Friday, June 5, 2020

Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr

(II Timothy 3:10-17; Mark 12:35-37)

Today’s first reading sounds like a description of the missionary activity of St. Boniface.  Much like St. Paul, Boniface experienced hardship and persecution in preaching the gospel in Germany.  Yet faithful to his mandate to convert the German peoples, Boniface became enormously successful.  He was born in England, became a monk, and followed the call to preach the gospel in foreign lands.  He died a martyr after resigning from his position as archbishop of Mainz and patriarch of Germany.

Paul assures Timothy that faithfulness to Christ brings suffering.  There is irony here because Christ is the epitome of divine virtue.  Shouldn’t such virtue be admired and not punished?  And it is; most of all, virtue pleases God who rewards those who possess it with eternal life.  But there are people for whom another’s virtue is an obstacle to their purposes.  Some will mock concern for poor, young women whom they want to exploit for profit in the sex trade.  They will also attack anyone who threatens their business.

We must not be naïve in following Christ.  There is much to commend it – good people as friends and an eternal destiny.  But there are also challenges like those who resent the practice of virtue.  Let’s keep our eyes on the saints like Boniface today.  They had a clear vision of what they hoped to achieve in life.  They also were wise not to rely on their own resources but on God’s grace.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 3:10-17; Mark 12:35-37)

A Protestant layman once told a Catholic priest how much he envied him. The layman said that he would love to have meditation on Scripture his life’s work. Lay people can, of course, study Scripture, but their efforts are almost exclusively an avocation. Priests and Protestant ministers, on the other hand, make their careers deriving Scripture’s meaning and conveying their understanding to others in an appealing way.

St. Paul in the first reading today shows the highest regard for Scripture. He knows that it provides rich soil to root one’s life in. He exhorts Timothy, as the leader of a community, to find nourishment in Scripture. Working with it, he will find success as God’s minister as well as support as a vulnerable human being.

In fact, reflecting on Scripture daily, like a balanced diet enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids, will enrich anyone’s life. We cannot read it like Italians drink coffee in one gulp. Rather, more like cognac, Scripture should be read slowly and savored. It will leave behind an appreciation of life that will see us through both rough times and good.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 3:10-17; Mark 12:35-37)

A Protestant layman once told a Catholic priest how he envied him. The layman said that he would love to have meditation on Scripture as his life’s work. Lay people can, of course, study the Scriptures, but for most, their efforts comprise an avocation. Priests and Protestant ministers, on the other hand, have the responsibility of reflecting regularly on Scripture to derive its meaning, and convey that understanding to others in an appealing way.

St. Paul in the first reading today also shows the highest regard for Scripture. He knows that it provides a solid ground to base one’s life upon. Timothy, as the leader of a community, must especially root his life in Scripture. From it he will find success as God’s minister and support as a vulnerable human being. In fact reflecting on Scripture daily, like a diet enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids, will enrich anyone’s life.