Friday, July 4, 2025

 

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 23:1-4.19.24:1-8.62-67; Matthew 9:9-13)

Matthew only joined Jesus as a disciple.  He had to learn from him about God and how tell others about God.  The task involved more than listening to Jeus.  Matthew had to reflect, pray, and practice to become a competent evangelist.

Something similar may be said of the men who signed up for the Continental Army after the signing of the Declaration of Independence 149 years ago.  Their enthusiasm had to be transformed into training and corps spirit before they could contribute significantly to American freedom.  It was a drawn-out process which took years to complete.

Similarly becoming saints is no easy task.  We should not give up when our efforts flounder.  Rather we should try again, harder maybe, but always with our minds and hearts fixed on Jesus.  Asking his help assures our success.  He will send the Holy Spirit to make the necessary adjustments that make our lives holy.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

 

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

(Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29)

A story about St. Thomas Aquinas may assist in appreciating today’s marvelous gospel passage.  Fellow students told Aquinas that there were pigs flying outside the window.  Thomas went to the window to see what they were talking about.  When the students laughed at his naivete, he declared.  “I would rather believe that pigs can fly than that my brothers would lie to me.”  Unfortunately, Aquinas’ namesake was not so trusting.

Thomas Didymus not only didn’t believe his fellow disciples, he disregarded what Jesus taught and the evidence of the empty tomb.  He might have remembered that Jesus told his disciples he was going beforehand to find places for them in his Father’s house.  Although the empty tomb could not prove Jesus’ resurrection, it does point in that direction.  Thomas, however, prefers skepticism to belief, even when it means breaking faith with his companions.

We should be more discreet.  We do not have to accept everything that people say, but we need not be readily dismissive.  Regarding such fundamental truth such as Jesus’ Resurrection, we must not give way to saying with materialists, “It is impossible.”  Rather we should consider the testimony of the event through the ages, what Jesus said and did, and our own motives - both good and selfish – for believing.  Doing so, we are likely to find solid ground for believing and living in the new creation which the Resurrection heralds.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

 

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 21:5.8-20a; Matthew 8:28-34)

Today’s first reading displays positive and negative qualities of both Abraham and Sarah.  Abraham made a huge mistake in having relations with Hagar, his wife’s slave.  However, he has compassion on her and his son when Sarah wants them to be sent away.  He seeks help from God who gives him assurance that they will prosper.

Sarah knows that a home with two families is not a healthy environment.  But she acts heartlessly as she demands Abraham to “drive out that slave and her son.”  Fortunately for Hagar and Ismael the Lord comes to their aid when he hears their cries.

The story provides rich spiritual lessons.  All of us are a mix of positive and negative qualities.  We must heed the Lord so that our vices do not dominate our actions.  It also warns us about doing evil to achieve good.  Such action makes matters worse.  Finally, it reminds us to call upon the Lord in prayer when we feel desperate.  He is waiting to help us.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

 Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 (Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27)

 General George Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff during World War II and later Secretary of State responsible for the Marshall Plan, was renowned for his self-control.  After making critical decisions that affected thousands of lives, Marshall could peacefully take a nap.  He was not careless but trusting in the Lord’s working in his life.  In today’s gospel Jesus proves himself to be a person of infinitely greater composure.

 Jesus’ disciples are amazed that the storm snaps at his command.  It is almost as remarkable that he could sleep in a small boat being rocked by a tempest.  The story is meant to teach more than Jesus’ authority over nature and his serenity.  It is also a lesson in Jesus’ presence to the Church after the resurrection.  The ship in the storm symbolizes the Church in its infancy.  It is being challenged in every direction – persecutions, heresies, contentious questions like accommodation of non-Jews.  The portrayal of Jesus sleeping represents the temptation of thinking that he is indifferent about these challenges.  All the disciples have to do to secure his help is beseech him in prayer. 

 We too at times may feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  Perhaps we have promised to do more than now seems possible to accomplish.  Or maybe our children bring home problems that we thought happen in only the most troubled of families.  We too can find recourse in the Lord Jesus.  As he calmed the storm for his disciples, he will assist us in our need.

Monday, July 1, 2025

 

Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 18:16-23; Matthew 8:18-22)

A very successful pastor was awarded a ranking position in the diocesan chancery.  When he saw his mother he shared the good news.  His mother, however, looked worried.  When he asked her why the long face, she said, “If you don’t visit the sick and bury the dead visit the sick and bury the dead, how will you get to heaven?”

Often our mothers teach us more about Christian ethics than classes in the finest universities.  They are usually the ones who instill upon us the Lord’s love and mercy.  This is the message conveyed so dramatically in today’s first reading.  Abraham may believe that he is giving God a lesson in mercy when he banters with God about saving the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  But God is eternally kind and infinitely merciful.

We must never forget this message, even when we see bad things happening to good people.  We should remember that no one is entirely just.  We all sin against the Lord who created us.  Yet God sent His Son to die in a way more terrible than any evil people experience so that our sins may be forgiven.