Show Notes
In this twentieth week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case reflects on the life of Christian philosopher and mystic, Simone Weil, and her thoughts on civic engagement.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
For more on being faithful in the public square, make sure to subscribe for Nuance’s bi-weekly interviews with Christian leaders as they discuss everything from policy making to difficult conversations across worldviews at work to Christian art-creation.
Nuance’s podcasts are presented by The Collaborative, which provides diverse Christian media and collaboration services to equip industry/sector Christian leaders for effective contribution to the common good.
Learn more about The Collaborative:
Website: https://collaborativeorlando.com/
Get to know Case: https://collaborativeorlando.com/team/
Episode Transcript
Autumn is here. Not so much for us Floridians, but it will come. For many of you, ordinary time in the liturgical calendar unfolds with a quiet beauty, where the vibrant hues of summer fade into the golden and russet tones of the season. For all of us, no matter your home, we are in the winding down days of a season with a sense of reflection and slowing down, inviting us to find grace in the simple everyday moments. The Christian year is coming to an end in two months. What does God still yet need to say? We are reminded that ordinary time is not about the absence of the extraordinary, but about discovering the sacred in the rhythm of life. Autumn, with its earthly richness and contemplative mood, that does finally get to my home in November, calls us to be present, to savor the now, and to recognize the divine presence woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
A reading from Esther, from chapters seven and nine.
So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king said, Queen Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” And Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, your majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life. This my petition and spare my people. This is my request for I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he, the man who has dared to do such a thing?” Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had set it up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Mordecai recorded these events and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes near and far to have them celebrate annually the 14th and 15th days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
Simone Weil, a Christian philosopher and mystic, brought a unique perspective to the intersection of thought and civic life. Weil’s reflections were deeply rooted in her commitment to justice and compassion for the oppressed. Weil intentionally left her wealthy home and worked as a factory worker to more deeply identify with the laboring class. She was also deeply involved in political movements and mystic spirituality.
Weil believed that true civic life must be found on the recognition of the intrinsic dignity of every human being. For her, this meant that social structures and political systems should prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, fostering a sense of responsibility among the members of society. In Weil’s view, civic life was not merely about politics or bureaucracy.
Life in the public square was about cultivating a profound sense of obligation to the common good. She argued that a society is truly healthy when its citizens are motivated by a deep sense of justice and a willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the wellbeing of others. Weil’s thought challenges the Christian to rethink the role of civic engagement, urging us to move beyond self-interest and towards a more communal, compassionate approach to public life. Her emphasis on the moral and spiritual dimensions of civic responsibility continues to offer a powerful critique of contemporary political life, where the pursuit of power can overshadow the pursuit of justice. In a world that is increasingly fragmented, Weil’s vision for civic life calls for a renewed commitment to empathy, justice, and the common good.
A reading from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 38 to 50.
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly, I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It’s better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.”
Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other.”
A prayer by Simone Weil:
O God, who gave me the grace to desire you, give me the grace to find you, the grace to hold you fast. Give me the grace to enter into your silence and give me the grace to persevere in your presence. Give me the grace to know your will. Give me the grace to obey your will. Give me the grace to accomplish your will. Give me the grace to abide in your love and the grace to dwell with you forever. Amen.
And finally, a reading from the book of James, chapter five, verses 13 through 20.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this, whoever turns a sinner from the error of their ways will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
