During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus references Exodus 21 in which Moses is explaining the Torah to the people. It is a description of and an attempt to regulate fair punishment for violence so that the punishment did not exceed the injury. The instruction was aimed not at excusing brutality, but at controlling vendetta. Here is a portion of the passage: Continue reading
In today’s text for the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, our first reading (1 Kings 19 ) finds Elijah the prophet on the run from the wrath of Queen Jezebel who has sent an army to track down and kill Elijah. He is hiding in cave wondering where is God in all this
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.” (1 Kings 19;11-12)
That is the New American Bible (NAB) translation. The other translations are quite similar, but the very last phrase has a lot of subtle variations: “a still small voice”, “a low whisper” and others. The Hebrew word used demā·mā primarily means “a hush” or “a whisper.”
Whatever the translation, may we always and ever be open to that still small voice that speaks to us to keep us on the road of righteousness.
Image credit: photo by Taylor Hunt, Pexels, CC-0
There is a popular expression: “playing both ends against the middle.” In modern usage it means to manipulate two opposing sides of an argument, conflict, competition, etc., against one another for one’s own benefit or advantage. The expression seems to have arsien from a method of cheating at the card game faro. In a twist on the old adage, today’s first reading seems to be playing the middle against both ends. Continue reading
St. Barnabas was one of the prominent Christian disciples in Jerusalem, Jewish and Cypriot by birth. He was sent to Antioch as an emissary of the Church in Jerusalem and witnessed the work of the Lord. At some time before this, St. Paul had his Damascus Road experience and conversion. “When [Paul] arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26) and it seems he moved on to Tarsus and resumed his trade as a tentmaker. Continue reading
When it comes to the reading selections for daily Mass I sometimes think the first readings are on their own track, telling a story, but only it bits and pieces, starts and stops. Today we are introduced to King Ahab and the prophet Elijah. To this point the First Book of Kings has largely been recounting the stories of the Kings of Israel (in the Northern Kingdom) and the Kings of Judah (in the Southern Kingdom). Especially in the north, it is not a pretty story. Let me share the verses immediately preceding our text: Continue reading
The author Ian Toll’s trilogy of the Navy/Marine Pacific campaigns during World War II was a wonderful read. What lets Toll’s trilogy stand apart from those historians who wrote before him was his access to the personal war diaries of women and men on both sides of the conflict in the Pacific. One of the journals cited at various points along the timeline was from a young Japanese woman. Continue reading
The readings for the memorial are an option for today and are well chosen for the life of St. Boniface. The account of St. Paul before King Aggripa and the gospel message of Jesus as the good shepherd capture the missionary endeavors, trials and tribulations – as well as the steadfast loyalty of shepherd for the flock. Continue reading
The NY Times released today a report on the damage being done to the nation of Ukraine by the armed conflict. The work was done in cooperation with two leading remote sensing scientists to analyze data from space-based satellites that can detect small changes in the built environment. There are towns, such as Marinka in Eastern Ukraine, where the devastation is as severe, if not more so, than the damage done to Hiroshima by the atomic bombing of that city during World War II. Continue reading
In today’s first reading from 1 Peter 2 we read that are to be “like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him” Continue reading
Following from yesterday’s readings, today we continue with Peter’s first letter. Previously, Peter had challenged believers to experience the joy of such a great faith. His admonishment was to be attentive to the faith received that is more precious than gold. Be attentive to the on-going conversion and live a life for the greater glory of God rooted in that faith. Continue reading
friarmusings 