Thursday, May 23, 2024

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)

“Salted with fire” describes the Holy Spirit having penetrated the hearts of the faithful.  Those “salted with fire” are ready to use the gifts of the Spirit for the good of others.  For example, last year evangelist Amy Welborn applied the Spirit’s wisdom to see significant value in a poplar motion picture.

When the movie “Barbie” was making its debut, many were ready to dismiss the film as Hollywood trash.  Ms. Welborn took time to see the film and review it for her many readers.  She found the movie to be a critique of the feminist movement which has not brought true liberation to women as advertised.  Instead, it has left many women desolate without a caring life partner or children.

“Salted with fire” on Pentecost, we should ask ourselves how we might better care for others.  We should not discount prayer as one proven way.  We might also investigate the possibility of regularly visiting the lonely or tutoring needy children.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 4: 13-17; Mark 9:38-40)

For many years the church has promoted Catholics collaborating with other Christian groups on social projects.  The combined efforts have brought more and better assistance to those in need.  They also have advanced ecumenism creating a desire for reunion with peoples of different communities of faith.

In today’s gospel, Jesus promotes social ecumenism.  Whereas John would stop someone not of Jesus’ company to cast out demons in his name, Jesus welcomes the initiative.  Perhaps he intuits that John’s restriction may be motivated by jealousy.  A passage before this one shows the disciples unable to cast out an epileptic demon.

We do well to question our motives when we refuse to support non-Catholics in their social ministries.  They often do work worthy of our support.  The Friends’ (Quakers’) peace lobby and the Lutheran “Global Refuge” have for years provided excellent service.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Tuesday of the Seventh Week in ordinary Time

(James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37)

Jesus’ “journey through Galilee” will end in Jerusalem.  There he will be handed over by Jewish leaders to the Roman authorities who will kill him.  Jesus predicts this fate, but his disciples do not understand what he is saying.

They are preoccupied with the question of their own greatness.  If they were great, they would not be so fearful as to leave Jesus’ self-revelation unqueried.  Rather, like James scolds his listeners in today’s first reading, they follow their prideful instincts.

Of course, the disciples have not yet received the Holy Spirit.  He will give them both humility and confidence.  Like to them, the Spirit has come to us so that we might “renew the face of the earth” with his love.

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.