Tuesday

2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

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In today’s First Reading the prophet Samuel has certain expectations for what the new king of Israel will be like. He’s expecting another Saul, someone tall and strong, with a great presence and bold spirit. One by one he sees the qualities of each of Jesse’s sons (except one), but the Lord doesn’t choose any of them, because he sees the heart, not just appearances. The Lord knows who he is going to pick, but by going through every son of Jesse but the last he is reminding Samuel, and us, not to judge by appearances nor expect our appearances to mean anything to him. In the end the Lord chooses little David, seen as so insignificant that he was sent to do chores while his father and brothers focused on more important things, and who became a great king.

When we’re interested in a job we focus a lot on externals–our personal presentation, the polish of our resume, how to show we’d be a good fit–but if we’re truly interested in our lives, which go beyond a job, we have to focus on our hearts, because that’s what the Lord sees, and that’s what the Lord cares about above all, not just for his glory, but for our good. We can fudge a little to try and get a better job or recognition, but the Lord sees us in our hearts exactly as we are. That can be a source of anxiety or a source of strength, depending on how we see our own heart.

Ask Our Lord today what he thinks of your heart: it’s a chance for great consolation and great conversion.

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; Psalm 89:20–22, 27–28; Mark 2:23–28. See also 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday and 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday.

1st Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

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In today’s Gospel the crowds see something different in this young rabbi from Nazareth just starting his teaching. Why do his words have a weight to them that they didn’t find in their scribes? They bear the weight of truth. Something resonates in us when we hear the truth, and for the crowds in today’s Gospel they know Our Lord’s teaching rings true: it speaks to something in their hearts, be it a call to conversion or a confirmation of the upright life they’re trying to lead. We need the truth, and Our Lord is the truth in Person.

Society today focuses a lot on opinion, but often doesn’t go very deep. In today’s First Reading the priest Eli misjudges Hannah pouring our her heart to the Lord for drunkenness, and judges her accordingly. Eli soon found he was wrong, but if he hadn’t spoken up he would have never found out or joined his prayers to Hannah’s. Today many people don’t want to speak out at all for fear of being labelled as judgmental, but also, at times, out of a mistaken idea that two apparently irreconcilable beliefs can be true: everyone’s got their “truth” and nobody should question it. This attitude loses sight of the fact that there is a truth to everything, and we’re all seeking to understand it and embrace it in our lives. The Gospel brought to us by Our Lord brings that truth to us. It helps us cut through opinions that may veil untruths.

The Gospel today has been preached for millennia, but it’s the truth that sets us free. Let’s listen to Our Lord with renewed attention today through his Word, confident that it is the truth, and not be shy about helping others learn the truth as well.

Readings: 1 Samuel 1:9–20; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4–8d; Mark 1:21–28. See also 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.

Tuesday after Epiphany

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Today’s Gospel reminds us why Christmas happened at all. The compassionate gaze of Our Lord is the same as the one he had from Heaven when he saw his creation lost and disoriented by sin, hungering for meaning in their lives. Even now back at the Father’s right hand he directs that same compassionate gaze toward us. Maybe we don’t see him seated before us and teaching us, speaking quietly to his disciples and asking them to take care of us too, but in every celebration of the Eucharist the same thing happens.

In parishes and chapels throughout the world we all form small groups of believers, but all those groups are gathered around Christ, who through the Blessed Sacrament is able to be with all of us. The Word of God is read and its meaning explained by bishops, priests, and deacons who’ve been entrusted with continuing Our Lord’s mission to preach the Gospel and to care for his flock. Simple bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, the Bread of Life that eventually will end all hunger in us and satisfies our deepest needs.

A few days of the Christmas season remain. Let’s show our gratitude for Our Lord’s compassion by being his instruments of compassion to those we know who are in spiritual or material need.

Readings: 1 John 4:7–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 3–4, 7–8; Mark 6:34–44. See also 1st Week of Advent, Wednesday and 2nd Week of Easter, Friday.

1st Week of Advent, Tuesday

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In today’s Gospel Our Lord invites us to consider the mysteries of faith with childlike simplicity and wonder, not as an intellectual accomplishment or the fruit of our efforts. The time of Advent is a time of renewing our wonder at how the Lord chose to reestablish communication with us after the Fall: by becoming flesh and dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.

The Christ-child in the manger at Bethlehem speaks more volumes than the most illustrious professor. Contemplating the Son of God, small and weak, has captured the hearts and imaginations of saints throughout the centuries. Contemplating Our Lord’s coming at Christmas and the way in which he is coming reminds us that this is an unmerited blessing and gift from God that many before his coming were longing for.

Advent has barely begun. Let’s renew our sense of silent and simple wonder at the great blessing that will come on Christmas night.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12, 13, 17; Luke 10:21–24.

34th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

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In today’s Gospel Our Lord predicts the destruction of the Temple, but also addresses the question of whether this will signify the end of the world. Although his disciples didn’t understand it at the time, he was preparing us all for the long haul. He warns us that whenever we think we have it figured out it is just as sign that we don’t. The societal upheaval in Palestine around the destruction of the Temple is just one of many since Our Lord gave this teaching: in the centuries that followed the very Romans who destroyed the Temple had their own empire fall, and in the East, Greek culture was overrun by Islamic culture.

In some parts of the world, even today, there are cultural upheavals and uprisings. Our Lord said they would come, but they are not a sign that the end is going to happen immediately. There will be cultural upheavals and natural disasters, but Our Lord tells us to not be terrified by them and to not follow the first person who comes along in his name saying he’s the Savior or that the end has arrived. Obviously on a natural and human level we’d have to be terrified by the thought of such events, but Our Lord invites us today to live these things on a supernatural level: with faith in him and hope that good will triumph.

Let’s renew our faith and hope today in the Son of Man, knowing that whatever upheavals may come, he will sustain us and triumph in the end.

Readings: Daniel 2:31–45; Daniel 3:57–61; Gospel Luke 21:5–11.