Monday, September 17, 2018

Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

( I Corinthians 11:17-26.33; Luke 7:1-10)

A hundred years ago the Church often separated a minority group from the dominant one. Rather than one integrated parish, there were two - a rich parish in the nice part of town and a poor parish of African-Americans, Mexicans or other immigrant group on the poor side of the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, a similar practice is sometimes allowed today.  Communities with means resist having a Eucharist in Spanish, Polish, or other language. St. Paul addresses this abuse in the first reading.

Evidently people have reported to Paul that the well-off in the Corinthian community are separating themselves from the poor.  They have what amounts to a private party while the poor wait for the formal Eucharist to begin. Paul reminds the community that the host of the gathering is Jesus himself present in spirit. In him, he says later in the letter, all are united – slave and free, Jew and Greek, Mexican and Irish, men and women - into one body. Seeking divisions betrays that unity.  It may even nullify his presence

No doubt, reaching out to people from other cultures takes us out of our comfort zones. But there is really no alternative for Christians. If we are what we say we are - the Body of Christ -- then we have to act inclusively.  By integrating our communities we profess Jesus Christ as the one Lord of the whole world.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 6:6-11)

Donald Trump’s “locker room banter” many times is more than bravado.  Men will brag of actual sexual exploits as if they were still school boys propelled by excess dopamine.  The same coarseness has long been in comic routines and now appears even among strangers.  St. Paul takes the Corinthians to task for showing acceptance of a similar display of lewdness.

Paul is outraged upon hearing how the Corinthian community gossips about sexual sins. Evidently the community is more amused than affronted by a member’s sleeping with his father’s wife. He chastises everyone for finding delight in the travesty.  He implies that this kind of practice indicates a loss in the Christian quest for holiness.  He says like leaven in dough they have been inflated by sin.  He exhorts them to renew the quest by distancing themselves both spiritually and physically from the guilty party.

In this time of sexual license many will think it normal, even healthy to describe sexual adventure.  The ancients labeled such description “obscene” to relegate it to the periphery.  We should be wary that such talk does not become familiar.  It will lure us into thinking the sexual intimacy may be pursued by anyone at any time.  Surely such an idea will detour us from the road to sanctity.

Friday, September 7, 2018

Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 5:33-39)

It is always perplexing to hear people seemingly without a prejudiced sentiment in their soul deride old age.  Perhaps they invert a friend’s age saying that she is thirty-seven rather than seventy-three.  Or maybe they repudiate that the friend has any age at all be calling her “seventy-three years young.” 

What is it about old age that we don’t like to think of ourselves or those whom we love as having a part in it?  When living things become old, they naturally die so humans at least fear growing old for that reason.  Similarly, we know that in old age people experience a decrease in ability, be it the physical capacity to work day and night or the mental ability to recall facts immediately.  But becoming old has positive sides.  People often correct destructive behavior patterns in old age, and there is some truth to the celebrated “wisdom of old age.”  Antiques have a definite charm as they imply craftsmanship and originality.  In today’s gospel Jesus reminds us of an item that generally improves with years – wine.

American Catholics need to be wary of denigrating old age because both their faith tradition and their government are practically ancient.  The Catholic Church is sometimes dubbed “the oldest institution in the world.”  Likewise, there are few constitutional governments older than that of the United States.  We can say that it is good to be old when age has a regenerating element that self-corrects corrupting tendencies and adapts to current ways of life.  In the Church we recognize this factor as the Holy Spirit.  In American society we see it as a sense of human equality.  More than most other societies we believe “that all men (and women) are created equal.”

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11)

Simon makes his livelihood fishing.  Having his own boat, he probably is an accomplished fisherman.  That means he knows the sea; he is sea-wise.  But St. Paul tells the Corinthians in the first reading that there is something better than being “wise in this age.”  He exhorts them to become like fools needing instruction.  So what happens when Simon abandons his own wisdom to follow Jesus’ instruction? That’s right; he catches two boat-loads of fish. 

The catch is symbolic for Jesus.  He tells Simon that he will be catching humans, not fish, implying that there will be many.  But to do so, once again Simon must become foolish by giving up his boat and gear.  If he is to preach the Kingdom of God, he must dedicate himself one hundred percent to learning from the master.  How can Simon help but to take up the challenge?

We too must give up the quest for worldly wisdom.  That is, we must forsake the incessant pursuit of fame and fortune.  Jesus has chosen each of us to learn from him so that we might teach others about him.  We are not talking necessarily about enlisting converts here.  No, we are sent to convert others to his ways by example, instruction, and tender care.  Through our efforts may our associates become more just, loving, and faithful people.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:1-9; Luke 4:38-44)

Although the Catholic Church claims to be one, a telling fissure appears on its surface.  Liberal and conservative Catholics criticize each other continuously.  Liberals believe that the Church must change if its teaching is to maintain credibility.  They see, for example, a married clergy as not only desirable but critical. Conservatives believe that most changes betray the tradition handed over through the centuries. They even frown on the revived customs of taking Holy Communion in the hand and from the chalice.  St. Paul provides a needed corrective of both sides in today’s first reading.

Paul calls the Corinthians “fleshly people” for creating divisions among themselves.  “Fleshly” appears to be the same quality as “natural” in yesterday’s passage.  It refers to living according to the animal desires of dominance and sensuality.  Even though they have been baptized into Christ, Paul sees them as no more Christ-like than ruthless warriors.  He urges the Corinthians to transcend their differences by seeing God as their all-encompassing life-force.  His compassion for all must be emulated.

We do well to follow Paul’s recommendations.  Of course, we are to pursue truth by making strong arguments for what we believe.  But even truth does not allow us to denigrate those who take different positions.  Most always there will be something to note with approval.  In this way that fissure threatening Church unity will soon disappear.