Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Lent
(Daniel 3:14-20.91-92.95; John 8:31-42)
A woman recently published an article in the Christian Science Monitor with the intriguing title, “Do brothels and bikinis mark progress for Arab women?” The author believes that the revolutions shaking the Arab world would be counter-productive if they bring to power chauvinists who allow women to be exploited in the name of freedom. In a sense she takes a position not far from Jesus’ in his debate with the Jews about true freedom.
Jesus speaks of freedom as a quality of the soul that shuns sinful desires when he tells the Jews, “If you remain in my word…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We see as captive the addict who cannot “say no to drugs.” Equally un-free, although there may be no civil crime impugning him or her, is the habitual liar or blasphemer. The Jews, on the other hand, are using the popular notion of freedom when they say that they have never been enslaved to anyone. This statement not only misses Jesus’ point; it also denies history as the Jews were enslaved to the Babylonians (as the first reading indicates) and even in Jesus’ time are under Roman rule.
Learning the truth by becoming Jesus’ disciples, we are set free from those inner impulses that can dominate us. He teaches us humility to check pride, simplicity to counter greed, gentleness to curb anger, and much more. We should not make the mistake of saying that these virtues contribute little to happiness. They enable us to do what we most deeply desire and, thus, lead us to our most cherished goal in life.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Lent
(Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30)
Folksinger Bob Dylan wrote a song where everyone denies responsibility for the death of a prizefighter. In “Who Killed Davey Moore?” Dylan shows how the referee, the fans, the sportswriter, the manager, and the boxer who knocked the victim out all participated in the killing. Yet each of these conspirators excuses himself or themselves from blame.
Although a prizefighter may seem an unlikely figure for Jesus, we can find a comparison between Bob Dylan’s ballad and the gospel today. Just as many share the guilt of Davey Moore’s death but no one cares to admit it, so too the whole world should recognize that their sins have caused the death of Jesus when he “is lifted up” on the cross, but few will acknowledge their complicity.
Jesus comes to the world as the completely innocent son of God. His mission is to redeem the world of sin. He accomplishes this when he is crucified allowing everyone – ourselves as well as the people who surround him – to recognize that his or her sins have brought about his death. Those who deny involvement remain in sin. Those who admit complicity, he forgives. There is no escaping judgment.
(Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30)
Folksinger Bob Dylan wrote a song where everyone denies responsibility for the death of a prizefighter. In “Who Killed Davey Moore?” Dylan shows how the referee, the fans, the sportswriter, the manager, and the boxer who knocked the victim out all participated in the killing. Yet each of these conspirators excuses himself or themselves from blame.
Although a prizefighter may seem an unlikely figure for Jesus, we can find a comparison between Bob Dylan’s ballad and the gospel today. Just as many share the guilt of Davey Moore’s death but no one cares to admit it, so too the whole world should recognize that their sins have caused the death of Jesus when he “is lifted up” on the cross, but few will acknowledge their complicity.
Jesus comes to the world as the completely innocent son of God. His mission is to redeem the world of sin. He accomplishes this when he is crucified allowing everyone – ourselves as well as the people who surround him – to recognize that his or her sins have brought about his death. Those who deny involvement remain in sin. Those who admit complicity, he forgives. There is no escaping judgment.
Monday of the Fifth Week in Lent
(Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; John 8:12-20)
At the Seder Supper Jews recite a song called "Dayenu", Hebrew for “it would have been enough.” Each verse of the song tells of a wonder that God worked in bringing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. The refrain after each verse is "Dayenu", that wonder alone would have been enough for them to believe. So the Jews gave praise to God for bringing their ancestors out of Egypt, for feeding them with manna in the desert, for pronouncing the Sabbath rest, etc. After listening to the gospel story today, we are inclined to say “Dayenu,” that judgment alone on behalf of the woman caught in adultery would have been enough for us to recognize Jesus as God’s Son. But, of course, there is so much more.
The Pharisees’ condemnation of the woman is patently unjust for several reasons. First, the punishment does not fit the crime. Granted that adultery is serious in a society where cohesion is necessary for survival. But it is also a sin especially susceptible to fallen human nature. Capital punishment for adultery is equivalent to beating a child for eating too much candy. Then, there is the question of the whereabouts of the man in the adulterous affair. Justice demands that he too be apprehended, tried, and duly punished. Finally, the Pharisees are using the woman as an arrow to shoot Jesus. Their fading away with Jesus’ challenge about casting the first stone indicates that the woman’s fate is inconsequential as long as the increasingly popular new master is discredited.
It is not hard to follow Jesus as we march onto to Holy Week. Indeed we should see ourselves as the crowd welcoming him into Jerusalem. But to make him our model every day of our lives, even when doing the right thing becomes a steep and rocky climb, requires committed faith. Seeing Jesus’ wisdom as well as his power and his love for others, we echo the Jews’ “Dayenu.” Any of these wonders would be enough for us to believe in him. But taken together, how can we doubt that he is worthy of allegiance?
(Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; John 8:12-20)
At the Seder Supper Jews recite a song called "Dayenu", Hebrew for “it would have been enough.” Each verse of the song tells of a wonder that God worked in bringing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. The refrain after each verse is "Dayenu", that wonder alone would have been enough for them to believe. So the Jews gave praise to God for bringing their ancestors out of Egypt, for feeding them with manna in the desert, for pronouncing the Sabbath rest, etc. After listening to the gospel story today, we are inclined to say “Dayenu,” that judgment alone on behalf of the woman caught in adultery would have been enough for us to recognize Jesus as God’s Son. But, of course, there is so much more.
The Pharisees’ condemnation of the woman is patently unjust for several reasons. First, the punishment does not fit the crime. Granted that adultery is serious in a society where cohesion is necessary for survival. But it is also a sin especially susceptible to fallen human nature. Capital punishment for adultery is equivalent to beating a child for eating too much candy. Then, there is the question of the whereabouts of the man in the adulterous affair. Justice demands that he too be apprehended, tried, and duly punished. Finally, the Pharisees are using the woman as an arrow to shoot Jesus. Their fading away with Jesus’ challenge about casting the first stone indicates that the woman’s fate is inconsequential as long as the increasingly popular new master is discredited.
It is not hard to follow Jesus as we march onto to Holy Week. Indeed we should see ourselves as the crowd welcoming him into Jerusalem. But to make him our model every day of our lives, even when doing the right thing becomes a steep and rocky climb, requires committed faith. Seeing Jesus’ wisdom as well as his power and his love for others, we echo the Jews’ “Dayenu.” Any of these wonders would be enough for us to believe in him. But taken together, how can we doubt that he is worthy of allegiance?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent
(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)
Few Americans have distinguished themselves more than George C. Marshall. As Army Chief of Staff during World War II, he oversaw the military build-up that saved the world from Nazi and Japanese tyranny. Later as Secretary of State, he introduced the foreign aid plan that rebuilt the European economy and assured American prosperity. In recognition of these efforts Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet Senator Joe McCarthy attacked Marshall as feeble, stupid, and responsible for China turning Communist!
Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom soberly assures us that even the most righteous of people like George Marshall suffer persecution. Certainly the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as being so persecuted. By healing the infirm and teaching with authority, Jesus shows himself to be the long-awaited Messiah. But the Jews, in this account, refuse to acknowledge Jesus as sent from God. They say that no one is to know the origins of the Christ (or Messiah) but they know that Jesus comes from Nazareth.
When we pursue what is good, we will sometimes find our efforts criticized and our intentions misconstrued. It happened to Jesus, and as his followers, we can expect it to happen to us. But suffering persecution is no reason to give up doing what is right. We should check our work and question our motives to assure that they are properly ordered. If they are, then there is reason to stay the course. After all, Jesus promises the Kingdom of heaven to those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness.
(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)
Few Americans have distinguished themselves more than George C. Marshall. As Army Chief of Staff during World War II, he oversaw the military build-up that saved the world from Nazi and Japanese tyranny. Later as Secretary of State, he introduced the foreign aid plan that rebuilt the European economy and assured American prosperity. In recognition of these efforts Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet Senator Joe McCarthy attacked Marshall as feeble, stupid, and responsible for China turning Communist!
Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom soberly assures us that even the most righteous of people like George Marshall suffer persecution. Certainly the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as being so persecuted. By healing the infirm and teaching with authority, Jesus shows himself to be the long-awaited Messiah. But the Jews, in this account, refuse to acknowledge Jesus as sent from God. They say that no one is to know the origins of the Christ (or Messiah) but they know that Jesus comes from Nazareth.
When we pursue what is good, we will sometimes find our efforts criticized and our intentions misconstrued. It happened to Jesus, and as his followers, we can expect it to happen to us. But suffering persecution is no reason to give up doing what is right. We should check our work and question our motives to assure that they are properly ordered. If they are, then there is reason to stay the course. After all, Jesus promises the Kingdom of heaven to those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Memorial of St. John Baptist de la Salle
(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)
Sometimes the language used to describe God in the Old Testament becomes disillusioning. Rather than the epitome of holiness, God is pictured like the warrior Achilles who allows the Greek army to flounder on the beaches of Troy as he sulks about not being given respect. Theologian Robert Barron recommends that we understand God’s anger ("snits," he writes) in the Old Testament as a symbol of His passion for justice. God’s outrage over the golden calf in the reading today, for instance, is to be taken as His alarm over the people’s pursuing wealth and power instead of the path of righteousness on which He has guided them.
St. John Baptist de la Salle reflects the righteousness of God. He gave up the fortune he inherited to found schools and an order of religious men to teach in them. When he died, he left behind a legacy of education that can dwarf any family treasury.
(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)
Sometimes the language used to describe God in the Old Testament becomes disillusioning. Rather than the epitome of holiness, God is pictured like the warrior Achilles who allows the Greek army to flounder on the beaches of Troy as he sulks about not being given respect. Theologian Robert Barron recommends that we understand God’s anger ("snits," he writes) in the Old Testament as a symbol of His passion for justice. God’s outrage over the golden calf in the reading today, for instance, is to be taken as His alarm over the people’s pursuing wealth and power instead of the path of righteousness on which He has guided them.
St. John Baptist de la Salle reflects the righteousness of God. He gave up the fortune he inherited to found schools and an order of religious men to teach in them. When he died, he left behind a legacy of education that can dwarf any family treasury.
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