Wise and Foolish

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the gift of Wisdom that the Spirit reveals to guide our celebration of full life in Christ.

Wisdom and the Race

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians declares the Christ the Power and Wisdom of God through the Paradox of the Cross.

* [1:21–25] True wisdom and power are to be found paradoxically where one would least expect them, in the place of their apparent negation. To human eyes the crucified Christ symbolizes impotence and absurdity. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids.

* [25:1–13] Peculiar to Matthew.

* [25:1] Then: at the time of the parousia. Kingdom…will be like: see note on Mt 13:24–30.

* [25:2–4] Foolish…wise: cf. the contrasted “wise man” and “fool” of Mt 7:24, 26 where the two are distinguished by good deeds and lack of them, and such deeds may be signified by the oil of this parable.

* [25:11–12] Lord, Lord: cf. Mt 7:21. I do not know you: cf. Mt 7:23 where the Greek verb is different but synonymous.

* [25:13] Stay awake: some scholars see this command as an addition to the original parable of Matthew’s traditional material, since in Mt 25:5 all the virgins, wise and foolish, fall asleep. But the wise virgins are adequately equipped for their task, and stay awake may mean no more than to be prepared; cf. Mt 24:42, 44. (Matthew, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Lenz comments that when he first heard the parable about the ten virgins, he was a little taken aback. He thought they were just being mean and selfish – it didn’t make sense.

But as I stayed with it, I realized it was like how my parents guided me as a young boy. I would not truly know math unless I did it myself. And I cannot truly know God and the Kingdom of God unless I am active in the process. I can go to church, participate in the mass, and listen to the gospels, but unless I actively engage with the messages in my daily life [pray], then I will not really know God and what the Kingdom of God is at any kind of meaningful depth. And certainly not enough that will allow me to join in the wedding feast. (Lenz, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Kingdom of God compared with ten maidens,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"The whole story is about the great day of the Lord, when those things concealed from the human mind will be revealed through our understanding of divine judgment. Then the faith true to the Lord's coming will win the just reward for unwavering hope. For in the five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:2), a complete separation between the faithful and unfaithful is established... The wise virgins are those who, embracing the time available to them, were prepared at the first onset of the coming of the Lord. But the foolish were those who were lax and unmindful. They troubled themselves only over present matters and, forgetting what God said, did not direct their efforts toward hope for resurrection." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 27.3,5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 comments that it can be so hard to understand what “Jesus, my Savior, the power and wisdom of God” means.

“When I look at the wars and violence in the world around me, Jesus, I wonder why you don’t intervene with your power to set everything right. I ask myself how you can bring anything good out of the prejudice, greed, and exploitation that ravage your people. But I am coming to understand that it’s when I see with your eyes that I can start to make sense out of it all. Even when I don’t understand now, I know that all my questions will one day be answered. You have the power to bring good out of everything, even woe. And in your wisdom, you will do it.”

“Lord, I place my trust in your tenacious and overwhelming love for me.” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Public theologian Jennifer Bailey who uses an agricultural metaphor to describe the waning landscape of religious institutions in the United States. She names the challenges of our time and how she finds inspiration for hopeful action.

The enormity of the plight we face can be solved only by harnessing the ingenuity and creativity of the communities to which we belong and are accountable. This season will require us to recover ancestral wisdom and practices that we lost or undervalued, repair the deep breaches in our interpersonal and communal relationships that replicate patterns of harm and destruction, and reimagine the possible by stretching ourselves to see beyond the realities of our current circumstances and daring to dream something different into being.  

These three words—recover, repair, and reimagine—remain at the center of my discernment process as I try to understand the evolution of my calling. My path is not linear. There are times I feel like I am chasing the shadow of something I cannot fully see. When I’m feeling particularly churchy, I wonder if that shadow is the Spirit of Divine Revelation. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the wisdom of the Spirit to guide our decisions and connect us to the action we need to prepare as followers of Christ.

References

Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/083024.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25? 

Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:17-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/08/30/1063184/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1? 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Recover, Repair, Reimagine. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/recover-repair-reimagine/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Foolish Will Miss Heaven's Wedding Feast. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=aug30 

Living in New Ways

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the rationalization and resistance we might apply to new ideas and action to which we are prompted by the Spirit.

 

Open to new wine 

 

The reading from the First Book of Samuel explains the disobedience of Saul and sets the stage for his rejection.

* [15:3] Put under the ban: this terminology mandates that all traces of the Amalekites (people, cities, animals, etc.) be exterminated. No plunder could be seized for personal use. In the light of Dt 20:16–18, this injunction would eliminate any tendency toward syncretism. The focus of this chapter is that Saul fails to execute this order.1 

Psalm 50 praises the acceptable sacrifice.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20).2 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the question about fasting.

* [2:19] Can the wedding guests fast?: the bridal metaphor expresses a new relationship of love between God and his people in the person and mission of Jesus to his disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfillment and the passing of the old. Any attempt at assimilating the Pharisaic practice of fasting, or of extending the preparatory discipline of John’s disciples beyond the arrival of the bridegroom, would be as futile as sewing a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak or pouring new wine into old wineskins with the resulting destruction of both cloth and wine (Mk 2:21–22). Fasting is rendered superfluous during the earthly ministry of Jesus; cf. Mk 2:20.3 

Steve Scholer comments that as we age, we become set in our ways. Old habits become even harder to break, and what were once opinions are probably now our firm beliefs. Add to this naturally occurring phenomena the polarizing views that are presented on TV, and our willingness to look with an open mind at issues and concerns facing other people becomes even harder. This is the challenge we face. If we refuse to allow our hearts to be filled with new ways to love others – be they ones who have slighted us or those living on the margins of society – our hearts will surely grow old and hard. Should that happen, then most assuredly the day will come when our hearts harden to the point that we are no longer able to accept God’s call to love those who don’t love back, and to forgive those who won’t forgive us. And if that happens, how can we call ourselves Christians?

Accepting the challenges we face each day with an open and understanding heart is the best way for us to be assured that our faith will continue to grow. As we search for ways to love and forgive those we once felt we never could, our hearts will become fresh and pliable wineskins, ready to accept God’s endless love in all its beautiful and varied forms.4 

Don Schwager quotes “The presence of the Bridegroom,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"From the time that the incarnation of our Savior was first promised to the patriarchs, it was always awaited by many upright souls with tears and mourning - until he came. From that time when, after his resurrection, he ascended to heaven, all the hope of the saints hangs upon his return. It was at the time when he was keeping company with humanity that his presence was to be celebrated. Then it would have been unfitting to weep and mourn. For like the bride, she had him with her bodily whom she loved spiritually. Therefore the bridegroom is Christ, the bride is the church, and the friends of the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15, Luke 5:34) and of the marriage are each and every one of his faithful companions. The time of his marriage is that time when, through the mystery of the incarnation, he is joining the holy church to himself (Revelation 19:7). Thus it was not by chance, but for the sake of a certain mystical meaning that he came to a marriage ceremony on earth in the customary fleshly way (John 2:1-12), since he descended from heaven to earth in order to wed the church to himself in spiritual love. His nuptial chamber was the womb of his virgin mother. There God was conjoined with human nature. From there he came forth like a bridegroom to join the church to himself."(excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.14)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:18-22 comments that not only does Christ heal and deliver us by his power, but he empowers us to see things from his perspective. Our prayers overflow with hope and confidence in what he can do.

“My Lord, you give me new wine. Help me to be like a fresh wineskin to hold it. I want to be flexible and able to expand as your life and love and power grow in me. I don’t want to hold onto anything that closes me off from you or prevents me from living in a new way. Show me what I need to see. Do I need to forgive? Do I need to lay down my fear and resentments before you? Lord, I want to empty myself so that you can fill me with your new wine.” “Jesus, I marvel at how generous you are! As you bring me new wine, form me into a vessel to receive it.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler suggests that the arrogance of Saul compared to the penance of David is important in their stories of sin and rejection. Fasting is in solidarity with the hungry and is appropriate when someone dies and as spiritual discipline. Friar Jude suggests that the cloth and wine are not connected to fasting but reflect the goal of separation practiced by the Israelites to maintain purity.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Writer Victoria Loorz, co-founder of the “Wild Church Network,” who believes religion’s true purpose is to restore our relationships with each other and the earth. The word religion, at its roots, means re, “again,” and ligios, “connection,” like ligaments. Religion is meant to offer us support to connect again what has been separated. Apparently we need constant reminders to continually reconnect with the fullness of life, the whole, the holy. What we’ve created is more like disligion: disconnection from people and species unlike us. When religion loses its purpose and colludes with the forces of separation instead, it becomes irrelevant and even irreverent.

The new story is emerging, and I cannot pretend to know all the layers. Yet one aspect that seems essential relates to the worldview of belonging—a way of being human that acts as if we belong to a community larger than our own family, race, class, and culture, and larger even than our own species. The apocalyptic unveiling happening in our world right now makes it difficult even for those who have been sheltered in privilege to look away from the reality, both tragic and beautiful, that we are all deeply interconnected. Humans, trees, oceans, deer, viruses, bees. God.7

 

When we find ourselves “set in our ways”, we need to seek the inspiration of the Spirit to open ourselves to accept the new wine of fuller life.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 1 Samuel, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/15
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011722.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jan17
6	(2022, January 17). Meditation: Mark 2:18-22 - The Word Among Us. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/01/17/294087/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://cac.org/restoring-relationships-2022-01-17/