Thursday, February 8, 2018

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)

Where Solomon in today’s first reading cannot set a limit on pleasing others, Jesus shows himself capable of doing so in the gospel.  The wise Solomon has grown foolish with age by pandering to the wishes of his foreign wives.  He allows them to offer sacrifices to gods who do not exist.  He thus offends the Lord who insists, “Thou shalt not have strange gods beside me.”

In the gospel Jesus retreats to a border area so that he might rest.  But people there have heard about him and come to him for help.  He tries to put off the pagan woman, but she persists.  In the end her belief in Jesus overcomes his need of rest.  He heals her ailing daughter of the unclean spirit.  Jesus demonstrates once again that there is no limit to his love.  Ultimately he will die on the cross to show the vastness of that love.

We should not hesitate to go to Jesus with our needs.  He will help in every case.  We may not experience what we ask of him, but we will turn out stronger and more complete human beings.  Even non-Christians can go to Jesus with their requests.  After all, whether people believe it or not, he is ruler of all the universe.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)

As we prepare for Lent, we might ask ourselves the following questions: How can the Church’s prohibition of eating meat on Lenten Fridays be justified in light of today’s gospel?  If Jesus really meant that “’that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,’” how can it be a sin for a Catholic to eat meat on a Lenten Friday?

There is some doubt whether Jesus actually made a statement to the effect that Jews could eat non-kosher foods.  More likely -- many scholars say -- the words were added to Jesus’ teaching on sins of the heart.  After all, the evangelist Mark wrote for a primarily non-Jewish community who had to be reassured that they did not have to follow Jewish dietary laws.

It is also true that what defiles a person is not simply the act of eating pork or shellfish but the defiance of God’s authority.  For this reason Jesus does condemn arrogance in this same passage.  Considering the action in this way legitimizes the Church’s capacity to bind its members on matters such as fasting and attending mass.

It is also likely that we often think much differently than Jesus.  We are usually concerned about doing the minimal amount to achieve our goal.  So we ask, “Is abstinence necessary?”  Or, “How about confession; do I have to go if I have not committed any mortal sins?”  Jesus, on the other hand, wants us to love God with all hearts.  Living in his way, we will likely abstain from more than meat on Lenten Fridays, and avail ourselves of confessions more than the Church-mandated once a year.  We will readily make sacrifices of time and energy to know him better.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)

The woman was upset with the Church when her son was told that he could not have his wedding at a garden ceremony.  She reasoned that if the Church allows mass to be celebrated in a home, it could permit weddings wherever the couple wished.  But most bishops insist that weddings be done in a sacred space to underscore the sacred covenant of marriage.  In his prayer that comprises the first reading today Solomon asks a question pertinent to the issue.

The king prays: “’Can it indeed be that God dwells among men on earth?  If the heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built!’”  Solomon has come to the realization that God is not confined to the holy place that he has constructed.  Yet he knows that the temple raises minds and hearts to God with its lofty walls, statutes of cherubs, and perennial sacrifice.  He would say that when the temple reminds people of God’s closeness, it fulfills his purpose.

Everything on earth may be a sacrament connecting us with God, but many of those things may distract our attention from Him.  Temples and churches generally avoid the ambiguity.  We are wise like Solomon to follow his lead of praying that God watch over our churches.  People need places set apart to remind them of God’s grandeur.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)

The word incense is the past participle form of the Latin verb incendere meaning to burn.  Incense is often burned as an offering to God.  The smoke that it gives off rises as a symbol of human desire to come into the divine presence.  The sweetness of its fragrance is meant to please the Lord. 

In today’s first reading incense rises in Solomon’s temple for the first time.  It is an important occasion.  Now people have a special place to make offering for their sins.  Solomon even declares that God dwells in the cloud of smoke that results from their sacrifice.  In the story of Israel, however, the people do not stop sinning.  The prophets then prescribe a more effective offering than incense.  The people are to be “humble and contrite in spirit” trembling at God’s word (Isaiah 66:2).

Such a person was today’s patron, Saint Agatha.  Although little is known with certainty beyond her dying as a martyr, there is a late story that describes her sacrifice.  Agatha was a Sicilian beauty who professed her virginity to the Lord.  The Roman prefect became enamored of her and had her tortured for refusing to give in to him.  Soon afterwards she died in prison.

Fortunately we will not be called to make the supreme sacrifice for God.  But we can and should make small sacrifices of prayer, patience and charity regularly.  These works, as the psalmist says, rise to God like incense.

Friday, February 2, 2018

The Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

Not just in present times have priests given scandal to the people.  Aaron, Moses’ brother and high priest of Israel, fashioned the golden calf as an object of worship.  In this case the people might not have been scandalized, but certainly Moses was.  Moses burned the idols, ground its remains, and forced the people to consume them.  Later, Hophni and Phineas, the priest sons of the high priest Eli, took undue portions of the people’s sacrifices for themselves.  But, of course, not all priests are bad.  In any case they perform the necessary service of offering sacrifice for the sins of the people.  Today’s feast celebrates Jesus Christ as the supreme high priest of God.

In the gospel Jesus is seen entering the Temple of God, his rightful sanctuary as high priest.  In time he will offer the perfect sacrifice – his own body and blood for the salvation of the world.  The Letter to the Hebrews especially alludes to this act in today’s reading.  He is named “the merciful and faithful high priest” who suffered “to expiate the sins of the people.”

Through our incorporation in the body of Christ we participate in Jesus’ priestly sacrifice.  When we pray, deny ourselves for Jesus’ sake, or assist the needy, our sacrifice joins Jesus’ death on the cross.  We then become priests with Jesus.  Our good works help him make up for the sins of all.