Love and Discipline

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, invite us to contemplate the combination of love and discipline that we need to practice as disciples of Jesus.

Loving discipline

 

The reading from the second Letter to Timothy contains thanksgiving and encouragement for his mission.

* [1:8] Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord: i.e., of preaching and suffering for the sake of the gospel.1 

Psalm 96 praises God Who comes in judgement.

 

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33.2

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes the Mission of the Seventy.

* [10:1–12] Only the Gospel of Luke contains two episodes in which Jesus sends out his followers on a mission: the first (Lk 9:1–6) is based on the mission in Mk 6:6b–13 and recounts the sending out of the Twelve; here in Lk 10:1–12 a similar report based on Q becomes the sending out of seventy-two in this gospel. The episode continues the theme of Jesus preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day. Note that the instructions given to the Twelve and to the seventy-two are similar and that what is said to the seventy-two in Lk 10:4 is directed to the Twelve in Lk 22:35.3 

Mary Lee Brock (2016) comments that the words from Paul challenge her. How can she take the gifts from God to support friends in living their faith?

Paul also inspires me to ask myself these questions:  How am I a trustworthy friend?  Do I create the opportunity to do as the Psalm calls to “Announce God’s salvation day after day?”  How can I be present to a friend, colleague or family member who views things differently than I do?  What can I do to remind those in my life to appreciate the gifts of grace, mercy and peace from God the Father?  When am I open to an abiding friendship in God as Paul and Timothy shared?4 

Don Schwager quotes “The cross of Christ as victory,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"[Mary] did the Father's will. It was this in her that the Lord magnified, not merely that her flesh gave birth to flesh... When he said, 'Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it' (Luke 11:28), he was in effect saying: 'My mother whom you have called blessed is blessed for the reason that she keeps the Word of God, not that the Word was made flesh in her and dwelt among us (John 1:14), but that she keeps the very Word of God through which she was made and which was made flesh in her." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 10.3.2)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8 notes that saints Timothy and Titus, whose feasts we celebrate today, probably had to face fear as well. Imagine the difficulties Timothy encountered setting up churches in Greece (Acts 16:1–17:14). And for his part, Titus had to deliver a rebuke to the Corinthians and address internal divisions in the church at Crete (2 Corinthians 7:6, 13-14; Titus 1:4-5). Both men could have let fear get in their way—and if they had, we might not be reading this passage today. But it’s apparent that the Holy Spirit helped them overcome their fear.

Can you think of just one person who needs a touch from the Lord in their life? Maybe Jesus is prompting you to speak to that person. Ask the Spirit to fill you with love and the courage to reach out to them. The next time you see them, don’t let fear get the upper hand. You don’t have to “convert” them. Just love them and share something about what God has done for you—the Lord will do the rest. “Holy Spirit, fill me with zeal and with love for your people.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler explains the scholarship that suggests these letters were written by a disciple of Paul. The organization of the Church at the time of these letters included presbyters in many towns. Friar Jude comments on the relatives of Jesus as mentioned in the Gospel chosen today by the USCCB ( Mark 3:31-35 ).

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that “Our Story” feels so sacred that most religion works at this level as a belonging system more than a search for intimacy with God. The second dome becomes an avoidance of the third and most all-inclusive (The Story).

 

He sees this in many seminarians, young priests, and bishops, after having given them retreats for many years. They put all their eggs in the Roman Catholic basket, but they have little curiosity about their own shadow or inner life. Their goal is not really love of God, but the love of “my priesthood” as it is often strangely called.

Jesus was not into groupthink or loyalty tests. I’m convinced God could care less about them, but God also seems to know that we need symbols, songs, sacred times and places for communal support and encouragement. However, we will need these boundary markers less and less as we move toward the real Center. Thus, we often see a certain freedom in wise elders and people who have suffered and come through renewed. In the second half of life, we don’t need to be a hero anymore and we may not even need to belong. We just need to be real. Saint Augustine put it most daringly, “Love [God] and do what you will!” [1]7 

The Spirit that overcomes our fear brings the courage to allow our love in Christ to live the Good News of including all people in our mission.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/1
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online .... Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012621.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=jan26
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/01/26/180666/
7	(2021, January 24). The Cosmic Egg Archives — Center for Action and .... Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://cac.org/themes/the-cosmic-egg/

 

Consecrated and prepared for purification

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary on the World Day for Consecrated Life remind us of how our role as parents and friends involves acting to recognize and practice our consecrated calling.

Becoming parents

The Prophet Malachi describes the Messenger of the Covenant to the expectant Jewish community.

 * [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler.1

The Letter to the Hebrews connects Jesus to human experience as our priest and sacrifice.

 By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Heb 2:4); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18).2

The Gospel of Luke recounts the witness of an elderly man and woman to Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

 * [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37).3

The Carmelite brothers Lectio Divina on the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple concludes with a prayer for families.

 Father, we praise You and we bless You because through Your Son, born of woman by the working of the Holy Spirit, born under the law, has ransomed us from the law and You have filled our life with light and new hope. May our families welcome and remain faithful to Your designs; may they help and sustain in their children the new dreams and enthusiasm, wrap them in tenderness when they are fragile, educate them in love for You and for all creatures. All honor and glory to You, Father. Amen.4

Luis Rodriguez, S.J. notes that we are also told that the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. This is really a soft way of saying that they did not understand, that they were “not getting it”.

 This not-understanding had become a Leitmotiv in Mary’s life, but she kept pondering in her heart ...all the way to Calvary. This pondering in her heart led her to move from not understanding to not needing to understand. We need to pray for this gift of pondering in our hearts, so we can be led from not understanding  –and there will be such moments– to not needing to understand.5

Friar Jude Winkler addresses the question of who is the figure identified by Malachi. The Jewish customs were not well understood by Luke. The difficulty of Mary is highlighted by the sense for the Hebrew people that the heart was the centre for thought and the Shema Israel exhorted Jews to worship One God. Friar Jude observes that the Nunc Dimittis is one of three hymns inserted in the Gospel of Luke.

Don Schwager quotes “Christ who was rich became poor, “ by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

 "For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2), and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:22-40 asks what did Mary make of this? Perhaps her first reaction was fear, but she didn’t dwell on that. Instead, she shifted from fearful thoughts to probing questions.

 Like Mary, your future holds both joys and sorrows. Even if you have already faced a few “swords” in your life—as well as a few miracles—you can be sure that more are coming. So how can you follow Mary’s example of faith and trust? The most important thing you can do is get in the habit of pondering the ways God has been faithful to you in the past. Recall the times when you have said, “God definitely shielded me there” or “Thank you, Jesus; your plan was so much better than mine.” Keep the memories of his goodness and unwavering love in the forefront of your mind as you offer him your yes, again and again.7

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that within Western Christianity, the body’s sensations, needs, and longings are often suppressed. He wonders if this might be related to our difficulty putting Jesus’—and our own—humanity and divinity together. Many churches emphasize mental beliefs and worded prayer while discouraging dance, yoga, or other forms of embodied prayer.

 I invite you to explore some form of physical movement as contemplative practice today. Here are just a few examples: walking, dancing, stretching, singing, drumming. As you move, turn your attention to different sensations and parts of your body. You might choose to notice just one element—like your breathing or your feet—for the entire practice, or change focus every few minutes. If your mind starts to wander, return your attention to physical sensation.
We are not simply souls having a spiritual experience, but physical beings whose very breath is given by the Divine. In order to incarnate God, we are called to be fully human. We are humus—of the Earth, soil, ground.8

The events of Jesus life inspire our pondering of our mission or consecrated role. In contemplative prayer we find a technique to assist our movement to live truth, beauty, and light.

References

1	(n.d.). Malachi, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3
2	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://usccb.org/bible/luke/2
4	(n.d.). Lectio Divina: The Presentation of the Lord | THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-presentation-lord
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 3rd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: February 2019 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02

Blessing in action of believers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the good action that often results from Christian Life.

See good in our face

The Letter to the Hebrews connects our Life and participation in the community to our “priesthood” in Christ.

 * [10:19–39] Practical consequences from these reflections on the priesthood and the sacrifice of Christ should make it clear that Christians may now have direct and confident access to God through the person of Jesus (Heb 10:19–20), who rules God’s house as high priest (Heb 10:21). They should approach God with sincerity and faith, in the knowledge that through baptism their sins have been remitted (Heb 10:22), reminding themselves of the hope they expressed in Christ at that event (Heb 10:23). They are to encourage one another to Christian love and activity (Heb 10:24), not refusing, no matter what the reason, to participate in the community’s assembly, especially in view of the parousia (Heb 10:25; cf. 1 Thes 4:13–18).1

The Parable of the Lamp in the Gospel from Mark is an exhortation to let our light shine.

 * [4:1–34] In parables (Mk 4:2): see note on Mt 13:3. The use of parables is typical of Jesus’ enigmatic method of teaching the crowds (Mk 4:2–9, 12) as compared with the interpretation of the parables he gives to his disciples (Mk 4:10–25, 33–34) to each group according to its capacity to understand (Mk 4:9–11).2

Yves I-Bing Cheng, M.D., M.A. connects the Gospel to events in life that may bury our light.

 Don’t be so preoccupied with the material things of this world that they dominate your life (as necessary as those things are). In other words, don’t allow them to get on top of you. Don’t allow them to cover your light. Otherwise you will begin to neglect God and His kingdom, and your light will get dimmer and dimmer.3

Rev. Steve Ryan asserts that Christ is saying the hiddenness of the message is only temporary. What was seen and heard by the inner circle will eventually come to full exposure. Wait, hope and see.

 But there’s a nagging related question that doesn’t want to go away.
Do parables harden hearts?
Take the parable of the good Samaritan.  The point is that any person, anywhere on the planet, is your neighbor. Period.  No exceptions. The parable will enlighten and soften some hearts, but not others.
Parables do not harden people’s hearts.
Hearts do that on their own.4

Don Schwager quotes “Called to shine in the midst of darkness,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.

"Why does the Lord call us the light of the world? Why has he compared us to a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14)? Are we not called to shine in the midst of darkness, and stand up high for those most sunk down? If you hide your lamp beneath a bushel (Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16, 11:33), you will soon notice that you yourself will be in the dark. You will find others bumping into you. So what can you do to illumine the world? Let your faith produce good works. Be a reflection of God's light. The good is not preoccupied with darkness. It rejoices in being seen (John 3:21). It exults over the very pointings which are made at it. Christian modesty not only wishes to be modest, but also it wishes to be beheld as what it actually is." (excerpt from ON THE APPAREL OF WOMEN 2.13)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 10:19-25 comments that we are supposed to get one another excited about the Christian life and all that it entails! That’s how we rouse one another, by our passion and our example, as much as by our words.

The author of Hebrews knew that Christians need one another. You might need a fellow believer to inspire you to do something you may have never even considered. And they might need you. So don’t be afraid to communicate your passion and excitement to someone else. You might just be rousing another brother or sister to follow Jesus more closely 6 

Friar Jude Winkler looks at how Jesus invites us beyond the veil into His priesthood. Public witness to our belief in Christ is in our treatment of others. Friar Jude connects our hearts being open to others to our ability to accept the generosity of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that for Francis of Assisi, incarnation was already redemption. For God to become a human being among the poor, born in a stable among the animals, meant that it’s good to be a human being, that flesh is good, and that the world is good—in its most simple and humble forms. The Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Lévinas (1906–1995) said the only thing that really converts people is “the face of the other.” He developed this idea at great length and with great persuasion, if you are interested in going deeper. [1]

When we receive and empathize with the face of the “other” (especially the suffering face), it leads to transformation of our whole being. It creates a moral demand on our heart that is far more compelling than the Ten Commandments written on stone or paper. Just giving people commandments doesn’t change the heart. In the end, Christianity is not a moral matter until it is first and foremost a mystical matter. Commandments and laws may steel the will, but they do not soften the heart—or create soul—like one authentic I-Thou encounter will do.  Thus, we have produced an awful lot of “mean” Christians, which we must admit is Christianity’s present public image. [2]7

Our life in the world is a sign to others of our relationship to the Creator and source of our being.

References

1	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved January 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved January 31, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/4
3	(n.d.). The parable of the lamp and the measure - Lk 8(16-18). Retrieved January 31, 2019, from http://www.meetingwithchrist.com/E073%20The%20parable%20of%20the%20lamp%20and%20the%20measure%20-%20Lk%208(16-18).htm
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved January 31, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 31, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 3rd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved January 31, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: January 2019 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved January 31, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/01/