Friday, June 5, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

(II Timothy 3:7-10; Mark 12:35-37)

The two readings today are deceptively rich in ideas.  In the first, St. Paul reminds Timothy of the different uses of Scripture.  Beyond its help in praying, the Word of God instructs and can be used to refute mistaken beliefs.  In today’s gospel Jesus employs Scripture for this third purpose.

Jesus has won the crowd’s esteem by overcoming the challenges of his religious adversaries.  Now he instructs the people with a display of mastery over the Holy Writ.  He brings up a claim of the scribes that the Messiah is merely the Son of David.  Later he will tell the Sanhedrin later that he is the Messiah, the Son of God who will sit on God’s right hand.  For now, he just shows that even David recognizes that the Messiah (or Christ) is more than his Son; he is also his Lord.  Jesus uses Psalm 110 to make his point.  David presumedly wrote the psalm, which says: “The Lord [that is God] said to my Lord [that is Christ], ‘Sit at my right hand …’”

We cannot underestimate the value of Scripture. St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."  Scripture is like a roadmap to get us through life safely.  If we do not consult it regularly, we are going to get lost.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

 

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 2:8-15; Mark 12:28-34)

We nod affirmingly to the words of Jesus in today’s gospel.  “Yes,” we say, “we are to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”  But then, as Paul points out in the first reading, we quibble about words.  “What does it mean to say, “above all”?  we ask, and “How can I be expected to show the same love to another household as I do my own?”

Responses to our queries need not be abstract.  “Above all” means that we realize, as Bishop Robert Barron frequently says, that our lives are not about ourselves but about God.  We are to seek what He wants of us, not what we may like for ourselves.  I might enjoy watching sports events at the bar with my friends on Sunday evenings, but my conscience – that is God speaking -- tells me to spend time at the nursing home visiting an old relative.

As everything else in the world, love should be ordered.  We can hardly pay as much attention to the needs of all who are around us as we do to ourselves and our families.  Loving our neighbor as ourselves means that we don’t forget them as we proportion our resources.  Certainly, our children have a greater claim on our time than the neighbor’s children.  But those children too require our consideration and effort. 

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

 Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

 II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)

In A Grief Observed, his memoir of dealing with the death of his wife, C.S. Lewis exhibits no euphoria about eventual reunion.  He almost dismisses the idea saying that it is not biblical and, in any case, cannot be a replay of earthly bliss.  In this last remark Lewis reflects the surprising teaching of Jesus in today’s gospel.

 The context of the passage is a debate between Jesus and a group of Sadducees, the priestly party which does not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  The Sadducees propose to Jesus a ridiculous scenario of seven brothers marrying in succession the same woman in order to give the first brother-husband an heir.  Then they pose the question, “’At the resurrection when they arise, whose wife shall she be?’’’  Jesus responds that the Sadducees misunderstand the nature of resurrected life where marriage between man and woman does not exist.

 Although Christians eagerly look forward to eternal life, it is best that we not try to describe it.  Saying that it is like an eternal honeymoon seems to conflict with what Jesus is saying here.  Describing it as an eternal liturgy is likely to take away many people’s interest.  The idea of an eternal banquet may raise more interest, but sound theologians have commented that there is no corporal satiation in heaven.  We just don’t know what eternal life is like, yet we do know that it brings happiness eminently worth striving for.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)

The recent motion pictures “Man of God” relates the saintly life of the Greek Orthodox priest, Nektarios of Aegina.  Nektarios demonstrated holiness when he gave a beggar the shoes on his feet, when he retired to prayer and work in a monastery, and – most of all -- when he refused to use his popularity as a platform to attain high ecclesial office.  In a poignant scene, Nektarios is urged to seek the patriarchy of Alexandria for the sake of the people.  He told his promoter that he was tempting him with power.  In today’s gospel Jesus similarly resists the flattery of the Herodians and Pharisees.

In Jerusalem to give himself as God’s servant, Jesus is approached by his enemies.  Before they ask a question meant to ensnare him in controversy, they try to flatter him with accolades about his integrity.  Jesus, however, knows their hearts, refuses to respond to the flattery, and then deftly responds to the question.  The scene ends with even his opponents amazed at Jesus’ astuteness.

Flattery plays on our pride, the basest vice because it inflates our ego.  Thinking of ourselves as important, we think less of God.  We are wise to be wary of excessive attention to us and to acknowledge the Lord behind any virtue we possess.  

Monday, June 1, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

(II Peter 1:2-7; Mark 12:1-12)

Today’s first reading resonates with the life of its patron, St. Justin Martyr.  The reading speaks of the need to fortify one’s hope with virtue.  Desiring eternal life alone will not accomplish it.  Rather, we must strive to live in accord with the classical virtues.  Christ will then crown our achievement with the courage to live and die for him.

St. Justin was such a sterling example of a virtuous life crowned with Christ that “Martyr” has become his last name.  Born of pagan parents, he studied philosophy before he became a Christian.  When he converted, he used his developed reasoning and oratory skills to defend the Church.  His legacy includes not only arguments for Christianity but also descriptions of early Christian liturgy.

The word “martyr” today is often used to chide someone who strives to live virtuously.  Some would say to such a person, “Why do want to be a martyr?” as if the person wanted harm to be done to her. However, the root meaning of “martyr” is witness -- not necessarily dying witness but living witness as well.  We all can and should strive to be martyrs.