Romans 3:21-30; Ps 130 With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption; Luke 11:47-54
Soap box moments happened to all of us. These are moments where we get on a rant about something, some topic and we just let it roll. It happened to me a few sunday's go. It was sunday evening, the last mass for the weekend, and I threw away my prepared homily and got on my soap box about "doing something because it was the right thing to do" as opposed to continually needing a reward or a bonus or some other motivation.
It was a rant. I was on my soap box.
Have you been on your soap box recently.
Jesus is definitely on a soap box into the gospel for today. He is giving it to the scribes and Pharisees.
He holds nothing back. He is not politically correct. He doesn't sugar coat it. He gives is flat as it is.
"Woe to you...who build memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed"
"Woe to you scholars of the law you have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourself did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."
When Jesus left, scripture tells us, the scribes and Pharisees began to act wit hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say."
They ganged up on Jesus in hoping to snare him.
Rather than take the correction Jesus was offering and be transformed they got more rigid and self-defensive.
Sometimes soap boxes dont't work as planned.
The seed can be planted but the root doesn't always take.
This is a good lesson for us. We cant force the seed to grow deeper or faster. We can only plant. JEsus plants the seed. What the scribes and pharisees did with it well was up to them; it is up to us.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
A poem
IF—
('Brother Square-Toes'—Rewards and Fairies)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!
Friday, October 11, 2013
GATHER OR SCATTER
Joel 1:13-15;2:1-2; Ps 9 The lord will judge the world with justice; Luke 11:15-26
This morning I have a few remarks made by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt:
"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water."
"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do."
She was a feisty woman who didn't mind opening her mouth and putting it like it needed to be.
Jesus was also feisty. He didn't mind saying it as it was. He didn't censor his words to fit the people around him rather he invited the people around him to be transformed by his words.
Now this is a new twist certainly for us in our modern age. Everyone has a muzzle. No one wants to speak up. All are afraid to offend or worse they don't want to push their beliefs upon another.
How else do we evangelize?
It the words of Jesus today in the gospel, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
How's that for speaking it like it is? If you are not gathering than your scattering.
Which is it?
This morning I have a few remarks made by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt:
"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water."
"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do."
She was a feisty woman who didn't mind opening her mouth and putting it like it needed to be.
Jesus was also feisty. He didn't mind saying it as it was. He didn't censor his words to fit the people around him rather he invited the people around him to be transformed by his words.
Now this is a new twist certainly for us in our modern age. Everyone has a muzzle. No one wants to speak up. All are afraid to offend or worse they don't want to push their beliefs upon another.
How else do we evangelize?
It the words of Jesus today in the gospel, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
How's that for speaking it like it is? If you are not gathering than your scattering.
Which is it?
Thursday, October 10, 2013
DISTINCTION
Malachi 3:13-20; PS 1 Blessed are they who hope in the Lord; Luke 11:5-13
Here are the words of Malachi, "Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; between the one who serves God, and the one who does not serve him..."
They say there is a lot of gray on the world. They say the world of being black and white is gone forever. They say tolerance of another's lifestyle is true charity. They say compromise of principle's are inevitable.
They say the line between right and wrong is blurred.
But...
This is not what the prophet says. Then again you will see the distinction between just and the wicked, the one who serves God and the one who does not serve...
That distinction, that line that separates just and unjust, serving and unswerving, where does it run?
Does it run through us? Have we decided to draw the bold line of distinction by the life we live?
This line of distinction is a mark of the one who received the gift of the Holy Spirit as Jesus speaks of into day's gospel.
Look where the line is drawn; Be distinct.
They say that line is extinct. But we who walk in faith are distinct.
Here are the words of Malachi, "Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; between the one who serves God, and the one who does not serve him..."
They say there is a lot of gray on the world. They say the world of being black and white is gone forever. They say tolerance of another's lifestyle is true charity. They say compromise of principle's are inevitable.
They say the line between right and wrong is blurred.
But...
This is not what the prophet says. Then again you will see the distinction between just and the wicked, the one who serves God and the one who does not serve...
That distinction, that line that separates just and unjust, serving and unswerving, where does it run?
Does it run through us? Have we decided to draw the bold line of distinction by the life we live?
This line of distinction is a mark of the one who received the gift of the Holy Spirit as Jesus speaks of into day's gospel.
Look where the line is drawn; Be distinct.
They say that line is extinct. But we who walk in faith are distinct.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
BACKFIRED
Jonah 4:1-11; Ps 86 Lord, you are merciful and gracious; Luke 11:1-4
Today we finally discover Jonah's motivation for preaching to the people of Nineveh. Has you read the story, after Jonah is spit up on the shore and decides to do what God ask, the thought comes that perhaps Jonah had enough. Perhaps Jonah is doing the right thing for the right reason.
Perhaps Jonah has had a change of heart.
But it turns out Jonah was doing it for his own sorted gain. He wasn't preaching to people because God asked him to bring about their conversion; he was preaching in hopes that they would be destroyed.
He was hoping they wouldn't listen then he could sit back watch them get what they deserved.
Yet, it backfired.
What Jonah hoped would happen didn't. What he didn't want to happen did.
And now He is pissed.
Today we begin our reading of the story of Jonah with these words, "Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh."
Have you ever been angry with God for being merciful?
God's response is right to the point, "Have you any reason to be angry?"
Do we really have any reason to be angry? Truly, do we have one reason to be angry?
How often do we do the right thing for the wrong reason only to have back fire?
Today seek to purify your intention. Today rejoice in God's mercy. Let your anger subside.
Today we finally discover Jonah's motivation for preaching to the people of Nineveh. Has you read the story, after Jonah is spit up on the shore and decides to do what God ask, the thought comes that perhaps Jonah had enough. Perhaps Jonah is doing the right thing for the right reason.
Perhaps Jonah has had a change of heart.
But it turns out Jonah was doing it for his own sorted gain. He wasn't preaching to people because God asked him to bring about their conversion; he was preaching in hopes that they would be destroyed.
He was hoping they wouldn't listen then he could sit back watch them get what they deserved.
Yet, it backfired.
What Jonah hoped would happen didn't. What he didn't want to happen did.
And now He is pissed.
Today we begin our reading of the story of Jonah with these words, "Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh."
Have you ever been angry with God for being merciful?
God's response is right to the point, "Have you any reason to be angry?"
Do we really have any reason to be angry? Truly, do we have one reason to be angry?
How often do we do the right thing for the wrong reason only to have back fire?
Today seek to purify your intention. Today rejoice in God's mercy. Let your anger subside.
Friday, October 4, 2013
GO, PROCLAIM, GOSPEL, EVERY CREATURE
Here are Jesus' words to the apostles before he ascends into heaven according to the gospel of Mark:
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature..."
This line has always struck me as relevant.
Shortly following this line in Jesus instructs the apostles the importance of baptism, "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned..."
But on today's feast of St. Francis lets just focus on the first part. Go and proclaim the gospel to every creature...
Today around the world, mostly in Catholic Churches, men, women, children will gather with their animals, their pets, for a blessing of the animals.
In large part this is done to honor Francis who evangelized the world that animals and humans have common ground, we are both creatures of our God and King. We recognize our commonality. Our animals are truly our brothers and sisters, since we all come from the same Father above.
It is form nothing we come forth. It is form God's love we have been given life and are sustained in life.
We recognize that common bond that Francis taught through out his life.
We are i some sense we discover our duty to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Just has animals, in particular our pets, proclaim the good news of God's purpose and love through their existence, we too must return the favor.
Our existence must also proclaim that purpose and love to all creatures. By our stewardship and care toward all creatures, especially our pets, we embrace God's command for us to have dominion over the animals and plants. We discover our innate right and duty of being God's love for all creation.
The blessings of the pets is meant to remind us of our original purpose as we discover in the garden of Eden, "to serve and protect" creation and creatures alike. Jesus command to proclaim the gospel to all creatures is an invitation to rediscover our original purpose and unite it to the Salvific plan of Redemption.
Our life now proclaims the gospel and all of creation is effected by the goodness we have received at the hands and heart of Christ who gives is life for creation.
May today on the feast of St. Francis, we rediscover our original purpose and unite it to the grace of redemption and as we care for animals may we experience and remember God's care for us.
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature..."
This line has always struck me as relevant.
Shortly following this line in Jesus instructs the apostles the importance of baptism, "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned..."
But on today's feast of St. Francis lets just focus on the first part. Go and proclaim the gospel to every creature...
Today around the world, mostly in Catholic Churches, men, women, children will gather with their animals, their pets, for a blessing of the animals.
In large part this is done to honor Francis who evangelized the world that animals and humans have common ground, we are both creatures of our God and King. We recognize our commonality. Our animals are truly our brothers and sisters, since we all come from the same Father above.
It is form nothing we come forth. It is form God's love we have been given life and are sustained in life.
We recognize that common bond that Francis taught through out his life.
We are i some sense we discover our duty to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Just has animals, in particular our pets, proclaim the good news of God's purpose and love through their existence, we too must return the favor.
Our existence must also proclaim that purpose and love to all creatures. By our stewardship and care toward all creatures, especially our pets, we embrace God's command for us to have dominion over the animals and plants. We discover our innate right and duty of being God's love for all creation.
The blessings of the pets is meant to remind us of our original purpose as we discover in the garden of Eden, "to serve and protect" creation and creatures alike. Jesus command to proclaim the gospel to all creatures is an invitation to rediscover our original purpose and unite it to the Salvific plan of Redemption.
Our life now proclaims the gospel and all of creation is effected by the goodness we have received at the hands and heart of Christ who gives is life for creation.
May today on the feast of St. Francis, we rediscover our original purpose and unite it to the grace of redemption and as we care for animals may we experience and remember God's care for us.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
LIFT
NEhemiah 8:1-4,5-6,7-12; The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart Ps 19; Lk 10:1-12
"always speak to Christ about someone before speaking to someone about Christ."
I received this advise often when I was in the seminary. But somehow it got filed away in my memory bank, buried beneath the day to day operations of being a manager of a parish and school and other things.
But I was reminded of it today, this morning in fact.
Speak to Christ about someone before speaking to someone about Christ.
Prayer is important. Prayer is essential. Intercessory prayer is important and essential in its own right. Something happens at a molecular spiritual level when we lift folks up in prayer.
Our spiritual molecules get touched by grace. Perhaps its more like being exposed to radiation. Our spiritual molecules are altered when we enter into intercessory mode.
I image the disciples did a lot of this as Jesus sends them out two by two, in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
I imagine the disciples being a little nervous and unsure about what awaited them. I bet they were hesitant maybe even reluctant.
I bet they prayed and interceded for each person in each town before they ever opened their mouths.
Jesus wants to visit our town. Jesus has sent us to go forth. Perhaps before we leave the comfort of our homes each day we should lift up the people we will meet in prayer, those known and unknown, and perhaps Jesus will come make a visit through us.
"always speak to Christ about someone before speaking to someone about Christ."
I received this advise often when I was in the seminary. But somehow it got filed away in my memory bank, buried beneath the day to day operations of being a manager of a parish and school and other things.
But I was reminded of it today, this morning in fact.
Speak to Christ about someone before speaking to someone about Christ.
Prayer is important. Prayer is essential. Intercessory prayer is important and essential in its own right. Something happens at a molecular spiritual level when we lift folks up in prayer.
Our spiritual molecules get touched by grace. Perhaps its more like being exposed to radiation. Our spiritual molecules are altered when we enter into intercessory mode.
I image the disciples did a lot of this as Jesus sends them out two by two, in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
I imagine the disciples being a little nervous and unsure about what awaited them. I bet they were hesitant maybe even reluctant.
I bet they prayed and interceded for each person in each town before they ever opened their mouths.
Jesus wants to visit our town. Jesus has sent us to go forth. Perhaps before we leave the comfort of our homes each day we should lift up the people we will meet in prayer, those known and unknown, and perhaps Jesus will come make a visit through us.
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