Thursday, June 22, 2023

 (Optional) Memorial of Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr, and Saint Thomas More, martyr

(II Corinthians 11:1-11; Matthew 6:7-12)

In today’s gospel Jesus instructs his disciples to pray that God’s kingdom comes.  St. Thomas More gave his life as a witness to that kingdom.  The story of his martyrdom is well-known because of the powerful movie made in the 1960s.  Yet it is worth retelling because of the need for testifying to faith today.

More was chancellor of England, the highest-ranking minister in the state.  He was well-loved by King Henry VIII until he refused to sign a document legitimating the king’s second marriage in defiance of the Catholic Church.  Imprisoned, More refused to comment on the king’s assuming leadership of the Church in England.  For saying nothing, he was doomed to execution!  On the way to the scaffold he clarified his position saying, “I am the king’s good servant but God’s first.”

Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers gave an award to a drag queen group that mocks the Church.  Proponents of distorted sex now openly heap disdain on the Catholic Church.  They cannot tolerate the Church’s consistent teaching that sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage.  One major league ballplayer criticized the award.  For the sake of a sound society, good people like this ballplayer must give witness to the legitimacy of the Church’s teaching.

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2023

 Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

 (II Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

St. Aloysius Gonzaga died rich in the eyes of God, however poor in the sight of many in the world.  He gave up a claim to his family’s fortune to become a Jesuit.  As a religious, he dedicated himself to caring for the victims of the plague which was racking Italy in the late sixteenth century.  Eventually he contracted the disease and died from it.  His willingness to give himself completely out of love for Christ amply illustrates today’s first reading.

St. Paul is urging the Corinthians to be generous in his collection for the Christians in Jerusalem.  He tells them that they will reap what they sow.  If they make great sacrifices, they will receive great rewards.  Because God gives eternal life as well as harvests, they will not be disappointed for their efforts.

We may tire of being pestered by charities.  As we hear of donor names being passed from one organization to another, we may not want to contribute to any.  Let us not make such a decision out of frustration, however.  Rather let us pray for the grace to make prudent use of our resources for the good of the needy.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 8:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48)

The philosopher Plato theorized how a human being would act if he or she were invisible.  He said that the person would likely kill, steal, and rape among other things “like a god among humans”.   Plato had in mind the capricious gods of Greek mythology.  His conception of a god differs decidedly from St. Paul’s in today’s first reading.

St. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be generous and benevolent like Christ whom he recognizes as Lord.  He says that although Christ was rich, he became poor not to do any mischief, quite the contrary.  He became poor so that he might make others rich in the Kingdom of God. 

We believe in a good God as He definitively revealed Himself in Jesus Christ.  Not only was he kind and generous, but also faithful, wise, and self-sacrificing.  Following him, we know that our destiny is as bright as the noonday sun in summer.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 5:38-42)

The challenges which Jesus presents his disciples in today’s gospel seem in need of qualification.  Most listeners would ask “what if” questions to understand the scope of his commands.  For example, they would ask, “What if the street person were to ask me for $10?  Should I give it to him?” Or “What if a rapist demands that I surrender to him?  Should I do it?”  Of course, prudence should direct decision-making, but most people, most of the time, could be less resistant to letting go of what they have.  St. Paul in the first reading serves well as a model.

Paul describes the hardships he has endured preaching the gospel.  Most would have long before abandoned the effort, but for Paul suffering is more reason to continue.  He knows that every time he suffers for the sake of Christ, he draws closer to his Lord.  Morally his willingness to suffer for others’ benefit approximates Christ’s.  Existentially, full union with Christ in death becomes more certain.

Saints worry little about themselves because they know the more they unite with Christ, the more he takes care of them.  We should imitate them.  When attacked verbally, let us not hurry to defend ourselves.  Rather, we might correct the smidgen of truth that makes the attack credible.  When approached for an offering, let us try to supply what our petitioner really needs.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Exodus 19, 2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8)

With the celebration of the mass today we fully re-enter "ordinary time". It is our opportunity to learn about the ministry of Jesus: how he thinks and how he responds to the challenges of life.

We remember that this year we read from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew on most Sundays. Now we hear how Matthew perceives Jesus assessing the religious situation in Israel. He sees the people "as sheep without a shepherd." Their leaders stress the finer points of the Law like tithing for herbs and spices but fail to teach the great themes like humility and mercy. If the people do not receive more responsible leadership, Jesus knows that they will turn out to be like their current leaders. They will exploit religion to see themselves as "good" while concealing their selfish motives.

One can compare the condition of the People of God now with that of the time of Jesus. When we speak of today's “People of God”, we have in mind the Catholic Church. The Israelites became the original People of God when they arrived at Sinai as the first reading tells us today. Followers of Christ assumed the distinction with the reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Unfortunately, in many places the People of God seem disillusioned. Most Catholics do not participate in the mass. Young people don't even want to be identified as “Catholics”. But the problem goes deeper. Many attend Mass mainly out of habit. They do not want to be perfected in Christ. Nor do they want to take responsibility for the good of the community. Rather, they are content with mediocrity.

Bishops seek solutions to the waning fervor of the faithful. They sponsor training classes and renewal programs. They promote movements like “the Road to Emmaus” and “Christ Renews the Church of him”. But they are fighting against a culture that has become hostile to religion. The scandal of sexual abuse has created doubts. Science has also been successful in providing remedies for all kinds of difficulties and answers to most human questions.

Jesus uses a new strategy to face the challenge in Israel. He calls the best of his disciples to preach the Kingdom of God on the roadsides. He provides them with the power to heal, to cast out demons, and, incredibly, to raise the dead. He tells them not to take for their ministry.  It is not their ability that performs miracles but that of the Holy Spirit.

We need volunteers today like the apostles to take responsibility for the well-being of the Church. Young people may sacrifice a year or two to do full-time ministry after completing their basic education. Opportunities already exist to serve as campus ministers and as lay missionaries abroad. Adults can commit to a lay ministry that serves those on the margins of the community. We need people to go in groups to nursing homes to bring the Word of God along with Holy Communion.

Today we celebrate Father's Day. It is time to thank our dads. Why? Simply for passing on their genes to us? No, this took no effort. In addition to providing for our material needs, we honor our fathers for teaching us responsibility. The best fathers instruct their children how to be responsible to God and to their wives. They show responsibility for the family and for the Church, the People of God.