The Rambler

  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER [C] The Peter we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. We can say that, after a number of false starts, he is now beginning to blossom. If he comes into contact with you, then you will be able to expect a positive result. In fact, according to the Book of Acts, even if he walks past you, the effect of his shadow will produce a meaningful impact (5:15). If only you could have a St. Peter enter into your life. You’ll be satisfied even if he simply walks on by.  A vagrant finds himself being passed by. He is stationed at a street corner, selling flowers. Some of the pedestrians walk on by, refusing to offer anything in the way of acknowledgement. Others stop long enough to stuff a dollar or two into his donation jar, but they continue on, not bothering to take one of his flowers. The point comes, however, when an actual customer steps forward. It’s a businessman, who opens his wallet, deposits a sum of money, and then picks up one of the flowers. He a...

  SOLEMNITY OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION Imagine for a moment that it’s 1967. You’re at the theater, getting ready to watch the latest James Bond movie. Much to your dismay, the hero is gunned down within the first five minutes! It’s definitely not what you expected. Nevertheless, since you’ve paid the admission, you decide to wait the situation out. After all, what did it say on the poster? It’s spelled out very clearly, in bold letters: YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.   Soon you come to realize that this was all being staged by the people at British Intelligence. It was a deception, intended to mislead the opposition. Bond is not dead. He’s alive, he’s well, and he’s stirring things up in Japan. We hear one of his colleagues making the observation: You have a lot of energy for a dead man, Mr. Bond! Of course, it’s said tongue-in-cheek. The death was a charade. Bond appeared to die, but he didn’t actually die.  Meanwhile, let’s consider the case of Jesus. Given what’s happened...

  A HOLY WEEK REFLECTION Primarily, we tend to emphasize the second half of Holy Week. The plan of salvation reaches its climax as we observe Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Nevertheless, we do have liturgies that mark the earlier half of Holy Week. Note especially the Gospels for both Tuesday and Wednesday. Each one centers around the person of Judas Iscariot. On Tuesday, we hear about Satan “entering into” the heart of Judas (John 13:27). Meanwhile, the Gospel for “Spy Wednesday” outlines the arrangement that Judas initiates with the chief priests (Matt. 26:14-16). It’s an arrangement that will lead to the arrest of Jesus. And we know what happens once the authorities have Jesus in custody.  To what extent should we hold Judas accountable? Perhaps he deserves a healthy measure of sympathy. After all, he’s not responsible for his actions; he’s under the influence of Satan. It brings to mind a refrain from the 1970’s: “The devil made me do it!!”  We attr...

  PASSION SUNDAY (CYCLE C) If I were to pick my favorite Gospel, I would probably vote for either Matthew or John. But in practice, the Gospel I recommend the most would be the one written by Luke. He tells us what we need to hear. The trouble is, there are a significant number of Catholics who see the Bible as an ornament rather than a resource. It’s something that looks impressive on a coffee table or a bookshelf. You shouldn’t be expected to actually open it up and read it . I find myself pleading with these individuals: I know it’s a really thick book; I know it deals with events that happened a long time ago, on the other side of the world; I know there’s a lot of dry material, and that some of the passages are confusing. Can I at least talk you into reading two chapters? See if you can manage your way through chapter fifteen and chapter twenty three of Luke’s Gospel.  What’s so special about these two chapters? They highlight the Lord’s brand of radical mercy. It’s a t...

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Jesus wins a reprieve for the woman caught in adultery. He sends her on her way with the words: “sin no more” (John 8:11). Does she comply? We don’t know. But let’s suppose that she does comply; she takes the message to heart. What will this signify? As far as St. Paul is concerned, this signifies a type of liberation. She’s no longer carrying the burden of sin. Now she can run freely. In pursuit of what? Paul refers to it as “the finish line” (Phil. 3:14, original NAB translation). It’s “the prize” (revised NAB translation). In other words, it’s something very desirable, something appealing. It’s appealing in the same way that a river would hold appeal for someone journeying in the desert (see Isaiah 43:16-19). Isaiah looks forward to the day when God will transform the desert into a place of vitality. A river will be released, providing satisfaction for those who are in need of refreshment. God has had enough of the old; now a new plan will be unfolding....

  FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Perhaps you’ve seen the character “Dr. Jekyll” portrayed on film. The performance of Frederic March stands out (1931), along with the performance of John Barrymore (1920). Prior to appearing on screen, the character first appears as the subject of a Gothic novel, a novel authored by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886). He presents Henry Jekyll as a physician, who enjoys spending time in the laboratory, conducting experiments. The day arrives when he conducts a particular risky experiment—upon himself. As a result, suddenly he’s changing. Before long, he establishes himself as his own worst enemy. His savage persona will become known as “Mr. Hyde.”  The two identities contend with each other, vying for supremacy. The cycle continues to repeat itself, until the story brings us to a tragic ending—typical within the category of Gothic fiction.  Your heart goes out to Dr. Jekyll. It’s a tormenting experience when you find that you are acting as your own w...