Wednesday, February 1, 2023

 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 12:4-7.11-15; Mark 6:1-6)

At a boys’ high school in the early 1960s, Fr. John served as disciplinarian.  Fr. John had a large frame and a stern face.  He was tough but also fair.  If he saw a boy running in the hall or taking the wrong staircase, he would stop him.  If the boy had glasses, Fr. John told him to take them off.  Then he slapped the boy’s face, only hard enough to assure that the boy understood that rules were to be followed.  The schoolboys did not feel humiliated as chastened by such discipline.  Indeed, they came to love Fr. John because it was obvious that he wanted to see them grow into good men.  Fr. John promoted the kind of discipline of which the author of Hebrews writes in today’s passage.

In his exhortation for discipline, the author might have said that the word works as the root for “disciple.”  Disciples must learn how to conform to the ways of their teachers.  Discipline is more than a matter of knowledge.  It involves developing habits that approximate those of the master.  In the reading the author has in mind the faith of martyrs who willingly shed their blood for Christ.  Their faith did not waver with either the delay of Christ or the advance of their executioners.

Discipline is often in short supply today.  People want to follow their instincts and emotions.  They prefer not to conform their lives to a rule which others make, and much less to the virtues of Christ.  We must not follow their example.  Quite the contrary, we are to exemplify the joy and integrity that discipleship of Christ brings.

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

 Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43)

The “cloud of witnesses” the author of Hebrews has in mind deeply believed in God’s promise to Israel.  Their faith enabled them to accomplish heroic deeds.  The author encourages his readers to imitate their trust in God so that they might realize the promises of Christ.

We too have a cloud of witnesses surrounding us.  People like St. John Bosco and St. Teresa of Kolkata show us that a holy life can produce significant social benefit.  In addition to these superstars we have personal witnesses -- maybe a parent, teacher, or friend.  Their testimony has made us better people.  The sacrifices they made led them to a tranquility indicative of life with God in eternity.

Let us not be lax in imitating the cloud of witnesses.  In a world of much illusion, deception, and contempt, they will lead us to lasting peace and true happiness.

Monday, January 30, 2023

 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 11:32-40; Mark 5:1-20)

Pity the Geresene demoniac.  He is driven by evil spirits.  He cannot do what he wants.  Evil impulses control his behavior.  Pity him because we may find ourselves in a similar situation.

We don’t have to be living in a tomb to find our conduct out of control.  Many of us are driven by addictions that destroy our peace and ruin our relationships. They wreck our bodies as well.

The demoniac has sense enough to turn to the Lord for help.  So should we.  We approach Jesus in prayer, in reading the gospel, and, last but not least, in the community of helpers around us.  Doing so diligently, we should find ourselves relieved of the spirits, resolved to live better.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, December 29, 2023

(Zephaniah 2,3.3,12-13; I Corinthians 1,26-31; Matthew 5, 1-12ª)

Few people want to be saints. Most think of holiness as boring. They say that they would rather be cheerful and adventurous as if there were no very cheerful and adventurous saints. One thing for sure is that Jesus has taught that one cannot enter the Kingdom of God without being holy. He has called the whole world to holiness. That is why a famous Catholic author once said: "The only tragedy in life is not to become a saint."

The beatitudes of today’s gospel serve as a description of holiness. They are placed at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount to indicate the goal of Christian morality. The saints are "poor in spirit." They “mourn” over their sins and the sins of others. They are also meek, long-suffering, or humble, depending on the translation of our Bible. These first three beatitudes show that holiness is rooted in humility. Contrary to our way of thinking, poverty of spirit is not a lack of self-esteem. Rather, it is recognizing ourselves as sons and daughters of God, the Father, ever confident of his protection. Once a missionary visited a village in the mountains of Honduras. Because it was the day after Christmas, he asked the campesino children about their Christmas presents. Each responded that his present was a gift for the infant Jesus, not what he received from Santa Claus. They told how they would pray more to Jesus or pay more attention to their household chores. This is true "poverty of spirit."

Saint Augustine recognized the paramount importance of humility when he wrote: "If you asked me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility." In other words, if we do not cultivate humility, we are lost. Saint Paul would agree. In the second reading he exalts humility as God's strategy to save the world. He says that God did not choose the rich and educated but the weak to show the power of the cross of Christ.

In addition to gaining eternal life through humility, we can give other reasons to humble ourselves. The most significant is that we are imitating Jesus. As Paul writes to the Philippians, the Son of God emptied himself of divinity to assume the human condition. Also, humility fosters cooperation between people. In a famous speech from a Shakespearean drama, King Henry V of England won the support of his troops by speaking to them with humility. They were far outnumbered by the enemy, but because he called them his “brothers”, they prevailed. Finally, we want to be humble because it is very possible that the other person is more accomplished than us. We have all had the experience of misjudging another person's ability, possibly causing ourselves embarrassment and the other person insult.

A formidable human passion makes us resist being humble. Because of pride we love to think of ourselves as prettier, smarter, or stronger than others. It’s the devil's work to make us consider ourselves among the best without need of other’s assistance. If the devil is successful in this endeavor, we would be isolated, deceived, and inclined to do something awful.

So how can we avoid pride and attain holiness? First, as Saint Paul says in the same Letter to the Philippians, let us consider others as superior to ourselves. In fact, in one respect or another, they are. Second, let's be willing to forgive other people's faults. Further in the list of beatitudes, Jesus highlights mercy. This disposition allows us to assume the feelings of others so that we can forgive them. Finally, humility, so challenging in this world permeated with Facebook and Instagram, requires prayer. We have to pray every day: “Make me humble like you, Lord”.

Friday, January 27, 2023

 Friday of the Third Week in ordinary Time

(Hebrews 10:32-39; Mark 4:26-34)

The teacher coaxed her students. “We are not Americants;” she said, “we are all Americans.” Although her phrases may sound jingoistic, she touched on a recurrent theme in geography.  Americans are a pragmatic people.  The author of Hebrews makes a similar statement about Jewish Christians in today’s first reading.

The passage continues the argument that the author’s Jewish Christian readership should maintain their faith in Christ.  He proposes that Jewish Christians have already suffered for their faith.  If they stop believing in Christ now, he says, their suffering will have gained them nothing.  Like the teacher reminding her students of American ability, the author tells his readers that they are a people of perseverance.

In our age of decreasing church membership, the arguments from the Letter to the Hebrews should not be lost.  Faith gives a person an excellent perspective for living.  More than that, it offers the hope of fullness of life in eternity.  It would be a tragic to throw away this future by ceasing to believe. 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

 Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

(II Timothy 1:1-8; Mark 4:21-25)

Recently deceased Australian cardinal George Pell took to heart St. Paul’s famous advice to Timothy.  Paul tried to encourage his disciple and protégé Timothy to find courage to deal with his problems.  Evidently, as Timothy’s teaching authority was being challenged, he was unsure how to defend himself.  “Stir into flame the gift of God,” Paul tells Timothy.  That is, he wants Timothy to trust in the Holy Spirit’s gifts of fortitude and wisdom.

Cardinal Pell died suddenly two weeks ago as the result of a common surgery.  He had returned to Rome after spending over a year in prison in a Australian miscarriage of justice.  Cardinal Pell used the time as a long retreat in which he wrote extended an extended memoir.  That reflection attests to his courage in facing setbacks.  It also encourages others to profess the truth of Christ in a world often antagonistic to him.

All of us – priests, religious, and lay people – should prepare ourselves to defend the truth of Christ.  Often we are inclined to silence when others belittle Christ’s teachings propagated by the Church.  Be it opposition to divorce on demand or the prospect of eternal life, we want to be both clear and kind about what we know to be true.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

 Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

 (Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

 Today ends the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  “What’s that?” many people ask, even people who come to church regularly.  The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was established over a hundred years ago.  It addresses the contradiction of Jesus’ church being divided up as if it were an indigenous territory that was parceled in a land rush.  In the Gospel of John Jesus prays: “’…that all of them may be one as You, Father, are in me, and I am in you’” (John 17:21).  As it now stands, Christians are no more one than the colors of the rainbow.

 The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul was chosen as the day to end the week of prayer.  It is worthwhile to ponder why.  Of course, Paul is universally admired.  Protestants see his insight of “salvation by faith in Christ” as particularly critical to Christian self-understanding, which it is.  Catholic priests and sisters have made Paul their model in the profession of celibacy.  But a deeper reason explains the choice of Paul as the patron of unity.  As the name of the feast indicates, Paul underwent conversion.  He changed his mind and heart.  He was the persecutor of Christ who became his greater promoter.  Something like Paul’s conversion must take place in Christians if there is ever to be unity.

The conversion called for here is akin to the change of heart preached every Lent.  We must humble ourselves before God and one another.  We must not think of ourselves as better than others because we are traditional Catholics or “everybody’s welcome” Protestants.  Rather we must listen to Christ speaking through one another.  And we must bend to accept one another as a brother or sister.  We cannot compromise fundamental principles for a superficial unity.  But we can establish partnerships that transcend differences.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

 Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Hebrews 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35)

 An unforgettable scene in the movie Dances with Wolves shows the hero riding away with the Indians.  He was a calvary officer on the American frontier who was abandoned by the American army and adopted by a Sioux tribe.  He became one of them; they became his family.  In today’s gospel Jesus similarly chooses his family.

Jesus’ blood relatives come looking for him.  Believing him to be mentally disturbed, they want to take him back to Nazareth.  But he makes it known that his disciples are his “mother, brothers, and sisters.”  Jesus never says that any human is his father.  The only father he has, his true Father, is God in heaven.

Although not in the same way, God through Jesus is our Father as well.  He takes care of our needs as every one of us can attest.  In response we should thank Him by always doing His will.

Monday, January 23, 2023

 Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 9:15.24-28; Mark 3:22-30)

In today’s gospel scribes have come from Jerusalem to see Jesus.  No doubt, they want to investigate the wonders that have been attributed to him.  Their conclusion is astonishing.  They say, despite his attention to prayer and compassion, that Jesus can cure illness and expel demons because he is in league with the devil!

However, Jesus is not dismayed. He responds to the accusation with an analogy that challenges people today but perhaps was not lost on those surrounding him.  He compares Satan’s control over the world to a strong man’s possession of a house.  Then Jesus compares himself to an even stronger man who has come into Satan’s house and tied him up Satan.  As a result, the household is liberated of Satan’s perverse rule.

The evangelist Mark is telling us that Jesus has delivered us from sin and death.  We must not refuse his liberation out of a liking for or familiarity with sinful ways.  For the sake of our salvation and others, we must give ourselves over to him.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 8:23-9:3; I Corinthians 1:10-13.17; Matthew 4:12-17)

Galilee may be the region where Jesus came from, but it was not considered the holy land. To the contrary, in Biblical times Galilee was under a cloud of suspicion. Isaiah in the first reading today and Matthew in the gospel tell why. They say that Galilee is the "district of the pagans." Non-Jews inhabited the land with the invasion of Assyria seven centuries before Christ. They brought their idols and their offensive customs to the Jews. For this reason, Isaiah also calls it a "land of shadows."

Isaiah sees God rescuing the Israelites in the land from foreign oppression. He describes his action as "a great light" shining on the people. Matthew tells of Jesus fulfilling this prophecy when he comes to Capernaum. From there Jesus will preach the Kingdom of God with powerful words and deeds.

More and more our time is seen as a “land of shadows”. Certainly, we have cars, cell phones, and other gadgets that make life comfortable. But we are also seeing the breakdown of the family with divorces and out-of-wedlock births. Many today prefer having pets to raising children. Accompanying the destruction of the family, people are losing faith. Yes, almost everyone celebrates Christmas in one way or another, but relatively few attend Sunday mass. One sign of things to come is that young people often answer “none” to polls asking their religion.

Jesus penetrates the shadows of Galilee through his illuminating preaching. He exhorts people to repent in order to experience the wonder of God's kingdom. For Jesus, repentance consists of more than feeling remorse for our sins. Rather, it means leaving behind the things that lead us away from God and turning to Him with prayer and good works. More to the point, repentance detaches us from the things that fill our minds with vices so that we dedicate ourselves to goodness.

A Franciscan friar preaches of repentance in his life. As a young man, he was very fond of dressing up in fine clothing. He says that he was always buying new shirts and pants to stay in style. Now this piece of vanity has passed. He is content with wearing the habit with a pair of shorts under it.

Each of us has to examine his own life for the thing that inhibits him or her from moving closer to God and leaving it behind. For many it is the movies that are increasingly obscene. For others it is the bad company they keep. If our companions use bad words, in a short time we are going to use them and, worse, think in such terms. It can be the multiple mirrors that we have in the house feeding our vanity. Or it may be our fanaticism about football, hockey, or professional wrestling for their brutality. Of course, there are many more temptations, but the task is to discover and leave the one that is keeping us from God.

Paul sees several shadows in the Corinthian community. In today's reading he addresses factionalism. Later, he will deal with immorality, the reception of the Eucharist unworthily, and the denial of the resurrection from the dead. In every case problem Paul will find the resolution in Jesus Christ. It is Christ into whom all are baptized so that they have become one. It is Christ with whom they are united in such a way that fornication becomes infidelity to him. It is Christ who fed his own body to his disciples the night before his death so that when they come inebriated to receive the Eucharist, they are rejecting Christ. It is Christ who rose from the dead so that if they do not believe in their own resurrection, they are denying his resurrection. The same Christ can also dispel our shadows. First, we must let him into our lives. Then, we must embrace him with all our soul.

Friday, January 20, 2023

 Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

 (Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19)

 Today’s passage from the Letter to the Hebrews presents Christians with a dilemma.  We know that the Old Testament (or Old Covenant, the words mean the same thing) has immense value.  After all, it inspired and informed Jesus.  Nonetheless Hebrews, which is part of the New Testament, indicates that it is “obsolete” and “close to disappearing.” 

 We must hold up both the old and the new as critical.  The Old Testament enables us to understand Jesus, and the New Testament brings him into even clearer focus.  Yet neither of them nor both together is the perfect revelation of God.  That comes in the person of Jesus.  Scripture, howsoever indispensable it is for us, is the Word of God in human words.  This last phrase bespeaks inevitable limitation and even error.  In other words, both Old and New Testaments are defective.  We only find God revealing Himself to us perfectly in the living presence of Jesus.

 How can we so meet Jesus today?  We find him in the Eucharist where he nourishes us with his body and blood and illumines us with his Spirit.  For sure, we will not understand him perfectly even there.  Nevertheless, receiving the Eucharist we hold Jesus close to our hearts.  There we want to implore him to purify our understanding so that we live up to his call for us.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

 Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 7:25-8:6; Mark 3:7-12)

The recruiter of the local Catholic high school offended the bishop’s secretary.  It was not serious.  Perhaps the secretary did not think twice about it.  But the recruiter wanted to make amends.  He had a bouquet of flowers delivered to the bishop’s office for the secretary.  People today may not appreciate animal sacrifices suggested in the first reading.  But they should be able to understand sin offerings like the recruiter’s which amount to the same thing.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews tells his readers that Christ is the perfect high priest.  He gives two reasons.  First, he does not have to offer sacrifice for his own sins because he has never sinned.  Second, because he is God, the sacrifice he made of himself was sufficient to take away the guilt of the whole world. 

Although Christ has no need of our thanks, when we thank him we gain forgiveness of our sins.  Our thanksgiving is like picking up the ticket that will get us into the fullness of eternal life. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

 

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 7:1-3.15-17; Mark 3:1-6)

 In theocracies religious leaders not only influence people’s souls, they govern their workaday lives.  People today remember how the Ayatollah Khomeini came to rule Iran.  Sought out by the populace, he gained authority over the army when he returned from abroad.  More than anyone else, the Ayatollah is responsible for the resurgence of Islam in the last fifty years.  Today’s first reading describes the priest-king Melchizedek with a similarly supreme authority.

The author’s point is that Jesus is much like Melchizedek.  His divine origins were largely unknown until he rose from the dead.  Jesus also was a Messiah-king who brought peace of soul at least to those who accepted him as their ruler.  Finally, he too is owed a share of the people’s life, not just a tenth but one’s whole being.

We are reluctant to give Jesus everything.  Pope Francis says that there is a little bit of evil in every human.  It is true; we want to retain some of ourselves for selfish reasons.  Like the people the author of Hebrews was addressing, we grow weary of trusting in Jesus.  It is a temptation, however, that we must overcome.  Jesus, not worldly gratifications, is the key to a truly fulfilling life.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

 Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

(Hebrews 6:10-20; Mark 2: 23-28)

The indigenous woman was praying in front of the Black Christ in the Cathedral Basilica of Esquipulas.  She had candles lit around her as she adored the redeemer.  The woman could be seen as imitating Christ who gave new expression to religious devotion in his time.  The gospel today relates the reaction of the Pharisees to Christ’s new way.

The issue at hand in the gospel is Sabbath observance.  The law stipulates almost complete rest with as little exertion as possible on the seventh day.  If one didn’t have food available, that person should not eat until the day passed.  Jesus, always respectful of the Sabbath, nevertheless authorizes his hungry disciples to pick grain for eating on the holy day.  How could they celebrate the Sabbath without food.  When the Pharisees object, Jesus declares that he has authority over how to observe the Sabbath.

Today we celebrate a saint who practically institutionalized a new way of adoring Christ.  Rather than praying in church, Anthony went into the desert to overcome the power of Satan over himself and through prayer over the world.  We do not have to follow him into the desert as we imitate his devotion to God through constant prayer.

 Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 2:18-22)

What does it mean to be a human being?  Without sounding silly or arrogant, we might answer it does mean something.  Contrary to what some are saying today, we are not individuals who we can define themselves in whatever way we like.  We have similar feelings, an intellect and a will, as well as bodily makeup.  In other words, we all have a human nature.

The Letter to the Hebrews identifies Jesus Christ as one of us.  It says that Jesus understood our feelings and needs.  He suffered in the same ways that we do and experienced our joys and satisfaction.  But one thing Jesus did not share with other human beings was the guilt of sin.  He never offended God, his Father.  For these reasons, the letter concludes, Jesus makes the perfect high priest.  He knows our human situation and gives himself to appealing to God for us.  He does not ask for himself because he is always one with the Father.

We can trust in Jesus with our needs.  He will not abandon us because he loves us.  He has won favor with God the Father and will beseech Him on our behalf.  But we must join his company and ask for his help.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 49:3.5-6; I Corinthians 3:1-3; John 1:29-34)

One of his city’s best trial lawyers was once asked: What is the most important thing for winning a court case? Is it a fair judge? Is it a sympathetic jury? Is it a good support team? The lawyer promptly responded. "No, the most important thing to win a court case is one credible witness." In the gospel today we find such a witness in the case of Jesus.

John is a man of conviction. He doesn't waver so that his answer one day is this and the next day is that.  John also doesn't care about anything less than the truth. He lives on locusts and wild honey so that he cannot be bribed with any material thing. He does not try to please people but only God. He recognizes his task as preparing Israel for the coming of the Lord’s chosen one.

When he sees Jesus in today’s gospel, John testifies that he is the one, “the Lamb of God…” He means that Jesus is going to give himself up to death as a sacrifice to take away the sin that infects the world. He testifies that Jesus has the Holy Spirit which makes him the Son of God. Jesus imparts the same Spirit to us in Baptism. We have received the Spirit so that we might fulfill the will of God. 

We have just lost one of the great witnesses of our time. Pope Benedict XVI like John lived to bear witness to Jesus Christ. Benedict was a man of truth. He did not seek the favorable opinion of the press or of politicians. In a famous statement he criticized "liberation theology," which was the fashion in theology in the last quarter of the twentieth century. At the time, he was in charge of the Vatican department for matters of faith. The then Cardinal Ratzinger did not condemn liberation theology but warned its adherents that if they professed liberation only from social oppression and not also from personal sin, they would not be faithful to the gospel.

Benedict was also a person of humility. As he grew weak, he did not hold onto the office of pope. Although he had the world's attention, he resigned from the papacy when he realized that he could not carry out its responsibilities well.

Because he came from Germany after many years of rigorous study, Benedict's personality was reserved. But he was not cold and much less ruthless as was sometimes said of him. An American priest remembers meeting him in a receiving line when he came to New York on a papal visit. The priest says that although the line was long, Benedict extended his hand to him and presumably to everyone else, looking into each person’s eyes. His observation of Pope Benedict confirms what his biographer said about his manners. When waiting to see him on his first visit, Cardinal Ratzinger came to him personally and extended his hand in a friendly manner.

More than before, we need testimony like that of Pope Benedict. In fact, it is necessary for all of us mass goers bear witness to Jesus Christ. The world is losing its good sense in a flood of overconcern about oneself. Secularism has eliminated reference to God as an authority outside of the person. Individualism has facilitated tragedies such as the breakdown of the nuclear family. And relativism has produced contradictions like gender change and gay marriage. Christ compels us to love those who think and act differently. But he also teaches us that there are transcendent truths to be defended despite what others think.

Pope Benedict died with a testimony of his love for Jesus on his lips. His last words were: "Jesus, I love you." Perhaps we could bear witness to Jesus by rehearsing what we want to be our final words. After saying goodbye to our loved ones, we would like to say something like: "I trust in you, O Lord." Let's repeat these words to another person every day. 

Friday, January 13, 2023

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 4:1-5.11; Mark 2:1-12)

Two generations ago people began to see themselves as free of sin.  It was particularly evident in the Catholic Church when few came to confessions.  A generation before people lined up for confession for hours on Saturday afternoon.  Then the lines shriveled until a half an hour was all the time needed for the few who came to ask forgiveness.  Without this sense of sin today’s gospel and Jesus’ whole mission make little sense.

Jesus preached God’s love for everyone, including those who sinned greatly.  He died on the cross to free humans from the punishment their sins deserved. He taught that they need not worry over past sins if they accepted God’s love and turned away from evil.  To show that his message was authentic, Jesus healed the paralytic after pronouncing the forgiveness of his sins.  The paralytic himself showed faith in Jesus’ message by exerting himself and others to be put in his presence.

We too must exert ourselves by acknowledging our sins despite a generation that avoids the subject.  We also need to exert ourselves by confessing our sins to a priest.  The exercises serve us well.  We are relieved of the punishment our sins merited.  We also can live with the firm hope of experiencing the fullness of God’s love.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

 Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 3:7-14; Mark 1:40-45)

The background for the Letter to the Hebrews has much in common with what is happening today.  Hebrew Christians, disillusioned that the Lord had not returned, were leaving the community of faith.  Today many who were raised Catholics no longer attend mass.  They find the promises of Christian faith, especially eternal life, as unreliable. 

In today’s lesson from Hebrews, the author of the letter exhorts the community not to give up hope.  He reminds the people of what happened in the desert after the exodus from Egypt.  The people forgot how the Lord had delivered them from slavery.  When experiencing hardship in the desert, they demanded new signs of power rather than trust in the Lord’s goodness.

Certainly there is cause for today’s disillusion with the Catholic Church.  Some of its officials have proven to be corrupt.  Some of its faithful have shown themselves as unrepentant.  But all this is not to say that the Church does not create saints.  Indeed, we can expect those who express their love for God openly and regularly to show similarly impressive virtue.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

 Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 2:14-18; Mark 1:29-39)

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke Jesus is revealed to the world with the stories of his birth.  The Gospel of Mark has no infancy narrative.  It introduces Jesus with a flurry of activity on the first day of his ministry. Today’s gospel recounts the events at the end of that first day and the beginning of the second.

Jesus heals diseased people and drives out demons from the possessed.  But he is not on a medical mission.  Rather than stay in one place to treat all who come to him, he goes off to preach to others.  His mission is to announce the reign of God and the need for listeners to change their ways so that they may benefit by it.

But established ways of thinking and acting are notoriously difficult to alter.  Try driving on the left side of the road after driving on the right for ten years.  Similarly, we are accustomed to seeking pleasure and recognition in abundance.  To dominate these passions, we need to take time like Jesus to pray for God’s help.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

 Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 2:5-12; Mark 1:21-28)

Today’s first reading addresses the great question of suffering.  It tries to explain why people suffer despite being redeemed by Christ.  The question appears academic until one suffers the loss of limb or, worse, the loss of a loved one.  Then that person can see if the explanation in the Letter to the Hebrews has worth.

The reading notes that Jesus was made perfect through suffering.  The implication is that suffering is the way to perfection.  By suffering without cursing God, men and women may conform their wills to His.  Jesus has won them justification of sin so that their own suffering can merit perfection.

We might ask, why would we want to be perfect if the way to perfection involves suffering?  After all, suffering involves pain, an antithesis to the joy we seek in life.  We might answer our question by noting how the reading calls those who suffer Jesus’ “brothers” (and sisters).  In striving for perfection, we join God’s family where we experience true happiness.

Monday, Jamuary 9, 2023

 The Baptism of the Lord

(Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7; Matthew 3:13-17)

When Mary greeted Elizabeth at the beginning of Luke’s gospel, the evangelist said, “…the infant leaped in her womb.”  The infant in her womb, of course, was John the Baptist who “leaped for joy” in the presence of Jesus. 

Matthew’s gospel does not report a visit by Mary to Elizabeth when both are pregnant.  However, in today’s gospel something roughly similar takes place.  John, the fiery prophet attracting Jewish leaders to the desert of Judea, recognizes the superiority of Jesus.  When Jesus comes to him for Baptism, John tells him that he (i.e., John) should be baptized by Jesus. 

The event indicates Jesus’ humility as well as John’s.  Jesus knows at least something of his divine origin, yet he submits to John’s baptism.  He tells John to allow the baptism “’to fulfill all righteousness.’’’  The righteousness of God calls one to be humble before another.  We are always to respect other people and never to arbitrarily impose our will upon them.  When Pope Francis went to Canada last year to apologize to the indigenous peoples for the abuses of Church officials, he was “fulfill(ing) righteousness.”

But in Matthew’s gospel, “all righteousness” means something more.  It refers to God’s plan to save the world from sin and resultant death.  Jesus is God’s humble servant of whom Isaiah prophesied in today’s first reading.  He has been called to bring about justice.  This does not mean that he will incarcerate humans, quite the contrary.  Jesus will bring about justice by paying the debt of human sin.  Because he is God, his death on the cross, symbolized by being flooded with water in Baptism, makes up for all human sin.  Still, we must repent of our sins and turn to Jesus.  Doing so, our eyes are opened so that we may move from the dens of sin to the path of life.

God acknowledges the righteousness of Jesus quite dramatically in the gospel.  It says that “the heavens were opened” which reminds the knowing reader of the end of the Book of Isaiah.  There the prophet cries, “’Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down…’”  That is happening as God proclaims to the world that Jesus is His Son who pleases Him.

Matthew presents Christ’s baptism as a grand epiphany.  He is telling us here is the divine Son of God for us to see, hear, and follow.  Beyond humility, he will teach us to discipline our desires and to extend our love to all.

Sunday, , January 8, 2023

 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

(Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

The star in the gospel today represents nature. It is part of natural creation. It has the ability to guide the magi as the North Star has aided navigators for millennia. However, the star cannot lead the magi to the newborn "king of the Jews".  Nature has its limits as far as God is concerned.  It can show that God exists, but it cannot say much about what God is like. In the same way, the star can indicate approximately where his son is, but it cannot tell exactly his whereabouts.

It is worth reflecting a little more on the star.  Shining in the sky, the star invites our wishes. Most of us have wished upon a star for something we longed for. In fact, the word desire has its roots in the Latin words de sidere, meaning of the stars. The stars in the heavens represent our greatest desires. Particularly the Christmas star stands for our desire for life to the full. If we thought more about it, we would conclude that the star of the magi represents our desire to have peace, justice, and above all, love.  It is a symbol of our desire to transcend human limits and to be one with God.

Magi are described in the gospel with this desire, this concern to transcend natural limits. These characters are commonly associated with the kings of the first reading. However, the evangelist Matthew never calls them "kings". We can keep our traditions of the three kings as the source of gifts for children. But it is important that we investigate in depth the reason for Matthew calling them "magi".

Magi is one of those words that has a range of meanings, some positive and some negative. For example, when a person is called “proud,” we are not sure that the person is selfish or fulfilled in something important. In ancient times, magicians were astronomers searching for the truth. However, some had the reputation as rogues like the magician Barjesus found in the Acts of the Apostles. This kind of ambiguity is also found in religion. Practiced well, religion brings peace and strength to a person so that he or she might overcome life's challenges. But practiced in the way of extremists, religion ends in iniquity that harms others.

In his gospel, Matthew certainly intends that the magi as seekers of truth. They represent a new movement of humanity towards Christ. They are not Jews but foreigners who will recognize the true God through his Son Jesus Christ. They teach us that every human person is inclined to know, adore, and imitate God.

The magi find in Jesus the end of their search for the truth, and they give him appropriate worship. For us too, Jesus fulfills the desire for life to the full. Found in Holy Scripture, Jesus teaches us the conduct that produces a better world. Received in the sacraments, Jesus strengthens our hearts to live his teachings. Observed in the saints, Jesus assures us that life can end in perfect love.

Friday, January 6, 2023

 (see homily for Epiphany following that of the weekday)

Christmas Weekday (January 6)

(I John 5:5-13; Luke 3:23-38)

The genealogy presented in St. Luke’s gospel differs significantly from St. Matthew’s.  Recording seventy-seven generations, it is much longer.  It runs backwards by beginning with Jesus and ending with Adam.  Many names differ, even Jesus’ “as was thought” grandfather.  However, these variations need not disturb Christians.  Ancient genealogies were often less accurate than contrived to show proper lineage.  It might be pointed out that in two significant places, Matthew’s and Luke’s lineages converge.  Both record that Jesus is in the line of Abraham and of David.  He was obviously of the nation of Israel and, quite likely, of royal lineage.

Luke also reports in this gospel passage that Jesus is thirty years when he was about ready to begin his ministry.  Here the evangelist may be comparing Jesus to David who began his reign as king at thirty.  The datum in any case indicates that Jesus is in the prime of life.  At thirty human physical and mental powers reach their peak.  Being thirty, Jesus has had time to master the Scriptures and is old enough to call others to follow him as a rabbi.     

Among so many other reasons, Jesus merits our attention despite his pedigree and at his prime, he gave up his life to save us.  He might have found a comfortable position associated with an established synagogue.  Or he might have waited to experience more of life before beginning his salvific campaign that ended on the cross.  But, as always, he did not do what was convenient but what the Father willed. 

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

(Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

The star in the gospel today represents nature. It is part of natural creation. It has the ability to guide the magi as the North Star has aided navigators for millennia. However, the star cannot lead the magi to the newborn "king of the Jews".  Nature has its limits as far as God is concerned.  It can show that God exists, but it cannot say much about what God is like. In the same way, the star can indicate approximately where his son is, but it cannot tell exactly his whereabouts.

It is worth reflecting a little more on the star.  Shining in the sky, the star invites our wishes. Most of us have wished upon a star for something we longed for. In fact, the word desire has its roots in the Latin words de sidere, meaning of the stars. The stars in the heavens represent our greatest desires. Particularly the Christmas star stands for our desire for life to the full. If we thought more about it, we would conclude that the star of the magi represents our desire to have peace, justice, and above all, love.  It is a symbol of our desire to transcend human limits and to be one with God.

Magi are described in the gospel with this desire, this concern to transcend natural limits. These characters are commonly associated with the kings of the first reading. However, the evangelist Matthew never calls them "kings". We can keep our traditions of the three kings as the source of gifts for children. But it is important that we investigate in depth the reason for Matthew calling them "magi".

Magi is one of those words that has a range of meanings, some positive and some negative. For example, when a person is called “proud,” we are not sure that the person is selfish or fulfilled in something important. In ancient times, magicians were astronomers searching for the truth. However, some had the reputation as rogues like the magician Barjesus found in the Acts of the Apostles. This kind of ambiguity is also found in religion. Practiced well, religion brings peace and strength to a person so that he or she might overcome life's challenges. But practiced in the way of extremists, religion ends in iniquity that harms others.

In his gospel, Matthew certainly intends that the magi as seekers of truth. They represent a new movement of humanity towards Christ. They are not Jews but foreigners who will recognize the true God through his Son Jesus Christ. They teach us that every human person is inclined to know, adore, and imitate God.

The magi find in Jesus the end of their search for the truth, and they give him appropriate worship. For us too, Jesus fulfills the desire for life to the full. Found in Holy Scripture, Jesus teaches us the conduct that produces a better world. Received in the sacraments, Jesus strengthens our hearts to live his teachings. Observed in the saints, Jesus assures us that life can end in perfect love.                                     

Thursday, January 5, 2023

 Memorial of St. John Neumann, bishop

 (I John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51)

 “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” wrote Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  She continued to name manifold ways from childhood faith to eternal joy in which her love for her husband thrived.  There is a similar concentration on the glory of love in the First Letter of John.  Because Christmas is, above all, a testament to God’s love for the world, the first reading these days is taken from that work.

 John has testified that God is love.  To please God then, John indicates that Christians must imitate God’s loving.  Their love for God sung in the carols of Christmas must flow from words into action.  If not, John would say, then it is counterfeit.  The test comes when one sees a member of the community in need.  Just as Jesus gave his life for his followers, one has to assist the needy brother or sister.

Love, like all virtue, is a habit, but this fact does not mean that it is performed in a routine way.  Love calls for creativity at times along with constant care.  We love when we spontaneously call a friend with whom we haven’t talked for a while.  We love when we provide a word of encouragement or, if necessary, a word of criticism so that others may become better persons.

 

 

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

(I John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42)

Vocation promoters often utilize the dialogue between Jesus and John’s disciples in today’s gospel.  They see in it a similar situation to that of their vocation prospects.  These young men and women are interested in following Jesus closely but need to clarify their desires.  Jesus’ question, “’What are you looking for?’”, challenges them to move beyond the indecisiveness of youth and formulate their objectives in life.  Then they will be able to see if religious life or priesthood will facilitate meeting those objectives.

Responding to Jesus’ question, Andrew and John’s other disciple tell Jesus that they want to see where he lives.  They are not interested in his human neighborhood but in his divine one.  They have heard John testify that Jesus is the “Lamb of God,” the one with God’s Spirit to take away the sin of the world.  Now they want to see if it is true.  If Jesus is the Messiah, Andrew and the other disciple will stay with him.

Having just recognized Jesus as the Messiah at Christmas, we too want to stay with him. He will not only teach us how to live so that our lives may be full but also his presence to us will be eternal life.  In this new year we want to endeavor to learn and practice his ways.  Then, meeting him in the sacraments, we will have a sense of the fulness of life that we seek. 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

 Christmas Weekday

(I John 2:29-3:6; John1:29-34)

Christians should realize that their actions often contrast to the prevailing norms of society.  Because of this reality, the first reading today says, “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know (Christ).”  Where Christians strive for the good of others, the world seeks self-glory. 

Fr. Richard Conlin of the Archdiocese of Vancouver used to play college golf.  Evidently, he had the talent to pursue a professional career.  However, after going to Confession at the request of his mother for her birthday present, his life changed.  He decided to lay aside his childhood dream in order to to become a priest.  Today, he says, he gets to welcome other prodigal sons and daughters into God’s loving embrace.

For most of us it is not a great sacrifice to be a Christian.  No one will harm us if we don’t abide by worldly norms.  The contrary is usually the case.  Christianity puts us in the company of good people.  The world may even grudgingly admire us for constantly seeking the good of others.

Monday, January 2, 2023

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and Doctors of the Church

(I John 2:22-28; John 1:19-280

The Church celebrates the Incarnation -- Christ becoming human – on Christmas.  It is, despite Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman, a holy and glorious day.  But there is little time to reflect on how the Incarnation might happen during Christmas week.  On January 2, the day following the Christmas octave, such reflection is indicated with the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.

The two bishops and theologians lived during the fourth century when people literally fought over different interpretations of the Incarnation.  They were best of friends when they studied together in Athens.  Basil defended the Church’s Nicene teaching against Arianism, a widespread and deeply rooted heresy claiming that Jesus was not God.  Gregory engaged in the controversy against the more sophisticated heresy of Apollinarianism.  Apollinaris, the bishop who formulated the heresy, taught that Jesus was a divine spirit inhabiting a human body.  Gregory claimed the contrary when he taught that “what is not assumed is not redeemed.”  In other words, if the Son did not have a human soul, the human soul cannot be redeemed.

We believe that Jesus is our redeemer because of the testimony of writers like John in today’s first reading.  He tells us of how people experienced Jesus’ saving power.  We also accept the Church’s teaching on the Incarnation because it follows quite logically from the teachings of thinkers like Basil and Gregory.