Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

(I Samuel 1:9-20; Mark 1:21-28)

Three characteristics mark today’s gospel which might be entitled “the beginning of ä typical day in the life of Jesus.”  First, it’s Saturday when Jews go to the synagogue.  Jesus, who never exempts himself from Jewish law, also is found in the synagogue.  Second, Jesus speaks with “authority.”  This word, from the Latin “auctoritas,” means influence over others, both legally and practically.  Paraphrasing an old television commercial, when Jesus speaks, people listen. 

Finally, Jesus admonishes the evil spirit to be quiet when they call him “the Holy One of God.” This characteristic, known as the “Messianic secret,“ refers to Jesus’ not wanting others to know of his divine Sonship.  This sounds odd, but there is a reason behind the secrecy.  Jesus wants people to see how he has to suffer to fulfill his divine mission.  Only then will the people be able to understand that divine Sonship requires sacrificial suffering for others.

Our days might not be as busy as Jesus’, and we may not have his charismatic authority.  But we can follow Jesus by being faithful to our Catholic customs and laws.  Even more importantly, we can sacrifice our own comfort for the good of others to share in his divine Sonship.

Monday, January 8, 2024

The Baptism of the Lord

(Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7; Mark 1:7-11)

In the Gospel of Mark only Jesus hears the voice from heaven at his Baptism.  In Matthew’s gospel this is a moment of epiphany or manifestation to all.  But in the reading today the audience is limited to Jesus.  He is personally being made aware that he is God’s Son and has pleased His Father greatly.

This is meant as a revelation to Jesus.  As St. Paul indicates in the Letter to the Philippians, at the incarnation the Son emptied himself of divinity.  This emptying includes, presumedly, divine knowledge. Now, after formation in Nazareth and with John in the desert, Jesus is told of his status.  But there is more to the revelation than that.  The Spirit’s descent over Jesus is an anointing.  Jesus is blessed and protected for the mission of reestablishing his Father’s kingdom in the world.  He will preach, heal, and call others to follow his example.

The form and substance of Jesus’ baptism prefigure our own.  We too have become God’s “beloved” as we enter Christ’s body, the Church.  We too have been prepared and commissioned to bring the world in line with the love of God, our Father. 

Sunday, January 7, 2024

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

(Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

It is nothing new that the three magi are not kings. Nor should they be considered magicians in the sense that they practice magic. Rather, Saint Matthew's intention is to present them as seekers of truth. They diligently search the heavens to determine exactly what the future holds. In a way they are like meteorologists looking for signs in the atmosphere to predict the weather tomorrow, next week, or in a year.

The gospel does not specify where the wise men come from. But because of their placement in the east and their interest in science, bible commentators believe they are Persians. Anyway, they have heard of the “king of the Jews” who was to be born. Perhaps they have heard of the prophecy that a descendant of King David is going to sit on his throne forever. He is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah who will reestablish David's kingdom and attract the world’s monarchs to hear his wisdom. The magi follow the newborn's star to pay him tribute.

The star provides the magi with only part of the truth. It can indicate approximately where the King is, but not precisely. For this, divine revelation is needed. This is why the Jews refer to the Scriptures when the magi ask, “Where is the king of the Jews…?” The prophet Micah wrote that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.

The reference to the Scriptures provides us with a very urgent lesson for contemporary times. Every field of human study -- even the hard sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology -- cannot reveal the truth in its fullness. To know the complete truth we need God’s revelation. This is particularly the case in reference to morality. Without recourse to Scripture, people will allow manipulation of the body and soul to achieve their ends. For this reason in some parts there are persistent calls for the Church to bless gay marriages and for the state to allow the extermination of people with severe disabilities.

The magi finally encounter Jesus, the king who embodies the complete truth. His teachings will form a just people. His actions will show followers that eternal happiness does not consist of endless pleasure but of measureless love. The gifts presented by the magi are fitting for such a king. He is worth more than gold. As the Son of God he deserves praises that like fragrant incense ascend to heaven. And because as a human he will suffer death for a time, myrrh for his burial is included.

Despite the benefits that the King-Messiah brings, some do not want him to reign. They would eliminate him as if he were the plague and not the remedy for every ailment. Herod does not want to share power with anyone, even one who will bring peace to his reign. Others do not want to listen to Jesus because of the pride, greed, and lust that drive his hearts. These are not necessarily people foreign to us. It has been said that the line separating good and evil does not run through families, nations, or faith communities but through each human heart. Therefore, we must strive to increase daily our likeness to the King.

Jesus should be the focus of our lives. If we meditate every day on how to put the gospel into practice, we will have the truth at our disposal. When we live it, we will experience eternal happiness.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop

(I John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51)

It is said that unlike other rabbis of his day, Jesus sought out his own disciples.  Most rabbis waited for students to come to them.  Jesus, however, took the initiative.  In today’s gospel he calls Philip directly.  “’Follow me,’” he instructs the man from Bethsaida.  He has also had an eye on Nathaniel for evidently a long while.

Jesus called John Neumann, today’s patron saint from an early age.  John wanted to serve as a priest in his native Bohemia but was refused ordination because of a surplus of clergy.  Priests were hard to find in the United States where he emigrated.  Within a year of his arrival John was ordained and not long after that he was on the missionary trail. 

Jesus calls each of us to be his disciples.  Whether or not we become a priest or religious, we are to learn from Jesus and then, very importantly, serve in his name.  We need to discern what the Lord wants us to do and then go about it with all our heart.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

 (I John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42)

Today’s first reading speaks of God’s seed remaining in the Christian.  This seed enables her not to sin. What is it referring to with this obscure image?  May it be the same seed that impregnated the Virgin Mary?  It turns out that it is.  It is the Holy Spirit that comes down upon Christians to protect them from sinning.

Economists theorize how nation have comparative advantages in one way or another.  This conceptual reality will enable them outperform other nations in a particular industry.  Columbia’s many mountainous regions with moderate temperatures give it a comparative advantage over, say, the United States in producing coffee.  In a similar way the Holy Spirit gives Christians a comparative advantage over others in living righteous lives.

Unfortunately, Christians sometimes fail to use their comparative advantage.  We act contrary to the Holy Spirit when we choose to abuse others in order to love ourselves.  We may claim for ourselves more than justice permits.  Whenever this happens, we should note the whisper of the same Holy Spirit.  As invisibly as he was given to us, he calls us back to goodness.  Our comparative advantage does not fail us when we fail it.