Thursday, October 3, 2013

Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(Nehemiah 8:1-4a.5-6.7b-12; Luke 10:1-12)

Almost a year ago the United States was enthralled by a freshly told story of Abraham Lincoln.  Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln astounded the nation by the portrayal of the sixteenth president’s righteousness and integrity, his political acumen and his patriotism.  The movie no doubt invoked many tears as it showed the depth of sacrifice made by the country’s greatest statesman.  A very similar dynamic is at work in the first reading today.

The scribe-priest Ezra stands up before the people to read Israel’s Law.  He is not reciting a code of rules but the history of the people’s salvation.  He reads of Abraham and Jacob, of Moses and Pharaoh.  But most of all, Ezra tells of God’s care for Israel.  He recounts how God gave Abraham and Sarah a child when the couple had lost hope of descendants.  And how He rescued the Israelites from servitude in Egypt and formed them into a community worthy of His name.  No wonder that the people want to cry!

Christians can claim the story of the Patriarchs and the Exodus as their own, but we have an even greater love story to contemplate.  We speak of Jesus, God’s own son, who took on human form so that we might know God’s definitive will and be strengthened to do it.  We too weep at the boldness of God’s compassion on us and can never give Him enough thanks.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

(Nehemiah 2:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10)

We should not understand the gospel today to mean that only children have guardian angels.  Jesus’ vision is more inclusive than that.  Each of us is protected by angels, the distributors of God’s mercy.  This truth is evidenced in the whole passage of which today’s reading forms the beginning and middle.  

Jesus warns his disciples that they are to look after weak Christians who stray from the faith.  In a recent novel a young pastor gets wind that a new member of his congregation is having an adulterous affair.  He goes to investigate one evening and sees a woman leaving the man’s apartment.  Not waiting to investigate further, the pastor confronts his parishioner.  He tells the adulterer to stay away from Sunday worship until he has chosen definitively for the Lord.  The man knows what he must do and ends the affair. 

When errant Christians stop praying or when they choose sinful pleasure over doing God’s will, we are to assist their return to righteousness.  It may be counter-productive to confront sinners head on, but we can always pray for them.  Jesus makes clear that if his disciples fail to intervene in some way, they will face dire consequences since weak Christians also have angels in direct communication with God.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

(Zechariah 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Little flower,

in this hour

show thy power.

An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion prays this prayer as she visits hospital patients.  As St. Therese of the Child Jesus often appears, the prayer exudes simplicity and faith.  Over the years it has given solace to many sick people.  It also reflects the way of Jesus in the gospel today.

The disciples are insulted by the Samaritan townspeople’s rejection of Jesus.  James and John want to destroy their village with fire.  But Jesus has a better way of showing authority.  He ignores the affront and moves on to Jerusalem where his power will be seen in the cross and the resurrection.

The life of St. Therese of Lisieux is at once very different and very similar to that of Jesus.  As such it serves as a model for all of us.  She lived in a monastery and died of natural causes.  Jesus, of course, was an itinerant preacher who died on a cross.  Both, however, gave themselves to perfect love of God and neighbor.  We should do likewise.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Memorial of St. Jerome, priest

(Zechariah 8: 8:1-8; Luke 9:46-50)

The family came to the priest with a problem.  They were not Catholic but were seeking his advice because they believed priests know about much spiritual matters.  They said that the daughter, who was present, spends a lot of time in a nearby cemetery talking with the dead.  They added that they had just begun visited a non-denominational church.  What advice could the priest give them?  Perhaps Jesus provides an answer in the gospel.

Jesus warns his followers of Christ to beware of thinking of themselves as the greatest. He wants them to serve, not to look for praise.  They are not even to see themselves as Jesus’ exclusive helpers.  People of different communities may render valuable service calling on his name. 

In accord with Jesus’ will, the priest prayed with the family and recommended that the child have counseling – perhaps a school psychologist or even the pastor at the church they seemed to like.  Certainly the Catholic Church would be able to assist the girl, but more critical at this point is that the family find professional help that the girl may obtain a firm grip on reality. 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:18-22)

St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity to take care of the poor.  When some began to worry because their mission would take them away from common prayer, Vincent told them that the concern was not justified.  He said that they were leaving Christ to go to Christ.  In today’s gospel we see Jesus in a similar disguise.

Peter correctly reveals the identity when he calls him “the Christ of God.”  But Jesus tells him and the others not to talk about it because the identity could only be misunderstood.  Jesus is not one to rule with an army and judge with a police force.  Rather he comes as one anointed (the root of the word Christ) to serve the people.  He is a teacher and a leader whom the people voluntarily follow.

Christ does not walk among us to day but that does not mean he is not present.  One of the more acute modes of his presence is the poor.  By assisting them we have an opportunity to know his love and to realize his promise.