Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 18:6-9.19:1-7; Mark 3:7-12)
Every year from January 18 to 25 Christians of all stripes are asked to pray for Church unity. The festival of prayer ends with the celebration of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Of course, the apostle to the Gentiles not only championed Church unity but also expressed a willingness to sacrifice himself so that the majority of his fellow Jews would join the former pagans in accepting Christ. For various historical reasons, unity is elusive but today’s gospel suggests a reason for cooperation among all Christians.
Throughout the gospel of Mark, Jesus strives to keep his identity as God’s Son hidden. In today’s passage he admonishes the unclean spirits, who are aware of spiritual reality, not to make him known. His reasoning is not hard to fathom. Jesus needs time to demonstrate that God saves His people through suffering as well as mighty deeds. In 1901 the Protestant scholar William Wrede popularized the idea of a “Messianic secret” to describe Jesus’ will to hide his identity. Wrede’s explanation has been refuted over the years, but his attention to the gospel peculiarity has spurred study and reflection.
Catholicism is indebted to Protestantism for the latter’s Scriptural scholarship as it owes respect to Orthodoxy for its attention to liturgy. Christians need to come together to fully realize God’s plan for His Church. Of course, real unity cannot be achieved without a demand for truth. But for that reason as well, we must not allow pride and prejudice to derail the quest.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 17:32-33.37.40-51; Mark 3:1-6)
Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow corralled world-wide attention over the past few weeks. Through the power of mass media, the story of this faith-inspired athlete captured the imaginations of housewives in Australia as well as football junkies in the U.S. The explanation for the phenomenon relates to the first reading today. Tim Tebow appears as a David going against bigger, stronger teams. The Broncos’ defeat last Saturday will not entirely disillusion his legion of followers. Rather they will sing of his accomplishments as a humanitarian off the field. Many will also give thanks to God for having given them a model to be followed.
However strong or crafty David appears in the Scripture, his story is to be read as a testimony of God’s love for His people. God goes before David just as Goliath’s shield bearer goes before the colossal Philistine. In the gospel Jesus will say that with faith a man or woman can move a mountain. The same symbiosis of faith and the favor of God easily cuts Goliath down to size.
We wonder whether God cares about football games as much as the fans praying that their team scores enough points to win. One theologian argues that God does not care about the outcome but does care about all the players on the field and the fans in the stands behind them. Using that logic, we might conclude that since everyone is affected by the score, God has to care about it as well. Although how the tally serves God’s purposes may be regarded as part of the mystery beyond human understanding, we should look for Him in the game. Paradoxically with how brutal professional football has become, we might find God calling for a stop to it.
(I Samuel 17:32-33.37.40-51; Mark 3:1-6)
Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow corralled world-wide attention over the past few weeks. Through the power of mass media, the story of this faith-inspired athlete captured the imaginations of housewives in Australia as well as football junkies in the U.S. The explanation for the phenomenon relates to the first reading today. Tim Tebow appears as a David going against bigger, stronger teams. The Broncos’ defeat last Saturday will not entirely disillusion his legion of followers. Rather they will sing of his accomplishments as a humanitarian off the field. Many will also give thanks to God for having given them a model to be followed.
However strong or crafty David appears in the Scripture, his story is to be read as a testimony of God’s love for His people. God goes before David just as Goliath’s shield bearer goes before the colossal Philistine. In the gospel Jesus will say that with faith a man or woman can move a mountain. The same symbiosis of faith and the favor of God easily cuts Goliath down to size.
We wonder whether God cares about football games as much as the fans praying that their team scores enough points to win. One theologian argues that God does not care about the outcome but does care about all the players on the field and the fans in the stands behind them. Using that logic, we might conclude that since everyone is affected by the score, God has to care about it as well. Although how the tally serves God’s purposes may be regarded as part of the mystery beyond human understanding, we should look for Him in the game. Paradoxically with how brutal professional football has become, we might find God calling for a stop to it.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot
(Samuel 16:1-13; Mark 2:23-28)
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the great St. Anthony, not of Padua but of the desert. Anthony lived in the fourth century. His heart was so pure that when he heard the gospel of the rich young man whom Jesus asked to give up his wealth and to follow him, he applied the words to himself. The first reading today tells of the Lord seeing such clarity of purpose.
Saul has deeply disappointed God. As a youth he may have whole-heartedly followed the Lord, but in his mature years he has decided to “play it cool.” God knows that he is no longer fit to lead His people and commissions Samuel to find a replacement. Of course, God will assist Samuel in his choice. The favor falls on David, handsome but humble, at least before the Lord. God knows this because, as Scripture constantly proclaims, He looks into people’s hearts.
In an election year we should imitate the Lord in examining the hearts of the candidates. Of course, this task requires discernment which comes with prayer. Still we have to test candidates by seeing if their experience matches their words, by noting any doubletalk in their orations, and by checking whether they have the courage to take unpopular stands in order to do what is right. In the end we may not be fully able to read candidates’ hearts, but we will do something better than judge by appearances.
(Samuel 16:1-13; Mark 2:23-28)
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the great St. Anthony, not of Padua but of the desert. Anthony lived in the fourth century. His heart was so pure that when he heard the gospel of the rich young man whom Jesus asked to give up his wealth and to follow him, he applied the words to himself. The first reading today tells of the Lord seeing such clarity of purpose.
Saul has deeply disappointed God. As a youth he may have whole-heartedly followed the Lord, but in his mature years he has decided to “play it cool.” God knows that he is no longer fit to lead His people and commissions Samuel to find a replacement. Of course, God will assist Samuel in his choice. The favor falls on David, handsome but humble, at least before the Lord. God knows this because, as Scripture constantly proclaims, He looks into people’s hearts.
In an election year we should imitate the Lord in examining the hearts of the candidates. Of course, this task requires discernment which comes with prayer. Still we have to test candidates by seeing if their experience matches their words, by noting any doubletalk in their orations, and by checking whether they have the courage to take unpopular stands in order to do what is right. In the end we may not be fully able to read candidates’ hearts, but we will do something better than judge by appearances.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 15:16-23; Mark 2:18-22)
A young couple is thinking of marriage. They live in a city away from where either grew up. As the date of their wedding is still undetermined, they decide to share an apartment. They realize that it will create more temptation to have sex than they will be able to resist, but they justify the plan by noting the money they will save will expedite the wedding date. Unfortunately, they are reasoning like Saul in the first reading today.
The king of Israel has allowed his men to take animals for booty in order to sacrifice them to God. Yes, they will probably eat some of the partially-burnt offering, but they could use the nourishment. It seems like a waste of good meat to exterminate the enemy’s entire flock. Yet this is exactly what God has commanded, and not without reason. Eating the enemy’s meat, taking their wives, appeasing their gods – all form a slippery slope which God wants His people to stay clear of.
God’s commands always have their logic although at times it is obscure to us. Why, for example, must we run a high risk of losing mother and child when a “therapeutic abortion” can at least save the mother’s life? It is a hard case that necessitates that everything possible is done to save both lives. But still we know that it is always wrong to do evil in order to produce the good.
(I Samuel 15:16-23; Mark 2:18-22)
A young couple is thinking of marriage. They live in a city away from where either grew up. As the date of their wedding is still undetermined, they decide to share an apartment. They realize that it will create more temptation to have sex than they will be able to resist, but they justify the plan by noting the money they will save will expedite the wedding date. Unfortunately, they are reasoning like Saul in the first reading today.
The king of Israel has allowed his men to take animals for booty in order to sacrifice them to God. Yes, they will probably eat some of the partially-burnt offering, but they could use the nourishment. It seems like a waste of good meat to exterminate the enemy’s entire flock. Yet this is exactly what God has commanded, and not without reason. Eating the enemy’s meat, taking their wives, appeasing their gods – all form a slippery slope which God wants His people to stay clear of.
God’s commands always have their logic although at times it is obscure to us. Why, for example, must we run a high risk of losing mother and child when a “therapeutic abortion” can at least save the mother’s life? It is a hard case that necessitates that everything possible is done to save both lives. But still we know that it is always wrong to do evil in order to produce the good.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 8:4-7.10-22a; Mark 2:1-12)
The man was having a hard time. He moved out of his parents’ house to marry a divorced woman. When the marriage didn’t work out, he came back to his parents but slept on a bed in the basement. He seemed to feel unworthy of the dignity of having his own room. Some would say that he could not forgive himself for marrying outside the Church. But is it not more the point that he refused to accept God’s forgiveness? Today’s gospel offers some insight into the dynamic.
When Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, nothing is mentioned of the man’s disappointment with not being healed forthrightly. Perhaps, believing that Jesus’ word is as trustworthy as a ride on a mule, he gives a sigh of relief that his past no longer threatens his eternal life. At least he can raise his head in public again because he acknowledged his faults and accepted the grace of forgiveness. However, the scribes – Jesus’ law-obsessed adversaries – do take umbrage. They object that Jesus outrageously presumes divine power by claiming to forgive sins. Jesus then shows that he indeed has supernatural power by enabling the paralytic to walk. The healing dramatizes the meaning of forgiveness. Now the man can walk freely in society.
In a secularized society speaking of “forgiving oneself” will have currency as people believe that they are accountable mostly to themselves for the lives they lead. We Christians, however, know that we are made by God and for God. Assured of His forgiveness when we repent of our sins, we recognize our place as His beloved children awaiting the fullness of redemption.
(I Samuel 8:4-7.10-22a; Mark 2:1-12)
The man was having a hard time. He moved out of his parents’ house to marry a divorced woman. When the marriage didn’t work out, he came back to his parents but slept on a bed in the basement. He seemed to feel unworthy of the dignity of having his own room. Some would say that he could not forgive himself for marrying outside the Church. But is it not more the point that he refused to accept God’s forgiveness? Today’s gospel offers some insight into the dynamic.
When Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, nothing is mentioned of the man’s disappointment with not being healed forthrightly. Perhaps, believing that Jesus’ word is as trustworthy as a ride on a mule, he gives a sigh of relief that his past no longer threatens his eternal life. At least he can raise his head in public again because he acknowledged his faults and accepted the grace of forgiveness. However, the scribes – Jesus’ law-obsessed adversaries – do take umbrage. They object that Jesus outrageously presumes divine power by claiming to forgive sins. Jesus then shows that he indeed has supernatural power by enabling the paralytic to walk. The healing dramatizes the meaning of forgiveness. Now the man can walk freely in society.
In a secularized society speaking of “forgiving oneself” will have currency as people believe that they are accountable mostly to themselves for the lives they lead. We Christians, however, know that we are made by God and for God. Assured of His forgiveness when we repent of our sins, we recognize our place as His beloved children awaiting the fullness of redemption.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)