Thursday, August 7, 2014

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 16:13-23)

One of the greatest insights of Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae is contained in an article that refers to the first reading today.  Near the end of the Prima Sacundae Thomas turns his attention from the Old Law to the New Law.  He makes no fanfare as he treats of this entirely different kind of law, which is to the Old Law what a computer is to a typewriter.

Thomas says that the New Law fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah that says it will be written on the hearts of God’s people.  He understands this law to be not merely a list of rules or even a series of stories that illustrate righteousness.  No, for Thomas and henceforth for the Catholic tradition the New Law is nothing less than the grace of the Holy Spirit that fills the hearts of those who believe in Jesus.  It is as if the heart were given an entirely new shape, now designed to love as the old form was designed to seek personal satisfaction.

We express our belief in Jesus not just by testifying, as Peter does in today’s gospel that he is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” but by following his commands.  For Christians orthopraxis is as important as orthodoxy.  But the challenge is not all that overwhelming because the grace of his Spirit is moving us to do so from within.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, priest

(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 5:21.24-27)

It is said that since the great Chicago fire at the end of the nineteenth century all buildings in that city have been constructed with brick. Like Isaiah’s rock in the first reading today, brick is stronger than wood and cannot burn. Rock goes even further in providing security and stability. God is more trustworthy than either.

In the gospel Jesus answers the logical question of how we are to trust in God. The passage ends his famous “Sermon on the Mount” where he has outlined the New Law. That law produces righteousness where the Law of Moses fails because it addresses motives, not just effects. Followers will keep their eyes on the prize of heaven. They will not only limit themselves to a “tooth for a tooth” but forswear revenge altogether. They will not only avoid adultery but refrain from looking lustfully. They will not only perform righteous acts but do so in private to assure purity of intention. Observing the New Law means placing ourselves in God’s fortress of rock. Come fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, or high water, God will keep us safe.

Homilette for Monday, December 3, 2007

Monday, Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

(Isaiah 4:2-6, Psalm 122, Matthew 8:5-11)

During Advent we are to wait patiently and purposefully but also with anticipation for the coming of the Lord. Because many busy themselves in commerce and revelry, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.

We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.

Of course, we want to be regarded as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. Isaiah the prophet envisions those who remain faithful to God’s law being distinguished as “holy” like the Lord Himself. Christians see that Law revised to become essentially the grace of the Holy Spirit enabling us to conform to Jesus’ inestimable charity. Certainly St. Francis Xavier demonstrated this Spirit enhanced love as he labored tirelessly for the salvation of souls.

Waiting with anticipation may seem to conflict with waiting patiently. After all, when we anticipate something, we are ready to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two terms. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Jesus erred when he said he would return or that we have mistaken his intent. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we cannot dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus comes among us today, although not yet in full splendor. This uplifting creates an anticipation in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.