Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
(I Corinthians 15:1-8; John 14:6-14)
The relative anonymity of the apostles at least hints that none of them followed Jesus for vainglory. The New Testament portrays Peter with depth and refers to James and John in a number of situations. We also have a feeling for Thomas, but in a negative way -- because of his protestations about belief in the resurrection. Of course, we associate Judas with the foulest of characters that we have ever known or heard of. But it is hard to get a sense of what the other apostles are like.
Saints Philip and James are not exceptions to the vagueness of our knowledge. Besides appearance on the lists of apostles, Philip emerges at the beginning of John’s gospel and again near the end (which we find in today’s reading). At the beginning he seems to be on a noble search for the Messiah. But at the end he appears to miss the point of his quest by failing to recognize Jesus as the image of God the Father. In both cases we receive less sense of his personality than we have of the deacon Philip, the deacon in the Acts of the Apostles, who boldly preaches the gospel. It is unlikely that this James is “the brother of the Lord” whom the Acts of the Apostles treats as co-leader of the Jerusalem community along with Peter. He is named on New Testament lists as “son of Alphaeus,” but who is Alphaeus? A strand of tradition refers to him as “James the Less” which at least removes any pretension from his identity.
The anonymity of the apostles is instructive for us. Like them we should not follow Jesus for earthly glory. Rather we suspend our desire for fame in order to serve God by praising His name and caring for His people.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
A university co-ed tells her roommates in the middle of a blizzard that her father is coming to pick her up. “How can you be so sure he will get here?” the roommates ask. They add, “It’s impossible driving outside.” “Because I am his favorite daughter,” the young woman replies. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence in his disciples.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second part of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus gives a long farewell speech to his disciples among whom we should see ourselves. He does not want us to worry because he is leaving us. Rather, he assures us that things are better this way. “Why?” we may ask, with the same uncertainty as Thomas displays in the passage. He answers because he is “the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is the way, the one who leads us to God. He is the truth whose directions we can utterly rely on because he comes from the Father. And he is the life of which we partake in the Eucharist for strength on the journey.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or even terminal disease. We are not to cower but to be confident. Jesus sublimely demonstrates this trust on the cross. In John’s crucifixion Jesus does not suffer but reigns when he is crucified. As he predicted, he has drawn the whole world – friends, foes, even the Roman governor to the scene. He completes his work on earth by forming the Church -- his family of brothers and sisters – when he entrusts his mother to his beloved disciple and him to her. And he dies only when he is ready, after everything has been accomplished. Believing in him, we can face our trials with the same surety of spirit.
(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)
A university co-ed tells her roommates in the middle of a blizzard that her father is coming to pick her up. “How can you be so sure he will get here?” the roommates ask. They add, “It’s impossible driving outside.” “Because I am his favorite daughter,” the young woman replies. In the gospel today Jesus means to instill such confidence in his disciples.
The passage is taken from the beginning of the second part of John’s gospel, the so-called Book of Glory. Jesus gives a long farewell speech to his disciples among whom we should see ourselves. He does not want us to worry because he is leaving us. Rather, he assures us that things are better this way. “Why?” we may ask, with the same uncertainty as Thomas displays in the passage. He answers because he is “the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is the way, the one who leads us to God. He is the truth whose directions we can utterly rely on because he comes from the Father. And he is the life of which we partake in the Eucharist for strength on the journey.
We sometimes find ourselves in bleak situations. Perhaps we face job termination, mortgage foreclosure, or even terminal disease. We are not to cower but to be confident. Jesus sublimely demonstrates this trust on the cross. In John’s crucifixion Jesus does not suffer but reigns when he is crucified. As he predicted, he has drawn the whole world – friends, foes, even the Roman governor to the scene. He completes his work on earth by forming the Church -- his family of brothers and sisters – when he entrusts his mother to his beloved disciple and him to her. And he dies only when he is ready, after everything has been accomplished. Believing in him, we can face our trials with the same surety of spirit.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
St. Catherine of Siena, virgin
(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)
Some may think St. Catherine of Siena arrogant. She did not hesitate to tell the pope to stop hiding in Avignon and return to Rome. She was equally forthright with everyone else. Although she was a young virgin, she befriended a condemned man in prison and moved him to repent of his crime. When his head was chopped off, she caught it in her arms and, I imagine, gave it a proper burial.
But Catherine was more likely sublimely humble than supremely arrogant. She thought of herself as nothing except for the Lord whom she worshipped and received in the Eucharist. As long as she carried him in her heart, she knew that she was anybody’s equal. She took seriously Jesus’ words in the gospel, “Whoever receives the one I send, receives me.” Her close association with Jesus in prayer assured her that she was his messenger.
Catherine is the co-patron of Italy and, indeed, for all Europe. She could easily serve as patron of our democracy as well. Her life testifies to the equality of everyone before God – whether man or woman, king or beggar, cleric or lay. In thirty-three years she achieved a lifetime of accomplishments through determination of will and purity of virtue but, much more to the point, through dependence on God. She was largely unlearned, yet she still has much to teach all of us.
(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)
Some may think St. Catherine of Siena arrogant. She did not hesitate to tell the pope to stop hiding in Avignon and return to Rome. She was equally forthright with everyone else. Although she was a young virgin, she befriended a condemned man in prison and moved him to repent of his crime. When his head was chopped off, she caught it in her arms and, I imagine, gave it a proper burial.
But Catherine was more likely sublimely humble than supremely arrogant. She thought of herself as nothing except for the Lord whom she worshipped and received in the Eucharist. As long as she carried him in her heart, she knew that she was anybody’s equal. She took seriously Jesus’ words in the gospel, “Whoever receives the one I send, receives me.” Her close association with Jesus in prayer assured her that she was his messenger.
Catherine is the co-patron of Italy and, indeed, for all Europe. She could easily serve as patron of our democracy as well. Her life testifies to the equality of everyone before God – whether man or woman, king or beggar, cleric or lay. In thirty-three years she achieved a lifetime of accomplishments through determination of will and purity of virtue but, much more to the point, through dependence on God. She was largely unlearned, yet she still has much to teach all of us.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 12:24-13:5a; John 12:44-50)
It seems odd to read that the Holy Spirit spoke to the community worshipping in Antioch. The Spirit inspires and emboldens, but how can he talk? Perhaps we should not take the words literally. Rather, we need to understand that the Holy Spirit directs all the action in the Acts of the Apostles.
Certainly the Spirit’s instructions here are in line with the general story. Barnabas and Paul are set apart for a preaching mission. The Acts of the Apostles, which begins in Jerusalem, is bringing its chief preacher to far-off Rome. From that hub of civilization new missionary expeditions, not recorded in Acts' narrative, will be launched throughout the world.
Those journeys will proceed until the end of time. Even if someday the whole world converts to Christ, there will still be need for more penetrating journeys inward. A missionary in the overwhelmingly Muslim country of Bangladesh once was asked how many converts he had many. The missionary said just one – he had become a better Christian. As we tell others about Christ, we also should not fail to prod ourselves to become more like him.
(Acts 12:24-13:5a; John 12:44-50)
It seems odd to read that the Holy Spirit spoke to the community worshipping in Antioch. The Spirit inspires and emboldens, but how can he talk? Perhaps we should not take the words literally. Rather, we need to understand that the Holy Spirit directs all the action in the Acts of the Apostles.
Certainly the Spirit’s instructions here are in line with the general story. Barnabas and Paul are set apart for a preaching mission. The Acts of the Apostles, which begins in Jerusalem, is bringing its chief preacher to far-off Rome. From that hub of civilization new missionary expeditions, not recorded in Acts' narrative, will be launched throughout the world.
Those journeys will proceed until the end of time. Even if someday the whole world converts to Christ, there will still be need for more penetrating journeys inward. A missionary in the overwhelmingly Muslim country of Bangladesh once was asked how many converts he had many. The missionary said just one – he had become a better Christian. As we tell others about Christ, we also should not fail to prod ourselves to become more like him.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)
Experts tell people new to publicity never to joke with the press. In today’s contentious society, journalists are inclined to give the most controversial interpretation possible to anything a public official says. For this reason a politician or a bishop if she or he talks with reporters at all is very circumspect. In a similar way Jesus deftly answers his interrogators in the gospel today.
The Jews ask Jesus to state clearly whether or not he is their long-awaited Christ or Messiah. We should take note how this is the same question the high priest puts to Jesus during his interrogation in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. As in those gospels Jesus gives an indirect answer here. He says that they should know he is the Christ because of the works he performs. Still, the Jews refuse to believe.
Sagacious and intelligent, Jesus outwits his adversaries. But his accomplishment just begins here. More significantly, he tells how he gives eternal life to his sheep. We can take comfort here. As long as we stay close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, nothing can ultimately harm us. Come cancer, car-wreck, or other catastrophe, Jesus will save us from disaster.
(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)
Experts tell people new to publicity never to joke with the press. In today’s contentious society, journalists are inclined to give the most controversial interpretation possible to anything a public official says. For this reason a politician or a bishop if she or he talks with reporters at all is very circumspect. In a similar way Jesus deftly answers his interrogators in the gospel today.
The Jews ask Jesus to state clearly whether or not he is their long-awaited Christ or Messiah. We should take note how this is the same question the high priest puts to Jesus during his interrogation in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. As in those gospels Jesus gives an indirect answer here. He says that they should know he is the Christ because of the works he performs. Still, the Jews refuse to believe.
Sagacious and intelligent, Jesus outwits his adversaries. But his accomplishment just begins here. More significantly, he tells how he gives eternal life to his sheep. We can take comfort here. As long as we stay close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, nothing can ultimately harm us. Come cancer, car-wreck, or other catastrophe, Jesus will save us from disaster.
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