Wednesday, January 6, 2021

 

Wednesday after Epiphany

(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)

Americans have been said to gain on the average a pound of body weight over the holiday season.  That may not sound too bad, but a problem emerges when the added pound accumulates over years.  Yet as great a threat as obesity presents to health, there is still a greater danger in holiday feasting.  Like the disciples in the gospel today, we may not understand what the abundance of food means.

 

We share our food during Christmas as a means of anticipating the eternal feast in heaven. At the Incarnation we receive in our midst the one with the place of honor at the eternal banquet.  Of course, this image of a heavenly feast is speculative.  Since we do not know what eternity is like, we imagine it in terms of a wonderful communal experience.  We say it is like a banquet with the best of company and of food.  Scripture often projects this image of a banquet table for the fulfillment of God’s plan. St. Paul, however, is more discreet in describing heaven.  Citing Isaiah, he writes, ‘“…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.’”

 

Feasting, of course, does not continue throughout the year.  Most days we exert ourselves carrying out the mandates Christ has given us.  On some days we fast to show our love for God.  In these ways we also guard against the threat of obesity.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Christmas Weekday

(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)

With most people having stored away their Nativity scenes, the meaning of Christmas fades from memory.  Surely the feast is meant to do more than stimulate the economy!  No, first and foremost, Christmas reminds the world that God has come into its midst.  This truth is amply demonstrated in the gospel reading today.

Jesus is capable of walking on water because he is God come to earth.  The boat being tossed about by the waves symbolizes the Church in a sinful world.  The winds churning up the waters represent human passions threatening goodness and truth.  But Jesus’ presence saves the boat from these implacable forces. 

Pleasure, power, prestige, even deep pockets lose their sway when we keep in mind that Jesus accompanies us.  The celebration of Christmas assures us that God has made His appearance among us.  Now we are to take notice that although the accoutrements of Christmas are gone, His presence remains forever.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop

(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)

Americans on the average gain a pound of body weight over the holiday season. That may not sound like much, but a real problem emerges when in many cases the added pound accumulates over the years. Yet as great a threat as obesity presents to health, there is still a greater danger in holiday feasting. Like the disciples in the gospel today, we may not understand the meaning of the abundance of food.

We share our food during Christmas as a means of anticipating the eternal feast in heaven. At the Incarnation we behold in our midst the same Christ who will have the place of honor at the Father’s table at the end of time. Of course, this image of a heavenly banquet is largely speculative. We do not know what exactly eternity is like so we think of it in terms of our most wonderful communal experience – a banquet with the most delightful of company as well as the most delicious of foods. Scripture likewise conjures the image of a banquet table for the fulfillment of God’s plan. St. Paul, however, is more discreet in describing heaven when, citing Isaiah, he writes, ‘“…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.’”

Feasting, of course, does not continue throughout the year. Most days we exert ourselves carrying out the mandates Christ has given us. On some days we also fast as a way to show our live for God. In these ways we also guard against the threat of obesity.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas Weekday

(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)

With Christmas receding into memory as we keep our gifts and return to our routines, we may forget the depth of its meaning. Surely the feast is meant to do more than recall the birth of Jesus two thousand years ago. No, we rejoice so emphatically because Christmas reminds us of the Son of God’s presence to his people today.

The gospel today underscores this truth as it shows Jesus, who is capable of walking on water because he is God, rejoining his disciples. The boat being tossed about by the waves symbolizes the Church in a sinful world. The winds churning up troubles represent human passions sweeping over believers and non-believers alike threatening goodness and truth. Only Jesus’ presence among us will save us from these otherwise implacable forces. Pleasure, power, prestige, even deep pockets lose their sway when we are aware of his company. The celebration of Christmas assures us that Jesus remains close by. He provides the ballast necessary to keep us from being overturned by destructive forces.