Understanding the Scriptures

“'Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, 'How can I, unless someone instructs me?'”

Unfortunately, in a Twitter world where all communication is limited to 140 characters, too many believers cling to or focus on one phrase from the Gospel and use it as a lens for their spiritual lives. Doing this almost always leads to misunderstanding and confusion.  The New Testament cannot be fairly read or understood when we remove it from its own cultural context and setting.

An example might help. Luke (10: 38-42) tells us that when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Mary sat at his feet and Martha, busy about all the preparations for his visit, complained that Mary was not helping and wanted Jesus to correct her. Instead, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part.

Over the years, many commentators suggest that Luke was writing about the so called active and contemplative life, but contemporary cultural insight helps us realize that sitting at a rabbi's feet was the role of men called to the rabbinate. Martha is angry because Mary is assuming a role to which she could not aspire. A woman's place was in the background helping with the ordinary chores, but Jesus challenges this stereotype, not just among men and women, but what it meant to be a rabbi. Teachers and leaders had to be servants, not privileged operatives with power over others.

The Ethiopian eunuch reading the scriptures alone knew he needed help and asked Philip to instruct him There should be little doubt that Philip responded to this seeker's request using all the information and skill he had. Blessed with so much wonderful scholarship and insight, we ought to follow Philip's example in the 21st century.

Today, pick up a Catholic study bible and read the introduction to one of the Gospels.

Who or what most helped you to understand the scriptures more deeply?

Persecution

"Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the Church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." Acts 8: 3-4

It is startling to hear about Saul's (St Paul's) violent assault on those professing faith in Jesus. It is one thing to attack men physically, but dragging women out of their homes and throwing them into prison tells us not only about Saul's vitriol, but about the level of upset the Jewish community had with those who would soon be called Christians. Violence against women, and others without social standing, is always a sign of a person or culture that is out of control.

At the same time, it is important for us to hear about and accept how difficult life was for the first Christians. Not only did the followers of Jesus venture forth into a hostile Gentile world, they felt enormous pressure from within the community out of which they came. In order to follow Jesus, they risked everything, and eventually lost everything, even their lives. But it was the promise that when they lost their lives they would gain eternal life that gave them the courage to let go, to continue to preach the Good News, and not worry about the results. Their task was to be faithful, not to be successful.

While too many people in the 21st century continue to be persecuted for their religious convictions, Christians know that suffering for the reign of God is worth it when done for the right reasons. Jesus' promise to give life to those who die for the sake of the Good News remains the ground upon which we build our lives.

Today, accept whatever ridicule comes your way for professing the Gospel.

Have you ever suffered for your Gospel convictions?

Forgiveness

"Then Stephen fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them'; and when he said this, he fell asleep." Acts 8:1

Forgiveness of those who do us harm is essential to the Gospel. Jesus asks his Father to forgive those who are crucifying him, and reminds his disciples to put aside everything, even their pilgrimage to the Temple, to reconcile with those from whom they are separated.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt 5: 22-24)

Stephen's cry, even as he dies, that God forgive those responsible for his death is something we hear early in the Christmas and Easter seasons. Only those willing to accept the consequences of their discipleship will know the fullness of God's love. While we honor all of Stephen's ministry, we hold it up most fully for imitation when he lets go even into death for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen's ultimate sacrifice is proof of his love of God no matter the cost, and challenges us to pray for the same grace.

Today, forgive someone who has not asked it of you.

Are you holding a past hurt against a family member or friend?

Follow me for the Right Reason

"When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus." Jn 6:24

We can follow others for a variety of reasons. We might enjoy their writing or thinking; we might also want to benefit from their wealth, insight or power. Jesus is aware of all this, and challenges those following him to reflect on their motives. John's Gospel reminds us that some noticed that Jesus seemed to get to the other side of the lake without the benefit of a boat, and they are anxious to question him about this. They knew he was a miracle worker who could feed them with a few loaves of bread. Could he also move between places in miraculous ways?

Jesus warns the curious not to follow him for the wrong reasons. While it is perfectly understandable to follow someone who can feed us when we are hungry, Jesus gives people bread so they can have the strength to listen to the whole of his message. He came from God to free those bound unjustly by ideas and interpretations of the Torah that limited God and God's desire for us. Jesus wants us to hear the fullness of his promise. God wants to live with us forever. The law is not a way to strangle us, but to set us free to follow God's will in every circumstance, and until we hear this liberating message we risk following Jesus for self centered and selfish reasons.

Today, ask the Lord to set you free from anything or anyone who limits your ability to be full of hope, awe and wonder.

What helps you continue to follow Jesus?