Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
“We are opposed to carnal warfare because Christ and his Apostles taught a defenseless doctrine both by precept and example.”
Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference Statement of Faith
With passage of the Selective Service Act on May 18, 1917, Amish and Mennonite men in Ohio (and elsewhere) faced an extremely difficult test of their faith. Yield to the draft, don a military uniform (also contrary to their faith), agree to carrying a gun, and fire it when called upon to do so or resist the draft by refusing to fight or seeking “noncombatant” status.
Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Today we find the Apostle Paul admonishing the church in Corinth and calling them to grow and flourish in unity as the one Body of Christ. In our Gospel, I see two responses to Christ’s presence and ministry – one that mirrors his love and servanthood and another that is self-seeking and self-preserving. We have an invitation today to answer God’s call to grow in love, servanthood, and unity as Catholic Christians.
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the abuse of power – primarily in politics and, sadly, in the Church. Today’s gospel reading (Luke 4:31-37) presents Jesus as having authority and power over an “unclean spirit” to the amazement of the people who witnessed it. Although news of his power and authority spread “everywhere in the surrounding region,” Jesus remained humble; he never abused his power. I wonder how he felt about having that power. Did it surprise him? Scare him? Was he tempted by it? Did he feel the weight of responsibility that comes with such power?
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Many will recall Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk. Some who are reading this may have been confirmed by him. A Dayton native (St. Anthony's), “Daniel E.” as he was known by those who loved him and those who didn't, was probably the most intelligent bishop we ever had. His dry sense of humor cut to the quick, and he was known for that even by recent popes. On one occasion, at a gathering of the bishops of Ohio with Benedict XVI in Rome, the Holy Father responded to a sharp comment from Pilarczyk with, “O, I remember you.”
Memorial of Saint Monica
Every one of us has a calling, and yet how often do we take time to consider what that means. Although we might consider our calling to be the same thing as our vocation, I wonder if the idea of being called is broader than we might imagine, and therefore might have a much greater impact. Today’s readings remind us that no matter where we are and whatever we do, all that we have are gifts from God to be shared for His glory.
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Having just sent our youngest off to college (well, more like “moved” him), and knowing that all over the country students are beginning or returning to school at all grade levels, I am reminded of the huge importance the pursuit of knowledge and “wisdom” has in our society, including my own family. And as our children grow and gain more independence, how often do we encourage (and pray for) them to make wise decisions rather than foolish ones? Countless times, I suspect. Yet today’s first reading kind of turns what is foolish and wise upside down.
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Grace and peace…
St. Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians with a blessing. Following typical Greek conventions for letters, he first lists both sender and recipient. He then addresses the Corinthians with a spirit of gratitude.
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’” (Jer. 31:3). This verse from the Prophet Jeremiah came back to me as I prayed our readings for today, and serves, I think, as an umbrella covering for them. The first reading refers to our relationship with Christ as his bride. The psalm makes clear our friendship with God. Today is the Feast of St Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel/Nathanael, one of the Twelve Apostles. Prior to calling Nathanael, Jesus sees him, fully sees him. Foundational to his call, his vocation, is God’s everlasting love for him. Jesus loved Nathanael, he saw him, and he knew him intimately with a spousal love. Nathanael’s story is ours, as well. Today, may we fall deeper in love with Jesus, and awaken more fully to how he loves us, sees us, and knows us.
Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
One of my favorite things about being Catholic is the sense of timelessness it gives me. As a member of this church, I feel closely connected to thousands of years of salvation history, and all the human sinfulness that comes along with it. The tendency of humanity to make up fake information and package it in a way that is believable to many is, unfortunately, not new. In Paul’s time, people were making up some crazy ideas about the end times, and trying to pass these ideas off as truth. It continues today; the medium has changed, but the goal is the same. Considering the truth that the Church teaches, it can be difficult for people to discern between what is actually true, and what a wack-job with a facebook or twitter account spouts off without any authority or credential whatsoever. Thankfully, this situation and those like it have been a part of our history for thousands of years, along with the remedy.
Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“At your right hand stands the queen in robes of glory” (Psalm 45:10).
The last monarch of what we now call the United States was George III. Americans, citizens of a republican democratic form of government, are unfamiliar and even uneasy around monarchy.
Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Scripture Readings
Our sensibilities from reading and hearing the gospel stories are conditioned to think of the Pharisees only as hypocrites and show offs. This conception, however, misses some of the force of Jesus’ critique of these folk. They were not such easy targets. On the whole, they were considered the most pious Jews of their day, admired for there adherence to the law and their dedication to God. Nevertheless, their conflicts with Jesus centered around their overly legalistic adherence to the law. These were different interpretations of the Jewish tradition. From its earliest moments, what we now call Christianity was an offshoot of Judaism. Jesus was clearly Jewish and part of the Jewish theological arguments of His day. Many of these arguments among the chosen people were about how best to uphold their end of the covenant with God. We hear a celebration of God’s faithfulness to this covenant in today’s psalm, “The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land” (Ps 85: 10b). However, the Israelites were not always so faithful.
Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
A sound started up, rattling like thunder. The bones came together, bone joining to bone. Sinews appeared on them, flesh grew over them, skin covered them on top (Ez 37:7-8). Our boys are big fans of Super Mario Bros (as is dad). I couldn’t help but think of one of the characters as I spent time with Ezekiel. In Super Mario, Dry Bones are skeletal versions of Koopa Troopas–villainous turtle members of an evil army led by their angry and antagonizing dragon-like leader, Bowser. Their purpose is to stop Mario and Luigi from saving Princess Peach. Not quite a direct parallel to our reading but Dry Bones is part of a massive army of Koopas. Similarly, we read that Ezekiel connected dry bones that soon “stood on their feet, a vast army.” (Ez 37:10) What an amazing scene from the exile when he is told to call forth new life from a field strewn with dry bones.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
I have struggled with today’s parable. Jesus is clear that the story he is about to tell serves as an analogy for the Kingdom. So, the stakes are rather high.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.” This Gospel acclamation reminds us that as we pray God’s word, we do so eagerly – hungry for transformation. No other written text is living and effective! As we read God’s word today, let us allow it to read us. Let us ask this living word to lead us into greater self-awareness so that we might then seek the change that God desires to bring about in our hearts and minds. As we approach the Gospel today, let us allow it to convict us of our sin and self-absorption and bring us to a deeper humility, gratitude, and generosity.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Well, the readings this week are certainly…. cheery! First, we see God threaten and ultimately punish the prince of Tyre for believing himself to have become a god. Then in the Gospel, Jesus tells us that it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. Personally, I can barely get a thread through the eye of a needle, so that’s more than a little concerning. Seeking some solace, I turned to the responsorial psalm. The psalm response? “It is I who deal death and give life” – lovely!
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“It’s not in the Bible.”
Some of our sisters and brothers in other denominations counter Catholic dogma and practice with the above argument. The role of Mary is usually the hottest of hot button issues.
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
I have the privilege of living close to my children and being involved in helping care for my grandchildren. In today’s gospel, people are bringing children to Jesus. As parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts, uncles, pastors, and friends, we are called to bring our children to God and to nurture their faith. The more challenging part of our mission is placing these precious gifts in God’s loving embrace and allowing them to develop a journey of faith meant for them.
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In my role as a counselor and spiritual director, it is not uncommon for the issue of shame to arise. It’s a normal human emotion, but it’s also one of the more challenging ones. One that I know from both personal and professional experience can be not only challenging, but complicated. Healthy shame serves a purpose and is useful; whereas, unhealthy shame can be harmful and debilitating.
Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
When I was sixteen, my parents were worried that I was not observant about my surroundings (and in retrospect, yes, they were correct!). Concerned for my safety, they had spoken to me several times about “keeping my head on a swivel,” especially after dark. Despite their efforts, I remained oblivious.
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
I feel excited and empowered by today’s scripture readings! They are full of promise and hope. I can respond confidently to God’s summons to follow Christ, trusting that I will receive every grace that I need to become a faithful and fruitful disciple. We are invited to sow the seed of the Gospel, to be generous with the poor, and to die to ourselves in service to Christ. Let us press into each of these opportunities today, confident that God will equip us for every good work.