Friday., July 14, 2023

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Genesis 46:1-7.28-20; Matthew 10:16-23)

Today’s gospel presents part of Jesus’ “apostolic discourse.” He is giving instructions to his disciples as he sends them out to preach the Kingdom of God.  The dire circumstances of family members being mortally at odds with one another because of Jesus did not occur in his lifetime.  However, it was certainly part of the religiously charged atmosphere of Matthew’s time.

To “be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” the apostles would have to always tell the truth but say very little.  It is wrong to lie, to say something that is false with the intention to deceive.  Moralists argue about the need to tell the truth in situations where what one says may result in grave harm.  For Thomas Aquinas and equally for Immanuel Kant telling the truth is of the highest order of obligation and should never be violated.  But one does not necessarily have to say anything and should accept punishment if the spoken truth would cause harm.

Such dire situations are rare, and we pray in the Our Father to deliver us from such trials.  Yet all of us have experiences where the truth is inconvenient.  We might prepare ourselves morally and spiritually to speak it at those times. 

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 44:18-21.23b-29.45:1-5; Matthew 10:7-15)

In the Our Father one makes a hefty promise.  Praying, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” commits the person to forgive when she or he has been offended. When one is injured or has his or her heart broken, forgiveness is as difficult as donating a kidney.  Nevertheless, Joseph is able to forgive his offenders without even knowing the Lord’s Prayer.

Joseph shows great faith as he not only forgives, but also finds the Lord’s hand in his trials.  For his belief, he is twice blessed.  Not only has he thrived in Egypt, but he will see his beloved father and brother again.  Under the tutelage of the Spirit, Joseph understands his receiving God’s favor as an opportunity to help others.

We may pray the Our Father ten times a day without taking the words to heart. When we live out those words, however, we will not be disillusioned.  God will bless us like Joseph and give us opportunities to help others.

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 41:55-57.42:5-7a.17-24a; Matthew 10:1-7)

 “Food security” has been defined as all people having access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.  It is a modern idea but an ancient problem.  In today’s first reading food insecurity brings Joseph’s brothers to Egypt.  Experiencing famine in their native land, they turn to the region’s giant producer.

Today agricultural science has kept the supply of food well ahead of population growth.  Still populations can go hungry because of a disruption of food supplies.  Wars and despotic governments may cause a lack of access to food and resulting famine.  These conditions testify that the good news of God’s kingdom has not been heeded.  In the gospel Jesus sends out twelve chosen disciples to preach that message.

When we embrace God’s kingdom, we no longer worry about food.  We understand that God will provide all that we need for happiness.  God’s Kingdom summons us to assist one another – family, first, but never exclusively.  God, the King, invites us to assist Him in relieving the burdens of the needy.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot

(Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9: 32-38)

A new television series, “Mrs. Davis,” is bringing public attention to the possibility of artificial intelligence controlling human behavior.  Artificial intelligence can use algorithms, complex sets of reactions to human actions, to manipulate people.  Its potential for success is immense given the extensive fascination with the Internet.  The protagonist of “Mrs. Davis” tries to evade the reach of the powerful algorithm but becomes enmeshed in it.  She will have to fight it to ward off its control of her.

We might see in “Mrs. Davis” what today’s feast and this mass’ first reading convey.  St. Benedict evaded the evil influences of city life by retreating to the country.  There he lived a sane, wholesome life with like-minded men.  An alternative to the monastery is to battle night and day with urban evil – something like Jacob in his struggle against his intruder.

All of us should be aware that artificial intelligence can deeply influence our lives in undesirable ways.  We need to maintain some distance from computers and telephones to prevent that from happening.  We should also come closer to the Lord whom we meet in prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments.  He will lead us to the happiness that we seek in life.

Monday, July 10, 2023

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26)

Although he does not know it, Jacob has come across a shrine.  It is a holy place sanctified by the prayers of many others on that spot.  The Lord is there ready to hear the request of this unwitting pilgrim.

Jacob has sneakily taken his brother’s birthright.  That is, he is to be, like Isaac and Abraham, the “father of many nations.”  Now he must escape Esau’s wrath and then establish himself with a wife and children.  God does not hold Jacob in contempt for his trickery.  Rather he has chosen Jacob, perhaps for his cleverness, to extend the heritage that will end in the birth of His own Son Jesus, the Christ.

Shrines are found in most cities with a Catholic heritage today.  They are places for us to ask the Lord for assistance.  There we are likely to find other good people whose faith helps us trust in God’s enduring love.