Monday, March 23, 2020

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54)

Yesterday rose vestments indicated that the tide of Lent has turned.  Today the readings more properly give an upbeat tone.  The first half of Lent necessarily stresses repentance and penance.  Sin roots itself deeply in people’s lives.  It takes serious effort to eradicate.  (Would that all our sinful tendencies be rooted out in less than four weeks!)  Now the people can sense Easter joy approaching like the scent of lilacs on trees.

In the first reading Third-Isaiah announces a new creation.  People will live long, robust lives.  Joy will characterize their activities.  God will accompany the people in their celebration.  In the gospel Jesus brings joy to a royal official by curing his son.  The passage follows Jesus visit to Samaria which itself comes after his encounter with Nicodemus.  A gradual revelation of the concept of life may be discerned in this succession.  Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus of a rebirth to new life.  Then he promised the Samaritan woman living water springing up to eternal life.  Now Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, restores health to a dying boy. 

We may see our lives growing similarly throughout this period of grace.  We heard of the promise of life as Lent began with Jesus overcoming the tempter’s wile.  We would likewise shun self-centeredness that delivers death in the long run.  Then we were given insights about our renewal in grace with the woman at the well.  Now, and more so this Sunday with the raising of Lazarus, we find ourselves glimpsing the dawn of Easter.  It is greater than any human existence.  It is the absolute fullness of life. 

Friday, March 20, 2020

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)

Jesus’ first commandment sounds daunting.  We might ask whether we could love anyone else if we direct all our affection toward God.  Even more discouraging, it may further seem that only the strictest of contemplatives can fulfill this mandate.  The rest of us – priests in ministry as well as laity in the world – will have to be judged as falling short.

But these kinds of conclusions are based on the premise that love is a material quantity that gets used up over time.  To the contrary, love is a spiritual entity that is multiplied by use.  When we attempt to love God, we develop greater not lesser affection for God’s creation.  It is true that sometimes desire for created goods conflicts with God’s will and must be rejected.  But pursuing the desire would actually be loving the created good more than the Creator. 

In today’s reading from Hosea we hear God calling us back to him.  Like dogs on an escapade we sometimes go searching for fulfillment away from our true home.  In God, however, our desires are ordered so that we might enjoy everything that is truly good. 

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)

There is no doubt that precautions are necessary.  No one wants to contract the Corona-19 virus.  But how many secure measures are necessary? We will limit our social contact.  We will keep our hands sanitized and practice not touching our face.  We will take care when going into public places.  But should we not go to work?  Do we have to horde food?  Are we to cancel all our engagements as one commentator suggests?  What does faith teach us about Corona-19?

Of course, Scripture does not say anything about viruses.  It should not be read as a scientific document.  Yet it can help us face the crisis with courage.  In today’s gospel an angel tells Joseph not to be afraid.  He should take Mary, his espoused, into his home because the child she bears was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  That child will save many from their sins.  Joseph overcomes whatever fear and probably disappointment he has.  He takes Mary into his home to facilitate the salvation of the world.

We must show the same courage in face of the Corona-19 threat. By courage we do not mean the will to do something daring but the will to abandon having things our way.  We should cancel or postpone meetings that are not necessary. We should also definitely stay at home if we have the symptoms of the virus except, of course, to see a doctor.  We should also ask God’s mercy on those who are sick and especially for those who have already succumbed to the virus.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)

Natural law is human participation in God’s eternal law.  Humans are able to reason from their observance of nature to what God commands or prohibits.  The essence of Israel’s law – the Ten Commandments – are said to constitute a privileged summary of the natural law. Some natural law tenets are that people should help and not kill one another. 

Jesus claims in today’s gospel that he intends to bring Israel’s law to completion or perfection.  He will go beyond natural law in a few cases so that his followers can live in perfect harmony.  He modifies the law against adultery to include looking lustfully at a woman.  He also thickens the natural law precept of love to include one’s enemies. 

In recent years many societies have eschewed natural law.  They have allowed abortion and approved cohabitation among other deviations from right reason.  The Church cannot help but lament these practices as leading toward the dissolution of society itself.  We believe that we will thrive only by following the sagacity of Jesus call to perfection.

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.