Ploughshares Pruning Hooks and Faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the end of conflict in our communities and between countries by advocating in faith for life and justice for all God’s Creation.

Swords into Ploughshares

In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah a prophecy of the Future House of God is presented. 

* [2:1] This editorial heading probably introduced the collection of chaps. 2–12, to which chap. 1 with its introduction was added later (see note on 1:2–31).

* [2:2–22] These verses contain two very important oracles, one on the pilgrimage of nations to Mount Zion (vv. 2–4—completed with an invitation to the “house of Jacob,” v. 5), the other on the day of the Lord (see note on Am 5:18), which was probably composed from at least two earlier pieces. Whereas vv. 6–8 indict Judah for trust in superstitious practices and human resources rather than in the Lord, the following verses are directed against humankind in general and emphasize the effect of the “day of the Lord,” the humbling of human pride. This may be taken as a precondition for the glorious vision of vv. 2–4. This vision of Zion’s glorious future, which is also found in a slightly variant form in Mi 4:1–4, is rooted in the early Zion tradition, cultivated in the royal cult in Jerusalem. It celebrated God’s choice of Jerusalem as the divine dwelling place, along with God’s choice of the Davidic dynasty (Ps 68:16–17; 78:67–72; 132:13–18). Highest mountain: the Zion tradition followed earlier mythological conceptions that associate the abode of deities with very high mountains (Ps 48:2–3). The lifting of Mount Zion is a metaphor for universal recognition of the Lord’s authority.

* [2:4] Once the nations acknowledge God as sovereign, they go up to Jerusalem to settle their disputes, rather than having recourse to war. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is a Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant.

* [8:5–13] This story comes from Q (see Lk 7:1–10) and is also reflected in Jn 4:46–54. The similarity between the Q story and the Johannine is due to a common oral tradition, not to a common literary source. As in the later story of the daughter of the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21–28) Jesus here breaks with his usual procedure of ministering only to Israelites and anticipates the mission to the Gentiles.

* [8:5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see note on Mt 14:1.

* [8:8–9] Acquainted by his position with the force of a command, the centurion expresses faith in the power of Jesus’ mere word.

* [8:10] In no one in Israel: there is good textual attestation (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) for a reading identical with that of Lk 7:9, “not even in Israel.” But that seems to be due to a harmonization of Matthew with Luke. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth is haunted not only by the image of beating swords into plowshares and Isaiah’s admonition against nations warring against each other but by Edmund Burke’s classic assertion that all that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.

I’m more aware than ever of how easily conflicts arise between nations. This is especially true when both sides have grievances and no reservoir of affection for each other to mitigate the conflict. Too often, we like to cling to our grudges. We can forgive a lot more easily than we forget. We’re just waiting for the next provocation to come out swinging.

I can’t think of a greater challenge for the world in general and us in particular than genuinely resolving differences peacefully.   Putin will pay no attention to us but we can make the difficult choices required to resolve our own differences with people. As the hymn says,   “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” (Wirth, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord promised to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.' By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). (excerpt from SERMON 62.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5 comments that sometimes the call to “remember the sabbath day” feels like something we have to do (Exodus 20:8). Today’s first reading can help us remember that this is also something we get to do.

Even as you read this, people from all over the earth are joining to worship the Lord. Next time you go to church—or even if all you can do is gather with a few other believers—remember these words from today’s psalm response: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122). Imagine the Jewish pilgrims singing this song as they climbed Mount Zion to enter into God’s presence in the Temple. Then praise God for inviting you to join in that song of praise, right in your own parish!

“Jesus, let me never forget what an honor it is to worship you!” (Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the connection between the readings that occur in the Advent season. Today, Isaiah declares Jerusalem as the place to bring peace to the world and Matthew shares the outreach of Jesus in response to the faith of the Roman Centurion who shows concern for his servant and Jesus' possible ritual impurity. Friar Jude reminds us of faith that changes reality and is the key to bringing peace to all the nations.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how mystics and sincere seekers discover “evidence for things not seen”.

The search for truth, the search for authentic love, and the search for God are finally the same search. I would rather have “one who lays down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:13) by sincere seeking, demanding scholarship, and authentic service, than those who are on no search, do no mental or emotional work, and have no open heart for the world, but just want to personally “go to heaven.” We have coddled this individualistic non-Christianity for far too long, and with no encouragement from Jesus whatsoever.  

The very shape, possibility, and meaning of evidence is quickly broadening. Religious people would be wise to get on board. Frankly, I think it is what the Christian desert fathers and mothers, mystics and saints, meant by concrete spiritual “practices,” and what Eastern religions meant by “skillful means.” Such “doing” will give us the kind of evidence that cannot be denied. It moves us into the world of action and beyond the mind—to a place where we now “believe” because we know for ourselves. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the prospect of turning our swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks and implore the Spirit to inspire our steps toward truth, love, and action to transform conflict into companionship.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/2? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?5 

Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/02/1144048/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Evidence for Things Not Seen. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evidence-for-things-not-seen/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec2 

Wirth, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries.Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120224.html 

Pleasing and Prepared

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the First Sunday of Advent, celebrate our efforts to live as followers of Jesus and nudge us to be aware of Christ in our end time.

Advent Begins

The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah proclaims the Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David.

* [33:14–26] This is the longest continuous passage in the Hebrew text of Jeremiah that is missing from the Greek text of Jeremiah. It is probably the work of a postexilic writer who applied parts of Jeremiah’s prophecies to new situations. The hope for an eternal Davidic dynasty (vv. 14–17; cf. 2 Sm 7:11–16) and for a perpetual priesthood and sacrificial system (v. 18) was not realized after the exile. On the canonical authority of the Septuagint, see note on Dn 13:1–14:42. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 25 is a prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance.

* [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic Psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Ps 25:1–2, 16–22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides. (Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians describes a Life pleasing to God.

* [4:2] Instructions: these include specific guidelines on the basis of the Lord’s authority, not necessarily sayings Jesus actually uttered. More profoundly, as 1 Thes 4:8 implies, the instructions are practical principles that Paul worked out in accordance with his understanding of the role of the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes a vision of the Coming of the Son of Man and gives an Exhortation to Watch.

* [21:26] The powers of the heavens: the heavenly bodies mentioned in Lk 21:25 and thought of as cosmic armies. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron (2015) comments that the readings in the final weeks of Ordinary Time and the first weeks of Advent are meant to have us ponder the life we have today.  How can I live that life?  Am I wandering in my own desert aimless and confused? Or, do I really believe in my heart that God is here in my everyday life with me, helping me to be safe and secure?

Jesus talks about the anxieties of daily life and cautions us to “not become drowsy” from them.  I know I have experienced anxiety in life over family, health and work.  We can fret about everything from terrorism to our “To Do” list.  But Jesus is offering us hope, consolation and his endless love.  He tells us to pay attention at all times and to pray for strength.  What he really wants is for us to know how very deeply each one of us is loved and cherished by him.  I find this very consoling.

Relying on that love releases my fierce grip on control of my life.  We can stop each morning, set aside our “To Do” list and pray.  We can ask God to help us feel how deeply we are loved and to help us let go of things that really don’t matter. (McCann Waldron, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The coming of the Son of Man,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"He says that they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Christ will not come secretly or obscurely but as God and Lord in glory suitable for deity. He will transform all things for the better. He will renew creation and refashion the nature of people to what it was at the beginning. He said, 'When these things come to pass, lift up your heads and look upward, for your redemption is near.' The dead will rise. This earthly and infirm body will put off corruption and will clothe itself with incorruption by Christ's gift. He grants those that believe in him to be conformed to the likeness of his glorious body."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 139) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Jeremiah 33:14-16 asks how can we better embrace this season and the grace God has in store for us? Today’s first reading gives us a beautiful image that can help us: “a just shoot” rising up to give us new life (Jeremiah 33:15).

This Advent, commit yourself to trusting in Jesus, the “just shoot.” Let him meet you where you are, lead you to deeper surrender, and make you ready to receive his presence at Christmas!

“Lord, your ways are so different from my ways. Help me to receive all the grace you have for me this Advent.” (Meditation on Jeremiah 33:14-16, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that it is odd for Jeremiah to speak of a time of peace and justice brought about by a new shout from the vine of David in the form of a new Covenant. In Advent, we are preparing for the coming of Jesus at Bethlehem and the return of Christ at the end time. Paul urges the Thessalonians to multiply their goodness. Friar Jude reminds us of the message in Luke that there will be an accounting at the end of the world or at our personal end time.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, writes of an evolutionary faith informed by Scripture and a foundational trust in God’s never-ending love and creativity.

I believe that as “children of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36), we are both burdened and brightened by a cosmic and irrepressible hope—and we can never fully live up to it. We are both burdened and brightened with the gift of an optimism whose headwaters are neither rational, scientific, nor even provable to those who do not have it. Yet it ticks away from a deep place within us. [1]

The contemplative mind is an evolutionary mind, and I think it’s the mind of Christ. It allows the future to reveal itself, without present circumstances totally predicting it. We all need some degree of predictability, but in faith, I can live without certainty to some degree. Living in that tension, that in-between, could be called evolutionary thinking or it could be called trusting in deep time. I’m trusting there’s a deep river flowing. Even when not much is happening on the upper river, I still trust the deeper river. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

As we begin Advent and our preparation for Christmas, we consider that our fullness of life with Jesus comes with a reminder to be prepared for the end time.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/33?14 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?25 

McCann Waldron, M. (n.d.). OnlineMinistries. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Archive/2015/112915.html 

Meditation on Jeremiah 33:14-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/01/1143366/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/4 

Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/25?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Evolutionary Thinking. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evolutionary-thinking-12-1-2024/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Look up, Your Redemption Is Drawing Near. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec1