Thursday, April 7, 2016

Memorial of Saint John Baptist de La Salle

(Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36)

Saint John Baptist de La Salle inherited a large fortune from his nobleman father.  He also felt called to the priestly life at a young age.  But he used neither his money nor his vocation in traditional ways.  He gave away his fortune to feed the poor.  He did not pursue a curate’s life but founded an intentionally non-clerical religious institute to educate poor boys.  He was a man “born from above” as Jesus says in the long discourse from which today’s gospel is taken.

Throughout the passage Jesus’ language appears strange.  His mannerism also seems disengaged, even distant.  These effects were intended by John the Evangelist to help his readers appreciate the difference between Jesus and the world.  As Jesus says here, he is “’the one who comes from above (and) is above all.’” In reality Jesus was quite like other people.  He had outstanding characteristics, but he was not odd or eccentric.  He was sensible, thoughtful, and compatible. Yet he testified, as the fourth gospel makes evident, to a way of life that the world cannot comprehend.  Where the world seeks comfort, credit, and control, Jesus’ Spirit moved him and those to whom he has given it to self-denial for the sake of others.

By the grace of God, Jesus has shared his Spirit with us.  It is the greatest gift because it provides us with an infinitely open future.  But it entails dominance over our  distorted desires.  We are to re-channel our energies in love for others.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

The gospel today begins with one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible.  In fact, John 3:16 has been called “the Gospel in miniature.”  It boldly proclaims God’s love and tells of the eternal destiny for all who care to be formed by it.

The passage reads that Jesus is not here to condemn humans but to offer them a choice.  They can accept him, the light of the world, as their guide.  Or they can remain in the darkness of sinful desires.  It is instructive that Nicodemus, whom Jesus is addressing here, first comes to Jesus “at night” indicating his complexity in sin.  However, he makes a final appearance in broad daylight after the crucifixion to bury Jesus.  This charitable act indicates that Nicodemus has opted for the light of the world.

We may ask if it is possible to accept Jesus while maintaining some sinful desire.  Perhaps we enjoy gossip or maybe a pornographic Internet site.  No, the light of the world will not admit any darkness although he does listen to our prayers for mercy.  If we sincerely petition him and duly follow his instructions, he will see us through to eternal life.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15)

According to Bishop Robert Barron, one of Mother Angelica’s formidable character traits was a deep trust in Divine Providence.  She was able to rise to prominence in mass media because she believed that the Lord would assist her in carrying out His will.  When a huge satellite dish which she ordered to greatly increase EWTN’s outreach was delivered, Mother Angelica did not have the money to pay for it.  She went into her convent’s chapel to pray. “Lord,” she said, “I thought you wanted this satellite thing; now give me the money I need!” When she finished, another nun announced that a rich man had telephoned wanting to make a large donation.  Mother Angelica’s trust in Providence helps us understand the dialogue in today’s gospel.

The reading begins the presentation of the middle chapters of the Gospel of John which will be reviewed until Pentecost.  Much of it reflects the often bitter debate between Christians and Jews in the last part of the first century.  Of course, Jesus speaks for the Christians.  He tells in this case his amicable Jewish counterpart, Nicodemus, that Jews do not understand the radical gift God has offered the world in Jesus.  He turns water into wine and opens the eyes of the blind.  He will give eternal life to those who dare to look on him hanging on the cross as their savior.  But they are to trust him even when odds seemed stacked against them.

We are often tempted to equate Christian faith with a benevolent morality.  For sure, Christianity promotes justice and charity, but our belief is more than that.  It makes us see that Jesus will carry us beyond the troubles we face.  Staying close to him, we will find our salvation.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

(Isaiah 7:10-14.8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38)

One scene will always stand out in the classic movie “Boys' Town.”  A young boy is carrying an even younger child on his back.  The founder of Boys' Town, Fr. Flanagan, is astounded by the feat.  The boy tries to put the priest at ease.  “He’s not heavy, Father,” he says, “he’s my brother.”  Perhaps the wonder of today’s feast can be summarized with these words.

The Annunciation commemorates more than the angel’s announcement of Mary's divine motherhood.  More to the point, it celebrates God’s taking on human flesh.  In other words, today the Church gives praise to God for becoming a brother.  God does so not to understand better the human experience.  After all, God knows all things.  No, God becomes human so that humans might know Him more intimately, so that they might see how much He loves them.  Like the child being carried by his older brother, humans now have experienced directly God’s closeness.

God’s becoming human links us more closely to one another as well.  He is not only a common bond but also a constant reminder that we have to care about one another.  Remembering Christ's exhortations to love our neighbor, we say with Mary, “May it be done to me according to your word.’”

Friday, April 1, 2016

Friday within the Octave of Easter

(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)

“The one who loves much, does much.”  The actions of Peter on behalf of Jesus in today’s Scriptures witness to this simple test of love.  Love moves the chief apostle in the reading from Acts to confront the Jewish leaders who recently negotiated Jesus’ execution.  In the gospel, love inspires him to rush into the water with clothes on to greet the risen Lord. 

As courageous and spontaneous as Peter’s love for Jesus is, it only shadows Jesus’ love for him and for the rest of us.  St. Paul surely captures the heart of the gospel when he writes: “...God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).  His death has gained for us the forgiveness of sin.  But that is only half of the wonder of God’s love.  His resurrection – the other half – bestows on us life in abundance.

Peter’s actions suggest how we might show our love for Christ.  We too can confront sin by naming it and repenting of it.  There may be people in our lives for whom we harbor resentment.  We must acknowledge our deliberate dislike as sin, pray for healing grace, and make serious effort to approach those people in charity.  Likewise, we should lose no time in meeting the Lord in the Eucharist.  Coming early to pray quietly and to preview the Scripture readings will deepen our encounter with the risen Lord.