Monday, August 7, 2023

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Numbers 11:4b-15; Matthew 14:13-21)

When a commodity becomes plentiful and cheap, people look for more delectable alternatives.  At one time chicken was most families’ favorite dinner.  They reserved it for Sunday dinner after church to crown their day of leisure.  Today, with mass (and often inhumane) poultry farming, chicken has become a relatively inexpensive and somewhat prosaic dinner.  Families often prefer steak or salmon for special occasions.  In the first reading something similar is brewing.

The Israelites have grown tired of the manna which they have eaten every day for years.  They seek out Moses with the absurd complaint that they would have been better off in Egypt.  Moses then goes up to the Lord perplexed about what to do.  He knows that the people should be grateful.  At the same time he realizes that they are still not holy, still not truly the Lord’s.   

Holiness is a matter of being different.  But the difference is not being individualistic.  Rather holiness is going against the grain of human pride to give oneself completely to God.  It is overcoming the tendency to see ourselves as entitled to things.  It is recognizing everything that one has as a blessing from God.   Then it is a way of becoming a blessing to others.

Friday, August 4, 2023

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Leviticus 23:1.4-11.15-16.27.34b-37; Matthew 13:54-58)

Saint John Vianney faced many setbacks in life.  He was erroneously drafted into the French military.  He had trouble with seminary studies.  As a priest, his attempts to reform the village of his assignment were resisted.  But John’s deep faith in the Lord enabled him to persist in charity.  No doubt, he saw in Jesus a model for dealing with difficulty.

In today’s gospel Jesus goes back to Nazareth.  His efforts to convert the people have proved somewhat fruitless.  Now even his townspeople reject him as an overachiever.  But he does not give up.  He rightly locates the problem in the people’s lack of perspective.  They might have believed and experienced the wonder of God if they gave him an objective hearing.  Of course, the rejection does not deter Jesus from carrying out his mission.

We will experience troubles even when we are doing good things.  We might have to modify our ways, but the real challenge is to strengthen our reliance on God.  Far from doing things for us, God will move us toward humility, commitment, and insight.  Along with love, these qualities will enable us to reach life’s goal.

Sunday, August 6, 2023

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9)

We've probably all seen the spectacular photos from the James Webb Telescope. For more than a year the telescope has been transmitting images of stars in the corners of the universe. The brightness, the colors, and the extraordinary shapes create wonders more impressive than the best fireworks displays. The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain can be said to have the same effect. The favored disciples receive a stupendous view as if it came from a faraway galaxy.

The gospel does not lack lively description. It says that Jesus' face “shone like the sun,” and his garments become “white as light.” It creates a captivating sight like the Taj Mahal in India or the “Pietà” of Michelangelo in St. Peter’s Basilica.

With Jesus on the mountaintop appear Moses and Elijah. They represent the Testament culminating in the coming of the Messiah. Moses is associated with both the Exodus from Egyptian slavery and the Law. Elijhah was the greatest and the most persecuted of the ancient prophets. Taken together on either side of Jesus, they indicate how the Messiah will suffer greatly to free the people from the rule of sin.

The scene must change the heart of anyone who looks at it. Peter, James, and John will not return as the same people they were when they arrived on the mountaintop. Not even we listening to the story can remain unaffected. The beauty of the resplendent Jesus and the glimpse of his coming passion uplift and transform us. Like the disciples at Pentecost we are touched by the Holy Spirit. The love of God has affected our hearts. We should be seeing everything in a new way. No longer can we consider others as simply means for our good or as rivals for our bettering. We regard them now as worthy of our attention, respect, and love.

Changed by this sight of Jesus, we look for directions on how to proceed. How are we to care for, respect, and love others? The same gospel gives us a clue when it tells of the cloud casting a shadow over the disciples. From the cloud they (and also we) hear the voice of God the Father saying: "This is my beloved Son...listen to him."

What does Jesus say? In this Gospel of Saint Matthew we have a compendium of his teachings in the "Sermon on the Mount." Perhaps we can summarize the three chapters of the Sermon in a few sentences. Jesus wants us to “put first things first.” He wants us to value God above all with daily prayers and attendance at Sunday Mass. Then he wants us to be faithful to our obligations to family, friends, community, and work. Many people depend on us; we should not leave them in need. Secondary things -- recreation, wealth, the arts -- have importance as well. We don't have to abandon them but let us not give them singular attention.

This Tuesday is the feast of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers that also bears his name. We can see in him the correct ordering that Jesus teaches. His first biographer wrote that Dominic dedicated the nights to the Lord in prayer and the days sharing with his neighbors. Most of us are not saints who can deprive ourselves of sleep most of the night and work without rest all day. However, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can “put first things first.”

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 40:16-21.34-38; Matthew 13:47-53)

Today’s first reading describes Moses’ painstaking construction of the Lord’s tabernacle.  His efforts to fulfil God’s very prescriptions show the necessity of right worship.  Without correct worship the people would lose their connection with God and go astray.  This is what makes “right worship” right.  God does not need it, but people do, or they become lost.

The passage proceeds to show how God directs the people.  When the cloud covers the meeting tent, the people are to sit and pray for wisdom.  When the cloud rises from the tent, they can journey with confidence.  They are in route, of course, to the Promised Land where they will exhibit the Lord’s holiness.

Worship is fundamental to our journey to the Lord.  It need not be boring but should be done according to established traditions.  Done right, it will enlighten and educate us on how to live.  It will also instruct us to recognize, thank and praise God, our Creator and Eternal Home.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 34,29-35; Matthew 13:44-46)

Today’s first reading indicates how standing in the presence of God changes people.  Moses comes back from seeing God with his face shining.  God’s holiness has caused Moses to radiate as if he were given an atomic charge.  He cannot look at others without forcing some kind of breakdown.  For this reason Moses must wear a veil.

But when Moses goes back into the presence of God, he takes off the veil.  Standing before God, all his life in unveiled.  No one can keep a secret from God’s judgment.  At such close range to the all-holy, Moses must stand in an especially exemplary way.  If not, he will break down completely.

We will have a meeting with God that requires complete disclosure on Judgment Day.  For now we should clean up our lives for encounters with holy people.  The presence of saints compels embarrassment, a kind of breakdown, as our unworthiness becomes evident.  In confession before a priest, we again show our unworthiness. But there, confessing our guilt and receiving the Lord’s pardon, we are enabled to stand up again.