Friday, January 26, 2024

Memorial of St. Timothy and St. Titus, bishops

(II Timothy 1:1-8; Mark 4:6-34)

St. Timothy and St. Titus accompanied St. Paul on various parts of his missionary journeys.  They served as his assistants with tasks like carrying his letters and evaluating the needs of the communities Paul founded.  Eventually both came to lead Christian communities that were associated with Paul.  Timothy became what might be called “bishop of Ephesus” and Titus, “bishop of Crete.”

Today’s first reading emphasizes the continual reliance of Church leaders on faith.  They may be so preoccupied in giving commands that their relation with the Lord wanes.  On the other hand, they may become discouraged when few people express interest in their teaching.  If their faith falters, leaders cannot bring others to truly know the Lord.  As Paul writes, leaders are to stir up the faith that is within them by constant meditation and prayer.  Doing so, they will more ably assist their people on the road to eternal life.

Most of us have leadership responsibilities for which our faith serves well.  Parents, of course, have the physical and spiritual welfare of their children as a primary obligation.  On the job we want to convey confidence and concern to co-workers so that common objectives may be met.  Among friends we give tender care so that they may live with integrity and peace.

 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

Today’s Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul marks the end of the Week of Prayer for Church Unity.  For over fifty years Christian churches have prayed from January 18 until today, January 25, that they might be united in worship.  The latter date was evidently chosen because as Paul was converted from a persecutor of Christians to its most accomplished promoter, so Christians today must experience a change of heart and mind if Christian unity is to be realized.

Catholics are by no means exempt from the necessity to change.  We must not think of Protestants as outside the possibility or the probability of salvation.  We also must recognize the virtues of Protestants and Orthodox.  Protestants have emphasized catechesis from childhood through adulthood.  Sunday school for children and Sunday evenings with a second lesson have been standards for many Protestant communities.  Orthodox greatly value liturgy, probably more so than Catholics.  They have a palpable sense of singing God’s praises outside the Eucharist as well as inside.

Sometimes it seems that Christian churches are farther apart now than ever.  Many Protestant churches’ ordaining women as bishops constitutes a singular barrier to reunion.  But the situation is not all grim.  Evangelical Christian churches see doctrine and, to an extent, church structure very similar to Catholics.  Orthodox and Catholics also are transcending historical differences in questions like the dating of Christmas.  We should not give up on seeing Christians united but pray all the harder that it becomes a reality.

Wednesday, January, 24, 2024

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20)

The two readings today are encountered various times during the year.  In the first God covenants with His servant David to make one of his descendants an eternal king.  Christians, of course, see the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The gospel parable of seeds falling on different kinds of terrain is found in Mark, Matthew, and Luke.  With it Jesus urges his listeners to make of themselves the kind of earth that produces abundant fruit. His prescription for doing this is contained in the parable.  One must retreat from gossip and frivolous interests (the path).  One must also take care to reflect and pray (roots growing deep into the soil).  Finally, one must not be detoured by fame, fortune, or other pursuits (smothering thorns).

Today’s patron is somewhat well-known.  St. Francis de Sales was the Bishop of Geneva at the end of the Protestant Reformation. He wrote a classic book on spirituality called The Devout Life.  It famously says that everyone is called to sanctity but each according to his or her personal characteristics.  Francis means that we are all called to live in Christ’s eternal kingdom.  To arrive there, he would say, we must cultivate our lives to produce good fruit.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 6:12b-15.17-19; Mark 3:31-35)

The first reading today tells of King David making “burnt offerings” and “peace offerings.”  In a burnt offering the animal sacrificed to God is destroyed so that there is nothing to be eaten.  Burnt offerings were made to atone for sins.

A peace offering was not wholly consumed by fire. Blood was shed, of course, but most of the animal was left to be eaten by the people who brought it.  Peace offerings were not made to pacify God for sins but to thank God for His goodness. 

The Eucharist is a kind of peace offering.  The bread and the wine brought for sacrifice become the body and blood of Christ.  He is offered to God in a spirit of praise and thanks. The people who brought the sacrificial elements then receive them back transformed.  Eating Christ’s body and drinking Christ’s blood give them new life.  At the Last Supper Christ made a New Covenant with his disciples.  Under this arrangement their sins are forgiven.  They may leave in complete peace, freed from past sins and energized with new life.

Monday, January 22, 2024

 Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 5:1-7.10; Mark 3:22-30)

In today’s gospel Jesus rebukes the scribes for not acknowledging his working with the Holy Spirit.  He says that he casts out demons only with the Spirit’s power.  The passage concludes with Jesus’ accusing the scribes of the unpardonable sin of denying the work of God’s Spirit.

Something similar is at play today when the media and politicians refuse to acknowledge the critical importance of the family.  In celebration of individual freedom, these sectors will not endorse the need to limit sexual intimacy to marriage.  As a result, there is growing social dysfunction among children born outside of marriage and living without two parents in the home.

We must promote healthy marriage by encouraging youth to be chaste throughout their lives. Despite cultural opposition, we should promote modesty in demeanor.  We should also encourage to be prudent in choosing a marriage partner.