Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Ezekiel 47:1-9 and12; John 5:1-16)
“Food grows where water flows.” The agricultural lobby posts signs in rural highways with such messages as this. They remind the public that we should not take water for granted. It may fall from the sky, but often costly government programs have to preserve and channel water if it is to nurture life.
Both readings today illustrate the life-giving power of water. In the reading from the prophet Ezekiel the Temple waters flow to produce abundant plant and aquatic life. We should see this water as a kind of grace that provides both nutrition and healing for God’s people. In the reading from the Gospel of John the crippled man cannot avail himself of the Temple waters so Jesus heals him directly. Jesus becomes a more reliable fount of grace than the Temple waters which stir only intermittently and whose effectiveness fades.
Jesus is present to us in many ways but especially through the seven sacraments. Partaking in them, we receive his Holy Spirit who builds up everlasting life in us. We should avail ourselves of the Eucharist at least weekly, of Reconciliation regularly, and of the other five as the occasion calls for them.
Homilette for Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54)
The Prospect of Immortality was written over forty years ago in an age of extravagant optimism. It describes the possibility of deep-freezing people at death so that they may be thawed when cures for their ailments are discovered. Since then, to my knowledge, there have been no accounts of successful revitalization. However, there have been reports of rotting cadavers of people who paid to have their dead bodies frozen.
It has been said that no one will get out of this world alive. Then what of our belief in the resurrection? In the first reading, Isaiah offers the springboard to this belief. God -- the prophet tells us -- will create a new earth where people will live hundreds of years. We believe that this new creation has been realized in Jesus Christ. He saves people from death as we see in the gospel today. He restores life as we read in the story of Lazarus and his sisters. And he will rise from the dead to eternal glory. We can assure ourselves that there is no “prospect of immortality” besides the hope of the resurrected Jesus redeeming us from death.
(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54)
The Prospect of Immortality was written over forty years ago in an age of extravagant optimism. It describes the possibility of deep-freezing people at death so that they may be thawed when cures for their ailments are discovered. Since then, to my knowledge, there have been no accounts of successful revitalization. However, there have been reports of rotting cadavers of people who paid to have their dead bodies frozen.
It has been said that no one will get out of this world alive. Then what of our belief in the resurrection? In the first reading, Isaiah offers the springboard to this belief. God -- the prophet tells us -- will create a new earth where people will live hundreds of years. We believe that this new creation has been realized in Jesus Christ. He saves people from death as we see in the gospel today. He restores life as we read in the story of Lazarus and his sisters. And he will rise from the dead to eternal glory. We can assure ourselves that there is no “prospect of immortality” besides the hope of the resurrected Jesus redeeming us from death.
Homilette for Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
(Hosea 14:2-10; Matthew 12:28-34)
Elvis Presley sang a famous song titled, “Words.” “It's only words,” he crooned, “and words are all I have to take your heart away.” In the first reading today, the prophet Hosea tells us to woo God’s heart with words. “Take with you words,” the prophet says, “and return to the Lord.” Our words are like a radio broadcast. We do not have to climb any mountains or cross any seas to reach Him. We only have to say that we are sorry for having offended Him.
But our words must be truthful. Sometimes we use them deceptively or, at least, in ways that do not match our abilities. “I would do anything for you,” a university student told his girlfriend. “Would you go to the library with me Friday night?” she asked. “I would,” he replied, “but I am busy at that time.” For our words to be truthful, we have to commit ourselves to what they say.
The step between words on the lips and commitment in the heart is all that is missing from the scribe’s entering the Kingdom of God in the gospel. Jesus is not criticizing the man when he says that is he is “not far from the Kingdom of God.” He only means that the scribe’s approval of Jesus’ commandments is not enough for salvation. He must take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into practice. As St. Paul writes to the Romans, both confession with the mouth and belief in the heart are necessary to be saved.
(Hosea 14:2-10; Matthew 12:28-34)
Elvis Presley sang a famous song titled, “Words.” “It's only words,” he crooned, “and words are all I have to take your heart away.” In the first reading today, the prophet Hosea tells us to woo God’s heart with words. “Take with you words,” the prophet says, “and return to the Lord.” Our words are like a radio broadcast. We do not have to climb any mountains or cross any seas to reach Him. We only have to say that we are sorry for having offended Him.
But our words must be truthful. Sometimes we use them deceptively or, at least, in ways that do not match our abilities. “I would do anything for you,” a university student told his girlfriend. “Would you go to the library with me Friday night?” she asked. “I would,” he replied, “but I am busy at that time.” For our words to be truthful, we have to commit ourselves to what they say.
The step between words on the lips and commitment in the heart is all that is missing from the scribe’s entering the Kingdom of God in the gospel. Jesus is not criticizing the man when he says that is he is “not far from the Kingdom of God.” He only means that the scribe’s approval of Jesus’ commandments is not enough for salvation. He must take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into practice. As St. Paul writes to the Romans, both confession with the mouth and belief in the heart are necessary to be saved.
Homilette for Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
An exquisite picture of St. Joseph hangs in the Louvre Museum of Paris. Painted by the French master, Georges de La Tour, the painting shows an old but powerful Joseph next to Jesus as a boy of six or seven years. Jesus is holding a candle but at the same time seems to radiate his own light. Joseph is bowed over his carpentry, but he also may be indicating his submission to Jesus, his son and Lord. The painting portrays all the grace intimated in today’s gospel.
The gospel of Matthew describes Joseph as “righteous.” This means that he observes the Jewish law. But Joseph’s righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees as Jesus will later demand of his disciples. When he learns that Mary is pregnant, he does not make a public case against her so that he might retain her dowry but plans to “divorce her quietly.”
Interfering with his plan, the angel tells Joseph to give Mary and her son a home. In doing so, he bestows on Jesus both a name and a royal lineage – very significant theological concerns. For most of us, however, Joseph stands out more for his example of virtue. He humbly surrenders to God’s will. He works diligently at his trade. He provides for his family. And, most amazing in our age that so glorifies sex, he does not seek physical intimacy with his wife.
(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
An exquisite picture of St. Joseph hangs in the Louvre Museum of Paris. Painted by the French master, Georges de La Tour, the painting shows an old but powerful Joseph next to Jesus as a boy of six or seven years. Jesus is holding a candle but at the same time seems to radiate his own light. Joseph is bowed over his carpentry, but he also may be indicating his submission to Jesus, his son and Lord. The painting portrays all the grace intimated in today’s gospel.
The gospel of Matthew describes Joseph as “righteous.” This means that he observes the Jewish law. But Joseph’s righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees as Jesus will later demand of his disciples. When he learns that Mary is pregnant, he does not make a public case against her so that he might retain her dowry but plans to “divorce her quietly.”
Interfering with his plan, the angel tells Joseph to give Mary and her son a home. In doing so, he bestows on Jesus both a name and a royal lineage – very significant theological concerns. For most of us, however, Joseph stands out more for his example of virtue. He humbly surrenders to God’s will. He works diligently at his trade. He provides for his family. And, most amazing in our age that so glorifies sex, he does not seek physical intimacy with his wife.
Homilette for Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
When was the last time you ate a ham sandwich or had to work on Saturday? Did you feel guilty for doing it? Of course, you were breaking a tenet of the Mosaic Law which, in today’s gospel, Jesus seems to say is still in effect. Should we start revising our menus and changing our work week?
Of course, that is not necessary. But we must reflect on what Jesus means when he tells us, “...until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the smallest part of a letter of the law will pass away, until all things have taken place.” Perhaps he is using exaggerated language that he does not mean literally as when he says, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out”? Or perhaps he intends these words only for the Twelve, all Jews, who were quite used to keeping the Law?
There is a much more probable explanation why the Church does not keep the full Mosaic Law. As Jesus predicts, “...heaven and earth (have) pass(ed) away” with his death and resurrection. All things have now been made new. We have been given the Holy Spirit to live a new righteousness that surpasses that of those struggling under the law. Do we radiate the Holy Spirit living within us? We do when we act not just in conformity with a law, i.e., not just out of fear of being punished, but out of love for God who has made us and provides for us daily.
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
When was the last time you ate a ham sandwich or had to work on Saturday? Did you feel guilty for doing it? Of course, you were breaking a tenet of the Mosaic Law which, in today’s gospel, Jesus seems to say is still in effect. Should we start revising our menus and changing our work week?
Of course, that is not necessary. But we must reflect on what Jesus means when he tells us, “...until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the smallest part of a letter of the law will pass away, until all things have taken place.” Perhaps he is using exaggerated language that he does not mean literally as when he says, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out”? Or perhaps he intends these words only for the Twelve, all Jews, who were quite used to keeping the Law?
There is a much more probable explanation why the Church does not keep the full Mosaic Law. As Jesus predicts, “...heaven and earth (have) pass(ed) away” with his death and resurrection. All things have now been made new. We have been given the Holy Spirit to live a new righteousness that surpasses that of those struggling under the law. Do we radiate the Holy Spirit living within us? We do when we act not just in conformity with a law, i.e., not just out of fear of being punished, but out of love for God who has made us and provides for us daily.
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