Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)

The American people have had a split mind on Lyndon B. Johnson, their thirty-sixth president.  Some have praised him for his concern for the poor.  Others have judged him as an obsessive and coercive politician.  One edifying assessment came from Joseph Califano, a former Secretary of Heath, Education, and Welfare.  Before holding that position,  Califano had served President Johnson as a domestic policy aide.  He wrote that Johnson invited him to his Texas ranch to get acquainted.  As they were touring the property, they saw a poor man waking on the side of the road.  Johnson told Califano, “See that man over there.  The difference between him and us is only this much.” Johnson was holding up his hand with the thumb and index finger only a fraction of an inch apart.  Johnson’s words and gesture echo what Paul writes in today’s first reading.

Paul is writing his disciple Timothy to give instructions on pastoral ministry.  First, however, he insists that Timothy realize the source of his call.  He says that Timothy was chosen not for any merit or by any birthright.  He might have never known the salvation of Christ.  But God called him gratuitously “according to his own design.”  Timothy needs to thank him for this gift which ultimately means eternal life.  Furthermore, like Paul he should make every effort to serve the Lord.

We do well also to recognize the wonder of being saved by Christ.  We do not really miss out on much fun.  Rather we know the peace of divine love.  Of course, we want to serve him in return.  We would not possess divine love if we did not share it with others.  Reading Paul’s advice in this letter we learn some of the basics of service.  Our preparation is filled out by attentiveness to Church leaders today.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr

(2 Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)

As commonly observed, we live in a fractured society and a fractured Church.  In society, the fault line touches abortion.  Should the state prohibit abortion?  Liberals think that the state has no business regulating what a woman does to her body.  Conservatives rightly see the newly formed being in the woman’s body as human.  Therefore, the state has an obligation to protect it.  In the Church the determining issue is artificial contraception within marriage.  Liberals believe that it should be permitted while conservatives see it as wrong.  Today’s gospel considers an equally divisive issue in Jesus’ day.

“’Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?’” a group of Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus.  The Pharisees would say “definitely not” as the tax compromises a Jew’s loyalty to God.  The Herodians, on the other hand, think that such accommodation is only realistic.  That the two parties are collaborating against Jesus indicates the great animus Jesus arouses.  More interesting, however, is how Jesus deftly handles the challenge.  Rather than falling into his adversaries’ trap by answering their question, he sidesteps the issue.  He says, in effect, that each person must decide for herself what belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar. 

We would be more like Jesus if we refuse to categorize people according to a standard question.  We need to respect everyone by engaging him in dialogue.  We also should take care not to abhor others because their opinions differ from ours.  Lastly, we should try to claim as our own the positions of the Church on moral and social issues.

Monday, June 4, 2018

Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Peter 1:2-7; Mark 12:1-12)

Global warming is a fact.  No one should deny that temperatures have been increasing steadily for thirty years. But there have always been cycles of warm and cold temperatures for ages.  The critical debate concerns human responsibility for higher temperatures.  Are artificial pollutants sealing warm air in the atmosphere? Today’s gospel can shed some light on the moral dimension of the issue.

Jesus is locked in a battle of wits with the religious establishment of his place.  He sees its leaders as hampering God’s freeing the people of injustice.  For him they are like the vineyard that produces sour grapes in the Book of Isaiah.  His parable implies that like the leaders’ ancestors killed the prophets, they will murder him.

The vineyard in Jesus’ parable may also be taken as the environment.  The wicked farmers then are those who wantonly contaminate it for profit.  Whether or not the result is rising temperatures, leaders of industry are polluting the earth.  As a result, common people – especially the poor – suffer.  Often the biggest culprits do not stop at murder in pursuing their aims. 

Everyone should take care in treating the environment.  Although we may not have many resources to manage, we still can improve it.  Using fewer disposable items is something all might do.  Disposing hazardous wastes in designated places also assures a safer earth.

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.