Holiday

First Reading: Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Psalm: Ps 81:3-6, 10-11ab -- Sing with joy to God our help
Gospel: Mt 13:54-58
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

The Lord said to Moses,
"These, then, are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate at their proper time with a sacred assembly." - Leviticus 23:1,4

Friends,

In today's reading, God is telling, nay, commanding that we take a holiday. In fact, he has three of them in mind. Let's take a look at them briefly:

The Passover: Recalling the time of flight from Egypt, where God worked many wonders to help his people.

The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month, at the evening twilight. The fifteenth day of this month is the LORD'S feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. - Leviticus 23:5-6

Day of Atonement: Recognition by the people of Israel that they are in need of the great mercy of God.

"The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement, when you shall hold a sacred assembly and mortify yourselves and offer an oblation to the LORD." - Leviticus 23:27

Feast of Booths: Recalling the time spent in the desert, when the Lord led them. Also a celebration of the harvest.

The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the LORD'S feast of Booths, which shall continue for seven days. - Leviticus 23:34

Each of these holy days is accompanied with a list of things that the Israelites are to do in memory of the Exodus and as worship for the Lord. Among those things is the command that no work shall be done on certain days. Furthermore, each day has a period before or after where preparation and offerings are to be made.

In our own day (at least, here in the U.S.), we have lots of holidays throughout the year. Each holiday has a certain event associated with it: 4th of July - fireworks, Thanksgiving - turkey and feasting, St. Patrick's Day - green, etc. We also have certain behaviors that are expected (or at least encouraged) on these days also. Yet, it seems to me that we often begin to forget, in the midst of all the activities, why certain holidays are being celebrated. When we think of the fireworks on the 4th, we don't think much of the great moment in our history, or the great price paid to realize the dream declared that day. Likewise, we don't spend a lot of time afterward thinking about either the holiday, or the history behind it.

A sharp contrast are the Catholic celebrations of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. These are periods of the year specifically set aside to do as was originally intended: reflect up to the holiday on the greatness of what happened these two days that changed our entire world, and then to reflect after them on the many blessings that God has given to us.

One does not need to wait until December or spring to celebrate, however. We are given a chance every week to celebrate and commemorate the greatest event in all of human history. That is the importance of attending Mass on Sunday, to recall the wonders our God has done for us. Furthermore, we have a period of a few days (six, in fact) where we can reflect and continue to offer thanks.

"For six days work may be done; but the seventh day is the sabbath rest, a day for sacred assembly, on which you shall do no work. The sabbath shall belong to the LORD wherever you dwell." - Leviticus 23:3

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for giving us great days to celebrate and the tradition to remember why they are important to us and to you. Lord, help us to recognize and adore the wonderful celebration of the Mass. Grant that we might grow in love of this sacred event, where we are joined with your beloved Son. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Teachers

First Reading: Ex 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm: Ps 84:3-6a, 8a, 11 -- How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Gospel: Mt 13:47-53

And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." - Matthew 13:52

Friends,

In today's gospel, we hear more parables on the kingdom and how we will be separated, the just from the unjust, at the time of judgment. But more than that, we we hear a statement from Jesus that seems almost out of place among the rest of the parables; the last one he speaks before departing (shown above). Jesus presents this after he seems to have finished and asks whether the disciples understand. It almost seems an afterthought.

In Jesus' time, the scribes are those lucky people that were educated. They would be like the college undergraduate today. After receiving the basic education (scribe) they would continue on for particular training in a high office, like a lawyer or a doctor does today. Some scribes were tasked with the copying and preserving of the Torah and the laws of Moses. It is also the task of these scribes to teach and interpret the law for the rest of the Jews.

In this light, Jesus meaning with his parting message becomes more clear, and it takes on a very personal meaning. He is instructing his disciples to be as scribes, to record what he is telling them and to interpret it properly for the people. Not everyone is to interpret, but those who have been instructed, given understanding. Furthermore, they are to use both the new (Jesus teaching) along with the old (the Old Testament and laws of Moses) to teach and instruct. Our salvation is in the New Testament, but its history, and therefore, understanding of it, are within the Old Testament.

In our own day, we should take note also. At the time Jesus was speaking, every person was expected to be familiar with the Torah, so the people to whom he was speaking already had a basic knowledge of the scripture. The more learned were the ones who read deep into meanings and interpreted, but they were also the ones who rejected Jesus when he came. They were so caught up in their own interpretations that they could not see the true one staring them in the face. Thus, we are given a directive and a warning. Those who have understanding are to instruct those whose understanding is not complete, as the master of the storehouse distributes to all. However, we must be very careful not to get caught up with interpreting and lose sight of the plain message.

At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." - Matthew 11:25

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for sending us teachers to guide us truly in your word. Lord, grant that we who attempt to share your good news with others may be guided by the Holy Spirit. Lead us, Lord, that we might not lead others astray. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Radiance

First Reading: Ex 34:29-35
Psalm: Ps 99:5-7, 9 -- Holy is the Lord our God
Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42
Memorial of Saint Martha

Whenever Moses entered the presence of the LORD to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded.
Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the LORD. - Exodus 34:34-35

Friends,

Have you ever seen someone that looks so happy that they look like they are "glowing"? It's a frequent thing to hear at weddings and at the birth of a new baby. When people are in a state of joy, they seem to radiate that happiness to the world in an almost luminous way.

Today's reading gives us a glimpse of what happens as we come near to God. When Moses goes up the mountain to speak with the Lord, he is changed in appearance. This change is so dramatic that he needs to cover his face in order to not dazzle the eyes of his brother and the elders. They are not speaking of a metaphorical change, but an actual, physical change that comes about from being in the presence of the Lord.

In our own experiences, we know of people that, as they get closer to the Lord, are changed. They begin to act differently in relation to others, are more patient, more generous and more forgiving. Such people are more likely to be happy or have a jovial attitude. The wonder of these changes is that they are not only apparent to those that believe; even those who do not believe in Christ or God will note these changes and remark that they are for the better. Let us do all that we can to draw near the Lord and to Christ, not only for our own joy, but that through that closeness, our appearance might be a witness to our brothers and sisters who are still at a distance.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. - Matthew 13:43

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for the marvels of your hand, that all creation shines as it draws near to you. Lord, as we continue on our journey, help us to draw near to you. Let your word transform us, as it transformed Moses and guide us, that we might shine with your love and be a strong witness to the world. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Weeds and the Wheat

First Reading: Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28
Psalm: Ps 103:6-13 -- The Lord is kind and merciful
Gospel: Mt 13:36-43

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. - Matthew 13:41-42

Friends,

A very common objection to Christianity goes something like this: "If God is so powerful, why doesn't He destroy evil immediately, or prevent it from harming us if He loves us?" There are variations all over, with some of the most vehement coming from those who refuse to believe that a loving God would let people go to Hell. After all, they argue, if He loved us, then He wouldn't punish us forever for the little grievances we cause.

In today's gospel reading, Jesus explains to us why suffering exists in our world. When humanity was made, we were put into a pristine place for growing; the Master had planted good seed in a good field(see Genesis 1:31). However, the Enemy crept in and sowed the weeds of his malice, bitterness and spite among us. The Master tells his servants not to uproot the weeds, because in doing so, it would destroy the wheat (us humans). They must grow together for a time, so that a good harvest is possible (the maximum number of people saved). The bad was not intended, but now that it is here, it cannot be removed without destroying much that could be saved.

Jesus tells us that the wheat is the children of God and that the weeds are the children of the Evil One. When one looks at wheat and weed, it is easy to note the differences of the mature plants from one another. That is to say, it is easy to tell human from devil and so they can easily be separated. It is also of note what a weed does: it takes water and nutrients from the surrounding plants, but does not provide fruit or grain. This will cause the wheat that it surrounds to wither, or not bear good grain. So too with us. If we allow the demons to surround us and intertwine their "roots" with ours, then we will be choked and wither; the chaff will not bear fruit and will be cast into the fire with the weeds.

Finally, it is important for us to note carefully the words of Jesus: "they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers." The first listed are the those who draw others into sin. Their punishment is also crystal clear. This is a warning to us. We must do all that we can not to lead others into sin, either through our actions or our witness. If we choose to be among the good wheat, we must not get comfortable with the weeds.

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. - Matthew 18:6

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for your teachings, and for revealing to us your love. Lord, as we grow, help us to be as the good wheat, which resists the weeds and bears good fruit. Grant that we might not be lost among the weeds at the harvest, but be gathered back you you. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Idolatry

First Reading: Ex 32:15-24, 30-34
Psalm: Ps 106:19-23 -- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
Gospel: Mt 13:31-35

You know well enough how prone the people are to evil.
They said to me, 'Make us a god to be our leader; as for the man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ - Exodus 32:22-23

Friends,

A friend of mine once stated, "The Israelites must be the stupidest people in history. They had signs from God almost every day and they still wouldn't follow him." At the time, I didn't have much to say to him about it, as the problem vexed me as well. How could a people who had seen the wonders God had done for them (he had spoken to them directly only a few weeks prior) turn away from Him so quickly?

As we've looked at before, many people say that if they were to see the miracles of God that they would believe in him. However, we have also seen what the people said and did when those miracles actually occurred in their midst. Throughout the old and new testaments, there are examples of how great works were done when the people cried out to God, and then many of those same people forgot very quickly what the Lord had done for them and went back to their old habits. After the death of Joshua, in the time of the Judges, the people continue to go up to the "high places" to sacrifice to foreign gods. In the time of the kings, Solomon began to worship the gods of his heathen wives, Manasseh undid many of the reforms of Hezekiah (his father) and many other, far worse things (see 2 Chronicles 33:1-10).

In our own time, we don't seem to do much better than the Israelites. Idolatry is, sadly, still alive and well. Worship of money, television and other items in our lives. Some of us let science slip in to take the place of God, hoping that it will save us. Others place their hope in human laws, determined that their viewpoint be recognized. In some places, people demand that their own image be worshipped; that they be viewed as a god. Idolatry is the worship of anything but the one True God, so examples abound.

However, it is also important to note the actions of Moses immediately after the golden calf incident. Just before today's reading, God seems set to destroy the Israelites for their hardness of heart, but Moses pleads that they be spared. Later, after he sees for himself what the Israelites have done, he goes back up to speak with the Lord, begs forgiveness for the people and asks that he be able to stand with his people, whatever their punishment may be. In this, we see an image of Christ. Through our actions, we incite the wrath of God, but Jesus, who has not committed our sins, stands with us and takes the punishment we should have had.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for being merciful to us, despite our wanderings and failings. Lord, help us to recognize when something is competing with you for our worship, or if we cannot, then send someone to wake us up to the dangers of idolatry. Grant that we may always place you at the center of our lives, that we might worship you forever in the banquet of Heaven. We ask all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.