Friday, August 16, 2013

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Joshua 24:1-13; Matthew 19:3-12)

Jesus claims in today’s gospel that the only case in which married people may divorce is porneia.  The New American Bible translates this Greek word very generally as unlawful.  Thus, it seems that any infraction of the Church’s canons regarding the legitimacy of a marriage would give grounds for divorce.  Biblical scholars, however, find a much more restrictive meaning to the word – an incestuous relationship.  Paul attests that this occurred among Christians in Corinth and insists not that the people involved may divorce but that they must.

The Church rightfully upholds the indissolubility of marriage.  It is plainly God’s will as Jesus explains.  The real question is whether it is right in making as many exceptions as it does.  Many ridicule the Church for doing so by calling annulments “Catholic divorce.”  But the Church has an exulted view of marriage that goes beyond superficial promises and physical consummation.  It expects people to know what they are promising, to believe in the efficacy in what they are saying, and to have the power of spirit to carry out their assumed responsibilities.  Anything less in its view is not a true marriage.

Because marriage is so central to human living, it must be supervised with extreme care.  The Church proceeds to do so by trying to provide adequate preparation, by allowing for annulments when couples won’t or can’t take that preparation seriously, and by not granting divorces on a whim.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 19a.12:1-6a.10ab; I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

Biblical scholar Fr. Raymond E. Brown, being concerned about ecumenical relations, tried to reassure his Protestant colleagues that Catholic traditions are not as unbiblical as detractors claim.  Regarding Catholic teachings about Mary, he pointed out that what the Church professes of Mary, she generally envisions for all Christians.  With this perspective we can say that although extraordinary, the dogma of Mary’s Assumption - body and soul - into heaven is essentially what most Christians believe is the ultimate destiny of all faithful followers of Christ.  The reading from First Corinthians hints at a progression.  It states that Christ was raised as the first fruits of redemption, then those who belong to Christ. The dogma of the Assumption interjects Mary in the “proper order” to which St. Paul alludes.  She, the Church has declared, is raised after her son by reason of her exceptional life of grace and before all others.

The doctrine of the immortal soul has clouded appreciation of the resurrection of the body which we believe awaits us.  Although the soul or life’s breath somehow has existence outside the body, it originates with the body and depends on the body for development.  The body is not just a container for the soul as a pitcher for water so that any body might contain my soul as any pitcher can contain the same water. No, the body interacts with the soul such that it helps shape who I am.  My height, weight, health, etc. contribute to how my soul sees, judges, and lives.  When I die, my soul will yearn until the end of time for reunification with my body.  The doctrine of the Assumption reassures us that this is bound to happen. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kobe, priest and martyr

(Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 8:15-20)

St. Maximilian Kobe’s martyrdom has been contested.  It has been said that he did not die in defense of his faith but for his generosity.  The facts of his case are that he substituted himself for a fellow prisoner in a concentration camp whom the Nazis arbitrarily chose for execution when another prisoner escaped.  However, it must be remembered that martyrdom means witnessing one’s faith which St. Maximilian’s heroic act of love did.

In the gospel Jesus instructs his disciples on how to give further testimonies to faith.  He says that when wronged, a disciple is to be direct and discreet.  He or she is to go to the one who gave offense, make the charge to the person, and hopefully receive an apology so that forgiveness may be extended.  If there is doubt about the facts of the case, the offended party is to bring a few witnesses to testify to what happened.  Jesus in no way recommends mass denunciation much less retaliation.  Christian witness always does what is truly loving.

Love never ignores the truth but seeks the true benefit of others.  Sometimes it demands that we take a stand that may be inconvenient or even more costly.  We do it out of solidarity with the Lord Jesus.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)

University students are especially preoccupied that their sports teams are considered the best; that is, rated number one.  They will chant incessantly as their teams compile an undefeated record, “We’re number one!”  The concern may be truly called sophomoric in light of today’s gospel.

The disciples come to Jesus with the question, “Who is first in the Kingdom of God?”  Pointedly Jesus ignores the concern to give a lesson on service.  He tells them that they must humble themselves like a child so that they may respond to the needs of others.

It is hard to give up our sense of self-importance.  We want to be appreciated for what we do.  But Jesus is reminding us again that we do not earn heaven on our own.  It comes as grace from God to which we respond with the eagerness of children trying to please their parents.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Matthew 17:22-27)

In his landmark “Gettysburg Address” Abraham Lincoln appealed to the “Declaration of Independence” in exhortation that the nation carry on the struggle for a united nation.  He said that the government founded to protect the freedom of all peoples is worth dying for.  In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses makes a similar argument. 

The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land.  They have every reason to hope that they and their children will have all the resources they will need to live in prosperity.  But Moses, conveying the will of God, wants for them more than that.  He wants them to fulfill their destiny of being a model of God’s justice.  So he exhorts them to remember God’s graciousness to them and to their ancestors.  He is especially concerned that they treat other peoples fairly for, he says, “…you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.”

As mass immigration has become a reality in all parts of the world, we should highlight these words of Moses.  It is difficult to sojourn in different lands with different customs and a different language.  Immigrants need understanding, fairness and even compassion.  Such treatment would show our solidarity not just across national boundaries but among generations.