Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
(Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 22:34-40)
At the end of the movie Titanic the sunken boat is gloriously resurfaced and reconstructed. Then the whole cast reappears to celebrate in the ship’s grand ballroom. We may consider the scene a poetic fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy in the first reading. New life is breathed into the remnants of a people and a place that were devastated out of hubris.
Christians should view the postlude of Titanic as well as today’s episode of Ezekiel as metaphors of the general resurrection of the dead. At the end of time our tombs will be vacated as our bodies come together again with the life principle (the soul) in eternity. Perhaps because it is too wonderful to contemplate, we often forget that our eternal destiny goes far beyond spiritual survival at death and thus blithely abandon the hope of bodily resurrection. Taking the doctrine to heart, we will want to care for our bodies as well as our souls.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Memorial of St. John Eudes)
(Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14)
The cause for sainthood of Fr. Stanley Rother, an American missionary to Guatemala who was assasinated in 1981, has begun in earnest. Fr. Rother refused to leave the indigenous people of the village to which he was assigned despite persistent death threats. Eventually soldiers carried out the crime. When Fr. Rother’s family wanted to take Fr. Rother’s body back to Oklahoma for burial, the people resisted claiming that he had been their priest and their protector. Finally, a settlement was reached. All of Fr. Rother’s body except his heart was returned to the United States. The Indian people, however, retained his noble and loving heart in their church.
The reading from Ezekiel today promises that all everyone’s heart will be purified like Fr. Rother’s. Ezekiel says that God will replace the stony hearts of the people of Judah with tender hearts so that the people may do homage to God and care for one another. He adds that this will be done through the gathering of the people into a new land and with the sprinkling of cleansing water.
It is confounding how Ezekiel’s prophecy might have been fulfilled despite the fact that contempt and carelessness still persist in our communities. Yet we know that Jesus has renewed our hearts in Baptism (the sprinkling) which brings us into his Church (the new land). Regrettably, however, some fail to follow him choosing, instead, self-gratification that lead us away from him and one another.
(Memorial of St. John Eudes)
(Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14)
The cause for sainthood of Fr. Stanley Rother, an American missionary to Guatemala who was assasinated in 1981, has begun in earnest. Fr. Rother refused to leave the indigenous people of the village to which he was assigned despite persistent death threats. Eventually soldiers carried out the crime. When Fr. Rother’s family wanted to take Fr. Rother’s body back to Oklahoma for burial, the people resisted claiming that he had been their priest and their protector. Finally, a settlement was reached. All of Fr. Rother’s body except his heart was returned to the United States. The Indian people, however, retained his noble and loving heart in their church.
The reading from Ezekiel today promises that all everyone’s heart will be purified like Fr. Rother’s. Ezekiel says that God will replace the stony hearts of the people of Judah with tender hearts so that the people may do homage to God and care for one another. He adds that this will be done through the gathering of the people into a new land and with the sprinkling of cleansing water.
It is confounding how Ezekiel’s prophecy might have been fulfilled despite the fact that contempt and carelessness still persist in our communities. Yet we know that Jesus has renewed our hearts in Baptism (the sprinkling) which brings us into his Church (the new land). Regrettably, however, some fail to follow him choosing, instead, self-gratification that lead us away from him and one another.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)
Although it sounds trendy, it may help us to think of the Kingdom of God as a complex of niche markets. Where most enterprises appeal to a basic clientele, who must take or leave the product depending on their benefit or loss, the Kingdom has an assortment of attractions to accommodate almost everyone. We get a glimpse of how the system works in the gospel today. The landowner offers jobs to different workers at different hours of the day. Rather than pay each according to the work done, he gives all the same wage, which was just enough to support his family for one day. In this way no one is left in need, and no one should gripe since all received what was agreed upon in the landowner’s respective offer.
The system seems unfair since it does not compensate according to the rule, equal pay for equal work. But if we think of airline pricing, a good example of niche marketing, it may make more sense. Latecomers are charged more for the same ride because their need is more urgent. Similarly those who like lots of leg room have to pay a premium for their comfort.
It is important to remember, however, that our role is not to justify God’s ways of doing things. Rather we are to marvel at God’s mercy. Jesus offers the parable to show how God’s Providence meets everyone’s needs.
(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)
Although it sounds trendy, it may help us to think of the Kingdom of God as a complex of niche markets. Where most enterprises appeal to a basic clientele, who must take or leave the product depending on their benefit or loss, the Kingdom has an assortment of attractions to accommodate almost everyone. We get a glimpse of how the system works in the gospel today. The landowner offers jobs to different workers at different hours of the day. Rather than pay each according to the work done, he gives all the same wage, which was just enough to support his family for one day. In this way no one is left in need, and no one should gripe since all received what was agreed upon in the landowner’s respective offer.
The system seems unfair since it does not compensate according to the rule, equal pay for equal work. But if we think of airline pricing, a good example of niche marketing, it may make more sense. Latecomers are charged more for the same ride because their need is more urgent. Similarly those who like lots of leg room have to pay a premium for their comfort.
It is important to remember, however, that our role is not to justify God’s ways of doing things. Rather we are to marvel at God’s mercy. Jesus offers the parable to show how God’s Providence meets everyone’s needs.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)
The sports car wove in and out of three lanes as it moved up the highway. It easily exceeded the sixty mile per hour speed limit, perhaps reaching eighty or more. Its driver, succumbing to the same temptation as Eve in the garden, was acting as if he were a god. Defying both traffic laws and death, the driver evidently thought that the limitations which most humans are all too conscious of did not apply to him. We hear of the same kind of folly in the reading from Ezekiel today.
In that reading the prophet accuses the prince of Tyre of acting like a god. The prince has accumulated a hefty treasure perhaps without thinking to thank the Lord, much less to administer the wealth for the benefit of the needy. He shall learn the hard way, the prophet predicts, that he is vulnerable and even risible. He is not a god but a man doomed to an ignoble death.
Centuries later Jesus shows what real godly behavior looks like. He turns on end every social expectation of a god. He lords over no one. He does not even own anything. Rather he serves all, choosing to be last so that his Father, if it is his will, can make him first.
(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)
The sports car wove in and out of three lanes as it moved up the highway. It easily exceeded the sixty mile per hour speed limit, perhaps reaching eighty or more. Its driver, succumbing to the same temptation as Eve in the garden, was acting as if he were a god. Defying both traffic laws and death, the driver evidently thought that the limitations which most humans are all too conscious of did not apply to him. We hear of the same kind of folly in the reading from Ezekiel today.
In that reading the prophet accuses the prince of Tyre of acting like a god. The prince has accumulated a hefty treasure perhaps without thinking to thank the Lord, much less to administer the wealth for the benefit of the needy. He shall learn the hard way, the prophet predicts, that he is vulnerable and even risible. He is not a god but a man doomed to an ignoble death.
Centuries later Jesus shows what real godly behavior looks like. He turns on end every social expectation of a god. He lords over no one. He does not even own anything. Rather he serves all, choosing to be last so that his Father, if it is his will, can make him first.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ezekiel 24:15-23; Matthew 19:16-22)
The letter in the newspaper took aim at the pastor of the local church. It expressed -- so very publicly -- a complaint that the writer had regarding his relative’s funeral. The pastor refused to accommodate the wish of the writer in burying his relative according to local custom.
At times of birth and death humans cling tenaciously to traditions. They are moments when the enormity of life cuts through our lies and laziness. It becomes critical that the established order be followed to validate the deepest meaning we assign to life. For this reason the first reading today should scare acute listeners. Ezekiel demonstrates that God will effect the violation of the traditions of the people regarding the burial of their loved ones. He says, “You shall not mourn or weep.” He is indicating that outward displays of piety at death will no longer mask inner corruption. Radical reform is needed before God will allow pious burial customs to mean what they signify.
But reform comes only with great difficulty. Jesus introduces it at the cost of his life. He shows us how to live according to God’s own ways. More importantly, he dies and rises to send his Spirit freeing us from sinful tendencies.
(Ezekiel 24:15-23; Matthew 19:16-22)
The letter in the newspaper took aim at the pastor of the local church. It expressed -- so very publicly -- a complaint that the writer had regarding his relative’s funeral. The pastor refused to accommodate the wish of the writer in burying his relative according to local custom.
At times of birth and death humans cling tenaciously to traditions. They are moments when the enormity of life cuts through our lies and laziness. It becomes critical that the established order be followed to validate the deepest meaning we assign to life. For this reason the first reading today should scare acute listeners. Ezekiel demonstrates that God will effect the violation of the traditions of the people regarding the burial of their loved ones. He says, “You shall not mourn or weep.” He is indicating that outward displays of piety at death will no longer mask inner corruption. Radical reform is needed before God will allow pious burial customs to mean what they signify.
But reform comes only with great difficulty. Jesus introduces it at the cost of his life. He shows us how to live according to God’s own ways. More importantly, he dies and rises to send his Spirit freeing us from sinful tendencies.
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