Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever eaten food that tastes so good, so sweet on the tongue, but it leaves a sour, hard-to-digest feeling in your stomach? That’s what we hear about today from the book of Revelation (10:8-11). Only it’s not food that the author is tasting, it’s a small scroll. Yes, a scroll with words written on it that tasted “as sweet as honey,” but “sour” in his stomach. We also hear about words in today’s gospel reading (Luke 19:45-48). Jesus’ own words and the words he was quoting from Isaiah. Words that were sour to those he was driving out of the temple area, yet sweet to others, as we read, “all the people were hanging on his words.”
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
In both today’s first reading and today’s gospel, our passages open with weeping. The gospel passage from Luke describes Jesus’ reaction to seeing the city of Jerusalem. It is clearly a city that Jesus loves, and filled with people for whom Jesus has great compassion. Here Jesus seems to be prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem which was to come forty years after his own crucifixion. Notice that Jesus does not in any way delight over the impending destruction of the city that failed to recognize him as their Messiah. Rather, he weeps, the most human sign of sorrow. In the verses which follow today’s selection from Luke, we learn that the chief priests, scribes, and leaders are seeking to put Jesus to death. The irony is that while Jesus is weeping for the people, the people are ensuring this impending destruction by their choices. And yet, salvation works through this situation, both through the destruction of Jerusalem and the crucifixion of Jesus. The final story is not one of defeat, but of triumph.
Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever been to Heaven? Sit with that question for a moment. Have you ever been to Heaven? I’m assuming that most, if not all of you, answered “no,” perhaps even with a parenthetical (well that’s a silly question!). I would counter, yes, you have – you have been to heaven! We enter the eternal, heavenly worship every time we participate in the Mass. Our first reading today from Revelation gives us a glimpse of what we experience in each Eucharist. I pray that we might be inspired today to approach each Mass with the same kind of awe, reverence, joy, and ecstatic praise that John the Apostle describes. I pray also that this heavenly worship transforms our everyday lives into heavenly worship as we offer our whole selves in service to God and neighbor.
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The readings for this week look forward to the Solemnity of Christ the King on Sunday. The theme expressed in them is repentance at the expectation of Christ’s coming. In the first reading, the writer of Revelation warns the churches not to be lukewarm but rather to remain steadfast in faith. The metaphor of the undesirability of what is lukewarm is one that most people can appreciate. In warm weather it is natural for people to drink cold beverages to slake their thirst. And conversely, in cold weather people drink warm beverages to warm them from the inside after they’ve come in from the cold. The problem with lukewarm beverages is that people do not find them to be refreshing either on cold or warm days. No one wants to drink lukewarm soda, or coffee once it has cooled off.
Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
“What do you want me to do for you?”
The road to Jericho was an entryway toward Jerusalem streaming with pilgrims. Beggars sat along the way hoping for handouts. On this particular day sat blind Bartimaeus, who’s name means “son of fear.” And Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Within the parable of the judge and the widow today, there lies a question that may deeply trouble us Christians in the world - if the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) were to come to earth today, would he find faith among his people? Some may positively look at their own faithfulness while others may negatively look at the declining religiosity around us. But my take is to not feel the need to answer yes or no. Instead, we must answer this with our daily efforts to bring faith alive in our own hearts and the hearts of others.
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
The past several months leading up to election day earlier this week were filled with consistent reminders of the division and hatred that engulf the political landscape of America. The second letter from John today reminds us of the priorities in Christian life to love one another and walk in the ways of Christ. Be on the lookout for heresy and deceit. Stay focused on the truth. What is that truth? The inseparable link between loving God and loving one another. We don’t get to pick and choose. We are commanded to love because God first loved us; God is love and therefore, the only appropriate way we could possibly respond is to pay that love forward.
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
When Bill and I stay overnight in a hotel we like to end the day by flipping through the channels to see if there’s anything worth watching. We don’t have a TV in our bedroom at home, so this always feels luxurious to us. When we do this, we inevitably come across some televangelist getting red in the face about all the signs in our world today pointing to the End Times and Jesus’ imminent return.
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Mark was the first to write a narrative of “the cleansing of the Temple.” He places the incident after the “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem. Matthew & Luke follow suit.
Scholars contend that these events put a target on Jesus’ back.
Jerusalem is a tinderbox on important Jewish feasts like Passover and Jesus had just struck a match in the Temple incident.
It was the responsibility of the Jewish high priest, in this case Caiaphas, to alert the Roman authorities if there was a troublemaker making noise.
Sadducees like Caiaphas walked on eggshells, knowing what Rome was capable of if there was a riot. And procurator Pontius Pilate, with a reputation of absolute ruthlessness, would “take no prisoners.” Pilate disdained the Jews on a level far beyond hate. Tiberius would eventually remove him as procurator of Judea because of his many atrocities against the Jews.
We have come to call the incident in the temple its “cleansing.” Scholars contend that it is as historical an event as anything in the Gospels. But is “cleansing” really what Jesus wanted to do?
Some suggest that he was symbolically eliminating the Temple and replacing it with the Kingdom of God. The Jesus movement was all about God’s reign. “The Kingdom of God is within you.” Why need a Temple then?
Today we hear John’s version of the Temple incident and he places it not in Holy Week but rather at the very start of the Lord’s ministry.
A generation prior to John’s Gospel, Paul wrote to the People of God at Corinth: “You are God’s building.” And our foundation is Jesus Christ. Apt words for Catholics these days in our time of closings and mergers of parishes, churches, and schools. And even Dioceses.
Feelings are facts. Grief and loss are real. Heartbreak, too. The destruction of the magnificent wonder-of-the-world Jerusalem Temple by Titus and his legions in 70 CE had the weight of a thousand nuclear explosions. Still the faithful Jewish people continued on. And so will we once the dust is settled.
For Christ is our foundation and we are the temple.
-Timothy J. Cronin
Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus provides the apostles with an instruction that I often need to be reminded of – serve God and never allow yourself to feel as if God owes you something in return. As someone whose profession is ministry I often find myself pleading with God, “I have given so much” or “I am on my last thread” can I not get just some time to rest and recharge?
Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Today Jesus challenges the apostles to have faith the size of a mustard seed. Earlier in Luke, in a parable, the Lord compares the same miniscule seed to the Kingdom of God. What’s all this about mustard seeds?
Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
As I read today readings, the word empower caught my attention. This is probably because I have had the opportunity to work with an international organization (Global Brigades) that strives to empower small resource limited communities in Central America. These communities become “empowered” when over the course of time, college students, community members and the Global Brigades staff collaborate until these communities can develop the necessary resources and capabilities to thrive without the assistance of outside sources. St. Paul in today’s reading explains how he is empowered by Christ to do all that he is called to do. How are we called to be empowered by Christ in both the small and large matters of our lives?
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Death is on my mind. Although writing this reflection for Friday’s readings, I am actually writing and typing this on Wednesday, All Souls’ Day. Not only that, but I learned a few days ago that a friend and choir member from a previous parish, younger than myself, died after a short stay in the hospital; she lived most of her life in a wheelchair with others caring for her bodily needs. On top of that, my sister was recently told she has cancer, something that both of my sisters have previously battled. While at the same time, my aging father struggles to walk, and my mother struggles to breathe. Our bodies are limited; we are all mortal. Yet I am reminded today in Paul’s letter to the Philippians of our hope in the Resurrection of the Body. Not just the soul.
Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
When I was about twelve or thirteen years old, I lost my pet rabbit, Penelope. I went to feed her in her hutch out back and found the door broken and Penelope missing. I loved that rabbit, and I was very worried and upset. There were some woods near our house and I feared the worst for her. I went out looking for her and calling her, and I got my parents’ help, especially when the sun began to set. My Dad and I took a flashlight and looked some more. We didn’t find her that night or the next, or the weeks after that I kept looking for her. I cried myself to sleep many a night, worried about her out in the cold and dark, lost and afraid, maybe even hurt or worse. My parents offered to get me another bunny, but of course I didn’t want another one; I wanted Penelope.
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Yesterday, we celebrated with the Church Triumphant, all the saints who have entered the glory of heaven. Today, we, the Church Militant, have the privilege, honor, and opportunity to pray for the souls who experience the purifying suffering of Purgatory, awaiting the day when they will be joined with the company of saints in the unending heavenly celebration. Today is a beautiful reminder that the Body of Christ manifests herself as Church Triumphant, Militant, and Suffering. Today let us in full hope and confidence in God’s love and mercy, pray fervently for all the souls in Purgatory.
Solemnity of All Saints
One of the chaplains with whom I minister, worked especially hard on one of the bigger team efforts of our year. Her generosity was truly a labor of love that inspired me. In thanking her I remarked that she was a saint. Although my coworker did not readily accept what I meant as a complement, My explanation was that her energy was clearly that of a saint in the making. This is the universal call to holiness, that like the saints before us, we are all striving for sanctity on earth.
Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Last Halloween I saw Abraham Lincoln and the Bride of Frankenstein riding scooters around UD. The Catwoman rang me up at Krogers while Fidel Castro bagged groceries. At dusk, haunting for tricks or treats in our neighborhood were Casper the Friendly Ghost and Mr. Potato Head. Three girls came to our door all decked out as the City of New Orleans.
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel brings us to the table with Jesus, but not just any table. The table of one of the leading Pharisees. The translation we are given to read says those invited were “observing him carefully.” But I think we can imagine them judging him quietly or waiting for a mistake as the Pharisees and their stringent followers were known to do. However, at this table, Jesus teaches us all a very important lesson about our true place among one another.
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Today, as we celebrate the feasts of the apostles Simon and Jude, our readings speak loudly about our call to discipleship and our membership in the communion of saints. I have been a member of many teams, organizations, groups, clubs, and communities throughout my life, all having shaped and formed me in various ways. Many of these groups were/are steeped in tradition and rich history. For instance, I work at a Catholic school that has served the Dayton community for nearly 175 years and is rooted in the charisms of two religious orders who passionately serve others in an effort to bring Christ to the world (the Marianists) and proclaim God’s goodness (the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur). As an organization, we stand on the foundation of the mission, the vision, and the wisdom of our founders, particularly St. Julie Billiart–foundress of the SNDdeN, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade–founder of the Society of Mary.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Since the 16th century, Bible scholars have doubted that this letter was written by Paul. They can see in the writing evidence that it was written after Paul’s death. Still, it’s a letter written by someone who knew Paul and his theology very well. Since the voice of the letter is “Paul,” I’ll refer to him as if he were the author.