Monday, July 14, 2025

 

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Exodus 1:8-14.22; Matthew 10:34-11:1)

Today North Americans are celebrating Kateri Tekakwitha, its first Native American saint.  Her story exemplifies Jesus’ saying in today’s gospel that he has come to make “one's enemies (will be) those of his household”. 

Kateri was an orphan staying with her uncle when she met Jesuit missionaries.  She began practicing their teachings, but her uncle and others in her tribe opposed her being baptized.  Nevertheless, she persisted in following Catholic customs which caused conflicts in her tribe’s longhouse.  Kateri was baptized at nineteen years old in 1676.  She lived five more years as a dedicated Christian virgin.

No one should regard Jesus as a hostile revolutionary for saying that he came “to bring not peace but the sword.” His teachings cause unrest because they conflict with our selfish desires.  His mission has always been to bring the peace of God’s Kingdom to a world too much consumed by desire and hatred.

Thursday, July 14, 2022

 Memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11: 28-30)

Kateri (Catherine) Tekakwitha is one of the virgins in the gospel parable waiting for the bridegroom.  Still a recent convert to Christianity, she made a relationship with the Lord her priority ambition.  Native -American custom dictated that she marry a man of her tribe.  But Kateri insisted that she would live for Christ alone.  In this way she demonstrates how to respond to Jesus’ call in today’s gospel.

Jesus addresses himself to poor peasants.  They are being despised by the Pharisees for not keeping the law.  Jesus, however, does not reject them. Although his “yoke” or way of living the law may be stricter than that of Pharisees, it becomes easy.  He promises to be their model, their helper, and their coach.  He calls forth the best from followers because he is so good.

Often people have difficulty following Christian morals. They may look at the moral life more like the Pharisees than like Jesus.  Morality has become for them more a set of rules to be obeyed than a way of accompanying Jesus.  It is not hard if we stay close to him.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Exodus 3:1-6.9-12; Matthew 11:29-27)

Moses sounds like other prophets when, called by God, he tries to evade responsibility.  Feeling incapable of carrying out the Lord’s mission, he asks the Lord, “’Who am I that I should go to Pharoah…?’” God gives Moses an identity no doubt unanticipated in his question.  Moses is the one whom “’I will be with…’” Assured of God’s presence, how could he not try to carry out the mission?

God also went with St. Kateri Tekakwitha, whom we remember today.  She was persecuted by her Iroquois tribe when she became a Christian.  From her native village in what is now upper New York state, she walked two hundred miles to a Christian, native community near Montreal.  As a demonstration of God’s presence to her, she spent her four remaining years living an exemplary Christian life.  Like Moses as well, many marvelous deeds accredited to her.

Let us not doubt that God goes with us as well.  We carry him close to our hearts when we pray regularly.  There is no need of shame to ask for the gifts we need to serve him well. More patience, more humility, more understanding – whatever we find lacking in ourselves.  We just have to pray for these virtues sincerely and wait to receive them.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

Kateri Tekakwitha’s life was short and hard.  At the age of four she and her family contracted smallpox which left her both orphaned and physically impaired.  In becoming a Christian she was rejected by the Iroquois tribe among whom she grew up in what is now New York State.  She emigrated to the indigenous Christian community near Montreal.  There she might have chosen resentment for all the setbacks she experienced.  Instead, she devoted herself to prayer to God and concern for others.  She can be seen as a model of the conversion which Jesus desires in today’s gospel.

Jesus laments over the towns of Galilee where he has worked wonders to no avail.  Despite his preaching and cures, the people carry on with life as usual.  Whether they do not accept his message or refuse to respond out of laziness, Jesus cannot but regret their failure.  The prophetic “woes” he utters are condemnations for the refusal to live in accordance with God’s loving mercy.  

The life that Jesus calls for is not that we begin to pray all the time although that would be helpful.  He wants us to change our hearts - to live with compassion for others like Kateri Tekakwitha.  He wants us to imitate the very goodness of God.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30)

St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American born in the present United States to be canonized a saint.  When her Mohawk people were persecuted in what is now upstate New York, she became a refugee to Canada.  There she devoted herself to God by caring for others.  She followed the way to sanctity which today’s readings outline.

In the first reading Isaiah recognizes that left on their own humans achieve on the whole little of value.  He says that writhing in pain, they only give birth to the wind.  It may be explained that they either pursue material goods which render illusory happiness or, in striving for spiritual goals, they may end with a self-satisfaction that undermines their achievements.  Humans will achieve salvation only when they submit to the Lord’s ways of humility and love.  Jesus highlights this message as he invites all to take on his “yoke,” that is, his rule of life.

In an age when athletes regularly cheat to win medals, it is difficult to practice the humility that Jesus embodies.  We may feel that we pursue it almost alone.  We need to recognize not only saints like Kateri Tekakwitha who have gone before us but also many good people sitting beside us in church who consistently put others first.  In conforming themselves to Christ, they give witness to his saving the world.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

Kateri Tekakwitha’s life was short but hard.  At the age of four her family contracted smallpox which left her both orphaned and physically impaired.  In becoming a Christian she was rejected by the Iroquois tribe among whom she grew up in what is now New York State.  She immigrated to the indigenous Christian community near Montreal.  There she might have chosen resentment for all the troubles she experienced.  Instead she devoted herself to God and concern for others.  She can be seen as a model of the conversion which Jesus desires in the gospel today.

Jesus laments the towns of Galilee where he has worked wonders to no avail.  Despite his cures, the people go on with life as usual.  They refuse to respond to the wonder of God’s mercy shown in His servant Jesus.  Jesus cannot but regret their obtuseness.  The woes he makes are expressions of condemnation for their refusal to change themselves to live in accordance with God’s loving mercy.   

The change that Jesus calls for is not that we begin to pray all the time although that would be most helpful.  He wants us to change our hearts, to live with compassion for others and not in constant judgment.  He wants us to imitate the very goodness of God.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Isaiah 1:10-17; Matthew 10:34-11:1)

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s life mirrors today’s gospel.  As a young woman her conversion to Christianity caused resentment and persecution among her relatives and tribespeople. Forced to flee her native village in New York, she was accepted by Native American Christians near Montreal.  There she lived for the remainder of her short life dedicated to holiness and concern for others.

Jesus predicts persecution for those who follow him.  His mention of a sword is not meant to justify Christians using arms to convert others but the sad fact that they might have to suffer martyrdom for his sake.  But they should rejoice at the fact because having suffered for him, they will rise with him to eternal life.  They will not even be a burden to those who should help them but rather represent a blessing for their benefactors. 

Martyrdom of Christians is still an everyday reality in different parts of the world.  We must pray for Christians in Asia and Africa who are called to suffer on behalf of Christ.  We also should not be timid about professing our faith in Christ.  Why not mention to others how he is the reason we always tell the truth and treat everyone with kindness?