Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin
(I Kings 11:29-32.12:19; Mark 7:31-37)
The economic crises in Greece, Italy, and Spain and the one likely to happen in the United States within twenty years have a similar root. Individuals seeking personal security at society’s expense are leaving huge debts that younger generations will not bear. As a result the economic system weakens to the verge of collapse. A preview of the phenomenon may be gleaned from the first Book of Kings from which this week’s first readings are taken.
In yesterday’s reading, I Kings related how the corruption of Solomon portended trouble for his kingdom. Solomon unabashedly depleted his treasury with constructions honoring a plethora of foreign gods. The reading did not relate, but it can be said with probability, that Solomon taxed the people unbearably to attain the wealth he squandered. The result is seen in the reading today. The prophet Ahijah pronounces the splitting of Solomon’s kingdom with the major portion taken from Solomon’s heir.
Government leaders have a herculean task in providing for the welfare of the people. They certainly need our prayers. We also should scrutinize candidates for public office before elections. We need lawmakers and administrators who will look after the legitimate needs of the people, especially the poor. Furthermore, they should not pander to the greed of the rich or the envy of the poor.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)
Inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere are beginning to think about their summer vacation. Spending two to three of recreation in another locale has become so much part of the contemporary way of life that months of planning and sizeable resources are given to the project. In the gospel Jesus seems to be taking a vacation which explains part of his reluctance to assist the Greek woman.
Mark writes that Jesus hopes to escape notice when he enters a house in in the foreign city of Tyre. He is probably worn out from intensive preaching and the never ending stream of sick persons seeking his help. Although he is not inclined to see more people for a while, he has a better reason for not going to the woman’s bedeviled daughter. He can honestly tell the woman that his mission is to Israel, not for the moment at least to the world. But the woman refuses rejection. She calls Jesus “Lord” and indicates that she would accept any assistance that he might give. Always merciful, Jesus acknowledges her faith by granting her daughter deliverance.
Faith proves to be a critical element in experiencing the Kingdom of God. Faith tells us not to dictate completely what Jesus is to do for us although there is nothing wrong with some specificity regarding our needs. More importantly, we are to trust implicitly in his love for us. Almost certainly then we will experience wonders.
(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)
Inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere are beginning to think about their summer vacation. Spending two to three of recreation in another locale has become so much part of the contemporary way of life that months of planning and sizeable resources are given to the project. In the gospel Jesus seems to be taking a vacation which explains part of his reluctance to assist the Greek woman.
Mark writes that Jesus hopes to escape notice when he enters a house in in the foreign city of Tyre. He is probably worn out from intensive preaching and the never ending stream of sick persons seeking his help. Although he is not inclined to see more people for a while, he has a better reason for not going to the woman’s bedeviled daughter. He can honestly tell the woman that his mission is to Israel, not for the moment at least to the world. But the woman refuses rejection. She calls Jesus “Lord” and indicates that she would accept any assistance that he might give. Always merciful, Jesus acknowledges her faith by granting her daughter deliverance.
Faith proves to be a critical element in experiencing the Kingdom of God. Faith tells us not to dictate completely what Jesus is to do for us although there is nothing wrong with some specificity regarding our needs. More importantly, we are to trust implicitly in his love for us. Almost certainly then we will experience wonders.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)
Often a store purveying pornography is located outside of town in an isolated area. One may feel a touch of pity for the owners of the one or two cars that the store attracts, day or night. What a pity, one may say, that the men have to pollute themselves in this way! But are the men really committing sin by viewing pornography? The gospel today seems to hint otherwise.
In the passage Jesus makes the startling statement that “everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile.” Of course, Jesus is referring to food in this context, but even then it might be asked how eating meat on a Lenten Friday could be sinful. Carefully analyzing Jesus’ words, experts have concluded that they are invented by Mark to defend the practice of the non-Jewish Christian communities who eat pork and other foods that Jewish law forbids. It is simply wrong-minded to think of the statement as applying to Church prohibition today of eating meat on certain days of the year and much less to natural law’s proscription of pornography.
The Second Vatican Council legitimates the conclusion of Biblical scholars that the gospels must be read as the end products of a forty to sixty process. First, there are the actual words and actions of Jesus. These are repeated and reformulated by the apostles in proclaiming Jesus as Lord in different places. Finally, they are reserved for posterity in a written narrative by the evangelists writing on behalf of the communities where they live. We have their words to ponder and to use to mold our lives. At times we may feel that our individual interpretation will never have it right. But praying over the readings and paying attention to different commentaries, we will find our understanding not only nearing target but leading us to truly fruitful lives.
(I Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)
Often a store purveying pornography is located outside of town in an isolated area. One may feel a touch of pity for the owners of the one or two cars that the store attracts, day or night. What a pity, one may say, that the men have to pollute themselves in this way! But are the men really committing sin by viewing pornography? The gospel today seems to hint otherwise.
In the passage Jesus makes the startling statement that “everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile.” Of course, Jesus is referring to food in this context, but even then it might be asked how eating meat on a Lenten Friday could be sinful. Carefully analyzing Jesus’ words, experts have concluded that they are invented by Mark to defend the practice of the non-Jewish Christian communities who eat pork and other foods that Jewish law forbids. It is simply wrong-minded to think of the statement as applying to Church prohibition today of eating meat on certain days of the year and much less to natural law’s proscription of pornography.
The Second Vatican Council legitimates the conclusion of Biblical scholars that the gospels must be read as the end products of a forty to sixty process. First, there are the actual words and actions of Jesus. These are repeated and reformulated by the apostles in proclaiming Jesus as Lord in different places. Finally, they are reserved for posterity in a written narrative by the evangelists writing on behalf of the communities where they live. We have their words to ponder and to use to mold our lives. At times we may feel that our individual interpretation will never have it right. But praying over the readings and paying attention to different commentaries, we will find our understanding not only nearing target but leading us to truly fruitful lives.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-3)
A recent YouTube sensation shows a young man decrying religion while claiming to love Jesus. He claims that Jesus’ purpose was to end the hypocrisy of religion. The video adds support to the post-modernist rejection of institutions. But was Jesus anti-establishment?
In the gospel Jesus criticizes the harsh judgment which the Pharisees level against his disciples. He sees their zealotry as impeding, not abetting, religion which exists to offer praise and thanks to God. However, he does not intend to abolish Judaism, only to give it a new foundation. He will reestablish it with the Holy Spirit so that humans may gain the integrity they long for but are unable to attain for themselves.
We who attend Mass or at least read Scripture daily should scrutinize Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees. We are susceptible to the same kind of fanaticism as they. More importantly still, we should pray to the Holy Spirit that He enlightens our lives to give primacy to God by loving all His children.
(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-3)
A recent YouTube sensation shows a young man decrying religion while claiming to love Jesus. He claims that Jesus’ purpose was to end the hypocrisy of religion. The video adds support to the post-modernist rejection of institutions. But was Jesus anti-establishment?
In the gospel Jesus criticizes the harsh judgment which the Pharisees level against his disciples. He sees their zealotry as impeding, not abetting, religion which exists to offer praise and thanks to God. However, he does not intend to abolish Judaism, only to give it a new foundation. He will reestablish it with the Holy Spirit so that humans may gain the integrity they long for but are unable to attain for themselves.
We who attend Mass or at least read Scripture daily should scrutinize Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees. We are susceptible to the same kind of fanaticism as they. More importantly still, we should pray to the Holy Spirit that He enlightens our lives to give primacy to God by loving all His children.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)
Many Americans stayed awake most of the night to watch the royal wedding last year. Even people committed to the democratic tradition are inspired by the pomp and pageantry which punctuate regal ceremonies. They seem to be buoyed up by the festivity as if the dignity of all humans is enhanced by the special celebration of a few. In the first reading today we find a similar upraising of spirit in a national event.
King Solomon has constructed his Temple to the Lord. He is finishing the work his father David aspired to do. As expected of a great nation, which Israel has become, there is now a fitting place where its God may be worshipped. To dedicate the construction a procession weaves through Jerusalem with the sacred objects inherited from antiquity. A sumptuous banquet follows in which the whole nation takes part. The divine author indicates God’s pleasure with the events by describing His presence as a cloud permeating the Temple.
Although Christians believe that the Temple of Jerusalem has given way to the Body of Christ as the locale of acceptable sacrifice, we still revere the place which Jesus calls his “Father’s house.” Pope John Paul II touchingly illustrated this when he took his place of prayer at the Wailing Wall. Jerusalem and especially its Temple are symbols for us of peace among nations where, as Isaiah prophesies, all peoples go to learn the ways of God.
(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)
Many Americans stayed awake most of the night to watch the royal wedding last year. Even people committed to the democratic tradition are inspired by the pomp and pageantry which punctuate regal ceremonies. They seem to be buoyed up by the festivity as if the dignity of all humans is enhanced by the special celebration of a few. In the first reading today we find a similar upraising of spirit in a national event.
King Solomon has constructed his Temple to the Lord. He is finishing the work his father David aspired to do. As expected of a great nation, which Israel has become, there is now a fitting place where its God may be worshipped. To dedicate the construction a procession weaves through Jerusalem with the sacred objects inherited from antiquity. A sumptuous banquet follows in which the whole nation takes part. The divine author indicates God’s pleasure with the events by describing His presence as a cloud permeating the Temple.
Although Christians believe that the Temple of Jerusalem has given way to the Body of Christ as the locale of acceptable sacrifice, we still revere the place which Jesus calls his “Father’s house.” Pope John Paul II touchingly illustrated this when he took his place of prayer at the Wailing Wall. Jerusalem and especially its Temple are symbols for us of peace among nations where, as Isaiah prophesies, all peoples go to learn the ways of God.
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