Building Connection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our essential connection to God and the relationship we ignore when we focus entirely on what we can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste.

Build Connection

The reading from the Prophet Haggai presents the Command to Rebuild the Temple.

* [1:1] First day of the sixth month in the second year: August 29, 520 B.C. This is the first of six chronological indicators in Haggai. Darius: Darius I, emperor of Persia from 522 to 486 B.C. Governor: term used for local rulers of provinces in the Persian imperial structure. Zerubbabel: grandson of King Jehoiachin (cf. 2 Kgs 24:8–17).

* [1:4] Your paneled houses…house lies in ruins: the contrast here is between the unfinished Temple and the completed houses of the Judeans.

* [1:5] Reflect on your experience: the prophet exhorts the people to consider the futility of their efforts as a result of their neglecting work on the Temple. The following verses call attention to harsh conditions in Judah after the return from exile and the preoccupation of the people with their personal concerns.

* [1:8] That I may be glorified: for the prophet, the rebuilding of the Temple restores the glory God had lost in the eyes of the nations by the Temple’s destruction.

* [1:9] Oracle of the LORD: a phrase used extensively in prophetic books to indicate divine speech. (Haggai, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 149 is praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.

* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 149, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, we learn of Herod’s perplexity.

* [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, n.d.)

Candice Tucci, OSF, asks what is our relationship with Jesus? Or Christ. Or the Holy Spirit, Or God our creator? How do you know God and how do you find ways to grow in a more intimate relationship with our triune God? Is there a need to rebuild a broken relationship? 

Yes, God desires this relationship. What must each of us do to perhaps restore, renovate, or widen the walls of our hearts to recognize this Sacred Occupant of our Temple? Go up or deep into your interior landscape and gather all that is needed for you to begin. 

Unlike Herod, you can see/know this Holy Presence and do not evict it! Hear God say,
listen, and know that I am God, with you, in you, around you, always. Then…

Let the faithful exult in glory.
Let them sing for joy!
Let high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all God’s faithful! (Ps. 149)

 This is a blueprint for life! (Tucci, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7) 

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, 2022)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Haggai 1:1-8 comments that we all get discouraged by the daily grind of “building” our spiritual houses. Some of the work can be tedious and repetitive. But see what God tells the exiles: “That I may take pleasure in it” (Haggai 1:8).

Even as you keep on building, know that God takes pleasure in you. He sees that your spiritual house is still a work in progress, but he also sees how far you have already come. He rejoices every time you come to him in prayer or lift your heart to him at Mass. He smiles every time you choose to be generous. He takes pleasure every moment that you say no to temptation and yes to his Spirit. All of these actions help to build your inner “house,” and God takes delight in each of them. He takes delight in you!

So as you “get on with it” and build a house for the Lord today, remember that God, the Architect and Master Builder of all creation, sees and honors your work.

“Father, help me to trust you as I continue to build a house for you in my heart.” (Meditation on Haggai 1:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Haggai was a prophet before Ezra and Nehemiah, shortly after the end of the Babylonian exile, expresses concern about neglecting the rebuilding of the Temple. The people may have presumed upon the mercy of the Lord and not been faithful. Friar Jude comments that the friendship between Pilate and Herod was formed through their contact during Jesus Passion.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how dwelling in sacred space ultimately involves seeing God and the world through a unified vision. But we don’t get there without some sort of suffering.

In mature religion, the secular becomes sacred. There are no longer two worlds. We no longer have to leave the secular world to find sacred space because they’ve come together. That was the significance of the temple veil rending when Jesus died. The temple divided reality into the holy world inside and the unholy world outside. That’s why Jesus said the temple had to fall: “Not a stone shall stand on a stone” (Matthew 24:2). Our word “profane” comes from the Latin words pro and fanum, meaning “outside the temple.” Teilhard de Chardin said, “Nothing here below is profane for those who know how to see.” [1] There is only one world, and it’s the supernatural one. There is no “natural” world where God is not. It is all supernatural. All the bushes burn now if we’ve seen one burn. Only one tree has to fill up with light and angels, and then we never again see trees the same way. That’s the true seeing we call contemplation.

We need to refresh our seeing through contemplation because we forget. We start clinging and protecting. Unless there is a readiness to let go, we will not see the vision of the whole. God cannot be seen through such a small lens. (Rohr, 2023)

We may be guided by the Spirit to connect with our entire reality that includes a relationship with Divine Presence.

References

Haggai, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/haggai/1?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?7 

Meditation on Haggai 1:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/28/793317/ 

Psalms, PSALM 149. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, September 28). One Sacred World — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/one-sacred-world/ 

Schwager, D. (2022, October 2). Suppressing Truth to Ease a Guilty Conscience. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep28 

Tucci, C. (2023, September 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092823.html 

Love displaces Fear

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to combat the fears in our lives by living in the Spirit of Love as we encounter storms on our journey.

Leading to peaceful waters

 

(January 7 is the Memorial of St. André Bessette in Canada.) The reading from the First Letter of John proclaims the centrality of God’s Love in the Christian Life.

[4:13–21] The testimony of the Spirit and that of faith join the testimony of love to confirm our knowledge of God. Our love is grounded in the confession of Jesus as the Son of God and the example of God’s love for us. Christian life is founded on the knowledge of God as love and on his continuing presence that relieves us from fear of judgment (1 Jn 4:16–18). What Christ is gives us confidence, even as we live and love in this world. Yet Christian love is not abstract but lived in the concrete manner of love for one another.1 

Psalm 72 is a prayer for guidance and support for the King.

[Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.2 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus walks on the water.

[6:50] It is I, do not be afraid!: literally, “I am.” This may reflect the divine revelatory formula of Ex 3:14; Is 41:4, 10, 14; 43:1–3, 10, 13. Mark implies the hidden identity of Jesus as Son of God.3 

Andy Alexander, S.J. shares that this is a wonderful day to ask for the grace to let God's love into our hearts and to let that love drive fear away.

 

In the gospel, there's a storm at sea. Pope Francis, at the beginning of the pandemic turned to this passage and reminded us that while we are all "at sea, in a storm," we are in the same boat, with Jesus. Whatever sea tosses us around, whatever storm threatens our security, whatever fear begins to take hold of us. Jesus is there to say, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" Our role is to be open to, to ask for, to trust and rely on that love. We can choose to live in his love and to let his love drive out our fear. Then, we will have courage and be freer and more centered and readied to calm the stormy seas others are facing, because we know he is with us always.4

Don Schwager quotes “The wind was against them,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).

"Meanwhile the boat carrying the disciples - that is, the church - is rocking and shaking amid the storms of temptation, while the adverse wind rages on. That is to say, its enemy the devil strives to keep the wind from calming down. But greater is he who is persistent on our behalf, for amid the vicissitudes of our life he gives us confidence. He comes to us and strengthens us, so we are not jostled in the boat and tossed overboard. For although the boat is thrown into disorder, it is still a boat. It alone carries the disciples and receives Christ. It is in danger indeed on the water, but there would be certain death without it. Therefore stay inside the boat and call upon God. When all good advice fails and the rudder is useless and the spread of the sails presents more of a danger than an advantage, when all human help and strength have been abandoned, the only recourse left for the sailors is to cry out to God. Therefore will he who helps those who are sailing to reach port safely, abandon his church and prevent it from arriving in peace and tranquility?" (excerpt from SERMON 75.4)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 6:45-52 comments that sometimes we are like those disciples: we don’t understand what God is doing or why. Maybe we don’t notice him working in a situation, and we start to doubt whether we can count on him. Or perhaps we don’t realize how much we need him when we’re in a storm. But Jesus knows our limitations. Instead of getting annoyed with us and distancing himself, he gets into our boat—not only into the specific situation but into our feelings and thoughts as well.

What might it look like when God gets into your boat? Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed one morning at the thought of all you have to accomplish that day. But then you come to prayer, and you experience a deep sense of peace. Or perhaps you can’t understand why one of your children seems to resent you. But then God helps you understand why your child is feeling that way, and you realize your need to reconcile. Or you and your spouse might be disagreeing about an important issue, but then Jesus opens your heart to see things from his or her point of view. Jesus wants to get into your boat. He wants to encourage you and support you when you’re struggling to understand. He wants to come alongside you, just as he did his first disciples. So today, invite him in, and be open to how he might want to reveal himself to you. “Jesus, thank you for getting into my boat with me. Come more deeply into my heart and life today.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler comments that when we know the Spirit of Love in our hearts we will witness to Jesus as a sign of that Love. The peaceful waters in the “nature miracle” of the Gospel allude to Psalm 23. Friar Jude notes that the disciples in the Gospel of Mark misunderstood Jesus until the Cross and Resurrection.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that healthy religion gives us a foundational sense of awe. It re-enchants an otherwise empty universe. It gives people a universal reverence toward all things. Only with such reverence do we find confidence and coherence. Only then does the world become a safe home. Then we can see the reflection of the divine image in the human, in the animal, in the entire natural world—which has now become inherently “supernatural.”

Instead of nurturing awe, reconnection, and awakening, I’m sorry to say that today we have a lot of ideological hysteria and junk religion—on both the left and the right. Junk religion is similar to junk food because it only satisfies enough to gratify the momentary desire but does not really feed the intellect or the heart. Junk religion is usually characterized by fear of the present and fear of the future. What we experience when people have really met God is that there is no fear of the present because it is always full. There’s no fear of the future because a loving God is in charge. There’s no fear of the past because it has been healed and forgiven. Then people do not use God to avoid reality or to fabricate a private, self-serving reality. They let God lead them into the fullness of Reality; not away from dilemmas and paradoxes, but right onto the horns of the human dilemma!7 

Our Life in the Spirit reveals Love as the nature of God and our path to service, surrender, and fearlessness in accord with God’s will.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 1 John, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010621-US.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=jan6
6	(2021, January 5). Saint André Bessette, Religious (Optional Memorial) - Mass .... Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/01/06/180529/
7	(2021, January 6). A Foundational Sense of Awe — Center for Action and .... Retrieved January 6, 2021, from https://cac.org/a-foundational-sense-of-awe-2021-01-06/