Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Our first reading offers an incredible, miraculous story of God’s direct intervention in the lives of God’s people with a mighty display of God’s sovereign power. It’s also a story highlighting the bold, audacious, unwavering faith of Elijah the prophet and his commitment to pursue and follow the true and living God. This story reveals the truth of all our hearts, as well. We are, at times, fickle and faithless. Elijah’s witness calls us “back to our senses,” and invites us to turn from any idolatry and to rededicate our hearts and lives to the eternal God. Our Gospel reveals the eternal nature of God’s Word and invites us to recognize that we are called to obey it as children of the Kingdom.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading tells us a familiar story. Elijah meets a widow with next to nothing. At his prompting and promise, she extends the little she has as hospitality to Elijah. Because of her hospitality, the widow, her son, and Elijah are able to eat for a year without worrying for food.
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
One of the boys in my classroom at St. X spoke of a time when he addressed his mother as “woman.” As in “Woman, where's my dinner?” She was not amused and he got no dinner. On two occasions in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to his mother as “woman.” Was he being disrespectful?
Remember that the Gospels are narrative theology and that “Gospel” is its own particular and unique type of writing first promulgated by Mark. “Gospel” literally means “good news.” Stories are meant to reveal, celebrate, inspire, and promote eternal truths and not record strict biography in a 21st century sense.
The first time Mary is addressed as “woman” in the Fourth Gospel was at the Wedding Feast at Cana in response to her comment to her son that “they have no more wine.” Jesus responds, “Woman, what is that to me? My hour has not yet come.” The second time is what we hear today, “Woman, behold your son.” They serve as bookends for the rich theology of the evangelist we call “John.”
These two incidents are the only times that Mary appears in John (she is never mentioned by name). Something very significant is going on here. Today we have reached the very heart of the Fourth Gospel for which everything else has been building---the hour of Jesus' glory.
It is most appropriate to today's feast that our first reading from Genesis concerns Eve, “mother of all living,” as Mary is the new Eve of the new creation, book-ended by the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee and by that outcrop of rock outside Jerusalem called Golgatha.
The mystic author of the Fourth Gospel (or maybe “authors,” a Christian school of writers at Ephesus?) ingeniously weaves the narrative. The Greek/Eastern Rite Church calls Matthew, Mark, & Luke “evangelists,” but John they honor with the title, “the theologian.”
Indeed the author of what we call the Gospel of John was a Jewish mystic. It is an amazing work.
Jesus left us two things: the Spirit & the Church---both gifts given in today's Gospel. When Jesus delivers his spirit, a spear is thrust into his side and blood and water flow out. Remember the water turned wine at the very start of the Gospel. Enough wine is created from that water to supply endless banquets.
Both are Eucharistic actions wherein Mary is present. Here the Spirit is given over to the Church, symbolized by the mother of Jesus and the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. The Church is born of the Spirit. This is John's version of Pentecost, yesterday's solemnity. And Mary is as significant here as she was in Luke's version of Pentecost which we heard from Acts yesterday.
At Cana, Jesus told his Mother that his hour has not yet come---the hour of glory when all is fulfilled and climaxed in him. The “six stone jars” were used in Jewish purification rituals---here they are symbols of the old covenant. The Old Covenant gave us water, the New Covenant gives us wine.
Each stone jar contained over 120 liters of water turned wine, a massive amount. The groom was responsible at Jewish weddings to supply the wine for the guests. Jesus gives us a far greater wine. And as bridegroom of the new covenant he supplies it still. This wine is the highest quality ever tasted and will never run out.
It is from the pierced side of Jesus that all sacraments flow---the water of baptism and the wine of the Eucharist. The wine of the banquet that was the wedding at Cana marks the arrival of the Kingdom---the end time eternal banquet. First century Jewish wedding banquets could last for several days. The messianic wedding banquet is never ending.
Mary and the Beloved Disciple represent those who see, those who respond, those who are transformed. Both are born of the Spirit sharing in the new life that Jesus comes to bring. They are ultimate disciples.
Both figures symbolize the whole church---faithful to the end, awash in baptismal waters and in the blood of the Lamb.
An Easter message extraordinaire on this first day of summer Ordinary Time.
Mary, New Eve, first disciple, and Mother of the Church, pray for us!
Timothy J. Cronin
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
On a recent trip, I attended Mass at a small town in Wisconsin. The Mass was celebrated by a priest and deacon that were both deaf, and they signed the entire service with a woman from the congregation interpreting what they were signing. We came to realize that there was a large community of hearing impaired Catholics that attended this Mass regularly. I had never witnessed a priest signing the Mass before, and I was struck by the beauty and joy that he exuded as he celebrated the Eucharist. On further reflection, I was reminded that each of us have gifts that allow us to share Jesus with others in a unique way. We may feel that there are obstacles that stand in our way, but God can use all circumstances and all people to build the Kingdom.
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
My father has Parkinsonism. He doesn’t have Parkinson’s Disease but a condition with similar debilitating symptoms. Part of that for him has been a gradual loss of mobility over the past several years. As a man who was a runner (even ran a marathon) and who loved going for walks and hikes in the woods, this has been particularly challenging. And difficult for the rest of us who love him. This is not how any of us imagined it would be for him in his “golden years” with my mom.
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Have you ever grown weary of fighting the good fight? Have you repeated your message and marched for your cause repeatedly, only to feel that your words and actions seem fruitless? No headway, no progress in our desire to overcome evil with good?
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Today’s Gospel presents us with the first part of Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer,” offered for his disciples as he prepared to go to the Cross. This pastoral prayer was not intended only for Jesus’ immediate followers, but for all disciples throughout time. I invite us to enter into today’s Gospel as if Jesus is praying for us personally, literally face to face. In today’s first reading from Acts, I see an invitation for us to pray for our priests. Let’s seek the Lord together, receiving his intentions for us and lifting up those who shepherd us.
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today, we celebrate the feast of the Visitation, when Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth, who the angel Gabriel had told Mary was also with child.
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
“I have conquered the world.” John 16:33
In today's liturgy we walk again with Jesus and the disciples across the Kidron Valley, from the Upper Room to the Mount of Olives. We hear once more from the “Farewell Discourses,” last minute instructions before the events of Good Friday. Today's offering, found only in the Fourth Gospel, concludes with the reassurance from Jesus that he has “conquered the world.”
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
In a little more than a week we will celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, when the disciples receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in continuing the work of Christ. This feast is the conclusion of the fifty days of the Easter season. For now, we continue to celebrate the great mystery of Easter. In one way, though, as we move through the Easter season, we reflect upon the effects of Pentecost. As you may have noticed, we’ve been moving through the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicles the earliest work of the Church in Christ’s earthly absence. In Acts, the resemblance of the apostles to Christ is striking – they preach with eloquence, perform miracles, and even lay down their lives – what a contrast to their confusion, fear and thick-headedness in the gospels!
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
“God is king of all the earth.” (Ps 47:8a) I have attended several graduation ceremonies, masses, and awards presentations the last couple of weeks–it’s that time of year. We talk to graduates about milestones, journeys, accomplishments, dreams, and goals. This week, I was struck by a comment from a local Catholic school principal who briefly reminded his 8th graders of their conversations over the last couple of years about ‘the ultimate goal’. That is, everything we do–every decision, deed, relationship–orients around the goal of union with Christ. We are called to be saints; we are called to be united with God in the heavenly kingdom. What a great prompt for me to reflect on in my own life. Not only is this a powerful message for the students who are endeavoring into their next adventure in life, but an important reminder for all of us to consider. Is God the king of my life?
The Ascension of the Lord
Scripture Readings
Unchurched as a kid, I had very little idea how to read the Red Letter Bible that my Methodist grandmother gave me when I was around 10 years of age. But, for whatever reason, I was curious. Given my ignorance, I was grateful that my Red Letter Bible meant that I didn’t have to try to figure out what Jesus said.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Tomorrow, we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, and then Sunday, June 5 is Pentecost! Jesus’ ascension into heaven makes it possible for us to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we look forward to Pentecost with eager anticipation, I’m mindful, too, that everyday can be a mini-Pentecost as we earnestly desire more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Church helps us with this mindfulness in the daily readings in this latter part of the Easter season. Our texts help to build the excitement of Pentecost and inspire us to be more fervent in our desire to grow as disciples of Jesus, which is only possible as we become more and more Spirit-filled.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Temptation is not necessarily something we talk a whole lot about. And yet, there is much discussion of temptation in the New Testament. Now that we're back in Ordinary time, we will be focusing on the Letter of St. James for a little while, and his letter is great for practical information on how to live the Christian life. In today's first reading from James, one of the bits of advice we encounter is to persevere in temptation. He makes it clear that God is not the one tempting us, so we should not blame God when we are tempted to sin.
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Elizabethan England was dangerous for Catholics. The persecuted church went underground and priests (mostly Jesuits) were smuggled onto the island, protected by the old aristocracy. These great “safe houses” were headed by widows who found much solace in the “old religion.” These prominent women secretly kept the Catholic Church alive for common folks hungry for the sacraments.
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today’s readings discuss both the joys and the challenges that Jesus and the early church experienced as the Good News was proclaimed. St. Paul travels to many areas where the church is growing in numbers as the Spirit directs his journey. Jesus warns that living as His disciple will not always be easy but will involve persecution and hatred because we are His. These joys and challenges continue to be lived out in our daily walk as we follow Christ. Our dependence on the Spirit of Christ is essential for us to help grow the faith.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Some years ago as my husband and I were entering the parents-of-teens stage of life, I recall these words of advice being passed on to us: “choose your battles wisely.” There were going to be things that our teenagers would say and do that we wouldn’t be happy about, that would probably annoy us, that we might not approve of, and it would be wise to decide which of those things were most important to address, take issue with, argue about, have consequences for, and which to let go of. Actually, I’ve found that advice to be useful in other relationships as well, including marriage. Life – and love – is challenging enough without placing unnecessary burdens on each other.
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In this 5th week of Easter, we are continuing to follow the adventures of the early Church and to muse on some of the conflicts and problems that they encountered in trying to figure out how to be Christians. This task became particularly difficult when it came to negotiating the acceptance of the Gentiles into this new faith. After all, although faith in Jesus was new, it was really a fulfillment of a very old faith – the Jewish faith, and the Gentiles as a group didn’t belong to the Jewish faith in any proper sense (although there were individuals who converted to Judaism).
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Don’t let the title of this reflection frighten you! I’ve not gone off the deep end into some sort of horror genre today. Rather, I think the world of arboriculture and its “4 D’s” can give us some understanding of pruning that we can apply to our spiritual lives. Just as trees, bushes, and plants need to be pruned from time to time in order to thrive, so also do we need to submit to God’s pruning in our lives. Jesus tells us that God prunes us so that we might become more fruitful. Let us pray it be so today, as we submit to our Heavenly Father, the loving and attentive Vine Grower.
Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter
In today's Gospel reading from John, Jesus addresses His disciples with the words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). Jesus’ next comment, however, seems a little confusing at first glance: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (14:27). What does Jesus mean by this? For starters, Jesus’ peace might not always feel like what we think of as peace at all. Remember, Jesus was crucified, and He had to die on the cross before He could experience the Easter resurrection. In today’s first reading from Acts, we catch a glimpse of what following Jesus sometimes entails: “They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city” (Acts 14:19). In this instance St. Paul survived stoning, but he eventually dies by beheading in Rome.