Year II

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.

25th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Year II

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The proverbs in today’s First Reading remind us that wisdom is worth seeking and no one has a monopoly on it. It goes hand in hand with being an upright person. As the second proverb reminds us today, our conscience is not only formed by ourselves, but in conformity with what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Situations arise where our righteousness is put to the test, and in those moments it’s revealed how strong or how weak it is.

Although the word in not used in today’s First Reading, humility helps wisdom to grow. The proud, the rash, and the deceptive ultimately fail in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of the wise.

Some people today don’t have “grow in wisdom” on their list of to-do’s today. Let’s move it to the top of our list and ask Our Lord to help us.

Readings: Proverbs 21:1–6, 10–13; Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34–35, 44; Luke 8:19–21. See also 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday and 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.

25th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading we’re taught that we shouldn’t put off a good that we can do for another. Isn’t sharing the Gospel, the Good News, the greatest good that we can share? So why hesitate?  Keeping good news to ourselves is like putting a lit lamp in an empty closet and closing the door: it only illuminates a fraction of its potential.

Some people want to lock this light in a closet and throw away the key, but Our Lord reminds us in today’s Gospel that the Good News will be revealed, one way or another. Sometimes the Good News may not seem so good to us, when it implies renunciation and the cross, but this news is a good that never stops being new or being good, if we have faith and strive to let it truly illuminate our lives.

Let’s help the light of faith stay high and bright in our lives and in the world.

Readings: Proverbs 3:27–34; Psalm 15:2–4b, 5; Luke 8:16–18. See also 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.

24th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, Year II

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In today’s First Reading Paul tries to explain to the Christians at Corinth what the Resurrection will be like for them. Most of his imagery describes something in perfect condition and full bloom. What will a glorified life be like? Will we all be like Golden Age superheroes? Maybe not just in the way we think of them usually: superpowers and perfect bodies. When we are risen the world will be saved definitively. No new threats, either within us, due to our sin or our poor health, nor in the world, suffering and wondering what evil may be around the next corner.

The last part of the parable in today’s Gospel also gives us an idea: “they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” Sometimes we think of the “super” part of the equation, but we forget about the “hero” part. In a glorified life we will be heroes because we’ll have conquered evil inside us and in the world. We’ll enjoy no longer being short-tempered or weak willed. In short, the virtues we’ve striven to heroically live will become second nature.

With hope in the glorified life that awaits us, let’s strive to be heroes in virtue and help Our Lord save the world.

Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:35–37, 42–49; Psalm 56:10c–14; Luke 8:4–15. See also 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday and Friday.

24th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, Year II

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Why does Paul insist so much on faith in the Resurrection in today’s First Reading? Why do we insist so much on faith in the Resurrection at all? The Resurrections is not just a teaching; it is a crucial event at the core of salvation history. As Paul himself recalls in his letter to the Romans (see Romans 5:12-21), death came into the world when sin came into the world; it is a consequence of sin. Death is the ultimate sentence for the crime of our sins; even when we plead ignorance for what we’ve done, we know that someday that sentence will be carried out.

With the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ we know that death does not have the last word. Christ’s Resurrection conquered sin and death. We pray in the liturgy that life does not end with death; it only changes. We believe that because of the Resurrection. Even when it seems the tide of evil swells in this world, in Christ we know that evil will not prevail. The Resurrection is proof of that, an event testified to by countless Christians down the centuries, even at the cost of their life.

Faith in the Resurrection helps us to renew our earthly life and prepare for eternity. Let’s ask Our Lord to show us today where our outlook on life could use an injection of that faith.

Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:12–20; Psalm 17:1b–d, 6–7, 8b, 15; Luke 8:1–3. See also 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday.