Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Fasting – Isaiah in effect denies it in the first reading today, and Jesus delays it in the gospel. There is, therefore, cause to wonder about its worth.
Medics often demand that patients fast before undertaking certain procedures. Of course, people needing to lose weight regularly fast for salutary reasons. Religious traditions, despite the reservations of the readings today, have long considered a way to purification. Not only does it allow the body to purge itself of contaminants; it represents a victory over one’s often excessive appetite.
Catholics in Lent are bound to fast only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That is, only on these two days are we not allowed to eat between meals. But individual, more strenuous fasting is encouraged. Skipping a meal and even passing an entire day without eating can express genuine love for the Lord. Still, God has decreed that the fasting that pleases Him most is working so that all may enjoy the freedom without which fasting cannot be a willful act of love but an inescapable necessity out of want.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
According to a famous legend, when the Alamo in Texas was being besieged by Mexican forces, the officer in charge, William Travis, drew a line in the ground with his sword. He told the remaining defenders that each had to choose for himself whether to leave the compound, evidently with safe passage, or to cross the line and fight the Mexicans until death. In the readings today both Moses and Jesus figuratively draw such a line in the sand.
In the first reading Moses gives the Israelites a clear option. They may choose life by living according to the Lord’s commandments in the land which they are about to enter. On the other hand, they may ignore the commands, worship the gods of the native peoples, and lead dissolute lives. Jesus’ option is similar. His disciples may either imitate his self-denial in pursuit of divine love or they may follow their own often selfish instincts.
Each Lent we are to renew our decision to follow Jesus. Like athletes training for competition, we discipline our bodies to respond to what our minds enlightened by grace know is right. Of course, it is hard at first. Not drinking coffee or not daily kneeling to say the rosary seems like self-punishment with an unforeseeable end. But we soon realize that time passes quickly, that the sacrifices have palpable benefits, and that Jesus is at our side for support. Lent is not the drudgery that some imagine. Rather it is the springboard to new life.
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
According to a famous legend, when the Alamo in Texas was being besieged by Mexican forces, the officer in charge, William Travis, drew a line in the ground with his sword. He told the remaining defenders that each had to choose for himself whether to leave the compound, evidently with safe passage, or to cross the line and fight the Mexicans until death. In the readings today both Moses and Jesus figuratively draw such a line in the sand.
In the first reading Moses gives the Israelites a clear option. They may choose life by living according to the Lord’s commandments in the land which they are about to enter. On the other hand, they may ignore the commands, worship the gods of the native peoples, and lead dissolute lives. Jesus’ option is similar. His disciples may either imitate his self-denial in pursuit of divine love or they may follow their own often selfish instincts.
Each Lent we are to renew our decision to follow Jesus. Like athletes training for competition, we discipline our bodies to respond to what our minds enlightened by grace know is right. Of course, it is hard at first. Not drinking coffee or not daily kneeling to say the rosary seems like self-punishment with an unforeseeable end. But we soon realize that time passes quickly, that the sacrifices have palpable benefits, and that Jesus is at our side for support. Lent is not the drudgery that some imagine. Rather it is the springboard to new life.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ash Wednesday
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the American classic, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she is to wear a red letter A for adulteress on her clothing at all times. Stoically bearing the mark of disgrace, she goes about town with her daughter eking out a living by assisting others. As years pass, the townspeople forget about Hester’s crime. They only admire the care that she bestows on everyone and come to think of the A on her clothing as meaning angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much and have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should redouble our efforts to fast, pray, help others, and provide for the poor this Lent season. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will erase our sins from the ledger like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally meant. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for our virtues, not for our faults.
So let us joyfully take up the disciplines of Lent knowing that they will lead to our renewal. A generation ago some preachers recommended that people should focus on only positive practices during Lent. That advice, though sincerely made, seems to lack full understanding of how severely sin has affected humans. We should, as well, discipline the desire for constant gratification of our appetites. Efforts on both fronts will draw us closer to God.
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the American classic, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she is to wear a red letter A for adulteress on her clothing at all times. Stoically bearing the mark of disgrace, she goes about town with her daughter eking out a living by assisting others. As years pass, the townspeople forget about Hester’s crime. They only admire the care that she bestows on everyone and come to think of the A on her clothing as meaning angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much and have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should redouble our efforts to fast, pray, help others, and provide for the poor this Lent season. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will erase our sins from the ledger like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally meant. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for our virtues, not for our faults.
So let us joyfully take up the disciplines of Lent knowing that they will lead to our renewal. A generation ago some preachers recommended that people should focus on only positive practices during Lent. That advice, though sincerely made, seems to lack full understanding of how severely sin has affected humans. We should, as well, discipline the desire for constant gratification of our appetites. Efforts on both fronts will draw us closer to God.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)
Sometimes on Saturday mornings around large cities small groups of people walk on the sidewalks of streets where walkers usually are alone and at that very few. “What’s going on?” one wonders. Then it is noticed that the men among the walkers wear hats and have beards. The conclusion is quickly reached: these are Orthodox Jews duly observing the Sabbath which for them means no strenuous activity, not even to the extent of driving a car. The custom is taken from today’s reading from Genesis.
Orthodox Jews take seriously the phrase that God made the seventh day holy by blessing it and resting from work. They see it as a time apart signifying their freedom. That is, aware that humans may be enslaved as much by inner impulses as by exterior forces, they demonstrate their mastery over the obsession “to get things done” by desisting from all kinds of work. Furthermore, they recognize the Sabbath as foreshadowing the eternal life which God is preparing for His faithful when no one will have to work anymore.
Christians, of course, have transferred the Sabbath to Sunday, the eighth day signifying their new creation in Jesus’ resurrection. But we retain much of the meaning of the Jewish tradition. We don’t have qualms about driving at least short distances on Sunday, but we too know that the day is best spent in the Lord’s company at church and then in joyful repast with family and friends.
(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)
Sometimes on Saturday mornings around large cities small groups of people walk on the sidewalks of streets where walkers usually are alone and at that very few. “What’s going on?” one wonders. Then it is noticed that the men among the walkers wear hats and have beards. The conclusion is quickly reached: these are Orthodox Jews duly observing the Sabbath which for them means no strenuous activity, not even to the extent of driving a car. The custom is taken from today’s reading from Genesis.
Orthodox Jews take seriously the phrase that God made the seventh day holy by blessing it and resting from work. They see it as a time apart signifying their freedom. That is, aware that humans may be enslaved as much by inner impulses as by exterior forces, they demonstrate their mastery over the obsession “to get things done” by desisting from all kinds of work. Furthermore, they recognize the Sabbath as foreshadowing the eternal life which God is preparing for His faithful when no one will have to work anymore.
Christians, of course, have transferred the Sabbath to Sunday, the eighth day signifying their new creation in Jesus’ resurrection. But we retain much of the meaning of the Jewish tradition. We don’t have qualms about driving at least short distances on Sunday, but we too know that the day is best spent in the Lord’s company at church and then in joyful repast with family and friends.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
(Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56)
A young man was dying of cancer. When the medical system seemed unable to save him, his mother took him to Lourdes. There they experienced a miracle of sorts. The man died not long afterward their return, but witnessing the faith of so many pilgrims took away both the mother’s and the son’s fear of death. In the gospel Jesus himself provides a similar source of relief.
Jesus does not have to touch those who came to him for healing, let alone pray over them. The text quite clearly says that the people only had to touch “the tassel on his cloak” to be cured. Obviously, the evangelist wants to express the power of Jesus over the forces of destruction.
Today, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is also World Day of the Sick. The sick are invited to both pray to Jesus for physical and spiritual support and to suffer with Jesus for the salvation of others. We might think of our relationship to the sick as having a similar dual character. As Jesus healed their infirmities, we visit the sick in solidarity. And as Jesus was tortured and crucified, we see in the sick his image and offer to them whatever help we can give.
(Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56)
A young man was dying of cancer. When the medical system seemed unable to save him, his mother took him to Lourdes. There they experienced a miracle of sorts. The man died not long afterward their return, but witnessing the faith of so many pilgrims took away both the mother’s and the son’s fear of death. In the gospel Jesus himself provides a similar source of relief.
Jesus does not have to touch those who came to him for healing, let alone pray over them. The text quite clearly says that the people only had to touch “the tassel on his cloak” to be cured. Obviously, the evangelist wants to express the power of Jesus over the forces of destruction.
Today, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is also World Day of the Sick. The sick are invited to both pray to Jesus for physical and spiritual support and to suffer with Jesus for the salvation of others. We might think of our relationship to the sick as having a similar dual character. As Jesus healed their infirmities, we visit the sick in solidarity. And as Jesus was tortured and crucified, we see in the sick his image and offer to them whatever help we can give.
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