Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - November 17, 2024

As we approach the end of our liturgical year, Mark’s Gospel forces us to think about not only the end of times (the Apocalypse), but also the end of our own lives. Next week will be the feast of Christ the King which marks the end of this liturgical year. Mark is writing his gospel to the Roman Christian community that felt they were in the Apocalypse because they were undergoing great persecution and even execution. Mark wrote this passage to give them hope by reminding them that death is a doorway to the afterlife because Jesus had conquered death. At first, we might think that the Gospel passage is a bit depressing, but there is actually some comfort and joy to be gained from thinking about the “end.”

Over the past four years, I have given the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to many people. Some were closer to death than others, but they all had one thing in common – they (or their loved ones who called me) took the possibility of death very seriously. In Catholic spirituality there is a Latin phrase, “Memento Mori,” or “remember death.” The saints constantly speak of the importance of meditating on death. In the Rule for the Benedictine Order, St. Benedict reminds the monks to “Keep death daily before your eyes.” Yet, most of us prefer to avoid that topic. This tradition has a rich and long history. God says to Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden of Eden: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The Book of Sirach reminds us, “In whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin.”

The concept of memento mori can be quite motivating, and that motivation can be put to good use. When we meditate on death, we should consider the “Four Last Things:” death, judgment, hell, and heaven. These are the things that each of us will face individually at the end of our lives and collectively at the end of times. By recognizing that our time on earth is limited, we are reminded to focus on what truly matters and to live our lives with holy purpose and meaning. Life is short. Eternity is long. In the end, holiness is the only thing worth living (and dying) for.

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - November 10, 2024

A person who “would give you the shirt off his back,” is a person who goes way beyond the minimum of giving. Instead, he gives “until it hurts.” That’s the basic message of the Gospel story this week as Jesus describes the giving strategies of temple goers. The rich people donate more, but it hurts less (or not at all). The widow donates much less, but it hurts more.

Generosity can be evaluated in absolute terms or in relative terms. Often times, the two approaches come up with different understandings of just how generous a person really is. Objectively, a gift of one million dollars is a very generous gift. Yet, if the person making the gift has many millions, a gift of one million dollars, in relative terms, may not be as impressive.

Jesus is not criticizing the rich people for the level of their contribution. He is not suggesting that their larger gifts are not important, or valuable, or appreciated. Everyone knows that the temple (and every parish for that matter) runs on large donations from wealthy people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people who give from their excess. On a personal note, special thanks to all of you who give to St. Ed’s from your excess. We appreciate your support!

However, Jesus is guiding us to a higher ideal. He suggests that our level of commitment to “loving one another” should go beyond what is easy or comfortable. He wants us to know that the easy way is not always the best way. Just like He told the scribe in last week’s Gospel, Jesus may be telling us that giving within our comfort zone places us “not far” from the Kingdom. Today, He seems to say that those who sacrifice in their generosity (whether of time, talent, or treasure), are even closer to the Kingdom.

What if Jesus were to directly tell us, in no uncertain terms, that the people, “who put in large sums…from their surplus wealth,” would not make it to the Kingdom? Would St. Edward the Confessor parish or each of us individually, resist the temptation to continue enjoying this world to the fullest extent possible while giving charity out of our excess? Are we ready to give up everything in this world to actually enter the Kingdom?

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - November 3, 2024

In today’s Gospel passage, the scribe asks Jesus what is the “first” or “most important” commandment. Jesus responds by reciting the “shema” prayer, which practicing Jews have recited twice each day for thousands of years: “Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your might.” The scribe agrees with Jesus’ answer and even commends Jesus for His response.

Then Jesus says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” If “not far” means “close,” then Jesus is saying that the scribe may be a good man, but he may not make it into the kingdom. When I was growing up, we had an expression, “Close, but no cigar.” Except in horseshoes, you didn’t win anything for being close. Being close is of little consolation when you “just miss” spending eternity with God.

Many people, like the scribe, know and agree with Jesus but refuse to be transformed by Him. They want to know what is required but are not anxious or eager to meet those requirements. Mere knowledge can be used for all kinds of misguided purposes. Knowledge of, and agreement with, God’s law only brings one near, not into, God’s kingdom.

Christianity is less about knowledge of doctrine and theology and more about passion and action. The scribe approaches Jesus and the law as objects of study. However, God’s law is not to be studied as much as it is to be applied. John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Knowing about God and agreeing with His commandments, gets us “not far from the Kingdom of God.” However, if we want to enter the Kingdom, we must be transformed by Jesus and inspired to live His Good News every single day. Who is Jesus to me? Is Jesus simply someone I know and agree with, or is He my Lord and savior? Do I simply admire Him for what He taught, or do I love and live for Him because of who He is?