Monday, October 5, 2020

 

Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

 (Galatians 1:6-12; Luke 10:25-37)

 Most people, when they have something hard to say to another, will try to ingratiate themselves first.  If you have to tell an employee that his work could be better, you might start by complimenting him for showing up on time.  But Paul in his letter to the Galatians wastes no time for niceties.  Right after his salutation, he delivers his first salvo of criticism.  This is where today’s reading begins: “I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you…”

Paul has been informed of a serious aberration in the faith of the Galatians.  He preached salvation through faith in Jesus and imitation of his love.  Since he left them, however, other preachers have convinced the Galatians of the need to observe Jewish law in order to follow Christ.  After all – the preachers would say – Jesus was a Jew.  In his letter Paul assures the Galatians that trying to abide by the Jewish law would only entangle them in a morass of regulations.  He tells them that they must either accept Judaism or accept Jesus.

We may wonder if the Catholic Church has become somewhat like Judaism with its many laws.  We see Protestant communities boasting, “All are welcome,” and question whether the Church is exclusivist by not offering the Eucharist to all who wish to partake of it.  But such questions are simplistic.  The Church would rejoice if people would commit themselves to her through Baptism and Confirmation.  She would gladly give Communion to anyone who repents of their sins to follow Christ.  The regulations it maintains are only to keep repentant sinners -- as all of us are -- centered on Christ’s love.

Friday, October 2, 2020

 Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

 (Job 38:1.12-21.12-21.40:3-5; Matthew 18:1-5.10)

 “The Memorial of Holy Guardian Angels” sounds like something for the liturgical calendar of children.  Yet in truth it bespeaks an emphasis of the “good news.” It reminds Jesus’ disciples of God’s particular concern for the weakest members of society.

Perhaps because so many children died in ancient societies, they were not considered very important.  Jesus, however, underlines their value when he says that each child has an angel to look after him or her.  Their angels are not the ordinary kind either but ranking members of the heavenly realm.  They have direct access to the Father.

Contemporary society seems to cherish children more earnestly.  It has made many laws protecting them from abuse.  Yet many children suffer without two parents in the home caring for them.  Today’s memorial does not only say that children have spiritual protectors.  It also reminds us of our responsibility to care for them and other vulnerable people.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

(Job 19:21-27; Luke 10:1-12)

St. Therese of Lisieux has been named co-patron of the missions although she never set foot in a “mission land.”  More important than travelling to Africa or China, however, Therese had the soul of a missionary.  She loved Christ and wanted to win souls for him.  As a young teen, she prayed in front of an image of Christ crucified: “I wanted to give my Beloved to drink, and I felt myself consumed with a thirst for souls."

In today’s gospel Jesus sends seventy-two disciples with a similar “thirst for souls.” They are to proclaim the Kingdom of God with both healings and words.  Their number is significant. It represents, according to Genesis, the number of nations on earth.  They will demonstrate the love which they preach. Taking nothing with them, they will show how God provides for those who love Him. 

Most of us do not see ourselves as missionaries.  We may say that we have enough to do seeing our own way to eternal life. Nevertheless, the Lord sends us out to others.  Like Therese our mission field may be very limited – our families or work associates.  Through our peace, joy, and care, we are to relay to them God’s love. 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

 

Memorial of Saint Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church

(Job 9:1-12.14-16; Luke 9:57-62)

We do not follow Christ because we have nothing better to do.  Nor is his love just a substitute for a brother’s or even a wife’s or husband’s. No, we choose Christ because he has shown us to be the Lord and the way to eternal life.  Indeed, he is eternal life such that in knowing him we experience peace and justice. For these reasons Jesus could tell would-be disciples that there is no turning back when he calls.

St. Jerome certainly knew the value of Christ.  He mastered the Scriptures so that he could know Christ intimately.  He entered intellectual frays which became deadly so that true faith in Christ may be maintained.  As a young man, he became a desert hermit in response to a vision of Christ.

We make Christ our first priority when we do not allow anything to interfere with our relationship with him.  Pornography and drugs should be easy castaways.  Lying and stealing to make our lives easier should also be readily overcome.  Even our desire to please wives, parents, or children should not move us to sin.  So that those whom we love may also know him, we want to hold fast to Christ.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

 Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

(Revelation 12:7-12ab; John 1:47-51)

Not everyone prays to St. Michael.  Some people may think it is like believing in ghosts.  But those who do, feel under siege and in need of supernatural help.

The “Prayer to St. Michael” was composed by Pope Leo XIII toward the end of the nineteenth century.  He mandated that It be said after all “low masses,” that is masses without singing. Leo, like his predecessor and three successors, felt hemmed in by the Italian government. The papacy had lost jurisdiction over a vast part of central Italy and thought their ability to govern the universal Church weakened.  The original culprits against whom Michael’s interference was requested were the Italian nationalists.  When the issue was resolved with the creation of the Vatican state, Pope Pius XI mandated the prayer continued with a new intention, the conversion of Russia.  The obligation of saying the prayer after low masses was removed during Vatican II.  But the prayer has continued to be said, albeit with new intentions.  Many people with an addiction to pornography feel the need for St. Michael’s help to overcome their weakness.

Angels are God’s emissaries.  They are a powerful means that God uses to accomplish His purposes.  If it helps us to pray, we should beseech to these intermediaries.  St. Michael seems to have a record of success.  But if we pray more intensely to God directly, He is the origin of any assistance we might receive.