Monday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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Today’s First Reading, a preparation for the upcoming Solemnity of Christ the King next Sunday, is taken from the beginning of the book of Revelation. Our Lord addresses seven churches through John’s prophecy, and he starts today with Ephesus. The lamp stands among which Our Lord walks symbolize his presence among those churches. Our Lord acknowledges that the Ephesians have remained perseverant and on guard against false apostles bringing false teachings, but warns them that their love has waned.

In any loving relationship the flame can dim and go out if a constant effort is not made to keep it burning brightly and intensely. It starts with the little things: a term of endearment no longer used, less time together, even a loving gaze withheld. It also starts when you focus more on what you should be getting out of the relationship and not on what you should be putting into it. Our Lord warns that the Ephesians may have their lamp taken away: when charity dies completely there is no more Church. The lamp has to be kept burning bright, and its fuel is love for Christ and love for others in Christ.

The little things can be a sign of love waning, but they can also be the path to stoking up love’s flame again. Ask Our Lord today to help you examine the fervor of your love for him and for those you love.

Readings: Revelation 1:1–4, 2:1–5; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; Luke 18:35–43. See also 1st Week of Advent, Friday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, and 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year I.

32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul gives his protege Titus a laundry list of qualities that a good bishop should have in order to be a good steward of his people. A steward knows that he has been entrusted with something that does not belong to him; he’ll be held accountable for how he cares for his charge. When that charge is a portion of the People of God, he needs to be “blameless”: without fault.

This entails a great responsibility not only for the people the bishop serves, but for bishop himself: Our Lord in today’s Gospel warns of the dire consequences of leading another to sin. He also encourages a constant willingness to forgive, provided the sinner asks for forgiveness. Many bishops today face difficult circumstances in their flocks, but, as Our Lord reminds us today, with just a little faith they’ll be able to accomplish great things in the Lord’s service.

Let’s pray for our bishops today to be blameless, forgiving, and steadfast in their ministry.

Readings: Titus 1:1–9; Psalm 24:1b–4b, 5–6; Luke 17:1–6.

31st Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul encourages the Philippians to be of one mind in their charity and concern for others, because that would crown his joy. The key is putting others first: it shows that the gifts of grace we have received as believers were not given in vain. We struggle at times to put others first, but how much joy it brings us when we overcome our selfish tendencies and truly help someone in need.

In today’s Gospel Our Lord invites us to go beyond our circle of comfort when it comes to putting others first. When we put our family and friends first, often we’re just fulfilling an obligation or responding in turn to what they have done for us. That is noble, but when we show concern for those who have nothing or no one, we are 100% putting others first, expecting nothing in return. There’s no greater imitation of Christ’s love than that.

Let’s examine our level of concern for “everyone” as Paul encourages us today, so that the joy of Our Lord and his saints will be complete.

Readings: Philippians 2:1–4; Psalm 131:1b–e, 2–3; Luke 14:12–14.

30th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul brands the immoral, the impure, and the greedy as “idolaters.” Where’s the false god? When we idolize these things, we make them our gods, sometimes imperceptibly, because we become enslaved to pleasure, money, or power and serve them instead of making them serve us in a moral and healthy way. This is no passing teen crush or talent competition, but a real enthrallment to creatures that were meant to help us draw closer to God.

The path starts when we make light of the very things that could spiritually destroy us, because we stop taking them or the consequences of abusing them seriously. Today’s entertainment often portrays the “bad boy,” the black sheep, the shady character as something cool, funny, or simply normal. Examples of virtue seem boring or are the butt of jokes. There’s no easy solution to this problem, but we can turn that television off and concentrate on being loving toward one another and toward God, just as Paul encourages us to do today.

If we imitate Our Lord we have nothing to fear, because his love for our Father is perfect. Let’s live as children of the light and leave any past darkness behind.

Readings: Ephesians 4:32–5:8; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; Luke 13:10–17. See also 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.

29th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul describes the spiritually dead as following the “ruler of the power of the air.” How many ways can we interpret that expression today? Power over the air can be understood as having power over nothing, or something ethereal. The airwaves today are full of unsubstantial noise as the media seeks to entertain and allure for ratings and profit, and the virtual “airwaves” are often not better. In one corner of the world, sometimes one corner of society, people follow superficial pursuits, while in the other people are living tragedy, just trying to make ends meet and eke out their existence. If St. John Paul II spoke of solidarity, the power of the air could be branded unsolidarity as each pursues their desires indifferently to or at the expense of their neighbor. The Gospel reminds us today that all the things we strive for in this world, if we just seek a cozy and comfortable retirement, will vanish into thin air when we die.

Yet Paul reminds us that thanks to faith and grace we have been promised a share in the Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord. Believing in him, we become one with him and, just as he did, we will suffer, but we will also be restored to new life and one day take our place in the heavenly Father’s presence. Through Christ we have gone from being children of wrath to being children of God. Through our good works we work for something of substance, not just for ourselves, but for others. The power of the air is just that: hot air. The power of Christ is eternal.

What life do you want? A life of hot air, or a life in Christ?

Readings: Ephesians 2:1–10; Psalm 100:1b–5; Luke 12:13–21. See also 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday, Cycle C and 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.