Springtime
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Category Archives: Musings
Foolish Wisdom
Today is April 1st the traditional day for pranks and jokes ending with the classic: “April’s Fool.” The exact history of the celebration is shrouded in speculation and mystery, but historians have their “best guess.” Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1. Continue reading
Rather odd
At first blush it does seem odd that the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord falls in the midst of Lent. It is an event in the life of Christ that we associate with Advent. That scene in which the Angel Gabriele comes to Mary to announce she will be the mother of Emmanuel, “God with us.”
My friend, Fr. Bill McConville OFM, notes that part of the church’s art tradition is that the scene of the Annunciation often portrays Mary, not empty-handed, but holding a book or a scroll, her reading and reflecting on Scripture being interrupted by the angel’s pronouncement. The tradition is that she is meditating on Isaiah 7 (today’s first reading) in which there is the promise that a virgin will bear a child. Continue reading
How are you?
In the first reading, we hear the story of Naaman, a Syrian general, who comes to Israel seeking a cure from his leprosy. When Naaman finds the prophet Elisha, he offers all manner of riches and gifts as inducement and payment. But Elisha wants none of it. He simply instructs Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan. Pretty simple and ordinary, yes? Continue reading
Breaking News
Catholic News Service reported today that while God is ever present in all creation, for the last two years He had not been present in Heaven. When God showed up at the pearly gate, the ever anxious St. Peter inquired as to God’s whereabouts for the last two years. God replied: “I was in Ireland.” St Peter asked why Ireland? God replied, “You do know there was a pandemic for the last two years, right? Like lots of people, I was working at home.”
Unusually long words
Words are fascinating. Etymology of words even more so. English has a pretty large “working vocabulary” with lots of synonyms, but I think in general each synonym conveys a slightly nuanced meaning. There is often just the right word needed somewhere in the pile of synonyms. Continue reading
A matter of perspective
In today’s first reading we again hear the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and how he ended up in Egypt. You know the story: to his brothers Joseph seems the “favorite son.” Joseph garners special attention and gifts from his father. The brothers did not like Joseph for reasons that were left out of today’s readings: (a) he used to report the misdeeds and failings of his brothers to Jacob, and (b) he told his brothers about a dream where he would rule over them all. All-in-all, Joseph was hated by his brothers; verse 5 of the scripture, not included in the reading, uses the word “hate.” Continue reading
In another’s eyes
In Luke’s gospel has a series of stories about rich men and their concern for money (among other key topics): the parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11-32) followed by the story of the Dishonest Steward (16:1-13) and the story of the rich man and the poor Lazarus (16:19-31). The in-between verses, vv.14-18, begin with the phrase, “The Pharisees, who loved money.” Jesus describes these people as an “abomination” (bdelygma) before God (v.15). In the biblical tradition the term is used to speak of idolatry and in condemning financial misdealing (Dt 25:16). Idolatry and money, twins as abomination. Continue reading
Your epiphany
Today is the Feast of St. Patrick which has optional readings you can find here.
The scene in the gospel is familiar – “oh sure, I’ve heard this before, Jesus is calling his disciples to be fishers of men” – perhaps too familiar. As with most scriptures, there is more than meets the eye.
The account begins with a wide-angle view with Jesus in a natural amphitheater with a large crowd. Having Simon Peter take him in the boat just a little offshore, Jesus can take in the breadth of the crowd as he teaches. There among in the crowd are people who have heard of the great things he has done in Nazareth and Capernaum, as well as Pharisees, scribes and officials from Jerusalem. There too are the ones who will become his disciples and follow him.
Mrs. Zebedee
I wonder if St. Matthew had been a person of our age he might have written: “Then the helicopter mom of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons.” It is great that Mrs. Zebedee wants the best for her sons. Clearly, Jesus goes on to speak to the sons and basically asks them – are you prepared for what’s coming? But who do you think had a key role in preparing them as the sons answered, “Yes we are”? Mrs. Zebedee. Helicoptering aside, with the grace of God we know that the sons of Zebedee were men of faith and perseverance. They must have had a great mom. Continue reading
