Friday, October 23, 2015

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59)

“How could something that feels so right, be so wrong?” country singers croon.  St. Paul has a similar thought in mind when he tells the Romans in the first reading today, “For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind…”

Paul is expressing the deceptive nature of sin.  It appeals to our inner senses as something satisfying, but our minds tell us it is ultimately hurtful.  We might be willing to buy a stolen car to get to work, but we know that the vehicle belongs to another who has his or her own use for it.  We would become accomplices in the crime by purchasing it knowingly.

Paul finds in Jesus Christ the resolution to the dilemma of feeling right about something but knowing it to be wrong.  Christ shows us something greater than the comforts and pleasures comprising our regular desires.  In his love for us he promises eternal life.  Living with this goal in mind, earthly comforts lose their luster. 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Memorial of Saint John Paul II, pope          

(Romans 6:19-23; Luke 12:49-53)

One of St. John Paul II’s legacies will surely be his Theology of the Body.  Presented as a series of meditations for his Wednesday public audiences, the doctrine explains human sexuality.  Rather than the betrayal of self with sin that St. Paul writes in the first reading, John Paul finds sexuality achieving the human purpose.  It demonstrates not only fulfillment of God’s will but also the human way of imitating God’s loving.

Paul recognizes that humans have misappropriated sexuality.  Rather than using their bodies as a means of self-giving, humans have allowed them to become instruments of self-seeking pleasure.  The result has been, as Paul points out, disillusionment ending in disgrace and ultimately death.  But Paul is not fatalistic.  He knows that Christ has overcome the reign of sin.  Because of this victory of their brother, all humans can live free of carnal domination.

We must make an effort to overcome the selfish inclination.  Christ’s grace has enabled us to use sexuality rightly.  When we do, sexuality is not devoid of pleasure.  Rather the pleasure is ordered to our true goal in life, a loving union with God.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-47)

Msgr. Charles King was a priest’s priest.  He gave himself completely to the shepherding of souls.  He did take a weekly day off and once in a while left town for a few days’ rest and recreation.  But he always gave 100 percent of himself to pastoral care when on duty.  As an example, on Sundays after parish masses were celebrated, Msgr. King called shut-ins of the parish to offer his support in their trials.  This pastor illustrates what Jesus has in mind when he answers Peter’s question in the gospel today.

“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” Peter asks Jesus on behalf of his companions.  In his answer Jesus implies that it is meant for his apostles not so much as missionaries but as pastors.  They are to guide communities of faith providing exemplary pastoral care.  Above all, they should avoid using their authority by exploit their flocks.

Pastors need the Spirit’s special support and, therefore, our prayers to fulfill their responsibilities.  When we think about it, we realize that prayers for pastors have a wide range of benefit.  Not only are the people in the pews assisted by their parish priests, but those same people have shepherding roles.  Certainly the parents among them are to guide their children.  Also, all Christians should be conscious of leading others to God by their good example.

Tueday, October 20, 2015

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 5:12.15b.17-19.20b-21; Luke 12:35-38)

The Protestant theologian surprised himself.  He picked up a copy of Blessed John Henry Newman’s Apologia pro Vita Sua.  He expected that reading the work would draw a definitive line between himself and the great Catholic convert.  He wanted to hate Newman.  But thinking through his ideas, he found himself drawn to Newman’s argumentation.  His adversary showed him the priority of dogma over works and feelings.  Newman explained convincingly what is believed about Jesus is foundational to following him.  The incident illustrates what St. Paul is telling us in today’s first reading: where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.

Paul is trying to make sense of a fallen world.  Humans sin.  In so doing, they have found themselves confronting death and all sorts of other troubles.  But sin has been more than compensated for by Jesus.  Being both God and human, his obedience has made up for human culpability.  Because of Jesus’s returning God’s favor to humanity, humans can love one another truly and so merit eternal life.

We sometimes belittle theology.  We may not think it important that Jesus has two natures which are completely separate although unified in a single person.  Granted, such distinctions are not in the end more important for us as individuals than following his teaching.  Still an appreciation of who he is should give us more reason to heed his words.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Memorial of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and companions, martyrs

(Romans 4:20-25; Luke 12:13-21)

Theresa lived ninety years close to God. She raised a large family and served at her parish first as a crossing guard for the school, then as the secretary and in various other capacities. Theresa, of course, regularly attended Mass and was considered by many as a trustworthy friend. Most everyone would like to have some of Theresa’s qualities whether it be her wisdom, her faith, or her care of others. Theresa today helps us understand some of the dynamics of faith.

We sometimes hear faith described as “blind” and entailing a “leap” into the unknown. These phrases have a limited value in describing what faith entails. There may be moments when faith seems like a blind or dubious choice, for example, when a martyr is called to renounce her faith or die. Also, faith does demand a leap or letting go of complete control of one’s life and trusting in God. But usually our faith is firmly based not only on the Gospel message but on the solid examples of saints like Teresa.

In the first reading today Paul assures us that faith will win God’s favor. When we believe that Christ died for our sins and God raised him for our justification, we will share in his glory. To be sure, the faith implied here is more than a nod of assent to various propositions about God. Rather, it involves discipleship of the Lord Jesus.