Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Joshua 3:7-10a.11.13-17; Matthew 18:21-19:1)
Thanks to Cecil B. De Mille most people know that the Bible depicts the Red Sea splitting in two so that the Israelites might escape the Egyptian charioteers. Few, however, are aware of the Jordan River parting so the God’s Chosen Ones might enter the Promised Land. The first reading today from the Book of Joshua tells this second story. The responsorial psalm also refers to it. This same psalm is part of the Liturgy of the Hours for Easter Sunday evening which helps us understand the meaning of the event in Christian eyes.
The Church reads the Old Testament as foretelling the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Theologians call such a reading typology. The story of the Ark of the Covenant leading the Israelites through the Jordan is a type for Christ’s bringing his followers into the fullness of God’s kingdom. Jesus is for us the Holy of Holies whose death and resurrection make it possible for us to transverse the otherwise impassible gulf between earth and heaven.
If Jesus facilitates the crossing, then what must we do? Our role in our salvation is both nothing and everything. All that is required of us is to believe in Jesus by following his commands. The gospel demonstrates the paradox of this challenge. You would think it would be nothing for the servant whose master has just written off his large debt to forgive the small debt of a fellow servant. But no, the servant – probably thinking “this is a different case” – punishes his counterpart. We must not do likewise; rather we are to open our hearts to those who genuinely ask forgiveness just as Christ has opened the way to our salvation.
Homilette for Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 18:15-20)
Development has been a growth industry for thirty years. Of course, the development that I have in mind has nothing to do with land or cameras but with growing funds for a church or charitable organization. Development advisors make a mantra of the conventional wisdom that in order to receive you have to ask. Often churches and charities are reluctant to beg from individuals because they fear putting them on the spot. But developers point out that most people do not mind being asked. Sure, some will refuse a direct request, but more people than petitioners imagine are willing to make a contribution to a cause they can believe in.
In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples not to be shy about asking favors from the Father. He assures them that God is ready to grant their requests. This assurance comes after the statement on fraternal correction probably because Jesus wants his disciples to give priority to community needs, especially the necessity of unity in truth and love.
Of course, sometimes the Lord does not grant what we request. “What went wrong?” we may then ask ourselves. Did we not pray hard enough? Perhaps we did not believe that God could grant our petition? Rather than wonder about our diligence or question God’s omnipotence, we might remember how Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “...let this cup pass from me” without receiving a positive response. It is important as well to remember the second part of Jesus’ prayer, “...yet not as I will, but as you will.” Disposing ourselves to the divine will does not undercut our requests. Rather, it recognizes that God knows best and will take care of us whatever hardship we have to face.
(Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 18:15-20)
Development has been a growth industry for thirty years. Of course, the development that I have in mind has nothing to do with land or cameras but with growing funds for a church or charitable organization. Development advisors make a mantra of the conventional wisdom that in order to receive you have to ask. Often churches and charities are reluctant to beg from individuals because they fear putting them on the spot. But developers point out that most people do not mind being asked. Sure, some will refuse a direct request, but more people than petitioners imagine are willing to make a contribution to a cause they can believe in.
In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples not to be shy about asking favors from the Father. He assures them that God is ready to grant their requests. This assurance comes after the statement on fraternal correction probably because Jesus wants his disciples to give priority to community needs, especially the necessity of unity in truth and love.
Of course, sometimes the Lord does not grant what we request. “What went wrong?” we may then ask ourselves. Did we not pray hard enough? Perhaps we did not believe that God could grant our petition? Rather than wonder about our diligence or question God’s omnipotence, we might remember how Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “...let this cup pass from me” without receiving a positive response. It is important as well to remember the second part of Jesus’ prayer, “...yet not as I will, but as you will.” Disposing ourselves to the divine will does not undercut our requests. Rather, it recognizes that God knows best and will take care of us whatever hardship we have to face.
Homilette for Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Memorial of St. Clare, virgin
Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)
Cardinal John Foley recently told the story of how he became a priest. After high school he entered the Jesuit novitiate but left the Society of Jesus thinking that he might be happier as a diocesan priest. After enrolling in college, he did volunteer work teaching catechism to mentally handicapped children. One day the principal of the school where he taught entered his class and asked the students if they liked Mr. Foley. “No,” one boy answered, “We love Mr. Foley. “Why do you love Mr. Foley?” the principal queried. “Because he teaches us about Jesus” was the boy’s response. Cardinal Foley says that the boy’s answer solidified his vocation. Not long afterward he entered the diocesan seminary.
As Jesus makes clear in the gospel today, working with children or any marginalized people is a sure measure of having accepted Jesus himself. Cardinal Foley considers his mission to children as solidifying his vocation to the priesthood. We might say that work among the marginalized solidifies anyone’s vocation to Christian holiness. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a Christian without genuine concern for the lowly.
Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)
Cardinal John Foley recently told the story of how he became a priest. After high school he entered the Jesuit novitiate but left the Society of Jesus thinking that he might be happier as a diocesan priest. After enrolling in college, he did volunteer work teaching catechism to mentally handicapped children. One day the principal of the school where he taught entered his class and asked the students if they liked Mr. Foley. “No,” one boy answered, “We love Mr. Foley. “Why do you love Mr. Foley?” the principal queried. “Because he teaches us about Jesus” was the boy’s response. Cardinal Foley says that the boy’s answer solidified his vocation. Not long afterward he entered the diocesan seminary.
As Jesus makes clear in the gospel today, working with children or any marginalized people is a sure measure of having accepted Jesus himself. Cardinal Foley considers his mission to children as solidifying his vocation to the priesthood. We might say that work among the marginalized solidifies anyone’s vocation to Christian holiness. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a Christian without genuine concern for the lowly.
Homilette for Monday, August 10, 2009
Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr
(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:2-26)
Although not much is known about St. Lawrence’s life, he remains a popular saint. Probably his name appearing in the Roman Canon has contributed to his being remembered. Also, his name rings a bell in the consciousness of some because of the famous “night of San Lorenzo” (the night of August 10) when skies over Italy, at least, are ripe for meteor showers. Many as well have been charmed by the humor of Lawrence related in two stories surrounding his martyrdom.
Lawrence was a deacon in the Church of Rome with charge over the communal treasury. When he was brought before the authorities during the Valerian persecution (ca. 250), he was told to hand over the church’s treasures. Lawrence then gathered together the poor of the city and brought them to the Roman prefect announcing, “These are the church’s treasures.” The quip evidently won for Lawrence a martyr’s death by being roasted alive. The story goes that during this gruesome ordeal, Lawrence kept his sense of humor. After being tortured awhile, he reportedly told his executioners that they might turn him over because he was done on one side.
Humor was for Lawrence a virtue that we might emulate. He seemed to see everything – wealth and even his own physical welfare – as of little value compared with the eternal life won for us by the Savior.
(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:2-26)
Although not much is known about St. Lawrence’s life, he remains a popular saint. Probably his name appearing in the Roman Canon has contributed to his being remembered. Also, his name rings a bell in the consciousness of some because of the famous “night of San Lorenzo” (the night of August 10) when skies over Italy, at least, are ripe for meteor showers. Many as well have been charmed by the humor of Lawrence related in two stories surrounding his martyrdom.
Lawrence was a deacon in the Church of Rome with charge over the communal treasury. When he was brought before the authorities during the Valerian persecution (ca. 250), he was told to hand over the church’s treasures. Lawrence then gathered together the poor of the city and brought them to the Roman prefect announcing, “These are the church’s treasures.” The quip evidently won for Lawrence a martyr’s death by being roasted alive. The story goes that during this gruesome ordeal, Lawrence kept his sense of humor. After being tortured awhile, he reportedly told his executioners that they might turn him over because he was done on one side.
Humor was for Lawrence a virtue that we might emulate. He seemed to see everything – wealth and even his own physical welfare – as of little value compared with the eternal life won for us by the Savior.
Homilette for Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Deuteronomy 4: 32-40; Matthew 16:24-28)
Aboard the ship Arbella just before landing in Boston harbor, Governor John Winthrop told the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that they must be like a ¨city on a hill¨ for the world to see and imitate. Of course, Governor Winthrop was making a reference to Jesus´ Sermon on the Mount, but his words also echo Moses´ in the reading from Deuteronomy today.
Moses reminds the Israelites of God´s special interest in them. God has led them from captivity in Egypt to freedom. He has carefully weeded them of their vices and made them into His holy people. Now, Moses says, the people must respond to the Lord´s particular kindness to them by keeping His laws and statutes. In this way they will give testimony to the world of God´s own righteousness.
We should consider ourselves every bit as chosen as the Puritans and the Israelites. God has called us by name in Baptism and fed us with the body and blood of His son in the Eucharist. We show our closeness to God by heeding the words that Jesus speaks in the gospel. Rather than complain and reject the crosses that burden our lives, we are to accept them in imitation of Jesus who bore a much more formidable one. In doing so, we not only become a model for the world to follow; we also gain the fullness of happiness that our hearts desire.
(Deuteronomy 4: 32-40; Matthew 16:24-28)
Aboard the ship Arbella just before landing in Boston harbor, Governor John Winthrop told the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that they must be like a ¨city on a hill¨ for the world to see and imitate. Of course, Governor Winthrop was making a reference to Jesus´ Sermon on the Mount, but his words also echo Moses´ in the reading from Deuteronomy today.
Moses reminds the Israelites of God´s special interest in them. God has led them from captivity in Egypt to freedom. He has carefully weeded them of their vices and made them into His holy people. Now, Moses says, the people must respond to the Lord´s particular kindness to them by keeping His laws and statutes. In this way they will give testimony to the world of God´s own righteousness.
We should consider ourselves every bit as chosen as the Puritans and the Israelites. God has called us by name in Baptism and fed us with the body and blood of His son in the Eucharist. We show our closeness to God by heeding the words that Jesus speaks in the gospel. Rather than complain and reject the crosses that burden our lives, we are to accept them in imitation of Jesus who bore a much more formidable one. In doing so, we not only become a model for the world to follow; we also gain the fullness of happiness that our hearts desire.
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