The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
An exquisite picture of St. Joseph hangs in the Louvre Museum of Paris. Painted by the French master, Georges de La Tour, the painting shows an old but powerful Joseph next to Jesus as a boy of six or seven years. Jesus is holding a candle but at the same time seems to radiate his own light. Joseph is bowed over his carpentry, but he also may be indicating his submission to Jesus, his son and Lord. The painting portrays all the grace intimated in today’s gospel.
The gospel of Matthew describes Joseph as “righteous.” This means that he observes the Jewish law. But Joseph’s righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees as Jesus will later demand of his disciples. When he learns that Mary is pregnant, he does not make a public case against her so that he might retain her dowry but plans to “divorce her quietly.”
Interfering with his plan, the angel tells Joseph to give Mary and her son a home. In doing so, he bestows on Jesus both a name and a royal lineage – very significant theological concerns. For most of us, however, Joseph stands out more for his example of virtue. He humbly surrenders to God’s will. He works diligently at his trade. He provides for his family. And, most amazing in our age that so glorifies sex, he does not seek physical intimacy with his wife.
Homilette for Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
When was the last time you ate a ham sandwich or had to work on Saturday? Did you feel guilty for doing it? Of course, you were breaking a tenet of the Mosaic Law which, in today’s gospel, Jesus seems to say is still in effect. Should we start revising our menus and changing our work week?
Of course, that is not necessary. But we must reflect on what Jesus means when he tells us, “...until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the smallest part of a letter of the law will pass away, until all things have taken place.” Perhaps he is using exaggerated language that he does not mean literally as when he says, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out”? Or perhaps he intends these words only for the Twelve, all Jews, who were quite used to keeping the Law?
There is a much more probable explanation why the Church does not keep the full Mosaic Law. As Jesus predicts, “...heaven and earth (have) pass(ed) away” with his death and resurrection. All things have now been made new. We have been given the Holy Spirit to live a new righteousness that surpasses that of those struggling under the law. Do we radiate the Holy Spirit living within us? We do when we act not just in conformity with a law, i.e., not just out of fear of being punished, but out of love for God who has made us and provides for us daily.
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
When was the last time you ate a ham sandwich or had to work on Saturday? Did you feel guilty for doing it? Of course, you were breaking a tenet of the Mosaic Law which, in today’s gospel, Jesus seems to say is still in effect. Should we start revising our menus and changing our work week?
Of course, that is not necessary. But we must reflect on what Jesus means when he tells us, “...until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the smallest part of a letter of the law will pass away, until all things have taken place.” Perhaps he is using exaggerated language that he does not mean literally as when he says, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out”? Or perhaps he intends these words only for the Twelve, all Jews, who were quite used to keeping the Law?
There is a much more probable explanation why the Church does not keep the full Mosaic Law. As Jesus predicts, “...heaven and earth (have) pass(ed) away” with his death and resurrection. All things have now been made new. We have been given the Holy Spirit to live a new righteousness that surpasses that of those struggling under the law. Do we radiate the Holy Spirit living within us? We do when we act not just in conformity with a law, i.e., not just out of fear of being punished, but out of love for God who has made us and provides for us daily.
Homilette for Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday of the Third Lent in Lent
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
When former president Gerald Ford died in 2007, commentators remembered him with surprising admiration. They recognized his pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate affair as his greatest achievement. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he had disagreed with the decision at first, the pardon did a distinctive service to the country. It helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that public figures be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand resignation, impeachment, or apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we should pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender should be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.
A HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
When former president Gerald Ford died in 2007, commentators remembered him with surprising admiration. They recognized his pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate affair as his greatest achievement. Even Ted Kennedy admitted that although he had disagreed with the decision at first, the pardon did a distinctive service to the country. It helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.
Would that public figures be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes! Instead we usually hear them demand resignation, impeachment, or apology from those who violate their principles. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us. We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds. Rather than clamor for retribution, we should pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.
Mercy becomes us. Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.” It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford. In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice. Compensation to the wronged is usually due, and the offender should be resolved not to offend again. But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.
A HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!
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 Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday of Second Week in Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
We often see the Joseph of Genesis as a proto-type of Joseph in the New Testament. Both are righteous men; both sojourn in Egypt, and both have dreams. However, pairing the Old Testament reading with the gospel today reveals Joseph as a symbol of Jesus as well. Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by his own people, handed over to foreigners, and suffers even though he is completely innocent.
Both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turns out glorious. Joseph thrives in captivity and Jesus rises from the dead. Each reminds us that howsoever the severity of our suffering, faithfulness to God will end in a blessing.
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
We often see the Joseph of Genesis as a proto-type of Joseph in the New Testament. Both are righteous men; both sojourn in Egypt, and both have dreams. However, pairing the Old Testament reading with the gospel today reveals Joseph as a symbol of Jesus as well. Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by his own people, handed over to foreigners, and suffers even though he is completely innocent.
Both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turns out glorious. Joseph thrives in captivity and Jesus rises from the dead. Each reminds us that howsoever the severity of our suffering, faithfulness to God will end in a blessing.
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