hope in unlikely places

Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2 You are my son; this day I have begotten you; John 14:1-6

"Even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb."

If we were to stop there and read no further, the history of Jesus would simply be a tragedy.  It would be another sad story.  The story itself  would simply dissolve over time and become a legend of innocence destroyed at the hands of the powerful and the tomb would remain a very scary place, a place of despair.

"But God raised him from the dead and for many days he appeared  to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem."

What a beautiful word "but".  The story doesn't end.  In fact, the history of Jesus continues to not only make history but direct history, "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be."

"Do not let your hearts be troubled; have faith."

As we pray at funerals, "Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and os made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies."

The grave is no longer a scary place of death where sadness lingers and heartache deepens; rather the grave is place where love shows its true strength, "but God raised him from the dead."

The grave is the unlikeliest place of hope for all; the grave is the first place we look to to discover hope in this life and to be encouraged to keep moving forward with one eye fixed on the things at hand the other on the hand who prepares a place ahead, "and I go to prepare a place for you." 

personality traits

Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89 Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord; John 13:16-20 

We read in the gospel the words of Jesus, "blessed are you who do it."

Who do what?

Jesus is referring to serving; as he washed the feet of the apostles he tells them what I have done for you, you must do for others.  He is speaking of humility and courage and steadfastness and perseverance.  It is a sending forth.

In the first reading we catch Paul on his missionary journey from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia to Antioch in Pisidia. 

Paul was not one to wait around.  Paul was a go getter.  Every moment was an opportunity.  There was no quit in Paul. Yet, not all the companions had this go getting appetite.  

John one of their companions, "left them" and returned to Jerusalem.  In fact, this leaving of John was taken hard by Paul.  Later in Acts, Paul refers to John as a quitter.  

Why did John leave, no one knows.  Perhaps he was afraid.  Antioch of  Psidia was not a easy place to go.  It was 3,6oo ft above sea level and it was surrounded by mountain ranges; in order to get to this place one had to enter onto one of the worst roads in Asia Minor, notorious for robbers and bandits.  Perhaps John was scared and unsure of himself.  His personality was of a different sort.  Not everyone was Paul.  The beauty of John, he did not try to be who he wasn't; he did not insist on keeping up with Paul.  He knew who he was and more importantly he knew who he was not.

But we do know that both Paul and John are labeled saints in the church.  Despite their personality differences they were able to serve the Lord in a capacity of holiness. 

Despite the differences both were willing to wash the feet of others, some on top of the mountain and others in the valley, but feet are feet no matter where they rest upon the ground. 

This is consoling.  We all have different personalities.  We all have strengths and weaknesses.  Yet, every personality when given over to Jesus for his service can become saintly.

May we seek to be who we are and let the grace of God strengthen and empower the gifts he gave so that we might learn to wash the feet of those around us.

growing the Word

Acts 12:24-13:5; Psalm 67 O God, let all nations praise you; John 12:44-50 

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles begins with these words:

"The Word of God continued to spread and grow."

The Word of God growing and spreading is instantly linked to "tradition" and "Apostolic succession."  Our Protestant brothers and sisters cringe at these words  but that is because they fail understand its importance and its necessity.  

Pope Benedict reminds us:

"Tradition is never a simple  and anonymous handing on of teaching, but is linked to a person , is a living word, that has its concrete reality in faith.  And apostolic succession is never the taking over of some official powers that are then at the disposal of the office bearer; rather, it is being taken into the service of the word, the office of testifying to something with which one has been entrusted and which stands above its bearer, so that he fades into the background behind the thing he has taken over and is just a voice that enables the word to be heard aloud in the world...succession is holding fast to the apostolic word, that is he could trace his spiritual ancestors, by name, back to the apostles themselves, which is the criteria for truth of the Word being spread, thus tradition means the continuing existence  of authorized witnesses...As for the rest-must not the word of God and the reality based upon it always make use of human circumstances so as to be able to express itself among men?"

This is the development of the apostolic succession that enables the Word of God to spread and grow.  This ensures that the word being spread is not only authorized but also true to the Word Incarnate Himself who gave the authorization to the Apostles in the first place, "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, got therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you and behold I am with you until the end of the age." (Mt 28)

name calling

Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87 All you nations, praise the Lord; John 10:22-30

One of the things that we deal with often at the school is the young people making fun on each other.  They are often clowning around.  Sometimes they can be creative with their humor.  Sometimes they can be cruel with their humor.  

A few times they get caught up in 'name-calling.'  It usually does not end up well.  Someone is sent to the office while someone else usually gets their feelings hurt.  Either way, hearts are bruised and love's opportunity slips away. 

In today's first reading  we learn about how the followers of Christ in Antioch were being called "christians."  The term was derogatory and contemptuous.  It was a name that was meant to be an insult.  Antioch was a place of moral degradation, with temple prostitutes and indulgent practice and games.  It was a spectacle for the senses.  So the Christians were considered to be somewhat "prudish."  They chose the moral high road and got made fun of because of it.

Some things never change.  Even today, some 1900 years after Antioch, the name of "Christian"continues to breathe contempt in the heart of many.  In our society, especially in the United States, those who live their Christian Faith firmly and totally are looked down upon as freaks.   Our society loves Christians who are nominal only but not necessarily those who are truly convicted.

Everywhere we look, the teachings of Christ are being undermined and the belief of Christians are being threaten with legal action or in the media.  As a country, we pride ourselves in accepting all creeds and all beliefs, yet  Christians, especially Catholics, have become the end of many a jokes. 

This is okay.  We do not come to be accepted.  We do not come to be liked.  We do not come to be understood.  We come to transform.  We come to take a stand for goodness and uprightness. We come to bring light to those in darkness.  We come to be salt of the earth.  We come to be made fun of if it means the message remains true to Christ himself, because we hold firmly to the words of Jesus in the gospel, 

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.  No one can take them out of my hand."    

So we keep living the message boldly and daringly.  We let the names fall where they will. We let the voices echo around us.  We expose ourselves to the world.  We know we are in good hands; we know His hands are strong and secure.  We know his hands are those that bore the insult first.  We know that He endured the name calling as well.  We simply follow in his stead with heads held high, love in our hearts, truth on our lips, hope in our minds, and faith in our souls.  Like in Antioch, we trust that "the grace of God" will be made manifest even in the midst of the name calling.

Excerpt from the the office of readings, St. Chrysologus:

"Listen the Lord's appeal: in me I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood.  You may run away from me as your Lord, but why not run to me as your father.  Do not be afraid.  The cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on me, but on death.  The nails no longer pain me, but only deepen your love for me.  I do not cry out because of these wounds, but through them i draw you into my heart.  My body was stretched on the cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered, but of my all-embracing love.  I count it no loss to shed my blood: it is the price I have paid for your ransom.  Come, then, return to me and learn to know me as your father, who pays good for evil, love for injury, and boundless charity for piercing wounds...present your bodies as a living sacrifice.  Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity.  Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection.  Your breastplate should be the knowledge of God that he himself has given you. Keep burning continually the sweet-smelling incense of prayer.  Take up the sword of the Spirit.  Let your heart be an altar.  Then with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice.  God desires not death but faith; God thirst not for blood but self-surrender; God is appeased not by slaughter, but by the offering of your free will."

Sheep

Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 42/43 Athirst is my soul for the living God; John 10:1-10

Yesterday we looked at the Good Shepherd and how he proved himself to be worthy of such a title.

Today we get the first part of yesterday's gospel. 

We continue our reflection on the Good Shepherd.  But today let us reflect on the nature of being a sheep.  Besides, a majority of our problems do not come with the Shepherd but rather with the sheep. It is the flock that causes unrest and anxiety.  The Shepherd can take care of himself, he knows who he is.  The sheep do not know so well what it means to be sheep.

What does it mean to be a sheep: the greek word used for sheep in the New Testament denotes any four legged animal that is tame and domesticated.  Any animal that is willing to cooperate and be docile to the voice of the master.

One that is willing to cooperate.  This sounds like a novel idea.  As sheep of the Shepherd we are call to cooperate with him.  

What does it look like when a sheep cooperates with the Shepherd?  The opening prayer of the mass this morning reveals to us what it means for sheep to be sheep who cooperate with the call of the Shepherd:

 "Father, through the obedience of Jesus, your servant and your son, you raise a fallen world."

As good sheep of the Good Shepherd, we cooperate with Jesus in raising a fallen world.  We lift it up and transform it.  

This is our call, may we be docile and follow our Shepherd's lead and raise the fallen world.  

hear my voice

Acts 4:8-12;Psalm 118 The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18

Today on the church we celebrate the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd. Why do we celebrate this feast on the 4th sunday of Easter?

first of all, a shepherd is one who feeds, guides, rescues, and heals the sheep. 

A good Shepherd, must first prove himself, before he might be considered a worthy shepherd as opposed to a hireling, concerned only for the money.

We wait to see what kind of shepherd is Christ.  We let him prove himself before we celebrate the gift. 

If we go back to Holy week, We begin to realize just how good this Shepherd is.

Holy Thursday: Jesus institutes the Eucharist, "my body is real food and my blood is real drink."  He feeds us, not with ordinary food, but the highest quality, that with everlasting value. 

Also, Jesus institutes the priesthood. He calls forth others to guide his flock.  He does not abandon us with out enriching souls with the gifts needed to guide and lead the flock.  The shepherd continues to train shepherds and call them forth to lead and guide in his steed. 

Good Friday: Jesus dies, embraces the silence of death, and descends into hell.  Here, as St. Peter tells us in 1 Peter, Jesus goes to preach to those in prison.  Jesus goes to the extremes of the world to rescue man, his sheep.   He does not give up, he does not stop searching.

Easter Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead.  He shows himself whole.  In the resurrection, the wound of humanity is healed.  The separation that began in the garden of Eden is now restored to wholeness.  The resurrection points to that eternal healing we have all longed for, and Jesus points us toward that final place of rest, where the pastures are always green and the repose will be forever.

Jesus proves himself to be a Good Shepherd, in his agony, death, and resurrection. We recognize what he has done and thus we celebrate that we are lost no more.  We have a shephed that is reliable, trustworthy, one who knows the way.

Why are we lost no more?

Not only does our shepherd have a face, but he also has a voice.  It is the voice that gathers us together, calls us forth, directs us along the way.  We listen to hear his voice and hope to respond.

How do we recognize that voice?

It is not so much by sound but by content.  It is what the voice is filled with that reveals itself as true and genuine call of the Good Shepherd.

What does the voice of the shepherd speak to us?

Here are just a few scripture verse that speak to the content of the voice of the Good Shepherd:

1) "Peace, be still." Jesus calms the sea.  The Shepherd constantly speaks the sentiment of peace in our lives, especially with the chaos of economic struggles and health scares around the world.  Jesus always seeks to calm us in the storm

2)"Rise, and pick up your mat and walk. Your sins are forgiven"  Jesus speaks these words to the man who is paralyzed.    The voice of the shepherd is one that seeks to remove guilt from our  lives.  He seeks to strengthen us so that we might walk with head held high, confident of his mercy.  Guilt can be paralyzing, we have to let the shepherd remove that which paralyzes.

3)"Neither do I condemn you.  Go, sin no more." Jesus speaks to the woman caught in adultery.  He doesn't hold her in her sins.  Offers her an opportunity to begin a new.  Yet, at the same time he exhorts her to never settle for less, never settle for second best.  The Shepherd wants us to go beyond, seek the higher things, never settle and become less then what we were meant for.

4)"Take courage, be not afraid, I have already conquered the world."  Jesus speaks to his disciples as he prepares for death.  He alleviates their fear.  How often we listen to the fear in our hearts or being broadcast.  Jesus, comes to refocus us, no longer on fear but on his victory, on his strength.  We focus on the shepherd and the fear dissolves.

5)"stop worrying about questions like,'what will we eat, what will we drink, what will we wear. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need."  Jesus comes to alleviate our anxiety and worry.  He comes to remove that unnecessary stress in our life.  He calls us to trust in the one who provides, who holds all things in his hands.  How often we busy ourselves with material concerns and lose sight of the higher things in life.  We must learn to seek what God wants to give.  The fault isn't is God providing but in our wanting.  It too must be purified.

6) "love your enemies. Do good to those who hurt you.  Bless those who curse you."  The Good shepherd calls us to a new life of brotherly affection and love.  He calls us to set aside the vengeance, the hatred, the lies, the gossip.  He calls us to truly be one flock.  

7) "What you have done to the least of these you have done to me."  The Shepherd empowers us to discern his presence in the world.  He leaves no doubt where he might be found physically among us.  He calls us to a greater solidarity. 

8) "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, go therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teach them all that I have commanded, and I will be with you always."  The shepherd empowers his church to constantly guide and teach, to leave no doubt about his intentions.  The Catholic Church continues to teach and guide in the name of Jesus through the apostles.  

In all it is the content of the voice that makes himself known as the Good Shepherd.  This is what we listen for, this is how we discern the true presence of the Good Shepherd that will leads us home; this is why we are lost no more. 

He has a voice, he speaks, may we be sheep that listen.

Joseph worker: not your average Joe

Genesis 1:26-2:3; Colossians 3:14-15,17,23-24; Psalm 90 Lord give success to the work of our hands; Mat 13:54-58

Work is often denoted with a negative connotation, but in reality work is any effort put porth to accomplish something, some goal.

What work did Joseph do?

"Joseph her husband, an upright man unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly." Mt1:18-19

Joseph worked toward guarding the reputation of Mary as she was found with Child.

"In a dream the angel of the Lord said to him, "Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit she has conceived this child...When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord directed him and received into her into his home as his wife." Mt 1:20-24

Joseph worked the work of ready obedience in promptly responding to the invitation of God.

"He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a son, whom he named Jesus." Mt 1:25

Joseph practiced chastity. He kept himself pure and his wife as well for love of God. His yes to God was a yes in all aspects of his life.

"So Joseph when from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to David's town of Bethlehem...to register with Mary, his espoused wife who was with Child." Lk 2:4-5

Joseph worked the work of fulfilling his civil duties in participating in the census even in the extreme difficult of journeying with Mary who was about to give birth.

"The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, found the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. They opened their coffers and presented him with gifts." Mt 2:10-11

Joseph worked the gift of hospitality as he welcomed the magi and humbly received the gifts they brought for Jesus. He became the custodian of these treasures in the name of Jesus. The carpenter was willing to humbly receive that which was meant for a king.

"The angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in the dream to Joseph with the command, 'Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt." Mt 2:13-15

Joseph became the protector and guardian of the holy family in time of distress and anxiety.

"But after Herod's death, the angel appeared to Joseph in Egypt with the command, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and set out for the land of Israel...He got up, took the child and his mother, and returned to the land of Israel...he settled in a town called Nazareth." Mt 2:19-23

Joseph did not complain or cry fowl when he was asked to move once again. He worked the work of trust in allowing God to lead him where he need to be

"Where did this man get such wisdom and and miraculous powers? Isn't this the carpenter's son?" Mt 13:54-55

Joseph while in Nazareth got a job and entered into the work force earning the necessary income to support his family. He wasn't afraid of sweat and toil for the sake of his family. His holiness was rooted in the work of his hands.

In short, Joseph cooperated with the work of redemption and wrought the work of love, and thus the kingdom was built.

He did all this with out every saying a word. His mouth was closed but his heart was open and he changed the world for ever.

May we do the same, fill the work of our hands each day with redemptive grace and filial love.

What work do you do?