Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 44:18-21.23b-29.45:1-5; Matthew 10:7-15)
The women just completed an adult religious education program. She expressed her confidence about what she had learned by saying, “The next time Jehovah Witnesses came to my door, they should be prepared to sit down and talk for an hour.”
Door-to door canvassing is so associated with Jehovah Witnesses and evangelical sects that it is scarcely considered a Catholic apostolate. Yet Jesus in today’s gospel seems to tell his apostles to do just that. “As you enter a house,” he says, “wish it peace.” But contemporary intuition, in this case at least, is not wrong. Jesus is prescribing a manner for the missionary to find a place of lodging, not a way to evangelize. Although there may be some value in visiting households to spread the “good news,” the “new evangelization” as proclaimed by recent popes more involves intimating the love of God by word and example.
We should recognize the appeal in contemporary ideals of everybody choosing to believe what she or he finds meaningful for himself or herself. Extended a bit, this line of thinking demands universal adherence to laws to protect individuals, but its aim is to safeguard liberty as far as possible. Such principles seem to avoid conflict while not making absolute any doctrine about which general agreement does not exist. However, they also ignore divine revelation which comes especially in Jesus Christ. It would be contradictory to force belief in Christ, but, as the popes suggest, we should not content ourselves merely with allowing each individual to believe whatever he or she likes. Rather, we are to impress upon others the superiority of Catholic Christianity by the quality and tenor of our lives.
Wedneday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time
(Genesis 41:55-57.42:5-7a.17-24a; Matthew 10:1-7)
Although the greater challenge today is obesity, famine still exists. Africa seems especially susceptible to the problem. It is not so much lack of rain there that causes crops to fail as the deterioration of the environment through excessive grazing. War is another major cause of hunger in Africa. In war farmers are reluctant to plant, and the dislocation of large numbers of people creates huge emergency needs. If the world community could prevent war, it would go a long way in preventing famine.
During the great biblical famine which today’s first reading gives account, some of Israel’s sons take recourse to Egypt which has stored vast reserves of grain. There they unknowingly meet their brother Joseph whom they mistreated in the past. Fortunately for them Joseph’s kind heart inclines him to forgiveness rather than vengeance. He will take care of his family although he mischievously masks from them his identity until his full brother Benjamin is brought to him.
To assure the virtual elimination of famine, peoples and nations must likewise replace vengeance with forgiveness. It is not a one-sided quest, however. Where wrongs have been committed, the guilty party needs to ask forgiveness. Such mutual self-abnegation is achieved only with divine assistance which already has been extended in Christ. But it is not that we expect all peoples to embrace Christianity before world peace can be achieved. Rather we pray that the governments of the world recognize the reality of a human family under God, which Jesus preached, as the basis of international relations.
(Genesis 41:55-57.42:5-7a.17-24a; Matthew 10:1-7)
Although the greater challenge today is obesity, famine still exists. Africa seems especially susceptible to the problem. It is not so much lack of rain there that causes crops to fail as the deterioration of the environment through excessive grazing. War is another major cause of hunger in Africa. In war farmers are reluctant to plant, and the dislocation of large numbers of people creates huge emergency needs. If the world community could prevent war, it would go a long way in preventing famine.
During the great biblical famine which today’s first reading gives account, some of Israel’s sons take recourse to Egypt which has stored vast reserves of grain. There they unknowingly meet their brother Joseph whom they mistreated in the past. Fortunately for them Joseph’s kind heart inclines him to forgiveness rather than vengeance. He will take care of his family although he mischievously masks from them his identity until his full brother Benjamin is brought to him.
To assure the virtual elimination of famine, peoples and nations must likewise replace vengeance with forgiveness. It is not a one-sided quest, however. Where wrongs have been committed, the guilty party needs to ask forgiveness. Such mutual self-abnegation is achieved only with divine assistance which already has been extended in Christ. But it is not that we expect all peoples to embrace Christianity before world peace can be achieved. Rather we pray that the governments of the world recognize the reality of a human family under God, which Jesus preached, as the basis of international relations.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9:32-38)
Homero Aridjis is a Mexican poet and environmentalist. At the age of ten he was almost killed in a shotgun accident. Today he sees that experience as shaping his life. Since that time he has lost interest in hunting and has become passionately concerned with defending the environment. He now sees his own survival connected with that of birds and butterflies. In the reading from Genesis Jacob undergoes a similar life-changing experience.
Jacob has left his father-in-law’s ranch a wealthy man. His own wits, not God, made him rich. When he meets God as he wrestles with the stranger, Jacob is struggling with his conscience, the voice of God, for swindling his brother Esau years before. Jacob prevails; that is, he is not destroyed in the encounter but survives and even extracts a blessing from his opponent. He will no longer be defined by his brother since Jacob means heel catcher because he was born lurching after Esau who came out of his mother’s womb first. From now on he will be called after God Himself since Israel is said to mean you have struggled with God.
We too know what it is like to struggle with God when we ask ourselves questions like, “Did I dwell too long on an impure thought?” or “Would it be wrong to leave work early without permission?” As God does not destroy Jacob, he does not abandon us because of our sins. Rather, He lets us know that we are His sons and daughters whom He forgives and blesses when we honestly take account of our actions.
(Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9:32-38)
Homero Aridjis is a Mexican poet and environmentalist. At the age of ten he was almost killed in a shotgun accident. Today he sees that experience as shaping his life. Since that time he has lost interest in hunting and has become passionately concerned with defending the environment. He now sees his own survival connected with that of birds and butterflies. In the reading from Genesis Jacob undergoes a similar life-changing experience.
Jacob has left his father-in-law’s ranch a wealthy man. His own wits, not God, made him rich. When he meets God as he wrestles with the stranger, Jacob is struggling with his conscience, the voice of God, for swindling his brother Esau years before. Jacob prevails; that is, he is not destroyed in the encounter but survives and even extracts a blessing from his opponent. He will no longer be defined by his brother since Jacob means heel catcher because he was born lurching after Esau who came out of his mother’s womb first. From now on he will be called after God Himself since Israel is said to mean you have struggled with God.
We too know what it is like to struggle with God when we ask ourselves questions like, “Did I dwell too long on an impure thought?” or “Would it be wrong to leave work early without permission?” As God does not destroy Jacob, he does not abandon us because of our sins. Rather, He lets us know that we are His sons and daughters whom He forgives and blesses when we honestly take account of our actions.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26)
As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, many may find Jacob’s declaration of the place where he slept to be “an abode of God” as characteristic of the United States. Like the Lord’s prediction of Jacob’s descendants, Americans are numerous. Although its extent is easily exaggerated, the United States has been a blessing to Europe during and after World War II and to many developing countries today.
The term “American exceptionalism” has been invented to explain how the United States has reached greatness. Separated from other powers by the vast Atlantic, the country was incubated without the constant threat of war. Equally important, the country did not have a history of feudalism that separated rich from poor as a matter of necessity. Now that slavery and its vestiges have been overcome, it is truly a land of opportunity for everyone. Belief in God and religious freedom has also played a significant part in America’s achievement. The idea of a “Creator” grounds the concept of human rights in the “Declaration of Independence.” More importantly even, Lincoln and other patriots have turned to God as an unerring judge who rewards the nation for its virtue and punishes it for its vice.
However much Americans like to compare its blessings with that of God to Jacob, they should note a critical difference. God’s benediction on Jacob is a solemn oath that He will never retract. Israel, not the country but the people, will endure forever. No such promise has been made to the United States as a country or a people. If the country is to continue to flourish, it must strive to be a blessing for others, to pursue virtue at all costs, and, as much as its freedom of religion will allow, to retain its belief in God.
(Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26)
As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, many may find Jacob’s declaration of the place where he slept to be “an abode of God” as characteristic of the United States. Like the Lord’s prediction of Jacob’s descendants, Americans are numerous. Although its extent is easily exaggerated, the United States has been a blessing to Europe during and after World War II and to many developing countries today.
The term “American exceptionalism” has been invented to explain how the United States has reached greatness. Separated from other powers by the vast Atlantic, the country was incubated without the constant threat of war. Equally important, the country did not have a history of feudalism that separated rich from poor as a matter of necessity. Now that slavery and its vestiges have been overcome, it is truly a land of opportunity for everyone. Belief in God and religious freedom has also played a significant part in America’s achievement. The idea of a “Creator” grounds the concept of human rights in the “Declaration of Independence.” More importantly even, Lincoln and other patriots have turned to God as an unerring judge who rewards the nation for its virtue and punishes it for its vice.
However much Americans like to compare its blessings with that of God to Jacob, they should note a critical difference. God’s benediction on Jacob is a solemn oath that He will never retract. Israel, not the country but the people, will endure forever. No such promise has been made to the United States as a country or a people. If the country is to continue to flourish, it must strive to be a blessing for others, to pursue virtue at all costs, and, as much as its freedom of religion will allow, to retain its belief in God.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)
With all the attention given to long-distance learning we might think that human teachers are becoming obsolete. But, of course, this is not the case. As much as computers abet instruction, students often need physical contact with a person to learn. They have questions that computers cannot understand and difficulties that only human intuition can ascertain.
In the gospel today Matthew presents Jesus as the “teacher of the ages.” Jesus’ meekness will not reject anyone. He never says one thing then does another but instructs by example. The yoke that he lays on apprentices – the lessons they are to follow – is not onerous because he supplies the strength to bear it. It is simply that they love another as he loves all.
The heart of Jesus, pierced and aflame, symbolizes all the richness of this gospel nugget. Its ardor reaches all people without exception. Its vulnerability knows the trials of the weak who in some manner include everyone. It invites each of us to enter its chambers where we might be renewed for the journey heavenward.
(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)
With all the attention given to long-distance learning we might think that human teachers are becoming obsolete. But, of course, this is not the case. As much as computers abet instruction, students often need physical contact with a person to learn. They have questions that computers cannot understand and difficulties that only human intuition can ascertain.
In the gospel today Matthew presents Jesus as the “teacher of the ages.” Jesus’ meekness will not reject anyone. He never says one thing then does another but instructs by example. The yoke that he lays on apprentices – the lessons they are to follow – is not onerous because he supplies the strength to bear it. It is simply that they love another as he loves all.
The heart of Jesus, pierced and aflame, symbolizes all the richness of this gospel nugget. Its ardor reaches all people without exception. Its vulnerability knows the trials of the weak who in some manner include everyone. It invites each of us to enter its chambers where we might be renewed for the journey heavenward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)