Friday, March 20, 2020

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)

Jesus’ first commandment sounds daunting.  We might ask whether we could love anyone else if we direct all our affection toward God.  Even more discouraging, it may further seem that only the strictest of contemplatives can fulfill this mandate.  The rest of us – priests in ministry as well as laity in the world – will have to be judged as falling short.

But these kinds of conclusions are based on the premise that love is a material quantity that gets used up over time.  To the contrary, love is a spiritual entity that is multiplied by use.  When we attempt to love God, we develop greater not lesser affection for God’s creation.  It is true that sometimes desire for created goods conflicts with God’s will and must be rejected.  But pursuing the desire would actually be loving the created good more than the Creator. 

In today’s reading from Hosea we hear God calling us back to him.  Like dogs on an escapade we sometimes go searching for fulfillment away from our true home.  In God, however, our desires are ordered so that we might enjoy everything that is truly good. 

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(II Samuel 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24a)

There is no doubt that precautions are necessary.  No one wants to contract the Corona-19 virus.  But how many secure measures are necessary? We will limit our social contact.  We will keep our hands sanitized and practice not touching our face.  We will take care when going into public places.  But should we not go to work?  Do we have to horde food?  Are we to cancel all our engagements as one commentator suggests?  What does faith teach us about Corona-19?

Of course, Scripture does not say anything about viruses.  It should not be read as a scientific document.  Yet it can help us face the crisis with courage.  In today’s gospel an angel tells Joseph not to be afraid.  He should take Mary, his espoused, into his home because the child she bears was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  That child will save many from their sins.  Joseph overcomes whatever fear and probably disappointment he has.  He takes Mary into his home to facilitate the salvation of the world.

We must show the same courage in face of the Corona-19 threat. By courage we do not mean the will to do something daring but the will to abandon having things our way.  We should cancel or postpone meetings that are not necessary. We should also definitely stay at home if we have the symptoms of the virus except, of course, to see a doctor.  We should also ask God’s mercy on those who are sick and especially for those who have already succumbed to the virus.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9; Matthew 5:17-19)

Natural law is human participation in God’s eternal law.  Humans are able to reason from their observance of nature to what God commands or prohibits.  The essence of Israel’s law – the Ten Commandments – are said to constitute a privileged summary of the natural law. Some natural law tenets are that people should help and not kill one another. 

Jesus claims in today’s gospel that he intends to bring Israel’s law to completion or perfection.  He will go beyond natural law in a few cases so that his followers can live in perfect harmony.  He modifies the law against adultery to include looking lustfully at a woman.  He also thickens the natural law precept of love to include one’s enemies. 

In recent years many societies have eschewed natural law.  They have allowed abortion and approved cohabitation among other deviations from right reason.  The Church cannot help but lament these practices as leading toward the dissolution of society itself.  We believe that we will thrive only by following the sagacity of Jesus call to perfection.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Daniel 3:25.34-43; Matthew 18:21-35)

Biographers of St. Patrick are not sure about the events of his life.  They say that accounts are so embedded in myth that it is difficult to speak with certainty about them.  However, there seems to be some consensus that he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland.  When he escaped, he evidently did not harbor resentment against his land of captivity.  Rather he returned there as a missionary bishop to convert its people to Christ.   To the extent that this is true, it illustrates today’s gospel.

Jesus emphasizes forgiveness, especially in this gospel according to Matthew.  He mentions it in the prayer he taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount.  Then he reiterates the point to make sure the imperative of forgiveness is understood.  In today’s passage, toward the end of the gospel, Jesus again hones in on forgiveness.  His followers must be ready to forgive multiple times.  If they do not, they will not receive the forgiveness they require from the Father.

Forgiveness is especially difficult when we have been offended deeply.  We do not want to let the offence go without due recompense beyond an apology.  In cases of loss of life or limb, that is simply not possible.  By forgiving in this situation, we show our trust that God will turn the injustice into our glory.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Monday of the Third Week of Lent

II Kings 5:1-15; Luke 4:24-30)

People think of prophets as either soothsayers or rabble-rousers.  That is, they understand a prophet as one who foretells the future or one who raises consternation with righteous criticism.  It is true that the prophets of Israel at times performed these services.  But prophets were also teachers of the word of God.  They especially excelled at applying the word to concrete situations.  Today’s readings feature two prophets of Israel.                  

Elisha is successor of the primordial prophet Elijah.  He is considered holy and, for that reason, able to heal.  He inspires the trust – albeit reluctantly – of the non-Israelite Naaman.  Naaman obeys the man of God and finally praises God outright.  Jesus refers to Elisha and Naaman in his dispute with his townspeople.  He argues that as God chose to cure a non-Israelite through Elisha, He will save non-Nazarenes through Jesus.  Jesus is driving home the point that no one can make a claim on God.  Humans are to love Him and obey Him.

To be sure, it is difficult to love and obey God.  Our generation feels the need to convince itself of God’s existence.  Prayer – communication with God -- is short-circuited by all the technological devices that jump to our command.  However, striving to know and love the Lord has inestimable value, greater by far than a sense of control.  Peace fills our hearts.  We appreciate everyone and, indeed, everything more.  Then there is the indescribable gift of eternal life.