Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
As we grow older, we hope that all of who we are matures, including our faith. When we are younger in our spiritual journey we are told what to believe. Then we believe because it has become part of our way of thinking and our faith takes roots. Finally, we just don’t believe, but we “do” our faith by how we live our lives. Jesus in today’s gospel illustrates that sometimes living out our faith may entail going beyond the rules and law to doing what is good. To live in this way requires the” treasures of wisdom and knowledge” which is hidden in the mystery of Christ.
Jesus is once again being tested by the scribes and the Pharisees in today’s scripture reading. While preaching on the Sabbath, Jesus has the opportunity to heal a man with a withered hand. To heal (to work) on the Sabbath would be against the Jewish laws, but Jesus questions those surrounding him by asking, “is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Although Jesus is aware of the commandment to make holy the Sabbath day, He recognizes that healing this man does not go against this law, since in the healing Jesus was bringing the man to wholeness by His love. Jesus has the wisdom to see beyond the words and beliefs of the Jewish laws to find life and goodness in His action. It took courage to go against what was expected (and eventually his actions resulted in the arrest and death of Jesus), but Jesus knew that He must live His life based on God’s wisdom and understanding, and not just the laws created by man.
As disciples, we are called to live in this same way. Paul in his letter to the Colossians is trying to proclaim Christ in order to present everyone “perfect in Christ.” St. Paul recognized that Christ within each of us is the source of “all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:3) Christ is our “hope for glory” and it is through Him that we “bring to completion the word of God.”
Today’s scripture about “doing our faith” reminded me of a phrase from St. Francis of Assisi. “You only know as much as you do.” St. Francis lived his faith through his actions and lifestyle. Yes- he believed in Jesus and God, but he put it completely into action in his daily life. The term “performative spirituality” has been used to describe this kind of lived out faith. St. Francis believed that things are found to be true in the doing of them. As Fr. Richard Rohr explains, “Francis wanted us to know things in an almost “cellular” and energetic way, and not just in our heads. This knowing is the kind of “muscle memory” which only comes from practice.” When our faith takes on such a deep seated role in our lives with Christ at the center, then our actions live out that faith in all that we do. If we practice our faith this way, then it is possible that we become as author Sister Joan Chittister says -"Our Father" people. They pray every day: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," and then they do something to bring it. “
Bringing Christ to the center of our lives and allowing Him to live in us and through us is the key to this spirituality. Through our prayer, scripture, and sacrament Jesus reveals His presence to us, but then we must allow His wisdom and understanding to guide our decisions. And at the core of all of this, I believe it is the love of God that is the truth which is the foundation to what we believe and how we should act. When Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, the law was superseded by the love of Christ. I think this is how I am called to live every day. Living this love involves all people- the poor, the marginalized and people of different religious beliefs and political beliefs It also includes people who are different than us that may be difficult to love. This is certainly not an easy task, but when we live this way with lives of mercy and love we truly become Christians-not just followers of Christ, but doers of His way. If there is any possibility of bringing God’s kingdom to this earth, it is through the daily “doing” of Christ’s love in our lives. Other people will only believe that we are Christian when we can live the life that sets us apart. Pope Paul VI said, “The world will no longer believe teachers unless they are first of all witnesses.” We must “do” our faith so we can share the truth with the world- that God loves all things and all people and He calls all of us to be one with Him.
Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus to help us know how to live our lives . Filled with Your Spirit, may we share Your love and mercy in all that we do, so we may be witnesses to your Presence here on earth. May our lives give you glory and may we help bring about Your Kingdom. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline