Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28)

When finishing their annual Passover meal, Jews say together, “Next year in Jerusalem.”  Probably even Jews living in Jerusalem express this hope!  For Jews Jerusalem is not so much a place as it is a social state.  It is shalom, peace, well-being under God’s protection.  It is the kingdom of heaven. 

Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first reading promises that the Jews will return to their land which certainly includes Jerusalem.  Being chastened for their sins in the desert, as the city of Babylon must have appeared to them, they are ready to return to the Promised Land.  The Lord will provide them a safe return.  Christians take a broader view of the same prophecy.  For them forgiveness of sin comes through immersion into Christ’s death and resurrection in Baptism.  It does not put them in Jerusalem so much as it puts Jerusalem in them.  The relocation comes about by Christ imparting his Spirit so that each might live intimately with him.

We celebrate Christ’s forgiveness also in the Eucharist.  It is a daily or weekly occasion to sense God’s closeness to us.  It is also nourishment that we might love our neighbors in truth as God loves us.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest

(Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28)

Dominicans call their founder, “Holy Father Dominic.” He certainly distinguished himself in prayer by often spending the night before the Blessed Sacrament. But Dominic was by no means sanctimonious. His successor and biographer, Jordan of Saxony, wrote of him, “During the day, none was more affable, none more pleasant to his brethren or associates. At night none was more constant in prayer or watching.” Dominic transmitted joy to the Order of Preachers and indeed to the whole world much like Jeremiah in the first reading today.

The people of Judah are war booty in Babylonia. Their homeland has been laid waste, and their lives are tottering in exile. Now God sends Jeremiah with a message of comfort. He tells that their trials will end and once again they will live freely in their own land.

We live in a time with no shortage of worries. The economy slumbers. The war in Afghanistan slogs on. Many suffer overweight, and the word “cancer” still rings of death. Nevertheless, there is cause for joy. God has both shared with us His will in Jesus Christ and empowered us with the Holy Spirit. We can face our troubles without fear as we fulfill the Lord’s commands.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28)

When finishing the annual Passover meal, Jews say together, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Probably even Jews living in Jerusalem express this hope. For Jews Jerusalem is not so much a place as it is a state of mind. It is shalom, peace, under God’s protection. It is the heavenly state.

Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first reading promises that the Jews will return to their land which certainly includes Jerusalem. In the desert, as the city of Babylon must have appeared to them, they would be liberated from their sins. Then the Lord will look after their safe return. Christians take a broader view of the prophecy. For us liberation comes through Christ’s death and resurrection which does not put us in Jerusalem so much as puts Jerusalem in each of us. This takes place by Christ imparting his Spirit to us so that we might live intimately with him.

Today the Church remembers a man who lived a rather ordinary life in a truly remarkable way. St. John Vianney was a parish priest in the French village of Ars. Yet he dedicated himself to the Lord in every respect and became known for wisdom as well as piety. People came from all over the country seeking his solace. It was as if all the glory of Jerusalem beamed in his soul.