Friday, February 2, 2024

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40)

The gospel today is typically Lucan in at least three ways.  First, it highlights the Jewish background of Jesus.  Not only are Mary and Joseph observing Jewish religious law, but also Simeon and Anna seem to be lifted off the pages of the Old Testament.  With Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, we see a narrative featuring both the Law and the Prophets.

Second, a small but significant characteristic of Luke is his gender inclusiveness.  He includes Elizabeth along with Zachariah in his birth account of John the Baptist.  Later on, Luke mentions women disciples (although he does not use that term) of Jesus.  When the Lucan Jesus tells the parable of the happiness of the shepherd who discovers the lost sheep, he will also tell of the joy of the housewife who finds the lost coin in her house.  In the passage today Luke pairs the prophetess Anna with the holy man Simeon as similarly jubilant to witness the coming of the redemption of Israel.

But most important, of course, is the way Luke sees Jesus.  He embodies the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of Israel being a light to the nations.  Likewise, he brings peace wherever he goes, in this case to the faithful Simeon who has waited for decades for the Messiah.  But the light and peace that Jesus brings does not come without great cost.  Jesus is “a sign that will be contradicted,” that is, he will be opposed and indeed martyred in the completion of his mission.

 

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings:1-4.10-12; Mark 6:7-13)

Today’s first reading renders a singularly positive understanding of David’s death.  He has his heir apparent nearby to whom he gives sage advice.  Dying peacefully, he is buried with his ancestors.  Because David was not the perfect king, some reference to his sins might have been made as he died.  But evidently respect for both the dead and the kingship refrained the author from making negative remarks.

The reading emphasizes the need for the kings of Israel to be faithful to the Lord.  Tragically, this will not happen.  Solomon, for all his wisdom, will copy the ways of foreign kings.  His descendants will commit murder to consolidate their power.  Because of corrupt leadership, Israel will eventually fall to foreign kingdoms.

Nevertheless, the advice David gave to Solomon remains true for us today.  If we follow the ways of the Lord, we will not have to worry.  He will make certain that we, and probably our sons and daughters as well, have a place in His eternal kingdom.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(II Samuel 24.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)

Today’s first reading raises a few questions.  Why is it a grievous sin to take a census?  What makes David regret the order that he has made for a census?  How is it that God has seventy thousand people die from the pestilence before he stops the carnage?  Answers may not be available in this text, but they might be gleaned from knowing the story of Israel.

By ordering a census David is becoming like other kings.  He will likely use census data to tax the people and to draft an army.  He is no longer going to depend upon God to deliver Israel from harm.  David has the capacity to sin egregiously but also to repent wholeheartedly.  His conscience evidently recognizes that he has sinned greatly in turning away from God to rely on his army’s numbers.  Finally, God should not be considered as changing His mind like David does.  Rather His infinite mercy should be recognized.  Justice demands payment but 70,000 lives is quite enough.

David possesses many qualities for us to emulate and a few that require our abhorrence.  We certainly should follow our consciences when they accuse us of sin and go to Confession.  We also need to ask God’s help in the future without making pretentious calculations about how we will take care of ourselves.  Prudence requires action, but we should always act in the name of God.

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)

In today’s gospel Jesus shows preeminent mercy.  When he disembarks on the shore, a swarm of petitioners seek his healing services.  Quite generously, he goes with a man on a house call.  On the way he meets a woman suffering from both a hemorrhage and mistreatment by doctors.

Jesus goes the extra mile with both women.  When the woman with hemorrhage is cured, Jesus gives her a second blessing.  He pronounces her salvation.  After hearing that the patient of the house call that he is making has died, Jesus could go home.  However, defying the bad news, he brings the girl back to life. 

Going out of our way to help others we prove ourselves to be Jesus’ true disciples.  Neither being tired nor hearing negative comments should stop us from doing good.

 

Monday, January 29, 2024

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 15:13-14.30, 16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20)

Today’s first reading will make some wonder, “What does this bit of history have to do with Jesus Christ?” Probably more than most people think.  The focus of the story is David, King of Israel and predecessor of Jesus.  His virtuous action here hints of Jesus’ glory and provides example for Jesus’ followers.

David undergoes dual trials of his own son’s treason and the rebellion of his nation.  These setbacks are narrated not as the results of the nation’s evil and certainly not as accidental developments.  They come about because David slept with Uriah’s wife and had him killed to cover up his sin.  David now recognizes that his duress from his disloyal son and the stone thrower Abishai are prompted by God’s justice.  He has learned his lesson.  Wisely now he refrains from having Abishai killed.

As much as any of us, David sinned.  He also admitted his guilt and trusted in God’s justice and mercy.  Jesus will bear more than his name as “Son of David.” He will exhibit David’s prudence in action and hope in the Lord.  Of course, Jesus never sinned.  Because we sometimes do, we should follow David’s willingness to do penance and to trust in God’s mercy.