Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)

It is said that there are seven hundred thirteen precepts in Israel’s law.  Many of these regard dietary and ritual issues.  Jesus’ followers no longer follow any of the latter types.  One wonders what he meant by saying in today’s gospel that absolutely nothing of the law “will pass away until all things have taken place.”

But all things have taken place with Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Human history experiences its end in Jesus’ victory over sin and death.  Even though time may stretch onward for millions of more years, Jesus has already secured the establishment of God’s reign.

Jesus admits as much in the gospel when he names the two commandments on which depend all the others.  He will tell a scribe later in the gospel that one must love God above all and one’s neighbor as oneself.  St. Augustine reduces the “law of love” even more when he says, “Love and do what you will.”

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

 Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 45:6c-8.18.21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23)

Today’s reading from Second-Isaiah – the second part of the prophet’s book – speaks of God’s majesty.  He created light.  Not limiting Himself to physical light, He gave humans moral light as well.  He gave them law.  They can find peace by keeping the law.  Those who rebuke the offer will be rattled and humiliated.  Ultimately, they will have to succumb to God’s sovereignty.

In the gospel Jesus shows that he comes from God.  He works marvelous deeds including giving special attention to the poor.  His works rhyme with those of Second-Isaiah.  Those who follow him are blest; those who reject him are cursed. 

We follow Jesus by obeying his law of love.  It is simply stated but lived only with self-sacrifice.  We are to love both God and neighbor.  This commandment entails limiting what gives us pleasure so that God is praised and other people are uplifted.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

 Third Sunday of Lent

(Exodus 20:1-17; I Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25)

What is the Law to a Jew?  One Jewish scholar calls it “a yoke that becomes a tree of life.”  It is a demanding teacher from whom we could never draw an “A.”  Nevertheless, this teacher shows us not only how to think but how to live.  Jesus, being a devout Jew, loved the Law and lived it every moment of his life.

In today’s gospel Jesus acts on the Law’s first tenet.  He finds the temple’s vendors and money changers making gods out of their businesses.  Being Son of God with special rights in God’s house, he throws the infidels out.  The act bursts open the Jewish social structure.  “By what authority does he act as the Temple police?” the people would wonder. The priests see it as sheer insolence. “Who is he to determine right and wrong in the temple?” they would rage.  Since they cannot tolerate his audacity, they will plot to have him executed.

How should we think of Jesus’ zeal?  Uncompromising with the temple merchants, he would find our grasping for power, pleasure, fame, or fortune similarly intolerable.  He asks us to put such pursuits away and give him our attention.  He promises us that we will find God, our Father also, in doing his will.  That is, we are to live jot and tittle the Ten Commandments at the heart of the Law.  Also, we are to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)

John Adams, the second president of the United States, taught that governments are better guided by laws than by “men.”  He meant that a nation fares better when it follows prudent laws rather than charismatic men and women.  Moses delivers a similar message to the Israelites in today’s first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.

The word “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law.”  The book re-presents the Law that the Book of Exodus describes God giving the people. Deuteronomy also explains the value of the Law as today’s passage shows.  It says that because it comes from God, abiding by it assures God’s assistance.  In the reading from Matthew’s gospel Jesus upholds the entire Law.  Perhaps some in his day thought that he meant to pick and choose the parts of it that were to be followed.  Perhaps, also, Matthew wants to cite Jesus to refute those who misinterpret St. Paul by saying the Law has been abolished.

Christians, in fact, do not follow the dietary and ritual laws of the Old Testament.  But we should obey its personal and social precepts.  It is true that we have a New Law, but that merely gives an overarching summary of the pertinent precepts.  We are to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  To accomplish these daunting tasks we have the Holy Spirit to assist us.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

(Hebrews 6:10-10; Mark 2:23-28)

The “law of the jungle” merely acknowledges  that people with power get their way.  As a society develops, it makes laws to protect weaker members.  There is a law against robbery which protects people from being held up by ruffians.  Likewise, a law protects a debtor from being forced into prison or, worse, slavery.  For the same reason a mature society has laws to protect the unborn.  These innocent human beings require protection just to survive.  In striking down virtually all laws prohibiting abortion the Supreme Court betrayed this nation’s heritage of protecting the weak from brute force.

Today’s gospel speaks of the Sabbath law, which we know as the Third Commandment.  God established it to protect people from overwork.  In fact, all just laws are for the good of the people.  For this reason the Supreme Court decision’s forty-six years ago has been so distressing.  It ignores the good of the people.  In fact, it disregards the need of society’s weakest members for survival.

From its beginnings the Church has condemned abortion.  It will not stop doing so today.  It asks its members to pray for legal protection of the unborn.  It also encourages them to do more than pray.  We might join a march protesting the Supreme Court decision.  We might donate to organizations that are working to establish laws protecting different categories of the unborn.  We should tell our children about the evil of abortion.

Homilette for Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Wednesday, XXIX Week of Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18)

In the Letter to the Romans St. Paul deals with a question that plagues many people today. He knows that Christ has freed humans from the necessity of following the Law of Moses. The question that arises then concerns the extent of our freedom. If there is no law telling me contrary in any particular situation, we might ask, “Am I free to do what I want?” This situation mirrors what we might call “the crisis of freedom” in western society. Although there are plenty of laws, nevertheless freedom to do whatever brings one satisfaction is increasingly coveted. The situation has become critical because in the quest for freedom, many have forgotten their responsibilities.

Paul answers the question of being free to do whatever one likes negatively. He reasons that if there is a slavish attention to the Law, there is also a slavish freedom. People cannot stop themselves from doing what is harmful for themselves and others. We see this reality in addictions. Drug, sex, or alcoholics addicts hurt themselves and others. They did not have to involve themselves in these traps but chose to voluntarily. Likewise, they can opt out of the vices although doing so they will likely need some help.

Later theologians will clarify the nature of true freedom. It is not only a lack of restriction but also an orientation to do what is good. Paul awkwardly calls this freedom “becoming slaves of righteousness.” It consists of practicing virtue so that doing what is right becomes as natural as eating breakfast. True virtue requires effort. To play a Beethoven piano sonata naturally necessitates hundreds of hours of practice. Likewise, always providing a word of inspiration or extending a helpful hand requires repeated attempts not all of which hit the mark.