Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah 30:1-2.12-15.18-22; Matthew 14:22-36)
With the war in Syria spreading the Christian minority lives in fear. Not long along the Chaldean Catholic bishop of Aleppo told how Christians fear anarchy if government troops are defeated. It is a terrible situation as the rebels, who have gained international support, see Christians as government allies. Like Peter in today’s gospel Syrian Christians’ faith in Jesus is being tested to the limit.
The scene is said to be symbolic. The boat of disciples is the Church; the night, evil; the storm, a particular crisis. Jesus is behind the scenes ready to assist his followers in need. The disciples question their faith, “It is a ghost,” they fear. But Jesus reassures them, “It is I”; literally, the great “I AM.” Peter, always the first to speak up, seeks to go toward Jesus amidst the chaos. But then he succumbs to fear and desperately calls out for help. Jesus does not deny assistance, but when things calm down, he reprimands Peter along with the others, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
We too are not full of faith. When times grow rough, we are likely to question whether God is there to help us. Perhaps it will be in pain on our death beds. At such moments it is critical that we do not abandon our faith by taking a desperate measure like euthanasia. Rather, like Peter, we need to continue calling on the Lord. Like him, we will feel his saving help.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10)
Some people may feel confused about Christopher Columbus. As little children, they were taught that he was a hero bravely sailing into the unknown for the purpose of discovery. But as the 500th anniversary of his historic voyage approached, they were told that their history lessons were a whitewash and that in truth he was a marauder and even a fool thinking he reached China. Recently an historian from Stanford University studied the pertinent documents of the times and Columbus’ personal papers. She gives objective testimony that he was indeed a great man with sensitivity toward the people he encountered in his journeys. The Transfiguration provides similar testimony for, at least, Peter, James, and John who were somewhat puzzled about Jesus.
Although Peter has already acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, neither he nor the others had a proper concept of what the term means in reference to Jesus. Peter in fact is unwilling to accept that being God’s anointed entails suffering brutally on behalf of the people. The Transfiguration on the mountain gives them a glimpse into Jesus’ divine nature. To be sure, it is a brief revelation as the disciples descend the mountain wondering what Jesus means by saying that he will rise from the dead. Still they no longer refute him when he speaks of dying.
Living in a secular age we sometimes feel the ground of our faith swerving beneath us. Yet there are moments in all of our lives when we just know that our beliefs are true. These are Transfiguration experiences, and we must hold on to them and indeed tell others about them. They will assist us in being faithful to the Lord who gave himself entirely for our salvation.
(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10)
Some people may feel confused about Christopher Columbus. As little children, they were taught that he was a hero bravely sailing into the unknown for the purpose of discovery. But as the 500th anniversary of his historic voyage approached, they were told that their history lessons were a whitewash and that in truth he was a marauder and even a fool thinking he reached China. Recently an historian from Stanford University studied the pertinent documents of the times and Columbus’ personal papers. She gives objective testimony that he was indeed a great man with sensitivity toward the people he encountered in his journeys. The Transfiguration provides similar testimony for, at least, Peter, James, and John who were somewhat puzzled about Jesus.
Although Peter has already acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, neither he nor the others had a proper concept of what the term means in reference to Jesus. Peter in fact is unwilling to accept that being God’s anointed entails suffering brutally on behalf of the people. The Transfiguration on the mountain gives them a glimpse into Jesus’ divine nature. To be sure, it is a brief revelation as the disciples descend the mountain wondering what Jesus means by saying that he will rise from the dead. Still they no longer refute him when he speaks of dying.
Living in a secular age we sometimes feel the ground of our faith swerving beneath us. Yet there are moments in all of our lives when we just know that our beliefs are true. These are Transfiguration experiences, and we must hold on to them and indeed tell others about them. They will assist us in being faithful to the Lord who gave himself entirely for our salvation.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah 26:1-9; Matthew 13:54-58)
In one of his novels Larry McMurtry tells the story of an antique collector who buys a precious item from the owners of a second-hand store. The owners ask a price many times below the actual value of the object because they do not know what it is really worth. The story reminds us of how the people of Nazareth consider Jesus in today’s gospel
The townspeople where Jesus grew up do not recognize Jesus for who he really is. They think that they know him because they are acquainted with his family. But they do not realize that he is actually the long awaited Messiah whom God has anointed with the Spirit to save Israel. Even his miraculous cures and his authoritative teaching fail to penetrate their obtuseness.
Some of us may be scandalized by the ways that Jesus makes himself present to us. He does not present himself at a grand banquet which costs thousands of dollars to attend. No, he comes at our gathering in his name and makes himself palpable in the Eucharistic hosts and simple wine that we bring to the altar. His teachings promising eternal life are likewise not complicated doctrines that require a Ph.D. to understand. Rather, they contain the straightforward message that we are to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We must be careful not to find some other excuse to reject Jesus. No, despite the challenges with which he confronts us, we want to embrace him with all our hearts.
(Jeremiah 26:1-9; Matthew 13:54-58)
In one of his novels Larry McMurtry tells the story of an antique collector who buys a precious item from the owners of a second-hand store. The owners ask a price many times below the actual value of the object because they do not know what it is really worth. The story reminds us of how the people of Nazareth consider Jesus in today’s gospel
The townspeople where Jesus grew up do not recognize Jesus for who he really is. They think that they know him because they are acquainted with his family. But they do not realize that he is actually the long awaited Messiah whom God has anointed with the Spirit to save Israel. Even his miraculous cures and his authoritative teaching fail to penetrate their obtuseness.
Some of us may be scandalized by the ways that Jesus makes himself present to us. He does not present himself at a grand banquet which costs thousands of dollars to attend. No, he comes at our gathering in his name and makes himself palpable in the Eucharistic hosts and simple wine that we bring to the altar. His teachings promising eternal life are likewise not complicated doctrines that require a Ph.D. to understand. Rather, they contain the straightforward message that we are to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We must be careful not to find some other excuse to reject Jesus. No, despite the challenges with which he confronts us, we want to embrace him with all our hearts.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53)
Author Graham Greene once wrote of his preference for the Gospel according to John. He liked the fourth gospel because it does not warn against hellfire. The Gospel according to Matthew, on the other hand, seems to relish talk of “wailing and the grinding of teeth.”
Today’s passage provides an example. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of heaven being like a dragnet which hauls in both good and bad fish. Although Jesus says that the good fish will be set aside in buckets, emphasis is placed on the bad which will be thrown away just as the angels send the wicked to a “fiery furnace” at the end of time.
It has become fashionable to claim that no one may be in hell. But shouldn’t that thesis make us wonder whether justice is rendered to those who deliberately choose evil? Purgatory -- an intensive purifying experience – may provide a solution to the dilemma. Or perhaps the wicked are just left for oblivion without either the burning or beatitude? In any case we should keep in mind that Jesus’ purpose in speaking hell is to spur us to do what is right.
(Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53)
Author Graham Greene once wrote of his preference for the Gospel according to John. He liked the fourth gospel because it does not warn against hellfire. The Gospel according to Matthew, on the other hand, seems to relish talk of “wailing and the grinding of teeth.”
Today’s passage provides an example. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of heaven being like a dragnet which hauls in both good and bad fish. Although Jesus says that the good fish will be set aside in buckets, emphasis is placed on the bad which will be thrown away just as the angels send the wicked to a “fiery furnace” at the end of time.
It has become fashionable to claim that no one may be in hell. But shouldn’t that thesis make us wonder whether justice is rendered to those who deliberately choose evil? Purgatory -- an intensive purifying experience – may provide a solution to the dilemma. Or perhaps the wicked are just left for oblivion without either the burning or beatitude? In any case we should keep in mind that Jesus’ purpose in speaking hell is to spur us to do what is right.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, bishop and doctor of the Church
(Jeremiah 15:10.16-21; Matthew 13:44-46)
St. Teresa of Avila, the mystic-reformer of the sixteenth century, once complained to God of the mistreatment she was experiencing. God responded, “This is how I treat my friends, Teresa.” The saint replied, “Well, then, no wonder you have so few!” Teresa echoes Jeremiah’s sentiments in the first reading today.
Jeremiah has faithfully and selflessly served the Lord. He has performed bizarre activities like extracting from the earth a rotten loincloth to impress God’s message on a hard-headed Judah. Yet the only recognition he receives is condemnation. Jeremiah’s protest sounds as if God were compensating his efforts with more suffering. The prophet laments, “You have become for me a treacherous brook whose waters do not abide!”
Although our service to the Lord will generally bring a sense of satisfaction, there is no guarantee. In fact, at times it will seem that God is putting us on trial despite our best efforts. We should not hesitate to take our complaints to the Lord; however, we must avoid rebellion. After all, each of us is a sinner before God. Rather than grumble at length, it is wise to remember prophets like Jeremiah and Theresa and return our shoulder to the load. We are not likely to suffer very much longer.
(Jeremiah 15:10.16-21; Matthew 13:44-46)
St. Teresa of Avila, the mystic-reformer of the sixteenth century, once complained to God of the mistreatment she was experiencing. God responded, “This is how I treat my friends, Teresa.” The saint replied, “Well, then, no wonder you have so few!” Teresa echoes Jeremiah’s sentiments in the first reading today.
Jeremiah has faithfully and selflessly served the Lord. He has performed bizarre activities like extracting from the earth a rotten loincloth to impress God’s message on a hard-headed Judah. Yet the only recognition he receives is condemnation. Jeremiah’s protest sounds as if God were compensating his efforts with more suffering. The prophet laments, “You have become for me a treacherous brook whose waters do not abide!”
Although our service to the Lord will generally bring a sense of satisfaction, there is no guarantee. In fact, at times it will seem that God is putting us on trial despite our best efforts. We should not hesitate to take our complaints to the Lord; however, we must avoid rebellion. After all, each of us is a sinner before God. Rather than grumble at length, it is wise to remember prophets like Jeremiah and Theresa and return our shoulder to the load. We are not likely to suffer very much longer.
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