Thrusday, February 11, 2016

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)

When Mexican forces besieged the Alamo, the commander of the fortress was William Travis.  He knew that the situation was dire.  According to a popular legend, he drew a line in the ground with his sword.  He then told the Alamo’s defenders that they had a choice.  He said that they could either leave the compound or they could cross the line he had drawn 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 fulfilling the Lord’s commandments in the land which they are about to enter.  On the other hand, they may ignore the commands, worship foreign gods, and find themselves perishing.  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 the Olympics, we follow him by disciplining our bodies.  We want them to respond effortlessly to the promptings of his Spirit.  Of course, it is hard at first.  Not drinking coffee or daily kneeling down to say the rosary seems like self-inflicted torture.  But we soon realize that the sacrifices have palpable benefits and that they do not last very long.  More importantly, we come to realize that Jesus supports us.  We don’t find Lent the drudgery that some imagine.  Rather we come to know it as the springboard of life.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Ash Wednesday

(Isaiah 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

Six years ago thirty-three miners were trapped a third of a mile below the desert in Chile.  They were men of different temperaments and different religions.  Some were willing to do anything that might set them free.  Others were resigned to wait out there fate.  There were faithful Catholics, fervent evangelicals, Jehovah Witnesses, and confirmed atheists.  They would never have prayed together on the outside.  But here supplication was the glue that held them together.  “We are not the best of men, Lord,” they prayed.  But have mercy on us.”  They also confessed their sins to one another.  One said that drank too much.  Another, that he became angry too quickly.  Another, that he was not the best of fathers to his daughter.  And so, all humbled themselves before God.  This is our task before us during Lent.

We have forty days to recognize our sinfulness and ask God’s mercy.  Some of us will confess the same sins as the miners.  Others will want to admit being concupiscent as youths.  Others that they have been arrogant, contemptuous and intolerant – sins that bothered Jesus so much.  We need to free our consciences of the burdens that have prevented us from giving witness to God.  We also want to discern how we might more fully carry out God’s will.

During this time of repentance we pay greater attention to the traditional acts of piety.  We fast from food to remind ourselves of our dependence on God.  We assist the poor in thanks to God who has been so good to us.  And we pray harder and more often that we may be faithful ambassadors of God.  As the second reading has it, we want to move others to similar recognition of faults and commitment to service.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)

Lay evangelist Matthew Kelly is advising people not to give up chocolate for Lent.  Rather he wants listeners to follow his daily program of reflection and action.  No doubt he will show them how to go beyond performing superficial actions.  He will prompt them to give their whole lives to the Lord.  His dismissal of fasting from chocolate approximates Jesus’ critique of Pharisaical practices in today’s gospel.

Jesus takes the Pharisees to task for minding the shell and not the kernel of the Law.  He finds their concern about purifying their hands before eating as if they were preparing to offer Temple sacrifice pompous.  He would say that if they really desired to please God they should help the needy.

It is not wrong nor is it very hard to give up chocolate.  We might begin our Lenten penance in that way.  But we need to go far beyond that.  Giving the money saved on sweets to assist the poor is a small step in the right direction.  Let us exert ourselves every day to become a blessing for others.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)

There’s an old story about a chicken and a pig planning the farmer’s birthday.  The chicken says to the pig, “Why don’t we give the farmer a breakfast of bacon and eggs?”  The pig responds, “Wait a minute.  For you, it’s a small donation.  For me it’s total sacrifice.” 

Humans have always sacrificed animals to express their gratefulness to God.  In the account of the dedication of Solomon’s temple today, “sheep and oxen too many to number or count” are offered to the Lord.  Because animals are so vital for the welfare of the people, they actually represent the people themselves.  The reading today is saying that the people want to give themselves over fully to God in thanksgiving.

As often as not, however, sacrifices from humans are compromised.  People do not present to God the best that they have but the expendable.  Their offerings do not represent whole-hearted commitment but appeasement.  This is why Jesus has to sacrifice himself.  Representing all of humanity, of which he is creator and exemplar, Jesus makes the perfect sacrifice to God the Father.  Of course, Jesus does not immolate himself.  Rather the world’s egotism condemns him to death on a cross.  His acceptance of the injustice out of obedience to the Father redeems the world of its sin.  

Friday, February 5, 2016

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

(Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29)

In Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” the protagonist assumes the royal throne after killing the king.  His cunning does not end there.  He finds that he must keep on killing to retain power.  His next victim is a general named Banquo whose ghost returns to haunt Macbeth.  In today’s gospel Herod experiences a similar haunting.

The gospel relates how Herod kills John the Baptist.  The story begins with Herod becoming disturbed when he hears about Jesus.  Since Jesus’ fame as a prophet has come in the wake of John’s murder, Herod believes that he is John reincarnated.  No one has told Herod that Jesus is John.  Evidently Herod’s guilt for the crime has moved him to think it.

Evil like a fault in the earth surface can run deep.  We should not underestimate its influence and are wise to not become entangled in it.  When we do something wrong, we need to confess our sin and move on with life. Trying to hide what we do will likely end in delving ever lower into the realm of atrocity.