Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

The desire of James and John to set fire to the Samaritan town that has refused to welcome Jesus typifies a common misunderstanding.  The brothers think that their main adversary is a physical power when in truth it is spiritual.  Jesus heads toward Jerusalem to meet the devil head on.

Peoples often oppose one another.  Russia and the Ukraine present a recent rivalry that has recurred countless times through the ages.  But still more oppressive than foreign armies are personal demons that cause one to want more than his or her due.  To overcome these challengers, Christians cling to Jesus who was victorious after all in Jerusalem.

We hold to the Lord by meditating on his word and by embracing him in the sacraments.  These encounters prepare us for the wonder of living with him in eternity.

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Today’s gospel indicates a turning point in the life of Jesus.  St. Luke writes that Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem to complete his mission in the world.  St. Vincent de Paul made a similar decision sometime between 1610 and 1620.

St. Vincent was born into a peasant French family in 1580.  He was able to go to school and pursue a priestly vocation.  He was ordained in 1600.  Showing impressive ability, Vincent sought benefices from the aristocracy.  In 1608 he came under the influence of spiritual masters Pierre de Bérulle and, later, under Francis de Sales.  They showed him how to pursue God, not fame or fortune.  Vincent then dedicated himself to serving the poor.  He co-founded the Daughters and Sisters of Charity and established the Congregation of Missioners, who bear his name to this day.

Catholic converts often make a definitive decision to follow Jesus closely.  Those “born Catholics” must make a similar choice.  Participating in cultural religious activities does not lead to salvation.  Steadfastly following Christ by a life of prayer and charity takes us close to God.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

 Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 (Zechariah 8:21-23; Luke 9:51-56)

 Today’s gospel makes for an interesting contrast with one which will be read next week.  Here Samaritans discriminate against Jesus and his followers as they head toward Jerusalem.  They want nothing to do with Jewish pilgrims. Next Monday the parable of the Good Samaritan will be read at Mass.  In it the Samaritan goes out of his way to help an accosted Jew returning from Jerusalem.

 There are good and bad people everywhere.  Perhaps some nations are characteristically helpful to strangers, but no nation has all the helpful people in the world.  Jesus is not disturbed by the rejection of the Samaritan town.  He knows that there are good Samaritans.  But he is upset by the reaction of his disciples.  They should know by now that following Jesus will incur rejection at times and even persecution. They should also know that he expects them to be tolerant of others’ blindness and to respond to hostility with a prayer for conversion.

 As Christians, we are called to bring about reconciliation in a fractured world.  People’s ideas differ more widely than many thought ten years ago.  We do well to respect everyone and to dialogue to effect mutual understanding.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and Doctor of the Church

(Zechariah 8:21-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Mother St. Teresa of Kolkata famously said, “…we can do small things with great love.”  She may have had St. Therese of the Child Jesus in mind.  Therese spent most of her short life in a Carmelite convent.  She wanted to go the missions but knew God intended her to pray for missionaries.  She also bore with great patience the travail of tuberculosis and the often irritating life in a cloister.   Therese resembled Jesus heading toward Jerusalem in today’s gospel.

The passage represents a turning point in the gospel.  Jesus has achieved notoriety as a preacher and healer.  He realizes, however, that his mission involves a sacrifice of self in Jerusalem.  He does not flinch and wastes no time fussing with uncooperative people.  He moves deliberately but graciously to offer himself for the salvation of the world.

St. Therese wrote an autobiography that has attracted a great following.  Although she lived a very different external life, she faced the same inner challenges as most people.  In love with the personification of love, Jesus Christ, she serves as a model for all.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Let’s picture life in the year 1600 when St. Vincent de Paul was ordained.  Arguably the most tumultuous century in all history has just ended.  Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. The Spanish colonized America.  Martin Luther called the Church to reform.  But for all the splendor of these accomplishments Europe lacks holiness.  Vincent would supply this need. 

Vincent spent time as a slave and time in the royal court.  He founded a congregation of men dedicated to seminary teaching.  But he is best known for his dedication to the poor.  He not only helped found a congregation of women to assist the poor, he attended the needs of the poor himself.  Equally remarkable, he created a spirituality of the poor that touched the heart of France.  In the gospel Jesus likewise surprises his disciples with a fresh idea of holiness. 

Going up to Jerusalem, Jesus admonishes James and John for wanting to use power to destroy others.  As God’s anointed one, he shows forbearance to all and expects the same of his followers.  In the city he will allow himself to be crucified.  His purpose is to win universal reconciliation through obedience to the Father’s will.

Working with the poor often demands such submission as Jesus’.  They do not always respond as graciously as we think they should.  But we must not give up the endeavor.  We shall be all right.  As Vincent taught, “Those who are resolved to depend utterly on God shall never be poor.” 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Memorial of Saint Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

We sometimes see images of St. Jerome with a lion at his side.  Those who know little about him may think that Jerome befriended lions much like St. Francis of Assisi befriended the wolf.  But much more likely the lion represents St. Jerome himself.  Jerome displayed anger for his enemies that could flare into a rage.  The heretic Pelagius was one who felt the incandescence of Jerome’s anger.

In the gospel Jesus’ disciples James and John demonstrate a similar tendency to rage.  Learning that a Samaritan village will not welcome the Lord, they want to call down fire upon the place.  They have not taken to heart Jesus’ instructions for missionaries.  Jesus told his apostles that if a village refuses to accept them, they were to “shake the dust your feet in testimony against them.”

Jerome is a saint despite his irascibility not but because of it.  We may be sure that he mastered it before entering the Kingdom of God.  Jesus counsels forbearance and forgiveness when people rebuke our best efforts.  Uncontrolled anger has no place in his following.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

(Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Little flower,

in this hour

show thy power.

An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion prays this prayer as she visits hospital patients.  As St. Therese of the Child Jesus often appears, the prayer exudes simplicity and faith.  Over the years it has given solace to many sick people.  It also reflects the way of Jesus in the gospel today.

The disciples are insulted by the Samaritan townspeople’s rejection of Jesus.  James and John want to destroy their village with fire.  But Jesus has a better way of showing authority.  He ignores the affront and moves on to Jerusalem where his power will be seen in the cross and the resurrection.

The life of St. Therese of Lisieux is at once very different and very similar to that of Jesus.  As such it serves as a model for all of us.  She lived in a monastery and died of natural causes.  Jesus, of course, was an itinerant preacher who died on a cross.  Both, however, gave themselves to perfect love of God and neighbor.  We should do likewise.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Let’s picture ourselves living in the year 1600 when St. Vincent de Paul was ordained. Arguably the most magnificent century in all history has just ended. Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. The Spanish colonized America. Martin Luther called the Church to reform. Vincent’s life story testifies to the wonder of the age. Born into a peasant’s family, he received a university education. But with all the great feats of the past century Europe and, for the most part, the world lacks true holiness. Vincent would supply this need with his attention to the poor.

In the gospel Jesus likewise surprises his disciples with a fresh idea of holiness. Going up to Jerusalem, Jesus admonishes James and John for thinking that because he is Messiah, he will use his power to destroy his offenders. No, as God’s anointed one, he will demonstrate forbearance and peacefulness to all. In the end he delivers himself to his enemies that results in the Father's establishing universal reconciliation through his death and resurrection.

Working with the poor is often frustrating and disappointing. Sometimes they do not respond as we would have it. But we must care about them because, as Vincent de Paul taught, they are God’s special friends. We can rest assured that through such work we will become His friends as well.

Homilette for Tuesday, September 30, 2008

St. Jerome priest and doctor of the Church

(Luke 9:51-56)

We sometimes see images of St. Jerome with a lion at his side. Those who know little about him opine that Jerome befriended lions much like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Martin de Porres endeared themselves to smaller animals. But much more likely the lion represents St. Jerome himself whose anger for his enemies flared to a rage at times. The heretic Pelagius was one who felt the incandescent brilliance of Jerome’s anger.

In the gospel Jesus’ disciples James and John demonstrate a similar tendency to rage. Learning that the Lord will not be welcome in a Samaritan village, they want to call down fire upon the place. They have quickly forgotten Jesus’ own instructions for the eventuality. Jesus told his apostles that if villagers refuses to welcome their mission of goodwill, they were only to “shake the dust your feet in testimony against them.”

Jerome is a saint despite his irascibility not but because of it. We may be sure that he mastered it before entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus counsels forbearance and forgiveness when people rebuke our best efforts. Uncontrolled anger has no place in his following.