Thursday

31st Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul speaks of belonging to the People of God, old and new, through the concept of circumcision. By describing Christians as “the circumcision” he reminds us that we all inherit the promises that the Lord first made to Abraham and continued to keep throughout salvation history, culminating in the Incarnation of God the Son for our redemption, through faith in Christ.

When Paul speaks of “confidence in the flesh” he is referring to counting on Jewish ancestry and observance alone for salvation. Christians who have neither, along with those who have had it, worship in the Spirit of God and put their confidence in Our Lord for salvation. Paul reminds us that he had both, but the latter, knowing Jesus Christ, made the former pale in comparison.

Many of us don’t have any Jewish ancestry to be concerned about, but we can see a concerning trend in society to de-Christianize things, leaving us with social or cultural support in staying connected to the promises the Lord has kept throughout salvation history or to Christ himself. Just as Paul described Christians as “the circumcision,” alluding to this practice of admission into the People of Israel, we have to remember that we are the baptized, and that means not only gifts from above, but responsibilities. Let’s ask Our Lord to help us live up to what he has given us as baptized Christians, counting everything else as loss.

Readings: Philippians 3:3–8a; Psalm 105:2–7; Luke 15:1–10. See also 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cycle C, 4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C, 2nd Week of Lent, Saturday, and 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

30th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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Today’s First Reading may seem like a drastic shift in Paul’s thought, since until now he’s been speaking of married life and family, but this shift of emphasis underscores something many believers have forgotten: that while we live on this earth we are waging spiritual warfare. We can lament hunger, armed conflict, and violent persecution afflicting the world, but all these sad events have a spiritual foundation: sin. There is an active evil presence in the world, beyond the human, that seeks to separate us from God and leave us in misery forever out of spite for the paradise he lost for himself and the fallen angels in league with him.

We’re only left vulnerable and exposed to evil if we don’t fight with the weapons provided by Our Lord. Our salvation, our victory (the helmet) is assured if we keep fighting, if we live a sacramental and prayer life that help us to maintain and grow in sanctifying grace (a breastplate of righteousness), if we are alert in avoiding occasions of sin and seizing opportunities to practice virtue (feet shod in readiness), and if we not only keep on the defensive, but go on the offensive wielding Scripture, Tradition, and our faith (the sword and shield ). Sometimes we may feel like we’re bringing a knife to a gunfight, but our secret weapon is that our arms are powered by God, whom nothing can withstand.

Are you on the battlefield or parked on the couch spiritually? Defense or offense? It’s never too late in this life to take up arms and defend yourself and those you love. Christ has won the war, but we must battle to ensure a share of his victory.

Readings: Ephesians 6:10–20; Psalm 144:1b, 2, 9–10; Luke 13:31–35. See also 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

29th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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Paul in today’s First Reading kneels before God the Father in order to thank him not only for the communion of saints, a communion shared by believers on Heaven and on Earth, but a communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that makes every participant a member of the family of God. Our fellow believers are our brothers and sisters, and we have them here and in eternity, cheering us on, encouraging us and interceding for us, filled with the hope that some day, by the grace of God, we’ll all be together in Heaven.

The Holy Trinity wishes to pour life and love into our hearts, and this is the fire that Our Lord wants to kindle in today’s Gospel. If divisions occur, even among those we love, it is because on one side or the other the love is not strong enough for both sides to “catch fire.” We have to be on fire for love of Our Lord and hope that our blood relations also “catch fire” and become part of the family of faith as well. Our Lord died on the cross to make that flame of love burn bright, so we should not be afraid of laying down our lives, spiritually or otherwise, in order to help others catch fire.

As believers the way we should treat our family and others is simple: with the love of a family. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to keep the fire of that love kindled in us and to prepare the hearts of others to catch fire as well.

Readings: Ephesians 3:14–21; Psalm 33:1–2, 4–5, 11–12, 18–19; Luke 12:49–53. See also 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday, Cycle C, 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II, 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, and 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.

28th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul greets the believers at Ephesus by reminding them that the have been chosen by God the Father for something wonderful and special even before their creation or the creation of the world. In cinema, television, and literature there is usually something special associated with being the “chosen one”: some great destiny, often some great responsibility. The Lord is calling us to both. God the Father calls us to be adopted in his Son, become his children, and one day stand in his presence “holy and without blemish”: holiness means we will participate in his divine life, and without blemish means that no matter what we’ve done, Our Father will forgive us, heal us, and cleanse us if we let him.

The “chosen one” in popular culture usually has to go it alone, yet we don’t have to. Our Lord has come to ensure that we live up to the wonderful calling we’ve received from God the Father, just as he has in his Incarnation. Being chosen does involve some work on our part, and if we don’t accept that we might not live up to everything God the Father wants of us, and that will rob us of a lot of happiness from here to eternity. In Christ we’re guaranteed a happy ending to our life, no matter how rocky it might get.

You’ve been chosen. Ask Our Lord to guide you to the wonderful destiny that has awaited you since before the foundation of the world.

Readings: Ephesians 1:1–10; Psalm 98:1–6; Luke 11:47–54. See also 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

27th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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Paul reminds us in today’s First Reading that it is not just something that saves us, but someone. Without faith in Christ our baptism would have been nothing more than a wash of the forehead, because without faith in Christ he cannot act on our behalf. Every religious practice, from holy water to the Eucharist, is an opportunity for Our Lord to work some spiritual good in our lives, but only if we muster even a little faith in him to do so.

The Galatians in today’s First Reading were being beguiled by a lot of religious practices that seemed to be a guarantee of salvation, but Paul showed them the danger of putting their faith in their actions and not putting their faith in Christ. We have to work with Christ to ensure our salvation.

Take stock today of your religious observance and ask Our Lord to see whether you are just going through the motions or living a life of faith in him. Let the Holy Spirit help you live a life of the Spirit.

Readings: Galatians 3:1–5; Luke 1:69–75; Luke 11:5–13. See also 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday, Cycle C, 1st Week of Lent, Thursday, and 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.