Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 2:1-5; Luke 4:16-30)
We may ask ourselves why everyone does not believe in Jesus. After all, the apostles died giving witness to his works, words, and the wonder of his resurrection. Furthermore, he preached peace, our hearts’ desire, and saints throughout the centuries have validated his message.
But even in Jesus’ own time his glory was not self-evident. Simeon, the seer in the Temple when Jesus was dedicated, predicted that he would not be accepted by all. The gospel today shows the rejection taking root as Jesus launches his project of bringing God’s care to the people. Some of his own neighbors, whom we might expect to support him at all costs, find his claims outrageously pretentious.
Perhaps a better question to ask is why we continue to believe in Jesus. Beyond the wisdom of his teachings and the valor of his story is our reason not that when we called out to him in need, we felt the strength of his presence? We believe because he has touched us with his love.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Memorial of Saint Monica
(I Corinthians 1:17-25; Matthew 25:1-13)
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he tells his disciples, “...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” In today’s reading, which comes from his last public discourse, Jesus gives us an update. The five virgins with enough oil to keep their lamps burning brightly represent both men and women who have stocked their lives with good deeds and are now prepared to greet Christ, the universal bridegroom. Meanwhile, the five whose oil is running out are those whose lives are scant of good deeds. They will miss their heart’s desire when he comes.
Many of us would help others if asked, yet we spend little time doing it. We need to seek out opportunities. Prisoners needing visitors, hospitals needing volunteers, and night shelters needing monitors only begin to name possibilities for those who desire to fulfill Jesus’ word. Such services take time, but the deeper question is commitment. How much of ourselves are we willing to give to the Lord now so that we might be his forever?
(I Corinthians 1:17-25; Matthew 25:1-13)
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he tells his disciples, “...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” In today’s reading, which comes from his last public discourse, Jesus gives us an update. The five virgins with enough oil to keep their lamps burning brightly represent both men and women who have stocked their lives with good deeds and are now prepared to greet Christ, the universal bridegroom. Meanwhile, the five whose oil is running out are those whose lives are scant of good deeds. They will miss their heart’s desire when he comes.
Many of us would help others if asked, yet we spend little time doing it. We need to seek out opportunities. Prisoners needing visitors, hospitals needing volunteers, and night shelters needing monitors only begin to name possibilities for those who desire to fulfill Jesus’ word. Such services take time, but the deeper question is commitment. How much of ourselves are we willing to give to the Lord now so that we might be his forever?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 24:42-51)
The prison chaplain was warning volunteers about doing favors for inmates. He said that they must be especially careful not to take anything from a prisoner to be mailed outside. Rather, he emphasized, they should show by the witness of their presence in the name of Christ that he suffered a kind of hell so that the prisoners as well as everyone else might not be deprived of heaven. This is the same message that Paul relates in his long letter to the Corinthians whose beginning we have in the first reading today.
One hundred years ago today Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, whom the world came to know as “Mother Teresa,” was born in the Ottoman Empire. As much as anyone in the last century she gave witness to Christ’s death on behalf of others. Recent revelations have shown that Mother Teresa’s sojourn was full of doubt as well as works of mercy. Although this fact has troubled some people, it consoles others. We now know better that the questions challenging belief do not put us outside the company of saints. Rather, faced with the will to follow Christ unreservedly, they constitute part of the death to self that leads to eternal life.
(I Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 24:42-51)
The prison chaplain was warning volunteers about doing favors for inmates. He said that they must be especially careful not to take anything from a prisoner to be mailed outside. Rather, he emphasized, they should show by the witness of their presence in the name of Christ that he suffered a kind of hell so that the prisoners as well as everyone else might not be deprived of heaven. This is the same message that Paul relates in his long letter to the Corinthians whose beginning we have in the first reading today.
One hundred years ago today Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, whom the world came to know as “Mother Teresa,” was born in the Ottoman Empire. As much as anyone in the last century she gave witness to Christ’s death on behalf of others. Recent revelations have shown that Mother Teresa’s sojourn was full of doubt as well as works of mercy. Although this fact has troubled some people, it consoles others. We now know better that the questions challenging belief do not put us outside the company of saints. Rather, faced with the will to follow Christ unreservedly, they constitute part of the death to self that leads to eternal life.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(II Thessalonians 3:6-10.16-18; Matthew 23:27-32)
Because of the statement in the first reading that “if anyone (is) unwilling to work, neither should that one eat,” St. Paul has been accused of intolerance toward the poor and disabled. However, Paul demonstrates throughout his letters and in the Acts of the Apostles a consistent solicitude for the unfortunate. Whom he shows no patience for are those who make a mockery of faith by taking advantage of the goodwill of Christians. These are the people whom we still meet going from church to church seeking handouts when they should be facing up to the challenges of life.
Today the Church remembers St. Louis of France. He was the model king of the thirteenth century, in some ways the model era of Christianity. St. Louis gave a dictum that serves us well today as we try to distinguish legitimate needs from procrastinations and deceits. “Always side with the poor rather than the rich,” he advised, “until you are certain of the truth.”
(II Thessalonians 3:6-10.16-18; Matthew 23:27-32)
Because of the statement in the first reading that “if anyone (is) unwilling to work, neither should that one eat,” St. Paul has been accused of intolerance toward the poor and disabled. However, Paul demonstrates throughout his letters and in the Acts of the Apostles a consistent solicitude for the unfortunate. Whom he shows no patience for are those who make a mockery of faith by taking advantage of the goodwill of Christians. These are the people whom we still meet going from church to church seeking handouts when they should be facing up to the challenges of life.
Today the Church remembers St. Louis of France. He was the model king of the thirteenth century, in some ways the model era of Christianity. St. Louis gave a dictum that serves us well today as we try to distinguish legitimate needs from procrastinations and deceits. “Always side with the poor rather than the rich,” he advised, “until you are certain of the truth.”
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle
(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)
As with most of the twelve disciples whom we recognize as apostles, we know little about Bartholomew. Since in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is paired with Philip, some Biblical experts hold that he is the same as Nathanael whom the Gospel of John also associates with Philip. Nathanael, as the gospel today relates, proclaims the identity of Jesus much like Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple: the long-awaited Messiah who will accomplish the redemption of Israel.
Even though Bartholomew’s biography remains largely obscure, any one of us would trade places with him. After all, he saw and even touched salvation in person! That is, he followed Jesus first-hand, heard his voice, felt the warmth of his hand. It is taken for granted that the apostles suffered martyrdom. They could do so gladly, however, because they knew well that the one to whom they testified was worth their lives.
We cannot know Jesus as the twelve apostles did, but nevertheless he allows us access to himself. His words remain in the gospel, his flesh and blood are ingested in the Eucharist, and his Spirit is felt in the love Christians demonstrate. In faith we know that Jesus is present to us, and drawing strength from him, we like the apostles may give witness to him by dying to ourselves in service to others.
(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)
As with most of the twelve disciples whom we recognize as apostles, we know little about Bartholomew. Since in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is paired with Philip, some Biblical experts hold that he is the same as Nathanael whom the Gospel of John also associates with Philip. Nathanael, as the gospel today relates, proclaims the identity of Jesus much like Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple: the long-awaited Messiah who will accomplish the redemption of Israel.
Even though Bartholomew’s biography remains largely obscure, any one of us would trade places with him. After all, he saw and even touched salvation in person! That is, he followed Jesus first-hand, heard his voice, felt the warmth of his hand. It is taken for granted that the apostles suffered martyrdom. They could do so gladly, however, because they knew well that the one to whom they testified was worth their lives.
We cannot know Jesus as the twelve apostles did, but nevertheless he allows us access to himself. His words remain in the gospel, his flesh and blood are ingested in the Eucharist, and his Spirit is felt in the love Christians demonstrate. In faith we know that Jesus is present to us, and drawing strength from him, we like the apostles may give witness to him by dying to ourselves in service to others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)