Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

 Friday of the Twenty-third Week in ordinary Time

(I Timothy 1:1-2.12-14; Luke 6:39-42)

Twenty years have passed since the day of ignominy.  On September 11, 2001, a score of Muslim terrorists shocked and infuriated the most powerful nation on earth.  Approximately 3000 inhabitants of the United States were killed in the targeted crashes of four hijacked passenger jets.  Of course, the nation responded to the outrage with the result of, probably, a hundred times as many deaths in several Muslim countries over the years.

In today’s gospel Jesus speaks as a teacher and prophet.  He tells his disciples to take seriously his message so that they may not be blinded by unbridled passions.  How would he respond if asked to judge the clash of civilizations between radical Islam and postmodern western culture?

He would condemn the attacks as wicked.  He would tell the terrorists that their crimes are indefensible and call for retribution.  And he would have words of both consolation and instruction for the West.  They, for sure, have to protect their people from men blinded by pride and hatred.  But they also must open their eyes to see how lust, selfishness, and greed are deteriorating families. Communities, and cultures.  Greater tragedy will come unless all reform their ways to promote love in truth and justice in action.

Thursday, September 9, 2021

 Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, priest

(Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 6:27-38)

Few have fulfilled Jesus’ commands in today’s gospel like St. Peter Claver.  A Jesuit missionary during the 17^th century, Peter Claver entered fetid slave ships to minister to their human cargo.  He gave instruction in the faith as well as food, medicine, bread, and lemons.  It is said that Claver catechized and baptized more than 300,000 African slaves!

In the gospel Jesus admonishes his disciples to love those in need.  He does not mean that they are merely to think of or even to pray for them.  Love is very practical in Scripture.  Jesus is telling his disciples to help those without resources.  Like Peter Claver assisting African slaves, Jesus disciples are to give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and shelter to the homeless.

It is not hard to bring old clothes to Goodwill or to serve in a soup kitchen once every month.  But as the ministry grows to gathering, assorting, and hauling a whole parish’s donations or serving food three times weekly, the work becomes a burden.  We do it not only because of the Lord’s command, but also because mystically we meet him in the effort.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 1:18-23)

Try to find why Mary’s birth is celebrated on September 8 and you’re likely to get a circular answer.  Some information websites say that her birth is celebrated on this day because her Immaculate Conception is celebrated nine months earlier on December 8.  But ask why her conception is placed in December and you may be told that the date coordinates with her birth celebrated in September.

The Marianists at Dayton University, however, give a plausible reason for a September celebration.  They say that the feast was probably placed on September 8, near the opening of the civil year in Constantinople, the seat of the Roman Empire for much of the first millennium.  Mary’s birth, representing in a sense the beginning of the work of world’s salvation, thus parallels the beginning of the work of running an empire.

Connecting Mary’s birthday to the work of salvation underscores not only her impact on Jesus but also her ongoing effect in the life of the Church.  Certainly Mary was part of Jesus’ initial formation as a human.  More than Joseph, her spouse, she seems to have followed Jesus in his ministry.  She was present during his work in Galilee in all four gospels and with him when he died in John’s gospel.  Perhaps her efficacy is attested more by the favorable results of appeals to her through the centuries.  Mary was close to Jesus throughout his life, and she is present today helping us to trust in him.  

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

 

Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

 (Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19)

 It has been said that in Luke’s gospel Jesus prays before every significant event.  In today’s passage he prays before choosing the twelve apostles.  One wonders of the efficacy of his prayer, however.  How could he have made the mistake of choosing a man like Judas?

God listens to prayers.  He takes care of those who confide in him.  He will bring them to a good end.  Yes, Judas will betray Jesus.  His treachery will lead to Jesus’ death on the cross.  But this in not the end of Jesus.  God the Father breaks the bonds of death so that Jesus rises from the dead.  Just as marvelously, God saves us.  By Jesus’ crucifixion and death our sins are forgiven, and we too are set on the path to eternal life.

Let us not be timid about naming our fears and frustrations when we pray.  God will turn them into benefits for us and others.  The effects of prayer are not usually seen instantaneously. We often have to stand there with bleeding knuckles as we knock at God’s door with prayer.

Monday, September 6, 2021

 Monday, September 6, 2021

(Colossians 1:24-2:3; Luke 6:6-11)

It is very appropriate that today’s gospel features a labor dispute.  The Pharisees are challenging Jesus for doing work on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees no doubt realize that in one sense God works on the Sabbath.  If He did not watch over creation, all things would go awry.  Jesus considers his healing also an exception to the Sabbath rule.  He represents the coming of the Kingdom of God.  Now is the moment of salvation for the man with the withered hand.  The man’s hand is not only restored, but his soul is saved.  He now lives grateful to God for his whole life.

Some of us are blessed with work that we really enjoy doing.  Others are burdened with jobs that just allow them to pay the bills.  In either case, however, we should find in our work ways to improve ourselves as human beings and contribute to the good of society.  Today, Labor Day throughout the United States, we can thank God for the benefits of our work and petition His help with its burdens.