Our reflection today focuses on the brief, yet profoundly insightful, first reading where we hear some very concrete, practical advice from the Book of Leviticus: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (19:18).  Indeed, there is one debt that we will always owe and never be able to pay fully.  The command to love remains constant; love can never say: “I’ve done enough.”

A Central Virtue.  A brief glance at Scripture reveals the centrality of love in Christian life.  Jesus commands his disciples to manifest mutual love: “By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples” (Jn 13:35).  Paul tells the Ephesians: “Follow Christ by loving as he loved you” (Eph 5:2); he advises the Corinthians: “Let everything you do be done in love” (1 Cor 16:14).  John writes: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 Jn 4:8); “God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 Jn 4:12).

Of course, one can never forget Paul’s great “love exhortation” in the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians: “Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited….  Love never comes to an end” (13:4, 8).  “There are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love” (13:13).   

Debt of Love.  Loving “one another” includes not only those who are believers; this command extends to all people.  In his Good Samaritan parable (Lk 10:29-37), Jesus shows that the command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18) extends even to strangers in need.  Christians are to love without distinction; it is of no consequence whether people are good or bad, deserving or undeserving, grateful or ungrateful.  We stand in debt to love them all—unselfishly!

Someone may ask: When did I incur this debt of love for others?  In Baptism we received the marvelous gift of God’s unbounded love and mercy; thus, we are obligated to generously manifest this same merciful love to others.  We did not deserve or earn the gift of God’s love; it is gratuitously lavished upon us.  Our “debt of love” flows from God’s superabundant love for us; “what proves God’s love for us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners” (Rom 5:8).  Loving others is the only way to thank God; he first loved us—unconditionally!    

Paying the Debt.  It is a fact that paying off debts is a challenging task; it requires discipline and self-sacrifice.  Paying the debt of loving others involves personal sacrifice and concrete action.  We ask our heavenly Father to assist us in paying our debts of mutual love and compassion.  Admittedly, we always fall short of perfectly loving each other.  Yet, we struggle daily to live in love, seeking to partially pay our debt—all with the help of God’s own transforming love and grace!    

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

7^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus, you are God made visible,

divine love in human form,

perfect reflection and image of love:

giving, feeding, healing, serving,

yet wounded by us and for us,

that we too might seek, find and

love one another even as you see

love in each one of us.

Unworthy and undeserving, and

while we were yet sinners

you died for us, Lord Jesus, and

rose to new life to show us the way

of true happiness, holiness and love.

Grant us the grace, Lord, to forgive

others as you forgive us

and to make love the center of our lives.

Hold your wounds ever before our eyes

that we might never forget the price you paid

that all people might truly be free.

As your wounds are proof of your love

and source of healing for the nations,

transform our wounds, Lord Jesus,

physical and spiritual, into fountains

of grace, love and healing for others.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Our Gospel today and the Gospel of next Sunday together form an integral section of Jesus’ profound Sermon on the Mount.  It is commonly called Jesus’ “six antitheses.”  We know that an “antithesis” is an alternate assertion different from the original “thesis.”  Thus, Jesus is giving a new, more profound interpretation of six basic elements of Jewish law.

Jesus makes a pivotal statement; he asserts: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17).  Indeed, Jesus is not doing away with the Mosaic Laws found in the Old Testament; he is completing them, giving them a new and profound interpretation.

An Original Perspective.  Following his purpose in reinterpreting the commandments, Jesus goes on to describe six concrete ways in which his new law supersedes the old law.  He uses a standard way of speaking: “You have heard how it was said [in the old law]; however, I say to you….”  He first quotes the Mosaic injunction, then proceeds to give it a new, more “radical” interpretation.  Note that the Mosaic Law remains valid; however, as a Christian follower of Jesus, we must go deeper in fulfilling the demands of the law.  It is not enough just to follow the external demands of the law; we must fulfill them wholeheartedly—with renewed motivation.

Reinterpretation.  Allow me to paraphrase each of the six antitheses: (1) Moses said: “Do not murder.”  Jesus says: “Do not hate anyone or even be angry with another.”  (2) Moses said: “Do not commit adultery.”  Jesus says: “Avoid all lustful thoughts and illicit desires.”  (3) Moses said: “If you divorce, give your spouse a divorce notice.”  Jesus says: “Do not be the first to break the marriage relationship.”  (4) Moses said: “Make all your oaths in Yahweh’s name.”  Jesus says: “Remember that any promise is always made before God.”  (5) The Mosaic Law asserted: “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”  Jesus says: “Always do good—even to those who oppose you.”  (6) Moses asserted: “Love your neighbor.”  Jesus says: “Love even your enemies, for that is actually what God does.”  Indeed, Jesus is setting a very high moral standard for us as his disciples!

Jesus’ Claim.  Jesus always says: “I say to you.”  This is significant.  Jesus is actually reinterpreting the God-given Mosaic Law, and he is doing it on his own authority!  Who can validly reinterpret God’s law?  Only God can do that.  Thus, when Jesus says: “I say to you,” he is claiming to act with God’s authority, to be God himself.  As Christians, we follow Jesus, because we truly believe that he is none other than God himself, incarnated in human flesh.  Jesus’ teachings are profoundly challenging!  Thus, we pray and strive to follow them with renewed hearts, always relying on God’s abundant grace and mercy!

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

O God, in ages past

you spoke to us through Moses

and the prophets, giving us the Law

that we might walk in your ways and live

according to your truth.

Then in the fullness of time

You spoke to us in Jesus Christ,

not only writing your Law in our hearts

but sending us the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom

to recognize your will and the strength to live

it in our lives.

Beyond “Eye for an eye” you command

us to love our enemies and pray

for those who persecute us.

More than walking a mile with our adversary

You command us to walk two miles

and to the one who asks for our tunic

You command we offer our cloak as well.

But to fulfill your commands

we would need to be divine like you

and to that end you gave us

Your body and blood as food and drink

and the Holy Spirit with the power

to live your truth and so

become more like you in this life and

live with you forever in the next.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples and “sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Lk 10:1).  From among his many disciples, Jesus also chose twelve as his apostles.  Jesus taught his disciples; he also sent them as his apostles, his missionaries to the world.  They were to speak in his name and conduct themselves as models of peace, charity and humility, proclaiming that “the Kingdom of God is near” (Lk 10:9).

Our Mission.  The apostolic task of Jesus’ first followers has been handed on to us.  As baptized Christians, we also must manifest the missionary zeal of the Apostles.  Today’s Gospel challenges us to be “the salt of the earth and the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14).  We are to learn the ways of the Lord and proclaim the Good News to all peoples “in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:2).  We are to show the essence of our faith by our very lives.

As contemporary missionaries of our Lord, we are to challenge the culture of modern times and those things that do not promote life, justice, and the dignity of humanity.  We have to courageously and faithfully hold on to the ways of the Gospel.  We have many brothers and sisters who are devoting their lives in this endeavor, but the task is not theirs alone.  It is our fraternal duty to support those who are offering their lives to bring the Good News to the “four corners of the earth” (Is 11:12).

Evangelization.  Being salt and light, is needed in all the various contexts of our Christian life—in our homes, schools, and workplaces, and through various media available to us.  We seek to be courageous witnesses of our faith to every individual we encounter.  We seek to let everyone appreciate that God is alive and is present in our midst by bearing good fruits in our lives.

Reflecting on today’s Gospel, Pope Francis asks: “What must a Christian do in order for the salt not to run out, so that the oil to light the lamp does not come to an end?”  The “battery” that a Christian uses to generate light, Francis explains, is simply “prayer.”  We may do many fine things, but “if you do not pray, it will be dark and dimly lit.”  Genuine prayer, prayer from the heart, assures that our light and salt will be in adequate supply.

An Outward Direction.  Pope Francis continues: “Both salt and light are for others, not for oneself; salt does not give flavor to itself; light does not illumine itself.”  Yet,

we may ask: How long does light and salt last as we continuously, generously give of ourselves?  Francis notes: “That is where the power of God comes in.”  In prayer we seek God’s abundant grace to “be light which illumines and salt that gives flavor and preserves.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

0nly by my being ever mindful

of your loving presence

and giving flesh to your Living Word

O God, my life, my hope, my redeemer

I become Salt of the earth and

Light to the world.

Like salt may my words and deeds

preserve what is true, good and holy

as well as add spice to everyday life.

Like light may I illuminate the world

and show others the way that leads

to healing, to love, and to You, my God.

Lord Jesus, from your birth and baptism,

through your sermons and suffering,

and by your Passion and Death on the Cross,

you lived and died for others, especially the poor and despised.

Help me always to do the same.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M

Today’s beautiful Gospel from Matthew (5:1-12) contains Jesus’ nine beatitudes; the Gospel of Luke (6:20-23) announces four beatitudes.  Commonly translated into English as “blessed,” the word is makarios in Greek and beatus in Latin.  Generally, this word means: happy, blissful, joyful, fortunate, fulfilled.  It refers to a state of spiritual well-being; one experiences genuine joy in one’s soul.  We ask: Who are such persons that deserve to be called “blessed”?  Jesus’ answer in Luke 11:28 is clear: “Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”

Hearing God’s Word.  Authentic hearing of God’s Word means pondering it, taking it to heart.  This means allowing it to grow in our consciousness, to challenge our values and attitudes.  Right in the vicissitudes of daily life (disappointments, sickness, failure and confusion) as well as in life’s beautiful experiences (friendship, family, blessings and joys) we open ourselves to God’s perspective and his message.          

Keeping God’s Word.  The second half of Jesus’ admonition focuses on living out God’s Word.  This demands committed action: doing God’s Word, observing God’s commands, putting God’s love into concrete deeds, translating God’s message into daily life.  While this task has a personal dimension, it also carries a strong social commitment.  Examples readily come to mind: promoting social justice, seeking peace and reconciliation, working for the preservation of the environment.

Papal Insights.  Recent popes have emphasized integrating the “hearing” and “keeping” of God’s Word; one must be a “listener” and a “doer”!  Evangelization demands both contemplation and concrete action.  Recall the insight presented by Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi (41): “Modern people listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” 

Pope John Paul II refers to this insight of Paul VI in Redemptoris Missio (42): “People today put more trust in witnesses than in teachers, in experience than in teaching, and in life and action than in theories.”  Pope Francis combines “hearing” God’s Word as disciples and “doing” the Word as missionaries in Evangelii Gaudium (120): “we no longer say that we are ‘disciples’ and ‘missionaries,’ but rather that we are always ‘missionary disciples.’”

First to be Called Blessed.  The New Testament reveals that the first person to receive the honor of being called blessed is none other than Mary herself.  Luke, describing the scene of the visitation (1:41-45), notes that “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb….  Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’” 

Mary is blessed precisely because she believed; she believed God’s word spoken through the angel; she believed and gave her whole-hearted fiat to her Lord.  We pray: Blessed Mary, Star of Evangelization, strengthen our faith to truly become your Son’s missionary disciples!

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Mother Mary, have mercy on me

who come to you in my poverty and need.

May I truly number the poor and lowly

as precious children of God

and honor the meek and lowly as

true receivers of God’s singular grace.

I dare to come before your throne,

O Queen of Apostles and Mother of God,

to learn to walk the way of discipleship

with empty hands that I might receive

blessings from God, Most High,

to share with all I meet;

with open heart that I might love

all my brothers and sisters in Christ;

and with an open mind that I might see

all whom Jesus, your Son, called

truly blessed.

May God’s blessings flow through me

to everyone I meet this day

that all might be filled with grace

to overcome adversity and despair.

Help me, Most Holy Virgin, to follow

your example by letting the Word

become flesh in everything I do

to transform myself into a living

blessing for others.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

Directing Others to Christ

John the Baptist is mentioned in all four Gospels; there are sixty-two verses in scripture about him.  Next to Jesus himself, John is the most mentioned person in the Gospels.  Like Jesus, the Baptist faced a challenging vocation.  Considering all the challenges and demands, we might ask John: Was it worth the sacrifice?  We hear his response:  Certainly!  Absolutely!  It is a great, unique privilege to prepare the pathway of the Messiah, the Anointed One.

Familiar Words.  In today’s Gospel, we hear the phrase we repeat at every Eucharist: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”  John introduces Jesus in a variety of ways: “One is coming after me who ranks before me” (Jn 1:29-30).  “I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God” (Jn 1:34).  “I am not worthy to loosen his sandal-strap” (Jn 1:27).  “I myself am not the Christ” (Jn 3:28).  John compares himself to the bridegroom’s friend and rejoices with him, saying: “This same joy I feel, and now it is complete” (Jn 3:29).  Thus, in everything, “He must increase, I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).

All Christian ministry and service necessarily follows the Baptist’s pattern: leading people to Jesus: only Jesus, always Jesus, nothing and no one but Jesus.  This is the privilege of being the forerunner, the precursor, the guide, the conduit, the one who is not the light, but bears authentic witness to the true light (Jn 1:6-8, 15).  This mission is not drudgery or a burdensome duty; it is positively a privilege!

Inviting Others, Challenging Others.  The Baptist gathered a circle of disciples; they followed his life-style (cf. Mt 9:14+; 11:18; Mk 2:18+; Lk. 5:33+; 7:33).  Yet, John did not seek to “possess” them; he readily sent them to Jesus to inquire about His messiahship (Mt 11:2-6; Lk 7:18-23).  Scripture exegetes believe that many of John’s disciples would later have become Jesus’ disciples.

John’s broad mission of exhortation, repentance, and announcing salvific good news is consistently aimed at pointing all to Jesus: “someone more powerful than I … who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3:16-17).  Ultimately, John baptizes Jesus, occasioning the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit, and the declaration: “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you” (cf. Mt 3:17; Mk 1:10-11; Lk 3:22).  John’s ministry—all genuine ministry—has one direction and focus: the person of Jesus (Jn 3:25-30).

Authentic Witness.  The Baptist remained faithful to his God-given vocation.  The Church’s liturgy captures John’s mission in the Preface designated for his feast; it can also serve as a paradigm for our Christian witness:

“You set John the Baptist apart from others,

marking him out with special favor….

You chose John the Baptist…

to show the world its redeemer,

the Lamb of Sacrifice….

You found John worthy of a martyr’s death,

his last and greatest act of witness to your Son.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you sent your cousin John

to prepare the way for you

through repentance, baptism and witness

to your light in the darkness

to your truth in a world lost in lies

and to your peace despite violence.

Give us, Lord Jesus, the fiery zeal

of John the Baptizer, that we too might

make mountains low, raise up valleys

and make straight a highway to lead

all nations to your love for every

people and nation.

O Lamb of God, have mercy on us

You, who take away the sins of the world

cleanse and purify our hearts and minds

that we might seek and surely hear Your voice

among your people.

Lord Jesus, we are not worthy to have you

enter our souls, but say the word

and we shall be healed.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.