Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 15:1-12.17-18; Matthew 7:15-20)
In his Letter to the Romans St. Paul looks to the passage of Genesis that we read today for an example of righteousness. He comments, “…it was through the righteousness that comes from faith” that Abraham received the blessings that God promises. Martin Luther eventually strips faith of any element of service as he argues that a human being needs only a firm declaration of belief to be saved. Critics of the Reformation point out that Paul obviously has a more wholesome concept of faith as he writes to the Galatians that what counts is “faith working through love.”
We might appreciate Luther more if we step back and see the pitfalls of those who stress works of charity over the necessity of faith. Too soon they lose the perspective that salvation is a gift from God and see it more as an earned reward if not an entitlement of birth. Abraham keeps a healthy balance which we will see as his story unfolds in the coming days. He gives due honor to God, his sovereign Lord, but he fulfills whatever he deems God expects of him, at least at his best moments.
Our faith turns around Jesus, God’s son, who gives his life on the cross so that we might receive his Holy Spirit. This Spirit enables us to fulfill Jesus’ commands which slackers would avoid. It moves us from the television and the dining table to visit the sick and encourage the depressed.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious
(Genesis 13:2.5-18; Matthew 7:6.12-14)
If Abram, whose name means “exalted father,” is to generate a truly great nation, he must overcome the vices of greed and treachery. Diligence and magnanimity befit one whose descendants will number like particles of dust on the earth. The reading from Genesis first indicates that Abram has already become rich through hard work. Then it shows his golden disposition. When Abram realizes that his and his nephew Lot’s households have grown too complex to coexist, he tells Lot that the two clans must separate. He neither dictates which land will be his nor suggests that a flip of coin determine who gets what. Rather he proves himself more than fair by giving Lot his preference. Shrewdly but ultimately unwisely, Lot picks the more favorable plains to the east. There he will mix with city dwellers who incur God’s wrath. Meanwhile, God blesses Abram’s nobility of spirit with what has been known as the “Promised Land.”
Today the Church honors St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Like Abram he showed himself to be prudent in face of ambition. Seeing how his family was corrupted by power, Aloysius gave up his claim to nobility. Unlike the patriarch of Jews, Christians and Muslims, however, he was a young man when he showed willful self-restraint. But his virtue never went unnoticed. His courage and determination caused a sensation in Italy. He died young in the late sixteenth century caring for people infected with the plague. Since the first part of the eighteenth century he has been recognized as the patron of youth. For this reason his Jesuit order has named many universities and high schools after him.
(Genesis 13:2.5-18; Matthew 7:6.12-14)
If Abram, whose name means “exalted father,” is to generate a truly great nation, he must overcome the vices of greed and treachery. Diligence and magnanimity befit one whose descendants will number like particles of dust on the earth. The reading from Genesis first indicates that Abram has already become rich through hard work. Then it shows his golden disposition. When Abram realizes that his and his nephew Lot’s households have grown too complex to coexist, he tells Lot that the two clans must separate. He neither dictates which land will be his nor suggests that a flip of coin determine who gets what. Rather he proves himself more than fair by giving Lot his preference. Shrewdly but ultimately unwisely, Lot picks the more favorable plains to the east. There he will mix with city dwellers who incur God’s wrath. Meanwhile, God blesses Abram’s nobility of spirit with what has been known as the “Promised Land.”
Today the Church honors St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Like Abram he showed himself to be prudent in face of ambition. Seeing how his family was corrupted by power, Aloysius gave up his claim to nobility. Unlike the patriarch of Jews, Christians and Muslims, however, he was a young man when he showed willful self-restraint. But his virtue never went unnoticed. His courage and determination caused a sensation in Italy. He died young in the late sixteenth century caring for people infected with the plague. Since the first part of the eighteenth century he has been recognized as the patron of youth. For this reason his Jesuit order has named many universities and high schools after him.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 12:1-9; Matthew 7:1-5)
It is recommended that catechists set up an altar in the place where they are to teach. The altar may be covered with a white cloth signifying Jesus’ burial garb left behind once he rose from the dead. On the cloth could be placed a crucifix, perhaps another image of Christ, the Virgin or one of the saints, and a lighted candle, which also symbolizes Christ. The purpose of the altar is to show the instructed that they are being taught first and foremost by Christ himself.
The first reading from Genesis mentions Abram twice constructing altars. No doubt the passage takes for granted the sacrifices that are offered signifying Abram’s desire to please the Lord. Yet the altars themselves are a symbol of God because Abram constructs at least the first one on the place where God appears. The altars remind Abram and Sarai that God accompanies them in their journey.
We may construct an altar in our homes. It would remind us of the Lord’s presence and serve as a focal point for our offering of prayer. Like the couple we are on a journey to a Promised Land where we will be part of a great people. Our homes are but resting places, like Abram’s “stages,” as we find our room in God’s house.
(Genesis 12:1-9; Matthew 7:1-5)
It is recommended that catechists set up an altar in the place where they are to teach. The altar may be covered with a white cloth signifying Jesus’ burial garb left behind once he rose from the dead. On the cloth could be placed a crucifix, perhaps another image of Christ, the Virgin or one of the saints, and a lighted candle, which also symbolizes Christ. The purpose of the altar is to show the instructed that they are being taught first and foremost by Christ himself.
The first reading from Genesis mentions Abram twice constructing altars. No doubt the passage takes for granted the sacrifices that are offered signifying Abram’s desire to please the Lord. Yet the altars themselves are a symbol of God because Abram constructs at least the first one on the place where God appears. The altars remind Abram and Sarai that God accompanies them in their journey.
We may construct an altar in our homes. It would remind us of the Lord’s presence and serve as a focal point for our offering of prayer. Like the couple we are on a journey to a Promised Land where we will be part of a great people. Our homes are but resting places, like Abram’s “stages,” as we find our room in God’s house.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II Corinthians 11:18.21-30; Matthew 6:19-23)
The first reading is reminiscent of a story told of a preacher who was promised a hefty reward by a man if he said something good about the man’s brother who had just died. The preacher felt pressed because the deceased was a particularly bad person as was his brother. So the preacher just said that the dead man had many faults but that he was better than his brother any day.
St. Paul is having difficulty keeping the Corinthians Christians on the true Christian path. Evidently, although it is not explicitly stated, the Corinthians have been misguided by errant apostles. Perhaps the apostles spoke of the necessity to abide by the precepts of the Jewish Law as did the evangelizers who taught among the Galatians after Paul. More probably, since Paul speaks of the sacrifices he has made to preach the gospel, they have demanded fee for services in a venal way. By his own admission Paul embarks on an imprudent course in refuting them. Rather than attack the error directly, he tries to show that he should be heeded not the others because he is a more authentic apostle.
Money like sex can be the downfall of good people. We pray to God that we can be like Jesus and Paul serving without looking for any unjust reward.
(II Corinthians 11:18.21-30; Matthew 6:19-23)
The first reading is reminiscent of a story told of a preacher who was promised a hefty reward by a man if he said something good about the man’s brother who had just died. The preacher felt pressed because the deceased was a particularly bad person as was his brother. So the preacher just said that the dead man had many faults but that he was better than his brother any day.
St. Paul is having difficulty keeping the Corinthians Christians on the true Christian path. Evidently, although it is not explicitly stated, the Corinthians have been misguided by errant apostles. Perhaps the apostles spoke of the necessity to abide by the precepts of the Jewish Law as did the evangelizers who taught among the Galatians after Paul. More probably, since Paul speaks of the sacrifices he has made to preach the gospel, they have demanded fee for services in a venal way. By his own admission Paul embarks on an imprudent course in refuting them. Rather than attack the error directly, he tries to show that he should be heeded not the others because he is a more authentic apostle.
Money like sex can be the downfall of good people. We pray to God that we can be like Jesus and Paul serving without looking for any unjust reward.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II Corinthians 11:1-11; Matthew 6:7-15)
A proud Texan was telling someone he met at the airport what a great state he comes from. He said that it is such a fine place to live that at the end of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings when everyone says the Lord’s Prayer together, he changes the words to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Texas.” Not everyone has such a high opinion of the Lone Star state, but there are customs and courtesies there, as everywhere, worth emulating.
Let’s go back to Jesus’ petition that the earth be more like heaven. How would it have to change to become so? Everyone could submit a list of suggestions. Here are mine. We would study the word of God more and justify our own opinions less. We would be ready to listen to others’ ideas, slow to endorse them, and reluctant to reject them completely. We would develop a helping hand, a caring heart, and a clean mind.
(II Corinthians 11:1-11; Matthew 6:7-15)
A proud Texan was telling someone he met at the airport what a great state he comes from. He said that it is such a fine place to live that at the end of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings when everyone says the Lord’s Prayer together, he changes the words to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Texas.” Not everyone has such a high opinion of the Lone Star state, but there are customs and courtesies there, as everywhere, worth emulating.
Let’s go back to Jesus’ petition that the earth be more like heaven. How would it have to change to become so? Everyone could submit a list of suggestions. Here are mine. We would study the word of God more and justify our own opinions less. We would be ready to listen to others’ ideas, slow to endorse them, and reluctant to reject them completely. We would develop a helping hand, a caring heart, and a clean mind.
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