Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)
In A Grief Observed, his memoir of dealing with the death of his wife, C.S. Lewis exhibits no euphoria about eventual reunion. He almost dismisses the idea saying that it is not biblical and, in any case, cannot be a replay of earthly bliss. In this remark Lewis reflects the surprising teaching of Jesus in today’s gospel.
The context of the passage is a debate between Jesus and a group of Sadducees, the priestly party which does not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees propose to Jesus an almost ridiculous scenario of seven brothers marrying in succession the same woman in order to give the first brother-husband an heir. Then they pose the question, “’At the resurrection when they arise, whose wife shall she be?’’’ Jesus responds that the Sadducees misunderstand the nature of resurrected life where marriage between man and woman does not exist.
Although Christians eagerly look forward to eternal life, it is best that we not try to describe it. Saying that it is like an eternal honeymoon seems to conflict with what Jesus is saying here. Describing it as an eternal liturgy is likely to take away many people’s interest. The idea of an eternal banquet may raise more interest, but sound theologians have commented that there is no corporal satiation in heaven. We just don’t know what eternal life is like, yet we do know that it is eminently worth striving for.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr
(2 Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)
Saint Boniface confronted many challenges in a long career. He was an English monk who served for a while as both a resident scholar and administrator of an abbey school. At forty he became a missionary in what is now northern Netherlands and eventually was named by Pope Gregory the Great as bishop of Germany where he was to preach to non-Christians. He baptized thousands, ordained and organized the hierarchy of Germany, and founded a famous monastery at Fulda. He was martyred as he was preparing to confirm German converts. The gospel today pictures Jesus in Jerusalem as facing the first of a similar series of challenges.
Jesus is confronted by an odd mixture of Pharisees and Herodians. His adversaries place him on the horns of the ancient dilemma of who is owed allegiance—God or the state. Jesus sagely calls for a middle way. He tells his challengers that people should pay the state its proper tribute and God His. In other words, they are to keep the two distinct. There is no inherent conflict.
Sometimes, however, the interests of Church and state come to loggerheads. Such is the case in the present standoff between the Obama Administration and the Catholic Church on the issue of mandating the payment of health insurance that includes contraceptive services. Of course, the Church gives a priority to God’s law. It seems hardly possible that it may pay for a morally offensive service.
(2 Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)
Saint Boniface confronted many challenges in a long career. He was an English monk who served for a while as both a resident scholar and administrator of an abbey school. At forty he became a missionary in what is now northern Netherlands and eventually was named by Pope Gregory the Great as bishop of Germany where he was to preach to non-Christians. He baptized thousands, ordained and organized the hierarchy of Germany, and founded a famous monastery at Fulda. He was martyred as he was preparing to confirm German converts. The gospel today pictures Jesus in Jerusalem as facing the first of a similar series of challenges.
Jesus is confronted by an odd mixture of Pharisees and Herodians. His adversaries place him on the horns of the ancient dilemma of who is owed allegiance—God or the state. Jesus sagely calls for a middle way. He tells his challengers that people should pay the state its proper tribute and God His. In other words, they are to keep the two distinct. There is no inherent conflict.
Sometimes, however, the interests of Church and state come to loggerheads. Such is the case in the present standoff between the Obama Administration and the Catholic Church on the issue of mandating the payment of health insurance that includes contraceptive services. Of course, the Church gives a priority to God’s law. It seems hardly possible that it may pay for a morally offensive service.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary time
(2 Peter 1:2-7; Mark 12:1-12)
The Greek language has different words for love. Love is eros when it is acquisitive of one’s own benefit. Lovers are known for this kind of love. Love is charis when it seeks mutual spiritual benefit. Charis is characteristic of love between friends who count on one another in thick and thin. The purest kind of love is agape. Agape seeks nothing for oneself but only the other’s betterment because the other already possesses some good. God loves humans out of agape. The reading from Peter today offers Christians a strategy for developing perfect love.
But it must be said that agape is not strictly a human enterprise. God’s grace must precede it as the author indicates in the initial verse. Still it requires effort, not to complement God’s work but to live it. In a series of calls to mounting sacrifice – virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, and mutual affection -- Peter shows his readers how their faith can end in perfect love or agape.
Some may balk at Peter’s call. The goal, after all, is not the accumulation of either fortune or fun. Many will begin the quest and flag along the way because of the increasing difficulty of the challenge. We hope to persevere – to become saints like Jesus himself. But if we too falter in the trial, we still can turn to Jesus for mercy.
(2 Peter 1:2-7; Mark 12:1-12)
The Greek language has different words for love. Love is eros when it is acquisitive of one’s own benefit. Lovers are known for this kind of love. Love is charis when it seeks mutual spiritual benefit. Charis is characteristic of love between friends who count on one another in thick and thin. The purest kind of love is agape. Agape seeks nothing for oneself but only the other’s betterment because the other already possesses some good. God loves humans out of agape. The reading from Peter today offers Christians a strategy for developing perfect love.
But it must be said that agape is not strictly a human enterprise. God’s grace must precede it as the author indicates in the initial verse. Still it requires effort, not to complement God’s work but to live it. In a series of calls to mounting sacrifice – virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, and mutual affection -- Peter shows his readers how their faith can end in perfect love or agape.
Some may balk at Peter’s call. The goal, after all, is not the accumulation of either fortune or fun. Many will begin the quest and flag along the way because of the increasing difficulty of the challenge. We hope to persevere – to become saints like Jesus himself. But if we too falter in the trial, we still can turn to Jesus for mercy.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Memorial of St. Justin, martyr
(I Peter 4:7-13; Mark 11:11-26)
The title “Good Samaritan” will always belong to the protagonist of Jesus’ parable about the man who helped a foreign stranger in need. But St. Justin is also worthy of the distinction. Born in Samaria with a hunger for truth, he converted to Christianity which he found capable of satisfying his need. He died a martyr when he was given the choice of worshipping idols or giving up his life. Justin’s life conforms well to the admonitions in today’s first reading.
Peter’s letter warns its readers to be “serious and sober-minded.” Nothing is to interfere with their attention to God and their love of neighbor. It mentions a “trial by fire” for peace-loving Christians indicating that their exemplary behavior will escape neither the world’s envy nor its contempt.
In an election year we must remain vigilant. There are many issues on which we are to evaluate candidates. We will be scorned for not giving central importance to bread and butter questions like how the economy may best serve our personal interests. Like Justin, however, we turn to Christ who will satisfy our need for what is true.
(I Peter 4:7-13; Mark 11:11-26)
The title “Good Samaritan” will always belong to the protagonist of Jesus’ parable about the man who helped a foreign stranger in need. But St. Justin is also worthy of the distinction. Born in Samaria with a hunger for truth, he converted to Christianity which he found capable of satisfying his need. He died a martyr when he was given the choice of worshipping idols or giving up his life. Justin’s life conforms well to the admonitions in today’s first reading.
Peter’s letter warns its readers to be “serious and sober-minded.” Nothing is to interfere with their attention to God and their love of neighbor. It mentions a “trial by fire” for peace-loving Christians indicating that their exemplary behavior will escape neither the world’s envy nor its contempt.
In an election year we must remain vigilant. There are many issues on which we are to evaluate candidates. We will be scorned for not giving central importance to bread and butter questions like how the economy may best serve our personal interests. Like Justin, however, we turn to Christ who will satisfy our need for what is true.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)
The sportswriters were frustrated. They wanted the star athlete to talk about himself, but he continually deferred to others. His teammates’ play allowed him to stand out. His family’s support was instrumental in making him who he was. The dialogue resembled, in a way, Mary’s speech in the gospel today.
In visiting her kinswoman, Mary is given a supreme compliment. Elizabeth calls her the “most blessed …among woman” for bearing Jesus inside her womb. At this point one would expect Mary to return the compliment or to explain what she did to merit such an honor. But her eyes are fixed on God. Rather than speak of her own virtue or anyone else’s, she gives all the credit to the Lord. He “has looked with favor on his lowly servant.” He “has done great things” for her. He always “has mercy on those who fear him.”
Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements so much that often enough we slip into vanity. Mary, the model disciple, reminds us that God is the source of every good deed we do. To sing His praises, not our own, is our role as agents in the new evangelization.
(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)
The sportswriters were frustrated. They wanted the star athlete to talk about himself, but he continually deferred to others. His teammates’ play allowed him to stand out. His family’s support was instrumental in making him who he was. The dialogue resembled, in a way, Mary’s speech in the gospel today.
In visiting her kinswoman, Mary is given a supreme compliment. Elizabeth calls her the “most blessed …among woman” for bearing Jesus inside her womb. At this point one would expect Mary to return the compliment or to explain what she did to merit such an honor. But her eyes are fixed on God. Rather than speak of her own virtue or anyone else’s, she gives all the credit to the Lord. He “has looked with favor on his lowly servant.” He “has done great things” for her. He always “has mercy on those who fear him.”
Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements so much that often enough we slip into vanity. Mary, the model disciple, reminds us that God is the source of every good deed we do. To sing His praises, not our own, is our role as agents in the new evangelization.
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