Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a)

It is no secret that anxiety is on the rise.  People of all ages worry increasingly about future problems.  Children wonder if global warming will make the world uninhabitable.  Teens worry about being accepted to the college of their choice.  Adults question if their jobs will be exported to other countries.  Certainly Covid-19 is exacerbating this very troubled condition.  Jesus’ words in today’s gospel are meant to relieve these fears. 

He promises his disciples peace but not the variety the world offers.  The world tranquilizes anxiety with drugs, sex, and other forms of excitement.  Jesus, on the other hand, brings peace by accompanying those who fear.  Paul in today’s first reading serves as an example.  He can get up after being nearly murdered because Jesus is with him.

Jesus comes to us especially in the sacraments.  They are his “presence in absence.”  When a priest anoints us, it is Jesus who strengthens us to bear with the illness.  Similarly, when we receive Holy Communion, it is Jesus who nourishes our souls.  With Jesus, who endured the cross and conquered death, at our side nothing can do us lasting harm.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26)

What of the world?  Are the people who comprise it evil?  Do they brag, steal, and lie, at least when others are not looking?  Evidently John’s gospel thinks so.  It says today because the world does not keep Jesus’ word, he will not reveal himself to it. 

The first reading illustrates the world’s depravity.  The people begin to fuss over Paul and Barnabas when they see these disciples cure an invalid.  They begin to worship the two -- no doubt seeking more miracles -- but refuse to listen to them. 

John tends to draw too much contrast between the world and Jesus’ disciples.  People are seldom preponderantly bad, and disciples sin often enough.  We have to heed the Spirit Advocate whom Christ has sent to correct our errant ways.  Then we should do what we can to improve the world.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)

In the Gospel according to John, Jesus describes himself with many illustrative metaphors.  He says, “’I am the light of the world’”; “’I am the bread of life; “’I am the good shepherd,’” and so forth.  These images shake our way of thinking to help us realize that Jesus is more than human.  He touches every dimension of our existence.  He is the light that illumines our minds, the bread that increases our strength, and the shepherd who changes our destiny.  In today’s gospel Jesus proclaims, “’I am the way, the truth, and the life.’”  How is he “the way”?  What does he mean by calling himself “the truth” and “the life”?

Jesus is “the way” to God, his Father.  In the Gospel of Matthew he says the way to salvation is narrow and traversed by few.  And so it is difficult to follow Jesus’ path of selfless love.  But he is “the way” as well because he provides all the help that is needed in the sacraments.  He corrects our errant tendencies in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He fortifies our drooping spirits in the Eucharist. 

Jesus is “the way” because he is “the truth” and “the life.”  He is “the truth” in two senses.  First, he reveals the Father’s love for the world and how the Father expects the world to respond.  Second, as God, Jesus is the foundation of all truth.  When scientists find a remedy for the Corona-19 virus, we will say, “thank God,” because God is the source of all truth.

When Jesus calls himself “the life,” he means something more than biological life.  He has “life in abundance” or “eternal life” in mind.  This is life full of joy, peace, and love.  It is the life of a saint like John XXIII.  The good pope, whom many today still remember, would not allow the worries of his office take away his smile.  We strive to live this life now and look forward to it in the resurrection of the dead.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)

Some Catholic biblical professors want to rename the “Old Testament.”  For them, “old” gives the impression that the collection of Scriptures is out of date.  Protestants have used the term “Hebrew Scriptures,” but for most Catholics this name is inadequate.  We recognize writings for the collection that were written in Greek or Aramaic.  The Catholic scholars calling for a change recommend that the collection be called the “First Testament.”  “First” gives an aura of importance while relaying the truth that the “New Testament” builds upon it.  Today’s segment from the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates this truth.

St. Paul demonstrates how the “First Testament” conveys the underpinnings of Christianity.  Paul and Barnabas have begun the “First Missionary Journey” in western Asia Minor.  Rather than trying to reach the people by preaching at crossroads, they go to synagogues.  There they meet not only Jews but also Greeks who have been attracted to Judaism.  They show everyone how Jesus fulfills the Jewish Scriptures.  In today’s gospel passage Jesus also alludes to the “First Testament.”  He shows how it has predicted what is taking place in his great work of salvation.

Sometimes Christians think that there is no need of the “First Testament.”  They find the New Testament ample for information and reflection.  If this idea were to be realized, we would be shortchanged.  The First Scriptures give us a rich understanding of God – His love, mercy, wisdom.  Moving from this basis, we can more fully appreciate who Jesus is.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 12:24-13:5a; John 12:44-50)

The prophets and teachers convene to pray in Antioch in today’s first reading.  They should not be surprised when the Holy Spirit tells them to separate Barnabas and Paul for missionary activity.  From the beginning the Church has had an outward thrust.  It not only promotes holiness among its members but also calls others to God.

Today’s gospel gives a couple of the themes of Christian missionaries.  Jesus is the light of the world.  God has sent him to save humans from condemnation.  Those who follow Jesus will have eternal life.  Those who reject him will be lost forever.

In recent years the Church’s missionary dimension has been called “evangelization.”  With this new name it has an additional focus.  Today the Church’s evangelizing activity addresses those for whom the light of Jesus has been obscured.  It calls back baptized Catholics who no longer practice the faith they were taught.  The evangelizers are people like you and me who act like prospectors entering an abandoned gold mine.  Just as prospectors realize that previous excavations left a lot of gold behind, we know that many alienated Catholics will respond if called back to church.  We have to show them how Jesus, the light, makes all the difference in the world.