Conversion and Cleverness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today share a vision of New Life and call us to use our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to work with the Spirit to bring our environment to peace, compassion, and love.

A Vision of Peace

 

The reading from the Prophet Hosea is a plea for repentance and assurance of forgiveness.

* [14:1] Samaria: the capital of the Northern Kingdom will fall; this is the punishment predicted for Ephraim, the Northern Kingdom.

* [14:4] These good intentions promise a reversal of Israel’s sins: no more reliance on “Assyria,” i.e., on foreign alliances (see notes on 8:9 and 12:2), on “horses,” i.e., on human power (10:13), and on idolatry (8:4–6; 13:2). Israel will trust in the Lord alone.

* [14:9] Verdant cypress tree: the symbol of lasting life, the opposite of the sacred trees of the Baal cult (4:13). The Lord provides the “fruit” (peri) to Israel (2:7, 10), another instance of the wordplay on Ephraim (see notes on 9:16 and 13:15).

* [14:10] A challenge to the reader in the style of the wisdom literature. (Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 is a prayer for Cleansing and Pardon.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. (Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the Coming Persecutions.

* [10:17] The persecutions attendant upon the post-resurrection mission now begin to be spoken of. Here Matthew brings into the discourse sayings found in Mk 13 which deals with events preceding the parousia.

* [10:21] See Mi 7:6 which is cited in Mt 10:35, 36.

* [10:22] To the end: the original meaning was probably “until the parousia.” But it is not likely that Matthew expected no missionary disciples to suffer death before then, since he envisages the martyrdom of other Christians (Mt 10:21). For him, the end is probably that of the individual’s life (see Mt 10:28).

* [10:23] Before the Son of Man comes: since the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the age had not taken place when this gospel was written, much less during the mission of the Twelve during Jesus’ ministry, Matthew cannot have meant the coming to refer to the parousia. It is difficult to know what he understood it to be: perhaps the “proleptic parousia” of Mt 28:16–20, or the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, viewed as a coming of Jesus in judgment on unbelieving Israel. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that what those who are called and forgiven by God must constantly remember is that GOD alone is the ultimate victor.  In fact, the victory has been won for God by Christ and therefore any appearance of victory by evil must end.

It may not pass away immediately or even in my lifetime, but that matters little if I make every effort to rescue those in my area of living. By being as compassionate as God empowers me to be I may be able to convince others to join in the side of the Victory of Christ and overcome the various forms of evil and enslavement in our world.  Such violence will be slow to be removed but God’s mercy is already given to those who recognize the harm.  God’s words will be given to those who genuinely discern God’s desire and speak on his behalf in every circumstance.  Do not be afraid, but be joyful and grateful.  I hear that message loudly resounding in this liturgy and find my heart leaps with the Psalmist who sings: “Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.  Open my lips, O my Lord, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.” (Burke-Sullivan, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Spirit of your heavenly Father speaks through you in every age,” by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).

"To be sure, we heard in that reading, 'But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you are to speak... for it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.' And he says in another place: 'Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20). Does this mean that the people who heard those words of the Lord would be here until the end of the world? The Lord was referring, rather, not only to those about to depart from this life but also to the others, including us and those who would come after us in this life. He saw everyone in his single body, and the words he spoke, 'I am with you even to the end of the world,' were heard by them and by us too. And if we did not hear them then in our knowledge, we heard them in his foreknowledge. Therefore, safe as sheep among the wolves, let us keep the commandments of him who directs us. And let us be 'innocent as doves but cautious as snakes' (Matthew 10:16). Innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us." (excerpt from the Sermon 44a.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10 comments that while we are unlikely to fashion a physical idol out of silver or gold as the Israelites did, Hosea’s words can still strike a chord with us. How often do our own efforts—our studies or jobs or our daily sense of accomplishment—act as a sort of idol in our lives? For many of us, what we produce impacts our sense of self-worth and confidence. Our accomplishments can even become the source of our security and power.

So acknowledge God as the source of your blessings today. Thank him for the gift of his Spirit, for his life in you, and for your ability to give him glory through your work.

“Lord, I worship only you. May the work of my hands give you glory today.” (Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Hosea and Amos claim that infidelity is not the end of the story but call the people to keep turning toward conversion. Cleverness was highly esteemed in ancient times even as the Gospel declares the need for disciples to be transparent and live simply. Friar Jude reminds us to trust Providence to guide our speech and action.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces retreat leader Paula D’Arcy who recounts how she was transformed by the deep grief of losing her husband and daughter to a drunk driver.

The way I prayed changed during this time. Prior to my loss, my prayers had been petitions for things I hoped to have or intercessions for others. Now my one prayer was, “Show me. Show me,” or, “Teach me how to see.” A guidance from within began transforming me through that prayer. I felt a sincere desire to help others realize what I had begun to realize—that in the times for which there are no easy answers and when your suffering is great, something from within is able to help you, and wants to help you. It called me forward, and once I gave it my full attention, even though my circumstances were unchanged, I was changing. As my heart continued to open, I saw everything through new eyes. (Rohr, n.d.) 

We contemplate the path of our continued turning in response to the nudges of the Spirit to let our life experience be the launching pad for our work as followers of Jesus.

References

Burke-Sullivan, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071224.html 

Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/14?2 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?16 

Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/12/1021146/ 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Point Is to Grow. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-point-is-to-grow/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul12 

 

Confirmation and Contempt

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today contrast the disappointment resulting from unfettered speech with the joy of the luminous moments of experience of the Presence of God.

Speaking of Experience

The reading from the Book of James reveals our need to practice taming the tongue.

* [3:1–12] The use and abuse of the important role of teaching in the church (Jas 3:1) are here related to the good and bad use of the tongue (Jas 3:9–12), the instrument through which teaching was chiefly conveyed (see Sir 5:11–6:1; 28:12–26).1

 

Psalm 12 is a plea for help in evil times.

* [Psalm 12] A lament. The psalmist, thrown into a world where lying and violent people persecute the just (Ps 12:2–3), prays that the wicked be punished (Ps 12:4–5). The prayer is not simply for vengeance but arises from a desire to see God’s justice appear on earth. Ps 12:6 preserves the word of assurance spoken by the priest to the lamenter; it is not usually transmitted in such Psalms. In Ps 12:7–8 the psalmist affirms the intention to live by the word of assurance.2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is revealed in the Transfiguration and He explains the coming of Elijah.

* [9:2–8] Mark and Mt 17:1 place the transfiguration of Jesus six days after the first prediction of his passion and death and his instruction to the disciples on the doctrine of the cross; Lk 9:28 has “about eight days.” Thus the transfiguration counterbalances the prediction of the passion by affording certain of the disciples insight into the divine glory that Jesus possessed. His glory will overcome his death and that of his disciples; cf. 2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pt 1:16–19. The heavenly voice (Mk 9:7) prepares the disciples to understand that in the divine plan Jesus must die ignominiously before his messianic glory is made manifest; cf. Lk 24:25–27. See further the note on Mt 17:1–8.3

 

Scott McClure comments that today's readings, at first, seem to be about speaking; more specifically, humanity's misuse of speech. We have a knack for taking extraordinary gifts and misusing them, don't we? As James tells us, this need not be so.

As it turns out, today's readings are not about speaking at all. At least, not about our speaking. After seeing Jesus transfigured, Peter speaks although He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then comes the Father's voice from the clouds: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “The transfiguration of Jesus,” by Saint Jerome (347-420 AD).

"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 3:1-10 asks us to remember God, who is all-good, created us in his image and likeness with a tongue. That little member is meant to tell of God’s goodness and to nurture the life of those around us. He gave it to us to help us express joy as we recall his goodness (Psalm 126:1-3).

Every time you praise and thank God, you are training your tongue. And every time you speak kind words to someone, you also are training your tongue. So when fear, bitterness, or criticism boils up in you, stop briefly and thank God for his power to work in the very situation that is causing such thoughts. Then ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with heartening words to share. Even when you’re not facing a tough situation, you can offer someone a word of encouragement, such as, “You’re doing a great job.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler underlines the caution urged by James in the use of our tongue. Moses and Elijah are among the persons recognized in apocalyptic books as having unusual understanding of the afterlife. Friar Jude reminds us of the power of the luminous experiences of the Divine in our lives that reveal another level of reality.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Minister Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, who suggests a form of breath prayer that allows us to bring our heart’s deepest longing into our intimate relationship with God.

 Examples of breath prayers are

• breathe in “Abba,” breathe out “I belong to you.”

• breathe in “Healer,” breathe out “speak the word and I shall be healed.”

• breathe in “Shepherd,” breathe out “bring home my lost [ones].”

• breathe in “Holy One,” breathe out “keep me true.”

• breathe in “Lord,” breathe out “here I am.”

• breathe in “Jesus,” breathe out “have mercy on me.”

 

As Peter, James, and John were made breathless by Jesus, we may live more fully by attending to the Spirit urging us to a breathing pause before we use our tongue in a destructive way.

 

References

1	(n.d.). James, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 12 | USCCB. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/12
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021922.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb19
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/02/19/316231/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 19, 2022, from https://www.companionsofstanthony.org/pray/reflections/