Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32)
Thessalonica was a prominent city in northern Greece. It was situated along the great Roman highway, Via Egnatia, about one hundred miles west of Philippi, Paul’s first stop after he crossed the Hellespont into Europe. Thessalonica had a Jewish synagogue as well as various pagan temples. Paul was evidently successful in preaching to both kinds of people there.
One reason for Paul’s success was probably his willingness to do physical work for his keep. Today’s reading from his letter mentions his “working day and night in order not to burden” anyone. Probably this means that he labored by day at his tent-making craft and at night preaching to the people. As evidenced by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in our own time, people generally accept missionaries who do not have their hands out.
Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonians are receptive not so much of him and his companions as of the word of God which they preach. They are but men, but their message has a divine thrust. It acts with unrelenting power to square motives and thinking with righteous action and a renewing spirit. This same word of God has remade us also as true children of God.
Homilette for Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26)
Matthew’s gospel shows Jesus beginning his first public discourse with eight beatitudes and his last discourse, recorded in the reading today, with seven woes. The beatitudes, of course, indicate the rewards Jesus’ followers will receive, and the woes, the punishments his enemies will undergo. There are also contrasts among the beatitudes and the woes. Today’s gospel passage relates the fourth and fifth woes which are opposed to the fourth and sixth beatitudes.
Where Jesus considers those hungering and thirsting for righteousness “happy” or “blessed,” he sees those who neglect “judgment and mercy and fidelity” as destined for destruction. The latter are the kind of people who attend to the minutia of the law – “pay(ing) tithes of mint and dill and cumin” -- without keeping its spirit on fairness and compassion.
While the scribes and Pharisees present a pleasing façade – “the outside of cup and dish” -- what lies behind the scene – their “inside” -- is wicked. Jesus’ disciples, on the other hand, strive to be “pure of heart” which means to desire inwardly what is worthy of God. It is a life-long struggle, to be sure, but one that promises honest relationships in this world and the beatific vision in eternity.
(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26)
Matthew’s gospel shows Jesus beginning his first public discourse with eight beatitudes and his last discourse, recorded in the reading today, with seven woes. The beatitudes, of course, indicate the rewards Jesus’ followers will receive, and the woes, the punishments his enemies will undergo. There are also contrasts among the beatitudes and the woes. Today’s gospel passage relates the fourth and fifth woes which are opposed to the fourth and sixth beatitudes.
Where Jesus considers those hungering and thirsting for righteousness “happy” or “blessed,” he sees those who neglect “judgment and mercy and fidelity” as destined for destruction. The latter are the kind of people who attend to the minutia of the law – “pay(ing) tithes of mint and dill and cumin” -- without keeping its spirit on fairness and compassion.
While the scribes and Pharisees present a pleasing façade – “the outside of cup and dish” -- what lies behind the scene – their “inside” -- is wicked. Jesus’ disciples, on the other hand, strive to be “pure of heart” which means to desire inwardly what is worthy of God. It is a life-long struggle, to be sure, but one that promises honest relationships in this world and the beatific vision in eternity.
Homilette for Monday, August 24, 2009
Feat of St. Bartholomew, Apostle
(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)
On the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle, we hear a gospel story about Nathanael! It is not an oversight. On the lists of apostles in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the name Nathanael is absent but the name Bartholomew appears. This Bartholomew is always paired on these lists with the apostle Philip. In John’s gospel there is no mention of Bartholomew, but there is the story of Nathanael, a friend of Philip. It is logical then to assume that Nathanael and Bartholomew is the same person. Also, Bartholomew appears to be a surname since “bar” in Hebrew means “son of” which makes some conclude that the celebration today is more properly “the Feast of Nathanael Bartholomew.”
As interesting as the apostle’s name may be, we commemorate him today for something more. He proclaims Jesus “the Son of God and King of Israel.” At the end of John’s gospel Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord and my God.” But he will have the advantage of seeing him after the resurrection. Nathanael’s insight comes from his being, as Jesus says, “a true child of Israel,” that is one who has faithfully waited for the Lord.
As Nathanael Bartholomew and all true Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, so we and all true Christians wait for him to return. After two millennia we might feel frustrated if there were not evidence that he is close at hand. Most significantly, Jesus is present to us in the Eucharist from which we receive spiritual nourishment and moral guidance. We still want him to reappear in human form to tell us plainly secrets about ourselves as he does Nathanael in the gospel.
(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)
On the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle, we hear a gospel story about Nathanael! It is not an oversight. On the lists of apostles in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the name Nathanael is absent but the name Bartholomew appears. This Bartholomew is always paired on these lists with the apostle Philip. In John’s gospel there is no mention of Bartholomew, but there is the story of Nathanael, a friend of Philip. It is logical then to assume that Nathanael and Bartholomew is the same person. Also, Bartholomew appears to be a surname since “bar” in Hebrew means “son of” which makes some conclude that the celebration today is more properly “the Feast of Nathanael Bartholomew.”
As interesting as the apostle’s name may be, we commemorate him today for something more. He proclaims Jesus “the Son of God and King of Israel.” At the end of John’s gospel Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord and my God.” But he will have the advantage of seeing him after the resurrection. Nathanael’s insight comes from his being, as Jesus says, “a true child of Israel,” that is one who has faithfully waited for the Lord.
As Nathanael Bartholomew and all true Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, so we and all true Christians wait for him to return. After two millennia we might feel frustrated if there were not evidence that he is close at hand. Most significantly, Jesus is present to us in the Eucharist from which we receive spiritual nourishment and moral guidance. We still want him to reappear in human form to tell us plainly secrets about ourselves as he does Nathanael in the gospel.
Homilette for Friday, August 21, 2009
Memorial of St. Pius X, pope
(Ruth 1:1.3-6.14b-66.22; Matthew 22:34-40)
The story of Ruth and Naomi from the first reading today is dear to Christians for at least two reasons. It demonstrates the importance of family to faith, and it relates part of the lineage of Jesus.
Sometimes young parents brought up as Catholic do not to baptize their infant children. When queried about their practice, they say that they don’t want to prejudice their children’s faith. That is, they want their children to make their own choices regarding religion. It probably does not occur to them that they are indeed prejudicing their children away from Catholic belief. After all, we believe that Baptism is the key to eternal life. Not baptizing infants and not bringing children to church relay the message that religion is not really important, that Baptism has little to do with eternal life, and possibly that eternal life is really a myth symbolizing the good life one wishes to live in the world. Ruth in today's Old Testament reading would no doubt disagree vehemently with these ideas. Family ties keep her close to the God of Israel. Or is it that the God of Israel keeps her close to her family? It is hard to say given the strong interconnection between family and religion.
Christians owe a huge debt to Ruth. Her dedication to the God of Israel leads her to marry Boaz. The two give birth to Obed, the grandfather of David, king of Israel, whose descendant is Joseph. Joseph, the husband of Mary, gives Jesus his name and his royal lineage.
(Ruth 1:1.3-6.14b-66.22; Matthew 22:34-40)
The story of Ruth and Naomi from the first reading today is dear to Christians for at least two reasons. It demonstrates the importance of family to faith, and it relates part of the lineage of Jesus.
Sometimes young parents brought up as Catholic do not to baptize their infant children. When queried about their practice, they say that they don’t want to prejudice their children’s faith. That is, they want their children to make their own choices regarding religion. It probably does not occur to them that they are indeed prejudicing their children away from Catholic belief. After all, we believe that Baptism is the key to eternal life. Not baptizing infants and not bringing children to church relay the message that religion is not really important, that Baptism has little to do with eternal life, and possibly that eternal life is really a myth symbolizing the good life one wishes to live in the world. Ruth in today's Old Testament reading would no doubt disagree vehemently with these ideas. Family ties keep her close to the God of Israel. Or is it that the God of Israel keeps her close to her family? It is hard to say given the strong interconnection between family and religion.
Christians owe a huge debt to Ruth. Her dedication to the God of Israel leads her to marry Boaz. The two give birth to Obed, the grandfather of David, king of Israel, whose descendant is Joseph. Joseph, the husband of Mary, gives Jesus his name and his royal lineage.
Homilette for Thursday, August 20, 2009
Memorial of St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
(Judges 11:29-39a; Matthew 22:1-14)
The first reading is so shocking that we cannot help but consider it. There are at least two noteworthy issues here: human sacrifice and virginity. We should comment that God does not suggest human sacrifice in this case; indeed, the Law expressly forbids it. Jephthah seems too proud to admit that he made a foolish vow. We can say as well that Christ has liberated women from the shame that Jephthah’s daughter feels for remaining a virgin, that is, for never giving birth. Since Jesus, a woman’s role in life goes far beyond child-bearing but includes discipleship for the sake of the kingdom.
Other than Jesus himself, no one exemplifies virginity for the sake of the kingdom better than Mary, his mother. When Jesus tells the woman who would bless his mother for having given him birth, he turns the blessing around and praises his mother for having heard the word of God and putting it into practice.
Today we celebrate a great proponent of Marian devotion, Bernard of Clairvaux. He once wrote, “In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary....And to more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps.”
(Judges 11:29-39a; Matthew 22:1-14)
The first reading is so shocking that we cannot help but consider it. There are at least two noteworthy issues here: human sacrifice and virginity. We should comment that God does not suggest human sacrifice in this case; indeed, the Law expressly forbids it. Jephthah seems too proud to admit that he made a foolish vow. We can say as well that Christ has liberated women from the shame that Jephthah’s daughter feels for remaining a virgin, that is, for never giving birth. Since Jesus, a woman’s role in life goes far beyond child-bearing but includes discipleship for the sake of the kingdom.
Other than Jesus himself, no one exemplifies virginity for the sake of the kingdom better than Mary, his mother. When Jesus tells the woman who would bless his mother for having given him birth, he turns the blessing around and praises his mother for having heard the word of God and putting it into practice.
Today we celebrate a great proponent of Marian devotion, Bernard of Clairvaux. He once wrote, “In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary....And to more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps.”
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