Thursday, February 29, 2024

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:9-31)

The heart is thought of as the seat of the emotions.  The human person loves, hates, desires, and rejects with the heart.  Often the heart loves and seeks things that will not bring the person lasting happiness.  The rich man’s heart in the gospel parable is set on fine clothes and sumptuous foods.  Allowing these pursuits to dominate his life, he ends in misery.

A Franciscan preacher tells how as a young man he loved to dress well.  He bought fine clothes and never wore them sullied and wrinkled.  Then he came to know the Lord intimately.  Now he says that he doesn’t worry about clothes at all.  He is content wearing his Franciscan habit with a pair of shorts underneath.  He has set his heart on a growing relationship with the One who matters most of all.

It is not wrong to want fine clothes and delicious foods.  But we must not prioritize these things to love of God and neighbor.  If we do, we have lost what can most bring us happiness.  We must care about things in the proper order of importance.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

At the heart of today’s gospel lies a critical question for the spiritual life.  Do we love God for Himself or do we love Him for the spiritual rewards that He promises?  The mother of James and John does homage to the Lord to seek high places in his Kingdom for her sons.  Is her piety enough to secure what she asks?

Asking spiritual gifts of Jesus presupposes faith in him to give it.  Although Jesus does not assign table order, believing in him will lead to places at the celestial banquet. God cannot be separated from the spiritual gifts that He alone provides.  However, if we center our focus on God’s gifts to us, we may become distracted and begin to believe because of the earthly gifts that He also provides.  Then when things turn against us, our faith may falter.

God in Himself is perfectly lovable.  He created the universe and sent His Son to save humankind from folly.  We love Him for all His magnificence, including His goodness that we will eventually see up close.  If we suffer want now, let it be.  We know that following the Lord Jesus will not leave us disappointed.

 

Tuesday, Februray 27, 2024

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)

Being “full of themselves” is a young person’s trait.  Often pampered as children, adolescents can think mostly about themselves.  However, as they grow up, people should realize that the world does not revolve around themselves, and that craving attention offends both God and community.  Such a sin characterizes the Pharisees in Jesus’ account to his disciples in today’s gospel.

The Pharisees’ teaching is not found wanting, but their pride reaches much beyond self-worth.  They are so absorbed with their own virtue that they cannot see their vices.  It is as if pride puffed their faces so that they cannot see how they affect others.  Jesus tells his disciples to guard themselves against such self-deception by being modest in their presentation of self.

Often church-going people find fault in others but can’t recognize their own sins.  It is pathetic because their very sin keeps them from repenting.  We must pray for them and for ourselves that we do not become victims of our own pride.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

In today’s first reading it is the prophet Daniel makes an extraordinary confession.  He not only recognizes himself as a sinner but confesses openly the guilt of the entire community.  Although it is true that everyone disobeys God’s commandments, few, probably even then, are willing to say it publicly.  Daniel also acknowledges that God is merciful. Perhaps for that reason he does not mind making a public confession.

In the gospel Jesus underscores God’s mercy.  He exhorts his disciples to imitate God’s readiness to forgive.  Only in this way, he says, might they be forgiven their many sins.

Whatever Became of Sin, we have all heard preachers refer to this book of fifty years ago.  The situation has only become laxer.  Few Catholics today are confessing regularly.  Perhaps attempting a modicum of fairness, they likewise tend to overlook others’ sins.  The result is a society where crimes like marital infidelity, media disinformation, and assisted suicide are justified.  Yet there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation where we can confess our sins and receive God’s mercy.  Society would be stronger if more took advantage of it. 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, February 25, 2024

(Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10)

As we always hear the gospel of Jesus' temptation on the first Sunday of Lent, we can count on hearing of his transfiguration on the second. We also heard the same gospel on August 6th. It seems that the event is so important to consider that it is worth repeating. We are going to reflect on the transfiguration or change in appearance in two ways: what happens to Jesus and what happens to its witnesses who include ourselves.

Sometimes preachers try to differentiate between a transformation and a transfiguration. They say, for example, that transfiguration is always from a lower state to a higher state while transformation can be an improvement or a deterioration. But this distinction is difficult to see. The Greek of the gospel today says “metemorphOthE” which is translated as “was transformed.” Evidently the custom developed over the centuries of calling the change in Jesus’ appearance “the Transfiguration” as we have it now in our missals.

Jesus' appearance changes quickly and significantly. His full identity is revealed when his clothes take on a terrific sheen. As Superman is seen for who he is when journalist Clark Kent takes off his suit, God's Messiah is identified when Jesus' clothes shine. This transformation verifies what Peter stated earlier: Jesus is the Messiah or, in Greek, the Christ. It also indicates the truth that Jesus himself tried to instill in his disciples with little success. That is, although he is the Messiah, he has to die to gain the salvation of Israel.

In addition to his transfiguration, there are two other testimonies in favor of Jesus in this gospel. The presence of Moses and Elijah on both sides of Jesus testifies to Jesus’ preeminence in salvation history. His words carry to perfection the Law that Moses presented to the people. Likewise, his suffering will culminate the sacrifices of the prophets, among whom Elijah is the most prominent, in carrying out the will of God.

In the desert God communicated with Israel from a cloud. Now on the mountain he also speaks from a cloud. “This is my beloved Son…”, God says.  Jesus is God’s “beloved” because he perfectly fulfills His will. God then concludes his message: “…listen to him.” Because he does the Father's will implicitly, he is worth the disciples' listening.

Jesus is not the only one to experience a change in this gospel. His disciples are also affected. Their faith has grown since climbing the mountain. Amazed by the vision of Jesus transfigured, they can now expect something extraordinary to happen to him. Their faith should not be completely shaken when Jesus is crucified.

We have been aware of the passion and resurrection since our first catechism lessons. However, it is possible that living among doubters and non-believers who now abound we begin to waver on these principles of faith. But by hearing this gospel we believe in Jesus crucified and risen with as much conviction as Abraham had in today’s first reading. Abraham believed that God would not deny His promise to make him the patriarch of a numerous nation.  Even though God asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, he did not doubt God’s truthfulness. Now it is up to us to live with so much faith. No matter what the wise men of this world say, we will follow Jesus, our risen Lord.

We began this Lenten journey with ashes on our foreheads. The priest told us that we were dust and to dust we will return. Now after hearing the gospel of the transfiguration we can add something to this alarming pronouncement. From dust as fine as the ashes of the crematorium we will rise to eternal life.