Weekly Reflection

March 23, 2025 - JUSTICE AND MERCY

At first glance, this Sunday’s Gospel reading highlights Jesus’ belief that God does not cause suffering. The Galileans died from Pilate’s wrath, not God’s, and the Jerusalemites on whom the tower collapsed were victims of misfortune, not objects of divine justice. God did not will these misfortunes to happen; they occurred because, as a once popular book proclaimed, sometimes bad things happen to good people. 

Read a little further, however, and things get confusing because Jesus used these morally neutral examples as calls to repentance. God may not have willed the death of the Galileans, but that does not mean they were without sin. Likewise, God may not have caused the Siloam tower to collapse, but that does not mean the people it crushed were righteous. In fact, Jesus uses the victims of these tragedies as examples of “average” sinners who happened to receive justice by accident! Bad things happened to some bad people, and the good people there were simply unfortunate. Jesus slyly implies that the real mystery, given the prevalence of human sinfulness, is why so many good things happen to bad people every day! 

His response is that we live in a merciful world with a merciful God. It was about to get even more merciful because of the Spirit. Just as the improvement of the soil often led a barren fig tree to fruitfulness, so, Jesus hoped, the preaching of the Gospel would lead humanity to righteousness. Because of Jesus, this reprieve might yet allow many more good things to happen. 

Good things happen to bad people because God hopes for our transformation, and this takes time. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke reminds us that, in Jesus, humanity has received a reprieve from divine justice. We live in an era of mercy. The Spirit works deep in each of us so that we, in turn, can help Christ tend to our brothers and sisters, and thus fulfill God’s dream of a human family blossoming with new life.

Rev. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

March 16, 2025 - TRANSFIGURATION

The Transfiguration of Jesus often leaves readers baffled, but it is a narrative with deep biblical roots. As this Sunday’s first reading shows, certain mysterious phenomena, especially supernatural light, accompany God’s nearby presence. This is light borne by the “fiery torch” in the first reading, and by Jesus himself in the Gospel. Jesus glows with the same supernatural light one normally associates with a direct manifestation of God. 

This supernatural light does not shine to intimidate the disciples or exalt Jesus. Instead, the divine voice emphasizes the Gospel: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Jesus’ glorification reinforces the message of humility and mercy that he has been preaching all along. Jesus bears divine glory, but his disciples can only see it because living a life of humility and mercy has opened their awareness to deeper realities, like Jesus' relationship to God the Father. 

This context helps explain why this passage appears during Lent. As we set down the things that distract us and try to live the Gospel with greater fervor, we may ourselves come to see that divine light more clearly. New opportunities for mercy and forgiveness will catch our attention, and perhaps we will now find the courage to respond. New insights about the true nature of creation and our place in it may present themselves to our minds and inspire deeper love and service. In these moments, the Paul’s dream, expressed in this Sunday's second reading, becomes reality: Christ “changes our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.” We become Jesus’ hands, heart and voice, and bear his light into a world that longs for understanding.

Rev. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

March 9, 2025 - TEMPTATION

In Luke’s version of Jesus’ temptation, which the Church hears this Sunday, the temptations culminate in the devil’s suggestion that Jesus use his power to glorify himself. The devil argues that people need to know that Jesus is the Messiah, and that the best way to reveal that mission is to perform a spectacle that reveals his glory. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here” (Lk 4:9). Jesus instead turns the matter over, and lets the Father choose the time and manner of his glorification. As Luke will show, the moment the Father chooses is the resurrection, the day that the Father is “lifted up” not for spectacle but for salvation.

As Jesus was tempted, so are his disciples. The Father who endowed the Son with every gift has also given every gift and talent to us. We likewise face temptations similar to those Jesus overcame. God’s presence and action always accompany a call to serve. Some might find in their God-given talents a career that provides security or purpose or great wealth. In his own temptations, Jesus revealed that such gifts are merely tools handed over by God to repair creation and undo the damage of sin. Similarly, following a spiritual path may lead to positions of honor and authority. Social status easily can lead to pride, but Jesus’ example can direct our hearts to humble service instead. Finally, God’s love may provide identity and self-esteem, but ultimately divine love called Jesus and his disciples to a complete self-offering. As Jesus overcame the temptation to use divine gifts for himself, so Christians must continue to seek God’s purpose in every gift they receive. Only then will they fulfill God’s saving mission.

Rev. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

March 2, 2025 - VISIT THE IMPRISONED

“When I was imprisoned, you visited me” (Mt 25:36). The last corporal work of mercy is to visit the imprisoned. Incarceration was a relatively new phenomenon in Jesus’ day, having been introduced by the Romans. Periods of confinement before trial or as punishment were a feature of Roman justice that previous rulers had not practiced. Although jailers had the responsibility to care for the imprisoned, they were often inattentive. Imprisoned people were known to starve or die of illness during their incarceration. Family and friends were free to visit with food, medicine and other necessities, but for those who had no close ties, this was not an option.

Early Christians strongly identified with these realities. Many had been imprisoned for their faith, and the early church venerated the memory of Christ’s confinement before his crucifixion. These same Christians made a special outreach to any who were imprisoned.

This continues today. Christian communities throughout the world work to ensure that incarcerated people have access to material, legal and spiritual needs. When I lived in Boston, I was one of many local clergy who visited MCI Cedar Junction for masses and confessions, and many of my brother Jesuits do similar ministry here.

This week Kevin Carr will address each mass after communion to speak about a new ministry in Milwaukee called “Thrive for Life.” Founded by Father Zach Presutti, S.J., it is directed to formerly incarcerated people who are working toward completing their education. In addition, in the weeks to come, Gesu parish will investigate new ways to serve justice-impacted people and their families. Keep your attention here for more information!

Rev. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

February 23, 2025 - BURY THE DEAD

“Indeed, for your faithful, O Lord, life is changed, not ended.” The next corporal work of mercy is the only one not to appear in Matthew 25:35-36. Burying the dead is a work of mercy from Old Testament, specifically from Tobit 1:16-18.

For Christians, the tomb is a holy place. It is a sign of hope, and it will be the site of our own resurrection. The priest blesses it with the words, “Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.”

Preparing holy places to receive human remains has been a Christian tradition since earliest days. In our own day, we do not often bury the dead with our own hands, but supporting charities that do, like our local Catholic Cemeteries, is a wonderful way to continue this work of mercy. Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries also arranges the burials of paupers, unclaimed bodies from the morgue, and others who have no family or financial support. Support to them fulfills the command of this work of mercy. 


Preparing our own funeral and burial plans, and thereby taking pressure off family and friends, is another way to exercise this work. The bishops of Wisconsin have written a letter providing pastoral guidance on this topic, Now and at the Hour of Our Death: A Pastoral Letter from the Roman Catholic Bishops of Wisconsin. 

And finally, any kindness we can show the grieving fulfills this work of mercy. Whether your action is silent companionship, or making a meal, or sending a card, or helping someone attend a grief-support group, it is a work that shows respect to the deceased and kindness to the mourners, to whom Jesus promised, “Blessed are you, for one day you will laugh.”

Rev, Michael Simone, S.J.

---

February 16, 2025 - I WAS ILL AND YOU CARED FOR ME (Mt 25:36). 

The fifth corporal work of mercy is to care for the sick. This was the centerpiece of Jesus’ ministry. “Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed” (Mk 6:56). Jesus’ power over disease was so strong that it served as proof that he had a special relationship with God. He sent out the Twelve Apostles (Mk 6:7-13) to perform their own healing ministries, and elders of the early Church continued this practice (James 5:14).

In every age, Christians have found ways to continue this ministry. Catholics in the United States distinguished themselves in the healing ministries. In the nineteenth century, the Church opened hospitals and schools of nursing and medicine. This was to care for a growing population of immigrants and as a way for Catholics, a discriminated minority, to demonstrate good citizenship in their newly adopted country. Catholic hospitals were usually located in the poorest parts of cities and developed an expertise in treating industrial accidents and other profound traumas. Even today, Catholic hospitals stand out for the excellence of their level one trauma centers. Catholics distinguish themselves too by fervent prayer for the sick. The Church instructs that every mass ought to have a universal prayer for the sick, and many parishes offer the sacrament of the sick on a regular basis.

It is my understanding that in years past, Gesu had an active outreach to neighbors and parishioners who were laboring with illness. I’d love to hear more about this work and to see what may be possible in the future. Please do not hesitate to reach out by contacting me ([email protected]).

Fr. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

February 9, 2025 - I WAS NAKED AND YOU CLOTHED ME (Mt 25:36). 

The fourth corporal work of mercy is to clothe the naked, or more generally to give alms to the poor. The religion of ancient Israel always put a high value on direct support to the poor. It was good politics to make sure everyone felt secure, but it also had a religious dimension. The poor were in God’s special care and anyone who helped God support them was performing an act of righteousness. The Judaism of Jesus’ day (and the Christianity that developed from it) valued support for the poor through direct offerings of funds or gifts of things like clothing or shelter.

In our own day, the Church continues this practice. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is one of the largest clothing redistribution organizations in the country, and Catholic Charities USA collects and distributes over five billion dollars a year, often in support of children and elderly people. Here at Gesu, we are blessed with a very active St. Vincent de Paul society that visits the poor of the parish on a regular basis. Through efforts like theirs, Gesu parish remains at God’s side, serving those in God’s care.

Fr. Michael Simone, S.J.

---

February 2, 2025 - I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOMED ME

The third corporal work of mercy that Jesus directs his disciples to perform is to welcome the stranger (Mt 25:35). This is an act of mercy that goes back to Israel’s earliest days. The law of Moses offers several commandments about welcoming the stranger. One example appears in the book of Leviticus:

Many Christians throughout history have tried to live out this commandment carefully. For example, Chapter 53 in the medieval Rule of St. Benedict directs monks to treat guests as if Christ were coming to visit:

In the U.S., the Church focuses its care for strangers especially on two groups: people in need of housing and migrants from other countries. People in need of housing come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Many are hidden from view because they do not fit stereotypes of “homeless people.” LGBTQ teens, for example, have especially high rates of homelessness, as do young adults who can hide their situation by couch-surfing or living in their vehicles. Elderly people, too, often find themselves homeless and have difficulty asking for and finding help. In many places, diocesan Catholic Charities and parish-based St. Vincent de Paul Societies work to befriend and advocate for people who need temporary and permanent shelter.

The Church’s advocacy work for migrants has come into sharp focus in the last few weeks. U.S. bishops have taken a stand against recent federal law enforcement actions that degrade the dignity of migrants and disrupt families. Although certain highly placed Catholics have spoken out publicly against the bishops, the U.S. Church has maintained the same teaching about and work for migrants since the early 1980s. Furthermore, the U.S. Church has been advocating for changes in the law for over twenty years.

Welcoming the stranger is a command from God. Good people will always differ on the best ways to fulfill this commandment, but even as we work through those differences, we have an obligation to serve the material needs of migrants and unhoused people, to treat them with dignity, and at all times to seek in them the presence of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael R. Simone, S.J.