Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27)

General George Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff during World War II and later Secretary of State, was renowned for his self-control.  It is said that after making critical decisions involving thousands of lives, Marshall could take a nap.  In today’s gospel Jesus proves himself to be a person of even greater composure.

Jesus’ disciples are amazed that the sun and moon seem to snap at his command.  It is almost as remarkable that he could sleep in a small boat being rocked by a storm.  The story is meant to teach more than Jesus’ authority over nature or his serenity.  It is also a lesson in Jesus’ presence to the Church after the resurrection.  The ship in the storm symbolizes the Church in its infancy.  It is being challenged in every direction – persecutions, heresies, contentious questions like accommodation of non-Jews.  The portrayal of Jesus sleeping represents the temptation of thinking that he is indifferent about these challenges.  But all the disciples have to do to secure his help is beseech him in prayer. 

We too at times may feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Perhaps we have promised to do more than now seems possible to accomplish.  Or maybe our children bring home problems that we thought happen in only the most troubled of families.  We too can find recourse in the Lord Jesus.  As he calmed the storm for his disciples, he will assist us in our need.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)

General George Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff during World War II and subsequent Secretary of State, was renowned for his self-control.  Upon sending a squadron of bombers into combat, Marshall could take a nap without losing sleep over whether he made the right decision.  In today’s gospel Jesus proves himself to be a person of even greater composure.

Jesus’ disciples are amazed that the sun and moon snap at his command.  It is almost as remarkable that he could sleep in a small boat being rocked by a storm.  But the story is meant to say more than Jesus had extraordinary powers over nature.  The ship in the storm symbolizes the Church in its infancy being challenged in every direction – persecutions on one side, heresies on the other.  The sleeping Jesus represents the temptation that Jesus is indifferent about what happens to his followers.  But all they have to do is beseech his help with prayer.  He readily arises to save them.

We too at times feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Perhaps we have promised to do more than it now seems possible for us to accomplish.  Then we have to find recourse in the Lord Jesus.  As he calmed the storm for his disciples, he will assist us in our need.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)

Few Americans have distinguished themselves more than George C. Marshall. As Army Chief of Staff during World War II, he oversaw the military build-up that saved the world from Nazi and Japanese tyranny. Later as Secretary of State, he introduced the foreign aid plan that rebuilt the European economy and assured American prosperity. In recognition of these efforts Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet Senator Joe McCarthy attacked Marshall as feeble, stupid, and responsible for China turning Communist!

Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom soberly assures us that even the most righteous of people like George Marshall suffer persecution. Certainly the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as being so persecuted. By healing the infirm and teaching with authority, Jesus shows himself to be the long-awaited Messiah. But the Jews, in this account, refuse to acknowledge Jesus as sent from God. They say that no one is to know the origins of the Christ (or Messiah) but they know that Jesus comes from Nazareth.

When we pursue what is good, we will sometimes find our efforts criticized and our intentions misconstrued. It happened to Jesus, and as his followers, we can expect it to happen to us. But suffering persecution is no reason to give up doing what is right. We should check our work and question our motives to assure that they are properly ordered. If they are, then there is reason to stay the course. After all, Jesus promises the Kingdom of heaven to those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness.

Homilette for March 7, 2008

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)

Few Americans have distinguished themselves more than George C. Marshall. As Army Chief of Staff during World War II, he oversaw the Army’s build-up that saved the world from Nazi and radical Japanese tyranny. Later as Secretary of State, he introduced the foreign aid plan that rebuilt the European economy and assured American prosperity. In recognition of these efforts Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet Senator Joe McCarthy attacked Marshall as feeble, stupid, and responsible for China turning Communist!

Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom soberly assures us that even the most righteous of people, like George Marshall, suffer persecution. Certainly the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as being so persecuted. By rehabilitating the hopelessly infirm and working other wonders, Jesus shows himself to be sent from God. By performing such acts on the Sabbath, he further reveals that the age of the Law, that prohibits Sabbath work, has ended. The Messiah or Christ, God’s anointed Son, has arrived in his person. Believing in him, not following the Law, leads to salvation. The gospel segment today pictures Jewish rulers, having their power threatened by faith in Jesus, as plotting to kill him.

When we pursue what is good, we will sometimes find our efforts criticized and our intentions misconstrued. It happened to Jesus, and, as his followers, we can expect it to happen to us. But suffering persecution is no reason to give up doing what is right. We might check our work and question our motives to assure that they are properly ordered. If so, then there is reason to stay the course. After all, Jesus promises those who suffer persecution for sake of righteousness will be awarded the Kingdom of heaven.