Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:46-52)
Pope Benedict has called Jesus the “pearl of great price.” In other words, Jesus is the gospel treasure for which we are wise to give up all we have. He provides us not just subsistence but life in abundance. His Spirit brightens our darkest days in this world, and he personally brings us across the abyss of death into a realm of delight.
The blind Bartimaeus realizes Jesus’ overwhelming value in the gospel today. We see Bartimaeus sitting on the ground with his cloak spread out to catch alms tossed by passers-by. When Jesus calls him, Bartimaeus throws his cloak aside with any and all coins that have accumulated. He knows that Jesus can provide the power to render unnecessary begging for pittances.
Jesus gives Bartimaesus his sight which is gospel shorthand for faith. Bartimeaus can see more than colors, he can perceive that Jesus is the one to follow the rest of his life. The passage is quite explicit: Bartimaeus “followed (Jesus) on the way.” Jesus, of course, is on his way to Jerusalem where he will be crucified. His followers will also be persecuted, but no matter. Just as Jesus, they will be ushered pass the abyss of death into a realm of delight.
Homilette for Wedenday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:32-45)
The gospel describes the disciples as “amazed” and some of them as “afraid” as Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem. These are probably the many men and women who accompanied Jesus in a kind of traveling school of discipleship. They are, no doubt, traumatized because they know that nothing but ill awaits Jesus in the center of Jewish triumphalism. We might be amazed as well at the obtuseness of the Twelve disciples who make up Jesus’ closest confidantes. As Jesus is facing the supreme crisis, at least two of them have the brazenness to jockey for the highest positions of glory.
We may also be amazed at what some fellow Catholics are doing. Teens, once confirmed, often leave church behind. Catholic mothers have live-in lovers. Veteran Catholics blithely miss Sunday Mass to recreate with the family. “Have the commandments been changed?” we may wonder.
Jesus would answer, “No.” There is no justification for such practices. When he calls his disciples to serve one another, Jesus intends that all of us sacrifice individual autonomy to achieve divine authenticity. That is, rather than doing what pleases us personally, we are to imitate Jesus’ service for others’ salvation. It is a hard message for many, but it is the only way to true glory.
(Mark 10:32-45)
The gospel describes the disciples as “amazed” and some of them as “afraid” as Jesus sets his sights on Jerusalem. These are probably the many men and women who accompanied Jesus in a kind of traveling school of discipleship. They are, no doubt, traumatized because they know that nothing but ill awaits Jesus in the center of Jewish triumphalism. We might be amazed as well at the obtuseness of the Twelve disciples who make up Jesus’ closest confidantes. As Jesus is facing the supreme crisis, at least two of them have the brazenness to jockey for the highest positions of glory.
We may also be amazed at what some fellow Catholics are doing. Teens, once confirmed, often leave church behind. Catholic mothers have live-in lovers. Veteran Catholics blithely miss Sunday Mass to recreate with the family. “Have the commandments been changed?” we may wonder.
Jesus would answer, “No.” There is no justification for such practices. When he calls his disciples to serve one another, Jesus intends that all of us sacrifice individual autonomy to achieve divine authenticity. That is, rather than doing what pleases us personally, we are to imitate Jesus’ service for others’ salvation. It is a hard message for many, but it is the only way to true glory.
Homilette for Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:28-31)
What Jesus says is true. People who worry about committing themselves to a religious vocation often find that they receive several times more than they gave up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but the person typically finds herself or himself in wonderful company which literally becomes a second family.
In the gospel Jesus predicts exactly this kind of bountiful return for those who sacrifice themselves for his sake. We can note a couple of other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church find themselves constantly reflecting on Scripture and petitioning God for assistance. Especially as we become less interested in doing things, knowing Christ in these ways can fulfill the heart’s desire.
Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-disposed people in need of guidance. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves as they have made will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.
(Mark 10:28-31)
What Jesus says is true. People who worry about committing themselves to a religious vocation often find that they receive several times more than they gave up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but the person typically finds herself or himself in wonderful company which literally becomes a second family.
In the gospel Jesus predicts exactly this kind of bountiful return for those who sacrifice themselves for his sake. We can note a couple of other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church find themselves constantly reflecting on Scripture and petitioning God for assistance. Especially as we become less interested in doing things, knowing Christ in these ways can fulfill the heart’s desire.
Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-disposed people in need of guidance. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves as they have made will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.
Homilette for Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:28-31)
What Jesus says is true. People who commit themselves to a vocation as a priest or religious often receive several times more than they give up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but priests and religious typically find themselves in wonderful company which becomes like a second family.
We can note other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church have constant opportunity to reflect on Scripture. By meditating on how God prepared His people for His Son in the Old Testament, how Jesus lived and died in the gospels, and how the new People of God looked to him as Savior throughout the New Testament, we come to trust Christ as both our Lord and brother.
Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-intentioned people needing guidance in the quest for holiness. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves to him will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.
(Mark 10:28-31)
What Jesus says is true. People who commit themselves to a vocation as a priest or religious often receive several times more than they give up. Moving away from relatives as a young woman or man may be wrenching, but priests and religious typically find themselves in wonderful company which becomes like a second family.
We can note other blessings associated with religious life. Above all, religious and priests develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. All Christians should pray, but those dedicated to the Church have constant opportunity to reflect on Scripture. By meditating on how God prepared His people for His Son in the Old Testament, how Jesus lived and died in the gospels, and how the new People of God looked to him as Savior throughout the New Testament, we come to trust Christ as both our Lord and brother.
Ministry for priests and religious can also be particularly meaningful. They usually assist well-intentioned people needing guidance in the quest for holiness. Speaking about Jesus brings great satisfaction, especially when the message is heard with interest. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that those who have committed themselves to him will receive eternal life. He means that they will never leave the bliss of his companionship.
Homilette for Monday, May 27, 2008
I am posting two reflections here -- the first explicitly for Memorial Day and the second focusing on the readings for Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time. cm
Memorial Day
In Shakespeare’s play Henry V, the king under disguise speaks with his troops before battle. One soldier claims that the king would be guilty of all the sins of those who die in battle if his cause is not just. Henry disagrees. “The King is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers...,” he says, “for they purpose not their death when they purpose their services.”
Henry seems to make the better argument. For this reason we come here to pray for dead soldiers and sailors, not for dead Presidents. We can easily imagine the temptations of those going off to war. They may become over-zealous in killing during battle, or they may behave immorally in recreation away from home. Whether their sins are grave or light, they deserve our prayers. After all, they gave their lives that we might enjoy freedom and dignity.
Catholics show themselves as worthy Americans on Memorial Day by remembering at Mass our country’s war dead. Few practices are more uniquely Catholic than praying for the dead. And there is no better way to pray for the dead than offering for their sake the memorial of our Savior’s death.
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:17-27)
Preachers used to have a solution to the absurdity of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. They claimed that there was a gate in Jerusalem called “the needle eye” which a camel might enter if it ducked enough. So, they concluded, Jesus allows the possibility of the rich saving themselves after all.
Such an interpretation of Jesus’ words, however, misconstrued the point Jesus is making. Because they think of riches as a blessing from God, the disciples figure that God will continue to bless them with a ticket to heaven. Jesus disabuses them of this idea by saying that the chances of the rich entering heaven are as impossible as a ten-foot animal’s passing through a quarter-inch opening.
Do the poor have a greater chance? Jesus would answer “yes” because the poor tend to ask God’s help more regularly. The rich too can be saved if they sincerely turn to God for assistance. Jesus wants to impress upon all that on our own we cannot cross the divide that separates us from God. Whether we are as rich as Bill Gates or as strong as Mr. Atlas our resources are insufficient. But God can get us across so let us implore His help and live up to His commands.
Memorial Day
In Shakespeare’s play Henry V, the king under disguise speaks with his troops before battle. One soldier claims that the king would be guilty of all the sins of those who die in battle if his cause is not just. Henry disagrees. “The King is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers...,” he says, “for they purpose not their death when they purpose their services.”
Henry seems to make the better argument. For this reason we come here to pray for dead soldiers and sailors, not for dead Presidents. We can easily imagine the temptations of those going off to war. They may become over-zealous in killing during battle, or they may behave immorally in recreation away from home. Whether their sins are grave or light, they deserve our prayers. After all, they gave their lives that we might enjoy freedom and dignity.
Catholics show themselves as worthy Americans on Memorial Day by remembering at Mass our country’s war dead. Few practices are more uniquely Catholic than praying for the dead. And there is no better way to pray for the dead than offering for their sake the memorial of our Savior’s death.
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mark 10:17-27)
Preachers used to have a solution to the absurdity of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. They claimed that there was a gate in Jerusalem called “the needle eye” which a camel might enter if it ducked enough. So, they concluded, Jesus allows the possibility of the rich saving themselves after all.
Such an interpretation of Jesus’ words, however, misconstrued the point Jesus is making. Because they think of riches as a blessing from God, the disciples figure that God will continue to bless them with a ticket to heaven. Jesus disabuses them of this idea by saying that the chances of the rich entering heaven are as impossible as a ten-foot animal’s passing through a quarter-inch opening.
Do the poor have a greater chance? Jesus would answer “yes” because the poor tend to ask God’s help more regularly. The rich too can be saved if they sincerely turn to God for assistance. Jesus wants to impress upon all that on our own we cannot cross the divide that separates us from God. Whether we are as rich as Bill Gates or as strong as Mr. Atlas our resources are insufficient. But God can get us across so let us implore His help and live up to His commands.
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