Memorial of Blessed Miguel Pro, priest and martyr
(Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19:45-48)
Blessed Miguel Pro was executed eighty-five years ago today by the Mexican Army for a trumped up charge of conspiracy in an assassination attempt. He was a young Jesuit priest who had recently returned to his country after formation in Belgium. At the time Mexico was in the throes of religious persecution by the state of the Catholic Church. Fr. Pro had to administer the sacraments clandestinely until he was arrested and shot. He died with the refrain “Viva Cristo Rey” (Long live Christ the King) on his lips.
Christ the King, whose feast will be celebrated on Sunday, is the hope of Christians suffering religious persecution. They know that sooner or later Christ will triumph over religious bigotry, no matter the setbacks people of faith now experience. The reading from Revelation today hints of this victory. The sweetness that John, the author, tastes comes from his narrating the ultimate triumph of Jesus. The sourness in the stomach reflects the great suffering caused in the process.
Some are predicting religious persecution in the United States soon. The Church has certainly lost its credibility among many people. The Mexican experience of the last century should advise all that harassment and suppression are possible. But whether or not there will be persecution of the Church, Catholics look to Christ the King for assurance that truth and goodness will ultimately prevail.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving Day
(Sirach 50:22-24; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19)
In one episode of “The Simpsons” Bart is to lead the family in grace before dinner. He speaks up saying something like, “Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing!” Such shallowness could only come from an insolent youngster or a fool.
Anyone who has thought about the benefits that he or she has must come to the realization that they are beyond what one person or group of people could have produced or purchased. Rather, society has handed over to its members not only a share of material wealth but also the virtues of maintaining them and the secrets of producing more. Yet even society did not receive the raw materials for its products and the inspiration to distribute them with a measure of fairness out of the blue. Although some may dissent, most people recognize that behind all the goodness of the earth there is a Creator God who cares about them.
Thanksgiving Day is the time that the American nation reserves to honor the ultimate source of the prosperity it enjoys. It would be shameful if Americans gave thanks only one day a year. But it is a credit to Abraham Lincoln and perhaps other politicians to have a particular day designated every year for the purpose of expressing gratitude. All of us sometimes feel shortchanged, but we still should have no difficulty raising our voices in unison with other Americans today. We simply have to thank God for the spiritual and material benefits He has heaped on our nation.
(Sirach 50:22-24; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19)
In one episode of “The Simpsons” Bart is to lead the family in grace before dinner. He speaks up saying something like, “Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing!” Such shallowness could only come from an insolent youngster or a fool.
Anyone who has thought about the benefits that he or she has must come to the realization that they are beyond what one person or group of people could have produced or purchased. Rather, society has handed over to its members not only a share of material wealth but also the virtues of maintaining them and the secrets of producing more. Yet even society did not receive the raw materials for its products and the inspiration to distribute them with a measure of fairness out of the blue. Although some may dissent, most people recognize that behind all the goodness of the earth there is a Creator God who cares about them.
Thanksgiving Day is the time that the American nation reserves to honor the ultimate source of the prosperity it enjoys. It would be shameful if Americans gave thanks only one day a year. But it is a credit to Abraham Lincoln and perhaps other politicians to have a particular day designated every year for the purpose of expressing gratitude. All of us sometimes feel shortchanged, but we still should have no difficulty raising our voices in unison with other Americans today. We simply have to thank God for the spiritual and material benefits He has heaped on our nation.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19:11-28)
Celebrating today’s feast may seem like engaging in historical fiction. After all, there is no authoritative account of Mary’s infancy. But liturgists assure that its purpose has significant weight.
The feast was originally associated with the dedication of the basilica of St. Mary the New in Jerusalem. As such, it celebrates Mary as the temple of the Lord, and this in two ways. First, Mary bears the unborn Jesus in her womb. Second, Mary meditates on the Word of God in her heart. St. Augustine actually taught that the second form of gestation is more important than the first because Jesus gives it preference in this same gospel of Luke (11:28).
We too can take the Word of God into our hearts, meditate upon it, and allow it to bear fruit in our actions. Diligently doing so makes us like gothic cathedrals rising to heaven.
(Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19:11-28)
Celebrating today’s feast may seem like engaging in historical fiction. After all, there is no authoritative account of Mary’s infancy. But liturgists assure that its purpose has significant weight.
The feast was originally associated with the dedication of the basilica of St. Mary the New in Jerusalem. As such, it celebrates Mary as the temple of the Lord, and this in two ways. First, Mary bears the unborn Jesus in her womb. Second, Mary meditates on the Word of God in her heart. St. Augustine actually taught that the second form of gestation is more important than the first because Jesus gives it preference in this same gospel of Luke (11:28).
We too can take the Word of God into our hearts, meditate upon it, and allow it to bear fruit in our actions. Diligently doing so makes us like gothic cathedrals rising to heaven.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)
George Harrison expressed the desire of Zacchaeus and each of us when he sang, “Lord, I just want to see you.” Zacchaeus climbs a tree to get a clear view of Jesus. People today have to strain their imaginations to picture him. Although Jesus is portrayed in popular art as tall, long-haired, and handsome, the gospels actually say nothing about his physical appearance.
But seeing Jesus holds no great advantage. Most of those who saw Jesus in the gospels chose not to follow him. Indeed, the majority of witnesses to his miracles turned their backs on his call to conversion. More important than seeing Jesus is having faith in him. Believing that he reveals the Father’s boundless mercy brings one close to salvation.
Surprising to many, Zacchaeus expresses such faith. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus is expected to swindle the poor, not to give them half his fortune. The only recognizable motive for his doing so is his belief that Jesus bears God’s peace. He is perhaps thinking, “What better way to spend my money than to share it with Jesus’ special friends.” We do well to sort out our year’s end surpluses in the same way.
(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)
George Harrison expressed the desire of Zacchaeus and each of us when he sang, “Lord, I just want to see you.” Zacchaeus climbs a tree to get a clear view of Jesus. People today have to strain their imaginations to picture him. Although Jesus is portrayed in popular art as tall, long-haired, and handsome, the gospels actually say nothing about his physical appearance.
But seeing Jesus holds no great advantage. Most of those who saw Jesus in the gospels chose not to follow him. Indeed, the majority of witnesses to his miracles turned their backs on his call to conversion. More important than seeing Jesus is having faith in him. Believing that he reveals the Father’s boundless mercy brings one close to salvation.
Surprising to many, Zacchaeus expresses such faith. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus is expected to swindle the poor, not to give them half his fortune. The only recognizable motive for his doing so is his belief that Jesus bears God’s peace. He is perhaps thinking, “What better way to spend my money than to share it with Jesus’ special friends.” We do well to sort out our year’s end surpluses in the same way.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 1:1-4.2;1-5; Luke 18:35-43)
People watching, one observes young couples walking hand in hand but older couples often following each other as if they have lost interest in partnership. The first reading from the Book of Revelation laments a similar loss of ardor of the Church of Ephesus.
The Book of Revelation is part of a prominent form of Scriptural literature called "apocalyptic." Such writing offers predictions about the end of times, but its purpose is actually to shore up fading hope in the present. In the passage today Ephesus is experiencing a dampening of enthusiasm in Christian love with the postponement of the expected coming of Christ in glory, and the author John is doing something about it.
The apocalyptic is no stranger today. People speaking of private revelations from the Blessed Mother often include predictions of the end time. They need not be ignored. As pesky as they may be, their message should remind us to purify our motives in doing good.
(Revelation 1:1-4.2;1-5; Luke 18:35-43)
People watching, one observes young couples walking hand in hand but older couples often following each other as if they have lost interest in partnership. The first reading from the Book of Revelation laments a similar loss of ardor of the Church of Ephesus.
The Book of Revelation is part of a prominent form of Scriptural literature called "apocalyptic." Such writing offers predictions about the end of times, but its purpose is actually to shore up fading hope in the present. In the passage today Ephesus is experiencing a dampening of enthusiasm in Christian love with the postponement of the expected coming of Christ in glory, and the author John is doing something about it.
The apocalyptic is no stranger today. People speaking of private revelations from the Blessed Mother often include predictions of the end time. They need not be ignored. As pesky as they may be, their message should remind us to purify our motives in doing good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)