Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Isaiah 38:1-6.21-22.7-8; Matthew 12:1-8)
In 1998 Pope John Paul II published an apostolic letter entitled, “The Lord’s Day.” In it he tried to awaken Catholics to the glory of reserving one day a week for prayer, family, and renewal. With this message he challenged the secularizing tendency of stretching Sunday into a weekend given to fulfilling individualistic ambitions. The letter is vintage JP II: fully human, deeply reflective, and imminently devout.
In the Gospel reading today Jesus provides his own reflection on the Sabbath. Of course, for him it is the last day of the week, not its first. As in Orthodox Jewish communities today, the Sabbath in Jesus’ time is rigorously prescribed: no cooking, no walking beyond what amounts to a kilometer, no jumping or handclapping. Jesus does not doubt the validity of these disciplines, but he does allow for exceptions. What is truly remarkable here, however, is his reserving for himself the authority to dispense with Sabbath restrictions by declaring that he is “’Lord of the Sabbath.’” As the Sabbath rest and its promise of eternal life are among God’s greatest gifts to humankind, by declaring himself its Lord Jesus once again implies that he is God!
Do we feel a twinge of remorse when we head to the mall or go to the office on Sunday? It would not be unhealthy if we did. It is not that such actions are sinful in themselves. Jesus argues for the necessity of similar deeds in critical situations. But still we should not let exceptions prevent us from giving him definite consideration every Sunday. After all, he is “Lord of the Sabbath.”
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30)
Franciscan Friar of Renewal Benedict Groeschel describes how Mother Teresa once asked him if he wanted to be more productive. Of course, he did. Then Mother Teresa told him that he should make a holy hour every day. When Fr. Benedict objected that he was too busy for that, Mother Teresa only chided him that he really did not want to do more. Fr. Benedict finally surrendered to the idea, and the outcome has been abundance in preaching, writing, and harvesting vocations. In today’s gospel Jesus offers the overworked the same option.
In the text Jesus effectively equates himself with Law. He says that where many find the 613 precepts of the Law unbearable, they will find his way a life quite refreshing. The reason for the difference is not that Jesus’ discipline is any less demanding but that it is accompanied by an inner attitude of joy. He is a joy to be around because he knows when to rest and when to work, when to laugh and when to cry.
Too often we put unnecessary burdens on ourselves. We believe that we have to become rich or important, for example. A truly happy life comes from following Jesus. It is not always an easy life, but it not only provides worthy companions to share our load but promises eternity.
(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30)
Franciscan Friar of Renewal Benedict Groeschel describes how Mother Teresa once asked him if he wanted to be more productive. Of course, he did. Then Mother Teresa told him that he should make a holy hour every day. When Fr. Benedict objected that he was too busy for that, Mother Teresa only chided him that he really did not want to do more. Fr. Benedict finally surrendered to the idea, and the outcome has been abundance in preaching, writing, and harvesting vocations. In today’s gospel Jesus offers the overworked the same option.
In the text Jesus effectively equates himself with Law. He says that where many find the 613 precepts of the Law unbearable, they will find his way a life quite refreshing. The reason for the difference is not that Jesus’ discipline is any less demanding but that it is accompanied by an inner attitude of joy. He is a joy to be around because he knows when to rest and when to work, when to laugh and when to cry.
Too often we put unnecessary burdens on ourselves. We believe that we have to become rich or important, for example. A truly happy life comes from following Jesus. It is not always an easy life, but it not only provides worthy companions to share our load but promises eternity.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Isaiah 10:5-7.13b-16; Mathew 11:25-27)
According to a contemporary proverb, when life deals one lemons, she is to make lemonade. It may appear Pollyannaish, but it might be said that Jesus is up to something similar in today’s gospel.
The tenor of today’s reading differs so dramatically from yesterday’s that they seem to come from different parts of the gospel if not different gospels altogether. Yet they follow one another as surely as calf and cow. In yesterday’s gospel Jesus complained that Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum will not reform despite the fact that he has shown them God’s mighty deeds. But Jesus refuses to sulk. Rather in today’s verses, that directly follow the lament on the three towns, Jesus thanks God for revealing His glory to the humble.
The passage reassures us that we do not have to be rich, schooled, or intelligent to be enlightened by God. As a matter of fact the situation is quite the contrary. When we humbly submit to God in prayer and righteousness, He will reveal to us His truth.
(Isaiah 10:5-7.13b-16; Mathew 11:25-27)
According to a contemporary proverb, when life deals one lemons, she is to make lemonade. It may appear Pollyannaish, but it might be said that Jesus is up to something similar in today’s gospel.
The tenor of today’s reading differs so dramatically from yesterday’s that they seem to come from different parts of the gospel if not different gospels altogether. Yet they follow one another as surely as calf and cow. In yesterday’s gospel Jesus complained that Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum will not reform despite the fact that he has shown them God’s mighty deeds. But Jesus refuses to sulk. Rather in today’s verses, that directly follow the lament on the three towns, Jesus thanks God for revealing His glory to the humble.
The passage reassures us that we do not have to be rich, schooled, or intelligent to be enlightened by God. As a matter of fact the situation is quite the contrary. When we humbly submit to God in prayer and righteousness, He will reveal to us His truth.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24)
In a painting of Blessed (soon to be Saint) Kateri Tekakwitha, the maiden grasps a cross with both hands. The work is entitled “Holding on to Faith,” perhaps because Kateri, a native American, had to flee her tribe in order to maintain the Catholic faith she had embraced. Faith further moved her to vow virginity and to dedicate herself to charitable works. It is the kind of faith that the prophet Isaiah calls for in the first reading today.
Isaiah is something of a court prophet who advises the king. Ahaz, the king of Judah, worries as his realm is besieged by two neighboring powers. Should he form an alliance to withstand the onslaught? Isaiah warns the king that politics will not save him. Instead, the prophet insists, he must trust in the Lord. As Isaiah says, “Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm.”
At times we may be tempted to abandon our faith for some social goal. Perhaps we would join a non-Catholic Christian community to have our children get a good education. Or maybe the temptation is to stop going to church in order to become part of an elite group of non-believers. In such situations we need to remember Isaiah’s advice. We will be strong as long as our faith is strong.
(Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24)
In a painting of Blessed (soon to be Saint) Kateri Tekakwitha, the maiden grasps a cross with both hands. The work is entitled “Holding on to Faith,” perhaps because Kateri, a native American, had to flee her tribe in order to maintain the Catholic faith she had embraced. Faith further moved her to vow virginity and to dedicate herself to charitable works. It is the kind of faith that the prophet Isaiah calls for in the first reading today.
Isaiah is something of a court prophet who advises the king. Ahaz, the king of Judah, worries as his realm is besieged by two neighboring powers. Should he form an alliance to withstand the onslaught? Isaiah warns the king that politics will not save him. Instead, the prophet insists, he must trust in the Lord. As Isaiah says, “Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm.”
At times we may be tempted to abandon our faith for some social goal. Perhaps we would join a non-Catholic Christian community to have our children get a good education. Or maybe the temptation is to stop going to church in order to become part of an elite group of non-believers. In such situations we need to remember Isaiah’s advice. We will be strong as long as our faith is strong.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
(Isaiah 1:10-17; Matthew 10:34-11.1)
Today the Church celebrates Our Lady of Mount Carmel who is said to have appeared to the leader of the Carmelite Order in the middle of the thirteenth century. Having experienced different trials, Mary reputedly told St. Simon Stock that she would protect those wearing a brown scapular. Historians now question the veracity of the vision, but Carmelites rightly profess that wearing the scapular as a sign that following Jesus by way of Mary gains the Blessed Mother’s intercession. What should not be forgotten, as the reading from Isaiah reminds us, is the necessity to also assist one’s neighbors.
Isaiah lives in Jerusalem where one of the main activities is offering sacrifice to God in the Temple. The offerings are prescribed by the Mosaic Law, but carrying them out does not alone make one righteous. Even more important, as the prophet makes clear, is caring for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
Jesus, of course, fulfills all the requirements of righteousness. In fact, he is the only person to do so completely. He meets the needs of the vulnerable and eventually offers himself as the perfect sacrifice. The Father does not demand that Jesus shed his blood on the cross as many people think. But He does require everyone to abide by His commands. In Jesus’ case, fulfilling God’s will entails submitting himself to human power, which is always risky. Our sins erect Jesus’ cross. God raises him from the dead as a sign of his victory over sin and our hope for eternal glory.
(Isaiah 1:10-17; Matthew 10:34-11.1)
Today the Church celebrates Our Lady of Mount Carmel who is said to have appeared to the leader of the Carmelite Order in the middle of the thirteenth century. Having experienced different trials, Mary reputedly told St. Simon Stock that she would protect those wearing a brown scapular. Historians now question the veracity of the vision, but Carmelites rightly profess that wearing the scapular as a sign that following Jesus by way of Mary gains the Blessed Mother’s intercession. What should not be forgotten, as the reading from Isaiah reminds us, is the necessity to also assist one’s neighbors.
Isaiah lives in Jerusalem where one of the main activities is offering sacrifice to God in the Temple. The offerings are prescribed by the Mosaic Law, but carrying them out does not alone make one righteous. Even more important, as the prophet makes clear, is caring for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
Jesus, of course, fulfills all the requirements of righteousness. In fact, he is the only person to do so completely. He meets the needs of the vulnerable and eventually offers himself as the perfect sacrifice. The Father does not demand that Jesus shed his blood on the cross as many people think. But He does require everyone to abide by His commands. In Jesus’ case, fulfilling God’s will entails submitting himself to human power, which is always risky. Our sins erect Jesus’ cross. God raises him from the dead as a sign of his victory over sin and our hope for eternal glory.
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