Friday, July 1, 2022

 (Optional) Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, priest

(Amos 8:4-6.9-12; Matthew 9:9-13)

Today the Church salutes the Franciscan missionary St. Junipero Serra.  Founder of multiple Indian missions, St. Junipero was much admired for two and a half centuries.  California has considered him one of its founding fathers.  Recently, however, his memory has been reviled.  Except in the Church he has been “cancelled.”

Criticism of St. Junipero stems from the discipline that he imposed on the native Americans.  To assure the maintenance of the communities, the members were not free to come and go at will.  If they left stealthily, they were often corporally disciplined on return.  Corporal punishment is taboo today, partly because it has often been excessively administered.  But in prior times and fairly implemented, it was considered necessary.

The Church has undergone much criticism because of Catholic institution’s treatment of indigenous peoples.  In Canada today it is reeling from discoveries of mass graves of Native American school children.  The accusations must be investigated evenhandedly.  Certainly, any kind of sexual abuse must be condemned.  But the vast majority of its practices, it must be acknowledged, were not inherently evil.  The religious sisters and brothers usually did their best to educate the children.  They were facilitating their integration into a new society.  They too had a vision of descendants of native tribes and descendants of European stock could live in peace.

Thursday, June 30, 2022

 

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Amos 7:10-17; Matthew 9:1-8)

Martin Luther King is revered today by almost everyone.  In his lifetime, however, he was reviled by many white people.  They saw him as a troublemaker and opportunist.  Although King predicted his assassination, people thought he enjoyed dictating terms to presidents.  King suffered the fate of prophets in Israel as today’s first reading makes clear.

Amos lived in the southern kingdom of Judah.  He was not trained as a prophet but as a horticulturalist when God called him northwards. There he denounced neglect of the poor as well as idolatry.  His prophecies made him undesirable in the eyes of the northern establishment.

We have need for prophets today.  Although every person who criticizes social structures does not speak on behalf of God, some point out genuine deviation from God’s will.  A true prophetic concern has arisen where state has allowed for physician-assisted suicide.  It is reported that in some hospitals the elderly sick are being encouraged to sign on for the procedure.  Suicide, like murder, is a grave disorder.  Assisting in it should be decried and prohibited.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, apostles

(Acts 12:1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8.17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)

As we have been told many times, martyrdom is derived from a Greek root meaning giving witness.  Martyrs give witness in a supreme way by dying for their testimony.  However, those who give witness to the Lordship of Jesus by their words and actions are also legitimately called “martyrs.”.  Today’s readings show Saints Peter and Paul, who died for their testimony, witnessing to Jesus with their words. 

In the gospel Peter calls Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Christ, of course, is not Jesus’ last name but his functional role.  Jesus is God’s anointed who wins back God’s kingdom for His people.  In the second reading, Paul gives witness to Jesus’ help both.  In his mission to Gentiles and in his personal struggle with evil Paul received Jesus’ assistance.

Beneficiaries of the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, we likewise are to witness to Christ.  We should do this every day of our lives.  We are to be patient and kind to others.  We also are to stand up for the truth whether it be for the sanctity of human life from conception or an issue of lesser import.  In doing so, we too can hope with St. Paul that the Lord, “will rescue (us) from every evil and save (us) for his heavenly kingdom.”

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

 

Memorial of St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr

Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)

Perhaps it is because we dread the struggles that face us.  In any case, we often feel that the challenges ahead of us are more like mountains than hills.  We call them “crises” as if we doubt our ability to overcome them.  In the past twenty years the Church has experienced, among other setbacks, the “crises” of clerical abuse and the waning of faith.  These challenges are real, but they are not going to bring down the Church.  The reason for hope appears in today’s gospel

The boat containing Jesus and his disciples can be taken as a metaphor for the Church.  A storm, symbolizing a great challenge, arises.  With Jesus asleep the disciples feel doomed.  But all they have to do is to call upon him.  He is always ready to help.

St. Irenaeus, who lived in the last part of the second century, faced many challenges.  One was the theological error of Docetism.  This errant teaching claimed that Christianity amounted to a formula to get through life.  An excellent biblical theologian, Irenaeus answered the challenge by reaffirming the doctrine of the incarnation.  God becoming human has provided not a formula or belief but a new way of living.  Imitating Christ, we will go beyond surmounting crises to achieving life’s goal of eternity.

Monday, June 27, 2022

 

Monday of the Thirteenth Week in ordinary Time

(Amos 2:6-10.13-16; Matthew 8:18-22)

Characteristic of Matthew’s gospel, a narrative about Jesus follows a section of his preaching.  In today’s passage, the narrative gives examples of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. 

Two disciples approach Jesus telling of their desire to follow him.  In the Sermon he admonished them to enter by the narrow gate.  Now he warns the first disciple approaching him that following him will not be easy.  “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,” he tells him.  Also, he advised in the Sermon to “…seek first the Kingdom of God.” Now he tells the second disciple that following him takes precedence over everything, even the obligations to one’s parents.

Jesus does not want us to neglect our parents nor our children.  But he insists that submitting to his ways supersedes all other considerations.  We are to always put his will above our own.  We do not have to worry that it will lead to our ruin or other’s detriment.  Quite the contrary, we can be confident that prioritizing his will shall lead to our glory.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(I Kings 19:16b.19-21; Galatians 5:1.13-18; Luke 9:51-62)

With the coming holidays of national independence, it is worth reflecting on the second reading. St. Paul treats the ever-provocative theme of freedom. However, he does not think of freedom in the same way that we tend to think of it. We think of freedom as the removal of external restrictions. Slaves by the whip were prohibited from doing what they thought best. As human beings they deserved freedom. Still today many work under physically harsh conditions to survive. They seek freedom from their hard burdens. Paul has another conception of freedom in mind when he writes, "For freedom Christ set us free…”

For Paul, the freedom of Christ releases men and women from disordered passions. He has freed us from the inner urge to drink excessively and to run away from every uncomfortable situation. The unfortunate truth is that our internal dispositions can be an autocrat even more exacting than the whip or the demands of a boss. Just look at the way drug addicts ruin their lives for a few moments of pleasure.

The gospel today shows Jesus beginning the journey that will result in our deliverance. It says, "...he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” He knows that the cross awaits him in the holy city, but he will not go out of his way to avoid it. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus will defeat the forces of evil. These forces, which awaken inordinate passions, keep us as captives.

Jesus' emphasis on the discipline of his discipleship stands out in this gospel. He says, in contrast to our sensibilities, that it is more important to follow Christ than to bury our parents. In this way Jesus shows that his mission surpasses that of the great prophet Elisha. The prophet returned to his house to say goodbye to his people. In contrast, Jesus says that his disciples should not even look back once they decide to follow him.

However, this saying should not be taken as an excuse, much less a demand, to ignore filial responsibilities. Jesus would never say that it is not necessary to keep the fourth commandment. The Christian life offers us a great opportunity to serve our relatives together with the people of God. The saying, "Let the dead bury their dead," only emphasizes that his first priority is to save the world. Just so for us: the first priority is to support Jesus’ liberating work against human tendencies to sin.

A man, well known in his place, was an alcoholic. Many years ago he overcame this inner compulsion with the support of "Alcoholics Anonymous." Now this man participates in the discipleship of Jesus by encouraging other alcoholics to reform. In the process he has made himself really happy. This is just one example among millions of what St. Paul means when he writes: ""For freedom Christ set us free…”

Friday, June 24, 2022

 Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(Ezekiel 34:11-16; Romans 5:5b-11; Luke 15:3-7)

The author Oscar Wilde famously wrote, “…every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”  Although no one is perfect, we are all called to perfection, that is to sanctity.  Saints made mistakes in the past but were able (or better were enabled by God’s grace) to repent of their sins.  Sinners, perhaps the case of Wilde himself, can respond to God’s grace so that they always do His will.

In today’s first reading Ezekiel describes how God promises to save His people.  Using the image of a shepherd searching out lost sheep, the prophet says that God will gather His suffering people in peace and joy.  In today’s gospel Jesus recalls Ezekiel’s prophecy.  It should be read as a self-description of Jesus’ mission to save the world.  The reading from Romans provides the dynamics of that mission.  Jesus died on the cross to justify those who believe in him.  Now they can achieve the sanctity of God’s beloved children. 

We must realize that God’s greatest gift is not material prosperity or even good health.  No, Jesus Christ is the measure of God’s love for us.  He is God’s Son who sacrificed himself out of God’s love for us.  On this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we recall that sacrifice.  His heart symbolizes divine love for us.  The pierce wound, that most always is displayed in images of the Sacred Heart, indicates the price of that love.

Thurday, June 23, 2022

 

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lucas 1:56-66.80)

Today is an anomaly.  We most always celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24.  However, this year it gives way to the celebration of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus tomorrow, the Friday after Trinity Sunday.  Some may wonder why we celebrate John the Baptist’s birthday at all.  The question is especially interesting since the Church does not celebrate the birthday of any other except Christ and his Virgin Mother.

John the Baptist was the first to recognize Jesus as the Holy One of Israel.  When Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited his mother, John leaped for joy to be in the presence of the Messiah.  Then John served as Jesus’ harbinger, announcing that his own call to repentance only foreshadowed Jesus’ cleansing with the Holy Spirit.  Finally, John died as a prophet, martyred for speaking truth to the power of King Herod Agrippa.

Today’s gospel features the naming of John.  The name literally means “the Lord has shown favor.”  It certainly is the case, as much for us as for John's parents. Through John's ministry we are blessed with a model of devotion and an example of testimony to Christ.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

 

Optional Memorial of Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr and Saint Thomas More, martyr

The unnamed king in today’s first reading is Josiah of Judah.  As evidenced by his repentance, he tried to reform his nation that had drifted from God’s law.  He serves as a contrast to King Henry VIII who was responsible for the execution of the two saints we remember today.

St. John Fisher was a fine theologian and worthy bishop.  Unlike most of the bishops of Henry’s England, he did not bow to the royal decree making the king head of the English church.  The more famous St. Thomas More also refused to capitulate.  Both stand as examples of how Christians should oppose civil authority that demands immoral action.  They did not seek martyrdom but accepted it rather than bear false witness.

We cannot say that in former times – whether Roman or Tudor England – martyrdom was less prominent than today.  People who keep account of martyrs say that death on behalf of the faith is more numerous now than ever.  Prayer for these witnesses to Christ is called for.  We might also pray that we can give witness to Christ.  We may not be called to suffer death as his witnesses, but we are called to stand up for life and virtue.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

(II Kings 19:9b-11.14-21.31-35a.36; Matthew 7:6.12-14)

The gospel message seems to challenge us today as much as ever in the past.  Many people, including Catholic Christians, have succumbed to the dominant sexual license of the time.  Young couples share bed outside of marriage, often enough without knowing well their partners.  This is not the “narrow gate” to which Jesus refers in the gospel.

Today we celebrate St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth.  Aloysius was from nobility but early in life decided not to be ensnared in the intrigues of courtly life.  He became a Jesuit and died from the bubonic plague after caring for its victims. He was only twenty-three years old.

We are not being kill-joys when we admonish youth to live chaste lives.  Actually, we are preparing them for greater joys.  They will have discipline over their desires.  They will come to appreciate other persons as individuals with a full range of capacities.  And they will be set on the road to eternal life.

Monday, June 20, 2022

 Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 17:5-8.13-15a.18; Matthew 7:1-5)

When Jesus talks of splinters and beams, he is using metaphorical language.  He does not mean pieces of wood but prejudices.  People judge others, perhaps because of the color of their skin, as bigoted or violent.  They will treat the others then with meanness or suspicion.

Jesus exhorts his disciples to stop judging in this way.  (We would say “stereotyping.”)  He wants to make them aware that they are often conditioned to judge others negatively.  Once aware of that – the beam removed from their eye – they may judge correctly.

We do well to talk with the people whom we find difficult.  Conversation often reveals much commonality among peoples and individuals.  We may find goodness in others we would have not imagined before.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

 SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, June 23, 2019

(Genesis 14:18-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17)

More and more they appear in the streets.  Now they can be seen on highways. They are certainly found on corners with traffic lights. They always ask for alms. Along with a cardboard cup they carry signs saying: “Anything will help”; "God bless you"; "Will work for food." They are of different ages, of different genders, and of different races. They are addicts and alcoholics, homeless and unemployed. In some cases, they are also impostors. In a sense they are similar to the needy in the gospel today.

People have come from many places to listen to Jesus. Being very late in the day, they are hungry. The apostles turn to Jesus worried. They ask him to let the people go to buy food. But Jesus has another idea to meet the people’s needs. He tells his companions, "'Give them some food yourselves'". He also tells us in the case of street beggars: "'Give them some food yourselves.'"

This mandate covers more than food. Some of the beggars have neither houses nor clothes nor medicines. Others are in serious need of medical and psychological care. How can we fulfill the mandate? If we give them cash, it is very possible that they will squander it on drugs. If we just give them food, would we just be putting a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage? We can pass the responsibility to other entities. Maybe we want to write to our congressman that the government provide more help. Or maybe we can give a donation to a charity to do something on our behalf. But is this what the Lord wants us to do when he says, "'Give them some food yourselves.'"

The apostles do not get frustrated in the reading but wait for a directive from the Lord. When he tells them, they put the people in groups of fifty. This number is roughly the number of Christians in the communities of the early Church. Then Jesus blesses the five loaves and two fish that are at hand. He passes them to the apostles to be distributed among the people. It turns out that there is more than necessary to feed more than five thousand people.

Like the early church we have to wait on the Lord. It is up to us to pray to Jesus to help us take care of the people on the street. At the same time, we want to do something if only give them a nod of recognition. They are not nobodies but sons and daughters of God. Perhaps the Lord will lead us from a simple recognition of their humanity to even more significant forms of help. In this way, "'Give them some food yourselves'" will not be just a request to provide food for others. Rather it is made into a recommendation to reorient our lives toward the Lord.

The second reading supports us in the reorientation. St. Paul speaks of "a new covenant" between God and humans. This covenant has united us to God so intimately that we are incorporated into his Body. We can count on his support even his direction when we approach him with our need. With it we can solve the most pressing social challenges. Likewise, we can count on him with our personal concerns. He will not leave us alone because we are parts of him.

Some are upset when they see beggars in the street. Perhaps they get even more disturbed when they hear Jesus say, "'Give them some food yourselves.'"  But this type of reaction is neither desirable nor beneficial. Rather let us put them in the hands of the Lord. Let us pray both for ourselves as well as for them. Let's ask him what exactly he wants us to do. And let's not forget to ask him to help us in the effort.

Friday, June 17, 2022

 Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 (II Kings 11:1-4.9-18.20; Matthew 6:19-23)

 Jesus’ parable in today’s gospel comparing one’s eye to a lamp is notoriously hard to understand.  He seems to say that how one sees reality determines the soundness of the person.  If someone looks at things greedily, that person is not healthy inwardly.  But if the person realizes that wealth and power are not as valuable as goodness and truth, then the person stands in sound health.

 Jesus’ lesson is borne out in the first reading.  Athaliah is the daughter of the wicked Ahab and Jezebel of Israel, and wife of King Jeroram of Judah.  When her husband and son are killed, Athaliah attempts to have all Jeroram’s other children slain so that she can sit on Judah’s throne.  The scheme falters, however, when prince Joash, Jeroram’s son evidently by another woman, is rescued.  Athaliah rules Judah for six years, but she is slain as Joash is anointed king. 

 We must be wary of wealth and power.  They are not evil in themselves, but they can create desire that will cause us to sin.  Rather than seek riches and control, we are wise to pray for wisdom on ourselves and our leaders.

 

Thursday, June 16, 2022

 Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 48:1-14; Matthew 6:7-15)

Every year forest fires in the American Southwest destroy millions of trees.  Fire also devastates buildings and too frequently kills people.  Yet pyro-technology has been a tremendous human achievement.  Most transportation over long distances is facilitated by fire.  In today’s first reading the prophet Elijah is celebrated as the Bible’s great pyro-technician.

Elijah called down fire to consume the animal sacrifice that showed the Lord as the one, true God.  He also was sent to heaven in a whirlwind of fire.  Elijah’s fire symbolizes God’s fierce love for His people.  As fire flares up, so God demands that His people care for one another.  He is especially concerned that the rich do not forget the needy.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a twentieth century mystical theologian, used fire to describe the power of love.  He wrote, “Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

 Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 2:1.6-14; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

Critics of Christianity fault the faith for promoting egotism.  They see Christian kindness as no more than a ploy to achieve personal salvation.  They might notice Jesus in today’s gospel making a similar criticism.

Jesus calls those who perform charitable deeds so that others may notice “hypocrites.” He means that their public actions are not representative of their inner motivation.  They exhibit concern for others not out of love but out of pride.  They want to be known as good but really do not care about the people they help.   

When we help others in order to achieve eternal life, are we being hypercritical?  It is not likely the case.  First, such actions presume faith in Christ and his teaching about who will inherit eternal life.  We do what we do not for a tangible reward but out of love for Jesus.  Secondly, we know that God cannot be deceived because He knows our hearts.  We would only be deceiving ourselves if we think that we can deceive God.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

 Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Kings 21:17-29; Matthew 5:43-48)

Living in democratic societies, people cannot appreciate the authority of an ancient king.  He had a standing army to pursue his interests.  His wealth procured anything or he desired.  His fame and influence made him the envy of the whole nation.  Can it be any wonder that these kings were given to excess?  They wanted many wives, increasing amounts of territory, and the populace to treat them as if they were gods.   For these reasons prophets came to the fore during the time of monarchy in Israel.  Prophets are rightly seen as messengers sent by God to channel the king’s power to ways of justice.

Today’s first reading tells of the prophet Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab, king of Israel.  On God’s behalf Elijah denounces Ahab for profiting by the murder of an innocent man.  His punishment is severe.  The king and his treacherous wife will suffer the same brutal ending as the poor man she had killed. Interestingly, God with the mercy that Jesus suggests in today’s gospel commutes Ahab’s sentence.  When the king repents of his wrong-doing, God decides that his son and not himself will suffer the ignominious end.

We need prophets today to temper the power of national leaders.  All should listen to the voices of men and women who give their lives to prayer and wisdom.  These people may not be the first to speak out.  Nor will they necessarily have a comment on everything that takes place.  But they will denounce what civil rulers do that is patently wrong and injurious to the nation.

Monday, June 13, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Anthony, priest

(I Kings 21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42)

It is said that St. Anthony was portrayed in early images as holding the Scriptures in one arm.  This makes sense since Anthony was one of the greatest preachers in Europe.  In time the Scriptures were replaced by an image of the child Jesus.  This also has its logic since Jesus is the Word of God.  Today’s gospel passage requires the assistance of a great interpreter of Scripture, which is the role of a preacher.

On a preliminary reading the passage seems to forbid all forms of defense.  Jesus tells his disciples to “offer no resistance to one who does evil.”  Does he mean that a nation cannot defend itself against an aggressor like Ukraine against Russia today?  Jesus has in mind personal aggression.  He is saying not to allow a loss of face move you to humiliate the aggressor in return.  He probably does not have in mind letting another kill you.  Nor, it seems, does he mean that an army should not protect its nation from unjust intrusion.

We Christians are to live a different morality than the world’s.  That morality will move us to act in ways that seem heroic and perhaps at times foolish to others.  Yet, it seems, that Jesus is not asking us to allow others to hurt us at will.

Sunday, June 12, 2022

 SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY

(Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15)

We've traversed a lot of spiritual territory since March. We passed through our sins at the beginning of Lent. We found God's mercy at the end of the season. Then we experienced the hope of the Resurrection and the glory of the Ascension. Last Sunday we completed the renewal of our salvation with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now, after more than a quarter of a year, it behooves us to reflect on the dynamism that has driven the process forward. That is, we want to examine: who is God?

We sometimes hear some talking about God in layman's terms, "God is the man upstairs," people say. This cannot be correct. God is neither a man nor above us in the sense that he lives in a place beyond the clouds. Nor is God "daddy" like preachers used to tell us. Language research has certified that “Abba”, the Aramaic word with which Jesus addresses God, does not connote familial affection. It means only "Father" with all the intimacy and respect that this word conveys.

One can truly say that God is a mystery, but what does this term mean? Mystery, in the religious sense, is not like a detective story that challenges us to solve. Nor is it a scientific enigma that we are likely to understand one day. God is a mystery because we don't have the ideas, let alone the words, to adequately describe him. It is a mystery like when they bring us our newborn.  He is all wonder and awe.

However, we don't have to be completely silent about God. The Scriptures give us a glimpse into the mystery. We can examine the readings we just heard to help us know something about God.

The first reading presents wisdom as the companion of God. From the beginning God has always had wisdom as both servant and friend. Wisdom is the personification of the ability to know the nature of things. It is very similar in the way that the Word in the Bible is the personification of the ability to create and name things. For this reason, wisdom is associated with the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Wisdom also suggests the Holy Spirit. The prophet Isaiah names it as a gift of the Spirit.

In the second reading Saint Paul reminds us that we were sinners destined to perdition. Then - he says - God, in his love, sent Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin. He adds that God has shared this love with us by sending us the Holy Spirit.

In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come with his departure. He assures them that he will teach them everything they cannot understand now (which is a lot because they have not yet experienced the crucifixion and resurrection.) Even more, Jesus promises that the Spirit will take what is his and declare it to them. With these ways communicated to us, his disciples -- including us -- can be holy like Jesus.

Now what can we conclude about God? In the first place, we can say that God has always existed as a trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three have the same divine nature and the same will. Second, we can affirm that God redeemed human beings out of the greatest possible love.  It was like a father who put his own son to the most challenging of tests like walking across Antarctica to the South Pole to save his neighbors from destruction. Finally, God is still with us enlightening the mind and strengthening the heart to imitate Jesus.

A prayer before lying down can help us consider all three persons daily. We want to give thanks to God the Father for some benefit we received during the day. We want to ask God the Son for forgiveness for a fault that we manifested. And to God the Holy Spirit we want to ask for help with a challenge that we will face tomorrow. In this way we wouldn't be solving the mystery of God. But we would be engaging the dynamism of our existence.

Friday, June 10, 2022

 

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 19:9a, 11-16, Matthew 5:27-30)

The “tiny, whispering sound” conveying the presence of the Lord to Elijah might be translated the “sound of silence.”  God visits him, as He does each of us, in the silent chamber of conscience where He tempers our pride and chastens our sloth.

 The Lord questions Elijah, “Why are you here?” He is being both rhetorical and accusatory.  God knows well that Elijah has chosen to run away from his responsibilities as prophet.  Elijah must speak the word of God in order to turn the people’s hearts back to God.  But the prophet only complains about his lot: the people have abandoned God, they have killed God’s messengers, and they are presently hunting down Elijah himself.  God, however, does not condemn Elijah for irresponsibility and endless complaints.  He re-commissions him to carry out His will.

 Sometimes we feel discouraged like Elijah.  Nothing seems to go right despite our efforts to please God.  We too complain about our situation and perhaps become cynical about our lots improving.  A generation ago Henry Nouwen wrote a pamphlet “From Resentment to Gratitude” which explored these feelings of frustration and anger that pervade contemporary life.  As an antidote, Nouwen prescribes humbly refocusing our perspective.  He writes that we must see “that our life is not an inalienable property to be defended but a gift to be shared.”  Recognizing life for the gift that it is, we can leave behind our sulking to do God’s will.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

 Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 18:41-46; Matthew 5:20-26)

It is hard to overemphasize the radical nature of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  It establishes a new order of moral conduct for Jesus’ followers.  No longer will acts be acceptable if they merely conform to the Mosaic Law.  They must never be done with any maliciousness. 

In today’s passage from the Sermon Jesus comments on the law proscribing murder.  He warns that it is not enough that his followers refrain from harming one another physically.  They must not ridicule or denigrate each other as well.  Jesus emphasizes the importance of this rule in a telling way.  He says that when it is violated, reconciliation takes precedence over offering God sacrifices.  It is as if his followers show their love for God by how they love their neighbors.

We may wonder if it is possible to live as innocently as Jesus commands in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus, as St. Matthew presents him, would respond yes, of course, we can.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, given to us last Sunday and always available, we can. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

 Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19)

As long as one lives in a land with other kinds of people, it will be hard to keep syncretism at bay.  Syncretism blends different elements of culture to produce a new cultural reality.  Syncretism often results in the loss of a major characteristics of the older culture.  Santeria exemplifies a syncretism religion.  This cult borrows from African animist and Catholic traditions.  It was developed in Cuba but is found in other Caribbean cultures as well.

In today’s first reading the prophet Elijah challenges the people to give up their syncretistic practices.  “How long will you straddle the issue?” he charges, “If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” Baal is the Phoenician-Canaanite god of fertility and weather.  Elijah then demonstrates to the people the Lord’s supremacy.  His prayer to the Lord calls down fire to consume the sacrifice.

We might find syncretistic tendencies in the people we meet.  They may go to mass on Sunday but during the week put all trust in mammon.  They may keep a statue of the Virgin in their yard but on their porch take seriously their horoscope.  We want to avoid these tendencies if not these people.  We believe in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They have sent their Spirit upon us so that we might become holy like them.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

 Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13-16)

A Dominican priest in Pakistan had a large Muslim following.  The people considered him a holy man of God.  They would wait for him after mass outside church.  There he would bless them.  The blessing evidently brought cures and other graces.  The widow of Zarephath looks at Elijah as those Muslims did to that Dominican in Pakistan.

The widow is not a daughter of Israel.  She tells Elijah, “’As the Lord, your God, lives...”  She must recognize the power of God, or she would not invoke an oath in His name.  She also acknowledges the authority of God’s prophet when she obeys his commands.

The woman is saved by her faith in God even though that faith is undeveloped.  We do well to imitate it along with her generosity.  We want to do all that God has commanded through Moses and, especially, Jesus.  In today’s gospel Jesus tells his disciples to be salt and light.  He is telling us to lift people’s spirits with works motivated by love.

Monday, June 6, 2022

 Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church

(Acts 1:12-14; John 19: 25-34)

Today’s feast or, more accurately, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, has only been established recently.  It serves at least two purposes.  It justly extends the celebration of Pentecost by a day.  It also draws attention to the family aspect of the Church.

Conventional wisdom sees today’s gospel as Jesus providing for his widow mother.  However true that is, the evangelist likely has more in mind by the Beloved Disciple and Mary taking one another as his and her own.  Jesus is forming his Church.  In handing over his spirit a few verses later, he is enlivening the Church with the Holy Spirit.  The scene can be called “a second Pentecost.”

The chief characteristic of the Church formed by Jesus’ mother and Beloved Disciple will be familiar love.  In the Church we share not only Jesus’ Spirit but his body and blood as well.  This reality helps us to see one another in the Church in a revered way.  We may not be as close to most Church brothers and sisters as we are to our natural siblings.  Nevertheless, we should offer them extra care and affection.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022

(Acts 2:1-11; Romans 8:8-17; John 14:15-16.23b-26)

A novel tries to re-imagine the Holy Trinity. The three persons have different characteristics. The Son is a Jewish carpenter. There is nothing new here. The Father is an incredible invention, not worth saying much about Him here. The most curious of the three is the Holy Spirit. He is described as a young girl who moves with the impetuosity of a butterfly. She's here one second and there the next. Yes, it can be said that the Holy Spirit is everywhere at the same time. Now at Pentecost, the feast of the Holy Spirit, it behooves us to try to describe more of the Spirit. As the basis of our study we can use the readings from yesterday, the vigil, and today.

It can be said with confidence that the Holy Spirit is a gift. In the vigil’s gospel this gift is described as water that refreshes a thirsting people. It is as if we were dried up plants on which water is poured. Soon we straighten up to continue with our daily tasks. A Catholic poet had the Holy Spirit as his muse. As he felt unable to express his feelings, he prayed to the Spirit. He said: "O Lord of life, send my roots rain."

The Holy Spirit is also the gift that brings the hope of eternal life. Yesterday's second reading from the Letter to the Romans says: "...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." It is the agonized cry of the families who have lost their children in the massacre in Texas. They pray with all their hearts that they see their children again in eternal life.

The first reading yesterday also contains a glimpse of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel says that the Lord will pour out his spirit on everyone. Then the “old men will dream dreams” and the “young men will see visions”. What will the old dream of? and what will the young see? If they have experienced the trauma of war like the Ukrainian people, surely it will be peace and friendship between nations and people.

The first reading today describes the Spirit as tongues of fire resting on the disciples. The tongues are a dynamism to proclaim God's love to the world. A week ago, one of the most respected journalists in the country did exactly this. She ended her column with a testimony of faith. She said: "I have been alive for some years and this is the only true thing, that there is a God and he is good and you are here to know him, love him and show your feeling through your work and how you live."

The second reading from First Corinthians describes how the Spirit brings us together into one body. We are united despite different cultures and languages. This truth has been shown in the issue of abortion. Catholics have joined with the pope and bishops against abortion. Thanks to the Catholic Church the pro-life movement has not diminished despite strong opposition.

Finally, the Holy Spirit brings help in our trials. Our translation says an “Advocate,” in the sense of a lawyer.  The Spirit stands with us in temptations. Whether we struggle with pornography, or it is laziness that bothers us, the Spirit comes to our aid. It reminds us of the lessons of our teachers and of the fact that it is God that we offend by sin.

A good image for the Holy Spirit is a spring. In different places there are springs sprouting endless streams of pure water.  The water refreshes, helps, and gratifies so that children playing in it shout for joy. Thus it is with the gift of the Holy Spirit. It refreshes, helps, and gratifies us so that we want to sing praises to God.

Friday, June 3, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

(Acts 25:13b-20; John 21: 15-19)

In today’s gospel Jesus indicates “by what kind of death (Peter) would glorify God.”  He tells Peter that someone will lead him where he would rather not go. He means that Peter would die as a martyr giving witness to Jesus.  Today’s patron saints also died after being led by another where they would rather not go.

Charles Lwanga was a layman who served in the court of the Ugandan king.  In charge of court pages, Charles protected them from the king’s perverted desires.  His defiance brought on persecution for the pages as well as Charles.  They suffered the horrible martyrdom of being roasted alive.

Who can understand human cruelty of such dimension?  Yet it displays itself perhaps in every culture and in every period of time.  Like the Ugandan martyrs we hope to give witness to Jesus Christ, who also suffered terrible cruelty.  By our patience in the face of injustice we too can glorify God.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30. 23:6-11; John 17:20-26)

As wonderful as unity may sound, it cannot be an ultimate value alone.  Russia has been mostly unified in support of the invasion of the Ukraine.  Still the aggression qualifies as a moral and social atrocity.  In today’s gospel Jesus prays not just for unity, but unity in him and the Father.  He wants his disciples and their converts to experience the love of his relation to the Father. 

Unity in love is often found in families undergoing a hardship.  The prospect of giving birth to a child with Downs Syndrome causes many couples dread.  Yet their families are more likely to pull together to care for disabled child.  That child neediness draws out the family’s love.  Also, her or his affection relays love to the others.

We do not have to agree with everyone to have unity.  But there is a limit to how much difference can be tolerated.  That limit is sometimes expressed in this way: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”