Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33)
Garrison Keillor tells the story of preparations for snow storms in the Minnesota town where he grew up. He says that at the beginning of the school year children from the country were assigned “snow parents” at whose houses they would spend the night if the busses were unable to take them home. The little Keillor was shown the house where he was to stay which he remembered because of a statue of the Virgin on its front lawn. One day, wishing to meet his would-be benefactors, he went to their home and introduced himself to the woman who answered the door as her “snow child.” The woman invited him to come in and to sit down. Then she brought him milk and cookies while she called her husband.
In such a harmonious way Jesus invites us to be his friends. As today’s gospel puts it, he will be our peace amidst the storms of the world’s ceaseless tensions and troubles. Staying close to him, we need not worry about loss of prestige or even life. He will keep us safe for eternal happiness. All we must do is to believe in him.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)
In the United States the word pioneer is associated with characters like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. In Ireland when one hears “pioneer,” she or he thinks of the pledge to give up drinking alcohol. In the nineteenth century when a similar pledge or promise was introduced by Fr. Theobald Matthew, it led to a movement which radically reduced crime. In today’s reading from Acts Paul shaves his head to fulfill a promise which likely included abstinence from alcohol.
The Nazarite vow or solemn promise has a long history in Israel. Curiously Samson is described as Nazarite in the Book of Judges, but he is required to refrain from using a razor. His mother, however, is to drink no alcoholic beverage nor eat unclean food during her pregnancy. Here we see the similarity to Paul’s vow. No motive is given for taking the vow, but it may be presumed that Paul takes it as a way of giving God thanks for the successful mission in Europe.
Besides religious sisters and brothers, ordinary people can make promises to God that they will perform some gratuitous action to honor Him. They should not be taken lightly although neither should they be held so rigidly that they cause harm. It is always wise to pray when making a promise, for example, when giving up some simple pleasure during Lent, that the Holy Spirit will provide the grace to fulfill it or to prudently forsake it when necessary.
(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)
In the United States the word pioneer is associated with characters like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. In Ireland when one hears “pioneer,” she or he thinks of the pledge to give up drinking alcohol. In the nineteenth century when a similar pledge or promise was introduced by Fr. Theobald Matthew, it led to a movement which radically reduced crime. In today’s reading from Acts Paul shaves his head to fulfill a promise which likely included abstinence from alcohol.
The Nazarite vow or solemn promise has a long history in Israel. Curiously Samson is described as Nazarite in the Book of Judges, but he is required to refrain from using a razor. His mother, however, is to drink no alcoholic beverage nor eat unclean food during her pregnancy. Here we see the similarity to Paul’s vow. No motive is given for taking the vow, but it may be presumed that Paul takes it as a way of giving God thanks for the successful mission in Europe.
Besides religious sisters and brothers, ordinary people can make promises to God that they will perform some gratuitous action to honor Him. They should not be taken lightly although neither should they be held so rigidly that they cause harm. It is always wise to pray when making a promise, for example, when giving up some simple pleasure during Lent, that the Holy Spirit will provide the grace to fulfill it or to prudently forsake it when necessary.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20)
Weeping is caused by secretion of fluid from the lachrymal glands. The action lubricates the surface of the eyeball. But exactly how this helps the one who cries is an open question. Some experts say that weeping is merely a response to strong emotions. Others claim that it serves a physiological purpose by removing hormones associated with stress.
Self-examination associates crying with loss of affection. For this reason, parents sob at the weddings of their children, and survivors weep at funerals of their loves ones. In this vain Jesus in the gospel today anticipates the tears of his disciples on the night before his death. “(Y)ou will weep and mourn…but your grief will come to joy,” he tells them knowing that the resurrection will follow his crucifixion on the next day.
In a different gospel and context Jesus assures us, “Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.” He has the same reward in mind that he promises in today’s passage. When our tears express a love for Jesus that plays out in service to one another, we can be assured that they will end in our glory.
(Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20)
Weeping is caused by secretion of fluid from the lachrymal glands. The action lubricates the surface of the eyeball. But exactly how this helps the one who cries is an open question. Some experts say that weeping is merely a response to strong emotions. Others claim that it serves a physiological purpose by removing hormones associated with stress.
Self-examination associates crying with loss of affection. For this reason, parents sob at the weddings of their children, and survivors weep at funerals of their loves ones. In this vain Jesus in the gospel today anticipates the tears of his disciples on the night before his death. “(Y)ou will weep and mourn…but your grief will come to joy,” he tells them knowing that the resurrection will follow his crucifixion on the next day.
In a different gospel and context Jesus assures us, “Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.” He has the same reward in mind that he promises in today’s passage. When our tears express a love for Jesus that plays out in service to one another, we can be assured that they will end in our glory.
Wedensday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 17:15.22-18.1; John 16:12-15)
“Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, ’Let Newton be!’ and all was light.” With these words Alexander Pope honored Isaac Newton, the renowned English physicist. Newton’s Principia Mathematica described the laws of motion in the seventeenth century. The work was considered infallible until Einstein reformulated the laws in terms of relativity. It cannot be said that Newton actually discovered the laws, which are more or less self-evident. But he did explain them so that the world might understand their dynamics. His work may be compared to how Jesus describes the role of the Spirit in today’s gospel.
When Jesus says that the Spirit “will declare to you the things that are coming,” he is referring to his death and resurrection. Because the significance of this paschal event is beyond human intelligence, they need an interpreter. Jesus cannot explain them because the disciples have not yet experienced them. He has already declared himself to be “the truth.” Now he says the Spirit will guide the disciples to “all truth”; that is, the full meaning of himself.
The Spirit must be active in our lives if we are experience the effects of Jesus’ redemption. The Spirit moves us from attachment to the superficial delights of creation, sets our hearts on eternal life, and propels us to give of ourselves in love so that we may achieve our heart’s desire. The Spirit is an unimaginable, completely gratuitous gift that the Father sends us through Jesus.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Memorial of Saint Isidore (patron of farmers)
(Acts 16:22-34; John 16:5-11)
The way some people talk, farming in the United States is strictly big business. It is probably mostly so, but there are marvelous exceptions like Joel Salatin’s farm in Virginia. There crops are rotated, cows eat grass, and chickens feed on bugs. It is the kind of farming associated with St. Isidore, whose feast is celebrated today in rural areas around the world.
St. Isidore was a Spanish peasant of the twelfth century. He did not own his own land but diligently worked the manor of another. In his simplicity and devoutness he appears much like the jailer in the reading from Acts. The man is so bereaved by the thought of prisoners’ escaping on his watch that he wants to kill himself. Paul saves him from committing the terrible deed and introduces him to one worth dying for. The jailer, along with his family, embraces Jesus along.
We must remember that saints are not usually found among “world champions” or “the world’s richest.” Rather saints are people who live every moment of everyday trying to please the God who, they know, cherishes them as sons and daughters.
(Acts 16:22-34; John 16:5-11)
The way some people talk, farming in the United States is strictly big business. It is probably mostly so, but there are marvelous exceptions like Joel Salatin’s farm in Virginia. There crops are rotated, cows eat grass, and chickens feed on bugs. It is the kind of farming associated with St. Isidore, whose feast is celebrated today in rural areas around the world.
St. Isidore was a Spanish peasant of the twelfth century. He did not own his own land but diligently worked the manor of another. In his simplicity and devoutness he appears much like the jailer in the reading from Acts. The man is so bereaved by the thought of prisoners’ escaping on his watch that he wants to kill himself. Paul saves him from committing the terrible deed and introduces him to one worth dying for. The jailer, along with his family, embraces Jesus along.
We must remember that saints are not usually found among “world champions” or “the world’s richest.” Rather saints are people who live every moment of everyday trying to please the God who, they know, cherishes them as sons and daughters.
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