Righteousness and Service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our need to ponder our role on our life journey and the faith, hope, and charity we hope will be our legacy for the future.

A legacy for the future

The reading from the Book of Wisdom confirms the Destiny of the Righteous

* [3:1–12] The author affirms that, for the righteous, sufferings are not punishments but purification and opportunities to show fidelity, whereas for the wicked suffering is truly a punishment.

* [3:6] Offerings: the image is that of the burnt offering, in which the victim is completely consumed by fire.

* [3:7] Judgment: the Greek episkopē is God’s loving judgment of those who have been faithful to him; the same word is used in 14:11 for the punishment of the wicked at God’s judgment. Cf. also v. 13. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 34 offers praise for Deliverance from Trouble

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus exhorts the attitude of a servant.

* [17:7–10] These sayings of Jesus, peculiar to Luke, which continue his response to the apostles’ request to increase their faith (Lk 17:5–6), remind them that Christian disciples can make no claim on God’s graciousness; in fulfilling the exacting demands of discipleship, they are only doing their duty. (Luke, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that the disposition that puts the Lord’s needs first is not easy.  We like to be served more than to serve.  We like to be honored more than to honor.  We like to receive gratitude more than to be grateful.  The contrary disposition that Jesus is teaching us to follow can also be costly in a world where others find it foolish and easy to exploit.  Can we trust God to follow him in those times? 

Lord, like the apostles, we cry out to you, “please increase our faith.”  We are prone to forget and to lose hope, particularly in the midst of tough times and struggles.  Save us from envy.  And help us to encourage one another, remembering that “Grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.”  Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “We are called to humble service,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"You do not say to your servant, 'Sit down,' but require more service from him and do not thank him. The Lord also does not allow only one work or labor for you, because so long as we live we must always work.

"Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies (Joshua 10:12-13; Baruch 6:60), and the angels serve... Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 17.7-10) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9 comments that we may struggle to believe in eternal life, for our loved ones or for ourselves. But this struggle is familiar to Jesus. His prayer in Gethsemane reveals his anguish as he faced the cross (Matthew 26:36-45). But trusting the Father, he offered himself up to death. After passing through this refiner’s fire, Jesus arose and shone forth, “as sparks through stubble” (Wisdom 3:7).

So bring him your heartaches, confusion, and pain. He will walk beside you and your loved ones through the valley of the shadow of death until the day when his victory will be your own, and “the faithful shall abide with him in love” (Wisdom 3:9).

“Lord, help me to trust you in this life so that I may rejoice with you in eternity.” (Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the theme of the passage from Wisdom to address the question of the Greeks about eternal life. The Greek influence in the Book of Wisdom is evident in the concept of the separation of the soul and body in eternal life. Friar Jude recalls the Baltimore Catechism as he reminds us of our participation in the Love of the Father and the Son as we take up the Cross of service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, and the CAC Staff share about the mission of the Christian Contemplative Movement.

Our dream is that Contemplative Christianity will be a robust movement of spiritual transformation that millions of people can participate in meaningfully and thoroughly. Social science research suggests it takes 3.5% of a population to create a seismic shift in attitudes on any given subject. Therefore, as an organization founded by Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr, rooted in Christian traditions of action and contemplation, and positioned on the edge of the inside of the world’s largest religion, we seek to contribute to a movement of contemplative renewal in service to a great spiritual turning. Our aim is to support the conditions necessary for the catalytic growth of a contemplative Christian path for at least 3.5% of people in our national and international landscape. (Rohr, 2021)

We seek the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we come to understand our role as servants of the Lord and the people who we encounter daily in the hope that mercy, patience, and compassion will accompany our action and reflect Christ.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?7 

Meditation on Wisdom 2:23–3:9. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/14/829984/ 

Morse, E. (2023, November 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111423.html 

Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2 

Rohr, R. (2021, September 22). Christian Contemplative Movement. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-fr-richard-the-christian-contemplative-movement-2023-11-14/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov14 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3 

Love and Sacrifice

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to act in the knowledge that love for one another is the path to fullness of life, the cost of which is assessed with the guidance of the Spirit.

Love our Neighbour

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts us to Love for One Another.

* [13:8–10] When love directs the Christian’s moral decisions, the interest of law in basic concerns, such as familial relationships, sanctity of life, and security of property, is safeguarded (Rom 13:9). Indeed, says Paul, the same applies to any other commandment (Rom 13:9), whether one in the Mosaic code or one drawn up by local magistrates under imperial authority. Love anticipates the purpose of public legislation, namely, to secure the best interests of the citizenry. Since Caesar’s obligation is to punish the wrongdoer (Rom 13:4), the Christian who acts in love is free from all legitimate indictment. (Romans, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Psalm 112 praises the Blessings of the Righteous.

* [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Ps 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Ps 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Ps 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Ps 112:10). The logic resembles Ps 1; 111.

* [112:3] Righteousness: in the Second Temple period the word acquired the nuance of liberality and almsgiving, cf. Sir 3:30; 7:10; Mt 6:1–4.

* [112:9] His horn: the symbol for vitality and honor. (Psalms, PSALM 112, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus presents the Cost of Discipleship.

* [14:25–33] This collection of sayings, most of which are peculiar to Luke, focuses on the total dedication necessary for the disciple of Jesus. No attachment to family (Lk 14:26) or possessions (Lk 14:33) can stand in the way of the total commitment demanded of the disciple. Also, acceptance of the call to be a disciple demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering (Lk 14:27) and a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs (Lk 14:28–32).

* [14:26] Hating his father…: cf. the similar saying in Mt 10:37. The disciple’s family must take second place to the absolute dedication involved in following Jesus (see also Lk 9:59–62). (Luke, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)

Scott McClure urges that the question of attachment is one worthy of some reflection. Is it not good to be attached to one's family? How can I love my family without being attached? St. Ignatius can help us as he addresses this very condition in what is known as the First Principle and Foundation of his Spiritual Exercises. 

The goal of our life is to be with God forever.
We should not fix our desires on
health or sickness,
wealth or poverty,
success or failure,
a long life or a short one.
For everything has the potential of calling forth in us
a deeper response to our life in God.

Who doesn't want to be healthy, or to have financial stability, success, or long life? Life may be easier with these things, but are they inherently more conducive to our deeper response to our life in God than are sickness, poverty, failure, or a short life? In this life, we are meant to participate with God in the creative power that springs from his love for us. We are part of this ongoing genesis. Whereas our health can enable us to serve God in various ways and thereby participate in his creative power, our sickness and the suffering that comes of it may, in equal measure, arouse our compassion for others who suffer, thereby enabling our greater participation in God's compassionate love for others. Whereas our success may enable us to institute positive change in our community and world, failure may remind us not to become distracted enough to think that our highest aims were ever of this world but, rather, of building up the Kingdom of God. (McClure, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus permits us to love family but not more than God,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"He says, 'He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me' (Matthew 10:37). By adding 'more than me,' it is plain that he permits us to love, but not more than we love him. He demands our highest affection for himself and that very correctly. The love of God in those who are perfect in mind has something in it superior both to the honor due to parents and to the natural affection felt for children." (excerpt fromCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 105) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 14:25-33 comments on what Jesus means when he talks about “hating” in today’s Gospel (Luke 14:26). The Greek word here is miseo, which can mean to love something or someone less. So when Jesus talks about “hating,” he is not talking about our modern understanding of hate, which implies an intense dislike. He is saying that in comparison to him, everything else pales. He’s urging us to renounce one choice—one “love”—in favor of another (Matthew 10:37).

Putting Jesus first also means “going against the grain” at times. We see how holy Jesus is, and we want to stay close to him. That means we may choose not to participate in something that others around us seem comfortable with, such as gossip. But that doesn’t mean we literally “hate” anyone. It just means that we are staying close to Jesus—and staying true to him, as a husband or wife is true to their spouse.

With all that in mind, let’s put Jesus first today!

“Lord, help me to choose you above all else.” (Meditation on Luke 14:25-33, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the shift in chapter 13 of Romans where Paul underlines our need to love everyone as ourselves. St Augustine understood evil as the absence of love that could be addressed by adding love. Friar Jude urges that we understand that the Gospels were written in a society very different from 21st Century America.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, contrasts this “meritocracy,” the punishment/reward economy of basic capitalism, with what Jesus presents. He calls it a gift economy. In a gift economy, there is no equivalence between what we give and how much we get. We don’t really like this model, because we feel we’ve worked hard to get “what’s ours.” We feel we have earned our rightful social positions.

Yet if we call ourselves Christians, we have to deal with the actual gospel of grace. The only way we can actually understand this is if we’ve had at least one experience of being given to without earning. It’s called forgiveness, unconditional love, and mercy. If we’ve never received unearned, undeserved love, we will stay in the capitalist worldview where 2 + 2 = 4. I put in my 2, I get my 2 back. But we remain very unsure, if not angry, about anything “free,” whether it is free health care (physical, mental, or spiritual) or even free education. These benefits can be seen as natural human rights that sustain peoples’ humanity and dignity, as papal social encyclicals make clear. All too often, though, we only want people in our own group to benefit from health care, education, and bail outs.

The bottom line is that we don’t “deserve” anything, anything! It’s all a gift. Until we have begun to live in the kingdom of God instead of the kingdoms of this world, we will think exactly like the world. To understand the gospel in its radical, transformative power, we have to stop counting, measuring, and weighing. We have to stop saying “I deserve” and deciding who does not deserve. None of us deserves! This daily conversion is hard to do unless we’ve experienced infinite mercy and realize that it’s all a gift—all the time. (Rohr, 2023)

When we assess our plans in union with the Way of Christ, we pray for love, mercy, and compassion to act in tension with the self-serving attitudes of the dominant culture.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?25 

McClure, S. (2023, November 8). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110823.html 

Meditation on Luke 14:25-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/08/823439/ 

Psalms, PSALM 112. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/112?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, November 8). The Gospel of Grace — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gospel-of-grace/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/13?8 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The True Cost of Discipleship. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov8