Thursday, February 6, 2020

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs

(I Kings 2:1-4.10-12; Mark 6:7-13)

An old Christian hymn reminds us that it is a gift to be simple and free.  Today’s gospel points to the efficacy of such a lifestyle.

Jesus sends his apostles to preach the good news.  They are not to carry anything “just in case…”  Rather they are to cast themselves on God’s Providence.  Nothing is said either about teaching the truths of the faith or morality.  The apostles are simply to proclaim God’s love by word and deed.  Regarding deeds, they will anoint the people to strengthen their faith which facilitates healing.  There will be a return to physical wholeness in many cases.  More importantly, the people will experience a right relationship with the Lord.  That is, they will recognize how God provides for them as they look out for God’s creation.

St. Paul Miki and companions were apostles to the people of Japan.  They announced God’s love by word and deed.  They did not flinch with the threat of suffering for God.  Rather they knew that death for God would strengthen their testimony.  It would also bring them complete intimacy with him in eternal life.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

(II Samuel 24:2.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)

It is said that in during the first few centuries the churches of Rome and Sicily bragged about their saints.  The Romans would claim St. Agnes as the worthiest virgin-martyr.  The Sicilians would counter that the distinction belongs to Agatha, today’s celebrated saint.  The friendly rivalry indicates how faith penetrated the everyday life of the people.  Today, in contrast, people brag about their city’s professional basketball team.  Both readings that we just heard concern the lack of faith.

David’s census indicates his belief that numbers of soldiers and not trust in God are his priority.  In the gospel the people refuse to believe in Jesus as God’s emissary despite his cures and his wisdom. 

With science making life so comfortable we have a hard time trusting in God.  We rationalize that God works through human ingenuity, but we forget to pray.  God seems hard to fit in our everyday lives.  But we abandon God to our peril.  Faith in God provides a blueprint for stability in life.  We will go far if we keep God’s commandments.  It also assures us of bliss beyond the travail of death.  Also important, faith promises fulfilment.  We know that the world does not center around us.  Still, by faith in God we are drawn into its true center where we find purpose, meaning, and peace.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)

The old man was pleased with himself.  He had caught the doctor billing him for untendered services.  The man saved thousands of dollars by just examining his bills.  Today’s gospel tells the story of a woman who was not so fortunate.  Her doctors had taken all the money she had without helping her.  She now turns to Jesus in desperation.

Faith in Jesus moves the woman with hemorrhages to touch his garment.  She knows it is wrong to exploit his services without telling him.  Because she is unclean according to Jewish law, touching Jesus sullies him as well.  Jesus demonstrates his divine power in two ways.  First, he feels healing grace being emitted from his body.  Then, he heals the woman of her distressing condition.  He asks who has received his healing grace. The trembling woman bravely steps forward.  Her courage wins for her a second, deeper blessing.  Jesus grants her salvation.  “’Daughter,’” he says, “’your faith has saved you.’”

We should not be afraid to come to Jesus with our needs.  Whether we are sick or have done something wrong, we should pray to him for healing. His words to us will not be different, “Daughter (or son), your faith has saved you.”

Monday, February 3, 2020

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Samuel 15:13-14.30.16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20)

Police departments are informing people on what to do if an “active shooter” enters their premises.  Such incidents have become so common that public education is now deemed necessary.  Confronting the villain is considered a last resort.  First people are advised to flee.  In today’s gospel Jesus does not choose the preferred option when confronted by the mad man.

The man must be terribly frightening.  The passage describes him as incapable of being held back even by chains.  Yet Jesus does not even flinch when the man comes into his midst. Rather he cool-headedly seizes the initiative.  He tells the demons possessing the man to depart.  Then he manipulates them to surrender authority by revealing their names.  After he has them completely in his power, Jesus sends the demons into a swineherd.

Sometimes Jesus is pictured as a weak sort.  But in this story, he shows himself quite forceful.  There is no testimony in the gospels indicating that Jesus looked like a body builder, but this episode attests to his bravery.  The point is that we can count on him.  He will help us in every situation when we call on him.

Friday, January 31, 2020

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(II Samuel 11:1-4a.5-10a.13-17; Mark 4:26-34)

In an often cited passage the prophet Jeremiah laments human depravity.  He says, “More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy…” (Jeremiah 17:9).  Perhaps the prophet had today’s story of David in mind as he made the gloomy evaluation.

If David had only seduced the beautiful Bathsheba, his sin would have been grave but understandable.   What is so disconcerting, however, is the compound sin he commits to cover up his crime.  David not only has Bathsheba’s husband killed but does so in the wake of the man’s laudable loyalty.  Uriah sacrifices the opportunity to sleep in his own bed in order to support the king’s army.  It is also significant that he does so as a foreigner, that is without natural ties to the Israelite nation.

The story might chasten us.  We should take care not to sin at all.  But if we do fall, we need to straight away admit our guilt and ask forgiveness.  Above all, we should never cover up our faults by committing atrocities.