Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus has some strong words for Peter in today’s gospel reading (Mark 8: 27-33): “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Here is Peter, the one Jesus named “Rock”, being rebuked by Jesus. So, what brought this on? Well, apparently even though Peter was the first disciple to outwardly identify Jesus as the Messiah, the “Christ”, he did not yet understand that this would entail suffering and even death for Jesus. The gospel tells us that Peter first rebuked Jesus when he told the disciples that he must suffer greatly, be rejected, be killed, and then rise. Peter didn’t like what he heard and in a sense, played the role of Satan by suggesting that Jesus should be the political liberator that was popularly expected of the awaited Messiah at that time.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
How often have I said I will do something only to forget to do it? It is not enough just to say that we are Christians if our actions do not bear out the words we speak. Teenagers are often seen as being rebellious; however social science has discovered a deeper reason for this conclusion. It may play out like this: a parent insists that their children go to church regularly and then drops them off at the door. In another scenario a parent may insist that a child not watch TV non-stop when they have modeled the very behavior they are telling their children not to do. When we say one thing and do another, people assign more weight to actions rather than our words.
Memorial of Saint Cyril, monk, and Saint Methodius, Bishop
In the gospel reading for today Jesus talks of the leaven of the Pharisees, referring to their teachings and their influence. Leaven is an interesting metaphor, because it invokes the idea of something that works through the dough and causes it to rise. Yeast multiplies quickly to produce a significant change. A little bit goes a long way, and in the process the dough changes from what it was before.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever been so disappointed or exasperated all you could do was just sigh?
You feel powerless and helpless and know there is absolutely nothing more you can say or do to change a situation. All that is left to do is accept the way things are and turn and walk away. Today’s Gospel reading is only three verses long. But in those three verses we can really feel what Jesus was experiencing when he faced, yet again, the unbelief and hardness of heart so characteristic of the Pharisees. It says Jesus “sighed from the depth of his spirit” (Mk 8:12) when the Pharisees were arguing with him and testing him by asking for a sign from heaven. Knowing their motives, Jesus left them, got into the boat and went to the other shore. (Mk 8:13)
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
There is a Youtube video that is going viral these days. Jefferson Bethke is a young rap artist who has posted a video called “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” Since he posted the video a month ago, it has gotten close to 19 million hits. Only four other videos have been this widely viewed. Bethke arguments are simplistic and we can easily punch holes in them. But the young people particularly are resonating with his trend of thought. Let me share some of the lyrics of his poem with you. He writes:
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In Mark’s gospel, the story of Jesus is portrayed as a cosmic battle between Christ and the devil, beginning with Jesus’ temptation in the desert by Satan (Mk 1:12-13) and continuing with the exorcisms in which Jesus casts out demons (Mk 1:21-28, 34; Mk 5: 1-20). By the time that we reach Chapter 8 in Mark, the audience could have clearly understood Jesus’ mission only in terms of the Jewish expectation of one who would come to save the Jews. Of course, Jesus was a Jew and so were most of the people whom he healed and taught. This perspective could have been confirmed by the first feeding story (Mk 6:34-44) in which Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes in a predominantly Jewish area with an emphasis on Jewish symbolism.
Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
People often ask me why God seems not to speak quite so clearly to us as he did to people in past times.
What I think we often forget, however, is that what we read in the Bible is the edited version of a long, long line of human relationships with God. Take today's first reading (1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19). This story tells us about how the nation of Israel, which had been united under two kings (David and Solomon), will now become divided into two kingdoms. Ten tribes of Israel will become the Northern Kingdom, under Jeroboam. The remaining two tribes will become the Southern Kingdom under Rehoboam, King Solomon's son. The Southern Kingdom emerges as the "good guy" in this passage. This is because the Northern Kingdom's Jeroboam is not from the Davidic line, which is a problem because God had promised that David's kingship would be everlasting, and so the Northern Kingdom seems to be disbelieving God's promise. Even worse, from the point of view of the Southern Kingdom, Jeroboam comes from Egypt, where the Israelites had been enslaved. The language of today's passage highlights how poorly the author thinks of the Northern Kingdom when he writes: "Israel went into rebellion against David's house."
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
How easy it is for us to convince ourselves that we don’t really have to follow God’s commands. We might think we’re spiritually stronger than most, so “this doesn’t apply to me”. We are often weakest when we think we are strongest.
Take Solomon, son of David, for example. He went against God’s command not to take foreign wives, believing he could withstand the influence of their foreign gods. But today’s first reading (Mark 7: 24-30), tells us that when Solomon was old, “his wives had turned his heart to strange gods.” His heart was no longer entirely with the Lord as the heart of his father David had been. As a result, the Lord deprives Solomon of his kingdom, “Since this is what you want, and you have not kept my covenant….”
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The expression, ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ speaks volumes towards todays’ readings. In the first reading, we encounter Solomon in all of his glory. Clearly, his wealth is abundant for all to see. Many have come to seek his counsel and adorn him with gifts. Indeed, Solomon’s gifts are abundant. Yet as clear as the opulence surrounding him, Solomon’s greater gift is the one within him, wisdom. This gift alone makes Solomon one of the most spiritually rich men in his day. The gift of wisdom allows Solomon to draw others into his wonderful experience of God.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A lot of advertising and marketing today projects the image that we can be happy if only we get on the right diet or eat at the right foods. We are told that blueberries are ‘super foods’ so we should eat them, that eggs with omega threes are better than regular eggs and will make us healthy, or that we will be happy if we treat ourselves to a cup of specialty coffee. The point of most of this advertising seems to be to get us to think that we can make ourselves happy by eating ‘the right’ things. In the gospel for today, however, Jesus shows us a different way to be. What is important is not eating the right things, making ourselves righteous, or holding ourselves to standards of purity. Instead what is really important is our relationship with God.
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
One of the things I enjoy reading every morning is the “Dear Abby” column in our local newspaper. Recently, there was a letter from an older woman asking Abby where she might suggest that this woman look to find opportunities to enjoy the warmth of a hug or touch of other people. She had recently lost her husband, and missed the physical connection that she had enjoyed. Many readers in the weeks that followed offered various suggestions, such as finding a ballroom dance class or joining a group at a church where often friendships grow and people greet one another with hugs and warmth. I think all people need and desire the touch of other people. It gives us a sense of belonging and being loved. Even more so, I think people need the touch of God. I believe, as it has been suggested by others, that we are all created with a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts which can only be filled with His presence. God put this in us, and this is what makes us long to be with Him, so that we may be complete.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I always look forward to going home, and in fact, my tickets for my next trip are already booked. What I do not look forward to is what the travel, the jet lag, and the vacation do to my prayer. Each time I have huge adjustment issue and unless I make heroic efforts my spiritual discipline takes a severe beating. I detest that. When the only thing that is constant in my life is disrupted the rest of life seems scattered and disjointed. The challenge for me is to find ways to stay centered. This week’s reading gave me some insights and I hope it will help you as well.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while,” Jesus says to his apostles in today’s gospel reading (Mk 6:31). The apostles, we are told, have returned from healing the sick, expelling demons, and preaching the kingdom of God. Further, they have all, presumably, just heard the news of John the Baptist’s beheading by Herod. This is a lot!
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 6:14-29) is one of those scripture passages that makes wonder, “What, exactly, was God trying to inspire here?” The story of the beheading of John the Baptist is one that makes me feel a bit slimy, to the point that it is difficult to see what the good news is. What is it about this story that jars me so much? I think it is the way people in this passage misuse their desire. It is the way that many small things come together to create a snowball effect, even to the point that a man gets killed.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Today the church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Accordingly, the gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40) is the story of the presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the temple. This presentation shows Mary and Joseph as devout Jews faithfully observing the law of the Lord as they bring their firstborn son to be consecrated to the Lord. This was the law and custom for Jewish parents. The unexpected part of the story (at least for Mary and Joseph) is the meeting of Simeon (and later, Anna) there.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Surely the expression don’t kill the messenger must have in part been inspired by today’s scripture. David went against the will of the Lord by having the number of men fit for military service counted. God wanted David to trust that the Lord would provide for the needs of Israel, instead of trying to calculate his options. While David regrets his sin, his contrition did not preclude that there would be consequences for his actions. Thus, imagine how David felt when the prophet Gad came to offer him a choice of punishments. David knew that no matter what choice he made, there would be harsh ramifications both for himself and the community.
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
It is sometimes said that human beings take a leap of faith in order to believe in God or to practice their religion. Faith does not always have a great reputation. It is sometimes considered irrational since the things of faith cannot be seen. In addition, it is sometimes awkward to talk of faith to others in a public setting, because we realize that many others do not share our faith. Despite the questions that can be raised about faith, nevertheless the gospel reading for today speaks of the importance of faith, even for our lives today.
Monday, Weekday in Ordinary Time
There’s no doubt that fear has the ability to cripple us, discourage us, and misdirect our motives. And let’s face it; we’re probably all afraid of something. Depending on the individual, some fears are obviously more serious than others. Perhaps our fear is the fear of not being able to provide for our family? Maybe our fear is that this economic crisis will only get worse? Or perhaps we live with the fear of losing the people we love- a friend who is suffering addiction, a grandparent with cancer, or maybe a son or daughter serving bravely in the military? These are all occasions where fear is understandable. But even for causes of great celebration and happiness, it seems that fear can still exist. I recall when I got married, even though I could not be more thrilled and blessed, I admittedly feared whether or not I would be a good husband. And although my wife and I are not parents yet, I imagine that undertaking the responsibilities of a first time father will be met with both indescribable joy and some fear as well. Take a moment to reflect on your fears. Where are they derived from in your life? As disciples, the question for us is how do we face these fears in our lives?
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This homily is based on one word – “authority.” Let me propose my reason for this focus. The last couple of weeks, the readings have focused on the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. We also know that he called some people to follow him radically and closely as apostles and disciples. Last week, we became familiar with Jesus’ mission and belief statement. He said, “The time of fulfillment is here. The kingdom of God is at hand: Repent and believe in the gospel.” And today’s gospel introduces another important dimension of his ministry. Mark says, “All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him” (Mk 1:27).
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Many of the prophets we can immediately think of in the Old Testament are rather fiery and often dramatic. They challenge apathetic authority and call the people back to their covenant with God. As they delivered the message of God, prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah and especially Ezekiel engaged in many public displays that must have been something like street theatre, all with the intention of drawing the Israelites back to God.