parishpriest

1100

2012-02-01T08:57:00.002-06:00

2 Samuel 24:2-17; Ps 32 Lord, forgive the wrong I have done; Mark 6:1-6

Today is another one of those milestones. I noticed that when i logged in to do this blog thing this morning that I have had 1099 blogs posted and today will make 1100 blog reflections.

Then instantly i thought i about the first reading for today. King David decides to get a head count of the size of his kingdom, "tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number."

Now of you read the the rest of the story of David, you will discover that God frowned upon this endeavor. IT wasn't for David to keep count nor to measure the size of his kingdom for ultimately it was God's kingdom not David's.

So I thought that this counting business is for the birds. I just keep reflecting until the good Lord decides otherwise or at least until I loose my connection to the internet.

The beauty of today's reading is the last few lines. David was given a choice of disciplinary action for is foolishness in counting his people, three year famine, three months of fleeing form his enemy, or three days of pestilence in the land.

Interesting perspective to ponder. If God gave us a choice of disciplinary action, what would we choose?

David chose the quickest. HE chose three days of pestilence perhaps figuring it was the shortest amount and that it would quickly pass and he could move on with his ruling of the kingdom.

The point conversion for David comes at the end after he sees 70000 of his people die and himself unharmed.

David said to the Lord, "It is I who have sinned; it i sI, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred."

Finally David takes responsibility. finally David is able to mature and grow up in the face of calamity that he himself causes.

David is a great example for us in this light. How often we watch other people suffer because of our mistakes and yet refuse to recognize our fault and guilt. How often we refuse t grow up and take responsibility.

The pain and suffering of people took David to a new level of awareness of the importance of accountability in authority.

It is a terrible tragedy in deed. But how often is this the reality we encounter at larger scale around the world, where the sins of the rulers cause great suffering to the people whom they were sent to guide?

We go to the gospel this morning. Jesus is in his home town preaching and curing. His fellows townsfolk are upset and jealous about this unfolding reality.

"Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and SImon? ANd are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him."

They knew everything about JEsus but they did not know him and here in lies the defining movement of the man of faith. We can know about JEsus but it is not enough. We must get to know him and then the power of faith begins to affect our lives.

Where is our faith?

talitha koum

2012-01-31T06:47:00.003-06:00

2 Samuel 18:9-19:3; Ps 86 Listen, Lord, and answer me; Mark 5:21-43

Today we celebrate the memorial of John Bosco. HE was a priest in the 19th century who started the Salesian order, the apostolate to the youth.

HE was tireless in his activity to seek souls and bring them to Christ.

A quote, "Do good while there is still time."

Now for the gospel.

We have the story of the woman who had been afflicted for 12 years. The gospel tells us that she suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and she was not helped but only grew worse.

She was desperate. She was in a bad way in need of something, some kind of hope, some kind of cure, some kind of consolation. She was desperate and on the verge of destitution.

She heard about Jesus, the gospel writer relays to us.

Stop there for a moment. If she heard about Jesus, that means that someone was talking about him. Some one was busy spreading the news.

Imagine the conversation, 'rumor has it that this man can heal the sick.'

Do we spread the news? Do we talk about Jesus? Do we give Jesus the time? Perhaps we should gossip about JEsus to others and let them in on the secret about his power working in our life.

She gets the courage to sneak up behind JEsus to touch him. She doesn't want to be a bother. She doesn't want to be noticed. She just wants to be healed already.

Immediately upon the touch, she is cured and Jesus knows power has gone out of him.

But notice what the disciples say, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?"

What was different about this woman's touch then all the others? She wasn't the only one trying to grab Jesus, to get near him, to touch him, to experience wholeness. Yet, her touch was different; her reaching out had a greater meaning than the rest.

This is where we should meditate today. We should think about that touch of the woman as she reached to touch Christ, just his clothes and nothing more.

What made her touch release the power of Christ so that healing could be given?

The words of JEsus ring true to us as an invitation, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

The reach of faith of the woman sent her life win a new direction. It altered her lifestyle.

When have we touched someone in faith?

OF course the gospel doesn't end there. Jesus still has work to do. The synagogue's official was still waiting, his daughter was still in need.

Upon his arrival, the crowd ridicules JEsus, because of question their great commotion and told them that the girl was not dead but merely asleep.

Jesus unhindered by the crowd who was weeping, goes to the girl.

"Talitha Koum, Little girl, I say to you arise."

Arise she did.

Take some time today to spend with this gospel passage. Enter into it. Be with JEsus as he comes to be with those in need, to be with us in need.

parables, parables, parables

2012-01-27T07:01:00.004-06:00

2 Samuel 11:1-17; Ps 51 Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned; Mark 4:26-34

parables, parables, parables. With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it...but to his own disciples he explained everything.

This last line of today's gospel is comforting.

God will speak to us what we need when we need it. We may not get everything, but we will get enough of it to lead us forward a few more paces. In the process of moving forward deeper meaning will come. As we live out our discipleship, them more things will begin to have meaning, we will have arrived at a new layer, a new depth of meaning. The more we follow, the more shall be revealed.

The first parable and the second parable are related. Small things lead to great things. The kingdom is mysterious yet reliable and often very productive. God is faithful and God will act.

We must believe and behave like God will lead us through because he will.

Like the farmer, we know not how the seed grows, we plant it certainly but God then takes over. The fruit shall come and the harvest will arrive.

Like the mustard seed, little things develop over time.

Small beginnings are not terrible but beautiful. Think of food coloring, it is the repeated drops that create the color change. The first drop doesn't do much, but with consistency and patience over time, transformation.

Everything has a beginning, nothing ever merges full grown.

What drops are we adding to the world around us?
Are we believing and behaving like God is in control?

Are we busy with planting seeds, planting them anywhere and everywhere?

chain reaction

2012-01-26T06:46:00.004-06:00

2 Tim 1:1-8; Titus 1:1-5; Ps 96 proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations; Mark 4:21-25

To start with today I have two quotes that have little to do with each other but I find them humorous and insightful nonetheless.

First from author Christopher Hampton, "Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost what it feels about dogs."

The second come from Pope Benedict, "The admonition, "be nice to one another", is certainly not to be scorned, but it does not reach the height of the gospel because it spares us the effort of setting out on the way to truth and so of really coming together."

Today is the memorial of the saints Timothy and Titus. These are two companions of Paul who later become bishops in the early church.

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Today we look at some of those who who were converted because Paul was converted.

Conversion is meant to be a chain reaction. True faith does not and can not remain isolated to an individual. Faith reaches out and touches those around us. Other people should experience our own conversion and be moved by it.

What is unique about Timothy and Titus is they come from different backgrounds. Timothy was raised by a jewish grandmother and mother, where as, Titus was a gentile through and through. Yet, the grace of Paul's conversion attracted both of them and led them to Christ, for whom they would give their lives fully, completely, tirelessly.

The words of Paul to Timothy are very much words to us as well, "stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. so do not be ashamed of your testimony of the Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake, but bear your share of the hardship of the gospel with the strength that comes from God."

stir into flame the gift of God...now, here is a nice task set before us all. How do you keep the flame of faith alive in your heart and mind? How do you guard the fire burning in your soul? Remember the words of Pope Benedict yesterday, we must develop an eco-system of faith that guards our spiritual lives. Fire needs fuel to burn. How do you fuel your spiritual selves so that you become the lamp that radiates the light of CHrist?

bear your share of the hardships of the gospel with the strength that comes form God...it is true we each have a share in carrying the gospel message. It cannot all fall on the shoulders of the clergy. There are a lot more lay people then there are of us. We expect the clergy and bishops to bear the hardship of the gospel daily, but all of us have to share in that lifting up and proclaiming the gospel.

We have many who claim to follow Christ but refuse to embrace the gospel message. We have many who want to do their own thing and thus the weight of the gospel is even heavier on those few who seek to live it fully and authentically.

we all must find a way to bear our share of the hardship of the gospel. As Benedict tells us there is an effort of seeking the way of truth and lifting the gospel.

It is a chain reaction of faith we seek to get moving. Let us let Christ to use us as a catalyst.

Catalysts that speed of a reaction are called positive catalyst; those that slow down a reaction are called inhibitors; those that increase the reaction of catalyst in reaction are called promoters; that which deactivates the catalyst in reaction isa catalytic poison.

Which are we?

silence and the word

2012-01-25T12:46:00.002-06:00

Acts 22:3-16; Ps 117 Go out to all the world and tell the good news; Mark 16:15-18

Today is the feast of the conversion of St. Paul.

We commerate the the beginning of his transformation from a faithful Jew to a disicple of Christ.

Also, yesterday was world communication day. Pope Benedict gave is message to the world on communication.

Thus, today I include that message with some highlights for meditation.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we draw near to World Communications Day 2012, I would like to share with you some reflections concerning an aspect of the human process of communication which, despite its importance, is often overlooked and which, at the present time, it would seem especially necessary to recall.

It concerns the relationship between silence and word: two aspects of communication which need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved. When word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, either because it gives rise to confusion or because, on the contrary, it creates an atmosphere of coldness; when they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning.

Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves. By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. It is often in silence, for example, that we observe the most authentic communication taking place between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other. Joy, anxiety, and suffering can all be communicated in silence – indeed it provides them with a particularly powerful mode of expression. Silence, then, gives rise to even more active communication, requiring sensitivity and a capacity to listen that often makes manifest the true measure and nature of the relationships involved. When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary. Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.

The process of communication nowadays is largely fuelled by questions in search of answers. Search engines and social networks have become the starting point of communication for many people who are seeking advice, ideas, information and answers. In our time, the internet is becoming ever more a forum for questions and answers – indeed, people today are frequently bombarded with answers to questions they have never asked and to needs of which they were unaware.

If we are to recognize and focus upon the truly important questions, then silence is a precious commodity that enables us to exercise proper discernment in the face of the surcharge of stimuli and data that we receive. Amid the complexity and diversity of the world of communications, however, many people find themselves confronted with the ultimate questions of human existence: Who am I? What can I know? What ought I to do? What may I hope? It is important to affirm those who ask these questions, and to open up the possibility of a profound dialogue, by means of words and interchange, but also through the call to silent reflection, something that is often more eloquent than a hasty answer and permits seekers to reach into the depths of their being and open themselves to the path towards knowledge that God has inscribed in human hearts.

Ultimately, this constant flow of questions demonstrates the restlessness of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser import, that can offer meaning and hope to their lives. Men and women cannot rest content with a superficial and unquestioning exchange of skeptical opinions and experiences of life – all of us are in search of truth and we share this profound yearning today more than ever: "When people exchange information, they are already sharing themselves, their view of the world, their hopes, their ideals" (Message for the 2011 World Day of Communications).

Attention should be paid to the various types of websites, applications and social networks which can help people today to find time for reflection and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.

In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not neglect to cultivate their own inner lives.

It is hardly surprising that different religious traditions consider solitude and silence as privileged states which help people to rediscover themselves and that Truth which gives meaning to all things.

The God of biblical revelation speaks also without words: "As the Cross of Christ demonstrates, God also speaks by his silence. The silence of God, the experience of the distance of the almighty Father, is a decisive stage in the earthly journey of the Son of God, the incarnate Word …. God’s silence prolongs his earlier words.

In these moments of darkness, he speaks through the mystery of his silence" (Verbum Domini, 21). The eloquence of God’s love, lived to the point of the supreme gift, speaks in the silence of the Cross.

After Christ’s death there is a great silence over the earth, and on Holy Saturday, when "the King sleeps and God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages" (cf.Office of Readings, Holy Saturday), God’s voice resounds, filled with love for humanity.

If God speaks to us even in silence, we in turn discover in silence the possibility of speaking with God and about God. "We need that silence which becomes contemplation, which introduces us into God’s silence and brings us to the point where the Word, the redeeming Word, is born" (Homily, Eucharistic Celebration with Members of the International Theological Commission, 6 October 2006).

In speaking of God’s grandeur, our language will always prove inadequate and must make space for silent contemplation. Out of such contemplation springs forth, with all its inner power, the urgent sense of mission, the compelling obligation "to communicate that which we have seen and heard" so that all may be in communion with God (1 Jn 1:3).

Silent contemplation immerses us in the source of that Love who directs us towards our neighbours so that we may feel their suffering and offer them the light of Christ, his message of life and his saving gift of the fullness of love.
In silent contemplation, then, the eternal Word, through whom the world was created, becomes ever more powerfully present and we become aware of the plan of salvation that God is accomplishing throughout our history by word and deed.

As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, divine revelation is fulfilled by "deeds and words having an inner unity: the deeds wrought by God in the history of salvation manifest and confirm the teaching and realities signified by the words, while the words proclaim the deeds and clarify the mystery contained in them" (Dei Verbum, 2).

This plan of salvation culminates in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the mediator and the fullness of all revelation. He has made known to us the true face of God the Father and by his Cross and Resurrection has brought us from the slavery of sin and death to the freedom of the children of God. The fundamental question of the meaning of human existence finds in the mystery of Christ an answer capable of bringing peace to the restless human heart. The Church’s mission springs from this mystery; and it is this mystery which impels Christians to become heralds of hope and salvation, witnesses of that love which promotes human dignity and builds justice and peace.

Word and silence: learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as speak. This is especially important for those engaged in the task of evangelization: both silence and word are essential elements, integral to the Church’s work of communication for the sake of a renewed proclamation of Christ in today’s world.

To Mary, whose silence "listens to the Word and causes it to blossom" (Private Prayer at the Holy House, Loreto, 1 September 2007), I entrust all the work of evangelization which the Church undertakes through the means of social communication."

devotion

2012-01-24T07:17:00.004-06:00

2 Samuel 6:12-19; Ps 24 Who is the king of glory? it is the Lord; Mark 3:31-35

Today is the feast of Francis de Sales, the doctor of devotion.

He made continued effort to get people to understand that they could be devout no matter their state of life. God's holiness was for them, where they were. Each life had a duty to grow in perfection.

It is not unlike the words of Jesus in today's gospel, "For whoever does the will of GOd is my brother and sister and mother."

This line is at the heart of the devout life.

It was Francis de sales who noted that many people did exterior acts of devotion but were far from devout in their life. People put on devotional acts like clothes but never let it penetrate and change them. It is like putting lipstick on a pig, it remains a pig.

HE encouraged people to go deeper, to truly reach for perfection in their temperament.
HE mentioned that many people put on acts of devotion like clothing, it is merely an external dressing up but the inside remains the same. IT is like trying to dress up a pig, you could put a ribbon in its tail, spray perfume on it, and put lipstick on its snout, but what you get remains a pig.

True devotion is not like lipstick on a pig but rather the pig actually becomes transformed in the process.

Here is a bit from the Good Doctor.

"But, in fact, all true and living devotion presupposes the love of God;—and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God, though not always of the same kind; for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty;—when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity;—but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion. The ostrich never flies,—the hen rises with difficulty, and achieves but a brief and rare flight, but the eagle, the dove, and the swallow, are continually on the wing, and soar high;—even so sinners do not rise towards God, for all their movements are earthly and earthbound. Well-meaning people, who have not as yet attained a true devotion, attempt a manner of flight by means of their good actions, but rarely, slowly and heavily; while really devout men rise up to God frequently, and with a swift and soaring wing.

In short, devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly; and just as charity leads us to a general practice of all God’s Commandments, so devotion leads us to practise them readily and diligently. And therefore we cannot call him who neglects to observe all God’s Commandments either good or devout, because in order to be good, a man must be filled with love, and to be devout, he must further be very ready and apt to perform the deeds of love. And forasmuch as devotion consists in a high degree of real love, it not only makes us ready, active, and diligent in following all God’s Commands, but it also excites us to be ready and loving in performing as many good works as possible, even such as are not enjoined upon us, but are only matters of counsel or inspiration. Even as a man just recovering from illness, walks only so far as he is obliged to go, with a slow and weary step, so the converted sinner journeys along as far as God commands him but slowly and wearily, until he attains a true spirit of devotion, and then, like a sound man, he not only gets along, but he runs and leaps in the way of God’s Commands, and hastens gladly along the paths of heavenly counsels and inspirations.

The difference between love and devotion is just that which exists between fire and flame;—love
being a spiritual fire which becomes devotion when it is fanned into a flame;—and what devotion adds to the fire of love is that flame which makes it eager, energetic and diligent, not merely in obeying God’s Commandments, but in fulfilling His Divine Counsels and inspirations."

march for life

2012-01-23T11:15:00.002-06:00

Today people, many people, young and old, gather in Washington D.C. to march for life, to be the voice of the voice of the voiceless. The unborn cannot speak for themselves, so some one must stand up and defined the most vulnerable and innocent of our society.

For 39 years, since Roe V Wade, people have gathered on the front steps of the capitol to raise awareness that to legislate the killing of a child in his/her mother's room is an evil that must be stopped.

Society rises and falls on how it takes care of the most vulnerable. What does legalized abortion, the killing of children, tell us about our law makers?

Yesterday, we read the story of Jonah. God invited him to march for life in the city of Nineveh. After the one day march, this single person was able to get the people's attention and a change took place.

How much more if all of us chose to stand tall and march for life in our society!

We must be the modern day Jonah, convicted of the truth, willing to proclaim the message of God, life is a sacred gift that demands our protection. We must proclaim the message of the gospel of life.

WHo thinks that 53 millions abortions since 1973 is okay. We have a distorted sense of reality if this is okay.

Today the church ask us to pray for the conversion of our society. we should fast, do penance, pray extra. Then we should also act as well.

The words of Martin Luther King Jr comes to mind.

"God who ha given us a mind for thinking and body for working would defeat his own purpose if he permitted through prayer what can come by work and intelligence. prayer is a marvelous and necessary supplement for our feeble efforts but a dangerous substitute."

We can no longer be bystanders or spectators. Like Jonah, we must get involved and stand tall and speak the message God has given us.

exorcise

2012-01-20T07:37:00.003-06:00

1 Samuel 24:3-21; Ps 57 Have mercy on me, God, have mercy; Mark 3:13-19

The gospel: "Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons."

First noticed that Jesus chooses those he wants.

We are all wanted. Sit with that for a while. Find yourself today entering into the fact that the divine presence wants you. We have a place of belonging.

SEcondly, He calls the twelve so that they might primarily be with him. We are, like the twelve, are not called primarily to do something but rather to be with someone.

Each day we start with this in mind, "how can I be with JEsus today."

Only when we are with him can our life be that which preaches, brings light to the darkness, not becasue of who we are but becasue of who we are with. It is being close to Jesus that empowers the light to shine through us, his light.

Then we can cast out demons, exorcise the world. Here we must remember there is something in the world that is against goodness, there is a resistance to the message but it is a resistance that has no power.

If we are wiht Jesus, then our presence becomes that presence that will improve the fitness of our world,we shall make the world healthier becasue we bring the presence of Jesus with us as we go.

jealousy

2012-01-19T07:26:00.003-06:00

1 Samuel 18:6-9;19:1-7; Ps 56 In God I trust; I shall not fear; Mark 3:7-12

"Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: "they give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship." And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David."

Jealousy! What a terrific emotion that reeks havoc with the human mind and heart.

Jealousy is a perversion of charity.

St. Thomas Aquinas points out that True Charity rejoices in the good of the other where as Envy (Jealousy) is sadden by the good of the other. It is this negative emotion that drives the bitterness and resentment.

Saul thought he might lose his advantage point. He felt he was exclusively entitled to praise, after all he was the king. Saul was attached to praise, notoriety, fortune, and attention and when all eyes weren't on him then he was bothered to point where we shall see if we follow the story that he tires to kill David. Saul secretly wants David to fail and if he can't fail then he tries to kill him.

Saul wanted to be center stage and did not want to be upstaged by anyone, nonetheless this shepherd boy and his five smooth pebbles, this youth.
What saul failed to remember was the fact that God is the only one that belongs in the center of the stage. It was God who anointed saul as king; it was God who empowered David to stand triumphant.

Losing sight of this was detrimental to his health emotional, spiritual, and psychological. As we follow the story we see how Saul's psychological well being deteriorates with his jealousy.
*****
The inability to rejoice in the good of the other. How often does this reek havoc on the soul.
Saul could have made this rejoicing over David a gran occasion and could have been magnanimous, but rather he became stingy in soul and bitter in life.

We all can fall prey to this. We must root it out quickly and steadily as often as it arises. We do so by reminding ourselves the words ofSt. Paul, "when one rejoices, we all rejoice" for we are all the body of Christ.

Another man's fortune belongs to us as an opportunity to rejoice.

The great showdown

2012-01-18T12:18:00.004-06:00

1 samuel 17:32-51; Ps 144 Blessed be the Lord, my rock! Mark 3:1-6

Growing up watching the western classic, the showdown was always the climax of viewing. The good guy dressed in white comes up against the bad guy, usually the bully. They meet, they mark of their steps and they turn, they pause, the clock strikes noon and them the pistols are drawn and cloud of smoke rises.

After the smoke cleared, the dust settled, then the good guy stands tall while the bad guy in black is spread on the ground.

How many movies are like this! How often is there a showdown!

THus we arrive at today's first reading. We stand on the outside looking in and we watch as the showdown unfolds.

David squares up against Goliath.

What is so striking is the confidence David has in is quest. Think of his words to Saul, "let your majesty not loose courage, I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine."

"The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine."

"You come up against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head."

But his confidence is not just in his words but in his actions, "David ran quickly toward the battle line in the direction of the Philistine.'

David didn't just talk big but he also matched it with action.

In that attitude of confidence he was able to overcome the giant obstacle in his path.

He was empowered by God; he tapped into the inner strength God distributed to him in faith and he was energized by this reality. Thus he confronted and conquered.

What are our giants in our life? Are we confident to confront and overcome those physical, spiritual, emotional obstacles that loom so very large in our life? Are we all talk or do we let the confidence affect our action?

How can we let David be our role model in life and in faith?

anthony of the desert

2012-01-17T07:34:00.004-06:00

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ps 89 I have found David my servant; Mark 2:23-28

Today is the memorial of Anthony, at the age of 18, after his parents untimely deaths, he heard these words of the gospel, "If you wish to be perfect, then go sell all you have give to the poor and come follow me." He did just that. He spent the remainder of his life in the desert, fasting, sleeping on the ground, praying. At the age of 105, he died.

Here are a few words from St. Anthony of the Desert.

"Let it be your supreme and common purpose not to grow weary in the work you have begun, and in time of trial and affliction not to lose courage and say: Oh, how long already have we been mortifying ourselves! Rather, we should daily begin anew and constantly increase our fervor. For man's whole life is short when measured against the time to come, so short, in fact, that it is as nothing in comparison with eternity. . . . Therefore, my children, let us persevere in our acts of asceticism. And that we may not become weary and disheartened, it is good to meditate on the words of the apostle: 'I die daily.' If we live with the picture of death always before our eyes, we will not sin. The apostle's words tell us that we should so awaken in the morning as though we would not live to evening, and so fall asleep as if there were to be no awakening. For our life is by nature uncertain and is daily meted out to us by Providence. If we are convinced of this and live each day as the apostle suggests, then we will not fall into sin; no desire will enslave us, no anger move us, no treasure bind us to earth; we will await death with unfettered hearts."

Now I direct your attention to the first reading of today. We continue to follow Samuel. The opening lines of the reading are striking, "The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel?"

"How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I rejected as king of ISrael."

We like to think of God as a happy go lucky being. Where he never loses his cool and he is always forgiving and doesn't really get bothered by anything we do. We like to imagine God as a warm cuddly metaphysical bear.

Yet, today's reading helps keep God real.

God rejected Saul. God decided that it was going to be far worse to keep Saul as king than to kick him to the curb. He wasn't working out. He had failed in his task to be obedient and faithful.

God had no problem letting him go. God needed to make a change.

Something for us to consider often.
None of us are beyond reproach.

This is why we should go back and reread what St. Anthony recommends.

We should awake each morning as if we would not live until evening and fall asleep as if there would be no waking, only then can we truly live with no love left behind.

effort

2012-01-13T07:41:00.004-06:00

1 Samuel 8:4-22; Ps 89 Forever I will sing the goodness of the lord; Mark 2:1-12

In the first reading we encounter the Israelites wanting to be like every one else. They want a king like all the other nations. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to be like everyone else. To blend in, to be like the next guy is easy. We all do it all the time. Think about the clothes you wear, the car you drive, the house you live in, the coffee you drink. Advertisements make their money convincing us to settle, to be like the everyone else.

For the most part they have succeeded.
Even today we continue to compare ourselves to the people around us. We live our lives trying to keep up with the Jones.

In the gospel, we see something different. We see four men climb to the roof. They refuse to stand outside. They refuse to keep their distance like everyone else. They put a lot of effort into getting close to Jesus. They had to tear a hole int he roof just so that they could get closer, be nearer.

It took a lot of effort to be in the presence of Jesus. Because of it, their world changed drastically. Their worldview changed as well. The willingness to be near Jesus, and the effort put forth, puts us on a different plane of existence.

Like the man on the mat we too can rise and walk. In our wake, astonishment shall follow and wonder shall captivate all.

But it takes effort. What roofs, what obstacles do we need to tear down so that we might get close enough to never be the same.

Effort is necessary. Many of us think spirituality and faith should be easy. With that mind set we will only and forever will just be like the next guy. But with effort and perseverance, truly a new lifestyle emerges.

Effortless faith is no faith at all. Even St. Paul describes it has running the race. We do this, he says, not for a perishable crown but an imperishable crown.

Effortless faith mocks the true effort of the cross of Christ.

Let us begin tearing holes in the roof, tearing down walls an truly rise and walk forth in new strength of faith.

Put forth the effort and let the faith grow into something beautiful for God and into the world.

whose side are you on anyway

2012-01-12T07:24:00.005-06:00

1 Samuel 4:1-11; Ps 44 Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy; Mark 1:40-45

Have you ever been around people who think they are right all the time? Not only do they think they are right, they know it. Even when they wrong, they claim to be right.

Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of ELi, strike me as people who thought they were right all the time. However, they didn't bother to check with God first. In today's first reading they assumed by taking the ark into battle, God would be on their side and thus they presumed they would prevail. They were wrong.

Like Hophni and Phinehas, we too assume many things.

How often do we think that God will be on our side even though we all share a common birth?

Abraham Lincoln recognized this tendency and once remarked, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

How often do we think God is on our side before we ever run it by God first; I don't mean simply praying about it and getting that feeling of conviction but truly discerning God's will by checking with those God has placed in authority to govern, teach, and sanctify, like the church.

It is important to discern clearly and to remember we don't always have the inside scoop when it comes to God; patience is necessary; prayer is necessary; asking others is necessary. In the words of St. Teresa, "how can we discern the spirit if we ourselves are not spiritual."

IT takes a little commitment on our part to be humble enough to realize we may not be right and thus we find the opening to God.

Pope BEnedict on prayer and the Holy Family

2012-01-10T21:34:00.004-06:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s meeting is taking place in the atmosphere of Christmas, imbued with deep joy at the Birth of the Saviour. We have just celebrated this Mystery whose echo ripples through the Liturgy of all these days. It is a Mystery of Light that all people in every era can relive with faith and prayer. It is through prayer itself that we become capable of drawing close to God with intimacy and depth.

Therefore, bearing in mind the theme of prayer that I am developing in the Catecheses in this period, I would therefore like to invite you to reflect today on the way that prayer was part of the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Indeed, the house of Nazareth is a school of prayer where one learns to listen, meditate on and penetrate the profound meaning of the manifestation of the Son of God, following the example of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

The Discourse of the Servant of God Paul VI during his Visit to Nazareth is memorable. The Pope said that at the school of the Holy Family we “understand why we must maintain a spiritual discipline, if we wish to follow the teaching of the Gospel and become disciples of Christ”. He added: “In the first place it teaches us silence. Oh! If only esteem for silence, a wonderful and indispensable spiritual atmosphere, could be reborn within us! Whereas we are deafened by the din, the noise and discordant voices in the frenetic, turbulent life of our time. O silence of Nazareth! Teach us to be steadfast in good thoughts, attentive to our inner life, ready to hear God’s hidden inspiration clearly and the exhortations of true teachers” (Discourse in Nazareth, 5 January 1964).

We can draw various ideas for prayer and for the relationship with God and with the Holy Family from the Gospel narratives of the infancy of Jesus. We can begin with the episode of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. St Luke tells how “when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses”, Mary and Joseph “brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (2:22). Like every Jewish family that observed the law, Jesus’ parents went to the Temple to consecrate their first-born son to God and to make the sacrificial offering. Motivated by their fidelity to the precepts of the Law, they set out from Bethlehem and went to Jerusalem with Jesus who was only 40 days old. Instead of a year-old lamb they presented the offering of simple families, namely, two turtle doves. The Holy Family’s pilgrimage was one of faith, of the offering of gifts – a symbol of prayer – and of the encounter with the Lord whom Mary and Joseph already perceived in their Son Jesus.

Mary was a peerless model of contemplation of Christ. The face of the Son belonged to her in a special way because he had been knit together in her womb and had taken a human likeness from her. No one has contemplated Jesus as diligently as Mary. The gaze of her heart was already focused on him at the moment of the Annunciation, when she conceived him through the action of the Holy Spirit; in the following months she gradually became aware of his presence, until, on the day of his birth, her eyes could look with motherly tenderness upon the face of her son as she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger.

Memories of Jesus, imprinted on her mind and on her heart, marked every instant of Mary’s existence. She lived with her eyes fixed on Christ and cherished his every word. St Luke says: “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (2:19) and thus describes Mary’s approach to the Mystery of the Incarnation which was to extend throughout her life: keeping these things, pondering on them in her heart. Luke is the Evangelist who acquaints us with Mary’s heart, with her faith (cf. 1:45), her hope and her obedience (cf. 1:38) and, especially, with her interiority and prayer (cf. 1:46-56), her free adherence to Christ (cf. 1:55).

And all this proceeded from the gift of the Holy Spirit who overshadowed her (cf. 1:35), as he was to come down on the Apostles in accordance with Christ’s promise (cf. Acts 1:8). This image of Mary which St Luke gives us presents Our Lady as a model for every believer who cherishes and compares Jesus’ words with his actions, a comparison which is always progress in the knowledge of Jesus. After Bl. Pope John Paul II’s example (cf. Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae) we can say that the prayer of the Rosary is modelled precisely on Mary, because it consists in contemplating the mysteries of Christ in spiritual union with the Mother of the Lord.

Mary’s ability to live by God’s gaze, is so to speak, contagious. The first to experience this was St Joseph. His humble and sincere love for his betrothed and his decision to join his life to Mary’s attracted and introduced him, “a just man”, (Mt 1:19), to a special intimacy with God. Indeed, with Mary and later, especially, with Jesus, he began a new way of relating to God, accepting him in his life, entering his project of salvation and doing his will. After trustfully complying with the Angel’s instructions “Do not fear to take Mary your wife” (Mt 1:20) – he took Mary to him and shared his life with her; he truly gave the whole of himself to Mary and to Jesus and this led him to perfect his response to the vocation he had received.

As we know, the Gospel has not recorded any of Joseph’s words: his is a silent and faithful, patient and hard-working presence. We may imagine that he too, like his wife and in close harmony with her, lived the years of Jesus’ childhood and adolescence savouring, as it were, his presence in their family.

Joseph fulfilled every aspect of his paternal role. He must certainly have taught Jesus to pray, together with Mary. In particular Joseph himself must have taken Jesus to the Synagogue for the rites of the Sabbath, as well as to Jerusalem for the great feasts of the people of Israel. Joseph, in accordance with the Jewish tradition, would have led the prayers at home both every day – in the morning, in the evening, at meals – and on the principal religious feasts. In the rhythm of the days he spent at Nazareth, in the simple home and in Joseph’s workshop, Jesus learned to alternate prayer and work, as well as to offer God his labour in earning the bread the family needed.

And lastly, there is another episode that sees the Holy Family of Nazareth gathered together in an event of prayer. When Jesus was 12 years old, as we have heard, he went with his parents to the Temple of Jerusalem. This episode fits into the context of pilgrimage, as St Luke stresses: “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom” (2:41-42).

Pilgrimage is an expression of religious devotion that is nourished by and at the same time nourishes prayer. Here, it is the Passover pilgrimage, and the Evangelist points out to us that the family of Jesus made this pilgrimage every year in order to take part in the rites in the Holy City. Jewish families, like Christian families, pray in the intimacy of the home but they also pray together with the community, recognizing that they belong to the People of God, journeying on; and the pilgrimage expresses exactly this state of the People of God on the move. Easter is the centre and culmination of all this and involves both the family dimension and that of liturgical and public worship.

In the episode of the 12-year-old Jesus, the first words of Jesus are also recorded: “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (2:49). After three days spent looking for him his parents found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (cf. 2:46). His answer to the question of why he had done this to his father and mother was that he had only done what the Son should do, that is, to be with his Father.

Thus he showed who is the true Father, what is the true home, and that he had done nothing unusual or disobedient. He had stayed where the Son ought to be, that is, with the Father, and he stressed who his Father was.

The term “Father” therefore dominates the tone of this answer and the Christological mystery appears in its entirety. Hence, this word unlocks the mystery, it is the key to the Mystery of Christ, who is the Son, and also the key to our mystery as Christians who are sons and daughters in the Son. At the same time Jesus teaches us to be children by being with the Father in prayer. The Christological mystery, the mystery of Christian existence, is closely linked to, founded on, prayer. Jesus was one day to teach his disciples to pray, telling them: when you pray say “Father”. And, naturally, do not just say the word say it with your life, learn to say it meaningfully with your life. “Father”; and in this way you will be true sons in the Son, true Christians.

It is important at this point, when Jesus was still fully integrated in the life of the Family of Nazareth, to note the resonance that hearing this word “Father” on Jesus’ lips must have had in the hearts of Mary and Joseph. It is also important to reveal, to emphasize, who the Father is, and, with his awareness, to hear this word on the lips of the Only-Begotten Son who, for this very reason, chose to stay on for three days in the Temple, which is the “Father’s house”.

We may imagine that from this time the life of the Holy Family must have been even fuller of prayer since from the heart of Jesus the boy – then an adolescent and a young man – this deep meaning of the relationship with God the Father would not cease to spread and to be echoed in the hearts of Mary and Joseph.

This episode shows us the real situation, the atmosphere of being with the Father. So it was that the Family of Nazareth became the first model of the Church in which, around the presence of Jesus and through his mediation, everyone experiences the filial relationship with God the Father which also transforms interpersonal, human relationships.

Dear friends, because of these different aspects that I have outlined briefly in the light of the Gospel, the Holy Family is the icon of the domestic Church, called to pray together. The family is the domestic Church and must be the first school of prayer. It is in the family that children, from the tenderest age, can learn to perceive the meaning of God, also thanks to the teaching and example of their parents: to live in an atmosphere marked by God’s presence. An authentically Christian education cannot dispense with the experience of prayer. If one does not learn how to pray in the family it will later be difficult to bridge this gap. And so I would like to address to you the invitation to pray together as a family at the school of the Holy Family of Nazareth and thereby really to become of one heart and soul, a true family. Many thanks.

john the almsgiving

2012-01-09T21:12:00.006-06:00

Today marks the beginning of Ordinary Time. As we bid farewell to the Christmas season and welcome ordinary time. Ordinary time is a period in which we see JEsus in action. HE enters fully into his public ministry.

To start this ordinary time we are invited to recall St. John the Almsgiver. He lived in the 7th century. HE was a widower and was elevated to be patriarch of Alexandria.

His focus was almsgiving. Giving everything to support others continually.

He always referred to the poor as his "lords and masters", because of their mighty influence at the Court of the Most High.

What a unique focus on life. What if we just focused on giving.

How often do we excuse ourselves from giving with excuses such as they should get a job, or they just are going get drunk or blow it on cigarettes.

It is nice to be in the position of making excuses not to give.

What if we were on the other side of things.

ponder this quote from St. Vincent de Paul

"When the demands of life seem unfair, when you are exhausted and have to pull yourself out of bed yet another time to do some act of service, do it gladly, without counting the cost without self-pity. for if you persevere in serving others , in giving yourself to the poor, if you persevere to the point of completely spending yourself, perhaps someday the poor will find it in their hearts to forgive you. For it is more blessed to give than to receive, and it is also a lot easier."

Almsgiving isn't just for Lent; it must accompany us throughout our life. IT is the primary way we imitate Christ, giving ourselves.

baptism of the Lord & iPhone

2012-01-09T16:18:00.005-06:00

Isaiah 55:1-11; Ps you will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation; 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11

The Christmas season as finally come to a close as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.

Today is also the day in which Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone.

Which has made a bigger impact on the history of humanity: the iPhone or the Baptism of the Lord.

The iPhone as certainly revolutionized the way we communicate. There have been 100 million iPhones sold. WHo would disagree with the fact that iPhone has certainly had a dramatic affect on our society.

In fact, I have an iPhone and on it i have the daily readings of the mass.

It is truly an ingenious development as far as communicating and staying connecting with family and friends.

So what of the Baptism of the Lord.

In order to understand the Baptism of the Lord we must first go back to the genealogy of Jesus according to Luke.

Luke traces Jesus' genealogy all the back to being the "son of Adam, son of God." Luke 3:38

As Pope Benedict points out, Luke "underscores the universal scope of JEsus' mission. HE is the son of Adam-the son of man. Because he is man, all of us belong to him and he to us; in him humanity starts anew and reaches its destiny."

A little more impacting on humanity then the iPhone.

The iPhone allows us to communicate with each other; JEsus comes to allows us to communicate with God himself.

The Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. How does he begin his ministry by being baptized. Jesus marks his public ministry by blending into the gray mass of sinners waiting on the banks of the Jordan.

Jesus has no need to be baptized, he has no need for he knows no sin. Yet, in his humility he seeks to be completely one with those he will save. He inaugurates his public ministry by stepping into the place of sinners, already an anticipation of the cross.

Jesus identifies himself with us so there we now discover our identification with him.

We too are now sons of Adam, sons of God in Christ.

The words spoken from the heavens as Jesus rises from the waters ring true for us all, "You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased."

Words spoken bu Pope Benedict in 2006 on the feast of the baptism of the Lord

“What happens in Baptism? What do we hope for from Baptism? You have given a response on the threshold of this Chapel: We hope for eternal life for our children. This is the purpose of Baptism. But how can it be obtained? How can Baptism offer eternal life? What is eternal life?

In simpler words, we might say: we hope for a good life, the true life, for these children of ours; and also for happiness in a future that is still unknown. We are unable to guarantee this gift for the entire span of the unknown future, so we turn to the Lord to obtain this gift from him.

We can give two replies to the question, "How will this happen?". This is the first one: through Baptism each child is inserted into a gathering of friends who never abandon him in life or in death because these companions are God's family, which in itself bears the promise of eternity.

This group of friends, this family of God, into which the child is now admitted, will always accompany him, even on days of suffering and in life's dark nights; it will give him consolation, comfort and light.

This companionship, this family, will give him words of eternal life, words of light in response to the great challenges of life, and will point out to him the right path to take. This group will also offer the child consolation and comfort, and God's love when death is at hand, in the dark valley of death. It will give him friendship, it will give him life. And these totally trustworthy companions will never disappear.

No one of us knows what will happen on our planet, on our European Continent, in the next 50, 60 or 70 years. But we can be sure of one thing: God's family will always be present and those who belong to this family will never be alone. They will always be able to fall back on the steadfast friendship of the One who is life.

And, thus, we have arrived at the second answer. This family of God, this gathering of friends is eternal, because it is communion with the One who conquered death and holds in his hand the keys of life. Belonging to this circle, to God's family, means being in communion with Christ, who is life and gives eternal love beyond death.

And if we can say that love and truth are sources of life, are life itself -- and a life without love is not life -- we can say that this companionship with the One who is truly life, with the One who is the Sacrament of life, will respond to your expectation, to your hope....”

porter

2012-01-06T07:03:00.004-06:00

1 John5:5-13; Ps 147 praise the Lord Jerusalem; Mark 1:7-11

Perhaps we should meditate on the opening lines of today's first reading, "Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that JEsus in the Son of God."

What does it look like to stand victorious over the world?

For this, the church gives us the saints; as we look into their lives we begin to see what victory looks like. In their life, the mystery of God's love shines through and light pierces the darkness and the glimmer of hope brightens our lives and encourages us onward.

Today we see love perfected in the life of Blessed Andre Bessette, who stands as a champion of faith, a victor in Christ.

Born 1845, one of ten, he lost his father at the age of 9 and his mother at age 12 and his family was dispersed. He did odd jobs between the border of U.S. and Canada and finally found his way to the Congregation of the Holy Cross at the age of 25.

The congregation soon discovered that he was illiterate, he could hardly read or write, and was always sick with stomach ailments.

Because of this, the congregation wanted to dismiss him. At the Bishop's request, however, the congregation kept him on and sent him to Notre Dame College for boys in Montreal where he was the porter.

He was in charge of answering the door, welcoming guests, waking up the school, giving the boys haircuts, washing the windows and the floors, and delivering mail. He spent 40 years as the porter.

Later in life he would joke that after his first year in the congregation they showed him the door and there he stayed for the next 40 years.

He loved what he did. His attention to the visitors and all who would come his way was tremendous. His care and concern brought consolation to all. He often invited people to invoke the intercession of St. Joseph for healing and strength.

He was so driven by his devotion to St. Joseph that he desired to build a basilica in St. Joseph's honor.

HE collected money, nickels and dimes, from haircuts and small donations and slowly with the bishops permission a makeshift building was erected.

It started as a 15 ft by 18 ft building with out a roof. Slowly, one step at a time over a period of
30 plus years things were added: a roof, heat, a paved road. Pilgrims started to come and gather and pray and ask Blessed Andre to pray. They were all moved by his poverty and humility.

He died at the age of 92 in 1937.

His road to sainthood was simply patience with the routine of life, allowing each moment to lead to a deeper conversion of God's love being perfected in him.

He is buried in the beautiful St. Joseph Basilica with a tombstone that reads: "poor, humble, obedient servant of God."

Quotes of Blessed Andre:

"It is with the smallest brush that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures."

"It is surprising that I am frequently asked for cures, but rarely for humility and the spirit of faith. Yet, they are so important..."

Blessed Andre, porter, pray that we may open our hearts to God's love and allow it to be perfected in our life.

no duplicity

2012-01-05T07:24:00.007-06:00

1 John 3:11-21; Ps 100 Let all the earth cry out to God with Joy; John 1:43-51

Many of us remember the story of Cain and Abel. Many of us live that story out in our own relationships with our siblings:fighting, bickering, jealousy and all the rest.

We all remember how the story ends. Cain kills Abel. In fact if you go back to the book of Genesis and reread the story you discover that it seem to all start over worship. Abel's sacrifice was accepted and Cain's sacrifice was denied.

THere never is a clear reason as to why the sacrifice of Cain was not received by God. In fact, this lack of clarity causes many to question God's motives.

They both on the outside seem to do what God asked, Abel with sheep and Cain with produce.

In today's first reading we are invited to revisited the story. John in is letter recounts the story but gives us a bit of insight into the why behind the rejecting of Cain.

John tells us, "We should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter his brother? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous."

There are two components of every act: the external what we see and the internal what lies hidden out of sight.

On the outside, Cain and ABel seem to be equal but it was the internal reality that revealed Cain's true character.

What is on the inside matters most. I think Jesus points this out time and time again.

In fact look to the gospel.

Jesus comments about Nathanael, "Here is a true child of Israel. THere is no duplicity in him."

Duplicity?

definition: contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action

The bottom line is this: duplicity is bearing false witness to your neighbor. It is lying. There isn o room for this in the life of holiness. IS this not what we are aiming at.

Cain was duplicitous. So was Judas.
What about us?

How often do we find our selves betraying our true intentions by our external acts. How often do we pretend?

THis new Year try to eliminate duplicity: let your faith in Christ purify your motivations and intentions.

YOU shall not bear false witness to your neighbor.
This is why John tells us in the today's first reading, "we should love one another." There is no room for lying in loving.

John tells us, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God."

What's on the inside!

Come and you will see

2012-01-04T14:29:00.008-06:00

1 John 3:7-10; Ps 98 All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God; John 1:35-42

Today in the church we celebrate the Feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first AMerican to be canonized. Now of course this should give us all who live on this side of the Atlantic a cause to pause and reflect not he fact that truly one of us have been raised to the honor roll of the saints.

Here is bit from Pope Paul IV during is homily of canonization in 1975:

"She is the first daughter of the United States of America to be glorified with this incomparable attribute! But what do we mean when we say: «She is a Saint»? We all have some idea of the meaning of this highest title; but it is still difficult for us to make an exact analysis of it. Being a Saint means being perfect, with a perfection that attains the highest level that a human being can reach. A Saint is a human creature fully conformed to the will of God. A Saint is a person in whom all sin-the principle of death-is cancelled out and replaced by the living splendor of divine grace. The analysis of the concept of sanctity brings us to recognize in a soul the mingling of two elements that are entirely different but which come together to produce a single effect: sanctity. One of these elements is the human and moral element, raised to the degree of heroism: heroic virtues are always required by the Church for the recognition of a person's sanctity. The second element is the mystical element, which express the measure and form of divine action in the person chosen by God to realize in herself-always in an original way-the image of Christ"

Heroic virtue and mystical dimension of the divine action of revealing the image of Christ.

But before we even begin to look at the final result of grace and faith in the human heart we must first look to the beginning.

It must start somewhere.

Perhaps every saint has a similar beginning as we encounter in the gospel, where the disciples hear the invitation spoken to every soul as the waters of baptism are poured upon the head and Christ speaks to the interior of each of us: "come and you will see."

Come and you will see, thus begins the journey of every saint.

Like the disciples, Elizabeth ann Seton, "went and saw where he was staying and they stayed with him that day."

Like the words of ANdrew resonating through the gospel, Elizabeth Ann Seaton found herself in jubilation as she too exclaimed "we have found the Messiah."

Here begins the journey of a lifetime of heroic virtue and mystical transformation of grace in the human heart.

Why are there so few saints? If we all start from the same line and move forward, why so few?

Why do so many of us never realize the greatness we are called with that simple invitation: Come!

The questions perhaps should be why so few but rather why not me, why not each of us, why should we not follow in her lead, for only in walking after her do we truly give honor and glory to the God who has called her, the Son who redeemed her and the SPirit who sanctified her.

Saint ELizabeth Ann Seton had her time, it is now our time to raise the banner of sanctity in our lives. If Elizabeth Ann Seton, a wife, mother, widow, religious can surrender to grace so can we.

Why so few becomes why not us, why not now. The call of Christ beckons continually: Come and you will see!

Let us go forth and let us see the fruit of grace be made manifest in the lives of holiness, not the holiness of others but our holiness here and now.

Pope Paul VI continues in his homily of canonization"

"Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with spiritual joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she marvellously sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. This is the title which, in his original foreword to the excellent work of Father Dirvin, the late Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, attributed to her as primary and characteristic: «Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American»! Rejoice, we say to the great nation of the United States of America. Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage. This most beautiful figure of a holy woman presents to the world and to history the affirmation of new and authentic riches that are yours: that religious spirituality which your temporal prosperity seemed to obscure and almost make impossible. Your land too, America, is indeed worthy of receiving into its fertile ground the seed of evangelical holiness. And here is a splendid proof-among many others-of this fact."

What is in a Name

2012-01-03T07:12:00.005-06:00

Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus, upon which St. Paul instructs us and admonishes us that every knee shall bend and every head shall bow.

Persons who played prominent roles in the history of salvation often received their names from God Himself. Adam — man of the earth; Eve — mother of all the living; Abraham — father of many nations; Peter — the rock.

Names are very important. Parents agonize over choosing the right name for their children. Unfortunately today, some parents have made a mockery of naming their child. Just think of some of the names given.

Once named, the name contains the person. Saying the name invokes an image. instantly we visualize the person.

Equally, when we think of Jesus, we remember His-name and we visualize the image of God in Jesus. 'For in Jesus the whole fullness of deity dwelled bodily' (Col 1:19, 2:9)."

We read in Sacred Scripture how the angel Gabriel revealed that name to Mary: "You shall call His name Jesus." And to St. Joseph the angel not merely revealed the name but explained its meaning: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." The Messiah should not only be the savior, but should be called Savior. With Jesus, therefore, the name actually tells the purpose of His existence.

This is why we must esteem His name as sacred. Whenever we pronounce it, we ought to bow our heads; for the very name reminds us of the greatest favor we have ever received, salvation.

Jesus' name is and must be associated with the favor offered. Every time we reverently embrace the name we receive the favor time and time again.

It is JEsus in the gospel of John who prays the following, "And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are int he world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost..."John 17:11-12

Just a few more passage of scripture to ponder today as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Name

Mark 16:17-18 "These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages, they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

John 16:23 "Ame, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

Acts 3:6 "Peter said, I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, walk."

2011-12-31T21:19:00.004-06:00

We begin this new Year by celebrating the Feast of Mary the Mother of God.

The entire life of Jesus is surrounded in deep significance of having his mother close by. She was there, everywhere:

Born in a manger, she was there; Shepherds and magi sneaking a peak, she was there; flight into Egypt, she was there;

lost in the temple, she was there; wedding of Cana and water into wine, she was there; working of miracles, she was there; teaching of the crowds, she was there;

choosing of the apostles, she was there; crowd seeking to kill him, she was there; agony in the garden, she was there; arrested and condemned, she was there; scourged and crowned, she was there;

the way of the cross, falling and tripping, she was there; stationed at the foot of the cross, she was there; piercing of his side, she was there; burial in the tomb, she was there;

resurrection, she was there; ascension into heaven, she was there; out pouring of the Holy Spirit, she was there; beginning of the Church, she was there.

Mary, the mother of God, gives Jesus his humanity so that in the flesh He could make the Father known, "he who sees me sees the Father." In his flesh, we are caught in love of the God made visible. Mary's yes, her role as mother, makes God visible. Because she was willing to be there, Jesus is here.

If we eliminate Mary, we eliminate the humanity of Jesus, his very ability to relate to us, for he is like us in every way but sin.

We pause this day, as we start the new year, to allow this reality of God's revelation to break through into our lives.

We take Mary with us into our homes as Jesus invited the beloved disciple to do from the cross, "Then he said to his disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from this hour the disciple took her into his home." John 19:27

May she lead us in the footsteps of Jesus, for every where that Jesus was, she was there.

Poem for a mother

"She always leaned to watch,
anxious if we were late;

In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.

And though we mocked her tenderly, who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe
because she waited there."

Mary, Mother of God, our mother, pray for us!

New Year Poem

2011-12-31T21:14:00.002-06:00

God Knows
by Minnie Louise Haskins

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart bestill:
What need our little life
Our human life to know,
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low,
God hideth His intention.
God knows.

His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision,
Are clear to God.

Our fears
Are premature; In Him,
All time hath full provision.
Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill."

Holy family pray for us

2011-12-29T20:14:00.000-06:00

Second reading
From an address by Pope Paul VI
Nazareth, a model

Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him.

Here we can learn to realize who Christ really is. And here we can sense and take account of the conditions and circumstances that surrounded and affected his life on earth: the places, the tenor of the times, the culture, the language, religious customs, in brief everything which Jesus used to make himself known to the world. Here everything speaks to us, everything has meaning. Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of his Gospel.

How I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth! How wonderful to be close to Mary, learning again the lesson of the true meaning of life, learning again God’s truths. But here we are only on pilgrimage. Time presses and I must set aside my desire to stay and carry on my education in the Gospel, for that education is never finished. But I cannot leave without recalling, briefly and in passing, some thoughts I take with me from Nazareth.

First, we learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims so characteristic of these turbulent times. The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.

Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplifying its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings; in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children—and for this there is no substitute.

Finally, in Nazareth, the home of a craftsman’s son, we learn about work and the discipline it entails. I would especially like to recognize its value—demanding yet redeeming—and to give it proper respect. I would remind everyone that work has its own dignity. On the other hand, it is not an end in itself. Its value and free character, however, derive not only from its place in the economic system, as they say, but rather from the purpose it serves.

In closing, may I express my deep regard for people everywhere who work for a living. To them I would point out their great model, Christ their brother, our Lord and God, who is their prophet in every cause that promotes their well being.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T15:44:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas. Here is a greeting spoken often and to many through out these days. We say it in passing, we say it to loved ones, we say it to strangers we meet on the street. We even sing about wishing people a "merry christmas."

Have you ever stopped and wondered what exactly does it mean to wish others a "merry Christmas."

There is so much caught up in that little phrase, that simple greeting, that catchy little phrase that sets the heart a blaze and fills the lives of many with joy and peace and brings forth rejoicing.

There is for lack of better words a bit of magic in that little phrase, two little words combined that bring a smile to those too numerous to count.

Merry Christmas!

And what are we saying...

We are saying that God makes himself small. God comes to reign in simplicity. God embraces poverty. God comes in way that is utterly dependent and truly defenseless.

God does not want to overwhelm us with his majesty, with his strength, so he comes to win us with sheer simplicity of innocence that can only belong to a child born and wrapped in swaddling clothes.

God make himself small so that we can receive him, welcome him, understand him, and ultimately love him.

Christmas is a feast of gifts because God gives himself to us, he puts himself completely at our disposal.

This is truly beyond anything we could have imagined.

Easter we understand. We understand the power and force that stands triumphant over the seemingly impassible jaws of death. This is what we have always longed for and have always wanted.

Easter makes sense. It is what we imagined God to be able to do as the empty tomb reveals the power and glory of God in the face of our ultimate nemesis, death.

Christmas is different. The once empty manger now is filled with the grandeur of God in this vulnerable, innocent, defenseless, dependent form wrapped in swaddling clothes.

We see God in this shadow of weakness and humility. This makes no sense. IT is here that the true meaning of "Merry Christmas" rise to the front.

God acts in a way that is beyond our imagination. God is not limited by our reason, by what and how we imagine him to act. Rather he comes to stretch our imagination. God is always more than.

A new way of living and a new way of loving has entered into the world:defenseless love comes to meet us and tear down our defenses and makes our life and love possible.

Who could have ever imagine this?
Yet it remains captivating, it s drawing power is overwhelming as friends, family, strangers all gather together, stand together, kneel together, sing together.

Ingenious really.

This is what it means to say "Merry CHristmas."

So much caught up in such a little phrase. So much to offer, but perhaps the size of the phrase is meant to mimic the reality of Christmas where GOd becomes small so that we may welcome him and never be the same.

questions

2011-12-23T16:30:00.003-06:00

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25 Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand; Luke 1:57-66

Today's reading give us the picture of the birth of John the Baptist. There was much mystery over this birth. Zechariah, his father, was speechless, stricken mute, throughout the pregnancy. Elizabeth, his mother, chose the name John, which befuddled everyone since there was no previous John in the family. Zechariah finally speaks as he blesses God.

All of this leaves the neighborhood filled with fear, "Then fear came upon all their neighbors."

Here we have an interesting situation.

Elizabeth and Zechariah who were both elderly and barren finally have a child, that which they longed for throughout their marriage. They finally experience the blessing of God.

This is suppose to be good news worth celebrating. Yet, it is fear not joy that falls upon the neighborhood.

What are they afraid of, what and why do they fear?

I believe the question they ask points to the ground of their fear, "What, then, will this child be?"

This is a great question. This is the question of advent and Christmas.

Yet, this is not the question we ask today. Today,w e ask"what do you want for Christmas?" or "have you finished your christmas shopping?"

How often in life we find ourselves asking the wrong question. The people of Zechariah's neighborhood, asked the perfect question, "What, then, will this child be?"

The question isn't so much about John as it is about the people. They want to know how this child is going to impact their lives. They want to know what changes will they have to endure.

The birth of John the Baptist and the circumstances and mystery all point toward the reality that GOd has a plan; it all points to the fact that God is alive and near and is part of the their lives.

This is the realization that gives the people a cause to be afraid.

As st. PAul says, "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.

This is what John the baptist's birth signifies. God is alive' GOd has a planned.The people are now aware that God is not longer distant but he is near to them and he is int heir midst; God cares.

If the birth of John the Baptist awakens people to this reality, how much more the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.

The question we should ask as we peer into the manger, "What, then, will this child be?" or as the Carol goes, "What child is this?"

Should not the birth of Jesus shake things up. Should not we be awaken to the reality that God has a planned, that he is near to us.

This is the beauty of Christmas.

He remembered his promise

2011-12-22T07:19:00.002-06:00

1 Samuel 1:24-28; PS my heart exults in the Lord, my savior; Luke 1:46-56

Here are the words of the Blessed Mother after the greeting with Elizabeth:

"He has come to the whelp of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to ABraham and his Children forever."

What promise?

We have to go to Genesis 12 to begin to understand this "promise" that Blessed MAry Speaks of in this hymn of rejoicing.

In a nutshell, God promises three things to Abraham: 1)land 2)dynasty or kingdom 3)world wide blessing

The blessed Mother's reason for rejoicing is the reality that the promise spoken has now become enfleshed in the child she carries in her womb.

Our Father keeps his promises. When he delivers, wow!

Here are a few words from the Pope yesterday in his Wednesday Audience:

"There is a second aspect that I would like to touch upon briefly. The event of Bethlehem should be considered in the light of the Paschal Mystery: The one and the other are part of the one redemptive work of Christ. Jesus' incarnation and birth invite us to direct our gaze to His death and resurrection: Christmas and Easter are both feasts of the Redemption. Easter celebrates it as the victory over sin and death: It signals the final moment, when the glory of the Man-God shines forth as the light of day; Christmas celebrates it as God's entrance into history, His becoming man in order to restore man to God: It marks, so to speak, the initial moment when we begin to see the first light of dawn."

The first light of Dawn broke forth in the darkness of the womb. Even in Mary's womb there is light, her womb knows no darkness for she bears the promise, the light of the world.

The spanish terminology for giving birth is "dar la luz. "
A woman give light when she delivers her child. This is true is a unique way at Christmas when Mary give birth to the light of the world. The promise of God is made manifest for all to see.

Hark

2011-12-21T16:58:00.002-06:00

Song of Songs 2:8-14; Ps 33 Exult, you just in the Lord; SIng to him a new song; Luke 1:39-45

Hark! My lover-here he comes....

What beautiful words given to us from the church in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

The reading of above is often used during weddings, nuptial celebrations. We celebrate the union of two becoming one.

Christmas is also a wedding. The union of two becoming one, God becoming man and man united to God in the person of Jesus Christ. This incarnation is the prefiguring of the wedding of the Lamb. The Bridegroom is coming...we must go out to meet him, with hearts and arms wide open, ready for the sweet embrace of eternity filling our time and space.

Hark! pay close attention. Stop what you are doing. Cease your busy work. Avoid the distractions that have hounded you all year. Hit the pause button on your life. Stop and listen. Open your eyes and see. Hark in deed. Do not let this season pass you bye with out noticing the love that comes.

Hark! Spend a few extra moments before the nativity scene, before the manger. Don't get so caught up in shopping and wrapping and lose sight of why we do what we do in the first place.

Hark! What a beautiful word to describe what we should be doing this advent season. What Christmas is all about.

It isn't about rushing. It is about Harking. A word that describes prayer, meditation, silence, attentive watching and listening, eager preparation, making ready for the visit and arrival of Love that has let himself be seen.

Hark! My lover-here he comes!

We look to the gospel: Mary set out for the hill coutnry in haste. Should we all not set our sight on the heights and make haste.

But, at Christmas we remember that the heights has come to us and made himself low. The hills have been made into valleys and God himself has come down to us.

This is why John the Baptist leapt for Joy. Shuld we not leap as well.

Harking and leaping is the sign of the times; sounds like a Christmas Carol.

Harkig and Leaping: give it a whirl.

Today is Dec 21: the winter solstice, in which it is the shortest day and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. This simply means though the sun is seen less the stars shine longer. Remember light shines brightest when it is darkest. This is why we celebrate Christmas in the winter season: the light comes and in the dark it is easier to see. Love has let himself be seen

How can this be

2011-12-20T07:21:00.004-06:00

Isaiah 7:10-14; Ps 24 Let the Lord enter; he is the king of Glory; Luke 1:26-38

We have been hearing and encountering the annunciation when Gabriel comes to Mary in the gospel of Luke over the past three weeks quite a bit. It is a common passage during the latter part of advent.

The pope on Sunday took up a little sermon on the a particular part of the annunciation; he focused on the question of MAry to the angel, "How can this be..."

Below is a little of his insight.

"This is why the one question that Mary, "greatly disturbed," asks the angel is so important: "How can this be since I do not know man?" (Luke 1:34). In her simplicity Mary is very wise: She does not doubt God's power, but wants to understand his will better so that she can completely conform to this will. Mary is infinitely surpassed by the mystery and yet, she perfectly occupies the post that she is assigned at its center. Her heart and her mind are completely humble, and, precisely because of her singular humility, God awaits this young woman's "yes" to realize his design. He respects her freedom. Mary's "yes" implies both maternity and virginity, and it desires that everything in her is for God's glory, and that the Son whom she will bear will be wholly the gift of grace.
Dear friends, Mary's virginity is unique and unrepeatable, but its spiritual significance regards every Christian. It, in substance, is linked to faith: In fact, those who deeply trust in the love of God welcome Jesus within themselves, his divine life, through the action of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery of Christmas! I hope that you will all live it with profound joy."

She does not doubtGod's power but she wants to understand his will better so that she can completely conform to this will.

What a beautiful insight.
What a beautiful example.

We too like Mary are often left with questions as the mystery of life unfolds before us, often in ways we did not anticipate nor expect. Yet, like MAry, we can bring our questions to God in humility and faith and not be afraid to seek understanding.

Our seeking to understand must always be trumped by our willingness to surrender. We seek to understand not just to know but to let go.

God invites our questions, he does not condemn them. Mary's faith and humility is exactly what allows her to pose the question that brings about a glimpse into the mystery of God's will. It is her faith that brings forth the question that penetrates the darkness of the mystery and reveals light and allows illumination.

Our questions are important. We too must present them in faith and wait for the God to open the mystery of life and leads us through. Then we too shall be better able to conform, to surrender, to speak those words, "let it be done to me according to thy word."

home stretch

2011-12-19T07:07:00.003-06:00

Judges 13:2-7,24-25; Ps 71 My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory; Luke 1:5-25

Here we are, our waiting is almost over. We find ourselves on the Home stretch.

The finish line looms on the horizon and the horizon is just few days away, where we shall gather with family, friends, strangers, and all of us shall have our gaze fixed upon the manger and once again we shall know, even for just brief and fleeting moment, what it is like to be child again, caught up in the wonder of it all.

For a brief moment, there amongst the crowd, we shall come in contact with the beauty awakened by faith.

And, we shall realize that perhaps the crowd isn't a crowd but rather perhaps as our gaze meet the gaze of the child, we realize that we are the same, we are all family, we belong together.

We shall sing together, we shall stand together, we shall kneel together, we shall prayer together all because of something so small and so precious and so humble lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes.

What an ingenious way of penetrating the human heart and tearing down our defenses.

We shall stand together, defenseless at the God who becomes defenseless love for us.

We are on the Home stretch. As we move forward this week, may we move slowly; may our steps be deliberate and may our minds ponder deeply that which is waiting for our arrival.

In today's gospel, we encounter the conception of John the Baptist to a Elizabeth, who was righteous in the eyes of God, obedient and blameless and barren and advanced in years.

The angel comes and informs Zechariah that to them a child shall come, who will be great in the sight of the Lord, be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, and he shall turn the children of Israel to the Lord to "prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Are we "fit" for the Lord.

Here are a few words from St. Padre Pio: "You ought to ask our Lord for just one thing: to love him. All the rest should be thanksgiving."

HEre is the attitude that will truly help us see the gift of defenseless love that is waiting in the manger for all to see.

Presentation

2011-12-17T12:44:00.008-06:00

2 Samuel 7:1-16; Ps 89 Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord; Romans 16:25-27

I want to continue our walk through the mass with the changes that have been implemented since Advent started.
Last week I preached on that which didn’t change: the postures and gestures that invites us to immerse ourselves fully into the worship reality: body and soul

Today we look at the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

But first, I want to draw your attention to the offertory; the presentation of the gifts.

This is one of the most neglected parts of our worship; the homily is finished, the creed is professed, the petitions are made, and we sit back as the ushers come through for the collection.

Perhaps we have tendency to treat this time as an intermission of sorts.

But there is so much more going on.

The offertory, the name itself, suggest what is happening. This is what we offer, what we present, what we bring to the table. It represents our gift to God…

The bread and the wine, the monetary gift all represent our life, our thanks to God, our yearning, our dreams, our prayers, our sacrifices. what we think of God.

St. Augustine stated that we should look closely at the bread and the wine, for joined to them are the sacrifices of the people of God:

think bout the sacrifices:

-single mother who drags her children to mass every Sunday: works three jobs just to make ends meet
-parents whose child just got diagnosed with a serious illness and they have more questions than answers
-alcoholic who has been somber for 17 years and just made through another 7 days of one day at a time
-father who just got laid off and wondering where to go next
-spouse who just said farwell to her mate after 35 years of marriage

you ever wonder what you look like when you come to mass: most of the time we look pretty normal but there isn’t a moment where each of us don't bleed from the eyes with broken hearts and sacrifices to offer.

This is all represented by the bread, the wine where the priest acting in the person of Christ, accepts this offering, and places it all on the altar as Christ placed his body on the altar of the cross, and joins it to His perfect perfect sacrifice.

IT is all raised to the father, and the Holy Spirit is invoked to transform them by filling them with God's very presence, and then it is returned to the people of God, to you and I, that we may have the grace to offer sacrifice & praise for one more week.

Think about the Bread and the wine as a symbol of our sacrifice but it also reminds us of what and how we are too live a life of faith.

What does it involve to get bread and wine?

In order of reread to be bread the wheat has to die, then ground and smashed, then baked only then can it become food that nourishes.

In order for wine to be a reality the grapes are picked, then stomped and smahed, fermented, only then with time does it become the drink that brings gladness to the human heart.

Bread and the wine are the perfect symbol of the life of faith: Jesus says: unless a grain of wheat dies it does not bear fruit; unless you take up your cross an follow after me you can't be my disciple; you must lose self, in order to find yourself.

We don’t just offer our sacrifices, we present what we are called to be:
It is our very lives we place on the altar and they are united to the sacrifice of Christ and become transformed by the Holy spirit.

In the Liturgy now, the priest ask the people the pray "that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to almighty God" and we pray together, "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of his holy church."

The prayer itself speaks to the longing of our hearts. Do we not want our sacrifice to be meaningful, do we not want it to be for our good and good of all. when we unite our sacrifice to the perfect sacrifice of Christ it is enlivened with the purpose of Christ and meaning is ushered in. IT is here at the altar that all the sacrifices in the world, those of you and I, are raised and thus become life giving for they meet with that one sacrifice that brings life to the world.

It is more than an intermission; it is an invitation to let God take us as we are and to make us who we need to be for his glory and praise as we are united to that perfect sacrifice of Christ and thus are filled with his life giving spirit.

Christmas list

2011-12-16T07:19:00.006-06:00

Isaiah 56:1-8; Ps 67 God, let all the nations praise you; John 5:33-36

Christmas list abound this time of year. Children write letters to Santa all over the world making their request, hoping and waiting as their hungry little eyes peer beneath the Christmas tree all arrayed in lights.

Everyone has a list, a Christmas Wish list! It isn't just for children. I know plenty of adults, grown ups, who have made their list and checked it twice who drop little hints to their unsuspecting spouse, just in case they weren't attentive enough to get it the first time.

As the credit card commercial for capitol one states, "what's in your wallet?" What is in your list?

Isaiah reveals to us this morning what is on God's list.

1) observe what is right, do what is just
2)keep the sabbath free from profanation
3)keeps his hand from evil doing
4)Loving the name of the Lord, becoming his servants

These I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer.

What a gift. God, our father, had revealed to us his "Christmas" list not just for the season but for a life.

Imagine what would the world would look like awaken by the beauty of faith in action.

God has a list for us so that CHristmas can truly be received and celebrated. It is the Christ child who shows us how to love his name and become his servant on bended knee does he wash the feet.

Yesterday ,here at St. Michael's, we had our Christmas Pageant. All of the students came together and brought Bethlehem to Cuero, Texas. Mary, Joseph, the child, the shepherds, the wise men, the animals (sheep, donkeys, cows, camels), the angels singing glory to God in the highest, St, Nick and even Martin Luther made a showing.

What a sight to behold.

For a brief moment, all were fixed on the manger. For a brief moment, worries were forgotten, fears relived, hope enliven, joy restored to world that is often to busy to stop long enough for God's embrace.

What beauty awaken by faith that transcends all. Yesterday in the hall, our children did what St, John the Baptist did, illuminated the path and became a light shining on Christ.

As Jesus points out in the gospel: "John was a burning and shining lamp, for a while you were content to rejoice in his light."

We too like John must bring warmth and light. This is what the children did, though it took work and dedication. Such it is with light; what gives light must endure burning.

Go forth.

hiddenness

2011-12-15T06:39:00.007-06:00

Isaiah 54:1-10; PS 30 I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me; Luke 7:24-30

The words of Isaiah

"For moment I hid my face from you;But with enduring love I take pity on you."

How often in our life do we experience the silence of God? How often in our life do we experience the darkness that is God? How often in our life do we wonder why God is hiding his face from us?

As Psalm 88 exclaims, "my one companion is darkness."

God will at times hide his face from us. There will be moments of darkness, trials, tribulations. But, as ISaiah reminds us, times of darkness, this hiddenness of God, is a means to an end, an end by which we are awaken to the enduring love of God.

It is the hiddenness of God that prepares us for the promise we hear on the lips of Isaiah, "Though the mountains leave their places and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD who has mercy on you."

Darkness gives way to light. Silence gives way to great rejoicing. Hiddenness find itself enveloped in the sweet embrace of mercy.

**********
We look to the gospel this morning.

The gospel writers ends the particular passage of the gospel with these few lines, "but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves."

They rejected the plan of God for themselves.

Think about that for a moment. How often do we reject the plan of God for us, for our community, for our families, etc!

How often does the plan of God rub us raw and irritate us? Think about your life for a moment; when have you rejected the plan of God? When have you cried out to God in refusing to move forward? When have any of us thrown a tantrum of faith, refusing to bend to the call of God as the mystery of tomorrow unfolds?

When God acts in a way we do not anticipate; when God acts in a way we do not appreciate; when God acts in a way we do not like or are not ready for, these are the moments we put our shields us and get in defensive mode.

But these are the exact moments we have been waiting for.

We, like the Pharisees and the scholars, we think we know exactly how God is suppose to reveal himself? We think we have it mapped out how God is suppose to reveal his plan in our life and when it doesn't fit the mold we have formed or the image we have in mind then we too reject.

Learn from the Pharisees and the scholars. Instead of trying to manipulate God and anticipate God, why not just simply surrender to Him.

Advent is a time of waiting; but we wait so that we might surrender and receive the gift God offers. The only thing we have control over and that which we choose to surrender.

life in glory

2011-12-14T06:43:00.006-06:00

Isaiah 45:6-25; Ps Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior; Luke 7:18-23

Today in the life of the Church, we honor the memory of St. John of the Cross, a spanish priest and mystic.

He took it upon himself to draw a map of the journey to the mount of perfection. At the summit of the journey he wrote these words, "Here on this mount, dwell only the honor and glory of God."

Glory of God. Something to think about as we live and breathe.

There is attributed to God by the theologians a twofold glory: intrinsic glory of the inner life of the Trinity and the extrinsic glory that redounds to God through his external works.

The knowledge and love God has for himself in the mystery of his infinite beauty constitutes his intrinsic glory: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, this communion of perfect love, perfect giving one to the other.

God is infinitely perfect and has no need of anything outside of himself. Thus, the reason for creation must somehow be found in God's goodness and love. God created all things for himself; all things exist in and for God. God, out of love for the infinite goodness that he is, wills to communicate the good that he already possesses.

In case of creatures endowed with intellect and will, they are called to share in the glory of the inner life of the Trinity. By a process the Fathers of the Church did not hesitate to describe as "deification" and "divination". God's own glory shines forth resplendently in the souls of the Just.

The entire created universe exists in order to manifest the goodness, truth, and beauty of God; that is the extrinsic glory seen from the view point of the Creator. From the creature's side, the glory of God is seen in striving for greater perfection whereby God is praised and glorified.

The rational creature manifest the capacity to share in the very nature and life of God himself and the ability to give back to God, through praise and loving service, all that has been received. Thus, all is ordained to the same ultimate end, the glory of God.

As St. PAul reminds us, "whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God" that is reflect his beauty, his goodness, his truth, his love in the life you live.

Thus, sanctification and salvation are not an end in themselves but rather the most excellent and efficacious means of giving glory to the Most Holy Trinity. Total abandonment to God's will, which comes at the profound and painful purgation of self-love becomes the process by which glory is given.

Thus, "but trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home." Wordsworth

For further reading: Spiritual Theology by Fr Jordan Auman, free ebook online or at kindle.
St. John pray for us.

Guadalupe

2011-12-13T22:46:00.003-06:00

Above is a presentation on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe now hanging in the Basilica in MExico city for the past 450 years since the apparition to St. Juan Diego in 1531

body language

2011-12-10T15:15:00.004-06:00

This past weekend I was invited to a Houston Texan football game. I went along with a priest friend of mine, who will remain nameless and two other dear dear friends.

We headed out Sunday morning to join 90,000 other so called football fans to Reliant Arena for some football. Now this friend, the priest, isn't known for his football Savy. He is not a student of the game. But he informed me that he was going to study up so that he would be ready for some football.

So ont he way up to Houston, I decided to quiz him, just to see what he learned. I asked questions that any fareweather fan would know.

For instance, who was Andre Johnsaon or Arian Foster. And he did not know either of them. In fact, I am certain he didn't know the difference between a safety and a tide end. I questioned his ability to tell the difference between the offense and defense.

He did know, however, the back up quarterback's name, TJ Yates. He knew htis becasue he read it in the paper that morning.

Needless to say, I was a bit suspicious as to whether or not he would actually enjoy the game.

But to my surprise, He seemed to really get in to the game. He was standing when he needed to stand; he was cheering when he needed to cheer; he was yelling when he needed to yell; he was even hihgh fiving peopel around him when the TExans did well.

I was amazed. At point, I even caught him doing the First DOwn Gesture with his hands.

He really immersed himself in the Ritual of the Arena asI call it. He let himself get carried away.

The more we immerse ourself in something, the more we get out of it. We have give in order to get. I was proud of him. If he would have just sat there like a stump on a log, he would have been bored out of his mind.

As it is with football, so it remains with worship. the more w eput ourselves into the worship experience the more we experience from it. This is what the Church ask when it tells us to be full, active and conscious in our particpation during the liturgy.

The Church offers aids for on how to involve ourselves. The church offers instructions on posture and gestures to enable worship to become a full body experience, a truly integrated experience where we worship with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Thus we live out what St. Paul speaks of when he invites us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.

The postures and gestures are just as important as the words we speak.

Every part of our body is an expressive instrument of our soul. Our soul expresses itself in prayer through our body. Our body communicates what we believe.

Let us go back to the game for a moment. When we were headed toward our seats, the star spangled Banner staretd to eb sung. Instantly, everyone stopped in their tracks; whether they had a hot odog one hand and popcorn in the other, they stopped.

Hats were remobed and hands went to cover the chest as the hymn was sung.

Our bodies express a deeper meaning. Think about when we fold our hands or bow our head or bend a knee, instantly we are at prayer with our bodies long bore any words are ever used.

Go back to the liturgy. Think about the gestures and postures at Mass.

We have the catholic calesthetics: kneeling, sitting, standing.
Kneeling is a sign of humility; we make ourselves small before God.
Sitting is a posture of being receptive, we are open to God's word.
Standing is a posture of liberty, vigilance, and action. We are ready to respond and to live the invitation of Christ.

We fold our hands in prayer. Folding our hands in prayer is a sign of vulnerabilty. We are not defensive toward God, but vulnerable and willing to trust and entrust our life to him.

We genuflect when come into the church. Genflection is borrowed from the roman SOldiers who would genuflect to a superior as a sign of respect and honor. For us it is a profession of faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as we geneuflect to our superior. We genuflect to our superior officer. the king of kings, the Lord of Lords.

We strike our breast at the confiteor. Notice, I said strike and not brush or flick. We are not dusting off dandruff but striking ourselves. We strike ourselevs to hold ourselves accoutnable and to wake us up, to jar us awake and get us ready for the celebration of mercy that comes to us in the Eucharist.

We are instructed to Bow our Head at the names of Jesus, Mary and the Saint of the day. Here bowing our head is a way of acknowledging the holiness of them who have responed to Gods grace. We see Jesus and Mary and the Saints and recognize that grace as triumphant in the human heart and in history. How often in our life do we hear people misuse the name of JEsus. This is the name of above all names at which St. PAul says every head shall bow and every knee shall bend.

We Bow at the Creed at the "by the Holy Spirit incarnate of the virgin Mary" again to imitate with our bodies the movement of God who comes from heaven to earth. Our God is humble and we humbleourselves before him.

THe triple cross at the gospel where we mark our foreheads, lips, and heart with the cross as we say "GLory to You O Lord." We pray that the word of Christ will penetrate our minds and hearts so as to transform and purify our thoughts, words, and desires and actions. Don't we need the word of GOd to purify our thoughts, to infiltrate our words so that the goodness of God flows through what we speak, or enter into our hearts so as to purify our desires and thus direct our actions.

Then we come up for communion. We are instruct to make a throne out of our hands so as to receieve the gift of the Eucharist, or we receive in our mouth by opening wide and extending our tongue. Both cases, we come to receive the gift not take the gift. W emus extend to receive the gift that is offered by God. How often we are not attentive to the what we are doing.

ALl of this is meant to get us to immerse ourselves in the liturgy. We come to give ourselves whole and entire, body, heart, mind, soul. It is an integrated experience. Thus we can truly offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. What we do with th ebody in worship is meant to affect what we do with our bodies outside of worship.

Every part of the body is an expressive instrument of the osul. THe soul prays by expressing itself through the body. Our body communicates what we believe.

Thus our bodies are offered as a living sacrifice.

Our body language at worship is just as important as the words we speak.

Only then do we truly love the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, soul, strength.

How do I listen???

2011-12-10T12:40:00.003-06:00

Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; My soul rejoices in my God; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28

A poem:
How
DO I
Listen to others?
As if everyone were my Master
Speaking to me
His
Cherished
Last
Words.

Look at the gospel today, this 3rd Sunday of advent.

listen the words of the John the Baptist as he responds to the Pharisee's question: "But there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me..."

Think about that cryptic statement: the one you do not recognize, the one who is among you.

Imagine, knowing that the Messiah was in your midst, hiding in plain sight. He could be anyone, he could be everyone, he could be one of us and all of us.

Would that change how we listened? Would that change how we respond? Would we be more attentive and on edge and on the look out? Would that be enough to truly get us rejoicing?

THe verse in the bible that follows today's gospel where it left off is John 1:29, "The next day he saw JEsus coming toward him and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

The next day he saw Jesus coming. The next day is always right around the corner.
BE attentive, be ready, be alert!

How
Do I
Listen to others?
As if everyone were my Master
Speaking to me
His
Cherished
Last
Words.

Pope's christmas wish

2011-12-09T22:32:00.003-06:00

This past thursday Pope Benedict lit the largest Christmas Tree in the world on the mountain side of Gubbio in Italy. On this occasion he gave his three wishes for Christmas. Take a fe moments to ask God to give you strength to live the wishes of the Pope this Christmas Season.

1)"My first wish, therefore, is that our gaze, that of our minds and our hearts, not rest only on the horizon of this world, on its material things, but that it in some way, like this tree that tends upward, be directed toward God.

2)My second wish is that we recall that we also need a light to illumine the path of our lives and to give us hope, especially in this time in which we feel so greatly the weight of difficulties, of problems, of suffering, and it seems that we are enshrouded in a veil of darkness.

3)My final wish is that each of us contribute something of that light to the spheres in which we live: our families, our jobs, our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Patroness of the United States

2011-12-07T23:02:00.001-06:00

We take this occasion, brethren, to communicate to you the determination, unanimously adopted by us, to place ourselves and all entrusted to our charge throughout the United States, under the special patronage of the holy Mother of God, whose Immaculate Conception is venerated by the piety of the faithful throughout the Catholic Church.

By the aid of her prayers, we entertain the confident hope that we will be strengthened to perform the arduous duties of our ministry, and that you will be enabled to practice the sublime virtues, of which her life presents the most perfect example.”
--Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of the United States
Sixth Provincial Council
Baltimore
5 May 1846

Question and answers about Mary

2011-12-07T22:22:00.006-06:00

ZENIT asked these and other questions to Father Stefano Cecchin, of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, secretary of the Pontifical International Marian Academy.

ZENIT: Why is Mary's virginity so important?

Father Cecchin: Mary's virginity is an essential part of Christian faith in as much as it is the guarantee that Jesus is the "Son of God" who became man in the womb of a woman. Joseph, "Mary's husband" (Matthew 1:20) is not Jesus' real father. Because Mary, Matthew's Gospel continues, conceived Jesus without having any relations with her husband (Matthew 1:25). What was generated in her is the "work of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20), for this reason Christ is man, in as much as he was born of a woman in regard to his humanity, but at the same time he is God in as much as this procreation came about by the action of the Trinity in Mary. Mary is a real mother, hence Jesus is a real man; Mary is a virgin, hence Jesus is the Son of God: this is a synthesis of the Christian faith.

ZENIT: Who was Mary?

Father Cecchin: Mary was a virgin, "promised bride" of a man of the house of David called Joseph (Luke 1:26). The Gospels don't give us too many other details. We know only that she was a relative of Elizabeth, believed to be a descendant of Aaron and hence of a priestly family (Luke 1:5). We see her to be an intelligent woman, who before giving her assent to the Angel wished to understand what God was asking of her. Always attentive to the Word, she kept it and reflected on it in her heart. A solicitous mother, she ensured that the child be wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in the manger. Anguished, she searched for him for three days until she arrived at the Temple where she found him among the doctors: we hear the last words of Mary and the first of Jesus in Luke's Gospel. At Cana, she is concerned that the spouses had no wine and fearless she turned to Jesus convinced that he could resolve the problem. So she invited the servants to do "whatever he tells you." We find her beside the Crucified who entrusted the Church to her, in which we find her, after the Lord's Ascension, together with his disciples. This is the Mary we know from the Gospels: the woman always ready to hear the Word and to put it into practice -- the most beautiful example of a true follower of Jesus.

ZENIT: Why was she called Mary?

Father Cecchin: Mary is a very ancient name that is found in the different languages of the Middle East. It seems to derive from the Egyptian Myrhiam which means "princess." Other interpretations translate it as "Highness" (we have been visited by a sun that arises from on high, that is, from Mary), or "Mare amamor" or to be bitter, because of the sufferings she would endure with the Passion of her Son. Some Fathers of the Church interpret her as "Star of the sea." The Bible mentions Myriam, Moses' sister. In any case, the Gospels do not give us any explanation of the reason behind her name.

ZENIT: Why was she chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world?

Father Cecchin: The Virgin herself answered this question: "Because He has looked upon the humility of his handmaid" (Luke1:48).

ZENIT: What are her virtues?

Father Cecchin: Blessed Pope John Paul II reminded us that: Mary "shines forth to the whole community of the elect as a model of the virtues" (Redemptoris Mater, 6). This is so because the Church looks to her as the perfectly fulfilled creature, in as much as "no one has responded with a love greater than hers to the immense love of God" (Pastores dabo vobis, 36). Her virtues are in consonance with her conception of Jesus, to her task to make that child grow in "holiness and grace," to her journey of faith that developed in following Christ, up to the moment of the cross and the joy of the Resurrection. Mary is a woman rich in virtues because she is fully "woman," that is, she is the one who has fully lived a human life.

ZENIT: Why do Catholics pray so much to Mary?

Father Cecchin: Because they are the disciples of Jesus who from the cross indicated that they should have Mary as "Mother."

ZENIT: How can we explain the feast of the Immaculate Conception to today's world?

Father Cecchin: Certainly, this truth of faith is not easy to understand! It is, however, the symbol of the exceeding love of God who desires "friendship" with man. After sin, in fact, God promised to put enmity between the woman and evil [represented by the serpent], between their descendants. With the coming of Christ, this promise was realized. The Mother of the Messiah could never have been a friend of the serpent. And it is precisely because of her mission as Mother of the Savior, that God granted her an anticipated grace in view of the whole work of Christ the Savior and Redeemer which, thanks to Mary's yes, was about to be realized.

Hence, Mary enjoyed our same redemption but for her it happened in a different way to show how Christ is truly the most perfect Redeemer, whose redemption operates before and after the event itself of the cross.
Today there is talk of the prevention of illnesses. Look, Jesus is the most perfect doctor who not only can heal the sins of the world but also prevent them: and He does this with his Mother -- hence the celebration of this dogma, which, as all Marian dogmas, exalts Christ primarily. It is useful to be able to understand better the real character of the work of our redemption: the universality and power of Christ's mediation.

St. Augustine on the why of Christ

2011-12-07T08:33:00.005-06:00

"God established a time for his promise and a time for their fulfillment. The time for promise was in the time of the prophets, until John the Baptist; from John until the end is the time of fulfillment.

God, who is faithful, put himself in our debt, not by receiving anything but by promising so much. A promise was not sufficient for him; he chose to commit himself fin writing as well, as it were making a contract of hi promises. He wanted us to see the way in which his promises were redeemed when he began to discharge them. And so the time of the prophets was, as we have often said, the foretelling of the promises.

He promised eternal salvation, everlasting happiness with the angels, an immortal inheritance, endless glory, the joyful vision of his face, his holy dwelling in heaven, after his resurrection from the dead no further fear of dying. This is as it were, his final promise, the goal of all our striving.. When we reach it we shall ask for nothing more.

But as for the way in which we are to arrive at our final goal, he has revealed this also, by promise and prophecy.

He has promised men divinity, mortals immortality, sinners justification, the poor rising to glory.

But because God's promises seemed impossible to men, God not only made a written contract with men to win their belief but also established a mediator of his good faith, not a prince or angel or archangel, but his only Son. He wanted through his Son, to show us and give us the way he would lead us to the goal he has promised.

It was not enough to make his Son our guide to the way; he made him the way itself, that you might travel with him as leader, and by him as the way." St. Augustine

Here are a few words from Pope BEnedict on this Wednesday

""Our whole personal, familial and social existence passes through this dimension of waiting. Waiting is something that is present in a 1,000 situations, from the smallest and most banal to the most important, which draw us in completely and in the deepest way. Among these, we think of a husband and wife waiting for a child; of waiting for a relative or friend who is coming from far away to visit us; we think of a young person waiting to know his grade on a major exam or the outcome of a job interview; in romantic relationships, of waiting to meet the beloved person, of waiting for a letter, or of receiving forgiveness... One could say that man is alive so long as he waits, so long as hope is alive in his heart. And man is able to recognize that what he waits for and what he hopes for discloses something about his moral and spiritual "stature."

St Nick

2011-12-06T06:59:00.007-06:00

Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96 Th Lord our God comes with Power; Mt 18:12-14

Click here for the origin of santa claus
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Nick, the bishop of the 4th century that was known for his charity. It was on this day growing up that we children in the Berger home would rise real early for we knew there would be a special treat for us on the table.

When we entered the kitchen, there would be 12 bowls laid out overflowing with candy, chocolate and otherwise. We would quickly select the bowl we thought held the most candy in it and then go hide it so the our siblings wouldn't get their fingers on it.

Funny thing about this reality. We were supposed to have learned about charity and giving and yet we all were a little bit selfish in receiving, wanting ours and not wanting others to take from us what we received.

I guess we are all that way at moments. We can all be a bit greedy with the gifts we receive never realizing or realizing only later that it is a gift undeserved and how foolish it is to claim it as our own when we all know gifts are meant to be given not hoarded.

Our PArents tried to teach us that charity is sweet. Good ole St. Nick, may he continue to intercede for us that we may learn how to generously receive and thus generously give in return.

Here are a few words from Pope BEnedict concerning John the Baptist

"Therefore, John’s appeal goes far beyond and deeper than a call to a sober lifestyle: it is a call for inner change, starting with the recognition and confession of our sins. As we prepare for Christmas, it is important that we find time for self contemplation and carry out an honest assessment of our lives. May we be enlightened by a ray of the light that comes from Bethlehem, the light of He who is "the Greatest" and made himself small, he who is "the Strongest" but became weak."

We look to the gospel today and Jesus asks for the "opinion" of his disciples. We are his disciples so perhaps he is asking us what is our opinion.

What do you think about this shepherd who leaves the 99 to search for the one who strays? Before you think about that notice that the JEsus tells us that the shepherd leaves the 99 in the hills, that is on the heights.

The shepherd doesn't abandon the 99 recklessly but rather he makes sure they are safe and sound; they are away from the wolves in the valley. In the hills, on the heights close to the heavens.

Only then does he search diligently so that he might bring the stray upward as well. In deed the one who strays is the one who goes down but in Christ we are all raised to new heights and thus given a cause to rejoice.

JEsus always brings us up, lifts us high, raises us to the Father.

The one who is from on high comes low to us so that w eight be raised, elevated to new kind of living and loving.

This beautiful story truly encapsulates the incarnation, the one on high comes low so that we who are lowly can be raised and in being raised the heavens rejoice.

As Isaiah proclaims, "in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care."

Have you been raised lately? Have you been carried in his arms? If so then rejoice and remember do not entertain false joys always keep your joy real.

Fool proof

2011-12-05T07:15:00.003-06:00

Isaiah 35:1-10; ps 85 our God will come to save us; Luke 5:17-26

Advent offers some of the most profoundly hopeful and beautiful readings. As we read from Isaiah the entire landscape of our lives is turned upside down and beauty and life rise to meet us.

Isaiah invites us in for a stroll to see what life can be: "the desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will bloom; abundant flowers and rejoicing with joyful songs..."eyes will be opened, ears will hear, lame will leap, the mute shall sing; streams will burst forth. A highway will be there called the holy wAy, and no one unclean shall pass nor fools go astray. It is for those who have a journey to make and on it the redeemed will walk. Those ransomed shall be crowned with everlasting joy"

Wow! It seems like a Disney special. The best part is that it is "fool proof" for even fools can't go astray.

Amazing.
We just have to acknowledge our own need and be willing to make the journey with one step at a time.
It is a journey of a thousand steps but each one is made in the mercy we seek.

Walk in mercy today both seeking and giving: it us fool proof!

Besides. Look at the gospel. We read these words, "Jesus knew their thoughts."

Who do we think we are kidding? There is no need for pretending, no need for pretense, no need for hiding, no need for putting on air, there is no need for any of that stuff! There is only need for mercy: seeking it and giving it.

We are not as strong as we think we are and thAt is why we lay ourselves before the feet of Jesus.

Only then cAn we hear "rise and walk" only then can we begin the journey home.

Wilderness

2011-12-03T15:02:00.003-06:00

The gospel of this 2nd Sudnay of Advent puts us right smack in the middle of the desert, the wilderness, face to faace with John the Baptist, one of the stars of Advent, the one who comes to announce the arrival of the Messiah, "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the things of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy SPirit."

Wow!

Let us look at the word and place of the wilderness, the desert.

The term “wilderness” has two different but related meanings, referring to something judged to be wild and bewildering. It is probably the unknown (bewildering) and uncontrolled (wild) character of the place that earned it the name “wilderness.”

There is also another way of understanding the meaning of desert or wilderness.
A careful look at the root of the word midvar (hebrew) reveals the word "davar" (hebrew) meaning “word” or “message.” The Hebraic notion of “desert” or “wilderness” is that holy place where God’s word is unbound and completely free to be heard, experienced and lived. We go to the desert to hear God’s Word, unbound and completely free.

Think about this for a moment. In order to hear the Word of God, we must be willing to enter that place that leaves us bewildered that place of chaos that plAce where we have no control. It is there God invites us to come and listen.

We all have places like thT in our life. We have to fight the urge to get rid of them but rather enter and listen a new. This is what advent invites us to do!

John the Baptist is the Advent prophet. His image is often portrayed in the finger pointing to the one who was coming: Jesus Christ. If we are to take on John’s role of preparing the way in today’s world, our lives also will become the pointing fingers of living witnesses who demonstrate that Jesus can be found and that he is near.

We must find that place within us, that desert, so that we can hear the WOrd unbound and free and let it move us. Thus we become like John the Baptist.

John gave the people of his time an experience of forgiveness and salvation, knowing full well that he himself was not the Messiah, the one who could save. Do we allow others to have experiences of God, of forgiveness and of salvation?

John the Baptist came to teach us that there is a way out of the darkness and sadness of the world and of the human condition, and that way is Jesus himself. The Messiah comes to save us from the powers of darkness and death, and to put us back on the path of peace and reconciliation so that we might find our way back to God.

The way out of the wilderness of our lives is to first enter the wilderness where the word of GOd can truly be heard. Thus, we let the word, take root and begin to grow and direct our lives into meaning and purpose.

The creed

2011-12-03T14:17:00.003-06:00

since the beginning of the Advent season, we have introduced and have been using the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal.

By now, I am surethere are plenty who have grumbled in its use. Many of the "old Timers" probably whine and wonder why the changes, why not just keep it as it was.

Change is often like an avalanche upon the head.

We do not deal well with it.

The translations are a improvement to our previous attempt at understanding the Latin Text. The new changes are a more precise rendition of what the Church has been praying in Latin for centuries.

We should all want to Give God our best attempt.

Let us look at the creed for instance. There are some changes in our profession of faith that I think are instrumental in our faith life.

We believe/I believe

The first noticable change is we now start the creed with "I believe" as suppose to "we believe."

The Latin was always Credo in unum Deum. The first person singular. This is an important translation correction.

We must rememeber tha faith must truly become our own before we can ever share it is a community. We cannot give what we do not possess. What makes us a community of believers is the fact that each of us profess the same faith, "I" believe. It is the the "I" of the profession that makes way for the "we" of the community.

We have a responsibilty to make sure we understand what we each individually profess.

For too long we have just gone about business as usual without really thinking our faith profession through. Now is the time.

Seen and unseen/ visible and invisible
The second noticable change is tha we now profess God is maker of all things "visible and invisible" where as before is was seen and unseen.

Just a quick glance and we discover that to say something is invisible is not the same as being unseen.

There are many things that remain unseen to the naked eye yet are a very visible part of reality.

Think about bacteria for an instant. Think about pollen and mold. These things are very visble and cause a great deal of havoc in our life yet they are also unseen.

My truck, the white toyata that I drive around, is unseen to all of you reading this, but remains very visible.

The church wants make sure we are precise in our language of faith. Our Faith isin a God who creates all that is visible and invisible. There are many things that are invisible yet very real: angels for one, but God himself is invisible for he is immaterial. Think about the wind, it is invisible yet we know it by its effects.

This is humbling for us. Reality does not depend on what we can see or not see. In fact, reality is greater than what meets the eye.

This is what we stand on, this is what we build our foundation of faith on. We do not see everything,a nd what a relief for us.

consubstantial/one in being

When we profess our faith in Jesus Christ, we use to say, "God from God, light form light, True God from ture God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father" but now we say "consubstantial with the Father."

The word consubstantial replaces "one in being." One in being is a good phrase but it is not precise enough. We talk abot people being one in being with other all the time. Often times we use this to describe couples who are married, we say they are "one in being with each other." Let's face couples who have been together for soem time, think the same, liek the same things, the even begin to look the same.

They truly are one in being with each other. This is a great phrase for husbands and wives but not clear enough to understand the relationship between Jesus and God the Father.

Consubstantial is the word used by the council of Nicea 325 to try to penetrate the great mystery and reality that JEsus is true God, that he is the same stuff as the Father. IT is a difficult word becasue it is a difficult reality.

IT should be jarring every time we profess it, again so that we really think about what we are saying and praying. The fact that Jesus is God is the source of our Hope.

We can not fully comprehend this revelation but we can pray it and profess it.

Incarnate/ born

Prior to this year Advent Season, when we got to the part of the Creed "by the Holy SPirit he was, we would profess, "born" of the virgin MAry. But since Advent we now pray, "incarnate" of the Virgin MAry.

The word "incarnate" is not the same as "born". This is really important. When we profess that JEsus is incarnate of the virgin Mary, we are professing the reality that God becomes flesh at the moment of conception, not just at birth. This is a pro-life profession of faith. Life begins the moment the cells begin to multiply and the baby begins to be formed in the womn of his mother.

When does God enter our time and place in history, the moment he is conceived in his mother's womb.

This is instrumental for us.

How often we expect God to do amazing thngs to make himseld known. How oftenw e demand God to act in concrete and powerful ways so that we can believe in him. How often have we asked him heal this person or that, to change this relaity or that in order for us to truly believe. Yet the "incarnation" at conception points to a very important part of life.

God will come suddenly but often times he comes quietly and hidden.

God was enetering our history and time when JEsus was conceived in his mother's womb but yet no one was the wiser. Quietly and hidden God intervened. IT took 9 months for us to really get a handle of just how God acts, it took 9 months befoe the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, "this child is Emmanuel, God with us."

Just becasue we don't see God acting doesn't mean it isn't acting, behind the seens, in clear sight for all.

I look for/I look forward

the very last line of the creed has also undergone some change. We now profess, "I look forward to the resurrection of the dead" whereas before we professed "I look for the resurrection of the dead."

These are not the same. To look forward to something is slightly different than looking for something. We look for things all the time with a little certainty that we might find it. We look for our keys when they are lost, we look for our car when it is misplaced in a parking lot. But to look forward to something adds a little certainty to out step.

We don't just look for the ressurection of the dead but we look forward to this reality, which indicates a new level of awarenss that is fixed on certainty, one like us ahd already risen from the dead.

This is our hope, this is our expectation.

What we expect begins to be a motivation for our action. It should move us to live differently; it should shape our behavior and how we relate.

Poep Benedict tells us the one who expects nothing, can no longer live. We expect everything.

This is a fundamental reality and a ground of hope and thus a source of motivation for us as believers. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, thus, we live with great expectations filled with certainty in Christ.

again these are justa few of the chnages we have introduced in to our liturgy. Be thankful, for they are a gift of the Holy SPirit tot eh Church at this time and thus remain a gift for all of us who gather to pray.

Vocabulary list for Advent

2011-12-02T07:51:00.003-06:00

Isaiah 29:17-24; Ps 27 Th eLord is my light and my salvation; Mt 9:27-31

THe readings today offer us many vocabulary words for the Advent season as we prepare for the celebration of Christ entering our lives.

Just take a look at the words chosen by the prophet Isaiah and the psalmist in todays readings.

"Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see"

"The lowly will find joy in the Lord"

"THe poor will rejoice"

"For the Tyrant will be no more, the arrogant will have gone"

"THey shall reverence the holy one of Jacob"

"be in awe of the GOd of ISrael"

My personal favorite ccomes from the psalm
"be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord"

Stouthearted means to be bold, brave, and firm. Is this not what true waiting for the Lord entails, for us to be bold, brave, and steadfast as we anticipate is arrival. We cannot quit too soon.

We must be stouthearted in our faith.

This is the theme of Advent: stoutheartedness.

Try it for size.

Try these words on for size.

these words

2011-12-01T07:13:00.004-06:00

Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; Mt 7:21,24-27

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."

What are "these words" that we are to listen to and act on?
Jesus says a lot of things in the gospels, so I thought I might just pull out those things he speaks in chapter 7 of the gospel of Matthew. What does JEsus say right before these lines quoted above. I figured this is a good a place as any to start.

Matthew 7:1 "Stop judging that you may not be judged. For as you judge so you will be judged and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you."

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample then underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Matthew 7:7 "ask and it will be given to you,seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open."

Matthew 7:12 "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you."

Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate."

Matthew 7:15 :Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves."

Matthew 7:16 "By their fruits you will know them, Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Every good tree bears good fruit."

SO above are just a few of the things JEsus says right before we here the words above, "Everyone who listens to these words and acts on them is a man who built on rock."

Now here are some "words" to stir us during the Advent season so that we might truly be prepared for the celebration of the Coming of Christ.

For when we stand before Christ, he will look into our hearts, and he will check to see if his words have taken hold. WIll his words be seen by the life we live?

Take one of the above statements of Christ and work on it all day. Let it be your advent duty and your heart's content.

come after me

2011-11-30T15:32:00.004-06:00

Romans 10:9-18; Ps 10 Your words, Lord, are SPirit and Life; Mt 4:18-22

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Apostle Andrew, the second in the list of the twelve to be called, according to Matthew and Luke, and the brother of Peter.

According to Matthew's gospel, Jesus calls Peter and Andrew simultaneously, while they were casting the net into the sea.

I would like to direct your attention to the fact that Jesus calls these future apostles while they were working, earning their bread by the sweat of their brow.

This is so very important for us. The encounter with God we often hope for and look for in our life will often comes in the midst of the daily grind, while at work.

God comes to us where we spend most of our lives, at work. It was at work that Andrew heard from the lips of JEsus, "Come after me." Listen carefully, for it is there we too shall hear the invitation to transform our world from making a living to making a life.

What do we know about this apostle, Andrew.

We believe that he was crucified ona cross the shape of an X in Patras, Greece.
According to the gospel of John, he was a disicple of John the Baptist and it is through the John the Baptist that he was stirred to be and stay with Jesus.

During the multiplication of the loaves for the 5000, it was ANdrew who pointed out the boy with five loaves and two fish. Andrew recognized that the small amount the boy had was insufficient for such alarge crowd but noentheless he brought to Jesus to see what He could do with it.

Jesus of course utilized this minimal resource to bring about an extravagant transformation. Andrew was unfraid to take what little was available and bring it to Jesus so that he may do what he desired with it.

It was Andrew and Philip who brought some greek speakers to Jesus for a chance at a conversation and it was in this conversation that Jesus gives one of the most quoted passages from scripture, "unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit."

Perhaps it was this conversation that gave Andrew the strength to follw Christ in giving his life for the sake of the gospel and thus being crucified on the cross the shape of the X.

Our own crosses in life acquire value if we consider them and accept them as part of the Cross of Christ, if a reflection of his light illuminates them. It is by the cross of Christ alone that our sufferings too are enobled and acquire true meaning. It is when we become like the One who is the wheat that falls to the gound then fruit shall be produced by the life we live.

We read from the letter to the Romans "Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for their vocie has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

The life of the Saints continue to spread the message and thus faith is born by the word that comes form the faith they lived.

May it be so with us.

stumps, buds, and petting zoos

2011-11-29T07:18:00.005-06:00

Isaiah 11:1-10' Ps 72 Justice shall flourish in his time, fullness of peace forever; Luke 10:21-24

"On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of JEsse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom..."

Again we turn our hear to the Prophet Isaiah as he prepares us for the messianic coming, as he gives us picture of what it will look like and what we shall hope in. Notice that the sprout comes from a stump, that which has fallen or that which has been felled. A stump is the remains of a once healthy tree that has succumbed to the elements either by nature or by force and is now only a shadow of what it used to be.

God begins to build this messianic promise in the unlikeliest places. From that place that looks dead and barren, from that place that appears done and over, from that place where life seems fade and hopeless, from that place new life shall begin, hope shall arise.

Look around in your life and see if you can identify that place or those places. Maybe there is where God is waiting for you.

The bud shall blossom, Isaiah tells us. A bud is underdeveloped, the first stages of hope there is still more to come. Patience is necessary to see the finished product. We have to wait for it. We have to nurture it and guard it. We have to be willing to see it through, see it to the end.

Advent is a time of new beginning. From the unlikeliest places new life shall push forward and begin to unfold.

Then Isaiah tells us that the Messianic Petting Zoo shall unfold, "the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, the calf and the young lion, with a child to guide them, the cow and the bear, the lion and the ox, the baby and the cobra."

What a beautiful picture and image what can be when we all are penetrated with knowledge of the Lord.

WHo are the bears and lions and cobras and leopards in your life? How can this Advent bring you to that point of allowing the knowledge of the Lord to lead you to a new place of forgiveness, a new place of loving, a new place of relating?

How can the child, lying in the manger, the humble gift of God, enter your heart and prepare the way for new life to bud forth?

JEsus tells us in the gospel, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for though you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and you have revealed them to the childlike."

MEssianic Petting Zoo is open but only the childlike can experience its fullness. We must learn to become small and only then can the largeness of the kingdom begin to impress itself upon us from the inside out.

Here is a link to a previous post on advent

too good to be true

2011-11-28T07:35:00.005-06:00

Isaiah 2:1-5; Ps 122 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the lord; Mt 8:5-11

BEfore you read check out this link

"Come let us climb the mountain of the Lord, tot he house of the God of JAcob, that he may instruct us in his ways and we may walk in his paths...They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the word against another, nor shall they train for war again, O house of Jacob, come, Let us walk in the light of the Lord."

The words of the prophet Isaiah seem too good to be true.

Think about it: "Swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks and never training for war again."

This seems like a pipe dream. Look around the world. Look at all the conflict building. The tensions rises between nations who are neighbors:Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, the countries in Africa.

There is so much violence and sickness, and starvation, and malnutrition.

IT seems impossible to think about peace reigning, and swords and spears becoming plowshares and pruning hooks. Especially when we look in the world and see explosives, nuclear warheads, and germ warfare, and biological weapons.

Frankly, No one is concerned with swords and spears anymore.

So what do we do with this bit of hope that seems false from the lips of the prophet Isaiah.

We make it a reality in our daily lives. We begin to climb the mountain of the Lord. We stop violence and sickness and hatred and all the rest by the choices we make and the good we fight for.

IT starts with one heart at a time. Victory comes in small amounts in a small scale primarily before it ever becomes large scale.

As the Psalmist tells us, "may peace be within your walls and your buildings."

Secondly we do what the last line of the psalm invites us to do, "Because of the house of the Lord, I will pray for your good."

Prayer prepares the heart for action. Inventory what and how you pray.

Slowly this pipe dream will become a reality, one heart at a time.

Then perhaps we too like the centurion in the gospel can amaze Jesus with our faith put in action.

Advent in two minutes

2011-11-25T21:33:00.002-06:00

Click here for a quick tour of Advent in just Two Minutes

Advent: waiting for the one who is coming, waiting so that we might recognize the one who is already here, waiting so that we might prepare ourselves for what will be.

The opening prayer for Advent this SUnday from the New Translation of the Roman Missal 3rd edition

"Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to posses the heavenly kingdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy SPirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."

Litany for Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:03:00.000-06:00

Please Respond: We thank you, O Lord.

This is a day to thank God for all his many blessings in our lives. With gratitude we now say:

For the love of God, for faith, family, and friends: R/

For joys, successes, achievements, and accomplishments: R/

For health, safety, work, and rest: R/

For struggles, sorrows, trials, and sufferings: R/

For our jobs, for those who support us, for our education, and for the chance to serve: R/

For our gifts, talents, and abilities, for honors, for strength and energy: R/

For our homes, for food, warmth, and shelter, for all the things that have made us happy: R/

For our hobbies and pets, for happy memories, for our favorite things, for leisure and relaxation: R/

For our nation, for freedom and peace, for teachers, leaders, and those who give us good example: R/

For the ability to say "I'm sorry," for the grace of repentance, for the forgiveness of others, for the generosity of others: R/

For good advice, for financial security, for the trust others put in us, for tenderness, understanding, and compassion: R/

For kindness, goodness, joy, and laughter, for the times we have helped others or made them happy: R/

For all the wonders of creation, for beauty, music, sports, and art, for new opportunities and second chances: R/

For failures and rejection, for all the ways we have grown up and become better people: R/

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be for ever.
Amen

A few sparks of thanks

2011-11-24T06:51:00.011-06:00

A bit of THanksgiving Poem by Linda McCarriston

"Any deliberate leap into chaos, small or large,
with an intent to make order, matters. That's what.
A whole day has passed between the first apple
cored for pie, and the last glass polished
and set down. This is a feast we know how to make,
a Day of Feast, a day of thanksgiving
for all we have and all we are and whatever
we've learned to do with it: Dear God, we thank you
for your gifts in this kitchen, the fire,
the food, the wine. That we are together here.
Bless the world that swirls outside these windows—
a room full of gifts seeming raw and disordered,
a great room in which the stoves are cold,
the food scattered, the children locked forever
outside dark windows. Dear God, grant
to the makers and keepers power to save it all."

"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." Ralph Emmerson

"I'm grateful for anything that reminds me of what's possible in this life. Books can do that. Films can do that. Music can do that. School can do that. It's so easy to allow one day to simply follow into the next, but every once in a while we encounter something that shows us that anything is possible, that dramatic change is possible, that something new can be made, that laughter can be shared." By Jonathan Foer

Thanksgiving Proclamation by Lincoln in three parts

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God..."

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. ..."

"And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

Words of Jesus from the gospel for thanksgiving: "has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks, did I not heal them all, where are the other nine."

Pre-thanksgiving

2011-11-23T06:59:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow the gathering shall occur. People will get together with family and friends and share time, share a meal, share their lives.

For a brief moment, we will all stop doing and just be with and be for one another. What a novel approach to life.

This is part of the beauty of Thanksgiving. We can just stop for a moment and breathe in life and take in all the personalities that surround us.

So, rather than just dive right in, why not prepare!

Take a few moments today and actually think about what you are grateful for. Make a list and give it time to really soak in, perhaps before you go to sleep tonight let the list of gratitude soak in and marinate as you sleep.

Then perhaps when you wake on Thursday you might be ready and able to receive fully the gift of thanksgiving as it was meant to be received. Maybe when you wake up you will be a little more tender, a little more softer, a little more alive.

Ultimately, the more I live the more I realize we don't give thanks, we actually receive it.

Just something to think about as yo get ready for the day of thanksgiving.

If you are thankful and yo know it, clap you hands.
If you are thankful and you know it clap you hands.
If you are thankful and you know it
then you face will really show it
If you are thankful and you know it clap you hands.

If you are thankful and yo know it stomp your feet
If you are thankful and you know it stomp your feet
If yo are thankful and yo know it
then your face will really show it
If you are thankful and yo know it stomp your feet

If you are thankful and you know it shout AMen
If you are thankful and yo know it shout AMen
If you are thankful and you know it
THen your face will really show it
If yo are thankful and you know it shout AMen

If you are thankful and yo know it do all three
If you are thankful and yo know it do all three
If you are thankful and you know it
then your face will really show it
If yo are thankful and you know it do all three.

Doesn't make you feel better.

Cecilia, martyr

2011-11-22T07:04:00.008-06:00

Hosea 2:16-17,21-22; Ps 45 Listen to me daughter, see and bend you ear; Mt 25:1-13

Victor Frankl, a psychologist and a Holocaust survivor, in his book as he reflects on life in the prison camps during World War II, A man's Search for Meaning, speaks about the will to live. He noticed that when the men that were with him had no reason to live and nothing to hope in they quickly gave up and died, even committing suicide. But those who had hope, those who clung to the hope of being reunited with their families or being rescued, these were the ones who fought to survive.

He sums his experience up with one little line, "when we have a why to live, we can find a how to love."

Listen to the words of the prophet Hosea in today's reading as we celebrate the memorial of the life of St. Cecilia, "Thus says the Lord: I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. She shall respond as in the days of her youth, when she came up from the land of Egypt. I will espouse you to me forever. I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the Lord."

When we have a why to live, we can find a how to love!

As Jesus tell us in the gospel, "those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him."

When we have a why to live, we can find a how to love!

What is our purpose, what is our meaning. We have all been created and placed on a track to be espoused to God. Union awaits us. Why did God makes us? To love him, to serve in this life and to be with him in the life to come.

When we have a why to live, we can find a how to love!

Is this not what the saints teach us. They choose death because they have a reason to live. The martyr isn't one who dies but rather primarily a martyr is on who finds a "how" to love, who has a deep reason to live. A martyr is always the one who is alive.

St. Cecilia found a way to love. Perhaps this is why God allowed her body to be incorrupt. She was martyred in 230 and her coffin opened in the 16th century and her body was then as it was when she was laid in the cypress box upon her burial.

The incorrupt body of a saint points toward the reality of life and love.

Here is an excerpt written on the life of virtue:

"young parents need to be taught that love -- any love -- means more than sweet sentiments. Real love means the willingness and the ability to endure hardship, difficulty, sacrificial struggle for the sake of someone else's welfare and happiness. Love is sacrifice. A life lived in this way, giving one's whole self to others, is mankind's most noble achievement, and a sure road to real happiness".

St. Cecilia pray for us

leftovers

2011-11-21T17:20:00.004-06:00

Daniel 1:1-6,8-20; Ps glory and praise for ever; Luke 21:1-4

"When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest...for she offered her whole livelihood."

As we approach Thanksgiving, most of us are clearing our refrigerators to make room for leftovers. Let's face it, leftovers are sometimes the best part of holidays.

And as good as leftovers are, Jesus points out in just a few sweet and well placed lines that leftovers don't get it when it comes to God.

The poor widow is the example and model for all of us.

From what she had, she gave.

What about us? How often do we skim when it comes to giving to God?

If there is one thing I learned thus far in ministry, I have never outdone God in generosity. Everything I attempt to give is primarily a simple act of returning the favor.

What we give in some sense is a sign of our appreciation for what we have received.

Instead of making room for leftovers, why not make room for God and go all in. It worked for the widow.

St. Peter & Paul

2011-11-18T07:10:00.002-06:00

Acts 28:11-16,30-31; Ps 98 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power; Matthew 14:22-33

Today we celebration the dedication of the two major Basilicas in Rome that in some sense represent the universal church: St. Peter's Basilica and St. Paul's Basilica.

Both church are built over the tomb of the great apostles that led the charge in proclaiming the gospel both the jews and the gentiles.

Beneath St. Peter's lies the bones of St. Peter and St. Paul houses the tomb of St, Paul, both of these men gave their life for the sake of Christ. Both of these men understood what it meant to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

When you walk into these two great monuments of faith, instantly your eyes go upward and the soul is filled with awe and majesty, thus the visitor is prepared to contemplate the majesty of God.

The basilicas represent the life of faith and the promise of Christ who said he would be with us always until the end of the age.

As in the gospel for today where JEsus comes walking on water to the disciples who are being tossed about by the storm, so we are reminded that the storms of life will come; waves and wind will blow, but JEsus comes to us out of the storm, to be that calming presence we need.

JEsus doesn't prevent storms but rather he accompanies us through them.

In the midst of the storm we hear the words of Christ, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

The BAsilicas of St. Peter and St, Paul remind us of that calming presence of Christ who accompanies us in the midst of the storms, who stands fast while the wind and waves crash around us, who beckons at us to come, who reaches stretches his hands out to grab us in our time of doubt and weakness.

Only a Basilica such as St. Peter and Paul can attempt to do justice to the calming presence, the rock like presence that JEsus is for us in life.
Virtual tour of St. Peter's Basilica

Virtual tour of St. Paul's Outside the Walls

what a mother

2011-11-16T14:51:00.005-06:00

2 Maccabees 7:1,20-32; Ps 17 Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full; Luke 19:11-28

Here we go again. Yesterday we raised our heads and saluted the true man of faith, Eleazar, who was unwillingly to live a life of pretense when it came to his faith and chose to live a life of loyalty to God and thus die an honorable death.

He was a man's man.

Well, today we look toward the opposite sex. In today's first reading we encounter a women who is true to her faith.

The reading begins with these lines, "It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourages by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law."

What a way to begin a reading.

The stage is set. A mother and her seven sons are being persecuted. You know things are going to go well.

The very next line in the reading is very teling, "Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord."

Then the reading continues, "filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them..."

But first a question: why does a "womanly" heart need to be equated with "manly" courage? Surely, women are way more capable of being courageous in their own right without having to be compared to men in order to get notoriety.

Just a side note. What would it look like to say that a manly heart is filled with womanly ocurage? Becasue let's face it, to go through child birth requires quite a abit of courage, more than I have seen in a "manly" heart as of late.

The mother spoke thus:

"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."

Wow! What a mother!
She is a true witness of womanhood.

When is the last time we saw this kind of love? How often do we make excuses for ourselves? How often do we excuse our chidlren from living the faith in hopes that we don't make it uncomfortable for them? Yet, here we disocver what it means when Jesus tells us in the gospel of Luke 14 that unless we hate our mother, brothers, chidlren, we cannot be his disciples.

What good is it for our chidlren to survive if they lose their souls in the process? Have we really helped them if this is the case?

being manly

2011-11-15T07:51:00.005-06:00

2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Ps 3 The Lord upholds me; Luke 19:1-10

We continue today to read the story from the book of Maccabees. Again, a reminder, the story describes a secular leader trying to coerce the Israelites to abandon their faith and to turn to idolatry.

Many do in fact give in, while others seek to maintian their integrity of faith, holding to the covenant of God even in the face of possible death or severe mistreatment.

Today we hear the story of Eleazar, who is described as, "one of the foremost scribes,a man of advanced age and noble appearance."

Eleazar was being forced to eat pork. Pork as you know is considred unclean, unbecoming for one who is an Israelite.

Here is a snippet of the story as it unfolds.

"Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, becasue their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat prescribed by the king; in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly becasue of their old friendship with him."

Think about that for a moment. THe persecutors, who had great respect for Eleazar, offer a compromise to get him off the hook. All he had to do was pretend to eat the meat and thus he would save his skin.

It sounds like a good idea, but Eleazar sees through the deceit.

"But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood' so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God."

Eleazar seems to be a man you would want on your side. He refuses to compromise. But more importantly he is aware of what kind of example he would be leaving if he pretended to eat the pork.

He states the following, "At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young people would think the ninety-year old Eleazar had gone to an alien religion. Should I pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would beled astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age."

Eleazar isn't thinking about himself but rather he is mroe concerned with what it would mean to the younger generation. What point is it to save his life if he leads others astray.

Eleazar continues, "therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws."

wow! What a man of faith. What a man's man, as they say.

In our society, we have, as C.S. Lewis speaks about, become men with our chest. I would add, men with out backbones.

Eleazar shows us what it means to stand fast. He shows us what it means to truly let the "Lord uphold him."

As the psalmist says, "The Lord upholds me."

when is the last time you let the Lord uphold you. Rather than trying to weasel out of something, especially matters of faithfulness, when have you stood firm and trusted in the Lord to uphold.

"This is how Eleazar died, leaving in his death a model of courage and unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation."

Where have all the manly men gone? Where are those who manfully give their life?

Eleazar is truly a man's man, a woman's man, a young person's man, a man of faith.

coupons for the culture of death

2011-11-14T06:56:00.007-06:00

1 Maccabees 1:10-63; Ps 119 Give me life, O Lord, I will do your commands; Luke 18:35-43

"In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying let us go make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us...Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, each abandoning his particular customs...all gentiles conformed to the command of the king, and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath." 1 Maccabees 1

The Maccabees are the last of the historical books of the Old Testament, written around 134 b.c.

The pagan mindset begins to take over the nation of Israel. A few people begin to persuade and seduce the nation to abandon its roots, its faith. SLowly, the Israelites become a minority yet they remain steadfast to their faith, refusing to surrender to the popular demand of the seductive voices of the time.

Sounds a lot like our society today. How many seductive voices are trying to get people of faith to abandon their roots and to give into the pressure of the popular culture, secularism and materialism. How often are we told that we should just all set aside our beliefs in order to become one people, who stand for nothing.

Sounds familiar.

The beauty of the maccabean line is they refuse to give in. THey hold fast in the fast of opposition. They are not seduced by the voices of the "modern" critics of their time. They guard their heritage, their faith. THey refuse to be unclean and be defiled.

They consider themselves custodians of the truth they have received in the covenant God made with them. They were "determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die."

Every time we turn around our faith is being challenged and poked at. Every time we turn around defilement is upon us. Recently i came across an article where a abortionist doctor, in Orlando, florida, is advertising coupons for abortion that are only valid on Sundays.

"Dr. James Pendergraft, a Florida abortionist who earlier this year was order to pay $36 million in damages after a botched abortion left a baby alive, but severely disabled, is now attempting to attract clients to his Orlando Women’s Center by offering a coupon for abortions, valid on Sundays only.

The coupon, which can be used to kill an unborn baby up to 24 weeks old, is advertised on the main page of the Center’s website.

“Limited time special! Print this page and bring it in for $50 savings only on Sundays!” reads the coupon. “VALID FOR ABORTIONS PERFORMED BY 5/31/12. You must present this page to the receptionist at the time of the abortion ON SUNDAYS ONLY. $50 credit towards cost of abortion. No cash value.”

Coupons for the culture of death.

Think about the disgrace and sacrilege of such an invitation.

The Maccabees situation is not unlike our situation. And like them, we too as people of faith must resolve our hearts to stand fast and to counter such realities with increased fervor and faithfulness.

Hear the words of Christ from the gospel this morning, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."

Indeed, sight is necessary and faith shall pave the way, lest we fall into darkness. "He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God."

Jesus offers us life and all of its benefits, who needs coupons for death.

Just a quote:

I’d rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I’d rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, but a has was once an are. — Milton Berle

Dice v Scrabble

2011-11-11T07:09:00.007-06:00

Wisdom 13:1-9; Ps 19 The heavens proclaim the glory of God; Luke 17:26-37

Listen to the words of the book of wisdom: "All men by nature are foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not know him who is, and from the studying the works did not know the artisan...For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord"

I have recently been reading a book entitled, "I do not have enough faith to be an atheist." The book's premise is that atheist in order to be atheist actually require more faith than believers. There is more evidence for belief in God by looking and examining the world around us than the reverse.

It is a fascinating read. I don't agree with all of the "logical" conclusions because I think the authors makes some jumps, but the authors make good points. In the book there is this statement from Einstein, "God does not play dice with the universe." Then Philip Gold continues, "Einstein was right, God does not play dice with the universe, rather God plays Scrabble!"

I like scrabble. I like Word with Friends. SO I really enjoy the analogy.
Scrabble requires some intelligence or cleverness. It is not just random. The quote implies that when you look out into the world, we recognize order, design, specific complexity. The simplest life forms consist of such amazing complexity that it is equivalent to 1000 complete sets of Encyclopedia Britannica.

As the first reading tells us, so many have been distracted by the works of God they have missed the one who worked it. The psalmist tells us that the "heavens proclaim the glory of God." SO today, spend some time thinking about the created world. Spend some time looking at the design of it all. Let the heavens tell the story. Let the heavens proclaim the message. Be amazed.
*************
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martin de Tours. At the age 15 he joined the army of the Roman Empire in 4th century. While a soldier he had an encounter with a poor naked beggar who was requesting alms. Martin, having only his sword and his mantle, cut his mantle in half and gave it to the poor naked beggar. THat night he had a dream in which JEsus was the poor naked beggar.

He chose ot leave the military and join the ranks of serving Christ. He told the general that he would "do more with than the sign of the cross to the enemy than with a shield and sword."

He did. At the end of his life as we was facing death, surrounded by his monks who he helped guide and formed, upon their request for him to turn on his back so that he might be more comfortable he responded

"Brothers, rather let me look toward heaven than to earth so that my soul in its journey home may take a direct flight to the Lord."

St. Martin pray for us.

How do we carry the cross in our life? What good do we do with the sign of the cross as soldiers of Christ?

*******
We remember our Veterans today on this 11th day of November. Countless men and women have served our country and the nations of the world in seeking to restore peace and bring about liberation. They have put themselves in harms way. They have put their lives on the line. We stop and pause to remember them, to thank them, to honor them. We ask God to protect those who continually serve.

Today thank a Veteran. Pray for them all that they may heal from the wounds incurred on the battle field. Work for Peace.

***********

Lastly here is a excerpt from a blog I follow. Melanie Ringley had an insight I thought worth sharing. Read if you like. She recently wrote a book about coming back to the church.

"That’s one of the things about people, whether they’re contemplating a return to the Church or conversion, or even if they’re cradle Catholics. Sometimes, we choose to ignore or criticize Church teachings because we don’t like them or think the Church is wrong, outdated, misogynistic, behind the times… in essence, we decide our knowledge is correct and superior to anything we might find in dogma or doctrine. It’s easier to criticize… and either walk away or ignore what’s there, to preserve our life and our views as they are.

It’s harder to research the reason for the Church teachings on birth control or celibacy or purgatory and determine where precisely we disagree. Sometimes, the results may even change our minds, or at least make it easier to submit our will and intellect. Sometimes, we lose our knee-jerk reactions… and gain knowledge. Or, having gained that knowledge, we are all the more capable of engaging in intelligent discussion over knowing God as He is.

eyes peeled

2011-11-10T07:04:00.009-06:00

Wisdom 7:22-8:1; Ps 119 Your word is forever, O lord. Luke 17:20-25

Today we celebrate the memory and life of Pope Leo the Great. Before we get to Leo. Yesterday, Pope Benedict in his wednesday audience gave a reflection on Psalm 119. Since today we incorporate this psalm in our celebration I thought I would leave a snippet of the Pope's reflection:

"And this psalm is wholly pervaded by love for God's Word -- it extols its beauty, its saving power, and its capacity to bestow joy and life. For the divine Law is not a heavy yoke of slavery but a gift of grace that liberates and leads to happiness. "I will delight in thy statues; I will not forget thy word" (Verse 16); and again: "Lead me in the path of thy commandments, for I delight in it" (Verse 35), and yet again: "Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day" (Verse 97). The Lord's Law, His Word, is the center of the life of the one praying; in it he finds consolation, he makes it the object of his meditation, he keeps it in his heart: "I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Verse 11), and this is the secret of the psalmist's happiness; and again: "The godless besmear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep thy precepts" (Verse 69).

The psalmist's faithfulness is born of listening to the Word, of keeping it in his inmost heart, of meditating on it and loving it --"

Now back to Leo the Great.

The fame of Leo the Great is centered around the meeting between him and Attila the Hun in 452. Yea, that is correct, Attila the Hun. Attila was for lack of better words a "bad ass" of his time.

Here we have the Pope riding out to meet him to convince him not to continue his war of destruction on Italy. IT worked.
Certainly, Pope Leo the GReat had courage and strength and was willing to defend peace and any cost even it meant putting himself in harms way.

Pope Leo the Great also presided over the Council of Chalcedon which reaffirmed the identity of Christ who in union of his one Person of his two natures, human and divine.

Jesus Christ is true God and true man: the Hypostatic Union. Sounds pretty darn cool if you ask me. Jesus is both Human and Divine which means he brings heaven to earth in the incarnation; it also means Jesus brings earth to heaven when he ascends. Thus, Jesus takes our humanity to heaven when he ascends. THere is one like us in heaven.

Pope Leo the Great also, tried to instill in the faithful the reality that the Christian liturgy is not the memory of past events but the actualization of invisible realities which act in the lives of each one of us. Grace is always present to us at each moment. The past helps us visualize what grace does but it is lived in the present moment.

Hence we have the reading from the book of wisdom, "Wisdom passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. " Grace is always right now and it is ever present everywhere.

The words of the gospel, "the kingdom of God cannot be observed..." The kingdom of God can only be lived. This is the task of grace in our lives. Believe it, love it, live it!

Now we go to the very end of today's gospel, "But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."
Even here in this cryptic passage there is truth. What is it about the fallen nature of man that rejects perfect goodness? What is it about the fallen nature of man that refuses to receive the offer of grace? Grace is all around us but when it comes in a package we are not ready for, we run from it or we reject out right. There is a diligence required on our part. Daily we must surrender and trust that the hidden and disguised reality of grace is what we need for it is what God offers.

Grace will come and we will know it because it will irritate us and make us uncomfortable.

How many times in our life we have come face to face with God's invitation and like the pharisees and the scribes we reject it because we didn't like it.

Keep you eyes peeled!

Pope Leo the GReat pray for us.

Mother Church

2011-11-09T16:34:00.001-06:00

I love to go back home. As you drive from the big city setting to the small country town things change. The land becomes quieter and the atmosphere is little more peaceful. The rushed pace of city living surrenders to a slower pace existence of the rural affair.

As you approach my home town, as you maneuver over the rising and falling of the hills, there off in the distance the steeple of the Catholic Church rises high to greet you. The steeple stands tall and towers above casting a shadow upon all who are below.

It is striking and beautiful image. It is a reminder to all that we always live beneath the shadow of the cross. We live, breathe, move and have our being in the shadow of the cross which is the wake of victory.

Every time I spy the rising steeple as it cast it shadow below, as it marks the horizon, I think of Jesus' words to his disciples before he died. He gathers them together to encourage them and he tells them, "do not fear, do not be afraid, I have already conquered the world."

As the steeple rises high it is a public testimony of victory, a public testimony that all who gather beneath the steeple gather to celebrate victory.

It wasn't always this way. The cross wasn't always allowed to be on public display.

For the first 300 years of the early Church, Christianity was a forbidden religion, a forsaken faith. Christians were considered to be enemies of the state, public enemy number one; they were looked upon as criminals, renegades, rebels reeking havoc on the Roman Empire.

They had to gather together in secret places, hidden and out of sight. They would worship in cemeteries at night, or locked behind close doors in someone's home, or underground in the catacombs.

Then something happened.

Around the year 300, a Roman Emperor, who had come from a long line of Roman emperors who made sure that the soil of the empire was fertilized by the blood of Christians, had a conversion.

As the Emperor Constantine was riding out to battle he had a vision. The cross appeared in the sky and he was told 'by this sign you shall conquer.' He marked the armor of his men with the cross and rode out to battle and came back victorious.

In 313 AD, out of gratitude, he declared that Christianity was to be a lawful religion. It could be publicly celebrated.

Over night it seemed the Church went from hiding under ground to standing tall above it. The prayers of faithful that were once spoken in a whisper, hushed behind closed doors was now echoing through the open streets of the empire, resounding through the vaulted ceilings of cathedrals publicly dedicated to Christ our Saviour.

In plain sight, in broad day light, Christians now publicly proclaimed the Good News; they would bend their knees and bow theirs heads in worship, raising their voices in praise for love had conquered fear and light had come into the darkness and the darkness did not over come it.

As they gathered to public worship the words of Jesus flooded their memories, "do not be afraid, I have already conquered the world."

The first church to be publicly dedicated was St. John Lateran, whose dedication we commemorate this day,a church raised on the blood of martyrs.

It is the mother of all churches. It is the Church of the Bishop of Rome. It stands as a sign of unity, as a sign of hope that God's kingdom is at hand, that God's Kingdom will not be denied.

As you approach the Basilica today, towering above the city of Rome is a 7 meter statue of Jesus with a cross in one hand and the other pointing out toward world. He is surrounded by his apostles and he gives them the great commission, "go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all I have commanded you and behold I am with you always until the end of the age.

For 1700 years the steeple has stood tall, it has marked the horizon for all to see, and men and women have walked through the ages beneath the shadow of the cross gathering publicly to celebrate victory in Christ.

We gather today to commemorate this victory. As we gather, we too give the men and women who shed their blood, who share in Christ' victory, honor, not just today but every time we gather publicly.

When we gather, we become that public sign of victory. For like the church, that was dedicated with sacred oil, so too we remember that we ourselves are dedicated a temple at Baptism; as the oil is poured upon our heads we are consecrated and set apart for a mission, to be a public sign of victory in our very lives we live. We remember that just as the steeple marks the horizon, so too our forehead was marked with the sign of the cross at baptism, we were claimed for Christ to be that sign of victory.

As the steeple rises high and reminds us of victory may each of our lives always carry the message forth that the Kingdom of God is at hand, salvation has come, the world is redeemed in Christ's blood; may we hear the words of Christ and may they be our strength, "do not be afraid, I have already conquered the world."

2011-11-08T08:07:00.002-06:00

wisdom 2:23-3:9; Ps 34 I will bless the lord at all times; Luke 17:7-10

"God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them. But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it. But the souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them."

Think of these words for a moment.

The answer to the question, "Why is there death?" is found in these first verse. The envy of the Devil brought death to man.

The Devil did not want man to experience what he himself denied, friendship of God, harmony in grace, fullness of life.

This is what Envy is all about. Envy is when we can't have something we want and we don't want anyone else to have either.

It is a terrible reality to be so closed on oneself that we can no longer rejoice in the goodness of the other. It is a terrible reality when we are so blinded by our own self loathing that the goodness of the other causes us pain and remorse.

Envy! The remedy for envy is the willingness to rejoice in the goodness of the other. To rejoice in another's goodness prepares us to recognize the goodness God has put into our lives.

Secondly.

Notice the reading tells us that those in the devil's possession experience death while those in the hand of God, no torment shall touch them.

It seems that those who die in faith experience death but it is an abridged version of death. We do not experience the death of the faithless. There is something different about dying in faith, held by the hands of God, than dying in faithlessness and being gripped by the hand of Satan.

Even in faith, death is not what it could be. In faith, we already experience the fruits of redemption even as we die for death in faith avails us to the warmth and light of the presence of Christ who has filled death with his presence. Death is no longer cold and cruel for in faith we experience the warmth of Christ who has gone before us.

This is different. THis is the gift of the death of Christ for those who die in faith.

Just something to think about to boost your faith.

Death is waiting but in Christ, it is different.

millstone

2011-11-07T07:06:00.005-06:00

Wisdom 1:1-7; Ps 139 Guide me, Lord along the everlasting way; Luke 17:1-6

JEsus said to the disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin."

IT is said that JEsus is a realist. He always has an eye for reality, the way things are. Perhaps his statement is really an insight into the human condition, "things that cause sin will inevitably occur."

Wrongdoing shall accompany humanity to the end. Things shall invoke and elicit a response of sinfulness.

But, in the cascade of wrongdoing that unfolds, we are not powerless. We do have a say. Just because sin, the turning from God, happens, it does not have to happen because of us.

We must strive each day a new to "do no harm."

Do no harm to ourselves and to others.

Jesus certainly doesn't treat sin lightly nor does he excuse it because it is inevitable, "better to have a millstone put around the neck than to cause one of these little ones to sin."

Yikes! A millstone around the neck is quite a load, quite a weight.

We should all use our power to avoid the near occasion of sin, either in us or in others.

How often have I heard the excuse, "Well, father we are only human." That doesn't fly before the Lord. Notice the Apostles are raised to a new standard of living, Not only should they not cause sin but they must also rebuke it.

"Be on guard! IF your brother sins, rebuke him;"

We have a dutiful obligation to no longer just stand idly by and watch sin unfold. We must speak up, stand up!

JEsus doesn't say that we should take the sin "personal" as so many do and get all caught up in emotion but rather simply be direct, be straight forward, and move on. Rebuke then and if they repent forgive them.

We just have to keep it real.

Perhaps this is why the apostles said, "increase our faith."

It takes faith to rebuke, it takes faith to not take things personal, it takes faith to personally involve ourself in the unfolding of life.

JEsus in today's gospel is inviting us to learn how to live.

Albert Camus, author, said knowing how to live is learning to reconcile vice and virtue.

Rebuke and forgive and thus the circle of life unfolds daily for us and in doing so we keep the millstone off our back.

friend of God

2011-11-04T07:18:00.005-05:00

Romans 15:14-21; Ps 98 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power; Luke 16:1-8

Look at the psalm once again and hold it in your mind: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

How? How has the Lord revealed his saving power to the nations?

Now, we instantly think of the cross, Christ dying and rising or we think of the miracles in the gospels of Jesus curing the sick, making the blind to see, walking on water, raising the dead.

Or perhaps we think of other miracles, other events that have refused to be bound by the natural laws.

But in reality, we miss the point if that is all we think about and if that is all we look for.

The answer to the question, "How does God reveal his saving power to the nations?" is a simply one.

You and me! We are the vehicles of that saving power. Our words, our actions, our lives knit together reflect the power of God.

Today the Lord will reveal if we let him his saving power through us. What an amazing purpose and calling we have received.

THis is why we celebrate the feast of the saints, like Charles Borromeo.

Their lives reflects something of that saving power we not only what to see and experience but we are invited to be part of each day anew.

This is what it means to be a friend of God.

"Life is no more than the swift passing reflection on the changeless mirror of eternity and men who burn with love of God wear out their mortal sheath before old age dulls their mind and spirit."

Charles Borromeo would often say, "be mindful of others but not forgetful of self."

Know your role. Know what God wants to do with you by the life you lead. Open yourself up to him and let him have his way with you.

Things to remember about Charles Borromeo. He was born in a castle and he lived like a Rock Star. His uncle was the Pope and in those days it meant you had the world at your finger tips.

Then something happened. In the lives of the saints there is always something that happens that turns the light on. He gave up all of his worldly stuff and began to work tirelessly for the sick and dying and poor, as a priest of God.

He got it. He realized that he couldn't wait around for the saving power of God to just happen but rather he allowed God to use him to make his power known, to revealing his saving reality in the world.

What about you and I, today, here and now, as we are, where we are, what we are. OPen you life, your heart, your mind, let God reveal his saving power through you, as a wife, as a mother, as a husband, as a Father, as mechanic, as a farmer, as a rancher, as teacher, as genuine lover.

Go on, be not afraid, your destiny awaits. Be a child of the light.

that one

2011-11-03T20:20:00.005-05:00

Luke 15:1-10

Jesus gives us that beautiful and striking image of the Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep in order to track down that one that strayed.

How dare he? How dare he abandon the 99 for the sake of that one?

You know which one I am talking about?

That one, who has abused his wife, that one who has drank himself unconscious, that one who now sits in prison with blood stains on his hands, that one who has lied and cheated his way to the top and there he finds himself empty, that one who brings down everyone in the room with their negativity, that one who gossips continually about everyone in the work place, that one who spreads her legs at every Tom, Charlie that comes her way, that one who is a womanizer and cheat, that one who is a home wrecker, that one who can't seem to put food on the table and clothed her chidlren but she finds time to be at the bar each night, that one...yeah, you know which one I am talking about, that one that is lot like you and I,

that one who is lost, and ridiculed, and made fun of, that one who is the butt of jokes, that one who every one turns away when they walk by, that one who can't seem to find a listening ear, that one.

Be on the look out for that one!

"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?"

"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repenatnce."

Have you made heaven rejoice yet? Have you?

Faithful departed

2011-11-02T11:09:00.004-05:00

Wisdom 3:1-9; Ps 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothign I shall want.Though I walk in the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me. Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40

Today we celebrate the Feast of all Souls. Yesterday we raised our eyes heavenward to recognize the saints in light in doing so we also became face to face with the reality that we are created for glory. The Church Triumphant stood before us singing the heavenly chorus: holy, holy, holy Lord God of Host.

Today we turn our gaze to the not yet reality, to all those who are on their way, who are experiencing the purification of God's love for them as their own selfishness is slowly removed and thus they are made ready for glory.

The Church Suffering, and suffering here is not to be understood as soley punishment but rather the pain of letting go, the pain of union, the pain of full surrender of self so as to be conformed to the image of Christ, as gold is refined in fire, so too the soul is purified.

We as the Church Militant unite our prayers for those on the way.

Here we are reminded of the beauty of the communion of saints. The merits and prayers of one can help all, thus no one is insignificant in the eyes of God. All have value, all are valuable.

We give what we can as we pray for the faithful departed and we trust that our prayers are effcetive and aid the souls on their journey to join the saints in light.

Today as we pray for the dead, the faithful departed, we live out the need for charity and justice in a concrete way.

Today also teaches us about the consequences of sin. It reminds us that true love remains not just and ideal but a reality by which we strive.

Surely, those who have dragged their feet in selfishness, though professing their faith in Christ, must be purged and made ready. Surley, justice demands this and charity makes it a reality lest we make a mockery of the heavenly banquet.

We all must wash our hands before we eat becasue of the dirt that had gathered beneath our fingernails.

So too the soul must be made ready. Think of all the wounds and filth and dirt our soul gathers through our life. What do we do with this? How do we accoutn for this?

Thus arises the teaching of purgatory. The Lord gives us the possibility of being made ready by his charity to us on the cross. Purgatory reveals the power of crucified love.

It is this crucified love that the souls of the faithful departed must pass through on its way to the fullness of glory.

And we here and now assist them with our offerings, our prayers. Christ has made our prayers significant for others, let us not waste the gift we have received.

Listen to the words of Jesus in the gospel today: "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me...this is the will of my Father, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but I should raise it on the last day."

The golden rule applies for us. Let us do unto others as we want them to do to us. We pray for the faithful departed so that when they arirve their celebration in heaven will assist us on the journey as well. Reciprocity is part of the communion of Saints; They hope is us and we hope in them and together we find hope in Christ.

Here is a article on all souls and indulgences

Eternal rest grant unto to the O' Lord.

Let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in Peace. AMen.

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. AMen

And all the rest

2011-11-01T07:25:00.003-05:00

Revelation 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 24 Lord this is the people who long to see your face; 1 John 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

Today we celebrate the this Holy Day of Obligation.
Before we get into the actual day of celebration, All Saints Day, I thought I might reflect on the difference between a Holy Day and a Holiday.

These are the two realites we celebrate throughout lives, and sometimes they are the same reality, sometimes a Holy Day is a Holiday but seldom do we treat holidays as holy days.

Nonetheless is we go.

Frist, a Holiday is man made. It is the day we give to ourselves as look on our history such as july 4th, labor day, Columbus day etc. We look to our human accomplishments and success or progress.

A Holy Day is not made but received. It is the CHurch's gift to us. It doe snot depend on what we have done; it doe snot depend on us at all; it is offered to us.

A Holiday is a break from the routine of work and the orutine of living.

A Holy Day is not a break from something but rather a pause by which we are invited to take a step back and to recognize the living God who wants to breakforth into our lives and fillthis routine with his presence, daily.

Thus a Holy Day reminds us that Time is not just measured by the 40 hour work week, by the movement of the stars and suns an dplanets that revolve; time is not just about theearth spinning or the seasons changes but rather time is a gift form the maker of the universe, the one who creates time, and sustaisn us in time.

Each Holy Day brings us face to face with the beauty that is awakened by Faith.

It is faith that gathers us on these days. Faith that unites us even in our differences. It is faith that build our community and reminds us as we gather that we do not stand alone.

In fact as we celebrate All Saints Day we remind ourselves of all those hwo have travelled before us on the path we seek to travel now.

We look to all those who have gone before us, those who have our back.

This is not just a caste of a chosen few but a "great multitude, too numerous too count" according to the first reading.

these are the named and unamed who have left us a pattern by which we are to pattern our lives.

Saints do not need our honor. Our celebration does not affect them but it does affect us. In honoring them we are inspired, encouraged and given a boost for the journey.

As we turn our gaze heaven ward we find a litle extra pep in our step as march to the rhythm of eternity with the siants in light. We want to do as they did so we might be where they are.

They awaken us a desire to be like them, simply Happy to be near God.

The saints invite us to never settle for second best. they invite us to run the race of faith as to win the prize.

The recipe for succes is simple. Primarily is is being oen to the action of grace in our life. We are invited to Lsiten to JEsus, Follow Jesus, and never lose heart as we journey toward Jesus. Then we simply repeat the process.

Oh! One last thing. Rejoice and be Glad for your reward will be great in heaven!

Mother Church welcomes us all to this family reunion where no one is left behind. We recognize those who are named but more importantly those who are not, these are All the rest.

May we strive to be with them and be counted among those "too numerous too count."

Wednesday audience on Tuesday's feast

2011-11-01T06:34:00.001-05:00

Words from Pope Benedict on being saints

"God wants your friendship. And once you enter into friendship with God, everything in your life begins to change. As you come to know him better, you find you want to reflect something of his infinite goodness in your own life.

You are attracted to the practice of virtue. You begin to see greed and selfishness and all the other sins for what they really are, destructive and dangerous tendencies that cause deep suffering and do great damage, and you want to avoid falling into that trap yourselves. You begin to feel compassion for people in difficulties and you are eager to do something to help them. You want to come to the aid of the poor and the hungry, you want to comfort the sorrowful, you want to be kind and generous. And once these things begin to matter to you, you are well on the way to becoming saints.

When I invite you to become saints, I am asking you not to be content with second best.

I am asking you not to pursue one limited goal and ignore all the others. Having money makes it possible to be generous and to do good in the world, but on its own, it is not enough to make us happy. Being highly skilled in some activity or profession is good, but it will not satisfy us unless we aim for something greater still. It might make us famous, but it will not make us happy.

Happiness is something we all want, but one of the great tragedies in this world is that so many people never find it, because they look for it in the wrong places. The key to it is very simple – true happiness is to be found in God.

We need to have the courage to place our deepest hopes in God alone, not in money, in a career, in worldly success, or in our relationships with others, but in God. Only he can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts."

disobedience

2011-10-31T07:12:00.003-05:00

Romans 11:29-36; Ps 69 Lord, in your great love answer me; Luke 14:12-14

We have been reading from the letter of Romans over the past few days and even weeks.

In chapters 9-11, St. Paul is presenting a case for the Jews who have not believed in Christ. His argument is quite a spin job.

"In respect to the gospel, the JEws are enemies of God for your sake; in respect to the election, they are beloved by him because of the patriarchs. God's gifts are irrevocable."

"Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their (jews) disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all."

It kind of makes your head hurt just reading it. Sounds like a theological spin cycle to me.

But the last part of today's reading really sums it all up.

"Oh the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! HOw inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!...For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever."

IT may seem a bit confusing to our weak and feeble minds. It may be down right overwhelming.

But in the end, it is the inscrutable judgments and unsearchable ways of God that ultimately become the ground of our hope and source of our strength and the cause that urges us on.

Now for the gospel.

The words of Jesus ring true especially as we look toward thanksgiving. "When you hold a dinner, do not invite your friends or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have your repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the blind, the lame, the crippled' blessed will you be for their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

How many of us do this?

How often do we want to be repaid immediately for what we have done? Perhaps we should check ourselves against this gospel and discover the freedom to give and not desire repayment.

All Hallows Eve: Saints Quiz

2011-10-31T07:00:00.005-05:00

Know Your Saints Quiz Scroll down for the choices. Good Luck!

1. I am the apostle to the Gentiles whose letters you read in the Bible.

2. I am the first American citizen to be canonized whose work among the immigrants gave me the title of 'Patron of All Immigrants.'

3. I am the Carmelite saint whose "Little Way" shows us how offering joys and sorrows daily can make us a great saint.

4. I am the foster father of Christ and the patron of a happy death.

5. I am the cousin of Jesus who prepared the way for the Lord.

6. I am the woman who offered my veil to wipe Jesus' face when He was carrying His cross.

7. I am the apostle chosen by Christ to be head of His Church.

8. I am the missionary who made Ireland famous for its piety and learning.

9. I am the beloved apostle and the writer of the fourth gospel.

10. I am the cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose baby was Presanctified.

11. I am the patron saint of music because I sang the praises of God while I was cruelly put to death.

12. I am the modern day saint who chose martyrdom rather than to be impure.

13. I am the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus.

14. I am the valiant young girl who led France to victory over England and then suffered death by being burned at the stake.

15. I am the 'Little Poverino' whose order is now the largest in the world and who so resembled Christ in my life that I was privileged to bear His sacred wounds in my own body.

16. I am the 'Wonder Worker' of Padua and a Doctor of the Church.

17. I am the Patron saint of schools who was once called the Dumb Ox by my classmates but who wrote many treatises on the faith. My teacher was St. Albert the Great.

18. I am the saint who reformed the Carmelite Order and who became the first woman Doctor of the Church.

19. I am the simple parish priest who was tormented by the devil because my great sanctity brought my people closer to God.

20. I am the Visitation nun to whom Jesus appeared showing His Sacred Heart and to whom He delivered His message of love and plea for reparation.

Choices:

St. Peter, St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Anthony, St. Joan of Arc
St. Elizabeth, St. Anne
St. John the Baptist, St. John the Apostle
St. Margaret Mary , St. Patrick
St. Maria Goretti, St. Paul
St. Teresa of Avila, St. Cecilia
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. John Vianney
St. Joseph, St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Francis Assisi, St. Veronica
* 20 point bonus for those who know the century in which their saint lived.

* 5 points for each piece of information you know about your saint.

Here is the Litany of Saints; pray it sometime today and tomorrow

Here is a nice article on the history of All saints and Halloween and how they mix

curse?

2011-10-29T22:05:00.007-05:00

Malachi 1:14-2:2,8-10; Ps 13 In you Lord, I have found my peace; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13; Mt 23:1-12

Listen the words of the prophet Malachi, "I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse."

These are the words of of God spoken by the prophet. Think about those words, "I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse."

Really! Wow! what appropriate readings with Halloween right around the corner.

Is God really going to curse someone? Cursing doesn't seem like something the God of love would be about. Cursing seems a bit vindictive rather than merciful!

Would God really wish that evil or harm would befall someone?

What is this curse business all about anyway.

The answer is both a yes and a no.

No, God doesn't wish evil to befall anyone. God is love. God is good. Evil is an absence of good, as St. Augustine put it.

God is not some warlock in the sky sending evil and harmful realities our way.

But God does let us experience the effects of our wonderings. God will let us experience the negative effects of our choices and decisions.

God will give us what we ask for, this is true.

This is what the prophet Malachi is speaking about when he speaks of God cursing.

God will grant our desires. He will let us experience the negative side effects of the decisions and choices we make.

These negative side effects have a far reaching effect.

Listen to Malachi again. "You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instructions; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the lord of hosts."

God does not cheat us from our freedom but lets us experience the reality of the freedom by which we choose to live.

How often is this the case and we blame God and refuse to be responsible and accountable for our own actions.

I try to remind people of this every time I celebrate a baptism. I smear the children with the oil of Catechumen on the chest prior to baptism.

I often remark how the oil is slippery. The oil reminds us that we are slippery from the hands of the devil the moment we are baptized. The devil has no power any longer. The only way evil can be brought into our life is by the abuse of our freedom or the abuse of some else's freedom.

I try to remind people of the necessity of being prudent with the choices we make so that good is served.

God desires to bless us abundantly but he will also grant us what we desire and with it comes all the negative side effects as well.

IT isn't that God curses us; rather we curse ourselves by our choices and actions.

Now we move to the gospel...

The words of Jesus are a warning not just to the scribes and pharisees but to all of us in leadership.

"For they preach but do not practice."

This is reminiscent of the old adage, "Do as I say not as I do" morality.

This never works. We all know integrity is what moves us. Words are cheap. Actions matter most of all.

Are we guilty of this? Do we preach and not practice?

Secondly Jesus says the scribes and pharisees only want to be noticed, "They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor...(not to mention titles such as) "Rabbi".

The phylacteries are leather boxes that would be worn on the forehead and left arm during morning prayer. These boxes contained scriptures. Apparently, size did matter to some.

Some would increase the size of their box so that others might comment about their piety or devotion. The focus shifted from glory to God to glory to oneself.

We all can fall into this trap. How easy is it to be seduced by the lime light? How easy is it to be seduced by the titles and prestige and the notoriety?

How often do we make our life about us rather than about God in Christ?

Leave the show behind. Be who you were created to be, that is to remember we were created for glory first to give it then and only then receive it.

Again we go back to Malachi, "If yo do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name..."

This is the central theme of the readings. This must become the check list for our lifestyle and actions.

Does it give glory to His name?

Ad majorem Dei gloria: for the greater glory of God

mountaineering: lover of high place

2011-10-29T06:35:00.009-05:00

Romans 11:1-2,11-12,25-29; Ps 94 The Lord will not abandon his people; Luke 14:1,7-11

Look at the Psalm today.

It is short and sweet. The last part of the psalm is striking and rings true for all of us who are honest on this journey.

"Were not the Lord my help, my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave. When I say, "My foot is slipping," your mercy, O Lord, sustains me."

Mountaineering or the sport of climbing mountains is simply one of the finest outdoor opportunities available to the lover of high places.

Mountain climbing is all about challenge and perseverance, about putting hands and feet onto rocks and ice and snow and finally reaching a summit. There, high above the world of cities and civilization, the climber can pause and look across a natural world ruled by nature and her raw beauty.

In order to truly enjoy the height and breath of the mountain experience, the climber can't start at the top but must begin at the base of the mountain and slowly and steadily work upward.

There are a lot of tools that necessitate the climb: axe, ropes, harness, boots, crampons, webbing and cord, slacklines, slips and runners, quickdraws, carabines, etc.

On perilous journeys, the rope acts as a safety line that gives support and safety as the climber heads upward. Just in case there is slippage, then the rope will catch hold and the climber will not tumble to his or her demise.

Mountain climbing is a good analogy for the spiritual life. The spiritual life is only for those lovers of high places.
There are no slick mountains, for then the climb would be impossible.

The climb necessitates crevices and steep and sharp cliffs as wells as gentle slopes and rocky terrain all of which allows the climb to move upward.

This is our movement back to God.

All the while we climb upward it is the mercy of God that is our safety rope, that which sustains us. IT is always there to encourage us and to eliminate the fear of the climb, the ascent.

Jesus doesn't say we hsould be in high places in today's gospel rather he just reminds us not to cheat ourselves of the climb. We have start at the bottom.

We start at the bottom and we slowly make our way to the top but we only do so with humble awareness that were it not for the rope of mercy we would all simply fall.

All that is left is simply to climb on!
**********
From the Pope: through faith, we can recognize the face of the risen Lord in those who ask for our love!

Simon and jude

2011-10-28T06:54:00.004-05:00

Ephesians 2:19-22; Ps 19 Their message goes out through all the earth; Luke 6:12-16

As we close the month of October and get ready for November and December, we are asked to pause and as we say good by to October we recognize to of the apostles: SImon and Jude on this their feast day.

Not much is known about Simon, the Zealot or Jude aka Thaddaeus.

But we do know a little.

Simon, was called the zealot. He was a man of great passion and at least passionate attachment to his Jewish identity, God and the divine law. He was driven by this passion in all that he did.

This zeal certainly set him apart from Matthew, one of the other apostles. In fact, Simon and Matthew were worlds apart: Simon the zealot, passionate for his Jewish identity and Matthew, the sell out who was a tax collector.

It is hard to imagine any two more different people, yet in Christ they were called to stand together.

They lived side by side bound by Jesus Christ.

As Pope Benedict points out, this difference in unity reminds us that Jesus did not care about labels or social class but rather he was interested in people. Despite our differences, difficulties can be overcome in Christ, for in Christ we are given strength to get the better of our conflicts and allow them to be fruitful for unity.

Something to think about as we move and rub up against so many different types of persons and personalities. We can get the better of our differences and difficulties in Christ rather than letting then get the better of us.

Secondly we look to Jude aka Thaddaeus. Jude has a letter in the New Testament, which would be worth reading today on his feast.

Jude had a very important and timely question he asked Jesus at the Lord's Supper, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world."

Why did God in Christ not reveal himself in full glory to his enemies in order to win them over, to show them he was God?

Why only show his disciples?

Jesus' answer is very revealing for us, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

The Risen one must be perceived not by sight alone but by the heart. Jesus, the Lord, does not address himself as a thing, but he desires to enter our lives, thus he requires an open heart.

Check you heart today. IS it open or has it been hardened shut.

Will you let Him in and let him make his home within you?

who can be against us

2011-10-27T12:56:00.004-05:00

Romans 8:31-39; Ps 109 Save me, O Lord, in your mercy; Luke 13:31-35

St. Paul sums it all up in just a few simple and well ordered words, "If God is for us, who can be agianst us?"

Is there really anything else that can add to this simply and noble statement of faith by St. Paul.

It really is a rallying cry for the person of faith as the journey of life unfolds, as the mystery of tomorrow is unveiled, as darkness gives way to light.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

How do we know God is for us?

What has God done to prove this reliabilty. How do we know God is reliable? How do we know God has got our back?

"He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not give us everythign else along with him?"

Sounds like a pretty convinving gesture. Sounds like a reason to believe to me!

The man who prays is in glory...

2011-10-26T14:09:00.003-05:00

Romans 8:8:26-30; Ps 13 My hope O Lord is in your mercy; Luke 13:22-30

Below is a commentary Pope Benedict gave on prayer a few weeks back. The commentary on prayer is a reflection on Psalm 3.

"This is the great temptation to which the believer is subjected -- the temptation to lose faith, to lose trust in the nearness of God. The just man overcomes this ultimate test; he remains steadfast in the faith, in the certainty of the truth and in full confidence in God, and it is precisely in this way that he finds life and truth. It seems to me that here the psalm touches us very personally; in so many problems we are tempted to think that perhaps not even God can save me, that He doesn't know me, that perhaps it is not possible for Him; the temptation against faith is the enemy's final assault, and this we must resist -- in so doing, we find God and we find life."

"This interweaving of the human cry and the divine response is the dialectic of prayer and the key to reading the whole of salvation history. The cry expresses the need for help and it appeals to the faithfulness of the other; to cry out means to express faith in the nearness of God and in His readiness to listen. Prayer expresses certainty in a divine presence already experienced and believed in, [a presence] manifested most fully by God's saving response. This is significant: that in our prayer the certainty of God's presence be important, that it be present. Thus, the psalmist, who feels himself besieged by death, confesses his faith in the God of life who as a shield wraps him with invulnerable protection; he who thought himself already lost can now lift up his head, for the Lord saves him; the man who prays -- threatened and scorned -- is in glory, because God is his glory."

Think about that last line. The man who prays in in glory, because God is his glory.

What a beautiful reminder about the necessity of perseverance in prayer.
How often we forget; how often we need to be reminded.

Flipping to the gospel today we encounter the question posed to JEsus by "someone". "Lord, will only a few people be saved."

This random, no name person poses a very important question. The question could be from anyone and many times it is a question we ourselves grapple with on a regular basis as we look out into the world.

In about 33 days the new translation of the Roman Missal will go into effect. We will be praying with different words. One of the new translations is going to affect the words of consecration.

Previously the priest prayed the following in the consecration of the wine, "Take this all of you and drink form it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me."

The new translation will have a few alterations, "Take this all of you and and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

Notice the change of words as highlighted. Especially note the words are changed from "for all" to "for many."

Some scholars suggest that not only are the words "for many" more in lined with the actual words of scripture, as mentioned in isaiah 53:11-12, where the suffering servant would come to bear the sins of "many" and making "many" righteous but also some suggest that "for many" is a response to the question posed by the "someone" of today's gospel.

The person was aiming low, where as God in Christ was aiming high, not "for few" but "for many."

In deed Jesus Dies for all and the universal scope of the saving mission remains intact. Jesus dies for all, but not everyone chooses to accept the gift. Each individual must choose to accept the gift of salvation in Christ and live according to the grace so that they may be counted among the "many."

Thus, those who gather to celebrate the Eucharist each Sunday have chosen to respond to God's gift in Christ and thus they enter into that time of prayer in deed in glory, the one who prays is in glory, for God is his glory.

Red handed

2011-10-24T07:28:00.005-05:00

Romans 8:12-17; Ps 68 Our GOd is the God of salvation; Luke 13:10-17

Tid bits form the scriptures this morning

"if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8

"God arises; his enemies are scattered." Psalm 68

"He laid hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God." Luke 13

In the gospel for today, Jesus is caught red handed. There is no doubt that he is guilty as charged. THe synagogue official saw it, every one in the synagogue saw it, and there was no getting out of it.

For 18 years This woman had been afflicted, bent over, stooped to the ground. JEsus reaches out to her and she is healed, set free from this infirmity that has hounded her, oppressed her, slowly sucked the life out of her.

On side note, the fact that that she was in the synagogue, suggest at least some what that she had not given up on God; she still held on to hope and faith in Him even in the midst of her trials and struggles and sickness. This alone is worth meditating on.

But Jesus does her a good turn. In fact, Jesus' heart is always prepared to do Good, regardless of the potential fall out. He lets no one stand in his way of doing Good.

The synagogue official raised a stink, arousing the crowd against Jesus for this act of goodness. The official just flat out missed the point.

And the beauty of the gospel is that Jesus let him know it. Jesus didn't back down. "Hypocrites!" comes forth from the lips of Jesus. Jesus isn't labeling or name calling he is simply pointing out the truth that is obvious to everyone but the official himself.

Sometimes we should walk away from a fight but there are others when we must stand fast and speak boldly, holding our ground, especially when it comes to defending the life of another.

This was one of those moments.

Today, be on the look out for these kind of moments. Be prepared to do good; be prepared to speak out against injustice. Be prepared to not back down. Be prepared to be caught red handed in goodness. Be prepared to stand erect and give glory to God.

Loves DNA

2011-10-22T06:35:00.001-05:00

Article written by Fr Ron Rolheiser

Recently, in a theology class, I was asked this question: “Why is it that whenever we talk about love we soon end up talking about rules and commandments? Invariably we end up talking about what we can’t do! And it’s the same thing with faith: We begin talking about faith and then end up talking about dogma, creeds, and heresies. Why can’t we just talk about love and faith without immediately bringing in a bunch of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’?”

Fair enough. A good question. This is not unlike the famous ecclesiological query of a century ago when a French theologian asked: “Jesus came preaching a kingdom, how did we end up with the church?” Where do commandments, creeds, dogmas, and structures come from?

First off, we should admit that, sadly, sometimes they come from the wrong places. Rules, laws, and dogmas too frequently come from administrative offices that are too concerned with their own power. As well, they come from fearful, jealous, and petty places inside of ourselves. Small wonder that they do not always serve love and faith very well. However, in their best expression they come from love and faith themselves, just as an oak tree comes from an acorn and a mature man or woman develops out of a single set of chromosomes. Love and faith, like an acorn or a set of chromosomes, carry a clear, determined DNA.

We see this with faith: Bernard Lonergan once said that faith is the brand of the first principles inside the human soul. Henri Nouwen, using a different language, said the same thing. For him, faith is the primal memory of the kiss of God in the soul, the dark remembrance of true first love, of having once, before conscious memory, been caressed by hands far gentler than our own. These are wonderful, helpful images for faith. Faith is a brand, a kiss. However once we begin to try to touch that kiss in any way—through words, imagination, or even through feeling—we find that not all expressions of what we think this kiss is are true to its DNA and that only certain things can grow out of that acorn. The thing itself—however inchoate, dark, and beyond our imagination—dictates the lines within which it can validly be taken. As soon as we try to give expression to the kiss of God in us we find that some things we say are true to that kiss and others are not and soon enough that makes for creeds, dogmas, and heresies. We see this right in the way our Christian creeds developed. Immediately after the resurrection, the earliest Christians had only a one-line creed: Jesus is Lord! That’s a powerful little acorn! It says it all. However, as they tried to un-package what that meant, while all the time remaining true to its DNA, they eventually ended up with a couple of lengthy creeds and a whole series of dogmas that were needed to challenge a number of false understandings along the way.

Love works the same way. It too is a brand inside of the heart, an acorn with a unique DNA. Love can grow legitimately only in certain directions. What is its DNA? At one level this is clear. Love, in order to be love, must contain gratitude, respect, selflessness, and a willingness to let the other be free. Selfishness, envy, taking-another-for-granted, disrespect, and violation of all kinds can never pass themselves off as love. They are its antithesis. All of this is already written into the acorn. Hence there are some non-negotiable “dos” and “don’ts” within love. These are not arbitrary, humanly-imposed, dictates that limit love, but are rather the inherent lines for health and growth written right into love’s DNA. Thus, love, like faith, necessarily ends up with a number of commandments, creeds, and dogmas.

Sometimes today we are too easily seduced by a naive concept of love and freedom. This naivete would have us believe that faith and love can exist without boundaries, that there is not within them a defined DNA that may not be violated. The belief here is that love and faith can mean whatever we want them to mean. But, as we know, something that means everything means nothing. Love that is potentially anything, that exists without any non-negotiable protective principles, can also then mean incest, rape, and murder. The same is true of faith. Faith without boundaries, without creed and dogma to specify it, can then just as easily mean racism, Nazism, and bigotry.

Why do we inevitably end up talking about creeds, dogmas, commandments, and boundaries? Because love and faith have a set DNA. Every acorn is meant to be a very specific kind of tree. So too with love and faith. Already in their nascent forms, as in any tiny seed, there is present a fairly complete script for health and growth. Good creeds, dogmas, and commandments simply lay out that script so that it can be consciously read.

Fr. Ron Rolheiser

forecast: cloud of concupiscence with 100% shower of grace

2011-10-21T07:04:00.003-05:00

Romans 7:18-25; Ps 119 Lord, teach me your statues; Luke 12:54-59

we can’t change yesterday or forecast tomorrow. All we have is the present. How will you spend it?

Hear the words of St. Paul from todays reading, "The willing is ready at hand, but the doing the good is not... I discover the principle that when I want to do good, evil is at hand...I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members...Who will deliver me from this mortal body?"

Talk about a ominous forecast painted by the spiritual meteorologist, St. Paul.

It reminds of my little nephew. He is a first grader. He is is trouble a lot at school. His dad, my brother, sat him down and asked him why he is always getting into to trouble at school, and his response is classic St. Paul, "Daddy, I am a good boy but my mind tells me to do bad things."

Even at 7 years old, we experience what St. Paul speaks about and describes so well in this 7th chapter of Romans.

There is often a seemingly great chasm between what we ought to do and what we actually do. A sense of helplessness rise to overwhelm us in this endless struggle.

The theological term for this reality described by Paul is "Concupiscence" which is the inclination of fallen man to misuse free will in sinful and selfish ways. It manifest itself in a unremitting desire for pleasure, power, and possessions.

What is the answer?

St. Paul will go on to teach us in Romans 8, "You are in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you....If Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness...you have received the spirit of sonship. when we cry Abba! Father!It is the spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order to be glorified with him."

Our resolutions are often inadequate but in faith through baptism, we have the resolution of christ flowing through our bodies. We do not struggle alone. Christ fights in us and with us. THis is our hope for glory.

THis is why it is so important that we remember our date of baptism and celebrate it annually. There in lies the hope for the journey. We do not go alone. Christ is alive in us. THis makes all the difference.

Though we may fail time and time again, if we cling to Christ then we shall always have the strength to rise anew and begin to move forward in the present moment. We shake off the dust of disappointment and frustration that clings us and we say boldly with St. Paul, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

turn up the heat

2011-10-20T06:50:00.004-05:00

Romans 6:19-23; Ps 1 Blessed are they who hope in the Lord; Luke 12:49-53

Words form the gospel
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

Now certainly we understand fire. We have recent experience of the destructive force that a fire brings to community, how quickly it spreads and how quickly it gets out of hand.

Texas has had its experience, in particular Bastrop. Fire is madness when it is unleashed on the earth.

But it is also very productive. It is the fire that actually enriches the soil once it has passed. The fire releases nitrogen other important nutrients back into the soil, creating a more suitable environment for growth. Fire also brings with it rapid regeneration of growth. Thus a greater diversity of species enlivens the ecosystem. Fires also release seeds that enable species of plants to be spread.

Now imagine that kind of force and madness of faithfulness to God, faithfulness in discipleship.

What would the world be like if the fire of seeking God's will were blazing in each of us?

We would be madness on the world, not causing havoc but just the opposite, bringing order, enriching the soil around us and enabling regeneration.

Thus, is the reversal JEsus brings to the earth.

Do we burn and blaze or is our life just puttering along.

It is time to turn up the heat.

Secondly, the gospel mentions, Do you think I have come to establish peace? No, I tell you division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father divided against his son, and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Again the words of JEsus seem to be striking and shocking. Does he really mean division?

The meaning is simple and clear. Our attachment to the kingdom must be prior to any attachment or bond regardless of its nature whether it be parents, children, or spouse.

There is a lot of division in families already but it is not caused by the right motivation. Most division is caused by selfishness or greed or hormones.

But what would the world look like if we attached ourself first to the kingdom of God and let that became our driving force.
Division would happen and what a beautiful reality that would be.

How would the world look if we no longer forsook our faith or our faithfulness?

Our task is to make sure the divisions that happen are happening for the right reason.

Perhaps then the fire would truly blaze.

The greatest division however is within ourself. We must never forsake the kingdom for our own selfish desires.

As St. Paul tells us in the first reading, "But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? You have been freed form sin and are slaves of God, the benefit that leads to sanctification."

We must let the word of God in Christ divide us, cause division within us. Is this not what JEsus means when he ask us to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow him.

Only then do we bear the torch, only then do we set the world on fire.

Last Judgment: justice and mercy collide

2011-10-19T07:10:00.007-05:00

Romans 6:12-18; Ps 124 Our help is in the name of the Lord; Luke 12:39-48

Words from Pope Benedict on this wednesday

"Faith in the Last Judgment is first and foremost hope...Only God can create justice. And faith gives us certainty that he does. The image of the Last Judgment is not primarily an image of terror, but an image of hope...It is an image that evokes responsibility, an image, therefore, of that fear of which St Hilary spoke when he said that all our fear has its place in love. GOd is justice and creates justice. This is our consolation and our hope. And in his justice there is also grace. This we know by turning our gaze to the crucified and risen Christ."

Words of Jesus from Luke 12"39-48

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

"The servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will shall be beaten only lightly."

"Much will be requires of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

Words from Plato

"Often when it is the king or some other monarch or potentate that he has to deal with, he finds there is no soundness in the soul whatever; he finds it scourged and scarred by the various acts of perjury and wrongdoing; it is twisted and warped by lies and vanity, and nothing is straight because truth has had no part in its development. Power, luxury, pride, and debauchery have left it so full of disproportion and ugliness that when he has inspected it he sends it straight to prison, where on its arrival it will undergo the appropriate punishment...

Sometimes though the eye of the judge lights on a different soul which has lived in purity and truth...then he is struck with admiration and sends him to the isles of the blessed."

Pope Benedict continues...

"With death, our life choices becomes definitive- our life stands before the judge. Our choice, which in the course of an entire life takes on a certain shape, can have a variety of forms. There can be people who have totally destroyed their desire for truth and readiness to love...On the other hand there can be people who are utterly pure, completely permeated by God, and thus fully open to their neighbor-people for whom communion with God even now gives direction to their entire being and whose journey toward God only brings to fulfillment what they already are."

Which road are we on? Which shape or form is lour life beginning to take? Are we ready for the judgment that awaits us all?

Quote for today:
"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion, creatutes bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity." Dale Carnegie

above a picture of St. Isaac Jogues and companions who were martyred in present day canada. Today is their feast day.

Words from St. Isaac Jogues after he returned from Paris after being rescued from the grip of torture, only to return to face martyrdom.

"Yes, I want what the Lord wants, even if it cost a 1000 lives. The tortures are great but still God is greater and immense."

Storyteller who lives the story of faith.

2011-10-18T07:51:00.006-05:00

2 Timothy 4:10-17; Ps 145 Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom; Luke 10:1-9

Today we remember St. Luke the writer of 1/4 of the New Testament the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke is a storyteller. His gospel contains some of the most moving stories of the encounter of God in history, especially the infant narrative of Christ, the annunciation narrative of the angel Gabriel to Mary, the unfolding of Christ in history as he reaches out and touches those who were considered unworthy of touch.

Luke paints a beautiful picture with his pen.

In the gospel we meet the Good Samaritan, the Rich fool and Lazarus who lets the dogs lick his wounds, the Shepherd who looks for the one lost sheep as he leaves behind the 99, the prodigal son who returns home. In the gospel of Luke, we encounter the great agony of JEsus where he sweats drops of blood and an angel is sent to console him. Luke informs us of the repentant thief who dies with Christ to whom paradise is offered.

The pen truly is mightier than the sword especially in the hands of St. Luke, the great storyteller of the Mercy of God in the flesh of JEsus Christ.

Of all that St. Luke writes, it is what St. Paul tells us that probably solidifies his character. As we read the first reading today, notice what St. PAul says about St. Luke, "Luke is the only one with me."

Luke is the only one with me. Luke not only writes a good story but he lives a better one. There he is a loyal friend standing with Paul who had been arrested and thrown in Jail.

Luke remains living out what he wrote about, the MErcy of God in fleshed in Jesus Christ.
Luke is the storyteller who lives the story of Faith.

Luke stood fast.

Then we go to the gospel of today written from the hand of St. Luke himself.

"Jesus appointed 72 disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit."

JEsus sends the disciples to prepare the way for him. Thus, is our mission and task in life. Do we prepare the way for Christ?

"Say to them, The Kingdom of God is at hand for you." Here n lies the theme of St. Luke's writings, both the gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Here in lies the theme of his life.

What about ours?

Ignatius of Antioch: rich in what matters to God

2011-10-17T07:15:00.007-05:00

Romans 4:20-25; Ps blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people; Luke 12:13-21

Click here for a little theme song for this Monday morning

Ignatius was a bishop in the early church. He gave his life in 107 by being thrown to wild animals under the EMperor Trajan. On the way to Martyrdom he wrote several letter to several communities of Christians.

He spoke about many things but in particular was the gift of the Eucharist.

In the letter to the Smyrnaeans he identifies Heretics as those who "abstain from the EUcharist and from pryer, because they do not confess the EUcharist to be the flesh of our Savior JEsus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. Those, who speak against this gift of GOd, incur death in the midst of their disputes. Yet it would be better for them to treat it with respect, that they also might rise."

He also spoke about the role of the Bishop, "Wherever the Bishop shall appear their let the assembly also be-just as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Apart from the Bishop, it is not lawful to Baptize or to celebrate an agape. But whatever he shall approve is pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."

Just a few words from Ignatius of Antioch.

Now for the readings of the day.

St. Paul invites the Christians in Rome to believe in the promise. We are empowered by faith and we can give glory to God and thus are convinced that what God has promised he will be able to do.

Look again at the words St. Paul uses to describe Abraham as well us:

empowered by faith, give glory to God, convinced, God has promised, be able to do.

These are clear and precise and invigorating for us as we journey forth.

Are we empowered by faith? What in our live reveals that power full active in our life? What is driving us forth?

Examine your life today! Where is the semblance or evidence of your faith?

St. Ignatius was certainly empowered by faith as he was thrown to the wild animals. He was also empowered by faith has he clung to the reality of the Eucharist as the body and blood and soul and divinity of Christ, that gift from God's goodness.

He was empowered by faith as he trusted in the Role of the Bishop to gather the people.

As you enter into the world of wild things today, it is a jungle out there, don't lose sight of you faith it will empower you.

We think about all kinds of energy and energy crisis in our life: fossil fuels, natural gas, oil, going green, solar, wind power and the list goes on.

Faith surpasses all of those. We just have to engage it. Every day provides ample opportunity to be empowered by faith. The issue with faith is the more you use it the stronger it becomes.

This is what JEsus speaks of in the gospel with that one liner, "Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."

Remember those commercials, "Got milk?"
St. Paul and JEsus ask "Got Faith?"

notice of God

2011-10-14T07:08:00.005-05:00

(Image is portrait of JEsus found in the Catacombs of St. Callistus)

Romans 4:1-8; Ps 32 I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble; Luke 12:1-7

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Callistus. He was born to a Christian slave in the 3rd century. Later in his life he was put in charge of a bank that eventually went broke. THus, he was on the run, until he was caught and sent to the mill (prison). He was ransomed and later ordained a deacon and put in charge of the Christian Cemetery that today still bears his name: Catacombs of St. Callistus just outside of Rome along the Appian Way. He became Pope Callistus in 217 and was martyred 223.

As I recall to mind St. Callistus, I cannot but think about my trip to the catacombs of Callistus several years ago. I had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist in the catacombs, surrounded by the tombs of Popes and martyrs and many of the remains of the early Christians.

It was very moving.

The profound aspect of the catacombs was the silence. It was an "uproar" of silence. As I journeyed through the catacombs, everywhere I looked I encountered frescoes or mosaics, or sculptures of hope and faith and love.

The silence resonated confidence.

The Good Shepherd clinging to the lamb is all over the walls and tombs. Also depicted are images of JEsus at work: raising Lazarus from the dead, making the blind to see, multiplying the loaves and fishes, changing the water in to wine.

IT is as if the martyrs are telling the visitors that JEsus continues to be active and that his work lives on in the life of faith and even in the death of those who die in faith.

There are no crosses in the catacombs but rather there are anchors which are symbols of hope. The Good Shepherd and the anchor stand out as the source of hope and confidence that resonate from the tombs of the catacombs.

We are always in his grip. This is the message of the catacombs that comes to the visitor in silence.

The voice of the martyrs continues to sing the praises of God in Christ.

The early greeks called the place of the dead a necropolis, which means city of the dead, but the Christians adopted a new name for the cemetery, they called them dormitories, a place of rest.

They knew death was not the end.

The catacombs put flesh on the gospel for today. JEsus tells us "there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known...Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. YOu are worth more than many sparrows."

Believe it, profess it, live it.

The catacombs present to every visitor true transparency. Transparency of faith only leads to confidence and trust. The martyrs have nothing to hide, and we should follow their lead.

We do not escape the notice of God.

Here are some links to the Catacombs online.

The first link is a Litany to the martyrs of the Catacombs: pray them today as an act of faith.

click here for litany

Here is a link to a virtual tour of the Catacombs

Virtual tour click here

Here is general information on the Catacomb themselves

Click here

No distinctions

2011-10-13T07:29:00.005-05:00

Romans 3:21-30; Ps 130 With the Lord there is mercy; Luke 11:47-54

Here are the words of St. Paul from the letter of Romans this morning

"There is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus. whom God sent forth as expiation, through faith by his Blood...What occasion is there then for boasting?"

There is a sobering thought. The cross is the great equalizer. Why do we boast?

Go back to the first part of that statement by St. Paul. "There is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the Glory of God."

Now "distinction" is different than "exception". Obviously there are exceptions looking at all humans though there are no distinctions between gentiles and jews. JEsus Christ is an exception. He was fully human and was sinless. The church teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was is also sinless, by the words of the greeting of the angel Gabriel, "HAil, full of grace the Lord is with you." Though Mary's sinlessness is still prescribed as a result of Christ and his redemption.

A lot to think about.

But remember we can be saved in many ways. IF we are walking and fall into a hole, then someone who rescues us by pulling us from the hole saves us. Or we can be walking and headed toward a hole and then someone comes along and guides us around the hole, we are still saved though we do not suffer the effects of the fall.

The former is our experience. THe latter is Mary's. Both cases we are saved by grace that comes from Christ.

The argument St. Paul is presenting is the argument that Jews and Gentiles alike are all the same in Christ. None are better than the other for it is by the Blood of Christ that we are justified in faith.

To be justified means to be vindicated or to arrive at an acquittal.

When does this acquittal happen? Where according to Paul, by Baptism 1 Corinthians 6:11. In the waters of Baptism, the sinner is acquitted and the sinner is adopted as a child of God himself in Christ. thus an heir of eternal life. Thus an inward transformation occurs, an indelible mark as the church teaches.

St. Paul goes on to say, "a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

Works of the law are different than good works.

For later, St. Paul will say that faith manifest itself in lives of believers by obedience (Rom 1.5), love (Gal 5:6), good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Works of the law refer to the Mosaic Covenant and the many prescribed precepts added on by the scribes and Pharisees through the ages.

Good works are those things that come because of faith, such as we encounter in Galatians chapter 5, the fruits of the Spirit.

Just something to think about on this Thursday morning.

Turn your attention to the gospel.

The Pharisees and the scribes began to act with hostility toward Jesus.
Jesus speaks the truth and calls them to the mat. They do not like it and they react violently toward it.

This is a good thing to remember. If they persecuted him, they shall persecute us who also call people to the mat by speaking and living the truth. Jesus made them feel uncomfortable.

So be it.

A Poem: sometimes

sometimes things don't go, after all
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail,
sometimes a man aims high, and all is well.

A people sometimes will step back from war;
elect an honest man; decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen; may it happen for you.

conscience discipline

2011-10-12T07:16:00.005-05:00

Romans 2:1-11;Ps 62 Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works; Luke 11:42-46

A few words from Pope Benedict as he spoke to the southeast region of Italy, Calabria, though he spoke to them he always speaks to all:

"never give in to the temptation to pessimism or to withdraw within yourselves. Draw from the resources of your faith and your human capacities; make an effort to grow in the capacity to collaborate, to look after your neighbor and the whole of the public good, guarding the wedding garment of love; persevere in giving witness to human and Christian values ..."

Words from St. Paul, more like an exhortation, "YOu, O man are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge do the very same things...?

Here St. Paul is not speaking about being critical but rather about passing judgment in the sense of condemning. This is a problem.

What is our standard? We must examine our measuring stick and make sure it measures at the same breadth and height and width of the Cross of Christ.

None of us have the authority to condemn anyone, though we must help them to arrive at a better place. It is easy to write people off. It is easy to want to get rid them, out of sight and out of mind. It is a lot harder and takes a greater love to encourage them continually and seek again to move them to a better place so that they collaborate with God's grace of transformation.

Paul continues, "the just judgment of God will repay everyone according to his works, eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness..."

St. Paul mentions that God will repay. What we shall receive depends in a large portion on us. I remember being at St. Rose last year and all the teachers were working on implementing conscience discipline, where the teachers teach the children accountability and consequences based on their choices, helping them to see the positive choice to every situation.

It seemed to be an affective tool. St. Paul is using conscience discipline in the letter to the Romans. He is inviting us to look at the consequences of our choices while trying to reenforce good behavior. We have a choice, we can either be with GOd for eternity or not.

You decide.

hooptedoodle

2011-10-11T07:02:00.011-05:00

Romans 1:16-25; Psalm 19 The heavens proclaim the glory of God; Luke 11:37-41

What is hooptedoodle?

Inflammation of a story caused by infectious or toxic writing that gets in the way of the story's making progress. It is wordy, unnecessary, space-taking, and typically should be edited out.

We have all read articles or novels or other books where we thought to ourself that what this story really needed was an editor. How often are too many words used? How often does words just seem filler and it hinders the story and we readers wind up just skipping those parts anyway.

What a waste! What a waste of a beautifully laid out page. What a waste of our time!

I wonder how often the story of our lives as we live them is filled with hooptedoodle? There are many things we do that really get in the way of the story's making progress.

How often too much of our life is spent on too little of importance!

Perhaps this is what Jesus was getting at in the gospel for today.

Here is a tidbit of the gospel.

"Jesus entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. YOu fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you"

In other words, eliminate the hooptedoodle and behold clarity shall be yours.

Give alms: simply put give mercy, give your life, make your life a benefit for others; be a benefactor for those around you.

Thus, eliminate the hooptedoodle.

Words from Blessed Pope John XXIII whose feast is today

"We must open our hearts and empty them of the malice with which at times the spirit of error and evil seeks to infect them, and thus purified, we must lift them up confident of receiving heaven's blessing as also prosperity in the things of this earth."

Blessed John XXIII on the Precious Blood: Click here for the Litany of the Precious Blood

"The Blood of the new and eternal covenant especially deserves this worship of latria when it is elevated during the sacrifice of the Mass. But such worship achieves its normal fulfilment in sacramental communion with the same Blood, indissolubly united with Christ's eucharistic Body. In intimate association with the celebrant the faithful can then truly make his sentiments at communion their own: "I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. . . The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul for everlasting life. Amen." Thus as often as they come worthily to this holy table they will receive more abundant fruits of the redemption and resurrection and eternal life won for all men by the Blood Christ shed "through the Holy Spirit."13 Nourished by his Body and Blood, sharing the divine strength that has sustained count less martyrs, they will stand up to the slings and arrows of each day's fortunes — even if need be to martyrdom itself for the sake of Christian virtue and the kingdom of God. Theirs will be the experience of that burning love which made St. John Chrysostom cry out:

Let us, then, come back from that table like lions breathing out fire, thus becoming terrifying to the Devil, and remaining mindful of our Head and of the love he has shown for us. . . This Blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. . . This Blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. . . This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church... This thought will check in us unruly passions. How long, in truth, shall we be attached to present things? How long shall we remain asleep? How long shall we not take thought for our own salvation? Let us remember what privileges God has bestowed on us, let us give thanks, let us glorify him, not only by faith, but also by our very works. 14

the secret of life

2011-10-09T16:52:00.003-05:00

Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23 I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; Philipians 4:12-14;19-20; Mt 22:1-14

First a brief overview of the gospel. Over the past three weeks, we have been listening to Jesus tell parables. Each of the parable offer a unique perspective on life in the kingdom. In fact, parables taken collective offer us a glimpse at the cut and contour of kingdom living.

This is important.

This weeks parable does the same.
The parable is about a King whose son is getting married. He invites the guest and they refuse to come. He sends out another reminder and not only do they refuse to come but they treat the servants badly, even killing them.

Now of course hearing this we know this is not going to turn out well for them who refuse.

the act of refusal is an act of rebellion. The refusal to attend the marriage feast of the King's son, is in some sense a refusal to accept the son as heir, as future king. The refusal to come is act against loyalty to the throne. Certainly, no king would stand for this.

The first sent of people are the scribes and pharisees and religious elite of JEsus time. They refused the invitation the King sends. Jesus of course is the one who is getting married, the bridegroom.

After the rebellion is put down then their goes out an open invitation to anyone and everyone. The servants rounded up the good and the bad alike. The good, the bad and the ugly get the chance of a life time. The invitation is undeserved and free.

They all jump at the opportunity. Of course folks the good the bad and the ugly are You and I.

The king, now excited and satisfied that the banquet is filled and the feast is being celebrated as it should be, arrives an mingles with the guest.

HE finds one who does not have a wedding garment. Now it appears that in the time of JEsus, if someone were to show up at a wedding feast without the proper attire then one would be provided. It is like going to a restaurant that requires a coat and tie. If yo show up and don't have one then usually they have some set a side that can be used.

IT seems this particular guest though having been offered a garment refused.

Perhaps he thought that it didn't matter what he wore.

I hear this quite a bit from folks. They will say it doesn't matter what I look like God will accept me as I am.

OR they wills ay God doesn't care how I dress.

Well, Usually I tell then it is inadequate to say God doesn't care. God cares absolutely and eternally. The issue isn't whether God cares, the issue is whether we care.

Just because the invitation is free and undeserved doesn't mean God lowers his standards. Even God has standards.

The invitation is meant to give us courage to rise and meet the standard set before us. The standard of Course is Christ. We have all been baptized in Christ. We received a white garment at baptism with these words, "you have been clothed with Christ."

God provides the garments for us and how often we refuse.

God cares. Do we?
*************************

Now this past week we witnessed the passing of Steve Jobs. He is the mastermind and architect behind Macintosh. HE made the apple a universal symbol of communication. He changed the way we communicate and exchange information. He gave us the iPhone, iPad, iPod and itunes.

He died at the age of 56 after a 7 year battle with cancer.

A few years ago he was speak about this experience at a commencement speech at a graduating class.

He spoke about his experience after the doctors gave him the news of cancer and in fact told him he was going to die soon.

He said after that day, every morning he woke up he would go into the bathroom and look at himself in the mirror and ask himself the same question, "If today was going to be my last day alive, would I still do what I was planning on doing today."

Every day he would ask himself the same question.

HE said if he answered "No" consecutive days in a row then he knew something had to change.

HE said, remembering that he was going to die soon was the best tool he ever encountered. In the face of death, all external expectation, all pride, all fear of failure faded away.

It was remembering he was dying that freed him from falling into the trap of thinking he had something to lose. BEfore the face of death, he said, we all stand naked.

In the face of death, we all stand naked. Think about that for a moment.

IT is true. Death is the great equalizer. None of us get out of here a live. In the face of death we all stand naked.

Now think about today's psalm. Psalm 23 is important.

We all know PSalm 23 or at least we should. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I should want. In green pastures he gives me repose, beside restful waters he leads me and refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name sake. Even though I walk in the valley of death, i fear no evil; for yo are at m side with your rod and staff that give me courage...."

It is beautiful psalm. It is the first scripture I ever put to memory. My CCD teacher asked us to memorize some scripture. I opened the bible and I found Psalm 23. It moved me. SO i put to memory.

It has stuck with me ever since.

In fact, every time I go to anoint someone who got bad news about their health or If I go to give some one the last rights in preparation for dying, I always start with Psalm 23. I want that to be on the persons mind and heart as they head down the next journey.

Think about Psalm 23 again. Hear the words, "He guides me in right paths for his namesake. THough I walk in the valley of death, I fear no evil, you are at my side with your rod and staff that give me courage."

There it is. The nearness of God transforms reality as we know it. The fact the Good shepherd leads us even the valley of death, the valley of death loses its danger, it is emptied of its threat.

It is true that in the face of death we stand naked, but in faith we never stand alone, the Good Shepherd is always at our side.

There is the beauty and truth of a life of faith. We never go alone. No matter the circumstances, no matter the road we travel. If we do it in sincere faith then on roads shall become that pathway that leads us to green pastures of repose.

No matter the road, if we walk in Christ then we shall arrive where we have always wanted to be: to dwell in the house of the lord all the days of my life.

We do not go alone. Naked yes, alone never.

This is what St. PAul speaks about in the second reading when he says, "I have learned the secret of life."

The secret of life. How many of us look for the secret of life, the secret of happiness. How many of us want the inside scoop on such things. ANd here St. Paul spells it our for us.

"I have learned the secret of life, of being well fed or going hungry, of living in abundance or being in need. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me."

There it ism the secret of life. No matter the circumstance, In faith we do not go alone. We have one who has already gone before us. We have one who has experiences all the things we experience. We have one who has already gone down the road of death and has conquered.

The secret of life: we do not go alone.

We know this. We believe this. We profess this. It is time to live it.

Naked perhaps, alone never.

Our Lady of the rosary fight with us and for us

2011-10-07T07:07:00.008-05:00

Joel 1:13-15;2:1-2; Psalm 9 The Lord will judge the world with Justice; Luke 11:15-26

Today we celebrate Our Lady of Victory, Our lady of the Rosary. ON this date, October 7th, 1570, date the Turkish fleet was defeated by a much smaller and over matched Christian fleet. This battle was pivotal for it assured the Christian faith the freedom to be practiced in Europe.

The Battle of Lepanto was a navy battle between the Turks and Christian fleet consisting mainly of spain and venice. Pope Pius V, asked all of Europe to pray the Rosary that MAry might intercede and guide the Christian fleet.

Basically the battle was between the ISlamic fleet and the Christian fleet, but many who are politically correct will avoid that distinction so as to not stir things up.

The fact remains, it was by prayer that the those fighting the battle were aided in their victory. Mary our Mother interceded for us all as she did at the annunciation when God asked her to be the mother of Jesus.

Think about the Rosary!

In reciting the Rosary, we enter into the meaningful events of salvation history. The rosary is the compendium to the gospel. The rosary is like a 3D movie, where we can touch the life of Christ as we meditate and pray the beads.

The Annunciation of Christ when the angel comes to MAry, the birth of Christ, JEsus born into the world, the suffering Christ be it the agony in the garden or the crown of thorns, the public ministry of Christ form the wedding feast of Cana to the institution of the Eucharist, and the glorious mysteries of the EMpty TOmb and descent of the Holy Spirit, flood our mind with the recitation of the Rosary and with MAry;s guiding hand.

As Blessed John Paul II stated in his apostolic letter on the Rosary, with Mary's guiding hand while praying the rosary, we Learn Christ, we are conformed to Christ, we remember Christ, we pray to Christ, we proclaim CHrist.

At the very heart of the prayer is the repetition of the name of JEsus, "blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus" he whose name is salvation for all.

What more can you ask from a prayer?

Paul the VI on the Rosary, "As a Gospel prayer, centred on the mystery of the redemptive Incarnation, the Rosary is a prayer with a clearly Christological orientation. Its most characteristic element, in fact, the litany- like succession of Hail Marys, becomes in itself an unceasing praise of Christ, who is the ultimate object both of the Angel's announcement and of the greeting of the Mother of John the Baptist: 'Blessed is the fruit of your womb'.

Here is the apostolic letter on the Rosary

persistence

2011-10-06T07:17:00.005-05:00

Malachai 3:13-20; Ps 1 Blessed are they who hope in the lord; Luke 11:5-13

Jesus tells the story of a friend who shows up on your door late at night knocking and seeking bread.
The story's focus is not on the one who gives or why he gives but on the one who ask.

The punch line is as follows, "I tell you, if he does not get up to give him loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence."

Firmness of purpose, the unwillingness to give in or give up will gain you a lot of ground in the end.

Turn your attention to the psalm. today we read from psalm 1. Psalm one begins the book of psalms which consist of 150 psalms. The book is a mirror of the spiritual life.

It begins with two kinds of people: those who fear the Lord and are obedient and those who fear not and who are classified as the wicked.

"Blessed the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade."

Blessed is the man that is persistent.

The thing about the psalms. If you follow them through you come to psalm 150, which is a psalm of pure praise.

Persistence in obedience and fear of the Lord leads to perfect praise.

This is the spiritual life: firmness of purpose and the willingness not to give in will gain you ground in the end.

In the words of Franklin Roosevelt, "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

Example: Abraham Lincoln
if you want to learn about somebody who did not quit, look no further. Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost 8 elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. He could have quit many times - but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest Presidents in the history of US. Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House: 1816 : His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them. 1818 : His mother died. 1831 : Failed in business. 1832 : Ran for state legislature - Lost. 1832 : Also lost his job. Wanted to go to law school, but couldn't get in. 1833 : Borrowed some money from a friend to begin business, but became bankrupt by the year end. 1834 : Ran for state legislature again - Won. 1835 : Was engaged to be married, but his fiancée died. 1836 : Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for 6 months. 1838 : Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - Defeated. 1840 : Sought to be elector - Defeated. 1843 : Ran for Congress - Lost. 1846 : Ran for Congress again. This time he won. Went to Washington and did a good job. 1848 : Ran for re-election to Congress - Lost. 1849 : Sought the job of land officer in his home state - Rejected. 1854 : Ran for the Senate of the US - Lost. 1856 : Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - Got less than 100 votes. 1858 : Ran for the US Senate again - Lost again. 1860 : Elected President of the US.

In the end, persistence is a divine attribute. Think of how persistent God has been to get our attention. Think about the countless stubborn hearts and wills he has endured from the moment he spoke those words, "let there be light" to the Pentecost experience of sending his Holy Spirit. Right smack in the middle is the Cross.

Persistence means to be godly.

anger?

2011-10-05T15:26:00.003-05:00

Jonah 4:1-11; Ps 86 Lord,, you are merciful and gracious; Luke 11:1-4

But the Lord asked, "Have you reason to be angry?"

What a question!

This is God's response to Jonah who throws a tatrum becasue the people of Nineveh are saved from destruction. He throws a tatrum because God is merciful.

Imagine that!

Here is the prophet who was coerced to preach repentance. Remember he preached agianst his will, he was reluctant. Yet, It was productive. God used this little man to bring about big changes for the people of Nineveh, the people jonah himself despised.

God allowed them to repent and to change their ways. God gave them warning, he gave them time, and in the end he gave them clemency.

But is mercy wasn't finished.

Then to show his mercy, God allowed a plant to grow and give Jonah shade even while he compalined. Then the plant withered and died.

Jonah's anger flared up.

It seems poor Jonah is only thinking about himself. Poor Jonah is only happy with God when God does what Jonah desires. Sounds a lot like us.

Don't we try to corner God in to doing what is our will rather than truly allowing ourselves to be transformed by his.

In the end, we do not have a monopoly on God's mercy. In the end do we really have a reason to be angry? when it is all said and done, is not his mercy really all that we hope for and all that we desire?

The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

John Wayne's grandson is a priest

2011-10-05T09:17:00.001-05:00

Here is a post for all of you John Wayne fans. His grandson is a priest.

Find the article here: Click here pilgrim

Wednesday's Audience but Sundays words from the Pope

2011-10-05T09:05:00.003-05:00

Today I wanted to leave you with Pope Benedict's words form Sunday on the gospel as well as guardian angels, whose feast was this past Sunday. I've highighted a few parts I thought were worth looking over several times. The Successor of Peter really knows how to drive home a point. I hoep you enjoy.

"This Sunday's Gospel closes with Jesus' warning addressed to the chief priests and elders of the people that is particularly severe: "The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will bear its fruits" (Matthew 21:43). These are words that make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in every age, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially with the role of authority; they move us to complete fidelity to Christ. He is the "stone that the builders rejected" (cf. Matthew 21:42), because they judged him an enemy of the law and a threat to public order; but he himself, rejected and crucified, is risen, becoming the "cornerstone" upon which every human existence and the entire world can rest with absolute security.

The parable of the unfaithful tenants, to whom a man gave his vineyard to be cultivated to bear fruit, speaks of this truth. The owner of the vineyard represents God himself, while the vineyard symbolizes God's people as well as the life that he has bestowed upon us to do good through our commitment and his grace. St. Augustine says that "God cultivates us like a field to make us better" (Sermo 87, 1, 2: PL 38, 531). God has a project for his friends but unfortunately man's answer is often oriented to infidelity, which translates into rejection. Pride and egoism impede the recognition and acceptance even of God's most precious gift: his only begotten Son. When, in fact, "he sent them his son," writes the Evangelist Matthew, "they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him" (Matthew 21:37, 39). God gives himself into our hands, he allows himself to be an unfathomable mystery of weakness and manifests his omnipotence in fidelity to a plan of love that, in the end, foresees also punishment for the wicked (cf. Matthew 21:41).

Solidly anchored in faith in the cornerstone that is Christ, we remain in him as a branch that cannot bear fruit on its own if it does not remain in the vine. Only in him, through him and with him is the Church, the people of the New Covenant, built up. In this connection the Servant of God Pope Paul VI wrote: "The first benefit which we trust the Church will reap from a deepened self-awareness, is a renewed discovery of its vital bond of union with Christ. This is something which is perfectly well known, but it is supremely important and absolutely essential. It can never be sufficiently understood, meditated upon and preached" ("Ecclesiam Suam," August 6, 1964: AAS 56 [1964], 622).

Dear friends, the Lord is always near and working in human history, and he also accompanies us with the unique presence of his angels, whom the Church venerates today as "guardians," that is, ministers of the divine care for every man. From the beginning until the hour of death, human life is surrounded by their unceasing protection. And the angels are the crown of the august Queen of Victories, the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary, who in the first Sunday of October, precisely at this hour, receives the fervid plea, from the sanctuary in Pompeii and from the whole world, that evil be defeated and the goodness of God be revealed in its fullness.

From Riches to Rags

2011-10-04T07:42:00.006-05:00

JOnah 3:1-11; Ps 130 If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand; Lk 10:38-42

What is happiness?

St. Thomas Aquinas dedicates a whole section of his Summa Theologia on Happiness of man.

His conclusion: final and perfect happiness can consist in nothing else than the vision of Divine Essence. He goes on to add that a certain participation in happiness can be had in this life, but perfection and true happiness cannot be had in this life. Though rectitude of the will is necessary for Happiness; since it is nothing else than the right order of the will to the last end.

The will has to be rightly ordered. Hence "Seek ye first the kingdom of God."

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis. He is known through out the world as probably one of the happiest men you will ever know.

There are many advertisements about the most interesting man in the world. St. Francis is the most interesting man in the world.

We often hear of stories of people going from rags to riches, well St Francis went the other way, from riches to rags.

He gave up his family's inheritance, his wealth, his fame, his fortune and all to boot. He even gave back the clothes on his back to his father and walked away from it.

But he really wasn't walking away from anything, rather he was walking toward someone, walking with someone, Jesus Christ.

IT was in this movement toward Christ, he discovered what happiness could be. He embraced poverty so that he could truly set his heart and mind on that which matter most of all. Unhindered, his will could then "seek first the kingdom of God."

He often spoke about Lady Poverty as the one companion that would assure that his will was always fixed on Christ.

Poverty isn't just about not owning any property or having any money, rather it is about being unhindered in seeking the kingdom.

What hinders us? What distracts us from seeking the kingdom of God? What runs interference in our life? What are we attached to in life? This is where Lady Poverty can lead us forth!

This is what St. Francis models for us even today some 800 years after his death. He let nothing get in his way of achieving the goal of seeing God face to face, where true happiness is found.

His actions, his words, his discipline, his renunciations, his lifestyle all reflected that one movement of the soul, a will longing to see.

What about us?

As we encounter in the first reading and the gospel today. Especially we hear it in the words of JEsus to MArtha, Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken form her.

Have we chosen the better part?

St. Francis pray for us

Won't you be my neighor

2011-10-03T09:04:00.002-05:00

Growing up, I remember watching reruns of Mr. Roger's neighborhood. THat catchy little song sometimes continue to ring in my head even today, "Would you be, could you be, won't you be my neighbor."

What a refrain!

Here is the introduction to Mister Roger's neighbor via Youtube

Today in the gospel we read the story of the Good Samaritan.
We are familiar with the story. We all know the players: the robbers. the victim. the priest, the levite and of course the Good Samaritan.

We know the bad guys and the good guy in the story very well.

Remember the story is told in response to the question: Who is my neighbor?

Basically the response form JEsus is thus: we don't get to choose who our neighbor is. God has already chosen that for us. Each and every day God puts unfortunate souls in our path and we must choose to respond in a neighborly way.

We don't have the luxury to go to the opposite side of the road and look away and pretend we don't see.

This is why JEsus tells us, "Go and do likewise." Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber's victim? He replied, "The one who treated him with mercy." "Go and do likewise.

The invitation is clear and precise.

We know what God ask of us.

Be on the look out for victims of any sort. Do not seek to justify yourself but trust in the justification that comes from God who empowers us to do as he did.

BEcause in the end, we are the victims, abandoned on the side the road and Christ is Good Samaritan who has had mercy us, who carries on his shoulders and who binds our wounds by being wounded for us, "By his wounds we are healed" says St. Peter.

Won't you be a neighbor today.

sinner, satanist, saint

2011-10-03T07:33:00.005-05:00

Jonah 1:1-2,2:1-11; YOu will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord; Luke 10:25-37

"But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the Lord."

We find these words written in the story of Jonah we experience today.

How often is this the case, where many a men and women flee from the Lord? There are too many to count.

What Jonah experiences on the boat as he flees, we experience in the world.

"The Lord hurled a violent wind upon the sea, and in the furious tempest that arose the ship was on the point of breaking up. Then the mariners became frightened and each one cried to his god..."

Look out into the world. The world is shaken with violence and poverty and disease. Not that God is punishing us, but rather by turning away from God we also turn away from all that is good. We bring self-destruction upon our self.

Just look around!

But all hope is not lost. God finds a away to call us back to himself.

Jonah is thrown over board where a whale swallows him up. In the belly of the fish for three days he journeys.

The path back to God is not an easy one. We too must deal with the belly of the fish, the stench of our past lives and decisions. They too linger even though we seek to return to the lord. We must wade through our past lives in order to experience a true conversion.

"Then the Lord commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore."

What a nasty image. Jonah being spewed out of the mouth of the fish. The story of Jonah can easily be seen as a paradigm for conversion.

Today in the church we remember Blessed Bortolo Longo. He was born in 1841 in Italy. He was raised in the faith but upon his mother's death at the age of ten he began to drift away. In college he turned away completely where he was caught up in all kinds of things even the Satanic cult, where he became a satanic priest devoting his life to speak against the Catholic faith and all that was associated with God and Christ.

After sometime, a old professor met up with him and told him that he was on the path of damnation. Assisted by this professor and an Dominican priest, Bartolo came back to the faith, as the writers of biography say, "after much study, prayer, and lengthy confession."

Bartolo began to devote his life to the sick, poor, and the uneducated, teaching them to read, and write, and reaching out to them in their need. He saw it as his way of making amends for decisions of his past and as an effort to repair the damage he caused to so many as a satanist.

He began to pray the rosary daily and he grew in holiness. What a turn around! Bartolo went form a sinner, to a satanist, to a saint.

Here you can read about his life

But in all actuality the potential for holiness was always there. Such it is with all of us.
The path of conversion is not easy but it is transformative.

He learned what Jesus tells us in the parable, of the Good Samaritan, it is not we who justify ourselves but rather Christ who justifies all of us and makes the path of holiness always with in our reach.

"Which of these three were neighbor to the robber's victim?" Asked JEsus. HE answered "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

for his love endures forever

2011-10-01T07:17:00.005-05:00

This morning as we enter fully into the weekend, on this day, October 1st, we recall to mind the Little flower, St. Theresa of the child Jesus of Lisieux.

She struggled with her vocation, her calling in life. She wanted to be many things, a preacher, a teacher, a missionary, a martyr. She wanted to give God her entire life.

In the midst of her search she came upon a revelation: "Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will show you the way which surpasses all others. For St. PAul insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind."

She exclaims that "love appeared to be the hinge for my vocation... I knew that the church had a heart and such a heart appeared aflame with love...Love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love ebraces every time and every place. In one word Love is everlasting."

Thus began her little way of martyrdom, dying to self so that she might live for love, seeking the highest good for herself and for others.

Psalm 136 in the Old testament recounts God's actions in history. The psalm itself is built around a refrain that repeats every second line, for instance:

"who alone has wrought marvelous works
for his love endures forever
whose wisdom it was made the skies
for his love endures for ever
who fixed the earthly firmly on the seas
for his love endures for ever..."

And it continues. But the refrain is what makes the psalm, it answers the question, why does God do what he does, "for his love endures forever."

He is love; he is everlasting; his love and himself are the same thing; thus love never fails.

The hinge of every vocation is love because this is our destiny; therefore it must be our calling; it must that which calls us forth into life.

Read Psalm 136 today as your morning offering, perhaps with a cup of coffee. Let it soak in. Look upon the world and listen for the refrain: his love endures forever and there you shall find renewed strength for today, regardless of what happened yesterday, for his love endures for ever and it calls each of us forth into newness of life.

St. Theresa pray for us!

St. Jerome: ascending

2011-09-30T08:02:00.007-05:00

Baruch 1:15-22; Ps 79 For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us; Luke 10:13-16

A few words from St. Jerome, whose feast we celebrate today

"Happy the man who makes progress daily, who does not weigh what he did yesterday, but makes his resolution for today and keeps it. The holy man sets his heart on ascending;the sinner, on descending. Just as the saintly man progresses day by day, the sinner regresses day by day. Happy the man who wholeheartedly ascends the highways."

Isn't this what Jesus is talking about in the gospel today. "Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have long ago repented, sitting in sack cloth and ashes..."

Sounds like, the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida were descending and not ascending. What about you and me?

"Happy the man who makes daily progress, who doe snot weigh what he did yesterday, but makes his resolution for today and keeps it...the saintly progresses day by day."

Keep ascending. Keep climbing the mountain of the Lord.

champions of God's people

2011-09-29T07:26:00.005-05:00

Revelation 12:7-12; Psalm 138 In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. John 1:47-51

The opening lines of the first reading form revelation is spooky: War broke out in heaven.

Wow! This is pretty serious. Heaven is a place of peace and joy and love and fullness of life. Heaven is where birds sing and paradise welcomes all.

Heaven is a community of friendship, deep and intimate love that seeks the highest good of the other. There is no selfishness in heaven. And there is a War that rages in heaven.

The great coup where the servants seek to be the master. In a moment, in an instant, Lucifer the great angel himself chose to turn from God and thus began his fall into misery and self-loathing.

But Michael and the angels stand guard, hold their ground, wielding victory as they cast out the devil and all of his demons that seek to ruin souls.

"The dragon and his angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven."

What a sad commentary on the state of affairs for the devil. To choose oneself over God and thus lose a place in heaven. There was no longer any place for them in heaven. Why?

THe selfishness of the devil blinded him to the beauty that is God and he no longer could stand the array and light of heaven. It isn't that God kicks him out, but rather the devil doesn't want to be in God's presence.

This is the twisted reality of sin and the fall. The fall wasn't originally in the garden of eden, no that is the second fall. The original fall is Satan from grace. To forsake heaven for one's self, truly this is what "War" is in its essence.

Imagine "warring" against goodness! It seems bit odd or counter productive, but isn't this exactly what we do when we give in to temptation, act selfishly, speak hurtful words or hold grudges, choosing not to forgive, are we not warring against goodness? Are we not raging war against heaven trying to break through into our lives?

War broke out in heaven. How do we stop the war in our daily lives? How do we keep the fight raging in our choices and actions?

This is why we pray and ask Michael, Gabriel, Raphael to intercede for us. we hope that we might stand with them, and stop the war from raging inside of us and let heaven win, let heaven break through into our lives daily.

"They conquered him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony..."

There is the many we stand fast in victory.

O glorious prince St. Michael,
chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,
guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence
and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil
, who turn to you with confidence
and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael intercede for us and help us become champions of God