Friday, November 4, 2016

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

(Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 16:1-8)

Few churchmen have accomplished as much as Charles Borromeo.  He forsook an aristocratic life to give himself to ecclesiastical reform.  He oversaw the production of the catechism, missal, and breviary which the Council of Trent ordered.  As bishop of Milan, he was frequently challenged by errant clerics and once was wounded in an assassination attempt.  When the plague threatened his city, he was on the front line with relief.  He might be seen as a disciple of St. Paul who pleads for imitators in today’s first reading.

Paul’s labors in preaching the gospel truly elicit admiration.  He not only tirelessly preached and taught the gospel throughout the Asia Minor and Greece; he did so under the severest of conditions.  He suffered shipwreck and beatings multiple times.  But Paul does not ask those to whom he writes to undertake these risks.  But he does insist that they not conform to the times by obsessing over food and sex.

We might see ourselves as reformers like St. Charles and St. Paul.  By gracious care for all we will show the world that God is not just a pious idea but is working in their midst.  The benefits may appear trivial, but they will make a marked difference in a few lives, including our own.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, religious

(Philippians 3:3-8a; Luke 15:1-10)

A story about St. Martin de Porres illustrates the vision of today’s gospel.  According to the testimony of a Dominican friar made during the investigation into Martin’s sanctity, Martin loved animals.  One late night the friar followed Martin in the community dining room.  The saint served a plate of food to his animal friends.  Soon a dog and a cat were eating at his feet.  Then Martin spotted a rat in a hole in the wall looking hungrily at the two larger animals.  Martin invited the rat to join the feast with words to the effect, “Come, little one, don’t be afraid; come and eat.”  The rat joined his natural predators and all ate happily together.

Jesus has come to the world to invite everyone to his Father’s table.  He does not want anyone excluded.  When the Pharisees and scribes grumble that Jesus associates with sinners, Jesus tells three parables about God’s love for them.  Two of these parables form today’s gospel reading.  The lost sheep is the sinner for whom the shepherd goes far out of his way to find.  The party hosted by the woman upon finding a lost coin indicates the banquet which God is preparing for all the different peoples inhabiting the earth.

Along with being charmed by Jesus’ parables and pious stories of the saints, we must take to heart Jesus’ message.  He calls us to reform our lives and then to the table prepared by his Father.  Reform means letting go of self-centeredness to assist others, especially those most in need. 

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The Commemoration of All the Faithfully Departed

(John 6:37-40)

We have all seen them – crosses with artificial flowers, an altar on the roadside.  Sometimes there is an inscription like, “To our Rene; we will never forget you.”  Obviously the altar serves as a reminder of a beloved dead person who was killed in a traffic accident.  The person was likely young, perhaps driving too fast or when sleepy.  We don’t know although the victim’s loved will never forget.  Today, All Souls Day, we pray especially for those who have suffered accidental deaths and countless others.

The “Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed” has been celebrated in the Church for centuries.  It provides us an opportunity to pray for the dead who had difficulty living up to the high standards set by Jesus in the gospel.  The day also gives us pause to consider our own eventual deaths.  Will we be remembered principally for our adherence to Christ or will our faults predominate? 

In today’s gospel Jesus says that he was sent to save all who believe in him.  Surely believing in Jesus means more than paying him lip service. Some may try to beat death with empty words as others try to beat a prison sentence with lies.  But even for those of us who are trying to live good lives, our behavior often falls short of perfection. For this reason we pray today for God’s mercy on all who have died.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

Funerals of African-Americans in New Orleans lift participants to the hope promised in today’s readings.  Arriving at the cemetery, mourners step out of their cars and their sorrow.  They follow the casket in a dance of life.  It is not a moment of sadness but an occasion of God’s victory over death.  It is the time when the saints go marching in.

Today the Church joins the great procession of saints who have never been canonized to the ten thousand holy women and men officially recognized.  In doing so, she confirms our sense that people whom we have known share the glory of heaven.  These saints may include our gracious grandmother who always had a few pennies for us to buy a treat on the way to school.  They also may number our favorite teacher who not only taught us his or her particular expertise but also the virtues of adulthood.

We must be careful not to indiscriminately say that all the dead are now saints.  Evil is a factor in the world with some buying plainly into it.  But no one lies beyond the reach of God’s mercy.  For those who led compromised lives we will pray tomorrow.  For now we want to ask all the saints, especially those to whom we have been close, to pray for us.  We too hope to surmount the evil which tempts us so that we may be counted in their number.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(Philippians 2:1-4; Luke 14:12-14)

In the gospels Jesus frequently speaks with hyperbolic language.  That is, he exaggerates to convey his message.  For example, he says, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.”  This should not be taken literally.  It is wrong to do physical harm to a body member unless there is a commensurate reason like saving one’s life.  In another place Jesus says that no one can be his disciple unless he or she hates his father and mother.  Here again he is not to be taken literally.  What about today’s gospel?  Are we not to invite friends to the parties that we host?

Of course, it is all right to have parties with friends.  The poor and the lame may also be invited, but their presence may cause awkwardness for everyone involved.  One might have special dinners for the poor as some churches do weekly or monthly.  Alternatively, one may donate time or money to services that feed the poor daily.

Overall, Jesus insists that we live in solidarity with the poor.  Solidarity is not a vague feeling of concern for the poor but a firm commitment of support.  Nor is it sufficient to define poverty loosely so that the poor are, for example, those who lack meaning in their lives.  No, we must give preferential consideration to those who lack the basic necessities of life – food, medical care, housing, etc.  At the very least solidarity compels us to respect the poor by shaking their hand and talking with them.