Monday, July 8, 2019

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26)

We think of Jesus as a carpenter or a healer, but foremost he was a teacher.  He taught the people while sitting down in the custom of his time.  Thus, in today’s gospel when the official asks Jesus to revive his daughter, he must rise to accompany him.  Jesus shows no reluctance at all to make the effort.  In fact, he is subservient throughout this section.  He takes time to heal the weak woman with a hemorrhage on the way.  And does not allow the dirge singers to impede him from carrying out his purpose.

Throughout the gospels Jesus teaches as much by his actions as by his words.  As he taught the necessity of trusting in God, he exhibits such faith by taking the dead girl’s hand. In this case he does not have to say a word.  The girl rises as if she had a near-death experience. 

Jesus teaches us, most of all, of the goodness of life.  He shows us that it is God’s most essential gift and that it should be valued accordingly.  He also teaches that it is not the greatest gift.  That distinction belongs to the kingdom of God or, even better, God’s love for us.  When we die for God’s love, we can be assured of its blessing.  This will be nothing less than the absolute fullness of life.

Friday, July 5, 2019

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 23:1-4.19.24:1-8.62-67; Matthew 9:9-13)

Today’s first reading mentions Abraham’s attempt to buy land from the Hittites for the burial of his wife.  The sale is problematic because Abraham is a resident alien without rights to own territory.  Eventually he is granted the right, and a purchase is made.  Abraham thus has a foothold in the land that God promised him.  In time through work, shrewdness, and conquest, all the land of Canaan will belong to Abraham’s descendants.  For this reason Jews today claim a right to settle throughout the region.

Of course, the right of the Jews to the whole region, classically called Palestine, is contested by Arabs.  These mostly Muslim people have inhabited Palestine for most of the last millennium and beyond.  They resent the recent Jewish settlements in areas beyond the boundaries of modern Israel. 

The question of ownership cannot be easily resolved.  Do Jews because of their direct descent from Abraham have a divine right to all Palestine?   It should be remembered, however, that Abraham is seen as the father in faith to Christians and Muslims as well.  As a way to settle the issue of ownership, we might see Jesus as the key figure in bringing about justice for all.  Jews and Muslims as well Christians can find in him a brother.  Indeed, people throughout the world have a relationship through him to one another.  The land belongs to everyone.  Nevertheless, for the time being it is expedient that the state of Israel administer it.  Its government still has an obligation to see that all people in the region are fairly treated.

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 2:1b-19; Matthew 9:1-8)

Today’s first reading is a hallmark of the Bible and of Western Civilization.  In it God tests Abraham by telling him to kill the son he had longed for.  Abraham does not delay in complying and stops only when God sends a contravening order.  By his obedience, Abraham shows himself a worthy beneficiary of God’s awesome blessing.  He can be a true father to many nations.

As the United States celebrates its foundation today, it faces a test similar to Abraham’s.  The premise for its freedom from England was based on natural law.  As its founders proclaimed on July 4, 1776, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  The test is whether the nation will continue to pursue freedom in accord with God’s will as given in human nature.  The alternative path on which the nation is headed is to dally in invented freedoms like abortion and homosexual marriage.

We come together today to implore the risen Lord present in our midst.  We ask him to straighten the distorted path the United States has taken in recent years.  We pray that a nation so well-endowed with resources may not deviate from the way of freedom upon which its founders set it.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Feast of Saint Thomas, apostle

(Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29)

Although St. Peter and perhaps St. John are the most important apostles, St. Jude and St. Thomas are the ones with whom most people identify.  St. Jude is known as the patron of hopeless causes.  Both saints and more retrograde sinners have considered their situations as impossible.   St. Thomas doubted the resurrection when he heard about it from his confreres.  Like him most people wonder if the apostles were “just seeing things.”

Today’s gospel passage seems to have been written to dispel such doubts.  In its initial section Thomas demands physical proof that Jesus has risen.  He says, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands…I will not believe."   Then Jesus appears again and shows Thomas his hands.  The response goes beyond belief in the resurrection to belief in Jesus’ divine nature.  Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!”

We have to believe in both Jesus’ resurrection and divinity without physical proof.  But there is plenty of circumstantial evidence attesting to the claims.  His teachings and example have allayed passions and promoted human welfare.  The Church he established and identified as his living body continues to thrive.  Most of all, he continues to speak in our hearts assuring us of his love and exhorting us to love one another.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27)

General George Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff during World War II and later Secretary of State, was renowned for his self-control.  It is said that after making critical decisions involving thousands of lives, Marshall could take a nap.  In today’s gospel Jesus proves himself to be a person of even greater composure.

Jesus’ disciples are amazed that the sun and moon seem to snap at his command.  It is almost as remarkable that he could sleep in a small boat being rocked by a storm.  The story is meant to teach more than Jesus’ authority over nature or his serenity.  It is also a lesson in Jesus’ presence to the Church after the resurrection.  The ship in the storm symbolizes the Church in its infancy.  It is being challenged in every direction – persecutions, heresies, contentious questions like accommodation of non-Jews.  The portrayal of Jesus sleeping represents the temptation of thinking that he is indifferent about these challenges.  But all the disciples have to do to secure his help is beseech him in prayer. 

We too at times may feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Perhaps we have promised to do more than now seems possible to accomplish.  Or maybe our children bring home problems that we thought happen in only the most troubled of families.  We too can find recourse in the Lord Jesus.  As he calmed the storm for his disciples, he will assist us in our need.