Thursday, May 25, 2023

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

In today’s first reading Paul is spared stoning by the disunity of the Sanhedrin.  Astutely observing that both Pharisees and Sadducees are present, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee.  The Pharisees then side with him when he claims that he is accused for expressing their belief in the resurrection of the dead.  The deadlocked Sanhedrin cannot make a verdict.

Despite Paul’s good fortune, disunity hampers a society from achieving the common good.  Certainly, unity is meant to serve the truth, but disunity is always problematic.  This is why in the gospel Jesus prays that his disciples be unified in the truth that he has taught them.  When the truth in a developing situation is difficult to determine, Jesus would have his disciples discern it together in love.

The world today is sick with divisions.  In the United States, Democrats and Republicans seem to be at odds on most every issue.  Throughout the world migrants are clamoring at the doors of economically developed countries.  People often lack the goodwill to make sacrifices for the benefit of all.  We should ask the Lord to prepare us to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of all.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

 Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

Today’s first reading voices three concerns that have echo in the contemporary Church.  The first regards the “presbyters” of Ephesus whom Paul calls “overseers.”  Most scholars think that when Paul passed through Miletus, around the year 57 A.D., the offices of presbyter, equivalent to priest today, and bishop, a common translation of the Greek word for overseer, did not exist.  The scholars say that Luke, the author of Acts, uses the terms which had become common at the time of his writing, twenty-five years or so later.  The question bears on the formation of ministerial categories and whether women might occupy the governing offices.

Paul’s warning about men coming forth “perverting the truth to draw the disciples away” has been a continual Church challenge.  Today as much as ever former priests and laypersons start their own Christian communities of faith.  More monumental, the Catholic bishops of Germany now verge on schism over the Church’s teachings on sex. 

Finally, Paul hints at scandal caused by pastors’ taking unscrupulously from community savings.  He says that he avoided any semblance of misconduct by always working for his upkeep.  Pastors abusing the community’s trust regarding money is still an issue, but much more serious is clerical abuse of minors.  Whatever might be said to understand the situation, the outrage has both crippled innocent lives and set back evangelization efforts.

All the episodes in the Acts of the Apostles have some relevancy today.  But as we read the book, let us give attention to how it describes the early Church.  Acts sees the Church as guided by the Holy Spirit to form an ever-expanding community of love as commanded by its founder.   

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)

The prayer Jesus makes in today’s gospel is often called “priestly.”  Jesus is the high priest who is about to offer the eternal sacrifice for human redemption.   His prayer precedes the sacrifice by less than a day.  Its exalted tone may sound strange, but Jesus is not directing himself to a human being.  He is speaking to God.  The prayer is part of the eternal dialogue between Father and Son in the Spirit.

In the prayer Jesus continually mentions giving and receiving glory.  In John gospel glory is manifested with Jesus’ crucifixion.  Unlike the other gospels, where the crucifixion is portrayed as a temporary defeat to be overturned with resurrection, in John Jesus’ death completes his redemptive mission.  Furthermore, it reveals what perfect love – the love of God – is like by sacrificing his life for flawed humanity. 

Our response to such a magnanimous act can only be something like today’s responsorial psalm.  “Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens…who is our salvation.”

Monday, May 22, 2023

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33)

John’s gospel sees life as a struggle between doing good and doing evil, between light and darkness.  Everyone has experienced this choice although for some acting justly comes more easily than for others.  In today’s gospel passage, Jesus provides consolation to those who may be having a tough time.

The disciples thank Jesus for being their guide to what is true and good.  Jesus, however, must warn them that the struggle is not over.  In fact, he tells them that it is only about to begin.  He will be arrested, and they will be scattered.  However, just as he is not alone but has the Father’s company, they will have his company.  With him or, better, in him, they will be able to choose rightly.

Many prefer not to think of life as a constant struggle to do what is right.  To them such an approach sounds gruesome and boring.  They like to think that any decision made according to what they value is a good one.  They likely have the resources to rescue themselves from bad choices.  We Christians, however, stand with the poor without such resources.  We strive to follow Christ in everything we do.  We know that he will lead us to the fulness of happiness.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, May 21, 2023

(Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20)

Today we celebrate one of the biggest feasts of the liturgical year. The Solemnity of the Ascension commemorates the second part of the triumph of Jesus Christ over death. As we profess in the Creed, “…he rose again on the third day…and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father…” With the presence of Jesus, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to complete the victory.

For a moment our posture towards the Ascension is that of the apostles in the first reading. We are left in awe admiring the glory of God in heaven. However, as the angels rouse the eleven to action, we must consider what the Ascension means today. The gospel helps us with this task.

The passage constitutes the very end of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Jesus has already risen and ascended to heaven. He now appears to his disciples as promised since the discovery of the empty tomb. They go to the designated mountain. When they see Jesus, they fall down in adoration. However, some of them doubt that it is really he. They are like many today who say that it has never happened that a person has risen from the dead. Of course, Jesus’ resurrection is a unique event in history made possible by his relationship to God the Father as the only begotten Son.

The second reading says that Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, has all power in heaven, on earth and even in the future. Because Jesus tells the apostles that he has been given all power, we know that he has already ascended to heaven. The power will be used for the good of all. This is why he commands, "'Go therefore and teach all nations'". It is the first step in his plan to renew the world in love.

This phrase is echoed at the end of every Eucharist. After the blessing, the priest or deacon says, “Go in peace” sometimes adding “and announce the gospel”. Jesus sends us today as his apostles to evangelize the inhabitants of the world. This mission is accomplished by "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." We have the Sermon on the Mount as a model of the breadth and depth of this task. The lesson will include love even for the enemy, modesty even to keeping lustful eyes in check, pleasing God to the point of shunning praise, and practicing justice until our society shines like a city on a mountaintop.

Still the instruction is not yet complete. Jesus adds the need to baptize. The baptism forms a spiritual nation overlaying the different cultures and peoples that comprise the world. It draws all who heed Jesus’ word into one body – the Church – with him as its head to bring about world peace.

Even more than we do, Jesus realizes the enormity of this mission. It will involve billions of people for generations, centuries, even millenniums. Therefore, Jesus does not hesitate to add, "'... I will be with you always ... '" He fulfills this promise by sending the Holy Spirit to bring about his presence. The Spirit encourages us with trust in Jesus.  It moves us to turn to him in trouble. Above all, it transforms bread and wine into his body and blood to strengthen our weakness.

We live in a skeptical time. Even people who claim belief in God do not practice all his commands. With the Ascension Jesus sends us especially to those among us who doubt. With his support we are to teach them the breadth and depth of Jesus’ wisdom. Even more, we are to invite them to share the love of his body, the Church.