First in a series of classes on Christian ethics.  In this class we discuss ethics in general and then focus on the difference that Christ makes to ethics.  Ethical concerns are universal to all men and women.  The difference between good and bad living, good and bad choices, is something that we all have to face and reckon with.  Christ offers abundant light and new possibilities for our ethical life.  In Christ the ability to be truly good is made available to all.  He offers a satisfying explanation of moral weakness and corruption while empowering us to not just be good but holy by sharing in God's own life.  Tapping in to the goodness offered by Christ entails a radical decision to live high ethical standards, a resolute sincerity about our failings, and a contrite appeal to his mercy whenever we fail.

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In the face of a great personal tragedy, Jesus insists to the synagogue official Jairus that he replace his fear with trust.  To hope is to be convinced that God is greater than any problem in our life.  Hope also transforms our expectations for happiness.  It moves us to place our greatest desires in God and in heaven, rather than in anything in this earthly life.  By practicing Christian hope, especially during the most difficult times, we free ourselves to love and help the world in a more truthful and effective way. 

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Jesus's parable of the widow and the unjust judge teaches us to pray with persistence and intensity.  While always confident that God our Father hears and answers our prayers, we are called to exercise this confidence by patient perseverance in our petitions.  "Prayer works."  This is a fundamental Gospel truth.  Prayer is powerful and others depend on our prayers of intercession for them.  Prayer of petition brings us closer to God, by reminding us of our status as his creatures and children.  
 
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Jesus's healing encounter with the ten lepers helps us reflect on mercy and grace.  Like the lepers with their disease, only a miracle can help us overcome our sinfulness.  Each conversion is a real miracle, including our own conversions.  Grace is a gift.  Gifts are not earned, but humbly asked for.  In the month of the Rosary, we can be more aware of all of the mercy we ask for whenever we pray the Rosary well. 

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Opus Dei , the Work of God, was founded by St. Josemaria on October 2nd, 1928.   The universal call to holiness, clearly expressed in the New Testament and tirelessly preached by St. Josemaria, was first experienced by him personally as a young man.  This loving call is eternal and intimately connected to our identity and mission in life.  By responding to this call we turn the "ordinary prose" of our everyday life into "heroic verse."   Our work and life thus becomes a true "Work of God."

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The Samaritan woman's meeting Jesus at the well is a model for our own encounter with Him in prayer.   He thirsts for our prayer and understands our human condition.  He offers us "the Gift of God" and entices us with talk of living water.  Sincerity about our sinfulness, our lack of trust, is necessary to have him as our savior, to receive all that he offers.  Once healed we, like the woman at the well, can move from shame to shameless proclamation of Christ.  

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Matthew's response to his vocation demonstrates a great deal of trust in Jesus.  His Gospel emphasizes Jesus's deep appreciation of faith and his disappointment at its absence.  Trust in Jesus should be absolute, lending a great certainty to our faith in his Church and in all of his teachings.  "Faith is the evidence of things unseen."  This means that at times we will have to trust more in Jesus than in the evidence of our own senses or the apparent evidence of our own judgment. 

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Christ's Triumph on the Cross defeated sin and death.  It was a triumph of love over selfishness.  This victory needs to be repeated in our own lives, in our own carrying of the Cross.  Sin and selfishness have to be defeated in us and this entails the acceptance of suffering and sacrifice; in a word the acceptance of the Cross.   Suffering is inevitable in life, but whether it is redemptive and sanctifying or futile and permanent is truly up to us.  

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The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a cause of Christian joy and wonder.   Our Lady's birth reminds us of the historical reality of our faith.  Mary was and is a real woman who lived a normal human life just like ours.  Through her, in her, our God became man to redeem us.  Her birth precedes and enables his infant birth.  In our own way, God can be born once again in us.  This happens when we imitate Mary's humility and obedient love. 

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The infinite transcendence of God is a challenge to our faith and love.  Jesus uses shocking language to teach us just how radically different our love for God should be compared with all of our other loves.  Developing a more adequate love for God first requires believing in his radical transcendence and his primacy.  It also requires the humility to admit that we do not yet love him as he deserves.  From  this faith and humility, we can move to improve the quality of our love for God: with prayer, with Charity, and with soul-freeing self-denial.   

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