Reading Francis

“Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

One of the things I like to do early in the week is read through the Scripture passages that will be used that week at Mass. Catholics have a set (2-year) cycle of passages for each weekday mass, and a separate (3-year) cycle for Sundays. A lot of mainline Protestant denominations have picked up the same (or similar) Sunday cycles, which is often called the common lectionary.

Anyway, the weekday readings from Mark have a couple versions of Jesus saying this “whoever has ears to hear” thing at the end of a parable. I like The Message translation of this: “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” It’s less of a saying and more of a question that way.

The readings for Sunday (Feb. 1, 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time) are ones worth listening and asking questions about.

Take the first reading, from Zephaniah (2:3; 3:12-13). Who do you know that is humble and lowly? Who is putting all their hopes on God and not themselves? Who do you know that “do no wrong and speak no lies?” Do you know anyone of whom it could be said “nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue”?

Here’s the passage:

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel.

They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

How about Psalm 146? Who do you see out there securing justice for the oppressed, giving food to the hungry, and setting the captives free? Who’s giving sight to the blind, raising up those who were bowed down, and protecting strangers, the fatherless and the widows? Here’s the passage that will be read or sung in churches all over the world Sunday:

The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

And the passage from I Corinthians 1, who does this fit?

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written,”Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

And finally, Matthew 5:1-12a, which is Matthew’s version of The Beatitudes. Who’s Jesus describing here?

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Look around you. Who are these messages meant to comfort? And who are they meant to warn?

Are you listening to this? Really listening?