Zephaniah 3:14-18; Ps Among you is the great and holy one of Israel; Luke 1:39-56
Here is a song for today: lifesong
Today in the church we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation. The gospel relates how Mary sets out in haste to the hill country, to Judah to be with her cousin Elizabeth who is heavy with child of her own.
IT is important to recall the unfolding events prior to this encounter between Mary and ELizabeth.
We all know the events, but just for the sake of revisitation.
The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary, a virgin, to invite her to be the Mother of Jesus, "you shall conceive and give birth to the Son of the Most High..."
Mary's response to the greeting and invitation of the Angel was a question, "how can this be."
We all experience moments like that where an encounter in our life results in questions from us such as how can this be, why has this happen, how will I cope and so on and so forth.
Normal, this reaction is, though the beauty of grace is that the moment Mary accepts the invitation, the moment she surrenders, she is done with the questions, she moves on and moves forward with haste to get on with her life.
Eventually this acceptance and surrender turns to praise, "and Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoice in God my savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant..."
We too like Mary cannot get bogged down in the questioning. We too must be done with the questions and choose to move forward in acceptance and allowing the surrender to give way to praise and thanksgiving. Thus, we can enter into Mary's song, Mary's magnificent, and as Christ formed in her brings joy and rejoicing to Elizabeth and baby John in the womb, so too our life, Christ being formed in us through our encounters and experiences, will bring joy and rejoicing to those we encounter.
Just as Mary's song makes God sing, so to the song of our life will do the same.
"Fear not Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals."
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Joan of Arc, Pope Francis, and church as family of God
Sirach 42:15-25; Ps 33 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; Mark 10:46-52
Today we celebrate the feast and remembrance of Joan of Arc. She is known as the hot tempered teen who led the french army against the English. She cut off her hair and dressed up as man as she led men into battle. At the age of twelve she began having locutions and visions with st. Michael, St Catherine and others.
IT was from these visions and locutions she was inspired to help France with back its land from the British.
Eventually she was betrayed and tried as a heretic only to be burned at the stake. 500 years later, she was recognized as a saint. Being a saint isn't all fairy tales and sugar and spice. Often times saints are misunderstood and even not recognized until much later.
From her trial here is a transcript when asked about being in God's grace she responded, "If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me." This is certainly not a bad prayer.
***********
Here is a bit from the first reading for today. "God plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their inner most being he understands. The most high possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come; he makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him..."
Now read that verse in light of ourselves, our own personal struggles. Even though we can't always understand our self and why we do what we do, it is comforting to know that God understands it.
**************
The gospel passage come from the story of the blind man Bartimaeus, the one who refused to be silent as scriptures points out, "and many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more."
There is something valiant n the blind man's refusal to be silent. There is a depth of courage and urgency that is often lacking in our society, in our faith, that is revealed in the blind man.
I love Bartimaeus' resonse when called. Scripture relates how he "sprang up" and went to Jesus.
What a beautiful passage that details the effect of grace in our life. Grace enable us to keep calling our and to spring forth with urgency as we go to Jesus.
After receiving his sight what does BArtimaeus do, he follows JEsus on his way. Here we encounter the completion of grace bestowed. IT enables us to call out, to spring forth, to approach Jesus and then to follow him on the way.
************
Words from Pope Francis yesterday at Audience
The very word “Church”, from the Greek ekklesia, means ‘convocation’,” Pope Francis said. “God calls us, urges us to escape from individualism, [from] the tendency to withdraw into ourselves, and calls us – convokes us – to be a part of His family. This convocation has its origin in creation itself. God created us in order that we might live in a relationship of deep friendship with Him, and even when sin had broken this relationship with God, with others and with creation, God did not abandon us.”
“Even today, some say, “Christ yes, the Church no,” like those who say, “I believe in God, but in priests, no.” They say, “Christ: yes. Church: no.” Nevertheless, it is the Church that brings us Christ and that brings us to God. The Church is the great family of God's children.”
Today we celebrate the feast and remembrance of Joan of Arc. She is known as the hot tempered teen who led the french army against the English. She cut off her hair and dressed up as man as she led men into battle. At the age of twelve she began having locutions and visions with st. Michael, St Catherine and others.
IT was from these visions and locutions she was inspired to help France with back its land from the British.
Eventually she was betrayed and tried as a heretic only to be burned at the stake. 500 years later, she was recognized as a saint. Being a saint isn't all fairy tales and sugar and spice. Often times saints are misunderstood and even not recognized until much later.
From her trial here is a transcript when asked about being in God's grace she responded, "If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me." This is certainly not a bad prayer.
***********
Here is a bit from the first reading for today. "God plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their inner most being he understands. The most high possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come; he makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him..."
Now read that verse in light of ourselves, our own personal struggles. Even though we can't always understand our self and why we do what we do, it is comforting to know that God understands it.
**************
The gospel passage come from the story of the blind man Bartimaeus, the one who refused to be silent as scriptures points out, "and many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more."
There is something valiant n the blind man's refusal to be silent. There is a depth of courage and urgency that is often lacking in our society, in our faith, that is revealed in the blind man.
I love Bartimaeus' resonse when called. Scripture relates how he "sprang up" and went to Jesus.
What a beautiful passage that details the effect of grace in our life. Grace enable us to keep calling our and to spring forth with urgency as we go to Jesus.
After receiving his sight what does BArtimaeus do, he follows JEsus on his way. Here we encounter the completion of grace bestowed. IT enables us to call out, to spring forth, to approach Jesus and then to follow him on the way.
************
Words from Pope Francis yesterday at Audience
The very word “Church”, from the Greek ekklesia, means ‘convocation’,” Pope Francis said. “God calls us, urges us to escape from individualism, [from] the tendency to withdraw into ourselves, and calls us – convokes us – to be a part of His family. This convocation has its origin in creation itself. God created us in order that we might live in a relationship of deep friendship with Him, and even when sin had broken this relationship with God, with others and with creation, God did not abandon us.”
“Even today, some say, “Christ yes, the Church no,” like those who say, “I believe in God, but in priests, no.” They say, “Christ: yes. Church: no.” Nevertheless, it is the Church that brings us Christ and that brings us to God. The Church is the great family of God's children.”
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Lord make haste to help us
Sirach 36:1-17; Psalm 79 Show u, O Lord, the light of your kindness; Mark 10:32-45
The Church has asked us priest and religious to pray what we call the divine office or the liturgy of the hours. It is a set of prayers, usually psalms with reading excerpts from various books of the bible coupled with intercessions and the "Lord's Prayer" that we are asked to recite daily, in fact several times a day.
It is our way of praying for the people of God a well as sanctifying the entire day, keeping us close to the Lord. The truth be told, if one is going to to do the Lord's work then one must be with the Lord continually.
Each time I pray, I remind myself that I am praying the very same prayers that priest and religious are praying throughout the world. It is pretty neat and down right awesome.
Each time we begin the prayer we do so with this phrase, "God come to my assistance, Lord, make haste to help me."
This is the very sentiment our first reading for today begins with "Come to our aid, O God of the universe, look upon us, show us the light of your mercies..."
Sometimes when I pray the office, I sit with the opening phrase a bit longer.
I am grateful for that opening, for that beginning of the prayer ritual. Some how it consoles me to know that even in prayer, I need the strength of God, the God of the universe to assist me if I will do Him honor by my weak attempt.
God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.
Like the disciples in the gospel, we are both amazed and afraid for we know that prayer is meant to make us like Christ, a servant of the many, to give our life.
With out God's assistance this too would be mockery.
The fact of the matter is, I believe, the church asks us to start each prayer with that opening, "God come to my assistance, Lord, make haste to help us" in order to keep it all in proper perspective, to keep us small.
IT reminds us that all we do is rooted in the gift God has bestowed. Being small helps us recognize the wonder and awe of the God of the universe. This is good place to be.
The Church has asked us priest and religious to pray what we call the divine office or the liturgy of the hours. It is a set of prayers, usually psalms with reading excerpts from various books of the bible coupled with intercessions and the "Lord's Prayer" that we are asked to recite daily, in fact several times a day.
It is our way of praying for the people of God a well as sanctifying the entire day, keeping us close to the Lord. The truth be told, if one is going to to do the Lord's work then one must be with the Lord continually.
Each time I pray, I remind myself that I am praying the very same prayers that priest and religious are praying throughout the world. It is pretty neat and down right awesome.
Each time we begin the prayer we do so with this phrase, "God come to my assistance, Lord, make haste to help me."
This is the very sentiment our first reading for today begins with "Come to our aid, O God of the universe, look upon us, show us the light of your mercies..."
Sometimes when I pray the office, I sit with the opening phrase a bit longer.
I am grateful for that opening, for that beginning of the prayer ritual. Some how it consoles me to know that even in prayer, I need the strength of God, the God of the universe to assist me if I will do Him honor by my weak attempt.
God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.
Like the disciples in the gospel, we are both amazed and afraid for we know that prayer is meant to make us like Christ, a servant of the many, to give our life.
With out God's assistance this too would be mockery.
The fact of the matter is, I believe, the church asks us to start each prayer with that opening, "God come to my assistance, Lord, make haste to help us" in order to keep it all in proper perspective, to keep us small.
IT reminds us that all we do is rooted in the gift God has bestowed. Being small helps us recognize the wonder and awe of the God of the universe. This is good place to be.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
generous
Sirach 35:1-12; PS 50 To the upright I will show the saving power of God; Mark 10:28-31
"Ina generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, pay your tithes in a spirit of Joy. Give to the most high as he has given to you, generously, according to your means."
Think about people you consider to be generous.
Why do we classify them as being generous?
Think about people who give a lot of money and yet we don't classify them as generous?
Why do we not?
Generosity is more than the ability to give, it also revolves around having an attitude of a giver, one that is joyful and filled with cheer.
Someone can give and still be stingy of heart. But those that give and remain joyful in letting go and giving to another, these are the ones that true show forth the face of God.
Generous person gives more than is necessary; a generous person never says, I have done enough. A generous person just simply seeks to return the favor of having been given life in the first place.
As the first reading reminds us, we are called to be this way, "be not sparing of freewill gifts."
Be not sparing, in other words, don't hold back.
Where in our life do we hold back? Where can we be more giving?
We like generous people, we can tell them by the smile on their face and the joy in their eyes.
Not sparingly, cheerful, joy: these are the words used to describe a generous soul. It is time to take inventory in our life?
Are we generous? Do we give? Do we hold back? Do we emulate the Father who gives from all eternity?
OR are we like the Apostles who in the gospel who have been keeping "Score" so to speak in listing all that have done, "Lord, we have given everything and followed you." I sense a little bit of hardness the words of the apostles, a little bit of entitlement in their response to JEsus.
THis is why JEsus says many who are first will be last and the last will be first. Giving up everything isn't the same as giving over everything. The generous soul is the one who does the latter not the former. May we learn to give it over as well.
"Ina generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, pay your tithes in a spirit of Joy. Give to the most high as he has given to you, generously, according to your means."
Think about people you consider to be generous.
Why do we classify them as being generous?
Think about people who give a lot of money and yet we don't classify them as generous?
Why do we not?
Generosity is more than the ability to give, it also revolves around having an attitude of a giver, one that is joyful and filled with cheer.
Someone can give and still be stingy of heart. But those that give and remain joyful in letting go and giving to another, these are the ones that true show forth the face of God.
Generous person gives more than is necessary; a generous person never says, I have done enough. A generous person just simply seeks to return the favor of having been given life in the first place.
As the first reading reminds us, we are called to be this way, "be not sparing of freewill gifts."
Be not sparing, in other words, don't hold back.
Where in our life do we hold back? Where can we be more giving?
We like generous people, we can tell them by the smile on their face and the joy in their eyes.
Not sparingly, cheerful, joy: these are the words used to describe a generous soul. It is time to take inventory in our life?
Are we generous? Do we give? Do we hold back? Do we emulate the Father who gives from all eternity?
OR are we like the Apostles who in the gospel who have been keeping "Score" so to speak in listing all that have done, "Lord, we have given everything and followed you." I sense a little bit of hardness the words of the apostles, a little bit of entitlement in their response to JEsus.
THis is why JEsus says many who are first will be last and the last will be first. Giving up everything isn't the same as giving over everything. The generous soul is the one who does the latter not the former. May we learn to give it over as well.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
product testing
Proverbs 8:22-31; Ps 8 O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
What is the most essential tenet of our faith? What is the principle and foundation form which our faith rises or falls? What is the central claim of our faith?
(Pause for thought...)
Hopefully you paused and actually thought about the questions posed. Think about some of the beautiful things we hold because of faith: Jesus is true God and true Man, Mary is immaculately conceived, Jesus founded the church on Peter, the rock, the blood of jesus redeems us, the bread and wine become real presence of Christ at the Mass, we are all part of the mystical body of CHrist, our sins are forgiven each time a new we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, the Trinity (one God and three persons).
All of this an more is part of the beauty awaken by faith. But it flows from somewhere.
The central reality of faith is the fact that God has spoken. As the psalmist puts it, our God comes, he keeps silence no longer. God speaks to us. He wants to be heard. The God of eternity has broken the silence and has addressed himself to us feeble, weak, mortal women and men.
This is why the psalmist in today's readings states, "what is man that you think of him."
God has spoken. Because of this reality, our life of faith takes off. We believe what we believe because God has shown himself to us, he has pulled back the veil between time and eternity and we have caught a glimpse of who he is.
The Most Holy Trinity has made himself known.
He is a communion of love. The three persons of the blessed Trinity are distinct yet the they remain a unity, they are different but the same in love. They rejoice in the goodness of the other, seeking to glory one another and giving themselves to one another.
**********
Now shift your focus for a moment. Think about product testing.
Every product that is produced has to be tested and approved. Consumer testing is important to ensure that the product fulfills the claims the manufacturer makes on its behalf.
Every product must go through the test: toilets, blenders, shoes, refrigerators, medication...and the list goes on and on.
I recently read an article illustrating the reality of product testing. Brian Chesky, the founder of AIRBNB, online travel lodge place, as taken it upon himself to test his product. Through airbnb someone looking for lodging can rent an apartment, house, tipi, igloo, european castle.
Brian in order to test his product has chosen to live by booking places through his own business on a weekly basis. He said the best way to take the pulse of the product is to use the product. Since 2010, for the last three years he has been relocating every week through his own company website.
This gives new meaning to product testing.
Product testing isn't just for the inanimate objects. IT is also for us.
St. Paul tells us in today's second reading that we are justified by faith thus we have gain access to grace so that we can boast in our afflictions because afflictions, afflictions produce endurance, endurance proven character, proven character hope that does not disappoint.
Through the grace of God, we are being testing. God wants to make sure that we live up to his claims for us that we are made in his image and likeness. The Trinity, this communion of love is the root of our existence; it is also the fulfillment of our existence.
All that happens in life is meant to put us back on tract.
As we celebrate the feast of the Trinity, we recognize not just who God is but who we are called to be as those justified.
God wants to conform us to be like himself a communion of love that creates space for the other, a communion of live that rejoices in the goodness of the other, a communion of love that seeks to magnify and glorify the other.
The afflictions we encounter are those things that are meant to stretch us, re shift our focus, to put us back in rhythm of theTrinity we both profess and adore.
By our life we give honor to this revelation we have received.
What is the most essential tenet of our faith? What is the principle and foundation form which our faith rises or falls? What is the central claim of our faith?
(Pause for thought...)
Hopefully you paused and actually thought about the questions posed. Think about some of the beautiful things we hold because of faith: Jesus is true God and true Man, Mary is immaculately conceived, Jesus founded the church on Peter, the rock, the blood of jesus redeems us, the bread and wine become real presence of Christ at the Mass, we are all part of the mystical body of CHrist, our sins are forgiven each time a new we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, the Trinity (one God and three persons).
All of this an more is part of the beauty awaken by faith. But it flows from somewhere.
The central reality of faith is the fact that God has spoken. As the psalmist puts it, our God comes, he keeps silence no longer. God speaks to us. He wants to be heard. The God of eternity has broken the silence and has addressed himself to us feeble, weak, mortal women and men.
This is why the psalmist in today's readings states, "what is man that you think of him."
God has spoken. Because of this reality, our life of faith takes off. We believe what we believe because God has shown himself to us, he has pulled back the veil between time and eternity and we have caught a glimpse of who he is.
The Most Holy Trinity has made himself known.
He is a communion of love. The three persons of the blessed Trinity are distinct yet the they remain a unity, they are different but the same in love. They rejoice in the goodness of the other, seeking to glory one another and giving themselves to one another.
**********
Now shift your focus for a moment. Think about product testing.
Every product that is produced has to be tested and approved. Consumer testing is important to ensure that the product fulfills the claims the manufacturer makes on its behalf.
Every product must go through the test: toilets, blenders, shoes, refrigerators, medication...and the list goes on and on.
I recently read an article illustrating the reality of product testing. Brian Chesky, the founder of AIRBNB, online travel lodge place, as taken it upon himself to test his product. Through airbnb someone looking for lodging can rent an apartment, house, tipi, igloo, european castle.
Brian in order to test his product has chosen to live by booking places through his own business on a weekly basis. He said the best way to take the pulse of the product is to use the product. Since 2010, for the last three years he has been relocating every week through his own company website.
This gives new meaning to product testing.
Product testing isn't just for the inanimate objects. IT is also for us.
St. Paul tells us in today's second reading that we are justified by faith thus we have gain access to grace so that we can boast in our afflictions because afflictions, afflictions produce endurance, endurance proven character, proven character hope that does not disappoint.
Through the grace of God, we are being testing. God wants to make sure that we live up to his claims for us that we are made in his image and likeness. The Trinity, this communion of love is the root of our existence; it is also the fulfillment of our existence.
All that happens in life is meant to put us back on tract.
As we celebrate the feast of the Trinity, we recognize not just who God is but who we are called to be as those justified.
God wants to conform us to be like himself a communion of love that creates space for the other, a communion of live that rejoices in the goodness of the other, a communion of love that seeks to magnify and glorify the other.
The afflictions we encounter are those things that are meant to stretch us, re shift our focus, to put us back in rhythm of theTrinity we both profess and adore.
By our life we give honor to this revelation we have received.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
in honor of Cat lovers
For a Dying Tomcat Who's Relinquished His Former Hissing and Predatory Nature
I remember the long orange carp you once scooped
from the neighbor's pond, bounding beyond
her swung broom, across summer lawns
to lay the fish on my stoop. Thanks
for that. I'm not one to whom offerings
often get made. You let me feel
how Christ might when I kneel,
weeping in the dark
over the usual maladies: love and its lack.
Only in tears do I speak
directly to him and with such
conviction. And only once you grew frail
did you finally slacken into me,
dozing against my ribs like a child.
You gave up the predatory flinch
that snapped the necks of so many
birds and slow-moving rodents.
Now your once powerful jaw
is malformed by black malignancies.
It hurts to eat. So you surrender in the way
I pray for: Lord, before my own death,
let me learn from this animal's deep release
into my arms. Let me cease to fear
the embrace that seeks to still me.
from the neighbor's pond, bounding beyond
her swung broom, across summer lawns
to lay the fish on my stoop. Thanks
for that. I'm not one to whom offerings
often get made. You let me feel
how Christ might when I kneel,
weeping in the dark
over the usual maladies: love and its lack.
Only in tears do I speak
directly to him and with such
conviction. And only once you grew frail
did you finally slacken into me,
dozing against my ribs like a child.
You gave up the predatory flinch
that snapped the necks of so many
birds and slow-moving rodents.
Now your once powerful jaw
is malformed by black malignancies.
It hurts to eat. So you surrender in the way
I pray for: Lord, before my own death,
let me learn from this animal's deep release
into my arms. Let me cease to fear
the embrace that seeks to still me.
The above is a simple poem about a cat and its human friend.
But I find it so true. As one who has a cat. It is always striking how the cat's predatory reflex is constantly at play, always jerking and clawing, with every sound and every movement. There are moments when the cat lets it's guard down and allows it self to be calmed and still by the hand of another.
We do this in our relationship with God. We jump and jerk and get jittery. There are moments when we must allow His hand to still us.
Friday, May 24, 2013
friend
Sirach 6:5-17; Ps 119 Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands; Mark 10:1-12
Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ.
Here is a recipe that is often neglected in our society.
Friendship is fallen to the wayside. IT is tragic, for friendship is the one relationship that last into eternity.
We will not be married or marry in heaven, so says JEsus. But he calls us friends on that faith filled night when he bends low and washes the feet of the disciples in the upper room then he goes out to love us to the end as portrayed in Calvary.
Making a friend, being a friend, bringing a friend to Christ is what it means to follow Christ, the one ultimate friend maker.
"a faithful friend is a life saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself."
Jesus and friend can be synonymous according to the last definition. And if we are to follow Christ then we too must be in the business of making friends, being friends, and bringing friends to Him who we follow.
"a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter, he who finds one finds a treasure. a faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth."
Who are your friends? Who are you friends with?
Are they and are we a sturdy shelter, life giving remedy?
Interesting that the gospel is about divorce and the first reading is about friendship.
It often stated that demise of marriage as little to do with the lack of love but more with the loss of friendship.
When we look at friendship in our life, we should start with our spouse. Make a friend, be a friend is a recipe for success in the gift of married love.
Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ.
Here is a recipe that is often neglected in our society.
Friendship is fallen to the wayside. IT is tragic, for friendship is the one relationship that last into eternity.
We will not be married or marry in heaven, so says JEsus. But he calls us friends on that faith filled night when he bends low and washes the feet of the disciples in the upper room then he goes out to love us to the end as portrayed in Calvary.
Making a friend, being a friend, bringing a friend to Christ is what it means to follow Christ, the one ultimate friend maker.
"a faithful friend is a life saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself."
Jesus and friend can be synonymous according to the last definition. And if we are to follow Christ then we too must be in the business of making friends, being friends, and bringing friends to Him who we follow.
"a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter, he who finds one finds a treasure. a faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth."
Who are your friends? Who are you friends with?
Are they and are we a sturdy shelter, life giving remedy?
Interesting that the gospel is about divorce and the first reading is about friendship.
It often stated that demise of marriage as little to do with the lack of love but more with the loss of friendship.
When we look at friendship in our life, we should start with our spouse. Make a friend, be a friend is a recipe for success in the gift of married love.
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