Good Will

He who has a will is said be good, so far as he has a good will; because it is by our will that we employ whatever powers we may have. Hence a man is said to be good, not by his good understanding; but by his good will. Now the will relates to the end as to its proper object. Thus the saying, "we exist because God is good" has reference to the final cause.

Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica

Any goodness in us is because of God who created us in His image. What does God look for in a person? Good will. That is a sign of His presence.

Many have an understanding of God that is flawed. Maybe all of us do to one degree or another. Yes, as I think about it, all of us have an inadequate view of God and His goodness.

Sometimes people think - and I include myself in this - that God is so good He will just overlook any fault and sin in their lives. No. His good will does not include condoning the things that will kill our souls.

Sometimes people think - and, again, I include myself - that God basically hates people for being such rotten sinners. Therefore He rains down judgment on us in the form of bad government, hurricanes, earthquakes, war, pestilence, and so forth. After all, we do not deserve His good will.

Yes, in a way that is true. We do not deserve nor can we earn God's good will for us. However, grace, mercy, and love are all motivating factors in God's good will towards us flawed and often sinful human beings.

Good will. Mercy. Love. Grace. That is what God moves us towards. Those are the goals and God graciously moves us towards those ends.

Think about God's extraordinary act of good will in sending His Son into the world. Remember the words of the angel.

There is some debate among Bible translators about how Luke 2:14 is to be rendered. Either way shows God's goodness as shown in the Incarnation.  Remember. St. Thomas Aquinas said that the two fundamental truths are the Incarnation and the Divinity of the Trinity. All truth flows from those two sources.

Here is how the NABRE translates Luke 2:14 - with footnote.

Luke 2:14 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)14 [a]“Glory to God in the highest    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”Footnotes:

1. 2:14 On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests: the peace that results from the Christ event is for those whom God has favored with his grace. This reading is found in the oldest representatives of the Western and Alexandrian text traditions and is the preferred one; the Byzantine text tradition, on the other hand, reads: “on earth peace, good will toward men.” The peace of which Luke’s gospel speaks (Lk 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5–6; 19:38, 42; 24:36) is more than the absence of war of the pax Augusta; it also includes the security and well-being characteristic of peace in the Old Testament.

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Here is the DRA's version, which is like the KJV´s. 

Luke 2:14 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

How can a person be of good will? It all has to do with God's favor, which is another way of saying His grace. God's Spirit works in our spirits, giving us life, moving us towards what we were meant to be in the first place - people of good will as God is good. He moves us towards that goal, that end, that telos. It is all to His glory. 

Promises, Promises

It's that time of year - political add season. There is one that especially annoys me because it promises one thing, but actually is set up to deliver another. It is a new tax that is supposed to lead to clean air and water. All it actually does is set up a committee to study the issue. In other words, it is just another way that corrupt politicians can legally give money to special interest groups.

Politicians are famous - or infamous - for breaking promises.

Today's reading is from Luke 11:29-32. In this passage, Jesus gives those who were questioning Him a sign. Some were demanding that He prove His claims.

What sign did He offer them? The sign of Jonah. Here is what Bishop Barron says about that sign.

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells the crowd that they will receive no sign except the sign of Jonah, which was a prophetic code for his Death and Resurrection.

Jesus made a promise. He would die, and rise again from the dead. Jonah from the Old Testament was a type of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

The crowd was antagonistic. Jesus was serious. In spite of their bad attitude, Jesus offered them this great evidence of who He is - Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior of the world.

What proof, what sign would He offer?

He would accomplish this through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection victory.

God hates sin, and Jesus came to destroy His enemies and ours - sin, death, and the devil.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Jesus is famous for keeping His promises, unlike human leaders.

He is the only One that a person can trust fully and completely.

He does not lie.

He does not promise things He cannot deliver.

Political campaign season is a good time to be reminded of this fact.

Sure. Some politicians do a better job than others. Some really do mean to keep their promises. Some - maybe many - try to deal honestly. We live in a fallen world where even the best plans and programs tend to not work like they are meant to.

God's plans are not like that. God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. His death, burial, and resurrection are evidence that all of His promises will be kept as well.

Here is one of my favorite promises that Jesus made and continues to make to all of us. See the love here? Human leaders often rule on the basis of threats - obey me, or else! Jesus offers this easy yoke and light burden to anyone who comes to Him, - even to the rebellious and antagonistic, which we all tend to be.

He is not alone, either. He is the Head of His Church. That's another subject, but Jesus is not a disembodied Head and His Church is not dismembered.

Matthew 1128 [o]“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,[p] and I will give you rest. 29 [q]Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Parable of the Sower

Here is an excerpt from Bishop Robert Barron's reflection on today's Gospel passage. All of his reflections can be found at the website FREE Daily Gospel Reflections from Bishop Robert Barron.    Many Protestants read Bishop Barron. He is one of the best apologists for Christianity in our day. He's not just for Catholics. He is appreciated by all kinds of Christians, yet he is definitely Catholic. Give him a hearing. See what you think. Friends, today’s Gospel gives us the parable of the sower...  A recent poll concerning religious attitudes in America shows that most Americans favor a radical tolerance in regard to religious beliefs. It also shows a shocking ignorance in regard to belief systems, dogmas, and the history of one’s own religion.  There’s nothing in the world wrong with tolerance, but it can sometimes be a cover for indifference.  Bishop Barron is mostly addressing the Catholic Church's failure to properly teach her people. Therefore many just go along with the cultural norm of radical tolerance as if their own faith doesn't matter much at all.  Protestants make this mistake as well.  I like the point he makes about radical tolerance sometimes being a cover for indifference. Yes, all Christians need to learn to get along with those who are of different faiths. However, all Christians should know and be able to explain the basics of why they believe in Christ.  Besides, there are some practices that should not be tolerated by anyone. I remember reading about how the Protestant missionary, William Carey and a renowned Hindu teacher joined together to outlaw the practice of widow burning in India. Carey argued from a Biblical standpoint. The Hindu philosopher from his own faith. The practice went against both and was a custom that needed to be abolished. The Little Woman, Gladys Aylward used her friendship with the local Mandarin to get the custom of foot-binding outlawed in China. St. Teresa of Calcutta's work is well-known. St. Damian of Molokai is famous for his work in a leper colony in Hawaii. Wilberforce's work to end the trans-Atlantic slave trade is well-known as well, along with the efforts of many other Christian abolitionists. I could give many more examples of how Christians should not practice a lazy, indifferent form of radical tolerance. Also, since Christ died to save people from their sins, shouldn't Christians be happy to share that Good News in the most loving way possible? If Christians are indifferent to what their faith is, then how will people know that Christ died to save sinners?

Matthew 9:9-13 - The Primacy of Grace

Today is the Feast of St. Matthew. Here are a few comments Bishop Barron made about today's Gospel passage, Matthew 9:9-13.

 If there is one theme clearly stated in the New Testament it is that of the primacy of grace. 

We just know that we will not lift ourselves to spiritual wholeness. A gaze has to come upon us from the outside. Not so much finding God as allowing ourselves to be found. 

To come to Christ is to come to a higher, richer, broader form of life. Now life is not simply the pleasures and goods of the body; now life is lived in and through God.

Matthew 9:9-13 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 

10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 

11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 

12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Calling of St Matthew (Caravaggio)

Mark 6:7-13 - Our Mission

Mark 6:7-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 

8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 

9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 

10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 

11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 

12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 

13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

This is today's Gospel - Thursday, February 1, 2018 - 4th Week of Ordinary Time

Fr. Roger Lopez, OFM gave today's reflection. I loved his analogy. He compared the sending out of the 12 to the old Pony Express mail service. 

I grew up loving everything Old West. This was perfect for me. 

Here's the idea. All Christians are involved in this "Pony Express", the mission to pass the message of Christ along to others. We are also involved in helping to bring healing to those who are suffering. The mission did not end with the 12. The Gospel has been passed on through the centuries to us, to each one of us, and beyond. 

Here is the short video.