Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)

In the first three gospels when Jesus is tried by the Jews, he is accused of calling himself the “son of God.”  In the long discourse from John’s gospel today, Jesus defends that position.  Differences between the so-called synoptic gospels and John are apparent to all readers, but quite typically careful readers will find that they give basically the same message.

Jesus defends his relationship of being God’s son in two ways.  First, he claims to do the work of the Father which is to give life.  We might keep in mind that sons through the ages -- and certainly in first century Palestine -- often took upon themselves the occupation of their fathers.  If their father was a carpenter, they would likely become carpenters.  Thus, being thought the son of Joseph, Jesus is alternately called the carpenter’s son and a carpenter.  In yesterday’s gospel Jesus did the work of God, his true father, by healing – a form of giving life which is God’s prerogative.  Second, Jesus does the work of God by judging, that is by vindicating the good.  He vindicates the good by giving life to those who believe in him.

Today’s gospel is prepping us to celebrate the Easter mysteries.  Then we will be challenged to believe the proclamation of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection from the dead.  Expressing faith by assenting to this proclamation and living accordingly, we will receive the eternal life they promise.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)

Water has been long associated with healing.  Hindu pilgrims come in myriads to the Ganges River in hope of cures.  Western believers imbibe the spring waters at Lourdes praying for a miracle.  Natural baths the world over have devotees seeking their medicinal effects.

The reading from Ezekiel today manifests the healing power of the Jerusalem temple by describing it as the source of water.  The liquid begins as trickle emerging from its threshold and quickly grows in volume.  As it leaves the structure’s confines, it becomes a torrent that irrigates fruit trees providing both food and medicine.  In the gospel Jesus shows his ability to cure as ever more efficacious.  He instantaneously heals the sick man who lacks the wherewithal to plunge himself into the temple waters. 

We may see Jesus as a kind of river of plenty.  Like the Ganges, he heals us of infirmities.  Like the Nile in Egypt, he provides us the means for sustenance.  Like the Mississippi in the United States, he transports us home.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4: 43-54)

The third part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah was composed after the Exile.  For years the people of Jerusalem suffered in a foreign land.  Now they are back home although their trials have not ended.  The prophet says, in effect, “Enough is enough,” and foretells a time of plenty.  The passage should reflect our Lenten experience to date. 

We have passed the watershed on our Lenten journey.  Hopefully, we have been freed of the attachments to material goods that keep us from loving as we should.  Now we can focus on Jesus’ promise of eternal life.

The gospel manifests the promise’s fulfillment.  Jesus challenges the royal official to trust in him.  As soon as he does, his request for the cure of his son is granted.  The passage emphasizes, however, more than recovered health.  Three times it speaks of the boy living.  It adds that the official’s whole household, obviously including the son, comes to believe.  Their lives will endure death to experience unimaginable dimensions of life.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday of the Third Week in Lent

(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)

Hosea is considered a “minor prophet” because his writings are not as extensive as Isaiah’s, Jeremiah’s, or Ezekiel’s.  Yet he writes with extraordinary simplicity and beauty.  His audience is the northern kingdom of Israel, sometimes called Ephraim or Samaria.  Blessed with abundance, Israel dabbles in idolatry which Hosea symbolizes by taking a harlot for a wife. 

In today’s passage Hosea pleads with Israel to repent.  The nation is not to trust any more in foreign alliances, much less in golden idols.  Rather it should walk the path of God’s righteousness and count on Him.  Jesus gives a parallel formulation for arriving in the kingdom of God in today’s gospel. 

We may practice similar infidelity.  If we idolize actors or athletes, giving them our attention and not the word of God, Hosea’s warnings are for us.  Similarly, if we confide in gossipers or slanders, we are guilty of untoward alliances which call for repentance.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs

(Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23)

Today the Church celebrates two illustrious martyrs.  They are African women, Perpetua and Felicity.  Perpetua was a noblewoman who became a Christian.  Felicity was her slave.  During one of the periodic persecutions Perpetua’s father pleaded with her to be, as it were, politically correct and express fidelity to the gods of Rome.  She wouldn’t have had to renounce Christianity only to include the Roman gods in her prayers.  But she would have none of it.  Knowing that expressing dual loyalties in matters of faith is like living in a house divided, she persisted in her Christian belief and was summarily executed.

In today’s gospel Jesus presents what may be called the original “house divided speech.”  He tells his detractors that he cannot cast out demons and still be in Satan’s league.  Rather, his allegiance is to God the King who has empowered him to act in his name.

As Satan cannot rule if people are not aligned with him, we have to make sure that we stand with Jesus.  His humility and compassion move us away from the passing world of sin towards eternal life with God.