Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 2:4b-9.15-17; Mark 7:14-23)

Today’s first reading is taken from the so-called second account of creation.  Genesis has already given an ordered account of how the universe and everything in it came to be.  Now it provides a personal story to assist humans in knowing the glories and pitfalls of life.

The gospel today seemingly moves in a direction opposite to that of the first reading.  Where it relays how Jesus “declared all things clean,” the first reading shows the Lord God prohibiting a specific food.  The human is not to eat of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil.”  People have speculated on what kind of food the tree bears for millennia. 

To the best of our understanding the food of the forbidden tree does not provide true knowledge of good and evil.  Rather it gives us only a semblance of it.  True knowledge of good and evil – what we know as wisdom -- comes mostly from listening to what God tells us.  By contrast, eating of the tree of knowledge is to think of oneself as wise without God.  It is to say, “I don’t need God to know what is good for me and what is bad for me; I can determine that for myself.”  This, of course, is the essence of pride.  In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples what is truly good and bad.  Eating any of the food that God provides – prudently, for sure – is good.  Evil comes from a heart set on self-satisfaction. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)

In the movie “Jurassic Park” humans try their hand at creation.  Actually they attempt to recreate an idyllic island where children may see the wonders of dinosaurs.  The enterprise fails, however, because of human miscalculation and vice.  Genesis reports today part of the story of God’s creation.  It works marvelously, at least to the extent that the same humans do not interfere.

Today’s reading relates the fifth and sixth days of creation and the seventh day of rest.  God first makes the creatures of the sea which include birds.  Then He turns His attention to land animals making domestic stock before populating forest with wild beats.  Of course, God reserves for last the pinnacle of His creation – human beings.  They are made in the image of God with a mind and will.  They also are given dominance over the rest of the earth.  But they are forbidden from abusing anything.  This command is implied in God’s first words to humankind.  Men and women are to eat seed-bearing plants and fruits from trees.  But forgetting the command, they will soon bring about discord in creation. 

The issue of eating only vegetables and fruits has been resolved in accord with most people’s liking.  But God’s mandate to live in harmony with the rest of creation is still in force.  We are to care for the earth and to treat our co-creatures humanely.  These tasks entail the curtailing of greed and the cultivating of respect.  When we do so, we do not oppose our nature as evidenced in today’s reading.  We only improve defective elements of our culture.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Memorial of Saint Paul Mike and Companions, martyrs

(Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56)

The recent motion picture Silence infuses some drama into today’s commemoration of saints.  The movie shows lay Japanese Christians giving their lives as martyrs of Christ.  Meanwhile European missionaries agonize over whether they should collude with the executioners to stop the torture.  Those who died for Christ are the real heroes of the story.  They are virtually the same as Paul Miki and Companions.

Today’s gospel indicates why people sacrifice their very lives for Christ.  It shows him tirelessly blessing and healing the sick who come to him.  Especially Mark’s gospel relates Jesus as God’s emissary capable of curing the most traumatic of diseases.

We are all sick in one way or another.  Some of us deal with serious ailments.  They turn to Jesus for spiritual support as well as physical healing.  They need him to trust in God’s Providence, to follow their doctors’ prescriptions, and to mend broken relations.  Others among us are in more dire need although they do not suffer acute physical distress.  They are sick with self-absorption.  They and the rest of us should look to Jesus as a model of living – humble, helpful, and thankful.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 13:1-8; Mark 6:14-29)

Charlie and Pauline Sullivan have been working for reform in prisons for forty years.  They founded an organization with the acronym CURE to unite people with the same concern.  The involvement of many hands and the tireless work of Pauline and Charlie have moved legislators to implement some of their ideas.  Charlie and Pauline exemplify what the Letter to the Hebrews today exhorts: “Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment…”

As in other New Testament epistles, the Letter to the Hebrews ends with an exhortation.  After describing Jesus as exemplary in every way, the letter urges readers to act like him.  As Jesus entertained guests in his home, so too must Christians welcome strangers.  As he relieved the burden of the oppressed, so too much Christians share their load.  As he was faithful and free, so too must Christians uphold the sanctity of marriage and not get obsessed with making money.

Today many Catholics, especially here in the United States, come to church to have their throats blessed.  They seek not only to protect themselves from disease but also to connect themselves with the traditions of their ancestors.  We might understand the custom in an additional way in light of today’s exhortation.  We have our throats blessed so that we might encourage others to lead lives worthy of Jesus Christ. 

Thursday, February 2, 2017

The Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

The world as just witnessed a great transition of power.  Donald Trump has moved into the White House as the forty-fifth president of the United States.  There has been no shortage of fanfare.  For better or worse, President Trump is now recognized by people around the globe.  Today’s first reading hints that Jesus’ coming into the temple would attract similar attention.  The reality, however, was something subdued, much like how he rules the world now.

The prophet Malachi speaks of the day of the Lord as one of reckoning.  God’s messenger will occupy the Jewish temple like a field general moves his headquarters into a well-situated building.  From it he will direct the campaign vindicating those who have lived righteously.  But when Jesus, God’s definitive emissary, comes into the temple, hardly anyone notices.  He is only an infant; however two elders recognize in his countenance the long-awaited Messiah.  Jesus will live and die for others without great masses of people taking notice.  But after his resurrection from the dead his disciples will tell the world of his legacy.  He will become, as one of the elders predicts, “’a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for … Israel.’”

We wonder why God does not reveal Himself with power.  We think that if Christ would come now to defeat evil, then all would turn to him in faith.  But, of course, that is not faith only instinct for survival by siding with the strong.  God desires to purify our wills by teaching us trust and love.  When we use our energy to care for others trusting that God will reward us, we become like Christ.  We need not worry about losing our lives because to become like Christ is what life is all about.