Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37)
A generation ago it was said that the average American gained ten pounds over the year-end holidays. The added weight could hardly be less now. Perhaps, then, some will have difficulty appreciating Jesus’ concern about the people’s hunger in today’s gospel.
But just as the multiplying of loaves signifies the Eucharistic bread, so the hunger of the crowds is not so much physical as it is spiritual. Like people today, they crave meaning in their lives, acceptance of their efforts, and esteem for themselves as persons. Jesus fulfills all these needs. He loves each person who comes to him as an individual and invites all to join him in his Father’s kingdom.
The invitation does not come without expectation, however. If we are to join Jesus as his brothers and sisters, we must accept his help to live righteous lives. Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit that we might care for others with the same purity of heart that he loves us.
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
(Isaiah 11: 1-10, Luke 10:21-24)
The prison minister related the kind of story she hears over and over again. A small black man, who apparently just arrived in the city, was wrongly accused of purse-snatching. That the fellow was hardly aware of what was happening was so obvious that the arraigning judge released him on reconnaissance. But the poor man had nowhere to go. He was homeless and almost penniless.
Even if we believe that the legal system is fair and functional, we should realize that such misfortunes as what befell the black man in the story happen with some regularity. Especially those without money to pay lawyer fees are vulnerable to miscarriages of justice. There are also abuses at the other end of the spectrum. The rich sometimes “get away with murder” because their attorneys know how to manipulate the system.
In the first reading today the prophet Isaiah announces that these injustices are coming to an end. A Messiah, he says, will be born to establish righteousness throughout the land. He will hear the cases of the poor along with the rich. He will prosecute villains and allow the innocent to walk with heads high. As a result, we will become a truly peaceful society with the equivalent of Asians and Africans, capitalists and communists, surgeons and street sweepers all taking care of one another. The good news of Advent is that this vision has been realized in Jesus of Nazareth and that it will be universalized shortly upon his return in glory.
(Isaiah 11: 1-10, Luke 10:21-24)
The prison minister related the kind of story she hears over and over again. A small black man, who apparently just arrived in the city, was wrongly accused of purse-snatching. That the fellow was hardly aware of what was happening was so obvious that the arraigning judge released him on reconnaissance. But the poor man had nowhere to go. He was homeless and almost penniless.
Even if we believe that the legal system is fair and functional, we should realize that such misfortunes as what befell the black man in the story happen with some regularity. Especially those without money to pay lawyer fees are vulnerable to miscarriages of justice. There are also abuses at the other end of the spectrum. The rich sometimes “get away with murder” because their attorneys know how to manipulate the system.
In the first reading today the prophet Isaiah announces that these injustices are coming to an end. A Messiah, he says, will be born to establish righteousness throughout the land. He will hear the cases of the poor along with the rich. He will prosecute villains and allow the innocent to walk with heads high. As a result, we will become a truly peaceful society with the equivalent of Asians and Africans, capitalists and communists, surgeons and street sweepers all taking care of one another. The good news of Advent is that this vision has been realized in Jesus of Nazareth and that it will be universalized shortly upon his return in glory.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest
(Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11)
One chronicler says that St. Francis Xavier was “the pampered son of a Basque noble.” Yet in due time he was able to shed the trappings of wealth to live as a missionary. It would be hard to believe that life in Asia for a Jesuit missionary was anything but grueling. What made Francis eager to go there? Probably as a founder of the Society of Jesus, Francis took to heart the order’s motto, “For the greater glory of God.”
The feast of St. Francis Xavier serves well at the beginning of Advent because he reminds us of the closeness of Christ. A Jesuit is trained to walk with Christ as his sole companion. He can live outside of community with the same enthusiasm as one who is well supported by comrades because he senses Christ’s presence. He can argue the reasonableness of Catholic belief because he is convinced of Christ’s love.
Advent is a paradoxical time. It has penitential elements, but we cannot help but anticipate the imminent arrival of Jesus. The glory achieved by Francis Xavier assures us that whatever discipline we undertake is worth the effort and whatever modest celebration we make is not out of order.
(Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11)
One chronicler says that St. Francis Xavier was “the pampered son of a Basque noble.” Yet in due time he was able to shed the trappings of wealth to live as a missionary. It would be hard to believe that life in Asia for a Jesuit missionary was anything but grueling. What made Francis eager to go there? Probably as a founder of the Society of Jesus, Francis took to heart the order’s motto, “For the greater glory of God.”
The feast of St. Francis Xavier serves well at the beginning of Advent because he reminds us of the closeness of Christ. A Jesuit is trained to walk with Christ as his sole companion. He can live outside of community with the same enthusiasm as one who is well supported by comrades because he senses Christ’s presence. He can argue the reasonableness of Catholic belief because he is convinced of Christ’s love.
Advent is a paradoxical time. It has penitential elements, but we cannot help but anticipate the imminent arrival of Jesus. The glory achieved by Francis Xavier assures us that whatever discipline we undertake is worth the effort and whatever modest celebration we make is not out of order.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Feast of Saint Andrew, apostle
(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)
In his seminal exhortation on evangelization, Pope Paul VI wrote: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Little is said about the apostle Andrew in the gospels outside of the stories of his being called by Jesus. But as Paul VI said, the witness that he gives in those calls speaks forcefully through the ages.
Peter and Andrew are probably like most fishermen. They love the sea not only as the source of food for the table but also for the freedom it brings. But the call of Jesus is more powerful than the attraction of the sea. They tarry not a minute but respond to the call at once. More than any kind of curiosity on their part, such witness indicates Jesus' charisma that he will fulfill their deepest longings.
We need to give witness as well. It starts with how we present ourselves. Do our homes feature a cross identifying Jesus as he who brings peace to our lives? Do we mention Jesus as the source of our success or do we talk about ourselves as all important? Exhibiting a cross and invoking Jesus’ name tells other of his importance and provides us standards according to which we should pattern our lives.
(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)
In his seminal exhortation on evangelization, Pope Paul VI wrote: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Little is said about the apostle Andrew in the gospels outside of the stories of his being called by Jesus. But as Paul VI said, the witness that he gives in those calls speaks forcefully through the ages.
Peter and Andrew are probably like most fishermen. They love the sea not only as the source of food for the table but also for the freedom it brings. But the call of Jesus is more powerful than the attraction of the sea. They tarry not a minute but respond to the call at once. More than any kind of curiosity on their part, such witness indicates Jesus' charisma that he will fulfill their deepest longings.
We need to give witness as well. It starts with how we present ourselves. Do our homes feature a cross identifying Jesus as he who brings peace to our lives? Do we mention Jesus as the source of our success or do we talk about ourselves as all important? Exhibiting a cross and invoking Jesus’ name tells other of his importance and provides us standards according to which we should pattern our lives.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 18:1-2.21-23.19:1-3a.9; Luke 21:20-28)
According to an old Mayan calendar the world is supposed to end within four weeks. Do not take warning. Such predictions have been made and remade repeatedly throughout history. Although today’s gospel may seem to add its own forecast of doom’s day, it really leaves the question open-ended.
The gospel states what Luke, its writer, knew as fact. The world will not end with the fall of Jerusalem. Luke knew this because he likely penned his story ten to twenty years after the Romans destroyed the temple. In what is most probably editorial construction, Luke quotes Jesus as saying that the end of the world will come with the close of the “times of the Gentiles.” This obscure phrase possibly means when the gospel is brought to all the Gentiles. Given the “New Evangelization,” the age of the Gentiles is very much in process. Only then are signs to appear in the heavens foretelling Jesus’ coming.
Luke’s point is decidedly not to predict the end but to encourage followers of Jesus to keep the faith. We must make ready to stand tall for Christ by dropping to our knees in love of God and stooping to help our neighbor.
(Revelation 18:1-2.21-23.19:1-3a.9; Luke 21:20-28)
According to an old Mayan calendar the world is supposed to end within four weeks. Do not take warning. Such predictions have been made and remade repeatedly throughout history. Although today’s gospel may seem to add its own forecast of doom’s day, it really leaves the question open-ended.
The gospel states what Luke, its writer, knew as fact. The world will not end with the fall of Jerusalem. Luke knew this because he likely penned his story ten to twenty years after the Romans destroyed the temple. In what is most probably editorial construction, Luke quotes Jesus as saying that the end of the world will come with the close of the “times of the Gentiles.” This obscure phrase possibly means when the gospel is brought to all the Gentiles. Given the “New Evangelization,” the age of the Gentiles is very much in process. Only then are signs to appear in the heavens foretelling Jesus’ coming.
Luke’s point is decidedly not to predict the end but to encourage followers of Jesus to keep the faith. We must make ready to stand tall for Christ by dropping to our knees in love of God and stooping to help our neighbor.
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