Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Although trust in God in any endeavor includes one’s making preparations, there is a difference between the two. When we trust in God, we do not violate any of His precepts nor do we presuppose accomplishment of our goal. Rather we work diligently to assure success, pray that it is God’s will, and conform ourselves to His Providence.
(Optional) Memorial of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
Today’s rather obscure patron saint is one of the most
celebrated by the people. The reason, of
course, is the long tradition of blessing throats with candles, themselves
blessed yesterday, “Candlemas Day.”
The gospels report that Jesus worked many healings like the
two done in today’s passage. He cured
sickness and expelled demons to show that the Kingdom of God has indeed come upon
the world. The Kingdom promises
wholeness to loving believers although not immediate cure of every
illness. Healed or not on earth, they
will experience the fulness of health in eternal life.
Today’s blessing should not be taken as a vaccine for throat
disease. It is a request for healing of
every kind – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It is said that St. Blaise’s prayers saved a boy
from choking on a fishbone. May his
prayers clear our throats as well to profess faith in God and to tell of God’s
glory.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)
Throughout the Old Testament the People of God long to see
God’s face. Psalm 27 expresses the
desire pointedly: “’Come,’ says my heart, ‘seek God’s face’; your face, Lord,
do I seek!” (Psalm 27:8) Good people realize that in the Lord’s presence there
is not only beauty but safety and happiness.
In short, in seeing God’s face, one experiences salvation.
In today’s gospel Simeon encompasses this longing. A seer above all, he has been promised sight
of God’s face. He might have expected
that the countenance of God would be that of a wise person full of trial, strength
and compassion. However, like Samuel
when he is presented with David for anointing, Simeon is surprised by the face
of an infant. But he has no doubts. Upon seeing the Christ-child, he breaks into
song: “’Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to
your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation ….”
The Church sings Simeon’s Canticle at Night Prayer in the
Liturgy of the Hours. It assures us that
Christ not only lights our way through this world but becomes our focus in the
next.
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
(II Samuel 12:1-7a.10-17; Mark 4:35-41)
Today’s first reading shows the effects of sin. It not only comes back to bite the sinner but
creates a destructive ripple in society.
Like a tsunami the ripple can grow to devastate homes and cities. David believed that as king he could do
anything he wanted. He could sleep with
another man’s wife. He could have the man
killed for his convenience. But David
like everyone else is subject to God’s justice.
He will not only suffer the death of his child, but also dissension
among his other sons and continual upheaval among his descendants.
The story is repeated on a larger scale today. Sexual promiscuity and marital infidelity have
resulted in vast numbers of abortion, abuse of women, and children in poverty. Should there be any wonder that sexual entrepreneurs
like Jeffrey Epstein arise?
Our world often seems like the stormy sea described in today’s
gospel. Jesus is with us in the boat of
society. But we must seek his wisdom and
follow it if we are ever to live in tranquility.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew
5:1-12a)
Today's Gospel records the beginning of the most famous
discourse in history. As a work of rhetoric and as an outline for a worthwhile
life, the Sermon on the Mount is unparalleled. The opening is renowned in
itself. The Beatitudes paint a portrait of the perfect disciple whose destiny
is none other than the Kingdom of God. Jesus is considered wise for placing the
reward first, before mentioning the associated sacrifices.
The reading begins with Jesus taking a seat on a mountain.
The mountain represents the pantheon of gods among whom Jesus, the “Son of
God,” has a place. His disciples stand near him, and behind them, the crowd.
Jesus proclaims, “Blessed…” or “Happy,” to nine kinds of people. Each member of
these groups deserves eternal life for having lived the justice of the Kingdom.
The first group mentioned is “the poor in spirit.” They live
dependent on God in life and in death, not on their own resources or the help
of men. They are not lazy, and much less presumptuous. They simply recognize
that the goal of life lies in God, not in material things. This characteristic
is often found in the economically poor, but even the rich can entrust their
lives to God. Saint Bridget of Sweden and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary were
queens of nations who, as soon as they could, shared their wealth with the
needy.
“Those who mourn” weep for their own sins or for the way
evil has taken root in the world. With tears in his eyes Saint Dominic cried
out: “What will become of sinners?” Of course, those who mourn are simply
imitating Jesus weeping at the entrance to Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). In fact,
Jesus is the model for each of the Beatitudes.
“The meek” do not insist on their own agendas but accept
God’s inscrutable designs. Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers in
history. When he became so infirm that he could no longer compete, he was asked
if he resented what had happened to him. No, he said, “…in golf as in life, you
have to play the ball where it lies.” Jesus promises that the suffering “will
inherit the earth.” But he is not
referring to any worldly property but to the Kingdom of God.
In its list of beatitudes, the Gospel of Luke emphasizes
physical deprivation, while Matthew expands the scope of deprivation. The
fourth beatitude serves as an example. Luke has Jesus saying, “Blessed are you
who hunger now…!” Biblical scholars comment that Jesus probably spoke this way
in the style of the Hebrew prophets. But Matthew considers the message of
Jesus’ the entire life: how he ministered and how he died. This is why he has Jesus
saying, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” The
blessed ones in Matthew have a spiritual hunger and thirst to always live in
accordance with God's will. In the Gospels, Jesus never transgresses the Law.
Even in death, he followed the Father's directives. Eric Liddell was an athlete
from Scotland competing in the 1924 Olympics. When the 100-meter dash was
scheduled for Sunday, Liddell refused to participate. He considered running on
Sunday a violation of the Third Commandment. With a life oriented in this way,
Liddell ultimately achieved the fulfillment of his heart's deepest desires. He
died a missionary martyr in China during World War II.
In his confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus warns them:
“You tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of
the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness!” (23:23). Mercy will always require
more of the individual than simply fulfilling the minutia of the law. Christ's
disciples do not neglect to fulfill it. These are the ones the Lord will choose
when He comes on the last day. The merciful include members of other faiths. In
regions of Africa affected by Boko Haram terrorists, Muslim families have
hidden Christians in their homes, risking deadly reprisal.
When the prophet Samuel visited Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king, he didn't choose any of his seven older sons. They were handsome and strong, but the Lord told the prophet that He doesn't look at appearances like men do, but rather at the heart. When David came to Samuel, he anointed him king. God wants men and women to have hearts cleansed of animal desires. Those with hearts inclined toward kindness and compassion, He will allow to see Him face to face in eternal life.
Mr. Bill Tomes was a businessman from Chicago. In the middle
of his career, he traded his suit and tie for a blue denim religious habit. He
began working among the gangs in his city. When he heard about a gang fight, he
went to stand between the two sides until they stopped shooting. He is the kind
of person Jesus has in mind when He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The last two beatitudes are really just one. Jesus
pronounces “blessed” those who suffer persecution to become holy like Him.
Holiness is not achieved simply by praying in a pew. It also requires a life
dedicated to others. Jesus adds that this struggle to be holy is at its root a
quest for him. When we find him, our “reward will be great in heaven.”
