Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
While little is known about Hosea, a good deal is known about Israel during the time in which he prophesied. It was a time that followed peaceful rule and preceded the fall of Israel to the Assyrians. It was a time in which kings were assassinated, corruption was rampant, economic disparities were great, the rich increased their abuses of the poor, and Israel’s relationships even with its allies were rocky. To make matters even worse, as the prophet tells us, the people of Israel had taken to creating and worshipping false gods. In all of this, the people of God are about as divided from God as they can be. Naming this, Hosea promises that God will remember their sins and will punish them.
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
After our youngest was born we had a little scare in the hospital. My wife, Bess, was getting cold and was having trouble staying awake. We discovered that she was hemorrhaging. The doctor returned treated her and we thought she was good to go. For a stretch of time, probably close to a month, we continued to see signs that concerned us and her energy stayed incredibly low. In the end, we returned to the doctors and found that she needed a little more medical attention to be treated. Ever since then we have had an attachment to the story of the hemorrhaging woman. We even have a painting of her that Bess' sister made.
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
As I reflect on our nation as we celebrate our “independence” day, current events have encouraged me to re-evaluate what is meant by justice and how we might find peace and freedom for all people in our land. Today’s readings describe God’s desire to restore peace and justice. These worthy goals require a new way of thinking and living, so we can help bring God’s truth to rule our land.
Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
It’s the Feast of St. Thomas, “Doubting Thomas,” Apostle of Jesus Christ. I wonder how Thomas feels about that nickname. But it fits him well. He did doubt, at least according to the Gospel of John that we read today: “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (20:25b) Maybe, like me, you’ve been known to say at least once or twice in your lifetime, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” But Thomas didn’t just want to see Jesus, he wanted to touch him, to place his finger and hand in his wounds, to feel and know that this truly was the same person he had walked with, eaten with, laughed, prayed, and probably cried with; that this was the same man in whom he had placed all of his hopes and dreams, only to be shockingly crucified between two criminals. How else could he believe what the others had seen and claimed to be true?
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
When Jesus saw the paralytic man in today’s gospel reading from Matthew he said, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Perhaps if we witnessed this scene we would have found it confusing that Jesus was focused on the man’s sins as opposed to his inability to walk. However, Jesus’ primary concern was not for man’s physical need, but rather his spiritual need. He wanted to provide him the opportunity to restore his relationship with the Father. It was the forgiveness of sin that mattered more to Jesus. The scribes, unable to see this distinction, accused Jesus of blasphemy. Jesus cleverly responded, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” But to prove that Jesus has the power to forgive sins, he also said to the man “‘Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ He rose and went home.” Jesus showed the teachers of the law that he had not only the power to heal, but the authority to forgive. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and they glorified God.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
On August 28, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In that proclamation, King referenced Amos 5:24, the verse that closes out today’s first reading. Dr King declared, No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Here we are 57 years later, living in a world torn apart by many forms of injustice, some obvious and some insidious. Dr King cried out on behalf of people of color across our land; that same cry for justice rings through our streets today. Sadly, the issue of systemic racism has been reduced to one more element in our polarized political environment. People tend to line up on this issue based on their political bent or party affiliation. As Catholic Christians, the only “side” for us is God’s side and God’s side is with the poor and the oppressed. God’s side is the side of justice. As Catholic Christians, we must take our stand with God and seek God’s righteousness in every aspect of life. The lament taken up by Amos in chapter 5 speaks prophetically and profoundly to us today. Systemic racism is only one of many, many forms of injustice plaguing our world. Actually, any broken relationship is a form of injustice. Today, I invite us to humble ourselves and look deep within. Let us ask God to shine the light of truth into our own darkness and expose any root of evil or hate that may have taken hold in us. Let us seek good and not evil; let us choose life and not death.
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Does the word of God ever catch you off guard? The place and time of Amos was a time not unlike our own; overall a prosperous time, punctuated by various natural and political disasters. According to Amos, the lesson of all those calamities was to return to God and follow the commandments. Yet, we are no doubt surprised by the threats and curses embedded in Amos’s prophesy. I certainly was. In our present time, what do we take from a fiery prophet?
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
The Church issues a challenge to each of us today in her choice of readings. Certainly, on this day that we remember Peter and Paul we could hear numerous readings. Paul easily has more books attributed to him than any other New Testament author. Peter on the other hand is one of the most-mentioned figures in the New Testament after Jesus. With all that we have at our disposal, we should be attentive to what the Church offers.
Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Our first reading today comes from the book of Lamentations - a very appropriate book for us to read at this time. The word “lament” means to “cry out loud because of great sadness.” I believe that we, right now, are in a time of lamenting - a time of mourning and grief. We may each be lamenting for different reasons - loss of a loved one, loss of our normal way of life, processing the sin of racism, broken relationships with loved ones, loss of income or work. But I think it is safe to say that each of us has something we are currently or have recently been lamenting. The author writes, “worn out from weeping are my eyes.” (Lamentations 2:11) How many of us have felt like this over the past few months and weeks? Worn out from the challenges that this year has presented, one after another.
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Our Gospel today tells the story of a leper approaching Jesus acknowledging, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” (MT 8:2) Perhaps it is our heightened awareness on cleanliness from the past several months that causes this line to be most striking to me today--wash your hands, wear your mask, wash your hands, disinfect surfaces, wash your hands. However, this verse also stands out to me because of our incredible need for mercy. We are all sinners; we all need mercy. Our God is a god of mercy, a god of love, a god of forgiveness. Time and again throughout the Gospel and even on the cross, forgiveness and mercy come to the forefront of the life of Jesus. What an amazing gift we have in the sacrament of reconciliation! It is literally our opportunity to be able to take on the role of the leper: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” And no matter what the sin is or how many times we’ve already confessed it in the past, God is ready to stretch out his hand, touch us, and say, “I will do it. Be made clean” (MT 8:3).
Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
In the summer of 2000, just a few months after our daughter, Anna, was born, I and Anna’s biological father attended the Central District Conference (of the General Conference Mennonite Church) annual convention at Goshen College, Indiana. At that time, I was a tenure-line faculty member at Bluffton College (a General Conference college) teaching in the communication department. I remember so vividly being at that conference. I would be sitting in the chapel where one of the plenary speakers was holding forth, and Anna would get fussy. And I would happily get up and walk around with her and jiggle her. And I was proud. I was proud that I occupied a prized position among the Mennonites—a wife and mother. I could also sing the alto part of Mennonite hymns—more pride.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Have you had the experience of gazing in sheer wonderment into a newborn baby’s eyes? If you’re a parent, I imagine you’ll recall those moments; perhaps for others it’s been with a niece, nephew, or another loved one’s child. In those marvelous moments, one can’t help but wonder, as did the people who heard of the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s baby, what, then, will this child be? I remember those moments with my boys, delighting in the sheer joy of their existence and wondering, who are you? who will you become? Many times, parents talk about their hopes and dreams for their children – often those ponderings focus on what they will do or accomplish throughout their lives; where their vocational journey will take them. That phrase from today’s Gospel, what, then, will this child be? rings a base note deep within my soul. Imagine yourself now as an infant. Imagine yourself cradled in loving arms, receiving the mirroring gaze of love. Now listen and hear those evocative words spoken over you, what, then, will this child be? On this the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, the readings remind us that just as God chose and called John, God also chose and calls each one of us. Today, let us discover the answer in God’s word to that question, what, then, will this child be? and let us embrace our call to shine Christ’s light to the nations.
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today, I want to begin by paying attention to how the text before us from the Book of Matthew appears in the Lectionary from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. It opens with a single verse wherein Jesus addresses his disciples. Below that verse is a blank line followed by verse 12. Below that is another blank line followed by verses 13 and 14. Thus, visually speaking, we have three distinct words from Jesus. Three instructions. Let’s take each in turn.
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
I often get called in to settle a dispute between my children. They come to me because one feels wronged and they are seeking judgment. Judgment is a major theme in today's readings.
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It is difficult living out our faith in these challenging times. Today’s gospel gives us the perfect role model to imitate as we seek to be disciples of Jesus. Mary leads the way in living out her faith, actively seeking her Son, and reflecting in prayer on God’s love for her. Today on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is helpful for us to look to Mary and her heart of grace, so we can learn how to deepen our relationship with God.
Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Many years ago, when my grandparents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, I sang the Carey Landry song “Like a Seal on Your Heart” at their anniversary mass. If you’re not familiar with it, the lyrics are based on the Song of Songs (8:6) and the refrain is “Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. Set me like a seal on your heart. How right it is to love you.” The final verse ends with, “for love, if real, has no end.” It was a beautiful tribute to my grandparents’ 50 years of marriage through good times and bad, sickness and health. And I am reminded of it today as I read the readings and am aware of the Church celebrating the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Legend has it that St. Francis and his dear friend Brother Leo wanted to spend one evening meditating on the Our Father. Each of them retreated to their quarters for the night, and agreed to meet in the morning. Brother Leo, after reciting the prayer hundreds of times, was excited to share his good work with his friend. However, in the morning St. Francis was nowhere to be found. Brother Leo went to his room and found him in a trance. After several failed attempts to get his attention, Brother Leo shook him. Leo was eager to share the numerous times he recited the Our Father, but was surprised to learn Francis did not even complete the prayer once. He told Leo, “I started by saying the words “our” and “Father,” and I just couldn’t move on from there.” Brother Leo was stunned and humbled by Francis’s deep devotion.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Service, or serving others, resides at the core of our Christian discipleship. Just as Jesus came in his incarnation not to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45), so we as Christ’s followers are called to model our lives after his pattern of service. As we consider the example of Elijah in today’s first reading, reflecting upon what motivates our service may be a helpful exercise. Let’s each pause to look deep within, peel back the layers of our inner onion, and ask ourselves, what internal driver, what root source, motivates me to serve? A follow-on question becomes, how far am I willing to go in my service to others? I submit that Elijah’s motivation to serve was the purity of his love for God and his genuine love and compassion for others, and that from that deep well within him he served selflessly until his very last moment on earth. I want to grow in holiness after his example. I pray that kind of growth for each of us today.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Response to Psalm 51 is so poignant as related to in the challenges our society faces in this moment. Perhaps it is right that we spend most of our time and energy trying to root out our individual sins, because those are often the ones we have the most power to do something about. But we sin together as well. We can sin as a people. Our liturgy recognizes that today, and with it the need for social reconciliation. As an example, consider racism. As the USCCB has declared, Racism is a sin. In the past we often viewed it as an individual sin- some persons are guilty of racist actions. “But not me. Not us.” A lot of us have been tempted to believe that as long as “I” don’t consciously choose to treat someone differently because of their skin color, I’m free from guilt.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Gospel presents a well-known portion of the Sermon on the Mount, but also one that takes time to parse through. In Jesus' reframing of "An eye for an eye," we can be left wondering how is a disciple supposed to handle provocation. To frame this reflection I want to offer something that has always made sense to me. For a long time now I have approached moral questions like today's gospel from a threefold perspective instead of a twofold perspective. The three tiers being morally wrong, morally acceptable, and morally excellent.