Thursday, May 1, 2014

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36)

Political correctness requires that everyone accepts “homosexual marriage.”  Proponents of the issue claim that it will facilitate social inclusion for a group which has been ostracized or belittled throughout history.  They pass over the reality that “homosexual marriage” distorts the perennial understanding of the term marriage and will likely result in a number of negative consequences.  Among these are the devaluation of the institution of marriage, the reduction of births and resultant diminution of culture, and manifold social pathologies.  In the first reading today the apostles are admonished for refusing to conform to a similar demand of political correctness.

Jewish leadership would not mind the disciples of Jesus praying to their Lord silently.  What bothers them is the open proclamation of Jesus’ name because they executed him.  Intimidating them has not succeeded. Now, according to the text, the Jewish leaders want to kill the disciples.  As we will hear tomorrow, a wise man in their midst will convince the leaders not to act rashly.

Followers of Christ need to develop a sensor for political correctness.  We should be wary of those who would forsake the truth out of a desire for power.  But we should also remember that following Christ we speak the truth in love.  Proponents of causes such as “homosexual marriage” often are well-intentioned and possessive of wisdom.  To benefit all concerned we must engage them in intelligent and respectful dialogue.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

An elderly man carries a large magnifying glass wherever he goes.  He admits, however, that the glass does not do much good without sufficient light.  In fact, he says, good lighting is more helpful for reading than the magnifying glass.  In today’s gospel Jesus is presented as the transformative light which turns good motives into virtuous acts.

The text emphasizes that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it.  People may get the former idea because Jesus could not but make some demands and prohibit some actions.  After all, human tendencies since Adam have been rather predominantly selfish.  But any sternness about Jesus is more than compensated by his graciousness.  The light he beams should be understood as the glow of the early morning which stirs followers to a just way of living.

It is time to be hopeful. The Lord’s resurrection has become our destiny.  We have both reason and direction to live lives of virtue.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, virgin

(Acts 2:32-37; John 3:7b-15)

Mother Teresa is an icon of charity.  She is known for her work among the poor.  But those who had the opportunity to hear Mother Teresa speak realize that she her good works was matched by a rare ability to articulate the truth.  St. Catherine of Siena embodied these same virtues of love and truth.

It is said that Catherine was hardly literate.  Yet she dictated her Dialogues (with the Lord) which has become a spiritual classic.  She was also known to have advised popes and princes.  But she spent much time caring for the sick and visiting the imprisoned.  For good reason the little apartment which she used in Rome is preserved as a shrine, and she has been named patroness of both Italy and Europe.

As with all saints, we are to both ask Catherine’s intercession and to imitate her zeal.  Coming from a humble background, her accomplishments should encourage our persistence and trust in God.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8)

In Leonard Bernstein’s epic musical Mass, the epistle is sung as a tribute to the “Word of the Lord.”  Addressed to “men of power,” the song exalts what the Acts of the Apostles teaches about the indomitableness of God’s message.  Over the long run, the song says, God’s message of love will conquer the pride, ambition, and contempt of the powerful.

In today’s passage from Acts, Peter and John have just returned from being told by the Jewish Sanhedrin never to speak the name of Jesus again.  The apostles, having openly defied the order, now pray with the Christian community for strength.  Their stance is confirmed as the room shakes with the approval of the people moved by the Holy Spirit.

Although apparently harmless, the Word of God can threaten the selfish interests of the privileged because it speaks with truth to the heart.  We must study it, understand it, and preach it as God’s humble servants called to do His will in a too often careless world. 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Friday within the Octave of Easter

(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)

In every regular mass this week - actually from Sunday to Sunday - the gospel provides an appearance of the risen Christ.  Although these accounts bear some marks of editorial expansion, they assure readers of the resurrection as an historical fact.  But the nature of the resurrection is transhistorical, which means that it has never been duplicated in history.  Still reliable witnesses testify that they have seen the risen Lord.  Their stories provide an explanation of the empty tomb, the circumstancial evidence for the resurrection.

Today's gospel appearance takes place at the Sea of Tiberias.  It seems strange  that Jesus' disciples would return to their former occupatioon after being commissioned to go forth with the Holy Spirit and forgive sins.  Yet many people who have had profound religious experiences can become almost indifferent to what happened to them.  Jesus, true to his promise during the Last Supper, does not abandon his disciples but comes again to reissue the mandate to preach forgiveness.  This is expressed symbolically as he says, "'Cast your net over the right side...'"

Some still dismiss the resurrection appearances as psychological experiences.  They challenge believers to prove that they happened in reality.  We should respond in two ways.  First, we need to study the accounts with the help of faithful commentators so that we may provide a reasonable explanation of all the details.  Second, and perhaps more decisively, we want to testify to their veracity by showing how they have made our lives more holy.