Today we continue our Sunday sequence from Mark (6:30-34).  The apostles return to Jesus after being sent to evangelize, heal, and exorcise, telling Him of their exploits.  Hoping to give them a well-deserved rest, Jesus tries to steal them away to a deserted place.  But the people got wind of their plans and beat them there.  Jesus, pitying them in their ignorance, begins to teach them.  We should see this as Jesus’ attitude toward the world today.  It is tempting for us to think, in our righteous anger, that God’s judgment against the growing evil in our country and many countries is coming soon if not overdue.  But remember John the Evangelist’s words: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (Jn 3:17).  Instead of being despondent or angry over the state of things in our day, let us work to change them.  We must start at home with prayer and reform of our lives and the uplifting of our family there.  Let us be models of true Christianity.  Love God and love others by seeing others as God sees them.  Let us not be quick to condemn, but to pity them for not knowing the Lord (whether in fact or in the biblical sense).  Jesus showed His pity by teaching them.  So we must also be instructors through example and word.  When we “repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15) others will surely want what we have based on the fruits of that sincerely held and followed decision.  Let God work through our humble obedience to bring the world back to Him.

Yesterday we moved ahead a bit in chapter 12 (Mt 12:14-21) to come to hear of the Pharisees’ plot to put Jesus to death.  Jesus becomes aware of this and gets out of town, but heals those who pursue Him asking them not to publicize their newly acquired wholeness.  The passage ends with a long prophecy from Isaiah (42:1-4) — from which the headline is taken — in which the prophet foretells of a meek man who brings justice and hope in the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles.  The Old Testament words here are of the Father to the Son.  But they should be our words to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Further on in Isaiah we here this: “I will rejoice heartily in the LORD, my being exults in my God; for he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is 61:10).  These words recall Mary’s Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55) and Zechariah’s Benedictus (Lk 1:67-79).  Imagine the joy that overwhelmed the hearts of the prophet, the mother of God, and the father of John the Baptist that led them to utter these sentiments!  These things they said were meant for the world to hear, and so they have been for thousands of years as canonized in the Bible.  Don’t hesitate to tell others of the reason for your joy (cf. 1 Pt 3;15) and make sure to live the example of that joy so that others will see its authenticity and desire to have it (and ultimately, the source of it).

Two days ago, we heard from the beginning of chapter 12 of Matthew (vv. 1-8).  Jesus finds Himself again at odds with the Pharisees — this time because His disciples are pulling and eating grain on the Sabbath.  To counter the Pharisees’ objections, Jesus points out that David did something similar on the Sabbath (1 Sam 21:1-6), and that the priests serving in the temple are also not guilty for violating the Sabbath (Num 28:9-10).  Jesus tells them that something greater in the temple is in their midst and that He is Lord of the Sabbath.  He tells them they don’t know the meaning of the words at top (Hos 6:6) because if they did they would not condemn His men for their actions that day.  Sacrifice is not a bad thing.  The countless required sacrifices of the Old Testament were meant to separate the Chosen People from their idolatrous ways.  Jesus’ sacrifice of His life was required for our salvation.  Sacrifice of blood, treasure, and time throughout the ages has served to build up the Kingdom.  Our personal sacrifices on a daily basis help loved ones  Fasting, almsgiving, and charitable work all can bring us and others closer to God as they help their material needs.  But if we do all of these things, but don’t show love and mercy, we’ve gained nothing (cf. 1 Cor 13:3).  If we fast but are miserable to ourselves and others, we are not doing God’s will (cf. Mt 6:16).  If we give to charity, telling everyone of our generosity and expecting accolades (Lk 18:9-14), we are a noisy gong (cf. 1 Cor 13:1).  The ideal is to integrate mercy and sacrifice so that increasing the latter causes the former to do the same.  Let us pray for an increase in virtue leading to true integration in our lives.

The very short passage for today (Mt 11:28-30) continues Jesus declaration from yesterday.  He starts with the words above and then continues on telling His hearers (i.e., us) to take on the easy burden He places on them while they strive to imitate His meekness and humility.  Doing this they will find rest.  True peace cannot be found outside of Jesus Christ.  Yet when we unburden ourselves to Him, we find a calm that goes beyond the mere physical into the spiritual.  We must give up to the Lord what weighs us down: sin, anxiety, negative thoughts, weighty worldly matters.  Jesus has already done the heavy lifting.  He died so we could have life forever.  What do we wish those who have passed away?  “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord” or “Rest in peace.”  This rest and peace that goes beyond all understanding may come after a hard life of toil, pain, heartache, difficulty, and suffering.  But our life on earth is a mere wisp in the context of eternity.  Let us never hesitate to put our complete trust in the Lord, giving Him those things that bring us down and serve to distance our relationship with Him, so that He can lift us up in this life and in the next.  Then we can be an instrument of this peace to everyone we encounter.

After excoriating the unfaithful towns (the last day’s passage) Jesus makes known that it is the childlike that receive His message (Mt 11:25-27).  The Father has handed all things to the Son and the Son reveals the Father to whomever He chooses.  This is a very important passage.  Any proper understanding of God must be as Trinity.  Without Jesus, the Eternal Word, the Only Begotten Son, an understanding of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is incomplete at best or incorrect at worst.  Jesus as Word comes down to us fully, thanks to the faithfulness and safeguarding of the Church, in forms written (Scripture) and oral (Tradition).  To the extent that non-Catholic faith traditions (Christian or otherwise) affirm these they are honoring the divine revelation of the Son transmitted by the Holy Spirit ( “[T]he separated Churches and Communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, have been by no means deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation.” Unitatis Redintegratio 3; “[The Catholic Church] regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.” Nostra Aetate 2).  Where they don’t embrace or alter the proper understanding of this revelation, they fall short.  Thus it is vitally important for us to carry on the work of Christ.  We Catholics, who have been entrusted the fullness of divine revelation, have a responsibility to know it and to share it (cf. 1 Pt 3:15 and Mt 28:19-20).  Can we possibly keep such a joyful message, such Good News, from anyone who doesn’t have it fully?  Pray the Lord send workers for the harvest (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2) and let it began with us.

Advancing the story just a bit, we find Jesus addressing the towns He had visited that remained unrepentant (Mt 11:20-24).  These experienced His miraculous works but did not change their ways.  Jesus points out cities of historical infamy that would have converted and been saved if the same was done within their limits.  What happens if they remain steeped in their evil ways?  The closing line (at top) is what they can anticipate.  Now that we’ve had nearly two thousand years of the Church, how much progress has been made?  As society in general sinks deeper and deeper into depravity one must wonder: How did we get here?  This is a worldwide epidemic but we need go no further than the United States to consider this question.  In a country where about 75% of the population purports to be Christian (the number was significantly higher not so many years ago) how is it that abortion on demand is the law of the land?  How is it that pornography is rampant and a multi-billion dollar industry?  How is it that same sex “marriage” is being legalized in more and more states?  How it it that the breakdown of the family is at epidemic proportions, with so many couples living in sin and out-of-wedlock births skyrocketing?  How is it that serious violence is on the rise?  They are supposed to know that we are Christians by our love.  Yet there is no authentic love in any of the situations just described.  How did  we let it get to this point?  And what are we going to do to stop this evil in its tracks and reverse all these horrible trends?  This country is under the protection of Our Lady under her title as the Immaculate Conception (formally since 1857).  Let us pray for her intercession under this title and may all Christians — nay, all the people — come to her for her unfailing aid.  May she no longer be forgotten, ignored, belittled, or despised.  The pure and sinless one said “Fiat!” to life, no to impurity, and no to hate.   May her example and prayers embolden us to change the world starting with ourselves.

Today’s gospel reading records Jesus’ final words to His apostles before sending them out on their mission (Mt 10:34-11:1).  Jesus begins by saying He has come to set family members against each other.  He adds that He must be loved more than any family member and that his followers must suffer with Him and be willing to die for Him.  Finally, Jesus tells of the blessings that will be bestowed on those who receive His disciples will receive much more as a reward.  On that note Jesus leaves to preach and teach.  His words were challenging to His apostles and they have challenged countless millions since that time.  In recent years in particular the notion of “health and wealth gospel” has been popular; earthly prosperity is tied to following Jesus faithfully.  Related to this is the idea that Jesus suffered for us so we don’t have to suffer; if we do have hardships it is due to a lack of faith.  Neither of these perspectives corresponds to Jesus’ words at top and the ones that follow them in the passage.  Jesus did not take away our suffering and death in this world but rather sanctified both; neither has the last word.  Imitating Christ, a worthy aim, includes the good and the bad.  When sadness or suffering come we can certainly ask the Lord to take them from us (cf. 2 Cor 12:8), but if He doesn’t, we have an opportunity to offer these to Christ for our good and the good of the entire Church (Col 1:24).  If we are unwilling to do this, the eternal consequences are likely to be dire.

For Sunday we turn back to Mark (6:7-13).  Today we hear of Jesus sending out the apostles two by two with only a single tunic and sandals, and a walking stick.  When they are welcomed into a home they are to stay there for the entire time.  If their words or presence are unwelcome they are to testify against the place.  Then they go off preaching repentance, exorcising the possessed, and anointing the sick.  It is interesting that the apostles first words in their ministry had to do with repentance.  It should be no surprise since Mark records Jesus first words upon opening His public ministry as: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (1:15).  But why must repentance come first?  Because we are not properly disposed to receive the fullness of the truth until we give up sin and vice.  Any evil ways to which we cling (and mortal sin completely) only serve to block the graces needed to comprehend God’s word to the fullest extent possible and then to live it well.  To take it further, even having undue attachment to objectively good things can be a hindrance to our life in Christ if they seriously impinge on prayer, study, and good works.  Regular (daily, ideally) examination of conscience “in what I have done and in what I have failed to do” (from the Confiteor at Sunday Mass) will prepare us well for regular sacramental confession (at least monthly) so that we will become more open to the help the Lord so much wants to give in this ordinary means of grace.

Jesus continues to prepare His apostles for their mission (Mt 10:24-33).  He warns them of the evil names they will be called considering they follow Him who has been called the devil.  But they should not be afraid.  All will come to light.  They are to proclaim the gospel to all without inhibition.  If they are killed for doing so, they need not fear death in the Lord who will acknowledge them before the Father; to be feared is death apart from the Lord in which case they will be denied before the Father and will consign themselves to eternal destruction.  Who causes us to fear on this earth?  Are we quiet when it comes to the gospel or in the face of evil because we feel incompetent to do so, might offend someone, become ostracized, or worse?  Remember that we have the Word on our side: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16; see also 1 Thess 5:14).  Read, study, pray, and live the Bible.  Learn what the Church teaches.  Then teaching, refutation, and correction (always in love — cf. Eph 4:15) will flow naturally.  This does not mean one has to be perfectly knowledgeable or impeccable to be a witness.  God knows the apostles weren’t.  But being grounded in the truth and having a sure source for that truth (the Church) we can go out in confidence.  Pray that we be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we become better, more effective, and more faithful witnesses (i.e., martyrs).

Jesus continues to prepare His apostles for their mission to preach the gospel (Mt 10:16-23).  He tells them that they can anticipate unjust treatment, arrest, and torture.  They are to preach to pagans by words given them by the Holy Spirit.  They will see much death as a result of spreading the truth and will be despised because of it (see above) but also saved because of it (again, above).  When persecution comes their way they are to head off to the next town.  Jesus promises to return before their task is even finished.  Maybe there have been times when we have been looked down on, ostracized, criticized, or otherwise taken to task for expressing our Christian beliefs in word or action.  If we are used to being affirmed in our faith convictions, this can be quite a shock. But we should take comfort in these words from the Beatitudes, which Jesus essentially reiterates (above): “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 5:11).  Maybe easier said than done, but let us take Jesus’ apostles themselves, who clearly lived Christ’s teaching, as examples for us: “After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.  So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts 5:40-41).  Learn the Word, love the Word, live the Word, spread the Word.  Do all of this, invoking the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and His gifts (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord).