Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Numbers 13:1-2.25-14.1.26a-29a.34-35; Matthew 15:21-28)

In today’s world of political correctness Jesus’ remark to the Canaanite woman would be duly noted.  Comparing another’s child to a house dog does sound coarse.  But let us hope that no one dismisses Jesus because of that comment.  After all, he was on retreat and does take pity on the child.

The faith of the Canaanite is more worth noting.  She first believes that Jesus, the Jewish healer, could help her daughter.  Then she withstands the slight to persist in her request.  She shows a mother’s love and a saint’s faith. Like the woman who comes to anoint Jesus before his death (Matthew 26:13), she will be remembered forever.

We should strive to be as compassionate as Jesus and as faith-filled as the Canaanite woman.  Even when tired, we cannot neglect to care for those in need around us.  Perhaps more importantly, we must look to Jesus as the one who heals both us and others.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 6:16.16-18)

The term politically correct means to be seen as just in other people’s eyes.  What a politically correct person really thinks or does is secondary according to this mindset.  Although it is mostly associated with the left side of the political spectrum, political correctness should not be limited to either a liberal or conservative viewpoint.  Politically correct conservatives will mouth their opposition to abortion, for example, even though they hardly care about unborn babies.  In the gospel today Jesus in effect condemns political correctness.

At issue in the gospel are the chief components of a pious life.  In many religious traditions pious people give alms, pray, and fast.  Jesus does not wish to denigrate these age-old customs.  But he does call for sincerity in their practice.  If fasting, praying, and almsgiving are done for God, then the doers of these actions should not be trying to impress other people.  According to Jesus, acting piously to court favor undermines goodness and merits no eternal reward.

We may hear criticisms of almsgiving as helping the undeserved poor, of praying as fruitless because God already knows our needs, and of fasting as of no value beyond losing weight.  Such talk, however, does not take into account the profound dimensions of these actions.  Yes, we should take care that our alms meet people’s basic needs, that we don’t just mouth platitudes in our prayers but set our hearts on what we ask God, and that we fast for love of God and not for vanity.  We should also endeavor not to capture the attention of others by these acts so that they may be done out of true love of God, not love of self.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36)

Political correctness requires that everyone accepts “homosexual marriage.”  Proponents of the issue claim that it will facilitate social inclusion for a group which has been ostracized or belittled throughout history.  They pass over the reality that “homosexual marriage” distorts the perennial understanding of the term marriage and will likely result in a number of negative consequences.  Among these are the devaluation of the institution of marriage, the reduction of births and resultant diminution of culture, and manifold social pathologies.  In the first reading today the apostles are admonished for refusing to conform to a similar demand of political correctness.

Jewish leadership would not mind the disciples of Jesus praying to their Lord silently.  What bothers them is the open proclamation of Jesus’ name because they executed him.  Intimidating them has not succeeded. Now, according to the text, the Jewish leaders want to kill the disciples.  As we will hear tomorrow, a wise man in their midst will convince the leaders not to act rashly.

Followers of Christ need to develop a sensor for political correctness.  We should be wary of those who would forsake the truth out of a desire for power.  But we should also remember that following Christ we speak the truth in love.  Proponents of causes such as “homosexual marriage” often are well-intentioned and possessive of wisdom.  To benefit all concerned we must engage them in intelligent and respectful dialogue.