Friday, June 1, 2018

Memorial of St. Justin, martyr

(I Peter 4:7-13; Mark 11:11-26)

The title “Good Samaritan” will always belong primarily to the protagonist of Jesus’ parable.   But many others have earned the distinction through the ages.  Perhaps none, however, have a claim on it as unique as St. Justin’s.  Born in Samaria with a hunger for truth, he converted to Christianity.  In it he found an integrity to satisfy his need.  He died a martyr after being given the choice of worshipping idols or being executed.  Justin’s life conforms to the admonitions in today’s first reading.

Peter’s letter warns its readers to be “serious and sober-minded.”  Nothing is to interfere with their attention to God and their love of neighbor.  It also mentions a “trial by fire” for peace-loving Christians. Even though they exhibit exemplary behavior, they will not escape the world’s envy or its contempt.

In an election year we must remain vigilant.  There are many issues on which we are to evaluate candidates. We may be scorned for not giving central importance to bread and butter questions like the economy.  We may be criticized for not indiscriminately wanting to “send a message” to the president.  Like Justin, however, we search for truth in Christ and live accordingly.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

The sportswriters were frustrated.  They wanted the star athlete to talk about himself, but he continually deferred to others.  His teammates’ play allowed him to stand out.  His family’s support was instrumental in making him who he was.  The dialogue resembled, in a way, Mary’s speech in the gospel today.

In visiting her kinswoman, Mary is given a supreme compliment.  Elizabeth calls her the “most blessed …among woman” for bearing Jesus inside her womb.  At this point one would expect Mary to return the compliment.  Alternatively, she might explain her feelings in being given such an honor.  But her eyes are fixed on God.  She does not speak of her own virtue or anyone else’s.  Instead, she gives all the credit to the Lord.  He “has looked with favor on his lowly servant.”  He “has done great things” for her.  He always “has mercy on those who fear him.”

Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements so much that we slip into vanity.  Mary, the model disciple, reminds us that God is the source of every good deed we do.  To sing His praises, not our own, is our role as agents in the new evangelization.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Peter 1:18-25; Mark 10:32-45)

With so much emphasis on sex today we might think of it as a wholly contemporary concern.  In truth, however, extramarital sex has always been on people’s minds.  What may be new is its widespread social acceptance.  Few today stand up to condemn it.  Of course, the catechisms call it sinful, but often preachers steer clear of the subject.  Liberal-minded people seem largely concerned that sex does not divert youth from career tracks.  Conservatives often appear lost in pursuing a realistic course of action. The New Testament letters testify that licentiousness troubled the first century.  They see Christ as leading the people out of the morass.

Today’s reading from the First Letter of Peter typically exhorts the people to “love…from a pure heart.”  It reminds them that “’all flesh is like grass’” that withers.  Therefore, they are to place their hope in God and not surrender themselves to debauchery. 

Youth may respond to the argument of coherency.  After all, they have a sense of justice even if not fully developed.  Coherency requires congruence between what one says and does.  The argument goes like this.  The sexual act is the most intimate way to demonstrate one’s love.  Therefore, it should be accompanied by a profession of one’s love in marriage.  Absent this public profession, it is a lie as sure as Brutus’ profession of love for Caesar.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Peter 1:10-16; Mark 10:28-31)

Novelist Ann Lamott writes of Rosie, a young tennis player who is prone to cheat.  Rosie calls balls that hit the line “out” in order not to lose a point.  A man sees her doing this and tells her so.  But more than correcting her, he befriends Rosie and admits, “I did what you did....I cheated.”  The young player eventually recognizes her fault and overcompensates.  She starts calling balls that go beyond the line “in” so as not to appear dishonest.  But then Rosie summons the courage to call all the shots as she sees them.  One day during a match her friend sees Rosie calling shots correctly and begins to leave.  Her mother asks him if he doesn’t want to see Rosie win. The man answers, “’I already have.’”

In today’s first reading Peter calls the Christian community to the integrity which the man calls Rosie.  Christians are to give up “the desires of our former ignorance.”  In turn, they are to live in accord with the holiness of God.  Honesty needs to be implicit in everything they do.  For this reason they are to “gird up the loins of (their) mind.” That is, they are not to say things because they are self-advantageous.  Rather they are always to speak in ways that are true and helpful to others. 

Perhaps more than ever in the communication age we are inclined to lie.  Facebook and other Internet aps have facilitated the desire to exaggerate if not to fabricate.  To initiate a message or image that “goes viral” fulfills the dreams of many even if it distorts reality.  In truth, however, it is just another example of the oldest sin of pride.  In line with our Christian vocation we should take care not to exaggerate and never to lie outright. 

Monday, May 28, 2018

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (Memorial Day)

(I Peter 1:3-9; Mark 10:17-27)

Today the United States celebrates Memorial Day.  For generations Americans have isolated a day at the end of May to pray for their war dead.  These primarily include young men who died in wars fought to defend their country.  Because they were young, they tended to rashly follow their hearts’ desires.  The prayer is that God will forgive them any sins and reward them for serving their country.  In this way they too will partake of the rich inheritance promised in today’s reading from I Peter.

The Letter of Peter is written for Christians who suffer persecution.  The suffering may stem from friends whose corrupt pleasures the disciples of Christ no longer share.  Or it may come from authorities who cannot tolerate their abandoning the ancient gods.  The letter exhorts those Christians to carry on the struggle.  It holds up as a reward the prize of heaven.  It also suggests as an even more basic reason to resist temptation in their relationship with Jesus.  He will one day be revealed as savior of the whole world.

As well as our war dead we should pray today for those who are being persecuted for their faith.  Whether they are Christians in Pakistan, Muslims in Myanmar, or Baha’is in Iran, we pray that they will realize the promise of Jesus Christ.  Having tried, as they did, to serve others, we pray that God will welcome them into eternal life.