Friday, August 30, 2024

Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 1:17-25; Matthew 15:1-13)

Students of the American theologian Cardinal Avery Dulles complained that he was a boring teacher. “Dull, duller, and dullest” was how they poked fun at him.  But as to his writing, all must admit that few theologians were as concise and as exact as he.  Saint Paul may be considered a model for Cardinal Dulles.

In today’s first reading Paul says that he does not have the “wisdom of human eloquence.”  He is not just referring to a popular message like achieving success through virtue, but to his own deficiency.  In other places he admits to his inability to hold the attention of the public as much as other preachers.  But Paul knows that worldly wisdom and eloquence do not produce the supreme good.  Preachers of the gospel must first recognize that humility, not power, and love, not luster, join one to Christ.

We are always tempted to pursue the goals of power, prestige, and pleasure.  Doing so, however, betrays our commitment to our Savior.  Imitating his humility and care not only will gain for us eternal life.  It will also exemplify the kind of life that leads to justice and peace in the world.

 

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Mark 6:17-29)

The novel Lord of the Flies relates how a group of schoolboys survive a shipwreck on a deserted island.  They have to rely on their wits for survival.  At first they work together and establish a rescue plan.  Not long afterwards, however, two factions develop.  Soon members of one faction hunt down those of the other. The drama’s point, it seems, is that people by nature treat others cruelly, at least when no one is looking.  Many reject this base opinion of human nature, but often enough human atrocities occur that defy its dismissal.  The story of John the Baptist's beheading gives an air of plausibility to a gloomy opinion of humanity.

Herod recognizes John as "righteous and holy." The gospel today sounds almost as if he wants to keep John close-by to provide spiritual guidance.  But as aware as Herod is to John's virtue, he cannot rise above his own pride.  Because he promises Herodias' daughter anything that she asks, he executes the eminently honorable man in order to appear true to his word.  A decent person would have apologized for his foolhardy promise and disciplined the youngster for her outrageous request.

We are wise not to deny our capacity to sin grievously and to thank God every day that we have avoided offending Him.  It is His grace, given through Christ, which turns us from wounded human nature into people who love and desire true good.

 

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Memorial of Saint Augustine of Hippo, bishop and Doctor of the Church

(II Thessalonians 3:6-10.16-18; Matthew 23:27-32)

 Of all the theologians of the Roman Catholic Church none has quite the importance and popularity as Saint Augustine of Hippo.  His famous conversion resulted from the prayers of his mother Monica, the persuasion of his mentor St. Ambrose, and the voice of a child.  As he was walking one day he heard the voice say, “Take up the book and read.”  Seeing a Bible nearby, he opened to the passage from Romans: “… put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.”  He submitted to what God was calling him, was baptized, and went on to the priesthood and episcopacy.

Augustine lived in tumultuous times both theologically and historically.  Erroneous ideas were challenging established belief.  Some argued that the sacraments were of no use if one committed apostasy during the persecutions.  Others thought that one might earn eternal life through his or her own merits.  Still others held that the Blessed Trinity was one God with three faces.  Augustine countered these ideas with a rich theology faithful to Scripture and to logic.

In Augustine’s time the Roman Empire in the West was crumbling.  Barbarians from the north invaded Rome and northern Africa where Augustine resided.  Some blamed Christianity for Rome’s weakness.  To defend the faith, Augustine wrote The City of God.  The book explained how Christianity did not weaken the empire but fortified it with social and personal virtues.  Not just the Church but the world is indebted to this great saint. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

 

Memorial of Saint Monica, holy woman

(II Thessalonians 3:1-3a.14-17; Matthew 23:23-26)

As a young man, Saint Augustine achieved a modicum of success as a rhetorician.  He headed an academy where he drew several students.  His reputation was growing, but that fact did not pacify his mother, Saint Monica.  More than anything else, Monica wanted her son to practice the Catholic faith.  It seems that she saw material success as the outside of the cup to which Jesus alludes in today’s gospel reading.

Jesus frequently suggests that appearances are not to be judged so much as reality.  The tax collector praying for forgiveness in the Temple is perhaps the best example.  His prayer and not the Pharisee’s who reminds God of his own virtue is heard.  In today’s gospel Jesus condemns the Pharisees’ attention to miniscule points of the Law while ignoring its principal teachings of mercy and fidelity.

Saint Monica ceaselessly petitioned God that her son become a Christian. She also appealed to her son continually that he consider joining Christ.  She knew that Christ was the way to true happiness in eternal life.  To her -- may God grant it so for us as well -- fame, fortune, and fun cannot compete in comparison.

Monday, August 26, 2024

Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(II Thessalonians 1:1-5.11-12; Matthew 23:13-22)

In today’s first reading St. Paul begins his letter by typically thanking God.  Writing to the Thessalonians, he mentions how grateful he is for their accepting the faith and living it with love for one another. 

For Paul thanksgiving is a way of life.  He sees God as the initiator of every good thing.  He knows that griping may draw others’ attention but ultimately creates consternation for everyone concerned.  It is better, he would say, to thank God for the goodness He has bestowed than to grumble over any difficulties He has proportioned.

There is a lesson here for all of us.  The more that we can thank God for the good encountered and even for the evil endured, the closer to God we will become.  Near to Him, we will find happiness.