Monday, January 21, 2019

Memorial of St. Agnes, virgin and martyr

(Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 2:18-22)

Fasting, a form of self-denial, has many purposes.  During Lent people fast to show remorse for sins.  Holy women and men fast to show their love for God.  Fasting prepares athletes for training and competition.  Doctors demand that patients fast before medical procedures. 

In Scripture Jesus fasts before he goes out to proclaim the Reign of God.  This fast is likely intended as a discipline preparing him for the rigors of mission.  In the exercise he comes to realize that more than on anything else he depends on God.  In today’s gospel, however, he tells the Pharisees that his disciples do not have to fast for the moment.  He explains that now is their time for spirited fellowship.  Fasting, he indicates, is more appropriate for mourning.

Unfortunately many people have abandoned the custom of fasting.  Even the simple penance of meatless Fridays during Lent seems too much a burden for some.  We should fast regularly by not eating for an extended period or by abstaining from food we particularly enjoy.  In so doing we show not only our willingness to submit to God but also our love for Him.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 4:1-5.11; Mark 2:1-12)

The man was having a hard time.  He moved out of his parents’ house to marry a divorced woman.  When the marriage didn’t work out, he came back to his parents but slept on a bed in the basement.  He seemed to feel unworthy of the dignity of having his own room.  Some would say that he could not forgive himself for marrying outside the Church.  But is it not more the case that he refused to accept God’s forgiveness?  Today’s gospel offers some insight into the dynamic.

When Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, nothing is mentioned of the man’s emotional state.  Perhaps, he believes that Jesus’ word is as safe as a ride on a mule.  He then gives a sigh of relief that his past no longer threatens his eternal life.  At least he can raise his head in public again because he acknowledged accepted forgiveness.  However, the scribes – Jesus’ law-obsessed adversaries –take umbrage.  They object that Jesus presumes divine power by claiming to forgive sins.  Jesus then shows that he indeed has supernatural power.  He commands the paralytic to walk.  The healing dramatizes the meaning of forgiveness.  It enables sinners to walk freely in public.

A therapeutic society speaks of the need to “forgive oneself.”  People believe that they are accountable mostly to themselves for their faults.  We Christians, however, should realize that God made us for Himself.  That is, we live to give Him praise and glory.  Our sins compromise this mission.  For this reason we seek first and foremost God’s forgiveness.  Often we need to ask forgiveness of others as well.  Our sins may have hurt people directly.  Perhaps they also injured the family or community’s name.  We need to ask forgiveness all around to walk truly free.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

(Hebrews 3:7-14; Mark 1:40-45)

The gospel today shows Jesus changing places with the leper.  He is an insider – of good Jewish lineage and righteous according to the Law.  He can go anywhere in Israel that he pleases.  Yet he freely becomes an outsider.  When he heals the leper, his fame becomes so great that he cannot go anywhere without being mobbed.  Meanwhile the leper, who cannot mingle with people because of his disease, becomes an insider.  After Jesus touches him, he is free to enter city and village.

We can see a similar dynamic in the story of St. Anthony, the monk.  He was born an insider with plenty of resources to do whatever he wished.  Yet he chose to recluse himself in a desert hovel thereby making himself an outsider.  He was giving witness to Christ so that those excluded by inordinate self-love from the promises of Christ might take note and reform.  They would then become insiders of God’s family.

We are called to give similar witness.  We do not have to go into the desert, but we must make some sacrifice of self for the benefit of others.  The sacrifice certainly includes paying less attention to our own needs and more to those of others.  We might listen to others more than speak to them.  Or we might make a habit of complimenting those who lack self-confidence.  In these simple ways we enable others to become insiders of God’s family.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 2:14-18; Mark 1:29-39)

People were talking about the burdens of old age.  One participant of the conversation asked, “Ninety-four years – who would want to live that long?”  An elderly sister answered, “Maybe someone who is ninety-three.”  Few people with reasonable health want to die.  Most hope to keep enjoying family and friends, food and entertainment.  The readings today assure that Jesus understands human desires.  He aims to assist us with our natural needs.

In the gospel Jesus is pictured curing illnesses from Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever to “various diseases.“ Certainly he staves off death with these healings.  The first reading suggests a more comprehensive campaign against death. The Letter to the Hebrews testifies to how Jesus’ paschal mystery has overcome both death and the dread of it.  It reminds believers that clinging to him they too will rise from the dead. This means that they may live without anxiety, choose without intimidation, and dream without fear. 

We want to visit Jesus.  The gospel describes how “the whole town was gathered at the door.”  We can place ourselves there through prayer.  When we talk him as with our doctor, his will for us will be clarified.  He knows how we feel because he experienced our human life.  He will tell us to be bold with our love and humble with our expectations.  Such is the way of victory over death.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(Hebrews 2:5-12; Mark 1:21-28)

Last month a leading American magazine featured a story on exorcism.  It interviewed a person who believes herself to be possessed, exorcists, and scientists.  After relating difficult to explain phenomena, the article left open the possibility of demonic possession.  Still possession seems more a part of a first century mentality than a twenty-first.  Today’s gospel relates the first of many incidents in which Jesus casts out a demon.

The passage testifies to Jesus’ authority.  The people are amazed that when he speaks, the spirit obeys. He does not hesitate to address the demon much less does he show it deference.  Like a four star general with a division of soldiers behind him, his word calls the devil to attention.

Jesus will help us as he helps the demoniac.  We are not likely possessed by anything more than bad habits or errant thinking.  Nevertheless, opening ourselves to his words will free us from these faults.  We will not only live more happily but also look forward to eternal life as our destiny.