Friday, March 10, 2023

 Friday of the Second Week of Lent

(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)

Yesterday’s reading from Jeremiah expressed the hopelessness of the human condition.  “More tortuous than all else is the human heart,” it read, “beyond remedy…”  Today’s readings provide examples of this viciousness.  Joseph’s brothers conspire to kill him out of jealousy for their father’s affection.  Equally brutal, the resentment of Jesus’ prophesying moves the chief priests and elders of Jerusalem to do him in.

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard points to the execution of his enemies.  But Jesus’ own teaching suggests another end.  With the assurance of mercy, his executioners would repent of their crime and be forgiven.  Such a reversal may not be likely, but it is not beyond Christian hope.

We may recognize severe evil tendencies in our own thoughts.  We can thank God that we are not likely to act them out.  We should also pray for and, perhaps, advise those who do so.

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:9-31)

A dozen or so years ago sociologist Charles Murray published a book that received national attention. Coming Apart marshaled massive evidence demonstrating that the United States was becoming increasingly stratified economically and socially.  Although the liberal rich are criticized as having an elitist disregard for religion and for wanton living, Murray showed the opposite.  His evidence revealed that the rich were much more likely to go to church and have intact families than the poor.  So do the rich in the United States act like the rich man in the gospel parable today, or do they follow Christ?

Of course, the answer is, “that depends.” In the parable the rich man's sin is not that he is wealthy but that he overlooks poor Lazarus lying at his door.  He probably is well-known in the community, but interestingly in the hereafter he goes unnamed.  Meanwhile, Lazarus dies in misery but is remembered by name in eternal bliss. 

Some rich, no doubt, faithfully follow the Lord.  However, there is a striking parallel between the rich in America and the rich man who ignores Lazarus.  With gated communities, first-class accommodations, and high-cost private schools, the rich are not likely to see the poor struggling close by. They much make extra effort to be remembered in eternal life.

Wednesday, March 8. 2023

 Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent, March 8, 2023

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

Chicago’s first “Mayor Daley,” Richard J., achieved a reputation for political know-how.  Once he was criticized for asking a judge to appoint his son as a trustee in a class action lawsuit.  The appointment meant a hefty financial reward.  Daley told his critics, “If a man can’t put his arms around his sons, and give them a hand, then what kind of world are we living in?”” No doubt, the mother of James and John asked Jesus to help her sons in today’s gospel with the same sentiment.

The woman expresses faith in Jesus when she makes her request.  Jesus takes no offense when she makes the appeal. What bothers him, however, is the concern for high places, not just of the brothers but of all his disciples.  He proceeds to insist that leaders in his church must concern themselves with service.

There is nothing wrong with a desire to be recognized and respected for doing what is right.  But when our goal is simply to be praised, we are liable to betray our purpose.  As Jesus gave his life to free us from sin and death, we should work for the benefit of others.  Because Church leaders preach Jesus, they should serve with exceptional diligence. 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

 Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Way back in 2015 Pope Francis emphasized the need that constituents of the Church “walk together.”  He was commenting on church synods as one of the important results of the Second Vatican Council.  Synod literally means “walking together.”  A synod usually refers to bishops from around the world meeting to discuss Church teaching and practice.  Francis, however, has extended the concept to include all members of the Church.  He hopes that bishops, priests and deacons, religious and laity dialogue together on church concerns.  He is not introducing a democratic form of governance.  He only hopes that the Church reflect better Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel.

Jesus is forming a church where equal dignity thrives.  His disciples should be brothers and sisters to one another.  No one is to wear pompous garments.  Nor should one presumptively refer to another by special title like “father” or “master.”  Rather, all are to serve one another’s needs.  This rule applies especially to leaders who have traditionally been called “ministers” (literally, “servants”) in the Church.

Before there can be true dialogue, we must acknowledge our failure to treat one another with equal dignity.  Pastors have too often refused to listen to lay perspectives on Church policy.  Often enough, laity have tried to claim bishops’ authority by claiming “we are the Church.”  As Isaiah admonishes in today’s first reading, we all must make justice our aim.  We are to redress the wronged, to hear what women have to say, and to include the powerless in the decision-making process.

Monday, March 6, 2023

 Monday of the Second Week of Lent

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

When asked how he was doing, an old priest typically responded, “Better than I deserve to be.”  Such a remark might be made as a dodge or a deception.  However, from this priest, it probably conveyed humility.  The readings today recommend this virtue.

The passage from Daniel communicates a rare communal confession.  The prophet recognizes the sins of injustice and idolatry committed by his nation.  In the gospel Jesus presumes that his disciples carry sinful baggage.  He tells them that if they hope to be freed of it, they must acknowledge that they are no better than others.

Humility and mercy go hand and hand.  When we recognize ourselves as no better than others, we can readily forgive others’ faults.  Like the old priest mentioned above, we should not deceive ourselves in thinking we are better than others.  Even if we have been able to live relatively good lives, there is a commonness about sin that make relative differences negligible.