Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
(Luke 1:57-66;80)
Pope Benedict XVI writes that his whole village celebrated his ordination to the priesthood. The festivities were so grand, he says, that in the midst of them the future pope had to remind himself repeatedly, “This is not for you, Joseph; this is not for you.” Who was it for, then? Of course, the people were giving glory to Christ and expressing their gratitude for the ministry of his Church.
The Church along with the gospel writers portrays John the Baptist with humility similar to that of Benedict XVI. The Church has selected June 24 for the feast of John’s birth because it is around the day when the sun’s light in the northern hemisphere begins to decrease, just as John says in the fourth gospel, “(Jesus) must increase; I must decrease.” In the gospel passage we read today, Elizabeth and Zechariah insist that “John” is their baby’s name. “John” means “Yahweh has shown favor.” God favors not only the aged parents in having their first child but all Israel and, indeed, the whole world for the one whom John will announce. As Zechariah proclaims in his famous canticle, John will go before the Lord Jesus to prepare his ways.
We are wise to be humble like the young, future Pope Benedict and like John the Baptist. No matter how intelligent, rich, or beautiful we may be, we are not as indispensable as we think. We are not even capable of a truly good deed without the gift of grace. And that grace comes from Jesus Christ who has, indeed, saved every one of us.
Homilette for Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(Matthew 7:1-5)
Archbishop Tim Dolan of Milwaukee tells the story of an essay contest in the early 1930’s sponsored by an English newspaper. He writes that participants were to submit compositions answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” As much as at any time there were plenty of troubles then. The great economies of the world were in depression. Communism was gaining popularity all over. Germany was on the verge of rearming. However, according to Archbishop Dolan, the Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton submitted the winning essay, consisting of only two words. Answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world...?” Chesterton wrote, “I am.”
Chesterton seems to have taken to heart Jesus’ message in the gospel today. Rather than judge others, we are to acknowledge and correct our faults. This kind of humility became thematic for Christianity. St. Paul will write to the Philippians, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). We should not see this perspective as unreal or self-abusive. Rather, it understands what many come to realize with guilt and embarrassment: we are not as capable as we think, and others are not as deficient.
Americans have a custom that institutionalizes the refraining of judging others. At our best we call everyone by Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss and their last name. Even the president of the country is often addressed as “Mr. President.” The custom is based on the equality of all. No one is inherently better or worse than another. Everyone deserves a simple title. In the end God will judge all regarding their use of individual talents.
(Matthew 7:1-5)
Archbishop Tim Dolan of Milwaukee tells the story of an essay contest in the early 1930’s sponsored by an English newspaper. He writes that participants were to submit compositions answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” As much as at any time there were plenty of troubles then. The great economies of the world were in depression. Communism was gaining popularity all over. Germany was on the verge of rearming. However, according to Archbishop Dolan, the Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton submitted the winning essay, consisting of only two words. Answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world...?” Chesterton wrote, “I am.”
Chesterton seems to have taken to heart Jesus’ message in the gospel today. Rather than judge others, we are to acknowledge and correct our faults. This kind of humility became thematic for Christianity. St. Paul will write to the Philippians, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). We should not see this perspective as unreal or self-abusive. Rather, it understands what many come to realize with guilt and embarrassment: we are not as capable as we think, and others are not as deficient.
Americans have a custom that institutionalizes the refraining of judging others. At our best we call everyone by Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss and their last name. Even the president of the country is often addressed as “Mr. President.” The custom is based on the equality of all. No one is inherently better or worse than another. Everyone deserves a simple title. In the end God will judge all regarding their use of individual talents.
Homilette for Friday, June 20, 2008
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Matthew 6:19-23)
Some say that if you give a child a choice between a worn dime and shiny penny, she will choose the penny. Perhaps this is true, but my experience of children indicates a different result. Since they have difficulty making choices, children generally want both offerings. A sign of maturity is the ability to choose a goal and to marshal one’s resources to achieve it.
In the gospel today Jesus is calling his disciples to maturity and beyond. He wants them not only to choose between an earthly and a heavenly treasure but to do the good necessary to achieve the latter. Wealth is a fleeting blessing, he would say, where divine love lasts forever. So we are to multiply the love that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts.
(Matthew 6:19-23)
Some say that if you give a child a choice between a worn dime and shiny penny, she will choose the penny. Perhaps this is true, but my experience of children indicates a different result. Since they have difficulty making choices, children generally want both offerings. A sign of maturity is the ability to choose a goal and to marshal one’s resources to achieve it.
In the gospel today Jesus is calling his disciples to maturity and beyond. He wants them not only to choose between an earthly and a heavenly treasure but to do the good necessary to achieve the latter. Wealth is a fleeting blessing, he would say, where divine love lasts forever. So we are to multiply the love that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts.
Homilette for Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Matthew 6:7-15)
Once about thirty years ago Catholics were allowed to experiment with a different version of the Lord’s Prayer. There were no “thy’s” in the new version nor was it said that the Father “art in heaven.” If I remember correctly, the experiment also called for “debts” to be forgiven, not “trespasses,” and that we are not to be put “to the test” rather than not led “into temptation.”
The purpose of the experiment, no doubt, was to enable us to be more conscious of what we are saying when we pray this quintessential Christian prayer. As Jesus in today’s gospel criticizes pagans for babbling, sometimes we may repeat the words of the “Our Father” without paying attention to the words and perhaps not even knowing what some of the words mean.
The experimental version evidently failed to impress on many people the need for changes. Many probably felt the traditional form was so embedded in people’s consciousness that mandating a change would just cause resentment. Still we should be careful not to rattle off the words of the Lord’s Prayer as if they were a magic formula for attracting God’s attention. Rather we should say the words with deliberation contemplating what they mean. To help us appreciate the import of this prayer, we may note that it is strategically spoken by Jesus at the heart of his Sermon on the Mount which forms the heart of Christian teaching.
(Matthew 6:7-15)
Once about thirty years ago Catholics were allowed to experiment with a different version of the Lord’s Prayer. There were no “thy’s” in the new version nor was it said that the Father “art in heaven.” If I remember correctly, the experiment also called for “debts” to be forgiven, not “trespasses,” and that we are not to be put “to the test” rather than not led “into temptation.”
The purpose of the experiment, no doubt, was to enable us to be more conscious of what we are saying when we pray this quintessential Christian prayer. As Jesus in today’s gospel criticizes pagans for babbling, sometimes we may repeat the words of the “Our Father” without paying attention to the words and perhaps not even knowing what some of the words mean.
The experimental version evidently failed to impress on many people the need for changes. Many probably felt the traditional form was so embedded in people’s consciousness that mandating a change would just cause resentment. Still we should be careful not to rattle off the words of the Lord’s Prayer as if they were a magic formula for attracting God’s attention. Rather we should say the words with deliberation contemplating what they mean. To help us appreciate the import of this prayer, we may note that it is strategically spoken by Jesus at the heart of his Sermon on the Mount which forms the heart of Christian teaching.
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.
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