Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 48:1-14; Matthew 6:7-15)
Although no book of the Bible bears his name, Elijah may be considered the preeminent prophet of Israel. As a prophet, he received a special revelation from God, spoke on God’s behalf, and suffered at the hands of kings and people because of God’s message. However, he was not martyred, which was considered the prophet’s fate. Rather, he was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot, which was fitting since fire was Elijah’s trademark. Pope Benedict in his book Jesus of Nazareth writes that the people of Israel awaited Elijah’s return so that he might experience a true martyr’s death.
Because of his expected return, some thought Jesus himself was Elijah reincarnated. When he asked his disciples who the people were calling him, they answered that some considered him to be Elijah. But Jesus had another candidate for the Elijah role: John the Baptist, who was beheaded after telling the truth about Herod Antipas. For Jesus, John’s death anticipates the prophetic “Day of the Lord” which is how the evangelists saw the paschal event.
Christians understand the prophets as foretelling Jesus’ coming. How did Elijah do this? There are incidents about Elijah that parallel experiences in Jesus’ life like providing food for the widow and her son prefiguring Jesus’ feeding the multitude. Perhaps more indicative, however, is the story of the Lord God coming to Elijah as a whisper at the mouth of a cave. We see the whisper as Jesus, the full revelation of God in the quite unassuming figure of a carpenter from Nazareth, and the cave as the depths of his being where he talks with the Father because he is one with Him.
Showing posts with label prophet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prophet. Show all posts
Homilette for Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
(II Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30)
The hymn “This Is My Song” recognizes that everyone’s homeland has green clover and blue skies. It is only right then, the hymn intimates, that we pray to God to bless every land and not just our own. He is, after all, the Creator of the whole universe. We see in today’s gospel that the Jews of Jesus’ hometown have difficulty assimilating this truth.
When Jesus returns to Nazareth, the people expect him to work wonders there. Having heard of what he has done in other places, they think that he should do as much for his own people. But this expectation defies what being a prophet means. By definition a prophet serves God first and foremost. Only when a prophet discerns that God wants the village leper healed or the son of a local widow raised from the dead can he validly assist these people. Unlike politicians, a prophet’s mission is not local but universal.
Our concerns as Jesus’ followers must also rise above the here and now. We are to pray fervently for workers in China as well as our own who have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn. We are to send relief to victims of natural disaster in other places as we would certainly do if a tornado or earthquake traumatized a neighboring city. Such care recognizes God as creator and father of all.
(II Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30)
The hymn “This Is My Song” recognizes that everyone’s homeland has green clover and blue skies. It is only right then, the hymn intimates, that we pray to God to bless every land and not just our own. He is, after all, the Creator of the whole universe. We see in today’s gospel that the Jews of Jesus’ hometown have difficulty assimilating this truth.
When Jesus returns to Nazareth, the people expect him to work wonders there. Having heard of what he has done in other places, they think that he should do as much for his own people. But this expectation defies what being a prophet means. By definition a prophet serves God first and foremost. Only when a prophet discerns that God wants the village leper healed or the son of a local widow raised from the dead can he validly assist these people. Unlike politicians, a prophet’s mission is not local but universal.
Our concerns as Jesus’ followers must also rise above the here and now. We are to pray fervently for workers in China as well as our own who have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn. We are to send relief to victims of natural disaster in other places as we would certainly do if a tornado or earthquake traumatized a neighboring city. Such care recognizes God as creator and father of all.
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.
(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 Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II Kings 2:1;6-14)
Most talented college football players probably think of little by way of a career other than playing in the NFL. No doubt they seek the fame of a Brett Favre as well as a million dollar contract. But are they aware of the risks involved? Several former players have died at a relatively young age because of concussions received on the football field. More typical are chronic pain after competing for several seasons. We might ask a similar question of Elisha as he requests of double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Elijah accomplished amazing feats as God’s spokesperson in Israel, but he also suffered for his prophecy. Once he walked forty days and forty nights to escape execution by King Ahab and his spiteful wife Jezebel. Speaking the word of God – the prophet’s task -- is always a risky business. Ruthless people often have vested interest in silencing God’s word. Jesus suffered as a prophet although he did not speak so much on behalf of God as with the unique authority of God Himself. At one point he told his disciples that he was bound to die in Jerusalem like the prophets.
Some today might consider themselves as prophets. They have a clear vision of and want to speak out for what is right. They might even quote Scripture, the word of God, in doing so. Of course, such action – done judiciously -- is commendable. But it will not be universally appreciated. As with Elijah and Jesus, those who speak out strongly for righteousness are likely to find themselves derided, if not more vehemently persecuted.
(II Kings 2:1;6-14)
Most talented college football players probably think of little by way of a career other than playing in the NFL. No doubt they seek the fame of a Brett Favre as well as a million dollar contract. But are they aware of the risks involved? Several former players have died at a relatively young age because of concussions received on the football field. More typical are chronic pain after competing for several seasons. We might ask a similar question of Elisha as he requests of double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Elijah accomplished amazing feats as God’s spokesperson in Israel, but he also suffered for his prophecy. Once he walked forty days and forty nights to escape execution by King Ahab and his spiteful wife Jezebel. Speaking the word of God – the prophet’s task -- is always a risky business. Ruthless people often have vested interest in silencing God’s word. Jesus suffered as a prophet although he did not speak so much on behalf of God as with the unique authority of God Himself. At one point he told his disciples that he was bound to die in Jerusalem like the prophets.
Some today might consider themselves as prophets. They have a clear vision of and want to speak out for what is right. They might even quote Scripture, the word of God, in doing so. Of course, such action – done judiciously -- is commendable. But it will not be universally appreciated. As with Elijah and Jesus, those who speak out strongly for righteousness are likely to find themselves derided, if not more vehemently persecuted.
Homilette for Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Tuesday, XXVII Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 10:38-42)
Giving a talk to Missionaries of Charity, the congregation Mother Teresa founded, will likely humble any priest aware of what is going on. The sisters place a chair in the center of the room for the priest and then sit on the floor around him. No doubt they have the posture of Mary listening to Jesus in the gospel today in mind.
In the passage Jesus acts prophetically in a number of ways. First, he visits a woman’s home and then he allows a woman to sit at his feet. Rabbis do not take such liberties in biblical days for obvious reasons. But Jesus evidently does not feel tempted to sin by thought much less by action. He does, however, mean to demonstrate that women must hear the gospel as well as men.
Most of all, Jesus acts like a prophet here by the implication of his words. He tells Martha that only “one thing” is important. For him that thing is always to heed the word of God. He is hinting to Martha and the rest of us that he speaks that word. We need to put aside our many cares to listen to him.
(Luke 10:38-42)
Giving a talk to Missionaries of Charity, the congregation Mother Teresa founded, will likely humble any priest aware of what is going on. The sisters place a chair in the center of the room for the priest and then sit on the floor around him. No doubt they have the posture of Mary listening to Jesus in the gospel today in mind.
In the passage Jesus acts prophetically in a number of ways. First, he visits a woman’s home and then he allows a woman to sit at his feet. Rabbis do not take such liberties in biblical days for obvious reasons. But Jesus evidently does not feel tempted to sin by thought much less by action. He does, however, mean to demonstrate that women must hear the gospel as well as men.
Most of all, Jesus acts like a prophet here by the implication of his words. He tells Martha that only “one thing” is important. For him that thing is always to heed the word of God. He is hinting to Martha and the rest of us that he speaks that word. We need to put aside our many cares to listen to him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)