Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Let’s picture life in the year 1600 when St. Vincent de Paul was ordained.  Arguably the most tumultuous century in all history has just ended.  Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. The Spanish colonized America.  Martin Luther called the Church to reform.  But for all the splendor of these accomplishments Europe lacks holiness.  Vincent would supply this need. 

Vincent spent time as a slave and time in the royal court.  He founded a congregation of men dedicated to seminary teaching.  But he is best known for his dedication to the poor.  He not only helped found a congregation of women to assist the poor, he attended the needs of the poor himself.  Equally remarkable, he created a spirituality of the poor that touched the heart of France.  In the gospel Jesus likewise surprises his disciples with a fresh idea of holiness. 

Going up to Jerusalem, Jesus admonishes James and John for wanting to use power to destroy others.  As God’s anointed one, he shows forbearance to all and expects the same of his followers.  In the city he will allow himself to be crucified.  His purpose is to win universal reconciliation through obedience to the Father’s will.

Working with the poor often demands such submission as Jesus’.  They do not always respond as graciously as we think they should.  But we must not give up the endeavor.  We shall be all right.  As Vincent taught, “Those who are resolved to depend utterly on God shall never be poor.” 

Monday, October 26, 2016

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50)

In a book four years ago sociologist Charles Murray demonstrated the importance of faith for a prosperous society.  People who earn large incomes tend to go to church more often than people who live in poverty.  The reason is not that they have more time, but that faith religion provides motives for working hard and avoiding life-disrupting vices.  In today’s first reading the prosperous Job experiences downfall.  It might be expected that he eject his trust in God.

But Job maintains a firm faith in God despite the losses heaped upon him and more difficulties to come.  Rather than curse God or simply forget about Him, Job’s response to hardship is: “’The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!’”

We are wise to trust God in both good times and in trials.  We act as His true servants when we encourage the poor to believe.  In today’s gospel Jesus says, “”Whoever receives this child in my name receives me…’”  That child is the poor person who should be sought out and then received at the church door.

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.