Wednesday, May 1, 2019

(Optional) Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

American writer Marilynne Robinson has won fame for her novel Gilead.  As evidenced in the book, she can articulate profound thoughts.  In a separate essay entitled “Humanism” Ms. Robinson queries the seven dimensions to being that string theory physicists have added to the usual four.  She says that the concept, established in mathematics, changes how humans consider reality.  Like the Galilean revelation that the earth is not at the center of the universe, string theory makes even Einstein’s notion of relativity obsolete.  It might be said that today’s gospel anticipates string theory.

The passage has been called “the gospel in miniature” as it goes to the heart of the Christian message.  It speaks of “eternal life,” whose root meaning is outside of time.  The concept of eternity presents a new dimension of reality.  It cannot be experienced in its fullness, at least, under present circumstances.  It is peace, joy, and – most of all – love in all their wonder.  God, the Father, wills eternal life – the life He lives with the Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit -- for the world.  He has sent His Son, who is called Jesus the Christ, to deliver it.

Today we remember St. Joseph the Worker.  The feast day was established to support the faith of ordinary people.  Anyone who works should celebrate today.  But they should not be content to give thanks for a job or even for the role of being co-creator (perhaps, better, junior apprentice) with God.  No, we give thanks to God as well for the gift of eternal life.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

The gospel today begins with one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible.  In fact, John 3:16 has been called “the Gospel in miniature.”  It boldly proclaims God’s love and tells of the eternal destiny for all who care to be formed by it.

The passage reads that Jesus is not here to condemn humans but to offer them a choice.  They can accept him, the light of the world, as their guide.  Or they can remain in the darkness of sinful desires.  It is instructive that Nicodemus, whom Jesus is addressing here, first comes to Jesus “at night” indicating his complexity in sin.  However, he makes a final appearance in broad daylight after the crucifixion to bury Jesus.  This charitable act indicates that Nicodemus has opted for the light of the world.

We may ask if it is possible to accept Jesus while maintaining some sinful desire.  Perhaps we enjoy gossip or maybe a pornographic Internet site.  No, the light of the world will not admit any darkness although he does listen to our prayers for mercy.  If we sincerely petition him and duly follow his instructions, he will see us through to eternal life.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

There is a difference between believing someone and believing in her or him.  The former is a limited credence: what the person is saying now seems trustworthy.  The latter expresses a deeper, more permanent credibility: not just everything that the person says commands adherence, but all that she or he does can be counted on.  The gospel reading today testifies that Jesus is worth this second kind of belief.

The passage has been called “the gospel in miniature” because it presents the central truth of the Christian faith.  It affirms that Jesus is God’s Son sent into the world to give humans the fullness of life.  This is accomplished when they trust him implicitly; that is, when they follow his teachings and imitate his ways even to the extent of dying on the cross.  In short, they experience the fullness of life when they believe in him.  Not to believe in him, therefore, deprives one of eternal life.  As the passage warns, “whoever does not believe has already been condemned.”

It is not hard to believe in Jesus, at least for those in countries with a high degree of religious freedom.  However, it entails that we give up belief in the gods and goddesses of our times: entertainment personalities, sports heroes, politicians, friends who encourage us to sin.  By allowing Jesus to take control of our lives through reflection on the gospel and prayer we will experience the fullness of happiness.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

An elderly man carries a large magnifying glass wherever he goes.  He admits, however, that the glass does not do much good without sufficient light.  In fact, he says, good lighting is more helpful for reading than the magnifying glass.  In today’s gospel Jesus is presented as the transformative light which turns good motives into virtuous acts.

The text emphasizes that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it.  People may get the former idea because Jesus could not but make some demands and prohibit some actions.  After all, human tendencies since Adam have been rather predominantly selfish.  But any sternness about Jesus is more than compensated by his graciousness.  The light he beams should be understood as the glow of the early morning which stirs followers to a just way of living.

It is time to be hopeful. The Lord’s resurrection has become our destiny.  We have both reason and direction to live lives of virtue.

Wedneday, May 4, 2011

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

The gospel today begins with one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible. In fact, John 3:16 has been called “the Gospel in miniature.” It boldly proclaims God’s love and tells of the eternal destiny for all who care to be formed by that Gospel.

The passage reads that Jesus is not here to condemn humans but to offer them a choice. They can either receive him, the light of the world, in order to live in charity. Or they can remain in the darkness of sinful desires. It is instructive that Nicodemus, whom Jesus is addressing here, first comes to Jesus “at night” indicating his complexity in sin. However, he makes a final appearance in broad daylight after the crucifixion to bury Jesus. With this most charitable of acts he has definitively opted for the light of the world.

We may ask if it is possible to receive Jesus and still maintain some sinful desire. Perhaps we enjoy gossip or maybe a pornographic Internet channel. No, the light of the world will not admit any darkness although he does listen to our prayers for mercy. If we sincerely petition and duly follow, he will enable us to walk the way of eternal life.

Homilette for Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

After a tragedy such as the killing of thirty-two people at Virginia Polytechnic Institute two years ago by a deranged gunman, humans rack their brains to figure out why such atrocities take place. There is no shortage of answers.

Liberals usually criticize the lack of social safeguards that might protect the public from harm. Conservatives tend to blame the tragedies on the erosion of personal responsibility. Atheists may snicker that God should be held accountable for not intervening. Religious zealots may rant that God is only sending a brutal message calling for reform.

The Gospel of John does not provide detailed reasons for the occurrence of evil. It does tell us today, however, that people prefer darkness to light. From almost the very beginning the world has been marred by wickedness which is not about to stop. Today’s passage further points out how God acts to relieve suffering. He sends His son to mend many hurts and to preach better ways than the narrow self-interests people tend to pursue. Christ also dies on a cross which unites him in solidarity with the suffering from around the world and through the ages. More significantly, the cross provides humans the opportunity to vouch for Christ with faith so that we may experience the turnabout of his resurrection.

Homilette for April 2, 2008

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(John 3:16-21)

Why does it happen? After a tragedy such as the massacre at Virginia Polytechnic Institute last year or a similar slaughter this year at Northern Illinois University we want to know how such mass murders could take place in America today. There is no shortage of answers.

Many point fingers at school administrators. They criticize their failure to provide enough security or to act decisively when trouble starts. Ideologues certainly have their say. From the left they charge that permissive gun laws make every meeting place in the country a potential blood bath. From the right they argue as stridently that violent movies start time bombs ticking in many individuals. God will be accused for not intervening as well. Some will charge that His plan of allowing humans free will is defective. Others will rebut that idea saying, “Whose will is really free?” and add for argument, “Does not God’s power transcend human freedom?”

The Gospel of John does not provide a detailed answer to why mass murders take place. It does tell us today, however, that people prefer darkness to light. From almost the very beginning the world has been marred by wickedness which is not about to stop. The gospel shows us how God acts to relieve suffering. He sends His son to mend many hurts and to teach better ways than the narrow self-interests many people pursue. He further gives His son on the cross, more cruel a death than any rendered by an automatic firearm. He does this, first, to show solidarity with the suffering around the world and through the ages. But much more significantly, His gift provides us the opportunity to stand with him in death so that we may experience the resurrection which inevitably follows.