Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest
(II Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 5:38-42)
Few Christian communities have taken Jesus’ message in the gospel today more literally than the Quakers, the Society of Friends. For generations Quakers were given deferments from conscription into the U.S. Army because of their official position against the use of force. In today’s gospel Jesus lays the groundwork for the Quakers’ policy.
Jesus’ command to offer no resistance to evil is a super-tall order. Many insist with good reason that he is using hyperbolic language. This means that Jesus exaggerates the obligation in order to move his followers from the natural disposition of taking revenge. In other words, disciples do not have to submit completely to aggressors but, nevertheless, should be forbearing in their response.
Forbearance is not a popular virtue today. People either try to get even when they are offended, or they sulk in bitterness. Forbearance inclines us to tolerate others’ faults and to forgive their offenses. In these ways we mirror the Father’s patience with the sins of the world, which include our own.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Many evangelical Protestants openly profess their love of Jesus. But surely love of the Lord is as much a characteristic of true Catholics. Mother Teresa used to describe herself by saying, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”
In the gospel today Jesus uses love for him as the one criterion for service of his lead apostle. Some will scoff that it is silly to say that we love someone who died two thousand years ago. They also will question what kind of love it is if the beloved, like a baseball star or a pop singer, has millions of professed lovers. But these objections really do not faze us because we know that Jesus is alive and dwells among us spiritually. We can even have a personal relationship with him by caring for his body, the Church, and listening to his words in Scripture. Finally, because he is God, we know that he can care for all his lovers with the utmost personal attention.
(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)
Many evangelical Protestants openly profess their love of Jesus. But surely love of the Lord is as much a characteristic of true Catholics. Mother Teresa used to describe herself by saying, “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.”
In the gospel today Jesus uses love for him as the one criterion for service of his lead apostle. Some will scoff that it is silly to say that we love someone who died two thousand years ago. They also will question what kind of love it is if the beloved, like a baseball star or a pop singer, has millions of professed lovers. But these objections really do not faze us because we know that Jesus is alive and dwells among us spiritually. We can even have a personal relationship with him by caring for his body, the Church, and listening to his words in Scripture. Finally, because he is God, we know that he can care for all his lovers with the utmost personal attention.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)
Although St. Thomas Aquinas found metaphysical meaning in God’s name, John the Evangelist sees it in a different way. Aquinas taught that the name “I am who am,” which God revealed to Moses, indicates that God’s existence is His very essence such that everything that exists is rooted in Him. Aquinas pointed out that this assertion does not reveal anything of God’s nature. For that, he realized, divine revelation is needed. John’s gospel supplies abundant description of who God is. He is (or, as Jesus says, “I am”) “the light of the world,” “the Good Shepherd,” “the bread of life.” Since Jesus reveals the Father, these images apply to the Father just as much as they to him.
In today’s gospel Jesus prays to his Father that he has made the Father’s name known to his disciples. They know that the “I am” is not a distant God but as close to the world as the light that fills it. They realize that the “I am” does not disregard any of His human subjects but treats each one with the care of the most responsive of shepherds. They recognize that the nourishment of the “I am” is not truncated as the earthly sojourn ends, but that the bread He provides nourishes for eternity.
As the Easter season ends, we stand in awe of God’s blessing in Jesus Christ. He has called us back from sinful ways, demonstrated the infinity of His love with Jesus’ death and resurrection, and now will grace us with the Holy Spirit so that we mig
(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)
Although St. Thomas Aquinas found metaphysical meaning in God’s name, John the Evangelist sees it in a different way. Aquinas taught that the name “I am who am,” which God revealed to Moses, indicates that God’s existence is His very essence such that everything that exists is rooted in Him. Aquinas pointed out that this assertion does not reveal anything of God’s nature. For that, he realized, divine revelation is needed. John’s gospel supplies abundant description of who God is. He is (or, as Jesus says, “I am”) “the light of the world,” “the Good Shepherd,” “the bread of life.” Since Jesus reveals the Father, these images apply to the Father just as much as they to him.
In today’s gospel Jesus prays to his Father that he has made the Father’s name known to his disciples. They know that the “I am” is not a distant God but as close to the world as the light that fills it. They realize that the “I am” does not disregard any of His human subjects but treats each one with the care of the most responsive of shepherds. They recognize that the nourishment of the “I am” is not truncated as the earthly sojourn ends, but that the bread He provides nourishes for eternity.
As the Easter season ends, we stand in awe of God’s blessing in Jesus Christ. He has called us back from sinful ways, demonstrated the infinity of His love with Jesus’ death and resurrection, and now will grace us with the Holy Spirit so that we mig
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like grocery stores, and missionaries pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Priests see the missionaries as bandits raiding their flocks as Paul warns of in today’s first reading. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholic priests as betrayers of the word of God which the gospel mentions as given by Jesus to his disciples. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer for unity at the heart of his “Priestly Prayer.”
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and love. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. We extend that vision today with the hope, expressed by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical That They May Be One, that Christian communities of the Reformation as well as the Orthodox churches someday share with Catholics the Eucharist. We can move toward this goal by cooperating with other branches of Christianity on charitable projects, by participating in ecumenical dialogues and prayer services, and by voiding criticism of other religious traditions.
(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like grocery stores, and missionaries pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Priests see the missionaries as bandits raiding their flocks as Paul warns of in today’s first reading. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholic priests as betrayers of the word of God which the gospel mentions as given by Jesus to his disciples. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer for unity at the heart of his “Priestly Prayer.”
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and love. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. We extend that vision today with the hope, expressed by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical That They May Be One, that Christian communities of the Reformation as well as the Orthodox churches someday share with Catholics the Eucharist. We can move toward this goal by cooperating with other branches of Christianity on charitable projects, by participating in ecumenical dialogues and prayer services, and by voiding criticism of other religious traditions.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
Beethoven’s ninth and last symphony ends on a note of glory. The composer pulls all stops from the orchestra and even introduces a chorus to give God the highest praise. It is moment of rapture seemingly meant to call the dead from their graves. It is not too far-fetched to say that the composition, familiarly called the “Ode to Joy,” reflects Jesus’ “Priestly Prayer,” which today’s gospel begins.
Jesus is wrapping up his Last Supper discourse and, indeed, his teaching mission. He turns to his Father in prayer while keeping an eye on his disciples. He reiterates what he has taught all along – he is God’s true image so that when he is seen, the Father is seen. Now he asks the Father to glorify him so that in turn the Father may be glorified. He will be seen as pouring out his blood that the world might glimpse the extent of God’s love for all.
As we begin this culminating week of Eastertide, we too lift up our voices in prayer. Like Jesus we ask that God glorify us with exemplary lives so that our actions may redound to His glory. Specifically we pray that the Holy Spirit descend upon us with all His graces.
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
Beethoven’s ninth and last symphony ends on a note of glory. The composer pulls all stops from the orchestra and even introduces a chorus to give God the highest praise. It is moment of rapture seemingly meant to call the dead from their graves. It is not too far-fetched to say that the composition, familiarly called the “Ode to Joy,” reflects Jesus’ “Priestly Prayer,” which today’s gospel begins.
Jesus is wrapping up his Last Supper discourse and, indeed, his teaching mission. He turns to his Father in prayer while keeping an eye on his disciples. He reiterates what he has taught all along – he is God’s true image so that when he is seen, the Father is seen. Now he asks the Father to glorify him so that in turn the Father may be glorified. He will be seen as pouring out his blood that the world might glimpse the extent of God’s love for all.
As we begin this culminating week of Eastertide, we too lift up our voices in prayer. Like Jesus we ask that God glorify us with exemplary lives so that our actions may redound to His glory. Specifically we pray that the Holy Spirit descend upon us with all His graces.
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