Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Tuesday of the Third Lent in Lent

(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)

When former president Gerald Ford died in 2007, commentators remembered him with surprising admiration.  They recognized his pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon for criminal activity in the Watergate affair as his greatest achievement.  Even Ted Kennedy, a Nixon critic, admitted that the pardon did a distinctive service to the country.  It helped heal a nation badly divided over ideology and shocked over wrongdoing at the highest levels.

Would that public figures be more willing to practice today what they admire in past heroes!  Instead we hear them demand resignation, impeachment, or apology from those who violate their principles.  In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that it should not be that way with us.  We must be ready to forgive when people repent of their misdeeds.  Rather than clamor for retribution, we should pray that our offenders take note of their wrongdoing, ask forgiveness, and make proper amends.

Mercy becomes us.  Shakespeare writes that an “earthly power doth then show likest God's,
when mercy seasons justice.”  It even makes us better appreciated in our society as in the case of President Ford.  In forgiving, of course, we must not abandon the norms of justice.  Compensation to the wronged is often due, and the offender should be resolved not to offend again.  But practiced rightly, mercy like “the gentle rain from heaven” – as Shakespeare put it -- benefits everyone.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

(Isaiah 7:10-14.8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38)

In the middle of winter yellow crocuses piercing the snow give a sign of spring.  Similarly, now in the middle of Lent the Solemnity of the Annunciation reminds us of Christmas.  Jesus, whose death is anticipated throughout this season, is recalled as a newborn bringing joy to the world. 

The second reading bridges the two periods.  The Letter to the Hebrews announces that Christ, our leader, is born a human.  He is like us in all respects except, of course, sin.  But that is why he comes – to take away our sins.  To conform ourselves to him we fast, pray, and go out of our way to show mercy for forty days.  It is not that Jesus’ sacrifice of himself was insufficient to make us like him.  Rather, sin bent human nature so out of shape that it takes considerable effort to correct its effect.  This is why even Jesus had to fast and pray.

Mary is presented today as our model.  Modesty forbids her from recognizing herself in Gabriel’s complimentary greeting.  She exhibits no anger or regret at being mandated to give service beyond the call of duty.  She only wonders if, perhaps, the angel has come to the wrong door. Then, assured that God wants her and will help her, she generously accepts the request. When we become so humble, patient, and loving, our Lenten journey will have reached its goal.

Friday, March 22, 2019

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)

When old Catholics come together, they sometimes tell the story of a parish priest who said mass in twelve minutes.  He did it in pre-Vatican Council days when no one was following the liturgical Latin.  Of course, it was an abuse of the sacrament as were other practices of those days.  The demeaning of Protestants, the transfers of priest sexual abusers, and the downplaying of Scripture are but a few of the traits of those times that called for reform.  In today’s gospel Jesus points to the need of a similar reform in Judaism.

Jesus is speaking to the elders and chief priests of the people.  He knows that they resist his call to a less severe interpretation of the Law.  Some of his issues which they reject are healing on the Sabbath and moral judgment based on one’s intention as well as the concrete action.  Jesus further realizes that the established religious leaders have made up their minds.  He knows that they will do away with him when they have the opportunity.  His parable serves as a prophecy for what is soon to take place on Calvary.

We must not be closed to reform.  Vatican II expressed this principle as the need for the Church to constantly purify itself.  We as members of the Church community must strive for greater understanding of self, greater love for others, and greater sacrifice for God.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Thursday of the Second Week in Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)

“The line between good and evil,” the Russian novelist and humanitarian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn remarked, “is not drawn between nations or parties, but through every human heart.”  We can understand this truth as saying that every one of us has a heart partly corrupted so that it awaits renewal.  Executing that renewal is our Lenten project.  Similarly, every one has in part a heart palpitating with generosity.  Experiencing the growth of that vibrant sector is a source of Easter rejoicing.  In the first reading the prophet Jeremiah laments a heart so rotten that it is beyond remedy.  In the gospel Jesus gives an example – the rich man who ignores the beggar at his door.

Certainly the rich man is not punished just for having wealth.  That would be like criticizing a healthy person for not taking sick leave.  But wealth as well as health has attendant obligations.  As Pope St. Paul VI once wrote, wealth entails a “social mortgage.”  The rich must share some of their resources so that the needy not forfeit their human dignity.  Jesus in this Gospel of Luke never tires reminding his disciples of this responsibility.

Donating to the poor carries some risks.  A beggar may squander the beneficence received.  Even highly regarded charities have sometimes misused contributions.  But we must not allow these concerns to trump God’s call to generosity.  Prudence indicates to whom and how much to give.  Failure to comply with its dictates may place our heart more on the side of corruption.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

When politicians and prelates go to Rome, they often have one objective in mind.  They want to be photographed with the pope.  They may have only ten minutes with the Holy Father, not enough time to exchange more than niceties.  But that is all right with them.  A picture with the pope in the newspapers back home raises their status in the eyes of the people.  Perhaps the mother of James and John harbors a similar motive when she approaches Jesus.  She asks him to place her sons on either side of him in glory.  She wants her sons to be seen as people of importance.

Interestingly Jesus does not reject the sons because of the ambition of their mother.  Rather he questions their willingness to sacrifice themselves for him.  When they seem genuinely ready to suffer on his behalf, Jesus affirms their courage.  He knows that they need his help to fulfill their commitment to him as disciples.

All of us do but especially those who face terminal illness.  The pain, the loneliness, and the anger that many experience facing death makes them want to do something outrageous.  Some want to show themselves as masters of their life by taking it.  Others try to imitate the super-wealthy by taking a lavish trip.  Others desire to curse their enemies.  We are wise to reject these temptations by becoming a servant as Jesus recommends.  We do this by seeking reconciliation with adversaries and by exemplifying submission to God’s will.