Friday, March 1, 2024

 Friday of the Second Week of Lent

 (Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)

 Mark Twain secured fame as a humorist.  Few in his time or any could match his insight and wit.  However, he was no humanist. He did not believe that humans are basically decent.  Quite the contrary, he found them conniving for their own comfort of mind.  If all humans acted like Joseph’s brothers in the first reading or the tenants of today’s gospel parable, Twain’s view would be justified.

The brothers have no patience with Joseph, their father’s favorite son.  They universally dislike him although not all favor killing him.  In any case, they mean him harm when they sell him to the Ishmaelites.  The tenants of Jesus’ parable are even more reprehensible.  They kill the son of the landowner, who stands for the Son of God.  In strict justice, they deserve execution.

Despite frequent examples of hard-heartedness and full treachery, we know that the human heart is not completely corrupt.  In fact, humans can become merciful and loving.  For this reason we seek renewal in the season of Lent.  We endeavor to be like Christ.  He not only taught us to help others but also died to save us from death.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:9-31)

The heart is thought of as the seat of the emotions.  The human person loves, hates, desires, and rejects with the heart.  Often the heart loves and seeks things that will not bring the person lasting happiness.  The rich man’s heart in the gospel parable is set on fine clothes and sumptuous foods.  Allowing these pursuits to dominate his life, he ends in misery.

A Franciscan preacher tells how as a young man he loved to dress well.  He bought fine clothes and never wore them sullied and wrinkled.  Then he came to know the Lord intimately.  Now he says that he doesn’t worry about clothes at all.  He is content wearing his Franciscan habit with a pair of shorts underneath.  He has set his heart on a growing relationship with the One who matters most of all.

It is not wrong to want fine clothes and delicious foods.  But we must not prioritize these things to love of God and neighbor.  If we do, we have lost what can most bring us happiness.  We must care about things in the proper order of importance.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

At the heart of today’s gospel lies a critical question for the spiritual life.  Do we love God for Himself or do we love Him for the spiritual rewards that He promises?  The mother of James and John does homage to the Lord to seek high places in his Kingdom for her sons.  Is her piety enough to secure what she asks?

Asking spiritual gifts of Jesus presupposes faith in him to give it.  Although Jesus does not assign table order, believing in him will lead to places at the celestial banquet. God cannot be separated from the spiritual gifts that He alone provides.  However, if we center our focus on God’s gifts to us, we may become distracted and begin to believe because of the earthly gifts that He also provides.  Then when things turn against us, our faith may falter.

God in Himself is perfectly lovable.  He created the universe and sent His Son to save humankind from folly.  We love Him for all His magnificence, including His goodness that we will eventually see up close.  If we suffer want now, let it be.  We know that following the Lord Jesus will not leave us disappointed.

 

Tuesday, Februray 27, 2024

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)

Being “full of themselves” is a young person’s trait.  Often pampered as children, adolescents can think mostly about themselves.  However, as they grow up, people should realize that the world does not revolve around themselves, and that craving attention offends both God and community.  Such a sin characterizes the Pharisees in Jesus’ account to his disciples in today’s gospel.

The Pharisees’ teaching is not found wanting, but their pride reaches much beyond self-worth.  They are so absorbed with their own virtue that they cannot see their vices.  It is as if pride puffed their faces so that they cannot see how they affect others.  Jesus tells his disciples to guard themselves against such self-deception by being modest in their presentation of self.

Often church-going people find fault in others but can’t recognize their own sins.  It is pathetic because their very sin keeps them from repenting.  We must pray for them and for ourselves that we do not become victims of our own pride.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

In today’s first reading it is the prophet Daniel makes an extraordinary confession.  He not only recognizes himself as a sinner but confesses openly the guilt of the entire community.  Although it is true that everyone disobeys God’s commandments, few, probably even then, are willing to say it publicly.  Daniel also acknowledges that God is merciful. Perhaps for that reason he does not mind making a public confession.

In the gospel Jesus underscores God’s mercy.  He exhorts his disciples to imitate God’s readiness to forgive.  Only in this way, he says, might they be forgiven their many sins.

Whatever Became of Sin, we have all heard preachers refer to this book of fifty years ago.  The situation has only become laxer.  Few Catholics today are confessing regularly.  Perhaps attempting a modicum of fairness, they likewise tend to overlook others’ sins.  The result is a society where crimes like marital infidelity, media disinformation, and assisted suicide are justified.  Yet there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation where we can confess our sins and receive God’s mercy.  Society would be stronger if more took advantage of it. 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, February 25, 2024

(Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10)

As we always hear the gospel of Jesus' temptation on the first Sunday of Lent, we can count on hearing of his transfiguration on the second. We also heard the same gospel on August 6th. It seems that the event is so important to consider that it is worth repeating. We are going to reflect on the transfiguration or change in appearance in two ways: what happens to Jesus and what happens to its witnesses who include ourselves.

Sometimes preachers try to differentiate between a transformation and a transfiguration. They say, for example, that transfiguration is always from a lower state to a higher state while transformation can be an improvement or a deterioration. But this distinction is difficult to see. The Greek of the gospel today says “metemorphOthE” which is translated as “was transformed.” Evidently the custom developed over the centuries of calling the change in Jesus’ appearance “the Transfiguration” as we have it now in our missals.

Jesus' appearance changes quickly and significantly. His full identity is revealed when his clothes take on a terrific sheen. As Superman is seen for who he is when journalist Clark Kent takes off his suit, God's Messiah is identified when Jesus' clothes shine. This transformation verifies what Peter stated earlier: Jesus is the Messiah or, in Greek, the Christ. It also indicates the truth that Jesus himself tried to instill in his disciples with little success. That is, although he is the Messiah, he has to die to gain the salvation of Israel.

In addition to his transfiguration, there are two other testimonies in favor of Jesus in this gospel. The presence of Moses and Elijah on both sides of Jesus testifies to Jesus’ preeminence in salvation history. His words carry to perfection the Law that Moses presented to the people. Likewise, his suffering will culminate the sacrifices of the prophets, among whom Elijah is the most prominent, in carrying out the will of God.

In the desert God communicated with Israel from a cloud. Now on the mountain he also speaks from a cloud. “This is my beloved Son…”, God says.  Jesus is God’s “beloved” because he perfectly fulfills His will. God then concludes his message: “…listen to him.” Because he does the Father's will implicitly, he is worth the disciples' listening.

Jesus is not the only one to experience a change in this gospel. His disciples are also affected. Their faith has grown since climbing the mountain. Amazed by the vision of Jesus transfigured, they can now expect something extraordinary to happen to him. Their faith should not be completely shaken when Jesus is crucified.

We have been aware of the passion and resurrection since our first catechism lessons. However, it is possible that living among doubters and non-believers who now abound we begin to waver on these principles of faith. But by hearing this gospel we believe in Jesus crucified and risen with as much conviction as Abraham had in today’s first reading. Abraham believed that God would not deny His promise to make him the patriarch of a numerous nation.  Even though God asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, he did not doubt God’s truthfulness. Now it is up to us to live with so much faith. No matter what the wise men of this world say, we will follow Jesus, our risen Lord.

We began this Lenten journey with ashes on our foreheads. The priest told us that we were dust and to dust we will return. Now after hearing the gospel of the transfiguration we can add something to this alarming pronouncement. From dust as fine as the ashes of the crematorium we will rise to eternal life.

Friday, February 23, 2024

 Friday of the First Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:21-26)

Jesus sounds like a rigorist en today’s gospel.  He demands that his disciples not become angry with one another.  However, few people are so completely equanimous that they never express hostility.  It is said of some saints, however, that they treated everyone kindly.

Jesus does not want his followers to despair because their tempers escape their control.  The same passage which condemns anger extends recourse to reconciliation.  Hotheads should seek forgiveness from those they have offended as well as the Lord.

Lent provides motivation for us to experiment withholding anger.  We should try refraining from outbursts for these seven weeks.  At the end of the period we might ask ourselves if we did better curbing our temper.  We will probably want to continue practicing restraint in our dealings with others.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle

(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)

Today’s feast is meant to honor the papacy as well as St. Peter.  The Chair of Peter is the seat of authority on which a pope sits.  Since the Church’s foundation, no fewer than 266 men have occupied that chair.

Jesus selects Simon because of the special revelation God gives him about Jesus’ divine Sonship. He changes his name to Peter as a sign of every pope’s role.  They must be firm in teaching and in calling the Church to unity.  Popes should also have a deep relationship with God so that they might discern His will as evidently Simon has done in the gospel.  Today’s first reading adds several more qualifications.  Popes must be close to the people so that they may teach by example as well as doctrine.  They should also carry out their responsibilities not as professionals for pay but as those with a vocation willing to work without profit.

Fortunately, we have had fine persons sitting on the Chair of Peter in recent years.  John Paul II was almost incomparable for his energy, genius, and pastoral insight.  Francis, despite his faux paus, has shown us how to love deeply.  The papacy is a strenuous office, usually occupied by men who are past retirement age.  We should pray for them as well as heed their authority.

Wednesday, February 21, 2014

Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

(Jonah 3:1-0; Luke 11:29-32)

Enter almost any doctor’s office, and you will be asked for a sign.  The attendant will want to see your insurance card guaranteeing the doctor will be paid.  You can tell her or him that you have money to cover the doctor’s fee.  But don’t expect to be believed.  In today’s gospel Jesus chastises the people for a similar lack of faith.

The people want Jesus to produce miracles on demand before they believe in him.  He tells them that this is not God’s way.  He says that just as the Ninevites believed Jonah’s prophecy of a calamity unless they turned to God for mercy, Jews should heed his similar message.

It is hard for some of us to believe.  Perhaps we have been tricked or misled by someone whom we thought was telling the truth.  But, as Jesus indicates, there is still plenty of reason to trust in God’s word.  We have life and more than enough to eat.  We probably have had at least one parent who would have died for us and friends who are willing to help meet our needs.  These are all signs of a sort indicating God’s abiding presence.  There is no need to hold out for miracles before believing in Him.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

In the Old Testament the ear takes precedence over the eye.  God frequently talks to His people at least through the prophets.  But only once does He show himself in full theophany.  In today’s first reading God Himself emphasizes the efficacy of His word.  He says that it always achieves His purpose.

The gospel makes the word of God Jesus’ disciples’ own word.  Jesus, God incarnate, teaches his followers how to pray with an emphasis on forgiveness.  The Father will forgive those who forgive the offenses of others.

Forgiveness requires humility.  When we forgive, we give up the claims we have against our offenders.  Our pride can keep this from happening.  However, hearing Jesus’ guarantee of our own forgiveness, we cannot afford not to forgive.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

Today’s reading from Leviticus pursues the theme of holiness.  It takes for granted that holiness involves cultic observance and separation from filth and what might lead to impurity.  The reading emphasizes the ethical component of holiness.  Mostly it offers negative precepts or sins that must be avoided – lies, stealth, and meanness. It concludes by proposing a form of the golden rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The gospel provides content for that rule.  Jesus tells his followers that those who feed the hungry, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned will be invited into the Kingdom of God.  For Jesus love is active and requires sacrifice.  It may start with good intentions and include prayer for those who are suffering.  But one cannot be welcomed into the kingdom if he or she ignores someone in need.

We may not care if we are considered holy or not, but we probably want to experience eternal life.  We can’t have one without the other.  We must avoid what sullies our character and strive to love our neighbor. 

Sunday, , February 18, 2024

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, February 18, 2024

(Genesis 9:8-15; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15)

Always on the first Sunday of Lent we hear that Jesus is tempted in the desert. Probably most of us remember how Satan challenges the Lord to change stones into loaves and bow down before him. However, the passage from the Gospel according to Saint Mark that we have just heard says nothing about the contents of the temptations. It only reports that the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the desert. It is not correct to think that Mark has the same temptations in mind as Matthew and Luke. In fact, it seems that Marcos has another idea of temptation.

The word for temptation has two meanings. It may be an attempt to seduce a person to betray his principles with something attractive. Or it may be testing the person to strengthen him or her. Because the Holy Spirit originates the temptation here and there is no suggestion of seduction, it is likely meant as a testing and strengthening.

The temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark can be compared to the United States Army Ranger School. Preparing for combat, soldiers train for more than sixty days in extremely rigorous conditions. They eat only 2,200 calories and sleep on average only 3.5 hours daily. Surely after such a challenging course the soldiers will be among the most war-ready in the world. Thus Jesus prepares himself for the mission that he is about to begin. He will preach “the Kingdom of God” that saves the world from perdition and gives it peace.

We must think of Lent as our training to continue this mission of Jesus. In the world today, culture has largely left religion behind. Popular songs tell of sexual encounters, not of meetings with the priest to prepare for marriage. Sunday mornings are reserved even more for soccer or basketball games than for going to church. Christmas is about giving gifts to each other, not about worshiping the Child Redeemer. And Easter is remembered for hunting for eggs and eating chocolates, not for the hope of eternal life.

“So what's the problem?” some will ask. The problem, which is very big, is that once society loses its religion, it also loses its core that holds all its parts together. As a result, it will begin to fall apart. Without religion, society would not be responsible to the Only One who cannot be deceived. Huge problems soon appeared. We see indications of undoing now in our society. A growing number of teenagers attempt suicide. The media regularly gives out misinformation to manipulate the public into conforming to their own perspective. With the preoccupation with sex without the intention of having a family, the population becomes smaller, older and weaker.

It is up to all of us to bear witness to Jesus Christ who incorporates in himself the Kingdom of God. We do it first of all with righteous lives. The Lenten discipline of saying “no” to continuous offers to eat and drink more strengthens us morally. The Lenten commitment to prayer will bring us closer to God, always our main resource in the mission. And efforts on behalf of the needy will bring us closer to Jesus' priority for the poor.

Why do sacrifices seem like an insurmountable challenge at the beginning of Lent, but at the end of the season like no big deal? Could it be that we are too lax now and need an awakening to live really well? As with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is propelling us forward. Let’s not turn away from the challenge!

Friday, February 16, 2024

Friday after Ash Wednesday

(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)

Catholics used to fast often.  Before Vatican II adults would observe Ember days - four Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the year -- when they would eat meat only once (no meat on Fridays, of course) and nothing between meals.  During the whole of Lent they would fast in the same way.  Probably taking the first reading to heart, bishops decided to relax the rules on fasting.  Ember days have been dropped altogether, and the Lenten fast days are limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting has advantages.  Eating meat can build up cholesterol levels to unsafe levels.  Moreover, refraining from what one enjoys will increase discip0line to resist overindulgence.  These, however, are only side benefits of fasting.  It is meant as a penitential practice.  We sacrifice the pleasure of eating to show sorrow for our sins.  It is like a fine for a traffic violation.  The fee will likely create difficulty for the payer and make her or him a more conscientious driver.

We still hear preachers saying that in place of fasting, let us do good works during Lent.  But why does Lenten practice have to be an either/or proposition?  We should fast, do charitable works, and take more time for prayer as ways of imitating our Lord Jesus.

 

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)

One might expect the reading on this second day of Lent to refer to the beginning of Israel’s desert experience.  After all, the forty days of Lent are frequented compared the forty years of Israel on journey with the Lord.  However, the context of the first reading is the end of Israel’s formation as the nation prepares to enter the lands of Canaan.  Lent is more than a time of trial; it is also perhaps the best opportunity during the year to reflect on what life is all about.  In the reading Moses does exactly that.

The prophet urges Israel to consider all that the Lord has done for the nation.  Not only has He brought its people out of slavery; he has also given them the Law as a sure guide to prosperity.  They could disregard the commands to love the Lord and to treat neighbors fairly.  However much personal gain bad behavior brings, it will end in tragedy.  But if they are conscientious of the Law in what they do, they are promised peace and well-being.

In the gospel Jesus indicates that for his followers he is the Law.  They or, rather, we must judge our actions as good or bad to the extent that they approximate Jesus’ ways.  This kind of comparison may seem like a losing proposition.  However, when we fail, we can turn again to Jesus who is always willing to forgive and help start over again.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Ash Wednesday

(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

At the beginning of the first “Rocky” movie, the protagonist is completely out of shape.  As he begins training for his big fight, he strains to run up a flight of stairs.  Later in the movie, however, after weeks of training Rocky bounds up the stairs like a deer being chased.  A transformation has taken place.  Rocky has sloughed off both weight and lethargy to perform in a totally superior way.  Such a transformation is our goal during Lent.

Although it may improve our looks, shedding a few pounds should not be what motivates us to give up sweets for six weeks.  If it were, we would be no better than the hypocrites whose righteousness Jesus tells us to supersede in today’s gospel.  No, we must concern ourselves primarily with internal order not external appearance.  Through fasting, prayer, and charity we hope to become like Jesus himself.  His self-control and compassion are the high stars in heaven to which we hope to come near.

It is only natural that we begin Lent with a touch of regret.  It is hard to forsake comforts and concentrate our minds on what is holy.  But our reluctance will turn into rejoicing at the end of the forty days.  Then we will find ourselves renewed in soul and body.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21)

Two little girls who had just made their First Communion were talking to one another.  One asked the other what gifts she received on the day of glory.  The second, more attuned to what “Communion” means responded, “wasn’t Jesus enough?”

Jesus’ disciples in today’s gospel suffer from the same myopia as the girl who thinks about First Communion as an opportunity to receive presents.  They worry that they have no bread when they have in their midst the “Bread of Life.” If they but open their hearts to Jesus, they would no longer need to worry about anything.

Jesus warns his followers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.  This leaven – pride and hardness of heart – can puff up one’s face so that the eyes do not see what is manifest.  We must take notice.  Lent is upon us.  It is the choice time to knock down our pride with confession of sins and to help the poor with their needs.

Monday, February 11, 2024

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13)

The apostle James emphatically criticizes doubters in today’s first reading.  He says that people who ask God for something should not doubt that it will be given.  Doubters waver on the question of God’s love for them.  They think that God might hold back on a gift as crucial to the faithful as wisdom.

The Church recognizes that not all doubt is morally wrong.  “Involuntary doubt” rises from an inability to make sense about a proposition of faith.  On significant issues such as the resurrection from the dead, those who harbor doubt should investigate it.  They would do well to have Catechism and prominent Church authors at hand.  More than likely, investigators will discover a reasonableness that makes the proposition believable.

We must especially take care not to take pride in our doubts.  Some seem to enjoy being “village atheists” who draw attention to themselves.  If we find a belief difficult to profess, we should find a resolution by inquiring wise people.  We should not pretend to be wise in front of others.   

Sunday, February 11, 2024

SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

(Leviticus 13:1-2.44-46; I Corinthians 10:31-11:1: Mark 1:40-45)

The Book of Leviticus is all about holiness. The Israelites feel a particular call from God to be holy. Leviticus can be described as a manual for fulfilling that vocation. Particularly important to being holy is purity. Uncleanness is associated with illness, bad morals, and impiety. Therefore, the Jews in Jesus' time keep themselves from leprosy, the disease that deteriorates the skin.

The poor lepers have to isolate themselves from other people, even though they may have done nothing wrong! This outrage is mandated because the good of the community takes priority over the psychological good of the patient. The pandemic behind us now, we have an idea of how lepers feel. In many cases, being isolated is not just being alone, bored, and frustrated because you cannot fulfill your responsibilities. Isolation often includes feeling pain and fearing that maybe you're never going to recover. In the case of leprosy, confinement is not limited to four days or a week. Rather, it is the prospect that you will spend years separated from your loved ones.

In fact, it wasn't just lepers who suffered from isolation in the Bible. Women also have to separate themselves after giving birth, just as those who work with dead animals do. True, these can be purified with water ablutions, but this is also a nuisance.

In the gospel Jesus shows compassion to the leper. When he presents himself to Jesus and expresses faith in him, Jesus is not afraid to touch him. More than that, he heals him of his disease. Jesus has come to defeat evil in all its forms. He is not going to allow this man to continue suffering either disease or isolation.

Jesus wants to do the same with us. He wants to alleviate our illnesses, whether physical or spiritual, by putting us in contact with himself. Jesus’ body remains on earth in the form of the community of faith, the church.  That is all of us. That is why we have Lent before us now.  It is the great season of communal penance. We are to pray for, make sacrifices for, and help one another.

What disease do we have?  Is it eating compulsively? We now have forty days that invite us to stop taking seconds, sweets, and snacks. Are we inclined to wander when we pray? Here is a time reserved for coming to church during the week to ask God’s mercy in the Stations of the Cross or at mass. Do we feel guilty about always seeking our own good and not helping the needy? Now we have a stretch of seven weeks reserved to care for the less fortunate. With these acts of love we purify ourselves from our sins while we ease the burdens of people in need.

Lent is difficult for us because sin has warped our thinking. Sin makes us think that our vices are not so bad or, at least, they are necessary for us to survive. It is a lie, and now we have forty days to show that with the help of grace we can overcome bad habits. Penance is necessary if we are to fulfill our vocation. As the Israelites in the desert, we are called to be holy, cleansed of sin, and charitable towards others. We are called to be disciples of Jesus who shows compassion to the leper.

​

Friday, February 9, 2024

 Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:31-37)

The film Babel, an Academy Award nominee a number of years ago, showed how the world is interconnected.  A Japanese schoolgirl is deaf and mute like the man brought to Jesus in the gospel today.  She is also desperately lonely.  Her father, who is depressed over the loss of his wife, had been hunting in Morocco where he left his gun with a guide.  The guide sells the gun to a herder who presents it prematurely to his son.  The son is goaded into shooting at a tour bus and seriously injures a Southern Californian woman traveling with her husband.  The couple left their children with their Mexican housekeeper whose reckless nephew takes them across the border, then jeopardizes everyone’s life by trying to evade the Border patrol upon returning.  The story leaves the viewer identifying with all of these characters in the global human quest for love.

In today’s gospel Jesus takes compassion on the deaf-mute whom he heals.  Most people today have a similar trouble in hearing– not so much with their ears but with their hearts.  They cannot hear what God is telling them through the Scriptures.  They also falter in speech by forgetting to thank God for the blessings they have received. 

In a world where convenience and pleasure have overtaken discipline and dedication as human goals, we do well to allow Jesus to open our ears and to coordinate our tongues.  We want to assimilate the Word of God so that we might proclaim it to the world. This message is similar to that of Babel – people need to listen carefully to one another and to respond compassionately.

 

Thursday, Februray 8, 2024

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)

When St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that it is better for a man not to marry because he may try to please his wife and not the Lord, he might have had today’s first reading in mind.  Solomon, married to many woman, pandered to his pagan wives by building altars for sacrifice to their deities.  These sins led to his downfall as a king and as an individual.

God demands sole allegiance from His people for their own sake.  Devotion to other gods will inevitably lead one off the way to holiness. The One God has given the world the truth which leads to virtue and sanctity.  Following other gods or arcane ways of worshiping the Christian God will end in distortion of that truth and then to corrupt actions.

We may be tempted to offer worship to a New Age goddess or perhaps to make money or pleasure our own god.  We must be careful not to yield to these desires.  The One God deserves our singular allegiance because He alone will make us eternally happy.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)

Old Testament dietary laws were instituted in order to keep the nation of Israel holy.  It was always possible that Jews might imitate the evil customs of neighboring peoples.  It was thought, for example, that if Jews ate pork, in time they would practice idolatry and other sins associated with gentiles.  This background makes it difficult to appreciate Jesus’ action in today’s gospel. 

The Gospel of Mark baldly states that Jesus “declared all foods clean.”  Interestingly, the statement does not appear in the parallel section in Matthew’s gospel.  Most probably Jesus never removed Old Testament dietary restrictions.  If he had, Paul and Barnabas would not have had to go to Jerusalem to discuss the issue with the apostles there.  The statement likely comes from the apostles’ preaching to gentiles about the moral requirements of Christians after the decision to relax dietary restrictions was made.

What is critical is that we follow Jesus’ moral teachings as given in the passage.  Lust, greed, and pride are taboo if we are to follow Christ.

 

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Memorial of Saints Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs

(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)

You’re eating an apple.  You put it down to answer your telephone, but it falls on the floor.  What do you do?  You’re unsure so you google “food falling on the floor.” There are many entries for this category.  Some say, “throw the food away.”  Others talk about “a five-second rule” (if you pick it up before five seconds, it is edible).  Still others say that it can most probably be safely eaten.

Just as today, there were different opinions in Jesus’ day about eating with unclean hands.  Some (the pharisees in today’s gospel) saw it as ungodly.  Others wondered, “What’s the problem?” Jesus did not really take sides on the question, but he did declare that there far more important things to engage one’s concern.  Justice – giving each person his or her due – for example, is a major responsibility for all.

For sure, there is valid concern for cleanliness, if not in washing hands before meals, at least in keeping waterways clean of contaminants.  There may be laws to obey although in most cases prudence should guide our actions.  Becoming just human beings, we imitate the Lord of justice. 

Monday, February 5, 2024

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)

Today’s first reading describes the inauguration of King Solomon’s Temple.  It is a magnificent structure meant to accommodate the encounter between God and humans.  Into the Temple the priests bring the Ark of the Covenant where the Lord God dwells.

Christians have churches which resemble the great Temple of Solomon.  Individual Christians, following what Jesus says of himself, also are meeting places with the Lord.  The Holy Spirit swells within each of us who lives the teaching of Christ.  The Spirit moves us to deeper prayer and more extensive charity.

Today the Church remembers one of her most celebrated daughters.  St. Agatha lived in Sicily during the first centuries of Christianity.  Not much is known about her with historical certainty.  However, her martyrdom testifies that knew and loved Jesus Christ.  She has become a patron saint of Sicily.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

FIFTH ORDINARY SUNDAY

(Job 7:1-4.6-7; I Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23; Mark 1:29-39)

The book of Job has attracted attention for millennia. Its fame is so extensive that people who never read the Bible know its main character. Having “the patience of Job” marks an individual as a person who has suffered fools without complaint. Job endures the loss of his fortune, his children, and his health without knowing why. His friends tell him that he must have done something unjust. But Job knows that he has always treated everyone well.

Today's reading gives a glimpse of Job's suffering. It mentions three kinds of suffering people: the soldier, who has to fight to support himself; the day laborer, who waits until the end of the day to receive a meager salary; and the slave, who at the end of the day only receives the shadows that allow him to rest. Job's life has proven worse than these. He cannot rest at night because his sores cause him to toss and turn while he tries to sleep.

Job represents all humans who suffer; that is, all men and women. In his apostolic letter Salvifici doloris Pope Saint John Paul II reflects on suffering. He says that along with physical pain, there is “pain of the soul,” which is also burdensome, but more complicated and less understood. Examples of this second type of suffering include maladies as diverse as the death of one's own children, the unfaithfulness of friends, and the remorse of one's own conscience. In each case, John Paul says, suffering provokes the question: why do I have to suffer?

Saint John Paul along with Saint Paul says that it is human sin that causes suffering. In other words, suffering is the punishment due to human guilt for sin. However, he recognizes that it is not true that an individual's suffering is a consequence of his own fault. Sometimes, we suffer even though we have not done anything wrong. However, this suffering can benefit us as an opportunity to reconsider our lives in the face of the greatness of God.

God's goodness goes beyond giving us a lesson.  Saint John Paul says that out of love for humanity God sent his own Son into the world to free humans from evil. Jesus delivers people from evil by curing the sick, feeding multitudes, casting out demons, teaching, and even raising the dead. But there is an evil even more pernicious than these which Jesus also addresses. This is the “definitive evil,” the loss of eternal life. Jesus achieves victory over this evil by embracing death on the cross although he was free from all guilt. God the Father could forgive all men and women by seeing us in communion with his Son.

It is not that Jesus Christ eliminated all human suffering nor that he rescued humans from all forms of death. However, through his resurrection from the dead he has brightened our lives with hope. We can be sure that by following his teachings we will reach life without pain -- eternal life. But this is not all that Jesus has won for us. Saint John Paul teaches that Christ's death on the cross has redeemed suffering itself. Suffering is no longer just an evil that we have to endure because we share in human guilt. Now it is the means by which we participate with Christ in salvation. That is, by our acceptance of suffering with patience and faith we share in the salvation of other people.

In the gospel today we see Jesus defeating evil by curing diseases and expelling demons. It becomes difficult when he cannot rest because of the number of people seeking his help. But this is only a prelude to the suffering that he will endure to free us from evil. Demons are not incapable. Rejected by Jesus, they are going to conspire to do him in. They will have him nailed to the cross. But with a love stronger than death Jesus will vanquish them again. By following him, we too will be victorious over evil.

Friday, February 2, 2024

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40)

The gospel today is typically Lucan in at least three ways.  First, it highlights the Jewish background of Jesus.  Not only are Mary and Joseph observing Jewish religious law, but also Simeon and Anna seem to be lifted off the pages of the Old Testament.  With Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, we see a narrative featuring both the Law and the Prophets.

Second, a small but significant characteristic of Luke is his gender inclusiveness.  He includes Elizabeth along with Zachariah in his birth account of John the Baptist.  Later on, Luke mentions women disciples (although he does not use that term) of Jesus.  When the Lucan Jesus tells the parable of the happiness of the shepherd who discovers the lost sheep, he will also tell of the joy of the housewife who finds the lost coin in her house.  In the passage today Luke pairs the prophetess Anna with the holy man Simeon as similarly jubilant to witness the coming of the redemption of Israel.

But most important, of course, is the way Luke sees Jesus.  He embodies the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of Israel being a light to the nations.  Likewise, he brings peace wherever he goes, in this case to the faithful Simeon who has waited for decades for the Messiah.  But the light and peace that Jesus brings does not come without great cost.  Jesus is “a sign that will be contradicted,” that is, he will be opposed and indeed martyred in the completion of his mission.