Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)
Many Americans stayed awake most of the night to watch the royal wedding last year. Even people committed to the democratic tradition are inspired by the pomp and pageantry which punctuate regal ceremonies. They seem to be buoyed up by the festivity as if the dignity of all humans is enhanced by the special celebration of a few. In the first reading today we find a similar upraising of spirit in a national event.
King Solomon has constructed his Temple to the Lord. He is finishing the work his father David aspired to do. As expected of a great nation, which Israel has become, there is now a fitting place where its God may be worshipped. To dedicate the construction a procession weaves through Jerusalem with the sacred objects inherited from antiquity. A sumptuous banquet follows in which the whole nation takes part. The divine author indicates God’s pleasure with the events by describing His presence as a cloud permeating the Temple.
Although Christians believe that the Temple of Jerusalem has given way to the Body of Christ as the locale of acceptable sacrifice, we still revere the place which Jesus calls his “Father’s house.” Pope John Paul II touchingly illustrated this when he took his place of prayer at the Wailing Wall. Jerusalem and especially its Temple are symbols for us of peace among nations where, as Isaiah prophesies, all peoples go to learn the ways of God.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29)
The word enigma comes from a Greek word meaning riddle. An enigma is more than what meets the eye. Or, we might say, an enigma confounds the eye. To some people Senator Jesse Helms was an enigma. He seemed to oppose attempts by government to assist the needy, yet he and his wife adopted a child with a severe physical challenge. In the first half of the narratives of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus appears to observers as enigmatic. He works wonders like the prophet Elijah. He confronts hypocrites like Amos or other prophets. He announces the kingdom of God like John the Baptist. Demons know his true identity, but it is elusive to other humans.
Haunted by guilt, Herod Antipas supposes that Jesus must be the reincarnation of the Baptist whose head he capriciously had chopped off. A few chapters later in this gospel Peter will correctly name Jesus as the Messiah, but no one will understand what that term means until he dies on the cross. Then the Roman centurion, an objective witness, will proclaim Jesus the “son of God” after observing his innocence and faithfulness lived out to the last breath. On the third day Jesus will rise from the dead clearing away all doubts about his identity, at least among his followers. Jesus is no longer an enigma but, indeed, sterling truth whose hand, when grasped, leads us to dignity and joy.
(Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29)
The word enigma comes from a Greek word meaning riddle. An enigma is more than what meets the eye. Or, we might say, an enigma confounds the eye. To some people Senator Jesse Helms was an enigma. He seemed to oppose attempts by government to assist the needy, yet he and his wife adopted a child with a severe physical challenge. In the first half of the narratives of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus appears to observers as enigmatic. He works wonders like the prophet Elijah. He confronts hypocrites like Amos or other prophets. He announces the kingdom of God like John the Baptist. Demons know his true identity, but it is elusive to other humans.
Haunted by guilt, Herod Antipas supposes that Jesus must be the reincarnation of the Baptist whose head he capriciously had chopped off. A few chapters later in this gospel Peter will correctly name Jesus as the Messiah, but no one will understand what that term means until he dies on the cross. Then the Roman centurion, an objective witness, will proclaim Jesus the “son of God” after observing his innocence and faithfulness lived out to the last breath. On the third day Jesus will rise from the dead clearing away all doubts about his identity, at least among his followers. Jesus is no longer an enigma but, indeed, sterling truth whose hand, when grasped, leads us to dignity and joy.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)
Although many Catholics take very seriously the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, others are quite nonchalant about it. Some of the latter would not hesitate to receive Communion after negligently missing Sunday Mass perhaps because they are unaware of its mandatory status. Luke’s gospel provides everyone food for consideration on the matter.
Today’s passage features Jesus entering the Temple for the first time. Of course, he isn’t attending Mass there, but he is giving worship. The gospel shows him in the Temple again when he is twelve and finally at the end of his sojourn when he enters Jerusalem to confront the evil powers. In all cases Jesus is at home there; indeed, he calls it “my Father’s house” (2:49).
As Jesus goes regularly to the Temple, we attend Mass in church on Sunday. Doing so once a week on the Lord’s Day as the Church commands makes a healthy rhythm. As Simeon claims in the passage, Jesus is the light. He illumines the way to real happiness in a world full of deceptive distractions. Unless we regularly receive the orientation we need from him, we are likely to lose our way.
(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)
Although many Catholics take very seriously the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, others are quite nonchalant about it. Some of the latter would not hesitate to receive Communion after negligently missing Sunday Mass perhaps because they are unaware of its mandatory status. Luke’s gospel provides everyone food for consideration on the matter.
Today’s passage features Jesus entering the Temple for the first time. Of course, he isn’t attending Mass there, but he is giving worship. The gospel shows him in the Temple again when he is twelve and finally at the end of his sojourn when he enters Jerusalem to confront the evil powers. In all cases Jesus is at home there; indeed, he calls it “my Father’s house” (2:49).
As Jesus goes regularly to the Temple, we attend Mass in church on Sunday. Doing so once a week on the Lord’s Day as the Church commands makes a healthy rhythm. As Simeon claims in the passage, Jesus is the light. He illumines the way to real happiness in a world full of deceptive distractions. Unless we regularly receive the orientation we need from him, we are likely to lose our way.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Samuel 24:2.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)
Parents today want their children to have cell phones so that they may have peace of mind. But their children may use the phones to get into all kinds of mischief. Cell phones, it might be said, are a mixed blessing with a downside as well as obvious benefits. The first reading today will present another innovation with a similar hidden disadvantage.
David’s census will give him a better understanding of his people. At least it will tell him who lives where so that he might tax them more equitably. But it will also tempt the king to count on numbers of deployable soldiers rather than turning to God for help when war threatens. For this reason God is punishing him. Faith in God is similarly the issue in the gospel. The people refuse to repent and believe as Jesus constantly teaches. Rather, they excuse themselves from accepting Jesus as God’s harbinger because they know where he comes from.
We often ask ourselves where faith in God ends and reliance on self, others, and objects begins. An old adage tells us: “Work as if everything depended on yourself, and pray as if everything depended upon God.” But this too seems somewhat ego laden. Yes, let us pray as if all depended upon God but let us work as God’s beloved children. We should recognize that God wants us to do our best without causing injury to ourselves and others.
(II Samuel 24:2.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)
Parents today want their children to have cell phones so that they may have peace of mind. But their children may use the phones to get into all kinds of mischief. Cell phones, it might be said, are a mixed blessing with a downside as well as obvious benefits. The first reading today will present another innovation with a similar hidden disadvantage.
David’s census will give him a better understanding of his people. At least it will tell him who lives where so that he might tax them more equitably. But it will also tempt the king to count on numbers of deployable soldiers rather than turning to God for help when war threatens. For this reason God is punishing him. Faith in God is similarly the issue in the gospel. The people refuse to repent and believe as Jesus constantly teaches. Rather, they excuse themselves from accepting Jesus as God’s harbinger because they know where he comes from.
We often ask ourselves where faith in God ends and reliance on self, others, and objects begins. An old adage tells us: “Work as if everything depended on yourself, and pray as if everything depended upon God.” But this too seems somewhat ego laden. Yes, let us pray as if all depended upon God but let us work as God’s beloved children. We should recognize that God wants us to do our best without causing injury to ourselves and others.
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
A priest, working in an all-male high school, was known to be a strict disciplinarian. At that time corporal punishment was still in vogue, and the priest regularly practiced it. But he was by and large loved, not resented, because he administered punishment with fairness. His slap didn’t leave any scars. Those who received them walked away not hurt but more sober about the importance of good behavior. We may see St. John Bosco as such an effective educator.
John Bosco lived in Italy during the nineteenth century. After being ordained, he gave himself to educating youth. In time he established a religious congregation to work with him. Both the mission and the congregation prospered. Today the Salesians, as his congregation is called, has many prominent members - including the only two cardinals of Central America - and very large numbers.
John Bosco saw Jesus as a model. In one letter he remarked how Jesus was kind, patient, and friendly. No doubt he would find today’s gospel portrait of the Lord especially instructive. Jesus gently takes the dead girl by the hand and tells her to get up. The evangelist Mark adds drama to the scene by using the original Aramaic language, “Talitha koum”. We are to speak to children with such gentleness, firmness, and clarity of purpose. They will respond positively to such directives. As importantly, Jesus will add to our grace for such imitation of his goodness.
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
A priest, working in an all-male high school, was known to be a strict disciplinarian. At that time corporal punishment was still in vogue, and the priest regularly practiced it. But he was by and large loved, not resented, because he administered punishment with fairness. His slap didn’t leave any scars. Those who received them walked away not hurt but more sober about the importance of good behavior. We may see St. John Bosco as such an effective educator.
John Bosco lived in Italy during the nineteenth century. After being ordained, he gave himself to educating youth. In time he established a religious congregation to work with him. Both the mission and the congregation prospered. Today the Salesians, as his congregation is called, has many prominent members - including the only two cardinals of Central America - and very large numbers.
John Bosco saw Jesus as a model. In one letter he remarked how Jesus was kind, patient, and friendly. No doubt he would find today’s gospel portrait of the Lord especially instructive. Jesus gently takes the dead girl by the hand and tells her to get up. The evangelist Mark adds drama to the scene by using the original Aramaic language, “Talitha koum”. We are to speak to children with such gentleness, firmness, and clarity of purpose. They will respond positively to such directives. As importantly, Jesus will add to our grace for such imitation of his goodness.
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