Mark 12: 1-12 Memorial Day

Today's Gospel is a story we have heard countless times and is even alluded to within the passage that the Master is the God the Father, who sends his servants, the prophets, that are run off.  Then he sends his only son to the tenants, who then kill him, as did truly would through his Crucifixion. 

The question then becomes, which characters in the story are we?  Are we servants who come to the tenants on the Lords behalf?  Are we the tenants trying to live ordinary lives, worried about day to day living and thinking of ways to acquire wealth to live comfortably? 

In reading a newsletter with an article by Fr. John Hampsch I chucked because we sometimes get into thoughts, like, if this was my last day, what would I do, or what is on my bucket list that I can accomplish now?  We focus so much on the doing.  Fr. Hampsch pointed out, that we ought to be looking at instead, how will God see us on the day we die?  In thinking about that, how tricky since none of us knows the day nor hour of our death except the Father in Heaven. How then can we put forth our best selves so that we'd be prepared at a moment's notice to meet the father? 

Perhaps the answer lies in today's parable.  If we are those to whom the master sends his servants and his son, wouldn't it be wise then, to be good stewards, to be hospitable to others, to live honestly, to act justly? 

Today in thinking of those Veterans who fought for our rights, our freedoms, I think of my grandfather and Godfather who fought in WWII.  They had horrible tales, the worst of which were never shared, but they also had tales of hope and hospitality from strangers in both Europe and in the Philippines.  We are all called to be good stewards in our different vocations in life.  May we rise to the expectation set by Our Father.

Mark 6:14-29 Martrydom of John the Baptist

for today's reading (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020516.cfm)

“The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.”  ~Tertullian

What is it that the saints knew that gave them such a peace of mind in the midst of their tribulations?   Today is the feast of St. Agatha, born into a distinguished family, who was tortured and eventually martyred (to be venerated as a virgin martyr since Christian antiquity) for her steadfast faith which contributed to her refusal of the illicit invitation of a suitor. We also learn today about John the Baptist who professed our faith too, and was held captive, probably tortured, and likewise martyred.  What caused them to remain calm amidst the tumult?  St. Ambrose helps us to understand, “The Lord is very near, there is no need to worry: the Lord is always near to anyone who calls on him in truth, with right faith, with firm hope, with perfect love. He himself knows what you need before you ask it of him: he is always ready to give his faithful servants whatever help they need. When bad things happen to us we should not be greatly worried, because we should know that we have God close to us as our defender. The Lord is close to those with contrite hearts; those with a broken spirit he will save. Many are the tribulations of the just; the Lord will free them of all their troubles. If we fight to fulfil and keep his precepts, he will not be slow to give us the aid he has promised.”

Martyrdom was a fulfillment of a life lived in love and service to the Lord. From the moment he leapt in his mother’s womb, to the point of his death, John the Baptist’s whole life pointed to Christ.  It was in Christ that he found perfect happiness. Perhaps we have been persecuted ourselves for our Christian way of life. Sometimes extraordinary witnesses are called to offer a greater witness to this Way of life.    Our communion antiphon today reminds us, “Blessed are they who have kept the Word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Lk 8:15)  Let us join St. Agatha and John the Baptist in shaping our lives to point to Christ. 

Luke 3:10-18 Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice in the Lord always!  (Gaudete in Domino semper)

In today's readings the crowds are asking John the Baptist what they should do.  They thought because of his wisdom and because he baptized people, that possibly here was the long awaited Christ.  John tells them how they are to live, as justly, with concern for each other, and to be satisfied.  He assures them, no he is not the Christ.  That he merely baptizes with water, but the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire; that Christ will gather the wheat and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

John is preparing the way for the Lord.  He is teaching the people how they must live to prepare for Christ.  He is telling them of God's loving mercy that those who follow in the way of the Lord will by caught up by Him and kept.  They will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  The prophet Zephaniah reminds us that in this baptism of Christ, God rejoices over us and renews us in his love.  How can we not be filled with excitement and joy at this?  The path to that baptism is the journey of love through Christ our Lord.