Monday, December 19, 2016

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

Catholics are often amazed when the differences among the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life are reviewed.  The differences may be seen in the first chapter of each gospel.  Mark begins with John preaching in the desert.  Both Matthew and Luke treat Jesus’ birth, but Matthew will focus on Joseph’s role and Matthew on Mary’s.  John goes back to the beginning of creation when the Word co-existed with God, the Father. 

With all the differences, however, there are very impressive similarities among the gospels.  Mark, Luke, and John tell of John the Baptist in their initial chapters.  Matthew defers mention of the Baptist until he finishes the story of Jesus’ birth and infancy.  But Matthew begins his story of Jesus’ birth with the patriarch Abraham, who is much like Zachariah with whom Luke introduces his gospel.  Both Abraham and Zachariah are faithful; both long to have a child; and both have their prayers heard by an indulgent God.

We need not be dismayed by the differences encountered in the gospel narratives.  The gospels essentially agree, and they universally call forth our faith in Jesus as Lord.  They concur that he is the God who became human so that we might share his divine happiness.  Once again God indulges His children by granting our deepest longing. 

Friday, December 16, 2016

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 56-3a.6-8; John 5:33-36)

A lovely poem by the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore treats the somber theme of death.  It says that death is not what is popularly thought -- the “extinguishing (of) the light.”   Rather, it consoles those who grieve that death is “putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”  The same interplay of two kinds of light governs the Christian perspective of the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus.

In today’s gospel passage Jesus calls John “a burning and shining lamp.”  He cannot provide definitive instruction on how to live but points the way to Jesus.  In the beginning of the Gospel of John Jesus is described as “the true light that enlightens everyone who comes into the world.”  He teaches those who would listen the ways of God and provides the necessary assistance to fulfill his directives.

As we in the Northern Hemisphere experience the minimum of sunlight during late December, we do well to reflect on Jesus as a light more radiant than that of any star.  He insures us a worthy life now and eternal life in a realm beyond our dreams.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 54:1-10; Luke 7:24-30)

Background checks are almost as much a part of the employment process as filling out an application.  Employers investigate not only where an applicant comes from but her work and educational experiences as well. They want to be as sure as possible that the person will work well in a new environment.  Fortunately, God does not require a background check to enter his kingdom as both readings today testify.

The reading from Isaiah tells the abandoned woman that she will have a new husband – God Himself. He will make her very happy with many children.  She is the people of Israel who were figuratively widowed when the elite of Jerusalem went into exile.  Now they may leave in peace for God is there to protect them.  Jesus says something similar in the gospel.  He tells the crowds that sinners who heeded John’s call to repentance will be accepted into the Kingdom of God.  However, those – like the Pharisees – who ignored the call by refusing to acknowledge their sins much less to repent of them will remain without God’s reward.

People talk of the need to forgive oneself of sin.  They probably mean allowing oneself to experience the forgiveness of God.  Where we are often either too demanding or too lax in considering our behavior, God is always equitable.  He is ever ready to accept us back into His fold as long as we truly repent of our sins.  

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church

(Isaiah 45:6c-8.18.21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23)

There is a famous story about King Richard, the Lion-heart, and Saladin, the Muslim sultan, who met during the Third Crusade.  In the peaceful encounter Richard attempted to show the capability of his sword by cutting through a steel bar. Richard brought the sword down on the bar which broke in two. But the sultan was not overly impressed.  He told Richard that his strength, not the sword’s sharpness, caused the bar to split.  Then Saladin took out his scimitar, threw a silk scarf in the air and let it fall on the sword’s blade.  As it did, the scarf tore in two.  The scimitar proved to be the keener sword.  The story illustrates the point Jesus makes in today’s gospel.

John the Baptist appears disillusioned by Jesus.  He thought that Jesus would be the long-awaited Messiah but has misgivings when Jesus does not preach fire much less punish wrong-doers.  Rather he eats with sinners while calling them to conversion.  Jesus offers evidence of his being Messiah that he consistently assists the needy.  Doing so, Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s first reading that the Lord will create well-being.

We are often so fascinated by power that we tend to think of it as God’s chief characteristic.  It is not. Love characterizes God in both testaments of Scripture.  God’s love translates into care for His people which is seen especially in the ministry of Jesus.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr

(Zephaniah 3:1-2.9-13; Matthew 21:28-32)

In prison two men are serving multi-year sentences.  They have been there awhile and will not leave soon.  Yet they do not seem anxious.  When asked about how they are doing, they respond that since they have accepted their situations, they are at peace.  Today’s readings have people like these men in mind.

The reading from Zephaniah critiques city dwellers who sit back in comfort.  These are the people who enjoy a degree of prosperity and participate in religious services.  But their hearts are not converted. They do not ask themselves how they might have done wrong and therefore do not repent.  Surely their lives will end in disaster.  In the gospel Jesus speaks of two brothers.  One does wrong, recognizes his fault, and corrects it.  The other brother is blind to having done wrong when he makes a promise that he does not keep.  His life too will end in misery.

The second brother may be contrasted to St. Lucy whose feast day is today.  He was blind to what is really import but could see.  She kept her sight on Christ even though she is said to have been blinded in the course of her martyrdom.