Fullness and Firm Faith

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess our motivation to be included in Christian community and how we show Christ to the people in our life.

Faith and Full Life

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah presents Accusation and Appeal to Judah.

* [7:1] Days of Ahaz: who ruled from 735 to 715 B.C. This attack against Jerusalem by the kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel in 735 B.C. was occasioned by the refusal of Ahaz to enter with them into an anti-Assyrian alliance; cf. 2 Kgs 16.

* [7:3] Shear-jashub: this name means “a remnant will return” (cf. 10:20–22).

* [7:5] Planned: the plans of those who plot against Ahaz shall not be accomplished (v. 7). What the Lord plans will unfailingly come to pass, whereas human plans contrary to those of the Lord are doomed to frustration; cf. 8:10; 14:24–27; 19:11–14; 29:15; 30:1. See further the note on 14:24–27.

* [7:6] Son of Tabeel: a puppet of Jerusalem’s enemies. His appointment would interrupt the lawful succession from David.

* [7:8–9] God had chosen and made a commitment to David’s dynasty and his capital city Jerusalem, not to Rezin and his capital Damascus, nor to the son of Remaliah and his capital Samaria (2 Sm 7:12–16; Ps 2:6; 78:68–72; 132:11–18). Within sixty-five years…nation: this text occurs at the end of v. 8 in the Hebrew. Ahaz would not have been reassured by so distant a promise; the phrase is probably a later addition. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 48 describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8).

* [Psalm 48] A Zion hymn, praising the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God. Unconquerable, it is an apt symbol of God who has defeated all enemies. After seven epithets describing the city (Ps 48:2–3), the Psalm describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8). The second half proclaims the dominion of the God of Zion over all the earth (Ps 48:9–12) and invites pilgrims to announce that God is eternally invincible like Zion itself (Ps 48:13–14). (Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus reproaches to the Unrepentant Towns.

* [11:21] Tyre and Sidon were pagan cities denounced for their wickedness in the Old Testament; cf. Jl 4:4–7.

* [11:23] Capernaum’s pride and punishment are described in language taken from the taunt song against the king of Babylon (Is 14:13–15). (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of the Creighton University Community recognizes that the feeling of being corrected (or called out, or challenged) for something we have done (or not done) is not a good feeling. Rather than focusing on the one doing the reproaching, what does our response reveal about ourselves?

Understanding that someone’s correction does not, in itself, prove our wrongdoing (indeed, maybe it is our very righteousness that has elicited reproach), our conscience does have a way of cutting through that brush, clearing the way for us to honestly evaluate our words and deeds. Our conscience is quick to catch up to us and the hardest to outrun. When this occurs, whatever our emotions in the moment, we owe it to ourselves to step back and reflect on what has happened and what elicited the correction. This can be a humbling exercise, but Jesus calls us to just this humility. He calls us to union with him. That is our end and we have been equipped with the means to seek it and, with the grace of God, achieve it. (Creighton University Community, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Even after miracles they did not repent,” by Jerome (347-420 AD)

"Our Savior laments Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities of Galilee, because after such great miracles and acts of goodness they did not repent. Even Tyre and Sidon, cities that surrendered to idolatry and other vices, are preferred to them. Tyre and Sidon are preferred for the reason that although they trampled down the law, still Chorazin and Bethsaida, after they transgressed natural and written law, cared little for the miracles that were performed among them." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the time of Isaiah in the history of Judah, Assyria was the great power. Israel was one of the vassal states of the Assyrian Empire. The kings of the northern kingdom, Israel, conspired to rebel and they had to seek help from Egypt. But the armies have to pass through Judah, a weak state, and King Ahaz of Judah will not join Syria and Israel. The conduit to the upper pool is crucial in a siege. If the water runs out they will have to surrender. Isaiah proclaims the kings of Syria and Israel will fall. God will protect Judah. In the Gospel, Jesus condemns towns in Galilee; they knew him as a home town boy. Matthew, the Gospel addressed to the Jews, says that pagans will more readily accept the Gospel than the Jewish people.  Friar Jude comments that we can become too familiar and only go through the motions of our faith. When we see and contemplate our worship, it should change our hearts.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 7:1-9 describes the kind of faith that God wanted from Ahaz—and from us as well. A faith willing to take measured risks because you trust that God will be with you. Willing to stare down uncertainty because you know that the Lord is bigger than your worries. Willing to deny yourself some pleasure that risks leading you into sin. Willing to take decisive action that you believe will bring someone closer to experiencing the Lord—and willing to learn from your mistakes.

This is what firm faith looks like. It’s firm, not because you are strong, but because you know that God is strong. It’s firm, not because you’ve been having a good day, but because you know that whatever kind of day you’re having, the Lord is always faithful to his promises. It’s firm because the One you believe in is the solid Rock of salvation.

King Ahaz had to decide if he would make his faith firm or if he would give in to fear and intimidation. What will you decide today?

“Jesus, help me to place my trust in you!” (Meditation on Isaiah 7:1-9, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, explores Jesus' metaphor, connecting the eyes and the heart. He introduces author and spiritual director Carl McColman who reflects on what Jesus might have meant by “purity of heart,” calling it “the beatitude that points toward the goal of every restless heart—to see God”.

Jesus knows that no human being has a perfectly clean (pure) heart. But in his wisdom, he’s asking, “Are you willing to show up? Are you willing to do the work? Are you willing to clean up your mess?” To answer yes to these questions is to commit to the path…. There’s the cleansing right there. Are we willing to begin to let go of gratuitous cynicism, nursed resentments, dispiriting bitterness, and the kind of negativity that leaches away our energy and gives us nothing in return? Letting go of those kinds of afflictive thoughts launches us on the journey of catharsis, of inner cleansing, that prepares us to receive the presence of the One who is already there. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to lead us to purity of heart and our revelation of the Presence of God in the lives and work of the people we encounter daily in our journey.

References

Creighton University Community. (2026, July 14). Daily Reflection July 14, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-14-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?20 

Meditation on Isaiah 7:1-9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/14/1622964/ 

Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/48?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). What Is Purity of Heart? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-is-purity-of-heart/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Will You Be Exalted to Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Faith and Frailty

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on our life journey and and celebrate the Presence of God in both our joys and sorrows.

The Path of Faith

The reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes is a poem on Youth and Old Age.

* [11:7–10] The concluding part of the book opens with a final bittersweet homage to life and an enthusiastic encouragement to rejoice in its gifts while they are within grasp.

* [11:10] Fleeting: lit., “vanity.”(Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [12:1–7] The homage to life of 11:7–10 is deliberately balanced by the sombre yet shimmering radiance of this poem on old age and death. The poem’s enigmatic imagery has often been interpreted allegorically, especially in vv. 3–5. Above all it seeks to evoke an atmosphere as well as an attitude toward death and old age.

* [12:3–5] An allegorical reading of these verses sees references to the human body—“guardians”: the arms; “strong men”: the legs; “women who grind”: the teeth; “those who look”: the eyes; “the doors”: the lips; “daughters of song”: the voice; “the almond tree blooms”: resembling the white hair of old age; “the locust…sluggish”: the stiffness in movement of the aged; “the caper berry”: a stimulant for appetite.

* [12:6] The golden bowl suspended by the silver cord is a symbol of life; the snapping of the cord and the breaking of the bowl, a symbol of death. The pitcher…the pulley: another pair of metaphors for life and its ending.

* [12:7] Death is portrayed in terms of the description of creation in Gn 2:7; the body corrupts in the grave, and the life breath (lit., “spirit”), or gift of life, returns to God who had breathed upon what he had formed. (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 praises God’s Eternity and Human Frailty.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus again Foretells His Death. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jay Carney comments that today’s readings challenge us not to avoid the difficult realities of life, including the shadow of death.

A friend of mine once told me a story about a Benedictine colleague who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My friend stopped by his office to express his condolences. The monk looked up, paused, and replied, “I think about my death every day.” As a Benedictine, he had routinely prayed and meditated on the last things, including today’s Psalm 90 asking God to “teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Let us ponder those words this weekend. (Carney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The scapegoat foreshadowed Christ's passion,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"The mystery of the passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another (Leviticus 16:7-8), but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called 'the lord,' and the other was called 'sent-away.' When the lot was cast for the one called 'lord,' it was sacrificed. The other one was sent away from the sacrifice, and therefore had the name of 'sent-away.' Who was signified by this? The Word, though he was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Savior of all undertook the responsibility, he transferred to himself what was due to us and laid down his life, that we might be sent away from death and destruction."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 53) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8 urges us to not be too quick to dismiss Qoheleth’s warnings. He reminds us that life is short and fragile. Such a practice has a long history. Memento Mori, or “remember your death,” was a popular tradition in the medieval Church.

It’s not morbid or unhealthy to think about our eventual passing, especially when we also remember the hope that we have of eternal life. Today, imagine that you have only days to live, and then ask the Spirit to help you see what you might do differently right now. Trust that he will give you the grace to make those changes so that you can live an abundant life now and one day enjoy the riches of heaven!

“Jesus, thank you for giving me a future full of hope!” (Meditation on Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Qoheleth urges us to enjoy life while young before we have to deal with a broken body. This is not to advocate boisterous or pleasure seeking living but doing the best we can. Friar Jude notes the difference between the Messiah expected by the disciples and the Love for All expressed by Jesus on the Cross. 

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister who identifies purity of heart as an essential commitment for the Desert Monastics.

No doubt about it: Total concentration on the one thing necessary—a heart centered on the will and love of God—determines every action of your life. It will carry you through life as much as life carries you—only with more fulfillment. It is a beacon from the desert calling you yet to continue your own pursuit of the presence of God, to concentrate always on the purity of heart that seeks one thing only and always.  

Your heart is the real compass of your life. The Desert Monastics knew that over fifteen hundred years ago and you know it yet: Purity of heart is the gift that guides you, leads you, shepherds you from one end of life to the other, always content knowing that you have done what you were born to do. What else could possibly be worth a life? (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the path we are taking in life with gratitude and recognition that our Life in the Spirit best guides our decisions.

References

Carney, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092824.html 

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/11?9 

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/12 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?43 

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/28/1085347/ 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Cultivating a Contemplative Consciousness: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/cultivating-a-contemplative-consciousness-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep28