Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot

(Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9: 32-38)

A new television series, “Mrs. Davis,” is bringing public attention to the possibility of artificial intelligence controlling human behavior.  Artificial intelligence can use algorithms, complex sets of reactions to human actions, to manipulate people.  Its potential for success is immense given the extensive fascination with the Internet.  The protagonist of “Mrs. Davis” tries to evade the reach of the powerful algorithm but becomes enmeshed in it.  She will have to fight it to ward off its control of her.

We might see in “Mrs. Davis” what today’s feast and this mass’ first reading convey.  St. Benedict evaded the evil influences of city life by retreating to the country.  There he lived a sane, wholesome life with like-minded men.  An alternative to the monastery is to battle night and day with urban evil – something like Jacob in his struggle against his intruder.

All of us should be aware that artificial intelligence can deeply influence our lives in undesirable ways.  We need to maintain some distance from computers and telephones to prevent that from happening.  We should also come closer to the Lord whom we meet in prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments.  He will lead us to the happiness that we seek in life.

Monday, July 10, 2023

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26)

Although he does not know it, Jacob has come across a shrine.  It is a holy place sanctified by the prayers of many others on that spot.  The Lord is there ready to hear the request of this unwitting pilgrim.

Jacob has sneakily taken his brother’s birthright.  That is, he is to be, like Isaac and Abraham, the “father of many nations.”  Now he must escape Esau’s wrath and then establish himself with a wife and children.  God does not hold Jacob in contempt for his trickery.  Rather he has chosen Jacob, perhaps for his cleverness, to extend the heritage that will end in the birth of His own Son Jesus, the Christ.

Shrines are found in most cities with a Catholic heritage today.  They are places for us to ask the Lord for assistance.  There we are likely to find other good people whose faith helps us trust in God’s enduring love.

Sunday, July 9, 2023

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, July 9, 2023

(Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9.11-13; Matthew 11:25-30)

The gospel today contains one of the most famous passages in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. When Jesus says, "'No one knows the Father except the Son...'" he is speaking of an intimacy that is not seen in Mark and Luke. We have to examine the entire passage more closely to appreciate its great value.

Jesus is thanking God the Father as if everything is going well for him. In reality, however, his ministry has stagnated. In the passage before this Jesus condemns the cities of Corazín, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for having rejected him. Except for some “little ones”, the people have not accepted his call to repent. The little ones are the same whom we have met in the gospel last Sunday. They seek to carry out the will of God. They are people like our grandmothers who prayed for us every day and if they found a few extra pennies in their handbag, they gave them to us to buy a chocolate on the way to school.

Simple people live according to the Spirit of Christ as Saint Paul says in the second reading. They do not live according to the flesh” that characterizes many in the world. Politicians today often describe themselves as the people's saviors while cursing their adversaries as liars and scoundrels. In the words of Jesus they want to be seen on the street giving nickels and dimes to the poor when they only have their own interests in mind.

We see in Jesus true humility. In this gospel he boasts neither of his intelligence nor of his achievements. Rather, he says everything he has comes from the Father. It is true that he says that only he knows the Father. However, he adds that he wants to reveal Him to others.

Then Jesus issues his great invitation to all who feel "labor and our burdened." He especially considers those who feel troubled by the 613 Covenant laws that they don't even quite understand. However, we can include as “burdened” those young people who feel disillusioned by the “hook-up” culture where another sexual partner is sought out every night. We can also add to those who labor adults who have grown tired of the constant pursuit of fortune and fame.

To all these Jesus wants to unite under his yoke. This yoke does not overwhelm them because he is by their side to help. Father Emil Kapaun, an American army chaplain, represented this kind of help to the troops in Korea. For everyone, both Jews and Protestants as well as Catholics, he was "Father" because he instilled respect with his words of strength and hope. Captured by the Chinese, Father Kapaun searched for food for the sick and picked lice from the weakest so they wouldn't die. Eventually he himself died as Christ sacrificing his own life for the good of others. He shared the small ration his captors gave him with other prisoners so that in time he ran out of energy. Then he was infected with dysentery that brought about his death.

Jesus leads us to salvation through good people like Father Kapaun and by his inspiring wisdom. Above all, he saves us through the sacraments that unite us with him. We never want to reject him for fear that he will ask for what we don't want to give. Any sacrifice he demands only makes us more loving like him.

Friday, July 7, 2023

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 23:1-4.19.24:1-8.62-67; Matthew 9:9-13)

Today’s gospel tells the story of the call of Matthew.  The scene has been portrayed by the great sixteenth century painter Caravaggio.  His painting features Jesus’ hand pointing at Matthew in the same position as God’s in creating Adam in Michelangelo’s mural of the Sistine Chapel.  

By mimicking the hand’s position, Caravaggio did not mean to ridicule his famous predecessor.  Far from that, he wanted to show how Jesus calling the publican Matthew represented a new creation.  He is going to form this businessman and likely crook into an apostle.  Matthew will no longer be making money but disciples.  He will be telling the world of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

We should see Jesus pointing his hand at us as well.  He is calling us from our egocentrism into a manifest love of God and neighbor.  Self-absorption is often a hard shell to crack, but it is worth the effort.  Feeling the love of God and bringing this love to others, we have a foretaste of our heavenly home.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 22:1b-19; Matthew 9:1-8)

 In the Shrine of St. Martin de Porres in Puerto Rico a compelling mural covers the back wall.  The mural portrays in abstract style the story related in today’s first reading. It features the angel and Abraham who is about to kill his son Isaac.  One hand of the angel points upward signaling a message from God and the other is raised palm up hand telling Abraham to stop.  The mural is said to symbolize the sacrifice of the Mass.

Thomas Aquinas calls Isaac a “type of Christ.” As Isaac was to be sacrificed to demonstrate Abraham’s faith in God, God himself allowed his own Son to be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the world.  His sacrifice on the cross was anticipated and prefigured at the meal Jesus shared with his disciples the night before he died.  It was God’s way of showing solidarity with humanity that became hopelessly lost because of sin.

The idea of God ordering a father to kill his son disturbs many people.  “Is not God violating His own natural law?” they ask.  But God did not allow the sacrifice of Isaac to take place.  God was acting as a judge testing Abraham’s fidelity, not as a tyrant seeking blood.  God loves His Son infinitely more than Abraham can love Isaac.  He loves all of us like He loves Christ.  For this reason He sent Christ to the world to die for our salvation.