Monday, November 21, 2016

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 14:1-3.4b-5; Luke 21:1-4)

Much is said of the early Christian martyrs.  Traditionally they have been seen as the spur that moved many pagans to become Christians.  The theologian Tertullian claimed, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.”  However, there is little evidence to support the assertion.  But the early martyrs performed two important services.  They encouraged Christians who were willing to apostatize rather than be killed to change their minds.  “We want to join our brothers and sisters in the arena,” they said in seeing brave Christians go to their deaths.  The martyrs also became the heroes of the Church whose members named their children after them.  Today’s first reading celebrates these early saints.

The number 144,000 is the square of a perfect number, twelve, with three zeroes added for good measure.  It represents all the early martyrs whose actual number probably was not that high.  They maintained their faith under trial and are rewarded special recognition in eternal life.

Interestingly, the number 144,000 is not much larger than the estimated figure for Christians being martyred every year in recent times.  It seems incredible to someone living in the United States, but men and women professing faith in Christ are being slaughtered every day in countries near and far.  Some of them are hunted down simply because they are Christians.  Others are murdered because faith impels them to defend human rights.  In every case martyrs still provide us a model for us to live by.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19:45-48)

Franz Jӓgerstӓtter died a martyr of the faith at toward the end of World War II.  He was an ordinary farmer with a wife and three daughters until he was called to fight in the German army.  He knew that the Nazis were thugs and took his stand as a conscientious objector.  For a while the Nazis tolerated his resistance.  But as the tide of the war turned, they tried Jӓgerstӓtter for sedition.  Jӓgerstӓtter was told by friends and churchmen to think of his family and repent.  But he defended his position writing, “I cannot believe that, just because one has a wife and children, a man is free to offend God."

In the first reading, Presbyter John conveys how Jӓgerstӓtter must have felt before the guillotine ended his life.  John says that when a prophet first proclaims God’s word, it is like honey on the tongue.  But words have meaning, and actions have consequences.  People will reject a prophet’s criticism and then the prophet.  If the message is strong enough, they will seek to kill the messenger.

Having made the ultimate sacrifice for his faith , Jӓgerstӓtter’s story has a sweet ending.  In 2007 he was beatified by the Church.  There was no need for a miracle to show Blessed Franz Jӓgerstӓtter’s sanctity.  Pope Benedict XVI declared that his execution was in fact a martyrdom obviating any other proof of holiness. 

Thursday, November 16, 2016

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

(Revelation 5:1-10; Luke 19:41-44)

Political cartoonist Bill Maudlin captured the people’s imagination. His characterization of foot-soldiers Willie and Joe during World War II etched a trail of admiration in the American mind for the G.I.  However, a single cartoon drawn twenty years after the war ended had even greater impact.  After President Kennedy was assassinated, Mauldin drew a cartoon of the Lincoln Memorial.  Instead of a straight back Lincoln stolidly looking forward, Mauldin drew the sixteenth president bent over crying in his hands.  It was the way the whole nation felt.  Lincoln’s tears are reminiscent of Jesus’ in today’s gospel.

Jesus cries over Jerusalem for not heeding his call to repentance.  Jerusalem, David’s capital city, is symbolic of the whole world.  Most people follow their egotistic designs rather than Jesus’ example of humility and commandment of love.  Wars never seem to end because egotism turns violent when a national ego does not get its way.

We must learn to curb our egos – both individual and corporate.  It is certain that with nuclear weapons the world cannot sustain another total war.  If World War II was not the last total war, then World War III definitely will be.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(Revelation 4:1-11; Luke 19:11-28)

There is drama behind today’s gospel.  What seems at first sight the telling of a rather simple parable turns into the last chance for the players to commit themselves.  It is like the last call to place bets at the racetrack.  One must either play or be left behind.

The drama opens as Jesus is approaching Jerusalem.  Shortly he will deliver himself to be crucified for the salvation of the world.  In his entourage are two kinds of people – those who have been following Jesus but have not committed themselves to him and those who have become his disciples.  Both have roles in Jesus’ parable.  The first group must decide for or against Jesus.  If they do not commit themselves to him for all the good that he has done, they have decided against him.  The latter are the dissenters in the parable who do not want Jesus as their king.  They will come to regret their choice.  Even Jesus’ disciples have a decision to make.  They can either risk their comfort in proclaiming Jesus to the world after his death and resurrection or play it safe and do nothing to promote his triumph.  The more they risk – the more they give of themselves for the sake of Jesus’ kingship, the more they will gain in the end.  But if they choose not to expend any effort – if they sit back rather than make sacrifices for him -- they will lose whatever value their original choice for him had.   

We find ourselves in the second group.  We have decided to follow Jesus but have not, perhaps, wanted to make sacrifices to proclaim him to others.  Maybe we have a bad habit like telling racist jokes that gives a counter-testimony to Jesus.  Or perhaps we refuse to do something we know we should like joining a small faith community. Jesus’ parable tells us that there is little time left.  We must move to proclaim him now.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)

St. Albert the Great established a reputation as one of the greatest philosophers of his time.  A true lover of knowledge, he studied everything from tiny plants to the mysteries of creation.  He was the first European to comment extensively on the works of Aristotle.  In his pursuit of knowledge Albert the Great imitates Zacchaeus in today’s gospel.  The publican, said to be “short in stature,” was long on desire to know the Lord.

Zacchaeus climbs a tree just to see Jesus.  When Jesus visits his house, Zacchaeus proves himself his true disciple.  He promises to give half his wealth to the poor and pay back fourfold any extortion he might have perpetrated.  Jesus responds to the demonstration of good will by awarding Zacchaeus “salvation.”  Zacchaeus and his household become sons and daughters of God with eternal life as their destiny.

We too long to see the Lord.  We often miss him in the sacraments, in Scripture, and in the poor because we become distracted with everyday concerns.  Let us take time to meditate on his presence this moment.  We need to leave behind our doubts to welcome him into our souls like Zacchaeus received him into his house.