Memorial of St. Josephat, Bishop & Martyr
Have you ever slowly read a familiar passage of scripture and suddenly noticed something new? Something that made you say, “How did I never see that before?!” This happened to me as I read our Gospel passage today, the story of the ten lepers who are healed, and only one returns to give thanks. Luke says, “As they (those with leprosy) were going (to the priests) they were cleansed.” Ok, familiar territory so far. They were healed on the way. Luke continues, “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice…”
Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop
I remember that when I was a child in school, I would receive awards for good conduct and perfect attendance. However, my award-winning behavior and class attendance were things that I was supposed to do in order to stay in school and do well there. This particular aspect of my school experience is the opposite of what Jesus said in today’s Gospel reading: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do,’” (Luke 17: 10).
Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
"Love justice and seek God in integrity." Wisdom 1:1
Today is the Feast of Saint Leo the Great. Leo is the fourth most common papal name. Only John, Gregory & Benedict are more popular. Until this past spring, we haven’t had a Leo in more than a century. The last Pope Leo (XIII) served from 1878-1803. His 25 year pontificate was third longest.
Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel selection is part of Jesus’ parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13). I encourage you to read the entire parable so that you have the context for today’s text. Jesus calls us to be prudent and trustworthy stewards of all the good gifts God gives us. Just as we (hopefully) are prudent in ensuring our affairs are in order, planning our earthly future, let us be even more prudent in planning for our heavenly future in God’s kingdom. As a disciple of Jesus, what does prudent and trustworthy stewardship look like?
In the first part of the parable, Jesus paints a picture of a steward who, though dishonest, acts prudently in taking initiative to solve his problem and ensure that his needs are taken care of in the future. Essentially, he gives away wealth and forgives debts. Isn’t this what we are called to do as disciples of our Lord? In Matthew 10:16 Jesus commands us to “be as shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” The Greek word translated here as “shrewd” is the same word, “prudent” in today’s parable. The term also means “wise.” We are called to imitate the shrewdness of both a serpent and the dishonest steward without emulating their other undesirable qualities.
One of the Catholic priests whose podcasts I follow has loosely defined prudence as “doing the right thing in the right way at the right time.” That description offers general guidance to us as we consider any particular course of action. As we walk out good biblical stewardship on a daily basis, practicing prudence in this way leads to godly discernment.
In our text today, the focus shifts from being prudent to being faithful, or trustworthy. The Greek word “pistos” carries a connotation of deep obedience. It begins with faith in God but does not end with mere intellectual ascent. To have faith, to be faithful, is to remain loyal, trustworthy, and true. Here, the focus, the main point, of this parable is our wealth. One’s wealth, one’s treasure, belongs to God. If we treat it as our own, we wind up trusting in it rather than trusting in God. I might ask myself; do I place pistos in myself and my worldly wealth and material possessions, meaning does my sense of well-being, confidence, and security come from entrusting myself to worldly accumulation? At the end of the day, in what do I place my trust so that I can sleep at night?
Jesus warns us, “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Catholic scholars have noted that the word “mammon” likely derives from a Hebrew word meaning “that in which one trusts.” Jesus employs a wonderful word play here! You cannot serve both God and “that in which you’ve placed your trust.” Whatever it is that we are trusting here on earth in a disordered manner becomes a god. Let us consider today if we have any misplaced trust within us and ask God for the grace to trust him more.
Faithful disciples of Jesus serve as good (prudent, trustworthy) stewards of all that God gives. God entrusts gifts to us in all their many forms. God is trustworthy; God calls us to be trustworthy, too. Just as the dishonest steward figured out how to give away wealth and forgive debts, let us consider today how God is inviting each of us to share generously what we have with others and to be people who are quick to forgive. May we prepare well and prudently for the future that awaits us in heaven!
I’ll see you in the Eucharist,
Elizabeth Wells
Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
More than 2,000 years since the birth of Christ, with the development of modern means of travel and technology allowing access to and communication with practically the entire world, I think it’s safe to say that few adults have never heard of Jesus. So how do we respond to today’s first reading, Paul’s letter to the Romans (15:14-21)? I am especially drawn to this passage ending with Paul quoting Isaiah, “Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”
Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is taken from Psalm 27. Psalms 22 & 23 are the most loved and known of the 150 Psalms, but today’s rendition from Psalm 27 is certainly a familiar one.
When we sing/pray the Psalms we are singing divinely inspired words. By singing/praying the Psalms we learn how to speak to and listen to the God of salvation. Some Psalms are over 3,000 years old, and when we sing/pray them, we spiritually connect ourselves to the entire Body of Christ, to our Jewish brothers and sisters, to Mary, Joseph and the apostles, and to our ancestors in the faith across time. For these reasons and more, the liturgy is overflowing with the Psalms.
Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” This simple phrase from Paul in our first reading today is also found in Mark 12:31 and Mt. 22:39. It is central to the gospel, and as Jesus says part of the summary of the entire Hebrew scriptures. So, what are we to do with Jesus telling us in today’s reading from Luke’s gospel that we are to hate our father, mother, and other close family members?
Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Today’s readings challenge us to be the best member of the community (or family) we can be, by sharing the gifts we have been given, appreciating the gifts of others, and doing the work of being our best selves.
Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today the church honors the saint of the broom. When good Pope John (XXIII) canonized Martin de Porres, the Holy Father gave him that title. Martin’s nickname among his Dominican brothers in Lima (Peru not Ohio) was “Brother Broom.” No task was too menial and all work was sacred to him. He viewed his service to his brothers as service to Christ.
Solemnity of All Saints
“Who’s your favorite saint?” Has someone ever asked you that question or have you asked it of others? Whenever I ask people about their favorite saint and the reasons why, they usually say they admire a particular quality or characteristic of that saint. Today’s feast, the Solemnity of All Saints, invites us to reflect on the saints we admire and the meaning of sainthood itself.
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
I learned something new today. Actually, I learned several new things today, all related to today’s gospel passage from Luke (14:1-6) about the cure of the man with dropsy on the sabbath. First, I learned what dropsy is. (To be fair, I may have looked it up in the past and forgot.) Dropsy is an abnormal swelling of the body due to accumulation and retention of fluid. Luke tells us that Jesus saw in front of him a man suffering from this and he was moved to heal him, even on the sabbath.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings help remind us that we are “loved sinners” through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
In the gospel reading, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem knowing that this is where He will die and on the third day rise to “accomplish my purpose.” He has deep compassion for the people and describes his love like a hen “gathering her brood under her wings.” He is resolute to continue on this journey to Jerusalem, since He knows this is where He will demonstrate the fullness of God’s love and mercy.
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
When asked a difficult question, Jesus responds today in true Jesus fashion - by side-stepping the question a bit and offering a story. The story begins with some advice: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” And then it continues. You may find the door locked, and you’ll knock and the master will answer. You’ll ask to be let in, and the master will essentially ask, “Who do you think you are?”
Feasts of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Today’s feast celebrates Simon and Jude, two of the last apostles that Jesus called by name from among his disciples after spending the night in prayer. After teaching them about his vision of the Reign of God – where the poor, the hungry and the sorrowing are blessed, - and having them with him as he went about healing all sorts of people, he would “send” them ahead of him to take up his preaching and healing mission. The letter to the Ephesians tells us that we are built on the foundation of these apostles. And that, “In Him (Christ Jesus) you (we) also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
You have received a spirit of adoption through which we cry, Abba! Father! - Romans 8:15
As I grow older (and older) there are changes galore in my life, as there are for anyone at the age of 72. Illness and death are the biggest ones, loved ones lost along the way and that’s just for starters. A sure sign of change is in how I am addressed these days. To my family in Youngstown I will always be “Timmy” even if I reach 100. My children call me dad or pop (and “the old man” when I’m not around) and my grandchildren “grampy.” 40 years in the classroom I was “mister” and sometimes “sir.” Some of the boys called me “Cron-dog” which I never quite understood but was told was a compliment.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus offers us a striking parable today which highlights the patient mercy of God alongside an urgent call to repentance. Given that God is infinitely patient and abundantly merciful, why this hasty summons to repent? Because we never know when our life will be demanded of us! God also invites us, in love, to live abundantly in the blessedness of fellowship with him. That abundant life becomes possible as we repent and experience interior conversion. We walk in greater joy and peace that way, and we become freer, less impeded channels of God’s love to others. God is patient, but what are we waiting for?!
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
“Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?” The words of St. Paul from today’s first reading, his letter to the Romans. So many years ago and yet how many of us can relate even today? “The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not,” also from Paul’s letter. This reminds me of Jesus’ words to Peter when he and the other disciples fell asleep while praying in the garden of Gethsemane, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) These later named saints were human and struggled with living their faith in their mortal bodies, just like us.
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
“The wages of sin are death.” - Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 6:23a.
Death. There is nothing more certain in life than death (and taxes). Jews, Christians, and Moslems believe that death is the result of sin (separation from God), death itself being “the wages of sin,” Our culture's response to the reality of death is often denial. Or we might hear, “live for today as tomorrow we die.” A beer commercial expressed a similar sentiment: “You only go around once so grab for all the gusto.”
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus reminds us today that we do not know when the thief of death will come or the master will return in fullness. We need to be prepared. To make preparations now. All of this is true. And, it can feel overwhelming and a bit scary. It can feel like another burden to carry, another thing to do, another rule to follow.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, texts that invite us to be ever ready for God’s coming increase in frequency. Today’s Scriptures give us wisdom on what it is God is asking of us - obedience, following God’s law, doing God’s will and announcing God’s justice. At first glance, this seems a tall order and somewhat legalistic to my North American ear. Let’s explore the deeper meaning of the text.