Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Peter 1:10-16; Mark 10:28-31)

Novelist Ann Lamott writes of Rosie, a young tennis player who is prone to cheat.  Rosie calls balls that hit the line “out” in order not to lose a point.  A man sees her doing this and tells her so.  But more than correcting her, he befriends Rosie and admits, “I did what you did....I cheated.”  The young player eventually recognizes her fault and overcompensates.  She starts calling balls that go beyond the line “in” so as not to appear dishonest.  But then Rosie summons the courage to call all the shots as she sees them.  One day during a match her friend sees Rosie calling shots correctly and begins to leave.  Her mother asks him if he doesn’t want to see Rosie win. The man answers, “’I already have.’”

In today’s first reading Peter calls the Christian community to the integrity which the man calls Rosie.  Christians are to give up “the desires of our former ignorance.”  In turn, they are to live in accord with the holiness of God.  Honesty needs to be implicit in everything they do.  For this reason they are to “gird up the loins of (their) mind.” That is, they are not to say things because they are self-advantageous.  Rather they are always to speak in ways that are true and helpful to others. 

Perhaps more than ever in the communication age we are inclined to lie.  Facebook and other Internet aps have facilitated the desire to exaggerate if not to fabricate.  To initiate a message or image that “goes viral” fulfills the dreams of many even if it distorts reality.  In truth, however, it is just another example of the oldest sin of pride.  In line with our Christian vocation we should take care not to exaggerate and never to lie outright. 

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)

What Americans call “Mardi Gras” is known as “Carnival” in other countries.  The words refer to an extended period of reverie just prior to the beginning of Lent.  People consume quantities of alcohol, pastries, and meats (from which “Carnival” is derived)—foods from which many will soon abstain.  They often wear masks to promote a sense of solidarity by hiding individual identities.  Although it is sometimes celebrated to excess, Mardi Gras does underscore the seriousness of what is to follow.  Likewise, today’s gospel also anticipates Lenten commitment.

Peter tells Jesus that he and the other disciples have left everything for Jesus.  Only Jesus is worth such a sacrifice.  He brings peace to the world by providing not just a rule of life but the spiritual energy to carry it out.  As he implies at the end of the passage, following him means giving up all pretensions of personal importance.  At the same time it delivers all that is of eternal importance.

By now we should have a firm resolve to take advantage of the forty days of repentance and sacrifice beginning tomorrow.  In accord with the tradition we might have in mind a favorite food from which we will abstain.  We also might have promised to seek the Lord in a project among the poor or disabled. 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)

What Jesus says is true. People who commit themselves to a vocation as a priest or religious often receive several times more than what they give up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but priests and religious typically find themselves in communities which becomes like a second family.

There are other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop a closeness to the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those who publicly dedicate themselves to the Church have daily occasion to seek the Lord. By meditating on how God painstakingly prepared His people for His Son, how Jesus lovingly lived and died, and how the new People of God eagerly accepted him as Savior, priests and religious come to trust Christ as both Lord and brother.

Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-intentioned people needing guidance in the quest for holiness. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction as they are describing one whom they love. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who serve him faithfully will receive eternal life. He means that not even death will separate them from the joy of his companionship.

Homilette for Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Mark 10:28-31)

What Jesus says is true. People who worry about committing themselves to a religious vocation often find that they receive several times more than they gave up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but the person typically finds herself or himself in wonderful company which literally becomes a second family.

In the gospel Jesus predicts exactly this kind of bountiful return for those who sacrifice themselves for his sake. We can note a couple of other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church find themselves constantly reflecting on Scripture and petitioning God for assistance. Especially as we become less interested in doing things, knowing Christ in these ways can fulfill the heart’s desire.

Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-disposed people in need of guidance. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves as they have made will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.

Homilette for Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Mark 10:28-31)

What Jesus says is true. People who commit themselves to a vocation as a priest or religious often receive several times more than they give up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but priests and religious typically find themselves in wonderful company which becomes like a second family.

We can note other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church have constant opportunity to reflect on Scripture. By meditating on how God prepared His people for His Son in the Old Testament, how Jesus lived and died in the gospels, and how the new People of God looked to him as Savior throughout the New Testament, we come to trust Christ as both our Lord and brother.

Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-intentioned people needing guidance in the quest for holiness. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves to him will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.