Thursday, February 22, 2024

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle

(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)

Today’s feast is meant to honor the papacy as well as St. Peter.  The Chair of Peter is the seat of authority on which a pope sits.  Since the Church’s foundation, no fewer than 266 men have occupied that chair.

Jesus selects Simon because of the special revelation God gives him about Jesus’ divine Sonship. He changes his name to Peter as a sign of every pope’s role.  They must be firm in teaching and in calling the Church to unity.  Popes should also have a deep relationship with God so that they might discern His will as evidently Simon has done in the gospel.  Today’s first reading adds several more qualifications.  Popes must be close to the people so that they may teach by example as well as doctrine.  They should also carry out their responsibilities not as professionals for pay but as those with a vocation willing to work without profit.

Fortunately, we have had fine persons sitting on the Chair of Peter in recent years.  John Paul II was almost incomparable for his energy, genius, and pastoral insight.  Francis, despite his faux paus, has shown us how to love deeply.  The papacy is a strenuous office, usually occupied by men who are past retirement age.  We should pray for them as well as heed their authority.

Wednesday, February 21, 2014

Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

(Jonah 3:1-0; Luke 11:29-32)

Enter almost any doctor’s office, and you will be asked for a sign.  The attendant will want to see your insurance card guaranteeing the doctor will be paid.  You can tell her or him that you have money to cover the doctor’s fee.  But don’t expect to be believed.  In today’s gospel Jesus chastises the people for a similar lack of faith.

The people want Jesus to produce miracles on demand before they believe in him.  He tells them that this is not God’s way.  He says that just as the Ninevites believed Jonah’s prophecy of a calamity unless they turned to God for mercy, Jews should heed his similar message.

It is hard for some of us to believe.  Perhaps we have been tricked or misled by someone whom we thought was telling the truth.  But, as Jesus indicates, there is still plenty of reason to trust in God’s word.  We have life and more than enough to eat.  We probably have had at least one parent who would have died for us and friends who are willing to help meet our needs.  These are all signs of a sort indicating God’s abiding presence.  There is no need to hold out for miracles before believing in Him.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

In the Old Testament the ear takes precedence over the eye.  God frequently talks to His people at least through the prophets.  But only once does He show himself in full theophany.  In today’s first reading God Himself emphasizes the efficacy of His word.  He says that it always achieves His purpose.

The gospel makes the word of God Jesus’ disciples’ own word.  Jesus, God incarnate, teaches his followers how to pray with an emphasis on forgiveness.  The Father will forgive those who forgive the offenses of others.

Forgiveness requires humility.  When we forgive, we give up the claims we have against our offenders.  Our pride can keep this from happening.  However, hearing Jesus’ guarantee of our own forgiveness, we cannot afford not to forgive.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

Today’s reading from Leviticus pursues the theme of holiness.  It takes for granted that holiness involves cultic observance and separation from filth and what might lead to impurity.  The reading emphasizes the ethical component of holiness.  Mostly it offers negative precepts or sins that must be avoided – lies, stealth, and meanness. It concludes by proposing a form of the golden rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The gospel provides content for that rule.  Jesus tells his followers that those who feed the hungry, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned will be invited into the Kingdom of God.  For Jesus love is active and requires sacrifice.  It may start with good intentions and include prayer for those who are suffering.  But one cannot be welcomed into the kingdom if he or she ignores someone in need.

We may not care if we are considered holy or not, but we probably want to experience eternal life.  We can’t have one without the other.  We must avoid what sullies our character and strive to love our neighbor. 

Sunday, , February 18, 2024

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, February 18, 2024

(Genesis 9:8-15; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15)

Always on the first Sunday of Lent we hear that Jesus is tempted in the desert. Probably most of us remember how Satan challenges the Lord to change stones into loaves and bow down before him. However, the passage from the Gospel according to Saint Mark that we have just heard says nothing about the contents of the temptations. It only reports that the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the desert. It is not correct to think that Mark has the same temptations in mind as Matthew and Luke. In fact, it seems that Marcos has another idea of temptation.

The word for temptation has two meanings. It may be an attempt to seduce a person to betray his principles with something attractive. Or it may be testing the person to strengthen him or her. Because the Holy Spirit originates the temptation here and there is no suggestion of seduction, it is likely meant as a testing and strengthening.

The temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark can be compared to the United States Army Ranger School. Preparing for combat, soldiers train for more than sixty days in extremely rigorous conditions. They eat only 2,200 calories and sleep on average only 3.5 hours daily. Surely after such a challenging course the soldiers will be among the most war-ready in the world. Thus Jesus prepares himself for the mission that he is about to begin. He will preach “the Kingdom of God” that saves the world from perdition and gives it peace.

We must think of Lent as our training to continue this mission of Jesus. In the world today, culture has largely left religion behind. Popular songs tell of sexual encounters, not of meetings with the priest to prepare for marriage. Sunday mornings are reserved even more for soccer or basketball games than for going to church. Christmas is about giving gifts to each other, not about worshiping the Child Redeemer. And Easter is remembered for hunting for eggs and eating chocolates, not for the hope of eternal life.

“So what's the problem?” some will ask. The problem, which is very big, is that once society loses its religion, it also loses its core that holds all its parts together. As a result, it will begin to fall apart. Without religion, society would not be responsible to the Only One who cannot be deceived. Huge problems soon appeared. We see indications of undoing now in our society. A growing number of teenagers attempt suicide. The media regularly gives out misinformation to manipulate the public into conforming to their own perspective. With the preoccupation with sex without the intention of having a family, the population becomes smaller, older and weaker.

It is up to all of us to bear witness to Jesus Christ who incorporates in himself the Kingdom of God. We do it first of all with righteous lives. The Lenten discipline of saying “no” to continuous offers to eat and drink more strengthens us morally. The Lenten commitment to prayer will bring us closer to God, always our main resource in the mission. And efforts on behalf of the needy will bring us closer to Jesus' priority for the poor.

Why do sacrifices seem like an insurmountable challenge at the beginning of Lent, but at the end of the season like no big deal? Could it be that we are too lax now and need an awakening to live really well? As with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is propelling us forward. Let’s not turn away from the challenge!