for September 23
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

The sayings in the appropriately called Book of Proverbs sometimes sound like things that Ben Franklin might have written. But today’s selection begins with the word of God as tested, a term used for refining metals which a more recent translation gives as “proven true.” While scholars are unsure whether it could refer to the canonical scripture that was beginning to be discerned at that time, what we call the Old Testament, for us the entire bible is surely the word of God as a shield and a refuge. Fortunately, we do not need to worry about someone deceiving us about the words of scripture, since we can just look up anything someone claims, though some can quote the text simplistically or out of context. If the word of God as shield and refuge seems too static, more dynamic is the psalm refrain which describes it as a light for our feet, thus illuminating our faith journey.

The passage then deals with two other issues it considers essential, rather dramatically desired “before I die.” The first is straightforward enough, being truthful rather than lying. The second deals with having only an adequate sufficiency, in general as with neither poverty nor riches and specifically as having only the food needed. The latter reminds me of the “give us this day our daily bread” prayer from the Our Father. The challenge here is that if you have too much, you might consider yourself self-sufficient, and perhaps forget about the Lord. On the other hand, if you are in want, you might steal and profane God’s name by violating the seventh commandment, though that is less likely today because of opportunities like our Faith, Food and Friends luncheons. In Ignatian spirituality these are called “inordinate attachments” which can hinder our progress towards our goal of loving service and union with God.

The gospel has Jesus missioning the twelve, as symbolizing the new Israel since the original one had twelve tribes. Jesus is sharing with them the power and authority he had over demons and diseases. They are to proclaim as Jesus did the Kingdom of God, that reign of love and forgiveness he inaugurated. Relying on God’s providence; they are not to take nothing for the journey, including neither food nor money. This simplicity seems more extreme than the first reading’s sustenance.

They should stay at any house where they are welcomed, and presumably fed. But if a town does not welcome them and their message, as sometimes happened to Christ, they are to shake the dust of that town off their feet as a testimony or judgment against them. This may reflect the practice of some particularly pious Jews who when returning to Israel from a journey elsewhere did the same. The passage ends as it began, with the twelve going from village to village and proclaiming the good news and curing diseases, as Jesus did. The question that remains is what in our day we can and should do in imitation of them.
—Edward O’Donnell SJ

 Today’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.