Wednesday, I Week of Advent
(Isaiah 25:6-10, Matthew 15:29-37)
Some day take note of the mass readings during ordinary time. You will almost always find divergent ideas in the first reading and the gospel. The two were not selected for their correspondence but to give us exposure to different expressions of Scripture.
Uncoordinated mass readings are not found during Advent, however. During this season the first reading always anticipates the gospel selection. Together they show how God’s promise to Israel was fulfilled with the coming of Christ. Today, for example, we hear from the prophet Isaiah how God will prepare a banquet for all nations which will exalt lowly Israel for keeping faith. In the gospel passage Jesus, symbolically at least, does just that. First, he assists those who are usually left out – the blind and the lame. And then he feeds the whole crowd large portions of bread and fish.
We can always count on God to keep His promises. Because Christ has promised to return with salvation for his faithful, we ready ourselves to receive him during the season of Advent. In a sense it is like an emergency drill. We prepare ourselves for an eventuality so that when it takes place, we will know what to do. But in the case of Advent the preparations themselves convey many blessings. Garrison Keillor tells a story that illustrates what I mean here. In the rural Minnesota town where he grew up, a zealous principal once assigned houses in town to all the schoolchildren from the country in case a snowstorm ever prohibited buses from taking them home. Keillor himself remembered the house to which he was assigned because of the statue of the Blessed Virgin on its front lawn. One afternoon with nothing to do, he went to meet the family of the house. He introduced himself to the woman at the door simply as her “snow child.” The woman asked him in and to sit down while she called her husband. In the meantime, she brought him cookies and milk.
As Minnesotans in winter are sure to get heavy snow, we can be sure of Christ’s eventual return in glory. Just like them we prepare for the day in the season of Advent. And again like the child Garrison Keillor, in our preparation we experience a moment of grace. Something happens that will be a sure sign of God’s love.
Homilette for Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday, I Week of Advent
(Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 10:21-24)
The fact that secular historians at the time virtually ignored Jesus Christ causes a bit of embarrassment to Christians. After all, we must ask, how could people not take interest in such an extraordinary event as the resurrection?
However, beyond the first centuries of Christianity, the world did take notice. Historians began to measure time in two great epochs: “before Christ” (B.C.) and “in the year of the Lord,” which is the English translation of the Latin anno domini (A.D.). True, many writers today out of deference to non-Christians use “before the Common Era (B.C.E.) and “in the Common Era” (C.E.). But such a distinction only underscores the universal knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In the gospel today Jesus openly acknowledges his relationship with God. He is the son of the One who abides outside His own creation but maintains the dominant role in it. The learned, Jesus adds, cannot see this perhaps because the compassion that would allow anyone to offer his son to the world to be manhandled is beyond human reckoning. Jesus also intimates, however, that simple people do not notice the scandal and accept gratefully the presence of God’s anointed one in their midst.
Even though people know that time is generally portrayed with reference to Christ, some may not be aware of the unimaginable love which he came to reveal. Our role as Christians then is to testify to that love by our actions. Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ by a remarkable peace among natural enemies – wolves and lambs, lions and calves, cobras and babies. Our lives should witness to him by a similar goodwill to those whom others are leery of. We speak to the troubled and welcome the stranger. In these ways we let the world take notice of God’s love in Christ.
(Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 10:21-24)
The fact that secular historians at the time virtually ignored Jesus Christ causes a bit of embarrassment to Christians. After all, we must ask, how could people not take interest in such an extraordinary event as the resurrection?
However, beyond the first centuries of Christianity, the world did take notice. Historians began to measure time in two great epochs: “before Christ” (B.C.) and “in the year of the Lord,” which is the English translation of the Latin anno domini (A.D.). True, many writers today out of deference to non-Christians use “before the Common Era (B.C.E.) and “in the Common Era” (C.E.). But such a distinction only underscores the universal knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In the gospel today Jesus openly acknowledges his relationship with God. He is the son of the One who abides outside His own creation but maintains the dominant role in it. The learned, Jesus adds, cannot see this perhaps because the compassion that would allow anyone to offer his son to the world to be manhandled is beyond human reckoning. Jesus also intimates, however, that simple people do not notice the scandal and accept gratefully the presence of God’s anointed one in their midst.
Even though people know that time is generally portrayed with reference to Christ, some may not be aware of the unimaginable love which he came to reveal. Our role as Christians then is to testify to that love by our actions. Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ by a remarkable peace among natural enemies – wolves and lambs, lions and calves, cobras and babies. Our lives should witness to him by a similar goodwill to those whom others are leery of. We speak to the troubled and welcome the stranger. In these ways we let the world take notice of God’s love in Christ.
Homilette for Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday, Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
(Isaiah 4:2-6, Psalm 122, Matthew 8:5-11)
During Advent we are to wait patiently and purposefully but also with anticipation for the coming of the Lord. Because many busy themselves in commerce and revelry, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.
We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.
Of course, we want to be regarded as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. Isaiah the prophet envisions those who remain faithful to God’s law being distinguished as “holy” like the Lord Himself. Christians see that Law revised to become essentially the grace of the Holy Spirit enabling us to conform to Jesus’ inestimable charity. Certainly St. Francis Xavier demonstrated this Spirit enhanced love as he labored tirelessly for the salvation of souls.
Waiting with anticipation may seem to conflict with waiting patiently. After all, when we anticipate something, we are ready to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two terms. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Jesus erred when he said he would return or that we have mistaken his intent. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we cannot dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus comes among us today, although not yet in full splendor. This uplifting creates an anticipation in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.
(Isaiah 4:2-6, Psalm 122, Matthew 8:5-11)
During Advent we are to wait patiently and purposefully but also with anticipation for the coming of the Lord. Because many busy themselves in commerce and revelry, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.
We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.
Of course, we want to be regarded as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. Isaiah the prophet envisions those who remain faithful to God’s law being distinguished as “holy” like the Lord Himself. Christians see that Law revised to become essentially the grace of the Holy Spirit enabling us to conform to Jesus’ inestimable charity. Certainly St. Francis Xavier demonstrated this Spirit enhanced love as he labored tirelessly for the salvation of souls.
Waiting with anticipation may seem to conflict with waiting patiently. After all, when we anticipate something, we are ready to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two terms. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Jesus erred when he said he would return or that we have mistaken his intent. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we cannot dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus comes among us today, although not yet in full splendor. This uplifting creates an anticipation in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.
Homilette for Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday, the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle
(Matthew 4:18-22)
Although we know very little about St. Andrew, Christians remember the date of his feast before that of any other apostle. November 30 is etched in our minds because of its closeness to the beginning of Advent. The feast does not really commence the season, but the Sunday nearest the date always is its beginning.
As Advent marks a new liturgical year, St. Andrew represents the newness of Jesus’ preaching. Andrew is considered to be the first disciple whom Jesus’ preaching attracts. Today’s gospel shows Jesus calling the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter to follow him. They do so unreservedly by leaving their fishing nets “at once.” In John’s Gospel Jesus likewise encounters Andrew along with another man (not Peter) – both of whom are disciples of the Baptist. The two begin to follow Jesus when Jesus bids them to share his life. In both gospels Jesus precipitates a radical choice. His authority is totally irresistible like nothing ever before experienced.
The Church celebrates saints as models of the Christian life and as heavenly intercessors for our salvation. On this Feast of St. Andrew when we still await the beginning of Advent, we might keep in mind the twofold objective in a unique way. First, we might make the radical choice this year of contemplating during Advent the meaning of Jesus’ coming and not indulging in pre-Christmas revelry. Then we might pray to this saint, whom it is said suffered an agonizing death on an X-shaped cross, for the strength to see our decision through.
(Matthew 4:18-22)
Although we know very little about St. Andrew, Christians remember the date of his feast before that of any other apostle. November 30 is etched in our minds because of its closeness to the beginning of Advent. The feast does not really commence the season, but the Sunday nearest the date always is its beginning.
As Advent marks a new liturgical year, St. Andrew represents the newness of Jesus’ preaching. Andrew is considered to be the first disciple whom Jesus’ preaching attracts. Today’s gospel shows Jesus calling the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter to follow him. They do so unreservedly by leaving their fishing nets “at once.” In John’s Gospel Jesus likewise encounters Andrew along with another man (not Peter) – both of whom are disciples of the Baptist. The two begin to follow Jesus when Jesus bids them to share his life. In both gospels Jesus precipitates a radical choice. His authority is totally irresistible like nothing ever before experienced.
The Church celebrates saints as models of the Christian life and as heavenly intercessors for our salvation. On this Feast of St. Andrew when we still await the beginning of Advent, we might keep in mind the twofold objective in a unique way. First, we might make the radical choice this year of contemplating during Advent the meaning of Jesus’ coming and not indulging in pre-Christmas revelry. Then we might pray to this saint, whom it is said suffered an agonizing death on an X-shaped cross, for the strength to see our decision through.
Homilette for Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thursday, XXXIV Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 21:20-28)
In 1960 when the first of the baby-boomers were growing up, the popular entertainer Pat Boone addressed himself to them. Twixt Twelve and Twenty was the title of both a song and a short book Boone wrote. In these works he gave sound advice for navigating these often difficult years between childhood and adulthood. The song asks whether teenagers are old enough to understand the devotion that love entails. Of course, it answers its question positively but also notes how faith and trust must accompany love to avoid calamity.
When Jesus speaks of “the times of the Gentiles” in the gospel, he is also referring to in between years. He sees the time of the Jews as passing away with the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, an event which takes place in the year 70. But we should not take this to mean that God has abandoned the Jews. Rather, Jesus’ envisions what his apostle Paul writes to the Romans: God has turned His attention to the Gentiles or non-Jews so that their conversion will move the Jews to also recognize Jesus as Lord.
In these in between years before the fulfillment of time with the coming of Jesus, we are also to love faithfully as Pat Boone suggests. When we truly care for others, we do not have to worry about getting mud on our faces from the difficulty of it all. Indeed, we can lift our heads high at the signs of Christ’s coming because he means to save us.
(Luke 21:20-28)
In 1960 when the first of the baby-boomers were growing up, the popular entertainer Pat Boone addressed himself to them. Twixt Twelve and Twenty was the title of both a song and a short book Boone wrote. In these works he gave sound advice for navigating these often difficult years between childhood and adulthood. The song asks whether teenagers are old enough to understand the devotion that love entails. Of course, it answers its question positively but also notes how faith and trust must accompany love to avoid calamity.
When Jesus speaks of “the times of the Gentiles” in the gospel, he is also referring to in between years. He sees the time of the Jews as passing away with the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, an event which takes place in the year 70. But we should not take this to mean that God has abandoned the Jews. Rather, Jesus’ envisions what his apostle Paul writes to the Romans: God has turned His attention to the Gentiles or non-Jews so that their conversion will move the Jews to also recognize Jesus as Lord.
In these in between years before the fulfillment of time with the coming of Jesus, we are also to love faithfully as Pat Boone suggests. When we truly care for others, we do not have to worry about getting mud on our faces from the difficulty of it all. Indeed, we can lift our heads high at the signs of Christ’s coming because he means to save us.
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