Friday, January 8, 2021

Friday after Epiphany

(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)

It is no longer fashionable and much less considered necessary to believe in Jesus today.  In most societies Christianity is an option for taking or leaving.  Few are going to be denied a job, a loan, or a scholarship because they have not made a profession of faith.  Then why believe, some may ask?  The simple answer is that we believe because of the promises that faith makes.  However, there are also testimonies on behalf of faith.  Todays’ first reading mentions three.

The author writes of three that testify: water, blood, and the Spirit.  Water refers to Jesus’ baptism which inaugurated his ministry.  Certainly Jesus’ many marvelous deeds and his wisdom testify that he is the Son of God.  But Jesus was more than Socrates, for example, another wise man condemned to death.  Jesus’ crucifixion cross showed him to be the sacrificial lamb whose death expiated human sin.  His blood, therefore, testified to his being God’s Son.  Finally, the author posits the Spirit as giving testimony.  Here the testimony is made by his followers, the “body of Christ.”  Proportioned the Spirit with Jesus’ death, they testify by martyrdom and by charity.

There will always be a tension between faith and testimony.  Although we believe and testify by our actions to Jesus as Lord, we look for support for our faith.  We need not worry as doubts arise.  Faith by definition is not scientific certainty.  It still is solid ground.  It will lead us with integrity through life and bring us to the threshold of our promised goal.

 

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Thursday after Epiphany

(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)

In two weeks the world will focus on Joe Biden.   People everywhere will watch him swear to faithfully fulfill the office of President of the United States.  Then they will tune their ears to his inaugural address.  They will try to discern his priorities as chief executive.  Will he criticize China?  Will he have reconciling words for Republicans?  Today’s gospel presents an analogous situation.  Jesus is making what amounts to an inaugural speech in the synagogue of Nazareth.

Jesus does not show any interest in reforming Jewish liturgical practices.  Rather, he emphasizes care for the marginalized.  He will preach to the poor, free the oppressed, and give sight to the blind.   The people like what they hear.  They are tired of injustice and want relief for the suffering.  The course that Jesus will follow will alienate some of these current backers.  He courts only God’s favor.  He will demand that the people repent of selfishness and assist the needy.

We might see ourselves in an inaugural situation.  With vaccinations we be making a fresh start after a hard year.  We are wise to discern the lessons learned in 2020.  It is important that we consider how our actions may affect the vulnerable.  We want to care for the elderly and assure that the poor are treated fairly.  We should make Jesus’ proposals our own.  They will guide us to his glory.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

 

Wednesday after Epiphany

(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)

Americans have been said to gain on the average a pound of body weight over the holiday season.  That may not sound too bad, but a problem emerges when the added pound accumulates over years.  Yet as great a threat as obesity presents to health, there is still a greater danger in holiday feasting.  Like the disciples in the gospel today, we may not understand what the abundance of food means.

 

We share our food during Christmas as a means of anticipating the eternal feast in heaven. At the Incarnation we receive in our midst the one with the place of honor at the eternal banquet.  Of course, this image of a heavenly feast is speculative.  Since we do not know what eternity is like, we imagine it in terms of a wonderful communal experience.  We say it is like a banquet with the best of company and of food.  Scripture often projects this image of a banquet table for the fulfillment of God’s plan. St. Paul, however, is more discreet in describing heaven.  Citing Isaiah, he writes, ‘“…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.’”

 

Feasting, of course, does not continue throughout the year.  Most days we exert ourselves carrying out the mandates Christ has given us.  On some days we fast to show our love for God.  In these ways we also guard against the threat of obesity.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

 Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop

(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)

The story of Jesus’ feeding of the is told in all four gospels.  It is also proclaimed at mass throughout the year.  The narrative is central to the Catholic understanding of the identity and mission of Jesus.  It shows Jesus as the bread of life who has come to bestow eternal life to believers in him.

In today’s first reading the author says that God shows His love for humans by sending us His Son.  It was not just a “once and for all” event.  Rather God sends His Son to us all the time in the Eucharist.  The Son Jesus Christ does not only become part of us.  Paradoxically, by eating His body and drinking his blood, we become more part of him.  We become more loving and truthful as we secure a place for ourselves in his body, the Church.

Today, especially the Church in the United States remembers St. John Neumann.  He immigrated to the United States from Bohemia.  Once here, he presided over the Eucharist thousands of times as a priest and then as a bishop.  Naturalized a citizen, he became the first saint of the United States.

Monday, January 4, 2021

 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

(I John 3:22-4:6; Matthew 4:12-17.23-25)

As a new year takes hold, the gospel today pictures Jesus’ new, vigorous ministry.  People come to him from all over for healing.  His popularity will last only a short time.  Soon the Pharisees will begin to oppose him, and the people will lose faith.

Opposition sets the tone of the first reading.  The author takes to task former members of his community who follow another “spirit” or belief.  Evidently, the opposition believes that Jesus did not come “in the flesh” but was a purely spiritual being. Such a belief has enticing corollaries. One is that the body is unimportant and may be treated in any way one likes.  Sexual promiscuity would even be possible with such an ideology.

Today the Church remembers Elizabeth Ann Seton, a person for whom the body was very important.  This American Catholic convert saint suffered much grief with the loss of loved ones.  She also worked tirelessly to build up a religious congregation to educate Catholic children.  In following Jesus, she serves as a model of courageous witness and good deeds.