Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 18:41-46; Matthew 5:20-26)
The seven sacraments use the most ordinary of objects to relate God’s presence. Water, bread, wine, oil, the human body: one does not have to go far to find the stuff that conveys eternal life. Similarly in the first reading God’s work is manifested in the simplest of forms on the horizon.
Elijah’s servant spies a wisp of a cloud in the distance. It seems hardly probably that it will produce the rain that the earth craves at the time. But just as the Lord speaks later in the saga of Elijah through a gentle breeze, the cloud grows into a thunderhead that revives the parched land.
We should not expect God to approach us in grandeur. Indeed, it is much more characteristic of Him to come to us humbly. We faithfully wait on Him by keeping His commandments and speaking to Him in prayer.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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.
(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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)