Errors in Understanding

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to critically assess the understanding we have of the path necessary to grow in fullness of life.

Signs of Change

The reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the error of the wicked.

* [2:12–5:23] From 2:12 to 5:23 the author draws heavily on Is 52–62, setting forth his teaching in a series of characters or types taken from Isaiah and embellished with additional details from other texts. The description of the “righteous one” in 2:12–20 seems to undergird the New Testament passion narrative. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Psalm 34 is praise for Deliverance from Trouble.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34, n.d.)

The Gospel of John describes the unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers and questions at the Festival of Booths about “is this the Christ?”

* [7:1–8] These chapters contain events about the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth, Ingathering: Ex 23:16; Tents, Booths: Dt 16:13–16), with its symbols of booths (originally built to shelter harvesters), rain (water from Siloam poured on the temple altar), and lights (illumination of the four torches in the Court of the Women). They continue the theme of the replacement of feasts (Passover, Jn 2:13; 6:4; Hanukkah, Jn 10:22; Pentecost, Jn 5:1), here accomplished by Jesus as the Living Water. These chapters comprise seven miscellaneous controversies and dialogues. There is a literary inclusion with Jesus in hiding in Jn 7:4, 10; 8:59. There are frequent references to attempts on his life: Jn 7:1, 13, 19, 25, 30, 32, 44; 8:37, 40, 59.

* [7:3] Brothers: these relatives (cf. Jn 2:12 and see note on Mk 6:3) are never portrayed as disciples until after the resurrection (Acts 1:14). Mt 13:55 and Mk 6:3 give the names of four of them. Jesus has already performed works/signs in Judea; cf. Jn 2:23; 3:2; 4:45; 5:8. (John, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. (in 2020) comments that Jesus, for the religious leaders of His time, was an inconvenience, a pain in the foot and a bother especially as He challenged His hearers. They centered their relationship with God around their receiving approval for their actions. Jesus' basic message, “teaching” was about who they were in the eyes of the One Who sent Him and not who they were in their own eyes.

I listen to a large number of spiritual and prayerful persons who just want to be “better”. Everything that is important to them about themselves, their prayer, their relationships, their ministries, “better”. I do not recall Jesus using this exact word or anything like it. We can spend all of Lent, make our entire life a Lenten exercise of self-improvement and never seem to be, or act or feel better, but probably worse. This is in no way healthy, spiritual nor religious. When I have tried, lived this way I have discovered behind it all a very excited and active ego pumping as fast as it could. “Better” seems to be religious, but the closer we allow Jesus to get to us, the lesser it seems important to judge my personal progress. “Deeper” seems to be His invitation and we’ll never be able to measure that either. (Gillick, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ our physician,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not ones who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, and something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for study." (excerpt from Sermon 218c,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 comments that we don’t realize that God stands ready to welcome us instead of angrily waiting for our next misstep. That’s why we sometimes avoid the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But that’s where we come face-to-face with the God who saves and redeems us. We see that he doesn’t keep a list of our sins but freely offers us forgiveness and peace. We encounter the surprising, life-changing compassion of God. We experience a mercy so filled with love that it doesn’t just forgive our sins; it changes our hearts.

So go ahead and look for a chance to go to Confession before Lent is over. Approach your Father and let him show you his heart of mercy and love.

“Lord, I want to know your mercy and love!” (Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how those living in Wisdom make obvious to the wicked how evil their choices are. The Divinity of Jesus is presented in the Gospel of John in His being in control of the decisions He makes about His life. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus is from the Father and we can know the Father through Him.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, draws on teachings from The Cloud of Unknowing, a fourteenth-century text on contemplative prayer, to describe the necessity of a “beginner’s mind”.

When the ego invests itself in its knowing, it is convinced that it has the whole picture. At that point, growth stops. The journey stops. Nothing new is going to happen to us after that point. The term we’re using here, “beginner’s mind,” comes from Buddhism. For Buddhists, it seems to refer to an urgent need to remain open, forever a student. A beginner’s mind always says, “I’m a learner. I’ve got more to learn.” It has to do with humility before reality, and never assuming that I understand. If there are fifty thousand levels of the mystery, maybe I’m at level forty-five. Maybe there’s more that needs to show itself to me. Can you imagine what a different world it would be if we all lived with that kind of humility? (Rohr, 2023)

We identify with our tendency to promote our plan for full life that may be driven by our ego and loyalty to our tribe rather than seeking openness to the humility offered by the Spirit.

References

Gillick, L. (2023, March 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032423.html 

John, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?1 

Meditation on John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/24/637420/ 

Psalms, PSALM 34. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?17 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 24). Entering the Cloud of Unknowing — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/entering-the-cloud-of-unknowing-2023-03-24/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Hour Had Not yet Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar24 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/2?1 

The Mission of Light

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to share the light of Christ as modern missionaries to the people we encounter on our journey.

Bringing Light

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes how Barnabas and Saul are commissioned to preach in Cyprus.

* [13:1–3] The impulse for the first missionary effort in Asia Minor is ascribed to the prophets of the Antiochene community, under the inspiration of the holy Spirit. Just as the Jerusalem community had earlier been the center of missionary activity, so too Antioch becomes the center from which the missionaries Barnabas and Saul are sent out. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Psalm 67 proclaims that the nations are called to praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God. (Psalms, PSALM 67, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents a summary of Jesus’ teaching.

* [12:37–50] These verses, on unbelief of the Jews, provide an epilogue to the Book of Signs. (John, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Cindy Murphy McMahon reflects on how we do not know, for certain, what we will find or learn, or who we will encounter, when we embark on a journey, even if we have specific goals, and neither did these two followers of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas didn’t understand the impact their work, their labour of love and devotion, would have on the world. In fact, they did not have a clue. They simply did what they felt God was leading them to do.

What more can anyone do? Pray, fast occasionally, and then go do. Listen to the Spirit as you go, as best you can, and do your best to fulfill what you believe you are called to do. God asks nothing more from us, except to leave the results of our actions up to God. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"[Our Lord] gradually accustoms their minds to penetrate the depth of the mysteries concerning himself, [leading them] not to the human person but to that which was of the divine essence. He does this inasmuch as the Godhead is apprehended completely in the person of God the Father, for he has in himself the Son and the Spirit. With exceeding wisdom he carries them onward, ... for he does not exclude himself from being believed on by us because he is God by nature and has shone forth from God the Father. But skillfully (as has been said) he handles the mind of the weak to mold them to godliness in order that you might understand him to say something like this: 'When you believe on me - I who, for your sakes, am a man like yourselves, but who also am God by reason of my own nature and because of the Father from whom I exist - do not suppose that it is on a man you are setting your faith. For I am by nature God, notwithstanding that I appear like one of yourselves, and I have within myself him who begat me. Forasmuch therefore as I am consubstantial with him that has begotten me, your faith will assuredly pass on also to the Father himself.' As we said therefore, the Lord, gradually trains them to something better and profitably interweaves the human with what is God-befitting." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8.7) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:44-50 comments about what Jesus means when he says that his own words will condemn us. He isn’t punishing us; he is naming the natural consequences of sin. He isn’t sending us away from him; he is telling us what will happen if we don’t reverse course and come running back to him in repentance.

As frightening as Jesus’ words of warning can appear, we should remember that he never speaks them in anger or rejection. More than anything else, they are words of mercy calling us back to him. In fact, his mercy is so wide that we can return to him no matter how far from him we have wandered. “Jesus, thank you for speaking words of mercy that can overcome any sin in my heart!” (Meditation on John 12:44-50, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the relief mission of Paul and Barnabas and the trouble between Paul and John Mark. The ritual of laying on of hands is an ancient sign of invoking the Holy Spirit. Friar Jude reminds us that our freedom is honoured by God so we can choose to live outside the love of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares Mirabai Starr’s translation of John of the Cross poem “Glosa á lo Divino.” John of the Cross reveals his deep trust in the mystery of “not knowing,” confident that it will lead him into greater intimacy with God. 

I would not sacrifice my soul

for all the beauty of this world.

There is only one thing

for which I would risk everything:

an I-don’t-know-what

that lies hidden

in the heart of the Mystery.

The taste of finite pleasure

leads nowhere.

All it does is exhaust the appetite

and ravage the palate.

And so, I would not sacrifice my soul

for all the sweetness of this world.

But I would risk everything

for an I-don’t-know-what

that lies hidden

in the heart of the Mystery.

The generous heart

does not collapse into the easy things,

but rises up in adversity.

It settles for nothing.

Faith lifts it higher and higher.

Such a heart savors

an I-don’t-know-what

found only in the heart of the Mystery.

The soul that God has touched

burns with love-longing.

Her tastes have been transfigured.

Ordinary pleasures sicken her.

She is like a person with a fever;

nothing tastes good anymore.

All she wants

is an I-don’t-know-what

locked in the heart of

the Mystery. . . .

I will never lose myself

for anything the senses can taste,

nor for anything the mind can grasp,

no matter how sublime,

            how delicious.

I will not pause for beauty,

I will not linger over grace.

I am bound for

an I-don’t-know-what

deep within the heart of the Mystery. 

(Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation, n.d.)

The Holy Spirit informs our mission to bring Christ to our environment as the light of love.

References Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13  Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051122.html  Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. (n.d.). Richard Rohr. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/unknowing-2022-05-11/  John, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?44  Meditation on John 12:44-50. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/11/379702/  Psalms, PSALM 67. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2  Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may11