Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)

Biographers of St. Patrick are not sure about the events of his life.  They say that accounts are so embedded in myth that it is difficult to speak with certainty about them.  However, there seems to be some consensus that he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland.  When he escaped, he evidently did not harbor resentment against his land of captivity.  Rather he returned there as a missionary bishop to convert its people to Christ.   To the extent that this is true, it illustrates today’s gospel.

Jesus emphasizes forgiveness, especially in this gospel according to Matthew.  He mentions it in the prayer he taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount.  Then he reiterates the point to make sure the imperative of forgiveness is understood.  In today’s passage, toward the end of the gospel, Jesus again hones in on forgiveness.  His followers must be ready to forgive multiple times.  If they do not, they will not receive the forgiveness they require from the Father.

Forgiveness is especially difficult when we have been offended deeply.  We do not want to let the offence go without due recompense beyond an apology.  In cases of loss of life or limb, that is simply not possible.  By forgiving in this situation, we show our trust that God will turn the injustice into our glory.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Monday of the Third Week of Lent

II Kings 5:1-15; Luke 4:24-30)

People think of prophets as either soothsayers or rabble-rousers.  That is, they understand a prophet as one who foretells the future or one who raises consternation with righteous criticism.  It is true that the prophets of Israel at times performed these services.  But prophets were also teachers of the word of God.  They especially excelled at applying the word to concrete situations.  Today’s readings feature two prophets of Israel.                  

Elisha is successor of the primordial prophet Elijah.  He is considered holy and, for that reason, able to heal.  He inspires the trust – albeit reluctantly – of the non-Israelite Naaman.  Naaman obeys the man of God and finally praises God outright.  Jesus refers to Elisha and Naaman in his dispute with his townspeople.  He argues that as God chose to cure a non-Israelite through Elisha, He will save non-Nazarenes through Jesus.  Jesus is driving home the point that no one can make a claim on God.  Humans are to love Him and obey Him.

To be sure, it is difficult to love and obey God.  Our generation feels the need to convince itself of God’s existence.  Prayer – communication with God -- is short-circuited by all the technological devices that jump to our command.  However, striving to know and love the Lord has inestimable value, greater by far than a sense of control.  Peace fills our hearts.  We appreciate everyone and, indeed, everything more.  Then there is the indescribable gift of eternal life.

Friday, March 13, 2020

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)

There is a story about resentment.  The wise man was talking to a fool who resented his brothers.  He told him that harboring resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for your enemy to die.  In today’s first reading we meet group of men who harbor resentment against their brother.

Joseph is not only Jacob’s child in old age; he is also an innocent dreamer.  The Scripture doesn’t say this, but it is likely that Joseph never thinks badly of anyone.  If he meets a poor farmer, he imagines him to be a plantation owner and treats him with deference.  If he encounters a crabby housewife, he dreams her to be gracious queen and offers to kiss her hand.  Joseph’s brothers consider this kind of behavior worse than contemptuous.  They want to kill him for it.

We are better, of course, to be like Joseph than his brothers.  We should look for the best in others although without imagining something that is not there.  When we find a worthwhile trait, we can respect the people for it.  Resentment for them will not just make the whole situation worse.  It is likely to cause our death sooner rather than later.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)

It is not that the rich man mistreats Lazarus.  He doesn’t kick him or yell at him.  Nor can it be said that the rich man ignores Lazarus, at least deliberately.  He doesn’t use the back door to avoid seeing Lazarus or turn his head when he walked by the beggar.  The rich man just doesn’t see Lazarus sitting there in need.  He probably is too busy.  The Scripture does not say what he is doing.  It does say that he dresses luxuriously and eats sumptuously.  It may be supposed then that he is lost in thought about what he is to eat that evening or wear the next day.

Unfortunately, in modern society there are many ways to avoid encounters with the poor. Gated communities keep unwanted people away.  By driving on expressways one can bypass inner-city slums where poor people often live.  In this age of consumption people can also spend all of their disposable income on one gadget or apparel after another.  They do not have any money left to help those in need. 

Jesus warns us today that the fate of such people is doom.  He says that not even the hope of the resurrection will make them see their neighbors in need.  If we are to profit by his example, we must ask ourselves what we are doing for others.  If the others are only those who can help us in return, we must look again.  Jesus wants us to wake up to those in need.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

Gospel commentators say that out of deference to the apostles Matthew puts the request for high places on the lips of sons’ of Zebedee mother.  They note that in Mark the disciples themselves make the vain request and that Jesus’ reply is directed to them, not the woman.  But let’s not allow concern for “who said what” distract us from the radicalness of Jesus’ teaching.

Jesus warns his disciples that seeking high places will not profit them a bit in God’s kingdom.  In another section he denounces the scribes and Pharisees for loving such honors (23:6).  He wants his followers to serve one another in humility.  In fact, he says that their service must be like that of a slave who has no claim to rights at all.  In his way of thinking, it seems, there is no overtime pay or discretionary days off.

Jesus’ vision of a disciple may sound preposterous if not cruel to us.  But he proclaims the radicalness of the kingdom throughout the four gospels.  We should not fret about how we are to bear the heavy cost.  He promises a reward greater than any merit we might suppose for our faithful service.