Sunday, January 1, 2023

 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4,4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

There is only one passage about Mary that the three evangelists -- Mark, Matthew, and Luke -- report. It is worth comparing how each evangelist treats the situation. In it Jesus is teaching at his house in Capernaum. People are crowding the door to listen when his mother and other relatives arrive. According to Mark, when Jesus finds out that his relatives are looking for him, he almost disowns them. With a gesture of his arm he looks at his disciples inside the house and says that they are his mother and his siblings. He adds, "'Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother"'.

According to Matthew, Jesus does about the same when Mary comes to his house in Capernaum. However, Matthew reports early in his gospel that Mary conceives by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it should be said that Matthew views Mary with more reverence than Mark, who reports nothing of the birth of Jesus.

Luke emphasizes the importance of Mary. In the episode at the house in Capernaum, Jesus does not indicate that only his disciples are his relatives. On the contrary, he says that anyone who attends to the word of God belongs to his family. From the beginning of his gospel, Luke shows Mary doing that. When the angel tells her that Elizabeth is pregnant with her, Mary goes "in haste" to visit her. In today's gospel, although he does not tell of an action, Luke says that Mary meditates in her heart the report of the shepherds.

St. Luke also highlights both the humility and the dauntlessness of the virgin mother. When the angel tells her of God's plan for her to be the mother of His son, she responds with the famous "fiat": "'Here is the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'". And when she meets Elizabeth, Mary begins to preach how God raises up the poor while he brings down the mighty.

The Gospel of John is also favorable towards Mary although it mentions her only twice. The first time occurs when Mary solicits her son on behalf of the diners at the wedding in Cana. The second time is even more striking. Mary is at the cross of Jesus along with two of Jesus’ closest disciples. She is his faithful disciple to the end.

From this summary of gospel passages dealing with Mary, we can make some resolutions for the new year. First, like Mary we want to be more attentive to the word of God and more ready to put it into practice. We hear the word of God at Sunday Mass, but it would be helpful to read a Bible passage daily. Second, we should pray to Mary to ask her son for our needs. We do this every time we pray "Hail, Mary…" although we can be more focused about our requests. Third, it is increasingly important that we be humble before others. Pride often prevents cooperation and friendship between people. Finally, we want to remain faithful to the Lord, come what may. We know that he will never leave us. Many Ukrainians continue to ask for God's help, even though they have suffered enormous injustice. How is it that some people no longer attend mass because the priest does not preach well? As the mother of Jesus undoubtedly taught her son in her childhood, she has much to teach us today.

Friday, December 30, 2022

 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

(Ecclesiasticus 3:3-7.14-17; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15.19-23)

Families are vital for the flourishing of people.  For this reason they have been termed the basic unit of society.  Perhaps also because of their importance, the term “family” has been extended to include other kinds of arrangements.  Parishes often label themselves as “family.”  A number of years ago a prominent politician called the Democratic Party a “family.”  Despite the importance of families, the nuclear family – mother, father, and children – is struggling to maintain itself today.

The Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – present an ideal for nuclear families today to emulate.  Like Joseph, the father must take responsibility for the welfare of all.  In the gospel Joseph listens to the Lord’s directive and acts on it.  Mary may be docile, but she is also wise.  She will follow her husband’s lead, but will no doubt tell him if he heads in the wrong direction.  Wives and mothers are almost always the heart of the modern family.  They support everyone, make needed sacrifices, and are ready to take over leadership if required.

A delicate question today is how to consider alternative families.  If the homosexual couple adopts or uses artificial methods to produce a child, how should the resultant family be considered?  Derivative families have always existed.  They are not ideal, but they can accomplish the goal of raising children to be responsible, caring members of society.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

The Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

(I John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35)

A biblical scholar once ignited a holy man’s ire by calling John’s letters, “New Testament baby-talk.”  The scholar meant that John’s letters possess simplicity and directness as if they were written for children.  We see this in today’s first reading.  “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light...,” John writes, “Whoever hates his brother remains in darkness...”

John does not have enemy-love in mind here as if he were challenging Ukrainians to Russian soldiers.  Nor does he mean exactly that Christians have affection for blood brothers and sisters.  He is simply reiterating Jesus’ commandment to his community of disciples at the Last Supper.  He tells them that that they are to love one another.  It may sound easy, but hard feelings can sprout like weeds in a cow pasture when humans get together.  Disputes have originated among Guadalupanas and among Knights of Columbus as if these associations were composed of bands of pirates.  Most everyone feels frustration, envy, and even enmity with his or her associates at times.  John is saying that we must let go of these passions and always treat one another with care.

John would be oversimplifying if he meant that we may limit our love to those with whom we go to church.  Certainly such love for brothers and sisters in the religious or parish community teaches toleration, respect, and compassion so that we in turn may love even those who hate us. 

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

(I John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18)

If Rachel lived in our generation, she may not be crying for her children.  The reason for her lack of tears would not, for the most part, be insensitivity.  Rather Rachel would not be weeping because it is quite possible that she, like many women today, would not have any children.  The birthrate throughout most of the world has steadily declined over the last generation, much below what is required for replacement.  African and some Muslim countries are generally exceptions to this rule.

The situation is as tragic as it is dire.  The dearth of children jeopardizes families, faith traditions, and cultures.  When couples have children, they make sacrifices which serve as a binding force keeping families together.  Also, pursuing material success and enjoyment rather than raising a family, people are less likely to turn to God regularly.  Not only religion but other aspects of culture like national customs will erode as populations shift.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of a child.  Jesus was as special a child as one can be.  Among so much else, he embodies God’s affirmation of humanity as well human hope for the future.  His birth relays a message of joy and love that should resound in the births of many children to committed couples.

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

 Feast of Saint John, apostle and evangelist

(I John 1:1-4; John 20:1a.2-8)

How shall we define “love”?  Let’s say it is more than the classical definition of desiring the good of another.  It seems to be more like a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of others. Such love is seen in parents who give up copious amounts of time and energy to care for a child with Downes Syndrome.  It is also found in a spouse who waits faithfully for years for her imprisoned husband (or his imprisoned wife).

Love propels “the disciple whom Jesus loved” to reach his tomb first ready to believe that he has risen from the dead.  Love also moves the disciple, whom tradition names “John” and who is often and probably wrongly equated with John, the son of Zebedee, to reject common sense that says death is final.  He doesn’t care that people will think him crazy.  He looks at the scant evidence of an empty tomb and a rolled up burial head covering and believes Jesus risen.

Christmas engenders such love.  it tells us of God’s infinite love for the world that He sent His Son to redeem it.  It also speaks of the Son’s love so great that he gave his life to fulfill the Father’s will.  The first reading tells of the wonder of knowing the one whom the writer knew in an intimate way but whom we may know only in a spiritual way.  Nonetheless, he graces us with the power to make sacrifices for the good of others.