Thursday, June 27, 2013

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 16:1-12.15-16; Matthew 7:21-19)

If Abram showed himself in yesterday’s reading to be a man of faith, he betrays that faith in the sequel today.  Rather than trusting in God to bring about a great nation, Abram acts against God’s will as it is implied in nature.  He accedes to Sarai’s treacherous plan to give him progeny by means of her maidservant. It is wrong because, as Jesus reminds the Sadducees in the gospels, from the beginning one man and one woman were created to form one partnership.

Some background to Abram’s adulterous consent helps to appreciate what the story intends.  Abram and Sarai sojourned for a while in Egypt where Abram coaxed Sarai into doing something similar to what she has him do in the reading today.  Out of fear for his life when Pharaoh takes a shine to the beautiful Sarai, Abram asks Sarai to join his harem.  After Pharaoh experiences hardship, he gives Abram back his wife and chastises him for his deceit.  In the reading today, of course, Sarai turns table on Abram by suggesting that he sleep with another woman.

We should draw at least two lessons from the stories.  First, marriage has a sanctity that is not to be violated.  Wife and husband form an inseparable union that demands sacrifice even, if necessary, of one’s life.  Second, and no less insufferable to contemporary ears, we are not to do evil to bring about good.  Abram commits a grave sin by acceding to Sarai’s scheme.  Although we are to move with God’s promptings, we must never think that God wants us to do what is wrong.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 15:1-12.17-18; Matthew 7:15-20)

In order to stem the tide of divorce in the late twentieth century, some American couples entered “covenant marriages.”  The two parties agreed to counseling before marriage and to limited grounds for divorce once married.  The arrangement takes its name from the type of relationship between Abram and the Lord witnessed in the first reading today.

At the basis of the relationship is Abram’s faith in God which was “credited to him as an act of righteousness.”  As long as Abram maintains that faith, he can be assured of the Lord’s assistance.  God, of course, has not failed in giving Abram innumerable descendants.  Today they include not only the millions of Jews throughout the world, but the billions of Christians and Muslims as well.

We have entered into a new covenant with God through Jesus Christ.  By being baptized in his name we become heirs to the promise of his resurrection from the dead.  But it is not an imperishable legacy  in the sense that we too must keep faith in him. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 13:2.5-18; Matthew 7:6.12-14)

Country crooners are fond of singing, “How could something that is so wrong feel so right?”  They are only mimicking the Christian’s dilemma as Jesus presents it in today’s gospel.

He is addressing his disciples when he lays out the alternatives of a wide gate/road leading to destruction and a narrow gate/road bringing one to life.  Christians are not to see the possibility of being damned only applicable to the unchurched.  They can, like anyone else, lose their way by pursuing pleasure or power or prestige.

We must keep faith in Jesus.  Although it is possible to lead a righteous life without learning of his promises, it is likely our trust in his word that will keep us on the path of eternal glory.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66.80)

A young man was recently ordained to the transitional diaconate.  God-willing, next year he will become a priest.  He is the only son in a small family, but his parents were not reluctant at all to see him pursue his vocation.  Like Zechariah and Elizabeth in today’s gospel, they are grateful to have a child who will serve the Lord.

John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, is named not after one of his grandfathers as was the custom of the time, but on God’s order communicated by the angel.  His parents are pious people intent on doing the will of God.  They seem willing as well to accept his destiny of being a prophet in the desert.

Often we make plans for our futures, and perhaps even the futures of our family members, without discerning God’s will.  Yes, such discernment can be both neither completely conclusive nor satisfying, but giving ourselves to the will of God has its rewards.  Devoting ourselves to God brings both internal peace and eternal glory.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

(II Corinthians 11:18.21-30; Matthew 6:19-23)

A wise preacher told the story of how every Christian must carry her or his cross.  Some complain that theirs is too heavy, but when they exchange it for another, they learn that theirs was not that onerous after all.  Today’s saint and first reading speak of two Christians with very different types of cross but born with similar grace.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga came from a privileged background.  He was willing to give up wealth for the strict life of a Jesuit.  However, God called him to Himself after only a few years of faithful formation.  St. Paul by contrast suffered much through many years of rigorist service.  He catalogues his trials in today’s first reading -- lashings, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, exposure to the elements, etc. His purpose is not to boast of his endurance, but to show how Christ sustains him. 

Rather than complain about the troubles we have, we much more profitably should pray to bear with them.  There is usually another bearing a greater burden which may humble us.  But more to the point, our prayers unite us to Christ who always eases our suffering.