Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37)

Once in a while at the end of mass someone speaks out, “St. Michael, defend in battle…”  The prayer dates back 142 years to the pontificate of Leo XIII.  At that time the papacy found itself at a loss vis-a-vis worldly powers.  St. Michael was called upon to defend the Holy See’s interests.  The tune of the prayer is similar to today’s first reading.

The author of the text understands his readers to be in conflict with themselves.  He sees their grace-enlightened minds struggling against their passions inclined to do evil.  Distrusting spontaneity, he exhorts them to soberly resist all temptations of pleasure.

Such outlooks on the world appeal to us who sometimes feel conflicted by natural desires.  However, the goods of the world should not be spurned completely.  Made for our use and enjoyment, they make us grateful to be alive.  But they are not to dominate our aspirations either.  We are made for something better - love that blossoms into eternal life.  We should interpret James as a warning about over-indulgence in material creation.  Even more we should be joyful and thankful for the gift of life.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37)

Mark Twain must have written the “War Prayer” at an especially dark moment.  The short story cynically excoriates praying for victory in battle.  Its argument is simple: if a congregation prays that its soldiers triumph, it is also praying that its enemies’ soldiers are destroyed.  The logic of the story is how could a God of love entertain such an outrageous request?  Twain’s “War Prayer” gives echo to the passage from the Letter of James in today’s first reading.

This is one of the parts of James’ letter best described as diatribe. James unreservedly chastises the people for its excesses.  In this case he tells them that they wage war and then pray for the wrong things.  Rather than looking for victory in war, he would tell them to sow seeds of peace. The overall intent of the passage is consistent with the gospel message of repentance and renewal.

We are faced with a challenge much greater than reframing our prayers so that they do not offend God.  We must be vigilant about living in accord with the gospel.  Jesus taught us to pray for our persecutors.  This does not mean that we ask that they triumph in battle.  Rather we pray that they follow the righteous path of enemy love on which we have embarked.

Tuesday, February 25, 2013

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37)

Aldous Huxley published Brave New World in 1932 as a warning for the future.  He predicted the hedonism of gratuitous sex and drugs that has become reality.  At the end of the novel the main character is seen whipping himself in an effort to beat back desires of the flesh.  The passage from the Letter of James that we hear today relates a similar message as Brave New World. 

The writer is intensely aware of the power of carnal desires to overwhelm wisdom and even rationality.  Quite shockingly, after addressing his readers as “beloved” at the beginning, he calls them “adulterers” in this passage to impress on them the urgency of the situation.  He cuts no slack for delay or tolerance.  Rather he admonishes, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.” 

If we are to preserve ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ, we must act as James exhorts his readers.  Whipping ourselves is unnecessary, but occasional fasting and constant vigilance over what we look at should become norms.  Beyond individual discipline, we need to inculcate a culture of human dignity and respect.  Such a culture would ban the death penalty as well as abortion.  It would also encourage everyone to strive for the common good.

Homilette for Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10)

Aldous Huxley published Brave New World in 1932 as a warning for the future. He predicted the hedonism of gratuitous sex and drugs that in some ways has become reality. In one of the novel’s final scenes the protagonist whips himself to overcome desires of the flesh that prompted the creation of the brave new world. Unfortunately, however, the culture of hedonism is too strong to be checked by individual effort.

The passage from the Letter of James that we hear today relates a similar message as Brave New World. The writer is intensely aware of the power of carnal desires to overcome wisdom and even rationality. Quite shockingly, after addressing his readers as “beloved” at the beginning, he calls them “adulterers” in this passion to impress on them the urgency of the situation. He makes no room for delay or tolerance as he says, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.”

If we are to preserve ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ, we must act radically as James exhorts. Whipping ourselves seems unnecessary, but occasional fasting and perennial care about what we look at should become our norms. Beyond individual discipline, we need to inculcate a culture of human dignity and respect. Such a culture would not simply have laws forbidding various immoral practices. Rather, it would strive to enlighten and uplift everyone to a regard for the common good as much as to individual rights.