Wednesday, November 12, 2025

 

Memorial of Saint Josephat, bishop and martyr

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

The Book of Wisdom was most likely written in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, around the time of Christ.  Today’s reading instructs earthy rulers on the need of wisdom.  The passage reverberates with gospel passages.  As Jesus told his disciples that more will be expected from those who are given more (Luke 12:48), Wisdom warns princes, “…the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.”

Judgment in Wisdom is not only found in the hope of earthly reconciling of accounts between victims and assailants, but also in eternal reckoning.  The Book of Wisdom assures the existence of eternal life.  It declared in the passage read yesterday at mass “…the souls of the just are in the hand of God.”  Christ, of course, validated this statement in his resurrection from the dead.

The warning of Wisdom to earthly rulers applies to most of us.  We may not be leaders of state or heads of departments, but most of us are given responsibility for others.  Teachers are responsible for students; head nurses for their staffs; and parents for their children.  We too will be judged on whether we “walk(ed) according to the will of God.”

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Optional Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

St. Albert has been justifiably called “the great” for his many accomplishments.  He excelled as a scientist, a philosopher, and a theologian.  He also won the respect of both peers and superiors.  He was elected provincial of his German Dominican province spending much time defending the mendicant orders from their detractors.  He was also made a bishop with the task of reforming his diocese. 

Albert could hardly have been a proud man.  Despite his achievements and high positions he spent the last years of his life defending his student, St. Thomas Aquinas.  The latter, whose name today is synonymous with Catholic orthodoxy, was accused of heresy for writing favorable things about pagan philosophers.  As one who searched for truth, Albert did not allow the misjudgment to prevail. In the quest for righteousness Albert heeded the advice of today’s first reading.  The Book of Wisdom teaches that great people must not exalt their own power.  Rather, they need to both study and follow the ways of the Lord.

Our minds do not likely measure up to Albert’s intellect.  Nor is it probable that we have his organizational capacity.  But we can emulate his holiness.  We can be humble before others.  We can study and perhaps defend the truths which the Church teaches.  Most of all, we can love God by seeking to do His will above everything else.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

There is a story about Robert E. Lee that may help us appreciate today’s patron saint Martin of Tours.   Shortly after the American Civil War ended, a former slave attended services at an Episcopalian church in Richmond.  When it was time, the African-American strode up for Communion ahead of all the white people.  The congregation was aghast; the ministers did not know what to do.  Then the former leader of the Confederate Army walked up to the communion rail and knelt close to the former slave.  They both received the revered bread together. 

Martin was also a former military commander.  He is famous for sharing his cloak with a beggar.  Like Lee he did not think of himself as too important to commune with those disparaged in society.  To the contrary, he saw himself as a reconciler among the people.

Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom admonishes the rulers of the earth to care for the lowly.  It tells them that they will be judged not according to their earthly power but their submission to God’s eternal law.  The same rules apply to all of us. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Memorial of Saint Frances Cabrini, virgin

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

During the Viet Nam War, President Lyndon Johnson once was handed a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons.  According to his Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war with its own nuclear weapons starting a full-fledged nuclear war.  Rusk later reported that the words of the memo “popped out of the page” to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but for the world. 

The reading from Wisdom tells us that princes and kings (and we can surely add to the list presidents and prime ministers) should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions.  It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine judgment.  Rather those responsibilities will entail God’s intensified scrutiny of their actions. 

The Church recognizes the responsibilities and difficulties of civil leaders.  Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (GIRM for short) specifies that the faithful are to pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily.  Although there are always those who think that they can do a better job, we are wise to pray for those in power rather than covet their positions.

Homilette for Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

During the Viet Nam War, President Lyndon Johnson once was handed a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons. According to his Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war its own nuclear weapons starting a full-fledged nuclear war. Rusk later reported that the words of the memo “popped out of the page” to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but for the world.

The reading from Wisdom tells us that princes and kings (and we can surely add to the list presidents and prime ministers) should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions. It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine judgment. Rather those responsibilities will entail God’s intensified scrutiny of their actions.

The Church recognizes the responsibilities and difficulties of civil leaders. Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (GIRM for short) specifies that the faithful are to pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily. Although there are always those who think that they can do a better job, we are wise to pray for those in power rather than covet their positions.

Homilette for Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Wednesday, XXXII Week of Ordinary Time

(Wisdom 6:1-11)

During the Viet Nam War President Lyndon Johnson once was given a memo concerning the pros and cons of using tactical nuclear weapons. According to Johnson’s Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, the memo stated that use of such weapons would move China to enter the war with its own nuclear weapons and so begin a full-fledged nuclear war. Rusk reported that the words popped out of the page to Johnson who as President of the United States felt responsibility for not just his country but the world.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us that princes and kings, and we can surely add presidents and prime ministers, should indeed feel grave responsibility for their actions. It emphasizes that the burdens of their offices will not exempt them from divine scrutiny but intensify judgment. The wisdom to which the reading refers is practical wisdom or prudence. Leaders of the people must develop the virtue of taking the timely measure for the good of all. Along with justice, prudence is a prerequisite for governing.

The Church recognizes the responsibility and the difficulties of civil leaders. Together with prayers for Church needs, the General Instructions for the Eucharist specify that the faithful pray for “public authorities and the salvation of the world” in the intercessions after the homily. Although we frequently think that we might perform better than our political leaders, we should pray for them more than envy their work.