Monday, December 7, 2015

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop

(Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26)

It was said that the windows of St. John Paul II’s papal chambers were lighted until the midnight hour.  After spending his day in meeting with people and in prayer, the pope studied and wrote at night.  His work habits paralleled those of St. Ambrose.  The bishop of Milan was known for both his pastoral counselling and his eloquent preaching.  As an aspiring Catholic, St. Augustine wanted to confer with Ambrose but usually found him with a line of petitioners or deep in thought.  We see Jesus in a similarly committed ministry in today’s gospel.

A crowd surrounds Jesus as he both heals and teaches.  Determined believers gain access to him by opening a section of the roof.  They lower a man who is paralyzed for Jesus to see.  Evidently Jesus, who is said to know the thoughts of people, understands that the paralytic needs forgiveness more than mobility.  When he perceives also the Pharisees’ condemnation for saying that the paralytic sins are forgive, he heals the man as well.

We like to go to Jesus with our needs.  He is there to help us.  Perhaps we should ask ourselves if our greatest need is not also forgiveness.  Feeling sorry for ourselves, we try to manipulate attention from others.  Feeling annoyed by another’s mannerism, we react with an insult disguised as a joke.  Let us recognize these sins and then take comfort in the reconciliation Jesus offers us in the Eucharist.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Friday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 29:17-24, Matthew 9:27-31)

Jesuit Fr. Mark Link once suggested a simple examination of conscience at the end of the day.  He said that we should pray, “Thank you, Father,” followed by naming a blessing that we have received during the day.  Then, we are to say, “I am sorry, Jesus,” now identifying a particular sin, perhaps of omission, that we have committed this day.  Finally, we to pray, “Holy Spirit, help me,” and include a challenge we face tomorrow.  When we pray in this way, we see our lives with wider perspective.  We begin to notice favors that we have taken for granted, faults that we have overlooked, and help when we think we are alone.

In the first reading, Isaiah looks toward the coming of the Messiah as a time when “the eyes of the blind shall see.”  This literally happens in the gospel when Jesus restores the sight of two blind men.  It also happens to us as we become more aware of our experience through prayers like the one Fr. Link proposed.  Invoking the Trinity, Link’s examination of conscience is eminently Christian.  Done with Advent awareness of the coming of Christ, it brings us to a powerful encounter with the Savior.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, priest

(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 5:21.24-27)

St. Francis Xavier baptized tens of thousands in India.  But he realized that it should only be the beginning.  He wrote back to Europe decrying that there were not more vocations to convert all India. 

Today we wonder if Francis’ vision was not naïve.  India has an ancient culture with its own wisdom.  Besides, whether baptized with water or not, the people there have access to the Holy Spirit to gain salvation. “Is it necessary that they convert to Christianity?” we may ask.

Today’s gospel indicates that it is.  The gospel is like a rock that grounds its adherents in ways of love.  It unites people so that they may help one another grow in virtue.  Even with it some people fail to recognize God as their source and destiny.  Without it they would be like rudderless boats floating on a sea of possibilities.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37)

A generation ago it was said that the average American gained ten pounds over the year-end holidays.  The added weight could hardly be less now.  Perhaps, then, some will have difficulty appreciating Jesus’ concern about the people’s hunger in today’s gospel.

But just as the multiplying of loaves signifies the Eucharistic bread, so the hunger of the crowds is not so much physical as it is spiritual.  Like people today, they crave meaning in their lives, acceptance of their efforts, and esteem for themselves as persons.  Jesus fulfills all these needs.   He loves each person who comes to him as an individual and invites all to join him in his Father’s kingdom.

The invitation does not come without some expectation of us.  If we are to join Jesus as brothers and sisters, we must accept his rule for our lives.  But this is not so much a challenge as it is a blessing.  Being formed by his law of love, we become happier and assured of our eternal destiny.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24)

Count on the holy seasons of Advent and Lent to get to the heart of Divine Revelation.  For the most part during the rest of the year the Scripture readings at daily mass follow episodic sequences.  The gospels recount the story of Jesus in first in Mark, then in Matthew, and finally in Luke.  John is reserved for Eastertime.  Meanwhile the first reading is taken from an Old Testament or New Testament work, read in daily installments which summarize the work as a whole.  In Lent and Easter, however, the link between the first reading and the gospel is manifest.

Today’s gospel, for example, hints at how Jesus fulfills the heart-felt prophecies of early Isaiah.  The people of the prophet’s time longed for a strong leader who would rule justly.  They wanted to see the poor prosper without be pampered.  They hoped that the natural enmities among classes, nationalities, and races would cease.  Jesus recognizes in himself such potential being realized.  He will bestow manifold blessings upon those who obey his commands. The poor especially are positioned to follow him.

We hear while shopping in Wal-Mart how this is “the most wonderful time of the year.”  It is but not because of mistletoe or tree lights.  It becomes wonderful when we contemplate how the yearnings of the human heart are fulfilled in Jesus.