Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

There can be no doubt to whose life the angel refers to in the first reading when he tells the apostles, “’Go and take you place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.’”  At the beginning of the Book of Acts as he is about to ascend into heaven, Jesus instructs them “to be my witnesses” in Jerusalem and throughout the world.  The angel is just reiterating that command.

Acts gives various examples of the apostolic witness.  But the most famous summary of “this life” is seen in today’s gospel.  Jells tells Nicodemus, “’God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.’”  Jesus is of God – His “Son.”  He comes to testify to God’s love for “the world” – all humanity.  This love is most powerfully witnessed when he willingly dies on the cross – among the cruelest of sufferings ever endured.

The witness of love has been shown to us today through the apostles, their successors, and many other true witnesses of Christ.  It compels us to love others by sacrificing some of our time, talent, and treasure.  We are more than willing to do this but not really for altruism’s sake.  No, we love even when it hurts, as Jesus says, so that we “’might have eternal life.’”

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15)

Everyone who has heard the four gospels a few times knows that John is different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  One significant difference is that in John’s gospel Jesus does not teach much with parables.  There are no long pedagogic stories in John like the “Good Samaritan” in Luke or the “Vineyard Owner” in Mark.  Rather John is the master of another teaching technique that is not commonly found in the others.  In John Jesus teaches by means of extended dialogues with different characters such as Nicodemus in today’s gospel.

Nicodemus has come to Jesus “at night,” which is symbolic for being unenlightened.  Perhaps he is impressed with Jesus like those in the first reading who witness the Jerusalem Christian community holding everything in common.  In any case Jesus tells Nicodemus about the power behind such generous sharing.  It is this way “with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  When Nicodemus asks about the source of the Spirit, Jesus replies a bit cryptically but nevertheless understandably to the Christian readers of the gospel.  The source of the Spirit is Jesus, the Son of Man, being “lifted up” on the cross.

Believers’ generosity has drawn many non-believers and lukewarm believers to Christ over the century.  We should not be afraid to contribute to this effort.  This does not mean that we make public displays of our giving.  But it moves us to treat all people better than fairly, showing particular care for the poor and unemployed.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

(Isaiah 7:10-14.8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38)

A new coffee filter promises to make better coffee by filtering the water before it touches the coffee grounds.  Separating the good from the bad or the true from the false has always been a helpful exercise.  It is the essence of discernment which in turn is at the heart of today’s readings.

King Ahaz sounds pious when he rejects Isaiah’s offer for a sign in the first reading.  Actually he is refusing to engage in discernment so that he might enter into a pact with Assyria.  God expects obedience from His creatures, not sanctimony.  The Letter to the Hebrews shows Christ responding in the way God desires: “’…behold, I come to do your will, O God,” he says.  The four gospels are in accord that discerning and obeying the Lord’s will is a particular attribute of Jesus.  But he is not the only one who does God’s will.  Mary, his mother, proves herself similarly obedient.  In today’s gospel she discerns the sign of Elizabeth’s pregnancy as a sufficient indicator of what God expects of her.

We often have difficulty discerning God’s will.  Signs are ambiguous.  The probable results of proposed actions are unclear.  Prayer is helpful in such situations as is seeking advice of wise people.  We also have to questions our motives in doing one thing or another.  Then we act, never doing anything contrary to what we know to be God’s will and always praying for God’s assistance.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Friday within the Octave of Easter

(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)

Speaking truth to power often puts one in danger.  Martin Luther King, Jr., did it continually and died by an assassin’s bullet.  Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador also spoke up on behalf of the poor and likewise died a martyr’s death.  Both of these contemporary prophets no doubt were inspired by Peter’s speech in today’s first reading.

Peter is being harassed by Jewish authorities for having invoked the name of Jesus.  His persecutors want to suppress the cult of Jesus, but Peter cannot but proclaim what he experienced with Jesus’ resurrection.  As he says, God raised Jesus from the dead and there is no salvation other than in him.  Peter publicly pronounces Jesus’ salvation four other times in the Acts of the Apostles.  Although Acts does not tell of his martyrdom, his fate is sealed for so boldly declaring the primary Christian message.

All of us have opportunity to speak truth to power.  When we find ourselves confronting an injustice, we should prepare ourselves to speak well.  We want to make sure that what we say is true.  Sometimes the power we are addressing is not as evil as it appears.  Then we must be ready to endure repercussions.  However, if we know what we are talking about and say it with prudence, we may convince at least some of the powerful people who oppose us.  Finally, we want to pray for assistance.  Jesus promises his disciples his continued presence when they speak what he teaches.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Thursday within the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)

During the Easter season the Church does not use the Old Testament in its liturgies other than the Psalms.  Its purpose is to emphasize how Jesus’ resurrection makes everything new.  But this does not mean that the Old Testament is entirely silent.  It is so inextricable to the Christian message that it will be continually found in readings selected from the New Testament.  This can be demonstrated in in today’s first reading.

After healing the lame man St. Peter explains the purpose of the miracle to the astonished people.  He says that God is using the healing to glorify Jesus in whose name it was performed.  Then Peter identifies Jesus as the prophet whom Moses anticipates in the Book of Deuteronomy.   Belief of this prophet, he indicates, brings salvation from one’s sins.  Not heeding him, Moses continues, will lead to being cut off from God’s people. 

The Jews to this day have never converted en masse to Christ.  This does that mean, however, that they have forsaken their heritage as God’s chosen people.  At Vatican II the bishops taught, citing St. Paul, that God is always faithful to his promise, that God will never withdraw his favor from Israel.  We pray that the Jews will be faithful to the Covenant made to Moses.  In this way they will help us to understand Jesus better.  He came to redeem all humanity, even those who do not acknowledge him as their savior.