Tradition and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to approach the tension between tradition and truth with the inspiration of Jesus teaching.

Faith and Tradition

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah presents the Plot Against Jeremiah.

j. [11:19] Jer 18:18; 20:10; Wis 2:20.

k. [11:20] Jer 15:15. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 7 expresses hope for the just God’s protection.

* [Psalm 7] An individual lament. The psalmist flees to God’s presence in the sanctuary for justice and protection (Ps 7:2–3) and takes an oath that only the innocent can swear (Ps 7:4–6). The innocent psalmist can thus hope for the just God’s protection (Ps 7:7–14) and be confident that the actions of the wicked will come back upon their own heads (Ps 7:15–17). The justice of God leads the psalmist to praise (Ps 7:18). (Psalms, PSALM 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents discussion about the Origins of the Messiah.

* [7:40–53] Discussion of the Davidic lineage of the Messiah. (John, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Vivian Amu comments that Nicodemus steps forward with hesitant courage. He does not claim to have all the answers, nor does he openly identify as a follower of Jesus. However, he dares to voice a question, to challenge the easy certainty of the Pharisees, he asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him?” Nicodemus reminds us that the journey of faith often begins with a question and that it takes courage to ask questions with humility and seek truth, even when it is easier to remain silent or go along with the crowd. We, too, like the crowd, often resist truths that challenge us—or reject those we deem “unlikely” messengers of God’s grace—someone who does not look the part, does not speak with familiar words, or does not belong to the right group. We might even find ourselves categorizing them as a “threat” rather than an “invitation.” Lent asks us to confront the stubbornness within us. Are there ways we confine God to our expectations? Do we, like the Pharisees, dismiss Christ’s presence in people or situations that seem too ordinary, inconvenient, or uncomfortable?

Both passages underscore how fear—unchecked, unexamined, and unresolved—can distort collective judgment, leading not only to the misjudgment of truth, but also to the unjust treatment of individuals who embody it. Fear is only one voice in the conversation. It need not be the final word. So, where in your life is fear holding too much sway? Whom are we too afraid to defend because it disrupts our comfort? What and whom do we dismiss too quickly?

God of justice, when our fears and preconceived notions blind us to how you move in unexpected ways, please help us to choose faith, to discern, to pause, and listen, trusting that you always see the full picture when we cannot. We entrust our cause back to you, Lord. (Amu, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes  “Not by walking but by loving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We approach God not by walking but by loving. The purer our love for him toward whom we are striving, the more present to us will he be. To him, therefore, who is everywhere present and everywhere whole, we must proceed not by our feet but by our moral virtues - judged not by the object of our knowledge but by the object of our love." (excerpt from Letter 155,13) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Jeremiah spoke about the sinfulness of Jerusalem that was punished by the Babylonians. The people of Jerusalem plotted against the Prophet. Vengeance to Jeremiah was to assert that the ways of God have to be respected. In John’s Gospel people are confused by Jesus. How could the Messiah come from Galilee, a mixed, impure population? This origin was distasteful to the Jews who did not realize Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. The guards refuse to arrest Him after hearing his speech. Nicodemus visits Jesus by night. He half defends him to the authorities. The third time, he steps forward to bury a condemned criminal. Friar Jude reminds us about the growth in his faith. Our faith life has to grow with time.

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 7:40-53 comments that of course, it’s normal to be upset by the injustice in the world. In fact, we should be upset by it! And it’s normal to listen respectfully to those around us who may be skeptical or even cynical. But at the end of the day, we have to listen even more closely to the words of Jesus and let them change us—just as the Temple guards did.

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t’s supremely human to doubt ourselves. It’s normal to question our experiences, especially when we are confronted with someone else’s strong, overpowering opinions. But amid our doubts and despite the noise from everyone else’s thoughts, opinions, and expectations, we need to remember that Jesus can speak to our hearts in ways that no one else can. His power, compassion, and love for us will never change. And his words, planted in the depth of our hearts, can bring us to life in ways that no other words can.

“Jesus, thank you for your truths, which always bring life to my heart!” (Meditation on John 7:40-53, n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who honors her own parents’ commitment to her well-being and inclusion, despite differences in faith and practice:

When I hear these stories, I empathize, but I can’t relate. Because my parents have been wonderful. We don’t always agree on theology or politics … but my parents have always prioritized maintaining our relationship over maintaining ideological uniformity….

They were, and are, proud of me…. When I blustered, and fulminated, and foolishly rocked the boat for the sake of rocking it, they refused to treat me as a problem or an embarrassment or something to fear. They loved me unconditionally.

I’m pretty sure their response helped preserve my faith. I’m certain it preserved our relationship….

One of the most destructive mistakes we Christians make is to prioritize shared beliefs over shared relationship, which is deeply ironic considering we worship a God who would rather die than lose relationship with us….

God does not demand that we all agree. God only asks that we love one another well. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we practice our religious tradition ever mindful of the glass darkly through which our human existence often encounters truth and Providence.

References

Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-march-21-2026 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/11?18 

John, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?40 

Meditation on John 7:40-53. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/03/21/1522268/ 

Psalms, PSALM 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/7?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Subverting the Honor-and-Shame System: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/subverting-the-honor-and-shame-system-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Reaction to Jesus' Words. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Belonging Believing and Bias

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary challenge us to awareness of the potential cost of our commitment to the Way of Jesus.

Consider the Cost

The Reading from the Second Book of Maccabees describes the Martyrdom of Eleazar.

* [6:18–7:42] The stories of Eleazar and of the mother and her seven sons, among the earliest models of “martyrology,” were understandably popular. Written to encourage God’s people in times of persecution, they add gruesome details to the record of tortures, and place long speeches in the mouths of the martyrs. (2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 3 hopes for God’s protection.

* [Psalm 3] is an individual lament complaining of enemies who deny that God will come to the rescue (Ps 3:2–3). Despite such taunts the psalmist hopes for God’s protection even in sleep (Ps 3:4–7). The Psalm prays for an end to the enemies’ power to speak maliciously (Ps 3:8) and closes peacefully with an expression of trust (Ps 3:9). (Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus encounter with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector.

* [19:1–10] The story of the tax collector Zacchaeus is unique to this gospel. While a rich man (Lk 19:2), Zacchaeus provides a contrast to the rich man of Lk 18:18–23 who cannot detach himself from his material possessions to become a follower of Jesus. Zacchaeus, according to Luke, exemplifies the proper attitude toward wealth: he promises to give half of his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8) and consequently is the recipient of salvation (Lk 19:9–10).

* [19:9] A descendant of Abraham: literally, “a son of Abraham.” The tax collector Zacchaeus, whose repentance is attested by his determination to amend his former ways, shows himself to be a true descendant of Abraham, the true heir to the promises of God in the Old Testament. Underlying Luke’s depiction of Zacchaeus as a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jews (Lk 1:73; 16:22–31), is his recognition of the central place occupied by Israel in the plan of salvation.

* [19:10] This verse sums up for Luke his depiction of the role of Jesus as savior in this gospel. (Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Desiree Nownes comments that today’s readings are about doing what is right for the betterment of all, no matter the cost. Both Eleazar and Jesus know what standing up and speaking the truth will cost.

The gospel teaches us several real lessons:

1. No one is beyond God’s reach; Even the most unredeemed can be forgiven.

2. Encountering God’s love can change lives; Real faith is action, generosity, and justice.

3. God sees us all; God’s love is intimate and personal.

4. God’s grace is transformational; Acceptance and forgiveness inspire change.

5. The mission for us all as Christians is to find the lost, lonely, and suffering who have lost their way, to forgive them, and bring them home to Christ.

Be good to one another. God’s grace allows us to do great things. Be a person of integrity and lead with character.

“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” ― Frederick Douglass (Nownes, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “To see Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"Come and let us see what was the method of Zacchaeus's conversion. He desired to see Jesus and therefore climbed into a sycamore tree, and so a seed of salvation sprouted within him. Christ saw this with the eyes of deity. Looking up, he also saw Zacchaeus with the eyes of humanity, and since it was his purpose for all to be saved, he extends his gentleness to him. To encourage him, he says, 'Come down quickly.' Zacchaeus searched to see Christ, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people but of his sins. He was short of stature, not merley in a bodily point of view but also spiritually. He could not see him unless he were raised up from the earth and climbed into the sycamore, by which Christ was about to pass. The story contains a puzzle. In no other way can a person see Christ and believe in him except by climbing up into the sycamore, by making foolish his earthly members of fornication, uncleanness, etc." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 127) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:1-10 invites us to imagine Zacchaeus’ amazement as he scrambles down from that tree to receive Jesus “with joy” (Luke 19:6). He takes no thought of his readiness; he just wants to welcome the Lord. Instead of hiding or delaying Jesus’ visit, he allows the Lord to love him as he is: a sinner in need of mercy. Through that encounter with divine love, Zaccheaus’ heart is changed—and that interior change will transform the way he lives. 

So how can you receive Jesus with joy today instead of holding back in fear at what he might uncover? Remember that as he did with Zaccheaus, Jesus sees past your sins. He loves you and longs to dwell with you. So welcome him. Let him cleanse and heal your heart. Let his love change you from the inside out. The reward will be priceless: union with the Son of God!

“Jesus, help me to welcome you into my heart with joy.”(Meditation on Luke 19:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that 2 Maccabees presents persecution against Jewish people by the Seleucid Empire as an example. Eleazar refuses the pretence of eating pork as the young people will be scandalized. Perhaps being a model of courage and virtue is the key to our golden years as an example of goodness and kindness. Tax collection for the Romans was by agents who had no incentive for honesty and Zaccheaus was taking a risk of injury as a hated agent. Jesus declares Zaccheaus a child of Israel to whom salvation has come.  This is a realized eschatology where we are experiencing salvation now and there is more to come in Heaven. Friar Jude notes Jesus reaches out to Zaccheaus, an anawim, to whom He gives love for healing.

Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces Jeff Cavins who joins Fr. Mike to discuss the final time period of the Bible Timeline. They discuss the historical context of the early Church, why Rome and the early martyrs are so significant, and how the Holy Spirit takes on a major role. They also explain the differences between Acts, the epistles, and the book of Revelation.

Brian McLaren has identified sixteen biases that prevent us from seeing things in their complexity and with greater clarity:

Confirmation Bias: … our belief system excludes whatever doesn’t fit. 

Complexity Bias: prefers a simple falsehood to a complex truth. 

Community Bias: don’t see what our community doesn’t, can’t, or won’t see. 

Complementarity Bias: If you are hostile… I’ll be hostile to your ideas. 

Competency Bias:  Incompetent people assume that most are incompetent.

Consciousness Bias: Some things simply can’t be seen from where I am right now. 

Comfort or Complacency Bias: I prefer not to have my comfort disturbed. 

Conservative/Liberal Bias: I lean toward an expression of my political identity. 

Confidence Bias: I often prefer the bold lie to the hesitant truth. 

Catastrophe Bias: I remember dramatic catastrophes but don’t notice gradual decline.

Contact Bias:  I don’t have intense and sustained personal contact with “the other”.

Cash Bias:  My way of making a living requires me not to see it. 

Conspiracy Bias: Our brains are attracted to stories that portray us as innocent victims.

Constancy/Baseline Bias: Our baselines may be reset when a new normal becomes our constant experience.

Certainty/Closure Bias: reaches for premature closure on an unwarranted certainty.

Cleverness Bias: Our brains are vigilant to protect us against deceptions, insulate ourselves from positive possibilities. (McLaren, n.d.)

We ask the help of the Spirit to help us resist prejudice and judgement in our encounters with people for whom we have a biased understanding.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?1 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Biases at Work Within All of Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/biases-at-work-within-all-of-us/ 

Meditation on Luke 19:1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/18/1431372/ 

Nownes, D. (2025, November 18). Daily Reflection November 18, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-18-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/3?2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Zacchaeus Received Jesus Joyfully. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/6?18