Monday of the First Week in Lent
(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)
In a reflection on the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., the Preacher of the Papal Household, makes a disturbing realization. He says that we can love ourselves in the wrong way! That is, we can overindulge our appetites or seek misguided goals – vice and not virtue. If we wish these things on others, we do them a disservice. In the gospel today Jesus spells out true ways to show love of neighbor.
Jesus outlines what has become known as the “corporal works of mercy” in a dramatic way. He says that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, etc., we actually are rendering service to him. There is a scholarly debate regarding the deprived people with whom he identifies himself. Are they missionaries who speak in his name or are they all people in dire need? Although those who in all humility bring God’s word to the people bear Jesus within them, it would be rather narrow-minded to limit Jesus’ intent to only these. He came to embrace the whole world in our suffering, and because he is God who cares for those society ignores, he reaches out especially to the poor and helpless.
All human actions should be guided by the virtue of prudence. It may not be wise to give cash to the beggar at the corner. But we can open our hands as well as our wallets to provide for street people. There are a million ways to render assistance to Jesus as he describes himself here. All involve sacrifice. Lent is the time to figure out and to do what we can.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Fasting – Isaiah in effect denies it in the first reading today, and Jesus delays it in the gospel. There is, therefore, cause to wonder about its worth.
Medics often demand that patients fast before undertaking certain procedures. Of course, people needing to lose weight regularly fast for salutary reasons. Religious traditions, despite the reservations of the readings today, have long considered a way to purification. Not only does it allow the body to purge itself of contaminants; it represents a victory over one’s often excessive appetite.
Catholics in Lent are bound to fast only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That is, only on these two days are we not allowed to eat between meals. But individual, more strenuous fasting is encouraged. Skipping a meal and even passing an entire day without eating can express genuine love for the Lord. Still, God has decreed that the fasting that pleases Him most is working so that all may enjoy the freedom without which fasting cannot be a willful act of love but an inescapable necessity out of want.
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Fasting – Isaiah in effect denies it in the first reading today, and Jesus delays it in the gospel. There is, therefore, cause to wonder about its worth.
Medics often demand that patients fast before undertaking certain procedures. Of course, people needing to lose weight regularly fast for salutary reasons. Religious traditions, despite the reservations of the readings today, have long considered a way to purification. Not only does it allow the body to purge itself of contaminants; it represents a victory over one’s often excessive appetite.
Catholics in Lent are bound to fast only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That is, only on these two days are we not allowed to eat between meals. But individual, more strenuous fasting is encouraged. Skipping a meal and even passing an entire day without eating can express genuine love for the Lord. Still, God has decreed that the fasting that pleases Him most is working so that all may enjoy the freedom without which fasting cannot be a willful act of love but an inescapable necessity out of want.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
According to a famous legend, when the Alamo in Texas was being besieged by Mexican forces, the officer in charge, William Travis, drew a line in the ground with his sword. He told the remaining defenders that each had to choose for himself whether to leave the compound, evidently with safe passage, or to cross the line and fight the Mexicans until death. In the readings today both Moses and Jesus figuratively draw such a line in the sand.
In the first reading Moses gives the Israelites a clear option. They may choose life by living according to the Lord’s commandments in the land which they are about to enter. On the other hand, they may ignore the commands, worship the gods of the native peoples, and lead dissolute lives. Jesus’ option is similar. His disciples may either imitate his self-denial in pursuit of divine love or they may follow their own often selfish instincts.
Each Lent we are to renew our decision to follow Jesus. Like athletes training for competition, we discipline our bodies to respond to what our minds enlightened by grace know is right. Of course, it is hard at first. Not drinking coffee or not daily kneeling to say the rosary seems like self-punishment with an unforeseeable end. But we soon realize that time passes quickly, that the sacrifices have palpable benefits, and that Jesus is at our side for support. Lent is not the drudgery that some imagine. Rather it is the springboard to new life.
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)
According to a famous legend, when the Alamo in Texas was being besieged by Mexican forces, the officer in charge, William Travis, drew a line in the ground with his sword. He told the remaining defenders that each had to choose for himself whether to leave the compound, evidently with safe passage, or to cross the line and fight the Mexicans until death. In the readings today both Moses and Jesus figuratively draw such a line in the sand.
In the first reading Moses gives the Israelites a clear option. They may choose life by living according to the Lord’s commandments in the land which they are about to enter. On the other hand, they may ignore the commands, worship the gods of the native peoples, and lead dissolute lives. Jesus’ option is similar. His disciples may either imitate his self-denial in pursuit of divine love or they may follow their own often selfish instincts.
Each Lent we are to renew our decision to follow Jesus. Like athletes training for competition, we discipline our bodies to respond to what our minds enlightened by grace know is right. Of course, it is hard at first. Not drinking coffee or not daily kneeling to say the rosary seems like self-punishment with an unforeseeable end. But we soon realize that time passes quickly, that the sacrifices have palpable benefits, and that Jesus is at our side for support. Lent is not the drudgery that some imagine. Rather it is the springboard to new life.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ash Wednesday
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the American classic, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she is to wear a red letter A for adulteress on her clothing at all times. Stoically bearing the mark of disgrace, she goes about town with her daughter eking out a living by assisting others. As years pass, the townspeople forget about Hester’s crime. They only admire the care that she bestows on everyone and come to think of the A on her clothing as meaning angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much and have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should redouble our efforts to fast, pray, help others, and provide for the poor this Lent season. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will erase our sins from the ledger like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally meant. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for our virtues, not for our faults.
So let us joyfully take up the disciplines of Lent knowing that they will lead to our renewal. A generation ago some preachers recommended that people should focus on only positive practices during Lent. That advice, though sincerely made, seems to lack full understanding of how severely sin has affected humans. We should, as well, discipline the desire for constant gratification of our appetites. Efforts on both fronts will draw us closer to God.
(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the American classic, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she is to wear a red letter A for adulteress on her clothing at all times. Stoically bearing the mark of disgrace, she goes about town with her daughter eking out a living by assisting others. As years pass, the townspeople forget about Hester’s crime. They only admire the care that she bestows on everyone and come to think of the A on her clothing as meaning angel.
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much and have served God and neighbor too little. Along with wearing ashes today, we should redouble our efforts to fast, pray, help others, and provide for the poor this Lent season. Then when we ask God’s forgiveness, He will erase our sins from the ledger like the people lose memory of what Hester’s A originally meant. Again like Hester, people will recognize us for our virtues, not for our faults.
So let us joyfully take up the disciplines of Lent knowing that they will lead to our renewal. A generation ago some preachers recommended that people should focus on only positive practices during Lent. That advice, though sincerely made, seems to lack full understanding of how severely sin has affected humans. We should, as well, discipline the desire for constant gratification of our appetites. Efforts on both fronts will draw us closer to God.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)
Sometimes on Saturday mornings around large cities small groups of people walk on the sidewalks of streets where walkers usually are alone and at that very few. “What’s going on?” one wonders. Then it is noticed that the men among the walkers wear hats and have beards. The conclusion is quickly reached: these are Orthodox Jews duly observing the Sabbath which for them means no strenuous activity, not even to the extent of driving a car. The custom is taken from today’s reading from Genesis.
Orthodox Jews take seriously the phrase that God made the seventh day holy by blessing it and resting from work. They see it as a time apart signifying their freedom. That is, aware that humans may be enslaved as much by inner impulses as by exterior forces, they demonstrate their mastery over the obsession “to get things done” by desisting from all kinds of work. Furthermore, they recognize the Sabbath as foreshadowing the eternal life which God is preparing for His faithful when no one will have to work anymore.
Christians, of course, have transferred the Sabbath to Sunday, the eighth day signifying their new creation in Jesus’ resurrection. But we retain much of the meaning of the Jewish tradition. We don’t have qualms about driving at least short distances on Sunday, but we too know that the day is best spent in the Lord’s company at church and then in joyful repast with family and friends.
(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)
Sometimes on Saturday mornings around large cities small groups of people walk on the sidewalks of streets where walkers usually are alone and at that very few. “What’s going on?” one wonders. Then it is noticed that the men among the walkers wear hats and have beards. The conclusion is quickly reached: these are Orthodox Jews duly observing the Sabbath which for them means no strenuous activity, not even to the extent of driving a car. The custom is taken from today’s reading from Genesis.
Orthodox Jews take seriously the phrase that God made the seventh day holy by blessing it and resting from work. They see it as a time apart signifying their freedom. That is, aware that humans may be enslaved as much by inner impulses as by exterior forces, they demonstrate their mastery over the obsession “to get things done” by desisting from all kinds of work. Furthermore, they recognize the Sabbath as foreshadowing the eternal life which God is preparing for His faithful when no one will have to work anymore.
Christians, of course, have transferred the Sabbath to Sunday, the eighth day signifying their new creation in Jesus’ resurrection. But we retain much of the meaning of the Jewish tradition. We don’t have qualms about driving at least short distances on Sunday, but we too know that the day is best spent in the Lord’s company at church and then in joyful repast with family and friends.
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