Monday, June 17, 2019

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 5:38-42)

Although the Bible is the “word of God” written for the edification of all humans, each its books has a particular context.  Sometimes the context is apparent as in the Letter to Philemon where St. Paul pleads for the liberation of a slave.  Sometimes, however, it is obscure so that readers today cannot understand all the work’s references.  Scholarly opinion of the Letter to the Hebrews, for example, is divided regarding its original readers and intent as well as its author.  There is an element of uncertainty regarding the context of Paul’s so-called Second Letter to the Corinthians.  (Saying “so-called” just indicates that there is reason to think it is a compendium of letters written after Paul’s more famous First Letter.)

The uncertainty of the Second Letter regards the issue of reconciliation to which Paul refers in today’s reading.  In the previous verses he urged the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God.”  Here he indicates that the difficulty they were having with him caused their alienation from God.  What is the difficulty?  Perhaps some Corinthians took offense at some of Paul’s accusations in the First Letter.  Perhaps they have been influenced by a false interpretation of the gospel.  In correspondence between intimates rarely is the context fully explained.

Nevertheless, the Second Letter to the Corinthians reveals an enormous amount of information about St. Paul.  It tells us of his remarkable suffering on behalf of Christ and of his ongoing dialogue with him.  We stand in awe of this scholar missionary martyr.  We also thank God for his work that is, at least in part, responsible for our coming to know Jesus Christ.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 5:27-32)

Lust may be the most problematic of the vices.  Yet it is not the most serious.  Indeed, Thomas Aquinas calls it the least offensive of the capital sins because it is the most natural.  This does not mean it is not harmful nor matter of mortal sin.  Quite puzzlingly in very recent times sociologists have discovered that Americans are less likely to have sexual relations than at other times since the sixties.  Evidently youth are substituting pornography and masturbation for sexual intercourse.  What might we derive from today’s gospel about this disturbing tendency?

Of course, Jesus makes here the provocative statement that anyone who looks at a woman with lust commits adultery.  The reference to sinning with one’s hand also hints of sexual offense.  The description of divorce and remarriage should likewise be considered as sexual deviance. 

With all these sexual matters we might think that Jesus frowns upon sexual intimacy.  But this way of thinking is simply not true.  Jesus and, certainly, the Church value sexual relations greatly.  They both deepen the love of marriage partners as well as facilitate the growth of the human family.  But we must be sure in our understanding of sexual intimacy.  It is for married couples and is not to be done primarily for pleasure but out of mutual love.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church

(II Corinthians 3:15-4:1.3-6; Matthew 5:20-26)

Ask any person what she most wants in life.  It’s very possible she will respond “God.”  But for many God seems unattainable.  They may come to the conclusion that God does not exist or that the quest for him is too troublesome.  As a result, they settle for less satisfying goals, more often than not pleasure, power, or luxury.  St. Paul, in contrast, did not weary of the search for God.  He found Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.  In today’s first reading he intimates how he located Him.

Paul says that Jews are at a disadvantage in finding God because they do not recognize Jesus as Lord.  Christians, on the other hand, can see God revealed clearly.  This vision enables them to live truly good lives.  As Jesus himself says in the gospel, their righteousness brings them to the glory of heaven.  Paul sees himself as a servant who makes Jesus known to others.  He does not mind the task, which entails grave hardship, because Jesus wills it. 

We too are called to reveal the Lord Jesus so that others may find God.  We carry out this mission by showing goodness in the name of the Lord.  Amidst a culture of self-promotion and crudeness our acts of love will bring others’ attention to Jesus.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary time

(II Corinthians 3:4-11; Matthew 5:17-19)

A woman was making her case for changes in Church teaching.  She focused on the issue of divorce and remarriage.  Her reasoning for defending the right of Catholics in such a situation to receive Holy Communion was straight forward.  Just as Jesus brought the teaching of the Old Testament to a new level, so the Holy Spirit is advancing the people of God a step beyond.  Divorce, women ordinations, same-sex marriage are parts of the fresh teachings.  But such a logic conflicts with Scripture as well as established Church teaching. 

In today’s first reading St. Paul indicates the grandeur of the gospel.  He sees it as much more glorious than the already wondrous teaching of the Jewish Scriptures.  The gospel helps to clarify what Paul means.  Jesus says that he has come to fulfill the law and the prophets.  In other words, he will bring them to perfection.  In the Gospel according to John he speaks of the Holy Spirit as coming to the Church.  Its role, however, will not be to modify the gospel but to clarify its hidden and debatable meanings.

We may feel confused at times because the Church changes some practices.  Certainly the use of the common languages for the sacraments presented such a change.  But it is inaccurate that the Church has changed its basic teachings.  She can never change her stand on the inviolability of marriage, its reality as a union of a male and a female, and the reservation of the priesthood for men.  However, Church leaders realize that attitudes of male dominance are sinful and must be eradicated.  They know to remain faithful to the gospel they must promote the equal dignity of all.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle

(Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)

St. Barnabas is mentioned a number of times in Acts and the letters of St. Paul.  From all that is said, he is an exemplary Christian disciple.  He donates the proceeds from the sale of his land to the community of disciples (Acts 4:36-37).  He is sent to Antioch as a representative of the Church to investigate the new Christian community there.  One may find in him the gifts of patience and mercy in an incident that occurred while preaching with Paul.  Barnabas’ desire to allow John Mark to rejoin the preaching team after previously abandoning the effort contrasts with Paul’s demand that he stay behind (Acts 15:39).

Today’s reading from Acts even testifies to his virtue calling him “a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24).  The same Spirit asks that he and Paul be set aside for missionary work (Acts 13:2). It further indicates his ability by naming Barnabas the first of the prophets and teachers at Antioch.

We might strive to imitate Barnabas.  We certainly can be generous with what we own.  We can also be of faith and ready to forgive others.  We should also be willing to speak up in favor of Jesus and the Church.  Jesus’ teachings of self-sacrificial love may be ridiculed by some.  The Church has no shortage of detractors for its stand in favor of the integrity of marriage between a man and a woman and also the dignity of life.