The readings for Mass each day are not always very positive and uplifting. That is very evident in today’s readings. Yesterday’s readings for Mass were not all that positive or uplifting either, but things are not always what they seem in the spiritual life. Our readings for Mass are sometimes a little like Good Friday, but the joy of Easter morning follows the darkness and sin that existed before. Our personal lives are a lot like that too, sometimes. It’s always darkest, before the dawn.
Today’s readings for Mass are quite dark. King Ahaz and his people were on the verge of being attacked in today’s first reading. They were literally shaking in their shoes, because their enemies were so strong and fierce. We can be a little like that too, when we face strong opposition from someone. People in positions of power can seem pretty intimidating at times. Corporate CEO’s, judges, politicians, commanding generals in the military, the president and even the pope. In God’s eyes they are just people, the same as we are though. If they believe in Him and follow His commandments and have good hearts and treat other people well, then God remains with them in whatever they do. Both of today’s readings are about the opposite kinds of people though. Neither God nor Jesus will tolerate those who ignore them and mistreat other people.
There is a really awesome element to today’s first reading, though. When God is on your side, even if you are weak, you are actually strong, because it is not your own strength you depend on, but God’s. King Ahaz was faithful to God, and God was faithful to Him in the face of His enemies. He spoke such beautifully reassuring words to King Ahaz:
“Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail before these two stumps of smoldering brands …”
The last words of the first reading has the best advise for us too. He said, “Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!” That’s really true because we can do nothing on our own without God’s grace. Our strength, our confidence and our peace are from God, not ourselves. When we are weak, God is all the more stronger. In fact, our weaknesses glorify Him. If we were too self sufficient, then what would we need God for? He made us to be imperfect creatures, because He alone is perfect.
Evidently the inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum hadn’t learned, or accepted the truth about themselves and about God. They made themselves out to be their own Gods and did whatever they felt like without regard for God’s commandments. We have places in our modern world that are like that too, but very few people, even many good and faithful Catholics, understand the reality of hell. We don’t even want to think about it, and many people would prefer to avoid today’s readings entirely or seek the smallest sentence that contains goodness, peace and harmony to think about instead.
But, is that really love? Is it genuinely seeking the good of another to brush off the reality of hell? It’s easier to brush it off and go on our way, but that is what the inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum did, so there is danger in their thinking.
The definition of genuine love is to desire the ultimate good of another.
This is so worth remembering. Wanting what is genuinely the best thing for another person is what real love is, not the sentimental warm feelings we all wish for.
Jesus Christ is love incarnate. Love is written in every one of the strong and terrible words he spoke in today’s gospel. Why? Because this sounds like a last ditch effort to prevent people from going to hell. His anger and very strong words are because he doesn’t want anyone to go there. He loves them and it is a terrible place, that is endless suffering and he doesn’t want anyone to go there for all eternity. But, they rejected him and persisted in their sins. There was nothing he could do, if they would not repent and turn to him.
Is it really a kindness, or a loving act toward other people if we ignore the moral state of their lives, especially if it is a family member or friend? What is the greater kindness? A temporary, superficial good relationship with one another, for the sake of peace? Or risk having people get upset with us for acting like Jesus did in today’s gospel? Do we ever act like Jesus did in today’s gospel toward those we love, or the community that we live in?
This is just something to think about today. Do we imitate all aspects of Christ’s life, or just the more positive ones? Jesus Christ is love incarnate. He never failed to love. Even his words in today’s gospel was spoken out of frustration for the people that he loved, but who had failed to listen to him. He at least tried to talk to them, even if they didn’t listen to him. We should do the same with those we love and care about as well.
Daily Mass Readings:
Isaiah 7: 1-9 / Psalm 48 / Matthew 11: 20-24
