Receive restoration of a hopeful worldview

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of being restored to spiritual health and acting as Jesus disciples to be agents of the restoration of full life to those around us.

Restoring Life

The ending of Book of the Prophet Amos speaks of a restoration of Judah and Israel to the fullness of the time of King David.

* [9:11–15] These verses are most likely an editorial supplement to Amos, added to bring the book into harmony with the positive thrust of the prophetic books in general, especially those written after the exile, when the final edition of Amos was probably completed. The editors would have seen the destruction of Samaria in 722/721 B.C. as the fulfillment of Amos’s prophecies, but in this epilogue they express the view that destruction was not the Lord’s final word for Israel. In Acts 15:15–17, James interprets this passage in a messianic sense. The fallen hut of David: the Davidic kingdom, which included what later became the divided Northern and Southern Kingdoms. All nations claimed in my name: lit., “all nations over whom my name has been pronounced.” This idiom denotes ownership.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus explains the why the disciples are not observing ritual fasting as He makes the case for considering the proper place of the old and the new in our worldview.

* [9:16–17] Each of these parables speaks of the unsuitability of attempting to combine the old and the new. Jesus’ teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of Mosaic law.

Barbara Dilly reflects that our salvation isn’t just about the restoration of all that was taken from us unjustly.  It is about something much bigger. It always is with God. It is about working toward that restoration for others, too.

It seems to me that the lessons for today tell us that our salvation requires us to become transformed, to be made new, like wineskins, to fully follow Jesus.  It isn’t about following the old religious rules of piety better, it is about learning to live in new and better ways, in ways of peace and justice. That certainly is my biggest challenge, daily, in following Jesus.  I always want everything to work out for me. I follow the rules and think that is how I should be rewarded. But at the end of the day, it is about something a lot bigger than that. It always is with God. I think the lessons today tell me that it is more about hearing the voice of Jesus and letting that voice transform me.  The question I need to ask at the end of the day is, “did I get my benefits, or was I transformed a bit more to let peace and justice walk before me in my steps to help others also get theirs?”

Don Schwager comments that just as there is a right place and a right time for fasting and for feasting, so there is a right place for the old as well as the new.

Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old (Matthew 13:52). How impoverished we would be if we only had the Old Testament or the New Testament books of the Bible, rather than both. The Lord gives us wisdom so we can make the best use of both the old and the new. He doesn't want us to hold rigidly to the past and to be resistant to the new work of his Holy Spirit in our lives. He wants our minds and hearts to be like new wineskins - open and ready to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 85:9-14 identifies that situations outside of our control can make us anxious. Events that may happen in the future—or that may not happen at all—fill us with a sense of dread. Even memories of past upsets can cast a dark cloud over our hearts.

Then, listen. Try to sense what Jesus may want to say to you. Perhaps just a single word, like “trust” or “forgive,” comes to mind. Maybe it’s an inner sense that helps you believe that God can bring good out of a difficult situation. Or maybe you get an idea of what your next step should be. If what you sense makes you feel more peaceful, follow it.
And if you don’t feel more peaceful, try your best to continue on. Believe that Jesus is with you, even if you don’t feel his presence. Tell yourself that he will never abandon you. Trust that his perfect love will cast out all fear (1 John 4:18).

Friar Jude Winkler comments that at the end of Amos prophecy of destruction there is a promise of restoration to overflowing bounty. Mourning for the loss of a loved one is a time for fasting. Friar Jude reminds us of the Jewish idea of separation and order that was of separation from the Gentiles. Similarly, we are called to follow Jesus wholeheartedly with all we are.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that it seems that contemplation makes it almost inevitable that our politics is going to change, the way we spend your time is going to be called into question, and any smug or inferior social and economic perspective will be slowly taken away from us. He quotes the hope of Charles Eisenstein.

I foresee . . . the restoration of humanity to a sacred estate. . . . I foresee the fulfillment, and not the abdication, of the gifts of hand and mind that make us human. . . . We are given not only the world, but the breath of life and our capacity to create—for we are made “in the image” of the Creator itself. . . .
In nature, headlong growth and all-out competition are features of immature ecosystems, followed by complex interdependency, symbiosis, cooperation, and the cycling of resources. The next stage of human economy will parallel what we are beginning to understand about nature. It will call forth the gifts of each of us; it will emphasize cooperation over competition; it will encourage circulation over hoarding; and it will be cyclical, not linear. [1]

In deep prayer that invades our unconscious, our whole view of the world changes from fear to connection. In meditation we are moving from ego consciousness to soul awareness and from being driven to being drawn.

References


(n.d.). Amos 9.11-15. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Amos/9:11

(n.d.). Matthew 9:37-38. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew9.htm 

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Hunger for a relationship of abundance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present a contrast between our hunger for economic success and well being and the freeing possibility of following Jesus into a deeper relationship where we choose to act as agents of mercy and Love.

Putting it behind us

In the passage from the Book of the Prophet Amos, the people who exploit others in pursuit of financial gain are identified as the enemies of Israel who will be addressed on the Day of the Lord.

* [8:1–2] End-of-summer fruit…the end has come: the English translation attempts to capture the wordplay of the Hebrew. The Hebrew word for “fruit picked late in the season” is qayis, while the word for “end” is qes.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus call to follow Him into relationships that extend mercy and love to others is immediately accepted by the tax collector as a life of greater meaning.

[9:13] Go and learn…not sacrifice: Matthew adds the prophetic statement of Hos 6:6 to the Marcan account (see also Mt 12:7). If mercy is superior to the temple sacrifices, how much more to the laws of ritual impurity.

Joan Blandin Howard reflects that in the scene in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has blossomed open the original Ten Commandments. They are more than commandments. They are now invitations.

Jesus invites Matthew and all of us to “Follow me”, to eat with him, to invite Jesus into my home, my space, to offer to others and to accept from others hospitality, to break bread not only with those who invite themselves, but with those who never dare to impose or expect to be included – the contagious sick, the destitute poor, the filthy homeless, the no-see-ems marginalized, the derelict addicts, the exhausted and overwhelmed refugee, the orphaned and maimed. Jesus says, “Go and learn the meaning of …. Mercy…”  Go and learn by doing, by living “mercy”. Mercy is a verb, not a noun. Follow me into living out my invitations. Follow me into your daily life of hospitality, eating, socializing, caring and ministering to whomever, whenever and wherever.

Don Schwager quotes Chromatius (died 406 AD) reflection that Matthew did not delay when called by Jesus.

"The Lord, about to give salvation to all sinners believing in him, willingly chose Matthew the former publican. The gift of his esteem for Matthew stands as an example for our salvation. Every sinner must be chosen by God and can receive the grace of eternal salvation if one is not without a religious mind and a devout heart. So Matthew was chosen willingly by God. And though he is immersed in worldly affairs, because of his sincere religious devotion he is judged worthy to be called forth by the Lord ("Follow me"), who by virtue of his divine nature knows the hidden recesses of the heart. From what follows, we know that Matthew was accepted by the Lord not by reason of his status but of his faith and devotion. As soon as the Lord says to him, "Follow me," he does not linger or delay, but thereupon "he arose and followed him." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 45.1)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:9-13 concludes with the advice to keep receiving mercy and don’t stop praying.

Stay close to the Lord in prayer. Let his heart of mercy continue to soften your own heart. Let his openness to everyone, rich and poor, healthy and ailing, successful and struggling, move you to the same kind of openness. Then be on the alert for opportunities to share his mercy. With everyone.

A post by Franciscan Media on Saint of the Day, Saint Maria Goretti, shares that her last hours were marked by the usual simple compassion of the good—concern about where her mother would sleep, forgiveness of her murderer (she had been in fear of him, but did not say anything lest she cause trouble to his family), and her devout welcoming of Viaticum, her last Holy Communion.

Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For a long time he was unrepentant and surly. One night he had a dream or vision of Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. His life changed. When he was released after 27 years, his first act was to go to beg the forgiveness of Maria’s mother.

Friar Jude Winkler provides background on how the rich of Amos time tried to  destroy the poor of the land by “making the ephah small and the shekel great.” The “Calling of Matthew”, a collaborator with Rome, displays Jesus approach to the contagion of sin and our tendency to “not to associate with”. Friar Jude reminds us Jesus calls sinners not the righteous because they most need our Love.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Lynne Twist on three core myths that keep us locked in an economy of scarcity. She addresses “That’s just the way it is, and there’s no way out.” and the idea that there is not enough to go around.

[This myth] justifies the greed, prejudice, and inaction that scarcity fosters in our relationship with money and the rest of the human race. For generations, it protected the early American slave trade from which the privileged majority built farms, towns, business empires, and family fortunes, many of which survive today. For more generations it protected and emboldened institutionalized racism, sex discrimination and social and economic discrimination against other ethnic and religious minorities. . .

Commentators today invite us to consider the possibility that there isn’t a way it is or way it isn’t. There is the way we choose to act and what we choose to make of circumstances.

References


(n.d.). Amos, chapter 8 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/amos/8

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/9:9 

 
(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (Optional Memorial)v - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved July 6, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Saint Maria Goretti – Franciscan Media. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-maria-goretti/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 6, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Seeing believing and being a prophet

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our response to our Baptismal role of prophet.

Looking at political motives

In the Book of the Prophet Amos, the authority of Amos to prophesy is attacked by Amaziah.

* [7:14] I am not a prophet: Amos reacts strongly to Amaziah’s attempt to classify him as a “prophet-for-hire” who “earns [his] bread” by giving oracles in exchange for payment (cf. 1 Sm 9:3–10; Mi 3:5). To disassociate himself from this kind of “professional” prophet, Amos rejects outright the title of nabi’ (“prophet”). By profession he is a herdsman/sheepbreeder and a dresser of sycamore trees, but God’s call has commissioned him to prophesy to Israel.

In the Gospel from Matthew, the authority of Jesus to forgive sins is questioned by the Scribes as they witness Jesus heal a paralytic.

* [9:8] Who had given such authority to human beings: a significant difference from Mk 2:12 (“They…glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’”). Matthew’s extension to human beings of the authority to forgive sins points to the belief that such authority was being claimed by Matthew’s church.

Cindy Costanzo shares she would need someone to console her and try to decipher what had just happened if she was a witness to Jesus action in the Gospel.

I would like to think that the one person I reached out to would challenge my doubts, fears, and resistance. That one person would have more faith and courage than I.  S/he would trust and believe the truth of Jesus performing this miracle. That one person would make a difference in my life, change my disbelief into belief. In that moment of change perhaps redirect my purpose in life?
The power of that one moment and how one person can make a difference.  I pray to be that person when someone reaches out to me. A person of faith, strength, and courage who believes.

Don Schwager reflects on how Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day.

When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Amos 7:10-17 asserts that we don’t have an international platform like Pope Francis, but we can still be a prophet right where we are.

So many people lack hope today. So many people feel trapped in sin. So many are bound in selfishness. And you have an important message to share with them. You can remind them that God has plans to give them a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29:11). You can proclaim it every time you go out of your way to care for someone who is hurting. You can announce it every time you gently but firmly stand up for your faith or for the needs of the poor, the unborn, and the marginalized. Your words and actions can make a difference. You can be a prophet.

Friar Jude Winkler provides background on the political situation in the banana republic of the northern kingdom in which Amos was a prophet. When God speaks we must act, as Amos declares. Jesus shows it is easier to heal a broken body than a broken heart as His actions anger the Scribes, Friar Jude observes.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that America’s unhealthy economics and politics persist because we largely operate out of a worldview of scarcity, which leads to actual scarcity: there is not enough land, healthcare, water, money, and housing for all of us, and there are never enough guns to keep us safe. He cites work by Charles Eisenstein on the role of money.

The money system is a game of musical chairs, a mad scramble in which some are necessarily left out. . . . It is an outgrowth of our attitude of scarcity.




As many have said, there is more than enough for our need but never enough for our greed. In the midst of the structural stinginess and over-consumption of our present world, how do we change consciousness and operate from mercy and graciousness? The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the mind is apparently unable to imagine anything infinite or eternal. So it cannot conceive an infinite love, or a God whose “mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 136) as the psalmist continually shouts, or grace which builds upon grace (see John 1:16).

The maintenance of the status quo by ecstatic prophets for hire, or religious and political leaders who profit materially by promoting myths needs challenge by disciples of Christ who exercise their Baptismal gift of being a prophet.

References

(n.d.). Amos, chapter 7 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/amos/7

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/9:1

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Independence Day (USA) - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 5, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Love that frees us from forces beyond our strength

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the authenticity and transparency of our lives as loving children of God.

Authentic witness

The exhortation from the Book of the Prophet Amos is to seek good and not evil.

* [5:21–27] The prophet does not condemn cultic activity as such but rather the people’s attempt to offer worship with hands unclean from oppression of their fellow Israelites (cf. Ps 15:2–5; 24:3–4). But worship from those who disregard justice and righteousness (v. 24) is never acceptable to the God of Israel. Through the Sinai covenant the love of God and the love of neighbor are inextricably bound together.

In the Gospel from Matthew, the Son of God conquers demons that have possessed some Gentiles and is consequently driven from that place by people in fear.

* [8:29] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Before the appointed time: the notion that evil spirits were allowed by God to afflict human beings until the time of the final judgment is found in Enoch 16:1 and Jubilees 10:7–10.

The accounts of The Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs in Mark and Luke with some images and maps are posted by tvaraj.

Amy Hoover shares a poem/prayer from Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.,that resonates with “Seek good and not evil, that you may live.” in the passage from the Book of the Prophet Amos.

Nothing is more practical than finding God,
than falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Don Schwager meditates on feeling driven by forces beyond our strength as he quotes Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD) on how Christ is triumphant over the forces of demons.

"[Jesus] said to them, 'Go!' The foul-smelling animals are delivered up, not at the will of the demons but to show how savage the demons can become against humans. They ardently seek to destroy and dispossess all that is, acts, moves and lives. They seek the death of people. The ancient enmity of deep-rooted wrath and malice is in store for the human race. Demons do not give up easily unless they are forcibly overcome. They are doing the harm they are ordered to do. Therefore the foul-smelling animals are delivered up that it may be made clear to the demons that they have permission to enter the swine but not to enter humans. It is by our vices that we empower them to do harm. Similarly, by our power of faith we tread on the necks of demons. They become subject to us under Christ who is triumphant." (excerpt from SERMONS 16.8)

The Word Among Us meditation on Matthew 8:28-34 reminds us that we do not have control over the response of people to our witness as disciples of Jesus.

But don’t forget; the townspeople weren’t half as enthusiastic as the swineherds. They ran to Jesus—and begged him to leave! They responded with fear, not faith. These townspeople show us that the response of our audience is not in our control.
You may not see the response you’re hoping for when you try to share your faith. But don’t worry. All you can do—all God asks you to do—is share what you’ve seen and heard. It’s up to the Holy Spirit to inspire a response.

Friar Jude Winkler introduces the concept that we may try to bribe God with our actions of worship. We seek to be consistent and transparent in our faith. Friar Jude notes that the swine kill themselves and the fear of the people is about the death of their other livestock.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that all who have “failed” in our social or economic success system—can be our best teachers in the ways of the Gospel. They represent what we are most afraid of and what we most deny within ourselves. That’s why we must learn to love what first seems like our “enemy.”

If we look at all the wars of history, we’ll see that God has unwittingly been enlisted on both sides of the fight. It’s easy to wonder what God does when both sides are praying for God’s protection. Trusting Jesus as the archetypal pattern of God’s presence and participation on Earth, I believe God is found wherever the suffering is. I believe this because that is precisely where Jesus goes. He makes heroes of the outsiders and underdogs in almost all his parables and stories. To miss that point is culpable and chosen ignorance. The awakened and aware ones—like Jesus and Francis of Assisi—go where people are suffering, excluded, expelled, marginalized, and abused. And there they find God.

Our experience of lack of authenticity in expressions of affiliation may make it difficult to struggle to accept Love that frees us from spirits that entice us away from peace and joy.

References


(n.d.). Amos, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/amos/5

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 8 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/matthew/8:28

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved July 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 4, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Thomas, Apostle (Feast) - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 4, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Learning to trust in our doubts

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today frame teaching about God in personal faith experience.

Capstone 

Paul shares his experience in the Letter to the Ephesians that Christ is the capstone building a holy temple of God’s people where the divine presence dwells.

* [2:11–22] The Gentiles lacked Israel’s messianic expectation, lacked the various covenants God made with Israel, lacked hope of salvation and knowledge of the true God (Eph 2:11–12); but through Christ all these religious barriers between Jew and Gentile have been transcended (Eph 2:13–14) by the abolition of the Mosaic covenant-law (Eph 2:15) for the sake of uniting Jew and Gentile into a single religious community (Eph 2:15–16), imbued with the same holy Spirit and worshiping the same Father (Eph 2:18). The Gentiles are now included in God’s household (Eph 2:19) as it arises upon the foundation of apostles assisted by those endowed with the prophetic gift (Eph 3:5), the preachers of Christ (Eph 2:20; cf. 1 Cor 12:28). With Christ as the capstone (Eph 2:20; cf. Is 28:16; Mt 21:42), they are being built into the holy temple of God’s people where the divine presence dwells (Eph 2:21–22).

The proclamation of Thomas “My Lord and my God” connects the last chapter of the Gospel of John to the opening sentence.

* [20:28] My Lord and my God: this forms a literary inclusion with the first verse of the gospel: “and the Word was God.”

Uncle Raj shares inspirations and biblical connections inspired by the Gospel including Doubting Thomas aka Saint Thomas Putting his Finger on Christ’s Wound by Caravaggio, 1602.

Michael Kavan thinks we all have a little Thomas in us from time to time.

maybe it’s okay to have a little bit of Thomas in us as long as we use that doubt as a motivator to search for the physical presence of God in our lives. Maybe it’s a friendly smile, the opening of a door, a consoling word, someone forgiving us for a past wrong that, upon reflection, are really physical signs of God’s presence in our lives. And maybe it just takes us looking for God and finding Him in these acts both great and small that allow us to feel that much closer to Him. So, as we move forward with our day, let us seek out and find ways in which God is an active presence in our lives. And know that we will, at times, have doubts and that is okay for as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For we walk by faith, and not by sight.”

The post by Franciscan Media reflects on the life of St Thomas as evidence that holiness is a gift of God.

The Collect prayer for the Feast of St Thomas is from the Catholic Culture website where more information about the missionary work of this Apostle can be found.

Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Don Schwager quotes Gregory the Great (540-604 AD), on Touching the wounds of Christ and healing the wounds of our unbelief.

"It was not an accident that that particular disciple was not present. The divine mercy ordained that a doubting disciple should, by feeling in his Master the wounds of the flesh, heal in us the wounds of unbelief. The unbelief of Thomas is more profitable to our faith than the belief of the other disciples. For the touch by which he is brought to believe confirms our minds in belief, beyond all question." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 26)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 2:19-22 asks who are the “members of the household of God” whose DNA has been passed on and influenced us (Ephesians 2:19)?

Your “natural” DNA may make it easy or hard for you to believe. You may be a trusting soul, or you may tend toward skepticism. You may be meek or bold, flexible or stubborn. It doesn’t matter. You are a spiritual descendant of all the saints: the doubting Thomas, the blustery Peter, the anguished Mary Magdalene, and the overly zealous Paul. Whoever you take after, Jesus treasures you. He has a vital role for you to play in his kingdom. Because you are made in his image, he is completely committed to you.

Friar Jude Winkler shares the image of Paul that the Church is an edifice held together by Jesus on the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets. It makes absolute sense not to believe when our friend has died. Friar Jude notes that Thomas represents those who have struggled with a question of trust where we have to take a leap.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on his spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who was a nonviolent and “soft” prophet—keeping God free for people and people free for God—during a pivotal period when Western civilization was moving into rationality, consumerism, and nonstop war.

To be a contemplative means to look at reality with much wider eyes than mere usability, functionality, or self-interest; it is to experience inherent enjoyment for a thing in itself, as itself, and even by itself. An act of love is its own reward and needs nothing in return. This demands that we learn to love the stranger at the gate, the one outside of our comfort zone, who cannot repay us and so we can be repaid by God (see Luke 14:14). Do you realize how revolutionary that is? It is what Charles Eisenstein means by a “gift economy,” and yet most do not realize he is merely repeating what Jesus already taught but has never been seriously considered by most Christians. [2]

The struggle to build faith is assisted by contemplation of the lives and teaching of people like St. Thomas and St Francis who have found their mission to bring Life to others in their intimate relationship with Jesus.

References


(n.d.). Ephesians, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/2

(n.d.). John 20:19. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/john20.htm

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 3, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(2018, July 3). Feast of St. Thomas, apostle - July 03, 2018 - Liturgical Calendar .... Retrieved July 3, 2018, from https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-07-03

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). 13th Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 3, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Striving toward full commitment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to examine our priorities and the depth to which money and material concerns may be distracting us from our faith journey.

Examine our priorities

The Prophet Amos presents an oracle against Israel to highlight the actions of the rich that violate the Covenant with the Lord.

* [2:6] Israel: Amos’s audience would applaud his condemnation of foreign kingdoms in the foregoing seven oracles, especially of Judah. But now he adds an eighth, unexpected oracle—against Israel itself. This is the real “punch line” of this whole section, to which the preceding oracles serve mainly as introduction.

Psalm 50 declares a covenant lawsuit stating the sacrifice that God really wants.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20).

Jesus addresses the commitment of would be followers in the Gospel from Matthew.

* [8:18–22] This passage between the first and second series of miracles about following Jesus is taken from Q (see Lk 9:57–62). The third of the three sayings found in the source is absent from Matthew.

George Butterfield comments that we either do not realize what sacrifice being faithful to God requires requires or we have a "but" that keeps us from acting now.

Jesus' point is simply that THE most important things in life cannot come before following him. As soon as we say, "Jesus, I will follow you but"...then we have turned away from being his disciple. As in Amos and the psalm, words are important but they must be backed up with right action.

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D., on following the Lord.

"'Come follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults,the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 64,5)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:18-22 comments that Jesus is saying something that can be difficult to hear: following Him can be hard. He’s inviting them—and us—to follow Him more wholeheartedly even though the cost is high.

Jesus is calling you to take the next step. If that idea makes you uneasy, remember today’s psalm. It reminds us that “to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:23). The goal that we’re working toward is to see God’s salvation, and God will bless any step forward along the “right way” that we take. Jesus is asking you to take that one small step today. What does it look like for you?

Friar Jude Winkler explains how Amos presents the actions of Israel as the completion of their evil. The decision to follow Jesus is a journey not an arrival. Friar Jude mentions Jesus use of Jewish exaggeration in the Gospel but restates that Christ has to be at our centre.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that we can reimagine God through good theology and contemplative wisdom. He cites the book, The Soul of Money, by Lynne Twist who explains the power we’ve given our image of money and reminds us of our true longings and needs.

Each of us experiences a lifelong tug-of-war between our money interests and the calling of our soul. When we’re in the domain of soul, we act with integrity. We are thoughtful and generous, allowing, courageous, and committed. . . . We are open, vulnerable, and heartful. . . . We are trustworthy and trusting of others. . . . We feel at peace within ourselves and confident that we are an integral part of a larger, more universal experience, something greater than ourselves.

The default from not taking action today is to be witness to the separation of people and ourselves from living in a way that continues our journey toward full life in Christ.

References


(n.d.). Amos, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/amos/2

(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 50 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50 

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 8 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mt/8:37

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html 

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 2, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 2, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Mission and ministry of life

The Texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Canada Day challenge our understanding of our relationship to God and the consequence of that relationship for our actions in our society and politics.

The pursuit of a Good Life

In the passage from the Book of Wisdom, the Jewish sage urges us to consider the death that results from spiritual separation from God.

* [1:12] Death: as will become clear, the author is not speaking of physical death but of spiritual death, the eternal separation from God.

Paul addresses the community in Second Corinthians about our Christian call to Generosity in Giving.

* [8:12–15] Paul introduces the principle of equality into the discussion. The goal is not impoverishment but sharing of resources; balance is achieved at least over the course of time. In 2 Cor 8:15 Paul grounds his argument unexpectedly in the experience of Israel gathering manna in the desert: equality was achieved, independently of personal exertion, by God, who gave with an even hand according to need. Paul touches briefly here on the theme of “living from God.”

In the Gospel from Mark, faith in Jesus brings healing and reanimation to a long suffering woman and a young girl.

* [5:28] Both in the case of Jairus and his daughter (Mk 5:23) and in the case of the hemorrhage victim, the inner conviction that physical contact (Mk 5:30) accompanied by faith in Jesus’ saving power could effect a cure was rewarded.

Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that today is a good day to express thanks, to enjoy the full gift of eucharistic life – that is a life of thanksgiving and sharing with others - so that they also might have life.

The first reading today insists that humans are made imperishable for God.  We enter death because of sin – and to bring about the death of others engages in sin.  The Gospel for today discloses Jesus, at the height of his missionary work, raising the dead and healing the sick.  The reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians asserts that humans have been given the gifts we need to care for and supply for one another’s needs as well as our own.  Our God lavishly pours out the bounty of creation and we must be willing to share that bounty so that all may have life to the full. Taken together, this rich bounty at the table of the word would be enough to feast on throughout the whole summer, even in the face of all the dilemmas of sin and selfishness that seem to surround us and sap our energies.  If we fail to love and respect our lives, the lives of the littlest and most vulnerable in the wombs of their mothers or in the arms of their fathers, in hospital beds, detention centers or nursing homes; if we neglect the dignity of those who have been deprived of their share of the bounty of the harvest by the devastation of wars, the molestation of gangs, government tariffs, or the pure greed of land and water rights locked away for the wealthy and politically powerful, we are engaging in “the dirty work of death,” as Pope Francis challenges us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that very often we want a God who reflects and even confirms our culture, our biases, our economic, political, and security systems.

Normally we find it very difficult to let God be greater than our culture, our immediate needs, and our projections. The human ego wants to keep things firmly in its grasp; so, we’ve created a God who fits into our small systems and our understanding of God. Thus, we’ve produced a God who requires expensive churches and robes, a God who likes to go to war just as much as we do, and a domineering God because we like to dominate. We’ve almost completely forgotten and ignored what Jesus revealed about the nature of the God he knew. If Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” (see Colossians 1:15) then God is nothing like we expected. Jesus is in no sense a potentate or a patriarch, but the very opposite, one whom John the Baptist calls “a lamb of a God” (see John 1:29). We seem to prefer a lion.

The call of Jesus is for us to see the image of God, often presented as a Lamb, in ourselves and others.

References

(n.d.). Wisdom, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/1

(n.d.). 2 Corinthians, chapter 8 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/8 

(n.d.). Mark, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/5

(2018, June 25). Pope Francis: Support life at all stages, avoid 'dirty work of death .... Retrieved July 1, 2018, from https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-support-life-all-stages-avoid-dirty-work-death

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/