Monday, November 4, 2019

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

(Romans 11:29-36; Luke 14:12-14)

Since almost the beginning of Christianity, ignorant Christians have harassed Jews.  They have called Jews “Christ-killers” and persecuted some until death.  Such a vindictive spirit contradicts the New Testament as St. Paul explains in today’s first reading. 

The passage states that the call of God to the Jews to be His people is irrevocable.  In other words, despite what happened to Christ, God still claims the Jews as His own.  Paul sees God bringing Jews to righteousness in an unexpected way.  First, He uses the disobedience of Jewish authorities to justify Christians.  Those leaders plotted for Jesus’ crucifixion.  His death and resurrection then unleashed the Holy Spirit sending apostles to the corners of the world.  They converted the pagans to righteousness.  Finally, in Paul’s vision, Jews observing this wonder will seek conversion. 

Many Jews have converted to Christianity, especially in late antiquity.  Still, however, millions of Jews remain.  Are they somehow lost?  Judging by Paul’s criteria, one may think so.  But, as Paul also states, God’s ways are unsearchable.  We find among the Jews many who are both good and loving.  Who is to say that they are not saved?

Friday, November 1, 2019

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

A distinguished attorney is asked, “Who is the most important person in the courtroom (to assure justice).”  Perhaps it is the judge who sees that due process is followed.  Or maybe it is the collective members of the jury who decide guilt or innocence.  Or possibly it is the defense lawyer who must investigate his client’s case and persuade the jury.  But the man after decades as prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney responds surprisingly.  He believes the most important person in a courtroom is a reliable witness.   Such a person’s truthfulness and conviction bring about justice.

We can define saints as reliable witnesses to Jesus.  Their faith, holiness, and integrity witness to the primacy of the gospel and the efficacy of his grace.  Their words and actions provide testimony that Jesus has risen to support his followers.

The Church has officially declared only seven thousand or so saints.  But this number hardly indicates all the people throughout Christianity who have lived the beatitudes.  Today we celebrate the millions of un-proclaimed saints.  Their number includes slaves and slave-owners, people of every continent and even of different religions.  All of us have known people whose words and actions gave reliable witness to Jesus.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 8:31b-39; Luke 13:31-35)

People today think of a fox as a wily creature.  A foxy man does not reveal his intentions.  He takes advantage of another, then slips way.  In ancient Jewish culture, however, a fox was more destructive than clever.  Foxes were not to be trifled with.  For this reason in today’s gospel the Pharisees warn Jesus to get out of Dodge.  He goes but not because he is afraid.  Indeed, he continues his march to Jerusalem where he knows he will be killed.

Jerusalem is where God meets humans.  God speaks there through the prophets.  Also, Jerusalem is the home of the temple.  In it animal sacrifices are offered to God for the forgiveness of sins.  As multiple the sacrifices were and even as devout as those offering the sacrifice may have been, they could not achieve their purpose.  The New Testament testifies that only Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross achieved the forgiveness of sins.  

Different words in today’s gospel conjure up Halloween.  There are foxes and chickens that make interesting costumes.  Jesus speaks of demons and the entire reading holds the specter of death.  More to the point, however, is that Halloween means “All Hallows Eve,” the eve of All Saints.  The saints were made holy by the death of Jesus on the cross.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 8:26-30; Luke 13:22-30)

Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr has become a spiritual master in the Catholic Church.  Respected as a young priest, he speaks with authority as an old one.  Fr. Rohr finds the two halves of life calling forth different responses.  In the first half people must learn how to stop their egos from running wild.  Then need laws so that they may tolerate one another.  By the second half of life most have learned some self-control.  Yet if they are to develop fully, they need to be transformed into gentle, caring subjects.  Their base instincts and, often enough, culture as well work against this goal.  To transcend these obstacles Rohr sees the Holy Spirit at work.  In today’s first reading St. Paul writes to the Romans of the Spirit’s work.

Paul says that the Spirit intercedes on behalf of believers.  It asks for what the heart does not even know it needs.  The heart wants solutions to the challenges confronting it.  But the Spirit knows that what is essential is not domination.  More critical is compliance to the will of God the Father.  Humans may pray for insight and strength, but the Spirit prays for wisdom and docility.

The human project, which each of us faces, is an enormous task.  Simply put, it is to become a saint.  We are hindered all along the way to holiness.  Fortunately, we have the Spirit praying within us for the grace to reach our goal.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

(Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21)

The 62-year old worker talked of retirement.  He was suffering from two arthritic knees that needed replacement.  He also had a pinched nerve in his shoulder.  It was obviously painful for the man to do a full day’s work.  Many people have difficulty growing old.  Even trusting Christians like St. Paul begin to wonder when they see their bodies failing.

Paul writes of all creation “groaning in labor pains.”  It waits patiently for the redemption promised by the resurrection of Jesus.  Humans, made in the image of God, have the most to hope for.  They will assume spiritual bodies like their Redeemer’s that will not age or experience pain.

Two thousand years is a long time to have waited for redemption.  But who is to say that it will not take another two thousand or perhaps two million years?  In the meantime we, given the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit, keep the faith.  We love our neighbor and care for the poor.  Most of all, we thank God for our blessings and pray for our needs.  It is a good life that will be glorified when Christ returns