tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53971012331995192862024-03-18T08:21:35.197-05:00Fr. Carmen Mele, O.P.: Today's HomiletteA REFLECTION ON WEEKDAY MASS READINGS(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.comBlogger4667125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-39663781656075587942024-03-18T07:37:00.001-05:002024-03-18T07:37:00.133-05:00Tuesday, March 19, 2024<p><b>Solemnidad
de San José, Esposo de la Santísima Virgen María</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-US" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-US;">(2 Samuel
7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romanos 4:13.16-18.22; Mateo 1:16.18-21.24a)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-US" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-US;">La
importancia de San José es mayor que la de un cuidador de Jesús y María. Su
pertenencia al linaje de David le dio a Jesús la estatura terrenal de un rey
que ha sido divinamente designado para dirigir al pueblo. Este concepto puede
resultar difícil de comprender para la gente de hoy. San Pablo dice en su Carta
a los Romanos que las autoridades terrenas reciben su legitimidad de Dios. Hoy
en día, los gobernantes suelen ser elegidos mediante un proceso democrático. En
la antigüedad, con pocas excepciones, recibían autoridad por ser de linaje
real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-US" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-US;">Como señala
el evangelio de hoy, José es un “hijo de David” con derecho sobre el reino de
Israel. Jesús, siendo su hijo legítimo no por nacimiento sino por adopción,
recibe de él esta distinción. Demostrará su derecho a la realeza por su
absoluta dedicación al pueblo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-US" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-US;">José
demostró ser un hombre de carácter impecable. Puede que nunca se haya
considerado un rey, pero exhibió las marcas de la realeza por su santidad,
coraje e integridad. Sólo por alguien como él podríamos tomarnos un día de
Cuaresma para regocijarnos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-602098704743145922024-03-17T11:30:00.001-05:002024-03-18T05:42:52.525-05:00Monday, March 18, 2024<p> <b>Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">; John 8:12-20)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pontius Pilate betrayed his conscience in condemning Jesus
to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospels are quite clear
that he knew Jesus was innocent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to
avoid trouble, he chose expediency over righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s readings two men serving as judges
act quite differently.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Daniel ingeniously ferrets out the truth from two lechers
who accuse a woman of attempted adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He saves Susanna from being executed and has the real criminals
upended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the gospel Jesus exhibits
similar judicial perspicacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
cleverly thwarts the plan of the Pharisees to report him to the Jewish
authorities for not complying with the Law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Society needs just judges to function well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more we need Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We require his prudence to help us fulfill
our daily responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, we cannot
hope for eternal life without the forgiveness and grace he won for us on the
cross. <o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-34503315580527061632024-03-14T07:30:00.001-05:002024-03-14T07:30:00.149-05:00Friday, March 15, 2024<p> <b>Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In today’s gospel the people think that they know where
Jesus is from because they know that he grew up in Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, more important than his human origin
and more indicative of where he is from is his divine origin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is from God which the people should be
able to guess from his miraculous works.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may not be capable of miraculous works, but we can
perform acts of charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would signal
that we have a divine origin and, more important a divine destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her book <i>Dialogue</i> Catherine of
Siena tells us of another way to show our divine origin and destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She writes that patience and charity go
hand-in-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we suffer setbacks with
patience, we likewise do good for our neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In right order then our good deeds reveal
that we are from God and will return to Him.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-60847202509180034342024-03-13T06:57:00.001-05:002024-03-13T06:57:00.137-05:00Thursday, March 14, 2024<p><b>Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Exodus 32:4-14; John 5:31-47)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gospel of John was probably completed at the end of the
first century or the beginning of the second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a time of Christian persecution at the hands of Jewish
reformers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The writer of the gospel promoted
Christian perseverance because some former Jewish members were returning to the
faith of their ancestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also hoped
to boost Christian morale and to attract Jews living outside Palestine to join
Christian ranks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To accomplish these objectives in today’s passage, the
author pictures Jesus debating with “the Jews.” He gives evidence of a trifold
testimony to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, he says that John,
the baptizer testified to Jesus in the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he attests that Jesus’ work, that is, his miracles, testify to his
being sent from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also points out
that that the Scriptures themselves, both Moses and the prophets, foretell his
coming.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We too live in a time of Christian persecution. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In places like China and Iran the persecution
is violent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other places the Church
is being unfairly judged and disdained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can offer testimony to Jesus by our common prayer and our acts of mercy done in
emulation of him. <o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-13093173554636857242024-03-12T07:30:00.001-05:002024-03-12T07:30:00.253-05:00Wednesday, March 13, 2024<p> <b>Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The priest in charge was not sure what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had received a complaint about one of the
people he worked with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew the
fellow worker as well-intentioned and hardworking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was also somewhat rigid about rules which
made her vulnerable to criticisms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people
picture God in this way – rigid and demanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They might forsake religion because of such a false image. In the
readings today God sets the record straight.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through the prophet Isaiah God proclaims that he has more concern
for his people than a mother for her child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would go to the extent of leveling mountains to see them home safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the gospel Jesus assures that Isaiah’s
prophecy is for real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does only what
the Father does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will see his followers
home to eternal life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We best believe that God would never do anything to harm
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps He allows hardship to come
our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this will be to
correct our faults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants us with Him
in Paradise. <o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-3217112123509869292024-03-11T07:30:00.001-05:002024-03-11T07:30:00.142-05:00Tuesday, March 12, 2024<p><b>Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Ezekiel47:1-9.12; John 5:1-3.5-16)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stories of the first computers may can help one understand
what the readings today are proposing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the 1950s and 1960s computers about the size of a large cabinet
performed complex mathematical operations quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numbers entered the systems through punch
cards about four by nine inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
marveled then about the effectiveness of these computers, but they were like
counting beads compared to what a laptop can do today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today’s first reading illustrates the graciousness of God’s
Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water is pictured flowing from
its sides bringing healing and health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The paralytic in the gospel wants to be healed by soaking himself in its
pool of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he always arrives too
late to take advantage of the stirred-up waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus cures the paralysis without the
man’s entering the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is shown
as a more powerful source of life than the Temple and its waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this respect he is like the contemporary
computer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith in Jesus produces blessing upon blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not see miraculous cures, but we can
attest in our own lives benefits from prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As much as ever, we want to stay close to Jesus in the trying times of life
today.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-32758692927962854862024-03-10T08:49:00.002-05:002024-03-11T04:57:20.803-05:00Monday, March 11, 2024<p> <b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Monday of
the Fourth Week of Lent</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Isaiah
65:17-21; John 4:43-54)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
fourth Sunday of Lent marks a threshold. No longer will the weekday
readings call for prayer, fasting, and forgiving. Now they center on
the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">life</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> that Christ promises. The gospel book changes
as well. For almost four weeks one of the Synoptic gospels (Matthew,
Mark, and Luke) was used. Now the Gospel of John presenting Jesus as “the
resurrection and the life” is opened for work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus
seems perturbed with the royal official when he says, “’Unless you people see
signs and wonders, you will not believe.’” He is wary when people’s faith
is based solely on the miraculous. Jesus is encouraging the man to
believe in him as Mesías so that he may have eternal life. As a matter
of fact, the official does so.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He has
accepted Jesus without seeing the miracle take place. Only on the next
day does he learn that his son recovered from his “near death” condition. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus has
also given us new life. Some of us were dead spiritually. We
thought too much of money, food, and prestige to appreciate life’s true
meaning. The disciplines of Lent have hopefully reoriented us
correctly. Now we look forward to experiencing the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">fullness of
life. </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We should expect not just balance in our daily activities but
the joy and peace of mutual caring. </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Heaven</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> or </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">eternal
life</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> consists precisely in this.</span></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-80238616410187095302024-03-08T08:35:00.001-06:002024-03-08T08:35:00.272-06:00Sunday, March 10, 2024<p><b>FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(II Chronicles 16:14-16,19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John
3:14-21)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All of us recognize the gospel today. It contains perhaps
the most revered verse in the entire Bible: “…God so loved the world that he
gave it his only Son…” The words comfort us like when we hear our teacher say,
“You are intelligent.” . But do we really believe that God loves us? Many do
not, and for this reason they do not care whether they please God. They do
whatever they like. Saint John Paul II said: “The first task of every Christian
is to accept the love of God.” If we are to have a spiritual life that is truly
Christian, we must take this principle to heart.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because Jesus reveals the love of God, the gospel recognizes
him as “the light of the world.” Light is so basic that Genesis says God made
light on the first day of creation. Throughout the Bible we see the light doing
at least two things. First, it fosters life. Although Bible times did not know
about photosynthesis, they surely understood that plants do not grow without
light. Animals live on plants, including human animals. The light of Jesus
Christ goes beyond fostering physical life. It leads us to eternal life, which
is endless happiness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Light also allows us to see. The intense light in the
surgery room allows surgeons to perform delicate operations. In a similar way,
“the light of the world” enables us to know the truth of our existence. Loved
by God, we are developing into His authentic daughters and sons. The light of
truth teaches us how to prepare for eternal life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love cost God to allow his own son to be crucified. Love
cost Jesus Christ to die in an atrocious way. And love is going to cost us too.
When we love, we become vulnerable. We will spend our resources for the
beloved. We remember Mother Teresa of Calcutta as one of the most loving people
of our time. But she did not appear particularly beautiful. Mother Teresa spent
her resources—her time and energy—on the poor. She didn't take time to go to
the beauty salon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are also vulnerable because the beloved may reject our
offers. The first reading tells the sad story of Israel rejecting God's offer
to be his chosen people. The nation committed infidelities, imitated the vices
of her neighbors, and even desecrated God’s Temple. You can see similar evils
among Catholics today. Certainly the abuse of children by priests serves as a
primary example. One can also mention the drop in worship at Sunday Mass and
the cohabitation of unmarried couples.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gospel emphasizes that Jesus does not condemn but saves.
He has come not as a judge but as a teacher instructing how to truly love. Even
more importantly, he has sacrificed his life to make us acceptable to God the
Father. If we are condemned, we have condemned ourselves by preferring the
lights of the world to the light of life and truth. In other words, we have imitated
the world by loving ourselves rather than loving God and neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the rest of Lent to correct this
error. If we find ourselves reluctant to fast, slow to pray, and lax in
charity, we should double our efforts now. May these practices put us squarely in
the light of Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-79685407382366684092024-03-07T06:30:00.004-06:002024-03-07T06:30:00.138-06:00Friday, March 8. 2024<p> <b>Friday of the Third Week on Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How do we love God with all our heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heart is considered the source of desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set our hearts on finding a good mate or
having work that we enjoy and that provides a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love God with all our heart when we seek Him
above all else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, we strive to develop
a relationship with Him through prayer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We love God with all our soul by always living in His
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soul is the principle of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It animates the body and carries on existence
when we die until body and soul are reunited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A soul that lives in God’s light always follows God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will discern carefully what God wants and
act resolutely to carry it out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Loving God with our whole mind, we ponder what the
Scriptures and the saints say about Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God is so great that no one’s mind can in any true sense know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet we can come to an appreciation of His
love and His will by study and reflection.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often carrying out God’s will requires sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Telling the truth when a small lie will save hundreds
of dollars will make us feel and perhaps look foolish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do so may take all the strength, yet
Jesus finds this necessary to fulfill the Law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we love God in these ways, we will be closer to Him than
the scribe in today’s gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, God
will have already come to us.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-51781006529804850832024-03-06T06:58:00.000-06:002024-03-06T06:58:00.132-06:00Thursday, March 7, 2024<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Thursday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></p>
<h1><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">(Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">In preparing for war, nations often demonize their enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They strive to make enemies appear as less
than civil, often as diabolical by telling negative stories about their
characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the U.S. mobilized
against Iraq in 2003, Pictures were fabricated that made Saddam Hussein look
like Adolph Hitler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In World War I, the
German invaders were depicted first as killing the French and Belgian civilians
then as mutilating their women and children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">In the gospel some people literally demonize Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say that he casts out demons because he
is in league with the prince of demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is an ironic response, for sure, after Jesus does one of their
neighbors a great service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, no
doubt, these people are aware that accepting Jesus as one sent from God entails
heeding his message of repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that requires both humility and effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">Perhaps many of us also are not ready to reform our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, it will take concerted
effort to stop criticizing others, to speak sincerely with adversaries, and to
give generously to the needy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we can
get beyond the stumbling blocks if we think about how much God loves us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given us life and called us to be His
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will provide for us in
death as well when we receive the full inheritance Jesus has won for us. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-25826875466314858292024-03-05T06:30:00.001-06:002024-03-05T06:30:00.132-06:00Wednesday, March 6, 2024<p>W<b>ednesday of the Third Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The word <i>ethos</i> sounds like <i>ethic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The two words, no doubt, are derived from
the same root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is an important
difference between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where <i>ethics
</i>refers to moral principles, <i>ethos </i>in addition to principles includes
a people’s guiding beliefs and customs that are shaped by common stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel’s ethos is given in the “whole law” referred
to in today’s first reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the <i>torah,
</i>the first five books of the Bible,<i> </i>which prescribes in stories and
laws how the “people of God” are to live.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the gospel Jesus declares that the <i>torah </i>will
remain in force for his community of disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They must uphold the traditions of the patriarchs and of Moses who guided
the people to holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
emphatically, they must guard against idols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These whims of treacherous hearts would replace the living God, who loves
and protects His people, with fraudulent desires.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We should not think that Jesus intends his disciples to
follow the Jewish leadership in his day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They (and we) are to be distinguished by sexual restraint, care for
neighbor, and humility before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
these ways they become God’s people.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-26904058632405627992024-03-04T06:53:00.001-06:002024-03-04T06:53:00.139-06:00Tuesday, March 5, 2024<p><b>Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not hard to forgive a person who keeps you waiting
five minutes. “I’ve done the same thing,” the offended party will tell her/himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if the offense is truly immense,
forgiveness is much harder to grant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the movie “Dead Man Walking” a man cannot, at first, forgive his son’s
murderer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says that he wants “strict
justice (i.e., an eye for an eye…”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
he is about to be executed, the killer asks the man’s forgiveness. It is tacitly
given as the father attends the murderer’s funeral.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As difficult as it is to forgive in some cases, it is also
hard for many people to ask forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They might consider themselves better than those they offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps they are worried that admission of
guilt will cause loss of prestige or property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or they may not see their action toward the other as unjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People accused of crime should humbly consider
their actions with the help of a wise counsellor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, if they see themselves as guilty, they
should straightforwardly seek forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acknowledging offenses and asking forgiveness is a universal
challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing so, we offend God, of course, but also harm
others and ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the
Sacrament of Reconciliation to make amends with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Justice compels us to seek reconciliation
with offended parties as well. <o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-59629866576170343462024-03-03T06:48:00.000-06:002024-03-03T06:48:00.140-06:00Monday, March 4, 2024<p><b>Monday of the Third Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(II Kings 5:1-15b; Luke 4:24-30)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mayor, perhaps trying to impress the group of ministers
he was addressing, said that he had only four friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His best friend, he claimed, was his wife of
many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He named his two children as
other friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fourth friend was
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hoped that all Christian leaders
name Jesus as their friend, but they should have given him priority over other
friends.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus is not to be relativized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is one’s best friend because he is the
best person there is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His advice is not
just to be considered but to be followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His townspeople in today’s gospel might like to claim him as their own,
but they are not willing to accept him as a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want Jesus to entertain them with a
miracle not to obey him as God’s messenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naaman, the Syrian general, likewise does not want to heed the prophet’s
word at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants his whole
attention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have Lent to reconsider our priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have put Jesus in a place other than
first, we are not doing him justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heeding
his word will only bring us healing from the leprosy of selfishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following him as a trusted friend will bring
us to fullness of life.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-36152012819482334532024-03-01T07:50:00.001-06:002024-03-01T07:50:00.146-06:00Sunday, March 3, 2024<p class="MsoNormal"><b>THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Exodus 20:1-17; I Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Years ago there was a television drama that caught some
attention. A man leaves his town to learn everything there is to learn in the
world. He goes to Washington to read all the books in the Library of Congress.
After years he returns with his knowledge. The people arrange up an opportunity
for him to provide the gist of his discovery. When the time comes, the whole
town gathers to listen to him. He begins: “This is what I learned: 'I am the
Lord your God... You shall have no other gods besides me... You shall not
misuse the name of the Lord your God... Remember to keep the Sabbath holy...
Honor your father and your mother...'” Yes, according to the drama the Ten
Commandments summarize the wisdom of the ages.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Ten Commandments have a particular place in Christian as
well as Jewish life. The Book of Exodus reports that God wrote them with his
own finger. He has given them to humans as a pure gift. God does not need our
compliance with these orders. However, unless we heed them, we cannot have
happiness that lasts. By following the commandments we can overcome the great
errors that are weakening society and leading to personal destruction. They do
not allow individualism that ignores the responsibilities we have towards each
other and towards community. On the contrary, we must honor our parents,
refrain from taking what belongs to others, and as a corollary, support the
common good.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Ten Commandments also stand against relativism that says
there are no objective laws but rather every person and every society have to
create their own laws. Here are ten incontrovertible laws for everyone.
Likewise, the Ten Commandments do not cede any ground to materialism. They
recognize spiritual values such as God first and then honesty, honor, the
sanctity of marriage, and many others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As great as the gift of the Ten Commandments is, God has
given humans something more superlative. The gospel today teaches that Jesus
has arrived to replace the Temple as the meeting place between God and humans.
The purification of business from the Temple comprises only the first step of
his program. His own body resurrected from the dead will be the new Temple for people
to worship God. Saint Paul informs us that the resurrected body of Christ is
the Church.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now the person does not need to go to Jerusalem to offer
sacrifices that please God. Wherever the Eucharist is celebrated, Christ is
present giving God the Father the perfect sacrifice. In fact, Christ is found
in all the sacraments of the Church. He is present in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, forgiving the sinner's offenses and strengthening his or her
spirit to avoid sin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gospel passage ends with a negative evaluation of men
and women. It says that Jesus does not trust them because he knows human nature
very well. This means our propensity to
sin. Individualism, relativism, and materialism have penetrated the human heart
with such force that the Ten Commandments alone are enough to control them.
Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation Jesus finds us turning to him for
spiritual help as we confess our sins. It is a private space where we can open
ourselves completely to God in an act that is both humble and uplifting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>During this time of Lent we can imagine Jesus purifying our
lives with the Sacrament of Reconciliation as he cleanses the Temple in the
gospel today. He makes us true temples of the Holy Spirit from which acts of
thanks and praise rise to God the Father. </p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-25798149857154235212024-02-29T05:54:00.001-06:002024-02-29T05:54:00.139-06:00Friday, March 1, 2024<p> <b>Friday of the
Second Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span>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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The brothers have no
patience with Joseph, their father’s favorite son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They universally dislike him although not all
favor killing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any case, they
mean him harm when they sell him to the Ishmaelites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tenants of Jesus’ parable are even more
reprehensible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kill the son of the
landowner, who stands for the Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In strict justice, they deserve execution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Despite frequent
examples of hard-heartedness and full treachery, we know that the human heart is
not completely corrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, humans
can become merciful and loving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this
reason we seek renewal in the season of Lent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We endeavor to be like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
not only taught us to help others but also died to save us from death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-44750144380619036912024-02-28T05:48:00.001-06:002024-02-28T05:48:00.136-06:00Thursday, February 29, 2024<p><b>Thursday of the Second Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:9-31)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heart is thought of as the seat of the emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The human person loves, hates, desires, and
rejects with the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often the heart
loves and seeks things that will not bring the person lasting happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rich man’s heart in the gospel parable is
set on fine clothes and sumptuous foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allowing these pursuits to dominate his life, he ends in misery.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Franciscan preacher tells how as a young man he loved to
dress well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bought fine clothes and
never wore them sullied and wrinkled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he came to know the Lord intimately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he says that he doesn’t worry about clothes
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is content wearing his
Franciscan habit with a pair of shorts underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has set his heart on a growing
relationship with the One who matters most of all.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not wrong to want fine clothes and delicious foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we must not prioritize these things to
love of God and neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we do, we
have lost what can most bring us happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must care about things in the proper order of importance.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-70932821105098530142024-02-27T06:30:00.001-06:002024-02-27T06:30:00.134-06:00Wednesday, February 28, 2024<p><b>Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the heart of today’s gospel lies a critical question for
the spiritual life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we love God for
Himself or do we love Him for the spiritual rewards that He promises?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother of James and John does homage to
the Lord to seek high places in his Kingdom for her sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is her piety enough to secure what she asks?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Asking spiritual gifts of Jesus presupposes faith in him to
give it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when
things turn against us, our faith may falter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God in Himself is perfectly lovable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created the universe and sent His Son to save
humankind from folly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love Him for all
His magnificence, including His goodness that we will eventually see up close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we suffer want now, let it be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that following the Lord Jesus will
not leave us disappointed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-12222572919928932102024-02-26T05:52:00.000-06:002024-02-26T05:52:00.134-06:00Tuesday, Februray 27, 2024<p><b>Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being “full of themselves” is a young person’s trait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often pampered as children, adolescents can
think mostly about themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a sin characterizes the Pharisees in
Jesus’ account to his disciples in today’s gospel.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Pharisees’ teaching is not found wanting, but their
pride reaches much beyond self-worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are so absorbed with their own virtue that they cannot see their
vices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as if pride puffed their faces
so that they cannot see how they affect others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus tells his disciples to guard themselves against such
self-deception by being modest in their presentation of self.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often church-going people find fault in others but can’t
recognize their own sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is pathetic
because their very sin keeps them from repenting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must pray for them and for ourselves that
we do not become victims of our own pride.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-62984539517033110282024-02-25T10:52:00.002-06:002024-02-26T04:00:26.101-06:00Monday, February 26, 2024<p><b>Monday of the Second Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In today’s first reading it is the prophet Daniel makes an extraordinary
confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He not only recognizes
himself as a sinner but confesses openly the guilt of the entire community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it is true that everyone disobeys
God’s commandments, few, probably even then, are willing to say it
publicly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daniel also acknowledges that
God is merciful. Perhaps for that reason he does not mind making a public
confession.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the gospel Jesus underscores God’s mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He exhorts his disciples to imitate God’s readiness
to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only in this way, he says, might
they be forgiven their many sins.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Whatever Became of S</i>in, we have all heard preachers
refer to this book of fifty years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
situation has only become laxer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few Catholics
today are confessing regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps attempting
a modicum of fairness, they likewise tend to overlook others’ sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result is a society where crimes like marital
infidelity, media disinformation, and assisted suicide are justified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation
where we can confess our sins and receive God’s mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Society would be stronger if more took
advantage of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-80501662897321760052024-02-23T07:27:00.001-06:002024-02-23T07:27:00.132-06:00Sunday, February 25, 2024<p><b>SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, February 25, 2024</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-4779931607770979892024-02-22T06:55:00.001-06:002024-02-22T06:55:00.133-06:00Friday, February 23, 2024<p> <b>Friday of the First Week of Lent</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:21-26)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus sounds like a rigorist en today’s gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He demands that his disciples not become angry with one another. However, f</span>ew people are so completely equanimous that
they never express hostility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is said of
some saints, however, that they treated everyone kindly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus does not want his followers to despair because their
tempers escape their control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same
passage which condemns anger extends recourse to reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Hotheads </span>should seek
forgiveness from those they have offended as well as the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lent provides motivation for us to experiment withholding anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should try
refraining from outbursts for these seven
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the period we might ask
ourselves if we did better curbing our temper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We will probably want to continue practicing restraint in our dealings with others.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-33133201051933311312024-02-21T06:30:00.001-06:002024-02-21T06:30:00.146-06:00Thursday, February 22, 2024<p><b>Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today’s feast is meant to honor the papacy as well as St.
Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chair of Peter is the seat of
authority on which a pope sits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
the Church’s foundation, no fewer than 266 men have occupied that chair. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must be firm
in teaching and in calling the Church to unity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Popes should also have a deep relationship
with God so that they might discern His will as evidently Simon has done in the
gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s first reading adds
several more qualifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Popes must
be close to the people so that they may teach by example as well as doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should also carry out their
responsibilities not as professionals for pay but as those with a vocation
willing to work without profit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, we have had fine persons sitting on the Chair
of Peter in recent years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Paul II
was almost incomparable for his energy, genius, and pastoral insight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis, despite his faux paus, has shown us
how to love deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The papacy is a
strenuous office, usually occupied by men who are past retirement age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should pray for them as well as heed their
authority.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-60845901733921955632024-02-20T06:30:00.001-06:002024-02-20T06:30:00.159-06:00Wednesday, February 21, 2014<p><b>Wednesday of the First Week in Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Jonah 3:1-0; Luke 11:29-32)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enter almost any doctor’s office, and you will be asked for
a sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attendant will want to see
your insurance card guaranteeing the doctor will be paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell her or him that you have money
to cover the doctor’s fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t
expect to be believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s gospel
Jesus chastises the people for a similar lack of faith.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The people want Jesus to produce miracles on demand before
they believe in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells them that
this is not God’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is hard for some of us to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps we have been tricked or misled by
someone whom we thought was telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, as Jesus indicates, there is still plenty of reason to trust in God’s
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have life and more than enough
to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We probably have had at least
one parent who would have died for us and friends who are willing to help meet
our needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all signs of a sort
indicating God’s abiding presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is no need to hold out for miracles before believing in Him. <o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-25424089925355215012024-02-19T06:42:00.001-06:002024-02-20T18:53:34.654-06:00Tuesday, February 20, 2024<p><b>Tuesday of the First Week of Lent</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Old Testament the ear takes precedence over the
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God frequently talks to His people
at least through the prophets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But only
once does He show himself in full theophany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In today’s first reading God Himself emphasizes the efficacy of His
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says that it always achieves
His purpose.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gospel makes the word of God Jesus’ disciples’ own
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, God incarnate, teaches his
followers how to pray with an emphasis on forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Father will forgive those who forgive the
offenses of others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Forgiveness requires humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we forgive, we give up the claims we
have against our offenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our pride can
keep this from happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, hearing
Jesus’ guarantee of our own forgiveness, we cannot afford not to forgive.<o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397101233199519286.post-31654216878802312652024-02-17T07:00:00.001-06:002024-02-17T07:00:00.138-06:00Monday, February 19, 2024<p><b>Monday of the First Week of Lent</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today’s reading from Leviticus pursues the theme of
holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes for granted that
holiness involves cultic observance and separation from filth and what might
lead to impurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reading emphasizes
the ethical component of holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>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.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The gospel provides content for that rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Jesus love is
active and requires sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may
start with good intentions and include prayer for those who are suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one cannot be welcomed into the kingdom
if he or she ignores someone in need.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may not care if we are considered holy or not, but we
probably want to experience eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can’t have one without the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must avoid what sullies our character and strive to love our neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>(Rev.) Carmen Mele, O.P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16840098593562250753noreply@blogger.com0