Memorial of Saint Martha
(Leviticus 23:1.4-11.15-16.27.34b-37; Luke 10:38-42)
It seems capricious of the Church to honor Martha with an obligatory feast while not giving at least similar distinction to her sister Mary. After all, in Luke’s gospel even Jesus recognizes that Mary has acted more wisely than her sister. However, if part of the Church’s strategy in naming saints is the edification of the faithful, we have to search for what Martha has to teach us.
First and most important, Martha shows us not to be shy about approaching Jesus. He is our friend who will help us when we are perplexed, especially when our distress is over how the world is run. Second, Martha provides one of the best examples of the virtue of hospitality in all the gospels. She sacrifices herself to entertain Jesus just as the Benedictines remind us that we should treat every guest as if she or he were Jesus. Finally, in the gospel of John Martha makes the same act of faith in Jesus as Peter does in the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke when she calls him, “the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Martha may not have sat at Jesus’ feet, but she knows his worth. We are wise to contemplate Jesus’ words like Mary and be ready to acknowledge and serve him like Martha.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Exodus 40:16-21.34-38; Matthew 13:47-53)
We might call the significance of the two parables in today’s gospel “a matter of emphasis.” Jesus emphasizes the bad fish and the new teaching. He summarily says the good fish will be put into buckets but explains that corrupt people are like bad fish and will be thrown in fiery furnaces. Jesus more subtly emphasizes his new teaching in the storeroom of wisdom by inverting the expected order of words. Rather than speaking of old before new, he gives priority to his new teaching before the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures.
The new teaching is the kingdom of heaven which now has definitively come through Jesus’ presence. It brings joy, peace, and happiness to those who repent of their sins. The old teaching – the Law and its commandments – has not been suspended but human concern goes beyond keeping its statues. The bad fish are those who never repent, that is, never look at their faults, ask forgiveness, or endeavor to live Jesus’ new righteousness.
Here again Jesus challenges the sensibilities of the modern world. We like to think that we can get away with doing evil. Many have no problem with telling a lie or absenting themselves from Mass on Sundays as long as they help the poor. Jesus is indicating that there is a problem. He would agree with the ancient Greek moralists who said, “First, do no evil.” Likewise, many today have trouble saying, “I’m sorry.” Jesus would want us to do so every time we err. It is part of what he intends when he tells us to repent.
(Exodus 40:16-21.34-38; Matthew 13:47-53)
We might call the significance of the two parables in today’s gospel “a matter of emphasis.” Jesus emphasizes the bad fish and the new teaching. He summarily says the good fish will be put into buckets but explains that corrupt people are like bad fish and will be thrown in fiery furnaces. Jesus more subtly emphasizes his new teaching in the storeroom of wisdom by inverting the expected order of words. Rather than speaking of old before new, he gives priority to his new teaching before the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures.
The new teaching is the kingdom of heaven which now has definitively come through Jesus’ presence. It brings joy, peace, and happiness to those who repent of their sins. The old teaching – the Law and its commandments – has not been suspended but human concern goes beyond keeping its statues. The bad fish are those who never repent, that is, never look at their faults, ask forgiveness, or endeavor to live Jesus’ new righteousness.
Here again Jesus challenges the sensibilities of the modern world. We like to think that we can get away with doing evil. Many have no problem with telling a lie or absenting themselves from Mass on Sundays as long as they help the poor. Jesus is indicating that there is a problem. He would agree with the ancient Greek moralists who said, “First, do no evil.” Likewise, many today have trouble saying, “I’m sorry.” Jesus would want us to do so every time we err. It is part of what he intends when he tells us to repent.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Exodus 34:29-35; Matthew 13:44-46)
“Do not be afraid,” Pope John Paul II told participants of World Youth Day in 1993, “to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern ‘metropolis.'” He meant that the rewards are worth any price paid in letting go of personal desires. It is the same message that Jesus conveys in the gospel today.
Both the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price invite listeners to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. They are not to worry that in walking the way of the Lord they will forego sensual pleasure and the company of associates. Like an investment in education, sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom pay multiple dividends in terms of happiness and friendship.
Yet even we, who are inclined to go to church, sometimes worry. A woman argues that it would be all right to accompany friends to a racy movie. No, we are better to tell our friends that B movies are harmful for them as well as for ourselves. Surely John Paul had situations such as this in mind when he invited the youth a generation ago not to be afraid.
(Exodus 34:29-35; Matthew 13:44-46)
“Do not be afraid,” Pope John Paul II told participants of World Youth Day in 1993, “to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern ‘metropolis.'” He meant that the rewards are worth any price paid in letting go of personal desires. It is the same message that Jesus conveys in the gospel today.
Both the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price invite listeners to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. They are not to worry that in walking the way of the Lord they will forego sensual pleasure and the company of associates. Like an investment in education, sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom pay multiple dividends in terms of happiness and friendship.
Yet even we, who are inclined to go to church, sometimes worry. A woman argues that it would be all right to accompany friends to a racy movie. No, we are better to tell our friends that B movies are harmful for them as well as for ourselves. Surely John Paul had situations such as this in mind when he invited the youth a generation ago not to be afraid.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Exodus 33:7-11.34:5b-9.28; Matthew 13:36-43)
Grandparents, aware of their responsibility in raising their children’s children, look to the law for assistance. They seek the law’s assurance that they have access to their grandchildren when a divorced parent with custody refuses to cooperate. The reading from Exodus today shows how law enshrines rights and responsibilities with divine approval.
The Mosaic Law is written with Moses facing the Lord. The experience leaves his face aglow – a testimony to the divine status of the commandments that he will take to the people. Humans do not need revelation to say that it is wrong to steal or to commit adultery if they are to live in peace. But by instructing Moses directly, God indicates His special care for the Israelites.
Today we honor Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Declaring them saints, the Church reminds us of the need for parents and grandparents to instruct us of God’s commands. More than relating what is forbidden, they assure us of God’s love.
(Exodus 33:7-11.34:5b-9.28; Matthew 13:36-43)
Grandparents, aware of their responsibility in raising their children’s children, look to the law for assistance. They seek the law’s assurance that they have access to their grandchildren when a divorced parent with custody refuses to cooperate. The reading from Exodus today shows how law enshrines rights and responsibilities with divine approval.
The Mosaic Law is written with Moses facing the Lord. The experience leaves his face aglow – a testimony to the divine status of the commandments that he will take to the people. Humans do not need revelation to say that it is wrong to steal or to commit adultery if they are to live in peace. But by instructing Moses directly, God indicates His special care for the Israelites.
Today we honor Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Declaring them saints, the Church reminds us of the need for parents and grandparents to instruct us of God’s commands. More than relating what is forbidden, they assure us of God’s love.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Feast of Saint James, apostle
(II Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28)
In an old television drama the father of a teenage basketball player comes in a room bragging about his son’s performance the night before. “Twenty-seven points,” he shouts, “How about that for my kid?” Nobody seems interested in listening to him, however. His son hogged the ball, and the team lost. In the gospel today the mother of James and John sounds a bit like this proud father as she recommends her sons to Jesus.
Jesus does not chastise the brothers for desiring higher offices. He does not call their ambition a sin or tell them that they should be ashamed. What concerns him is the possibility that the brothers seek the positions to call attention to themselves. Jesus advises the twelve that leaders are not to take advantage of their followers. He puts himself as an example: as he – the Son of Man destined to judge the world – does not seek his own welfare but the good of all, so must they, his disciples, follow suit.
James learned the lesson well. He became the first of Jesus’ twelve apostles to give witness to their master with his life. Today we honor him both by our prayers and, more importantly, by our imitation of his sacrifice that gives glory to Jesus.
(II Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28)
In an old television drama the father of a teenage basketball player comes in a room bragging about his son’s performance the night before. “Twenty-seven points,” he shouts, “How about that for my kid?” Nobody seems interested in listening to him, however. His son hogged the ball, and the team lost. In the gospel today the mother of James and John sounds a bit like this proud father as she recommends her sons to Jesus.
Jesus does not chastise the brothers for desiring higher offices. He does not call their ambition a sin or tell them that they should be ashamed. What concerns him is the possibility that the brothers seek the positions to call attention to themselves. Jesus advises the twelve that leaders are not to take advantage of their followers. He puts himself as an example: as he – the Son of Man destined to judge the world – does not seek his own welfare but the good of all, so must they, his disciples, follow suit.
James learned the lesson well. He became the first of Jesus’ twelve apostles to give witness to their master with his life. Today we honor him both by our prayers and, more importantly, by our imitation of his sacrifice that gives glory to Jesus.
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