Friday, January 14, 2022

 Friday of the First Week in Lent

(I Samuel 8:4-7.10-22a; Mark 2:1-12)

It is easier for one to say, “Your sins are forgiven?” because forgiveness is impossible to verify.  This is not the case with saying to a paralytic, “Arise…”  Onlookers will know straightaway whether the speaker is bluffing.  Verification is especially important in the modern world

Many today look for verification before they will assent to the truths of faith.  Of course, if there were proof of religious truth, then there could not be faith.  Faith presumes a certain opaqueness in front of which one takes a stand for a loving God.  Although they do not amount to proof, good things happen when one takes the stand.  Faith opens one to abundant blessings.

Let’s not hedge on our faith.  Let’s not say we believe, then live like everyone else.  Rather let our faith in God result in living as God dictates in the teaching of the Church.  Let’s open ourselves to God’s abundant blessings.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

 Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(I Samuel 4:1-11; Mark 1:40-45)

St. Christopher was a legendary figure who was said to have carried the Christ child across a river.  He became known as the patron of travelers.  Medals were made of him which Catholics fixed to one of their car’s sun visors.  Priests, however, preached not to depend on the medal to protect them if they drove recklessly.  The Israelis should have been told something similar about bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle.

In today’s first reading the Israelis are confident that they are invincible with the Ark.  This miscalculation cost them a terrible defeat.  They would have been better off sharpening their swords and kneeling before the Lord in prayer like the leper in the gospel.  Such actions do not assure victory, but they open their doers to God’s will.  They also attract God’s mercy.

We must take care not to be presumptuous.  We rightfully call upon the Lord for help.  But we should remember that prayer does not substitute for preparation.  There is a synergy between our efforts and the Lord’s help.  Results depend as much upon God’s input as upon our work.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

 Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Samuel 3:1-10.19-20; Mark 1:29-39)

One of Flannery O’Connor’s last short story “Revelation” describes the conversion of a bigot.  Mrs. Turpin, a baptized Christian, has a vision of people, whom she disdains, entering heaven.  Then she realizes that she has been called to join them.  But first she must repent of her prejudices.  Like the first reading says of its epoch in ancient Israel, such revelation is rare.

Revelations are rare when people do not orient themselves to God.  They attend to the world around them as if what they see and hear is all that is.  Eli, the old priest, still has an inkling of what true revelation consists.  He tells the boy Samuel to act on his perception of a voice calling him.  Jesus in today’s gospel heeds an inner voice calling him.  He is not to settle in any town as the local shaman.  Rather his mission is to preach the Kingdom of God in different places.

The Lord calls each of us through the Church.  He wants us to be his disciples-missionaries.  We are to study the ways of God.  Then we are to tell others about him.  It is not an esoteric mission.  First, we tell our children and those closest to us.  Then, as we discern more in depth our mission, we can tell others as well

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

 Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Samuel 1:9-20; Mark 1:21-28)

Jesus’ teaching threatens evil spirits.  He speaks “with authority.”  What can this mean but that he does not waver on right and wrong?  He goes to the heart of the matter calling lust a sin as well as adultery and vengeance a sin as well as murder.  As he pinpoints the sections of the human heart that require attention, people give assent while devils recoil.

Jesus speaks with such authority at a cost.  The evil spirits will regroup to eliminate Jesus.  In the end they will be only marginally successful.  They will bring about Jesus’ death in the most horrible of ways.  But God, the just judge, will raise him from the dead.  In the process He will send evil spirits packing, at least from those who trust in Jesus.

Let us take heed of what is happening.  It is not enough to be amazed like the people at the Capernaum synagogue.  We have to entrust ourselves to Jesus’ care.  This means to do as he tells us and not to flirt with his enemies.   

Monday, January 10, 2022

 Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(I Samuel 1:1-8; Mark 1:14-20)

The year 2022 promises to be tumultuous.  It is very possible that the Supreme Court of the United States will overturn Roe vs. Wade.  Riots are likely to ensue as some will see such a decision as a betrayal of women.  Pro-life advocates should understand, however, that constriction of abortion does not mean arrival of the Kingdom of God.  Indeed, it will mean almost the opposite. 

In today’s gospel Jesus preaches “the Gospel of God.”  He equates it with the coming of the kingdom of peace and justice.  It will be characterized by people coming together to listen to one another and to work together.  It will be like Elkanah’s giving a double portion to Hannah because she is depressed.

The end of abortion on demand is not the end of abortion.  Nor is it the end of child neglect or poverty.  For these likewise great objectives we must work with people of goodwill.  We must double our efforts to approach something like God’s Kingdom.