Friday, January 11, 2019

Friday after the Epiphany

(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)

The Christmas season will end this Sunday with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  Perhaps all of us have participated in its colossal gift exchange.  We may ask ourselves what was the greatest gift that we received.  But there is no need to weigh the running shoes from Aunt Anne against the concert tickets from Uncle John.  The greatest gift of any kind, in any season, from anyone is God’s gift of His Son.  Jesus has not only shown us the way to eternal happiness but paved it with his own flesh.

Both readings today testify to the gift of Jesus.  The Letter of John names the three witnesses to his accomplishment.  Water refers to his human life.  He told the world of God’s love and performed marvelous deeds to demonstrate it.  Blood represents his sacrifice on the cross.  By dying there he overcame the grip of Satan on the world.  With the descent of the Spirit on his disciples, Jesus has been preached throughout the world.

The gospel testifies to Jesus’ fame being spread by his healings.  It sounds too good to be true.  It also demands a continual response of gratitude on our part.  We may want to put it out of our minds and concentrate on how to thank Aunt Anne and Uncle John.  But the testimonies are undeniable.  We must show due appreciation to God for the gift of His Son.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Friday after the Epiphany

(I John5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)

A man, known for his charity, would always give credit to his wife.  He would say that she was the kindest person in the world.  Deflecting praise to her, the man showed himself all the more worthy of it.  Jesus appears in this mode in the gospel today.

Being confronted by a leper is a bit like having a mentally deranged person come into the room.  He or she is likely to cost one time if not more serious trouble.  Jesus, however, shows no indication of fright.  Quite the contrary he is bold enough to touch the leper, thereby making himself unclean.  Meanwhile, his touch restores the leper to health.  Jesus then tells the man to have his healing verified by a priest as prescribed by Jewish law.  The people, unbothered by the possibility of Jesus’ contamination, throng around him. Curiously, however, he withdraws from them to pray to God.

This gospel gives us insight into God’s coming among us as we conclude Christmas festivities this weekend.  He is here to heal us of our infirmities, even at considerable cost to himself.  He does not overturn established customs but brings them to fruition.  Nor does he exploit his powers for self-aggrandizement; rather, he always stays in touch with their source – his relationship with the Father.  More than insight into Jesus, the gospel provides us a model for our lives.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Christmas Weekday

(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)

Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Amarillo became a national sensation after he told a deacon in his diocese working at the Pantex Nuclear Plant that he should follow his conscience and leave his job. When Bishop Matthiesen was offered a contract for his autobiography, he was warned that he had to write it immediately because interest in his story would not last long.

In the gospel people similarly come in search of Jesus after he heals a leper. The passage indicates that they not only want him to cure their illnesses but also to listen to him teach. Interestingly, Jesus does not double efforts to maximize his popularity but continues to withdraw in prayer. He knows intuitively what most of us forget in face of public admiration -- the source of eternal life is not in worldly recognition but in communion with God.

Whether we are famous or whether our virtue is known only by our loved ones, we are wise to imitate Jesus in prayer. Daily conversation with God offers us the opportunity to recognize our limitations and to draw on the Lord’s strength.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Christmas Weekday

(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)

Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Amarillo became a national sensation after he told a deacon in his diocese working at the Pantex Nuclear Plant that he should follow his conscience and leave his job. When Bishop Matthiesen was offered a contract for his autobiography, he was warned that he had to write soon because interest in his story would not last long.

In the gospel people similarly come in search of Jesus after he heals a leper. The passage indicates that they not only want him to cure their illnesses but also to listen to him teach. Interestingly, Jesus does not seem to change his routine to maximize popularity but continues to withdraw in prayer. He obviously knows intuitively what most of us forget in face of public admiration -- the source of lasting power is not in human strength but in communion with the Father.

Whether we are famous or whether our virtue is known only by our loved ones, we are wise to imitate Jesus in prayer. Daily conversation with God offers us the opportunity to declare our love and our hope. God’s gracious response empowers us to live up to the ideals we profess.