Friday, August 30, 2019

Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Matthew 25:1-13)

Should not the five virgins who brought extra oil have shared their excess with the ones who didn’t?  Perhaps, but that is not what Jesus was getting at in this parable.  A parable is not just a moral lesson; it is a comparison that engages the listener to make a point.  In this case the point is not the need to be generous but something deeper.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells his disciples that they are the “light of the world.”  In other words, they are to shine like the lantern in a lighthouse to give testimony to him.  They thus shine when they perform works of charity.  The lamp oil of today’s parable is the goodness that is transformed into charitable works for the world to see Jesus.

We too are Jesus’ disciples with the mandate to give light to the world.  In doing this we not only assist the poor but also show kindness to those around us.  People will take note and give glory to God.  They will recognize us as Jesus’ disciples fulfilling his mandate to enlighten the world.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

(I Thessalonians 3:7-13; Mark 6:17-29)

In the gospel reading today and in one of the first readings last week a man makes an oath to do something that turns out to be immoral.  Herod promises his stepdaughter anything that she might ask.  He does not imagine her wanting him to murder.  In the Book of Judges Jephthat promises to sacrifice the first thing that emerges from his house upon his return if God grants him victory.  Does he likewise not contemplate the possibility of killing someone?  In any event he was not thinking of making a holocaust of his own daughter.  We must ask, “Are such oaths binding?”

No, they are not because they involve doing something evil which is always wrong.  In both cases, unfortunately, the men are so proud that they see themselves as God whose word of necessity is efficacious.  They need humility.  The should humble themselves by begging forgiveness from God for their mindlessness.  Instead each carries out an unconscionable act.

Of course, today’s celebration of the passion of John the Baptist should be for us more than a lesson on oath-taking.  John dies like an Old Testament prophet giving witness to the truth.  His manner of death prefigures Jesus’.  A civil system that arrests a man for speaking out against immorality will hardly tolerate one who seeks to inaugurate an even higher righteousness throughout the land.  A more perfect man than John the Baptist, Jesus will suffer a more brutal death.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church

(I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32)

It may pain a pastor to insist that their people diverge from cultural norms to live in conformity with the gospel.  The issue of artificial contraception quickly comes to mind in contemporary times.  Priests have a hard time preaching about it.  In previous generations there were others like the requirement to forgive one’s enemies or the evil of slavery.  St. Augustine echoed St. Paul in today’s first reading about the need to preach hard truths.  Paul says he did not waiver to insist that Christians “walk in a manner worthy of God.”

Augustine gave a famous sermon to priests about the ways of a true pastor.  He told them that they are not to court the favor of the people by preaching only what the people like to hear.  Rather they are to set their sights on Christ who suffered to live without sin.  In another sermon Augustine said how terrified he was as a bishop and how comforted he was as a Christian.  His reasoning was that as a Christian, he experienced God’s grace; but as a pastor, he was accountable for people’s souls. 

On this feast day of St. Augustine we might say a word to God on behalf of our pastors.  We should want God to inspire them to know His will and to provide them the strength to preach it.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Memorial of Saint Monica

(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26)

The man said he was an atheist.  He added his reason.  He said that religion has been at the center of so many wars that he could no longer believe in God.  Of course, he was overlooking the overwhelming amount of physical assistance that faith-filled people have provided.  He also might have thought for a moment about the destruction wrought by godless Communists and Nazis.  Yet Jesus in today’s gospel makes a similar criticism of religious opportunists.

Jesus is disturbed by people who use religion to benefit themselves.  Evidently a considerable number of Pharisees and scribes (i.e., teachers of the Law) distort Judaism in this way.  Rather than emphasize the prophets’ call to compassion, they exploit the Law’s rules for their own benefit.  Their exploitation especially targets the poor. 

We have a double duty in regard to those who profit by religion.  We should resist them by standing firm with Jesus, the poor man and the pacifist.  He shows little patience with those who would burden others for their own benefit.   We also have to avoid an excessively harsh criticism of religion.  People have used it over the centuries to cause trouble.  But even events like the Crusades have to be analyzed in their historical contexts.  Much more characteristic of religious belief have been institutions dispensing charity to those in need. 

Monday, August 26, 2019

Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 1:1-5.8b-10; Matthew 23:13-22)

Humanists have lamented how letter-writing is slipping into oblivion.  With the advent of email people no longer take time to gather thoughts, feelings and desires in a single discourse.  If this form of writing had not existed two thousand years ago, the Church would be deprived of much of the New Testament as we know it.  Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, from which today’s first reading is taken has this literary form.  It also is the oldest document of the New Testament.

In the passage Paul encourages the Thessalonians by congratulating them for their faith.  He supports their belief by saying that he has spoken of it to others.  Finally, he emphasizes the election of the Thessalonians as followers of Christ.  He tells them that they no longer worship powerless idols but the living God.

Whether or not we write letters, we should tell others of our experience of faith.  It is not a private matter but the means of salvation for the whole world.  We want to say how faith gives us both support in trial and a rule of life.  Our messages may not reach millions like the apostle Paul’s.  But they may provide critical help top those whom we especially love.