Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr

(Tobit 3:1-11a.16-17a; Mark 12:18-27)

An incident in the life of St. Boniface is reminiscent of the first reading today.  Boniface was an eighth century English monk who became a missionary to what is now northern Holland and Germany.  In evangelizing the native tribes, he came across an ancient oak tree that was sacred to their god Thor.  Boniface cut down the oak tree, and when the people saw that Thor was not going to punish the deed, they abandoned their pagan beliefs. 

The story recalls the supposed curse on the maiden Sarah in the Book of Tobit.  The obviously pedagogical tale speaks of the distressed woman whose seven husbands die before consummating their marriage.  She is said to be cursed by the demon Asmodeus whose influence will be expelled by the angel Raphael’s fish oil.

The stories taken together advises us on the grip superstition often has on people.  It should never deter us from doing what is right.  The question of the occult gives some pause here, but it is true that most of the time where demons are supposedly involved the root of the difficulty is superstitious belief.  Superstition, a sin against the First Commandment, must be resisted.  If it continues to bother us, we should pray for courage to confront it squarely. 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Tobit 2:9-14; Mark 12:13-17)

Joe Louis was one of the greatest boxing champions because of his readiness to take on all challengers.  He defended his heavyweight champion title a record twenty-five times.  If you don’t mind the comparison, Jesus in the gospel these days is confronted by different opponents who resent his popularity among the people.  He has no more trouble putting down their arguments than the “Brown Bomber” in conquering all foes.

In today’s passage an unlikely alliance of Pharisees and Herodians  questions Jesus on the controversial  issue of the census tax.  The people thought the tax unjust, but few wanted to invite reprisal by speaking against it openly.  So the band asks Jesus openly of his opinion of the tax.  Jesus sniffs out the conspiracy and responds quite deftly by avoiding the issue.  In the process he wins even more fame among the people.

In this case Jesus appears as much clever as wise.  But more to the point is his consistent trust in God.  He stands composed because he knows that his Father is with him – not merely through intuition but by constant prayer.  In this way we should follow his example.  It is better not to strategize to outwit those who take opposite positions from us in debates.  No, we should to pray for God’s enlightenment with due effort to comprehend the issue at hand.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs

(Tobit 1:3.2:1a-8; Mark 12:1-12)

For most of the second half of the twentieth century Chicago was governed by the Daley machine.  People throughout the country were aghast at the corruption, but the local populace, prospering economically, did not mind the patronage.  It seemed to take pride in the statement made by a city alderman, “Chicago ain’t ready for reform.”  Jesus can be seen as preaching against such a system in today’s gospel.

The parable of the vineyard is a thinly veiled indictment of the Jewish leadership who stand before him.  It insinuates that the chief priests, scribes and elders are abusing the trust God has placed in them.  Instead of caring for the people, it argues that they make a profit for themselves.  It further prophesizes that in time the Jewish leaders will kill Jesus himself but for this act, they will be severely punished.

Courage, of course, is required to speak up against improper governance.  Similar to Jesus in the gospel, today’s saint, Charles Lwanga of Uganda, was martyred for admonishing his king for outrageous behavior.  Prudence is always necessary when making public outcries, but prudence joins forces with courage to speak truth to power when the situation demands it.  

Friday, May 31, 2013

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

Some parents say that they do not wish to baptize their children because Baptism would prejudice the way their children look at the world.  Echoing the thought, young people claim to suspend their belief so that they might experience the world in new ways.  The serious believer, however, knows that these stratagems actually put one at a definite disadvantage, like not getting eyeglasses when one is noticeably near-sighted.  The gospel portrays Mary as eminently believing and therefore able to foresee the blessings that God will accomplish in Jesus.

Mary visits Elizabeth not to test what the angel told her but because she believes that it is true.  Elizabeth herself recognizes this faith when she exclaims to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed what was spoken to you by the Lord…”  Then Mary voices her famous song praising God for what will be accomplished in Jesus – remembering His promise of mercy and filling the hungry with good things.

Dazzled by the products of science and technology, some see faith as increasingly heavier baggage.  They want it all – the surety of faith and the autonomy of not committing themselves to any worldview.  Some even try to rationalize the question positing that they do not have the gift of faith.  But they likely do have faith.  God has offered it to most of us if not through our parents then through blessed companions all the way.  Rather than try to put it on hold, we would rationally allow it, as Mary does in the gospel, to bring us unmerited rewards.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

Ministers working in hospitals are accustomed to patients saying that they will contact them after being discharged.  But such communication seldom takes place.  It is not that the patients speak insincerely, but that they lack the spiritual energy to revisit the place of confinement.  Bartimaeus in the gospel today would be an exception to this observation.  Jesus sends him away, but he steadfastly follows Jesus.

The passage is a healing story laced with irony.  Bartimaeus does not see Jesus with his eyes but possesses faith in him, which is another way of seeing.  He acknowledges Jesus as “’son of David’” meaning that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.  By restoring his physical sight, Jesus confirms the efficacy of Bartimaeus’ faith.  Although one might argue that in obedience to Jesus, Bartimaeus should have gone his own way, his faith is more coherent for following the one whom he believes will liberate Israel from bondage.

Few of us called to a radical following of Jesus like Bartimaeus embarks.  Nevertheless, if, like Bartimaeus, we acknowledge Jesus as the savior of the people, we must conform ourselves to him spiritually.  This means not only that we accept the suffering that comes our way, but also that we go out of our way to share the burden of those who may be hurting more than we.