Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent
(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is credited with having saved the American banking system and hence the world economy from ruin. However, at the same time he is being criticized by both right and left for undermining America’s economy.
Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom soberly assures that righteous people like Ben Bernanke suffer persecution. Certainly the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as being so persecuted. By healing the hopelessly infirm, Jesus shows himself to be sent from God. By performing such acts on the Sabbath, he further reveals that the age of the Law, prohibiting Sabbath work, has ended. The upshot of all this is that since the Messiah has now arrived in person, belief in him and not following the Law, leads to salvation. Today’s gospel reading pictures Jewish rulers, threatened by their loss of authority to Jesus, plotting to kill him.
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 might 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, March 22, 2012
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)
A successful lawyer was once asked to name the most essential factor for a winning case. The alternatives were something like a fair judge, a sympathetic jury, or a truthful client. The lawyer responded that none of these were as important as a credible witness. In the gospel today Jesus presents various credible witnesses to the Jews that he is the Son of God.
Specifically, Jesus points to John the Baptist, his miracles, the Father, and the Scriptures as witnesses to his claim. John said earlier in the gospel (1:34) that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus has also performed mighty works like turning water into wine. The Father testifies within the hearts of Jesus’ own disciples who follow him unreservedly. Finally, the Scriptures give testimony to Jesus by such statements as “Zeal for your house will consume me” (see John 2:17) when he throws out the merchants from the Temple.
The Jews are not to be blamed for not believing in Jesus. If they were truly objective observers, they would have seen that he is divine. But perfect objectivity is not to be found. The Jews were committed to their religion which viewed the Messiah as a mighty king who would command political wonders. We, who do not share that expectation, can accept Jesus as the one who brings about social change through creating inner harmony. The result is a more thorough accomplishment that bespeaks a God who is love.
(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)
A successful lawyer was once asked to name the most essential factor for a winning case. The alternatives were something like a fair judge, a sympathetic jury, or a truthful client. The lawyer responded that none of these were as important as a credible witness. In the gospel today Jesus presents various credible witnesses to the Jews that he is the Son of God.
Specifically, Jesus points to John the Baptist, his miracles, the Father, and the Scriptures as witnesses to his claim. John said earlier in the gospel (1:34) that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus has also performed mighty works like turning water into wine. The Father testifies within the hearts of Jesus’ own disciples who follow him unreservedly. Finally, the Scriptures give testimony to Jesus by such statements as “Zeal for your house will consume me” (see John 2:17) when he throws out the merchants from the Temple.
The Jews are not to be blamed for not believing in Jesus. If they were truly objective observers, they would have seen that he is divine. But perfect objectivity is not to be found. The Jews were committed to their religion which viewed the Messiah as a mighty king who would command political wonders. We, who do not share that expectation, can accept Jesus as the one who brings about social change through creating inner harmony. The result is a more thorough accomplishment that bespeaks a God who is love.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)
Cremation is an increasingly popular way of disposing the remains of the dead. Soon the percentage of cremations in the United States will surpass that of burials. For a long time the Church forbade the practice because it was used by some to defy belief in the resurrection of the body. However, in 1963 the Church recognized that people have legitimate reasons to cremate the bodies of loved ones. Now it regularly has funerals with cremains and gives them all the respect of a cadaver. Today’s gospel grounds the hope of resurrection in Jesus’ own words.
Jesus presents himself as God the Father’s Son with full authority. As Queen Elizabeth might send Prince Charles to Parliament as her proxy, Jesus claims that his Father in heaven has sent him to earth. He then reveals his intention to raise those who accept his authority to new life once they die. He is not speaking figuratively as if he were seeing those living in sin as dead. Nor, interestingly, is he saying that the dead have to wait until the end of time to be so exalted. “The hour is coming,” he assures, “and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of God, and those who hear will live.”
We should keep in mind that the resurrection of the dead is the great hope of Easter. We may strain to align this speech of Jesus with others that promise resurrection on the last day (6:40, 44), but the promise is clear. Belief in Jesus leads the believer to resurrection from the dead.
(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)
Cremation is an increasingly popular way of disposing the remains of the dead. Soon the percentage of cremations in the United States will surpass that of burials. For a long time the Church forbade the practice because it was used by some to defy belief in the resurrection of the body. However, in 1963 the Church recognized that people have legitimate reasons to cremate the bodies of loved ones. Now it regularly has funerals with cremains and gives them all the respect of a cadaver. Today’s gospel grounds the hope of resurrection in Jesus’ own words.
Jesus presents himself as God the Father’s Son with full authority. As Queen Elizabeth might send Prince Charles to Parliament as her proxy, Jesus claims that his Father in heaven has sent him to earth. He then reveals his intention to raise those who accept his authority to new life once they die. He is not speaking figuratively as if he were seeing those living in sin as dead. Nor, interestingly, is he saying that the dead have to wait until the end of time to be so exalted. “The hour is coming,” he assures, “and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of God, and those who hear will live.”
We should keep in mind that the resurrection of the dead is the great hope of Easter. We may strain to align this speech of Jesus with others that promise resurrection on the last day (6:40, 44), but the promise is clear. Belief in Jesus leads the believer to resurrection from the dead.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)
The word Lent is derived from old English and means springtime. That might seem paradoxical since Lent always begins in winter and often enough passes more than half its days amidst the coldest season of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere). But Lent always ends with green coloring the trees and flowers blooming on bushes. In the fourth week of Lent we see a similar turn in the Mass readings. They no longer plead repentance and discipline but announce a return to life.
Ezekiel today exhibits the Temple as the source of life. From its bowels water flows that not only irrigates the land but also purifies the sea. John’s gospel shows Jesus as an even more effective life-giver. The paralytic does not have to manipulate himself into the Temple’s waters but only encounter the Lord to be cured.
With Easter approaching, Lenten penances seem to lose their bite. We have become used to life without chocolate, wine, or what have you. We also know that our time to enjoy these delights is not long coming. But the real excitement as we enter the home stretch of the Lenten course is not about anything savory to the tongue. It concerns the coming assurance that death will not close our lives and the emerging neophytes in the Church who will testify with us to this truth.
(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)
The word Lent is derived from old English and means springtime. That might seem paradoxical since Lent always begins in winter and often enough passes more than half its days amidst the coldest season of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere). But Lent always ends with green coloring the trees and flowers blooming on bushes. In the fourth week of Lent we see a similar turn in the Mass readings. They no longer plead repentance and discipline but announce a return to life.
Ezekiel today exhibits the Temple as the source of life. From its bowels water flows that not only irrigates the land but also purifies the sea. John’s gospel shows Jesus as an even more effective life-giver. The paralytic does not have to manipulate himself into the Temple’s waters but only encounter the Lord to be cured.
With Easter approaching, Lenten penances seem to lose their bite. We have become used to life without chocolate, wine, or what have you. We also know that our time to enjoy these delights is not long coming. But the real excitement as we enter the home stretch of the Lenten course is not about anything savory to the tongue. It concerns the coming assurance that death will not close our lives and the emerging neophytes in the Church who will testify with us to this truth.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
Boo Radley is a minor hero of the epic novel of the American South, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not seen much and says little if anything. However, when the children of the protagonist (a virtuous lawyer whose character is unforgettably played by Gregory Peck in the movie version) are threatened by a disgruntled drunkard, Radley intercedes to save their lives. Although it may seem a bit irreverent, we might picture St. Joseph in a similar role.
Interestingly, St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, does not say a word in any of the four gospels and is only mentioned in three. Yet he is universally known for being both just and loving. His righteousness is displayed by his not wanting to embarrass Mary when he discovers that she is with child. Commentators note that this forbearance would have cost him the dowry which he might have reclaimed. He exhibits care for Mary and Jesus as he races them to Egypt when Herod threatens to kill all male children of the area. The evangelist Luke further records how Mary commends Joseph’s loving concern as she mentions that he, as much as she, was anxiously looking for Jesus when the lad is found with the teachers in the Temple.
St. Joseph serves as a model for men, especially fathers, and also for men and women introverts who express love more with righteous presence and courageous action rather than with the often ambiguous phenomenon of words.
(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)
Boo Radley is a minor hero of the epic novel of the American South, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not seen much and says little if anything. However, when the children of the protagonist (a virtuous lawyer whose character is unforgettably played by Gregory Peck in the movie version) are threatened by a disgruntled drunkard, Radley intercedes to save their lives. Although it may seem a bit irreverent, we might picture St. Joseph in a similar role.
Interestingly, St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, does not say a word in any of the four gospels and is only mentioned in three. Yet he is universally known for being both just and loving. His righteousness is displayed by his not wanting to embarrass Mary when he discovers that she is with child. Commentators note that this forbearance would have cost him the dowry which he might have reclaimed. He exhibits care for Mary and Jesus as he races them to Egypt when Herod threatens to kill all male children of the area. The evangelist Luke further records how Mary commends Joseph’s loving concern as she mentions that he, as much as she, was anxiously looking for Jesus when the lad is found with the teachers in the Temple.
St. Joseph serves as a model for men, especially fathers, and also for men and women introverts who express love more with righteous presence and courageous action rather than with the often ambiguous phenomenon of words.
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