Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

 (Philemon 7-20; Luke 17:20-25)

It is often pointed out that the term “Kingdom of God” is better rendered “Reign of God.”  The reason given is that “Reign” indicates a dynamism more than a territory.  Something similar may be said about “heaven,” another term given for the Kingdom of God .  Although people may point to the sky when they say, “heaven”; the word better represents a condition of loving peace than a physical locale.  In today’s gospel, Jesus stretches the idea of Kingdom of God even more.

Jesus tells the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God is neither a place nor a thing.  He adds that it is “among” them.  He is referring to a relationship with himself.  The Kingdom of God is friendship with Jesus.  He provides all the security and support, the joy and the affection that makes life worth living.  Since he will rise from the dead, the Kingdom of God will likewise never know a sunset.

Jesus extends his hand to form a relationship with us daily.  He is present to us physically in the Eucharist where we actually take him into ourselves.  The experience does not diminish him, but it does expand us.  Having his love and support, we can become as gracious as he allowing us to bring the Kingdom to others.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, virgin

(Titus 3:1-7; Luke 17:11-19)

Earlier this year a very fine motion picture featuring St. Frances Xavier Cabrini premiered. It showed Mother Cabrini’s determination and industriousness as an immigrant missionary in New York.  With a few other sisters of the congregation she founded, Mother Cabrini confronted both the mayor of New York and its archbishop to bring material and spiritual relief to the Italian population.

Today’s reading from the Letter to Titus tells of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the baptized.  The Spirit enables Christians not only to overcome personal sin but also to address the social sins hampering human development.  Obviously, Mother Cabrini received a double portion of the Spirit as she founded hospitals and orphanages throughout North and South America. 

The grace of the Holy Spirit works with our minds and wills to achieve positive results.  It makes our hard work joyful as we feel the buoyance of God’s love.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

(Titus 2:1-8.11-14; Luke 17:7-10)

Today’s readings sound severe.  They contain very little Gospel promise and much evangelical demand.  Neither the author of the Letter to Titus nor Jesus in the gospel reading will allow disciples to shirk their responsibilities.  The Letter to Titus insists that Christians be temperate, chaste, and faithful.  Jesus no less commands his apostles to concentrate on service, not on rewards.

Today’s patron saint, Josaphat, provides an excellent example of unwavering service to the Lord.  He was a monk in the Ruthenian Catholic Church when he was made archbishop of Polotsk in today’s Belarus.  There he was caught in the middle of two power struggles: one between Catholics and Orthodox and another between different Catholic groups.  Yet he administered his archdiocese, cared for the poor, and won many converts to Catholicism. 

Of course, we cannot forget that the gospel is first and foremost the good news of our salvation via faith in Jesus Christ.  There’s only a glimmer of this message in today’s Mass readings, but the Mass prayers resound with it.  Jesus urges us to shine like the stars in doing what is right.  He also provides the grace that we might do so.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6)

If the sudden use of “bishop” in today’s first reading after the author writes of “presbyters” strikes you as odd, your intuition is right.  The two terms, whose meanings are manifestly distinguishable to us, are interchangeable in this letter.  The author, presumably St. Paul although contemporary scholars differ on this, names the qualities of a Church leader.  These are innocence, humility, equanimity, sobriety, calmness, etcetera. St. Martin, bishop of Tours, seems to fit the bill like a DNA matchup.

Martin was born in what is now Hungary.  He entered the army but withdrew as he saw it conflicting with the Christian faith he was assuming.  He was eventually baptized and became a monk, living alone at first but eventually joined by others.  When he was named the bishop of Tours by acclamation, he continued living as a monk and founding monasteries.   Martin was beloved by his people, who dreaded the thought of his dying.  Touched by their solicitation, Martin prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work; let your will be done.”

As much as ever, the Church needs leaders like St. Martin of Tours.  Faith is being challenged by the learned.  Moral temptations from hedonists abound.  Individualism impels people away from reconciliatory communities.  Strong leadership would encourage us to live more for God and one another than for ourselves.

SUNDAY, November 10, 2024

 

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(I Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44)

Today’s readings strike a chord in our hearts. We always feel for widows. The first and third readings today present us with widows who call us not only to sympathy, but also to admiration and imitation.

Although the widow of Zarephath is not an Israelite, she recognizes Elijah as God’s prophet. For this reason she also accepts his request for bread as a divine command that cannot be ignored. She prepares it for him and in return is blessed. Elijah’s prophecy that her jar will never run out of flour and her vessel will never run out of oil will be fulfilled.

In the gospel we meet Jesus in the Temple area. He has just definitively separated himself from the Jewish leadership although not from Jews. The Pharisees and Sadducees have shown themselves to be arrogant and opportunistic willing to exploit even widows. At least in the eyes of the evangelist Mark, they are not worthy of leading the people to God.

A widow catches Jesus' attention. Her donation to the Temple, even if it is the smallest one among the people present, shows true faith. The contributions of the rich may be praiseworthy if their motives are just.  In any case, the two coins deposited by the widow in the treasury deserve more praise. She could have saved one for her own living needs, but she prefers to give everything she has for the glory of God.

One may ask: is her donation prudent? We can answer “yes” because prudence dictates what is most correct and beneficial in a given situation. It is presumed that the widow has a motive for making such a costly gift. It may be to ask God's forgiveness for her dead husband. It is also presumed that she has other means to survive. Perhaps she will ask help from neighbors or continue working despite being infirm.

Jesus takes advantage of the widow's offering to once again teach his disciples. As is his custom he takes them aside.  Then he tells them of the great sacrifice she is making. This sacrifice serves as a prototype for his own since he will soon give up his life as a redemptive sacrifice for the people. The widow’s donation also serves as a lesson in discipleship. Because his disciples must bear their own crosses in following Jesus, self-giving is also prototypical of discipleship.

We should ask ourselves if it is necessary for us to give everything for the glory of God. The correct answer is, again, “yes,” but always with discernment. When we provide for our families as well as for the poor, we are glorifying God. Even when we use some resources for personal edification, it can glorify God. However, when we use them for sinful or selfish motives, we cannot claim that they serve either God or others.

It is almost always the poor who point us to the way of Jesus Christ. Not all, but some appreciate more than most of us that it is Christ who humbled himself to share our mortal state and raise us to salvation. They recognize that in the end it is he, not us and much less the powerful, that we must always strive to please. Sometimes it is the poor who teach us how to live truly well.