Luke 5:5-13; Ps 147 Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; Luke 5:12-16
"It happened…"
This is how the gospel begins this day at the Mass.
It happened…
This is how any day and every day begins in our lives in the lives of those around us.
How many times has someone began a story about an incident in their life or the life of those around them with the words, "It happened…"
Life happens ad many things in life happen as well. Some of them we are ready for and we anticipate with great delight: birth of a child, wedding of a friend, a raise in pay, a nice vacation.
Some of them we resist such as news that it is cancer, car accident that has injured someone we love, diagnosis that leaves us shocked, a divorce, an injury to a child, or death of a loved one.
It happens.
But we can learn front he gospel.
"It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of these towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, please with him and said, 'Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.' Jesu stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, I do will it. BE made clean."
It happened where something awful becomes transformed not by the touch of Jesus but by the offering of it to him. The leper offered his reality to Jesus and laid it at his feet. Jesus received the gift and in that exchange something beautiful happens.
It isn't just about flesh that is made whole but about a soul that is filled with life.
The leper never says why me or how come. He just simply offers it to Jesus as is.
He lets Jesus touch him. And in order to do so he had to let down his defenses, his guards, his own stubbornness. He had to stop fighting who he was and accept it.
Only in acceptance was he able to surrender and open himself up to the touch of Christ.
It happened. May it happen again to us daily.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
WHY FEAR
1 John 4:11-18; Ps 72 Lord, every nation on earth will adore you; Mark 6:45-52
Below you will encounter snippets of the words of St. John's first letter we read from during today's liturgy.
"We have come to know and believe the love God has for us."
"In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in the world."
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love."
What creates fear in our lives? Of what are we afraid?
Why do we fear?
Could it be as simply put as St. John describes it…"one who fears is not yet perfect in love."
Does he mean our love isn't perfect? If that were the case fear would hound us 'til the day we die.
But that can't be the case. Then what?
Perhaps it means that we have not yet convinced our selves of God's love, God's perfect love for us. This alone must be the cause of fear.
And it is true. Were we totally convinced of God's love for us then fear would be replaced with confidence and peace regardless of the circumstances of our life.
Here is what Pope Francis has to say, "There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: 'my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is…But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness…IT is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord' (Lam 3:17,21-23,26)"
How many Lents must we endure before we finally except the reality of Easter? How often must we peer in to the empty tomb before we are awaken to the truth: love is stronger than death? Apart from death what is there to fear?
Of course Jesus says its best in the gospel today, "fear not, it is I, do not be afraid."
Lets meditate on that for a moment or perhaps many moments.
Below you will encounter snippets of the words of St. John's first letter we read from during today's liturgy.
"We have come to know and believe the love God has for us."
"In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in the world."
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love."
What creates fear in our lives? Of what are we afraid?
Why do we fear?
Could it be as simply put as St. John describes it…"one who fears is not yet perfect in love."
Does he mean our love isn't perfect? If that were the case fear would hound us 'til the day we die.
But that can't be the case. Then what?
Perhaps it means that we have not yet convinced our selves of God's love, God's perfect love for us. This alone must be the cause of fear.
And it is true. Were we totally convinced of God's love for us then fear would be replaced with confidence and peace regardless of the circumstances of our life.
Here is what Pope Francis has to say, "There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: 'my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is…But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness…IT is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord' (Lam 3:17,21-23,26)"
How many Lents must we endure before we finally except the reality of Easter? How often must we peer in to the empty tomb before we are awaken to the truth: love is stronger than death? Apart from death what is there to fear?
Of course Jesus says its best in the gospel today, "fear not, it is I, do not be afraid."
Lets meditate on that for a moment or perhaps many moments.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
JOIN IN
John 4:7-10; Ps 72 Lord, every nation on earth will adore you; Mark 6:34-44
Today we read the account of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish from St. Mark's prospective. It is always a fascinating look into the early manifestations and miracles that surround the life of Jesus.
As Jesus teaches and shares the people grow hungry and in his desire to tend to their needs he responds to the disciples request to dismiss them, "Give them some food yourselves."
Striking I think how God always wants to involve us though he really doesn't need us.
"Give them some food yourselves."
But it what the disciples say next that is so striking and true: "But they said to him, 'Are we to but 200 days wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?"
What is it about us that always looks for a way out, and excuse to avoid commitment rather than a reason to get involved and a way in.
Why do we seek a "But…" when Jesus invites us to join in.
Here is a little quote from St. Joh of the Cross that might be helpful as we analyze our own refusals.
"Only one attachment…to which the spirit is actually or habitually bound is enough to hinder the experience…of the delicate and intimate delight of the spirit of love, which contains eminently in itself all delights.”
This quote of St. John of the Cross was in an essay addressing fears which keeps us from God.
What are those attachments that keep us from joining in?
Today we read the account of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish from St. Mark's prospective. It is always a fascinating look into the early manifestations and miracles that surround the life of Jesus.
As Jesus teaches and shares the people grow hungry and in his desire to tend to their needs he responds to the disciples request to dismiss them, "Give them some food yourselves."
Striking I think how God always wants to involve us though he really doesn't need us.
"Give them some food yourselves."
But it what the disciples say next that is so striking and true: "But they said to him, 'Are we to but 200 days wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?"
What is it about us that always looks for a way out, and excuse to avoid commitment rather than a reason to get involved and a way in.
Why do we seek a "But…" when Jesus invites us to join in.
Here is a little quote from St. Joh of the Cross that might be helpful as we analyze our own refusals.
"Only one attachment…to which the spirit is actually or habitually bound is enough to hinder the experience…of the delicate and intimate delight of the spirit of love, which contains eminently in itself all delights.”
This quote of St. John of the Cross was in an essay addressing fears which keeps us from God.
What are those attachments that keep us from joining in?
Monday, January 6, 2014
LOVE IS
1 John 3:22-4:6; Ps 2 I will give you all the nations for an inheritance; Matthew 4:12-25
I recently came across a book entitled "Jesus is____." This nondenominational minister out in Oregon has adopted this phrase as his congregations mission statement.
The premise is we need to fill in the blank, Jesus is_____.
He never says this but the blank is ultimately filled in by the live we live, our actions, our words, our stance, our lifestyle, our choices.
What does the blank say as we look into our life.
On the same line of thought we can create a new phrase, "Love is_____."
Again how would we fill in the blank on such a statement.
For many we would say Love is a feeling. Or for others is would be Love is a choice. And I'm sure there are just as many answers as there are blanks, yet it shouldn't be.
We shouldn't let there be so many interpretations of love because some things are not love.
Ultimately Love is____ well according to St. John Love is a command, "love one another as he commanded us." The he is Jesus.
What did he command? "As I have done for you, you must do for one another." Or again, "no greater love than lay down one's life for one's friend."
Love is a command.
It requires obedience. It reminds us that it must be greater the the feeling way in the moment we have them. We cannot always trust our feelings but we can trust his command.
Love is_____.
Yes exactly that.
I recently came across a book entitled "Jesus is____." This nondenominational minister out in Oregon has adopted this phrase as his congregations mission statement.
The premise is we need to fill in the blank, Jesus is_____.
He never says this but the blank is ultimately filled in by the live we live, our actions, our words, our stance, our lifestyle, our choices.
What does the blank say as we look into our life.
On the same line of thought we can create a new phrase, "Love is_____."
Again how would we fill in the blank on such a statement.
For many we would say Love is a feeling. Or for others is would be Love is a choice. And I'm sure there are just as many answers as there are blanks, yet it shouldn't be.
We shouldn't let there be so many interpretations of love because some things are not love.
Ultimately Love is____ well according to St. John Love is a command, "love one another as he commanded us." The he is Jesus.
What did he command? "As I have done for you, you must do for one another." Or again, "no greater love than lay down one's life for one's friend."
Love is a command.
It requires obedience. It reminds us that it must be greater the the feeling way in the moment we have them. We cannot always trust our feelings but we can trust his command.
Love is_____.
Yes exactly that.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
EPIPHANY
ISaiah 60:1-6; Ps 72 Lord, every nation on earth will adore you; Ephesians 3:2-6; Matthew 2:1-12
"Go and search diligently for the child, bring me word, , that I to may go and do him homage…"
What went wrong?
How could Herod have these words pressed upon his lips yet the breath that produced them be so filled with guile that it would lead to the murder of every 2 year old boy and younger in the area in hopes to destroy the Christ child.
Deceit!
It is such an ugly word for it describes an uglier reality. In fact deceit is antithesis to very reality of God himself. God's word effects what it represents. It makes happen what it carries. Its breath and its meaning are identical.
Yet deceit is the opposite. The word produced is disguised and meant to fool. Evil is nourished on the deceitful tongue. Deceit is what fuels the fires of hell and all its torment.
What is so appalling is that we can all relate to Herod. There is a little of Herod in all of us and this is why we fall silent when we read this gospel and experience the unfolding events.
Yet despite this God continues to make himself known. The light continues to shine in the darkness.
St. John says it best, "the light entered the darkness and darkness did not overcome it."
The epiphany gives us hope that no matter how dark we may experience things in and around our life the light remains shining bright.
"Go and search diligently for the child, bring me word, , that I to may go and do him homage…"
What went wrong?
How could Herod have these words pressed upon his lips yet the breath that produced them be so filled with guile that it would lead to the murder of every 2 year old boy and younger in the area in hopes to destroy the Christ child.
Deceit!
It is such an ugly word for it describes an uglier reality. In fact deceit is antithesis to very reality of God himself. God's word effects what it represents. It makes happen what it carries. Its breath and its meaning are identical.
Yet deceit is the opposite. The word produced is disguised and meant to fool. Evil is nourished on the deceitful tongue. Deceit is what fuels the fires of hell and all its torment.
What is so appalling is that we can all relate to Herod. There is a little of Herod in all of us and this is why we fall silent when we read this gospel and experience the unfolding events.
Yet despite this God continues to make himself known. The light continues to shine in the darkness.
St. John says it best, "the light entered the darkness and darkness did not overcome it."
The epiphany gives us hope that no matter how dark we may experience things in and around our life the light remains shining bright.
Friday, January 3, 2014
HOLY NAME
1 John 2:29-3:6; Ps 98 All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God; John 1:29-34
"You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."
Twice once with Mary and again with Joseph does the angel give the command that the child was to be named Jesus, which means savior.
To be saved from our sins, is this really something to be grateful for.
In his book on the Infant Narratives of Jesus, Pope Benedict expressed this sentiment, people are disappointed in Jesus because he comes to save them from their sins but what they want is to be saved from suffering. (p 42)
Pope Benedict points out the story of the paralytic who is brought to Jesus on a mat. The sick man's condition was an urgent plea for salvation and Jesus response to this urgent plea was forgiveness of sins.
Yet the debate was whether or not it was sufficient since the last thing the people were concerned with was forgiveness for what they wanted was for him to walk.
Yet Jesus reveals that the priority of forgiveness for sins as the foundation of all true healing is clearly maintained.
What Jesus points the way for is a clear understanding of what is primary in life: right relationship with God only then can goodness be experienced.
This is what the Holy Name of Jesus represents. The name itself points us toward the ultimate ground of reality: truth and goodness reside in that right relationship and only when it is healed can the human person be whole.
"You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."
Twice once with Mary and again with Joseph does the angel give the command that the child was to be named Jesus, which means savior.
To be saved from our sins, is this really something to be grateful for.
In his book on the Infant Narratives of Jesus, Pope Benedict expressed this sentiment, people are disappointed in Jesus because he comes to save them from their sins but what they want is to be saved from suffering. (p 42)
Pope Benedict points out the story of the paralytic who is brought to Jesus on a mat. The sick man's condition was an urgent plea for salvation and Jesus response to this urgent plea was forgiveness of sins.
Yet the debate was whether or not it was sufficient since the last thing the people were concerned with was forgiveness for what they wanted was for him to walk.
Yet Jesus reveals that the priority of forgiveness for sins as the foundation of all true healing is clearly maintained.
What Jesus points the way for is a clear understanding of what is primary in life: right relationship with God only then can goodness be experienced.
This is what the Holy Name of Jesus represents. The name itself points us toward the ultimate ground of reality: truth and goodness reside in that right relationship and only when it is healed can the human person be whole.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
WHO ART THOU
1 john 2:22-28; Ps 98 all the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God; John 1:19-28
Who are you?
This the question posed to John the Baptist.
How would we answer that question if posed to us?
Should we not ask ourselves this question routinely.
First in answering the question we must acknowledge who God is: I am who am or He who is. This is how God, the creator, has chosen to reveal his substance to us as related through the experience of Moses and the bush on fire yet not consumed.
If God is 'He who is' then what does that make us as creature? Simply put in short answer form, "I am that who is not, at least who has existence not on its own but only from another. And this existence has been redeemed by another as well. Both my existence and my continued existence belongs to another.
Who am I? I am one who has received a gift undeservingly. I am a debtor. And how can I make good on such a debt?
John the Baptist shows us in his response to the question 2000 years ago, "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord."
John continues to confess without denial that he was not the Christ. Here we encounter the duty of a faithful servant: never to covet the master's glory and to ward off the glory lavished by the crowd."
In other words John simply states the fact, " I am nothing because if I am anything , I have it from another who is God."
Who are you?
This the question posed to John the Baptist.
How would we answer that question if posed to us?
Should we not ask ourselves this question routinely.
First in answering the question we must acknowledge who God is: I am who am or He who is. This is how God, the creator, has chosen to reveal his substance to us as related through the experience of Moses and the bush on fire yet not consumed.
If God is 'He who is' then what does that make us as creature? Simply put in short answer form, "I am that who is not, at least who has existence not on its own but only from another. And this existence has been redeemed by another as well. Both my existence and my continued existence belongs to another.
Who am I? I am one who has received a gift undeservingly. I am a debtor. And how can I make good on such a debt?
John the Baptist shows us in his response to the question 2000 years ago, "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord."
John continues to confess without denial that he was not the Christ. Here we encounter the duty of a faithful servant: never to covet the master's glory and to ward off the glory lavished by the crowd."
In other words John simply states the fact, " I am nothing because if I am anything , I have it from another who is God."
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