Discipline for our Nazareth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to include discipline in self sacrifice in our journey as disciples of Jesus.

Prophet at home

The passage from the Letter to the Hebrews invites us to welcome discipline and correction as gifts to develop our faith.

 * [12:1–13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Heb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Heb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Heb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.1

The Gospel from Mark presents rejection at Nazareth where His hometown people were perhaps too close to His life to believe in Him.

 * [6:4] A prophet is not without honor except…in his own house: a saying that finds parallels in other literatures, especially Jewish and Greek, but without reference to a prophet. Comparing himself to previous Hebrew prophets whom the people rejected, Jesus intimates his own eventual rejection by the nation especially in view of the dishonor his own relatives had shown him (Mk 3:21) and now his townspeople as well.2

Don Driscoll, S.J., writing for this day in 1999, offers one question: "Where is our Nazareth?"

 Where or with whom is it most difficult to freely use our God-given gifts to bring hope and healing to others?  It's not always easy, but we have the example of Jesus in the Gospels. And we have his promise of the Holy Spirit to make it all possible.  Let us rise with the Lord today in resurrecting His people to new life. In so-doing we will create more peace and hope in our own hearts and also bring those same gifts with His healing touch to our homes and places of work, to our Nazareths.3

Don Schwager quotes “Distinguishing God's power and our faith,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

 "And perhaps, as in the case of metallic substances there exists in some a natural attraction toward some other thing, as in the magnet for iron, and in naphtha for fire, so there is an attraction in such faith toward the divine power according to what Jesus said: 'If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, 'Move to another place,' and it shall be moved' (Matthew 17:20). Matthew and Mark wished to present the all-surpassing value of that divine power as a power that works even in those who do not believe. But they did not deny that grace works even more powerfully among those who have faith. So it seems to me that they accurately said not that the Lord did not do any mighty works because of their unbelief, but that he did not do many there (Mark 6:5). Mark does not flatly say that he could do no mighty work there at all, and stop at that point, but added, 'except that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them' (Mark 6:5). Thus the power in him overcame even their unbelief." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 uses the metaphor of lifting weights to discuss discipline.

 Lifting weights is hard work, and so is battling sin. But you’re not doing it alone. God knows how you are made. He knows the things that weaken you and the things that strengthen you. So think of Jesus as your coach. He is standing right beside you. Let him show you what to lift up and what to put down. He is always ready to help you with his love and grace.5

Friar Jude Winkler considers that we likely have not suffered for our faith to the point of shedding blood. The episode of rejection of Jesus at Nazareth shows that even His family did not get it yet. Friar Jude reminds that we often are quick to see the flaws in the other and miss the goodness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Franciscan School, led by such teachers as Duns Scotus, refused to see the Incarnation and its finale on the cross as a mere reaction to human failure. God was much more than a problem solver. Instead, Franciscans claimed that the cross was a freely chosen revelation of Love on God’s part.

 Christianity can do so much better, and doing so will not diminish Jesus in the least. In fact, it will allow Jesus to take on a universal and humanly appealing dimension. The cross cannot be an arbitrary and bloody sacrifice triggered by a sin that was once committed by one man and one woman under a tree between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Frankly, that idea reduces any notion of a universal or truly “catholic” revelation to one planet, at the edge of one solar system, in a universe comprised of billions of galaxies with trillions of solar systems. A religion based on required sacrifices is just not glorious or hopeful enough or even befitting the marvelous creation. To those who cling to Anselm’s understanding, I would say, as J. B. Phillips wrote many years ago, “Your God is too small.” [3]6

Our path in life will bring us to times of rejection and our discipline in the solid ground of our relationship with Jesus enables us to see saints in our critics through the eyes of people called to be saints.

References

1	(n.d.). great a cloud of witnesses - usccb. Retrieved February 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/hebrews12.htm
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 6 - usccb. Retrieved February 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/6
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 6, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 6, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). Mass Readings and .... Retrieved February 6, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/
6	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: February 2019 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 6, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/
7	(n.d.). Your God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips - Goodreads. Retrieved February 6, 2019, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34486.Your_God_is_Too_Small

Response to our deep hurts

The texts from Roman Catholic Lectionary recognize that in our deep hurts we are not alone and the healing Love of Christ is our gift in faith.

Cloud of witnesses

The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the community of faith that supports our journey.

 * [12:1–13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Heb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Heb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Heb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.1

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus is healer to a woman long separated from her community sandwiched in an account of reanimation of the daughter of a synagogue leader.

 * [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.2

Mike Cherney finds it appropriate that today is the feast of St. Agatha, a young woman who endured tremendous abuse for her faith in the spirit of today’s passage as well as the previous chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews.

 St. Agatha followed her vows as in today’s Psalm. I wonder if St. Agatha in her suffering recalled the earlier verses of the same Psalm, as Jesus did - My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish? My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief. The Psalmist will end this prayer of despair with trust in what is yet to come. I am put to shame knowing the weakness of my own spirit. I see the insignificant matters about which I become concerned. I reflect on how small things, like bad flight connections, seem when viewing the bigger picture. I sense that our spiritual forebearers would not be particularly proud looking at how I respond.3

Don Schwager quotes “The long-suffering of parents,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

 "Let us, if it is pleasing to you, speak for a moment of the pains and anxieties which parents take upon themselves and endure in patience out of love and affection for their children. Here, surrounded by her family and by the sympathy and affection of her relations, a daughter lies upon her bed of suffering. She is fading in body. Her father's mind and spirit are worn with grief. She is suffering the inward pangs of her sickness. He, unwashed, unkempt, is absorbed wholly in sorrow. He suffers and endures before the eyes of the world. She is sinking into the quiet of death... Alas! why are children indifferent to these things! Why are they not mindful of them? Why are they not eager to make a return to their parents for them? But the love of parents goes on nevertheless; and whatever parents bestow upon their children, God, the parent of us all, will duly repay." (excerpt from SERMON 33.2)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 12:1-4 underlines that we are not surrounded by theological propositions. We are surrounded by real human beings with real experiences of God in their lives. They form that great cloud that reminds us God is with us always. They tell us that holiness is possible. And they cheer us on in our race toward Jesus.

 The holy men and women who have gone before us do something similar for us. They tell us that God has always been present and at work in the lives of real human beings. For instance, Abraham testifies that God is faithful. David tells us that God is merciful. Perpetua and Felicity show us how God gives us strength to persevere during persecution. John Bosco declares that God provides for all our needs. And of course, there’s the Virgin Mary, who tells us what it is like to bring Christ into the world.
This great cloud of witnesses isn’t made up only of celebrated heroes from the past. It includes your grandfather, who took you to Mass every Sunday, or your aunt Teresa, who was known for her generous hospitality. It includes your coworker, who serves at the homeless shelter, and your neighbor, who prays the Rosary on her morning walk.5

A post by Franciscan Media is a reflection that the scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Friar Jude Winkler enumerates the believers who are part of the cloud of witnesses in the Letter to the Hebrews. Witness to the point of death is the bar set by many. Friar Jude explains the work of faith in the saving of the girl reanimated by Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on the effect of a paper written in the eleventh century. Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033–1109) wrote a paper called Cur Deus Homo? (Why Did God Become Human?) which might just be the most unfortunately successful piece of theology ever written. In authoritarian and patriarchal cultures, most people were fully programmed to think this way—working to appease an authority figure who was angry, punitive, and even violent in “his” reactions. Many still operate this way, especially if they had an angry, demanding, or abusive parent. People respond to this kind of God, as sick as it is, because it fits their own story line. Unfortunately, for a simple but devastating reason, this understanding also nullifies any in-depth spiritual journey: Why would you love or trust or desire to be with such a God?

 Over the next few centuries, Anselm’s honor- and shame-based way of thinking came to be accepted among Christians, though it met resistance from some, particularly my own Franciscan school under Bonaventure (1221–1274) and Duns Scotus (1266–1308). Protestants accepted the mainline Catholic position, embracing it with even more fervor. Evangelicals later enshrined it as one of the “four pillars” of foundational Christian belief, which the earlier period would have thought strange. Most of us were never told of the varied history of this theory, even among Protestants. If you came from a “law and order” culture or a buying and selling culture—which most of us have—it made perfect sense. The revolutionary character of Jesus and the final and full Gospel message has still to dawn upon most of the world. It is just too upending for most peoples’ minds until they have personally undergone the radical experience of unearned love. And, even then, it takes a lifetime to sink in.7

The journey to wholeness is taken in the company of a great cloud of witnesses to God of loving mercy Who shares, through Jesus in all the details of our human frailty.

References

1	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 12 - usccb. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 5 - usccb. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/5
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 5, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(2019, February 4). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/04/
6	(n.d.). Saint Agatha - Franciscan Media. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-agatha/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: February 2019 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02

Working to Wholeness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our heritage of faith and highlight Jesus call to be freed from demons that separate us from being examples of Love to others.

Darker days

The Letter to the Hebrews recalls the Faith of the Ancients who worked in hope of fulfillment of the Promise.

 * [11:40] So that without us they should not be made perfect: the heroes of the Old Testament obtained their recompense only after the saving work of Christ had been accomplished. Thus they already enjoy what Christians who are still struggling do not yet possess in its fullness.1

In the Gospel from Mark, The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac, extends Jesus miracles of exorcism to pagan peoples.

 * [5:2–6] The man was an outcast from society, dominated by unclean spirits (Mk 5:8, 13), living among the tombs. The prostration before Jesus (Mk 5:6) indicates Jesus’ power over evil spirits.2

Mariana Miller would like to highlight a few points from Jesus action in the Gospel.

 Which are the present day “Legions” that take over our lives and leave us not in control and “unfree” to love? Is it the desire to pursue of wealth and power at any cost? Is it consumerism, addiction, anger, impatience, …. If we have the courage to stand in front of Jesus just the way we are, with our shortcomings and weaknesses as well as with our talents and hopes, we will be liberated to live in the peace and joy that friendship with Jesus brings. Once healed by Jesus, the man in the story was missioned by him to go and tell his people how he had been freed. Let us be attentive to our mission of sharing with our lives, the good news of Jesus’ healing presence in our midst.Let us also be aware that we might be confronted by rejection. The people in the town, “… were seized with fear,” and they begged Jesus to leave, they probably did not want that man to stay either.3

Don Schwager quotes “The God-Man beheld,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).

 "Yes, he is recognized by demons (Luke 4:33-34, Mark 1:23-24), drives out demons (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34), drowns deep a legion of spirits (Matthew 8:32; Mark 5:9,13; Luke 8:30,33) and sees the prince of demons falling like lightning (Luke 10:18). He is stoned, yet not hit (John 8:59; 10:31,39); he prays yet he hears prayer (Matthew 8:13; Mark 1:35). He weeps (John 11:35), yet he puts an end to weeping (Luke 7:13; 8:522; 23:28). He asks where Lazarus is (John 11:34) - he was man; yet he raises Lazarus (John 11:43-44) - he was God." (excerpt from ORATION 29, ON THE SON 20)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 11:32-40 asks “Have you heard of the Hall of Faith?”

 God sees you. He sees the work you’re doing. He sees your faithfulness. He sees your repentance when you fall. And he wants you to know that you can glorify the Lord just as the ancient ones did. Remember, he loves using little people, even anonymous people. In fact, the last portion of this Hall of Faith is devoted to unnamed heroes (Hebrews 11:35-38). Even the author of Hebrews is never named, and Bible scholars still aren’t sure who he might have been.
So take heart. Even if you feel insignificant, God has not forgotten about you. He knows your name, and he wants to make you his representative in the world.5

Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews reads like a roster of Old Testament heroes. Jesus miracles are in 3 types: nature, exorcism, healing. Friar Jude observes that Mark has three pagans recognize Jesus as “Son of God”.

 Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that anthropologically speaking, some words and assumptions reflect a magical or what he calls “transactional” way of thinking. By that he means that if we just believe the right thing, say the right prayer, or practice the right ritual, things will go right for us in the divine courtroom. In his experience, this way of thinking loses its power as people and cultures grow up and seek actual changes in their minds and hearts. Then, transformational thinking tends to supplant transactional thinking.

 Christianity’s vision of God was a radical departure from most ancient religions. Instead of having God “eat” humans, animals, or crops, which were sacrificed on altars, Christianity made the bold claim that God’s very body was given for us to eat! This turned everything around and undid the seeming logic of quid pro quo thinking. As long as we employ any retributive notion of God’s offended justice (required punishment for wrongdoing), we trade our distinctive Christian message for the cold, hard justice that has prevailed in many cultures throughout history. We offer no redemptive alternative, but actually sanctify the very “powers and principalities” that Paul says unduly control the world (Ephesians 3:9-10; 6:12). We stay inside the small “myth of redemptive violence”—which might just be the dominant story line of history. I think the punishment model is buried deep in most peoples’ brain stem.
It’s time for Christianity to rediscover the real biblical theme of restorative justice, which focuses on rehabilitation, healing, and reconciliation, not punishment. (Read Ezekiel 16, especially the revelatory verses 53-63, for a mind-blowing example of this.) We should call Jesus’ story the “myth of redemptive suffering”—not as in “paying a price” but as in offering the self for the other. “At-one-ment” instead of atonement!6

The path of transformation to wholeness will resonate with the experience of our ancestors and will involve our witness to the freedom we find along our journey.

References

1	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 4, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 4, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/5
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 4, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(2019, February 4). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/04/
6	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Protection Love and Rejection

The texts from Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how the Promise of protection and Love in God is met by rejection in our daily lives. The Prophet Jeremiah reassures the exiles in Babylon of the protection of God. The Letter of Paul to the Corinthians is a very moving testimony to the nature of Love. In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus meets rejection in His home synagogue from those too close to their misconceptions of the action of God. We are sometimes blinded by our rigidity and seeing Jesus as limited to our own expectations. Jesus becomes a stumbling object when we see a little bit and think we can see more.

Consecrated and prepared for purification

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary on the World Day for Consecrated Life remind us of how our role as parents and friends involves acting to recognize and practice our consecrated calling.

Becoming parents

The Prophet Malachi describes the Messenger of the Covenant to the expectant Jewish community.

 * [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler.1

The Letter to the Hebrews connects Jesus to human experience as our priest and sacrifice.

 By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Heb 2:4); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18).2

The Gospel of Luke recounts the witness of an elderly man and woman to Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

 * [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37).3

The Carmelite brothers Lectio Divina on the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple concludes with a prayer for families.

 Father, we praise You and we bless You because through Your Son, born of woman by the working of the Holy Spirit, born under the law, has ransomed us from the law and You have filled our life with light and new hope. May our families welcome and remain faithful to Your designs; may they help and sustain in their children the new dreams and enthusiasm, wrap them in tenderness when they are fragile, educate them in love for You and for all creatures. All honor and glory to You, Father. Amen.4

Luis Rodriguez, S.J. notes that we are also told that the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. This is really a soft way of saying that they did not understand, that they were “not getting it”.

 This not-understanding had become a Leitmotiv in Mary’s life, but she kept pondering in her heart ...all the way to Calvary. This pondering in her heart led her to move from not understanding to not needing to understand. We need to pray for this gift of pondering in our hearts, so we can be led from not understanding  –and there will be such moments– to not needing to understand.5

Friar Jude Winkler addresses the question of who is the figure identified by Malachi. The Jewish customs were not well understood by Luke. The difficulty of Mary is highlighted by the sense for the Hebrew people that the heart was the centre for thought and the Shema Israel exhorted Jews to worship One God. Friar Jude observes that the Nunc Dimittis is one of three hymns inserted in the Gospel of Luke.

Don Schwager quotes “Christ who was rich became poor, “ by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

 "For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2), and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:22-40 asks what did Mary make of this? Perhaps her first reaction was fear, but she didn’t dwell on that. Instead, she shifted from fearful thoughts to probing questions.

 Like Mary, your future holds both joys and sorrows. Even if you have already faced a few “swords” in your life—as well as a few miracles—you can be sure that more are coming. So how can you follow Mary’s example of faith and trust? The most important thing you can do is get in the habit of pondering the ways God has been faithful to you in the past. Recall the times when you have said, “God definitely shielded me there” or “Thank you, Jesus; your plan was so much better than mine.” Keep the memories of his goodness and unwavering love in the forefront of your mind as you offer him your yes, again and again.7

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that within Western Christianity, the body’s sensations, needs, and longings are often suppressed. He wonders if this might be related to our difficulty putting Jesus’—and our own—humanity and divinity together. Many churches emphasize mental beliefs and worded prayer while discouraging dance, yoga, or other forms of embodied prayer.

 I invite you to explore some form of physical movement as contemplative practice today. Here are just a few examples: walking, dancing, stretching, singing, drumming. As you move, turn your attention to different sensations and parts of your body. You might choose to notice just one element—like your breathing or your feet—for the entire practice, or change focus every few minutes. If your mind starts to wander, return your attention to physical sensation.
We are not simply souls having a spiritual experience, but physical beings whose very breath is given by the Divine. In order to incarnate God, we are called to be fully human. We are humus—of the Earth, soil, ground.8

The events of Jesus life inspire our pondering of our mission or consecrated role. In contemplative prayer we find a technique to assist our movement to live truth, beauty, and light.

References

1	(n.d.). Malachi, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3
2	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://usccb.org/bible/luke/2
4	(n.d.). Lectio Divina: The Presentation of the Lord | THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-presentation-lord
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 3rd Week in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: February 2019 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved February 2, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02

Endurance and faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that endurance is required in our faith journey even as we keep in mind that God is the agent of change for transformation of our way of living and the effect of our example on others is governed by His Grace.

The journey with some challenges

The Letter to the Hebrews urges us to look back at our conversion as an incentive to continue to seek fullness of life in Christ.

 There was a time when the spirit of their community caused them to welcome and share their sufferings (Heb 10:32–34). To revitalize that spirit is to share in the courage of the Old Testament prophets (cf. Is 26:20; Heb 2:3–4), the kind of courage that must distinguish the faith of the Christian (Heb 10:35–39).1

In the Gospel from Mark the parable of the sower and the mustard seed underline our ignorance of the way the plan of God is brought into effect in partnership with our small acts of faith.

 * [4:26–29] Only Mark records the parable of the seed’s growth. Sower and harvester are the same. The emphasis is on the power of the seed to grow of itself without human intervention (Mk 4:27). Mysteriously it produces blade and ear and full grain (Mk 4:28). Thus the kingdom of God initiated by Jesus in proclaiming the word develops quietly yet powerfully until it is fully established by him at the final judgment (Mk 4:29); cf. Rev 14:15.2

Tamora Whitney comments that a man tosses out some seeds, maybe like Johnny Appleseed, and maybe doesn’t cultivate or water or anything, but next thing you know there are apples.

 And this is like the Kingdom of God.
A word, an action, an act of charity, some little thing, can have a big effect, maybe one that we won’t even see. Like the man who scatters a seed and suddenly it seems has a huge tree, some small activity, some little deed, can turn someone to the Lord. It seems amazing that something so small can have such an amazing result. But it’s up to all of us to be good role models, be good examples, so we can be good stewards. We don’t know whose lives we might touch and what effect we might have.3

Don Schwager quotes “God gave us what was most precious,” by Isaac of Nineveh (a Syrian monk, teacher, and bishop), 613-700 A.D.

 "The sum of all is God, the Lord of all, who from love of his creatures has delivered his Son to death on the cross. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for it. Not that he was unable to save us in another way, but in this way it was possible to show us his abundant love abundantly, namely, by bringing us near to him by the death of his Son. If he had anything more dear to him, he would have given it to us, in order that by it our race might be his. And out of his great love he did not even choose to urge our freedom by compulsion, though he was able to do so. But his aim was that we should come near to him by the love of our mind. And our Lord obeyed his Father out of love for us." (excerpt from ASCETICAL HOMILY 74.28)4

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 10:32-39 asks “Did you know that the Christian life is a lot like rowing a rowboat?”

 In other words, the best way to grow in your faith is to look back at all the good things the Lord has done. Let these memories propel you forward through rough waters. Let the lessons from your past guide you as you encounter new challenges. Take the words of the saints who have gone before you as advice for the future that awaits you. And always—always—keep the ancient teachings and stories of Scripture in the forefront of your mind.5

Friar Jude Winkler introduces a change by the author of Hebrews from doctrine to moral teaching. Grace is mysterious and we have to surrender to it. Friar Jude suggests that the Kingdom of God starts in small actions like our sacrifice of Love for another.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that for most Christians today, Jesus is totally divine, but not really human. When we deny what Jesus holds together, we can’t hold it together in ourselves! And that’s the whole point: you and I are also children of heaven and children of earth, children of God and children of this world. Both are true simultaneously, which defies all reason and logic. The Incarnation overcomes the split in us and creation.

 Christianity is saying that we need a model, an exemplar, a promise, and a guarantee (words used in Pauline letters) to imagine such a far-off impossibility. For us, that living model is Jesus. In Scholastic philosophy, we call this an “Exemplary Cause”; which is exactly how Jesus “causes” our salvation. He models it and it rubs off on us when we gaze long enough. Salvation is not a magical transaction accomplished by moral behavior or joining the right group. The only salvation worthy of the name is a gradual realization of who we are already in this world—and always have been—and will be eternally. Salvation is not a question of if nearly as much as when 6.

The journey in our faith sometimes requires that we look back and pull hard even as we live in the confidence that we sow in faith and God reaps the harvest.

References

1	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10
2	(n.d.). Mark, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/4
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/
6	(2019, February 1). Fully Human, Fully Divine — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://cac.org/fully-human-fully-divine-2019-02-01/