Peace in Chaos

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us with a contrast between our hopes and expectations for peace and security and the call to accompany Christ into situations where we are the agents of peace.

Peace Be with You

The Reading from the Prophet Zechariah describes The Third Vision: The Man with the Measuring Cord.

* [2:5] Measuring cord: a string for measuring, as opposed to a builder’s string, 1:16.

* [2:8] That official: probably the man with the measuring cord of v. 5.

* [2:9] Encircling wall of fire: divine protection for an unwalled Jerusalem. Urban centers were generally walled, and Jerusalem’s walls were eventually rebuilt in the late fifth century B.C. (Neh 2:17).

* [2:10] Land of the north: refers to Babylon (v. 11), in a geographic rather than a political sense, as the place from which exiles will return. The designation is “north” because imperial invaders historically entered Palestine from that direction (see Jer 3:18; 23:8).

* [2:15] Many nations…my people: a way of expressing God’s relationship to people in covenant language. The covenant between God and Israel (see Jer 31:33; 32:38) is here universalized to include all nations. (Zechariah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

The Response is from Jeremiah 31.

* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus proclaims The Second Prediction of the Passion.

* [9:7–56] This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk 9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36). (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, 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.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Zechariah and Haggai were contemporary prophets who wanted to console desolate Israel because everything was not as they expected when the exiles returned to Jerusalem. The city did not have walls and nomads would raid. Droughts brought locusts and Zechariah assures God will protect them with a wall of fire. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus predicts passion but the disciples did not understand. In Luke, Jesus spends many passages describing travelling to Jerusalem. Friar Jude notes Jesus readily embraces the mission. Like a Stoic, He discerns the Will and follows it as the only path to fulfillment.

Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us not to be discouraged about the small things happening in our lives, because just as we see through Zechariah's visions, God takes small things and turns them into great triumphs. He also touches on the dedication of Israel to rebuild the temple, and the connection between the crowning of Joshua and the crowning of Christ the King. Today's readings are Ezra 5-6, Zechariah 4-6, and Proverbs 20:8-11.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Catholic activist Eileen Egan (1912–2000) who considers the universal nature of a greeting of peace.

Wishing peace is wishing the highest good that life can offer. The traditional greeting in Hebrew is shalom (peace). Salaam, the word for peace, is the salutation in Arabic. In Korean, the age-old greeting [annyeong haseyo] is also concerned with peace. The peacemaker can wish it to those who are like-minded or not, to all children of God anywhere, everywhere, in season and out.  

Whatever the turmoil, whatever the divisions among humankind, whatever the violence, the followers of Jesus who have accepted his commission can refuse to be moved from his transcendent message of peace. May there come a time when the church, as a peace church without any ties to violence, may greet the human family with the words, “Peace be with you.” (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to return us to the track of love and compassion when our aggravation with world events threatens to divert our path from the Way.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?10 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-commitment-to-nonviolence-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Astonished at the Majesty of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep27 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/2?5 

Ingratitude and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to avoid complacency and implore the Spirit for gratitude and courage as we deal with difficulty on our journey.

Gratitude and Courage

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims the Rest That God Promised.

Psalm 78 praises God’s Goodness and Israel’s Ingratitude

* [Psalm 78] A recital of history to show that past generations did not respond to God’s gracious deeds and were punished by God making the gift into a punishment. Will Israel fail to appreciate God’s act—the choosing of Zion and of David? The tripartite introduction invites Israel to learn the lessons hidden in its traditions (Ps 78:1–4, 5–7, 8–11); each section ends with the mention of God’s acts. (Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Heals a Paralytic.

* [2:1–2] He was at home: to the crowds that gathered in and outside the house Jesus preached the word, i.e., the gospel concerning the nearness of the kingdom and the necessity of repentance and faith (Mk 1:14).

* [2:5] It was the faith of the paralytic and those who carried him that moved Jesus to heal the sick man. Accounts of other miracles of Jesus reveal more and more his emphasis on faith as the requisite for exercising his healing powers (Mk 5:34; 9:23–24; 10:52).

* [2:6] Scribes: trained in oral interpretation of the written law; in Mark’s gospel, adversaries of Jesus, with one exception (Mk 12:28, 34).

* [2:7] He is blaspheming: an accusation made here and repeated during the trial of Jesus (Mk 14:60–64).

* [2:10] But that you may know that the Son of Man…on earth: although Mk 2:8–9 are addressed to the scribes, the sudden interruption of thought and structure in Mk 2:10 seems not addressed to them nor to the paralytic. Moreover, the early public use of the designation “Son of Man” to unbelieving scribes is most unlikely. The most probable explanation is that Mark’s insertion of Mk 2:10 is a commentary addressed to Christians for whom he recalls this miracle and who already accept in faith that Jesus is Messiah and Son of God. (Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky presents a midrash that explores one alternative for how Jonathan (the name of the paralytic in this story) decides to live after picking up his mat.

I will praise God daily for restoring my body and do as the rabbi instructed.  I will tell everyone who has not heard about my healing, the anointed One of God who gave me back my life. (Janky, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Reverse your relation with sickness,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY 50.6)

[Peter Chrysologus was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:1-12 comments that their persistence paid off. “When Jesus saw their faith,” he didn’t just heal their friend’s paralysis; he forgave his sins as well (Mark 2:5). Jesus made him new inside and out!

But don’t stop there! Think about your loved ones. Is there anyone you need to bring to the Lord? What sort of obstacles must you break through in order to intercede for them? Maybe you’ve begun to believe that your pleas have gone nowhere so far, so you might as well give up. Maybe you’re feeling that your friend’s situation is too dire to take any action. Whatever it is, remember the persistence and creativity of the friends in today’s Gospel. Let their example give you courage to keep asking Jesus for his healing and mercy! 

“Jesus, I believe that nothing is beyond your ability to heal and forgive!” (Meditation on Mark 2:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the concept of rest as experienced by the delay for the Israelites to enter the promised land and our entry into the rest of eternal life. The pattern of healing; situation, appeal, action, and reaction breaks down as the Scribes claim blasphemy in reacting to Jesus. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' understanding that it is easier to heal a broken limb than a broken heart.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces activist Sandhya Jha who describes the powerful example of a group of Muslim and Jewish women in the United States. Relationship building has emerged through the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, originally a group of 12 women in New Jersey that now has local chapters all over the country.

The local Kansas City chapter’s social action was to step in and provide meals at a local cancer treatment center during Christmas so that the Christian volunteers could spend the holiday with their families, creating another relational bridge in the process. [SOSS board member Amber Khan] also said there was something really powerful in the fact that in order to deal with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, the women needed to confront the “isms” they had internalized about each other in order to be in true relationship with each other, and that has been some of the most powerful work she has witnessed.  

What Amber values is that the women of the local chapters “are not professional organizers; they’re women who said, ‘my community needs healing and I want to be a part of that.’” When white nationalists desecrated mosques, the Jewish community showed up in force, sometimes even sharing worship spaces.   

“I think there’s more of a sense of urgency,” says Aftab at the Sisterhood. “We’ve heard from people all over the country, even all over the world, saying, ‘I need to reach out and do something constructive rather than be affected by this fear in a negative way.’”  (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to enliven our gift of courage so that we may demonstrate truth, faith, and love in visible ways in our environment.

References

Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011725.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?1 

Meditation on Mark 2:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/17/1181752/ 

Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/78?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Power of Sisterhood. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-power-of-sisterhood/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan17