Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 6:1-11; Luke 6:12-19)

A recent article contrasts permissive parents who allow their adolescent children to attend parties where alcohol is served with parents who forbid it.  The first group, called “Get-Real Parents,” believes that the best they could do to prevent tragedy is insist that their children don’t drive when they drink.  The latter group, called “Good Parents,” believes that their children should know from the start that it is unhealthy for them to drink at parties. The community of Christians at Corinth, which St. Paul is addressing in the first reading, faces similar challenges of questionable moral behavior. 

Paul refuses to excuse sinfulness.  He counts sexual aberrations like fornication and sodomy along with greed and idolatry as blocks to entry into the Kingdom of God.  Just as many “Get-Real” people might want to overlook these sins today, some in Paul’s time were willing to downplay their seriousness.  Paul, however, knows that Christ came to save the world from its overindulgence.

This does not mean that we can condemn all sinners to hell.  On the contrary, we should promote their repentance through prayer, example, and – if feasible – advice.  Proceeding in this way we become, like Paul himself, additions to the twelve apostles named in today’s gospel.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 6:6-11)

In 1793 the French revolutionary government tried to change the number of days in a week.  Ostensibly for scientific reasons France adopted a calendar with ten hour days and ten-day weeks.  Predictably the people had a hard time adjusting.  One problem was the difficulty in changing frames of reference – an hour of the old system became less than a half of the new hour.  There was also resentment over having to work three extra days each week to arrive at the day of rest.  First a six-day and now a five-day work week is generally considered as more than enough time on the job for the normal person.  Yet Jesus does not hesitate to make an exception to that rule in today’s gospel.

The Pharisees see their role as guarding the Mosaic Law from any abuse.  They take particular concern over the Sabbath rest.  As much as they prevent managers from overworking their workers and the laborer from neglecting duties to God and community, they perform a valuable service.  But most rules have exceptions.  Jesus rebukes the Pharisees when they do not consider healing an invalid on the Sabbath as such a case. 

Incidentally, healing may not have been as easy as the gospel relates.  Jesus may have had to massage the stricken body part or, in the case of possession, spend hours dispelling the malicious spirit.  In any event he does it not to defy the Law but to show the power of God working through him to save us. We have today, Labor Day, as well as every Sunday to relax and thank God for His goodness.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 4:1-5; Luke 5:33-39)

Lifting the regular Friday abstinence from meat fifty years ago has resulted in very few Catholics doing penance outside the Lenten season.  Yet the Code of Canon Law as well as the wisdom of the ages mandates regular penance.  Especially in cultures of excess like that of the United States showing remorse for overindulgence would provide needed correction.  Jesus indicates this need in today’s gospel.

Jesus teaches the same Law as John and the Pharisees, but he does not insist on the same penitential discipline.  When asked the reason behind his apparent laxity, Jesus says that the time for fasting will come when he has been taken away.  Then he gives a couple of analogies for what is happening.  His new perspective on the Law does not conform readily to old customs.  Like fresh wine it must be handled differently from the old wine or it will never be drunk.

We do not like to limit ourselves.  Out of a felt need to curb our intake, we submit to the call to fast in Lent after the winter holidays.  But we reel at the suggestion of regularly doing penance.  Considering the salutary value to both spirit and body, we should not be so obstinate.  Fasting on Friday focuses us on the Lord’s total sacrifice for our sins.  It makes us more conscious and appreciative of our salvation.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11)

When people win at a slot machine in a casino, almost invariably they play again.  Whether they think they may be on a winning streak or feel a pang to give back some of what they have taken, they feed the slot at least one more coin.  Fishing may be compared to gaming inasmuch as some luck is involved.  Therefore, one might expect Simon, James, and John to go into the deep at least one more time after the miraculous catch they make in today’s gospel.

But the account indicates that the three do not even bother to sell the fish that they have hauled in.  Rather, they leave at once everything to follow Jesus.  Their reason is obvious.  Despite the fact that Jesus is “Lord” in whose presence they cannot help but feel unworthy, he has called them to follow him.  At this point returning to fisherman’s life would be like a janitor going back to mopping floors after hitting the lottery.

Jesus also calls us to follow him.  This does not mean that we have to leave our careers and homes.  But it demands that we consider our lives in a new way.  We will no longer live to please ourselves but to serve him.  Whether we are builders or beauticians, teachers or truck drivers, we will work with his righteousness.  We will also share our faith in Jesus with those who are around us.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

In today’s first reading St. Paul addresses a division in the Christian community at Corinth.  He urges those who see themselves as disciples of Apollo and those who claim to be followers of Paul himself to end their rivalry.  In today’s Church there is evidence of a similar disunity.  Many Catholics consider themselves as conservative while others describe themselves as liberal or progressive.  The two sides also have their heroes.  St. John Paul II represents the conservative contingent, and Pope Francis is taken as the standard-bearer of the liberals.

Paul recognizes the foolishness of such division.  He accuses those who participate in the rivalry as “fleshy people,” no more than “infants” in the faith.  He desires that the community reimage itself as a whole that has been assisted be both himself and Apollo.  Finally, he exhorts all members to understand themselves as God’s children.

As much as we allow the conservative-liberal dichotomy to thrive, our gospel message will be weakened.  Certainly there are different mindsets among Church members.  However, on close inspection there are ways in which some conservatives share values more with liberals, and vice versa, than with their own cohorts.  More importantly, the common ground of both sectors is vast and differs significantly from secular territory.  For the sake of the gospel then and for the needed support we provide one another, we must strive to overcome division.