Friday, December 9, 2016

Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuanhtlatoatzin, holy man

(Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19)

There is an old story about something wonderful having happened in Bethlehem.  The marvelous event was the price of steel increasing two cents a pound.  The Bethlehem referred to in this story is not the place where Jesus was born, but Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, an old steel town.  The story demonstrates Jesus’ lesson in today’s gospel.

Like the citizens of Bethlehem, the “generation” which Jesus speaks of is oblivious to the presence of salvation among them.  People of the generation have no more appreciation of the holiness to which the prophets call them than bratty children taunting one another.  They refuse to be moved either by ascetics like John or by more personable preachers like Jesus.

Today the Church remembers St. Juan Diego, the Mexican native who served the Virgen of Guadalupe.  He was anything but oblivious to Jesus.  A fervent convert to Christianity, he only wanted to the Lord’s will as he encountered the Blessed Mother.  He learned from her that God has plans for His people that sometimes differ from those we judge correct.  We must discern in prayer and consultation what God is asking of us and then pursue it with all our hearts.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Genesis 3:9-15.20; Ephesians 1:3-6.11-12; Luke 1:26-38)

Today’s reading from the Letter to the Ephesians tells of God’s plan to make us His people.  It says that we were chosen before the world was founded. But the drama of salvation begins in the first reading. Our ancestors are seen alienating themselves from God and one another.  The same alienation due to sin keeps us from being a united people under God today.

God’s plan has an unexpected agent.  In the gospel passage Mary is a young virgin whose nature has been uncorrupted by sin.  She is actually asked whether she wants to participate in the drama of salvation.  Will she allow herself to be the mother of God’s Son?  It may arouse suspicion of her virtue and even disgust from the self-exalted.  But as right-minded as she is, how can she refuse God’s request?  Her acceptance of the responsibility – “’May it be done to me according to your word’” -- leads to the coming of Jesus and our eventual adoption into God’s family.

Today is given to contemplating this mystery.  We should see Mary as not so different from us.  She is not hindered by selfishness, but we can limit that disgrace by regularly denying ourselves in favor of others.  More importantly, she is propelled by the love of God.  We too have a share in that love through our Baptism.  This is to say that we, similar to Mary, might be agents of a united humanity under God’s care.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30)

In a perceptive article about binge-drinking on campus, a journalist came to a startling conclusion.  She wrote that alcohol abuse results from the excessive expectations of permissive parents.  The parents will tolerate the alcohol abuse of their children as a pressure release from the demanding university courses they take in order to land highly compensated jobs.  In the gospel Jesus offers a much more salubrious way to deal with social pressure.

Jesus is responding to the difficulty that Jews of his day had in fulfilling all the precepts of the Mosaic Law.  He begs the people to allow him to impose on them his way of carrying out the Law.  It is not that he will diminish the Law.  Rather, he will give its practitioners a new motive.  Instead of fretting over the execution of every deed, they will act out of love for the Father.  In this way Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading. “They that hope in the Lord,” the prophet says, “will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings…”

We celebrate St. Ambrose today as one of the great Church Fathers.  He recognized the need to let go of our proud ambitions to achieve fame and fortune.  Rather, he would say, we will find happiness – in this life as well as hereafter – from living for the Lord.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop

(Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14)

St. Nicholas, the fourth century bishop of Myra in southwestern Asia Minor (now Turkey), was legendary for his pastoral care.  In one story he throws bags of gold into the home of three impoverished girls to save them from prostitution.  The money was used for dowries, and the three girls were happily married.  Because of tales like this St. Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus, the most famous gift-giver of all, except, of course, for God himself. 

Although charming, the stories about St. Nicholas pale in comparison to the generosity shown by God.  In today’s first reading the prophet Isaiah envisions God liberating His people from captivity in Babylon.  Liberation occurs in the sixth century B.C., and, again, in the life of Jesus.  As today’s gospel indicates, Jesus becomes the Good Shepherd who rescues sinners from perdition.

Although children are too often indulged with candy, a little treat along with a hearty catechesis is in order today.  We want to teach our young of Jesus’ gift of himself which is far more ingratiating.  His love brings us eternal happiness.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

(Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26)

Many people will be taking a flight home for Christmas.  Most of the travelers will feel peace penetrating their souls as their plane approaches their city.  They will experience a shadow of the salvation which the prophet Isaiah describes in today’s first reading.

The passage does not identify either the starting or the terminal point of the journey.  From what is known of the Old Testament, however, the journey probably ends in Jerusalem, the heavenly home.  In the Temple there people make peace with God.  They not only experience relief from the burden of their sins but also consolation from being surrounded by others who believe as they do.  The passage exhorts the strengthening of the weak so that they might complete the journey.  In the gospel Jesus is shown to do just that.  But he doesn’t just heal the paralytic; he forgives his sins so that the man may feel God’s peace instantly.

Advent should be a busy time.  However, we must take care not to busy ourselves with vain pursuits. We should be preparing for the coming of the Lord by strengthening one another’s faith.  Perhaps this may be done by finding a suitable gift for family members and friends.   But it is surely done when we assist those in great need.