Wednesday, March 16, 2022

 Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

 (Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

 As we approach the middle of Lent, we may find our initial Lenten resolutions losing traction.  It is a parallel process to the capitulations found in today’s readings.  In the first, the people are unwilling to accept Jeremiah’s teaching that allegiance is to God alone.  They want to dally with other gods as a way of hedging their bets on divine assistance.  In the gospel no one seems to grasp what Jesus is saying about self-sacrifice for the good of others.  James and John allow their mother to promote their advancement.  Meanwhile, the other disciples resent the brothers for reducing their chances for places of honor. 

 During Lent the Lord seeks our conversion from the ways of the world to the virtues of the Kingdom.  Where the world says “look out for number one,” Jesus tells us to “lose our lives for his sake and for the gospel.”  We have to renew our efforts continually so that we will always serve others joyfully.

 The saints model Jesus’ self-abnegation for good of others.  Stanley Rother was an American priest defending the rights of the indigenous in Guatemala during the 1970’s and early 1980’s.  He was threatened with death if he did not leave his parish.  In fact, he tried going away but made the realization that, as he said, “a shepherd cannot run from his flock.”  He returned to Guatemala where shortly afterwards gunmen entered his rectory and killed him.  As a martyr, he did not need a miracle to be declared “Blessed Stanley Rother.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

 Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)

A famous American novelist once stipulated the most important thing a good writer must have.  It wasn’t a computer or even a library.  No, according to this Nobel laureate, a good writer must have a built-in, fool-proof “crap detector.”  Good writers Know they are writing about.  They are not fooled by things with impressive covers but lacking content.  They can tell what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong.  In today’s gospel Jesus shows the ability to be a good writer.

Jesus is criticizing religious rigorists who are prominent in any age.  He faults them for wanting to be respected as learned and holy when they show little interest in God’s concern.  They do not make justice their aim as Isaiah says people must in today’s first reading.  Jesus tells his followers to be wary of such pretenders.  He wants his disciples to eschew titles of honor.  Rather they should want to be known simply as “brother” or “sister.”

Many of us are concerned about being perceived as caring and intelligent.  We like to be called “doctor” or “father” or “professor” or “nurse.”  Are we defying Jesus’ lesson here?  Perhaps not if our true aim is to serve well.  We might ask ourselves if we live in accord with the professional ethic that our title implies.

Monday, March 14, 2022

 Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

Just before he was assassinated, Abraham Lincoln traveled to Ulysses Grant’s headquarters near Richmond.  After visiting wounded Union soldiers, he walked to a tent separated from the rest.  A doctor told him that he didn’t want to go there.  Asking why, Lincoln was told that it housed injured Confederates.  Lincoln responded that there is where he wanted to go.

Inside the tent Lincoln offered his hand to a sick rebel.  The soldier asked the president if he knew to whom he extended his hand.  The president replied that he didn’t.  The man said, “…you offer to a Confederate colonel, who has fought you as hard as he could for four years.”  Lincoln replied, “Well, I hope a Confederate colonel will not refuse me his hand.”  The colonel clasped Lincoln’s hand in both of his.  Afterwards he said, “I tell you, sir, he had the most magnificent face and eye that I have ever gazed into.  He had me whipped from the time he first opened his mouth.”

Abraham Lincoln radiated the mercy Jesus exhorts his disciples to practice.  We are not to judge another’s character by the color of his skin or by the brand name of her clothing.  If we find ourselves on opposing sides, we are to seek reconciliation.  We must be ready to forgive any offense committed against us.  Living in these ways, we can hope that God will show us mercy.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

(Genesis 15:5-12.17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28-36)

There is a men's organization that has drawn a lot of attention. It is not a military squad. Nor is it a band of musicians. This organization consists mostly of fathers who come together to support one another in living righteously. It's called the “Promise Keepers” organization. The men promise to fulfill their roles as husbands and fathers by practicing virtue. We are reminded of this group with the Mass readings today. In them we see God demonstrating how he is going to fulfill his promises.

God promised Abram that he would have a great nation as his inheritance. However, the man has grown old without having a son. In the reading God confirms his promise: Abram’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. So God makes a covenant with Abram. His descendants will not only be numerous but will also inhabit a great land.

Probably Ukrainians now, like Abram in the reading, are having a hard time believing in God's goodness. They are suffering so much that it is hard for them to believe that God is with them. They look for a favorable sign that they will not lose everything. Possibly the only hope that can be extended to the Ukrainians is Paul's promise in the second reading. Paul tells the Philippians that they are citizens of heaven. If they follow Jesus, both their bodies and their suffering will be transformed.

In the gospel we meet the Lord leading three disciples up a mountain. He just finished telling the entire group that he was going to suffer death in Jerusalem. He added that he will also be raised from the dead. Then he promised them that they in turn will suffer for associating with him. But it won't be for nothing. They will share also eternal life with him.

On the mountain the three receive a glimpse of the fulfillment of these promises. Jesus' garments are transformed so that they reveal his glory. The voice of the Father gives another witness to the truth of his coming death and resurrection. It proclaims that Jesus is his “Son”, his “chosen one”. By saying “my chosen one” God associates Jesus with the Suffering Servant of the prophet Isaiah. During Holy Week we are going to see this man prefiguring Jesus as redeemer of the people. By saying “my Son,” God assures the disciples that Jesus will take the place at his right hand in heaven.

Can the Ukrainians be content with the promise of glory for Jesus’ followers? Can we be? We humans are a mixture of body and soul. The passions of the body can overwhelm the beliefs of the mind. Particularly fear and desire can silence the voice of conscience. But we are not alone in the struggle to master the passions. We have the saints as models to imitate and intercessors to pray for us. St. Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, withstood the threats from the military of his country. He knew that he would suffer martyrdom, but he never stopped preaching the gospel. We have to ask the Lord that we always remain faithful. Then we have to conform our lives to his.

Whenever the transfiguration is mentioned, we always think of the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. However, we could think of our transfiguration as well. Particularly through our efforts during Lent, we hope that we will be transfigured.  Let us show more gratitude to God, more patience with the weak, and more love for our neighbor. May striving to grow in these ways be our promise this Lent!

Friday, March 11, 2022

 Friday of the First Week of Lent

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

So many people remain stuck in their vices that stories of conversions seem hard to come by.  Who knows many individuals who lived for years lives in deceit but now are model Christians?  However, every Alcoholics Anonymous group can give hundreds of examples.  The number of conversion stories becomes gigantic with the one hundred three thousand AA groups in the world today.

Both Scripture readings speak of the need for conversion.  The Lord says in Ezekiel that when one converts, past sins are forgotten.  The converted person does not have to worry about her debts, at least to the Lord.  In the gospel Jesus implores sinners to reconcile with those they have offended.  If not, he warns, they will pay a heavy price.

Lent is a time of conversion.  We make amends.  We start anew.  One writer notes how many families are guilty of willful neglect by seldom eating together. He suggests that the family meal would serve as a better Lenten practice than giving up desserts.  We should create at least one new habit each Lent that would move us out of a sinful way.