Wednesday, June 9, 2021

 Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary time

(II Corinthians 3:4-11; Matthew 5:17-19)

Management and labor sometimes see each other as inflexible adversaries.  Management grumble when workers will not do anything not specifically stated in their contract.  Workers complain when managers knit pick about their performance.  In today’s first reading and also in the gospel these concerns are treated as “law.”  They are contrasted with the “Spirit” which engenders free and generous contribution to the common good.

St. Paul writes of a new covenant not written in stone but on the heart.  Participants in this new covenant will not experience its demands as impositions on freedom.  Rather, they heartily carry out what needs to be done.  The Spirit working within them makes collaboration natural or, better, second nature.  In the gospel Jesus can say that he comes to fulfill the law because he will dispense the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit moves its possessor beyond the “give and take” of contracts to sacrifice of self for the good of all.

Scripture uses poetic metaphor to explain the new relationship with God that was forged by Christ.  It describes the new law as being a covenant written on our hearts so that we cannot forget it.  it indicates that we have received the Holy Spirit.  Aware of the Spirit’s presence we do not hesitate to serve.  Doing so, we find ourselves in the company of the saints.

Wednesday, June 15, 2021

 Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

Henri Nouwen was one of the most noted spiritual writers of the second half of the last century.  He wrote columns and books on how to live the gospel every day.  At some point he turned his attention to fundraising.  He explained to those working in Church development how to serve God more faithfully.

Nouwen wrote that fundraising is not begging.  Rather it is projecting a vision for the Church and asking people to share in it with their money.  In short, it is a way to involve people in the Church’s ministry.  He also saw fundraising as a call to conversion.  Both fundraisers and potential benefactors are called to change their perspective.  They have to come to terms with the fact that God’s new project has a role for them.

We have been hearing about St. Paul’s fundraising project in the first reading these last few days.  He is calling the community in Corinth to help support the Christians in Jerusalem.  He is asking them to look beyond their own needs to people in distress.  No doubt, he sees their assistance as a way to solidify the communion of Jews and non-Jews that the Church is meant to be.