Thursday, July 20, 2023

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 3:13-20; Matthew 11:28-30)

Many stories involve journeys. The Odyssey is probably the most famous.  But one can readily add Don Quixote and The Canterbury Tales.  In all these journeys transformations takes place.  Characters become wiser or holier as they interact with one another.  Jesus has in mind such a transition in today’s gospel as he bids people to journey with him.

Yokes join animals so that they might pull a load together.  In the gospel Jesus offers anyone interested to share his yoke. Journeying with him, one will reach life’s fulfillment.  Takers cannot expect leisure.  But they will find happiness as He forms them in his way of love. 

Sharing Jesus’ yoke involves continual recourse to him in prayer while serving others.  It may sound like a lonely road, but there are plenty of positive examples.  Look at the Missionaries of Charity, the sisters of Mother St. Teresa of Kolkata.  Their lives are as rigorous as an army recruit’s.  Yet they radiate joy. 

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

 Wednesday of the First Week of Easter

(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)

More than in the other gospels, in Luke’s Jesus is constantly on the move.  At the beginning of his ministry, he sweeps through Galilee preaching the good news.  After establishing a base in Capernaum, he goes off again to bring back to life the widow’s son in Naim.  Before the gospel is half finished, Jesus turns to Jerusalem. For the next ten chapters, he preaches and heals on the upward journey to his destiny.  In today’s passage, he is met on the road again.  Seemingly out of nowhere, he joins two of his disciples journeying to Emmaus.

In the account of their walk together, Jesus open’s the eyes of his companions.  Feeling their disillusionment because of his brutal death, he shares with them that it was predicted in the Scriptures.  When they reach their destination, Jesus breaks bread with them.  And while eating, he reveals who he is and that he has risen from the dead.  They would share more with him, but he goes off on another journey.

Like these disciples, we would have Jesus linger with us a long time.  We have many questions to ask him and would just like to know him better.  He is not reluctant to be with us.  But we have to meet him on the road of ministry.  Our ministry need not be vigorous like St. Paul’s.  It may even be that of prayer like Ana, the old woman who welcomed Jesus in the temple as a baby.  Whatever we do, it must be of service to God.