Friday, January 30, 2026

 

Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 11:1-4a.5-10a.13-17; Mark 4:26-34)

An important American theologian wrote that the “Kingdom of God” is a poetic way of saying “God.”  What is God like?  Jesus gives a partial answer to this perennial question with today’s parables. He is like a mysterious power that makes things happen for human benefit.

There is no patent on the beginning of life. No one knows how exactly life first came about.  In today’s gospel Jesus attributes its coming to be to God’s acting in the world.  “The Kingdom of God” typically acting quietly, he says, describes how biological life came about. 

More than this, Jesus explains life’s blessings with another parable of God’s Kingdom.  He states that God’s Kingdom has the power to turn a tiny mustard seed into a giant mustard plant.  The product provides nutrition and repose to a multitude of birds.  One might make her own parable here.  God’s kingdom is the dynamic force that turned a little Georgian restaurant into the ubiquitous luncheon enterprise known as “Chick Fil A.” Or, more in keeping with the Eucharist, the Kingdom of God is like a band of twelve men in Israel becoming an institution with over one billion members in almost every country in the world.

The parables of the Kingdom inspire us to consider God’s goodness.  More than that, they encourage us to act so that we might benefit from its prodigious bounty.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

 

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 7:18-19.24-29; Mark 4:21-25)

The gospels frequently refer to Jesus as light.  In John, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.”  In Luke, the visionary Simeon, while holding the infant Jesus in his arms, calls him, “’… a light for revelation to the Gentiles.’”  In today’s passage from Mark, Jesus uses a metaphor to say the same.  He is a lamp that has come into the world so that people may see. 

Jesus adds in the Gospel of John, “’… but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil’” (3:19).  The light of truth prohibits actions which many defend – sex outside of marriage, lying to get what you want, drinking until inebriated, and more.  For this reason, Jesus adds, “’The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.’”  That is, if you do evil, it will bite you back.

“’Take care what you hear.’” Jesus further tells us.  We must listen to him, reflect on what he says, and follow his counsel every day.  His light will point out the way to our true happiness.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:7-14; Mark 4:1-20)

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:7-14; Mark 4:1-20)

The name “Thomas Aquinas” suggests complexity to students of theology.  His magistral Summa Theologiae explores more than six hundred topics (called “questions”) with more than three thousand articles of investigation, and many thousands of citations from Scripture.  Yet Thomas was not a complex person and sees his principal subject of inquiry – that is, God – as complete simplicity.

Thomas was born into a semi-noble family in southern Italy.  Noticing his ability, his family hoped that he would be a future abbot of the Benedictine abbey where Thomas schooled.  However, when Thomas met the Dominicans in Naples, he found his true calling.  The Order exhibited a simplicity that touched his heart.  It professes poverty that eschews material accumulation. It strives above all to preach the gospel intelligently.  And its members wear a habit of the most basic of colors – black and white. 

Thomas’ conception of God bespeaks the singularity of Thomas’ own heart.  God for him is absolutely simple.  He has no essence other than existence, no attribute apart from His essence, and no possibility of being anything other than who He is.  In praise of God Thomas devoted his life.

Today’s gospel speaks of “rich soil” producing much fruit.  Like few others Thomas Aquinas exemplifies that soil.  His simplicity of heart explaining the complete simplicity of God gave rise to thousands of insights into both God and humans.

 

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 6:12b-15.17-19; Mark 3:31-35)

In today’s reading from II Samuel, David consolidates his power over Israel.  He has been anointed the nation’s king.  Now he shows himself as its religious leader as well.  By capturing attention in the procession with the Ark of the Covenant, David is claiming to be the people’s de facto “high priest.”

Kings and presidents throughout history have sought high status in religious affairs.  The term for religious along with political supremacy is “caesaropapism.”  Roman emperors after Constantine relished this dual authority.  Henry VIII proclaimed himself head of the Church of England.  For all practical purposes Louis XIV did likewise in France.  Vladimir Putin seems to wield religious power in Russia today.

Most societies today, however, have firmly separated religious from political authority.  Political authority needs an independent religious counterweight to critique its determinations.  The converse is true as well. Religious authority can become tyrannical so that government should restrain its overreaching.

Monday, January 26, 2026

 

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops

(II Timothy 1:1-8; Mark 3:22-30)

Today’s feast of Saints Timothy and Titus remembers two of St. Paul’s most trusted collaborators.  Timothy accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys and represented Paul in different situations.  Paul probably ordained him the first bishop of Ephesus in the ceremony recalled in today’s first reading.  Titus accompanied Paul to the “Council of Jerusalem.”  There his Gentile upbringing probably lent credibility to Paul’s claim that Gentiles too could serve the Lord.   He became bishop of Crete.

The feast of these two saints provides opportunity to reflect on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which ended yesterday.  Every year from January 18 through January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, members of Christian churches pray together so that, in Jesus’ words, “… all may be one” (John 17:21).

Progress towards Christian unity has been slow.  Certainly, there is less hostility among the different communities of faith than a century ago.  However, some of the churches have introduced changes that seem to make union with the Catholic Church virtually impossible.  Perhaps unity will emerge rapidly after some unanticipated crisis.  However it comes about, there are glimpses of it in the fellowship and prayer during the week of unity.