Friday, XXVI Week of Ordinary Time
(Baruch 1:15-22, Luke 10:13-16)
In the Gospel Jesus laments that the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida have not repented. In the reading from Baruch the people demonstrate the repentance he expects. He wants sinners to recognize that they have erred not in judgment but in heart. Repentance is based on memory. The Babylonian Jews recall God’s goodness: how He led their ancestors out of captivity in Egypt and gave them the Law to live as a free people. To be precise the Book of Deuteronomy records how Moses set before the people a blessing if they follow the ways of God and a curse if they pursued their hearts’ whims and fancies. Now the people recognized how they chose the latter and have paid dearly for their sins.
Our society also has wandered from God’s ways with similarly disastrous results. Preachers typically bemoan how present times do not measure up to former ones, but how else is one to see the degeneration in morals cast before the public? True, our society is not expressly Christian, but Jewish-Christian values and traditions ground Western civilization.
The other day a newspaper article told of Hollywood possibly prohibiting all smoking in pictures that youth might see. This sounds like a sensible restriction, but it is only ironic with all the sexual promiscuity that Hollywood projects. Immoral sexual gratification creates much more serious personal and social problems. But few are willing to curb its public expression. More than protect youth from the dangers of smoking, we should guard them from sexual licentiousness.
Homilette for Thursday, November 4, 2007
Memorial of St. Francis Assisi
(Matthew 11:25-30)
In 1219 Francis of Assisi joined the Fifth Crusade. He traveled to Egypt where the Christian army was preparing to attack the Muslim forces. But Francis did not join the battle. His intention was to convert the Muslims to Christ. After the Christian armies suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Malik al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt, Francis seized his opportunity. He sauntered over to the Muslim camp asking to see the Sultan. Evidently, Malik took Francis as a deserter who wanted to convert to Islam and granted him an audience.
The Sultan challenged the friar to walk on the image of a cross woven into a carpet. In some circles this was considered a desecration of Christianity’s most sacred image. Francis, however, did not possess a scrupulous conscience. He walked on the cross reminding the Sultan that there were two other crosses raised on Golgotha and he was only trampling the cross of the “bad thief.” Then Francis challenged the Sultan. If he walked over burning coals unharmed, the Sultan and his people would have to convert to Christianity. At this the Sultan demurred saying that if he converted to Christianity, both he and Francis would be massacred.
The encounter with the Sultan evidently had an effect on Francis. When his friars established the norms for missionary activity among Muslims, Francis insisted that they prohibit any attempt to use weapons as a means of conversion. Nor were they to taunt Muslims into making martyrs of them. Rather, either they were to subject themselves to their adversaries as a model of Christ’s forbearance or they were to proclaim the gospel openly but without any demonstration of force.
We should understand that when we look at St. Francis of Assisi, we see an image of Christ, the image of God. Because he took Jesus literally -- shouldering Jesus’ yoke and learning from him, the people of his age recognized him as a “new Christ.” Christ himself seems to have confirmed this likeness by transferring to him the wounds of his crucifixion. In the gospel today Jesus also says, “I am gentle and humble of heart.” He will not attack others but recognizes the dignity of all human beings. So Francis did not promote battling Christianity’s enemies but dialoguing with them so that they might see the virtues of Christ.
(Matthew 11:25-30)
In 1219 Francis of Assisi joined the Fifth Crusade. He traveled to Egypt where the Christian army was preparing to attack the Muslim forces. But Francis did not join the battle. His intention was to convert the Muslims to Christ. After the Christian armies suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Malik al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt, Francis seized his opportunity. He sauntered over to the Muslim camp asking to see the Sultan. Evidently, Malik took Francis as a deserter who wanted to convert to Islam and granted him an audience.
The Sultan challenged the friar to walk on the image of a cross woven into a carpet. In some circles this was considered a desecration of Christianity’s most sacred image. Francis, however, did not possess a scrupulous conscience. He walked on the cross reminding the Sultan that there were two other crosses raised on Golgotha and he was only trampling the cross of the “bad thief.” Then Francis challenged the Sultan. If he walked over burning coals unharmed, the Sultan and his people would have to convert to Christianity. At this the Sultan demurred saying that if he converted to Christianity, both he and Francis would be massacred.
The encounter with the Sultan evidently had an effect on Francis. When his friars established the norms for missionary activity among Muslims, Francis insisted that they prohibit any attempt to use weapons as a means of conversion. Nor were they to taunt Muslims into making martyrs of them. Rather, either they were to subject themselves to their adversaries as a model of Christ’s forbearance or they were to proclaim the gospel openly but without any demonstration of force.
We should understand that when we look at St. Francis of Assisi, we see an image of Christ, the image of God. Because he took Jesus literally -- shouldering Jesus’ yoke and learning from him, the people of his age recognized him as a “new Christ.” Christ himself seems to have confirmed this likeness by transferring to him the wounds of his crucifixion. In the gospel today Jesus also says, “I am gentle and humble of heart.” He will not attack others but recognizes the dignity of all human beings. So Francis did not promote battling Christianity’s enemies but dialoguing with them so that they might see the virtues of Christ.
Homilette for Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wednesday, XXVI Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 9:57-62)
Sometimes we have the luxury of making detailed preparations for a trip. At other times the opportunity to travel arises quickly and we must either grab it or lose it. Once a young man was with his family in Hawaii when he met a yachtsman about to set sail for Tahiti. The yachtsman invited the youth to be a crew member for the months-long trip. The latter decided to go although he had hardly enough time to pack. On his return, the young man could hardly express how wonderful an experience he had. Today we meet Jesus inviting others to an adventure of discipleship supremely wonderful although hardly pleasant.
The gospel passage begins by noting that Jesus is proceeding on his journey. He is on his way to Jerusalem where he will complete his mission of salvation. This fact explains the urgency of not having time to say “good-bye” to one’s family much less waiting for an elderly parent to die. It may be terrifying to think of accompanying someone to a brutal death. However, if that person is the sublimely gracious Lord, one can put fear aside to support him in his quest.
Jesus extends to us also the invitation to accompany him. To be sure we have time for our family. In fact, caring for the needs at home is part of our commitment to him. He does not intend for us to leave behind father, mother, wife or children so much as our ambitions, desires, and other ego compulsions. If we are in business, he will have us not track the bottom line so much as service to clients and care for employers. If we are in ministry, he will have us not count the accolades of bishops and rich patrons but our efforts to bring people to an awareness of the living God.
(Luke 9:57-62)
Sometimes we have the luxury of making detailed preparations for a trip. At other times the opportunity to travel arises quickly and we must either grab it or lose it. Once a young man was with his family in Hawaii when he met a yachtsman about to set sail for Tahiti. The yachtsman invited the youth to be a crew member for the months-long trip. The latter decided to go although he had hardly enough time to pack. On his return, the young man could hardly express how wonderful an experience he had. Today we meet Jesus inviting others to an adventure of discipleship supremely wonderful although hardly pleasant.
The gospel passage begins by noting that Jesus is proceeding on his journey. He is on his way to Jerusalem where he will complete his mission of salvation. This fact explains the urgency of not having time to say “good-bye” to one’s family much less waiting for an elderly parent to die. It may be terrifying to think of accompanying someone to a brutal death. However, if that person is the sublimely gracious Lord, one can put fear aside to support him in his quest.
Jesus extends to us also the invitation to accompany him. To be sure we have time for our family. In fact, caring for the needs at home is part of our commitment to him. He does not intend for us to leave behind father, mother, wife or children so much as our ambitions, desires, and other ego compulsions. If we are in business, he will have us not track the bottom line so much as service to clients and care for employers. If we are in ministry, he will have us not count the accolades of bishops and rich patrons but our efforts to bring people to an awareness of the living God.
Homilette for Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Memorial of the Guardian Angels
(Matthew 18:1-5;10)
We should not understand Jesus to mean that only children have guardian angels. His vision is more inclusive than that. What we have just heard is the beginning and ending of a longer passage in which Jesus issues a warning to his disciples. They are to look after weak Christians who may stray from practicing the faith. When these Christians stop praying or when they choose pleasure over doing God’s will, the disciples are to step in. If they don’t, Jesus makes clear, the disciples face dire consequences since the weak Christians have angels in direct communication with God.
Although we may console ourselves with the thought of having guardian angels to look after our welfare, we should as well hear Jesus’ warning. We who come to daily Mass are often the strong ones who must assist weaker Christians. This does not mean that we nag them but that we show them our care. We can share with them our faith in God as the one who provides full happiness. We can tell them of our concern that they too experience God’s love. We can model for them the joy of living the Gospel. Finally, we can pray for them not just once in a while but daily.
(Matthew 18:1-5;10)
We should not understand Jesus to mean that only children have guardian angels. His vision is more inclusive than that. What we have just heard is the beginning and ending of a longer passage in which Jesus issues a warning to his disciples. They are to look after weak Christians who may stray from practicing the faith. When these Christians stop praying or when they choose pleasure over doing God’s will, the disciples are to step in. If they don’t, Jesus makes clear, the disciples face dire consequences since the weak Christians have angels in direct communication with God.
Although we may console ourselves with the thought of having guardian angels to look after our welfare, we should as well hear Jesus’ warning. We who come to daily Mass are often the strong ones who must assist weaker Christians. This does not mean that we nag them but that we show them our care. We can share with them our faith in God as the one who provides full happiness. We can tell them of our concern that they too experience God’s love. We can model for them the joy of living the Gospel. Finally, we can pray for them not just once in a while but daily.
Homilette for Monday, October 1, 2007
Monday of the XXVI Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Therese of Lisieux
(Luke 9:46-50)
What is it about children that makes them like Jesus? It is hard to tell these days because childhood has changed so much. No doubt, it was different again in Jesus’ day, but there is something residual -- existent in the first century; prominent between 1850 and 1950 when, according to social commentator Neil Postman, childhood reached its acme; and still perceptible today. Children follow the directives of their parents confident that parents have their good in mind. Jesus trusted his Father just so; many adults do not.
True, we adults have the considerable task of discerning what God wants of us. But perhaps more problematic is our ego’s attempt to visualize God’s will according to its own designs. One commentator has called “the dark night of the soul” precisely releasing “our ego’s hold on the psyche” to allow for a change in our lives which will bring about a new way of understanding our relationship with God. It is the painful process of fidelity through questioning and near desperation that ends in our awareness of being God’s children doing what He tells us, confident of His love.
Although St. Therese of Lisieux enjoyed many years of religious enthusiasm, she too underwent the dreaded “dark night.” In it she evidently doubted what was to become of her after death. Yet she did not divert her attention from the Lord but faithfully lived out her vocation. Now we know that Mother Teresa of Calcutta also had a difficult trial of faith. She also did not waver in fidelity. We want to follow these little giants by continuing on the way we have chosen even when our minds turn overcast with questions.
(Luke 9:46-50)
What is it about children that makes them like Jesus? It is hard to tell these days because childhood has changed so much. No doubt, it was different again in Jesus’ day, but there is something residual -- existent in the first century; prominent between 1850 and 1950 when, according to social commentator Neil Postman, childhood reached its acme; and still perceptible today. Children follow the directives of their parents confident that parents have their good in mind. Jesus trusted his Father just so; many adults do not.
True, we adults have the considerable task of discerning what God wants of us. But perhaps more problematic is our ego’s attempt to visualize God’s will according to its own designs. One commentator has called “the dark night of the soul” precisely releasing “our ego’s hold on the psyche” to allow for a change in our lives which will bring about a new way of understanding our relationship with God. It is the painful process of fidelity through questioning and near desperation that ends in our awareness of being God’s children doing what He tells us, confident of His love.
Although St. Therese of Lisieux enjoyed many years of religious enthusiasm, she too underwent the dreaded “dark night.” In it she evidently doubted what was to become of her after death. Yet she did not divert her attention from the Lord but faithfully lived out her vocation. Now we know that Mother Teresa of Calcutta also had a difficult trial of faith. She also did not waver in fidelity. We want to follow these little giants by continuing on the way we have chosen even when our minds turn overcast with questions.
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