Thursday, May 24, 2018

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)

George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegory to critique Soviet Communism.  He used farm animals to indicate different types of people who revolt against a delinquent farmer.  At the beginning of his story the pigs ardently organize the other animals. They claim that with a change of regime all will be treated equally.  When the revolution succeeds, however, one of the pigs connives for leadership.  He systematically eliminates rivals and acts more tyrannically than the farmer. Today’s rather difficult gospel should be read as providing a similar lesson.

Jesus is teaching his disciples about their future proclamation of the gospel.  He tells them that they can expect some relief - such as a cup of water - in their efforts.  He warns them, however, that they should never exploit others.  He emphasizes that if they lead others from virtue, they will be punished like the worst of criminals.  Jesus is aware of the tendency of initial ideals being corrupted with the acquisition of power.  This is what happened in Orwell’s allegory and sometimes, sadly, even in Church leadership. 

In his parable Jesus uses salt in a novel way.  He sees it like the ideals which inspire people to work fervently in pursuit of their goals.  But the ideals may wane like salt may turn unsavory. Then like salt becomes useless except to melt the snow, ideals become empty words. 

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:13-17; Mark 9:38-40)

A Catholic novelist recently wrote of her conversion experience.  She said that she grew up Episcopalian but without firm direction.  She went to an Ivy League School where she succumbed to sexual temptations.  Undergoing an intellectual conversion, she refrained from premarital sex for a while.  She then fell back into serious sin and experienced what she calls “a baffling illness.”  She was saved from the dire situation by a charismatic healer named Grace.  The novelist assisted Grace’s mission activities until she became a Catholic.  The story is similar to what today’s gospel conveys.

The passage resembles what probably happened many times in the early Church as it does today.  Preachers who are not connected to apostolic churches minister in the name of Jesus.  The apostolic churches had to ask themselves if the upstarts should be tolerated.  This is the question that his disciples ask Jesus.  His answer is unequivocal: “’Do not prevent them.’”  They may not have all the seven sacraments or entirely correct teaching.  But they are still preforming works of genuine love.

It is sometimes difficult for Catholics to tolerate other Christian communities.  We see them as intellectually and liturgically wanting.  Moreover, sometimes they ridicule the Catholic Church with calumnies and misinformation.  But many of their adherents probably love Jesus as much as we.  The situation calls for forbearance.  Perhaps a dialogue with the other church may eliminate the undue criticism.  Common service projects and even mutual prayer services may change attitudes.  Even if they are against us at first, they may become working allies.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37)

Once in a while at the end of mass someone speaks out, “St. Michael, defend in battle…”  The prayer dates back 142 years to the pontificate of Leo XIII.  At that time the papacy found itself at a loss vis-a-vis worldly powers.  St. Michael was called upon to defend the Holy See’s interests.  The tune of the prayer is similar to today’s first reading.

The author of the text understands his readers to be in conflict with themselves.  He sees their grace-enlightened minds struggling against their passions inclined to do evil.  Distrusting spontaneity, he exhorts them to soberly resist all temptations of pleasure.

Such outlooks on the world appeal to us who sometimes feel conflicted by natural desires.  However, the goods of the world should not be spurned completely.  Made for our use and enjoyment, they make us grateful to be alive.  But they are not to dominate our aspirations either.  We are made for something better - love that blossoms into eternal life.  We should interpret James as a warning about over-indulgence in material creation.  Even more we should be joyful and thankful for the gift of life.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

(Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-34)

Today for the first time throughout the world the Church celebrates Mary as Mother of the Church.  Pope Francis decreed the innovation in order to tie Christian life more closely to the cross and to Mary.  Today’s gospel eloquently illustrates this linkage.

The passage relates John’s version of Jesus’ death and of the formation of the first Christian community.  From the cross Jesus introduces his mother to his beloved disciple and his disciple to his mother.  He does not mean simply that his beloved disciple care for his mother.  Rather, he wants them to unite with his other disciples as a community of believers.  As the Church requires the Holy Spirit, the gospel specifies that Jesus “hand(s) over his spirit,” ostensibly to them.  Mother and son form one family, the children of God, whose task is to proclaim the Father’s love to the world.

We are called into that relationship.  With Mary teaching us, we learn how to reflect over the events of our lives as encounters with God.  With brother and sister Christians we give witness to Christ’s resurrection by our joy in humble service.

Friday, May 18, 2018

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)

A Marianist brother, like many people, loved to fish.  He used to say that a fisherman takes his watch off, puts his line in the water, and never worries about time.  The brother only confirmed other slogans about fishing such as, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office.”  Understanding how much fisherman love their occupation helps us appreciate today’s gospel.

Jesus wants Peter to commit himself first and foremost to him.  He asks his disciple, “Do you love me more than these?”  The question is not meant to show that Peter loves Jesus more than the other disciples love him.  How could Peter claim that after denying Jesus publicly three times?  No, the question seeks to ascertain if Peter will work for Jesus or will return to fishing.  The pronoun “these” refers to the accoutrements of fishing – boat, nets, and lines.  When Peter answers Jesus unequivocally, “’Yes…,’” Jesus assigns him the task of leadership of the Church.

We should consider ourselves queried in the same way as Peter.  Do we love the Lord more than our own occupations or other  interests?  Jesus does not necessarily mean that we forego other pursuits.  However, he does want us to make him the first priority of our lives.  We are to love him more than our work, even more than our children and our very selves.  It is a tall order to commit to, and it may take a lifetime before we can comfortably respond, “Yes.”  But assent is required if we are to have the eternal life Jesus promises.