Monday, April 3, 2017

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; John 8:1-11)

Elderly people fear the loss of their minds. When they begin to forget names, they wonder if they are experiencing the effects of Alzheimer’s.  When they no longer have the acuity to resolve conundrums, they believe that the end has begun.  As terrible as loss of mental capacity with age is, it is even more tragic when old people act unwisely.  This is seen in today’s first reading.

The old men lust after Susannah.  They should not be condemned for having sexual desire which does not evaporate with age.  But they are guilty of not controlling it.  They certainly should have gained enough wisdom to recognize that sexual relations must be reserved for marriage.  The young Daniel understands this truth as he cleverly ferrets out the lechers’ scheme. Jesus shows even more perspicacity in the gospel.  He upholds justice as he tells the chastised woman “not to sin anymore.”  More importantly, he teaches that mercy must temper justice.  With a justice that is too strict for mercy, most people would suffer perpetual punishment.

Hopefully we have been chastened by almost five weeks of penance.  After discovering how we offend God in both small and great ways, we can see more clearly the need of mercy.  We are like that miserable woman standing in guilt before Jesus.  Like her as well, we will be sent away forgiven and renewed to live righteously. 

Friday, March 31, 2017

Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)

Perhaps all of us have had the experience of meeting someone who said he was Jesus Christ.  You probably thought the person demented, and you were right.  Yet Jesus said that he will return to judge the living and the dead.  It might be more prudent, therefore, to listen at least a bit to one who makes the claim.  In today’s gospel the real Jesus confronts inhabitants of Jerusalem who too quickly dismiss him.

The Jerusalemites know that Jesus has brought about incredible healings.  They ask themselves if he might be the long-expected Messiah but reject the idea out of hand because they know his origins.  They likely know as well his “brothers” -- probably male relatives of Jesus – who are present with him.   If Jesus were the Messiah – they reason -- they would not know anything about him.  Of course, Jesus is aware of both their thoughts and their mistake.  He cries out to the effect that they do not know that he comes from God, his Father.  He is also conscious that they cannot arrest him now because his Father has not yet ordained the time for him to accomplish the work of salvation.

Our annual celebration of Jesus’ work of salvation is close at hand.  We are wise to plan our time so that we might delve into the mysteries.  Holy Week should be an extensive period of reflection on how the Son of God has saved us from sin.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)

The Reformation of the sixteenth century brought forth both good and evil.  It did helpfully emphasize the centrality of Scripture and faith in the Christian tradition.  It also ushered a period of intense division, even religious warfare.  Now it seems that Pope Francis is effecting a new era.  He may become “the reformer of the reformers.”  He seems to be unifying many Christian groups in giving testimony to the Lord with fraternal love and charity.  This stance resembles that of Jesus makes in today’s gospel.

The Pharisees are harassing Jesus.  Believing in their own righteousness, they accuse Jesus of breaking the Law by healing on the Sabbath.  They do not see that he is – quite the contrary -- fulfilling God’s will.  In the first reading the Lord criticizes the people of Israel for being “stiff-necked.”  He gives them the Law as a way to reform themselves.  The Pharisees have embraced the Law but are likewise becoming “stiff-necked.”  They stubbornly refuse to see that they worship an idol of their own making – not a material object but proprieties that substitute for virtue.  Jesus calls their attention to what is truly important – love of God that is expressed by assistance to the needy.

We have left behind the superficial gods of power, pleasure, and prestige.  Now we must press on by engraving ever deeper in our hearts the need to honor God by doing His will.  It is no mean task in a world whose values often seem like a gale blowing against us.  But we will accomplish our objective if we rely on the grace offered us through Jesus Christ in this Eucharist.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)

In the first three gospels when Jesus is tried by the Jews, he is accused of calling himself the “son of God.”  In the long discourse from John’s gospel today, Jesus defends that position.  Differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and the Gospel of John are apparent to all readers.  Typically, however, careful readers find that they relate the same message.

Jesus defends his relationship to God, his Father in two ways.  First, he claims to do the work of the Father which is to give life.  Sons throughout the ages -- and certainly in first century Palestine – have taken upon themselves the occupation of their fathers.  If their father is a fisherman, they likely fish for a living.  Thus, being thought the son of Joseph, Jesus is alternately called the carpenter’s son in Matthew and a carpenter in Mark.  In yesterday’s gospel passage Jesus does the work of God, his true Father, by healing – a form of giving life which is God’s prerogative.  Second, Jesus defends his being God’s son by judging, that is, by vindicating the just.  He does this when he gives eternal life to those who believe in him.

Today’s gospel is prepping us to celebrate the Easter mysteries.  Then we will be challenged to believe the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  Expressing our faith by assenting to this proclamation and living accordingly, we will receive the eternal life Jesus promises.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)

“See Naples and die!” is a famous dictum proclaiming the glory that once belonged to the southern Italian city.  The readings today suggest a more compelling paraphrase: “See Jesus and live!”

The first reading from the prophet Ezekiel anticipates the wonder of the Jerusalem temple.  Solomon’s temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians.  Toward the beginning of the exile Ezekiel had the vision of a new temple.  It would be magnificent in structure and contain marvelous properties like life-giving water.  The gospel shows that Jesus exhibits the properties of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision.  Earlier in the gospel Jesus referred to his body as a temple to be destroyed and resurrected.  In today’s passage he shows how his restorative power supersedes that of the contemporary temple’s waters.

We must see Jesus as the one who gives us the fullness of life.  He reinforces us so that mundane impulses do not lead our spirits to destruction.  He also brings us to an eternal dwelling place with his Father.  He deserves both our imitation and our trust.