Thursday, January 29, 2026

 

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 7:18-19.24-29; Mark 4:21-25)

The gospels frequently refer to Jesus as light.  In John, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.”  In Luke, the visionary Simeon, while holding the infant Jesus in his arms, calls him, “’… a light for revelation to the Gentiles.’”  In today’s passage from Mark, Jesus uses a metaphor to say the same.  He is a lamp that has come into the world so that people may see. 

Jesus adds in the Gospel of John, “’… but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil’” (3:19).  The light of truth prohibits actions which many defend – sex outside of marriage, lying to get what you want, drinking until inebriated, and more.  For this reason, Jesus adds, “’The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.’”  That is, if you do evil, it will bite you back.

“’Take care what you hear.’” Jesus further tells us.  We must listen to him, reflect on what he says, and follow his counsel every day.  His light will point out the way to our true happiness.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25)

The man identified himself as Catholic, but he asked a question that comes from another religious tradition. “Do you believe in karma?” he said.  “What is that?” was the reply.  The man explained that karma is the teaching that one receives back what he or she gives ay.  If she does good, good things will happen to her.  If he does evil, then he will be punished in some way. Is this what Jesus is driving at in today’s gospel?

Jesus promises, “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.”  It sounds like karma, but it goes beyond a simple tit-for-tat.  Jesus means that those who give of themselves in love like he does will experience eternal life – the “more” in his assertion.

When we respond to injury with care – maybe in the form of a prayer for our malefactor – we align ourselves with Jesus.  He is the light that illumines our lives now and will not dim as we enter the darkness of death.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

 Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 7:18-19.24-29; Mark 4:21-25)

There is an old story about a rabbi quizzing his disciples.  “When does the night end and the day begin?” asks the rabbi.  One disciple answers, “When you can tell the difference between a cow and a coyote on the horizon.”  Another student responds, “When you can distinguish the oak from the apple tree in the meadow.”  The rabbi says that neither disciple has answered correctly.  “Then when is it?” the students demand.   The rabbi answers, “Night ends and day begins when you can look into the eyes of a stranger and see your brother or sister.”  He continues, “If you cannot do that, you are still in the night.”  In today’s gospel Jesus gives a similar lesson.

Jesus is telling his disciples a parable about a lamp.  He says that a lamp is brought into a room to reveal what is hidden.  The disciples will eventually understand that Jesus himself is the lamp.  He reveals to his disciples that they are brothers and sisters not just to one another but to every man and woman. More than that, he enables them to see that they are children of God with an eternal destiny.

The light of Christ makes evident difficult truths like the need to forgive. We put it under a bushel basket when we refuse to allow his words to make us kinder and more patient.  In this way Christ enlightens for us the road to heaven.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church

(Hebrews 10;19-25, Mark 4:21-25)

Of all the theologians in history few have left a mark quite as indelible as St. Thomas Aquinas.  He is like the lampstand that Jesus speaks of in today’s gospel.  Set on him, Jesus, the light of the world, is made visible to guide the people.

Thomas was born into a noble Italian family.  There was little doubt that he would become a priest.  But he left behind family influence which would have him become a Benedictine abbot.  He followed the Lord’s calling into the Dominican Order.  There he was tutored by St. Albert the Great. Surpassing the brilliance of his mentor, Thomas became a master teacher in Paris.  His opus magnus, the Summa Theologiae, synthesizes Aristotle and Augustine and other prominent thinkers.  But its first and foremost sourcebook is the Scriptures.  Thomas interprets the Scriptures thoroughly, consistently, and perceptively.

Unfortunately, reading Thomas presents a challenge.  Although his Latin is not intricate, the words in his time often have different meanings than in the classical period or today.  Also, the scholastic format seems redundant and abstract.  But taking pains to read Thomas gives the reader an exalted appreciation of both faith and whom faith reveals, the Lord God.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25)

The word scandal comes from the Latin scandalum which means stumbling block or trap.  Those who give scandal cause other people to fall into error.  They entice others to behave badly.  Beyond the hurt it has caused, scandal makes the sexual abuse perpetrated by priests especially opprobrious.  Priests not only victimized defenseless children.  As preachers of Jesus Christ, they have caused many people to disregard the graces he bestowed.

Today’s gospel gives a hint of Jesus’ importance.  He is the lamp that is to make everything visible.  By the light of Jesus human beings are to judge the good or evil of everything.  Those who use this light appropriately will gain wisdom beyond their mental capacities.  Those who reject it will lose the benefit of their natural wisdom.

Today’s celebrated saint, John Bosco, appropriated well the light of Jesus.  He urged his religious congregation to follow Christ in treating the boys in their charge.  He said that they are to show the same patience to the boys as Jesus showed to his disciples.  As Jesus put up with his disciples’ ignorance and roughness, so should Salesians bear with the orphans.  There is wisdom for all of us here.  Like Jesus, we should correct others gently when it is necessary.  We want to give the example of Jesus’ gentleness and kindness to poor sinners.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Memorial of St. Timothy and St. Titus, bishops

(II Timothy 1:1-8; Mark 4:21-25)

The light of which Jesus speaks in today’s gospel is himself.  He did not come to bask in his own light but to shine his light on others that they might see clearly.  He asks his disciples to listen carefully to his lesson.  He tells them that they will be rewarded on the basis of how much of his light they reflect on others. 

Saints Timothy and Titus provide such light.  They work first along with St. Paul to shine Christ throughout western Asia and into Europe.  Then they shoulder responsibility for their respective churches in Ephesus and in Crete.  Paul remains their mentor. As he tells Timothy later in this letter, his protégés are to preach Christ in season and out of season.

We too are to reflect the light of Christ in the world.  Our care for the sick and the depressed especially, the poor and the disabled bathes the world in the gentle hue of Christ’s love.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25)

The man identified himself as Catholic, but he asked a question that comes from another religious tradition. “Do you believe in karma?” he said. “What is that?” was the reply. The man explained that karma is the teaching that one gets what he or she gives. If she does good, good things will happen to her. If he does evil, then he will be punished in some way. Is this what Jesus is driving at in today’s gospel?

Jesus promises, “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” It sounds like karma, but it goes beyond a simple tit-for-tat. Jesus means that those who give of themselves in love like him will experience eternal life – the “more” in his assertion.

When we respond to injury with care – maybe in the form of a prayer for our malefactor – we align ourselves with Jesus. He is the light that illumines our lives now and will not dim as we enter the darkness of death.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:18-19.24-29; Mark 4:21-25)

It is said that when St. Thomas Aquinas finished his tract on the Eucharist in the Summa Theologiae, Christ appeared to him. The Lord reportedly said, “Thomas, you have written well of me. What would you like in return?” Aquinas answered, “Nothing but you, O Lord.”

Thomas’ desire to be united with Jesus shows an appreciation of the gospel passage today. The lamp that is to be placed on a lamp stand and the word that is to be heard are none other than Jesus himself. Thomas made knowing the Lord his quest in life. Encyclopedias will describe him as a theologian and philosopher. These labels are certainly valid, but they belie the fact that as an academic the only title that Thomas Aquinas ever carried was professor of Scripture. He knew God’s holy word thoroughly, commented on it (or him!) prodigiously, and lived it implicitly.