Friday alter Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah 58:1-9a)
Like Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, the Mexican-American farm labor organizer, often fasted. He did not necessarily ask others to accompany him in his sacrifice. Rather, he fasted in order that he himself might be cleansed inwardly. He knew how fasting enables one to focus on his or her objectives. Distractions, at least from food, will not tempt the faster because he or she has already made a decision about them. Also, the sense of inner hunger gives urgency to the faster’s purpose.
The prophet Isaiah in the first reading today scolds Israel for not fasting rightly. Religious fasting should remind the people of their first priority, which is God. However, Israel only exploits its fasting to gain more money. It is as if the money the people save from not eating is used not for the poor or for some necessity at home, but to buy lottery tickets.
During Lent the Church calls us to fast. The ashes we accepted on Wednesday were an explicit recognition that we have sinned. We should have also been asking ourselves, “What are we going to do about our sins?” The answer, of course, comprises the three disciplines of Lent. First, we are going to turn away from the gratification of our appetites. Then, we will pray to God for forgiveness. Finally, we will show greater care for everyone, especially those in need. In these ways, we shall reach our goal, which is no one other than God.
Homilette for February 7, 2008
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
“Choose life.” We have all seen bumper stickers and tee-shirts with this anti-abortion message. No doubt, people who feel burdened by an unexpected pregnancy find the message ironic. To them life is being liberated from responsibility so that they may care for other needs and pursue their desires. Life, then, is one of those simple words with various levels of meaning.
In the reading from Deuteronomy today, Moses exhorts the Israelites also to “choose life.” He has in mind God’s law that promises to extend the existence of both individual and community. Following these commandments of truth and justice, both present and future generations will thrive. Descendants will remember with gratitude forebears who passed on the law to them and so, in a sense, keep them in existence. Jesus radicalizes the message. As we hear in the gospel, he says that life comes when we choose to follow his way of self-surrender to God’s love. This may even involve a renunciation of biological life. However, its promise extends way beyond immortalization in the minds and hearts of descendants to a new realm of personal existence with God in eternity.
We have chosen Jesus’ way to life. But have we been faithful to that selection? During Lenten we test ourselves and make all necessary adjustments to renew the choice. We foresee ourselves easily back on the road to full life by Easter and happily partaking of full life at death.
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
“Choose life.” We have all seen bumper stickers and tee-shirts with this anti-abortion message. No doubt, people who feel burdened by an unexpected pregnancy find the message ironic. To them life is being liberated from responsibility so that they may care for other needs and pursue their desires. Life, then, is one of those simple words with various levels of meaning.
In the reading from Deuteronomy today, Moses exhorts the Israelites also to “choose life.” He has in mind God’s law that promises to extend the existence of both individual and community. Following these commandments of truth and justice, both present and future generations will thrive. Descendants will remember with gratitude forebears who passed on the law to them and so, in a sense, keep them in existence. Jesus radicalizes the message. As we hear in the gospel, he says that life comes when we choose to follow his way of self-surrender to God’s love. This may even involve a renunciation of biological life. However, its promise extends way beyond immortalization in the minds and hearts of descendants to a new realm of personal existence with God in eternity.
We have chosen Jesus’ way to life. But have we been faithful to that selection? During Lenten we test ourselves and make all necessary adjustments to renew the choice. We foresee ourselves easily back on the road to full life by Easter and happily partaking of full life at death.
Homilette for February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday
(Matthew 6:1-6;16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the famous American novel, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she must wear a big red A, meaning adulteress, on her clothing at all times. She stoically bears the mark of disgrace while she goes about town with her daughter helping others. As the years pass, the townspeople forget Hester’s crime. They see her care for others and come to think the A on her clothing stands for angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much. We have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should make extra efforts to fast, pray, and help others every during of Lent. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will wipe our sins from the record like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally means. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for virtues not for our faults.
So let us take on all the disciplines of Lent willingly. A generation ago some preachers recommended that we “do something positive for Lent” and not give up anything. That advice, though sincerely made, lacked wisdom. We must curb our desire for constant gratification as well as develop a practice of serving others. Efforts on both fronts shall draw us closer to God. Efforts, again on both fronts, shall allow us to rise with Christ on Easter.
(Matthew 6:1-6;16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the famous American novel, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she must wear a big red A, meaning adulteress, on her clothing at all times. She stoically bears the mark of disgrace while she goes about town with her daughter helping others. As the years pass, the townspeople forget Hester’s crime. They see her care for others and come to think the A on her clothing stands for angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much. We have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should make extra efforts to fast, pray, and help others every during of Lent. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will wipe our sins from the record like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally means. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for virtues not for our faults.
So let us take on all the disciplines of Lent willingly. A generation ago some preachers recommended that we “do something positive for Lent” and not give up anything. That advice, though sincerely made, lacked wisdom. We must curb our desire for constant gratification as well as develop a practice of serving others. Efforts on both fronts shall draw us closer to God. Efforts, again on both fronts, shall allow us to rise with Christ on Easter.
Homilette for February 5, 2008
Tuesday, memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr
(Mark 5:21-43)
The eminent psychologist Carl Rogers purportedly gave this breath-taking yet mundane statistic, “One out of every one of us is hurting.” It is true. No one escapes suffering. Not only the poor and the sick need assistance. Conquerors of nations are sometimes insecure. And utterly beautiful women can worry if they are attractive.
Because pain pollutes the world like jet fuel the atmosphere around an airport, crowds besiege Jesus in the gospel today. Could he heal a sick child? Could he stop the chronic hemorrhaging of an impoverished woman? No doubt, he had a hundred similar requests as he steps across the sand. What would we add if we were there? Could he cure my cold? Could he lift me from depression?
Jesus generally takes note of our faith and grants our requests. At some point, however, he will have us stretch our faith into eternity. What we seek will not be immediately granted. Many of will die without experiencing a release from suffering. Then we will await his voice, “Little girl, arise” or “Little boy, arise.” And just like the twelve-year-old in the gospel, we will arise to a new world. We will be finally freed from all hurt because Jesus will be fully present.
(Mark 5:21-43)
The eminent psychologist Carl Rogers purportedly gave this breath-taking yet mundane statistic, “One out of every one of us is hurting.” It is true. No one escapes suffering. Not only the poor and the sick need assistance. Conquerors of nations are sometimes insecure. And utterly beautiful women can worry if they are attractive.
Because pain pollutes the world like jet fuel the atmosphere around an airport, crowds besiege Jesus in the gospel today. Could he heal a sick child? Could he stop the chronic hemorrhaging of an impoverished woman? No doubt, he had a hundred similar requests as he steps across the sand. What would we add if we were there? Could he cure my cold? Could he lift me from depression?
Jesus generally takes note of our faith and grants our requests. At some point, however, he will have us stretch our faith into eternity. What we seek will not be immediately granted. Many of will die without experiencing a release from suffering. Then we will await his voice, “Little girl, arise” or “Little boy, arise.” And just like the twelve-year-old in the gospel, we will arise to a new world. We will be finally freed from all hurt because Jesus will be fully present.
Homilette for February 4, 2008
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 5:1-20)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant theologian who taught in the United States in the 1920s and early 30’s. When Bonhoeffer returned to his native Germany, he found himself opposing the barbarism of the Nazi regime. Eventually, he was executed for taking part in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Before he died, he wrote a book called The Cost of Discipleship explaining that there is no such thing as “cheap grace.” Here is a paradox: grace by definition is free, yet it costs one to be a Christian.
Some are unwilling to pay the price. In the gospel today the people send Jesus packing apparently because he has cost them two thousand head of pigs. Too earnest businesspersons, they cannot appreciate how Jesus has restored the sanity of one of their own but only take note of their losses.
What does it cost us to follow Jesus? Perhaps a half hour’s sleep in the morning to attend Mass? Maybe eating our words rather than lash out at some perceived unfairness? Whatever it is, it is a bargain. What we expend is not ours to begin with, but a gift from God. What we receive, is eternal life – the joy of Jesus’ companionship forever.
(Mark 5:1-20)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant theologian who taught in the United States in the 1920s and early 30’s. When Bonhoeffer returned to his native Germany, he found himself opposing the barbarism of the Nazi regime. Eventually, he was executed for taking part in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Before he died, he wrote a book called The Cost of Discipleship explaining that there is no such thing as “cheap grace.” Here is a paradox: grace by definition is free, yet it costs one to be a Christian.
Some are unwilling to pay the price. In the gospel today the people send Jesus packing apparently because he has cost them two thousand head of pigs. Too earnest businesspersons, they cannot appreciate how Jesus has restored the sanity of one of their own but only take note of their losses.
What does it cost us to follow Jesus? Perhaps a half hour’s sleep in the morning to attend Mass? Maybe eating our words rather than lash out at some perceived unfairness? Whatever it is, it is a bargain. What we expend is not ours to begin with, but a gift from God. What we receive, is eternal life – the joy of Jesus’ companionship forever.
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