Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

(II Samuel 24:2.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)

It is said that in during the first few centuries the churches of Rome and Sicily bragged about their saints.  The Romans would claim St. Agnes as the worthiest virgin-martyr.  The Sicilians would counter that the distinction belongs to Agatha, today’s celebrated saint.  The friendly rivalry indicates how faith penetrated the everyday life of the people.  Today, in contrast, people brag about their city’s professional basketball team.  Both readings that we just heard concern the lack of faith.

David’s census indicates his belief that numbers of soldiers and not trust in God are his priority.  In the gospel the people refuse to believe in Jesus as God’s emissary despite his cures and his wisdom. 

With science making life so comfortable we have a hard time trusting in God.  We rationalize that God works through human ingenuity, but we forget to pray.  God seems hard to fit in our everyday lives.  But we abandon God to our peril.  Faith in God provides a blueprint for stability in life.  We will go far if we keep God’s commandments.  It also assures us of bliss beyond the travail of death.  Also important, faith promises fulfilment.  We know that the world does not center around us.  Still, by faith in God we are drawn into its true center where we find purpose, meaning, and peace.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)

The old man was pleased with himself.  He had caught the doctor billing him for untendered services.  The man saved thousands of dollars by just examining his bills.  Today’s gospel tells the story of a woman who was not so fortunate.  Her doctors had taken all the money she had without helping her.  She now turns to Jesus in desperation.

Faith in Jesus moves the woman with hemorrhages to touch his garment.  She knows it is wrong to exploit his services without telling him.  Because she is unclean according to Jewish law, touching Jesus sullies him as well.  Jesus demonstrates his divine power in two ways.  First, he feels healing grace being emitted from his body.  Then, he heals the woman of her distressing condition.  He asks who has received his healing grace. The trembling woman bravely steps forward.  Her courage wins for her a second, deeper blessing.  Jesus grants her salvation.  “’Daughter,’” he says, “’your faith has saved you.’”

We should not be afraid to come to Jesus with our needs.  Whether we are sick or have done something wrong, we should pray to him for healing. His words to us will not be different, “Daughter (or son), your faith has saved you.”

Monday, February 3, 2020

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 15:13-14.30.16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20)

Police departments are informing people on what to do if an “active shooter” enters their premises.  Such incidents have become so common that public education is now deemed necessary.  Confronting the villain is considered a last resort.  First people are advised to flee.  In today’s gospel Jesus does not choose the preferred option when confronted by the mad man.

The man must be terribly frightening.  The passage describes him as incapable of being held back even by chains.  Yet Jesus does not even flinch when the man comes into his midst. Rather he cool-headedly seizes the initiative.  He tells the demons possessing the man to depart.  Then he manipulates them to surrender authority by revealing their names.  After he has them completely in his power, Jesus sends the demons into a swineherd.

Sometimes Jesus is pictured as a weak sort.  But in this story, he shows himself quite forceful.  There is no testimony in the gospels indicating that Jesus looked like a body builder, but this episode attests to his bravery.  The point is that we can count on him.  He will help us in every situation when we call on him.

Friday, January 31, 2020

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(II Samuel 11:1-4a.5-10a.13-17; Mark 4:26-34)

In an often cited passage the prophet Jeremiah laments human depravity.  He says, “More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy…” (Jeremiah 17:9).  Perhaps the prophet had today’s story of David in mind as he made the gloomy evaluation.

If David had only seduced the beautiful Bathsheba, his sin would have been grave but understandable.   What is so disconcerting, however, is the compound sin he commits to cover up his crime.  David not only has Bathsheba’s husband killed but does so in the wake of the man’s laudable loyalty.  Uriah sacrifices the opportunity to sleep in his own bed in order to support the king’s army.  It is also significant that he does so as a foreigner, that is without natural ties to the Israelite nation.

The story might chasten us.  We should take care not to sin at all.  But if we do fall, we need to straight away admit our guilt and ask forgiveness.  Above all, we should never cover up our faults by committing atrocities.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 7:18-19; 24-29; Mark 4:21-25)

It is said that history is written by the victors.  For this reasons some Bible scholars question the virtue of David.  According to the official story, he was much of a saint.  Although he committed adultery and covered up his sin with murder, these offenses are duly repented.  Most likely David was not as virtuous as the Bible describes him to be.  He certainly had a harem and likely drew more blood than necessary.

Still David’s story offers valuable lessons.  In today’s first reading David is pictured at prayer.  His words serve as a model for all people before God.  Everyone, like David here, should be humble before their Creator and Judge.  Also, all should thank God for the blessings they receive.  Likewise, all should request from God whatever is needed for the good of one’s community.

We might wonder if scholars think the same of Jesus as they do of David.  Is his story so great because in time his followers came to be kings?  The answer is clearly “no.” Jesus died what appeared to the world as an ignominious death.  His resurrection from the dead was not a public affair in the sense that society at large witnessed it.  Yet because of it, his followers were not disillusioned by his crucifixion.  Rather, strengthened by the Spirit, they began to live as Jesus preached.  Sure, in time Christians became rulers.  But they have been aware that to remain his followers they must lead with his love and truth.