Year C

Dec 12 2024

God Is All in All

I was just staring blankly out the kitchen window. A light snow whitened the October-green grass. Five goldfinches flitted at the feeder—they who had been bright yellow all summer were starting to fade to their winter olive drab. They do not want to stand out when the leaves are gone, for they would get eaten. I realized that I was not quite ready for winter yet.

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

The Pharisee in today’s story—he did want to stand out. He puffed up his bright yellow feathers to show everyone how righteous he was. He looked down upon those who were religiously drab. The tax collector certainly had nothing to make him stand out. He just blended in and prayed,

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

All that we have comes from God the Creator. The air that we breathe, the seeds that we eat, the vigor that we enjoy—all of it. The birds neither toil nor spin and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. We too are dependent creatures. Jesus said, “He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” It would be a shame to get eaten by pride because we are too showy. The goldfinches would agree.

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

What does it mean to be humble? To be humble is to see ourselves accurately. Not to make ourselves small. To know that we are small. To see ourselves as God sees us. How does God see us? We are the Lord’s little beloveds. Like the birds. That is how God sees us. We open our hands and moan, “Lord, I’ve got nothing.” And the face of the Creator of the Universe shines upon us and responds, “Of course.”

“Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

Consider/Discuss

One way to pray constantly is the “Jesus prayer.” The prayer breathes in and out within us as we think our thoughts and move throughout the day. The simplest form is “Lord Jesus, have mercy.” If you want a longer version or you want to breathe more deeply, you can pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.” Breathe in the beauty of God the Creator as you pray the first half. Breath out the brokenness of created life as you pray the second half. Try it for one minute every hour each day. Practice until calling on the name of Jesus becomes habitual. Try it. Really do. See what happens.
Are you ready for winter? As the days grow shorter, the growing darkness spurs us to turn inward. Going into prayer is a little like going into temporary hibernation—it is not the outward show of summer, but a quiet moment hidden in the drab of darkness. As we move from fall into winter, how could you leave showiness behind and grow more interior in your prayer life?

Living and Praying with the Word

Oh my Jesus, you know that we struggle to prove our worth. Our hearts swell with pride when we are pleased with ourselves. We like to be applauded. The humility that you ask for does not come easily. Yet you transformed St. Paul from a puffed-up Pharisee to a man who faithfully ran the race of discipleship. If you can teach him to be humble, you can teach us, too. Help us to receive your gifts with the innocence of the birds. Thank you for your love and your care.

Dec 12 2024

The Spirit Moves in Mysterious Ways

Once upon a time there was a gift of the Holy Spirit called Worry. Worry’s job was to nudge people to pray. In the power of the Spirit, Worry unsettled parents so that they would pray constantly for their children who might go astray. He stirred up concern in friends so they would lift their hands in prayer for a pal who was sick. He needled a widow so that she rose up and incessantly badgered an unrighteous judge. He inspired Aaron to hold up Moses’ hands lest their people die in battle. He stayed small at the service of the Holy Spirit. Worry did good work that glorified God.

One day, the Tempter came by and said, “Worry, you don’t need to be so small. Grow big.”

“How do I do that?” Worry asked.

“Stop leading them to pray,” the Crafty One said. “Make them think they are all on their own. Get them to drop their hands and abandon the thought that Someone cares or might be listening or wants to act on their behalf.”

Worry set out to become big. He led people into a puddle of anxiety and left them to muddle there. He taught them to turn into themselves and believe that their own mindfulness could handle the troubles of life. He helped dedicated followers to be proud of their identity as Worriers. He encouraged publishers to exalt him and craft stories in ways that would lead folks to him. Worry grew big and full of importance.

What happened? Blood pressures skyrocketed. People over-ate and over-drank and self-medicated in hazardous ways. They could not handle how big Worry had gotten. Some people even died.

“Oh dear.” Worry began to worry. “I did not mean for this to happen. No one knows me as a gift of the Spirit anymore. Lord, could I be small again and just serve you? Please, God?”

Consider/Discuss

Many people pray most fervently when they are worried. Concerns about family, health, injustice, and danger inspire us to lift our hands for holy help. What is your experience? When do you pray most persistently? What kinds of troubles make you badger God? How does the Holy Spirit use worry to lead you to pray?
An old adage says that “Worriers are called to become prayer warriors.” What happens when we worry and don’t allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to prayer? In what kinds of puddles do we muddle? Take one of your worries each day this week and “offer it up.” Go ahead, don’t be afraid; pester the most righteous Judge with it.

Living and Praying with the Word

Jesus, what a friend we have in you! You are not an unrighteous judge who does not care. You want us to bring our needs to you. You will not let our feet slip. You guard us from all evil. You are always beside us. Here is my worry: ________. Thank you for that worry, which leads me to continually lift my hands to you. Do not let the Tempter lead me to abandon your holy help.

And Holy Spirit, could you, would you, make Worry small once again, please?

Dec 12 2024

Scripture Study for

As Israel travels to Mt. Sinai to meet their God and to enter into covenantal relationship with this God, they are attacked by the Amalekites. Although it is Moses’ arms that must remain raised during the battle, he is holding the staff that he held to part the Red Sea. Both the staff and Moses are thus instruments of God’s power. It is relevant that this scene takes place before Israel arrives at Sinai. As Israel prepares to enter into an exclusive relationship with God, they must be assured that this God can provide for all their needs, so that they can trust this God and not turn to other gods. Thus, in addition to providing water and food for them (Exodus 15:22 — 17:7), God shows them that God can protect them in battle. This battle scene, then, is not randomly placed here, but contributes to the overall theme of this section of Exodus, which is God’s providential care for Israel.

The pressure to abandon Christian teaching must have been considerable, for once again Paul exhorts Timothy to “remain faithful to what you have learned and believed.” Undoubtedly there were those who claimed that the Christian teachings were ignorant, ludicrous, or simply false. Paul thus reminds Timothy that they are based on Scripture, which is inspired by God and therefore cannot lie. These scriptures give wisdom for salvation, not worldly wisdom; (1 Corinthians 1:18–30), and Timothy should refer to them frequently and ground his teaching in them. No matter what opposition or clever arguments he faces, Timothy must patiently and persistently proclaim the word. This mandate comes ultimately not from Paul but from Christ himself, for only through proclaiming the word can God’s saving will for all be fulfilled (1 Timothy 2:1–8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

Jesus’ story of the widow and the judge reflects two fundamental realities of a life of Christian faith. The first, articulated frequently in the Psalms, is that God very often appears to be ignoring our prayers; things do not move fast enough or in the way we intend. The second is that the demands of discipleship are rigorous and require constant recourse to God for help to meet them. Thus the exhortation to pray always, even when God does not seem to be listening. Although the judge in some way represents God, obviously we are not intended to ascribe injustice to God because of this, which would be taking the metaphor too far. The point is the widow’s persistence until she gets what she deserves. Jesus wonders, though, if anyone will be able to be as persistent, as “faithful,” as the widow in the face of the internal and external trials disciples will face (17:22–37).

Dec 12 2024

Gratitude

Be grateful. It is good for our health. Doctors say so. Psychologists say so. Jesus approves of the leper who returns to thank him. St. Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. As we allow the Holy Spirit to nurture within us a continual attitude of gratitude, life grows rich and meaningful. We see the world more appreciatively. Gratitude is good. Gratitude is healthy.

Naaman the Syrian is so grateful for his healing from leprosy that he wants two mule-loads of earth to take home to praise the God of Israel. What is that all about?

Scripture scholars tell us that Naaman believed that the power of a god is limited to a certain place, a particular territory. God connected to dirt . . . might that seem antiquated and a bit amusing to us nowadays?

But is there something that we moderns misunderstand or have lost sight of? We who have poured concrete over the richest soil on earth to create urban highways; we who philosophize God into abstract concepts that float like wisps into the sky . . . might a faith that flees the earth become rootless and artificial?

There is a sacredness to the earth in which we live. There is a blessedness to the ground on which we walk. We are created from dust and to dust we shall return. The incarnated God took on our flesh and became one of us, people of the earth.

Naaman was from Syria. The leper who returned to thank Jesus was from Samaria. Two “outsiders.” There are certainly holy places and sacred spaces in Israel, but the healing desire of the Creator is not limited to a location or to a particular people. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God!

The Lord gives us the earth for our flourishing. There is much to be thankful for in that.

Consider/Discuss

You wouldn’t just floss your teeth on the morning before your dentist appointment if you want your teeth to be healthy. Likewise, you don’t just throw fertilizer and mulch on your dirt in May when you put your marigolds into the ground if you want your plants to be vigorous. If you have “bad dirt,” then now, in October (in the northern hemisphere), is the time to do something about it. Throw in leaves. Throw in manure. Add compost. These earthy things are gifts from God to nurture the soil. What can you do to care for the earth this week, in gratitude to God for the gift of creation? What can you do to make “your” earth flourish?
Naaman the Syrian saw Israel as a holy place. God did promise Abraham a land and a people; God promised to be with him in that place; God promised to bless his descendants. Take some time each day this week to treasure and savor the land and the people that God has given to you.

Living and Praying with the Word

Creator of all, we look into the skies and we adore you. We look at the earth and we bless you. The mountains skip like rams in praise of you. You have made all that is good. You give health to the leper and food to the oxen. Give us a faith that loves the earth. How great you are! Holy Spirit, fill us with gratitude for the earth.

Dec 12 2024

Scripture Study for

Naaman is an army commander in Aram, a land just to the north of the northern kingdom of Israel, and its enemy. Naaman also has leprosy. When an Israelite girl, captured in war and now serving Naaman’s wife, tells her about Elisha the prophet, Naaman goes to see him. Expecting some dramatic healing ritual, he becomes angry when he is told simply to wash in the small and unimpressive Jordan (5:1–12). But when his servants prevail upon him to give it a try, he is miraculously cured. The healing of a foreigner demonstrates the scope of the power and mercy of the God of Israel, such that Naaman resolves to worship him when he returns home. The two carts of soil from the land of Israel will form a tiny, holy space in which Naaman will be able to offer sacrifice to Israel’s God.

Paul continues to encourage Timothy to stay firm in his teaching of the true Christian doctrine. He reminds him of the core—and probably most controversial—claim of that doctrine, which is the resurrection of Christ. This proclamation has brought suffering to Paul, just as it may to Timothy. Nevertheless, the suffering must be borne so that all those who have been “chosen” by God may hear the word of God and be saved. (“Chosen” is Paul’s frequent term for those who have accepted the gospel [Romans 8:33, Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4]). To fail to teach the truth is to interfere with God’s saving will for others. Paul concludes with another “trustworthy” teaching, namely that those who persevere will be saved and live in glory with Christ. Those who publicly deny Christ by apostatizing, however, will be denied in turn. It is not clear what the distinction is between denying Christ and being unfaithful, but the final point is key. Christ is always faithful because this is his inherent nature.

Because of the fear of spreading leprosy and of ritual uncleanness, those infected were not permitted to mingle with others (Numbers 5:2–3), so the ten lepers run to Jesus before he can enter the village, which is presumably on the border between Galilee and Samaria. In response to their request, he has them fulfill the legal demand that they be certified by the priests as “clean” so that they can be reintegrated into society (Leviticus 14:1–32, Luke 5:12–14). All show some form of faith in Jesus’ words by leaving for the priests before they see evidence of having been healed. Yet only the one who returns to give thanks is told that his faith has saved him. This suggests that healing (physical or spiritual) is only one aspect of salvation; saving faith also means responding to God’s graciousness.