Saturday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio
    Matthew 12:14–21

Meditatio

“He will not contend or cry out …”

    Jesus has just healed a man with a shriveled hand. In the process he has a dispute with the Pharisees. At the beginning of today’s Gospel passage, these men who seriously lived according to the laws of their religion “went out” and began to plot the death of Jesus, who to them is obviously not concerned with keeping the Law.

    What amazement! Jesus doesn’t descend into arguing with them. He doesn’t withdraw to protect himself or to hide. He doesn’t try to reframe his message so it will be more palatable to those plotting his death. Instead he withdraws and quietly carries on with healing, not just one person as in the last healing story, but healing “them all.”

    Have you lived in a situation in which you or your plans and beliefs were being attacked? It takes enormous strength of character not to descend into arguing, rationalizing, pleading, capitulating, or just plain being nasty tempered. We might express our ugly or angry feelings to safe persons outside the situation. Nevertheless, a cycle of antipathy and ill will can be started that is difficult to break. And in the end nothing good is accomplished. Sometimes groups have to be dissolved, friendships ruined, marriages broken apart.

    Jesus shows us another way. He quietly goes forward doing what his Father has sent him to do. “He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” I remember once being angry at a group of people who were angry with me. A sister I was working with just laughed and said that was the way it was with this group. Her pleasant attitude shocked me as I realized that it was possible to react differently in the situation. She taught me by her attitude how to be like Jesus, how not to get wrapped up in the problem so much that I could no longer see what had to be done. It was a lesson that freed me from a lot of negative energy.

Oratio

    Jesus, I too have a mission. My life has meaning. I am here for others. Make me capable of gently pursuing the will of God for me. Don’t let me get caught in a negative cycle, but show me a way out into the wide expanse of goodness and trust.

Contemplatio

    I adore you, Jesus, gentle Healer and good Master.

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ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 1–17: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)

Friday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

    Matthew 12:1–8

Meditatio

"… something greater than the temple is here."

    The Pharisees are disputing with Jesus about his apparent disregard for Sabbath discipline. He allowed his disciples to pick and eat heads of grain, although this activity is prohibited on the Sabbath. Jesus' reply to them seems a bit of one-upmanship. "What about David?" he asks. "What would you have done about the occasion when David led his followers into the house of God and ate the bread that had been offered to God? This was unlawful, too. And the priests serving in the temple on the Sabbath are permitted to break the law of Sabbath rest. In their case the Law says they are innocent."

    Jesus then tells them that something greater than the temple is here. What is Jesus referring to as greater than the temple? Is it one of the exceptions he proposed, or is it himself? Perhaps he is playing one on the other, since he is God's exception to the interpretation of the Law. Or is he referring to the virtue of love—the human activity that mirrors the divine most perfectly? "If you knew what this meant, that I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men." In all of this, he declares himself to be the Son of Man, a significant title of the Messiah. He is the Lord of the Sabbath and therefore, master of its regulations, the maker of exceptions—not frivolous exceptions made for their own sake, but exceptions made in view of the greatest law. Even the Law is subservient to the Lord. It is the servant of God's glory and of the love we owe one another for God's sake.

    This utterance of the Lord is a preview of Matthew 22:34–40, in which Jesus declares that the whole Law is summed up by the law of love, and that this Great Commandment, when regarding others, equals mercy. To think kindly of, to support, to bear with, to overlook the transgressions of another is harder and a more pleasing gift to give God than sacrifices.

Oratio

    Preserve me, Lord, from being an inconsistent disciple. Let me absorb your word and live it out sincerely. You pointed to the two loves as equally important, because the second allows us to show our love for you. Keep me focused on living out my love for you and my neighbors. Don't let me get lost in quibbling over who is doing what, but rather let me consider what will please you. Amen.

Contemplatio

    It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice.

___

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 1–17: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

    Matthew 11:28–30

Meditatio

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

    Probably few people reading this book have ever plowed a field with a yoke of oxen, churning the soil to prepare it for planting. But everyone has sat in a classroom, writing in notebooks, taking tests, or watching the hands of the clock sweep off the minutes until the bell would ring. In fact, the classroom image is closer to what Jesus is talking about in today's Gospel passage. Consider this other Scripture text, "… gain, at no cost, wisdom for yourselves. Submit your neck to her yoke, that your mind may accept her teaching. For she is close to those who seek her, and the one who is in earnest finds her" (Sir 51:25–26). This text aligns acquiring wisdom with being under a yoke. That image is in the background of Jesus' saying that his burden is light.

    Jesus is inviting us to go to his school, the school of wisdom. Today's Gospel needs to be read together with yesterday's, in which Jesus tells us about knowing his Father. Only Jesus reveals the Father to us. That is where wisdom lies. In the school of Jesus, we can learn about what really matters in life. In today's society, education offers people a boost up the ladder of success. That is surely important to pursue in the business of making a living. But what about making a life?

    Jesus offers all of us the knowledge that we need to succeed in making a life. In his school, we can all have scholarships and we can all be honor students. He imparts knowledge freely to anyone who wants it. He teaches us about love. He'll ask us to ponder questions like this: at the end of life, how will we see the times we made selfish choices, and the times that we sacrificed ourselves for someone else? On the balance scales of life, love outweighs everything else. Jesus the Teacher will help us tip the scales in the right direction.

Oratio

    Jesus, you are the Teacher of truth, Wisdom incarnate. Teach me to value what really matters in life. Don't let me get so caught up in pursuing other things that I forget that love is what counts most. Help me to build up my family relationships and pay attention to the needs of the people around me.

Contemplatio

    "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me."

___

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 1–17: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)

Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio
    Matthew 11:25–27

Meditatio

“… you have revealed [these things] to the childlike.”

    Today’s Gospel passage is consoling. It speaks to those of us who may feel that living the spiritual life is beyond our ability. With a myriad of Scripture commentaries available and an even greater array of books and Web articles on prayer, the path to union with God can seem downright intimidating and overwhelming.

    But Jesus is telling us that exactly the opposite is true. He’s giving us the Good News that the way to God is actually uncomplicated. It’s not restricted to the educated and elite. It’s for everyone. It’s for you and me. The only prerequisite for the journey is a spirit of childlike simplicity.

    Jesus tells us that the Father has handed everything over to him. Jesus is the one who chooses those to whom he wishes to reveal his Father. And he’s chosen to make this magnificent revelation to us! Isn’t it a relief to know that we don’t need a master’s degree in theology or Scripture to really get to know and love Jesus, his Father, and their Spirit? All we need is an open and trusting heart—one that longs for divine light and love.

    The Father has been gracious enough to reveal his Son to us, sending him to live among us, and providing us with the Gospels, the Church, and the lived examples and teachings of the saints. Jesus, for his part, has revealed his Father to each of us through his every action and word. Let’s praise them both today for the gift of divine revelation. Let’s rejoice in the humility and simplicity of spirit that opens us up to God.

Oratio

    Jesus, how good and comforting it is to know that you never expect more of me than I have to give. You ask me to come before you and your Father as a child—expectant and full of trust. My neediness and helplessness only serve to attract you to me. Help me to remain childlike in spirit. Show me that the way of simplicity and confidence is also the way to divine knowledge and grace.

Contemplatio

    Lord, let me know you more and more!

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ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 1–17: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)