Climate of Change

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the change in our relationship to the needs of humanity as we pledge to work for the common good.

Reuse the Resource for Needs

The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians exhorts Unity in the Body.

* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). But Christian unity is more than adherence to a common belief…

* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God into the Temple.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus alerts us to Signs of the Times and urges Settlement with an Opponent.

* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. John Shea, SJ, comments that we know human activity has contributed to a warming climate, which has increased the intensity and frequency of droughts, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. But many of us want to ignore the signs of climate change.

For many of us, admitting the reality of climate change demands a change of heart. We can no longer continue with a selfish “business as usual” lifestyle. Instead, we must learn to live more sustainably. We must learn to live lives that are in harmony with God’s Creation. To paraphrase St. Paul in today’s first reading, we must, “Live in a manner worthy of the call [we] have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another [and with Creation] through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” Instead, many resist the reality of climate change and continue harmful practices that hurt God’s Creation and our common home. As I re-read today’s Gospel, I better understand Jesus’ frustration. (Shea, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).

"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6 comments that unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ isn’t an impossible dream. And neither is it something we create on our own. It’s a gift that we receive from God. Members of Christ’s body are already intimately united. We have one and the same “Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6).

Jesus may have given us unity, but it’s ours to guard, preserve, and protect. It is both a gift and a mission, something that is already present and something that we still need to work toward.

“Jesus, thank you for your gift of unity. Help me work to preserve it!” (Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez, co-founder of the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership, who reflects on the influence of empire thinking. Four cornerstones lead to the dehumanization of others and the self.  

• Supremacy captures the belief in our own inherent superiority over others.
• Privilege points to unearned advantages we protect or ignore at the expense of others.
• Hatred names active hostility toward others (or parts of ourselves). 
• Lastly, fear fuels self-protection. When we fear losing control, status, or safety, we build walls inside ourselves, like the walls of Jericho, impenetrable to danger, but also impenetrable to authentic love.

We can rebuild our foundation with the four replacement cornerstones:

1. Humility allows us to see one another as equal, with deep reverence and openness to all and the environment. It reminds us we are stardust amongst the infinite cosmos.  
2. Responsibility teaches us to be accountable for our actions and stewards of one another and the land.  
3. Compassion promotes empathy, love, and benevolence, which help us tap into God’s tenderness for the world.  
4. Connection is the strongest cornerstone. It teaches us about radical solidarity, belonging, and courage. Connection invites us to action. We recognize that when one injustice happens against one group of people, it happens to us all because of our sacred interconnectedness.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to connect us to the action that Jesus calls us to exercise to model a climate open to change in our relationship with people and Creation.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4? 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?54= 

Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6. (2026, October 23). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/23/1700070/ 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). New Cornerstones. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/new-cornerstones/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shea, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Clever Beyond Expectations

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our assumptions and expectations as we encounter people in the events of our journey.

God and Society

 

The reading from the Book of Tobit explains how Tobit’s wife earns their livelihood.

 

* [2:10] White scales: or white films. A primitive way of describing an eye ailment that results in blindness. Elam: or in Greek, Elymais, an ancient district northeast of the head of the Persian Gulf.1

Psalm 112 celebrates 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; 111.2

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus responds to a question about paying taxes.

 

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1 3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34). * [12:13–17] See note on Mt 22:15–22.3

Mike Cherney comments that Jesus gives a clever response. He takes a question that seems to have only two possible answers and creates a third response, a response that shifts the focus.

 

If I was in that crowd, I would have been impressed by and a bit jealous of Jesus’ wit.

My prayer today is a consideration of how I use language.

Dear Lord,

My responses have an impact on other people.

I want to do what is right.

Grant me the wisdom to communicate in ways that do not become tiresome to others.

Help me to avoid limiting myself to only black or white alternatives.

Give me the openness to recognize the diversity of dispositions of those around me.Allow me to put forth the creative possibilities that refocus the direction toward Your will.4

Don Schwager quotes “Put off the earthly image and put on the heavenly one,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

 

"Some people think that the Savior spoke on a single level when he said, 'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar' - that is, 'pay the tax that you owe.' Who among us disagrees about paying taxes to Caesar? The passage therefore has a mystical and secret meaning. There are two images in humanity. One he received from God when he was made, in the beginning, as Scripture says in the book of Genesis, 'according to the image and likeness of God' (Genesis 1:27). The other image is of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:49). Man received this second image later. He was expelled from Paradise because of disobedience and sin after the 'prince of this world' (John 12:31) had tempted him with his enticements. Just as the coin, or denarius, has an image of the emperor of this world, so he who does the works of 'the ruler of the darkness' (Ephesians 6:12) bears the image of him whose works he does. Jesus commanded that that image should be handed over and thrown away from our face. He wills us to take on that image, according to which we were made from the beginning, according to God's likeness. It then happens that we give 'to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what is God's.' Jesus said, 'Show me a coin.' For 'coin,' Matthew wrote 'denarius' ( Matthew 22:19). When Jesus had taken it, he said, 'Whose inscription does it have?' They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them in turn, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 39.4-6)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Tobit 2:9-14 notes that this book reveals timeless truths about marriage, family life, and suffering that can strengthen our relationships and guide us as we pray for family members.

 

So enjoy this lively story! As you do, remember to pray and place your trust in a loving God who knows your struggles and is at work in the middle of them—even when you don’t recognize it! “Lord, I place my family in your hands.”6

Friar Jude Winkler connects the circumstances of the good man, Tobit, to the question addressed in the Book of Job about bad things happening to good people. When the aristocracy and student of the Law conspire to trap Jesus, he responds with cleverness. Friar Jude notes the differing approaches to the State in the New Testament.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that an evolutionary faith understands that nothing is static. The universe unfolds, our understanding of God evolves and deepens, and our moral development surely evolves as well. We simply cannot, as adults, live by the same overly simplistic rules that governed our morality as children. Fr Richard shares the very helpful and clarifying language of Ken Wilber in describing the evolution of moral and spiritual development. Wilber offers four major stages: Cleaning Up, Growing Up, Waking Up, and Showing Up.

 

In other words, Jesus teaches and embodies a change in consciousness itself. Mature morality is largely a series of religious encounters leading to a deep transformation of consciousness. Any preoccupation with our private moral perfection keeps our eyes on ourselves and not on God or grace or love. Cleaning up is mostly about the need for early impulse control and creating necessary ego boundaries—so you can actually show up in the real and much bigger world.7

As we encounter challenges, we have the Spirit to support our efforts to respond in a mature and clever way.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Tobit, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/2
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 112 | USCCB. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/112
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060121.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/06/01/189470/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved June 1, 2021, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2021/

 

Law Spirit and Commandment

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today inspire thanksgiving for the gift of the Spirit and suggest contemplation of the role of Commandments to keep us on the straight and narrow in our spiritual development.

Commandments to guide

 

The reading from the Book of Exodus is on the topic of social laws reminding us that we should not wrong or oppress a resident alien.

You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien1

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).2

The reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians recognizes the growth of the community in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

 * [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.3

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus answers a question about the Greatest Commandment.

 

* [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.4

Jack Mahoney SJ, Emeritus Professor of Moral and Social Theology in the University of London, looks at the 'commandments' that Jesus gave to his disciples. He notes how Luke uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan to address the question of “who is my neighbour?” Pope Francis has chosen this parable as a cornerstone of his third encyclical “Fratelli tutti.”

 a question had arisen among the Jews and was now put to Jesus: was there any priority among them, and if so, which commandment was ‘the first of all’, as Mark phrases it (12:28), or ‘the greatest’, according to Matthew (22:34)? In his reply Jesus had no doubt: moving outside the Ten Commandments, he replied that ‘the greatest and first commandment’ was to love God totally (Mk 12:30; Mt 22:37-38; see Deut 6:5). And then, according to Mark, he added for good measure, as was usual with him, ‘The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”’ (Mk 12:31), which Matthew records as, ‘A second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”’ (Mt 22:39). This Jewish question about a priority among the commandments in the Mosaic Law is characteristically omitted by Luke, who was writing more for Roman gentiles... Luke, alone among the evangelists, then introduces the famous parable of the Good Samaritan as Jesus’s memorable reply to the lawyer’s next question: ‘But who is my neighbour?’ (Lk 10:28-37).5

Larry Hopp comments that even in difficult times, following Jesus’ example of focusing on others will produce positive results.  Of course this serves as an effective model for all believers.  Allowing our faith in God to keep us focused on others will allow us to make a profound impact for God.

 

Jesus put an exclamation on this thread in the Gospel found in Matthew.  While He responded to the Pharisees’ question that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, Jesus went on to emphasize the second commandment that “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”.  He also noted that “the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”    All those in each of our lives represent the “neighbors” that Jesus was talking about.  The simple truth is that we have a holy obligation to respond with love and compassion to those God has placed in our lives.6

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)7

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 22:34-40 notes we can all point to times when we have overlooked opportunities to love, even when they are staring us in the face. Why would that be? Part of the reason is that we may have a narrow definition of Jesus’ command to love.

 

We might tend to reduce loving God to attending Mass or getting our prayer times in—walled-off situations that are limited in time and not very demanding. As for loving our neighbor, we can fall into the trap of deciding for ourselves who our “neighbor” is. Maybe he’s our husband but not the coworker who rubs us the wrong way. Maybe she’s our sister but not the in-law who is always offering her advice, whether we want it or not.8

Friar Jude Winkler finds compassion in the laws cited in Exodus and a reminder to combat the xenophobic attacks too common in our society today. Paul and Jesus often exhibit the Jewish exaggeration typical of their time. Friar Jude is thankful for the guideposts of the Commandments as we learn to love.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, offers a basic overview of the stages of spiritual development that he has used for years with spiritual directees and in teaching settings. This evolution may lead to the peace the world cannot give.

 I’m “just me,” warts and all. It is enough to be human without any window dressing. We are now fully detached from our own self-image and living in God’s image of us—which includes and loves both the good and the bad. We experience true serenity and freedom, but it is quite ordinary and also quite sufficient. This is the peace the world cannot give (see John 14:27) and full resting in God. “To know oneself in God and to know God in oneself,” as both Julian of Norwich and Teresa of Ávila put it.9

The gift of the Spirit nudges us to live with compassion and love for others through which we will experience peace.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Exodus, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/22
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 18 | USCCB. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/18
3	(n.d.). 1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/1
4	(n.d.). Matthew, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/22
5	(2012, July 10). Jesus and the Ten Commandments | Thinking Faith: The .... Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120710_1.htm
6	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102520.html
7	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=oct25
8	(2020, October 25). 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/10/25/176730/
9	(2020, October 25). Spiritual Development — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://cac.org/spiritual-development-2020-10-25/