Thurday, June 23, 2022

 

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lucas 1:56-66.80)

Today is an anomaly.  We most always celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24.  However, this year it gives way to the celebration of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus tomorrow, the Friday after Trinity Sunday.  Some may wonder why we celebrate John the Baptist’s birthday at all.  The question is especially interesting since the Church does not celebrate the birthday of any other except Christ and his Virgin Mother.

John the Baptist was the first to recognize Jesus as the Holy One of Israel.  When Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited his mother, John leaped for joy to be in the presence of the Messiah.  Then John served as Jesus’ harbinger, announcing that his own call to repentance only foreshadowed Jesus’ cleansing with the Holy Spirit.  Finally, John died as a prophet, martyred for speaking truth to the power of King Herod Agrippa.

Today’s gospel features the naming of John.  The name literally means “the Lord has shown favor.”  It certainly is the case, as much for us as for John's parents. Through John's ministry we are blessed with a model of devotion and an example of testimony to Christ.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

 

Optional Memorial of Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr and Saint Thomas More, martyr

The unnamed king in today’s first reading is Josiah of Judah.  As evidenced by his repentance, he tried to reform his nation that had drifted from God’s law.  He serves as a contrast to King Henry VIII who was responsible for the execution of the two saints we remember today.

St. John Fisher was a fine theologian and worthy bishop.  Unlike most of the bishops of Henry’s England, he did not bow to the royal decree making the king head of the English church.  The more famous St. Thomas More also refused to capitulate.  Both stand as examples of how Christians should oppose civil authority that demands immoral action.  They did not seek martyrdom but accepted it rather than bear false witness.

We cannot say that in former times – whether Roman or Tudor England – martyrdom was less prominent than today.  People who keep account of martyrs say that death on behalf of the faith is more numerous now than ever.  Prayer for these witnesses to Christ is called for.  We might also pray that we can give witness to Christ.  We may not be called to suffer death as his witnesses, but we are called to stand up for life and virtue.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

(II Kings 19:9b-11.14-21.31-35a.36; Matthew 7:6.12-14)

The gospel message seems to challenge us today as much as ever in the past.  Many people, including Catholic Christians, have succumbed to the dominant sexual license of the time.  Young couples share bed outside of marriage, often enough without knowing well their partners.  This is not the “narrow gate” to which Jesus refers in the gospel.

Today we celebrate St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth.  Aloysius was from nobility but early in life decided not to be ensnared in the intrigues of courtly life.  He became a Jesuit and died from the bubonic plague after caring for its victims. He was only twenty-three years old.

We are not being kill-joys when we admonish youth to live chaste lives.  Actually, we are preparing them for greater joys.  They will have discipline over their desires.  They will come to appreciate other persons as individuals with a full range of capacities.  And they will be set on the road to eternal life.

Monday, June 20, 2022

 Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 17:5-8.13-15a.18; Matthew 7:1-5)

When Jesus talks of splinters and beams, he is using metaphorical language.  He does not mean pieces of wood but prejudices.  People judge others, perhaps because of the color of their skin, as bigoted or violent.  They will treat the others then with meanness or suspicion.

Jesus exhorts his disciples to stop judging in this way.  (We would say “stereotyping.”)  He wants to make them aware that they are often conditioned to judge others negatively.  Once aware of that – the beam removed from their eye – they may judge correctly.

We do well to talk with the people whom we find difficult.  Conversation often reveals much commonality among peoples and individuals.  We may find goodness in others we would have not imagined before.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

 SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, June 23, 2019

(Genesis 14:18-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17)

More and more they appear in the streets.  Now they can be seen on highways. They are certainly found on corners with traffic lights. They always ask for alms. Along with a cardboard cup they carry signs saying: “Anything will help”; "God bless you"; "Will work for food." They are of different ages, of different genders, and of different races. They are addicts and alcoholics, homeless and unemployed. In some cases, they are also impostors. In a sense they are similar to the needy in the gospel today.

People have come from many places to listen to Jesus. Being very late in the day, they are hungry. The apostles turn to Jesus worried. They ask him to let the people go to buy food. But Jesus has another idea to meet the people’s needs. He tells his companions, "'Give them some food yourselves'". He also tells us in the case of street beggars: "'Give them some food yourselves.'"

This mandate covers more than food. Some of the beggars have neither houses nor clothes nor medicines. Others are in serious need of medical and psychological care. How can we fulfill the mandate? If we give them cash, it is very possible that they will squander it on drugs. If we just give them food, would we just be putting a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage? We can pass the responsibility to other entities. Maybe we want to write to our congressman that the government provide more help. Or maybe we can give a donation to a charity to do something on our behalf. But is this what the Lord wants us to do when he says, "'Give them some food yourselves.'"

The apostles do not get frustrated in the reading but wait for a directive from the Lord. When he tells them, they put the people in groups of fifty. This number is roughly the number of Christians in the communities of the early Church. Then Jesus blesses the five loaves and two fish that are at hand. He passes them to the apostles to be distributed among the people. It turns out that there is more than necessary to feed more than five thousand people.

Like the early church we have to wait on the Lord. It is up to us to pray to Jesus to help us take care of the people on the street. At the same time, we want to do something if only give them a nod of recognition. They are not nobodies but sons and daughters of God. Perhaps the Lord will lead us from a simple recognition of their humanity to even more significant forms of help. In this way, "'Give them some food yourselves'" will not be just a request to provide food for others. Rather it is made into a recommendation to reorient our lives toward the Lord.

The second reading supports us in the reorientation. St. Paul speaks of "a new covenant" between God and humans. This covenant has united us to God so intimately that we are incorporated into his Body. We can count on his support even his direction when we approach him with our need. With it we can solve the most pressing social challenges. Likewise, we can count on him with our personal concerns. He will not leave us alone because we are parts of him.

Some are upset when they see beggars in the street. Perhaps they get even more disturbed when they hear Jesus say, "'Give them some food yourselves.'"  But this type of reaction is neither desirable nor beneficial. Rather let us put them in the hands of the Lord. Let us pray both for ourselves as well as for them. Let's ask him what exactly he wants us to do. And let's not forget to ask him to help us in the effort.