Friday, October 18, 2024

 Feast if Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

St. Luke, the author of the “third gospel,” also wrote the Acts of the Apostles.  He interrelates both works in several ways.  Perhaps most importantly, in Acts Luke writes about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ streams from Jerusalem throughout the world.  Today’s gospel passage anticipates this movement.

Seventy-two is not an arbitrary number for disciples.  It represents all the nations of the world in the Book of Genesis -- one disciple for every nation.  When Luke quotes Jesus as saying, “… eat and drink what is offered to you,” he may have in mind the non-kosher diet of the gentile nations.  In any case, the disciples-missionaries are not to shop around for fine accommodations.  Preaching the gospel requires letting go of comfort to concentrate on the hard work of preaching that Christ will come soon.

Yet after two thousand years he has not returned, at least in flesh and blood.  Missionary-disciples have become rather lax.  We often hedge on doing what is right.  We are reluctant to share our faith with those who need it.  St. Luke would remind us not to give up.  He would say that the gospel prospect of “the daybreak from on high… (shining) on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, (guiding) our feet into the path of peace” is slowly becoming reality.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

(Ephesians 1:1-10; Luke 11:47-54)

Today the Church remembers a saint of singular importance both as a witness and as a communicator.  Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was martyred in Rome around 107 A.D.  On his march from Syria to Rome for execution, he wrote seven letters.  They testify to his personal holiness and to the order of the early Church.

Ignatius desired to be executed so that he might live with Christ.  In his Letter to the Romans he pleads with the people not to intercede to save his life.  He writes that even if he later changes his mind out of fear, Romans Christians are not to help him live on. True life, he says, is union with Christ.

Ignatius’ letters reveal a well-developed Church in Syria and throughout the region that today comprises Turkey.  There are presbyters and deacons.  There is union of churches through their leaders in Christ. The letters also provide historical witness to the doctrine of the Letter to the Ephesians, from which today’s first reading is taken.  They proclaim human redemption through the Blood of Christ.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

 Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week

 (Galatians 5:18-25; Luke 11: 42-46)

Part of Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees in today’s gospel requires explanation.  Obviously he is upset with them for obsessing over small things while not noticing significant matters.  He also takes aim at their seeking attention like politicians before an election.  But what does he mean by saying that they are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk?

Mothers may admonish their children at the cemetery not to walk over anyone’s grave, but this is not the abuse that concerns Jesus here.  Rather he is saying that the Pharisees are like open graves over which people can unknowingly step into.  Falling on their faces, the people hurt themselves.  Jesus is saying that the Pharisees set problematic precedent which people unwittingly follow to their detriment.

We should be careful not to give bad example.  Sometimes older people cohabitate rather than marry in order not to lose a dead spouse’s pension.  But doesn’t the practice indicate that money is more important than marriage?  As Christ’s disciples, we should strive to set good example to all, especially our young.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

(Galatians 5:1-6; Luke 11:37-41)

Sometimes ideas enslave people.  In today’s first reading St. Paul reminds the Galatians that the desire to take on the customs of the Law will enslave them. Paul urges them just to believe in Christ.  Such faith may entail hardship, but any trials will witness to Christ’s love for all.

At other times things enslave people.  Rich foods and every available convenience often keep people from reflection and prayer.  This kind of soft lifestyle described the convent where Teresa of Avila was living.  She revolted against it so that she and her community might be free to live for Christ. Rather than having servants, they lived simply, did their own chores, and spent much time in prayer.  The reform spread to other religious orders and congregations to assist the Catholic Counter Reformation.

Freedom allows us to follow Christ to eternal life.  It keeps us from deformed ideas and debilitating comforts to give ourselves in love.  As Paul memorably says in today’s reading, “For freedom Christ set us free.”

Monday, October 14, 2024

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 4:22-24.26-27.31-5:1; Luke 11:29-32)

The point of today’s gospel may be complicated by the memory of Elias’ sign that the Lord is the God of gods.  He called down fire from heaven that consumed the offering of a bull after the prophets of Baal failed to do so.  People may wonder why Jesus calls his generation “evil” because it seeks such a sign.

One reason is that signs are never conclusive for faith.  Given one sign one day, some invariably want another sign tomorrow to keep on believing.  This is not faith.  Faith trusts in the word of another even when evidence points in another direction.  For the hearers of Jesus, faith is the turning over of heart and mind to God on his word that God is near.  He shows more wisdom than Solomon and more power of speech than Jonah.

We may be as reluctant as the crowd in today’s gospel to surrender to the Lord.  It is troublesome to give to the poor until it hurts and scary to have three, four, or five children.  But faith often requires sacrifices such as these.