Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Memorial of Saint Clare, virgin

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

St. Clare was very close to St. Francis of Assisi in the quest to live poorly.  Her father tried in vain to budge her from the austerity of Franciscan life in which she consecrated herself to God.  She also managed to resist the exhortation of churchmen that her convents own land to support themselves.  This radical stance vis-a-vis poverty begs the questions, why?  Why did Clare and, for that matter, Francis cling so tenaciously to poverty?

The answer is hinted at in today’s gospel.  Jesus urges his disciples not to become like the rich and powerful.  He wants them to be as humble as children so that they might know the Kingdom of God.  Heaven, he teaches, is not for those who think highly of themselves.  Rather it belongs to those who can forget their own needs in service of others.

Certainly we need things in order to live.  However, as Pope Francis teaches in his new encyclical on the environment, we need less than we think and even need to have less so that future generations may live at all.  Embracing the poverty of Clare and Francis, we may give others encouragement to conform themselves to Jesus’ prescription for attaining eternal life.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Memorial of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John12:24-26)

The stories about St. Lawrence are so fascinating that one may forget about the sacrifice he made.  It is well known how he defied the emperor by presenting the poor of Rome as the jewels of the Church.  Also, perhaps more famous, is the anecdote of how he ridiculed death itself by telling his executioner that he was grilled enough on one side and should be turned over.

No doubt, however, Lawrence felt deeply the imminent loss of life.  He might have left behind a wife and family with no sure sense of security.  Wouldn’t he also have wondered what if anything lay on the other side of the abyss?  More certainly, Lawrence took to heart St. Paul’s words calling death “the last enemy.”  Perhaps strength of character enabled him to amuse others in the face of death.  But he was not a lunatic and likely still found the prospect of death wrenching.  It is also probable that faith saved him from the terror of it all.

In the gospel Jesus assures those who like himself are called to give their lives in testimony of God’s love that they do not die in vain.  When we live and, if necessary, die in demonstration of God’s supreme blessing in Jesus, then we need not worry.  Indeed, we can face death with a modicum of peace.  The same Jesus will not only raise us from the dead but will cause our death to bring hope to others in similarly perilous situations.

Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, 2015

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10)

Christianity is till prevalent in America and Europe.  Experts say that the situation is changing, however.  In short time most people may not know more about Jesus than about the Hindu god Vishnu.  But for the time being at least people have some idea of what it means to rise from the dead. 

But what may be said of the time before Jesus’ resurrection?  Would the people living in the year 10 or 20 have any idea of what to rise from the dead means?  Would even Jesus’ apostles have said that the concept is mere wishful thinking?  Very possibly they would. The resurrection from the dead would have boggled their minds like the idea of people carrying about devices that access files at home would have seemed incredible just a generation ago. 

Today’s gospel relates how God gives Jesus’ disciples clues about what to expect when Jesus is raised from the dead.  It tells of how Jesus’ body will be changed into a realm of light so bright that his clothes glow.  It reports that his new form of being will allow him to communicate with saints long dead.  It even confirms the vision by mentioning the voice from the cloud naming Jesus “my beloved son.”  The purpose of the narrative then is to obviate some of the inevitable doubt that arises when a dead person is reported as alive.  Since they will have to proclaim the resurrection, the disciples need to be convinced that it happened.  Here their leaders, at least, are being prepared for that event.

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Deuteronomy 4: 32-40; Matthew 16:24-28)

Aboard the ship Arbella just before landing in Boston harbor, Governor John Winthrop told the Puritan colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that they must be like a ¨city on a hill¨ for the world to see and imitate.  In time these words will give rise to the idea of “American exceptionalism,” by which the nation is considered enlightened and trustworthy beyond other peoples.  Of course, Governor Winthrop was making a reference to Jesus´ Sermon on the Mount, but his words also echo Moses´ in the reading from Deuteronomy today.

Moses reminds the Israelites of God´s special interest in them.   God has led them from captivity in Egypt to freedom.  He has carefully weeded them of vices and formed them into His holy people.  Now, Moses says, the people must respond to the Lord´s particular kindness by keeping His laws and statutes.  In this way they will testify to the world of God´s own righteousness.

We Catholics should consider ourselves every bit as chosen as the Puritans and the Israelites.  God has called us by name in Baptism and has fed us with the body and blood of His Son in the Eucharist.  Our lives should reflect the intimacy in which God has held us.  It should also summon others to experience the same.

Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Number 12:1-13; Matthew 14:22-36)

The protagonist of Georges Bernarnos’ novel Diary of a Country Priest is modelled after St. John Vianney.  At the end of the novel the priest is dying of consumption.  He does not worry, however.  Indeed, he utters the memorable words: “All is grace.”  The man is convinced that he will be all right because he has fixed his sights on Jesus.  He never looks down on what is threatening him like Peter in today’s gospel.

The vignette about Peter is consistent with his character throughout the gospels.  He is quick to talk and to act and likely to blunder.  If he would concentrate on Jesus without worrying about the liquidity of the water, he would be fine.  But distracted by worry, he begins to sink.

There is a lesson here for us.  When we experience storms in life, we can turn to Jesus.  He will see us through the rough weather.  It should be said that we may not survive as we originally hoped, but we will be well.  He will make that happen.

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Numbers 13:1-2.25-14.1.26a-29a.34-35; Matthew 15:21-28)

The movie “Chariots of Fire” features the men of brave heart who composed the 1920 English Olympic track team.  In one scene their rivals from America demonstrate technical excellence in training.  They do warm-up calisthenics as if they were jet engines tuning up for take-off.  In the end, however, the determined Brits better the finely-tuned Americans.  Such heart seems in short supply among the Israelites as they hear the reports of the inhabitants of the Promised Land in the first reading.

The Israelites fail to see that they have God on their side.  He has saved them from Pharaoh’s mighty army and provided for their needs in the desert.  Still the people cower after hearing of formidable enemies. They should know by now that God is their source of advantage not their physical prowess.

We are aware that sometimes both sides in an armed conflict appeal to the same God for assistance.  He will ultimately bring victory to only one opponent.  We must realize, however, that winning is neither the only thing nor the most important thing.  What overshadows triumph is the combination of fighting justly and trusting that God loves us.

Friday, July 31, and Monday, August 3, 2015

Memorial of Saint Ignatius, priest

(Leviticus 23:1.4-11.15-16.34b-37; Matthew 13:54-58)

Jesus could have used other sayings to describe the reaction of the people of Nazareth to him in today’s gospel.  He might have said, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”  Rather than praising God that one of their own has been blessed to speak so well, the people question how he came by the wisdom. 

But, of course, familiarity does not always cause rejection.  St. Ignatius of Loyola immersed himself completely in the story of Jesus and wanted to organize a band of followers for him.  The name they chose is revealing, “The Company of Jesus” (often rendered “Society”).  Knowing him to be the source of goodness and truth, they desired to stay close to the Lord.

We may feel like despairing because we fail to measure up to Jesus.  That would, however, be a mistake.  He takes us where we are every day and assists us to do better.  Remaining in his company by sharing regularly with him the food and drink of the altar will make us more like him.

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Number 11:4b-15; Matthew 14:2-36)

Parish priests notoriously complain like Moses in the first reading today.  They feel oppressed by an unrelenting round of meetings, appointments, responsibilities, and requests.  But certainly pastors are not the only people stressed out in society.  Often parents feel overwhelmed by demands at home, school, work, and church. 

Moses’ appeal to the Lord demonstrates a lively relationship.  He shows little reservation about telling God how overburdened he feels.  On the brink of despair, he even mentions that death would be preferable to being badgered by so many requests.  God will answer Moses’ plea.  Advice is given on how to administer the people more proficiently.  Also, God will intervene more directly to aid his worthy friend.

We should confront stress in our lives on varied fronts.  We need to prioritize our responsibilities so that we give our best time to what is most important.  We need to make sure that we eat intelligently, exercise vigorously, and rest sufficiently.  Most importantly, we, like Moses here, should unabashedly appeal to God for assistance.