Sirach 48:1-14; Psalm 97 Rejoice in the lord, you just; Matthew 6:7-15
The book of Sirach as often written eulogies of sorts for some of the more famous and loyal servant leaders of Israel.
Today we get a summarization of the life of Elijah. Sirach was written some 600 years after Elijah was taken up in the firery chariot and yet the eulogy reads as if Elijah was still very present i the mind and heart of the Israelites.
Some leaders are just that way. Even when they pass, because of the life they live, their memory holds court in the here and now.
In 600 years will there be a memory of us, our life, how we were leaders. The mark left behind after we have past will it be a stain or a seed that blossoms.
To plant a seed one has to be willing to risk. Elijah has shown the way. Of course we do not for ourselves but for the Lord, the legacy we leave behind should not point to us but to the lord but if it points to the Lord genuinely then the instrument shall be acknowledged as well.
In today's gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray and give us the prayer we know as the "our Father" or the "Lord's prayer" or the "prayer of the disciple."
It begins with these words, "Our Father…"
Here is what St Cyprian has to say, "If we are pleased to call God Father, let him in turn be pleased to call us sons and daughters by the way we live."
Pretty straight forward, I would say.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Spiritual Mentor
2 Kings 2:1,6-14; Ps 31 Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the lord; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Today we get to encounter the end of Elijah's ministry; a flaming chariot swoops down and carries him away. It is a pretty dramatic scene in the unfolding of the life and mission of Elijah.
It is so visually captivating. But what is also captivating is Elisha standing on the banks of the Jordan watching his friend and mentor vanish in his sight. A serious sadness grips Elisha so much so that he rips his garments.
Between the flaming chariot ascending and fallen face of Elisha standing on the banks of the jordan with his garments torn by his own hand out of grief the passage today truly does captivate.
Which brings to mind a question: who are your spiritual guides in life? Who are your spiritual mentors? Or who are your spiritual personal trainers?
Who has been that person that has led you deeper into understanding your relationship with God and His call for you in life?
Take a moment to reflect.
Secondly who have you mentored spiritually like Elijah to Elisha? How does your life become that of a spiritual guide, not so much overtly but genuinely in all that you say and do?
This is what Jesus may be hinting at when he tells us to "not perform righteous deed in order that people may see them." We have a duty to give good example and yet avoid attention. How often is public action of faith short circuited by the desire to be noticed or recognized.
Spiritual Maturity demands attention to motivation as well as external action. In this balance we arrive at being a spiritual guide for others in a stealth like manner.
"And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Today we get to encounter the end of Elijah's ministry; a flaming chariot swoops down and carries him away. It is a pretty dramatic scene in the unfolding of the life and mission of Elijah.
It is so visually captivating. But what is also captivating is Elisha standing on the banks of the Jordan watching his friend and mentor vanish in his sight. A serious sadness grips Elisha so much so that he rips his garments.
Between the flaming chariot ascending and fallen face of Elisha standing on the banks of the jordan with his garments torn by his own hand out of grief the passage today truly does captivate.
Which brings to mind a question: who are your spiritual guides in life? Who are your spiritual mentors? Or who are your spiritual personal trainers?
Who has been that person that has led you deeper into understanding your relationship with God and His call for you in life?
Take a moment to reflect.
Secondly who have you mentored spiritually like Elijah to Elisha? How does your life become that of a spiritual guide, not so much overtly but genuinely in all that you say and do?
This is what Jesus may be hinting at when he tells us to "not perform righteous deed in order that people may see them." We have a duty to give good example and yet avoid attention. How often is public action of faith short circuited by the desire to be noticed or recognized.
Spiritual Maturity demands attention to motivation as well as external action. In this balance we arrive at being a spiritual guide for others in a stealth like manner.
"And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
1 kings 21:17-29; Ps 51 Be merciful O Lord, for we have sinned; Matt 5:43-48
Jesus tells us today to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute you, that yo may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes the sun rise on the bad and the good a like, and cause rain to fall on the just and the unjust…
We get it. We understand what Jesus is saying. What is the practical application of loving our enemy?
First of all, loving someone doesn't mean we just look past their shortcomings. What good is that?
How can any grow and become the man or woman they are created to be without ever being challenged or held accountable?
To love someone means to challenge them, confront then that is bring to the from the reality they are living whether they are aware of t or not.
Elijah does this in today's first reading. He points out to King Ahab that path of destruction he is headed because of the choices and lifestyle he has chosen.
Elijah wasn't hollering. Elijah wasn't demeaning. Elijah wasn't pouting or nagging. Elijah simply stated the fact and the truth of the matter, "because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the sight of the LORd, i am bringing evil upon you." It isn't Elijah who is bringing evil upon Ahab but rather Ahab's decisions and choices have created the evil environment in which he has chosen to live.
But when faced with the truth, King Ahab is cut to the heart and begins to repent and change.
Why is there so much evil and not enough change in our society? No one holds any one accountable anymore. We tolerate evil rather than stare it down.
We need a does up the Spirit of Elijah and his courage and valor as well that w emay truly love our enemies and become children of our heavenly father.
Jesus tells us today to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute you, that yo may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes the sun rise on the bad and the good a like, and cause rain to fall on the just and the unjust…
We get it. We understand what Jesus is saying. What is the practical application of loving our enemy?
First of all, loving someone doesn't mean we just look past their shortcomings. What good is that?
How can any grow and become the man or woman they are created to be without ever being challenged or held accountable?
To love someone means to challenge them, confront then that is bring to the from the reality they are living whether they are aware of t or not.
Elijah does this in today's first reading. He points out to King Ahab that path of destruction he is headed because of the choices and lifestyle he has chosen.
Elijah wasn't hollering. Elijah wasn't demeaning. Elijah wasn't pouting or nagging. Elijah simply stated the fact and the truth of the matter, "because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the sight of the LORd, i am bringing evil upon you." It isn't Elijah who is bringing evil upon Ahab but rather Ahab's decisions and choices have created the evil environment in which he has chosen to live.
But when faced with the truth, King Ahab is cut to the heart and begins to repent and change.
Why is there so much evil and not enough change in our society? No one holds any one accountable anymore. We tolerate evil rather than stare it down.
We need a does up the Spirit of Elijah and his courage and valor as well that w emay truly love our enemies and become children of our heavenly father.
Friday, May 30, 2014
NO QUESTIONS
Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47 God is King of all the Earth; John 16:20-23
"But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything…"
How have we surrendered our joy? Who do we let take our joy from us? Who in our life have we given the power to bring us down, to hurt us, make us sad?
Why have we relinquished the joy Jesus dies to give?
Joy often escapes us because we have been led to believe that it is tied to success, money, material possessions or even particular relationships with fellow humans. True joy comes with letting ourselves be gazed upon by Christ, "I will see yo again…"
What would I life look like if it truly began to be shaped by the gaze of our heavenly Father. If the loving gaze of Jesus was to be the center of our attention, how would that joy he promised surely be exponentially grown in our hearts and minds.
In that gaze of his loving concern, do not our questions begin to fade into the light of that radiance.
No questions, just joy beneath the gaze of Christ.
Today, let yourself be looked at by Christ. Let his gaze penetrate your mind and heart. Give him access to all those things you hide and bury hoping no one will find out. Let your shame meet that loving gaze of Jesus and see it melt away.
Then joy shall be found.
"But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything…"
How have we surrendered our joy? Who do we let take our joy from us? Who in our life have we given the power to bring us down, to hurt us, make us sad?
Why have we relinquished the joy Jesus dies to give?
Joy often escapes us because we have been led to believe that it is tied to success, money, material possessions or even particular relationships with fellow humans. True joy comes with letting ourselves be gazed upon by Christ, "I will see yo again…"
What would I life look like if it truly began to be shaped by the gaze of our heavenly Father. If the loving gaze of Jesus was to be the center of our attention, how would that joy he promised surely be exponentially grown in our hearts and minds.
In that gaze of his loving concern, do not our questions begin to fade into the light of that radiance.
No questions, just joy beneath the gaze of Christ.
Today, let yourself be looked at by Christ. Let his gaze penetrate your mind and heart. Give him access to all those things you hide and bury hoping no one will find out. Let your shame meet that loving gaze of Jesus and see it melt away.
Then joy shall be found.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
PERSONAL
Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Ps 66 Let all the earth cry out to God with Joy; 1 peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21
This weekend is Memorial Weekend. Flags are erected across our nation so that we might remember those who have fallen in service to our country especially in the Military. We recall to mind those who have died in that service. To die for our country is a great and noble sacrifice. To Live for our country is greater still.
We remember the fallen so that we do not forget how to live. We remember the fallen so we can keep the fight alive. We remember the fallen so that we might live differently, bold and brave each day anew.
What good is it to honor the fallen if we forget how to live today. What our country needs today more than ever are those who are willingly to live for it, seeking to steer it on a path that is truly honorable. What good is it to remember those who died for our country and yet stand idly by and watch it slowly disintegrate, especially its morality. To do this is make our remembering in vain and the lives of those who sacrificed their life in vain as well.
What do we do?
St Peter tells us to "sanctify Christ as lord in your hearts."
Perhaps this is a good starting point for us. Do we "sanctify" Christ as Lord in our hearts? Do we set apart our heart for him and him alone? Do we live under his authority and guidance? Have we developed a real and lasting relationship with Jesus and his Church through the abiding of his Holy Spirit? YOU may think why the church?
Well, look at the first reading it was through the church that the Samarians were gifted the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands of the Apostles. Later, this occurs through the bishops, the successors of the Apostles. This is important. To Love Jesus and to distance ourself fro his church is really delusional. The church and Jesus go hand in hand.
Does Christ have primacy in our life? Jesus desires personal relationship with us. He has chosen his part as he tells us in the gospel today, "I am in my Father, you are in me, and I in you." Jesus has chosen to be close and intimate with us and he awaits our choice.
As with any relationship, we choose how close we want to be with someone. That closeness is not determined by words alone but is experienced in action. What in our life points to the closeness we desire with Christ?
We say we love Christ but we distant ourselves from his church, could this be right?
We say we want relationship yet we make excuses for not praying or reading scripture or spending time with him. How do we create space and time for the one who has created space and time for us?
daily prayer time, going to mass, going to confession, reading the bible, discovering the teachings of the church, acting virtuously, choosing to suffer for doing good: all these ways we intensive intentionally our personal relationship with Jesus and give the Spirit and opportunity to enliven our life.
This weekend is Memorial Weekend. Flags are erected across our nation so that we might remember those who have fallen in service to our country especially in the Military. We recall to mind those who have died in that service. To die for our country is a great and noble sacrifice. To Live for our country is greater still.
We remember the fallen so that we do not forget how to live. We remember the fallen so we can keep the fight alive. We remember the fallen so that we might live differently, bold and brave each day anew.
What good is it to honor the fallen if we forget how to live today. What our country needs today more than ever are those who are willingly to live for it, seeking to steer it on a path that is truly honorable. What good is it to remember those who died for our country and yet stand idly by and watch it slowly disintegrate, especially its morality. To do this is make our remembering in vain and the lives of those who sacrificed their life in vain as well.
What do we do?
St Peter tells us to "sanctify Christ as lord in your hearts."
Perhaps this is a good starting point for us. Do we "sanctify" Christ as Lord in our hearts? Do we set apart our heart for him and him alone? Do we live under his authority and guidance? Have we developed a real and lasting relationship with Jesus and his Church through the abiding of his Holy Spirit? YOU may think why the church?
Well, look at the first reading it was through the church that the Samarians were gifted the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands of the Apostles. Later, this occurs through the bishops, the successors of the Apostles. This is important. To Love Jesus and to distance ourself fro his church is really delusional. The church and Jesus go hand in hand.
Does Christ have primacy in our life? Jesus desires personal relationship with us. He has chosen his part as he tells us in the gospel today, "I am in my Father, you are in me, and I in you." Jesus has chosen to be close and intimate with us and he awaits our choice.
As with any relationship, we choose how close we want to be with someone. That closeness is not determined by words alone but is experienced in action. What in our life points to the closeness we desire with Christ?
We say we love Christ but we distant ourselves from his church, could this be right?
We say we want relationship yet we make excuses for not praying or reading scripture or spending time with him. How do we create space and time for the one who has created space and time for us?
daily prayer time, going to mass, going to confession, reading the bible, discovering the teachings of the church, acting virtuously, choosing to suffer for doing good: all these ways we intensive intentionally our personal relationship with Jesus and give the Spirit and opportunity to enliven our life.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
BEING WITH CHRIST
John 15:1-8
Words from Pope Francis
"to start anew with Christ means being close to him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this closeness with his disciples at the Last Supper. JEsus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine. If we are going to him we are able to bear fruit.
The first thing for a disciple is to be with the Master, to listen to him and learn from him. This is always true and it is true every moment of our lives.
How do you abide int he presence of the Lord? When you visit the lord, when you look at the tabernacle, what do you do? Do you let yourself be gazed at by the Lord?
Starting new with Christ means imitating him by leaving ourselves behind and going out to encounter others. When we put Christ at the center of our life, we ourselves don't become the center! The more you unite yourselves to Christ and he becomes the center of your life, the more he leads you out of yourself an do pens you to others. This is the true dynamism of love, this is the movement of God himself! God is the enter, but he is always self-gift, relationship, love that gives itself away and thesis what we will become if we remain united to Christ."
What does it mean for us to be united to Christ? What does it mean for us to put into practice the words of today's gospel we hear from Jesus, "Remain in me, as I remain in you…I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing…"
What does it mean? It means like Christ our life becomes a gift for others. A gift for others. Our life is a gift not to be hoarded but to be given away.
"By this is me Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
BEar the fruit worthy of the vinedresser, be a gift for others.
Not a push over. Not someone to be abused. But some one who understands the truth is not afraid to live it, unashamed to be the bearer of the gift of truth in love for others.
Words from Pope Francis
"to start anew with Christ means being close to him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this closeness with his disciples at the Last Supper. JEsus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine. If we are going to him we are able to bear fruit.
The first thing for a disciple is to be with the Master, to listen to him and learn from him. This is always true and it is true every moment of our lives.
How do you abide int he presence of the Lord? When you visit the lord, when you look at the tabernacle, what do you do? Do you let yourself be gazed at by the Lord?
Starting new with Christ means imitating him by leaving ourselves behind and going out to encounter others. When we put Christ at the center of our life, we ourselves don't become the center! The more you unite yourselves to Christ and he becomes the center of your life, the more he leads you out of yourself an do pens you to others. This is the true dynamism of love, this is the movement of God himself! God is the enter, but he is always self-gift, relationship, love that gives itself away and thesis what we will become if we remain united to Christ."
What does it mean for us to be united to Christ? What does it mean for us to put into practice the words of today's gospel we hear from Jesus, "Remain in me, as I remain in you…I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing…"
What does it mean? It means like Christ our life becomes a gift for others. A gift for others. Our life is a gift not to be hoarded but to be given away.
"By this is me Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
BEar the fruit worthy of the vinedresser, be a gift for others.
Not a push over. Not someone to be abused. But some one who understands the truth is not afraid to live it, unashamed to be the bearer of the gift of truth in love for others.
THINK WE GOT IT TOUGH
Being Catholic in Zanzibar
"They want to convert my children to Islam"
ROME, May 20, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Mathew Limo* knows what to expect when he goes to church with his family. On the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, where 98 percent of the population is Muslim, Christians are given the cold shoulder. The past year has been characterized by renewed violence against Christians. So far the violence remains aimed at religious, but the teacher has a great fear: that his wife and children may be forced to convert to Islam.
Church attendance
"If we go to church on Sunday, we have to go through a crowd of people who often try to intimidate us," Limo told international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. "We have a relatively large parish, about 400 people. Of these, usually 200 come to Mass. But the houses around the church belong to Muslims. They often shout that we are fools to go to church or that our women are naked. In fact, the Muslim women are all covered from head to toe." He himself does not feel intimidated, "but a lot of comments are directed towards our women and children."
Murder of priests
Christians on the island have become even more cautious since a wave of violent attacks on churches and individuals started in December of 2012. A Catholic priest and Protestant pastor have been killed and another priest shot and wounded sparking widespread fears among the Christian community. The Catholic priest Father Evarist Mushi (55) was shot to death with three bullets upon arriving in his car at the entrance of St. Joseph's Cathedral to celebrate Sunday Mass. Father Ambrose Mkenda sustained serious injuries in a subsequent ambush.
The perpetrators are still at large and according to many Christians, local police have sometimes obstructed the investigation distorting evidence at the crime scene. According to Limo the perpetrators are to be found among the inhabitants of Zanzibar: "They're not outsiders, but local people who have been radicalized and have even been trained by Al–Shabab, the terrorist group which has Somalia as its home base. The organization is closely linked to the religious group Uamsho (Awake), which seeks the establishment of an independent Islamic state on Zanzibar.
Fear of conversion
Limo still feels safe enough to leave home and travel. "If there are elections, like next year, the atmosphere is often explosive. On the street, people try to embarrass you or to make you angry. In periods like that I come home early and do not go out in the evening." He explains that although this is not the case at present, he still worries about his children. "At home we try to encourage and to teach them a love for Christ and the Church. But we are insecure about what others do. We often hear stories about Muslims trying to convert children. Sadly enough we need to tell our children to be careful in building friendships with Muslim children."
Church attendance
"If we go to church on Sunday, we have to go through a crowd of people who often try to intimidate us," Limo told international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. "We have a relatively large parish, about 400 people. Of these, usually 200 come to Mass. But the houses around the church belong to Muslims. They often shout that we are fools to go to church or that our women are naked. In fact, the Muslim women are all covered from head to toe." He himself does not feel intimidated, "but a lot of comments are directed towards our women and children."
Murder of priests
Christians on the island have become even more cautious since a wave of violent attacks on churches and individuals started in December of 2012. A Catholic priest and Protestant pastor have been killed and another priest shot and wounded sparking widespread fears among the Christian community. The Catholic priest Father Evarist Mushi (55) was shot to death with three bullets upon arriving in his car at the entrance of St. Joseph's Cathedral to celebrate Sunday Mass. Father Ambrose Mkenda sustained serious injuries in a subsequent ambush.
The perpetrators are still at large and according to many Christians, local police have sometimes obstructed the investigation distorting evidence at the crime scene. According to Limo the perpetrators are to be found among the inhabitants of Zanzibar: "They're not outsiders, but local people who have been radicalized and have even been trained by Al–Shabab, the terrorist group which has Somalia as its home base. The organization is closely linked to the religious group Uamsho (Awake), which seeks the establishment of an independent Islamic state on Zanzibar.
Fear of conversion
Limo still feels safe enough to leave home and travel. "If there are elections, like next year, the atmosphere is often explosive. On the street, people try to embarrass you or to make you angry. In periods like that I come home early and do not go out in the evening." He explains that although this is not the case at present, he still worries about his children. "At home we try to encourage and to teach them a love for Christ and the Church. But we are insecure about what others do. We often hear stories about Muslims trying to convert children. Sadly enough we need to tell our children to be careful in building friendships with Muslim children."
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