Hope Against Evil

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to recognize the evil situations of injustice and greed in our society and to work through our relationship with Christ to bring justice and charity to these situations.

Hope and Help

In the reading from the Prophet Micah, social evils are Denounced.

* [2:1–5] The cry “Ah” (hoy) begins a typical prophetic speech that is usually continued, as here (vv. 1–2), by a description of the addressees in terms of their unrighteous activities. This description is an indictment which gives the reasons for punishment announced to a particular group of people (vv. 3–5). The prophet spells out the crimes; the Lord announces the punishment, which corresponds to the crime: those who take the land of others will have their own land taken.

* [2:2] To covet the “house” and other property of the neighbor was a violation of the Decalogue (Ex 20:17; 34:24; Dt 5:21).

* [2:4] Those who take land from the less powerful will in turn have their land taken away by invaders. (Micah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 10 is a prayer for Deliverance from Enemies.

a. [10:2] Is 32:7.

b. [10:3] Ps 36:2.

c. [10:4] Ps 14:1; Jb 22:13; Is 29:15; Jer 5:12; Zep 1:12.

d. [10:7] Is 32:7; Rom 3:14.

e. [10:8] Ps 11:2; Jb 24:14.

f. [10:9] Ps 17:12; Prv 1:11; Jer 5:26.

g. [10:11] Ps 44:25; 64:6; 73:11; 94:7; Ez 9:9.

h. [10:14] Ps 31:8; 56:9; 2 Kgs 20:5; Is 25:8; Rev 7:17.

i. [10:14] Ex 22:21–22. (Psalms, PSALM 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew declares Jesus as God’s Chosen Servant.

* [12:15–21] Matthew follows Mk 3:7–12 but summarizes his source in two verses (Mt 12:15, 16) that pick up the withdrawal, the healings, and the command for silence. To this he adds a fulfillment citation from the first Servant Song (Is 42:1–4) that does not correspond exactly to either the Hebrew or the LXX of that passage. It is the longest Old Testament citation in this gospel, emphasizing the meekness of Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, and foretelling the extension of his mission to the Gentiles.

* [12:15] Jesus’ knowledge of the Pharisees’ plot and his healing all are peculiar to Matthew.

* [12:19] The servant’s not contending is seen as fulfilled in Jesus’ withdrawal from the disputes narrated in Mt 12:1–14.

* [12:21] Except for a minor detail, Matthew here follows the LXX, although the meaning of the Hebrew (“the coastlands will wait for his teaching”) is similar. (Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that we find ourselves confronted with a series of smaller choices each day, and we may not recognize how our choices direct our paths.  Too often time is spent on the couch, binge-watching a show, considering potential vacation destinations, or thinking about home enhancements or a new car, when it should be spent off the couch actively seeking to do God’s will.

If I really mean it when I claim that “I wish I could live a Christlike life” like the people at whom I marvel, then I need to put in the necessary work so that it becomes second nature.  I must practice showing love, extending forgiveness, and seeking justice on a regular basis.  Fortunately, God provides ample opportunities to practice each day with multiple small situations that allow me to work on the basics (practice the scales, if you will) and to eliminate the mistakes (and there will be mistakes).  My planning time on the couch (to revisit the Micah metaphor) should be focused on developing intimacy with the Holy Spirit who will work with me and through me to bring justice.  As I demonstrate trustworthiness in a few small things, Matthew 25:21 indicates that I will be trusted with more and bigger chances.  Even more exciting, many of the small things – that is to say, things that seemed small to you – will turn out to be really big things for someone else. (Crawford, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The Savior's meekness,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"The prophet celebrated in advance both the Savior's meekness right alongside his unspeakable power. Thereby he opened to the Gentiles a great and effective door. Isaiah also foretold the ills that were to overtake the Jews. He foreknew the Son's oneness with the Father: 'Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him' (Isaiah 42:1). For it is not as an adversary that Christ transcends the law, as if he were an enemy of the Lawgiver, but as though he were of one mind with the Lawgiver and held to the very same purposes. Then, proclaiming the Lord's meekness, Isaiah said, 'He shall not cry nor lift up his voice' (Isaiah 42:20). For his desire indeed was to enable healing in their presence. But since they pushed him away, he did not contend any further against their opposition." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.2.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21 comments on a lesson for us whenever we are feeling misunderstood because of our faith. We don’t have to rush to explain our actions or defend ourselves. At the same time, we don’t want to nurture resentment against the people who might be judging us. Nor should we allow their reactions to keep us from accomplishing the work that God has called us to do.

Maybe you can think of a few people in your life who misconstrue or are puzzled by your Christian beliefs or actions. Pray for them today; ask the Lord to bless them and reveal more of his love and mercy to them. Then pray for yourself—for the courage and perseverance to follow Jesus, whatever the cost!

“Jesus, help me to accept the uncomfortable feeling of being misunderstood.” (Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and a small town boy who preached against the “big city” evils of Jerusalem. Jesus fulfills the role of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah, a mysterious meek figure who proclaims justice to Israel. Friar Jude notes that the very Jewish Gospel of Matthew indicates the mission to the Gentiles, initially in the Magi who witness Jesus' birth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites us to struggle with the paradoxical nature of God’s grace and our efforts.

Step 6, “We're entirely ready to have God remove all of these defects of character”, struggles with—and resolves—the old paradox of the chicken and the egg. It first recognizes that we have to work to see our many resistances, excuses, and blockages, but then we have to fully acknowledge that God alone can do the removing! But which should come first, grace or responsibility? The answer is that both come first.  

All we can do is get out of the way and then the soul takes its natural course. Grace is inherent to creation from the beginning (Genesis 1:2), just like springtime; but it is a lot of work to get out of the way and allow that grace to fully operate and liberate.  

It seems we must both surrender and take responsibility. Or, to reverse an old aphorism, we must pray as if it all depends on us, and work as if it all depends on God (yes, you read that correctly!). [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the understanding of the Spirit to make us aware of the presence of evil in our environment and to instill hope in our relationship with God to restore truth, goodness, and charity to our society.

References

Crawford, D. (2024, July 20). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/072024.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?14 

Meditation on Matthew 12:14-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/20/1026136/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/10?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Breathing Under Water, Week One: Weekly Summary. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/breathing-under-water-week-one-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 20, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul20 

The Spirit of Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to act in the Spirit of Love that is the foundation of our relating to Nature and others in the Way of Jesus.

Building the Spirit of Love

The reading from the Book of Exodus defines Social Laws for the people.

* [22:27] Despise God: a turning away from God’s authority and so failing to honor God (cf. 1 Sm 2:30). (Exodus, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 18 is a Royal Thanksgiving for Victory

* [Psalm 18] A royal thanksgiving for a military victory, duplicated in 2 Sm 22. Thanksgiving Psalms are in essence reports of divine rescue. The Psalm has two parallel reports of rescue, the first told from a heavenly perspective (Ps 18:5–20), and the second from an earthly perspective (Ps 18:36–46). The first report adapts old mythic language of a cosmic battle between sea and rainstorm in order to depict God’s rescue of the Israelite king from his enemies. Each report has a short hymnic introduction (Ps 18:2–4, 32–36) and conclusion (Ps 18:21–31, 47–50). (Psalms, PSALM 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, he offers thanksgiving for Their Faith.

* [1:6] Imitators: the Pauline theme of “imitation” (see 1 Thes 2:14; 1 Cor 4:16; 11:1; 2 Thes 3:9) is rooted in Paul’s view of solidarity in Christ through sharing in Jesus’ cross and in the Spirit of the risen Lord. (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents the Greatest Commandment.

* [22:34–40] The Marcan parallel (Mk 12:28–34) is an exchange between Jesus and a scribe who is impressed by the way in which Jesus has conducted himself in the previous controversy (Mk 12:28), who compliments him for the answer he gives him (Mk 12:32), and who is said by Jesus to be “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mk 12:34). Matthew has sharpened that scene. The questioner, as the representative of other Pharisees, tests Jesus by his question (Mt 22:34–35), and both his reaction to Jesus’ reply and Jesus’ commendation of him are lacking.

* [22:35] [A scholar of the law]: meaning “scribe.” Although this reading is supported by the vast majority of textual witnesses, it is the only time that the Greek word so translated occurs in Matthew. It is relatively frequent in Luke, and there is reason to think that it may have been added here by a copyist since it occurs in the Lucan parallel (Lk 10:25–28). Tested: see note on Mt 19:3.

* [22:36] For the devout Jew all the commandments were to be kept with equal care, but there is evidence of preoccupation in Jewish sources with the question put to Jesus.

* [22:37–38] Cf. Dt 6:5. Matthew omits the first part of Mark’s fuller quotation (Mk 12:29; Dt 6:4–5), probably because he considered its monotheistic emphasis needless for his church. The love of God must engage the total person (heart, soul, mind).

* [22:39] Jesus goes beyond the extent of the question put to him and joins to the greatest and the first commandment a second, that of love of neighbor, Lv 19:18; see note on Mt 19:18–19. This combination of the two commandments may already have been made in Judaism.

* [22:40] The double commandment is the source from which the whole law and the prophets are derived. (Matthew, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that today’s readings are about treating people decently and doing the right things.

He says the whole law depends on these two commandments. Put God first, and treat all others fairly and decently. How great would our world be if people actually did this? No crime, no discrimination, no greed. I don’t even understand how some people can be so cruel, so selfish, advancing their own interests even at the expense of others. But that is not how it is supposed to be. If people would love God and each other, that’s all we need. (Whitney, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Loving God with heart, mind, and soul,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Worthy is he, confirmed in all his gifts, who exults in the wisdom of God, having a heart full of the love of God, and a soul completely enlightened by the lamp of knowledge and a mind filled with the word of God. It follows then that all such gifts truly come from God. He would understand that all the law and the prophets are in some way a part of the wisdom and knowledge of God. He would understand that all the law and the prophets depend upon and adhere to the principle of the love of the Lord God and of neighbor and that the perfection of piety consists in love." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 22:34-40 notes that as important as these two commandments are, however, we might be tempted to think they’re impossible to follow. That’s because too often, we associate love only with warm and fuzzy feelings. But love goes beyond emotion and is sometimes even independent of it. In other words, it’s not so much what we feel as how we act.

Each day, whether you wake up feeling energetic and cheerful or tired and cross, you will be presented with opportunities to love God and your neighbor in concrete ways. Don’t pass them up! By itself, each specific action you take might not seem particularly noteworthy. Maybe you don’t feel any love as you do them. But in fact, when you extend yourself for another time and again, you are doing exactly what God has called you to do.

“Jesus, help me to see how I can love you and my neighbor today.” (Meditation on Matthew 22:34-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the instructions on respect and treating aliens, and the poor in Exodus. Paul’s first letter to the Thassalonians, about 51 CE, is influenced by the expectation of the imminent return of Jesus at the end times and the use of Jewish exaggeration to stress the points that Paul wishes to make. Friar Jude notes that Jesus is making the case in Matthew’s Gospel that our Love must be both vertical and horizontal. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that God was known and praised in the natural world long before the advent of the written Scriptures. Jewish and Christian traditions of creation spirituality have their origins in Hebrew Scriptures such as Psalms 104 and 148. It is a spirituality that is rooted, first of all, in nature, in experience, and in the world as it is. This rich Hebrew spirituality formed the mind, heart, and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.

Maybe we don’t feel the impact of that until we realize how many people think religion has to do with ideas and concepts and formulas from books. That’s how clergy and theologians were trained for years. We went away, not into a world of nature and silence and primal relationships, but into a world of books. Well, that’s not biblical spirituality, and that’s not where religion begins. It begins in observing “what is.” Paul says, “Ever since the creation of the world, the invisible essence of God and God’s everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind’s understanding of created things” (Romans 1:20). We know God through the things that God has made. The first foundation of any true religious seeing is, quite simply, learning how to see and love what is. Contemplation is meeting reality in its most simple and direct form unjudged, unexplained, and uncontrolled! (Rohr, 2023)

We ponder the Commandment to love as we contemplate our experiences of truth, beauty, and charity that are the root of our connection to the Divine.

References

Exodus, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/22?20 

Matthew, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/22?34 

Meditation on Matthew 22:34-40. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/29/816194/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/1?5 

Psalms, PSALM 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/18?2 

Rohr, R. (2023, October 29). Loving What Is before Us — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-what-is-before-us/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Is the Greatest Rule of Life? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct29 

Whitney, T. (2023, October 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102923.html