Friday, August 9, 2019

Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr

 (Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)

Few people have given witness to Christ like a German Jew named Edith Stein.  She was an accomplished philosopher who converted to Catholicism before World War II.  She eventually entered a Carmelite monastery to pray and to study.  After moving to Holland to avoid persecution, her identity was discovered.  The Gestapo came for her and her sister hiding with her.  “Come, Rosa,” she told her sister, “we are going for our people.”  She meant that they would die, as Christ did, giving testimony to God’s love first for the Jews and then for all peoples.

Edith Stein, who became Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, exemplifies today’s gospel message.  Jesus tells his disciples that they must take up their cross to follow him.  For Teresa Benedicta that cross meant her birth identity as a Jew.  She died not only because of that but also because she wanted to follow her Savior Jesus.

If we think that we are safe from religious persecution, we are deluded.  Christians around the world are being harassed for their faith.  Even in western countries Christian medical personnel are being threatened with censure if they do not participate in abortion.  It is not unlikely that Christian teachers will face losing their jobs for refusing to extol so-called homosexual marriage.  As likely as these things will come to pass, we are not to worry excessively.  The gospel also promises that Jesus will come with glory for those who uphold his ways. 

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest

(Numbers 20:1-13; Matthew 16:13-23)

St. Dominic is most often portrayed in art receiving the rosary from the Blessed Mother.  There is no reliable historical evidence of this event having taken place.  Still there is reason to associate Dominic with the rosary. Dominican priests, the spiritual sons of Dominic, have been among the principal promoters of praying the rosary in history.  There are statues of Dominic holding a church on one of his arms.  It’s a symbolic gesture, of course, but it has definite historical roots.

Dominic founded the Order of Preachers when the Church was being severely challenged.  Especially in France and Italy people were reacting against the corruption that often contaminates living the faith.  These people were called Cathars, a term meaning pure ones, or Albigensians for the city in what is now southern France where they were popular.  These idealistic people lived in austere ways accepting Jesus’ radicalness in the New Testament but rejecting the goodness of creation from the Old Testament.  Dominic believed that they might be converted back to a truly evangelical life.  He formed his spiritual brothers, who became known as Dominicans, to live in simplicity and community.  They would study Scripture and preach dynamically to win back those alienated from the Church.

We should see St. Dominic as standing in direct line with Jesus and St. Peter.  In today’s gospel Jesus calls his lead disciple “the rock (upon which) I will build my church.”  Twelve hundred years later Dominic worked to maintain that Church’s integrity.  The newly elected successor of St. Dominic, Fr. Gerard Timoner, Master of the Order of Preachers, has indicated his intention that the Order continue that enterprise. After accepting his election, he said, “The mission of the order is to help build the communion of the Church, the Body of Christ…”

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Numbers 13:1-2.25-14.1.26a-29a.34-35; Matthew 15:21-28)

In today’s world of political correctness Jesus’ remark to the Canaanite woman would be duly noted.  Comparing another’s child to a house dog does sound coarse.  But let us hope that no one dismisses Jesus because of that comment.  After all, he was on retreat and does take pity on the child.

The faith of the Canaanite is more worth noting.  She first believes that Jesus, the Jewish healer, could help her daughter.  Then she withstands the slight to persist in her request.  She shows a mother’s love and a saint’s faith. Like the woman who comes to anoint Jesus before his death (Matthew 26:13), she will be remembered forever.

We should strive to be as compassionate as Jesus and as faith-filled as the Canaanite woman.  Even when tired, we cannot neglect to care for those in need around us.  Perhaps more importantly, we must look to Jesus as the one who heals both us and others.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

The Transfiguration of the Lord

(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Luke 9:28b-36)

Pope Benedict XVI notes that in Luke’s Gospel the transfiguration occurs while when Jesus is praying.  He calls the interpenetration of Father and Son the sensation of pure light.  Jesus becomes, as John’s gospel declares, “light from light.”

In prayer Jesus recognizes that God is calling him to suffer.   He can glimpse the cross awaiting him in Jerusalem.  This is the “Exodus” which Moses and Elijah mention in the passage.  The vision does not deter him but compels Jesus forward.  He knows that it is the Father’s will, which he will always do come what may.  Meanwhile, the glory of the light prepares the disciples for the shock of the crucifixion.

We should not deny a similar eventuality for ourselves.  Whether we suffer through old age or face death in an instant, the experience will not be easy.  Like Jesus we should be determined to do God’s will.  We will be giving positive example to our associates.  More importantly, we too will come to know God’s glory.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Numbers 11:4b-15; Matthew 14:13-21)

When a commodity becomes plentiful and cheap, people are likely to look for alternatives.  At one time chicken was most families’ favorite food.  They reserved it for Sunday dinner after church to crown their day of leisure.  Today, with mass (and inhumane) poultry farming, chicken has become relatively inexpensive.  Many families prefer steak or salmon for special occasions.  In the first reading something similar is brewing.

The Israelites have grown tired of the manna which they have had to eat it every day.  They return to Moses with the absurd complaint that they would have been better off in Egypt.  Moses then goes up to the Lord perplexed about what to do.  He knows that the people should be grateful.  At the same time he realizes that they are still not holy, still not truly the Lord’s.   Moses himself betrays a rebellious spirit as he attempts to weasel out of God’s service.

Holiness is a matter of being different.  But the difference is not being individualistic.  Rather holiness is going against the grain of human pride to give oneself completely to God.  It is overcoming the tendency to see ourselves as entitled and recognizing everything as a blessing from God.   Then it is becoming a blessing to others.