Monday, June 15, 2020

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42)

In Matthew’s gospel the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin try to call false witnesses against Jesus.  Such a treacherous ploy did not originate with them.  Nor did it start with Jezebel in today’s first reading.  In fact, it is no surprise that it is still being done.  In places like Pakistan Christians are sometimes prosecuted for blasphemy on the basis of probably false testimony.  But it happens in European societies as well.  Cardinal George Pell was accused of sexual abuse of children on the basis of a witness that appears to have testified falsely.

In today’s gospel Jesus seems to say that such evil should not be resisted.  Can a moral person accept this teaching?  What is going on here?  One bishop comments that it is “a very difficult teaching” that must be weighed against biblical injunctions to care for the innocent.  He suggests that the just person ask, “What does the evil-doer really need?”

So what are we to do?  Do we follow Jesus’ literal command to endure evil?  Or do we try to suppress it with force if necessary?  Perhaps we must defend others who are threatened by evil, but we should not try to defend ourselves?  We might ask the help of others to assure our rights.  Obviously we need to pray for enlightenment and strength when confronted by evil.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 24:8-17; Matthew 7:21-29)

The philosopher David Hume taught the modern era to distrust anything spiritual.  The scientist Charles Darwin showed how life in the natural world has evolved from one form to another.  The writings of these great thinkers among others have led to a rejection of core spiritual beliefs.  Everything seems physical and changeable to the contemporary human.  For this reason many reject Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” which he completes in today’s gospel.

Jesus exhorts his followers not just to hear the sermon but to base their lives on it.  He tells them that only by doing so will they be able to withstand the storms that threaten every life.  Without hope of the kingdom of God they will likely leave the track of personal justice.  Without the Father’s grace they will never be able to live up to the demands that the Sermon makes. 

Jesus has drawn a line in the sand with this great discourse.  He wants us to commit ourselves to him by living what he has just taught.  To do so, we must buck much of modern intellectual thinking.  It may be a scary venture for some.  But we know from the saints that following Jesus leads to true peace.

Friday, June 12, 2020

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 19:9a.11-16; Matthew 5:27-32)

Jesus in today’s gospel delivers two thunderbolts. First, he says that lustful looks comprise a grievous sin.  Then he forbids divorce in all cases except where the marriage was null from the beginning.  So why does the first reading seem to say that God was not found in natural catastrophes like a tornado, an earthquake, or a forest fire?

With this story of the natural revelation to Elijah Scripture makes an important point for today.  The story itself means that God’s revelation is not to be necessarily associated with any kind of natural occurrence.  God may use nature to reveal his sovereign will, but no phenomenon is definitely a divine oracle.  Wise people will want to discern what God is saying with the current pandemic.  But it is foolish to say offhand that the pandemic is a negative judgment on the world.

Many have commented recently that racism is a pandemic of equal order to the Corona-19 virus.  It is certainly rooted in society and is taking too long to eradicate.  I would hold that pornography is another pandemic with disastrous effects.  It obsesses both young and old alike.  It creates desires that are not capable of being fulfilled in healthy marital relationships.  And it exploits innocent people who are often minors or de facto slaves.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle

(Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:20-26)

Much like Mr. Rogers of the children’s television program, the personalist psychologist Carl Rogers had a tremendous sensitivity toward others’ suffering.  He used to give the irrefutable statistic, “One out of every one of us is hurting.”  In response to universal suffering all should be considerate and compassionate.  Such a stance will help the Christian fulfill Jesus’ challenging instruction in today’s gospel.

Everyone knows that murder is wrong, but few question “righteous anger” when it spills over into name calling and insult.  Jesus calls for a stop to such behavior.  He pleads for patience toward those with emotional difficulties.  He does not mean allowing the disturbed person to act violently. But he does insist that his followers show respect so that wrongdoers may recognize their faults and correct them.

We will be reeling in the wake of the George Floyd murder for a long time.  The police involved seemed to have shown pointedly merciless behavior.  We must be careful not to seek revenge on them.  Rather a punishment that fits the crime should be given along with our prayers for their repentance.  We are wise as well to pray that we never hurt anyone as we carry out our responsibilities.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19)

Pedro identifies himself as a catechist.  He loves to teach others about the Lord and his Church.  He does not seem to have aspirations to become a deacon.  He knows that teaching has its own distinction.  Writing to the Corinthians, St. Paul places the office of teacher third in line of importance after apostles and prophets (I Corinthians 12:28).  Jesus gives the work even greater prominence in today’s gospel.

Jesus says that true teachers “’will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” However, he does not extol all teachers.  He criticizes those who do not teach all of the commandments and who may disregard some of them.  He is not being severe but emphasizing what he has just pointed out.  He has not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them.

We may ask ourselves what commandments we disregard.  Some will argue that Sunday Eucharist is not compulsory (that is, in ordinary times).  Others may say that artificial contraception is all right.  Granted, the latter commandment is not found in Scripture.  Yet we should form our consciences according to the teaching of the Church.  If we know ourselves to be weak in some regard, we must be especially careful not to influence others in the same way.  In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells of the rewards to his faithful servants.  He also does not hesitate to name the punishments for those who ignore his teaching.