Exodus 34:29-35; Ps 99 Holy is the lord our God; Matthew 13:44-46
"Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord...On coming out he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded. then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses' face was radiant..."
Think about the above passage and notice the following.
Moses' face is radiant as he holds the commandments in his hands and as he told the children all that God had commanded.
These two realities are important.
We must hold the commandments in our arms and embrace them in our life and we must give the fullness of God's commands to others only then does the glory of God radiate through us and outward to the world.
How often in our world do people want to cut the commandments of God short? How often do we in our society want to pick and choose what commands we let guide us and what commands we overlook both in living and in giving instruction?
Because of this the radiance of glory is denied to the world.
If only we would trust God's commands and let them bring forth God's radiance to the world and our lives.
In today's gospel we have the saying of Jesus concerning the pearl of great price: "THe kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
We must open our hands if we are to receive the pearl of great price. We must be ready and willing to risk everything for the treasure that looms large, offered to each us.
What have we sold for the kingdom?
What have we let go for the kingdom?
What false pearls and cheap treasure have we clung to in our life rather than the real deal?
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS
2 Corinthians 4:7-15; PS 126 THose who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing; Matthew 20:20-28
"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us..."
How do we get out of the way? How do we let God use this earthen ware?
The thing about earthen vessels, they crack.
We are cracked pots and some how unbeknown to us, God uses these cracks to let the light in, his surpassing power.
Where are you cracks? How do you let the cracks expose the power of God working in your life?
Today's gospel we experience a mother's request. Now a request from a mother can sometimes be overwhelming. Momma's usually get what they want. The measure of today's gospel is to make sure mothers want what is best.
Isn't that what hear as children, "Momma knows best!"
What does this mother of James and John want from Jesus? She wants glory for her sons, "Let them sit one at your right and one at your left, in your kingdom."
I wonder what would the world look like, feel like, be like if every mother had such aspirations for their children. If the thought glory were the first thing they thought of each morning before they got busy with all things related to their children.
How would our life be different if the thought and pursuit of glory became the coffee we drink daily?
Lastly, I leave you with few words from Pope Francis as World Youth Day kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, he describes the three attitudes of the Christian,
"hopefulness, openness to being surprised by God, and living in joy..."
"Anyone who is a man or woman of hope-the great hope which faith gives us-knows that even in the midst of difficulties God acts and he surprises us...IF we walk in hope allowing ourselves to be surprise by the new wine Jesus offers us, we have joy in our hearts and we cannot fail to witnesses of this joy."
"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us..."
How do we get out of the way? How do we let God use this earthen ware?
The thing about earthen vessels, they crack.
We are cracked pots and some how unbeknown to us, God uses these cracks to let the light in, his surpassing power.
Where are you cracks? How do you let the cracks expose the power of God working in your life?
Today's gospel we experience a mother's request. Now a request from a mother can sometimes be overwhelming. Momma's usually get what they want. The measure of today's gospel is to make sure mothers want what is best.
Isn't that what hear as children, "Momma knows best!"
What does this mother of James and John want from Jesus? She wants glory for her sons, "Let them sit one at your right and one at your left, in your kingdom."
I wonder what would the world look like, feel like, be like if every mother had such aspirations for their children. If the thought glory were the first thing they thought of each morning before they got busy with all things related to their children.
How would our life be different if the thought and pursuit of glory became the coffee we drink daily?
Lastly, I leave you with few words from Pope Francis as World Youth Day kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, he describes the three attitudes of the Christian,
"hopefulness, openness to being surprised by God, and living in joy..."
"Anyone who is a man or woman of hope-the great hope which faith gives us-knows that even in the midst of difficulties God acts and he surprises us...IF we walk in hope allowing ourselves to be surprise by the new wine Jesus offers us, we have joy in our hearts and we cannot fail to witnesses of this joy."
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
GRUMBLED
Ex 16:1-5,9-15; PS 24 The Lord gave them bread from heaven; Mt 13:1-9
The journey from slavery to freedom is never easy. We all celebrate freedom in our life. We all romanticize about being free.
Yet the price freedom is often very challenging and difficult. Freedom is not easy, nor is it free.
The people of Israel experience this challenging and difficult path quite intimately as they leave Egypt and enter into the dry arid land of the desert.
They are overcome with resentment and greed. What they don't like about the present situation quickly mask the pain of the past, so much so they would rather be slaves then free men.
They find themselves entering into that ole familiar chorus "it used to be better."
How often in our life do we sing that song as we fight the present circumstances of life? How often we think to ourselves it would have been only if we (fill in the blank). When the present is difficult we forsake it for the past that is out of reach.
Why do we do these silly senseless things when God simply invites us to give the present a chance!
The gift of the manna is intimately wrapped up in living in the moment regardless of the circumstances.
The ISraelites were instructed to go out and gather the manna each morning but to gather only what they needed for the day. WIth God it is always just enough for just a day, one day at a time.
Of course, why not? We can only live one day at a time? When we try to live more than we get overwhelmed and grow sick mentally and physically?
Just enough for just a day is the refrain God invites the Israelites to sing. Freedom requires a new song to be sung daily in our life.
Freedom is only embraced moment by moment, day by day.
This is the bread the Lord has given.
The journey from slavery to freedom is never easy. We all celebrate freedom in our life. We all romanticize about being free.
Yet the price freedom is often very challenging and difficult. Freedom is not easy, nor is it free.
The people of Israel experience this challenging and difficult path quite intimately as they leave Egypt and enter into the dry arid land of the desert.
They are overcome with resentment and greed. What they don't like about the present situation quickly mask the pain of the past, so much so they would rather be slaves then free men.
They find themselves entering into that ole familiar chorus "it used to be better."
How often in our life do we sing that song as we fight the present circumstances of life? How often we think to ourselves it would have been only if we (fill in the blank). When the present is difficult we forsake it for the past that is out of reach.
Why do we do these silly senseless things when God simply invites us to give the present a chance!
The gift of the manna is intimately wrapped up in living in the moment regardless of the circumstances.
The ISraelites were instructed to go out and gather the manna each morning but to gather only what they needed for the day. WIth God it is always just enough for just a day, one day at a time.
Of course, why not? We can only live one day at a time? When we try to live more than we get overwhelmed and grow sick mentally and physically?
Just enough for just a day is the refrain God invites the Israelites to sing. Freedom requires a new song to be sung daily in our life.
Freedom is only embraced moment by moment, day by day.
This is the bread the Lord has given.
Monday, July 22, 2013
GREATNESS
Genesis 18:1-10; Ps 15 He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42
During the time when Pope Benedict was resigning, I found myself looking back over some of the memorable words of wisdom he left us as the Successor of Peter.
Here is one that was striking:
"The world promises you comfort; but you were not made for comfort you were made for greatness."
You were not made for comfort but greatness.
How do we become great?
The answer that comes to mind is simple, we become great by imitating greatness.
Now, notice I didn't say by imitating great people. No, we become great by imitating greatness.
Who is greatness? God. God is greatness himself. So if we are called to not settle for comfort but truly become who we were created to be in being great than we must imitate God.
Now that may seem a bit much.
Imitating God is the path way to greatness. Now, I didn't say trying to be God, but rather imitating his actions.
Abraham does this in the first reading. He spies the three travelers and he greets them and welcomes them into his home. He sets them under the giant oak tree to get some shade from the sun and then he prepares a banquet for them.
He creates space and time for these guest. He does just create a little time, he spends all day preparing a meal and gives them the best place in the house.
This may not seem like much but wait a minute.
Think back to creation. What are the first two gifts of creation: God creates time and space for us. He creates the earth and the sun and moon and stars with you and I in mine.
God is very hospitable to us; he opens up eternity and creates space and time that we may have life.
The word hospitality simple means to be open. God opens himself to us as Abraham open himself to the travelers.
What about us? How are we open? How do we create space and time for those we encounter daily in our life?
Sure, we are pretty good at creating space and time for people we like or fine attractive or are part of our inner circle but what about for everyone else.
God created space and time not just for the so called "good" people but for every one the good, bad ugly, indifferent and so on.
We too must imitate this reality with everyone god puts in our path.
Go back to the first reading, Abraham give us his space and time and the gift is returned to him. The travelers respond to his hospitality and generosity by informing him his wife who is barren shall have a son.
Life is found where there was no life before.
Isn't this true for us? When we open our lives to another and create space and time does it not feel like we have finally begun to live.
It is a risk certainly. It is a risk to our comfort; God wants to shatter our comfort zone. Besides comfort will eventually fade and ultimately lead to death.
Greatness is eternal. This is where we must fix our attention.
Why do we struggle with hospitality and openness? Why do we look suspicious upon folks rather than see then as a lot like us, our brothers and sisters, who have been space and time by the hand of God?
I think we are a lot like Martha in the gospel, we are busy with many things and we have lost our focus. Like Mary we need to rediscover the one thing necessary: sitting at the feet of Jesus in prayer and meditation.
Normally when we pray we busy ourselves with telling Jesus what he needs to do, well that is coercion not prayer. No! We need to learn to be still, to sit quietly, to receive Jesus as he comes only then can we receive others as they come to.
Action with out prayer is sterile and empty
Here is the challenge. We need to set aside time to be with Jesus at least an hour a day. We owe to ourselves and more importantly we owe to the people of God who long to look upon the face of God int he face of those who say "I believe."
"The world will promise you comfort; you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness."
During the time when Pope Benedict was resigning, I found myself looking back over some of the memorable words of wisdom he left us as the Successor of Peter.
Here is one that was striking:
"The world promises you comfort; but you were not made for comfort you were made for greatness."
You were not made for comfort but greatness.
How do we become great?
The answer that comes to mind is simple, we become great by imitating greatness.
Now, notice I didn't say by imitating great people. No, we become great by imitating greatness.
Who is greatness? God. God is greatness himself. So if we are called to not settle for comfort but truly become who we were created to be in being great than we must imitate God.
Now that may seem a bit much.
Imitating God is the path way to greatness. Now, I didn't say trying to be God, but rather imitating his actions.
Abraham does this in the first reading. He spies the three travelers and he greets them and welcomes them into his home. He sets them under the giant oak tree to get some shade from the sun and then he prepares a banquet for them.
He creates space and time for these guest. He does just create a little time, he spends all day preparing a meal and gives them the best place in the house.
This may not seem like much but wait a minute.
Think back to creation. What are the first two gifts of creation: God creates time and space for us. He creates the earth and the sun and moon and stars with you and I in mine.
God is very hospitable to us; he opens up eternity and creates space and time that we may have life.
The word hospitality simple means to be open. God opens himself to us as Abraham open himself to the travelers.
What about us? How are we open? How do we create space and time for those we encounter daily in our life?
Sure, we are pretty good at creating space and time for people we like or fine attractive or are part of our inner circle but what about for everyone else.
God created space and time not just for the so called "good" people but for every one the good, bad ugly, indifferent and so on.
We too must imitate this reality with everyone god puts in our path.
Go back to the first reading, Abraham give us his space and time and the gift is returned to him. The travelers respond to his hospitality and generosity by informing him his wife who is barren shall have a son.
Life is found where there was no life before.
Isn't this true for us? When we open our lives to another and create space and time does it not feel like we have finally begun to live.
It is a risk certainly. It is a risk to our comfort; God wants to shatter our comfort zone. Besides comfort will eventually fade and ultimately lead to death.
Greatness is eternal. This is where we must fix our attention.
Why do we struggle with hospitality and openness? Why do we look suspicious upon folks rather than see then as a lot like us, our brothers and sisters, who have been space and time by the hand of God?
I think we are a lot like Martha in the gospel, we are busy with many things and we have lost our focus. Like Mary we need to rediscover the one thing necessary: sitting at the feet of Jesus in prayer and meditation.
Normally when we pray we busy ourselves with telling Jesus what he needs to do, well that is coercion not prayer. No! We need to learn to be still, to sit quietly, to receive Jesus as he comes only then can we receive others as they come to.
Action with out prayer is sterile and empty
Here is the challenge. We need to set aside time to be with Jesus at least an hour a day. We owe to ourselves and more importantly we owe to the people of God who long to look upon the face of God int he face of those who say "I believe."
"The world will promise you comfort; you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness."
Friday, July 19, 2013
OBSTINATE
Ex 11:10-12:14; Ps 116 I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the lord; Matt 12:1-8
Here are a few words from the first reading for us to meditate on, "the LORD made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land."
The LORD made Pharaoh obstinate.
This has been a line of scripture that has stuck in people's craw over and over again. It is hard to imagine God making someone obstinate against him.
Here is a question for us: When have we been obstinate against God? When have we've been stubborn and put up resistance to the movement of grace in our life?
It is a common theme that runs through every human heart.
In fact, the Eucharist we celebrate brings to mind humanity's resistance and stubbornness against God. For it was that resistance and stubbornness that brought forth the crucifixion, which brought the Eucharist, the source and summit of the christian life.
How often does God take our resistance, our refusal, our desire to but heads and flip it into grace, mercy, and transformation?
Is this not what he does with the experience with Egypt and Pharaoh!
Be attentive today of your own resistance and stubbornness; there in lies a hidden opportunity of grace.
Here are a few words from the first reading for us to meditate on, "the LORD made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land."
The LORD made Pharaoh obstinate.
This has been a line of scripture that has stuck in people's craw over and over again. It is hard to imagine God making someone obstinate against him.
Here is a question for us: When have we been obstinate against God? When have we've been stubborn and put up resistance to the movement of grace in our life?
It is a common theme that runs through every human heart.
In fact, the Eucharist we celebrate brings to mind humanity's resistance and stubbornness against God. For it was that resistance and stubbornness that brought forth the crucifixion, which brought the Eucharist, the source and summit of the christian life.
How often does God take our resistance, our refusal, our desire to but heads and flip it into grace, mercy, and transformation?
Is this not what he does with the experience with Egypt and Pharaoh!
Be attentive today of your own resistance and stubbornness; there in lies a hidden opportunity of grace.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
MEEK AND HUMBLE
Ex 3:!3-20; PS 105 The Lord remembers his covenant for ever; Matt 11:28-30
When one thinks of attributes of greatness, what comes to mind?
What image of greatness begins to take shape in our conceptual reality?
What does a person of greatness possess that sets him or her apart from the rest of us, the rest of society, the rest of history as it unfolds?
Take a few moments...
After you flip through all the qualities of greatness you have seen in others or you would expect to see in others then recall the words of Jesus in today's gospel, "...learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart..."
Meek and Humble.
Were these part of the list of greatness?
Let's look at that for a moment.
To be humble, means literally to be grounded or better it means lowly dirt. Is there anything more real than dirt. A humble person is one who is grounded in reality, the way things are, not the way he or she might imagine them to be.
Grounded in reality is certainly a necessary quality of greatness.
The humble person has the ability of right appraisal of his or herself as well as the surroundings around them, never losing sight of reality. This right appraisal is a lot like dirt in the sense that from it life begins to blossom.
Meekness is often considered be a quality tied to passivity or inactivity, one who goes around shy and disengaged, but this is not correct.
Moses was considered the meekest person on earth (Num 12:3) and yet he went toe to toe with Pharaoh. Meekness is a gentle goodness that wisely knows when to act and how to act.
There is quiet confidence that emanates from the person who is meek.
We don't have to be loud or be one who seeks attention, but we do need to be ready and willing to step it up when it is the right time.
Gentle goodness that is ready and willingly to take a stand for goodness itself.
Meek and Humble.
Lastly, lets look at the Name of God.
Sounds pretty frighting doesn't it: The NAME Of GOD. I think it needs to be all in capital letters to get the effect right.
I AM WHO AM is the translation we get in today's first reading from Exodus.
But a more accurate translation might be I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE. God's name is a verb of promise. God promises to be who ever the chosen people need him to be in order to lead them to freedom. This is important. God's focus is our freedom to live and to love as He is free and love himself.
God eternally commits himself to be who he will be that we may experience freedom has he desires it, as we are created for it, not as we often misinterpret it.
When one thinks of attributes of greatness, what comes to mind?
What image of greatness begins to take shape in our conceptual reality?
What does a person of greatness possess that sets him or her apart from the rest of us, the rest of society, the rest of history as it unfolds?
Take a few moments...
After you flip through all the qualities of greatness you have seen in others or you would expect to see in others then recall the words of Jesus in today's gospel, "...learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart..."
Meek and Humble.
Were these part of the list of greatness?
Let's look at that for a moment.
To be humble, means literally to be grounded or better it means lowly dirt. Is there anything more real than dirt. A humble person is one who is grounded in reality, the way things are, not the way he or she might imagine them to be.
Grounded in reality is certainly a necessary quality of greatness.
The humble person has the ability of right appraisal of his or herself as well as the surroundings around them, never losing sight of reality. This right appraisal is a lot like dirt in the sense that from it life begins to blossom.
Meekness is often considered be a quality tied to passivity or inactivity, one who goes around shy and disengaged, but this is not correct.
Moses was considered the meekest person on earth (Num 12:3) and yet he went toe to toe with Pharaoh. Meekness is a gentle goodness that wisely knows when to act and how to act.
There is quiet confidence that emanates from the person who is meek.
We don't have to be loud or be one who seeks attention, but we do need to be ready and willing to step it up when it is the right time.
Gentle goodness that is ready and willingly to take a stand for goodness itself.
Meek and Humble.
Lastly, lets look at the Name of God.
Sounds pretty frighting doesn't it: The NAME Of GOD. I think it needs to be all in capital letters to get the effect right.
I AM WHO AM is the translation we get in today's first reading from Exodus.
But a more accurate translation might be I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE. God's name is a verb of promise. God promises to be who ever the chosen people need him to be in order to lead them to freedom. This is important. God's focus is our freedom to live and to love as He is free and love himself.
God eternally commits himself to be who he will be that we may experience freedom has he desires it, as we are created for it, not as we often misinterpret it.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
NO ONE KNOWS
Exodus 3:1-6,9-12; PS 103 The Lord is kind and merciful; Matthew 11:25-27
"Yes Father such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and and anyone to whom the son wishes to reveal him."
Who knows?
It is a phrase we are familiar all too often. We use this phrase to show our belief that anything is possible or that anything can happen. We shouldn't give up or quite so easily with effort or without trying.
For instance, when I was senior and looking toward college, application after application for college was placed before me by my teachers and counselors at the highschool I went.
Usually by the look on my face they could see the frustration and uncertainty mounting as it seemed like a waste of time. Why fill out applications that would get rejected?
That was my response to them.
Inevitably they would respond with, "who knows" to express hopefulness that anything was possible and that anything could happen.
I find myself telling the students I encounter the very same sentiment when they are faced with odds seemingly against them, "who knows" I tell them because anything is possible and anything can happen.
The future is never so easily manipulated or controlled or predetermined by the circumstance we experience or by our lived situation.
There is a sense if hopefulness that emanates and animates life.
Why? Why is there hopefulness?
In large part because the "No One" Jesus speaks about in todays gospel is actually a someone. When no one becomes someone then hopefulness rises.
We are the no one. We have been entrusted with a secret. We have been let in on the inside scoop. We have been brought into the know, as they say.
We know Jesus. We continually grow in our knowledge of him and his knowledge and love for us. This revelation has brought forth much hope in our world.
As St. Paul says those who have hope live differently. Those who have hope can live. We have hope because the Father has chosen to reveal his son to us.
When we hear the phrase "who knows" we can respond we know and that knowledge continually grows daily in our life and as we live.
What a gift! What a beautiful surprise! From Moses to the present God makes a point of turning no ones into someones. From the burning bush of today's first reading to the small wafer of bread that has been transformed by the Holy Spirit, God reveals himself to us.
"Yes Father such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and and anyone to whom the son wishes to reveal him."
Who knows?
It is a phrase we are familiar all too often. We use this phrase to show our belief that anything is possible or that anything can happen. We shouldn't give up or quite so easily with effort or without trying.
For instance, when I was senior and looking toward college, application after application for college was placed before me by my teachers and counselors at the highschool I went.
Usually by the look on my face they could see the frustration and uncertainty mounting as it seemed like a waste of time. Why fill out applications that would get rejected?
That was my response to them.
Inevitably they would respond with, "who knows" to express hopefulness that anything was possible and that anything could happen.
I find myself telling the students I encounter the very same sentiment when they are faced with odds seemingly against them, "who knows" I tell them because anything is possible and anything can happen.
The future is never so easily manipulated or controlled or predetermined by the circumstance we experience or by our lived situation.
There is a sense if hopefulness that emanates and animates life.
Why? Why is there hopefulness?
In large part because the "No One" Jesus speaks about in todays gospel is actually a someone. When no one becomes someone then hopefulness rises.
We are the no one. We have been entrusted with a secret. We have been let in on the inside scoop. We have been brought into the know, as they say.
We know Jesus. We continually grow in our knowledge of him and his knowledge and love for us. This revelation has brought forth much hope in our world.
As St. Paul says those who have hope live differently. Those who have hope can live. We have hope because the Father has chosen to reveal his son to us.
When we hear the phrase "who knows" we can respond we know and that knowledge continually grows daily in our life and as we live.
What a gift! What a beautiful surprise! From Moses to the present God makes a point of turning no ones into someones. From the burning bush of today's first reading to the small wafer of bread that has been transformed by the Holy Spirit, God reveals himself to us.
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