Tag Archives: salvation

Lent Day 33: Lifted Jesus

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading (Jn 12:20-33) has Jesus approached by Gentiles interested in Him. Now Jesus’ hour has come. He ends His short discourse on this matter this way, with an explanation from John:

“And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. (vv. 32-33)

“Like the crowds who are ‘amazed’ at Jesus’ teaching (7:15) and miracles (7:21), the guards are awed at his teaching: there is something unprecedented about Jesus.” (The Gospel of John [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 45)

when I am lifted up: Refers primarily to the Crucifixion of Christ, as indicated in the next verse, but also hints at his Resurrection and Ascension (CCC 662). See note on Jn 3:14. ● The expression recalls the opening line of Isaiah’s fourth Servant Song, which runs from Is 52:13 to 53:12. The whole song is a prophetic depiction of the suffering of the Messiah, who will be exalted and lifted up in the sight of the nations, but only after he is cast down by his own people. Isaiah interprets the humiliation and death of this Servant as a redemptive sacrifice for sin. draw all men to myself: Points to the worldwide acceptance of the gospel (Mt 28:18–20; Acts 1:8). ● As Isaiah envisioned the Davidic Messiah as an “ensign” posted for the ingathering of the “nations” and the “outcasts of Israel” (Is 11:10–12), so Jesus sees the world gathering around the “sign” of the Cross (CCC 542). (The Gospel of John [Ignatius Catholic Study Bible], 42)

“‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his Ascension into heaven, and indeed begins it. Jesus Christ, the one priest of the new and eternal Covenant, ‘entered, not into a sanctuary made by human hands. . . but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.’ There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he ‘always lives to make intercession’ for ‘those who draw near to God through him’. As ‘high priest of the good things to come’ he is the center and the principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in heaven. (CCC 662)

Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the ‘family of God’. By his word, through signs that manifest the reign of God, and by sending out his disciples, Jesus calls all people to come together around him. But above all in the great Paschal mystery – his death on the cross and his Resurrection – he would accomplish the coming of his kingdom. ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ Into this union with Christ all men are called. (CCC 542)

Knowing how the story ends, or might I rather say, how the story continues, we might think that Jesus is referring to His Ascension when He speaks about being “lifted up.” John quickly disabuses us of this notion. While, as the commentary above says, we can see hints of the Ascension, it is unmistakable that there is no Ascension, no Resurrection, without the Crucifixion. As Jesus says earlier in today’s reading, “it was for this purpose that I came to this hour” (v. 27). He calls us to “hate” our life here so that we “will preserve it for eternal life” (v. 25).

We, too, are called to be drawn to the Cross, that is, to suffering. Not wishing for it — we’re not called to be masochists — but accepting it when it comes (because it always does). I invite you to join me in praying that when pain and suffering come, large and small, that we will have the grace to offer it up for the forgiveness of sins (starting with our own) and the redemption of souls. I will mention, as have before in these posts, the blessing of our faith that informs us of the value of suffering when it is redemptive. For the faithful it is not only a promise, but a requirement:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,* take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Mt 16:24-25)

The second verse echoes what Jesus says in today’s reading. So we ask ourselves: What wouldn’t you endure in the brief moment we traverse this valley of tears for eternal bliss?

Easy? No. Possible? “[F]or God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26). The Lord puts His stamp on this when speaking to Paul:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (1 Cor 12:9)

Let us pray, and pray some more, for the grace of perseverance in trials and tribulation.

The painting below represents to me “everyone” coming to Jesus. We especially think of John, the loan apostle to return to Jesus in His moment of torture, as a representative for all of us when Jesus entrusts His mother to him. Ask for Blessed Mary’s intercession frequently, as she knows suffering as well as anyone.

BP BARRON’S SERMON

Check out today’s sermon from the good bishop who takes a deep dive into Jeremiah 31:31 — the promise of a New Covenant which Jesus gives us at the Last Supper. Super important to understand the New Covenant and the Old Covenant(s).

The Crucifixion (c. 1440) by Fra Angelico

God bless.

Lent Day 5: “Repent and believe in the gospel”

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TODAY’S READINGS

Let’s say something about each of today’s readings with the help of Dr. Bergsma’s The Word of the Lord:

Gn 9:8-15:

“I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” (v. 11)

“The flood illustrates a pattern in salvation history of God’s mercy being greater than his justice. Although God justly could have ended the history of the earth with the flood, nonetheless he has mercy on man and animals by going to great lengths to spare representatives of each kind, and then offers to them a new covenant at the end of the time of judgement, a new covenant which includes a solemn commitment to no longer punish in that same way. We can see the covenant with Noah as a foreshadowing of the New Covenant in Christ, which came after the long punishment of Israel in the exile and opened the door to endless mercy and forgiveness by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.” (pp. 68-69)

Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9:

“Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.” (vv. 4-5)

“This desire is very far from the attitude that is just interested in the ‘minimum’ necessary to ‘get into heaven,’ or what the basic requirements of the Church are in order to ‘get the sacrament,’ or what are the ‘essentials’ that — as long as I observe them — I can ‘do my own thing.'” (p. 70)

1 Pt 3:18-22:

“[Baptism] is not a removal of dirt from the body
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven…” (21-22a)

“Peter describes Baptism as ‘an appeal to God for a clear conscience.’ This unusual formulation can confuse people, but the Apostle means that the rite of Baptism is, in a sense,, a prayer to God for the cleansing of our consciences through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only Baptism can truly clear our consciences by removing and forgiving sin and infusing us with ‘the mind of Christ’ (1 Cor 2:16).

“The Holy Spirit was poured out after the resurrection and ascension — and just as Peter recalled the resurrection and ascension in his sermon at the first Christian Pentecost (Acts 2:24-33), so now he ties the efficacy of Baptism to the resurrection and ascension. Jesus is now enthroned over all spiritual powers and pours out the Spirit on all who come to him in faith and humility — in particular through the waters of Baptism.” (p. 71)

Mk 1:12-15:

“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (v. 15)

“‘This is the time of fulfillment’ — the culmination of all covenants, including that with Noah. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand’ — this means not just ‘it is close,’ but ‘it is here, it has arrived.’ How? In the person of Jesus, who is the King. ‘Repent and believe in the gospel.’ ‘Repent’ means to cease and turn away from our sins. Sin can be defined as selfishness or also as breaking the covenant. Sin is what separates us from God — indeed, the only thing that can separate us, because sin is in its essence a rejection of love, and God is love.” (p. 72)

We are blessed to be Christians living in the time of fulfillment. While God cannot stop loving us (after all, “God is love” [1 Jn 4:8]), and “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39), God forbid that we fully willingly separate ourselves from the love of God through sin we know is serious. And, if we do commit mortal sin, the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), the mercy of God, is just a priest away.

I’ve quoted generously from The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year B. I cannot recommend more highly picking up your own copy — it will enrich your Sundays significantly. Also, consider checking out the weekly podcasts with the author and Scott Hahn, which go even deeper into the Sunday readings. Both are worth every penny — and vastly more.

Finally, following, find some important considerations regarding the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Mark as shared by Jimmy Akin: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/jesus-ministry-begins-9-things-to-know-and-share

REMINDER

My daily ten-minute Eucharist for Lent vidcasts continue today, where we discuss some additional Bible and Eucharist resources before looking once more to the CCC where it provides us a glimpse at the Mass as celebrated in the second century.

God bless.

Lent Day 4: Good Dr. Jesus

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TODAY’S READINGS

The immediate aftermath of the calling of Levi (Lk 5:27-32) gives Jesus an opportunity to impart an important principal on the judgmental Pharisees:

“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (vv. 31-32)

“Jesus did not come to perpetuate Old Covenant standards of righteousness, which were designed to separate Israel from the sins and uncleanness of their Gentile neighbors (Lev 20:26). Jesus brings a new standard of righteousness that tears down the wall that barricades Israel from other nations, as he stretches the boundaries of God’s covenant family to include everyone in need of mercy, even tax collectors and sinners.” (The Gospel of Luke [The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible], 30-31)

“This implies that the sin is the real illness and that ‘tax collectors and sinners’ are the sick who need healing:’I saw their ways, / but I will heal them’ (Isa 57:18). Jesus has just taught this lesson by forgiving the paralyzed man’s sins before healing him physically. By eating with tax collectors and sinners (see Luke 7:34; 15:1-2; 19:5), Jesus does not condone their sins but calls them to repentance. At the end of the Gospel, Jesus will commission his disciples to continue this mission by proclaiming repentance and the forgiveness of sins (24:47).” (The Gospel of Luke [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 120)

“[Jesus] eating with sinners is part of his mission. He does not simply preach to them but associates with them and draws them into fellowship with himself. He has come to call sinners to repentance — to profoundly reformed lives, a reorientation of their thinking and behavior. repentance is not a precondition for associating with Jesus but a consequence of it.” (Bringing the Gospel of Luke to Life, 152)

It seems to me, the biggest problem the Pharisees had is they thought they were righteous. Had they been paying an iota of prayerful attention to Jesus teaching (and certainly they knew it, since they were constantly following Him and looking for ways to accuse Him, denounce Him, and trap Him), they would have come to realize that none are completely righteous — we all are sinners. Yes, some may be in ICU, others in an urgent care, and still others with just a nagging cold, but we all need the Divine Physician to heal us. Self-righteous and judgmental the Pharisees were; what they especially needed was open-heart surgery to give God — who they claimed to know yet missed Him in their midst — access to enter them and transform them.

And so we should also allow the Lord to work on us. Let us go to Dr. Jesus for the diagnosis (we can go daily and it’s free — no costly health insurance required). Following His prescription, we are assured of the prognosis: eternal beatitude.

For related information, check out my friend Mike Aquilina’s article. Even better, dive into a full-length treatment from him, The Healing Imperative.

REMINDER

My daily ten-minute Eucharist for Lent vidcasts continue today, where we continue looking at the CCC, this time focusing on the Last Supper. Also mentioned: an article encouraging us to look at Lent through a Eucharistic lens.

God bless.

Christmas Day 7: The Righteous brothers

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TODAY’S READINGS

The first reading I chose to explore (there are options for each of today’s first two readings and the responsorial psalm) is Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3, where God’s promise of descendants for Abram and his elderly wife comes to fulfillment.

Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. (v. 6)

“In the light of this passage, St. Paul sees Abraham as the model of how a person becomes righteous in God’s eyes — through faith in his word, the definitive word being the announcement that God saves us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. In this way, Abraham not only becomes the father of the Jewish people according to the flesh, but also the father of those who without being Jews have become members of the new people of God through faith in Jesus: ‘We say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received circumcision as a sign or seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, and likewise the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but also follow the example of the faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised’ (Rom 4:9-12).

“Abraham’s faith revealed itself in his obedience to God when he left his homeland (cf. 12:4), and later on when he was ready to sacrifice his son (cf. 22:1-4). This is the aspect of Abraham’s obedience which is given special emphasis in the letter of St. James, inviting Christians to prove the genuineness of their faith with obedience to God and good works: ‘Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God.’ (Jas 2:21-23).” (The Navarre Bible: Pentateuch, 95-96)

Sometimes, in discussions regarding righteousness, Protestants will refer to Romans 4 in defense of sola fide (“faith alone”). But James 2 cannot be ignored or reasoned away. And it certainly cannot be pitted against Paul, as some have tried to do. Here comes into play one of the beauties of Catholic teaching that I often fall back on: “serious attention must be given to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out” (Dei verbum, 12). If anyone ever presents biblical authors contradicting each other on matters of faith and morals, run for the hills! Catholic Answers, as usual, is again helpful here.

The second reading I chose is Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19. This gives us another aspect of faithfulness from a different episode in Abraham’s life, at least a dozen or more years after Gen 15.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol. (vv. 17-19)

“That Abraham was willing to carry out this drastic demand, not knowing why or understanding how it could possibly be compatible with God’s sworn word, is the supreme biblical example of obedient faith. [See the James quote above.]

“Abraham ‘reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead.’ Although Genesis does not say this directly, Hebrews may see it as implied in Abraham’s words to his servants, ‘The boy and I…will worship and then come back to you’ (Gen 22:5). Having experienced God’s faithfulness in the birth of Isaac, Abraham stretched his faith yet further, trusting that God somehow had a solution to this terrible ordeal. And in the very act of sacrifice, when Abraham had totally given up on his son, God intervened and gave back to him that which he surrendered. So ‘he received Isaac back as a symbol.’ Isaac’s restoration to his father is a figure pointing to Christ, the only-begotten Son who was sacrificed not only in intention but in reality, and who was restored in his resurrection from the dead.” (Hebrews [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 242)

I recall some years back, a former classmate of mine posting on social media concerns about the Abraham-Isaac episode involving the sacrificing of the latter. He was struggling greatly with how God could demand such a sacrifice and how Abraham could even entertain it, much less carry it out. I related this passage from Hebrews to him. He seemed to find it helpful, although to what extent, I never learned. One other passage from the biblical incident itself I believe is telling: When asked by his son where the sacrifice is, Abraham answered, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” (Gen 22:8, RSV-CE). When Abraham’s hand is stayed, a ram (not a lamb) is offered in his place. But God did provide Himself as a spotless lamb some two thousand years later when the sacrifice was actually carried out.

Finally, in the Gospel (Lk 2:22-40), we read of another righteous, trusting man of God:

This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple… (vv. 25-27a)

“Being ‘righteous’ means obeying God’s laws (see 1:6); to be ‘devout’ means to revere God and carefully carry out religious duties. Simeon did what God required of him and he hoped for what God promised: he was ‘awaiting the consolation of Israel.’ Many Jews at the time of Jesus had hopes that God would act to restore his people, freeing them from evil and foreign rule, fulfilling promises made through the prophets. Simeon expresses these hopes as God’s ‘consolation of Israel,’ echoing prophecies of Isaiah that speak of God’s consolation, or comfort, for his people (Isaiah 40:1; 49:13; 51:3, 12; 52:9; 57:18; 66:13). Consolation has a note of intimacy, of God comforting his people ‘as a mother comforts her son’ (Isaiah 66:13). ’And the holy Spirit was upon him’; the Holy Spirit who filled Elizabeth and Zechariah and John (1:15, 41, 67) and overshadowed Mary to conceive Jesus (1:35) rests upon Simeon. The following verses tell how the Holy Spirit inspires and guides Simeon.” (Bringing the Gospel of Luke to Life, 69-70)

Two other men in the Gospels are referred to as “righteous”; Joseph and John the Baptist, both of whom pious tradition tells us never personally sinned. I don’t know if that was true for Simeon, but being righteous has its rewards, as Jesus tells us that these will go off to eternal life (see Mt 25:46).

POPE BENEDICT XVI: RIP

One year on, particularly considering the confusion and lack of clarity exacerbated over the intervening period, this holy man is missed more than ever. I hear his private sermons are being published — always good to get more of Benedict

A good website to bookmark: https://www.benedictusxvi.com/pope-em-benedict-xvi

A JOYFUL (AND FUNNY) BISHOP

This YouTube channel came to my attention recently. Check out this video interview (although it hardly is an interview as this prelate needs no prompting). You will be entertained and moved.

I never heard of this man before, and I know nothing else about him, but from what I see here, we need many more like him. Let us pray.

SCREWTAPE

Today I finished C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, finally. I’ve been meaning to read if for years, and finally worked through it. A lot of great tidbits, but not as impressive (to me, at least) as I anticipated. But the concluding section (“Screwtape Proposes a Toast”) is worth the price of the book. Written in 1959, it nails our time like you wouldn’t believe. DEI anticipated. See the pdf for free.

Happy New Year! Let’s redouble our prayers for our Church and our country in what promises to be the most eventful year in some time.

God bless.

Christmas Day 2: An endurance test

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TODAY’S READINGS

The Gospel reading is from Mt 10:17-22. Jesus promises persecution to His followers who are faithful to Him, but a happy denouement.

You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved. (v. 22)

“Persecution has an end, since it is created by man; salvation has no beginning and no end, because it is a participation in the life of God. ’Salvation’ does not come at the end of a persecution simply as a reward for having withstood the trials now past. ’Salvation’ is a full flowering and sure manifestation of that divine Presence that has been active all along in the believer’s witness. ’Salvation’ is the seed of trust and faith come full term ans yielding the fruit of indefectible glory. The physical mobility of Christians, as they flee persecution from city to city, is in eloquent contrast to their interior stability, grounded as they are in the confession of the one Name.” (Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word, Vol. I, 570)

“The phrase ‘to the end’ can have different meanings. It might mean to the end of a particular persecution. It might mean to the ends of one’s life (verse 21). It might mean to the end of the present age, when Jesus will return (verse 23). Each of these possible meanings is linked with a corresponding meaning of being saved. If “the end means the end of a persecution, then being saved means surviving it. If the end is the end of one’s life, then being saved means receiving eternal life. If the end is the return of Jesus, then being saved means being rescued from the tribulation that was expected when this age comes to an end (see 24:29). It is not clear which meaning Jesus primarily intended for his listeners. Readers of Matthew’s gospel today might best understand Jesus to be speaking of the end of their days on earth and take his words as a promise of eternal life if they endure in their faith.” (Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life, 194)

With the second quote, I can’t help but recall a preacher years ago speaking of those who obsess about when the end of time will occur, scouring Scripture for clues, attempting to read the “signs of the time” and, from that, making predictions. His message: we don’t know when the end of the world is coming but we know for sure that our end is coming, so be prepared! I have long been content with Jesus’ exclamation, further along in Matthew, to those to whom He was speaking regarding His ultimate return:

But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone…
Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. (Mt 24:36, 42)

This reading promises that persecution will be part and parcel of being a faithful follower of Jesus — from the Lord’s own mouth. Fleeing from tribulations because of our faith is a fool’s errand. If we truly believe, we embrace our cross, whatever the cost. Our lives are less than a millisecond in the clock of eternity. May we never compromise our beliefs in the slightest and put our salvation in question. Yes, hostility toward religion in general, Christianity in particular, and Catholicism most specifically, continues to grow. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude to withstand the ongoing persecution, that will continue to grow.

ST. STEPHEN, DEACON AND MARTYR

A good article for reflection. Yesterday we celebrated God’s birth on earth; today we celebrate the first Christian martyr’s birthday into heaven. The entrance of the second made possible by the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the first.

To learn more about this great saint, check out CatholicOnline, a go to spot for saints’ stories.

And to my deacon friends: being on the front lines, you are bound to experience little martyrdoms often. Pray for the strength to continue your witness despite it all. Who knows? God may use you to turn a misguided Saul into a zealous Paul.

St. Stephen, pray for us.

God bless.

Saint Stephen (c. 1575) by Luis de Morales