Monday, May 27, 2024

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Peter 1:3-9; Mark 10:17-27)

The disciples are amazed at Jesus’ statement that it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.  It is likely that there were many pious rich people in gospel times to give the disciples pause.  Yet in every age the rich are tempted to think that they do not need God.  Having comforts and conveniences, they may forget that only God provides happiness that lasts forever.

Today many from the middle and upper classes see gender as a personal choice and sexual license as the norm.  These trends do not correspond to traditional Church teaching, and those who cling to them are risking entry into the Kingdom of God.  Such ideas may be still hard to resist when not only movie stars but also politicians endorse them.

More than ever, we need to know and understand Catholic moral teachings.  They will lead us away from counterfeits and onto the road of eternal happiness.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

(Deuteronomy 4:31-34,39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20)

Many preachers don't like to preach today. They say something like: “How can I explain the Holy Trinity to others? It's as complicated as teaching Einstein's relativity." This statement is curious because, according to theologians, God is above all simple.

When the theologians say that God is simple, they mean, in the first place, that He has no parts. As a spiritual being, God has no extensions like legs, a mouth, or a brain that mighty be described as tall, fat, dark, or any other quality. But God's simplicity goes beyond being spiritual. God was never created so that He could be called either old or young. Likewise, he has never been dependent on anything or anyone so that it might be said that He has lacked something.  Nor has He changed so that it might be said that He has improved or diminished.

Yes, we can say that God is true, loving, wise, etc., but not in the sense that God has the characteristics of truth, love, wisdom, etc., like we may have; that is, up to a certain point. Rather because God is simple, He must be truth, love, wisdom, etc., in themselves.  This means that God is the basis of truth, love, wisdom, and all other qualities, including existence. In other words, if it were not for the presence of God to it, nothing can have truth, love, wisdom, or even existence.

The First Letter of John tells us, “God is love.”  The phrase itself indicates why the One God may be likened to three persons.  To achieve love, three things are necessary. There must be a lover, a loved one, and a relationship between the two. We usually identify God the Father as the lover and God the Son as the beloved although we can say with equal validity that the Son loves the Father. Anyway, the relationship between these two is God Holy Spirit. Although God is perfectly content with this mutual love, He wanted to share it with humans. We not only exist because God loves us, but we have the Holy Spirit to love like God. We can sacrifice what is precious to us, even our lives, for the good of another.

There was a young woman who did exactly that. After graduating from college she dedicated six years as a missionary bringing the faith to other college students. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, always welcoming newcomers at assemblies and spending most of her time with those who seemed in need of a friend. At the age of thirty she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died a year later. Two months before her death, the young woman wrote a letter to Jesus. She told him: “Jesus, not only do I want to be a saint, but I want to be a great saint who brings others to you -- of course for your greater honor and glory!”

The Church has declared this young woman a “Servant of God.” She is on her way to being recognized as a saint. For us she serves as a model and a sign. We should also love others by trying to bring them to God. Furthermore, she shows us how true love is not exclusive but, as in the Holy Trinity, solicitous of others.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:9-12; Mark 10:1-12)

Martin Luther called the Letter of James an “epistle of straw.”  More recent critics of the letter do not find many direct references to Jesus in it.  Indeed, the letter mentions Jesus by name only twice.  However, there are many parallels between its contents and statements of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel.

In today’s passage James tells his readers not to complain so that they will not be judged.  In Matthew Jesus says to his disciples: “Do not be judged that you may not be judged.” Likewise, Jesus tells his disciples: “Do not swear at all, neither by heaven … nor by earth … Let you word be, ‘Yes, yes,’ ‘No, no.’” James is very similar here: “… do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath,
but let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’"

Part of Jesus’ salvation is his legacy of prophetic teaching.  James continues this endeavor and even surpasses Jesus’ call to social justice in some respects.  For both, treating one’s neighbor justly is a required response to God’s offer of forgiveness. 

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)

“Salted with fire” describes the Holy Spirit having penetrated the hearts of the faithful.  Those “salted with fire” are ready to use the gifts of the Spirit for the good of others.  For example, last year evangelist Amy Welborn applied the Spirit’s wisdom to see significant value in a poplar motion picture.

When the movie “Barbie” was making its debut, many were ready to dismiss the film as Hollywood trash.  Ms. Welborn took time to see the film and review it for her many readers.  She found the movie to be a critique of the feminist movement which has not brought true liberation to women as advertised.  Instead, it has left many women desolate without a caring life partner or children.

“Salted with fire” on Pentecost, we should ask ourselves how we might better care for others.  We should not discount prayer as one proven way.  We might also investigate the possibility of regularly visiting the lonely or tutoring needy children.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4: 13-17; Mark 9:38-40)

For many years the church has promoted Catholics collaborating with other Christian groups on social projects.  The combined efforts have brought more and better assistance to those in need.  They also have advanced ecumenism creating a desire for reunion with peoples of different communities of faith.

In today’s gospel, Jesus promotes social ecumenism.  Whereas John would stop someone not of Jesus’ company to cast out demons in his name, Jesus welcomes the initiative.  Perhaps he intuits that John’s restriction may be motivated by jealousy.  A passage before this one shows the disciples unable to cast out an epileptic demon.

We do well to question our motives when we refuse to support non-Catholics in their social ministries.  They often do work worthy of our support.  The Friends’ (Quakers’) peace lobby and the Lutheran “Global Refuge” have for years provided excellent service.