Friday, May 30, 2014

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)

“O happy fault!” the “Exultet” proclaims in the Holy Saturday liturgy. This oxymoron declares the desirability of Adam’s sin for having produced the effect of the world’s knowing the Son of God.  A woman might similarly speak of her labor as sweet pain in that it accompanies the wonder of a new-born child.  In today’s gospel Jesus uses this image of child-bearing to describe the glory of the resurrection after his bloody death.

In the passage Jesus is making his farewell to his disciples.  They are confused by his reiterating how they will not see him for a while and then see him again.  As is his custom, Jesus uses an image from daily life to give clarity.  They will experience sorrow at his leaving them but joy when he returns, just like a woman who after labor sees her baby.  His going and coming is also like childbirth as it brings a whole new way of living.

Jesus, the master story teller, is capable of relating his meaning with clear, strong images.  As the Word of God, it is only fitting that he uses words artfully.  We give thanks for him, especially as we realize that he spoke most eloquently on the cross where he shows us the depth of God’s love.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20)

Willie and Linda Sosa preach on behalf of Jesus in West Texas.  They have never studied theology formally, but they read the Scriptures constantly and, just as important, pray continually.  Willie is the more expressive of the two, but Linda’s firm faith is palpable and reassuring.  They make a principle of not asking for money but gladly accept donations that somehow manage to meet their physical needs.   They resemble Aquila and Priscilla introduced in today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

The couple comes to Corinth from Rome where they were expelled by Claudius.  Although Acts implies that they are Jews, more than likely they are Christian Jews.  For this reason they welcome Paul into their home.  Eventually they will return to Rome and receive the greeting from Paul when he writes the Christian community there.  “Greet Prisca and Aquila,” Paul writes, “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus , who risked their necks for my life , to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks…”

Christian couples can give powerful witness to Christ.  The Letter to the Ephesians testifies that their love for each other testifies to Christ’s love for the Church.  Working side-by-side, they exemplify that Christianity is not about power over others but the power of the Holy Spirit bestowing equal dignity and genuine love to those willing to accept it.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 17:15.22-18.1; John 16:12-15)

“Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, ’Let Newton be!’ and all was light.”  With these words Alexander Pope honored Isaac Newton, the renowned English physicist.  Newton’s Principia Mathematica described the laws of motion in the seventeenth century.  The work was considered infallible until Einstein reformulated the laws in terms of relativity.  It cannot be said that Newton actually discovered the laws, which are more or less self-evident.  But he did explain them so that the world might understand their dynamics.  His work may be compared to how Jesus describes the role of the Spirit in today’s gospel.

When Jesus says that the Spirit “will declare to you the things that are coming,” he is referring to his death and resurrection.  Because the significance of this paschal event is beyond human intelligence, they need an interpreter.  Jesus cannot explain them because the disciples have not yet experienced them.  He has already declared himself to be “the truth.”  Now he says the Spirit will guide the disciples to “all truth”; that is, the full meaning of himself.

The Spirit must be active in our lives if we are experience the effects of Jesus’ redemption.  The Spirit moves us from attachment to the superficial delights of creation, sets our hearts on eternal life, and propels us to give of ourselves in love so that we may achieve our heart’s desire.  The Spirit is an unimaginable, completely gratuitous gift that the Father sends us through Jesus.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 16:22-34; John 16:5-11)

A few years Pope Benedict commented in an interview on the use of condoms.  He said that those who use them to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus show the beginnings of evangelical concern.  He did not mean to condone the use of condoms, much less to endorse their dissemination to curtail AIDS.  He only wanted to indicate the goodwill of those who care enough about their sexual partners that they take measures to protect them from disease.  Of course, the best way to stop the spread of AIDS and to develop virtue is for the unmarried to practice sexual abstinence.  The pope’s estimation of goodwill may be drawn also from today’s first reading.

The jailer wants to kill himself believing that he has failed in his duty of guarding prisoners.  Paul’s and Silas’ chains were unhinged by the earthquake, yet the jailer feels responsible because it happened on his watch.  Perhaps he was charged to keep awake the entire night, but more likely he is just super-zealous in his work.  At least, he desires to fulfill to carefully discharge his duties.  Such a devotion to responsibility makes him a good candidate for entrance into the new Covenant God has established with his people through Jesus.  For this reason Paul and Silas show no hesitancy in baptizing them.

Everyone has some positive natural traits that we might notice and compliment in our evangelizing.  Grace is said to build upon nature and not to destroy it.  We make use of this maxim by finding the good in others and helping them to multiply it by coming to know Jesus.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest

(Acts 16:11-15; John 15:26-16:4a)

More than a salute to military veterans and certainly more than a long weekend, Memorial Day gives tribute to the war dead.  The holiday originated after the Civil War, the deadliest conflict in American history, to honor the patriotism of those who gave their lives for their country.  As in all cases the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises to send in today’s gospel, enlightens the understanding of this critical virtue.

Patriotism, the love of one’s country, enables the fulfillment of the fifth formulation of the natural law – to live in society.  It calls forth sacrifice on a national level which can, at times, supersede personal and local concerns.  Patriotism should not be regarded as the reckless pursuit of national dominance.  Rather, it is the judicious promotion of the common good.  Sadly, often enough such effort involves the bearing of arms and the giving of lives.

The best that we can do for our war dead -- indeed for all the dead -- is to pray for them.  War often incites irresponsibility in men and women for which they may be severely judged.  We should God, who is always merciful, to forgive the excesses of the war dead and to reward them on the merit of their patriotism.