Friday, July 15, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Isaiah 38:1-6.21-22.7-8; Matthew 12:1-8)

Jacob Neusner, an American rabbi, wrote a book about a dialogue between himself and Jesus.  The rabbi admired Jesus’ profundity in the Sermon on the Mount.  But he could not commit himself to Jesus because Jesus assumed a position greater than the Law.  The rabbi recognized that Jesus was making himself commensurate with God.  Jesus does so again as the ultimate argument in his defense of his disciples in today’s gospel.

The gospel’s may be seen as a running debate between Jesus and the Pharisees over Sabbath rules.  The issue is significant because the Sabbath represents the goal of the Jewish life – rest in the Lord.  Jesus does not deny the goal, nor does he ignore the Sabbath.  However, he does not claim strict observance as an exceptionless rule.  He sees himself as the arbiter of when not to comply because, as he says in today’s passage, he is “the Lord of the Sabbath.”

Do we take him as our Lord?  Rabbi Neusner could not although he respected Jesus as a great teacher.  We sometimes waver often because our environment is filled with contrary ideas.  It will tell us that the Sunday obligation is out of date so that we might “seize the day!”.  Or it may say that pornography and masturbation are harmless.  If we have accepted Jesus as Lord, we will resist these temptations.  He has spoken openly and lovingly in the gospels and now through the Church.  Let’s follow him!

Thursday, July 14, 2022

 Memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11: 28-30)

Kateri (Catherine) Tekakwitha is one of the virgins in the gospel parable waiting for the bridegroom.  Still a recent convert to Christianity, she made a relationship with the Lord her priority ambition.  Native -American custom dictated that she marry a man of her tribe.  But Kateri insisted that she would live for Christ alone.  In this way she demonstrates how to respond to Jesus’ call in today’s gospel.

Jesus addresses himself to poor peasants.  They are being despised by the Pharisees for not keeping the law.  Jesus, however, does not reject them. Although his “yoke” or way of living the law may be stricter than that of Pharisees, it becomes easy.  He promises to be their model, their helper, and their coach.  He calls forth the best from followers because he is so good.

Often people have difficulty following Christian morals. They may look at the moral life more like the Pharisees than like Jesus.  Morality has become for them more a set of rules to be obeyed than a way of accompanying Jesus.  It is not hard if we stay close to him.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

 Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Isaiah 10:5-7.13b-16; Matthew 11:25-27)

As the war in Ukraine drags on, it may be related to the war of today’s first reading.  However, care must be taken not to equate Ukraine with Israel or Russia with Assyria.

The reading expresses the biblical conviction that God is in charge of world events.  Mighty Assyria is but an instrument for imposing a corrective on Israel.  The faithlessness of Israel after God saved its ancestors from slavery in Egypt, formed it in the desert as an exemplar civilization, and gave it rich land for development is overbearing.  Isaiah means that what is left of Israel (that is, Judah) must return to God’s ways if it is to survive.

We hope that somehow an intact Ukraine can survive the devastating war.  If it does, no doubt it will have learned lessons about how to reform.  We pray that it will all end in a more Godlike world, less inclined to war and more given to righteousness.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 (Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24)

 Is faith possible today?  There will be exceptions, but it may be said that believing is increasingly difficult.  Biblical faith is, first and foremost, a relationship of trust with God.  For a Christian it is the gift of self to Christ.  Throughout the world the movement is in the other direction.  Especially young adults find the building up of self as the purpose of life.  This phenomenon can be easily demonstrated by the glorification of the self in social media.  Yet there is also evidence accumulated through the ages that faith produces favorable outcomes.  This can be seen in today’s first reading.

 King Ahaz of Judah is in a desperate situation.  Two rival kingdoms have conspired against him.  He wants to seek help by allying Judah with powerful nations.  But Isaiah warns him that only by clinging to the Lord will he survive.  Thus, Ahaz learns the meaning of faith – standing steadfast in the Lord.  As a matter of fact, the situation turns out well.  Ahaz’s enemies are throttled; Judah survives because it trusts in God.

 We may find difficulty going against the grain.  Like many others we are drawn to pursue wealth and pleasure.  Perhaps more than that, we would like to brag about ourselves.  We need to remember that Christ is our reward.  Following him, we will be saved from vain pursuits and will come to know deep, endurable happiness. 

Monday, July 11, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot

(Isaiah 1:1—17; Matthew 10:34-11:1)

Christians - Protestants as well as Catholics - have found new interest in St. Benedict.  They see hope for the future in his founding communities where the gospel may be lived.  As a young man, Benedict went to Rome for higher education.  There he became disillusioned with the way fellow students pursued knowledge.  Rather than as a way to truth, many were more interested in finding pleasure.  He retreated from the city, became a hermit, and eventually founded monastic communities.  Today faith-filled, young families find in the Benedictine retreat from cities a model.  Rather than trying to raise children amid secularization, they live in rural communities without severe corrupting influences.

Today’s gospel should be read in a way that supports separation from the corruption of the world.  Jesus speaks of bringing a sword to the earth.  In no way is he speaking literally.  He means that following him will separate one from ungodly influences.  His followers will live the truth of the gospel – that they are saved in God’s love through faith in him.

Is it necessary for people to separate themselves from the world?  In some ways, yes.  We should resist worldly temptations of excessive pleasure, power, or prestige.  But this does not mean that we must isolate ourselves from others.  Freedom from corruptive influences, however, does entail reflection, development of virtue, and prayer.  In these ways we can follow Christ who leads us to eternal life.