This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
We see today’s psalm fulfilled in today’s gospel: “O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.”
In the gospel, we see Jesus taking his seat as Teacher in the synagogue almost like a throne, heir of David that He is. It would seem that there is more going on here than a wise man sitting down to proffer some enlightened explanations. When saying “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” Jesus reveals Himself unequivocally as the Anointed One.
Between this regal scene and the first reading from the first letter of John, there is a delightful interplay. In a sort of contrast with Jesus’ solemnity, John’s assertions are eminently simple. To be in union with God, we must love Him, keep His Commandments, love our neighbor, and believe that Jesus is the Christ–that is, believe the assertions of Jesus in today’s gospel.
Maybe the more sophisticated among us could lament John’s simplicity. Why doesn’t he tackle for us some of the more complex, nuanced realities in life? Is he a hopeless naïf, who lives oblivious to the complicated spiderweb that life weaves around us?
When we study the lives of St. John and many of the other saints, we realize that it not naivete that leads to their beautiful and enviable simplicity. Rather, having considered all the complexities of life, they realize that “there is need of only one thing” (Lk. 10:42), and that when they seek the Kingdom of God, all these things will be given them besides (cf. Mt. 6:33). In a word, they simply don’t care as much about life’s worries and dangers, because they realize that these fall under the loving care of God’s Providence.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to help you understand how only one thing truly matters: your relationship with Him. If you are unable to fathom a life without constant fretting over all you cannot control, ask Him to infuse trust into you. Ask Him to help you by the supernatural gifts of His Holy Spirit to place each thing in its proper place in your heart, and to help you to focus on the only thing of which there is need: Union with the great King who proclaims His anointing in today’s gospel.
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