Living as Disciples

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to apply the instructions in the Scriptures to our actions in relationship with others today.

Shelter and Care

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians offers household instructions for children and parents, and slaves and masters. Psalm 145 praises the greatness and the goodness of God.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, we are called to enter through the Narrow Door.

* [13:22–30] These sayings of Jesus follow in Luke upon the parables of the kingdom (Lk 13:18–21) and stress that great effort is required for entrance into the kingdom (Lk 13:24) and that there is an urgency to accept the present opportunity to enter because the narrow door will not remain open indefinitely (Lk 13:25). Lying behind the sayings is the rejection of Jesus and his message by his Jewish contemporaries (Lk 13:26) whose places at table in the kingdom will be taken by Gentiles from the four corners of the world (Lk 13:29). Those called last (the Gentiles) will precede those to whom the invitation to enter was first extended (the Jews). See also Lk 14:15–24. (Luke, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth (2002) comments that adult life has a lot in common with grade school.  Today’s readings should make us question how we view life’s winners and losers and how best to use our own gifts.

We need to remember the source of our gifts and be filled with humble gratitude for them.  Above all, we need to use them to help those clustered at the end of the line.  Otherwise, we may find ourselves like me on that horrible grade school playground - chosen last when it really counts. (Wirth, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “To enter the narrow door,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"'Wide is the door, and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.' What are we to understand by its broadness? ...A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke of the law [the commandments of God]. This life is cursed and relaxed in all carelessness. Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of earthly pride spring from it. Those who would enter in by the narrow door must withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with him."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 99) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 13:22-30 asks why, then, does Jesus say that we must “strive” to enter the narrow gate and that “many . . . will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough” (Luke 13:24)? Because while only Jesus can save us, walking in his ways every day can be difficult. It means obeying Jesus’ commandments and loving our neighbor as he loves us. As we all know, this often requires sacrifice and self-denial. No wonder so many people choose the wide and easy road!

But we can persevere because Jesus not only welcomes us through the narrow gate; he walks with us and gives us his grace each day. We don’t have to rely only on our own strength; Jesus is there to help us with every decision we make to love, to sacrifice, and to obey.

Today, imagine Jesus welcoming you to walk with him through the narrow gate. He already knows all your struggles and failings, and he knows you can’t achieve salvation on your own. Trust that he will be your constant traveling companion on the road you have chosen and will give you all the grace and mercy you need each day to follow him.

“Jesus, thank you for being my Savior. I trust that you will give me everything I need to follow you today.” (Meditation on Luke 13:22-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the standard Stoic teaching about the behaviour of fathers toward children and slaves to masters and the introduction of Christian justice to the norms of the culture. Perhaps we understand the message of Christ better over time from our anthropology and we need to rephrase instructions to match practice today. Friar Jude warns that Catholic presumption of acceptance is dangerous when we are not Catholic in practice.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that in a recent pastoral letter, Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe called for a conversation toward nuclear disarmament. He rooted his invitation in Jesus’ teachings.

In the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus commanded us to be peacemakers and to love our enemies, saying: “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called the sons and daughters of God” (5:9). “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ but I say to you: ‘offer no violent resistance to one who does evil’” (5:38–39). “You have heard it said, ‘Love your countrymen and hate your enemies.’ But I say love your enemies and pray for your persecutors, then you will be sons and daughters of the God who lets the sun rise on the good and the bad and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (5:43–45). In these teachings, Jesus says that God is a peacemaker, and since we are God’s sons and daughters, we are peacemakers too, not warmakers. He says that God practices universal nonviolent love, and since we are the sons and daughters of the God of universal nonviolent love, we practice universal nonviolent love, too. There are no exceptions, no justifications for warfare, and no “just war theory.”

Many would question these teachings as naïve, impractical, and idealistic. But as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote so well about this call to love our enemies, “Jesus is not an impractical idealist: he is the practical realist.” [1] Dr. King also stated:

Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, the command to love one’s enemy is an absolute necessity for our survival. Love even for enemies is the key to the solution of the problems of our world. [2] (Rohr, 2022)

We are gifted with the Spirit of Truth and Love as we work to live as disciples of Jesus.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?22 

Meditation on Luke 13:22-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/26/520745/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?0 

Rohr, R. (2022, October 26). God Is a Peacemaker — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-is-a-peacemaker-2022-10-26/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct26 

Wirth, E. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102622.html 

Feeding Full Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the events on our journey that resonated with our discovery of greater fullness in our lives.

Life building events

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.

* [8:1–40] Some idea of the severity of the persecution that now breaks out against the Jerusalem community can be gathered from Acts 22:4 and Acts 26:9–11. Luke, however, concentrates on the fortunes of the word of God among people, indicating how the dispersal of the Jewish community resulted in the conversion of the Samaritans (Acts 8:4–17, 25). His narrative is further expanded to include the account of Philip’s acceptance of an Ethiopian (Acts 8:26–39). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Psalm 66 is praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.

* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). In the second part (Ps 66:13–20), an individual from the rescued community fulfills a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. As often in thanksgivings, the rescued person steps forward to teach the community what God has done (Ps 66:16–20). (Psalms, PSALM 66, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, in the Bread of Life Discourse, Jesus proclaims ‘I am the bread of life.’

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51. (John, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock is challenged to experience all the interruptions of the day as if they are holy, from an angel of God, leading her to respond with an open heart to whatever is asked of her.

The ill-timed phone call, the child tugging at me, the flat tire, the numerous ways our days are punctuated with holy interruptions we can reframe to see the hand of God inviting us to a closer journey with him. Then the words of the gospel ring true – “whoever believes has – HAS, not “will have” –eternal life.” It can begin now for us – we are already “Home Free.” We, too, can go on our way rejoicing. (Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries, n.d.) 

Don Schwager quotes “Studying the Scriptures with humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"My ambition as a youth was to apply to the study of the Holy Scriptures all the refinement of dialectics. I did so, but without the humility of the true searcher. I was supposed to knock at the door so that it would open for me. Instead I was pushing it closed, trying to understand in pride what is only learned in humility. However, the all-merciful Lord lifted me up and kept me safe." (excerpt from Sermon 51,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 comments that our heavenly Father is always ready to bring light and life to us—and to everyone seeking him. He wants us to know him. His deepest desire is that his love, peace, and strength would find a place in our hearts. So he may lead us to a particular Scripture passage or put a person like Philip in our path to show us his faithfulness. He may provide a helping hand in the middle of a trying time or answer a prayer.

Just as the Lord knew where this official was and what was stirring in his heart, he sees you and knows you as well. Even as you are seeking him, he is already working to answer you. He hears your prayers, whether they are for yourself or for a loved one. And that knowledge can bring you comfort and hope! “Thank you, Lord, that you do not refuse our prayers. Even now, in your kindness, you are sending an answer.” (The Word Among Us, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the spread of Jesus' Way from Aramaic through Hellenistic Jews, to Samaritans and in the text today to an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip interprets the Songs of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah in the light of Jesus' mission. Friar Jude reminds us of the richness of symbols of Lady Wisdom, the Word made Flesh, and the matrimonial symbols of marrying our God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, is convinced, with Pope Francis, that even owning nuclear weapons is a spiritual problem. The way forward will depend on spiritual transformation at a corporate level. Yet now Ukraine and the whole world are held hostage because Russia and the United States own nuclear weapons. He comments on our focus on smaller issues which allow us to feel in control and even holy, while we tolerate war and the proliferation of nuclear weapons that create widespread death and destruction. Once we squelch spiritual energy in the name of hard-headed intellect and will, three not-so-obvious demons will move in to take the place of Spirit: expedience, law, and propriety.

Expedience is an early stage of moral development, but it finds no support in the words of Jesus.…their real concern is for family embarrassment, future marriage prospects, or setbacks caused by an unplanned pregnancy…. Law. For many people, this is what religion is all about: law and order, control, doing what we’re told, and obeying the commandments. Paul clearly taught the opposite in the whole book of Romans… propriety. Being proper like everybody else on the block seems always to have been a substitute for real transformation….Self-serving behavior takes the place of other-serving love. (War Is a Spiritual Problem — Center for Action and Contemplation, 2022)

We are challenged to look beyond and see the work of the Spirit inviting us to live in the fullness of life as we work with Jesus in transformation of the world.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8?26 

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. (n.d.). OnlineMinistries. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050522.html 

John, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?44 

Psalms, PSALM 66. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?8 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may5 

War Is a Spiritual Problem — Center for Action and Contemplation. (2022, May 5). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://cac.org/war-is-a-spiritual-problem-2022-05-05/ 

The Word Among Us. (n.d.). The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2015 

Wary of Self Satisfaction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to identify those habits and attitudes that draw us away from acting as disciples of Christ in our relationships with others.

War and Greed

 

The reading from the Book of James is a warning to rich oppressors.

* [5:1–6] Continuing with the theme of the transitory character of life on earth, the author points out the impending ruin of the godless. He denounces the unjust rich, whose victims cry to heaven for judgment on their exploiters (Jas 5:4–6). The decay and corrosion of the costly garments and metals, which symbolize wealth, prove them worthless and portend the destruction of their possessors (Jas 5:2–3).1

 

Psalm 49 shares the folly of trust in riches.

* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20).2

 

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches about temptations to sin.

* [9:43, 45, 47] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22. * [9:44, 46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48 itself a modified citation of Is 66:24.3

 

Mary Lee Brock comments that the delicious recipes her mother would read to her can be seen as the worldly wealth that James warns us about…. as temporary and arbitrary.  Focusing solely on acquiring wealth at all cost always comes at the expense of someone else.

As I pray today I ask for God to show me ways I can offer a drink of water to someone who thirsts.  I ask for clarity on the attachments I may feel for earthly wealth.  I wonder how I can identify and set aside the habits that prevent me from living the Gospel.  These answers are the delicious recipe I am looking for.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Why not skip over such passages,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"This is no trivial subject of inquiry that we propose, but rather it concerns things most urgent, and about which many inquire: namely, whether hell fire has any end. For that it has no end Christ indeed declared when he said, 'Their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die' (Isaiah 66:24). Yes, I know a chill comes over you on hearing these things. But what am I to do? For this is God's own command... Ordained as we have been to the ministry of the word, we must cause our hearers discomfort when it is necessary for them to hear. We do this not arbitrarily but under command." (excerpt from the HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 9.1)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:41-50 comments that holiness, like sinfulness, can become a habit, but we have to work diligently at it and aggressively seek God’s help and grace. Investing time in prayer, adding positive structure to our day, and looking for ways to be Christ’s body on earth might take a little extra planning and effort.

Don’t stop there! Take a look at how you use your money, your time, even your hobbies. Instead of using them for yourself, look for ways that you can use them to be Christ to others. By focusing on turning opportunities to sin into opportunities to love others, you will begin to feel your whole body—especially your heart—reorienting itself toward Christ. Gradually, your hands and eyes and feet will become instruments of service rather than instruments of sin. “Lord, help me find ways to use everything you have given me to love you and serve your people.”6

 

The Gospel of Mark today includes the line where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ based on Isaiah 66.24. In his book “No birds Sang”, Farley Mowat uses this refrain many times.

Mowat and his regiment engaged with elite German forces in the mountains of Sicily, the optimism of their early days as soldiers was replaced by despair. With a naturalist's eyes and ears, Mowat takes in the full dark depths of war; his moving account of military service, and the friends he left behind, is also a plea for peace.7

 

It is tragically resonant with the invasion today of Ukraine by armed forces from Russia.

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes that James continues the warning about trusting in wealth. Our charity, in service of the weak, lasts. Our actions in giving bad witness to the weak have serious consequences. Friar Jude describes the Hinnom valley, where the Temple dump existed, as Jesus described Gehenna.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces therapists Jett Psaris and Marlena Lyons, who write about how it is only through a willingness to practice “undefended love” that we can experience intimacy with ourselves, God, and others.

Ultimately, intimacy is about the freedom to be ourselves. True emotional freedom means no longer needing confirmation, agreement, or validation from another to know our basic goodness. Knowing our intrinsic worth, we are able to be present with ourselves and our partners, whatever the circumstances. This freedom means no longer being defined by our personal history. It means being who we are essentially, unencumbered, and undefended. . . . When we open our hearts to the wonder of the journey and search through the pain for the truth of our experience, we begin to glimpse a new light that will guide us deeper into ourselves, below our insecurities and the broken dreams of our lives. There we will meet our whole, undamaged, and pristine essential self [or True Self]. In touch with this essential self, we can experience powerful levels of intimacy while engaged in the most ordinary behaviors. This is the promise of undefended intimacy. This is the satisfaction of the longing to love and be loved, directly, immediately, and without restriction.8

 

The Spirit opens the door to the experience of  “undefended love” that stands in stark contrast to the darkness of terror and oppression that we witness in a world possessed by the evil of war and greed.

 

References

1	(n.d.). James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 49 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49
3	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022422.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=feb24
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/02/24/319366/
7	(n.d.). And No Birds Sang - Farley Mowat - The Vespiary. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.thevespiary.com/history-politics/and-no-birds-sang-farley-mowat
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Yearly Theme Archive - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/undefended-love-2022-02-24/