Wednesday, March 8. 2023

 Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent, March 8, 2023

(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)

Chicago’s first “Mayor Daley,” Richard J., achieved a reputation for political know-how.  Once he was criticized for asking a judge to appoint his son as a trustee in a class action lawsuit.  The appointment meant a hefty financial reward.  Daley told his critics, “If a man can’t put his arms around his sons, and give them a hand, then what kind of world are we living in?”” No doubt, the mother of James and John asked Jesus to help her sons in today’s gospel with the same sentiment.

The woman expresses faith in Jesus when she makes her request.  Jesus takes no offense when she makes the appeal. What bothers him, however, is the concern for high places, not just of the brothers but of all his disciples.  He proceeds to insist that leaders in his church must concern themselves with service.

There is nothing wrong with a desire to be recognized and respected for doing what is right.  But when our goal is simply to be praised, we are liable to betray our purpose.  As Jesus gave his life to free us from sin and death, we should work for the benefit of others.  Because Church leaders preach Jesus, they should serve with exceptional diligence. 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

 Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)

Way back in 2015 Pope Francis emphasized the need that constituents of the Church “walk together.”  He was commenting on church synods as one of the important results of the Second Vatican Council.  Synod literally means “walking together.”  A synod usually refers to bishops from around the world meeting to discuss Church teaching and practice.  Francis, however, has extended the concept to include all members of the Church.  He hopes that bishops, priests and deacons, religious and laity dialogue together on church concerns.  He is not introducing a democratic form of governance.  He only hopes that the Church reflect better Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel.

Jesus is forming a church where equal dignity thrives.  His disciples should be brothers and sisters to one another.  No one is to wear pompous garments.  Nor should one presumptively refer to another by special title like “father” or “master.”  Rather, all are to serve one another’s needs.  This rule applies especially to leaders who have traditionally been called “ministers” (literally, “servants”) in the Church.

Before there can be true dialogue, we must acknowledge our failure to treat one another with equal dignity.  Pastors have too often refused to listen to lay perspectives on Church policy.  Often enough, laity have tried to claim bishops’ authority by claiming “we are the Church.”  As Isaiah admonishes in today’s first reading, we all must make justice our aim.  We are to redress the wronged, to hear what women have to say, and to include the powerless in the decision-making process.

Monday, March 6, 2023

 Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9: 4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

When asked how he was doing, an old priest typically responded, “Better than I deserve to be.”  Such a remark might be made as a dodge or a deception.  However, from this priest, it probably conveyed humility.  The readings today recommend this virtue.

The passage from Daniel communicates a rare communal confession.  The prophet recognizes the sins of injustice and idolatry committed by his nation.  In the gospel Jesus presumes that his disciples carry sinful baggage.  He tells them that if they hope to be freed of it, they must acknowledge that they are no better than others.

Humility and mercy go hand and hand.  When we recognize ourselves as no better than others, we can readily forgive others’ faults.  Like the old priest mentioned above, we should not deceive ourselves in thinking we are better than others.  Even if we have been able to live relatively good lives, there is a commonness about sin that make relative differences negligible.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

(Genesis 12:1-4; II Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9)

The Hebrew word Shema names one of the best-known passages in the Old Testament. It is found in the Deuteronomy, the book in which Moses shares his final counsels to the people of Israel. The word itself means "listen." Israel always has to listen well to what the Lord says. In the first reading Abram is found doing exactly that.

When He speaks to Abram, God is putting into action His plan to redeem the world. Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit there has been a decline in human goodness. One of their sons murdered the other. After a few generations the situation deteriorated so much that God decided to start over. He sent a flood to destroy the earth except for the righteous Noah, his family, and a pair of each kind of animal. But this did not solve the problem. Soon after the second creation the men of Babel tried to gain fame by building a tower that would challenge God in heaven. Now with Abram God tries a new strategy. He will form a holy people from the lineage of Abram that will teach the world His ways.

Abram must listen carefully to God. The project will not be easy. At seventy-five years old, Abram is to leave his homeland to transplant himself to a foreign land. However, as a man of faith, Abram does not hesitate to carry the orders that he is given.

In the gospel God commands Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus, his son. Jesus is here to inaugurate the fulfillment of God's plan. By his surrender into the hands of the Jews, his passion, and his resurrection from the dead, Jesus will take away primordial sin from the world. He will become the head of the redeemed people of God.  His disciples must now be assured that his going over to death will not result in defeat. Rather, it will manifest his victory over death and regenerate them as his brothers and sisters.

The other day an article in the newspaper indicated the human preference of hearing what one wants to listening well. The author, who identifies as "pagan forever" (that is, "pagan forever"), criticizes the Bible for its extreme violence and sex. But he refers only to the Old Testament: the stories of Abraham's trial, Jonah's captivity inside the whale, and David's many wives. He doesn't mention anything about the person to whom the entire compendium of evil is pointing. Jesus Christ is the most prominent person in the Bible. He is presented there as the supreme teacher of justice and the redeemer of all human sin. He teaches us how to overcome vices through prayer and self-sacrifice. By sending his Spirit, he strengthens our hearts and enlightens our minds to overcome every evil spirit confronts us.

Yes, it is difficult to listen to Jesus with so many voices telling us what to do. Many people want to tell us what the good life consists of. And many advertisements try to attract us with things that we supposedly cannot live without. But we know deep down that there is only one voice that is worth our full attention. God speaks to us in the Bible, particularly through Christ in the gospels. Only to him should we pay full attention.

Thursday, March 2, 2023

 Thursday of the First Week of Lent

(Esther c:12.14-16.23-25; Matthew 7:7-12)

Thomas Aquinas was as intellectually gifted as any saint in Butler’s Lives.  Yet he did not rely on his own acuity.  Always before studying, teaching,  debating, or writing, he prayed intensely.  He withdrew into a private space, often before a crucifix. Then, pouring out tears, he asked for understanding of the divine mysteries.  No doubt, Thomas was quite aware that he was fulfilling the Lord’s instruction in today’s gospel.

Even people who pray regularly often delay their prayer until other means of resolving an issue fail.  The Book of Esther is famous for not mentioning God.  Yet, with nowhere else to turn except to heaven, the queen prostrates herself in prayer.  There is nothing wrong with praying in desperation.  However, Scripture recommends constant prayer, and the wise do not fail to take the advice. 

Like Thomas Aquinas, we can begin every endeavor with a sincere prayer for help.  God does not fail us when we show such faith.  Even if He does not fulfill our need as we imagine, we should notice a more agreeable disposition coming over us. God provides what we need like a father who wants the best for his children.