Monday, May 20, 2024

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

(Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-34)

Pope Francis introduced today’s celebration just six years ago.  Obviously, he wanted to emphasize the association of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with the church Jesus founded.  Both Scripture readings attest to this.

The first reading pictures the eleven apostles of Jesus remaining after Jesus’ Ascension along with his mother. It implies that Mary was present when the Spirit descended upon the disciples to set the Church in motion.  The gospel shows Mary at the foot of the cross with the beloved disciple and other women.  Jesus then hands over his Holy Spirit to his faithful followers – a kind of Pentecost initiating the community of disciples.

The Holy Father insists on the key role of Mary in the Church.  She does not merely give Christ a human nature.  More significantly, Mary’s presence at the death of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit indicates her role in the project he initiated.  She epitomizes the caring outreach of the Church, the role of the Church as intercessor for sinners, and a central place of women in its makeup.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Pentecost Sunday

(Acts 2:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25; John 15:16-17.16:12-15)

Today we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. Certainly of the three persons of the one God, the Spirit is the least appreciated. However, the Church affirms that the Spirit has equal dignity with the Father and the Son. To know him better, let's turn to what the Scriptures say about him. We will use the readings from today's masses and from yesterday's vigil.

The first reading of the vigil is from Genesis. It tells how God confused human languages when men were trying to build a tower that would reach heaven. At Pentecost the Spirit superimposes itself on the many languages being spoken in Jerusalem that day by pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean world so that all might understand the disciples' proclamation.

The second reading is from Exodus. It talks about the alliance that God made with the Israelites at Sinai. God descended on the mountain with fire and smoke to seal his covenant. The descent of the Spirit with tongues of fire resembles this act of confirmation. The Holy Spirit seals the New Covenant between God and the community of Jesus’ disciples. Those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will receive forgiveness of their sins and the destiny of eternal life.

The third reading comes from the prophet Ezekiel. It tells of God reviving the dry bones with a new spirit that puts nerves, flesh, and skin into them. This act refers to Christ's promise to resurrect the remains of believers at the end of time. Also, it foreshadows the Holy Spirit renewing the disciples with his gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, strength, piety, and fear of God.

The fourth reading from the prophet Joel tells how the spirit of God will be poured out on the people on the “Day of the Lord.” He will inspire them to imagine a just society and strengthen you to proclaim their vision to the world.

Yesterday's epistle of the Letter to the Romans deals with the Spirit helping the Christian community to pray. Through the Spirit the disciples do not ask the Father for superficial things but for the resources to endure the setbacks in life until the Kingdom comes. The gospel continues along this line.  It tells of Jesus inviting those thirsting for righteousness that they will receive it with the Spirit.

Today's masses give the priest celebrant several options for readings. In all of them the work of the Spirit is manifested. The First Letter to the Corinthians reports that the grace of the Spirit is necessary to believe in Jesus as Lord. It adds that believers have different gifts or talents. Together they make up the Body of Christ which is present to the world to achieve the common good.

An alternative reading from the Letter to the Galatians proclaims that the Spirit overcomes the reign of selfishness in individual lives. It replaces the vices of lust, anger, and envy with the virtues of self-control, meekness, and kindness.

One option for the gospel shows Jesus endowing his apostles with the Holy Spirit so that they might reconcile sinners to God. In the other Jesus presents the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth” who strengthens the apostles when they preach their victory over sin and death.

What might we say in summary of the Holy Spirit?  We can say that the Holy Spirit is God who comes to us to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. He is the love that unifies us with one another in the Body of Christ. He is also the benefactor who enables us resist vices and practice virtues. He is the inspiration that moves us to speak with others about Jesus Christ. Finally, the Spirit is the source of new life that purifies us today from sins and on the final day will reconstitute our bodies to enjoy eternal life.

Friday, May 17, 2024

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19)

Fishermen love their sport more than most other things. When they arrive at the water, they take off their watches.  For fishermen a successful day fishing is not one in which they catch many fish but just one spent on the water.  Because of the unique absorption of fishermen with their occupation, Jesus gauges Peter’s capacity for leadership with a question regarding his preference for him over fishing.

Peter is not only a fisherman by trade but a fisher of men and women by religious profession.  Now Jesus wants him to undertake a new role.  He is to be the shepherd of his flock; that is, he will oversee the care of the community of believers.  Before he confers on him the ministry, he tests Peter with a question.  He asks Peter if he loves him “more than these.”  Some think that “these” refers to the other disciples in the sense that Peter loves Jesus more than the other disciples do.  But it is more likely that “these” refers to the accoutrements of fishing.  When Peter assures Jesus of his predilection of him to nets, boats, lines and hooks, Jesus puts him in charge of the Christian community.

Pope Francis seems to be a worthy successor of Peter.  His love for the Lord and his flock is palpable.  Although this generation has been blessed with other gracious popes, Francis has shown a unique capacity to care for all people.  As much as the Church is mother of all peoples populating the planet, Francis has exhibited the desire to touch them with God’s mercy.

 

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)

Fr. Richard Gula is a moral theologian who wrote a book he called The Good Life.  It is not about fancy restaurants or comfort resorts.  Rather The Good Life describes the moral virtues that are found in a person who recognizes that she or he is loved by God and, in response, loves God and all His creatures.

Fr. Gula describes two virtues as fundamental to the good life – humility and gratitude.  Both these virtues are at the heart of Jesus’ “priestly prayer “of which we hear part in today’s gospel.  Humility accepts, affirms, and celebrates who one is.  Jesus does just this as he recognizes that his Father has bestowed upon him glory.  Gratitude acknowledges one’s gifts by sharing them with others.  So Jesus prays that his disciples may know the love with which the Father has loved him.

Jesus’ priestly prayer summarizes his work on earth, the purpose of his becoming human and undergoing the great Paschal mystery.  He has given us a model to emulate.  We begin by practicing humility and gratitude daily.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Today’s first reading will attract the interest of biblical students.  In one passage the leaders of the church of Miletus are called both presbyters (presbyterous) and bishops (episkopous).  Evidently, these terms were used interchangeably in the early Church.  Later they had more definite meanings.

Another notable aspect of the reading is Paul’s concern that false preachers may steal members of the community.  Just as today, upstarts claimed that they had the true teaching to be followed.  Paul would criticize them for not following the teaching which the apostles handed down from Jesus.

But most prominent in the reading is the love exhibited among Paul and his visitors.  The way they cried and hugged one another testifies that the Church is above all a community of love in truth.  If we do not love, Paul has written to the Corinthians, we are but clanging cymbals.