Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, apostle
(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)
Did Paul actually undergo a conversion? The question may sound silly today when we are celebrating just that, but students of the Bible have asked it seriously. They note that there is no change in Paul’s personal behavior. He does not, for example, give up drinking or come to scorn his Jewish roots. Rather he remains avid about religion although he will admit that being Jewish cannot compare with knowing Jesus Christ.
Paul’s zeal makes him capable of accomplishing so much. He will not only fulfill Jesus’ mandate to proclaim the gospel to everyone but also encourage those whom he has evangelized with sound pastoral letters. He becomes the consummate activist with a life completely given to Christ and thus rightly terminating in martyrdom.
Such a model may scare us. “Do I want to give myself over so completely?” we may ask. But let us keep two considerations in mind. First, although Christ wants us to tell others about him, he does not call the vast majority of us to put our heads on the chopping block. Second, Christ calls each of us by name as sure as he calls, “Saul, Saul,” in the first reading today. In other words, he loves us and will care for us as we make little sacrifices for him.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop
(Hebrews 9:15.24-28; Mark 3:22-30)
In 1858 Abraham Lincoln used Jesus’ statement in today’s gospel to explain why the status quo regarding slavery in America was doomed. The country was being continually thrown into crisis because the South could not tolerate the loss of political power when territories wanted to join the Union as “free” states. Lincoln reasoned that the United States would have to become completely slave or completely free just as “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Lincoln’s application of Jesus’ statement reminds us not to compromise with evil. A group of associates incessantly making sexual innuendos, a habit of “borrowing” from the company to pay personal debts, a practice of lying about one’s whereabouts – any of these situations can lead us fully down the path to corruption. It is true, as St. Francis De Sales once wrote, that we need to be patient with ourselves. But patience is not allowing evil to take root in our hearts but to make constant effort, as a gardener weeding his flower patch, that vice has difficulty finding a place to germinate.
(Hebrews 9:15.24-28; Mark 3:22-30)
In 1858 Abraham Lincoln used Jesus’ statement in today’s gospel to explain why the status quo regarding slavery in America was doomed. The country was being continually thrown into crisis because the South could not tolerate the loss of political power when territories wanted to join the Union as “free” states. Lincoln reasoned that the United States would have to become completely slave or completely free just as “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Lincoln’s application of Jesus’ statement reminds us not to compromise with evil. A group of associates incessantly making sexual innuendos, a habit of “borrowing” from the company to pay personal debts, a practice of lying about one’s whereabouts – any of these situations can lead us fully down the path to corruption. It is true, as St. Francis De Sales once wrote, that we need to be patient with ourselves. But patience is not allowing evil to take root in our hearts but to make constant effort, as a gardener weeding his flower patch, that vice has difficulty finding a place to germinate.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Memorial of Saint Agnes, virgin and martyr
(Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19)
It is not that typewriters are old that makes us want to ditch them, it is because they are obsolete. In almost every way computers outperform typewriters so that most of us don’t even have room for the latter in storage. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews finds God’s covenant with Israel similarly obsolete.
The Old Testament passage which today’s reading cites comes from the prophet Jeremiah. Living six hundred years before Christ, Jeremiah saw that the people were not prepared to keep the Covenantal Law. He foretold not only a new law but a new kind of law written on the heart so that those so inscribed could comply with it just as much as, for example, they love their children. We understand this New Law as coming to us with the Holy Spirit who prompts us to do what is right.
But how obsolete is the Old Covenant? To be sure, as liberal critics point out, we cannot hold to each of its ceremonial and judicial precepts. Yet the Ten Commandments still guide our relationships with God and neighbors. It would be tragic to dismiss these moral precepts as out of date. Rather we need to apply their wisdom to life today as a matter of the Spirit’s
(Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19)
It is not that typewriters are old that makes us want to ditch them, it is because they are obsolete. In almost every way computers outperform typewriters so that most of us don’t even have room for the latter in storage. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews finds God’s covenant with Israel similarly obsolete.
The Old Testament passage which today’s reading cites comes from the prophet Jeremiah. Living six hundred years before Christ, Jeremiah saw that the people were not prepared to keep the Covenantal Law. He foretold not only a new law but a new kind of law written on the heart so that those so inscribed could comply with it just as much as, for example, they love their children. We understand this New Law as coming to us with the Holy Spirit who prompts us to do what is right.
But how obsolete is the Old Covenant? To be sure, as liberal critics point out, we cannot hold to each of its ceremonial and judicial precepts. Yet the Ten Commandments still guide our relationships with God and neighbors. It would be tragic to dismiss these moral precepts as out of date. Rather we need to apply their wisdom to life today as a matter of the Spirit’s
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19)
Valerie Plame Wilson’s career as a CIA agent came to sudden end a few years ago when a newspaper columnist revealed her identity. Indeed, her life was put in jeopardy when it was reported that she was gathering information on Iraq’s nuclear weapons’ program. We can see Jesus in the gospel in a parallel way. He tries to conceal his full identity so that he might keep his mission on track.
Jesus hushes the unclean spirits who want to proclaim him as “Son of God” because the world does not understand who God is. People see God as one to be worshipped and to be paid lip service. Like those who sing in church on Sunday and take bribes on Monday, they do not understand that God’s way is to sacrifice Himself in love. This lesson hits home in Jesus’ death on the cross although it has never been appreciated by all.
Today many want to identify themselves with Jesus but refuse to follow his ways. They call themselves Catholics if asked and perhaps go to Mass on Christmas but are unwilling to make the sacrifices which the gospel demands. We hope that these people may find in our behavior the joy that emanates from sacrificial love and may expend more effort in following Jesus.
(Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19)
Valerie Plame Wilson’s career as a CIA agent came to sudden end a few years ago when a newspaper columnist revealed her identity. Indeed, her life was put in jeopardy when it was reported that she was gathering information on Iraq’s nuclear weapons’ program. We can see Jesus in the gospel in a parallel way. He tries to conceal his full identity so that he might keep his mission on track.
Jesus hushes the unclean spirits who want to proclaim him as “Son of God” because the world does not understand who God is. People see God as one to be worshipped and to be paid lip service. Like those who sing in church on Sunday and take bribes on Monday, they do not understand that God’s way is to sacrifice Himself in love. This lesson hits home in Jesus’ death on the cross although it has never been appreciated by all.
Today many want to identify themselves with Jesus but refuse to follow his ways. They call themselves Catholics if asked and perhaps go to Mass on Christmas but are unwilling to make the sacrifices which the gospel demands. We hope that these people may find in our behavior the joy that emanates from sacrificial love and may expend more effort in following Jesus.
Wednesday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 7:1-3.15-17; Mark 3:1-6)
The word tithe originally meant just tenth although today we think of it exclusively as a tenth of what one earns. Of course, pastors like to think of the tithe, ten percent of a family’s income, as the appropriate amount for its church donation. In the reading from Hebrews today we find a biblical antecedent for the directive.
It should be noted, first, that the passage does not pretend to counsel churchgoers about their offerings. Rather it tries to establish Jesus’ foundation as the eternal high priest in three ways. First, like the mysterious Melchizedek, his origins have no beginning or end. What is more, as the father of faith Abraham honors the priest Melchizedek with his tithe so Jesus through his death on the cross deserves our confidence. Finally, in the gospels Jesus is called “the Prince of Peace” and preaches nonviolence; likewise, the name Melchizedek means “King of Peace” and the person – a presumably rival king -- comes and goes amicably.
We can count on Jesus. He is as wise as the ages and will never do us harm. But there is much more reason to trust him. He has shown his love for us by dying on the cross. What happened afterwards proves that it was neither a foolish gesture nor an inconsequential sacrifice. In raising Jesus from the dead, the Father has indicated our destiny if we abide by him.
(Hebrews 7:1-3.15-17; Mark 3:1-6)
The word tithe originally meant just tenth although today we think of it exclusively as a tenth of what one earns. Of course, pastors like to think of the tithe, ten percent of a family’s income, as the appropriate amount for its church donation. In the reading from Hebrews today we find a biblical antecedent for the directive.
It should be noted, first, that the passage does not pretend to counsel churchgoers about their offerings. Rather it tries to establish Jesus’ foundation as the eternal high priest in three ways. First, like the mysterious Melchizedek, his origins have no beginning or end. What is more, as the father of faith Abraham honors the priest Melchizedek with his tithe so Jesus through his death on the cross deserves our confidence. Finally, in the gospels Jesus is called “the Prince of Peace” and preaches nonviolence; likewise, the name Melchizedek means “King of Peace” and the person – a presumably rival king -- comes and goes amicably.
We can count on Jesus. He is as wise as the ages and will never do us harm. But there is much more reason to trust him. He has shown his love for us by dying on the cross. What happened afterwards proves that it was neither a foolish gesture nor an inconsequential sacrifice. In raising Jesus from the dead, the Father has indicated our destiny if we abide by him.
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