Christmas Weekday
(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)
Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Amarillo became a national sensation after he told a deacon in his diocese working at the Pantex Nuclear Plant that he should follow his conscience and leave his job. When Bishop Matthiesen was offered a contract for his autobiography, he was warned that he had to write soon because interest in his story would not last long.
In the gospel people similarly come in search of Jesus after he heals a leper. The passage indicates that they not only want him to cure their illnesses but also to listen to him teach. Interestingly, Jesus does not seem to change his routine to maximize popularity but continues to withdraw in prayer. He obviously knows intuitively what most of us forget in face of public admiration -- the source of lasting power is not in human strength but in communion with the Father.
Whether we are famous or whether our virtue is known only by our loved ones, we are wise to imitate Jesus in prayer. Daily conversation with God offers us the opportunity to declare our love and our hope. God’s gracious response empowers us to live up to the ideals we profess.
Thursdsay, January 6, 2011
Christmas Weekday
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
Fifty years ago John Kennedy delivered one of the most inspiring speeches in history. “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans,” the young president said in his inaugural address, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage....” We may note a similar cadence to Jesus’ words in the gospel today.
Jesus returns to his home town to deliver his first public address in Luke’s gospel. He enters the synagogue, takes the scroll with a passage from Isaiah, and reads: “’The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor…to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind…” Then he announces, “’Today this prophecy is fulfilled in your hearing.’” The world should sigh in relief. Like President Kennedy Jesus has youth and capability to carry out his project. Infinitely more than the thirty-fifth President, his divine origins assure its accomplishment.
Kennedy was not a great man because he was Catholic. However, we can assert that his faith contributed to his sense of care for the oppressed, to his need to be strong in the face of evil, and to his loyalty to the sacred tradition of his predecessors. History has shown that he was not perfect. Nevertheless, to the extent that he followed Jesus’ program of renewal put forth in today’s gospel, we should aspire to be like him.
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
Fifty years ago John Kennedy delivered one of the most inspiring speeches in history. “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans,” the young president said in his inaugural address, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage....” We may note a similar cadence to Jesus’ words in the gospel today.
Jesus returns to his home town to deliver his first public address in Luke’s gospel. He enters the synagogue, takes the scroll with a passage from Isaiah, and reads: “’The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor…to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind…” Then he announces, “’Today this prophecy is fulfilled in your hearing.’” The world should sigh in relief. Like President Kennedy Jesus has youth and capability to carry out his project. Infinitely more than the thirty-fifth President, his divine origins assure its accomplishment.
Kennedy was not a great man because he was Catholic. However, we can assert that his faith contributed to his sense of care for the oppressed, to his need to be strong in the face of evil, and to his loyalty to the sacred tradition of his predecessors. History has shown that he was not perfect. Nevertheless, to the extent that he followed Jesus’ program of renewal put forth in today’s gospel, we should aspire to be like him.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop
(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)
Americans on the average gain a pound of body weight over the holiday season. That may not sound like much, but a real problem emerges when in many cases the added pound accumulates over the years. Yet as great a threat as obesity presents to health, there is still a greater danger in holiday feasting. Like the disciples in the gospel today, we may not understand the meaning of the abundance of food.
We share our food during Christmas as a means of anticipating the eternal feast in heaven. At the Incarnation we behold in our midst the same Christ who will have the place of honor at the Father’s table at the end of time. Of course, this image of a heavenly banquet is largely speculative. We do not know what exactly eternity is like so we think of it in terms of our most wonderful communal experience – a banquet with the most delightful of company as well as the most delicious of foods. Scripture likewise conjures the image of a banquet table for the fulfillment of God’s plan. St. Paul, however, is more discreet in describing heaven when, citing Isaiah, he writes, ‘“…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.’”
Feasting, of course, does not continue throughout the year. Most days we exert ourselves carrying out the mandates Christ has given us. On some days we also fast as a way to show our live for God. In these ways we also guard against the threat of obesity.
(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)
Americans on the average gain a pound of body weight over the holiday season. That may not sound like much, but a real problem emerges when in many cases the added pound accumulates over the years. Yet as great a threat as obesity presents to health, there is still a greater danger in holiday feasting. Like the disciples in the gospel today, we may not understand the meaning of the abundance of food.
We share our food during Christmas as a means of anticipating the eternal feast in heaven. At the Incarnation we behold in our midst the same Christ who will have the place of honor at the Father’s table at the end of time. Of course, this image of a heavenly banquet is largely speculative. We do not know what exactly eternity is like so we think of it in terms of our most wonderful communal experience – a banquet with the most delightful of company as well as the most delicious of foods. Scripture likewise conjures the image of a banquet table for the fulfillment of God’s plan. St. Paul, however, is more discreet in describing heaven when, citing Isaiah, he writes, ‘“…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard…what God has prepared for those who love him.’”
Feasting, of course, does not continue throughout the year. Most days we exert ourselves carrying out the mandates Christ has given us. On some days we also fast as a way to show our live for God. In these ways we also guard against the threat of obesity.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
“The one who loves much, does much,” the mother told her son. Reinforced by the mother’s example of unselfishness, the proverb echoed in the child’s mind throughout his life. Perhaps St. Elizabeth Ann Seton gave a similar lesson to her five children. She certainly practiced its wisdom. Her accomplishments are almost exhausting to name, much less to realize. St. Elizabeth founded a religious congregation, set Catholic education on firm footing by training teachers and writing textbooks, visited the sick, established orphanages, and wrote spiritual reflections.
The First Letter of John reminds us that love in action is not found naturally in humans but comes from God. The love of the Trinity overflows into creation and has reached its pinnacle in the Incarnation when God the Father’s only-begotten Son came to earth. The Son not only shows us how to help our neighbor but frees us from the glamor of evil. Now we can turn to God with gratitude and to our neighbor with love.
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
“The one who loves much, does much,” the mother told her son. Reinforced by the mother’s example of unselfishness, the proverb echoed in the child’s mind throughout his life. Perhaps St. Elizabeth Ann Seton gave a similar lesson to her five children. She certainly practiced its wisdom. Her accomplishments are almost exhausting to name, much less to realize. St. Elizabeth founded a religious congregation, set Catholic education on firm footing by training teachers and writing textbooks, visited the sick, established orphanages, and wrote spiritual reflections.
The First Letter of John reminds us that love in action is not found naturally in humans but comes from God. The love of the Trinity overflows into creation and has reached its pinnacle in the Incarnation when God the Father’s only-begotten Son came to earth. The Son not only shows us how to help our neighbor but frees us from the glamor of evil. Now we can turn to God with gratitude and to our neighbor with love.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Monday after Epiphany
(I John 3:22-4:6; Matthew 4:12-17.23-25)
The gospel says that Jesus “withdrew to Galilee.” But we should not think of Jesus as retreating. He is actually heading toward the battlefront. Herod Antipas has just arrested John the Baptist for criticizing his unlawful marriage. Jesus leaves the solitude of the Jordan desert to take up John’s banner in Galilee. His message is the same as John’s, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” Herod Antipas can hardly ignore it. We wonder if he will manhandle Jesus as he did John.
Like Jesus we are sometimes called to the battle line. A shouting match turns into a fist fight where someone is going to get hurt. We should intervene. A minority person is accused of wrongdoing, but we know that another – one like us -- did the dirty deed. We must speak up.
Courage enables us to act in such situations. As a natural virtue, courage moves us to defend ourselves and our loved ones. Magnified by the love of God, courage overcomes our fear in the face of danger so that we might act on behalf of what is right.
Certainly St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) showed this elevated courage when the Gestapo came to take her, as a Jewish convert, from her Carmelite monastery. Her sister, who had come to stay with her, was deeply shaken. St. Theresa, however, did not resist or seek to hide. She took her sister by the hand saying, “Come, Rosa, we are going for our people.” She meant that she would die, as Christ did, giving testimony to God’s love first for Jews and then for all people.
(I John 3:22-4:6; Matthew 4:12-17.23-25)
The gospel says that Jesus “withdrew to Galilee.” But we should not think of Jesus as retreating. He is actually heading toward the battlefront. Herod Antipas has just arrested John the Baptist for criticizing his unlawful marriage. Jesus leaves the solitude of the Jordan desert to take up John’s banner in Galilee. His message is the same as John’s, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” Herod Antipas can hardly ignore it. We wonder if he will manhandle Jesus as he did John.
Like Jesus we are sometimes called to the battle line. A shouting match turns into a fist fight where someone is going to get hurt. We should intervene. A minority person is accused of wrongdoing, but we know that another – one like us -- did the dirty deed. We must speak up.
Courage enables us to act in such situations. As a natural virtue, courage moves us to defend ourselves and our loved ones. Magnified by the love of God, courage overcomes our fear in the face of danger so that we might act on behalf of what is right.
Certainly St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) showed this elevated courage when the Gestapo came to take her, as a Jewish convert, from her Carmelite monastery. Her sister, who had come to stay with her, was deeply shaken. St. Theresa, however, did not resist or seek to hide. She took her sister by the hand saying, “Come, Rosa, we are going for our people.” She meant that she would die, as Christ did, giving testimony to God’s love first for Jews and then for all people.
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