Monday, June 17, 2024

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42)

Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. read today’s gospel as a call to passive resistance.  Their idea was not to do violence to one’s enemies but not to cooperate with them either.  In this way they might make ordinary life intolerable and also win the sentiment of others.  As much as they were successful in achieving their ends without violence, they can be applauded.  But nonviolent resistance is still resistance that Jesus forbids.

In truth, it is very hard to fulfill this gospel mandate when enemies are cruel and determined.  However, Jesus does not say that his disciples should suffer physical abused beyond a slap in the face.  Taking this dictum to an extreme may very well go beyond Jesus’ intention.

Jesus would certainly not want us to hurt those who offend us.  We should begin there and go on to try reconciling ourselves with the enemy.  Hopefully, we will find him or her to be reasonable and desirous of peace.

Homilette for Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 1:18-22; Matthew 5:13-16)

In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi mobilized the Indian subcontinent to demand independence. His tactic called for a protest on the salt tax. Salt is called “the poor person’s spice” because it is everywhere available and enhances the taste of most foods. The salt tax forbade the producing or selling of salt by anyone except the British government. Organizing a march to the sea where salt was to be collected, Gandhi made all the people realize that England had no right to claim sovereignty over their land.

When Jesus calls his disciples “the salt of the earth,” he -- like Gandhi organizing the salt march -- has no mean objective in mind. Rather, he is encouraging his disciples to help lift everyone’s burden by their solicitation. Joyful because as God’s children their destination is heaven, they are to invite the world on their journey. Likewise as light, the disciples are to draw attention to themselves so that everyone will emulate their righteous conduct.

Unfortunately many Christians today doubt their standing as salt and light. They see other ways of living and recognize their own as different not qualitatively better. We should not be so reserved. True, we must examine our motives and correct our faults, but we should also realize that the gospel implicitly followed will fulfill the deepest longings of every human heart.

Homilette for February 8, 2008

Friday alter Ash Wednesday

(Isaiah 58:1-9a)

Like Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, the Mexican-American farm labor organizer, often fasted. He did not necessarily ask others to accompany him in his sacrifice. Rather, he fasted in order that he himself might be cleansed inwardly. He knew how fasting enables one to focus on his or her objectives. Distractions, at least from food, will not tempt the faster because he or she has already made a decision about them. Also, the sense of inner hunger gives urgency to the faster’s purpose.

The prophet Isaiah in the first reading today scolds Israel for not fasting rightly. Religious fasting should remind the people of their first priority, which is God. However, Israel only exploits its fasting to gain more money. It is as if the money the people save from not eating is used not for the poor or for some necessity at home, but to buy lottery tickets.

During Lent the Church calls us to fast. The ashes we accepted on Wednesday were an explicit recognition that we have sinned. We should have also been asking ourselves, “What are we going to do about our sins?” The answer, of course, comprises the three disciplines of Lent. First, we are going to turn away from the gratification of our appetites. Then, we will pray to God for forgiveness. Finally, we will show greater care for everyone, especially those in need. In these ways, we shall reach our goal, which is no one other than God.