Friday, February 14, 2020

Memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop

(I Kings 11:29-32.12:19; Mark 7:31-37)

Although today, Valentine’s Day, is commonly associated with erotic love, the feast has saintly origins.  There are several versions of the story of the ancient martyr, St. Valentine, and probably for this reason the Church has dropped the feast from its calendar and has reassigned the day to the less primitive Saints Cyril and Methodius.  In Latin countries the day is frequently called Día de Amistad, or Day of Friendship, celebrating the love between friends as much as the love between paramours.  Here we may see a link between the legendary martyr(s) of old and the two official saints of the day.

Cyril and Methodius were brothers who ventured from their native Greece to the Slavic nations of the Ukraine and Moravia in the ninth century.  They had positions in teaching and government before becoming missionaries.  Why did they leave their careers to preach the gospel in foreign lands?  Could it have been anything other than love of Christ?  Sure, missionaries have a sense of adventure, but there is much more to their stories.  They make a new home in a new place among new people because they sense Jesus urging them on.  As any good friend, Jesus inspires, invigorates, and cares for those who leave home and kin for him.

Jesus is our friend as well.  He might be whispering in our ear to become foreign missionaries, but more likely he wants us to preach to those who surround us today.  Of course, he does not want us to harangue anyone, quite the contrary.  He asks us to share his joy, his peace, and his love.

Thursday,February 13, 2020

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)

In the ancient churches of Europe natural images are often found in the detail work on ceilings and cornices.  Critics of Christianity are wont to characterize these images as pagan resistance to Christian dominance.  A historian of medieval times recently published an essay debunking this theory.  He writes that the inspiration for these images is varied and not likely a pagan revolt.  In any case the readings today provide an ambivalent assessment of pagan culture.

I Kings reports how Solomon was corrupted by his pagan wives.  The fact that he had more than one wife is itself a sign of decadence.  But that he built shrines to pagan gods and even worshipped those gods is truly outrageous.  The pagan woman who comes to Jesus for help, however, testifies to pagan openness to Christian worship God.  She recognizes Jesus as God’s emissary by calling him “Lord.”  She also expresses humility as she acknowledges Jews as God’s chosen people.  In face of such incipient Jesus cures her sick child.

We note a resurgence of paganism in our time.  It seems to stem from people being restless and disenchanted with established Christianity.  Their beliefs and rituals may seem weird, but we should judge them by their works.  Many Christians struggle to accept all the beliefs the Church holds. Rather than condemn those who veer from Christ, let us strive to give sterling example.  Let us show tolerance and, indeed, love so that they may return to Christ. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 1:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)

We think of wisdom as knowledge of the nature of things.  But in ancient times wisdom was more practical.  It was closely associated with the ability to successfully accomplish undertakings.  The architect of a useful bridge was said to be wise and an accomplished painter as well.  The first reading today speaks of two wise people. 

Solomon is always associated with wisdom.  He is credited with having authored the Bible’s Book of Wisdom as well as the Book of Proverbs.  His wisdom enabled him to oversee a large kingdom with a complex court life.  The Queen of Sheba should be seen as wise as well.  She traded in spices so that her land, the legendary Sheba, supplied culinary enhancers the world over.

We want to develop a wisdom that pleases the Lord.  It is more than just “helping others” or “avoiding sin.”  We have to sustain these activities through the ups and downs of life.  Knowing our talents and limits and recognizing others’ virtues and vices give us balance for the long haul.  Such knowledge is more a skill than a science.  We develop it by following the wise and practicing their ways daily.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)

A priest sometimes greeted parishioners coming to mass with a coffee cup in his hand.  When the people asked him about fasting for one hour before Communion, the priest became defensive.  He said that the fast was man’s law, not God’s, and that humans may suspend it.  Is this what Jesus is telling the Pharisees in today’s gospel?

The Pharisees followed the tradition of the elders which served a legitimate purpose.  Dietary customs were followed so that the sacred law would never be violated.  Jesus is not directing himself to the customs but to the cynicism of the Pharisees.  They criticize a divergence from custom on part of Jesus’ disciples (not Jesus himself) while failing to keep a commandment.  It is like someone forgetting to say “thank you” being condemned by another who embezzles thousands.

So what should we conclude about that priest?  The Church imposes the fast before Holy Communion to promote conscientious reception of the sacrament.  It may be dispensed in an urgent situation.  However, the Church’s authority to instruct what is proper should be regularly heeded.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin

(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)

Today the Church remembers St. Scholastica.  She was the sister of the great St. Benedict, credited with founding western monasticism.  Scholastica herself founded a community of women dedicated to prayer.  Evidently little more is known about her except for a humorous story told by pope St. Gregory the Great.  During a fraternal visit when Benedict wanted to leave his sister, heavy rains delayed his departure.  Scholastica attributed the inclemency to the Lord’s wish that he visit with her longer.

Perhaps something could be said here about nuns.  Many confuse nuns with religious sisters.  Nuns are the feminine counterparts of monks.  They dedicate their lives to prayer where religious sisters are known for their apostolic activity.  Residences of nuns are usually called monasteries although smaller communities may be said to live in convents.  Some male religious orders have an auxiliary arm of nuns praying for their apostolic activities.  Franciscan, Dominican, and, especially, Carmelite nuns have been formed according to the rule of the founder(s) of their male associates.

Today’s first reading treats the celebration that accompanied the dedication of Solomon’s temple.  Israel is exuberant over the establishment of a fitting place to worship God.  The Lord will abide in its confines to assist the people who come to pray there.  Nuns and monks give perpetual witness to these activities that all Christian should perform.  We all need to adore the Lord and seek His help.