Friday, February 26, 2021

 Friday of the First Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)

The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”  In other words, death brings on a new reality, a completely different way of living.  Jesus introduces such a new way of living for his disciples in today’s gospel.

Much of the Torah or Law was meant to bring about justice.  For example, Jesus in this passage cites the law on murder.  If one murders another, he or she must be brought to justice.  Jesus makes clear, however, that such a standard does not meet the criteria of the kingdom of his Father.  His followers must not only not kill one another, but they cannot let enmity among themselves exist.  He seems to have community members in mind here.  Yet a similar standard will be applied to people of other communities, social strata, faith traditions, races, etc.  After all, he wants his followers to love their neighbors as themselves.

Most of us are taught to stand out and be recognized.  Our parents and teachers tell us to claim what rightfully belongs to us.  Jesus might say, “Don’t worry about what belongs to you, give of yourselves to benefit your neighbor.”  We are to be reconciled with all so that we may be identified with Jesus.  He is the one who reconciled the world to his Heavenly Father.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

 Thursday of the First Week of Lent

(Esther C:12.14-16.23-25; Matthew 7:7-12)

Michael “Mickey” Schachle was born six years ago to a couple in central Tennessee.  He has Down Syndrome, but it is remarkable that he is alive at all.  During his mother’s pregnancy, medical personnel discovered that Mickey had fetal hydrops, a life-threatening condition.  Coupled with his chromosomal abnormality, his doctor gave Mickey no chance of survival.  His parents then prayed for a miracle to Fr. Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus.  Afterwards, the fatal condition was no longer present. Through the intercession of his parents and Fr. McGivney, God has granted Mickey life, happiness, and love today.

Equally so Queen Esther’s prayers in today’s first reading are answered.  She is appealing to the Lord for her Jewish people in Persia who are being threatened with genocide.  The plot, which the king’s minister has woven, to kill the Jews is foiled when the minister’s treachery is revealed.  In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples to pray like Esther – sincerely, determinedly, and beseechingly.

We sometimes become discouraged when our prayers are not answered as we imagined they would be. That should be no reason to stop praying but to pray even harder.  God, who loves us more than we could appreciate or even know, heeds our requests.  He will help us according to his all-beneficent will.  We should never stop praying.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

 Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

(Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32)

The Book of the Prophet Jonah has become one of the most popular readings of the Old Testament.  For one thing it has a short, fascinating narrative.  For another, it highlights the contemporary value of tolerance for other peoples.  Also, as today’s gospel relates, Jesus uses the story to teach about his own mission.

Jesus refers to the great conversion that takes place with Jonah’s preaching.  A city-state, perhaps as large and as notorious as Mexico City today, is imagined.  Jonah might have been a reluctant preacher, but evidently his words had great power.  He inspired everyone to change heart and conform to God’s ways.  There are no historical records that such universal repentance ever took place in Nineveh or anywhere else.  Nevertheless, Jesus knows that his preaching is even stronger than the heralded Jonah’s.  He expects a conversion in Israel like Nineveh’s in the story of Jonah.

Repentance or conversion translate the Greek word metanoia.  It literally means a change of mind.  But as today’s psalm relates, conversion has more to do with a change of heart.  The mind actively inquires, probes. and calculates.  The heart, on the other hand, passively is moved by what impresses itself on it.  True conversion implies that our hearts are no longer moved by sex, fame, or fortune.  Rather, converted hearts feel grateful for God’s goodness and take pity on those living in misery.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

 

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

It is said that words make people human.  Other animals can think although not with much sophistication.  They even communicate in different ways.  But they do not seem to be able to form meaningful words.  Words not only have power to move others.  They have some sway with God as well.  At least, Jesus in today’s gospel prescribes certain words to solicit the Father’s attention.

The Our Father is the preeminent prayer of Christians because it was taught by Jesus himself.  It must be efficacious because in the first reading God declares that His word will not return to Him void.  When we own it by living it, we will receive the Father’s care.

A couple was praying for their daughter who had developed a blood disease.  They had lost one daughter to cancer many years before and feared losing another.  They prayed for their daughter and asked friends to pray as well.  A week or so ago, they received news that the bone marrow transplant their ailing daughter received was successful.  It may not be a saint-making miracle, but the couple is sure that God master-minded the healing, 

Monday, February 22, 2021

 

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)

As much as we are eager now to get on with Lent, the Church asks us to pause to consider the pope.  More than any other day on the liturgical calendar, today is dedicated to the Bishop of Rome.  Someone asked if Peter was not the longest reigning pope.  Of course, Pope Pius IX reigned as pope thirty-two years.  Would not then Peter been head of the Church longer if he were given the keys to the kingdom in the year 32 or 33 A.D. and kept them until his martyrdom in 65?  However, historians don’t comment on this, perhaps because Peter did not go to Rome right away.

The 300 or so popes since St. Peter have come from different nations and possessed different qualities.  Although a few of them sinned grievously while occupying the chair of Peter, most were holy men.  Some of them were even martyrs like St. Peter himself.  Three or four of them have been called “the Great.”  In the fourth century, Pope St. Leo was erudite enough to leave us a profound understanding of the liturgy and brave enough to confront Attila the Hun.  In the sixth century Pope St. Gregory sent missionaries to convert or reconvert the extremities of Europe while writing a pastoral theology and perhaps inventing the chant that bears his name.  Pope St. John Paul II captured the respect of the world in an age of disbelief for his courage, love, and wisdom.

More than admire the popes, we should pray for them.  They bear responsibility for the pastoral care of the world.  This may sound pretentious, but in fact contemporary popes have been seen in this way.  Of course, they give immediate attention to Catholics, but what they say and do are reported around the world.  They are looked upon by national leaders for moral wisdom and spiritual insight.