Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)

Some thought at the beginning of the present century that the world would live perpetually in peace.  One intellectual wrote of “the end of history.” By the term he meant an enlightened world that recognizes the folly of war and the need to create prosperity for all.  The events of this day – September 11 – in 2001 disabused everyone world of this dream.  In today’s first reading St. Paul also imagines history coming to an end with the revelation to the world of Christ’s majesty.  Paul proposes ideals for individuals with the end of history in mind.

With the world soon coming to an end, Paul thinks it best that people do not seek marriage.  Rather they should wholly concern themselves with pleasing the Lord.  Intense prayer and devotion would be in order.  Of course, Christ’s coming has not taken place yet.  The world remains a place of contention and pride.  Although there is always need for some to give full attention to the Lord, marriage is in greater need than ever.

Marriage sears people of the illusion that they are individuals who can live happily by themselves.  Children, the fruit of marriage, require growth in responsibility.  Marriage itself should turn the couple to God who provides the moral strength to overcome its various challenges.  As much as youth today eschew marriage, it is as necessary as ever if as a society we are to meet the threats of a still dangerous world.

Wednesday, September 13, 2018

Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)

A perennial question in the Church concerns priestly celibacy.  Should married men be ordained to the priesthood?  There are former Episcopalian priests with wives who are ordained Roman Catholic priests, but here we want to consider the rule and not the exception.  Some believe that celibacy is the right option for those who believe they would be happier without a wife.  St. Paul offers an interesting alternative to this position.

Paul admits that he is speaking on his own here; nevertheless, his words are authoritative.  Believing that Jesus is to return soon, he recommends that all people not marry.  Paul says that although married couples should not separate, the unmarried should not seek marriage.  Rather, he believes that they are wise to keep the Lord constantly in mind.  Paul is well aware of the human tendency to preoccupy itself with sex if that is at hand.

Most priest celibates experience some difficulty.  Like most men they long for intimacy with a woman and to raise a family.  However, married couples do not have life easy either.  Marriage is necessary to continue the human enterprise, and celibacy testifies to the Lord’s eventual return.  It is not likely that enough men would choose celibacy without a rule for this witness to be widespread.  Therefore, it may be said that although it requires deeply felt sacrifice, priestly celibacy is valuable for preaching the full gospel.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)

The man could not stop gambling.  He had been in the casino some while.  He lost all that he could afford to lose and much more.  Then he dipped into his savings.  Soon the money reserved for taxes was bet and lost.  He felt he could still beat the system.  Of course, it beat him.  He went home broke, worried, and angry at himself.  This scenario holds for other kinds of compulsions as well as gambling.  People often lose what is very important in attempt to achieve some elusive satisfaction. In the first reading today St. Paul warns the Corinthians not to allow sex to be their downfall.

Paul knows that sex is not intrinsically evil.  He does not condemn it, but he expresses his reservations about it candidly.  If one can live without it, the apostle advises, he will probably be happier in the end.  Believing that Christ is to return soon, Paul does not mention having children.  All that really matters is to prepare oneself for that great event by living righteously.  It is paramount that the person not lose herself in the pursuit of pleasure.

Although even yet Christ has not returned, we still will experience a shortage of time if we spend it profligately in vain pursuits.  Sex, of course, is a prime suspect.  Other potential pitfalls are alcohol, gambling, and even acquiring electronic gadgets.  These pursuits need not be judged as evil in themselves.  But if they take control of good judgment, they will detour us from Christ.  That would be a pity because Christ brings the lasting happiness that our hearts desire. 

Wednesday, eptember 12, 2012

Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)

The man could not stop gambling. He had been in the casino some while. He lost all that he said that he could comfortably afford to lose and more, much more. Then he dipped into his savings. Soon the money reserved for taxes was bet and lost. He could still beat the system, he felt certain. Of course, he didn’t. He went home broke, worried, and angry at himself. This scenario would hold for other kinds of compulsions as well as gambling. People often lose what is very important in attempt to achieve some elusive satisfaction. In the first reading today St. Paul warns the Corinthians not to allow sex to be their downfall.

Paul knows that sex is not intrinsically evil. He does not condemn it, but he expresses his reservations about it candidly. If one can live without it, the apostle advises, she or he will probably be happier in the end. Believing that Christ is to return soon, Paul does not mention having children. All that really matters for him is to prepare oneself for that great event by living righteously and purifying one’s intentions. It is paramount that the person not lose himself or herself in the pursuit of pleasure or in another kind of compulsion.

Although Christ has not returned as soon as Paul is thinking, we still experience a shortage of time if we spend it profligately in vain pursuits. Sex, of course, is a principal one, and this may apply to the marital kind as it certainly does to the promiscuous varieties. Other wasteful pastimes are alcohol, gambling, and even seemingly innocuous preoccupations like acquiring electronic gadgets. We should not judge most of these pursuits as evil in themselves, but when they take control of our good judgment, they will detour us from our goal which is Christ. It is a pity when it happens because Christ brings the deep, lasting happiness that our hearts desire.