Thursday

25th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading, the beginning of the book of Ecclesiastes, its author, Qoheleth, begins a survey of his experiences and his perceptions in an attempt to answer the question of life’s meaning. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, so it is eminently philosophical, and one of the most central questions of philosophy is the meaning of life. I society today the thought of considering the meaning of life is the butt of many jokes, but it is a question every person should ask.

In today’s First Reading Qoheleth is just beginning his inquiry, and the results so far are not encouraging. When he considers the things of this world, the natural things, the human things, and the course of history, he finds a monotony and ultimate lack of novelty that makes him question their significance. This is only a source of discouragement if we forget that this world does not have the last word in the question of life’s meaning; with the Lord, we know there is something beyond this world that gives it meaning, but Qoheleth is not there yet.

Herod in today’s Gospel is also trying to measure up Our Lord using his narrow-minded experiences and perceptions, but doesn’t have the faith or the wisdom to see that with Jesus something truly new has come into the world. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help our faith and our reason seek and find life’s meaning in Christ.

Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2–11; Psalm 90:3–6, 12–14, 17bc; Luke 9:7–9. See also 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, and 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday.

21st Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul greets the Church at Corinth by reminding them that he was called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and also that they also have a calling. Every believer, every human being has a calling. The fundamental calling for every human being is to holiness, because holiness means communion with God, a communion of life and love. There are many ways to respond to this call to holiness–priesthood, consecrated life, married life, etc.–and if we listen in prayer the Lord helps us to discern the path of holiness he is inviting us to follow.

Each path is a specific imitation of Christ, which is why through communion with him we achieve holiness and communion with God. He does not only give us an example to follow; he empowers us to reconcile with God and remain in communion with him through prayer and the sacraments. This is a life-long project; we can always turn away from our callling, because we are free, but almost invariably that is a recipe for misery in life. Thankfully, through his mercy, as long as we live we can also turn back to him again.

In prayer today ask Our Lord to help you discern what he is calling you to do with your life.

Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; Psalm 145:2–7; Matthew 24:42–51. See also 19th Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday, Cycle C, 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday, and 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

 

20th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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Salvation history is a history of promises fulfilled, and a promise that in the future all the Lord’s promises will be fulfilled. In today’s First Reading the Lord promises to show once again the holiness of his name after his people sullied it through the sins, and he did so through Jesus Christ. He promises to show his holiness through bringing his people home again. He describes how he’ll sprinkle water on them to cleanse them from their impurities and idolatry, a promise fulfilled through Baptism, which not only initiates sinners into Christian life, but also represents turning from other gods to serve the Lord through an act of faith.

He promises us a new heart, a compassionate one to replace the hardened stone heart that only led to misery and sin, and through Baptism we receive the theological virtue and grace of charity. He would put his own Spirit into us, the Holy Spirit, that is poured into our hearts in Baptism and strengthened through the sacrament of Confirmation. Through the Spirit we are empowered to do good and bei holy, so that we may be seen to be God’s People and, one day, reach the definitive Promised Land in eternity.

Ask Our Lord to help you see all the promises he has fulfilled in your salvation history.

Readings: Ezekiel 36:23–28; Psalm 51:12–15, 18–19; Matthew 22:1–14. See also 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday and 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

19th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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In today’s Gospel Our Lord teaches us that math and mercy should not mix. You either forgive someone or you don’t. Peter’s question is really asking how much mercy is too much, and Our Lord responds that mercy is measured by whether it is from the heart, not by how much is forgiven. If you continue to measure mercy you are straying into the field of justice, and justice is exacting and unforgiving. The Heavenly Father is pleased by our mercy, but he also respects our decision when we want to follow the path of justice instead.

The servant in today’s parable was offered mercy, but chose the path of justice instead. In showing a desire for justice from his neighbor for a much smaller debt he showed that justice, at least when it involved him, was more important than mercy, and as a result every penny of an impossible sum would be exacted from him. Peter would deny knowing Our Lord three times, but Our Lord forgave him completely.

Let’s forgive and seek forgiveness from the heart, not from mental math.

Readings: Ezekiel 12:1–12; Psalm 78:56–59, 61–62; Matthew 18:21–19:1. See also 3rd Week of Lent, Tuesday and 19th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday.

18th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year II

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The Lord promises the Israelites through Jeremiah in today’s First Reading that the next covenant he forges with them will be different. The first covenant he made with them was on Mt. Sinai after he had led them out of Egypt, and even as he was writing it on stones for Moses up on the mountain the Israelites were violating it down below in the camp. The new covenant would be written on their hearts, not on a piece of stone.

Our Lord brought about this new covenant in his blood, as he himself said in the Last Supper and we remember in every celebration of the Eucharist. We renew this covenant every time we participate in the Eucharist. It is a covenant born from a profound encounter with God in Jesus Christ. That inner intuition that makes us strive to please him and chides us for displeasing him is the covenant written on our hearts. It is not just our conscience, but the Holy Spirit also working within our hearts.

Let’s show our love for the Lord today by making an extra effort to listen to that voice in our heart that leads us to please and serve him.

Readings: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:12–15, 18–19; Matthew 16:13–23. See also 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, and Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.

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