Thursday, April 30, 2026

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)

In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost the great angel Lucifer takes a definitive stand against the Lord God. “I will not serve,” he says.  To emphasize the point, he gives his reason.  It is “better to reign in hell” he says, “than to serve in heaven.”   Then, after distorting the notion of service, he goes off to bring havoc to the world.

For some, service undermines the exalted idea they have of themselves.  It shows them that they are not the force that sets the universe in motion but a small cog in the order of things.  Yet Jesus served -- very visibly the night he took off his tunic to wash the feet of his disciples.  Service then does not demean our stature; quite the contrary, it conforms us to the Lord.  When we serve faithfully and well, we show ourselves worthy of a place in God’s house, a seat at His table.

The reference to Judas in the gospel reading today points to a man who, like Lucifer, refuses to serve.  It is thought – perhaps because he was the treasurer of the community -- that Judas rivaled Peter as head disciple.  In the reading Jesus implies that Judas’ difficulty is that he cannot see himself taking off his tunic, much less give his life, in faithful service.  Thus, he too takes a definitive stand against the Lord.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Friday of the First Week in Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)

At the beginning of “Paradise Lost” John Milton claims his intent is to “justify the ways of God to men.”  He is needed after reading the passage from Ezekiel which says that God might condemn a person after making just one false move.  As school children will ask, would a man really be damned to hell after failing to attend mass one Sunday morning and then being hit by a dump truck on the way to the store to buy ice cream?

O.k., the example is frivolous, but the question remains crucial.  How can it be said that a person might not be judged on the totality of her actions but for one malicious deed?  As always, the best way to address the issue is to defer to Jesus.  Today’s gospel is taken from his Sermon on the Mount where he presents his New Law or righteousness.  He says that people will not be judged so much on their outer actions as on their heart’s intentions.  A man may bow before another not out of esteem but in deception.  His action will be judged as wanting.  A woman may say nice things to another one day and gossip about the person the next.  Her words will convict her of duplicity.

In any case we need to be slow about judging others.  The human heart is often so twisted by life’s contingencies that it does not know what it desires. And then there is God’s overwhelming mercy!  We pray that everyone will be saved as we try to purify our own intentions.  In these ways we trust that God will not condemn us.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 42;15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

In considering his blindness John Milton wrote a sonnet.  He complained that he might be judged as unworthy if he did not produce something worthwhile for God.  Then he had the insight that God would not exact from a person more than He enabled the person to do.  Milton concluded his poem by writing, “They also serve who only stand and wait”; that is, waiting patiently for the Lord is also an act of faith worthy of salvation.  Today’s gospel recounts a similar tale of a blind man’s faith.

As he sits begging, Bartimaeus wants sight more than alms.  A few coins might see him through the day, but sight could liberate him from his miserable occupation.  He feels hope rising when he hears that Jesus, the healer, is drawing near.  He calls out, “’Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’” Recognizing Jesus as “Son of David” indicates a preliminary faith in him.  This faith is rewarded with physical sight.  At this point Bartimaeus has an insight into the fullness of faith.  Rather than going his own way, he decides to follow Jesus.  It is known that Jesus is bound for martyrdom in Jerusalem.  Bartimaeus is risking his own life to accompany him.

All of us face difficulties in life.  We should pray to Jesus to see us through them to safety.  We should also, like Bartimaeus, not shirk from following Jesus when the situation turns even more difficult.  He is our true prize. 

Homilette for Monday, July 21, 2008

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Micah 6:1-4;6-8)

In the prologue to his epic poem “Paradise Lost” John Milton explains the purpose of his ambitious work. Milton writes that he wants to “justify the ways of God to men.” In the reading from the prophet Micah today, we see God calling for such a judgment. Theoretically justification is unnecessary. Since God is the Creator and Sustainer of all, humans are to serve Him not to question Him. But God enters into a public trial with Israel because He desires friendship with His people so that they might take delight in His goodness.

Micah, speaking on God’s behalf, mentions a few of the marvelous deeds God has accomplished on behalf of Israel. He brought them out of slavery and taught them to be a great nation through leaders like Moses. For these benefits God does not ask the tribute which the people are willing to pay – animal sacrifices, oil stocks, or (how could they ever imagine this?) holocausts of their own children. No, God requires only virtue so that they might live in gratitude to Him and in peace with one another. He wants Israel to be just, good, and humble.

In the supreme act of loving kindness God shows the whole world exactly what He means by the virtues Micah outlines. He sends His own son, whom we know as Jesus Christ, to exemplify justice, goodness, and humility. Jesus demonstrates that justice requires particular attention to the poor. He epitomizes goodness by dying on behalf of sinners. And he personifies humility first by dispossessing himself of divine attributes in becoming human and then by suffering the most ignominious death of all – crucifixion. Even though such justification is not necessary, in Jesus God shows Himself to be all just.