Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 6:20-26)

The first part of today’s first reading serves as an alternative second reading for Easter Sunday. It conveys the less emphasized implication of Christ’s paschal victory.  Christians have been lifted up by Christ to live exemplary lives.  It is as if they were moved to a mountaintop where the air is fresh and the atmosphere free from distortions.

The author, who is either Paul or one of his later disciples, names two sets of vices corrupting earthly existence.  Both can be seen for what they are in the new, clear environs.  The first set largely deals with sexual desire which often moves people to shameful acts with tragic consequences.  The second group has to do with inner disorder that may burst out to inflict serious injury on others.  The writer also reminds Christians of the equality Christ bestows on his adherents.  Paupers and princes, nomads and farmers have the same exalted status in Christ.

It is always helpful for us Christians to remember what we have become.  We principally do not belong to a race, nation, or family.  We are not even our own.  We belong to Christ who empowers us to live righteously in an often corrupt world.  We will probably experience many advantages living so, not the least of which is a clear conscience.  But the most marvelous reason to hold close to Christ will be realized at the end of time.  Then he will unite our bodies and souls to live with him in glory for eternity.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19)

Long before the bricks and mortar of a new church are set in place, the architect must draw a blueprint.  Without one, the structure can never be satisfactorily completed.  In today’s gospel, Jesus demonstrates that he has such a plan for the building up of the community of Church. 

The passage significantly begins with Jesus at prayer.  Because naming of the apostles is a critical step in Jesus’ design of salvation, it requires intense prayer.  The disciples chosen for the office are not any “Tom, Dick, and Harry.”  Rather they are individuals who are differentiated when two happen to have the same name.  By calling them “apostles,” a Greek word meaning ones sent, Luke indicates their preaching mission.  The fact that there are twelve, the number of the tribes of Israel, should not be lost.  Jesus is establishing a new Israel with twelve tribes albeit from the whole world.  For this reason after Jesus’ resurrection the disciples will elect someone to replace Judas Iscariot.

We might ask ourselves what plan we have for our own lives.  Whatever it is, hopefully it leads to God.  If it is not yet formed or if it needs revision, we are wise to begin with prayer.  We pray for wisdom to draw up a plan that will be doable and satisfying.  We also pray that we may have the courage to carry the plan out. 

Monday, September 9, 2019

Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, priest

(Colossians 1:24-2:3; Luke 6:6-11)

The scribes and the Pharisees watching Jesus in today’s gospel have a counterpart in the contemporary Church.  Many people waited to see what St. John Paul II would do regarding the definition of Mary as “co-redemptrix of the world.”  Knowing that he had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother some thought that John Paul would bestow on her the title. Others, realizing the title would cause some to confuse her role with Jesus’, were wary of it happening.  In the end the pope never made the declaration perhaps because he did not want to alienate Orthodox and Protestant Christians who see some things differently than Catholics.  However, today’s first reading gives some biblical justification for bestowing the title.

Paul claims in the passage that his sufferings make up for “what is lacking in” Christ’s.  In other words, he is working with Christ for the salvation of souls.  Or, it might be said, that he is sharing in the work of redemption.  This makes him, in a sense, a “co-redemptrix.”  Indeed, it may be said that everyone who prays for or make sacrifices on behalf of others has that role.  Of course, Mary may be considered the principal co-redemptrix.  Her prayers like her being excel above others’.

We regularly pray for others and it is not passé to fast or donate to charity on their behalf.  Doing so, we assist Christ in his redeeming work although his death and resurrection are sufficient.  It is like our fathers bringing us to work when we were young.  They may have asked fold some papers for them and we thought of ourselves as partners.  Christ allows us to have a role in the salvation of souls.  In doing so, we marvelously contribute to our own salvation.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

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

The novel All the Light We Cannot See won a Pulitzer Prize a few years ago.  It tells the story of perhaps the world’s greatest diamonds.  The jewel gets concealed in an intricate box for safekeeping during World War II.  The first reading today follows a similar story line.

The passage reveals how Jesus is God’s image on earth.  He created the universe, holds it together, and is bringing about its destiny.  He accomplishes the last objective by founding the Church.  This institution, which becomes like his avatar, gather people together from every race, nation, and language.  Yet Jesus Christ is almost hidden in history.  He is in a back-water part of a historically almost irrelevant nation.  He commands no armies and wins no military victories to manifest his power.

Christ is our secret and, at the same time, our glory.  Imitating his legacy in the gospels, we reflect his merciful power.  Growing ever closer to him by means of the sacraments, we prepare ourselves for eternal life.

Thursday, September 5. 2019

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

When people win at slot machines, almost invariably they play again.  They may think they are on a winning streak or may feel a need to give back some of what they have taken.  In any case, they feed the slot at least one more coin.  Fishing may be compared to slots inasmuch as the result is beyond one’s complete control.  Therefore, Simon, James, and John might be expected to return to the deep at least one more time after the miraculous catch they make in today’s gospel.

But the account indicates that the three do not even bother to sell the fish that they have hauled in.  Rather, they leave everything at once to follow Jesus.  Their reason is obvious.  Despite the fact that Jesus is “Lord” in whose presence they cannot help but feel unworthy, he has called them to follow him.  At this point returning to fisherman’s life would be like preferring Roman graffiti to the Sistine Chapel. 

Jesus calls us to do likewise.  No, he does not mean that we must leave our careers, but he insists that we look at what we do in a new way.  We will no longer consider our work primarily as a way to make money.  We will look upon it more so as a way to serve others.  Whether we are builders or beauticians, assembly line workers or sales reps, we will make sure that what we do conforms to his righteousness.  Then we will redouble our efforts so that our work duly honors him.