).3

The Gospel from Luke describes the temptation of Jesus that resonates with distractions we encounter in our pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness.

 * [4:9] To Jerusalem: the Lucan order of the temptations concludes on the parapet of the temple in Jerusalem, the city of destiny in Luke-Acts. It is in Jerusalem that Jesus will ultimately face his destiny (Lk 9:51; 13:33).4

Rev. Richard Gabuzda comments that God revealed to our ancestors was known for intervening faithfully in human history by specific events with an astonishing attentiveness to human need. What is more, the quality of these events can be summed up by the words, “delivering, saving, rescuing, freeing.”

We may see in the specific temptations which Jesus undergoes a battle with temptations to which every human heart is vulnerable: “Turn these stones into bread” – the temptation to live only “on bread alone,” to live as though material things are the only source of life.  “I shall give you all this power and glory” – the temptation to amass reputation and wealth as false gods in an attempt to escape human vulnerability. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down . . .” – the very subtle temptation for believers: to presume no responsibility for our actions, since “God will take care of everything.”5 

An article compiled and edited by Bible Study Tools Staff concludes Satan's temptations were hedonism, egoism, and materialism.

John the Evangelist in his epistle categorized these temptations as "lust of eyes" (materialism), "lust of body" (hedonism) and "pride of life" (egoism). Temptations intend to deceive and corrupt three main human characteristics; to think, wish and feel which are inside the mind, soul, and heart as Jesus alludes in the Greatest Commandment. These are related with transcendentals or ultimate ideals in three areas of human interests; science (truth), arts (beauty) and religion (goodness). Christians are called to seek for divine virtues; faith, hope, and love that link them directly to God who Himself is Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.6 

Maurice Blumberg shares the Catholic Lane Reflections for Sunday, March 10, 2019: First Sunday of Lent.

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus defeats Satan with the word of God,” by Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD).

"So, look at the arms of Christ with which he conquered for you, not for himself. For he who showed that stones could, through his majesty, be changed into bread by the transformation into a different nature, teaches that you must do nothing at the devil’s behalf nor for the purpose of manifesting virtue. At the same time, learn from the temptation itself the ingenious cunning of the devil. The devil tempts that he may test. He tests that he may tempt. In contrast, the Lord deceives that he may conquer. He conquers that he may deceive. For if he had changed nature, he would have betrayed its Creator. Thus he responded neutrally, saying, 'It is written, 'That man lives not by bread alone, but by every word of God.' You see what kind of arms he wields, to defend humanity, surrounded and protected against the inducements of appetite, against the assault of spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). For he does not wield power as God - for what good would that be to me? So, as man, he summons common help for himself, so that eager for the food of the divine Word, he neglects the body’s hunger and obtains the nourishment of the heavenly Word. Eager for this, Moses did not desire bread (Exodus 24:18). Eager for this, Elijah did not feel the hunger of a long fast (1 Kings 19:4.) For he who follows the Word cannot desire earthly bread when he receives the essence of the heavenly Bread (John 6:32,50). There is no doubt that the divine surpasses the human, as the spiritual the physical. Therefore he who desires true life awaits that Bread which through its intangible substance strengthens human hearts (Psalm 103:17). At the same time, when he says, 'Man lives not by bread alone,' he shows that the man is tempted, that is, his acceptance of our flesh, not his divinity." (excerpt from the EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.19–20)7 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 10:8-13 comments that In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells us that confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing in his resurrection will bring us to the ultimate goal of our lives: heaven itself. But this is one of those “gospel truths” that comes with an asterisk attached.

Every day this Lent, the Holy Spirit wants to move you toward a deeper faith, a faith that strengthens your love for Jesus and other people.
Think of it this way. Married couples know that love involves much more than saying and believing the words “I love you.” They know it means staying united, serving each other, working out differences, and putting each other above themselves. Likewise, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing it in your heart is much more than accepting a fact and saying it. Confessing and believing is a way of faith. It’s a way of life.8 

Friar Jude Winkler categorizes the text from Deuteronomy as a credal formula based on how God treated them in the past. Justification is an act God has done and we have surrendered to that. Salvation is the result of what we have done as response. Friar Jude finds Providence and trust entirely in God as a theme in the readings today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, exhorts that If we see the Eternal Christ Mystery as the symbolic Alpha Point for the beginning of “time,” we can see that history and evolution indeed have an intelligence, a plan, and a trajectory from the very start. The Risen Christ, who appears in the middle of history, assures us that, all crucifixions to the contrary, God is leading us somewhere positive.

 As Christian philosopher Beatrice Bruteau (1930–2014) put it:
The conclusion seems to be that to share in the divine life I must accept the vocation of consciously living in this self-creating universe. . . . [This] means that I need to know something about the whole thing, how it works, how it’s moving, how to take my place in it, make my meaningful contribution to this general improvisation.
Joining in [God’s] creative work is really central to the whole contemplative enterprise. Cosmogenesis—the generation of the cosmos—can be seen, as Teilhard de Chardin saw it, as “Christogenesis,” the growth of the “ever greater Christ.” This Christ has been “growing in stature and wisdom” (Luke 2:52; read “complexity and consciousness”) these last dozen or so billion years and is nowhere near finished yet. [1]9

We experience our Lenten journey invited to be as joyful as Paul and and confident that Jesus example will guide us through the temptations to hedonism, egoism, and materialism.

References

1	(n.d.). Deuteronomy, Chapter 26 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Deuteronomy/26:4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 91. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Psalms/91:1
3	(n.d.). Romans, chapter 10. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Romans/10:8
4	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 4. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/luke/4:1
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(2018, April 12). The Temptation of Jesus - Bible Story, Verses and Meaning. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/temptation-of-jesus-bible-story.html
7	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
8	(n.d.). 1st Sunday of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 10, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/10/
9	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 10, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/