Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)

Peace Corps volunteers and missionaries often say that they received more than they gave.  It had seemed at one time a great sacrifice to live in a foreign country.  There is no hefty salary, few if any opportunity for advancement, and no quick trips home to take part in a wedding or birthday party.  Nevertheless, rewards come in rich experiences, sincere friendships, and closeness to the Lord.  The last of these benefits can be derived from today’s readings.

The lesson from Sirach emphasizes how true sacrifices please the Lord.  It warns against thinking that one can buy a favor but recommends charity as a way to ingratiate a merciful God.  The gospel indicates that the promised reward does not come on demand.  The opposite is more likely. Those who follow the Lord by imitating Jesus may very well find themselves persecuted.  Nevertheless, there is a guarantee that in the end they will be more than compensated for their sacrifices.

We don’t have to go far to experience the truth of these readings.  The more we stoop to help others, the higher God will lift us.

Monday, May 29, 2023

Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church

(Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-34)

Mary fully becomes “Mother of the Church” at the foot of the cross where she is met in today’s gospel.  Jesus gives to her his beloved disciples to form his “family,” a new community whose ties go beyond blood to selfless love.  Jesus prepared Mary for this moment by gradually distancing himself from her since that day in the Temple when at twelve years old, he told her and Joseph that he must be about the work of his Father.

Mary is living out the “Fiat” she made at the Annunciation – that she would accept completely the will of God.  Her sacrifice is comparable to that of her son hanging on the cross.  She suffers as any mother or father in seeing a son precede them in death.  But she suffers even more since she is aware of Jesus’ divine origin and his utter innocence.  Just as Jesus endured the abandonment by his Father on the cross, Mary must now endure his abandonment.  Only selfless love keeps both faithful.

As Mother of the Church, Mary expresses her selfless love on behalf of all of us.  Her love does not substitute for ours but models such love for us.  Knowing that she was able to give herself completely to God’s will, we can do likewise.

Sunday, May 28, 2023

PENTECOST SUNDAY

(Acts 2:1-11; I Corinthians 12:3-7.12-13; John 20:19-23)

Today, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Spirit, it is true. But we also celebrate the Church. In some parishes forty or fifty years ago they brought a big cake into mass. The children sang “Happy Birthday” because today is the day the Church was born. While such a practice may highlight the connection between Pentecost and the Church, it also trivializes both. Somehow, we have to relate Pentecost to the Church by taking both things seriously.

It helps us to understand that Pentecost is not just a Christian holiday. Rather, it has its origins in the foundations of Judaism. On the fiftieth day after the Passover and exodus from Egypt, the Israelites received the Law of God. Together with the Covenant, the Law meant that they were the “People of God.” With the gift of the Holy Spirit, we Christians have also identified ourselves as the "People of God" or, sometimes, the "New People of God."

We are the "New People" not only because we are the most recent. Rather, we are men and women recreated by Baptism. We remember what Jesus says to Nicodemus in the Gospel of John: "'He who is not born again cannot see the Kingdom of God.'" Jesus then goes on to explain how to be "born again" is to be born "of water and of the Spirit." Of course, he is referring to Baptism.

The gospel today shows Jesus blowing on the apostles while he says: "... To those whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven them." We Christians are also renewed because we are not bound by our past sins. We are like the criminal whose sentence is pardoned. He can start life anew without paying the debts due for his previous crime.

Jesus left the New People of God with a mission. Its members, beginning with the apostles, have to go everywhere setting the world ablaze with love. The flames that pass from one to the other in the first reading today represent hearts on fire. They do not stop with the group in the hall but continue to spread through Jerusalem and from there throughout the world to this day. The disciples of Jesus both in Jerusalem and we today fulfill this task by announcing the good news of the love of God. Of course, this announcement is not made only with words but also with deeds.

Since the time of Saint Paul the Church has also identified herself as the "Body of Christ." This is a strange title. In what sense is the church like a body? The Church remains on earth as the physical and organic presence of Christ. The Spirit of Christ, that is, the Holy Spirit, animates this body to fulfill its mission of announcing the love of God. Believers in Christ are the members of this body, each with his or her own ability. Everyone has their necessary role as in the case of a human body so that the Church continues to radiate love. Whether we are cardinal archbishops or those who fry fish for dinner on Lenten Fridays, we support the Church in proclaiming the Kingdom.

The Spirit harmonizes all the efforts of the members. That is why it seems that Pope Francis' proposal to institutionalize synodality with the laity comes from the Spirit. The bishops have always listened to the opinions of the laity. They have sisters, cousins, and cooks in their houses. But casual listening is neither clear nor compelling. The Spirit works by the structures that are built to be truthful and effective.

It has been said that sometimes you have to accept changes so that things remain as always. It seems so with the Church now. Synodality may be necessary for the Church to continue spreading the self-sacrificing love of God.

Friday, May 26, 2023

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest

(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)

It is often noted that in this gospel Jesus’ three-time questioning of Peter’s love compares with Peter’s three-time denial of him.  However, the purpose of the questioning is not always speculated.  The probable reason for the repeated question is to assure that Jesus’ Church would be well cared for.  By reminding Peter of his failure, Jesus strengthens his resolve to do everything he can to serve him.  Such love will carry Peter to martyrdom.

The love Jesus requires from Peter is not unique.  He asks the same love from all priests.  They too are shepherds who tend his sheep.  Unless they would do anything for Jesus, some of the flock may wander astray.  Promising such love, priests are asked to remain celibate in imitation of Jesus.  They will have fewer personal responsibilities so that they can give themselves fully to pastoral service.

Today the Church celebrates one of her most famous priests, Philip Neri, “the Apostle of Rome.”  Philip’s care for his expansive flock demonstrated a deep love of the Lord.  Philip was sought after by all kinds of people – rich and poor, high priests and simple workingpersons.  His wisdom, holiness, and, indeed, humor enabled him to meet most every need.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

In today’s first reading Paul is spared stoning by the disunity of the Sanhedrin.  Astutely observing that both Pharisees and Sadducees are present, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee.  The Pharisees then side with him when he claims that he is accused for expressing their belief in the resurrection of the dead.  The deadlocked Sanhedrin cannot make a verdict.

Despite Paul’s good fortune, disunity hampers a society from achieving the common good.  Certainly, unity is meant to serve the truth, but disunity is always problematic.  This is why in the gospel Jesus prays that his disciples be unified in the truth that he has taught them.  When the truth in a developing situation is difficult to determine, Jesus would have his disciples discern it together in love.

The world today is sick with divisions.  In the United States, Democrats and Republicans seem to be at odds on most every issue.  Throughout the world migrants are clamoring at the doors of economically developed countries.  People often lack the goodwill to make sacrifices for the benefit of all.  We should ask the Lord to prepare us to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of all.