Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 5:1-8; Mark 9:41-50)
The class was discussing the morality of masturbation. The instructor pointed out the Church’s teaching that the presence of objective evil does not necessarily imply culpability, especially in cases regarding sexuality of adolescents. Then a student, who is also a parent, rose to say, “Remember the Scripture, ‘Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’” The man was only giving an echo to what the book of Sirach teaches us today.
The name Sirach comes from the book’s author, Eleazar ben Sira, who lived in Jerusalem during the third and second centuries before Christ. Ben Sira wrote in Hebrew although only Greek translations of his work remain. It is not accepted as canonically inspired by Jews and Protestants. Yet it was considered as Sacred Scripture by many rabbis through the centuries as well as the Catholic Church since her foundation. Who would disagree with the present lesson that humans only fool themselves when they think they might escape the consequences of their sins?
Questions of subjective culpability for sin are difficult to judge. Human freedom is always under constraint so that it is virtually impossible for us to say with complete certitude that we, much less others, are guilty of mortal sin. This fact, however, should not give us excuse not to repent of and confess our involvement in evil acts as sins. Jesus exaggerates in the gospel today when he tells us to cut off our hands and pluck out our eyes if we find them causing us to sin. Yet obviously he, like ben Sira, wants to warn us about wrong-doing. We must take care to distance ourselves from participating in evil and to teach our young people to do likewise.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Memorial of St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr
(Sirach 4:11-19; Mark 9:38-40)
In Robert Duvall’s movie “The Apostle” an evangelical preacher from Texas observes a Catholic priest in Louisiana blessing a fishing fleet. He does not betray any anger or envy. He merely reaffirms his own mission saying something like: “They do things their way; and I do things my way.” Jesus shows this same kind of tolerance in the gospel passage today.
The Acts of the Apostles records another incident of men trying to exorcize demons in Jesus’ name without authorization from the apostolic community. It may have happened just as frequently then as free-lance preachers tell of Jesus today. Like John in the passage today we want to shut them up or, at least, turn them off. Such actions, however, would not only short-circuit a speaker’s right to free expression, but they may also violate Jesus’ principle of toleration.
It is perfectly legitimate and may even be a duty for priests to warn the faithful of imposters who give the impression of speaking for the Church. But generally when we hear non-Catholic preachers talk of Jesus, we could listen a bit to what they are saying. They probably are not speaking against the Church and quite possibly have insights that may help us better appreciate the Lord.
(Sirach 4:11-19; Mark 9:38-40)
In Robert Duvall’s movie “The Apostle” an evangelical preacher from Texas observes a Catholic priest in Louisiana blessing a fishing fleet. He does not betray any anger or envy. He merely reaffirms his own mission saying something like: “They do things their way; and I do things my way.” Jesus shows this same kind of tolerance in the gospel passage today.
The Acts of the Apostles records another incident of men trying to exorcize demons in Jesus’ name without authorization from the apostolic community. It may have happened just as frequently then as free-lance preachers tell of Jesus today. Like John in the passage today we want to shut them up or, at least, turn them off. Such actions, however, would not only short-circuit a speaker’s right to free expression, but they may also violate Jesus’ principle of toleration.
It is perfectly legitimate and may even be a duty for priests to warn the faithful of imposters who give the impression of speaking for the Church. But generally when we hear non-Catholic preachers talk of Jesus, we could listen a bit to what they are saying. They probably are not speaking against the Church and quite possibly have insights that may help us better appreciate the Lord.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle
(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)
It was reported recently that the card Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger carried in his wallet authorizing the transplanting of his organs was no longer valid. The reason is not a change in the Church’s acceptance of organ donation, but the fact that when a man becomes pope his body is no longer his own to dispose of as he sees fit. Rather, it belongs to the Church. This is a small sacrifice in comparison with the others that modern popes are called to make.
The reading from the First Letter of Peter today underscores the pope’s and, indeed, all priests’ need of humility. It expressly says that they are not to lord it over the faithful as this would give counter-testimony to Christ who humbled himself to the point of undergoing unjust execution. Nor are they to seek favors for their work as this would undermine their credibility. More positively, they are to look after and encourage the faithful with eagerness. After all, only joyful care will win the hearts of more and more people to Christ. Especially the Vicar of Christ, for whom there is no retirement plan, will necessarily wear himself out under such responsibilities. His consolation, of course, is eternal glory upon the Lord’s return.
(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)
It was reported recently that the card Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger carried in his wallet authorizing the transplanting of his organs was no longer valid. The reason is not a change in the Church’s acceptance of organ donation, but the fact that when a man becomes pope his body is no longer his own to dispose of as he sees fit. Rather, it belongs to the Church. This is a small sacrifice in comparison with the others that modern popes are called to make.
The reading from the First Letter of Peter today underscores the pope’s and, indeed, all priests’ need of humility. It expressly says that they are not to lord it over the faithful as this would give counter-testimony to Christ who humbled himself to the point of undergoing unjust execution. Nor are they to seek favors for their work as this would undermine their credibility. More positively, they are to look after and encourage the faithful with eagerness. After all, only joyful care will win the hearts of more and more people to Christ. Especially the Vicar of Christ, for whom there is no retirement plan, will necessarily wear himself out under such responsibilities. His consolation, of course, is eternal glory upon the Lord’s return.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29)
The story is told of President Abraham Lincoln taking a walk in the woods one night weighing a difficult decision. A group of Union soldiers were to be executed for falling asleep on duty unless he gave them a pardon. Along the path Lincoln met an adolescent on the ground crying. The lad had run away from home after his father in a rage killed his dog. The father had learnt that his other son was to be executed for cowardice and couldn’t control his anger. Lincoln counseled the boy to go home and forgive his father; meanwhile, he said, he would do some forgiving himself. The President also gave the boy his card with a note saying that he might visit him at the White House anytime. The boy went home and made up with his father. When he found out that his brother’s crime was falling asleep on duty, he went straight to the White House and took a seat outside President Lincoln’s office. At the end of the day, the boy gave the President’s secretary the card he had received and told him he had an important matter to discuss with Mr. Lincoln. The boy was shown in, told Lincoln what happened to his brother, and heard the President promise to add his brother’s name to the list of those soldiers who would be receiving Presidential pardons.
Just like the boy sitting in the shadow of the President, the man in the gospel whose son has an epileptic spirit does not recognize Jesus for whom he is. He sees Jesus as a human healer, not the son of God whose prayer to his heavenly Father is invariably answered. When Jesus questions the man’s faith, he responds with the cry that has echoed in every Christian’s heart, “’I do believe, help my unbelief.’” Jesus demands no more than that painful request and, indeed, does help the man to believe in him by driving the demon from his son. We likewise should bring to Jesus all our needs. He will help us if we can honestly say with the epileptic’s father, “I do believe, help…”
(Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29)
The story is told of President Abraham Lincoln taking a walk in the woods one night weighing a difficult decision. A group of Union soldiers were to be executed for falling asleep on duty unless he gave them a pardon. Along the path Lincoln met an adolescent on the ground crying. The lad had run away from home after his father in a rage killed his dog. The father had learnt that his other son was to be executed for cowardice and couldn’t control his anger. Lincoln counseled the boy to go home and forgive his father; meanwhile, he said, he would do some forgiving himself. The President also gave the boy his card with a note saying that he might visit him at the White House anytime. The boy went home and made up with his father. When he found out that his brother’s crime was falling asleep on duty, he went straight to the White House and took a seat outside President Lincoln’s office. At the end of the day, the boy gave the President’s secretary the card he had received and told him he had an important matter to discuss with Mr. Lincoln. The boy was shown in, told Lincoln what happened to his brother, and heard the President promise to add his brother’s name to the list of those soldiers who would be receiving Presidential pardons.
Just like the boy sitting in the shadow of the President, the man in the gospel whose son has an epileptic spirit does not recognize Jesus for whom he is. He sees Jesus as a human healer, not the son of God whose prayer to his heavenly Father is invariably answered. When Jesus questions the man’s faith, he responds with the cry that has echoed in every Christian’s heart, “’I do believe, help my unbelief.’” Jesus demands no more than that painful request and, indeed, does help the man to believe in him by driving the demon from his son. We likewise should bring to Jesus all our needs. He will help us if we can honestly say with the epileptic’s father, “I do believe, help…”
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 11:1-9; Mark 8:34-9:1)
Not only athletes but quite regular men and women look to artificial sources for self-enhancement. After all, if steroids could turn an average hitter into superstar, might they not make any body everyone’s desire or envy by adding proportion? The reading from Genesis today teaches us that the use of technology to boost oneself is really almost as old as the human species itself.
The inhabitants of Babel live not long after Noah who was the first born human after the death of Adam. God told Noah and his sons to “multiply and fill the earth.” Yet some of his descendants come together to build the city of Babel! By their own admission their purpose is egotistical. They want “to make a name for themselves” by means of technology -- molding bricks and hardening them with fire. They seem to think that they might rival God by constructing a tower so high that it reaches heaven. The idea is ludicrous, of course. God has to go down to stop the folly before the people destroy themselves.
What Genesis is critiquing is not the desire of humans to improve themselves but the hubris or pride that drives them to win the adulation of others. People want to become idols – to be considered gods among their peers. God is not jealous. He knows quite well that whatever humans make of and by themselves, they will never be even cockroaches in comparison to Him. But God wants His noblest creatures to do better than that. He confuses their languages and resends them throughout the world to open their eyes as it were. God wants us to respect and admire the richness of different individuals and cultures so that we might turn back to him in awe and gratitude.
(Genesis 11:1-9; Mark 8:34-9:1)
Not only athletes but quite regular men and women look to artificial sources for self-enhancement. After all, if steroids could turn an average hitter into superstar, might they not make any body everyone’s desire or envy by adding proportion? The reading from Genesis today teaches us that the use of technology to boost oneself is really almost as old as the human species itself.
The inhabitants of Babel live not long after Noah who was the first born human after the death of Adam. God told Noah and his sons to “multiply and fill the earth.” Yet some of his descendants come together to build the city of Babel! By their own admission their purpose is egotistical. They want “to make a name for themselves” by means of technology -- molding bricks and hardening them with fire. They seem to think that they might rival God by constructing a tower so high that it reaches heaven. The idea is ludicrous, of course. God has to go down to stop the folly before the people destroy themselves.
What Genesis is critiquing is not the desire of humans to improve themselves but the hubris or pride that drives them to win the adulation of others. People want to become idols – to be considered gods among their peers. God is not jealous. He knows quite well that whatever humans make of and by themselves, they will never be even cockroaches in comparison to Him. But God wants His noblest creatures to do better than that. He confuses their languages and resends them throughout the world to open their eyes as it were. God wants us to respect and admire the richness of different individuals and cultures so that we might turn back to him in awe and gratitude.
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