Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a)
Cape Bojador on the western coast of Saharan Africa is so treacherous a sea passage that for years it served as the southern boundary for European sailors. Until the fifteenth century sea expeditions in the Atlantic always maintained sight of land lest the terrors of the ocean engulf them. But at Cape Bojador, the shallow depths and high winds always led to shipwreck. Then in 1434 a Portuguese sailor, using data obtained from different physical measurements, charted a course beyond sight of the coast that led to a successful passage. In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that he likewise is charting a new passage around similarly troubled waters.
Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving them to go to the Father. On the journey he will face all the power and fury that evil incarnate can muster. But, he says, he will overcome these obstacles and return to fetch his disciples. They then will be empowered to overcome evil temptations.
We, also Jesus’ disciples, are heirs to the graces that overcome evil. For some the challenge is maintaining faith in Jesus in a world so taken up with the wonders of technology. His wisdom does not glitter like instantaneous communication around the world, but its following has an infinitely richer reward. For others the evil that lurks is accepting aging with tranquility. To experience the loss of memory and mobility is trying but possible if we entrust ourselves to the Lord. The process culminates in the surrender of death where one experiences the everlasting gentleness of divine love.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 14:5-8; John 14:21-26)
Although we expect strict justice in civil courts, we can be rudely disappointed. The Church today, for example, is expending large sums of money on legal counsel to prevent the dissipation of all its resources in court settlements. The counsel prepares Church witnesses to answer claims of sexual abuse succinctly, directly, and insightfully so that the court will have an accurate idea of ministerial responsibility.
In the gospel Jesus promises to send counsel to his disciples as they proclaim his message to the world. He knows that however fair-sounding his teaching seems, just as reality in civil courts it can become distorted. Proclaimed with the assistance of wise counsel, however, it will overcome cynicism and even malevolence. The counsel is given different names in the Gospel of John and is translated by different words – Advocate, Counsellor, and Paraclete. But as St. Paul says in the First Letter to the Corinthians, “It is the same (Holy) Spirit.”
The Spirit is present to us today as we give witness to Christ’s truth. When children come to us confused because what the world claims conflicts with the values learned in church, we need to respond with earnestness. Being in touch with the Spirit through prayer and study will assure that we meet their needs.
(Acts 14:5-8; John 14:21-26)
Although we expect strict justice in civil courts, we can be rudely disappointed. The Church today, for example, is expending large sums of money on legal counsel to prevent the dissipation of all its resources in court settlements. The counsel prepares Church witnesses to answer claims of sexual abuse succinctly, directly, and insightfully so that the court will have an accurate idea of ministerial responsibility.
In the gospel Jesus promises to send counsel to his disciples as they proclaim his message to the world. He knows that however fair-sounding his teaching seems, just as reality in civil courts it can become distorted. Proclaimed with the assistance of wise counsel, however, it will overcome cynicism and even malevolence. The counsel is given different names in the Gospel of John and is translated by different words – Advocate, Counsellor, and Paraclete. But as St. Paul says in the First Letter to the Corinthians, “It is the same (Holy) Spirit.”
The Spirit is present to us today as we give witness to Christ’s truth. When children come to us confused because what the world claims conflicts with the values learned in church, we need to respond with earnestness. Being in touch with the Spirit through prayer and study will assure that we meet their needs.
Friday. May 20, 2011
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
The Philippines will long remember Douglas MacArthur for the words he spoke at his forced departure from the country at the beginning of World War II. He promised the people, “I shall return,” and he did. No doubt, some Filipinos joined the resistance to the Japanese invaders on the strength of MacArthur’s promise. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence with a similar promise.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second half of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus is making a farewell speech. He assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them but will be back. Thomas, like a child who cannot tolerate his parents leaving home, worries that something may happen. Jesus consoles him that all will be well because he is “the way and the truth and the life.” That is, Jesus is himself the way that leads to the Father because he is the only true image of the Father bestowing the Father’s life.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or an iffy diagnosis. We wonder if we will be all right. Jesus tells us, just as he assures Thomas, not to fret. He will return to assist us for he has established un in his Father’s family.
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
The Philippines will long remember Douglas MacArthur for the words he spoke at his forced departure from the country at the beginning of World War II. He promised the people, “I shall return,” and he did. No doubt, some Filipinos joined the resistance to the Japanese invaders on the strength of MacArthur’s promise. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence with a similar promise.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second half of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus is making a farewell speech. He assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them but will be back. Thomas, like a child who cannot tolerate his parents leaving home, worries that something may happen. Jesus consoles him that all will be well because he is “the way and the truth and the life.” That is, Jesus is himself the way that leads to the Father because he is the only true image of the Father bestowing the Father’s life.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or an iffy diagnosis. We wonder if we will be all right. Jesus tells us, just as he assures Thomas, not to fret. He will return to assist us for he has established un in his Father’s family.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)
In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost the great angel Lucifer takes a definitive stand against God. “I will not serve,” he says. To punctuate the point, he adds that it is “better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven.” Off he goes to bring havoc to the world, not least terribly by distorting our notion of service.
Service seems to call into question the exalted idea we have of ourselves. It apparently shows to the world and to ourselves that we are not the force that sets the universe in motion but a small cog in the order of things. Yet Jesus served -- very visibly the night he took off his tunic to wash the feet of his disciples. Service then does not demean our stature; quite the contrary it conforms us to the Lord. When we serve faithfully and well, we prove ourselves worthy of a place in God’s house, a seat at His table.
The reference to Judas in the gospel reading today points to a man who, like Lucifer, refuses to serve. It is opined – perhaps because he was the treasurer of the community -- that Judas rivaled Peter as head disciple. In the reading Jesus implies that Judas’ difficulty is that he cannot see himself taking off his tunic, much less giving his life in faithful service. Thus, he too takes a definitive stand against the Lord.
(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)
In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost the great angel Lucifer takes a definitive stand against God. “I will not serve,” he says. To punctuate the point, he adds that it is “better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven.” Off he goes to bring havoc to the world, not least terribly by distorting our notion of service.
Service seems to call into question the exalted idea we have of ourselves. It apparently shows to the world and to ourselves that we are not the force that sets the universe in motion but a small cog in the order of things. Yet Jesus served -- very visibly the night he took off his tunic to wash the feet of his disciples. Service then does not demean our stature; quite the contrary it conforms us to the Lord. When we serve faithfully and well, we prove ourselves worthy of a place in God’s house, a seat at His table.
The reference to Judas in the gospel reading today points to a man who, like Lucifer, refuses to serve. It is opined – perhaps because he was the treasurer of the community -- that Judas rivaled Peter as head disciple. In the reading Jesus implies that Judas’ difficulty is that he cannot see himself taking off his tunic, much less giving his life in faithful service. Thus, he too takes a definitive stand against the Lord.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
Last week President Obama gave a speech in El Paso, Texas, regarding immigration reform. Much in accord with Catholic bishops he called for ways to legitimize the presence of millions of undocumented workers and their families in the United States. The president’s speaking so near the border to Mexico may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not so much for his immediate audience but as a sign to listeners far and wide of the importance of the issue to him. It might be said that Jesus’ message in today’s gospel comprises a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of the Easter season. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not bring many mountaintop experiences. Rather it reassures us that the love which we radiate and find reflected back on us is worth any effort on our part. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the fullness of life promised as our journey ends.
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:44-50)
Last week President Obama gave a speech in El Paso, Texas, regarding immigration reform. Much in accord with Catholic bishops he called for ways to legitimize the presence of millions of undocumented workers and their families in the United States. The president’s speaking so near the border to Mexico may be called a media event. That is, the speech was staged not so much for his immediate audience but as a sign to listeners far and wide of the importance of the issue to him. It might be said that Jesus’ message in today’s gospel comprises a similar media event.
Jesus’ words conclude the first half of John’s gospel sometimes called by scholars the “Book of Signs.” They do not contain any new teaching but rather nicely summarize all that Jesus has revealed of himself so far. Of course, Jesus’ primary message has been that he is sent by God the Father to save the world. The signs or miracles, which punctuate the teachings in the first half of the gospel, testify to the legitimacy of Jesus’ mission.
As this passage marks the midpoint of the gospel so today we come to the midpoint of the Easter season. The celebration so far should have been uplifting, but will anyone say that it is “awesome” or “exciting,” especially those who have already lived through many Easter seasons? This latter group has learned that living Jesus’ resurrected life does not bring many mountaintop experiences. Rather it reassures us that the love which we radiate and find reflected back on us is worth any effort on our part. As much as anything else, this truth will sustain us to the fullness of life promised as our journey ends.
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