Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We are particularly reminded today of God’s loving dedication to the poor and the outcasts. In today’s first reading, the prophet Micah warns the people of Judah that God will allow them to be destroyed by their enemies because of their greed. The rich people of Judah have used their power to take land and houses away from the poor. Not only was this a form of manipulation of other Jews, but it manipulated the law which mandated certain practices—such as forgiveness of debts and land redistribution—precisely to mitigate such greed from creating an unjust situation. When conquered by their enemies, the Jews will no longer have the power which they have abused.
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
It is very tempting to read today’s first lesson (Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8) and today’s psalm (also from Isaiah 38, verses 10, 11, 12abcd, 16) as being passages that are primarily about how God saves us from death if only we pray. Both of these scriptures are about Hezekiah and how he is on his last legs; indeed his whole kingdom is being crushed under the weight of a siege by the Assyrians and the future for the Hebrews looks distinctly bleak. The prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah that he will certainly die and lose the battle, but then Hezekiah utters a plaintive prayer to God, and God prepares to do not just one miracle but three (Hezekiah is healed, the kingdom is saved, the sun moves backwards). So, it is terribly tempting to think that these scriptures have been given to us to remember that in times of crisis, God will work miracles for us and save us.
Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church
The words from today’s gospel passage are among the most comforting but challenging in the Bible. In this section from Matthew, Jesus calls the weary to him to find rest. Jesus also tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden light. It sounds nice to us – peaceful and simple. But given what we know of the rest of Jesus’ life, we might ask ourselves, how exactly is Jesus’ burden light and his yoke easy? Is not this the same man who was virtually homeless, was condemned unjustly to death, flogged, crowned with thorns, made to carry a cross and ultimately crucified? How does this constitute an “easy yoke” and a “light burden.” Are crosses supposed to be easy?
Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin
Have you ever been so angry or frustrated that you felt like you could spit nails? The anger might be at yourself, an event or even a grave injustice done against you. Sometimes, those moments of anger, cause us to lash out or take sides. Positions that we arrive at in anger may be deserved and even just, however often they can be harsh as well. Harshness is not necessarily a bad thing if it makes a point.
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s world, we often hear news stories on Jerusalem and the many conflicts centered around that city. It might not surprise us, then, to know that the city of Jerusalem was often a site of conflict. Throughout the Old Testament, the Hebrew people are seen trying to protect their city, seeing their city overtaken, seeing their city restored, seeing their city destroyed, and so on. Jerusalem became an important symbol as the earthly home of God, in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem. And the city of Jerusalem was hence seen as the primary place of worship of God. The people secure within its walls felt free to worship God in accordance with their faith.
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading from Isaiah and the gospel reading from Matthew are both hard passages. Both challenge us, although in different ways. In the Isaiah text, we hear of God’s revulsion with his people who will offer sacrifices without appropriately engaging in the justice those acts signify. What we see here is the need for repentance and reconciliation prior to proper worship of God. Right action is itself glorifying to God, and the worship of God must go hand in hand with the just treatment of others. We are reminded of our own failings every time we gather for our own sacrifice, namely, that of the Eucharist. It is for this reason that we engage in “calling to mind our sins” and begging the mercy of God as well as our neighbors. It is also for this reason that we offer peace to the other members of our Church before receiving the sacrament. These liturgical actions are indications of the truth expressed in this Isaiah passage, namely, that our worship is most glorifying to God when it is offered by a holy and good people.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
How many of us stop to think before we pause at a stop sign or a red light? How many of us have to remind ourselves to drive on the right side of the road? Probably not very many of us, for these American traffic laws have become such a part of our lives that they are practically ingrained upon us. We don’t have to make a huge effort to follow these laws. And yet, ironically, these laws are mostly arbitrary. After all, in some places they drive on the left side of the road.
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, we have the story of Isaiah’s call to be a prophet of God. Initially while standing before God’s glory Isaiah is terrified, for Jews held that to the see God would lead to one’s death. In the same vein, he is terrified because he, unlike the seraphim singing God’s praises, lives “among a people of unclean lips” (Is 6:4) and is therefore not worthy to proclaim such praise before God. What does God do? He has a seraph cleanse his lips, making him worthy. Notice, too, that Isaiah shifts from utter terror before God to courage, laying his service at God’s feet (Is 6:8).
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Before I went into academia, I worked in chaplaincy services at a hospital. I sat by the bedsides of those with cancer, high risk pregnancies, premature babies, psychiatric illnesses, and more. And I often sat with families who were worried about loved ones, or who had heard the news: “We’re sorry – your father/mother/child/spouse has passed away.”
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We continue following the prophet Hosea in today’s first reading. The passage describes how God has lovingly cared for his people, guiding them with affection even as they strayed from him. Today’s excerpt ends with God’s assurance that he will not destroy the people, despite their unfaithful behavior. Against those who would portray “the God of the Old Testament” as someone who is vindictive, the God described in this Old Testament passage is compassionate and forgiving, committed to the people whom he loves so dearly.
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The readings today challenge us to look deeply at the integrity of our hearts. We are called to recognize what motivates us to action and to purify this drive when it is not rooted in the Lord. Ultimately, our own openness to God’s ability to till, cultivate and purify the goodness of our hearts will allow us to be sent forth to be disciples.
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Yesterday, our first reading from the book of the prophet Hosea conveyed God’s love for his people. Despite their infidelity, God loved the people of Israel, and he desired that they would return his love wholeheartedly and unselfishly. When they did not, God became justly angry, and the words of Hosea in today’s passage now express the disappointment of God in his people. It is not simply that God is a selfish lover who thinks only of Himself. Rather, God sees that the people are destroying themselves by turning to other gods and worshiping hand-made idols.
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s powerful first reading comes to us from the book of the prophet Hosea. The prominent feature of this book is a description of God and his people Israel in the terms of marriage – husband and wife. God is the faithful lover, who wants to the best for his spouse but also wants to be loved in return. Today’s passage reflects this desire of God; God wants his people to love him passionately and to be faithful to him because of this love. Hosea is addressed to a people who have gone astray from this love for God. The people Israel have worshipped other gods, which Hosea will compare to adultery. In sum, what we see in this passage is that God loves us passionately and the proper return for this is our own whole-hearted love for God.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today our country celebrates American Independence Day. It is a day of joyful remembrance of that time when our country became its own independent nation, standing for its own beliefs and the freedom from other powers. And indeed we do rejoice in the many benefits and amenities of our country: the continual struggle for equality of all peoples, the excellent infrastructure of roads, water, and electricity, and the beautiful geography of the place where we live.
Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Since today is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, it is only to be expected that the Gospel reading would be the most famous story about him. As a result of this single passage, St. Thomas is most often remembered in popular culture as “Doubting Thomas,” the disciple who refused to believe that Christ had risen until he had touched His wounds himself. Yet St. Thomas is honored today as a missionary, as one who would proclaim the truth of the Resurrection to many others for the rest of his life.If we look first at the doubt for which he famous, some interesting thoughts present themselves. St. Thomas’ emphasis on proof can seem to make him a precursor of modern skepticism, because of the mutual insistence on “empirical evidence.” Yet, as most of us know in our own personal lives, empirical proof is not something we usually have in our relationships. Many of the things that we are told (and about which we hold the strongest convictions), such as “I forgive you” or “I am sorry” or “I love you,” can never be proven with “mathematical certainty.” Instead, we believe these things because we trust the people who say them. And their credibility is continually tested (and demonstrated) through the lives that those who profess these things lead. When seen this way, St. Thomas’ failure is not that he was unwilling to believe something seemingly impossible without sufficient proof. Instead, it was that he was unwilling to believe the testimony of those whom he should have trusted. He was unwilling to have faith in them and to allow them to demonstrate the credibility of their convictions to him.
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Many of the people in my family are, or have been, farmers. Consequently I’ve heard many farming stories in my life. At this point, I have no idea at all what happened to which of my family members, or indeed whether the stories are true at all. But one of them is the story of a family who went to church one morning, and while they were at church, they heard rain, then hail. The hail, of course, would ruin their crop. Some people left the service to go attend to their crops, but this family did not. In fact, this family observed Sabbath-keeping, and so did no work at all on Sundays.
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
It seems to be a part of our fallen human condition that we do not bear criticism well. No one wants to be told that he is failing to live a good life. Perhaps even less so do we want to hear criticism of our nation. We don’t like people accusing the United States of injustice, selfishness, materialism, or neglect of the poor and the needy. We’d like to think that we are doing alright, and serve as a model to other nations because of all the good for which we stand.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Living well for the Lord is a complex task even on days that it should be easy. The situations we encounter every day cause us to make choices. At the grocery this afternoon, I found some money on the floor near the exit. I quickly picked up the money and handed it to the nearest cashier say it had been dropped. Afterwards, I wondered what would happen to the money. What I really wondered was should I have returned the money or kept it? I wished that question had not entered my mind. Thankfully my initial reaction was the correct response and honest one.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. These two men are so important to our tradition that their feast is ranked a “solemnity,” the highest designation that the Church has. While both men were instrumental in passing on the Christian faith and leaders of the early Church, they are an unlikely pair, different in many ways and known to have disagreed at one time. Peter is regarded as the first pope, the rock on whom the Church was founded. Paul is known as the Apostle to the Gentiles and the author of most of our New Testament.
Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
The prophet Amos is among the most rhetorical in his indictment of the sins of Israel. In the chapter before today’s passage, Amos notes the offenses of numerous other peoples and nations. The people of Israel must have listened to this with delight, believing themselves to be superior to all these other places. After Amos has thus hooked the reader by criticizing other nations, however, he turns to his critique of Israel: “they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth and force the lowly out of the way” (Am 2:6-7).