Thursday, March 5, 2015

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)

Thomas Oden, an American theologian, recently published his autobiography.  A reviewer says that Oden has known just about everybody who was anybody in theology for the last sixty years.  Yet, the commentator goes on, Oden never mentions these historic figures like Karol Wojtjyla, our St. John Paul II, to promote himself.  Rather the memoir is a testimony to Oden’s humility.  As a young man following the theological currents of his time, Oden was told that he needed to relearn his theological roots.  He did that with the result that he no longer trusted so much in often quoted contemporary thinkers.  Rather he trusted more the gospel as it was interpreted by the Fathers of the Church.  The advice that Thomas Oden received is close to that which we hear in today’s reading from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah prophesied in a time of crisis for the kingdom of Judah.  The nation was made subject to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.  When King Zedekiah of Judah tried to forge alliances to free itself from hegemony, Jeremiah warned that there was no hope in men.  He was ridiculed and almost murdered for speaking the truth revealed to him by God.  The insurrection failed, and Nebuchadnezzar came to destroy Jerusalem.  Jeremiah was vindicated at least for his message to place hope in God, not in human beings.

We too are well advised to trust in God.  Although some men and women merit a measure of hope, they should never cause us to divert our foremost attention from God.  Today’s gospel warns us not to put our stock in pleasure either.  No, first and foremost we show our hope in God by taking care of the poor as He constantly exhorts us.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

In Greek mythology Cassandra is the daughter of King Priam of Troy who was endowed with the gift of prophecy but also cursed with the fortune of never being believed.  She predicted the fall of Troy and even the folly of bringing the artificial horse inside the city.  Her countrymen and women thought she was crazy and suffered the terrible consequences of ignoring her.  In the first reading today Jeremiah is pictured Cassandra-like.

Jeremiah knows that Judah’s unfaithfulness to God will bring about its ruin.  He urges the people to desist in their flirtations with foreign gods, but he is more than ignored.  The people plot to have him killed.  Not long afterwards Jerusalem will be destroyed and many of its inhabitants carried into exile.  In the gospel passage Jesus makes similar warnings of doom, yet his disciples have difficulty listening.  They show themselves more concerned about politics than about reforming their lives.

Hopefully we will do better.  There are plenty of signs indicating a deterioration of fundamental human values in our midst.  Abortion and “homosexual marriage” come handily to mind.  There are also indicators of positive social development such as the decrease of violent crimes.  Now, however, we are called to take to heart what Jesus teaches: that we rededicate ourselves to the service of all.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)

After Jorge Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis, a woman who worked with him was interviewed.  She showed great admiration for the man she called, “Padre Jorge.”  The interviewer tried to correct the apparent misnomer saying something like, “You mean ‘Cardinal Jorge.’”  She responded that she had tried to call him that, but he told her to call him just “Padre Jorge.”  Obviously, Pope Francis has taken to heart today’s gospel.

But Jesus says in the gospel, “’Call no one on earth your father.’”  He means that Christians should be wary of titles of honor.  They inflate the ego so that some think of themselves as more deserving of special treatment from the common person.  Jesus is especially critical of the Pharisees who seem to go out of their way to be paid homage.  Could he have in mind as well that humans are not to use the title “father” for their male parent so that it would be reserved for God alone?  That is doubtful.

The gospel today is linked to an Old Testament reading reminding us to repent of our sins.  Taken together, the Scriptures tell us to remove from self-consideration any haughty pride which can grow on us like moss on trees.  Rather than seeking to be named with titles like “Doctor” or “Mister,” we might introduce ourselves simply by our given names.  Much more importantly, however, we are to give ourselves in humble service for the good of others.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

The man gives God thanks every day.  When he was a youth, he was always in trouble.  He couldn’t stay out of fights.  He was convicted of assault and battery as well as using drugs.  He did a couple of prison terms and was facing a thirty-five year sentence.  Then he was shown mercy.  He credits God, but certainly a judge had something to do with his being given another chance.  In this case the risk proved imminently worthwhile.  The man has turned his life around, married and is raising a family, has a small prosperous business, and is giving back to God as a youth minister.  Jesus recommends such mercy in today’s gospel.

When Jesus says that his disciples should not judge, he does not mean that they wear rose-colored glasses.  No, they are to determine right from wrong, but they are not to condemn others unduly.  Quite the opposite, they should be ready to forgive for any good reason.   Jesus then promises that their mercy will be rewarded not just in kind but with greater abundance.

It is sometimes difficult to forgive because we see it as a betrayal of justice.  Jesus would certainly agree that mercy without justice leads to dissolution just as strictness without justice can end in despotism.  As responsible people, we must promote and model righteous living.  We do that by forgiving whenever we sense a reasonable possibility for reform and renewal.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday of the First Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)

At a recently held male spirituality retreat many of the participants were recovering alcoholics.  They had decided previously to give their lives to a “Higher Power” as Alcoholics Anonymous prefers to call God and now were deepening their commitment.  Although alcoholism is evidently as much a physical as a moral condition, AA at least does not deny some responsibility on the part of alcoholics. They must recognize that they have hurt others by their habit and take responsibility for not falling into the condition again.  Today’s readings portray such people as saints.

Ezekiel announces the Lord’s will as the salvation of sinners.  It does not free them from responsibility but urges them to reform.  Their reward, it says, will be “life.”  In the gospel Jesus teaches his disciples that they must seek forgiveness from those they have offended for their altar sacrifice to be worthy.

It is not easy to recognize our sins and even harder to seek the forgiveness of others.  Yet both chores are at the heart of Christian faith.  If we are going to walk with Jesus, we must act so that our sins are forgiven.