Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
These days, the term “fear of God” has become lost to us. You may have heard the commonplace assertion that the “God” of the Old Testament is angry and scary, in contrast with the “God” of the New Testament who is loving and kind. Today we have two readings, one from the Old Testament’s book of Exodus, and one from the New Testament’s gospel of Matthew. Our Catholic tradition believes that these are not competing images of God, but complementary pictures of the same Trinitarian God.
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today was an unhappy day. I woke up, started on emails for work. Then the lawnmower would not start, so had to wrestle with that. When I got back inside, I realized that all the emails I had sent had bounced back. I tried to send them again and again but they all bounced back. Later I tried to run an errand for work, only to have a tire blowout. I skipped the errand and went home defeated thinking this is a Murphy’s Law kind of day. Murphy’s Law being that anything that can go wrong will. With this litany of complaints on the front of my brain, I sat down to work on the reflection for today.
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Families are a big focus of our culture today. Most people grow up in a family. Many people desire to get married and raise a family. And strong families are thought by some to be the backbone of a stable society—teaching us social and ethical values and training us to be good citizens. I find myself valuing my own family for the way that it had formed me and for the ties of love and mutual concern that continue to exist and shape my life.
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading from the book of Exodus contains one of the most storied passages of the Bible, namely, Moses’ parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Hebrew people to escape unscathed from the pursuit of Pharaoh’s Egyptian army. The drama of this scene transfers well into movies precisely because it is dramatic. God’s glory is shown in this marvelous deed, when he proves to his people that he loves them and will save them even when it seems impossible. God also demonstrates to the Egyptians that he is the one true God. It is a moment of triumph that brings Moses’ sister Miriam to break out in song – the song that serves as today’s responsorial psalm.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
One of the most decisive events in the history of the world was the gradual emergence of the nation-state. What I mean by that is that the political system existing in the world today based on geographical territories is a rather modern phenomenon. Before nation states existed there were multi-ethnic empires ruled by an emperor or a king. On the other hand, what defines a nation-sate is not ethnic majority or religious affiliation but rather a definite geographical boundary. In a nation-state like the United States, the State becomes an instrument of national unity, in economic, social and cultural life. It is based on a Constitution that determines rights and obligations, discipline and punishment. Peace is often enforced by armed civil authorities. There are seldom second chances offered to those who fail. One of the main characteristic of the nation-state is nationalistic patriotism which almost assumes the level of religion. Thus, heroism is associated with the ultimate sacrifice – death – to defend the boundaries of the nation. Armies are fashioned to defend each nation. The world spends close to three trillion dollar all together to defend itself from each other. Take for example the war in Iraq. It only makes sense when one sees the war as a defense of the nation. More than four thousand people have died in the defense of this nation. But the price is considered necessary for the continuous defense of a nation. Those who give up their lives are honored as heroes. That is the nation-state.
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We often hear Christ described as the Passover lamb, the Eucharist as the Paschal (i.e., relating to “Passover”) Feast, and the Easter Triduum as a celebration of the Paschal Mystery. These designations have their roots in Scripture. It is at the Last Supper, presumably a celebration of the Passover meal, where Jesus cements the association between the Jewish feast of Passover and his impending suffering, death, and eventual resurrection. His Body and Blood are given up for all. His life is laid down for our salvation. Why should Jesus connect his saving mission with Passover? There are many Jewish feasts. Why this association? What does it mean for us?
Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church
It is interesting to have today's texts side by side. The first (Exodus 11:10-12:14) is the story of how the great feast of Passover came to be. It is one of the most important feasts of the year because it commemorates that God saves and protects the Israelites by leading them out of Egypt. God makes observing the feast a kind of law: "This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution."
Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin
Today’s psalm response, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever” (Ps. 105:8a) guides us in thinking about today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus. Here we have the continuation of one of the most well-known passages in all of our beloved Old Testament: God speaking to Moses from the burning bush. If you have been following the daily Mass readings for the last few weeks, then you know that we have been hearing the narratives of the great figures – Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob and now Moses, who has lately taken the lead role in these passages.
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week
Recently, a neighbor came home after being gone a week. It was neat to witness his children run to lovingly greet their father. The hugs were heartfelt even at a distance. His children’s hugs without using words state, I love you, I missed you and now we are one again. For the parent, the genuine embrace of their child transforms the moment into one that feels like an encounter with the transcendent.
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week
In the reading for today Jesus addresses the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These are towns where Jesus has preached, performed miracles, and done healings. The basic message to them is that the people in these towns have heard him preach and have been impressed by his miracles, but many people there still have not believed in him. Jesus prophesies that they will ultimately be judged harshly for their lack of faith. Despite these severe words, it seems to me that Jesus does not want to see them condemned. Rather he wants them to accept his message, repent of their sins, and follow a new way of life. So it is with a sense of urgency that Jesus seems to call out to them. His words are not just a warning but also a spur to them finally to do what they are supposed to be doing.
Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot
In the past few weeks, we have been following various stories in the book of Genesis. This week, we begin reading from the book of Exodus. The set-up for today’s passage comes in the figure of Joseph, who, you might recall, became a trusted advisor of Pharaoh, able to save many lives through his judicious economy with grain. The Egyptian king of Joseph’s time was grateful for his contributions and allowed for Joseph’s family to take up residence in Egypt. Now, however, the current Pharaoh has started to question the worth of Joseph’s descendants. He finds their great number threatening, and he clearly still regards them as foreigners. Hence the Pharaoh makes a plan to decrease the perceived threat; he will make the Hebrew people work hard and he will kill all their infant boys.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
All of last week, the entire nation has been glued to the Casey Antony case. Not that there are other things to worry about like the debt ceiling of the nation, but the public likes mystery and intrigue. When Casey was acquitted, there was public outrage at the verdict. Somehow, there are so many questions left unanswered. And then there is the child who never got to live. But, look also at the effect that one person and her life can have on not just the family, but rather, all of society. The Casey Antony case made me think of my own life and actions and the impact they can have on other people. I could not help but think of this as I read today’s readings.
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week
Today’s gospel continues with the instructions that Jesus gives to His disciples precisely about how to be disciples. He knows that proclaiming the Kingdom of God, with its challenging message of exalting the lowly over the powerful and living in selfless love of God and one another, will be met with some resistance (particularly from the rich and powerful!). Yet, Jesus assures his disciples that we are worthy in God’s eyes and therefore should not be afraid. Rather we should be courageous to live as disciples precisely because, like Isaiah, God has chosen us. This charge from God comes with the assurance that He deals with us most intimately and most carefully, counting even the hairs on our head!
Friday of the Fourteenth Week
One summer, when I was about fourteen or so, I had the chance to go to a music camp and learn to play the clarinet better. The camp was with a lot of people I'd never met before, but who all knew each other: they played in area orchestras together and had a good rapport. I approached it with a mixture of fear and hope, because on the one hand, I worried that I wouldn't fit in or that they wouldn't like me; on the other hand, I was hoping that learning to play the clarinet better might mean I could play in the youth orchestra for my state.
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week
During these past few weeks we have been following the exciting narratives in the book of Genesis. Today’s passage about Joseph is a particularly poignant story. You may recall that Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph underwent great hardship, only to later rise to a position of power within the household of Pharaoh. Now he is in a position to help his family, along with all the people in that region.
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week
There may be no “I” in team, but there are many among us who function as lone rangers. Lone rangers may be acceptable in some places but being part of the body of Christ demands teamwork. Teamwork demands trust. The trouble is when we do not trust our team to do their share we lose our ability to be a team. At work when one part of a department is carrying the rest, a lack of respect can lead to resentment or perhaps hostility. In a marriage, when spouses mistrust or covetous feelings can create an imbalance that stress’s their relationship beyond healing. Even sporting teams and siblings can lose their focus when a perceived inequity leads to jealousy or even hostility.
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week
I used to think that to see God acting in the world I would have to see something out of the ordinary or spectacular happening—something miraculous or at least very contrary to what normally happens in daily life. But most of the time this is not how God seems to act. Things are much more ordinary. God uses ordinary people and ordinary situations to accomplish his will.
Monday of the Fourteenth Week
Today our country celebrates its “Independence Day,” the day that marks the American break with British rule in the 18th century. Our readings, however, turn our attention to trust in God, and not trust in our country. While empires come and go, God’s kingdom is everlasting. Our first reading continues the patriarchal narratives from the book of Genesis. Today we hear about Jacob, the son of Isaac who so desired his father’s blessing that he deceived him in order to get it. When the Lord appears to Jacob in the famous dream of a ladder or stairway to heaven with angels (messengers) ascending and descending, Jacob responds with wonder and awe. He even confirms his experience of God by making a memorial to God and taking a vow.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
As I was returning after Good Friday services at St. Helen, a middle aged woman pulled right beside me at the red light on Woodman, and flipped me off. Then, to avoid any reaction from me she avoided any eye contact. If she looked in my direction I would have blessed her with the sign of the cross, but she would not. The best part of it is that I do not even know why she was mad. Another time, my friend was driving me to a funeral visitation and a young guy in a bright yellow car passed us by with his finger in the air. Once again, neither of us knew why! This time, I was very, very angry and wanted to confront him. My friend convinced me to let it go. Or, let me just talk about life in the parish. Keeping a parish this size well managed and focused is a very complex task. In the process, the possibility of being totally misunderstood, of being disliked, maligned, opposed and even hated is real. What is true for me, I know, is equally true for you at home or at your work place.
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We commonly associate the physical heart of a person with love, as in “I love you with all of my heart.” We also associate the heart with the very essence of a person, the deeper place where the most real aspect of a person resides as in, “in my heart of hearts I know…” Both of these aspects come together in this memorial, which directs our attention to Mary’s joys and sorrows, her virtues, and, above all, her love—for God, for her Son, Jesus, and for all people.