Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. John of the Cross, often referred to as the ‘Mystical Doctor’ of the Church. One of his most famous quotes is, “At the evening of our life, we will be judged on love alone”. St John of the Cross was nothing if not single hearted and everything he left to us in his writings leads us towards this end; his path is not easy nor are his instructions easy. St John of the Cross was not only aware of the intense sacrifices involved—he lived them. St John is a saint whose exhortations can lead others to live a life in the service of love and mercy.
The reading from Numbers relates Balaam’s responses to God’s messages to him; he relayed these messages with the authority of God; but Balaam was never considered a prophet. Balaam had his own plans and fell for the temptation of earthly possessions; he is an example of the power the prospect of material gain, even in the face of God’s personal interaction with him. The Gospel reading from Matthew Chapter 23 is the interaction of the Pharisees and Jesus. Typically, we view this as an example of the hard hearted nature of the Jewish authorities of that time—oppressive, narrow minded, and fearful of losing their power. Both the Pharisees and Balaam are representative of basic human weaknesses. Both fall short of God’s callings. And both of these Scriptures beckon us to look more deeply inside ourselves.
The ability to see and judge the shortcomings of others is no great gift. (In fact we are more than capable of this with no help from anyone!) On the other hand, the capacity and willingness to overlook imperfection, overlook shortcomings and reject the temptation to view oneself as superior to others is one of the purest, most Godly gifts I can receive. This grace can lead me to see others with the eyes of God. This grace leads us to live in the solidarity intended by God. It can be the beginning of truly living the MERCY celebrated this year. It is what infuses the human heart with the love necessary to enable one to look towards the ‘evening of life’ in confidence.
Listen. We are all in the ‘same boat’. How we receive or extend mercy will have lasting effects on God’s eternal plan to Love and Redeem. This day, may our minds and hearts be raised above our humanness. May God grant us the grace to see the big picture keeping in mind we are on the way to the ‘evening of our lives’ just as are all our brothers and sisters. And ‘in the evening of our life, may God look at us and say, “They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD. His wells shall yield free-flowing waters.” (NM 24:6-7) May our Holy Immortal God see that we have tried our very best to live our lives in love. Amen.
--Gail Lyman