Monday, March 2, 2026

 

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

Facing a rule that interferes with their designs, workers with a kind-hearted supervisor are tempted to violate the rule.  They may rationalize their transgression saying, “It is easier to get forgiveness that permission.”  Perhaps it is true, but still it is dishonorable to presume a supervisor’s mercy.

In today’s gospel Jesus extols the virtue of mercy.  He calls it God-like and then describes it as non- judging, forgiving, generous and productive.  However, he never says that mercy should be presumed.  To the contrary, he indicates that it should be initiated.

Lent should render us more merciful.  It gives us occasion to recall our sins like Daniel does in the first reading.  Conscious of how easy falling into sin is, we should be more willing to forgive those who offend us. 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

 

Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, bishops and martyrs

(I Timothy 3:1-13; Luke 7:11-17)

No quality of God bears more hope for humans than His mercy.  He forgives our sins no matter how grievous they are.  Today’s gospel shows how Jesus displays this quality when he restores to life the only son of a widowed mother.  So also do the saints we remember today, Cornelius and Cyprian.

Cyprian was the celebrated bishop of Carthage in North Africa.  He is famous for theological tracts like his comments on the Our Father which the Church reads every year in the Liturgy of the Hours.  Cornelius was the bishop of Rome who had to contend with a rival named Novatian for the position.  The issue at the time was forgiveness for those who apostatized rather than be persecuted for their faith.  Cornelius, supported by Cyprian, taught that even this grave sin could be forgiven.

In his famous mercy speech from The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare writes that mercy “becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.”  Mercy becomes any of us who demonstrate it because it makes us more like God.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)

In today’s gospel Jesus shows preeminent mercy.  When he disembarks on the shore, a swarm of petitioners seek his healing services.  Quite generously, he goes with a man on a house call.  On the way he meets a woman suffering from both a hemorrhage and mistreatment by doctors.

Jesus goes the extra mile with both women.  When the woman with hemorrhage is cured, Jesus gives her a second blessing.  He pronounces her salvation.  After hearing that the patient of the house call that he is making has died, Jesus could go home.  However, defying the bad news, he brings the girl back to life. 

Going out of our way to help others we prove ourselves to be Jesus’ true disciples.  Neither being tired nor hearing negative comments should stop us from doing good.

 

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

 Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 33:7-11.34:5b-9.28; Matthew: 13-36-43)

The novel All the King’s Men relates the trajectory of a tragic politician’s career.  The politician, who closely resembles a former governor of Louisiana, starts out meaning to do good.  However, not long after being elected, he becomes corrupted by the dual nemesis of power and sex.  Unfortunately, he is not the only character who goes astray.  All those who surround him similarly betray their values and right judgment.  In the end the novel shows how the world is a miry mess entangling everyone.

With sin so prevalent, Scripture strongly warns of God’s punishment.  Today’s readings speak directly to the issue.  In the first, God says of Himself that he does not declare the guilty guiltless but punishes even children and grandchildren.  The gospel also indicates that God punishes evildoers.

We should not deny the possibility of suffering punishment because of our sins.  But Scripture also speaks of God’s mercy as decidedly greater than strict justice can fathom.  We have to recognize our faults, ask forgiveness, and look for God’s mercy.  Then there is no need to worry about punishment as we enjoy God’s intimate care.

Monday, March 1, 2021

 Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

Abraham’s Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address assigns responsibility for the Civil War to both sides in the conflict.  It does not justify the actions of either government but accepts the punishment as fairly given.  Similarly, as the Church was about to celebrate the bicentennial of Jesus Christ, Pope St. John Paul II confessed sins of the past.  He asked pardon for such outrages as persecution under the Inquisition, violence during the Crusades, and extermination of Jews.  Today’s readings encourage such humility and even more promotes human mercy.

The first reading would be extraordinary if done today.  A great nation admits guilt for disobeying its constitutional principles.  Nothing in the passage asks directly for mercy.  Nevertheless, the people have been so humbled that they cannot but ask God’s forgiveness.  In the gospel Jesus exhorts his disciples to imitate God the Father by readily showing mercy.  He goes so far as to say that God’s mercy to them is contingent upon their mercy to others.  

We have as much difficulty showing mercy as we have asking forgiveness.  We see mercy as a sign of weakness and want to be perceived as strong.  The truth, however, is the opposite.  Mercy becomes us.  As the heroine says in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, “’T is the mightiest in the mightiest.”

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Micah 7:14-15.18-20; Matthew 12:46-50)

The prophet Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah.  Both lived in Judah during the heyday of Assyria when the Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen.  They preached trust in the Lord as savior without concessions to the superpower.  Micah is cited in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah as responsible for the reform movement of King Hezekiah.  He promised the destruction of Judah which prompted a return to the Lord.   In today’s passage Micah describes God’s mercy for those who repent of wrong-doing.

He says that God “does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency.”  He assures the people that God “will have compassion…, treading underfoot (their) guilt.”  No one understands God’s infinite love more than Jesus.  In today’s gospel Jesus indicates an intimate knowledge of it.  In speaking of family relations he reserves a singular place for his father.  Others may be his “brother, sister, and mother,” but only God is his “Father”.

Jesus would not deny that God is our Father as well.  Indeed, his whole mission is to tell us of God’s fatherly care.  There is no reason to fear His justice when we repent of our wrong-doing.  God will gladly cancel our guilt and give us peace.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

It is said that a cynic is someone who has given up but has not shut up.  The number of such people seems to continually grow.  They troll Internet postings and follow one of the notoriously slanted news stations.  Their opinion is often directed ad hominem – that is, more to personal characteristics than to ideas.  In today’s gospel Jesus commands his followers to avoid such behavior.

Luke’s gospel mercy emphasizes God’s mercy quality.  At its beginning Zacharias praises God for the “tender mercies” to be showered on the people when the Savior is born.  In today’s passage Jesus tells his disciples to be as merciful as their heavenly Father.  Mercy means slow to judge and ready to forgive.  It provides others the same kind of understanding that most people have for themselves.

Since we live in a socially polluted atmosphere, we need to take special care.  Finding an objective news source and reading responsible commentators will help avoid the dual traps of cynicism and condemnation.  Analyzing the ideas without judging the individuals who hold them will sharpen our intellects while avoiding needless criticism of individuals.  But most of all we have to strive to be kinder and gentler in what we say.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

It may have been coincidence, but Pope Francis could not have chosen a more appropriate year for the “Year of Mercy.”   Almost every Sunday for the last eleven months the Church has reflected on the Gospel according to Luke which highlights mercy.  The parables of the Good Samaritan and the Merciful Father (the Prodigal Son), the accounts of Jesus healing the ten lepers and forgiving his executioners, and many other passages manifest the gracious love of God.  Even today’s passage on this Feast of St. Luke hints of mercy.

The message of the disciples as they preach the good news is not just “the Kingdom of God is at hand” as in Matthew’s gospel, but it is here “for you.”  In Luke mercy is not theoretical but becomes personal and palpable.  This can be exquisitely seen in Luke’s treatment of the passion of Jesus.  When Judas comes to kiss him in betrayal, Jesus calls him by name to stop him from doing such an odious deed. When Peter is denying him, Jesus is looking on to remind Peter that he will pray for him so that he does not lose hope.  And on the cross Jesus offers the prayer of supreme mercy, “’Father, forgive them…’”

Pope Francis’ intention in calling the year of mercy is not only that we count on God’s mercy but that we likewise show mercy.  We best do this by incorporating mercy in our schedules perhaps by a weekly visit to a nursing home or a monthly commitment to a night shelter.  In showing mercy to others we open ourselves to God’s mercy.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

The man gives God thanks every day.  When he was a youth, he was always in trouble.  He couldn’t stay out of fights.  He was convicted of assault and battery as well as using drugs.  He did a couple of prison terms and was facing a thirty-five year sentence.  Then he was shown mercy.  He credits God, but certainly a judge had something to do with his being given another chance.  In this case the risk proved imminently worthwhile.  The man has turned his life around, married and is raising a family, has a small prosperous business, and is giving back to God as a youth minister.  Jesus recommends such mercy in today’s gospel.

When Jesus says that his disciples should not judge, he does not mean that they wear rose-colored glasses.  No, they are to determine right from wrong, but they are not to condemn others unduly.  Quite the opposite, they should be ready to forgive for any good reason.   Jesus then promises that their mercy will be rewarded not just in kind but with greater abundance.

It is sometimes difficult to forgive because we see it as a betrayal of justice.  Jesus would certainly agree that mercy without justice leads to dissolution just as strictness without justice can end in despotism.  As responsible people, we must promote and model righteous living.  We do that by forgiving whenever we sense a reasonable possibility for reform and renewal.

Homilette for Thursday, September 18, 2008

Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Luke 7:36-50)

We may think of Jesus as unfriendly toward all Pharisees, but this is not the case. True, he does chastise some, but he also eats with others. He really has a lot in common with Pharisees. Like them Jesus is a layman and learned in the Law. Also like the Pharisees Jesus teaches in synagogues and exerts every effort to live righteously. Nothing should seem peculiar, therefore, in Jesus’ entering a Pharisee’s home in the gospel today.

Simon, the Pharisee, becomes scandalized when Jesus allows a notoriously sinful woman to wash his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. Although he is too proper to say it out loud, Simon sees Jesus’ indulgence as evidence that he is not a true prophet. A prophet, he thinks, would see into a person’s heart to know whether she or he is worthy. But Jesus shows Simon to be dead wrong with the very criterion that Simon gives of a true prophet. First, he knows the woman’s heart to be repentant and thus receptive of God’s grace. Second, he reads the hypocrisy of Simon’s heart that criticizes too much and loves too little.

Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy as he forgives the woman her sins and enlightens Simon of his. Mercy at times requires fraternal correction as Jesus calls Simon to task for hypocrisy. It also will allow a humble person to express her love as Jesus permits the reformed woman to bathe his feet. We can pray with ever more hope that Jesus will treat us as graciously as he does these two sinners. As church-goers, we are susceptible to the sin of hypocrisy. When we criticize others unjustly, may Christ remind us of the sin that we commit. Then, may he offer us opportunities to show our love for him.

Homilette for March 11, 2008

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; John 8:1-11)

In the famous “mercy speech” of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice the heroine Portia tells the spiteful Shylock that “earthly power thus then show likest God’s when mercy tempers justice.” Thomas Aquinas also assures us that mercy and justice run simultaneously in every judgment of God. Thus, we should not see mercy as the undoing of justice. Quite the contrary, mercy comprises a necessary dimension of justice because out of mercy justice achieves its end -- the rehabilitation of criminal defect.

In the gospel today Jesus manifests God’s justice when he shows mercy to the woman caught in adultery. He has already corrected society of its corrupt fascination with sexual crimes by reminding the people they too have sin on their shoes. Now he must change the adulteress’s heart lest she think that she may sin wantonly and get away with it. His judgment is as firm as it is clement, “`Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’”

Jesus shows himself a judge wiser than the sagacious Daniel in the trial of Susannah’s persecutors. His unfathomable wisdom indicates that he is the Messiah, the One God promised to send to save His people. In these last two weeks of Lent we want to contemplate how Jesus’ carries out this salvific mission. We should note his patience, his fortitude, and most of all his unswerving commitment to the will of His Father.

Homilette for February 26, 2008

Tuesday of the Third Lent of Lent

(Mt 18:21-35)

A year ago in January former President Gerald Ford died. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that, although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.

Would that politicians be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand the resignation, the impeachment, or an apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.

Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.

Homilette for February 18, 2008

Homilletes for weekday masses from February 8 can be found below.

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

(Luke 6:36-38)

Ten years ago Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered in Montana. Mr. Shepard’s killers assaulted him because he was a homosexual and evidently flirted with one of them. After the guilty verdict Shepard’s parents agreed with the state not to seek the death penalty. His father told one of the killers, “I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney, but now is the time to heal.” Although this may sound like half-hearted mercy, it probably took courage to utter.

In the gospel today Jesus calls us to be merciful. It has been pointed out that where in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus calls his disciples to be perfect, Luke shows him emphasizing mercy as if mercy is the perfection of God. When we are called upon to forgive a really serious offense, it certainly seems like a monumental task. As a poet (Alexander Pope) once put it, “To err is human; to forgive divine.

What’s critical is that we don’t dwell too long on how we feel in such situations. Feelings make good barometers of the likes and dislikes of our hearts, but they do not serve well as compasses to where we should be going. Naturally we are upset when someone hurts us deeply. Rather than lash out in anger, however, we should imitate Matthew Shepard’s father and not let our dislike rule our minds. No, as Jesus’ disciples, we must be ready to forgive those who offend us.

Homily for Sunday, March 25, 2007

Sunday, V LENT, Cycle C

(John 8)

It was a regular Sunday morning. People filled the cathedral for mass. After reading the gospel the preacher began his homily. All of a sudden there was a furor in the front of the church. Someone started shouting as he neared the pulpit. Gun in hand, he demanded a hearing. The scene is not much different in the gospel today. The scribes and Pharisees interrupt Jesus’ teaching with what corresponds to a loaded pistol.

Into the midst of the assembly before Jesus the scribes and Pharisees parade a forlorn woman. She has been caught in the act of adultery. The passage does not describe how she looks, but it takes little imagination to see her as partially dressed. In any case, she is likely flush with shame. She has been exposed to a large crowd who look on her with contempt. Even if the people do not see naked flesh, they ridicule her for being caught in sin. We should be able to appreciate the hell the woman is experiencing. Most of us have probably had the nightmare of being exposed in a similar way.

Hopefully, if we were in the Temple area with Jesus that morning, we would have looked away. The scribes and Pharisees, however, take no note of the woman’s feelings. They don’t even care about her sin. They are using her to attack Jesus. They will mount a two step assault. First, they will cite the Scriptures: “...in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.” Then, expecting Jesus to have a contradictory judgment, they will seal his fate with the question: “What do you say?” It is the devil’s strategy of turning Scripture on its head. The Law proposes to form a righteous people. Here its supposed defenders show themselves as anything but righteous as they seek to undermine a just man.

Jesus, however, remains as composed as an iceberg in the Artic winter. In modesty, he bends to the ground and turns his head away. Then he demonstrates how divine mercy tempers justice. He challenges the whole crowd, “Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Significantly, Jesus does not make an excuse for adultery. He does not argue that the woman might need the money if she is a prostitute. Nor does he inquire about her partner in crime as if that would remove her guilt. No, he confronts everyone present – including us – with his or her own sinfulness. When we face our own guilt, we recognize a need for leniency. Pope John Paul II cast a cold eye on the death penalty for this reason. Seeing how abortion has eroded the sanctity of life, he pleaded for an end to capital punishment which calls into question the sanctity of the criminal’s life.

The pope’s declaration twelve years ago has been a moment of illumination for the world. It has enabled pro-choice advocates to see the cruelty of giving a woman the option of killing her own flesh and blood. And it has opened the eyes of pro-life proponents to admit that their field of concern needs stretching. We see this same enlightenment taking place as everyone leaves the Temple area -- scribe, Pharisee, and Jesus listener. Jesus has touched all with his plea for mercy. No one merits the right to cast a stone.

Alone with the woman Jesus can finally look at her. His eyes are void of judgment and filled with compassion. She has committed a grave sin which cannot be ignored. But she has already suffered the stiff punishment of shame in front of the crowd. To be forgiven she must also display what the Church calls firm purpose of amendment. “Go, and from now on do not sin any more,” he gently tells her. She will avoid the sin in the future. After Jesus narrowly saves her from a brutal death, how can she fall again? Unfortunately, we often forget that Christ has similarly rescued us. In confession we likely think of Jesus more as a traffic cop than a savior. He seems to stop us, ticket us, and tell us to speed no more. We depart ready to exceed the speed limit as soon as he is out of sight. But Christ has died a more gruesome death than stoning to save us from the punishment our sins deserve. How can we sin any more? No, we want to avoid sin. More than that, we want to become just and merciful like Jesus.

A striking incident occurs only in the Passion according to Luke which we will read at Mass next Sunday. Just after Jesus dies on the cross, “all the people...return(ed) home beating their breasts” (Lk 23:48). Scribes, Pharisees, and Jesus listeners show remorse for Jesus’ death. Just so, we face our guilt at Mass by striking our breasts at the Confiteor. We must cast a cold eye on our sins. They undermine our righteousness. They merit for us a brutal death. Now is the time to plead that mercy temper justice. Now is the time to plead for mercy.

Homilette for Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Tuesday, III Lent

(Mt 18)

President Gerald Ford died in January. Commentators in the newspapers and on television remembered him with admiration. They said that his singular greatest achievement was to pardon ex-President Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate cover-up. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he disagreed with the decision at the time, he has come to regard it as a distinctive service to the country. The pardon helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.

Would that politicians be more willing to practice what they admire in others! Instead we usually hear from them calls for resignation, impeachment and apology. In the gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we must pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing and make proper amends.

Mercy becomes us. It makes us like God whom has been revealed as replete with merciful love. It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender must be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy makes everyone better.

Homilette for Monday, March 5, 2007

Monday, Lent Week 2

(Luke 6)

Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered in 1998. Shepard’s killers assaulted him because he was a homosexual. After the guilty verdict Shepard’s parents agreed with the state not to seek the death penalty. Shepard’s father told one of the killers, “I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney, but now is the time to heal.” Although this may sound like half-hearted forgiveness, it probably took real courage to utter.

In the gospel today Jesus calls us to be merciful. It has been pointed out that where in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus calls his disciples to be perfect, Luke shows him emphasizing mercy as if mercy is the perfection of God. When we are called upon to forgive a really serious offense, it certainly seems like a superhuman task. As one poet put it, “To err is human; to forgive divine.”

What’s critical is that we don’t dwell on how we feel in such situations. Naturally we are upset. Many times anger will remain as a residue in us like the smoke marks around a fire place. We should imitate Matthew Shepard’s father and not let what we would like to see rule over what we think. No, as Jesus’ disciples, we must decide to forgive those who offend us.