Friday, August 12, 2022

 Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ezekiel 16:1-15.60.63; Matthew 19:3-12)

The prophet Ezekiel is famous for his bizarre comparisons.  Today’s passage provides an example.  Israel is described as an urchin whom the Lord makes into a beautiful maiden somewhat like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. The damsel, however, becomes entranced with her own beauty.  She betrays her benefactor to seek other lovers.  She will fall from grace but will be redeemed by the Lord who took pity on her in the first place.

Similar stories may be told of all sinners.  They become enchanted with the attributes with which they have been endowed.  They forget to give thanks for who they are and what they have.  They abandon God sometimes to the point of denying His existence.  They will have to learn the hard way how much He loves them.

We should avoid ungratefulness.  When we recognize the Lord as our benefactor, we overcome pride, the gate to unhappiness. Giving thanks to God for who we are and what we have, we will move well beyond the counterfeits of pleasure.  We will enter houses of joy.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin

(Ezekiel 12:1-12; Matthew 18:21-19:1)

Prophets often use signs to convey the will of God.  In today’s first reading Ezekiel’s actions signify that the citizens of Jerusalem will soon be exiled.  His taking his belongings through a hole in the city wall shows its inhabitants will be likewise abruptly leaving.

St. Clare of Assisi is famous for a sign she made.  A beautiful young woman, her parents wanted her to marry.  But she felt a supreme love for Christ.  She expressed her unparalleled love for her spiritual friend by cutting her attractive hair.  She then entered a monastery to live in common with others with the same ideal.

In the gospel Jesus teaches his disciples the sign of a Christian.  Above all, Christians show their fellowship with Christ by forgiving from the heart.  This is not an easy task in our world where it has become fashionable to curse those who bother us.  But, Jesus implies, unless we do so, we will be eternally burdened by our sins.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

 Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26)

St. Lawrence has been one of the most popular martyr-saints in the Church.  Two stories of his martyrdom have circulated since the third century.  Lawrence, a deacon of Rome, fooled state officials demanding “the treasures of the Church.”  In place of gold, he presented the indigent of the city.  Then it is said that his martyrdom came by being roasted alive!  After being tortured over hot coals awhile, Lawrence is said to have told his executioners that they could turn him over because he was done on one side.  Neither of these vignettes coincides well with today’s gospel.  One historical fact, however, lines up with the reading.

Lawrence was a bright young man when he was ordained by Pope St. Sixtus II deacon.  Although he could have looked forward to a brilliant career, he did not flee his persecutors.  Rather he willingly gave his life for Christ.  As a result of his dying, he has produced much fruit for the Church as well as himself.  His fame has no doubt has drawn many to Christ.  Lawrence himself is a saint shining like a star in the night sky.

We die to ourselves when we forego opportunities to talk to others about our accomplishments.  In the tell-all world in which we live, we are tempted to match any story we hear with one that has happened to us.  Instead of searching for a parallel experience in our lives, we might listen to others trying to discern how they are revealing their souls.  Responding with sensitivity, we imitate Christ’s compassion for people.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

 (Optional) Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr

(Ezekiel 2:8-3:4; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)

In today’s gospel Jesus’ disciples come to him with a childish question.  “Who is the greatest…?” they ask.  Who is the greatest basketball player of all time?  Who is the greatest philosopher?  Greatness has so many facets that it is impossible to judge its degree in individuals.  Jesus does not answer his disciples’ question.  Rather he tells them that God loves the last in the pecking order of the time –children.  They too have a place in His kingdom.

Both as a Jew and a Christian, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross knew God’s love.  She was born into a pious Jewish family and became a Christian after reading the works of St. Teresa of Avila.  Later she became a Carmelite nun and moved to Holland.  There the Gestapo caught up with her.  She did not resist nor flee again.  Wanting to be one with her native people and one with Christ on the cross, she was executed at Auschwitz.

We are not to worry about being the best or better than another.  We are to strive to please God in all we do.  At times our call to holiness will mean sacrificing ourselves like St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in solidarity with others.  May we embrace the opportunity as a way to follow Christ.

Monday, August 8, 2022

  Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest

(Ezekiel 1:2-5.24-28c; Matthew 17:22-27)

The iconography of St. Dominic includes a dog holding a lighted torch in its mouth and a star.  Dominic’s mother is said to have had a dream of the dog while she was pregnant with her sainted son.  Its meaning has been given as a reference to the Order of Friar Preachers that Dominic eventually founded.  Called “Dominicans” after their founder, the friars are taken as dogs of the Lord, what the latinized form of the word -- Domini canis -- means.  Dominicans spread the light of Christ – that is, the gospel – throughout the world.

Dominic’s godmother said that she saw a star over Dominic when he was baptized.  Its meaning is obscure.  At least, popular accounts do not attempt to interpret the star.  It might be associated with Ezekiel’s vision in today’s first reading.  The prophet had a vision of the godhead that appeared like a sapphire. Since sapphires often have a star-like radiance, Dominic’s star may be seen as a vision of God that he kept always before him.  His biographer and successor, Bl. Jordan of Saxony, said that Dominic was always either “talking to God or about God.”

Dominic was a visionary.  Along with St. Francis of Assisi, Dominic began a spiritual revolution.  Their friars would not be confined to monasteries but would preach on street corners and in parish churches.  They would not ride on horses nor wear fine cloth but would attract others to Christ by living simply.  We honor Dominic today not only for his holiness but also for the movement he founded.  That movement – the friars-preachers -- still has force in the Church today.