July 22, 2009 The Feast of Mary Magdalene

Wednesday July 22, 2009 The Feast of Mary Magdalene
Readings: Song of Songs 3: 1-4 2 Cor. 5: 14-17 Psalm 63: 2-9 John 20: 2, 11-18
Psalm Response: “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God”

We seldom realize the poetic value of the first reading as a pre-revelation of the message of the Gospel of John read today. However, on reflection we should be able to visualize the message as clearly a precursor of the early morning visit to the burial grounds where Mary of Magdalene didn’t find the Lord and later found her love, Jesus.

St. Paul also poetically refers to our mortal selves as “the flesh”, corruptible and doomed to extinction one day. Therefore, he tells us we are to take on the immortality of Jesus Who dies for our salvation and brings new life to our mortal bodies,if we believe. If we are one with Christ, we not only have an incorruptible body but we are a new creation capable of death no longer.

The psalmist confirms our dependence on Christ for our existence. We are not able to breathe in and out without His say-so. If we depend on Him He will provide our needs.

Mary Magdalene was an early bird. She came to Jesus tomb, unaware the stone had been rolled away and wondered as she walked, “Who would remove the stone", for it was more than she could manage. Surprised by the fact someone had moved the stone she peered into the tomb and when Jesus wasn’t there she scurried back to the upper room and told the Apostles Peter and John. They scoffed at the idea and it wasn’t until they ran to the tomb and saw for themselves He was gone, they began to believe women could be depended upon to tell the facts without embellishment.
For being the first to see Christ in His risen excellence, talking to Him and grasping at His countenance, she was the first witness to the Resurrection and the Apostle(one who is sent) to bring the good news to her friends.
We may not be privy to this kind of revelation, however, each time we partake of the Eucharist we become witnesses to the truth Christ imparted to His people on the night before He died.

July 23, 2009 Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Exodus 19: 1-2,9-11, 16-20b Daniel 3: 52-56 Matthew 13: 10-17
Psalm Response: "Glory and Praise forever!"

Mt. Sanai was considered by the Hewbrew people God's special mountai. Although He had created all the universe, there are places He holds to be sacred; the rightful place of God and worthy of homage.
While the people trambled at the manifestation of God, the thunder and lightening, coupled by the fire and the smoke attendent they were unconvinced of His presence and Moses' ability to meet God face to face and live.
The tradition of the people made confrontation with God a sign of death. So, even when He invited them to converse and commune with Him, they denied themselves in a sort-of quasi-humbleness. Had they been sincere, they would have had many other signs to confirm their Faith.
In our culture, "seeing is believing". So, we're not too far removed from the attitude of the people who were saved by Him but weren't convinced. Science seems to have presented us with evidence of the unnaturalness of Faith without seeing, touching or feeling. So we allow ourselves to be convinced, "They may be right", while we hold on to ritual Faith; going to Church; praying for healings etc. However, Our Lord told us rather bluntly, "If you have Faith, nothing is impossible". When healings we've implored don't happen, don't blame God for not listening; blame yourself for insincerity.

Daniel wrote in the centuries just before the birth of Christ. Most of his writings were in the nature of Apocalyptic, seemingly prophesy but in reality restating history for the instruction of the people of the time. Thereby, they could get the message of impending persecution while making a comparison with their present status.

Christ often spoke to His disciples in parables. His intent wasn't to hide His message, but, rather to veil it. In this way He was able to impart heavenly wisdom and not invite retribution from those bent on killing Him.
When He quoted Isaiah,they knew the quote as well as He but they missed the point. Although they were able to discern what He said they didn't understand the message. Therefore,when he enlightened His disciples and open their hearts to understand, they were able to impart it faithfully through our Church.
The message is clear, belief is more important than scientific speculation!