Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)

The American people have had a split mind on Lyndon B. Johnson, their thirty-sixth president.  Some have praised him for his concern for the poor.  Others have judged him as an obsessive and coercive politician.  One edifying assessment came from Joseph Califano, a former Secretary of Heath, Education, and Welfare.  Before holding that position,  Califano had served President Johnson as a domestic policy aide.  He wrote that Johnson invited him to his Texas ranch to get acquainted.  As they were touring the property, they saw a poor man waking on the side of the road.  Johnson told Califano, “See that man over there.  The difference between him and us is only this much.” Johnson was holding up his hand with the thumb and index finger only a fraction of an inch apart.  Johnson’s words and gesture echo what Paul writes in today’s first reading.

Paul is writing his disciple Timothy to give instructions on pastoral ministry.  First, however, he insists that Timothy realize the source of his call.  He says that Timothy was chosen not for any merit or by any birthright.  He might have never known the salvation of Christ.  But God called him gratuitously “according to his own design.”  Timothy needs to thank him for this gift which ultimately means eternal life.  Furthermore, like Paul he should make every effort to serve the Lord.

We do well also to recognize the wonder of being saved by Christ.  We do not really miss out on much fun.  Rather we know the peace of divine love.  Of course, we want to serve him in return.  We would not possess divine love if we did not share it with others.  Reading Paul’s advice in this letter we learn some of the basics of service.  Our preparation is filled out by attentiveness to Church leaders today.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Memorial of Saint Frances Cabrini, virgin

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

During the Viet Nam War, President Lyndon Johnson once was handed a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons.  According to his Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war with its own nuclear weapons starting a full-fledged nuclear war.  Rusk later reported that the words of the memo “popped out of the page” to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but for the world. 

The reading from Wisdom tells us that princes and kings (and we can surely add to the list presidents and prime ministers) should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions.  It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine judgment.  Rather those responsibilities will entail God’s intensified scrutiny of their actions. 

The Church recognizes the responsibilities and difficulties of civil leaders.  Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (GIRM for short) specifies that the faithful are to pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily.  Although there are always those who think that they can do a better job, we are wise to pray for those in power rather than covet their positions.

Homilette for Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

During the Viet Nam War, President Lyndon Johnson once was handed a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons. According to his Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war its own nuclear weapons starting a full-fledged nuclear war. Rusk later reported that the words of the memo “popped out of the page” to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but for the world.

The reading from Wisdom tells us that princes and kings (and we can surely add to the list presidents and prime ministers) should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions. It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine judgment. Rather those responsibilities will entail God’s intensified scrutiny of their actions.

The Church recognizes the responsibilities and difficulties of civil leaders. Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (GIRM for short) specifies that the faithful are to pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily. Although there are always those who think that they can do a better job, we are wise to pray for those in power rather than covet their positions.

Homilette for Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Wednesday, XXXII Week of Ordinary Time

(Wisdom 6:1-11)

During the Viet Nam War President Lyndon Johnson once was given a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons. According to Johnson’s Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war with its own nuclear weapons and so begin a full-fledged nuclear war. Rusk reported that the words popped out of the page to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but the world.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us that princes and kings, and we can surely add presidents and prime ministers, should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions. It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine scrutiny but intensify judgment. The wisdom to which the reading refers is practical wisdom or prudence. Leaders of the people must develop the virtue of taking the timely measure for the good of all. Along with justice, prudence is a prerequisite for governing.

The Church recognizes the responsibility and the difficulties of civil leaders. Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Eucharist specify that the faithful pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily. Although we frequently think that we might perform better than our political leaders, we should pray for them more than envy their work.