Friday, January 3, 2020

Friday, Christmas Weekday

(I John 2:29-3:6; John 1:29-34)

Even when humans admit to sin, they often present excuses.  They can say that their sins are small compared to others’.  Or they may blame others for causing them to sin.  Sometimes they claim that they could not have avoided the sin.  These excuses or the outright denial of sinning are tragic in a way.  They add up to a denial of the need for a savior from sin.  In other words they separate the persons from an intimate relationship with Jesus.

Both readings today emphasize that Jesus came to save humans from their sins.  The first reading says outright, “… (Jesus) was revealed to take away sins…”  In the gospel seeing Jesus, John the Baptist says, “’Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’”  That “sin of the world” is nothing less than the collective betrayal of God by every person.

In many places Christmas has degenerated into an end-of-the-year family reunion.  It should be more than that with us Christians.  We celebrate the one who came to take away our sins.  Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are being formed into God’s daughters and sons.  The process presumes that we recognize our sins and turn to Christ for forgiveness.

Thursday, January 2, 2019

Memorial of Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church

(I John 2:22-28; John 1: 19-28)

Some paintings of the crucifixion include John the Baptist.  “What is he doing there?” we might ask, “Wasn’t he killed before Jesus?”  Of course, he was.  But he is pictured at the cross where his prophecy, made at the beginning of John’s gospel, is realized.  Jesus is the Lamb of God whose sacrifice redeems the world.  By all right he should increase all others must decrease in comparison to him.

Today’s gospel forms the first part of that prophecy.  Little is said here of John baptizing.  John, the evangelist, is not interested in Baptism here, but in the Baptist’s testimony.  In the first century some considered John the long-awaited Messiah.  The evangelist makes it clear that he is not and that Jesus is greater than he. 

People like to exaggerate their own importance.  They talk about their accomplishments or use their money to attract notice.  John the Baptist’s testimony helps us to know better.  As great as he was, he recognizes Jesus as greater.  Jesus, not ourselves, is the one who deserves everyone’s attention and honor.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

A Jewish hospice nurse once told a priest that she was interested in becoming Catholic.  The priest told her to get in touch with the RCIA director.  Then he told the director to expect her call.  The director, who had many years of experience, responded doubtfully.   The director said that he had spoken with many people who expressed interest in Catholicism.  But, he added, relatively few come for instructions.   A similar “interested but” group appears in today’s gospel.

The passage tells of the shepherds sharing what they have heard and seen of Jesus with others.  The people to whom they speak are said to be “amazed.” But that is all.  Evidently they do not investigate themselves much less give praise to God.  Like the seed that fell on rocky ground in Jesus’ parable, they fall away when effort is demanded of them.  If the word of God is to bear fruit, it must be reflected upon in the heart.  This is exactly what Mary does in the gospel. 

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.  The title really says more about Jesus than it does bout Mary.  It is meant to express our belief that Jesus, the human son of Mary, has a divine nature as well.  Because the divine nature is present along with the human, Mary is said to be the “Mother of God.”

Although we want to honor Mary as Jesus’ mother, we should honor her more for reflecting on all that happens to her son.  She shows herself to be his disciple.  Of course, she will have to follow Jesus carrying her own cross which apparently she does.  Let us do the same: meditate upon the gospel in our hearts and take up our cross after him.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas

(I John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18)

It is our last chance to take to take account of the passing year before we launch into the new one.  What was good about this past year, and what do we wish never would have happened?  On first recall it seems like things mostly went wrong during 2019.  President Trump made so many blunders that no one is surprised that he has been impeached.  Much more tragically, guns are taking a record number of lives on many cities’ streets.  If that were not enough misery, suicide rates are reaching new heights.  On the bright side, unemployment is so low that most people can find a job.  Today’s gospel gives news of something even more hopeful.

The passage tells of the word of God bringing "life" to the world.  The original Greek makes a distinction here that should be kept in mind.  The evangelist is not writing of bios, natural life, which has its wonder for sure but is always subject to corruption.  No, the life highlighted here is nous or a life so vibrant that it transcends death.  It is a life of exaltation in which participants feel such an intimate connection with God that they can avoid sin.  It is a sense of "grace in place of grace" pouring into one's heart.

We are recipients of grace’s vibrant life in Baptism.  Those who remember the occasion know it as a moment of being overwhelmed by a higher power.  But all should be aware that the grace enables us to resist personal aggrandizement that destroys our unity with others.  Moved by this grace, we look forward to the New Year.  It gives us resolve to maintain close relations with other people as well as with God.

Monday, December 30, 2019

The Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

(I John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40)

Luke, the gospel writer, never tires of including women in his narrative.  After a shepherd looks for a lost sheep, a housewife searches for a lost coin.  Today’s passage manifests this trend.  After Simeon holds the baby Jesus in his arms, Anna sees him and gives praise to God.

There is more than inclusiveness here.  By presenting the two elderly Jews, Luke emphasizes that Jesus fulfills Old Testament expectations.  He reminds us that Jesus is part of the Jewish nation which God called as a people especially His own.  Luke also has a universal purpose in mind.  Because of Jesus, God’s people will not be limited to a single nation.  Jesus’ disciples will go to all the nations on earth to expand that people.

The Christian impulse is not just to believe in Jesus but to tell others about him.  The African-American spiritual Christmas carol “Go Tell It on the Mountain” displays this urge.  Being Christian means that we are saved.  We should want everyone we care about to experience his salvation as well.