Thursday, May 23, 2024

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)

“Salted with fire” describes the Holy Spirit having penetrated the hearts of the faithful.  Those “salted with fire” are ready to use the gifts of the Spirit for the good of others.  For example, last year evangelist Amy Welborn applied the Spirit’s wisdom to see significant value in a poplar motion picture.

When the movie “Barbie” was making its debut, many were ready to dismiss the film as Hollywood trash.  Ms. Welborn took time to see the film and review it for her many readers.  She found the movie to be a critique of the feminist movement which has not brought true liberation to women as advertised.  Instead, it has left many women desolate without a caring life partner or children.

“Salted with fire” on Pentecost, we should ask ourselves how we might better care for others.  We should not discount prayer as one proven way.  We might also investigate the possibility of regularly visiting the lonely or tutoring needy children.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 5:1-8; Mark 9:41-50)

The Missionaries of Charity were founded by St. (Mother) Teresa of Kolkata to work with the marginalized. Peeking into one of their chapels, one notices a crucifix with the words, “I thirst” pasted at its side.  The peeper will ask, “Why is that phrase there?”  Of course, Jesus emits those words from the cross in the Gospel of John.  But why do the Missionaries of Charity focus on them and not on more famous “last words” like “’Father, forgive them?”

The answer to these questions may be found in today’s gospel.  Jesus is identifying with those who are in great need.  They are Mark’s gospel’s equivalent to what he says at the end of Matthew’s: “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.’”  The Missionaries of Charity rightly see themselves as attending to the suffering Christ as they serve the marginalized.  As St. Teresa said, they are “Christ in disguise.”

We see the marginalized on street corners begging for money.  But these represent a small minority of their number.  They inhabit hovels and rented rooms in most big cities.  They live in vastly disproportionate numbers in Africa and South America.  Like Jesus on the cross, they cry out for assistance.  As we would have wanted to give Jesus a drink of water, we should move to help them.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)

George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegory to critique Soviet Communism.  He used farm animals to indicate different types of people who revolt against a delinquent farmer.  At the beginning of his story the pigs ardently organize the other animals. They claim that with a change of regime all will be treated equally.  When the revolution succeeds, however, one of the pigs connives for leadership.  He systematically eliminates rivals and acts more tyrannically than the farmer. Today’s rather difficult gospel should be read as providing a similar lesson.

Jesus is teaching his disciples about their future proclamation of the gospel.  He tells them that they can expect some relief - such as a cup of water - in their efforts.  He warns them, however, that they should never exploit others.  He emphasizes that if they lead others from virtue, they will be punished like the worst of criminals.  Jesus is aware of the tendency of initial ideals being corrupted with the acquisition of power.  This is what happened in Orwell’s allegory and sometimes, sadly, even in Church leadership. 

In his parable Jesus uses salt in a novel way.  He sees it like the ideals which inspire people to work fervently in pursuit of their goals.  But the ideals may wane like salt may turn unsavory. Then like salt becomes useless except to melt the snow, ideals become empty words. 

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:16; Mark 9:41-50)

Pope Francis seems to make headlines every day.  This past weekend in his meeting with the cardinals of the Church he reminded the elite group that their purpose is to serve not to set up court.  They, like all of Christ's disciples, are called to poverty, regardless of the popular conception that they are "princes of the Church."  In today's gospel Jesus reviews the rewards and the risks of being his disciple.

A noted Catholic biblical theologian has shown how the call to discipleship does not apply to all of Jesus' followers, at least in the same manner.  In the gospels Jesus calls his disciples specifically.  They are not to dally but to respond immediately.  They must face the rough road ahead without looking back.  In short, the physical contours of a disciple’s life are formidable.  But not everything on the agenda will challenge their mettle. In today's passage Jesus assures his disciples that they might expect a cup of water from some good people. At the same time, however, he also warns them to take special care not to sin or give scandal.  He calls their desire to follow him salt flavoring fish.  It will appeal to others.  But let it wane and, like salt losing acridity, they could serve only the most menial of purposes.

Are we Jesus' hard-core disciples?  It is not a matter of being a priest or religious but of our relationship to the Lord.  If we live for him, striving both to know him better and to follow his commands, we belong to the chosen group.  If we live more for ourselves, then we should pray for help to change our ways.