Tuesday, XII Ordinary Time
(Matthew 7)
A few years ago a magazine parodied the Church’s concern that people who are not prepared to receive Holy Communion nevertheless go to take it. The magazine compared giving notice that reception of the Eucharist is intended for faithful Catholics in the state of grace to having a bouncer at the Communion rail. Yet the gospel proscription today of giving “what is holy to dogs” has been interpreted from early times in the Church as a warning not to admit the unbaptized or the unrepentant to the Eucharist.
The Eucharistic bread and wine are, after all, Christ himself. He comes to bring us peace and to strengthen us against evil. Everyone, of course, needs this assistance. But unless one recognizes him and is not encumbered by sin, accepting him in Communion is like exercising immediately after a full meal. It will not improve but only jeopardize one’s well-being.
Of course, suggesting that people are like dogs sounds rash to our ears. It was an expression of first century Judaism just as twenty-first century Americans innocently call the elderly as well girls “guys” – a term once reserved for young men. We do well not to judge Jesus by the colloquialisms he uses but to judge ourselves by the universal standard he sets when he says, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.”
Homilette for Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday, XII Week of Ordinary Time
(Genesis 12)
Fr. Tim Cavanaugh is the priest-protagonist of a series of novels by Jan Karon. In the morning Fr. Cavanaugh prays in his church, “Father, make me a blessing for someone today.” We might all follow his example. God makes us a blessing when we take time to console someone who appears troubled. Likewise, we become a blessing as we strive to execute our work with utmost care.
In the reading from Genesis God tells Abram that he will be a blessing for all the communities of the earth. We can see this prophecy fulfilled as three of the great religions of the world -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- see in Abram (or Abraham) their spiritual father. But Abram is not just a man whose off-spring has multiplied like grains of sands. After all, that does not recommend anyone very much. Rather, Abram has become a true blessing in modeling for us trust in God. At seventy-five Abram probably feels like it is time to retire to his homestead. But at the Lord’s insistence he uproots family and farm to journey wherever God leads him.
In a time that flaunts “rapid rewards” and “instant gratification” we may find it difficult to trust. God often seems to ask that we wait patiently for the good that we seek. So singles worry that they will never meet Mr. or Ms. “Right,” and the sick wonder if they will ever have another pain-free day. They, as the rest of us, are called to let go of personal desires so that God might work great blessings through us. Amazingly, when we do so, we are likely to find ourselves immeasurably fulfilled.
(Genesis 12)
Fr. Tim Cavanaugh is the priest-protagonist of a series of novels by Jan Karon. In the morning Fr. Cavanaugh prays in his church, “Father, make me a blessing for someone today.” We might all follow his example. God makes us a blessing when we take time to console someone who appears troubled. Likewise, we become a blessing as we strive to execute our work with utmost care.
In the reading from Genesis God tells Abram that he will be a blessing for all the communities of the earth. We can see this prophecy fulfilled as three of the great religions of the world -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- see in Abram (or Abraham) their spiritual father. But Abram is not just a man whose off-spring has multiplied like grains of sands. After all, that does not recommend anyone very much. Rather, Abram has become a true blessing in modeling for us trust in God. At seventy-five Abram probably feels like it is time to retire to his homestead. But at the Lord’s insistence he uproots family and farm to journey wherever God leads him.
In a time that flaunts “rapid rewards” and “instant gratification” we may find it difficult to trust. God often seems to ask that we wait patiently for the good that we seek. So singles worry that they will never meet Mr. or Ms. “Right,” and the sick wonder if they will ever have another pain-free day. They, as the rest of us, are called to let go of personal desires so that God might work great blessings through us. Amazingly, when we do so, we are likely to find ourselves immeasurably fulfilled.
Homilette for Thursday, June 7, 2007
Thursday, IX Week
(Mark 12)
In a classic philosophical debate Socrates holds that knowledge of what is right results in a desire to do it. Aristotle disagrees claiming that weakness of the will can interfere with doing what one knows to be good. Anyone who has ever been given the choice between chocolate fudge and an apple for dessert should agree with Aristotle. What would Jesus say?
In the gospel today Jesus makes a telling comment to the scribe who congratulates him on his choice of the greatest commandment. He says, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” One may interpret this statement as meaning that the scribe is not in the Kingdom because he does not profess faith in Jesus. Perhaps, but it is more likely that Jesus too recognizes the difference between knowing something as right and actually doing it. The scribe is not yet in the Kingdom because he only acknowledges the need to love God and neighbor. He still must humble himself to love.
Knowledge gets us started on the “good life.” It pinpoints what we should do, provides viable options, and assesses the risks of each alternative. But actually doing what is right – true morality – also requires will-power – the virtues of temperance, fortitude, and prudence. For example, young adults know the need for pre-marital abstinence from sexual intercourse to live chastely. But sitting alone with their partners on Saturday night, they require the virtues of the will to overcome being swamped by lustful desire.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST HOMILETTE UNTIL THE WEEK OF JUNE 24. I WILL BE AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER FOR THE INTERIM.
(Mark 12)
In a classic philosophical debate Socrates holds that knowledge of what is right results in a desire to do it. Aristotle disagrees claiming that weakness of the will can interfere with doing what one knows to be good. Anyone who has ever been given the choice between chocolate fudge and an apple for dessert should agree with Aristotle. What would Jesus say?
In the gospel today Jesus makes a telling comment to the scribe who congratulates him on his choice of the greatest commandment. He says, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” One may interpret this statement as meaning that the scribe is not in the Kingdom because he does not profess faith in Jesus. Perhaps, but it is more likely that Jesus too recognizes the difference between knowing something as right and actually doing it. The scribe is not yet in the Kingdom because he only acknowledges the need to love God and neighbor. He still must humble himself to love.
Knowledge gets us started on the “good life.” It pinpoints what we should do, provides viable options, and assesses the risks of each alternative. But actually doing what is right – true morality – also requires will-power – the virtues of temperance, fortitude, and prudence. For example, young adults know the need for pre-marital abstinence from sexual intercourse to live chastely. But sitting alone with their partners on Saturday night, they require the virtues of the will to overcome being swamped by lustful desire.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST HOMILETTE UNTIL THE WEEK OF JUNE 24. I WILL BE AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER FOR THE INTERIM.
Homilette for Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Wednesday, IX Week
(Mark 12)
Jesus reminds us in the gospel passages this week of a prize fighter or a pool sharpshooter. He takes on all who wish to challenge him and easily turns back their best efforts. Yesterday he outwitted the Pharisees who tried to trap him with a touchy question about taxes. Today he defends himself against the Sadducees who poke fun at his idea of the resurrection. Tomorrow he will respond insightfully to a sincere question about the greatest commandment.
Mark the Evangelist wants us to see Jesus’ mind and tongue as superior to those of any other. Of course, he sees Jesus’ virtue not ending with mental and oral prowess. A bit ahead in the gospel, Jesus suffers about the most gruesome death imaginable for the salvation of all. Mark presents Jesus as God’s beloved son whose blood brings about reconciliation between heaven and earth.
The argument which Jesus makes in today’s gospel fills out Mark’s picture of Jesus. What good would reconciliation of heaven and earth be if there were no resurrection of the dead? Too often in this world the good eat dirt while the unjust enjoy fine dining. In the resurrection of the dead we expect to find a reversal. Those who love God and neighbor now will have seats at the table of the eternal banquet. Meanwhile, those who present only their back sides to others now will find themselves smelling the aroma outside.
(Mark 12)
Jesus reminds us in the gospel passages this week of a prize fighter or a pool sharpshooter. He takes on all who wish to challenge him and easily turns back their best efforts. Yesterday he outwitted the Pharisees who tried to trap him with a touchy question about taxes. Today he defends himself against the Sadducees who poke fun at his idea of the resurrection. Tomorrow he will respond insightfully to a sincere question about the greatest commandment.
Mark the Evangelist wants us to see Jesus’ mind and tongue as superior to those of any other. Of course, he sees Jesus’ virtue not ending with mental and oral prowess. A bit ahead in the gospel, Jesus suffers about the most gruesome death imaginable for the salvation of all. Mark presents Jesus as God’s beloved son whose blood brings about reconciliation between heaven and earth.
The argument which Jesus makes in today’s gospel fills out Mark’s picture of Jesus. What good would reconciliation of heaven and earth be if there were no resurrection of the dead? Too often in this world the good eat dirt while the unjust enjoy fine dining. In the resurrection of the dead we expect to find a reversal. Those who love God and neighbor now will have seats at the table of the eternal banquet. Meanwhile, those who present only their back sides to others now will find themselves smelling the aroma outside.
Homilette for Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tuesday, IX Week -- Memorial of St. Boniface
(Tobit 2)
Tobit tries to please God and to help his neighbor. But often his emotions overcome his better judgment moving him to make terrible blunders. In the episode of his story today he accuses his hard-working wife of stealing. We can almost hear Tobit cry out in remorse, “God, what a mess I make of everything. Why don’t you take my life?” Perhaps some of us, after having submitting to similarly impulsive tendencies, have felt the same self-disgust.
Neither Tobit nor we need despair, however. God hears the cries of those who call to him. We must curb the inclination to judge others’ harshly while continuing to live according to God’s commands. Later this week we will see how Tobit’s story ends happily as indeed will ours when we remain faithful.
As an aside, we can note that Tobit lives in ancient Nineveh which is presently the city of Mosul in Iraq. Persecution there today resembles that of twenty-seven hundred years ago when Tobit was a minority Jew among the Assyrian populace. Radical Muslim elements are now targeting Christians there. On Sunday, a Chaldean rite priest and three young deacons were found murdered outside their church. According to the Vatican press report, no one dared to pick up their bodies out of fear of being attacked. We want to pray in solidarity for Iraqi Christians and indeed for all suffering such outrage.
(Tobit 2)
Tobit tries to please God and to help his neighbor. But often his emotions overcome his better judgment moving him to make terrible blunders. In the episode of his story today he accuses his hard-working wife of stealing. We can almost hear Tobit cry out in remorse, “God, what a mess I make of everything. Why don’t you take my life?” Perhaps some of us, after having submitting to similarly impulsive tendencies, have felt the same self-disgust.
Neither Tobit nor we need despair, however. God hears the cries of those who call to him. We must curb the inclination to judge others’ harshly while continuing to live according to God’s commands. Later this week we will see how Tobit’s story ends happily as indeed will ours when we remain faithful.
As an aside, we can note that Tobit lives in ancient Nineveh which is presently the city of Mosul in Iraq. Persecution there today resembles that of twenty-seven hundred years ago when Tobit was a minority Jew among the Assyrian populace. Radical Muslim elements are now targeting Christians there. On Sunday, a Chaldean rite priest and three young deacons were found murdered outside their church. According to the Vatican press report, no one dared to pick up their bodies out of fear of being attacked. We want to pray in solidarity for Iraqi Christians and indeed for all suffering such outrage.
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