Friday, September 23, 2016

Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, priest

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Luke 9:18-22)

A college professor recently wrote about her and her daughter’s experience of learning to play the piano.  She said that she studied piano to become a grand prize winner.  When she met the competition, who could be every bit as diligent but had more talent, her interest began to wane.  Now she does not play much at all.  But she is teaching her daughter how to play.  Her daughter lacks the competitive edge.  She plays the piano for enjoyment.  She may not achieve perfection, but she is not likely to become discontent with her efforts.  These experiences reflect the first reading today.

Qoheleth, the preacher, finds everything happening according to God’s appointment.  He is chiding humans for trying to force better results with ploys like competition.  It is better, he would say, to work when it is time and relax when that times comes, to weep when it is appropriate but not to forget how to laugh. Qoheleth knows that God will take care of people who trust in His ways.

Many of us are impatient and discontent.  We are not satisfied with who we are and what we have.  We want to be universally recognized and be rewarded for our achievements.  We are likely to end up disillusioned.  It would be better to exert effort during the day to be a better person, but at night to acknowledge God as the one whom are to please.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Luke 9:7-9)

The IPhone 7 premiered last week.  You can take it under water, and it works faster than previous generations.  But don’t expect it to satisfy all you needs.  More than likely you will find yourself with similar problems to the ones you have always had.  IPhone 7 won’t make you more prompt or more attentive. As Qoheleth testifies in today’s first reading, there is “(n)othing new under the sun.”

What might change our lives, however, is a fresh relationship.  A new friend can give us insight into other’s lives and our own.  Talk with a new African-American friend about racial harassment, and you probably will learn how much it still hurts.  Or talk with a new teacher friend, and you may be surprised at how educators find testing interfering with learning.  One friendship that we definitely want to cultivate is that with Jesus.

Today’s gospel says that Herod the tetrarch wanted to visit with Jesus.  We should be doubly eager to do so.  He will move us from a preoccupation with IPhones to a sincere concern about the people around us.  He will also show us how to change our unhelpful habits.  Qoheleth could not have had friendship with Jesus in mind when he said nothing is new.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Feast of Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist

(Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)

Nothing can be said about St. Matthew with certainty besides that he composed a gospel.  Today’s gospel passage speaks of a tax-collector named Matthew being called by Jesus.  Evidently this tax-collector is considered the evangelist because one tradition speaks of a certain Matthew as a compiler of sayings about Jesus.  Whoever he (or perhaps she) was, the person is owed a great deal of credit for the written legacy left.

Matthew’s gospel has prominence as the first work in the New Testament.  It has also been given great attention by both Catholics and Protestants.  Catholics see in it a testimony of the primacy of St. Peter and his successors.  They quote Jesus telling Peter, “’…you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.’” Protestants paradoxically find in Matthew reason to eschew hierarchy. They cite Jesus saying to his disciples, “’Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.’” 

We note in the first gospel the deepest reflection on the Church.  What stands out here is Jesus’ desire that his community serve one another as brothers and sisters.  Members should be ready to forgive those who stray from righteousness and even to seek them out.  There should not be any grabbing for honors among them.  Quite the contrary, they should be known for humility.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang, and companions, martyrs

(Proverbs 21:1-6; 10-13; Luke 8:19-21)

Mark Twain, twisting conventional wisdom, once observed, "You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time." It is true that men and women are often duped by fine dress and quick talk. The author of the Book of Proverbs, however, assures us in the first reading that God is not so gullible.

The sage states upfront that God directs hearts however He wills. He means that God, knowing the soul of every person, will bring the honest to good fortune and the wicked to ruin. The wise man then provides a series of assurances for those who still wonder about justice in the world.  He says the rash will end in poverty, the wicked will draw no compassion, and frauds will find themselves trapped in their lies.

The Book of Proverbs may seem naive in a world that keeps chasing fame, fun, and fortune. Some people, after all, seem to care exclusively about themselves. But only God knows if they live as nicely as they make others believe.  And only He can say how long their comforts times will last.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Proverbs 3:27-34; Luke 8:16-18)

In a movie some years ago an Italian-American father shares his wisdom with his son.  He says that nothing is worse than a person wasting God-given talent.  The father cites Joe DiMaggio as an example.  The famous athlete made full use of his abilities to become one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the sport.  In fact his accomplishment of hitting safely in fifty-six consecutive games is still a major league record.  Jesus has some similar advice for his disciples in today’s gospel.

The lesson takes place after Jesus explains to his disciples alone the parable of the seed falling on different terrains.  Now he implies that they are all fertile soil capable of producing much fruit.  But, he says, they must put their individual talents to good use.  They cannot squirrel them away exclusively for their own welfare, much less ignore them completely.  No, they have to employ them to benefit the Kingdom of God or, Jesus says, they will be taken away.

God is not treating us harshly by expecting us to use our talents for the good of others.  Rather He is urging us to grow in virtue by caring for the needy.  Further He is moving us closer to Himself as the reward of eternal life.