Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:7-9)
President Obama has recently called for huge federal outlays to create jobs for Americans. His strategy is straightforward. Providing work will stimulate national spending that hopefully will revert into tax dollars to pay back the government. We can see a similar rationale in the Book of the prophet Haggai from which the first reading is taken today.
In the passage the people complain that now is not the time to rebuild the Temple. They were experiencing such need that they felt there was no surplus for undertaking a giant construction project. The prophet meanwhile counters with a contrary economic argument. The cause of the people’s troubles is precisely not having a fitting place of worship so that God might bless the nation with prosperity. In the end Haggai’s view wins out.
Nevertheless we can be wary of such schemes as the one the President is now proposing. They may only deepen the national debt. Yet at least the government is showing concern for the unemployed which its part of its responsibility. God should be pleased. Still it cannot be said that His pleasure will necessarily mean a return to economic prosperity.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
Last week President Obama gave a speech in El Paso, Texas, regarding immigration reform. Much in accord with Catholic bishops he called for ways to legitimize the presence of millions of undocumented workers and their families in the United States. The president’s speaking so near the border to Mexico may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not so much for his immediate audience but as a sign to listeners far and wide of the importance of the issue to him. It might be said that Jesus’ message in today’s gospel comprises a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of the Easter season. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not bring many mountaintop experiences. Rather it reassures us that the love which we radiate and find reflected back on us is worth any effort on our part. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the fullness of life promised as our journey ends.
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
Last week President Obama gave a speech in El Paso, Texas, regarding immigration reform. Much in accord with Catholic bishops he called for ways to legitimize the presence of millions of undocumented workers and their families in the United States. The president’s speaking so near the border to Mexico may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not so much for his immediate audience but as a sign to listeners far and wide of the importance of the issue to him. It might be said that Jesus’ message in today’s gospel comprises a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of the Easter season. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not bring many mountaintop experiences. Rather it reassures us that the love which we radiate and find reflected back on us is worth any effort on our part. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the fullness of life promised as our journey ends.
Homilette for Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
A few weeks ago President Obama gave a speech at Georgetown University. The address caused some consternation because the university covered up some of its explicitly Catholic images. However, a university spokesperson said that the images were concealed not because they were Catholic but because they were going to be only partly visible. In any case, the president’s speech described the nature of the economy in what may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not for the benefit of immediate listeners but to be broadcasted far and wide. In the gospel today Jesus’ address might be seen as a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of Easter time. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially for those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not continually bring mountaintop experiences. Rather, it assures us of truth based on love. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the eternity promised at the end of the journey.
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
A few weeks ago President Obama gave a speech at Georgetown University. The address caused some consternation because the university covered up some of its explicitly Catholic images. However, a university spokesperson said that the images were concealed not because they were Catholic but because they were going to be only partly visible. In any case, the president’s speech described the nature of the economy in what may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not for the benefit of immediate listeners but to be broadcasted far and wide. In the gospel today Jesus’ address might be seen as a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of Easter time. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially for those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not continually bring mountaintop experiences. Rather, it assures us of truth based on love. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the eternity promised at the end of the journey.
Homilette for Thursday, January 8, 2009
Christmas Weekday
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
In 1961 when John Kennedy was inaugurated, he delivered one of the most inspiring speeches in history. “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans,” the young president said, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage....” Now the United States awaits the inauguration of another young president with a claim to newness every bit as significant as that of his predecessor forty-eight years ago. But neither John Kennedy nor Barack Obama can match the anticipation that accompanies Jesus in the gospel today.
Jesus returns to his home town to deliver his first public address in Luke’s gospel. He enters the synagogue, takes the scroll with a passage from Isaiah, reads about someone being anointed by the Spirit to proclaim glad tidings to the poor, and finally announces that he has come to fulfill this prophecy. Humanity can sigh in relief. Women and men will have not only sound teaching to guide them to peace but also the strengthening of will to make it happen.
For all the great expectations that Barack Obama engenders, many are rightfully skeptical of his presidency because of his support of abortion. In any case, we must not place ultimate hope in political messiahs. They may improve the conditions of earthly life, but they cannot bring about a totally just society. For that we still look only to Jesus, the anointed one, who has long ascended to his throne to secure for us the deepest desires of our hearts.
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
In 1961 when John Kennedy was inaugurated, he delivered one of the most inspiring speeches in history. “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans,” the young president said, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage....” Now the United States awaits the inauguration of another young president with a claim to newness every bit as significant as that of his predecessor forty-eight years ago. But neither John Kennedy nor Barack Obama can match the anticipation that accompanies Jesus in the gospel today.
Jesus returns to his home town to deliver his first public address in Luke’s gospel. He enters the synagogue, takes the scroll with a passage from Isaiah, reads about someone being anointed by the Spirit to proclaim glad tidings to the poor, and finally announces that he has come to fulfill this prophecy. Humanity can sigh in relief. Women and men will have not only sound teaching to guide them to peace but also the strengthening of will to make it happen.
For all the great expectations that Barack Obama engenders, many are rightfully skeptical of his presidency because of his support of abortion. In any case, we must not place ultimate hope in political messiahs. They may improve the conditions of earthly life, but they cannot bring about a totally just society. For that we still look only to Jesus, the anointed one, who has long ascended to his throne to secure for us the deepest desires of our hearts.
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