Tuesday of the First Week in Lent
(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)
Christianity essentially is not an ethic but an encounter. It is to know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. However, from this association a way of living emerges. In the “Lord’s Prayer” of today’s gospel, a striking feature of the Christian way is highlighted.
Christians are not to hold grudges. Rather, they are to forgive those who offend them just as they ask God, the Father, to forgive their offenses. Blessed John Paul II brilliantly illustrated this principle when he visited his attempted assassin in prison. In doing so, the pope imitated Jesus in at least two gospel scenes. On the cross in the gospel of Luke Jesus asks his Father in heaven to forgive his executioners. Also, in a resurrection appearance of John’s gospel Jesus seeks out Peter who denied him publicly.
Forgiveness epitomizes the change of heart to which Jesus calls us. It seems more consistent with Jesus’ manner that we do not wantonly proclaim forgiveness to everyone who upsets us. Before that, there is need for a determination of the culpable party and for an admission of guilt. But whether or not a request for forgiveness is forthcoming, we are to pray for those toward whom we feel animosity.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday of the First Week in Lent
(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)
Henri Nouwen was perhaps the most noted spiritual writer in English during the last quarter of the twentieth century. In his final years he often wrote of the community of incapacitated persons and their caregivers in which he lived. In one essay he described his service to an almost helpless youth named Adam who conveyed to him the truth of today’s gospel.
Although there were few alternatives, Adam allowed Nouwen to take care of him. He evidently maintained his composure even when he was in distress. In any event Adam proved himself like Jesus in that in being helped, he brought his helper a “peace that the world cannot give.” The lessons were simple and yet profound. First, Adam revealed to the author, a man of great accomplishment, that what is truly important is a human person’s being not his success. Second, Adam revealed that what makes humans images of God is not the mind that comprehends reality but the heart that can forego preoccupation with self to embrace another in love. Finally, Adam demonstrated the importance of community since, like everyone else, he needed others to survive but in such an intense way that he was unable to hide that truth.
During Lent God invites us to find His Son in others. The more we know suffering people and assist them in their need, the more we will recognize that it is Jesus whom we are care for. In so doing, he lifts us from our own misery to the joy of his company.
(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)
Henri Nouwen was perhaps the most noted spiritual writer in English during the last quarter of the twentieth century. In his final years he often wrote of the community of incapacitated persons and their caregivers in which he lived. In one essay he described his service to an almost helpless youth named Adam who conveyed to him the truth of today’s gospel.
Although there were few alternatives, Adam allowed Nouwen to take care of him. He evidently maintained his composure even when he was in distress. In any event Adam proved himself like Jesus in that in being helped, he brought his helper a “peace that the world cannot give.” The lessons were simple and yet profound. First, Adam revealed to the author, a man of great accomplishment, that what is truly important is a human person’s being not his success. Second, Adam revealed that what makes humans images of God is not the mind that comprehends reality but the heart that can forego preoccupation with self to embrace another in love. Finally, Adam demonstrated the importance of community since, like everyone else, he needed others to survive but in such an intense way that he was unable to hide that truth.
During Lent God invites us to find His Son in others. The more we know suffering people and assist them in their need, the more we will recognize that it is Jesus whom we are care for. In so doing, he lifts us from our own misery to the joy of his company.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Remember when our mothers told us to eat our food because there were children in China going hungry? Comedians make fun of the logic, but there is subtle connection between the two. It is similar to the reasoning behind the lesson about fasting in the first reading today.
Isaiah chastises the people for fasting while ignoring the needy. Fasting – experiencing hunger --should make us conscious of those without food to eat so that we might help them. Our mothers admonished us to finish our dinner with a similar end in mind. They wanted us to be grateful for all the food we have so that we might help those with little.
Food is a good although we sometimes distort its value by eating too much. But it is not the greatest good. God is that. To recognize God as such we fast during Lent. Because God commands us to do so, it would a travesty to fast and not assist the hungry.
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Remember when our mothers told us to eat our food because there were children in China going hungry? Comedians make fun of the logic, but there is subtle connection between the two. It is similar to the reasoning behind the lesson about fasting in the first reading today.
Isaiah chastises the people for fasting while ignoring the needy. Fasting – experiencing hunger --should make us conscious of those without food to eat so that we might help them. Our mothers admonished us to finish our dinner with a similar end in mind. They wanted us to be grateful for all the food we have so that we might help those with little.
Food is a good although we sometimes distort its value by eating too much. But it is not the greatest good. God is that. To recognize God as such we fast during Lent. Because God commands us to do so, it would a travesty to fast and not assist the hungry.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
In the movie The Ninth Day Fr. Kremer, a priest imprisoned at Dachau, is given leave to bury his mother. Once home he can try to flee, but that would bring retaliation against other priests in the concentration camp. The Gestapo provides a more tempting offer. If Fr. Kremer can convince his bishop to collaborate with the occupying German army or if Fr. Kremer signs a letter of support for the Nazis, he could have his freedom without jeopardizing his co-prisoners. The priest rejects the offer. He recognizes that his bishop is heroic in his resistance to the Nazis and prefers to tell the truth and to give personal support to the other prisoners.
When Moses tells the people in the first reading to “choose life,” he hardly has in mind a gruesome choice like the one offered Fr. Kremer. Rather Moses recognizes that a full life of love and peace usually proceeds from following God’s ways. Still even Moses would recognize that God sometimes asks a person to sacrifice herself for the common good. Jesus ironically states this call to self-surrender in today’s gospel as a way to life. In the first century many Christians were faced with the dilemma of forsaking Jesus or experiencing death. The life he offers to the one those who choose to stick with him is not a carefree existence in this world but the resurrection of the dead.
During Lent we are to ponder what kind of life we want for ourselves. Are we going to opt for pleasure and power whatever the cost? Or are we ready to follow Christ’s way of service and sacrifice for the sake of others? When we take Christ’s option in Lent seriously, we realize that it leads to the feast of life itself, Easter Sunday.
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
In the movie The Ninth Day Fr. Kremer, a priest imprisoned at Dachau, is given leave to bury his mother. Once home he can try to flee, but that would bring retaliation against other priests in the concentration camp. The Gestapo provides a more tempting offer. If Fr. Kremer can convince his bishop to collaborate with the occupying German army or if Fr. Kremer signs a letter of support for the Nazis, he could have his freedom without jeopardizing his co-prisoners. The priest rejects the offer. He recognizes that his bishop is heroic in his resistance to the Nazis and prefers to tell the truth and to give personal support to the other prisoners.
When Moses tells the people in the first reading to “choose life,” he hardly has in mind a gruesome choice like the one offered Fr. Kremer. Rather Moses recognizes that a full life of love and peace usually proceeds from following God’s ways. Still even Moses would recognize that God sometimes asks a person to sacrifice herself for the common good. Jesus ironically states this call to self-surrender in today’s gospel as a way to life. In the first century many Christians were faced with the dilemma of forsaking Jesus or experiencing death. The life he offers to the one those who choose to stick with him is not a carefree existence in this world but the resurrection of the dead.
During Lent we are to ponder what kind of life we want for ourselves. Are we going to opt for pleasure and power whatever the cost? Or are we ready to follow Christ’s way of service and sacrifice for the sake of others? When we take Christ’s option in Lent seriously, we realize that it leads to the feast of life itself, Easter Sunday.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ash Wednesday
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
At the beginning of the first “Rocky” movie, the protagonist is completely out of shape. He strains to run up the stairs of art museum in Philadelphia. Later, however, after weeks of training Rocky bounds to the height like a deer being chased. A transformation has taken place. Rocky has sloughed off both weight and lethargy to perform in a totally superior way. Such a transformation is our goal during Lent.
Although it may improve our health, shedding a few pounds should not be what motivates to give up donuts during this annual six week retreat. If it were, we would be no better than hypocrites whose righteousness, Jesus warns us in the gospel today, we must supersede. No, we must concern ourselves primarily with internal order not external appearance. Through fasting, prayer, and charity we hope to become like Jesus himself. His self-control and compassion are the high stars in heaven which we are shooting for.
It is only natural that we begin Lent with a touch of regret. It is hard to forsake comforts and concentrate our minds on what is holy. But our reluctance will turn into rejoicing at the end of the forty days. Then we will find ourselves renewed in soul and body.
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
At the beginning of the first “Rocky” movie, the protagonist is completely out of shape. He strains to run up the stairs of art museum in Philadelphia. Later, however, after weeks of training Rocky bounds to the height like a deer being chased. A transformation has taken place. Rocky has sloughed off both weight and lethargy to perform in a totally superior way. Such a transformation is our goal during Lent.
Although it may improve our health, shedding a few pounds should not be what motivates to give up donuts during this annual six week retreat. If it were, we would be no better than hypocrites whose righteousness, Jesus warns us in the gospel today, we must supersede. No, we must concern ourselves primarily with internal order not external appearance. Through fasting, prayer, and charity we hope to become like Jesus himself. His self-control and compassion are the high stars in heaven which we are shooting for.
It is only natural that we begin Lent with a touch of regret. It is hard to forsake comforts and concentrate our minds on what is holy. But our reluctance will turn into rejoicing at the end of the forty days. Then we will find ourselves renewed in soul and body.
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