Tuesday, July 15, 2025

 

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

St. Bonaventure was one of the great saints of the Middle Ages.  His writings are still read and valued.  He also was an excellent administrator.  In the middle of his career at the University of Paris, he was elected General Minister of the Franciscan Order.  Bonaventure structured the large group with effective legislation and a coherent spirituality based on St. Francis’ legacy.

Today’s first reading presents another man who will become an effective leader and theologian.  It portrays Moses as a diamond in the rough.  Moses feels a righteous anger when the Egyptian strikes the Hebrew worker.   But his quick resort to violence is imprudent.  God will instruct him over years in exile so that he may lead God’s chosen people to freedom.

Neither Moses nor St. Bonaventure could have performed as well as they did without
God’s assistance.  We also need to rely on the Lord by praying often and carefully discerning His will.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

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 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

The Book of Exodus might be called “the Book of Moses.”  He is the book’s central human figure.  Moses is not only a bigger-than-life personality; he is also a charismatic leader.  Today’s first reading indicates the sources of his leadership basic qualities.

It might be said that Moses has leadership in his genes.  He is the physical son of an unnamed Levite man and woman.  Levi was one of two brothers who led the ten others to take revenge on the Shechemites for raping their sister Dinah.  But Moses was not foremost a violent man.  He was raised by his stepmother, Pharoah’s daughter, who took compassion on the baby whom she found in the river.  She knew that he was one of the Hebrew children condemned by her father.  Moses possessed, as well, a sense of justice and an inclination to act on it.  When he saw the Egyptian overlord abuse the Hebrew worker, he responded carefully and decisively.  He was also inclined to find out the truth of a situation.  Finding two Hebrews fighting, he investigated by asking questions.

Moses might write on his CV that he came from ordinary but strong stock, that he possessed both compassion and justice, and that he acted after ascertaining the truth.  It is no wonder then why God chose and formed him to lead His people.  We should see in him a prototype for Christ.  Moses was a man worthy of teaching us God’s Law, that is His gracious will for us.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

Moses’ mother uses both work and wit to save him from destruction.  She takes pain to hide him when he is born so that he would not be taken away.  When that is no longer possible, she strategizes to have Moses adopted into the royal family.  She even manages to take care of him on behalf of the Egyptian princess.  Her care is of the order celebrated on this Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In Christian tradition Mary, the Mother of God, is known in various ways.  She is the Virgin Maiden who disposes herself completely with God’s call.  She is also the Queen of Apostles, the first human to proclaim God’s love in Jesus Christ.  She is also the great protectoress giving shelter to those under siege.  Our Lady of Mount Carmel should be seen especially in this last way.

She is associated with the brown scapular.  Scapulars were originally exterior clothing worn over the shoulders as an outer vestment.  They were like sweaters or, if worn alone, light jackets to provide protection against the elements.  In time the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel became famous for protecting its wearer from vices.  Because the full-body version was not needed for this spiritual purpose, its size was reduced.  Today the scapular is but two cloth emblems linked by two laces but still worn over the head.  As always with sacramentals, the scapular itself does not protect anyone.  But it does remind us to ask Mary to pray for us to God.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

Today’s optional memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrates one of the most revered manifestations of the Blessed Virgin.  She is said to have given St. Simon Stock, the prior general of the Carmelite Order in the middle of the thirteenth century, the order’s brown scapular that served as part of its habit.  At the same time Our Lady is said to have promised salvation to those who persevere in wearing it.

The scapular has been radically reduced so that it is not always a garb at all but a neck pendant that can be easily worn under regular clothing.  No doubt millions of lay people around the word do just that trusting Our Lady’s promise.  The story sounds quaint and ingenuous, but it only underscores the narrative unfolding in the first reading these days where God comes to the aid of His people when they are perishing.  Today’s segment shows how the Israelite’s human liberator Moses is spared death by a generous act of Providence.

Wearing a scapular is not necessary to be saved, but it may remind us of our Lord whose death on the cross extends to us the possibility of eternal life.  He also has shared with us his Blessed Mother whose pleading on our behalf contributes to our never losing faith.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

Young people need lots of support. They relish compliments from teachers and look for better-than-average paychecks at work. When people grow older and hopefully wiser, however, they no longer look for incentives from others. Rather, a well-developed relationship with the Lord should provide them all the reason necessary for doing what is right. In the reading from Exodus today Moses is challenged to become wise before he grows old as he looks to the Lord for support in his youth.

Although Moses could have renounced his Hebrew heritage, he chooses instead to defend his people. When he sees an Egyptian punishing an Israelite, he slays the aggressor. Although he does not believe that anyone sees what is taking place, he would expect his fellow countrymen to defend him. But, in fact, they are ready to expose his act. His only recourse is to run away and look to God for solace.

Sometimes in doing what is right, we find people indifferent or even hostile to our position. We should not let them stop us. Rather we, like Moses, must recognize that it is the Lord, not other people, whom we are to please.