THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Luke 2)
It would seem to be only a coincidence. Nevertheless, it happens every year. Around Christmas there is a rash of funerals. Any pastor with experience can confirm this coincidence. In spite of our best attempts to create a heaven on earth at this time of year, people continue to suffer.
The truth of the matter is that Christmas can be either a hopeful or a disillusioning experience. The problem is not that physically sick people let go of life at Christmas. It is that spiritually sick people are blind to their malady. God sends his son to save us from our sins. But we must acknowledge that we are sinners. That is, we must realize that we carry in our hearts the sickness of evil that may result in our moral demise. Only by so doing, can we accept the salvation that God offers in his new-born son.
In the gospel today, we see three distinct groups of people. Each represents a different way of receiving the good news of Jesus’ birth. First, there are the shepherds. They hear from the angels that a savior is born and act on the message. They go to Bethlehem to see the child who is their Lord and King. They also tell others of what has taken place. Thus, they fulfill the Gospel call to evangelize. We may see ourselves as like these shepherds. After all we come to church today in order to worship our recently born savior. Let us not forget to testify to others all that God has done for us. Have you ever had a prayer request granted? Probably it has happened frequently. Then don’t be ashamed to tell even cynics of how God’s goodness to you.
The second group that we encounter in this gospel is the people who are amazed at what the shepherds tell them. Unfortunately, they do not act on the good news. Like many people who witness Jesus’ mighty deeds in the gospel they hold back their acceptance of him. We can see these doubters as representative of the millions who celebrate Christmas with tinsel and mistletoe but avoid the deeper meaning of the feast. They refuse to acknowledge their sinfulness and to change their ways in accord with the teaching of the new-born king.
The third group is really just one person. Mary has already acted decisively on the good news announced to her also by an angel. Now the passage says that she reflects in her heart on the events taking place. Thus, Mary becomes the model Christian – always seeking to deepen her understanding of Christ’s coming so that she may renew her commitment to the Lord. We might find those people attending adult education classes at church as imitating Mary For the most part these people not only seek knowledge but are active in church ministry.
Some of us remember the “Litany of the Blessed Virgin.” In it we call Mary by many names such as “ivory tower” and “arc of the Covenant.” One of those titles that is especially striking is “seat of wisdom.” Mary is wise because she reflects upon the word of God in her heart and regularly puts it into practice. In this new year 2007 let us try to be wise like Mary. Let us reflect upon the God’s word and act on it.
Homilette for December 29, 2006
(I John 2)
Perhaps you have heard this story before. Once a rabbi asked his disciples how one knows when the night ends and the day begins. “Is it when you can tell the difference between a coyote and a cow on the horizon?” one disciple responded. “No,” the rabbi said, “not then.” “I know,” another disciple answered. “It’s when you can look over the meadow and distinguish the oak tree from the apple tree.” “No, that’s not it either,” the Rabbi said. “Then when is it?” all the disciples demanded. The rabbi spoke very deliberately: “The day begins when you can look into the eyes of a stranger and see your brother or sister. If you cannot do that, you are still in the night.”
St. John in the section of his first letter which we read today says very nearly the same thing. He admonishes his readers: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother, is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.” Of course, the same applies to women: whoever says she is in the light and hates her brother or sister, is still in darkness.” For different sociological reasons men may have a larger share of the night. But darkness is no one gender’s exclusive domain. Plenty of women as well as men need to open their eyes to the day.
Perhaps you have heard this story before. Once a rabbi asked his disciples how one knows when the night ends and the day begins. “Is it when you can tell the difference between a coyote and a cow on the horizon?” one disciple responded. “No,” the rabbi said, “not then.” “I know,” another disciple answered. “It’s when you can look over the meadow and distinguish the oak tree from the apple tree.” “No, that’s not it either,” the Rabbi said. “Then when is it?” all the disciples demanded. The rabbi spoke very deliberately: “The day begins when you can look into the eyes of a stranger and see your brother or sister. If you cannot do that, you are still in the night.”
St. John in the section of his first letter which we read today says very nearly the same thing. He admonishes his readers: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother, is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.” Of course, the same applies to women: whoever says she is in the light and hates her brother or sister, is still in darkness.” For different sociological reasons men may have a larger share of the night. But darkness is no one gender’s exclusive domain. Plenty of women as well as men need to open their eyes to the day.
Homilette for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28
(Matthew 2)
In Europe you might find your car’s tires without any air today. Or perhaps there will be three unordered pizzas delivered to your door. The Feast of the Holy Innocents in Europe is equivalent to our April Fools Day. It is a time to play practical jokes on good-natured people.
We may be shocked by the European frivolity on a day that remembers the slaughter of children. But perhaps Holy Innocents Day jokesters just take to heart the belief that the infants have gone to God. “So why not rejoice?” they might ask. Somehow, however, that is just too casual an attitude. It does not recoil at the grotesque injustice of the blood of children. It also begs the question: why live at all?
We should be able to recite the answer to that question. We live to know, love, and serve God in this world and to be happy with him in the next. If this is so, the tragedy of children dying is the irreversible condition of their minds being wasted. Dead children cannot come to know God very well. Yes, they should receive the beatific vision in heaven. And there might be something marvelous about seeing God through children’s eyes. But just as the art connoisseur will appreciate aspects of a Rubens painting that completely escape the uncultured so growing in wisdom should make us more enthralled at God’s glory. It is good to grow old then if we accordingly grow in wisdom. Reciprocally, it is a tragedy when one dies young.
In Europe you might find your car’s tires without any air today. Or perhaps there will be three unordered pizzas delivered to your door. The Feast of the Holy Innocents in Europe is equivalent to our April Fools Day. It is a time to play practical jokes on good-natured people.
We may be shocked by the European frivolity on a day that remembers the slaughter of children. But perhaps Holy Innocents Day jokesters just take to heart the belief that the infants have gone to God. “So why not rejoice?” they might ask. Somehow, however, that is just too casual an attitude. It does not recoil at the grotesque injustice of the blood of children. It also begs the question: why live at all?
We should be able to recite the answer to that question. We live to know, love, and serve God in this world and to be happy with him in the next. If this is so, the tragedy of children dying is the irreversible condition of their minds being wasted. Dead children cannot come to know God very well. Yes, they should receive the beatific vision in heaven. And there might be something marvelous about seeing God through children’s eyes. But just as the art connoisseur will appreciate aspects of a Rubens painting that completely escape the uncultured so growing in wisdom should make us more enthralled at God’s glory. It is good to grow old then if we accordingly grow in wisdom. Reciprocally, it is a tragedy when one dies young.
Reflections on Christmas Eve at the Home of a Mexican-American Family
After mass on Christmas Eve in St. Helena, California, I accepted the invitation of a Mexican-American family to come to their house for tamales, the traditional fare for Navidad (Christmas). Since I had to celebrate another mass in the morning, I told myself to stay only for a half hour. It was already almost 10 p.m.
When I arrived at the home a block from church, about thirty people of the extended family had already gathered. A few family members were at the table eating, a number in the parlor about to watch “A Christmas Story” on television, and some just visiting with one another. I said “hello” to a few people, and sat down by the television until I was called to the table for tamales and hot Christmas punch. There a few men were making themselves comfortable – a couple eating and a couple drinking.
The talk at the table was friendly but hardly personal. Although I only recently started to serve in the parish, no one inquired about my background. One fellow asked me if I had ever seen such a family gathering before. Understanding him to mean an extended family coming together on Christmas Eve at the house of a patriarch, I said “yes,” it was not a new experience. He probably had in mind, however, the rich and inspiring ritual that was about to take place. These festivities were something unique, for me at least – a celebration of faith that transcends personal satisfaction to keep a family united in the Lord no matter the circumstances.
About 11 p.m., the cancioneros (songbooks) were passed around and the television turned off. I left the table telling myself that I would sing few villancicos (carols) and perhaps say the rosary that I had been told was coming up before going home. I still wanted to get my seven hours sleep in preparation for Christmas Day.
Most everyone took a turn leading part of the rosary in the following way. After the matriarch made the introduction and said the first Our Father, a lit candle was passed about the room. The person who held the candle would recite the first part of the Hail Mary and everyone else the response. This was generally done in Spanish which the children were evidently learning. One or two adults as well as a couple of children would say the prayer in English, however. A few people remained at the table, choosing not to participate in the rosary. Perhaps they had joined an Evangelical Church and had come to think of the Hail Mary as a specifically Catholic prayer. Or maybe they just did not care to pray in public. Of course, we said the Joyful Mysteries, beginning with the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of God and ending with Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple discussing the Scriptures with scholars. It was a family event with focus on the Holy Family.
Once the rosary was completed, I was enticed to stay for the chanting of the traditional posada (inn) verses. It’s a lovely ballad that brings tears to my eyes as I contemplate how the innkeeper allows the blessed couple to enter as soon as he realizes that the woman is Mary, the queen of heaven. People are good-hearted, I am forced to admit, if they could only see the true value of things.
The family performed the ritual with dramatic flair. A number of the children put on costumes – Mary, Joseph, an angel and shepherds. Also, more than half of the whole group, now numbering close to fifty, went outside the house to sing the parts of Mary and Joseph seeking a place at the inn. We didn’t hurry through the seven verses. Rather, before the first verse and after every other verse we walked with our lit candles in a brief procession around the driveway and front of the house. There was a chill in outside as we could see our breath vaporize in the air. As we marched in procession, I noticed the opened doors of the Presbyterian Church across the street. There was probably a service of some kind going on inside, perhaps of considerable profundity and its own beauty. But I felt fortunate to be where I was, recalling the birth of Christ in a drama in the midst of a family who had been doing it in the same way for generations.
When we finished the posada, I was saying “buenas noches” (good night) to my hosts but they asked if I wouldn’t want to stay around for the acostada del niño (putting the child to rest). By this time it was close to midnight. I had given up on an early rest myself and willingly assented to the idea. Certainly, the sacrifice of a little sleep produced a handsome dividend in terms of spiritual refreshment. After singing more villancicos, the Christ-child doll was taken by two of the children to every person in the house. All venerated Christ by kissing his image. No one thought it was an odd thing to do. Then the “Christ-child” was placed in the manger with the other figures of the nacimiento (crèche).
But the ritual was still not over. Now it was just about midnight, and we ended the spiritual part of the celebration by exchanging embraces and wishing each other a Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas). It was a universal “kiss of peace.” I was reminded of my time in Malaysia as a Peace Corps volunteers. On Hari Besar (big day) which in Arabic is called “Eid ul-Fitr” (festival of breaking the fast) the people would greet one another with a hug, asking “ma’af” (forgiveness) for the ways that he or she may have offended the other during the year. The Christian embrace has the same intention of reconciliation even if we do not use the words.
At this point I finally left the celebration. I believe the family in the house was ready to enjoy more tamales, bañuelos (fried dough coated with honey) and cakes. They had been solidified in love by recalling in various ways the coming of the Savior among them. Certainly, there was no need to say “grace.” Their prayer and thankfulness had been more than amply demonstrated for the whole hour before. I waltzed back to the rectory as I had just witnessed the loveliest demonstration in my life of living faith celebrated at home.
When I arrived at the home a block from church, about thirty people of the extended family had already gathered. A few family members were at the table eating, a number in the parlor about to watch “A Christmas Story” on television, and some just visiting with one another. I said “hello” to a few people, and sat down by the television until I was called to the table for tamales and hot Christmas punch. There a few men were making themselves comfortable – a couple eating and a couple drinking.
The talk at the table was friendly but hardly personal. Although I only recently started to serve in the parish, no one inquired about my background. One fellow asked me if I had ever seen such a family gathering before. Understanding him to mean an extended family coming together on Christmas Eve at the house of a patriarch, I said “yes,” it was not a new experience. He probably had in mind, however, the rich and inspiring ritual that was about to take place. These festivities were something unique, for me at least – a celebration of faith that transcends personal satisfaction to keep a family united in the Lord no matter the circumstances.
About 11 p.m., the cancioneros (songbooks) were passed around and the television turned off. I left the table telling myself that I would sing few villancicos (carols) and perhaps say the rosary that I had been told was coming up before going home. I still wanted to get my seven hours sleep in preparation for Christmas Day.
Most everyone took a turn leading part of the rosary in the following way. After the matriarch made the introduction and said the first Our Father, a lit candle was passed about the room. The person who held the candle would recite the first part of the Hail Mary and everyone else the response. This was generally done in Spanish which the children were evidently learning. One or two adults as well as a couple of children would say the prayer in English, however. A few people remained at the table, choosing not to participate in the rosary. Perhaps they had joined an Evangelical Church and had come to think of the Hail Mary as a specifically Catholic prayer. Or maybe they just did not care to pray in public. Of course, we said the Joyful Mysteries, beginning with the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of God and ending with Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple discussing the Scriptures with scholars. It was a family event with focus on the Holy Family.
Once the rosary was completed, I was enticed to stay for the chanting of the traditional posada (inn) verses. It’s a lovely ballad that brings tears to my eyes as I contemplate how the innkeeper allows the blessed couple to enter as soon as he realizes that the woman is Mary, the queen of heaven. People are good-hearted, I am forced to admit, if they could only see the true value of things.
The family performed the ritual with dramatic flair. A number of the children put on costumes – Mary, Joseph, an angel and shepherds. Also, more than half of the whole group, now numbering close to fifty, went outside the house to sing the parts of Mary and Joseph seeking a place at the inn. We didn’t hurry through the seven verses. Rather, before the first verse and after every other verse we walked with our lit candles in a brief procession around the driveway and front of the house. There was a chill in outside as we could see our breath vaporize in the air. As we marched in procession, I noticed the opened doors of the Presbyterian Church across the street. There was probably a service of some kind going on inside, perhaps of considerable profundity and its own beauty. But I felt fortunate to be where I was, recalling the birth of Christ in a drama in the midst of a family who had been doing it in the same way for generations.
When we finished the posada, I was saying “buenas noches” (good night) to my hosts but they asked if I wouldn’t want to stay around for the acostada del niño (putting the child to rest). By this time it was close to midnight. I had given up on an early rest myself and willingly assented to the idea. Certainly, the sacrifice of a little sleep produced a handsome dividend in terms of spiritual refreshment. After singing more villancicos, the Christ-child doll was taken by two of the children to every person in the house. All venerated Christ by kissing his image. No one thought it was an odd thing to do. Then the “Christ-child” was placed in the manger with the other figures of the nacimiento (crèche).
But the ritual was still not over. Now it was just about midnight, and we ended the spiritual part of the celebration by exchanging embraces and wishing each other a Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas). It was a universal “kiss of peace.” I was reminded of my time in Malaysia as a Peace Corps volunteers. On Hari Besar (big day) which in Arabic is called “Eid ul-Fitr” (festival of breaking the fast) the people would greet one another with a hug, asking “ma’af” (forgiveness) for the ways that he or she may have offended the other during the year. The Christian embrace has the same intention of reconciliation even if we do not use the words.
At this point I finally left the celebration. I believe the family in the house was ready to enjoy more tamales, bañuelos (fried dough coated with honey) and cakes. They had been solidified in love by recalling in various ways the coming of the Savior among them. Certainly, there was no need to say “grace.” Their prayer and thankfulness had been more than amply demonstrated for the whole hour before. I waltzed back to the rectory as I had just witnessed the loveliest demonstration in my life of living faith celebrated at home.
Homilette for Monday, December 26
The Feast of St. Stephen
The play Murder in the Cathedral tells the story of the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170. Half-way through the play, the archbishop delivers his Christmas sermon. He tells the congregation that at Christmas mass not only the birth of Jesus but also his passion and death are remembered. This dual remembrance indicates that the Christian life is neither pure joy nor pure sorrow. We live both at every minute. Thomas goes on to ask, “Is it an accident … that the day of the first martyr follows immediately the day of the Birth of Christ?” No, the Church deliberately places the martyrdom of Stephen on the day after Christmas to temper our celebration. We must keep in mind the dual sentiment of Christian life.
Unless people think that the dual sentiment is solely the invention of the Medieval Church, we can point to the same duality in both Luke’s and Matthew’s Nativity accounts. In Luke after Jesus is born his parents take him to the Temple where the holy man Simeon makes the foreboding prophecy that Jesus will be a sign to be contradicted. In other words, Jesus’ enemies will do him in. In Matthew the horror is more obvious. Jesus’ birth occasions the jealousy of King Herod. To eliminate his rival Herod has all male infants of the area two years or under murdered.
We must take to heart the cross sentiments of Christian life. Our happiest celebrations like a dear friend’s birthday should not ignore the fact that fellow humans are suffering often dire circumstances. Similarly, our most intolerable burdens like the loss of a loved one should not go without faith in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Christians are neither rosy-eyed optimists nor unrelenting pessimists. No, we live both the death and the resurrection of the Lord deep in our hearts everyday.
The play Murder in the Cathedral tells the story of the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170. Half-way through the play, the archbishop delivers his Christmas sermon. He tells the congregation that at Christmas mass not only the birth of Jesus but also his passion and death are remembered. This dual remembrance indicates that the Christian life is neither pure joy nor pure sorrow. We live both at every minute. Thomas goes on to ask, “Is it an accident … that the day of the first martyr follows immediately the day of the Birth of Christ?” No, the Church deliberately places the martyrdom of Stephen on the day after Christmas to temper our celebration. We must keep in mind the dual sentiment of Christian life.
Unless people think that the dual sentiment is solely the invention of the Medieval Church, we can point to the same duality in both Luke’s and Matthew’s Nativity accounts. In Luke after Jesus is born his parents take him to the Temple where the holy man Simeon makes the foreboding prophecy that Jesus will be a sign to be contradicted. In other words, Jesus’ enemies will do him in. In Matthew the horror is more obvious. Jesus’ birth occasions the jealousy of King Herod. To eliminate his rival Herod has all male infants of the area two years or under murdered.
We must take to heart the cross sentiments of Christian life. Our happiest celebrations like a dear friend’s birthday should not ignore the fact that fellow humans are suffering often dire circumstances. Similarly, our most intolerable burdens like the loss of a loved one should not go without faith in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Christians are neither rosy-eyed optimists nor unrelenting pessimists. No, we live both the death and the resurrection of the Lord deep in our hearts everyday.
Homily for Christmas Midnight Mass (in Spanish)
LA NAVIDAD – 25 de diciembre de 2006
En cualquiera noche clara, mira al cielo. Vas a ver un mil millón estrellas. Dicen los astrónomos que no vemos las estrellas como existen ahora. No, las vemos como eran tal vez hace diez o veinte años. Es así porque tarda tanto tiempo para la luz de las estrellas a llegar a nuestros ojos llevando sus imagines.
Según la teoría del “Big Bang” (inglés para gran estallido), el universo empezó hace millones y millones años de una partícula de materia con energía enorme. Desde entonces las estrellas han estado lanzándose a través del espacio. Hagamos un experimento mental. Imaginémonos viendo atrás en el espacio hacia el momento antes del gran estallido. Allí vemos la partícula de materia con tremendísima energía. Está irradiando toda la luz y calor que va a llenar el universo. Aquí tenemos algo parecido de lo que ven María, José, y (pronto) las pastores de Belén. Pues, Jesucristo, el Dios-hombre, el que creó los cielos y la tierra, ha nacido. Lo han puesto en un pesebre de lo cual emite sus rayos divinos. Por él recibimos la luz de la sabiduría para iluminar nuestros caminos a la vida eterna. Por él recibimos el calor del amor para cumplir su voluntad.
Sobre este año pasado una gran cuestión en este país ha sido la nueva legislación migratoria. El gobierno norteamericana tiene que formar nuevas leyes para controlar el flujo de gentes desde otras partes. Algunos de ustedes han participado en manifestaciones para implorar el reconocimiento de su presencia en el país. Quieren ustedes que las leyes tomen en cuenta sus aportes a la sociedad norteamericana. Podemos rogar a Jesús -- la fuente de toda sabiduría -- para su ayuda en la búsqueda de la justicia para los inmigrantes.
Por supuesto, Jesús no nos instruye como bebé sino como adulto. Tenemos en los evangelios su consejo que atendamos las cosas de César. Por eso, todo inmigrante tiene que obedecer las leyes – aún las leyes del tránsito -- para llevarse bien en la sociedad. También, Jesús nos dirá que amemos a nuestros prójimos, comenzando con nuestras propias familiares. No se debe encontrar nada de abuso de la mujer o de descuido de los niños. Al contrario, nuestras familias deben hacerse escuelas de amor donde se aprende el respeto para todos. Además, Jesús nos implorará que quedemos cerca de él en la comunidad religiosa. Aquí se conservan tanto la fe como la esperanza para apoyarnos cuando el camino se ponga cuesta arriba.
Durante estos días navideños en el noreste de este país se pueden ver velitas en cada ventana de casas cristianas. Las velas están para llamar la atención de Cristo cuando regrese. Son signos del amor de la gente para el salvador. También, las velas representan a Cristo mismo, la luz del mundo. Reconocen a él como la sabiduría para dirigirnos a través de este mundo de muchas tinieblas. Así, queremos encender una luz en nuestros corazones. Por nuestra atención a Jesús tanto adulto como bebé, queremos mostrar lo que él es para nosotros. Nos da el calor de la vida y la luz de la sabiduría. Cristo es nuestra vida y nuestra sabiduría.
En cualquiera noche clara, mira al cielo. Vas a ver un mil millón estrellas. Dicen los astrónomos que no vemos las estrellas como existen ahora. No, las vemos como eran tal vez hace diez o veinte años. Es así porque tarda tanto tiempo para la luz de las estrellas a llegar a nuestros ojos llevando sus imagines.
Según la teoría del “Big Bang” (inglés para gran estallido), el universo empezó hace millones y millones años de una partícula de materia con energía enorme. Desde entonces las estrellas han estado lanzándose a través del espacio. Hagamos un experimento mental. Imaginémonos viendo atrás en el espacio hacia el momento antes del gran estallido. Allí vemos la partícula de materia con tremendísima energía. Está irradiando toda la luz y calor que va a llenar el universo. Aquí tenemos algo parecido de lo que ven María, José, y (pronto) las pastores de Belén. Pues, Jesucristo, el Dios-hombre, el que creó los cielos y la tierra, ha nacido. Lo han puesto en un pesebre de lo cual emite sus rayos divinos. Por él recibimos la luz de la sabiduría para iluminar nuestros caminos a la vida eterna. Por él recibimos el calor del amor para cumplir su voluntad.
Sobre este año pasado una gran cuestión en este país ha sido la nueva legislación migratoria. El gobierno norteamericana tiene que formar nuevas leyes para controlar el flujo de gentes desde otras partes. Algunos de ustedes han participado en manifestaciones para implorar el reconocimiento de su presencia en el país. Quieren ustedes que las leyes tomen en cuenta sus aportes a la sociedad norteamericana. Podemos rogar a Jesús -- la fuente de toda sabiduría -- para su ayuda en la búsqueda de la justicia para los inmigrantes.
Por supuesto, Jesús no nos instruye como bebé sino como adulto. Tenemos en los evangelios su consejo que atendamos las cosas de César. Por eso, todo inmigrante tiene que obedecer las leyes – aún las leyes del tránsito -- para llevarse bien en la sociedad. También, Jesús nos dirá que amemos a nuestros prójimos, comenzando con nuestras propias familiares. No se debe encontrar nada de abuso de la mujer o de descuido de los niños. Al contrario, nuestras familias deben hacerse escuelas de amor donde se aprende el respeto para todos. Además, Jesús nos implorará que quedemos cerca de él en la comunidad religiosa. Aquí se conservan tanto la fe como la esperanza para apoyarnos cuando el camino se ponga cuesta arriba.
Durante estos días navideños en el noreste de este país se pueden ver velitas en cada ventana de casas cristianas. Las velas están para llamar la atención de Cristo cuando regrese. Son signos del amor de la gente para el salvador. También, las velas representan a Cristo mismo, la luz del mundo. Reconocen a él como la sabiduría para dirigirnos a través de este mundo de muchas tinieblas. Así, queremos encender una luz en nuestros corazones. Por nuestra atención a Jesús tanto adulto como bebé, queremos mostrar lo que él es para nosotros. Nos da el calor de la vida y la luz de la sabiduría. Cristo es nuestra vida y nuestra sabiduría.
Reflection on Being named Time's "Person of the Year"
Today I found out that I was selected Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year.” Well, not I individually, but together with you and everyone else that uses the Internet. We are the people whom Time thinks are making the news for the innovative ways we connect with one another on the electronic highway.
Of course, being a minute part of such a massive enterprise is hardly any distinction at all. In this morning’s San Francisco Chronicle columnist George Will not only points out that fact but deflates most of Time’s unnamed honorees a second time by calling them unserious. In fact, he finds many bloggers and perpetrators of newer Internet possibilities narcissistic. Perhaps many people mounting their ideas on the Internet are more pleased with the fantasy of their names being hurled through cyberspace than in those ideas actually registering with other people. But that is not the case here.
I spend a considerable amount of time thinking and working through ideas before publishing them on this blog space. I hope that people are edified by my thoughts. Also, I would be delighted if readers would contact me with their opinions about my writing or about the subject matter. The interchange might make both them and myself more sensitive and reflective people.
Of course, being a minute part of such a massive enterprise is hardly any distinction at all. In this morning’s San Francisco Chronicle columnist George Will not only points out that fact but deflates most of Time’s unnamed honorees a second time by calling them unserious. In fact, he finds many bloggers and perpetrators of newer Internet possibilities narcissistic. Perhaps many people mounting their ideas on the Internet are more pleased with the fantasy of their names being hurled through cyberspace than in those ideas actually registering with other people. But that is not the case here.
I spend a considerable amount of time thinking and working through ideas before publishing them on this blog space. I hope that people are edified by my thoughts. Also, I would be delighted if readers would contact me with their opinions about my writing or about the subject matter. The interchange might make both them and myself more sensitive and reflective people.
Homilette for Thursday, December 21, 2006
(Luke 1)
In October 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr., was a patient at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta when the news media reported that he would receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The archbishop of Atlanta, Paul Hallinan, took advantage of his stay in a Catholic hospital to personally visit the newly named laureate. He congratulated King for the honor and asked if he might give him his blessing. The request was readily accepted. Upon finishing the sign of the cross, the archbishop sank to his knees and begged Dr. King’s blessing in return.
The act of humility by the archbishop resembles Elizabeth’s recognition of Mary in today’s gospel. The elderly woman cries out, “’How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” It was not the press that informed Elizabeth of Mary’s distinction, however. No, it was the divine interplay between the Messiah in Mary’s womb and the prophet in her own womb that tipped Elizabeth off.
We might suspend our seasonal activities for a few minutes on these days before Christmas to meditate on the divine player. Who is he that whose birth we are about to celebrate? Jesus, son of Mary, claimed by us Christians as son of God as well. Sure, but what does all this mean? The appropriate clues to answer these questions may be found in the antiphons that we use before the gospel the seven days before Christmas. These are the same as the verses to the Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the wisdom that makes sense of our lives. He is the Key of David that opens our way to the kingdom of God. Reflecting on these and the others, we can appreciate why John leaps for joy when Jesus approaches.
In October 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr., was a patient at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta when the news media reported that he would receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The archbishop of Atlanta, Paul Hallinan, took advantage of his stay in a Catholic hospital to personally visit the newly named laureate. He congratulated King for the honor and asked if he might give him his blessing. The request was readily accepted. Upon finishing the sign of the cross, the archbishop sank to his knees and begged Dr. King’s blessing in return.
The act of humility by the archbishop resembles Elizabeth’s recognition of Mary in today’s gospel. The elderly woman cries out, “’How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” It was not the press that informed Elizabeth of Mary’s distinction, however. No, it was the divine interplay between the Messiah in Mary’s womb and the prophet in her own womb that tipped Elizabeth off.
We might suspend our seasonal activities for a few minutes on these days before Christmas to meditate on the divine player. Who is he that whose birth we are about to celebrate? Jesus, son of Mary, claimed by us Christians as son of God as well. Sure, but what does all this mean? The appropriate clues to answer these questions may be found in the antiphons that we use before the gospel the seven days before Christmas. These are the same as the verses to the Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the wisdom that makes sense of our lives. He is the Key of David that opens our way to the kingdom of God. Reflecting on these and the others, we can appreciate why John leaps for joy when Jesus approaches.
Reflection on Pope Benedict XVI's quest for religious freedom
Conservative Catholic George Weigel corrected The New York Times in his syndicated column that was published in San Francisco Archdiocesan newspaper last week. Weigel wrote that Times reporters did not investigate sufficiently their assertion that Pope Benedict XVI has changed his position regarding Turkey's entry into the European Union.
Before he was made pope, the then Cardinal Ratzinger went on record as disfavoring Turkey’s entrance because the country lacks the same values of the countries making up the union. However, according to the reporters, Pope Benedict told the Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he now favors Turkey’s entry when the two met during the pope’s visit to his country at the end of November. But the reporters’ only source of information was source for the pope’s change of mind was Mr. Erdogan himself who needed a concession from the pope for political reasons. Weigel claims that if the reporters had taken seriously the statement of the Vatican spokesman, they would have recognized the prime minister’s misleading statement. The official Vatican stance is that the Holy See promotes dialogue as a way to reaching common values. Dialogue, then, and not immediate entry is what the Vatican is endorsing for Turkey.
Pope Benedict’s position in these affairs is critical to peace in the world. From the beginning he has called for reciprocity in Muslim countries. This means that as the religious rights of Muslims must be protected where they are in the minority, so the religious rights of non-Muslims must be protected where Muslims are in the majority. Furthermore, if a Muslim under no coercion wishes to convert to another religion, he or she should be allowed to do so. Religious liberty is critical since the Church believes strongly in the sacredness of the human conscience. A person has to follow the religion that the he or she believes right. Unless these rights are respected, injustice will prevail without true peace.
Before he was made pope, the then Cardinal Ratzinger went on record as disfavoring Turkey’s entrance because the country lacks the same values of the countries making up the union. However, according to the reporters, Pope Benedict told the Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he now favors Turkey’s entry when the two met during the pope’s visit to his country at the end of November. But the reporters’ only source of information was source for the pope’s change of mind was Mr. Erdogan himself who needed a concession from the pope for political reasons. Weigel claims that if the reporters had taken seriously the statement of the Vatican spokesman, they would have recognized the prime minister’s misleading statement. The official Vatican stance is that the Holy See promotes dialogue as a way to reaching common values. Dialogue, then, and not immediate entry is what the Vatican is endorsing for Turkey.
Pope Benedict’s position in these affairs is critical to peace in the world. From the beginning he has called for reciprocity in Muslim countries. This means that as the religious rights of Muslims must be protected where they are in the minority, so the religious rights of non-Muslims must be protected where Muslims are in the majority. Furthermore, if a Muslim under no coercion wishes to convert to another religion, he or she should be allowed to do so. Religious liberty is critical since the Church believes strongly in the sacredness of the human conscience. A person has to follow the religion that the he or she believes right. Unless these rights are respected, injustice will prevail without true peace.
Homilette for Tuesday, December 19, 2006
(Luke 1)
It is said that for Jews the first commandment is not: “Thou shalt have no strange gods before me,” or even: “Love God with all your heart…” No, their first commandment comes from the initial words God speaks to humans. He tells them in Genesis 1:22, “Be fruitful and multiply.” We can thus appreciate Zechariah and Elizabeth’s – two people recognized as “righteous” -- disappointment in never having given birth. No doubt there were less edifying reasons for their feeling “disgrace.” People may have considered one or the other or both as somehow inadequate in sexual relations. Perhaps they too were thinking a bit selfishly as they wanted to a child just to bear their name, to take up their work, and to comfort them during their last years.
We can speculate about how the couple felt when they saw John grow up. He evidently did not take up his father’s profession of priesthood. But more peculiar, surely, was his taking to the desert with his weird diet of locusts and honey. He was not going to be very available to take them to doctors. Is it just another example of kids failing to live up to parents’ expectations? But all this goes way beyond Luke’s purpose in narrating the story of the holy pair.
Luke actually punctuates the fact that Zechariah sought a sign from the angel who bore the news of his son’s impossible conception. Here Zechariah reminds us of the people in the gospel seeking a sign from Jesus. They were not sure that they could trust him even after he demonstrated his divine authority time and again. What God calls forth from Zechariah -- and from us as well -- is trust. He gives his word to Zechariah that Elizabeth is going to bear him a child. Enough – believe it, Zechariah, and give praise to God. Jesus speaks similarly to us, “prepare for my return.” And so we are to practice his virtues without questioning. We care for the other, pray for our enemies, and continuously thank God for the life we have.
It is said that for Jews the first commandment is not: “Thou shalt have no strange gods before me,” or even: “Love God with all your heart…” No, their first commandment comes from the initial words God speaks to humans. He tells them in Genesis 1:22, “Be fruitful and multiply.” We can thus appreciate Zechariah and Elizabeth’s – two people recognized as “righteous” -- disappointment in never having given birth. No doubt there were less edifying reasons for their feeling “disgrace.” People may have considered one or the other or both as somehow inadequate in sexual relations. Perhaps they too were thinking a bit selfishly as they wanted to a child just to bear their name, to take up their work, and to comfort them during their last years.
We can speculate about how the couple felt when they saw John grow up. He evidently did not take up his father’s profession of priesthood. But more peculiar, surely, was his taking to the desert with his weird diet of locusts and honey. He was not going to be very available to take them to doctors. Is it just another example of kids failing to live up to parents’ expectations? But all this goes way beyond Luke’s purpose in narrating the story of the holy pair.
Luke actually punctuates the fact that Zechariah sought a sign from the angel who bore the news of his son’s impossible conception. Here Zechariah reminds us of the people in the gospel seeking a sign from Jesus. They were not sure that they could trust him even after he demonstrated his divine authority time and again. What God calls forth from Zechariah -- and from us as well -- is trust. He gives his word to Zechariah that Elizabeth is going to bear him a child. Enough – believe it, Zechariah, and give praise to God. Jesus speaks similarly to us, “prepare for my return.” And so we are to practice his virtues without questioning. We care for the other, pray for our enemies, and continuously thank God for the life we have.
Homilette for Monday, December 18, 2006
(Jeremiah 23)
Listening to the children of the poor, we may receive an entirely new concept for “Christmas gift.” Once a missionary went to the highlands of Honduras to celebrate mass on the night after Christmas Day. Arriving early in the evening, he attended the meeting of the youth group. The group’s leader asked the missionary to say something. He only inquired about the children’s Christmas gifts. But the children didn’t seem to understand. Rather than describe any toy or article of clothing they might have received, they only mentioned that would be attentive in prayer and more helpful to their parents. Then the priest realized that he was the one who misunderstood. The children’s parents were too destitute to provide material gifts for their children. Christmas gifts were what they all did to show Jesus how much they love him.
In the reading today from Jeremiah the prophet provides us with a similarly new concept of the promised land. He foretells all the descendants of Israel taking up residence on their own land. Jesus fulfills this prophecy by giving us, descendants of Israel through our relationship with him, a piece of land. But the lot that Jesus has in mind is not real estate in the State of Israel. No, Jesus will provide a place in heaven for those who are faithful to his law.
This promise of heaven may sound like a shady deal to some. But I suspect that the more chastened among us will gladly take it. We realize that those Honduran children had better Christmas gifts than kids receiving the latest Nintendo issue. We also believe that a share in heaven, which begins with true love in this life, is better than any place on earth.
Listening to the children of the poor, we may receive an entirely new concept for “Christmas gift.” Once a missionary went to the highlands of Honduras to celebrate mass on the night after Christmas Day. Arriving early in the evening, he attended the meeting of the youth group. The group’s leader asked the missionary to say something. He only inquired about the children’s Christmas gifts. But the children didn’t seem to understand. Rather than describe any toy or article of clothing they might have received, they only mentioned that would be attentive in prayer and more helpful to their parents. Then the priest realized that he was the one who misunderstood. The children’s parents were too destitute to provide material gifts for their children. Christmas gifts were what they all did to show Jesus how much they love him.
In the reading today from Jeremiah the prophet provides us with a similarly new concept of the promised land. He foretells all the descendants of Israel taking up residence on their own land. Jesus fulfills this prophecy by giving us, descendants of Israel through our relationship with him, a piece of land. But the lot that Jesus has in mind is not real estate in the State of Israel. No, Jesus will provide a place in heaven for those who are faithful to his law.
This promise of heaven may sound like a shady deal to some. But I suspect that the more chastened among us will gladly take it. We realize that those Honduran children had better Christmas gifts than kids receiving the latest Nintendo issue. We also believe that a share in heaven, which begins with true love in this life, is better than any place on earth.
Homilette for Wednesday, December 13
(Isaiah 40)
The Book of the Prophet Isaiah dominates the season of Advent like no other. This greatest of all prophetic books expresses the hope of Israel for deliverance. The Israelis needed saving from weak kings, strong neighbors, and their own wayward hearts.
The Isaiah reading today actually comes from the second part of the book. Isaiah himself did not write this section which is often called “Deutero-Isaiah.” It describes a time near the end of the Babylonian exile after the original Isaiah’s death. Yet the new author, like the old, brilliantly portrays God’s tender love for His people.
In our passage God woos the stubborn people from the conceit. He reminds them that no one can compare with Him. They only have to trust Him, and He will provide them strength. Of course, Jesus in the gospel passage today relates the very same message.
Perhaps most people today question their faith. In a world where evil seems to roam randomly, we wonder if God cares about us at all. Or are we to God, as a character in Shakespeare’s King Lear worries, “as flies to wanton boys" who kill them “for their sport”? How can a good God allow the genocide in the Sudan or the daily carnage in Iraq? we ask. Deutero-Isaiah will urge us to let go of these doubts. When evil comes our way, God will provide the strength to withstand it. And when good times roll, God will give us the enthusiasm to enjoy them.
The Book of the Prophet Isaiah dominates the season of Advent like no other. This greatest of all prophetic books expresses the hope of Israel for deliverance. The Israelis needed saving from weak kings, strong neighbors, and their own wayward hearts.
The Isaiah reading today actually comes from the second part of the book. Isaiah himself did not write this section which is often called “Deutero-Isaiah.” It describes a time near the end of the Babylonian exile after the original Isaiah’s death. Yet the new author, like the old, brilliantly portrays God’s tender love for His people.
In our passage God woos the stubborn people from the conceit. He reminds them that no one can compare with Him. They only have to trust Him, and He will provide them strength. Of course, Jesus in the gospel passage today relates the very same message.
Perhaps most people today question their faith. In a world where evil seems to roam randomly, we wonder if God cares about us at all. Or are we to God, as a character in Shakespeare’s King Lear worries, “as flies to wanton boys" who kill them “for their sport”? How can a good God allow the genocide in the Sudan or the daily carnage in Iraq? we ask. Deutero-Isaiah will urge us to let go of these doubts. When evil comes our way, God will provide the strength to withstand it. And when good times roll, God will give us the enthusiasm to enjoy them.
Homily (in Spanish) for the Feast of O.L. of Guadalupe -- December 12, 2006
(Lucas 1)
Un autor mexicano-americano ha propuesto una idea chocante. Escribe Richard Rodrigúez de la “reconquista” de California. Dice que dentro de una o dos generaciones California estará en manos de descendientes mexicanos. Se logrará la “reconquesta” no por medio de una revolución. Mucho menos habrá una invasión por el ejército mexicano. No, la transformación tendrá lugar por medios democráticos con el crecimiento de familias de inmigrantes. Para algunas la idea del Señor Rodríguez tiene que perturbar como la propuesta del ángel a María en el evangelio. Ella concebirá a un hijo a pesar del hecho que quedará virgen.
Hablamos de “manos de descendientes mexicanos” en control de California. Por ests frase no queremos decir que los directores van a estar hablando castellano. No, il idoma principal del estado quedará el inglés. Si estarán hablando español, estará con un acento como yo. Ni tendrán apellidos exclusivamente mexicanos como Martínez, García, y Chávez. Más bien, muchos llevarán apellidos “anglos” – pues serán productos de “matrimonios mixtos.” Por lo tanto, sus facciones también tendrán rasgos de diferentes razas – blanca, amarilla, y negra. En el evangelio Gabriel cuenta a María que su hijo será muy diferente. Así los hijos y nietos mexicanos del año 2050 serán distintos de sus abuelos y padres hoy.
Posiblemente no me crean ustedes. Sus propias manos están tan llenas de responsabilidades – trabajar, cuidar a los niños, enviar dinero a la familia en México – que no piensen en el futuro alejado. Además, tal vez no les convenga la idea de tomar control porque no quieren amenazar a los patronos acá. Pero lo que se propone aquí no es improbable, sino el contrario. Otra vez, no pasará por la espada sino por las demográficas – eso es, el crecimiento de la población. De todos modos como María cuando responde a Gabriel, “¿Cómo puede ser eso...?” algunos acá se sienten incómdos con el concepto.
Una mejor pregunta para nosotros ahora es: ¿Estará guiada “la reconquista” por la Virgen de Guadalupe? Eso es, ¿encarnarán nuestros descendientes los valores de la fe – la justicia, la paz, la humildad, y la piedad? Pues, éstos son las marcas de la Virgen dejadas en la imagen. El color azul-verde de su manto representa la cruz entre fuerzas opuestas – la paz entre los pueblos. El cinturón que lleva es la señal de su preñez –dará luz a Jesucristo, el sol de la justicia. La tez morena de su cara indica que ella quiere identificarse con los más humildes. Y los ojos bajados muestra la piedad de una persona que reconoce a Dios como el fin de todo esfuerzo humano no sí misma.
Cuando hablamos de “los valores de la fe,” no tenemos en cuenta que los sacerdotes rijan el gobierno. Aunque el Padre John y el Diácono Roberto sean entre los mejores de seres humanos, sabemos que los gobernantes tienen que ser capaces en la política y la socioeconómica. Sin embargo, los valores de la fe incluyen un respeto profundo para la vida. Este respeto no tiene lugar para el aborto y el concepto erróneo del “matrimoniomo entre los gay.” No somos contra ni las mujeres ni los homosexuales cuando hablamos así. Más bien, aceptamos a todas personas como dignas de nuestro amor. Sin embargo, algunos actos tenemos que rechazar como no naturales.
Para que nuestros descendientes mantengan los valores guadalupanos, no debemos fallar en nuestras responsabilidades. Tenemos que asistir en la misa -- no sólo en la fiesta de la Virgen sino todos los domingos. Pues, aquí escuchamos la Palabra de Dios y recibimos la gracias para cumplirla. También, tenemos que cuidar a nuestros niños con la cuerda de amor. Hoy en el día del Ínternet los muchachos pueden enredarse en la maldad aún en sus propias recamaras. Tenemos que estar siempre presentes en sus vidas para protegerlos, apoyarlos y enseñarlos cómo andar en el camino recto.
En este país recordamos al Señor César Chávez encabezando la marcha de los trabajadores agrícolas. Siempre tenían al frente la imagen de la Virgen deGuadalupe. Para ellos la Virgen representaban todos los valores verdadramente humanos. Esperamos que nuestros descendientes mantengan los mismos valores. Esperamos que practiquen la fe por la asistencia en la misa. Esperamos que encarnen la justicia por la atención al trabajo y a la familia. Esperamos que siempre, siempre miren a la Virgen de Guadalupe como guía por este mundo de bastante maldad. Que la Virgen de Guadalupe sea siempre su guía por este mundo.
Un autor mexicano-americano ha propuesto una idea chocante. Escribe Richard Rodrigúez de la “reconquista” de California. Dice que dentro de una o dos generaciones California estará en manos de descendientes mexicanos. Se logrará la “reconquesta” no por medio de una revolución. Mucho menos habrá una invasión por el ejército mexicano. No, la transformación tendrá lugar por medios democráticos con el crecimiento de familias de inmigrantes. Para algunas la idea del Señor Rodríguez tiene que perturbar como la propuesta del ángel a María en el evangelio. Ella concebirá a un hijo a pesar del hecho que quedará virgen.
Hablamos de “manos de descendientes mexicanos” en control de California. Por ests frase no queremos decir que los directores van a estar hablando castellano. No, il idoma principal del estado quedará el inglés. Si estarán hablando español, estará con un acento como yo. Ni tendrán apellidos exclusivamente mexicanos como Martínez, García, y Chávez. Más bien, muchos llevarán apellidos “anglos” – pues serán productos de “matrimonios mixtos.” Por lo tanto, sus facciones también tendrán rasgos de diferentes razas – blanca, amarilla, y negra. En el evangelio Gabriel cuenta a María que su hijo será muy diferente. Así los hijos y nietos mexicanos del año 2050 serán distintos de sus abuelos y padres hoy.
Posiblemente no me crean ustedes. Sus propias manos están tan llenas de responsabilidades – trabajar, cuidar a los niños, enviar dinero a la familia en México – que no piensen en el futuro alejado. Además, tal vez no les convenga la idea de tomar control porque no quieren amenazar a los patronos acá. Pero lo que se propone aquí no es improbable, sino el contrario. Otra vez, no pasará por la espada sino por las demográficas – eso es, el crecimiento de la población. De todos modos como María cuando responde a Gabriel, “¿Cómo puede ser eso...?” algunos acá se sienten incómdos con el concepto.
Una mejor pregunta para nosotros ahora es: ¿Estará guiada “la reconquista” por la Virgen de Guadalupe? Eso es, ¿encarnarán nuestros descendientes los valores de la fe – la justicia, la paz, la humildad, y la piedad? Pues, éstos son las marcas de la Virgen dejadas en la imagen. El color azul-verde de su manto representa la cruz entre fuerzas opuestas – la paz entre los pueblos. El cinturón que lleva es la señal de su preñez –dará luz a Jesucristo, el sol de la justicia. La tez morena de su cara indica que ella quiere identificarse con los más humildes. Y los ojos bajados muestra la piedad de una persona que reconoce a Dios como el fin de todo esfuerzo humano no sí misma.
Cuando hablamos de “los valores de la fe,” no tenemos en cuenta que los sacerdotes rijan el gobierno. Aunque el Padre John y el Diácono Roberto sean entre los mejores de seres humanos, sabemos que los gobernantes tienen que ser capaces en la política y la socioeconómica. Sin embargo, los valores de la fe incluyen un respeto profundo para la vida. Este respeto no tiene lugar para el aborto y el concepto erróneo del “matrimoniomo entre los gay.” No somos contra ni las mujeres ni los homosexuales cuando hablamos así. Más bien, aceptamos a todas personas como dignas de nuestro amor. Sin embargo, algunos actos tenemos que rechazar como no naturales.
Para que nuestros descendientes mantengan los valores guadalupanos, no debemos fallar en nuestras responsabilidades. Tenemos que asistir en la misa -- no sólo en la fiesta de la Virgen sino todos los domingos. Pues, aquí escuchamos la Palabra de Dios y recibimos la gracias para cumplirla. También, tenemos que cuidar a nuestros niños con la cuerda de amor. Hoy en el día del Ínternet los muchachos pueden enredarse en la maldad aún en sus propias recamaras. Tenemos que estar siempre presentes en sus vidas para protegerlos, apoyarlos y enseñarlos cómo andar en el camino recto.
En este país recordamos al Señor César Chávez encabezando la marcha de los trabajadores agrícolas. Siempre tenían al frente la imagen de la Virgen deGuadalupe. Para ellos la Virgen representaban todos los valores verdadramente humanos. Esperamos que nuestros descendientes mantengan los mismos valores. Esperamos que practiquen la fe por la asistencia en la misa. Esperamos que encarnen la justicia por la atención al trabajo y a la familia. Esperamos que siempre, siempre miren a la Virgen de Guadalupe como guía por este mundo de bastante maldad. Que la Virgen de Guadalupe sea siempre su guía por este mundo.
Homilette for Monday, December 11
(Isaiah 35; Luke 5)
One day I went to a party. When I arrived, I felt a little upset that no one offered a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. I didn’t realize at the moment the purpose of the party. It was meant to celebrate the anniversary of a very fine man’s sobriety. Fifteen years to the day my friend gave up drinking and never looked back.
It is not that drinking in itself is bad. Nor is it the case that an alcoholic’s every drink is a sin. As Alcoholics Anonymous teaches, compulsive drinking is a disease that diminishes moral responsibility, at least to a point. But an alcoholic’s drinking can be the root of much sinfulness, including irresponsibility at work and abuse at home.
In the gospel, Jesus forgives the sin of the paralytic as the first step in the process of his total healing. As he indicates, this healing of soul is an even greater claim to Jesus’ being the Messiah than his healing the man’s lameness. But Jesus also fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah as well. He makes the lame man “leap like a stag.”
Jesus again proves himself worthy of our trust. He tells us that he will come to bestow salvation on his faithful. We can count of his word as we prepare ourselves for that coming during Advent.
One day I went to a party. When I arrived, I felt a little upset that no one offered a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. I didn’t realize at the moment the purpose of the party. It was meant to celebrate the anniversary of a very fine man’s sobriety. Fifteen years to the day my friend gave up drinking and never looked back.
It is not that drinking in itself is bad. Nor is it the case that an alcoholic’s every drink is a sin. As Alcoholics Anonymous teaches, compulsive drinking is a disease that diminishes moral responsibility, at least to a point. But an alcoholic’s drinking can be the root of much sinfulness, including irresponsibility at work and abuse at home.
In the gospel, Jesus forgives the sin of the paralytic as the first step in the process of his total healing. As he indicates, this healing of soul is an even greater claim to Jesus’ being the Messiah than his healing the man’s lameness. But Jesus also fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah as well. He makes the lame man “leap like a stag.”
Jesus again proves himself worthy of our trust. He tells us that he will come to bestow salvation on his faithful. We can count of his word as we prepare ourselves for that coming during Advent.
Homilette for Saturday, December 9
(Isaiah 30, Psalm 147, Matthew 9-10)
The Jesuit priest, Fr. John Powell, gave us a helpful way to consider the beatitudes. He called them the “be-attitudes.” This perspective is not etymological, but realist. That is, the root for beatitude has nothing to do with our word “attitude.” But in reality living the beatitudes makes us be better human beings.
Fr. Powell illustrated what he meant by “be attitudes” with a story like this. Everyday a man approached a newspaper vendor rudely demanding a paper. The vendor would always greet his customer cordially and bid him a nice day. Another person noticed this taking place and asked the news vendor why he didn’t respond to the discourteous customer with similar rudeness. “Because,” he said, “I do not want that nasty person to determine what kind of day I am going to have.” The vendor had a fine attitude for being – a be-attitude.
In the responsorial psalm today we repeated a beatitude. “Happy are all who long for the coming of the Lord,” we said. “Happy” here is another translation for “blessed” – the actual root meaning for beatitude. Those who wait on the Lord are “happy” or “blessed” because God always fulfills His promises. They follow the Lord’s will happily because they know that God will come to reward their efforts.
The Jesuit priest, Fr. John Powell, gave us a helpful way to consider the beatitudes. He called them the “be-attitudes.” This perspective is not etymological, but realist. That is, the root for beatitude has nothing to do with our word “attitude.” But in reality living the beatitudes makes us be better human beings.
Fr. Powell illustrated what he meant by “be attitudes” with a story like this. Everyday a man approached a newspaper vendor rudely demanding a paper. The vendor would always greet his customer cordially and bid him a nice day. Another person noticed this taking place and asked the news vendor why he didn’t respond to the discourteous customer with similar rudeness. “Because,” he said, “I do not want that nasty person to determine what kind of day I am going to have.” The vendor had a fine attitude for being – a be-attitude.
In the responsorial psalm today we repeated a beatitude. “Happy are all who long for the coming of the Lord,” we said. “Happy” here is another translation for “blessed” – the actual root meaning for beatitude. Those who wait on the Lord are “happy” or “blessed” because God always fulfills His promises. They follow the Lord’s will happily because they know that God will come to reward their efforts.
Homilette for the FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION -- December 8, 2006
What makes Mary so great? Is it that she has eyes of blue and wears dresses of gold? No, we know that these features are only products of our imagination and, in any case, accidentals. Then is it because Mary is the mother of Jesus that makes her stand out among all the people of history? Not really. Listen to how Jesus responds when someone cries out to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” “Rather,” Jesus responds, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
That’s it! Mary’s greatness lies precisely in her listening to the word of God and putting it into practice. In the gospel passage today, God sends Mary a message though the archangel Gabriel. Mary listens carefully asking questions of clarification. “Why does he call me ‘full of grace’?” she seems to be asking herself. “How can this be, since I have nor relations with a man?” she queries God’s messenger.
Even more importantly Mary acts on the word of God. She consents to what the angel says will happen to her. And in the verse following the present passage Mary sets out to visit her relative Elizabeth whom, Gabriel tells her, is about to give birth.
How can she do otherwise, cynics among us might ask, if she herself was immaculately conceived? But Mary’s preservation from original sin is not completely different from our salvation from sin through Baptism. They both proceed from the merits of Jesus’ death and resurrection. She, like the rest of us, must choose whether or not she will do what God asks of her, whether or not she will follow her son Jesus.
Of course, she follows God’s will. By saying “yes” to the angel Mary becomes the first disciple of the New Testament. Our response to her fulfilling the word of God should not be so much praise of Mary as imitation of her. We too must carefully listen to the word of God and put it into practice. In these initial days of Advent the message is quite clear. We are to prepare for Christ by converting from the vices we indulge in. How do we sin? Perhaps by lying for convenience? Or maybe we lokk on others as inferiors made for our satisfaction? Or we may simply fail at generosity? Now is the time to dispel these bad habits.
We used to repeat frequently all the titles given to Mary through the centuries. “Seat of wisdom,” we called her, and “refuge for sinners.” We might add to the litany “first disciple.” She is Jesus’ first and, we can say, foremost disciple. Especially during Advent we would do well to imitate her by dispelling our vices. We would do well to dispel our vices.
That’s it! Mary’s greatness lies precisely in her listening to the word of God and putting it into practice. In the gospel passage today, God sends Mary a message though the archangel Gabriel. Mary listens carefully asking questions of clarification. “Why does he call me ‘full of grace’?” she seems to be asking herself. “How can this be, since I have nor relations with a man?” she queries God’s messenger.
Even more importantly Mary acts on the word of God. She consents to what the angel says will happen to her. And in the verse following the present passage Mary sets out to visit her relative Elizabeth whom, Gabriel tells her, is about to give birth.
How can she do otherwise, cynics among us might ask, if she herself was immaculately conceived? But Mary’s preservation from original sin is not completely different from our salvation from sin through Baptism. They both proceed from the merits of Jesus’ death and resurrection. She, like the rest of us, must choose whether or not she will do what God asks of her, whether or not she will follow her son Jesus.
Of course, she follows God’s will. By saying “yes” to the angel Mary becomes the first disciple of the New Testament. Our response to her fulfilling the word of God should not be so much praise of Mary as imitation of her. We too must carefully listen to the word of God and put it into practice. In these initial days of Advent the message is quite clear. We are to prepare for Christ by converting from the vices we indulge in. How do we sin? Perhaps by lying for convenience? Or maybe we lokk on others as inferiors made for our satisfaction? Or we may simply fail at generosity? Now is the time to dispel these bad habits.
We used to repeat frequently all the titles given to Mary through the centuries. “Seat of wisdom,” we called her, and “refuge for sinners.” We might add to the litany “first disciple.” She is Jesus’ first and, we can say, foremost disciple. Especially during Advent we would do well to imitate her by dispelling our vices. We would do well to dispel our vices.
Reflection on the Need for Reform of the Immigration Law
The currect immigration system in the United States undermines public morality. The undocumented look for false papers so that they may support their families. Meanwhile, employers participate in the deceit by accepting the documents they know to be worthless, in many cases to feed the country. Also, the government selectively turns its head so that society may get along in relative peace.
Some kind of Solomonian wisdom is in order to produce a fair, workable immigration system. This challenge should not discourage society, much less deter it altogether. We need to keep working (and praying) that everyone will cooperate for the common good. Allowing the system, which truly is broken if not unendurable, will only perpetuate individual irresponsibility.
Some kind of Solomonian wisdom is in order to produce a fair, workable immigration system. This challenge should not discourage society, much less deter it altogether. We need to keep working (and praying) that everyone will cooperate for the common good. Allowing the system, which truly is broken if not unendurable, will only perpetuate individual irresponsibility.
Homilette for Wednesday, December 6
(Isaiah 25, Matthew 15)
Some day take note of the mass readings during ordinary time. You will find divergent ideas in the first reading and the gospel. The two were not selected for their correspondence but to give us a sense of the different books of the Bible.
Asymmetrical mass readings are not found during Advent, however. During this season the first reading always anticipates the gospel selection. Together they show how God’s promise to Israel was fulfilled with the coming of Christ. Today, for example, we hear how God will save all His people by preparing a banquet for them. In the gospel passage Jesus does just that. First, he assists those who are usually left out – the blind and the lame. And then he feeds the whole crowd large portions of bread and fish.
We can always count on God to fulfill His promises. Because Christ has promised to return with salvation for his faithful people, we prepare ourselves to receive him during this time of Advent. In a sense it is like an emergency drill. We keep ourselves prepared so that when the eventuality indeed takes place, we will know what to do.
Garrison Keillor once told the story of preparations for snow storms in the Minnesota town where he grew up. He said the children from the country were all assigned “snow parents” to whom they could go if the snow ever piled so high during the day that the buses would be unable to take them home in the evening. He himself was assigned to a couple whom he had never met. He was showed where they lived so that when the snow came, he could go directly there. Keillor says that he remembered the house because of the statue of the Blessed Virgin on their front lawn. One day he had some extra time so he went to meet the couple to whom he was assigned. He introduced himself at the door as their “snow child.” The woman who answered the door invited him in. She said that she wanted her husband to meet him so asked him to sit down. In the meantime, she brought his some cookies to eat.
This is much like Advent's preparation for the coming of Christ. As Minnesotans in winter are sure to get a heavy snow, we can be sure of Christ’s eventual coming. Just like them we prepare for the day. And again like the child in Garrison Keillor’s story, in our preparation we often experience a miniature salvation. Something happens that will be a sure sign of God’s love.
Some day take note of the mass readings during ordinary time. You will find divergent ideas in the first reading and the gospel. The two were not selected for their correspondence but to give us a sense of the different books of the Bible.
Asymmetrical mass readings are not found during Advent, however. During this season the first reading always anticipates the gospel selection. Together they show how God’s promise to Israel was fulfilled with the coming of Christ. Today, for example, we hear how God will save all His people by preparing a banquet for them. In the gospel passage Jesus does just that. First, he assists those who are usually left out – the blind and the lame. And then he feeds the whole crowd large portions of bread and fish.
We can always count on God to fulfill His promises. Because Christ has promised to return with salvation for his faithful people, we prepare ourselves to receive him during this time of Advent. In a sense it is like an emergency drill. We keep ourselves prepared so that when the eventuality indeed takes place, we will know what to do.
Garrison Keillor once told the story of preparations for snow storms in the Minnesota town where he grew up. He said the children from the country were all assigned “snow parents” to whom they could go if the snow ever piled so high during the day that the buses would be unable to take them home in the evening. He himself was assigned to a couple whom he had never met. He was showed where they lived so that when the snow came, he could go directly there. Keillor says that he remembered the house because of the statue of the Blessed Virgin on their front lawn. One day he had some extra time so he went to meet the couple to whom he was assigned. He introduced himself at the door as their “snow child.” The woman who answered the door invited him in. She said that she wanted her husband to meet him so asked him to sit down. In the meantime, she brought his some cookies to eat.
This is much like Advent's preparation for the coming of Christ. As Minnesotans in winter are sure to get a heavy snow, we can be sure of Christ’s eventual coming. Just like them we prepare for the day. And again like the child in Garrison Keillor’s story, in our preparation we often experience a miniature salvation. Something happens that will be a sure sign of God’s love.
Homilette for Tuesday, December 5
(Isaiah 11, Luke 10)
The fact that secular historians at the time virtually ignored Jesus Christ causes a bit of embarrassment to Christians. After all, we must ask, how could people not take interest in such an extraordinary event as the resurrection?
However, beyond the first centuries of Christianity, the world did take notice. Historians began to measure time in two great epochs: before Christ (B.C.) and in his time (A.D., anno domini, in the year of the Lord). True, many writers today, out of deference to non-Christians, use B.C.E. (before the common era) and C.E. But no thinking person would leave unasked the question of what determines the “common era.”
In the gospel today Jesus openly expresses his relationship with God. He is the son of the One who lives outside His own creation but maintains a supreme role in it. The learned, he adds, cannot see this, perhaps because the tender care of a father sending his son to be crucified for the world is beyond their imagination. Simple people, however, will overlook the breach of human logic and accept gratefully the presence of God’s anointed one in their midst.
As Christians lived at least two centuries without the world taking much notice of Christ, we must give daily testimony to him by our actions. Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ by a remarkable peace among adversaries – wolves and lambs, lions and calves, cobras and babies. Our lives need to be marked by speaking to the troubled and welcoming the stranger. When we do so and encourage others to do likewise, once again the whole world will take notice of Christ’s presence.
The fact that secular historians at the time virtually ignored Jesus Christ causes a bit of embarrassment to Christians. After all, we must ask, how could people not take interest in such an extraordinary event as the resurrection?
However, beyond the first centuries of Christianity, the world did take notice. Historians began to measure time in two great epochs: before Christ (B.C.) and in his time (A.D., anno domini, in the year of the Lord). True, many writers today, out of deference to non-Christians, use B.C.E. (before the common era) and C.E. But no thinking person would leave unasked the question of what determines the “common era.”
In the gospel today Jesus openly expresses his relationship with God. He is the son of the One who lives outside His own creation but maintains a supreme role in it. The learned, he adds, cannot see this, perhaps because the tender care of a father sending his son to be crucified for the world is beyond their imagination. Simple people, however, will overlook the breach of human logic and accept gratefully the presence of God’s anointed one in their midst.
As Christians lived at least two centuries without the world taking much notice of Christ, we must give daily testimony to him by our actions. Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ by a remarkable peace among adversaries – wolves and lambs, lions and calves, cobras and babies. Our lives need to be marked by speaking to the troubled and welcoming the stranger. When we do so and encourage others to do likewise, once again the whole world will take notice of Christ’s presence.
Homilette for Monday, December 4
(Isaiah 2, Psalm 122, Matthew 8)
During Advent we are to wait patiently, purposefully, and eagerly for the coming of the Lord. Because many want to busy themselves in commerce and celebration, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.
We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.
Of course, we hope to be recognized as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. From the very beginning of his preaching Jesus instructed us reconcile with adversaries. As much as possible, we are to turn “swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.” Fulfilling this dictum from the Prophet Isaiah begins by our watching what we say. Too often we use words to attack people directly and to tear apart their reputation.
It seems like waiting eagerly conflicts with waiting patiently. After all, when we are eager about something, we want to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two words. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Christ erred when he said he would return or that we somehow have mistaken his meaning. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we must not dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus might be among us today, although not in full splendor. This effort creates eagerness in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.
During Advent we are to wait patiently, purposefully, and eagerly for the coming of the Lord. Because many want to busy themselves in commerce and celebration, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.
We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.
Of course, we hope to be recognized as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. From the very beginning of his preaching Jesus instructed us reconcile with adversaries. As much as possible, we are to turn “swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.” Fulfilling this dictum from the Prophet Isaiah begins by our watching what we say. Too often we use words to attack people directly and to tear apart their reputation.
It seems like waiting eagerly conflicts with waiting patiently. After all, when we are eager about something, we want to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two words. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Christ erred when he said he would return or that we somehow have mistaken his meaning. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we must not dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus might be among us today, although not in full splendor. This effort creates eagerness in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.
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