Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Luke 8:16-18)
The sign near the prison chapel reads, “Prayer is talking to God; meditation is listening to him.” But prisoners are not the only ones to be reminded that communication with God is a two-way street. Many think of God only when in need of assistance. They forget that God has expectations of them. In today’s gospel Jesus makes this point.
When Jesus says that no one lights a lamp to place it under a bed, he means that he does not enlighten his hearers just for their own sake. Rather, he intends that his hearers put his message into practice. They are to love God and neighbor by forgiving wrongs and helping the poor.
Our lives are often so busy that we postpone indefinitely assisting the needy. Also, we may become so hardened by the cultural ideal of being recognized that we forget Jesus’ call to reconciliation. Certainly the road to eternal life leads through these virtues of compassion and forgiveness.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Feast of Saint Matthew, evangelist
(Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)
For almost a hundred years countries all over the globe have honored their war dead with a “tomb of the unknown soldier.” With the discovery of DNA, the custom is facing a challenge. Fallen soldiers, no matter how mutilated, may be identified through his or her DNA composition. But, of course, war dead are still given due respect by the reverence paid to their multiple burial sites. Today the Church honors an evangelist whose identity has undergone the reverse challenge to that of unknown soldiers.
Although Matthew, the publican in today’s passage, has traditionally been associated with the author of the first gospel, historians cannot find firm evidence for the linkage. Most certainly the gospel was written by a scribe who did not know Jesus historically. From the gospel’s composition, we can say that although the author was conversant with the Jewish Scriptures, his fluency fluent in Greek and developed sense of Church structure probably situates him in a time beyond that of the original apostles.
We need not be disillusioned that we cannot precisely identify any of the four evangelists. Nevertheless we rejoice in the fact that they have related to us the story of Jesus. It is this story rendered in four unique versions which keeps us on the path of righteousness. It is this gospel that leads us to salvation.
(Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)
For almost a hundred years countries all over the globe have honored their war dead with a “tomb of the unknown soldier.” With the discovery of DNA, the custom is facing a challenge. Fallen soldiers, no matter how mutilated, may be identified through his or her DNA composition. But, of course, war dead are still given due respect by the reverence paid to their multiple burial sites. Today the Church honors an evangelist whose identity has undergone the reverse challenge to that of unknown soldiers.
Although Matthew, the publican in today’s passage, has traditionally been associated with the author of the first gospel, historians cannot find firm evidence for the linkage. Most certainly the gospel was written by a scribe who did not know Jesus historically. From the gospel’s composition, we can say that although the author was conversant with the Jewish Scriptures, his fluency fluent in Greek and developed sense of Church structure probably situates him in a time beyond that of the original apostles.
We need not be disillusioned that we cannot precisely identify any of the four evangelists. Nevertheless we rejoice in the fact that they have related to us the story of Jesus. It is this story rendered in four unique versions which keeps us on the path of righteousness. It is this gospel that leads us to salvation.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, priest and martyr; Paul Chong Ha-sang, martyr; and companions, martyrs
(I Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50)
In this time of execution in the name of religion we are reminded today that Christians have suffered martyrdom in every age and throughout the earth. Saints Andrew Kim, Paul Chong, and many companions were killed for being Catholic Christians in Korea less than two hundred years ago. Their story includes a tribute to lay people who evidently had brought Christianity to Korea at least a generation before. When French missionaries arrived in 1836, they found the faith rooted in several communities.
Andrew Kim’s father was a Korean official who converted to Christianity. Eventually he too died a martyr for practicing his faith in a land where it was forbidden. Andrew became the first native Korean to be ordained a priest. In his early twenties when he returned to Korea to minister to his people, he was tortured and beheaded at the age of twenty-five. His dying testimony reflects the hope of the resurrection that St. Paul proclaims in the first reading today. Andrew said: “My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death.”
Living in western societies, we cannot accept tranquilly the news that Muslims would execute innocent people because of the flimsiest of relations to the producer of a libel movie. Both actions are regrettable although the first deserves greater condemnation than the second. Still Christ compels us to pray for and not to damn the perpetrators. His innocent suffering brought him to the resurrection and won for us the grace to love our enemies.
(I Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50)
In this time of execution in the name of religion we are reminded today that Christians have suffered martyrdom in every age and throughout the earth. Saints Andrew Kim, Paul Chong, and many companions were killed for being Catholic Christians in Korea less than two hundred years ago. Their story includes a tribute to lay people who evidently had brought Christianity to Korea at least a generation before. When French missionaries arrived in 1836, they found the faith rooted in several communities.
Andrew Kim’s father was a Korean official who converted to Christianity. Eventually he too died a martyr for practicing his faith in a land where it was forbidden. Andrew became the first native Korean to be ordained a priest. In his early twenties when he returned to Korea to minister to his people, he was tortured and beheaded at the age of twenty-five. His dying testimony reflects the hope of the resurrection that St. Paul proclaims in the first reading today. Andrew said: “My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death.”
Living in western societies, we cannot accept tranquilly the news that Muslims would execute innocent people because of the flimsiest of relations to the producer of a libel movie. Both actions are regrettable although the first deserves greater condemnation than the second. Still Christ compels us to pray for and not to damn the perpetrators. His innocent suffering brought him to the resurrection and won for us the grace to love our enemies.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 7:31-35)
In a song meant for the whole world, the Beatles famously crooned, “All you need is love.” They presented it in the first live telecast via international satellite. Their message was heard by 400 million people in twenty-six countries. The words echo St. Paul’s lesson in today’s reading from I Corinthians.
Yes, love is all that is needed, but not any kind of love. Love normally begins as eros or acquisitive love meant to satisfy one’s desire. Such love attracts people to one another and spurs them to work hard. But its motive needs to be purified of selfishness if it is to merit salvation; that is, if it is “all you need.” Paul rightly does not exclude faith and hope from a triumvirate with love. Faith turns one to Christ for help when life poses its challenges, and hope keeps in view the ultimate goal of life -- union with God.
Our society glorifies love, usually equating it with an erotic variety. We Christians do not eschew romantic love but recognize its limitations. Rather than an exclusive love for one or a few people, we strive for a higher kind that moves us to care about everyone and takes us much farther on life’s course.
(I Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 7:31-35)
In a song meant for the whole world, the Beatles famously crooned, “All you need is love.” They presented it in the first live telecast via international satellite. Their message was heard by 400 million people in twenty-six countries. The words echo St. Paul’s lesson in today’s reading from I Corinthians.
Yes, love is all that is needed, but not any kind of love. Love normally begins as eros or acquisitive love meant to satisfy one’s desire. Such love attracts people to one another and spurs them to work hard. But its motive needs to be purified of selfishness if it is to merit salvation; that is, if it is “all you need.” Paul rightly does not exclude faith and hope from a triumvirate with love. Faith turns one to Christ for help when life poses its challenges, and hope keeps in view the ultimate goal of life -- union with God.
Our society glorifies love, usually equating it with an erotic variety. We Christians do not eschew romantic love but recognize its limitations. Rather than an exclusive love for one or a few people, we strive for a higher kind that moves us to care about everyone and takes us much farther on life’s course.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 12:12-14.27-31a; Luke 7:11-17)
"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light."
Poet Dylan Thomas conveys the absolute unacceptability of death. It breaks up our relationships as well as separates our bodies and souls. As one reverend termed it, "Death is THE enemy." Jesus addresses himself to the culprit in today's gospel.
While the widow grieves the loss of her only son, Jesus takes compassion. It is notable that he does not attempt to console her by saying God will provide or by assuring that her son now knows a greater peace. Rather he restores her son to her alive and whole. As the prodigal father says of his formerly wayward son, he was dead and has come back to life.
The faithful know that the sainted dead live on in God’s love, but they should realize that this end is not the fullness of our hope in Christ. No, we humans –consummate bodily creatures all – look forward to the resurrection of our bodies when we will live in light and beauty. And if we are now disfigured by disease or even our own compulsions, will we have to feel inferior forever? No, Christ’s calling us from the dead will give perfect form to each of our bodies. It is truly an end to prepare for.
(I Corinthians 12:12-14.27-31a; Luke 7:11-17)
"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light."
Poet Dylan Thomas conveys the absolute unacceptability of death. It breaks up our relationships as well as separates our bodies and souls. As one reverend termed it, "Death is THE enemy." Jesus addresses himself to the culprit in today's gospel.
While the widow grieves the loss of her only son, Jesus takes compassion. It is notable that he does not attempt to console her by saying God will provide or by assuring that her son now knows a greater peace. Rather he restores her son to her alive and whole. As the prodigal father says of his formerly wayward son, he was dead and has come back to life.
The faithful know that the sainted dead live on in God’s love, but they should realize that this end is not the fullness of our hope in Christ. No, we humans –consummate bodily creatures all – look forward to the resurrection of our bodies when we will live in light and beauty. And if we are now disfigured by disease or even our own compulsions, will we have to feel inferior forever? No, Christ’s calling us from the dead will give perfect form to each of our bodies. It is truly an end to prepare for.
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