Friday, September 8. 2023

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 1:1-16.18-23 or Matthew 1:18-23)

The Byzantine Orthodox Church has a beautiful prayer to the Christ child on Christmas.  The prayer expresses the age-old desire to present Jesus with a special gift.  It proposes as a truly worthy offering on the part of humanity a Virgin Mother.  She is Mary, the fairest of women, who will prepare Jesus for his mission of revealing God’s love to the world.

Today the Church celebrates Mary in a special way.  Hers is the only birthday recognized in the liturgical calendar besides those of Jesus and John the Baptist.  By calling attention to her birth, the Church recognizes a life solely dedicated to God. 

Mary is also singled out as a model for young and old today.  We should find in her chastity the way to happiness no matter our state of life.  We can see in her obedience to God’s will how costly sacrifice leads to wonderful outcomes.  Most of all, of course, we recognize in Mary the fullness of love.  She cares for Jesus at his birth in Matthew and Luke and at his death in John’s gospel.  She speaks up in Cana for the whole world.  “’They have no wine,’” is a plaintive call for the happiness of the kingdom.  Each of us should strive to live as faithfully as this woman.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

A successful businessman almost went bankrupt because of gambling debts.  He was a family man, respected in the community where he had his business, and active in his church.  But in Las Vegas he could not stop placing bets until he almost lost everything.  St. Paul has such madness in mind when he writes of the “power of darkness” in today’s first reading.

Darkness or evil takes different shapes.  One can become addicted to drugs, lie maliciously, or look for illicit sexual fulfilment.  Darkness engulfs the soul so that it dies before the light of the next day.  Paul recognizes how Christ through his teaching and by his death has dissipated its power.  By staying close to him, one can enjoy a peaceful and hopeful life.

Coming to such a state is not all our doing.  God provides the grace so that everyone come to know and rely on Christ.  Like Paul we need to pray continually that we accept the grace that dispels darkness.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:1-8; Luke 4:38-44)

Today’s first reading is taken from the beginning of the Letter to the Colossians.  The writer is supposedly St. Paul; however, many modern exegetes believe that it was written by one of the apostle’s disciples. The Colossians were the people of Colossae, a city of Asia Minor (now Turkey) east of Ephesus.  The letter addresses problems of the Christian community in Colossae.  There is confusion over the role of angels and also over ascetical practices such as fasting.

This passage is striking for its coordination of the Holy Trinity with the theological virtues.  Paul acknowledges hope of heaven where God, the Father, reigns.  The hope is being realized by the people’s faith in Jesus Christ.  Meanwhile, it is foretasted in the love people share in the Holy Spirit. 

We are to love others not out of a natural attraction but from our hope of eternal life.  Jesus not only told us of God the Father’s unconditional love but also demonstrated that love in his passion and death.  Our belief in him moves us to imitate his selfless love.  Thankfully, we have the Spirit to help us.

 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

 Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 5:1-6.9-11; Luke 4:31-37)

Yesterday the Gospel of Luke was introduced into the daily mass readings.  It will be used in weekday masses until Advent.  Two characteristics of the Lukan Jesus are that he is always moving and that he speaks with authority.  Yesterday the report of his activities was from Nazareth.  Today it comes from Capernaum.  Tomorrow it will see him leaving for other towns.

The second characteristic is found in the other gospels as well.  Jesus does not cite other rabbis but makes definitive comments on the Scripture himself.  In today’s reading his words manifest authority in that demons obey them.  His charge that the demons come out of the possessed man sends them immediately away. 

Such a display of authority should provoke repentance and faith in Jesus.  The people, however, are only filled with amazement.  Let us not be so slow to respond favorably.  Jesus is here to save us from sin and death.  We should not be shy about acknowledging him as Lord and praying to him for our every need.

Monday, September 4, 2023

 Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Luke 4:16-30)

Labor Day may be seen as a fulfillment of today’s gospel passage.  Jesus announces that he has come to free the oppressed and to proclaim a time of favor.  This announcement applies to those whose work, whether manual or intellectual, becomes unhealthy and dehumanizing.

Christianity has derived a theology of work that recognizes its purpose and worth.  All honest contributes to the glory of God and to human development.  Workers have rights that protect their safety and dignity.  They should be fairly paid to support themselves and their families.  Their workplace should be safeguarded from foreseeable dangers.  They should be allowed to organize in order to guarantee their welfare and the quality of their workmanship.

Labor Day is more than the end of a long weekend.  Our Eucharist today has a more definite focus than on other weekdays.  Rather these two events together are to remind us of Christ coming to work out our salvation. He lived among us first as a carpenter and then as a preacher.  More than that, he suffered, died, and rose so that laborers and everyone else might be free of the ultimate oppressions of sin and death.