Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29)

The story is told of President Abraham Lincoln taking a walk in the woods one night weighing a difficult decision.  A group of Union soldiers were to be executed for falling asleep on duty unless he gave them a pardon.  Along the path Lincoln met an adolescent on the ground crying.  The lad had run away from home after his father in a rage killed his dog.  The father had just learnt that his older son was to be executed for cowardice and couldn’t control his rage. Lincoln counseled the boy to go home and forgive his father; meanwhile, he said, he would do some forgiving himself.  The President also gave the boy his card with a note saying that he might visit him at the White House anytime.  The boy went home and made up with his father.   When he found out that his brother’s crime was falling asleep on duty, he went straight to the White House and took a seat outside President Lincoln’s office.  At the end of the day, the boy gave the President’s secretary the card he had received and told him he had an important matter to discuss with Mr. Lincoln.  The boy was shown in, told Lincoln what happened to his brother, and heard the President promise to add his brother’s name to the list of those soldiers who would be receiving Presidential pardons.

Just like the boy sitting in the shadow of the President, the man in the gospel whose son has an epileptic spirit does not recognize Jesus for whom he is.  He sees Jesus as a human healer, not the son of God whose prayer to his heavenly Father is invariably answered.  When Jesus questions the man’s faith, he responds with the cry that has echoed in every Christian’s heart, “’I do believe, help my unbelief.’”  Jesus demands no more than that painful request and, indeed, does help the man to believe in him by driving the demon from his son.  We likewise should bring to Jesus all our needs.  He will help us if we can honestly say with the epileptic’s father, “I do believe, help…” 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)

The initial words of Pope Francis after being elected were telling.  He referred to himself as “the bishop of Rome” and not as “pope,” the spiritual father of the western Church.  Much less did he care to be recognized as the “Vicar of Christ” as if anyone could really take Jesus’ place.  No, from the beginning he wished to be identified with Peter as he appears in today’s gospel.

The Lord asks Peter if he loves him three times corresponding to Peter’s three denials of him the night before he died.  It is not that Jesus is slow to forgive, but rather he needs to test Peter before naming him caretaker of his flock.  Jesus wants to stress that Peter must always act out of love and never from a will to power or for material gain.  Pope Francis took note of this fundamental principle in that same election address as he described the Church of Rome as “presid(ing) in charity over all the Churches.”

As we complete the Easter season, we might note that love is also the purpose of the Paschal mystery.  Jesus died, rose, ascended to heaven, and had the Holy Spirit sent to us so that we might share divine love.  Because of his ordeal, we have been remade into full children of God capable of loving selflessly forever.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:22-26)

Often when feeling criticized, we go on the offensive.  We search for impressive words that show off our wit and put down the critics.  Surely this is a foolish strategy.  We would do better to listen carefully to what others are saying, pray to the Holy Spirit for prudence, and speak forthrightly what comes to mind.  Jesus tells us to do as much when he says, “'When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul follows Jesus’ advice.  He evaluates the situation and speaks to it.  His reference to being a proponent of the resurrection of the dead divides his persecutors.  What starts as a conspiracy to condemn Paul turns into a debate with half the assembly supporting him.  The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this and all apostolic activity in Acts of the Apostles.  He brings Christianity from its humble origins in Jerusalem to center stage in Rome where it will fan out throughout the whole world.

The Holy Spirit is God’s immeasurable gift of Himself to us.  The Spirit enlightens our minds and orders our wills so that we too might manifest God’s love to the world. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

In the computer world we protect information with a password.  One should create passwords that would be difficult to guess and should take care never to reveal them.  As many people have unfortunately learned, failing to give passwords proper regard may result in swindle.  Today’s gospel indicates that a name in biblical times today has similar import to a password today. 

Jesus tells his Father that he has protected his disciples in the Father’s name.  He means that he has called upon the Father by name to keep them safe.  Jesus will also use his Father’s name, “I AM,” to give his disciples safe passage when the Roman garrison comes to arrest him in the garden.  “I AM” is a simplified translation of the Tetragrammaton or four consonants expressing the name for Himself that God revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus.  In John’s gospel Jesus uses it repeatedly to express his identity with the Father.

We should use God’s name frequently but reverently.  That is, we should call upon God as “Father” or “Lord” to ask His assistance.  When we feel tempted to think or do something malicious, calling upon God by name will assure the help we need.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Feast of St. Matthias, apostle

(Acts 1:15-17.20-26; John 15:9-17)

A mother was concerned about the bad habits developing in her teenage daughter.  She saw as the source of the girl’s vices the friends with whom she was associating.  So the mother challenged the teenager to give up the friends – a move which was initially resented but in time came to be appreciated.  People are not only known by the friends they have but become like them.  For this reason we can accept Jesus’ words in today’s gospel with great joy.

From the beginning of the Gospel of John Jesus speaks as the incarnate Son of God.  He lives on a completely different, what we might call “higher,” plain than other humans.  Because he also has a divine nature, it seems that humans will always remain subservient.  However, in the reading today Jesus says to his disciples that they have become his friends; that is, they have somehow been raised to his Godly level so that they may share intimacy with him.  It is more wonderful than being born into the aristocracy or being elected to the United States Senate, what is sometimes called “the most exclusive club in the world.”

Just as surely as St. Matthias shared friendship with Jesus, so may we.  Of course, it entails keeping his commandment to love both God and neighbor.  It also assumes a continual dialogue with Jesus in prayer.  We are to listen to his words in the gospel and share with him are own joys and anxieties.  As a result we will find ourselves kind and just like him.