Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
(Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)
“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” Robert Frost wrote at the beginning of a famous poem. We might change “wall” to “law” and come up with a similar truth. Laws(like walls) can obstruct the good as well as serve it. For example, privacy laws can make clerical visits in hospitals problematic. It seems that the apostle Paul had little use for law. He wrote the Letters to the Galatians and the Romans refuting the need for Christians to be circumcised as the Jewish Law prescribes.
Still laws are necessary. They guide us in the pursuit of the good. Without some laws, at least, we would likely make repeated mistakes and hurt people in the process. We also need laws to protect us from the unscrupulous who would not allow common respect for others inhibit their desires. In the readings today both Moses and Jesus extol the Law which God has given to the Israelites. Moses believes that there are no statutes and decrees more just than those contained in Israel’s Law. Jesus finds the same Law binding until all things come to pass. Then how can Paul dismiss it so forcefully? And why do we not practice that Law today?
The Ten Commandments have always served as a guide to morality and still bind Christians. It is true, however, that the ritualistic parts of the Law have lost their force because with Jesus’ death and resurrection all things indeed have come to pass. Finally, we should not understand Paul as rejecting the Law completely but as saying that alone the Law has proven ineffectual at producing the righteousness of salvation. For that, he says, we need the grace of Christ.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
Last month the New York Times reported that “My Way,” the song that Frank Sinatra popularized, has caused fights in karaoke bars in the Philippines. There are no scientific explanations of the violence, but it is believed that the song’s lyrics exude arrogance which provokes reaction. Those words do seem to contradict the Lord’s way as demonstrated by Azariah in the first reading today.
Azariah lives with other Jews in Babylonia. Their homeland has been sacked, and they have been deported. Azariah acknowledges that by not living in the Lord’s ways, the people brought the devastation upon themselves. Now he beseeches God for mercy on all. In so doing, Azariah offers the sacrifice which the prophets called for – hearts contrite and lowly.
Especially during Lent we strive to live what Azariah prayed. First, we acknowledge our sinfulness – not only personal shortcomings but those of the communities to which belong as well. Then we rededicate ourselves to the Lord’s way. There is room for some individualization in repentance if we like to think of ourselves as doing things “my way.” But let us make no mistake, putting too much emphasis on ourselves will like lead away from, not toward, the Lord.
(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)
Last month the New York Times reported that “My Way,” the song that Frank Sinatra popularized, has caused fights in karaoke bars in the Philippines. There are no scientific explanations of the violence, but it is believed that the song’s lyrics exude arrogance which provokes reaction. Those words do seem to contradict the Lord’s way as demonstrated by Azariah in the first reading today.
Azariah lives with other Jews in Babylonia. Their homeland has been sacked, and they have been deported. Azariah acknowledges that by not living in the Lord’s ways, the people brought the devastation upon themselves. Now he beseeches God for mercy on all. In so doing, Azariah offers the sacrifice which the prophets called for – hearts contrite and lowly.
Especially during Lent we strive to live what Azariah prayed. First, we acknowledge our sinfulness – not only personal shortcomings but those of the communities to which belong as well. Then we rededicate ourselves to the Lord’s way. There is room for some individualization in repentance if we like to think of ourselves as doing things “my way.” But let us make no mistake, putting too much emphasis on ourselves will like lead away from, not toward, the Lord.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday of the Third Week in Lent
(II Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30)
Dostoyevsky’s famous “Grand Inquisitor” denies the faith he is entrusted to defend. Because he believes that Christ offered too much freedom, he dismisses Christ’s teaching in order to gain full human allegiance of the people by offering them bread and showing them authority. It is shocking to realize that the inquisitor is a cardinal of the Catholic Church – a priest and probably a bishop.
The story may critique Communism which Dostoyevsky saw on the horizon, but it also warns us of the possibility of our rejecting Christ. We identify ourselves as Christians, but do we accept the Lord’s teaching? Do we support others in humility, or do we “put others down”? Do we use our resources to assist the poor, or do we strive to accumulate as much as possible for ourselves? Do we pray frequently and fervently, or is our prayer limited to the times and places dictated personal habit and social custom?
In the gospel today the people of Jesus’ own town reject him. They cannot accept the fact that he has worked wonders in other places but refuses to do so among them. It is certainly possible that we reject Jesus as well. We would likely do so in the furtive ways indicated above, not by direct action as happened in Nazareth.
(II Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30)
Dostoyevsky’s famous “Grand Inquisitor” denies the faith he is entrusted to defend. Because he believes that Christ offered too much freedom, he dismisses Christ’s teaching in order to gain full human allegiance of the people by offering them bread and showing them authority. It is shocking to realize that the inquisitor is a cardinal of the Catholic Church – a priest and probably a bishop.
The story may critique Communism which Dostoyevsky saw on the horizon, but it also warns us of the possibility of our rejecting Christ. We identify ourselves as Christians, but do we accept the Lord’s teaching? Do we support others in humility, or do we “put others down”? Do we use our resources to assist the poor, or do we strive to accumulate as much as possible for ourselves? Do we pray frequently and fervently, or is our prayer limited to the times and places dictated personal habit and social custom?
In the gospel today the people of Jesus’ own town reject him. They cannot accept the fact that he has worked wonders in other places but refuses to do so among them. It is certainly possible that we reject Jesus as well. We would likely do so in the furtive ways indicated above, not by direct action as happened in Nazareth.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday of Second Week in Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
Pairing the Old Testament reading with the gospel today reveals Joseph as a prototype of Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by his own people, handed over to foreigners, and suffers hardship despite his being innocent of crime. Also, both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turn out glorious. Joseph thrives in captivity, and Jesus rises from the dead.
Both narratives also remind us that our destiny is not in the hands of those people who may do us harm. God will make the ultimate decision regarding our lives. Whether we look out over the city from a spacious office or sweep floors in the basement, we want to live in a way that gives Him glory. We then may hope that God, forgiving us our faults, will recognize our good efforts and redeem us from any predicament, even death itself.
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
Pairing the Old Testament reading with the gospel today reveals Joseph as a prototype of Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by his own people, handed over to foreigners, and suffers hardship despite his being innocent of crime. Also, both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turn out glorious. Joseph thrives in captivity, and Jesus rises from the dead.
Both narratives also remind us that our destiny is not in the hands of those people who may do us harm. God will make the ultimate decision regarding our lives. Whether we look out over the city from a spacious office or sweep floors in the basement, we want to live in a way that gives Him glory. We then may hope that God, forgiving us our faults, will recognize our good efforts and redeem us from any predicament, even death itself.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday of the Second Week in Lent
(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)
A few years ago a photograph of a sugar-cane cutter appeared in the Christian Science Monitor. His black skin shines with the same glow that emanates from the picture of the Sacred Heart hanging behind him. He dark eyes show both peace and suffering.
The photographer writes a few words concerning her subject. She says that he took her into his dilapidated one-room home and made her his guest. She adds that she has met many people whose lives were not easy, but never one with as much dignity as this sugar-cane cutter. She concludes by noting that he never looked ashamed or self-absorbed; rather, he spoke to her directly through compassionate eyes.
The readings today speak of the human heart. They tell us that one is blessed if her heart is open to the Lord’s commands to practice justice and to be merciful. Contrarily, they warn us of a heart that fixates on the human desires of domination and animal pleasure. The photograph of the sugar-cane cutter insures us that we need not be wealthy to have our hearts in the right place. Indeed, it indicates that we often find among the poor hearts instructed in the Lord’s ways.
(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)
A few years ago a photograph of a sugar-cane cutter appeared in the Christian Science Monitor. His black skin shines with the same glow that emanates from the picture of the Sacred Heart hanging behind him. He dark eyes show both peace and suffering.
The photographer writes a few words concerning her subject. She says that he took her into his dilapidated one-room home and made her his guest. She adds that she has met many people whose lives were not easy, but never one with as much dignity as this sugar-cane cutter. She concludes by noting that he never looked ashamed or self-absorbed; rather, he spoke to her directly through compassionate eyes.
The readings today speak of the human heart. They tell us that one is blessed if her heart is open to the Lord’s commands to practice justice and to be merciful. Contrarily, they warn us of a heart that fixates on the human desires of domination and animal pleasure. The photograph of the sugar-cane cutter insures us that we need not be wealthy to have our hearts in the right place. Indeed, it indicates that we often find among the poor hearts instructed in the Lord’s ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)