Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church
(I Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19)
“Dear St. Anthony, look around,” Catholics have long prayed for lost objects. Theologically, the prayer requests the saint's intercession with God so that in His Providence they may locate whatever has been misplaced. Most often, it seems, the objects are indeed found. Such a beneficent force is at work in the first reading today.
Elijah is contemptuous of the indigenous god Baal precisely because the god has no real existence. The prophet’s aim is to reconnect the people with their true God. Because their enchantment with falsity runs deep, the antidote must be strong. Elijah first allows Baal’s own prophets to come out in force and exhort their god to act. When Baal fails to produce the desired fire, Elijah has both his sacrifice and the wood to burn it doused with water before he singlehandedly calls on Israel’s Lord to send a thunderbolt. The prayer is answered, and the people return, at least for a while, to worship the true God.
We may feel silly praying for an incidental object that we cannot find. But is it not sillier to curse the object because we do not know what we have done with it? Such prayers turn us to God whom we need more than air or water. And, yes, it is hardly a coincidence that after such prayers we almost always find what we are looking for.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
(I king 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13-16)
According to social philosopher David Brooks people today like to think of themselves as good. Yet they find themselves, as always, giving in to selfishness and other vices. How do they live with the contradiction? They mix and match trying to keep themselves on the positive side of the moral ledger. For example, they may justify taking $20 they see lying on the floor but turn in a wallet with $100 by saying that the $100 obviously belonged to somebody. Such moral calculus hardly approaches what Jesus has in mind in the gospel today.
Jesus wants his disciples to be perfect. They are to give good example and, indeed, attract others by their moral rectitude. In fact, they are to live in such exemplary ways that their neighbors will thank God for having them in their midst.
We should never justify immoral acts by saying that everyone does them. The statement is false and in any case does not live up to Jesus’ expectations. Some moralists criticize using as a guide to good behavior, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps it is difficult to extrapolate Jesus’ actions in modern society. But we can certainly ask, “What does Jesus want us to do?” We hear him telling us in the gospel today to act as a model for everyone to follow.
(I king 17:7-16; Matthew 5:13-16)
According to social philosopher David Brooks people today like to think of themselves as good. Yet they find themselves, as always, giving in to selfishness and other vices. How do they live with the contradiction? They mix and match trying to keep themselves on the positive side of the moral ledger. For example, they may justify taking $20 they see lying on the floor but turn in a wallet with $100 by saying that the $100 obviously belonged to somebody. Such moral calculus hardly approaches what Jesus has in mind in the gospel today.
Jesus wants his disciples to be perfect. They are to give good example and, indeed, attract others by their moral rectitude. In fact, they are to live in such exemplary ways that their neighbors will thank God for having them in their midst.
We should never justify immoral acts by saying that everyone does them. The statement is false and in any case does not live up to Jesus’ expectations. Some moralists criticize using as a guide to good behavior, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps it is difficult to extrapolate Jesus’ actions in modern society. But we can certainly ask, “What does Jesus want us to do?” We hear him telling us in the gospel today to act as a model for everyone to follow.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle
(Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)
The patriots of the American Revolution risked their lives and their fortunes in order to establish the new nation. Surely George Washington and John Adams would have been hung for treason had they not prevailed in their cause. Today the Church honors one of the patriots of the faith. Although he was not a disciple of Jesus, St. Barnabas joined the Christian community in its infancy and gave himself for its growth.
Barnabas is first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as Joseph, a Jew from Cyprus. He is the man who sells some property he owns and gives all the proceeds to the apostles. He becomes the emissary of the Jerusalem community to Antioch where pagan Greeks are turning to faith in Jesus. His name is translated by the author of Acts as “son of encouragement” as if to say that he is the indicated person for the work because of a sunny temperament. Perhaps his congeniality makes him the right person to investigate the strange news from Damascus that Saul, formerly the terror of Tarsus, has converted to Christ. Barnabas will accompany the newly named Paul until, according to Acts, his willingness to overlook a fellow traveler’s indiscretion clashes with Paul’s apostolic discipline.
Obviously, Barnabas has much to teach us. Generosity, friendliness, and dedication are indispensable on the Christian journey. Most of all, perhaps, Barnabas models Christian hope. We do not place ultimate stock in what we acquire for ourselves. No, God has graced us immeasurably in Christ. What we do merely reflects His goodness and propels us closer to Him.
(Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)
The patriots of the American Revolution risked their lives and their fortunes in order to establish the new nation. Surely George Washington and John Adams would have been hung for treason had they not prevailed in their cause. Today the Church honors one of the patriots of the faith. Although he was not a disciple of Jesus, St. Barnabas joined the Christian community in its infancy and gave himself for its growth.
Barnabas is first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as Joseph, a Jew from Cyprus. He is the man who sells some property he owns and gives all the proceeds to the apostles. He becomes the emissary of the Jerusalem community to Antioch where pagan Greeks are turning to faith in Jesus. His name is translated by the author of Acts as “son of encouragement” as if to say that he is the indicated person for the work because of a sunny temperament. Perhaps his congeniality makes him the right person to investigate the strange news from Damascus that Saul, formerly the terror of Tarsus, has converted to Christ. Barnabas will accompany the newly named Paul until, according to Acts, his willingness to overlook a fellow traveler’s indiscretion clashes with Paul’s apostolic discipline.
Obviously, Barnabas has much to teach us. Generosity, friendliness, and dedication are indispensable on the Christian journey. Most of all, perhaps, Barnabas models Christian hope. We do not place ultimate stock in what we acquire for ourselves. No, God has graced us immeasurably in Christ. What we do merely reflects His goodness and propels us closer to Him.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Timothy 3:10-17; Mark 12:35-37)
A Protestant layman once told a Catholic priest how much he envied him. The layman said that he would love to have meditation on Scripture his life’s work. Lay people can, of course, study Scripture, but their efforts are almost exclusively an avocation. Priests and Protestant ministers, on the other hand, make their careers deriving Scripture’s meaning and conveying their understanding to others in an appealing way.
St. Paul in the first reading today shows the highest regard for Scripture. He knows that it provides rich soil to root one’s life in. He exhorts Timothy, as the leader of a community, to find nourishment in Scripture. Working with it, he will find success as God’s minister as well as support as a vulnerable human being.
In fact, reflecting on Scripture daily, like a balanced diet enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids, will enrich anyone’s life. We cannot read it like Italians drink coffee in one gulp. Rather, more like cognac, Scripture should be read slowly and savored. It will leave behind an appreciation of life that will see us through both rough times and good.
(II Timothy 3:10-17; Mark 12:35-37)
A Protestant layman once told a Catholic priest how much he envied him. The layman said that he would love to have meditation on Scripture his life’s work. Lay people can, of course, study Scripture, but their efforts are almost exclusively an avocation. Priests and Protestant ministers, on the other hand, make their careers deriving Scripture’s meaning and conveying their understanding to others in an appealing way.
St. Paul in the first reading today shows the highest regard for Scripture. He knows that it provides rich soil to root one’s life in. He exhorts Timothy, as the leader of a community, to find nourishment in Scripture. Working with it, he will find success as God’s minister as well as support as a vulnerable human being.
In fact, reflecting on Scripture daily, like a balanced diet enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids, will enrich anyone’s life. We cannot read it like Italians drink coffee in one gulp. Rather, more like cognac, Scripture should be read slowly and savored. It will leave behind an appreciation of life that will see us through both rough times and good.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Timothy 2:8-15; Mark 12:28-34)
There is a story about a holy man who was journeying through a forest. As he was preparing to spend the night, a robber approached and demanded that the holy man hand over his most valuable possession. The holy man without hesitation reached into his bag to pull out a diamond as large as a grapefruit. He gave it to the robber saying, "You must mean this." The robber took the diamond and happily went his way. Not long afterwards, however, he returned to the holy man. "Now," he said, "give me the treasure that made it so easy for you to hand over that diamond."
The greater treasure that makes a person capable of letting go of all material objects is God. He provides for peoples’ material needs and gives them hope for eternal happiness. Love for God has a diffusive quality which explains the apparent conflict in Jesus' dual commandment in today's gospel. People can love God with all their heart and still love their neighbor because love for God, the source and ground of all being, includes the responsibility to care about His creation.
It is not easy to love God. As human beings dependent upon material creation, we easily forget the spiritual creator. Still devoting our time and energy to prayer, we will fulfill Jesus' first commandment and if we do that, it is no great hurdle to love our neighbors.
(II Timothy 2:8-15; Mark 12:28-34)
There is a story about a holy man who was journeying through a forest. As he was preparing to spend the night, a robber approached and demanded that the holy man hand over his most valuable possession. The holy man without hesitation reached into his bag to pull out a diamond as large as a grapefruit. He gave it to the robber saying, "You must mean this." The robber took the diamond and happily went his way. Not long afterwards, however, he returned to the holy man. "Now," he said, "give me the treasure that made it so easy for you to hand over that diamond."
The greater treasure that makes a person capable of letting go of all material objects is God. He provides for peoples’ material needs and gives them hope for eternal happiness. Love for God has a diffusive quality which explains the apparent conflict in Jesus' dual commandment in today's gospel. People can love God with all their heart and still love their neighbor because love for God, the source and ground of all being, includes the responsibility to care about His creation.
It is not easy to love God. As human beings dependent upon material creation, we easily forget the spiritual creator. Still devoting our time and energy to prayer, we will fulfill Jesus' first commandment and if we do that, it is no great hurdle to love our neighbors.
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