Blessed in Seeing and Hearing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today draw us,

In the Kingdom

through the Book of Job, to the paradox of theophany, God has revealing God’s self, and our being childlike.

* [42:6] A difficult verse. Some doubt, in view of God’s commendation in v. 7, that Job does in fact express repentance, and alternative translations are often given. Along with v. 5, it describes a change in Job, which the encounter with the Lord has brought about. Dust and ashes: an ambiguous phrase. It can refer to the human condition (cf. Gn 18:27; Jb 30:19) or to Job’s ash heap (2:8).

In the Gospel from Luke Jesus praises the Father after the mission of his disciples for the revelation to those who are childlike.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27.

Jay Carney asks how does one square these readings with the reality of the world in which we live, a world of innocent suffering, sickness, and sin?

Perspective can help here. As anyone knows who has read the whole Book of Job, this man has suffered mightily in his life, stripped of nearly everything he held dear. Likewise, while the disciples have performed mighty deeds, their lives will be marked more by the Cross than conquest. The Psalmist prays for understanding, wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, and yet also confesses that he has learned God’s teachings through affliction. Today’s readings offer us signs of hope, reflecting our age-old human desire for the transcendent – to “see God” and receive divine blessing. But as Job reminds us, there is no formula here but rather graced mystery. I pray that I will be able to perceive the mystery of God’s revelation to me this day, even within the sinful and fallen reality in which I live.

John Piper offers some great truths learned by Job and concludes with a summary of the changes in Job.

So the book closes with the sediment of pride strained out of Job's life through the sieve of suffering, the bad theology of his three friends corrected and their foolishness humbled, the brotherhood of God's servants restored and purified, and the honor of God's name vindicated over against the accusations of Satan.

Psalm 119 is a lengthy poem about wisdom knowledge and trust in God.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. Several expected elements do not appear in the Psalm: Mount Sinai with its story of God’s revelation and gift to Israel of instruction and commandments, the Temple and other institutions related to revelation and laws (frequent in other Psalms). The Psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life.

Don Schwager quotes Saint Augustine of Hippo as he picks up the theme that the Lord Jesus wants us to know him personally and experientially.

Jesus makes a claim which no one would have dared to make: He is the perfect revelation of God - he and the Father are perfectly united in a bond of unbreakable love and fidelity. One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote: "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love."

The Word Among Us meditation notes that there are ways we can build our trust over time.

One way is to acknowledge our disappointment and bring our questions to the Lord. Then use stories like Job’s to help you find his answers. Another way is to practice gratitude. Count aloud your blessings, and see if your perspective changes. Or perhaps you need to talk with someone who can help you remember God’s love for you.
Yes, life can be hard and painful at times. But one thing is true: our God, whose ways are mysterious, is worthy of our trust.
“Father, I choose to trust you today.”

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Job realizes he does not understand so much God. With a spirit of gratitude we experience the fulfillment of living in the Kingdom already dawning on the earth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes the real meaning of speaking the name of God “in vain” is to speak God’s name casually or trivially, with a false presumption of understanding the Mystery—

We come from a very ancient, human-based, natural, biological, universally experienced understanding of God. God’s eternal mystery cannot be captured or controlled, but only received and shared as freely as the breath itself—the thing we have done since the moment we were born and will one day cease to do in this body. God is as available and accessible as our breath itself. Jesus breathes the Spirit into us as the very air of life (see John 20:22)! Our job is simply to both receive and give this life-breath. We cannot only inhale, and we cannot only exhale. We must breathe in and out, accept and let go.

as if we knew what we were talking about!

References

(n.d.). Job, chapter 42 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/42
(n.d.). Luke chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/lk/10:52
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 6, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
1985, August 4). Job: Reversal in Suffering | Desiring God. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/job-reversal-in-suffering
(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 119 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119:97
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Recognition and rejection

The experiences of recognition and rejection are resonant in contemplation of the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today.

The people in our day

The light of recognition comes on for in the Book of Job as God relates evidence of Divine omnipotence.

* [40:4–5] Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious.

In the Gospel from Luke, the consequences of rejection of Jesus invitation to repentance are declared.

* [10:13–16] The call to repentance that is a part of the proclamation of the kingdom brings with it a severe judgment for those who hear it and reject it.

Mark Latta comments that the Lord uses many ways to reach out to us in nature and in the people brought into our lives. These messages and messengers are all around us if we only calm the clutter of our minds and listen.

Throughout the ages we have been challenged by the trauma and chaos of the day and we have been encouraged by God’s real presence in the world, despite the trauma and chaos. Jesus is admonishing us to listen to his messengers. We should respond to this challenge by discerning who is around us with the authentic Word of God and look for who is setting boundaries between good and evil. Let us use today’s lesson to open our hearts to His message and renew our moral compass in the midst of the trauma and chaos of 2018.

Don Schwager Quotes “Christ speaks through the disciples”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"Christ gives those who love instruction the assurance that whatever is said concerning him by the holy apostles or evangelists is to be received necessarily without any doubt and to be crowned with the words of truth. He who hears them, hears Christ. For the blessed Paul also said, 'You desire proof that Christ is speaking in me' (2 Corinthians 13:3). Christ himself somewhere also said to the holy disciples, 'For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you' (Matthew 10:20). Christ speaks in them by the consubstantial Spirit. If it is true, and plainly it is, that they speak by Christ, how can they err? He affirms that he who does not hear them, does not hear Christ, and that he who rejects them rejects Christ, and with him the Father." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 63)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:13-16 reminds us that the destruction that Jesus predicts will come, not from his hand, but from the hands of the people themselves.

As St. Paul once wrote, “If you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:15).
Repentance doesn’t mean just saying “I’m sorry.” It means turning our lives around. It means asking the Lord for his grace as we try to change our behavior. This is what Jesus was hoping would happen in all of these cities. But it didn’t. They remained trapped in their sin, despite all the demonstrations of God’s love, power, and mercy Jesus showed them.

Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, reviews how Job has been challenging God for justice. The Book of Job does not resolve the question of the suffering of the just for us. Friar Jude reminds us of the consequences when we decide to reject the invitation of Jesus to Life.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the two paths of knowing and not-knowing are primarily taught through prayer itself.

But Jesus also taught prayer beyond words: “praying in secret” (Matthew 6:5-6), “not babbling on as the Gentiles do” (Matthew 6:7), or his predawn, lonely prayer (Mark 1:35), because “your Father knows what you need even before you ask” (Matthew 6:8). These all point toward what many today call contemplation—openness to and union with God’s presence; resting in God more than actively seeking to fully know or understand.

Fr. Richard concludes that given Jesus’ clear model and instruction, it seems strange that wordy prayer took over in the monastic Office, in the Eucharistic liturgy, and in formulaic prayer like the Catholic rosary and Protestant memorizations. It’s all the more important, to our responsibility to respect and understand others, that these be balanced by prayer beyond words.

References

(n.d.). Job chapter 40 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/40
(n.d.). Luke 10:25-37. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/luke10.htm
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 5, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Laborers for his harvest inspired by the poverello of Assisi

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi challenge us to contemplate the interplay of human misery and Divine Providence as we consider the motivation of those inspired by the poverello of Assisi to take on the mission of Jesus.

Source: https://www.franciscans.ie/pope-benedict-s-franciscan-heart/

The Book of Job presents the fifth reply of Job to God in which he asserts his faith in a vindicator.

* [19:25–27] The meaning of this passage is obscure because the original text has been poorly preserved and the ancient versions do not agree among themselves. Job asserts three times that he shall see a future vindicator (Hebrew goel), but he leaves the time and manner of this vindication undefined. The Vulgate translation has Job indicating a belief in resurrection after death, but the Hebrew and the other ancient versions are less specific.

In the Gospel from Luke Jesus describes the attitude of disciples sent to bring His message to others.

* [10:4] Carry no money bag…greet no one along the way: because of the urgency of the mission and the singlemindedness required of missionaries, attachment to material possessions should be avoided and even customary greetings should not distract from the fulfillment of the task.

An article by Douglas Sean O'Donnell, adapted from The Beginning and End of Wisdom, asks why is it more historical, scientific, and sophisticated to reason that if God is all-loving, then the existence of suffering tells us that he must not be all-powerful; and if God is all-powerful and yet such affliction exists, well then he must not be all-loving? O'Donnell notes at least two flaws in such logic.

First, such a view refuses to fathom that human misery can in any way contain elements of divine love. Yet this is the message of our faith. At the very center of the gospel is God’s omnipotent love incarnate, a love that is pierced through the wood of an old rugged cross. A love that suffers, a love that dies!Second, such a view assumes that if suffering appears to be pointless to me, then it must be pointless. Sometimes we are so arrogant and ignorant. While we know from experience (as we look retrospectively to times of suffering in our lives and see the benefits of such times), we still assume that if our finite “minds can’t plumb the depths of the universe for good answers to suffering, well, then, there can’t be any!

Mike Cherney can imagine himself as a follower of Jesus. Mike can see Him establishing a new order in this world… He can imagine the benefits that are in store for him, the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus charge is far from what Mike expects. The promise is not of earthly rewards, instead Mike is asked to give up his financial well being and told to adopt a nomadic lifestyle in a world that may be hostile to the message. Mike connects to the mission of St Francis of Assisi.

St Francis of Assisi comes to realize that his mission concerns an institution in need of repair. Today I see many venues in need of repair - physical, institutional and individual.
Counting myself among the sites in need of repair, I conclude with St. Francis’ prayer in San Damiano.
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me
true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen.

Don Schwager quotes Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) in a sermon that affirms faith in Providence.

"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can one so peaceful conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and nothing can resist my will.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:1-12 notes that Luke 10:5 is a verse that seems particularly relevant today, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). Like the disciples in the Gospel reading, Francis and his followers wandered the countryside carrying the good news of Jesus. And like the disciples, they often did it by bringing peace and reconciliation into places of conflict.

One story in particular reveals Francis’ gift for peacemaking. In the last year of his life, the mayor of Assisi and the town’s bishop had fallen into a feud. To intervene, Francis composed a new verse of his poem “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon”: “All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of you. . . . Happy those who endure in peace; by you Most High, they will be crowned.”

A post by Franciscan Media connects Saint Francis of Assisi’s Story to the Gospel of Luke.

Francis understood that Jesus came to reconcile us, not only with God, but with each other as well. On a personal level, unforgiveness can destroy families and friendships—even our health and peace of mind. On a broader level, it can lead to war, conflict, and destruction. But Jesus came to preach peace by putting to death all enmity through his cross, and he wants us to try to “preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).He must have suspected a deeper meaning to “build up my house.” But he would have been content to be for the rest of his life the poor “nothing” man actually putting brick on brick in abandoned chapels. He gave up all his possessions, piling even his clothes before his earthly father—who was demanding restitution for Francis’ “gifts” to the poor—so that he would be totally free to say, “Our Father in heaven.” He was, for a time, considered to be a religious fanatic, begging from door to door when he could not get money for his work, evoking sadness or disgust to the hearts of his former friends, ridicule from the unthinking.
But genuineness will tell. A few people began to realize that this man was actually trying to be Christian. He really believed what Jesus said: “Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff” (Luke 9:1-3).

American friar Tom Washburn, OFM, in his article “The Pope and St Francis” reflects on the influence of St Francis’ spirit on Pope Benedict and his historic decision to resign as Supreme Pastor of the Church.

“I think Pope Benedict has a Franciscan heart and understands the reality of letting go very well. When meeting with the priests of Rome recently, the Pope said, “I am strengthened and reassured by the certainty that the Church is Christ’s.” The Holy Father knows that the church never belonged to Benedict. Like St. Francis, Benedict was merely its steward for a time. St. Francis realized something similar. He understood that he never intended to create such a thing as a Religious Order, but simply wanted to live the life of the Gospel and if others wanted to join him in doing that, what a wonderful thing.

A post originally appeared at A Friar's LIfe, blog of Thomas Washburn, OFM, that celebrates Francis as a Jesuit Pope with a Franciscan heart.

I think it is one of the best indications of the kind of Church he dreams of, the kind of followers of Christ the Pope prays that we all will be. This is what a "church that is poor and that is for the poor" would look like.  These are truly the words of a Jesuit Pope with a Franciscan heart.

Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, outlines the understanding of resurrection in the Book of Job. The goel or vindicator, who will defend Job, is invoked with a vigorous argument that the misery he knows is not fair. The Seventy Two disciples sent by Jesus do their part and leave judgement to God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects that In light of today’s information overload, people are looking for a few clear certitudes by which to define themselves. We see various forms of fundamentalism in many religious leaders when it serves their cultural or political worldview. We surely see it at the lowest levels of religion—Christianity as well as Judaism, Islam, and secular fundamentalism, too—where God is used to justify violence, hatred, prejudice, and whatever is “my” way of doing things.

Great spirituality, on the other hand, seeks a creative balance between opposites. As Jesuit William Johnston writes, “Faith is that breakthrough into that deep realm of the soul which accepts paradox with humility.” [1] When you go to one side or the other too much, you find yourself either overly righteous or overly skeptical and cynical. There must be a healthy middle, as we try to hold both the necessary light and darkness.

We settle human confusion not by falsely pretending to settle all the dust, but by teaching people an honest and humble process for learning and listening, which we call contemplation. Then people come to wisdom in a calm and compassionate way. There will not be the knee jerk overreactions that we have in so many on both Left and Right today. The problems and circumstances of misery for some today are not different from the society in which the message of peace of St Francis was proclaimed. We can pray for our own “Franciscan heart”.

References

(n.d.). Job chapter 19 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/19
(n.d.). Luke 10:25-37. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/luke10.htm
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Saint Francis of Assisi (Memorial) - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Saint Francis of Assisi – Franciscan Media. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-francis-of-assisi/
(n.d.). Pope Benedict's Franciscan Heart! | Irish Franciscans. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://www.franciscans.ie/pope-benedict-s-franciscan-heart/
(2014, March 13). A Jesuit Pope with a Franciscan Heart - Happy Anniversary Pope .... Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://www.escofm.org/news/a-jesuit-pope-with-a-franciscan-heart-happy-anniversary-pope-francis
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Called beyond selfish concerns

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today confront us with some of the ineffable nature of the God of the Universe appearing both intimately aware and aloof from our situation.

Journey with difficulty

The namesake of the Book of Job begins to explore the possibility of challenging God about the seemingly unjust suffering he is experiencing.

* [9:3] Job begins to explore the possibility of challenging God in a lawsuit, a theme that will recur (10:2), but he knows the odds are against him (vv. 12–20).

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus questions the commitment of would be disciples.

* [9:57–62] In these sayings Jesus speaks of the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one no matter how briefly from proclaiming the kingdom of God. The first two sayings are paralleled in Mt 8:19–22; see also notes there.

Rev Dr Richard Leonard SJ shares how comments on suffering from others have alerted him to how often we hear some terrible theology, which does not draw people to God, in the worst moments of our lives. It alienates us. It alienated him for a while from believing in a God who wants us to have an intelligent discussion about the complexities of where and how the Divine presence fits into our fragile and human world. He shares his steps to spiritual sanity when we are tempted, and we give into the temptation, to ask, ‘Where the hell is God?’

Some might think that the theology outlined here presents God as remote or aloof. I do not need to think that God has to be the direct cause of everything in my life to have a strong and lively belief in a personal God. Indeed, I am passionate about God’s personal love and presence. Thinking that God is removed from the intricate detail of how things develop does not remove God from the drama of our living, our suffering and dying. God waits patiently for an invitation to enter our lives at whatever level we want. Christ meets us where we are, embraces us and holds us close when the going gets tough, and helps us find the way forward, even and most especially, on that last day when we find the way home.

Fr. George Corrigan, OFM notes how many testimonies have the convert talk about all the evil things that were left behind in order to follow Jesus. Jesus also demands that we give up the very best things in our lives to follow him. He cites Craddock (Luke, Interpretation Commentaries, p.144) who says it well.

The radicalism of Jesus’ words lies in his claim to priority over the best, not the worst, of human relationships. Jesus never said to choose him over the devil but to choose him over the family. And the remarkable thing is that those who have done so have been freed from possession and worship of family and have found the distance necessary to love them

Barbara Dilly asserts that we must admit that are all in alignment with Job’s lament at several times in our lives.

As much as God loves us, God doesn’t respond to all this despair and these supplications in the way we would like.  God doesn’t lighten our load or give us a big reward, no matter how hard to try to impress upon God our good intentions.  Instead, God sends Jesus to admonish us for our human tendencies to place our strivings to accomplish much in the light of our own needs for greatness.  Let’s be honest, most of us think at some time or another during the day, “who is the greatest?” in some context or another, but probably not in the context of the Kingdom of heaven.   We are most likely thinking about the kingdom of this earth. Jesus knows this.

Don Schwager shares the prayer of Ignatius Loyola, (1491-1556) to give all to God and the teaching of Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD) to put to death what is earthly in us.

"Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace - with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more." (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556)


"The statement 'Let the dead bury their dead' implies spiritually: Waste no more time on dead things. You are to 'put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5). These things therefore are dead. Cast them away from you. Cut them off as you would cut off gangrenous flesh to prevent the contamination of the whole body, so that you may not hear it said, 'Leave the dead [spiritually dead] to bury their dead' (Matthew 8:22). But to some it seems abnormal and contradictory that the Savior does not allow the disciple to bury his father. It seems inhumane. But Jesus does not in fact forbid people from burying the dead, but rather he puts before this the preaching of the kingdom of heaven, which makes people alive (Luke 9:60). As for burying the body, there were many people who could have done this." (excerpt from Fragment 161)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:57-62 invites us to notice how each of these people responds to Jesus’ invitation by talking about their life circumstances—a funeral, a family farewell, a concern about housing. Jesus responds not only to what they say on the surface, but also to their deepest motivations, fears, and intentions.

So talk with Jesus today. Tell him that you want to follow him. But also tell him about what’s going on in your life right now and any hesitation you might have. Let him answer you as he answered the people in today’s Gospel so that you can understand your motivations a little better. Then you’ll be ready for the next step along the journey with Jesus.

Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv, reminds us of the ancient belief that suffering was a punishment for sin. Discipleship is a question of a journey that is not always comfortable. Friar Jude connects our integrity to the response to follow Jesus without turning back.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, points to the spiritual paradox that Jesus himself points us both upward and downward at the same time.

He fully rests in a trustworthy Absolute, his anchored self, made in the image and likeness of God. This is his only real knowing or ascent. From there, he is free to dive into a fully incarnate and diverse world—as it is. He can love this ordinary and broken world, honor and protect its diversity and complexity, and critique all false absolutes and idolatries at the same time. This is Jesus’ descent into the world of earthiness… Spirit always desires to incarnate itself. Matter always wants to be God. The Christ Mystery is uniquely saying that we can have it both ways—the enlightenment of Spirit balanced out by the density and opaqueness of matter.  Maybe that is the essence of the human condition.

Tension between good and evil, dissonance about evil and suffering and the paradox of God's Immanence and Transcendence invite us to silence, prayer and contemplation of the Mystery of Love.

References

(n.d.). Job chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/9
(n.d.). Luke chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/9
(2011, March 21). Where the hell is God? | Thinking Faith: The online journal of the .... Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20110321_1.htm
(2013, June 28). Let me say goodbye | friarmusings. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://friarmusings.com/2013/06/28/let-me-say-goodbye/
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). The Holy Guardian Angels (Memorial) - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Relationship with the angel sent to guard me

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the relationship we have with God that guides our decisions throughout the day.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Franceschini,_Marcantonio_-_The_Guardian_Angel_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Pope Francis points to the image of the angel in the Book of Exodus 23:20-23.

There are two images — the angel and the child — Francis pointed out, which “the Church shows us in today’s liturgy”. The Book of Exodus (23:20-23a), in particular, proposes “the image of the angel” that “the Lord gives to his people to help them on their journey”. It reads, in fact: “Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared”.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus addresses arguments about the Greatest in the Kingdom among the disciples with the example of a child who has an angel facing God.

* [18:10] Their angels in heaven…my heavenly Father: for the Jewish belief in angels as guardians of nations and individuals, see Dn 10:13, 20–21; Tb 5:4–7; 1QH 5:20–22; as intercessors who present the prayers of human beings to God, see Tb 13:12, 15. The high worth of the little ones is indicated by their being represented before God by these heavenly beings.

The Summa Theologiæ of St. Thomas Aquinas addresses eight articles concerning the relationship of angels to humanity.

A reflection of Pope Francis on the Gospel today (2 October 2014) concludes that we all have an angel.

“This is the way”, the Pontiff indicated, and not that of determining “who is the greatest”. In truth, he stated, repeating the words of Jesus: whoever humbles himself like a child will be “the greatest”. And here the Lord “makes that mysterious connection that cannot be explained, but it is true”. He says, in fact: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven”.

Andy Alexander, S.J. recalls Catholic grade school and the prayer to his Guardian Angel that became a part of his night prayers.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom his love commits me here,Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard to rule and guide. Amen

Don Schwager quotes Chromatius, an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man.

"It is not right to despise anyone who believes in Christ. A believer is called not only a servant of God but also a son though the grace of adoption, to whom the kingdom of heaven and the company of the angels is promised. And rightly the Lord adds, 'For I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.' How much grace the Lord has toward each one believing in him he himself declares when he shows their angels always beholding the face of the Father who is in heaven. Great is the grace of the angels toward all who believe in Christ. Finally, the angels carry their prayers to heaven. Hence the word of Raphael to Tobias: 'When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God (Deutero-canonical book of Tobit 12:12). Around them there is also the strong guard of the angels; they help each of us to be free from the traps of the enemy. For a human in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of that enemy if he were not strengthened by the help of the angels." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 57.1)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:1-5, 10 notes that the Church teaches that every one of us has a guardian angel to accompany us throughout our lives.

St. Padre Pio called him “my friend since infancy.” They were close companions from a young age and spent a lot of time together. They talked to one another before bed and stayed in touch throughout the years. Padre Pio was convinced that this friend always had his back, through all the highs and lows of his life. Who was this treasured friend? His guardian angel.

A post by Franciscan Media comments on the link to the monastic tradition of guardian angels.

Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. Saint Benedict gave it impetus and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day.

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the attitude of the childlike that Jesus emphasizes in the Gospel. He lists some trivial concerns we sometimes question about angels. Friar Jude reminds us to remember how we may have been directed from making evil choices.

The meditation of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, resonates with images of good and evil today. He comments that for several centuries, Christianity in the West has been in a defensive mode, a siege mentality where not-knowing and the mystical tradition are considered too risky.

All things on earth are a mixture of darkness and light. When we idolize things as totally good or condemn otherness as totally bad, we get ourselves in trouble. Jesus simplifies this task by saying: “God alone is good” (Mark 10:18). Even the good things of this world are still subject to imperfection, wounding, and decay. I find it very hard to admit, but often tragedies produce much good fruit and good people

The story of our life journey contains occasions where we acted to resist or reject temptations that likely would have led us into trouble. The recognition that God has been there to guide us is the foundation of our celebration of Guardian Angels.

References

(2014, October 2). We all have an angel (2 October 2014) | Francis. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/cotidie/2014/documents/papa-francesco-cotidie_20141002_we-all-have-an-angel.html
(n.d.). Matthew 18. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew18.htm
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Saint of the Day – Franciscan Media. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/source/saint-of-the-day/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Circumstance and constant connection

The drama of the Book of Job sets the stage for contemplation of how our relationship with God may change with circumstances.

Our rainy day relationship

The Book of Job does not definitively answer the problem of the suffering of the innocent, but challenges readers to come to their own understanding

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus brings a child into the group of disciples to teach about avoiding rivalry and intolerance.

* [9:46–50] These two incidents focus on attitudes that are opposed to Christian discipleship: rivalry and intolerance of outsiders.

Mariana Miller finds in the Book of Job a perfect example of indifference as expressed by Ignatius of Loyola  “I ought not to seek health rather than sickness, wealth rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, a long life rather than a short one, and so on”.

A lot had been given to Job: he had a great family with many healthy children, he had wealth and prosperity and he, himself was healthy and strong to keep working and enlarging his estate. And he used it all as a means to grow in his relationship with God, he was grateful and faithful, and praised God for it. He grew closer to God. One day he lost it all: his children, his employees, his cattle, his crops, and his wealth. Still, Job never ceased to “praise, reverence and serve the Lord our God…” (cf. Spiritual Exercises #23)

Mike Hayes, co-founder of BustedHalo, reflects that Ignatian indifference means that our dependence needs to rely on God. Do we believe that God cares for us, in some way, in even the most dire situations? If so, then it doesn’t matter what might befall us.

A great example comes from when you need to make a choice about your next move in life and you narrow things down to two choices. Being indifferent means that whether you choose one or the other, you trust that God will go with you, leading you into the unfamiliar and new.

A post by Franciscan Media on Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun called the “Little Flower,” comments that preoccupation with self separates modern men and women from God, from their fellow human beings, and ultimately from themselves. We must re-learn to forget ourselves, to contemplate a God who draws us out of ourselves, and to serve others as the ultimate expression of selfhood. These are the insights of Saint Thérèse.

Thérèse has much to teach our age of the image, the appearance, the “self.” We have become a dangerously self-conscious people, painfully aware of the need to be fulfilled, yet knowing we are not. Thérèse, like so many saints, sought to serve others, to do something outside herself, to forget herself in quiet acts of love. She is one of the great examples of the gospel paradox that we gain our life by losing it, and that the seed that falls to the ground must die in order to live.

The meditation of Don Schwager invites us to learn from the child among the disciples of Jesus arguing about who is the greatest among them.

What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:46-50 urges us to adopt crouching low in humility. It gives us a strategic advantage. The disciples hadn’t learned that yet. Still thinking that higher was better, they argued over who was the greatest among them. But Jesus rewrote the rules when he equated receiving a lowly child with receiving him.

“Going low” is powerful for this simple reason: it’s the place where we’ll find Jesus. It’s the place where we’ll find the One who “emptied himself” to walk among us and who “humbled himself” by accepting death on a cross (Philippians 2:7, 8). It’s the place where we’ll find the One who came to care for “the poor,” the “captives,” and “the oppressed” (Luke 4:18). It’s the place where we’ll find the One who came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The more often we lay down our ego and our agenda, the more often we will find God’s grace and the ability to love the people around us.

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the fictional theodicy in the Book of Job to contemplate why a good God permits the manifestation of evil. The tension is with wisdom sayings that the righteous receive reward from God in this life. Friar Jude invites us to consider that children can’t pay us back so we avoid doing good to receive in return.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, uses a text from Job 11:7-9 to introduce that the Bible, in its entirety, finds a balance between knowing and not-knowing, between using particular and carefully chosen words and having humility about words, even though the ensuing traditions have not often found that same balance.

I understand the individual ego’s and the institution’s structural need for clarity, some basic order, and identity, especially to get us started when we are young. Religion then needs a key to unlock itself from itself—but from the inside, which many call the mystical or contemplative tradition. Most successful reforms come from using one’s own internal resources to self-correct. The words “mystery,” “mystical,” and “mutter” all come from the Indo-European root word muein, which means to “hush or close the lips.” We must start with humble, patient, wordless unknowing, sincere curiosity, or what many call “beginner’s mind.” Only then are we truly teachable. Otherwise, we only hear whatever confirms our present understanding.

Our expectations about our relationship with God may bring us to question circumstances that invite surrender and humility.

References

(n.d.). Job — introduction - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/job/0
(n.d.). Luke chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/lk/9:66
n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved October 1, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(2013, May 2). What does St. Ignatius mean when he calls us to indifference .... Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/what-does-st-ignatius-mean-when-he-calls-us-to-indifference
(n.d.). Saint of the Day – Franciscan Media. Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/source/saint-of-the-day/
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/