Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 1:1-6; Mark 1:14-20)
The elderly priest felt frustrated. Every place he telephoned, it seemed, was answered by a machine. All he wanted was to hear a human being so that he could take care of some business. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews is cognizant of a similar need in the first reading today.
The letter indicates that God has changed His interface with His people. Rather than communicate through interpreters, He is going to speak directly by sending them His Son. No more will He seem remote and His message arcane. Rather He will be like a neighbor who knows the people’s situation and has undergone their problems.
Today we begin afresh our journey with Christ. He calls each of us just as he called the sons of Jonah and of Zebedee. It is a privilege to follow him. He will heal us of our hurts while he teaches us his ways. We want to stay close to him.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Christmas Weekday
(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)
Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Amarillo became a national sensation after he told a deacon in his diocese working at the Pantex Nuclear Plant that he should follow his conscience and leave his job. When Bishop Matthiesen was offered a contract for his autobiography, he was warned that he had to write it immediately because interest in his story would not last long.
In the gospel people similarly come in search of Jesus after he heals a leper. The passage indicates that they not only want him to cure their illnesses but also to listen to him teach. Interestingly, Jesus does not double efforts to maximize his popularity but continues to withdraw in prayer. He knows intuitively what most of us forget in face of public admiration -- the source of eternal life is not in worldly recognition but in communion with God.
Whether we are famous or whether our virtue is known only by our loved ones, we are wise to imitate Jesus in prayer. Daily conversation with God offers us the opportunity to recognize our limitations and to draw on the Lord’s strength.
(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)
Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Amarillo became a national sensation after he told a deacon in his diocese working at the Pantex Nuclear Plant that he should follow his conscience and leave his job. When Bishop Matthiesen was offered a contract for his autobiography, he was warned that he had to write it immediately because interest in his story would not last long.
In the gospel people similarly come in search of Jesus after he heals a leper. The passage indicates that they not only want him to cure their illnesses but also to listen to him teach. Interestingly, Jesus does not double efforts to maximize his popularity but continues to withdraw in prayer. He knows intuitively what most of us forget in face of public admiration -- the source of eternal life is not in worldly recognition but in communion with God.
Whether we are famous or whether our virtue is known only by our loved ones, we are wise to imitate Jesus in prayer. Daily conversation with God offers us the opportunity to recognize our limitations and to draw on the Lord’s strength.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Christmas weekday
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
Very soon Barack Obama will deliver his second inaugural address as president of the United States. No doubt, he will mention the challenges facing his administration: millions of undocumented immigrants, high unemployment, medical costs that continue to rise beyond inflation, a continuing war in Afghanistan, to name just a few. Similarly, Jesus addresses the challenges of his times in what may be called his inaugural sermon in the Gospel of Luke.
Interestingly, Luke has Jesus making his first presentation in his hometown of Nazareth. It is as if Jesus were a politician returning home to launch his professional career. He references the prophet Isaiah to announce the issues on which he intends to concentrate. He will lift the spirits of the poor, win amnesty for political prisoners, relieve the burden to the oppressed, etc. In short, he will fulfill God’s promise of justice made since the beginning of time. Of course, the people are edified by his speech. They know that what he says are not just words but testimony to deeds already accomplished.
Still at the beginning of a new year, we should make some resolutions about what we would like to see happen in our lives this year. If we are true followers, we will peg our hopes to the Lord Jesus. We will ask his grace to be more patient on the road and more attentive to our work. In doing so, we will notice how our needs fit well with his intentions to serve.
(I John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22)
Very soon Barack Obama will deliver his second inaugural address as president of the United States. No doubt, he will mention the challenges facing his administration: millions of undocumented immigrants, high unemployment, medical costs that continue to rise beyond inflation, a continuing war in Afghanistan, to name just a few. Similarly, Jesus addresses the challenges of his times in what may be called his inaugural sermon in the Gospel of Luke.
Interestingly, Luke has Jesus making his first presentation in his hometown of Nazareth. It is as if Jesus were a politician returning home to launch his professional career. He references the prophet Isaiah to announce the issues on which he intends to concentrate. He will lift the spirits of the poor, win amnesty for political prisoners, relieve the burden to the oppressed, etc. In short, he will fulfill God’s promise of justice made since the beginning of time. Of course, the people are edified by his speech. They know that what he says are not just words but testimony to deeds already accomplished.
Still at the beginning of a new year, we should make some resolutions about what we would like to see happen in our lives this year. If we are true followers, we will peg our hopes to the Lord Jesus. We will ask his grace to be more patient on the road and more attentive to our work. In doing so, we will notice how our needs fit well with his intentions to serve.
Wednesday, January 9, 2012
Christmas weekday
(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)
Surveys show that most Americans believe that heaven exists and that they will have a place in it. They hold to these beliefs apparently without regard to what they actually do. Is it to be presumed, therefore, that they are living the perfection of love described in today’s reading from the First Letter of John? The reading states quite boldly that “confidence on the day of judgment” marks a perfect life.
To answer the question some context for the letter should be given. Its author is exhorting his community not to follow a renegade group. He gives evidence that this group lives in a liberatine way probably because its members believe that they are saved by the mere fact that the Son of God came into the world. The author, to the contrary, shows that following Jesus’ teaching is also a requirement for salvation.
We too must be careful about presumption of attaining eternal life as well as of losing hope that it exists at all. After all, to be human means, in part, having the freedom to reject God’s love. It is all right to hope that every human being accepts God in her or his heart of hearts. However, we should strive to manifest His love in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)
Surveys show that most Americans believe that heaven exists and that they will have a place in it. They hold to these beliefs apparently without regard to what they actually do. Is it to be presumed, therefore, that they are living the perfection of love described in today’s reading from the First Letter of John? The reading states quite boldly that “confidence on the day of judgment” marks a perfect life.
To answer the question some context for the letter should be given. Its author is exhorting his community not to follow a renegade group. He gives evidence that this group lives in a liberatine way probably because its members believe that they are saved by the mere fact that the Son of God came into the world. The author, to the contrary, shows that following Jesus’ teaching is also a requirement for salvation.
We too must be careful about presumption of attaining eternal life as well as of losing hope that it exists at all. After all, to be human means, in part, having the freedom to reject God’s love. It is all right to hope that every human being accepts God in her or his heart of hearts. However, we should strive to manifest His love in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Christmas weekday
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
It has been suggested that St. Luke portrays the infant Jesus as lying in a manger because he will one day give himself as food. As the manger serves as a feeder for farm animals, so it holds he who becomes the "Bread of Life" for his followers. The evangelist likely had more in mind than the Eucharist in relating the incident of the manger, but the observation does provide ample food for thought.
In any case, today’s Christmas season gospel relates Jesus feeding the mass of people with the meager offering of five loaves and two fish. The scene, narrated by each of the four evangelists, anticipates Jesus’ feeding his disciples with his body and blood at their farewell meal. The Father sent him precisely to demonstrate His immense love. Could any action be more significant than allowing oneself to be chewed up so that he may nourish his partakers?
We, of course, participate in the same agape feast. Through the Church Jesus’ offering is extended to us so that we might have the strength to follow in his ways.
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
It has been suggested that St. Luke portrays the infant Jesus as lying in a manger because he will one day give himself as food. As the manger serves as a feeder for farm animals, so it holds he who becomes the "Bread of Life" for his followers. The evangelist likely had more in mind than the Eucharist in relating the incident of the manger, but the observation does provide ample food for thought.
In any case, today’s Christmas season gospel relates Jesus feeding the mass of people with the meager offering of five loaves and two fish. The scene, narrated by each of the four evangelists, anticipates Jesus’ feeding his disciples with his body and blood at their farewell meal. The Father sent him precisely to demonstrate His immense love. Could any action be more significant than allowing oneself to be chewed up so that he may nourish his partakers?
We, of course, participate in the same agape feast. Through the Church Jesus’ offering is extended to us so that we might have the strength to follow in his ways.
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