Thursday, June 1, 2017

Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17: 20-26)

Paul’s trial before the Roman commandeer is reminiscent of a famous episode in the life of St. Justin Martyr whom the Church remembers today.  Justin was a second-century philosopher who embraced Christianity.  He was taken into custody for not worshipping the Roman gods.  At his trial before the Roman prefect, he explained why it would be absurd for a Christian to offer sacrifices to idols.  He said, “No one who is right thinking stoops from true worship to false worship.”  The refusal to comply with this Roman law won for him a martyr’s glory.

Paul, of course, fares better, at least for the time being.  When he is accused of preaching Jesus, He cleverly instigates a dispute among the two parties of Jews leveling the charge.  One party declares Paul innocent when he puts himself on its side of the dispute.  Paul, however, will not escape martyrdom.  Indeed, Jesus tells Paul in this same passage that he will have to bear witness to him in Rome.  There he will be beheaded.

We should be aware that Christians today are facing the same kind of martyrdom as befell St. Justin and St. Paul.  Ideas matter, and some people cannot tolerate the beneficent ideas of Christianity.  That should not deter us from proclaiming them.  To say that Jesus is the Son of God is to declare God’s love for the world.  Even if that idea offends some people, it is worth dying for.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

Some parents say that they do not wish to baptize their children because Baptism would prejudice the way their children look at the world.  Echoing the thought, young people claim to suspend their belief so that they might experience the world in new ways.  The serious believer, however, knows that these stratagems actually put one at a definite disadvantage, like not getting eyeglasses when one is noticeably near-sighted.  The gospel portrays Mary as eminently believing and therefore able to foresee the blessings that God will accomplish in Jesus.

Mary visits Elizabeth not to test what the angel told her but because she believes that it is true.  Elizabeth herself recognizes this faith when she exclaims to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed what was spoken to you by the Lord…”  Then Mary voices her famous song praising God for what will be accomplished in Jesus – remembering His promise of mercy and filling the hungry with good things.

Dazzled by the products of science and technology, some see faith as increasingly heavier baggage.  They want it all – the surety of faith and the autonomy of not committing themselves to any worldview.  Some even try to rationalize the question positing that they do not have the gift of faith.  But they likely do have faith.  God has offered it to most of us if not through our parents then through blessed companions all the way.  Rather than putting it on hold, we should allow it, as Mary does in the gospel, to bring us unmerited rewards.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)

Few scenes give more glory to a country than a cemetery of its dead warriors.  The multiple rows of graves testify to the greatness of the land for which the men and women shed their blood.  It is a picture that transcends sadness and fills observers with awe.  In today’s gospel Jesus speaks of giving such glory to his Father.

Jesus has labored to bring his Father’s love to the people.  He has been like a good shepherd and a vinedresser caring for God’s people.  Now is the moment for him to give God the ultimate glory.  He will die so that the people know the extent of God’s love for them.

We need to ask ourselves to whom or what we want to give glory.  By all means, let it not be something frivolous – a rock group or a baseball team.  No, let us say that we live for the sake of our families, our communities, or perhaps for the pursuit of knowledge.  These beneficiaries can be readily aligned with the greatest good.  In the end we should want to say with Jesus that it is God to whom we give glory.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33)

Memorial Day is sometimes called Decoration Day.  This is so because on this day Americans have traditionally put flowers on the graves of their deceased loved ones.  The custom started after the Civil War which claimed the lives of more Americans than any other.  In time people decorated the graves of all loved ones, not just fallen soldiers.

Flowers symbolize new life.  They are fitting for Christian graves because Christians believe that the dead will live again.  The Holy Spirit will reintegrate their bodies and unite them with their souls.  Then they will praise God in joy for eternity.  We have a foreshadowing of this day in today’s first reading.

Paul meets twelve Ephesians who identify with the Jesus.  Perhaps because they do not exhibit much joy, Paul asks the twelve if they have received the Holy Spirit.  When they admit ignorance of the Spirit, Paul baptizes them in Jesus’ name.  The effect is wonderful.  The Spirit moves the Ephesians to pray in tongues and to tell the wonders of God.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest

(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)

Today’s first reading tells of Jesus encountering Paul.  The Lord tells him not to be afraid of Jewish persecution in Corinth because he has “many people” in the city.  Then the reading gives an example.  Gallio, the Roman leader, refuses to hear the accusation made by the Jews against Paul.  St. Philip Neri had a similar mystical experience that moved him to become one of the most celebrated Catholics of his time.

In the middle of the sixteenth century Philip was pursuing a career in business.  A mystical experience, however, set him on a different course.  He went to Rome where there was a malaise after the scandals of the Renaissance popes and the initial jolts of the Reformation.  Philip began to preach openly on the streets where the people responded in droves to his wisdom, devotion, and cheerfulness.  He became venerated as a saint in his last years and was canonized one just twenty-seven years later.

Some people claim to have visions of the Lord.  They speak of Jesus telling them to do something or not to do another.  It may seem weird, but why deny it?  Rather let us pray that the Lord may at least consider us one of his “many people.”  And let us also respond to such a positive designation by being cheerful, wise and devoted like Philip Neri.