"How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
These are the words of CHrist at the end of the gospel yesterday.
Think about all the things, all the gifts we ask of GOd on a regular basis. Think of the petty requests that fill our ledger of petitions throughout our lives as we raise our voice upward and outward to God above.
Sometimes, we must admit, our request really are pretty low and pretty selfish.
But how often do we ask for the Holy Spirit. How often do we ask for the very gift of God himself. God doesn't mind giving us the little things but but he certainly has greater gifts is mind.
To receive the holy Spirit, sometimes God takes away things in order to give things. Here is something we must be attentive to on a daily basis.
We seek, we knock, we ask. Our knuckles are often sore because of the continuous knocking going on in our lives and this is okay. Jesus reminds us the gospel about persistence. We should not quit too soon.
Yet, every time we go to celebrate the Mass, we should be attentive to the fact that the gift God desires for us comes to meet us.
As we gather around the altar of sacrifice, the priest says those words, "send down your Holy Spirit to sanctify these gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of JEsus CHrist our Lord."
There it is, every time, We have sought, we have knocked, we have asked and God answers. The Eucharist is the answer, the answering presence of God in our midst.
How much more will the Father in heaven give us the Holy SPirit.
God always has "more" in mind. Yet, what could possible be greater than the gift of the Son who comes to nourish us and strengthen us as a companion for the journey.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Heaven's words on earthly lips
Galatians 2:1-2,7-14; Psalm 117 Go out to all the world, and tell the the Good News; Luke 11:1-4
Jesus was praying.
Note to all of us. If JEsus is praying, the son of God, himself, should we not also give ourselves to prayer.
The disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples."
The disciples were attracted to Jesus' prayer life. They wanted what he had. So they made the inquiry. They asked.
We too should begin each attempt at prayer with a similar inquiry, "Lord, teach us to pray."
JEsus gives us what we know today as the "Our Father" or "The Lord' s Prayer."
Every time we pray it we are reminded that we are praying with God's words not our own. In this prayer we are invited into the intimate dialogue between the Father and the son. We are inserted into that relationship.
Every time we recite the prayer we are also reminded of the very heart of spiritual growth: "salvation does not come from man's greatness but from God's gracious mercy" as Pope Benedict points out on a regular basis.
Prayer is not about the words we string together to grab God's attention, but rather about truly understanding that God has given us his attention already in Christ.
These words of the "Our Father" are the very words of Christ.
We we pray then with reverence and profound humility. God has placed his words on our lips.
Jesus was praying.
Note to all of us. If JEsus is praying, the son of God, himself, should we not also give ourselves to prayer.
The disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples."
The disciples were attracted to Jesus' prayer life. They wanted what he had. So they made the inquiry. They asked.
We too should begin each attempt at prayer with a similar inquiry, "Lord, teach us to pray."
JEsus gives us what we know today as the "Our Father" or "The Lord' s Prayer."
Every time we pray it we are reminded that we are praying with God's words not our own. In this prayer we are invited into the intimate dialogue between the Father and the son. We are inserted into that relationship.
Every time we recite the prayer we are also reminded of the very heart of spiritual growth: "salvation does not come from man's greatness but from God's gracious mercy" as Pope Benedict points out on a regular basis.
Prayer is not about the words we string together to grab God's attention, but rather about truly understanding that God has given us his attention already in Christ.
These words of the "Our Father" are the very words of Christ.
We we pray then with reverence and profound humility. God has placed his words on our lips.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
conversion
Galatians 1:13-24; Ps 139 Guide me Lord, along the everlasting way; Luke 10:38-42
"you heard of my former way of life...how i persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it...but when he...called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his son to me, so that i might proclaim him..."
In today's first reading we have Paul's testimony. He is describing his experience thus far in life how he went from persecutor to proclaimer.
Notice that Paul states that he was persecuting the church of God.
Now, this is important. There many who claim that the church is man made, yet here we have Paul stating the fact that is is God's doing. God is the one who founded the church and set it in motion. When Paul was persecuting the Christians he was persecuting God's church.
Think about how we relate to God's church? How often do we persecute the church in our own lives by our own choices and actions?
Secondly, once paul had this experience or this encounter with Christ, he decided to wait it out and test it. HE spent three years in prayer and discernment trying to figure out what this all meant. He was trying to make sense out of his experience.
Today, many have an experience and rather than sit with for a while they get fanatical only to lose their fervor and lose their focus. Rather than making it about Christ, they make it about themselves.
Paul takes three years to allow this encounter with Christ to sink in, as they say.
Thirdly, after he settled into his experience with Christ and understood more deeply God's call for him, Paul went to the church to see Cephas (Peter). For fifteen days he conferred with Peter.
Unlike many today, Paul didn't start his own little church. He rather joined the church that God had already set in motion. He checked with the hierarchy before he set out to proclaim.
How many self-prolaimed followers of Christ do just the opposite. How many "bible" beaters do not follow in the footsteps of the biblical testimony as given by St. Paul.
They forsake the conversion process. They want to do it on their own and yet Paul himself seeks out the church.
I wonder what Paul and Peter spoke about in those fifteen days? Perhaps, Paul went to confession to the Vicar of Christ himself.
Fascinating unfolding of the mystery of grace in the life of Paul and the church of God.
*********
In today's gospel we encounter Martha and Mary.
Jesus calls Martha to task, "martha, martha you are anxious and worried about many things."
Sounds a lot like our life: anxious, concerned, worried. How often does our heart and mind get crowded with all that stuff.
Yet, Jesus gives us a recipe for freedom, "There is need of only one thing."
"MAry sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him."
The importance of prayerful listening has a way of alleviating worries, anxiety and all the other stuff that clogs our spiritual arteries.
Besides, as the psalmist reminds us God knows us through and through, with all my ways he is familiar.
This is why being in his presence alleviates our anxiety and worries. This is where our conversion awaits. This is why Paul took three years to be in silence before entering the fast pace world of proclamation.
"you heard of my former way of life...how i persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it...but when he...called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his son to me, so that i might proclaim him..."
In today's first reading we have Paul's testimony. He is describing his experience thus far in life how he went from persecutor to proclaimer.
Notice that Paul states that he was persecuting the church of God.
Now, this is important. There many who claim that the church is man made, yet here we have Paul stating the fact that is is God's doing. God is the one who founded the church and set it in motion. When Paul was persecuting the Christians he was persecuting God's church.
Think about how we relate to God's church? How often do we persecute the church in our own lives by our own choices and actions?
Secondly, once paul had this experience or this encounter with Christ, he decided to wait it out and test it. HE spent three years in prayer and discernment trying to figure out what this all meant. He was trying to make sense out of his experience.
Today, many have an experience and rather than sit with for a while they get fanatical only to lose their fervor and lose their focus. Rather than making it about Christ, they make it about themselves.
Paul takes three years to allow this encounter with Christ to sink in, as they say.
Thirdly, after he settled into his experience with Christ and understood more deeply God's call for him, Paul went to the church to see Cephas (Peter). For fifteen days he conferred with Peter.
Unlike many today, Paul didn't start his own little church. He rather joined the church that God had already set in motion. He checked with the hierarchy before he set out to proclaim.
How many self-prolaimed followers of Christ do just the opposite. How many "bible" beaters do not follow in the footsteps of the biblical testimony as given by St. Paul.
They forsake the conversion process. They want to do it on their own and yet Paul himself seeks out the church.
I wonder what Paul and Peter spoke about in those fifteen days? Perhaps, Paul went to confession to the Vicar of Christ himself.
Fascinating unfolding of the mystery of grace in the life of Paul and the church of God.
*********
In today's gospel we encounter Martha and Mary.
Jesus calls Martha to task, "martha, martha you are anxious and worried about many things."
Sounds a lot like our life: anxious, concerned, worried. How often does our heart and mind get crowded with all that stuff.
Yet, Jesus gives us a recipe for freedom, "There is need of only one thing."
"MAry sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him."
The importance of prayerful listening has a way of alleviating worries, anxiety and all the other stuff that clogs our spiritual arteries.
Besides, as the psalmist reminds us God knows us through and through, with all my ways he is familiar.
This is why being in his presence alleviates our anxiety and worries. This is where our conversion awaits. This is why Paul took three years to be in silence before entering the fast pace world of proclamation.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
October: month of the rosary
The church has asked us to rediscover the power of the rosary as we enter into the month of October.
The church ask us to pray, to rebuild the path that leads to the hearing and speaking God. Where better to begin than with the Rosary.
Why the rosary? Why do we greet Mary?
Many would suggest that this course is a detour, why go to MAry when we can go straight to Christ!
First of all to greet Mary is to fulfill the gospel prophecy and hence a command of the Holy Spirit, "surely from now on all generations will call be blessed" (Lk1:48).
Also, we are reminded that the eternal and invisible God reveled himself in this world through the instrumentality of men, who at the same time gave him his name: the God of Abraham, of ISaac, of JAcob. Through men we come to know the face of God.
When we remember the human beings who God has used to make himself known, such as Mary, and remember them with gratitude, we praise God himself. Thus,we suppress something of his glory when we fail to praise those through whom he manifested himself.
We praise him in those who became a vessel of his grace; they do not supplant him but point the way to him.
"Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you."
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JEsus."
Rediscover the path ways of prayer. Take up the beads and let your lips sing God's praises.
The church ask us to pray, to rebuild the path that leads to the hearing and speaking God. Where better to begin than with the Rosary.
Why the rosary? Why do we greet Mary?
Many would suggest that this course is a detour, why go to MAry when we can go straight to Christ!
First of all to greet Mary is to fulfill the gospel prophecy and hence a command of the Holy Spirit, "surely from now on all generations will call be blessed" (Lk1:48).
Also, we are reminded that the eternal and invisible God reveled himself in this world through the instrumentality of men, who at the same time gave him his name: the God of Abraham, of ISaac, of JAcob. Through men we come to know the face of God.
When we remember the human beings who God has used to make himself known, such as Mary, and remember them with gratitude, we praise God himself. Thus,we suppress something of his glory when we fail to praise those through whom he manifested himself.
We praise him in those who became a vessel of his grace; they do not supplant him but point the way to him.
"Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you."
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JEsus."
Rediscover the path ways of prayer. Take up the beads and let your lips sing God's praises.
Friday, October 5, 2012
cardinal Dolan speaks
Here are a few words form the president of the Catholic COnference of Bishops
"In the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” published by the bishops of the United States, we are reminded that, “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.” And so, as I leave for Rome, I want to share with you some of the concerns that I will bring with me to the tombs of the apostles, SS. Peter and Paul, and to Assisi, the town of St. Francis.
I am concerned about a culture that has become increasingly callous about the radical abortion license, and a legal system that affords more protection to endangered species of plants and animals than to unborn babies; that considers pregnancy a disease; that interprets “comprehensive health care” in such a way that it may be used to threaten the life of the baby in the womb (and, it should be noted, to exclude the undocumented immigrant as well). I am concerned as well for the infirm and elderly who are nearing the end of life, that they will not be treated with the respect, dignity and compassion that is their due, but instead be encouraged to seek a hasty death before they can become, according to some, “a burden to society.”
I am worried that we may be reducing religious freedom to a kind of privacy right to recreational activities, reducing the practice of religion to a Sabbath hobby, instead of a force that should guide our public actions, as Michelle Obama recently noted, Monday through Friday.
I am bothered by the prospect of this generation leaving a mountain of unpayable debt to its children and grandchildren, whose economic futures will be blighted by the amounts of the federal budget absorbed by debt service.
I am anxious that calls for a fiscally responsible society are met with claims that those calls come from men and women who don’t care about the poor; that we may be tempted to write off the underprivileged as problems to be solved, or as budget woes, rather than treating them with respect and dignity as people with potential and creativity; that we’re at times more willing to cut programs to help the sick, our elders, the hungry and homeless, than expenditures on Drone missiles.
I am concerned that our elections increasingly resemble reality TV shows rather than exercises in serious democratic conversation.
I am bothered that we are losing sight of voting as an exercise in moral judgment, in which certain priority issues—especially the life issues, with the protection of unborn life being the premier civil rights issue of the day—must weigh heavily on our consciences as we make our political decisions.
I am worried by attempts to redefine marriage, and to label as “bigots” those who uphold the traditional, God-given definition of marriage.
I am anxious that we cannot seem to have a rational debate over immigration policy, and that we cannot find a way to combine America’s splendid tradition of hospitality to the stranger with respect for the rule of law, always treating the immigrant as a child of God, and never purposefully dividing a family.
I am worried about the persecution of people of faith around the world, especially with the hatred of Christians on a perilous incline; and the preference for violent attacks upon innocents instead of dialogue as the path to world peace.
I expect that many of you share these concerns. In the words of “Faithful Citizenship,” how we should respond is clear. The document says, “Our focus is not on party affiliation, ideology, economics, or even competence and capacity to perform duties, as important as such issues are. Rather, we focus on what protects or threatens human life and dignity.” As you consider these concerns, I will be praying for you in Rome that the humble, joyful Poverello of Assisi intercede for us, and that Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States and Star of the New Evangelization, will inspire in us wisdom, prudence, and courage.
"In the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” published by the bishops of the United States, we are reminded that, “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.” And so, as I leave for Rome, I want to share with you some of the concerns that I will bring with me to the tombs of the apostles, SS. Peter and Paul, and to Assisi, the town of St. Francis.
I am concerned about a culture that has become increasingly callous about the radical abortion license, and a legal system that affords more protection to endangered species of plants and animals than to unborn babies; that considers pregnancy a disease; that interprets “comprehensive health care” in such a way that it may be used to threaten the life of the baby in the womb (and, it should be noted, to exclude the undocumented immigrant as well). I am concerned as well for the infirm and elderly who are nearing the end of life, that they will not be treated with the respect, dignity and compassion that is their due, but instead be encouraged to seek a hasty death before they can become, according to some, “a burden to society.”
I am worried that we may be reducing religious freedom to a kind of privacy right to recreational activities, reducing the practice of religion to a Sabbath hobby, instead of a force that should guide our public actions, as Michelle Obama recently noted, Monday through Friday.
I am bothered by the prospect of this generation leaving a mountain of unpayable debt to its children and grandchildren, whose economic futures will be blighted by the amounts of the federal budget absorbed by debt service.
I am anxious that calls for a fiscally responsible society are met with claims that those calls come from men and women who don’t care about the poor; that we may be tempted to write off the underprivileged as problems to be solved, or as budget woes, rather than treating them with respect and dignity as people with potential and creativity; that we’re at times more willing to cut programs to help the sick, our elders, the hungry and homeless, than expenditures on Drone missiles.
I am concerned that our elections increasingly resemble reality TV shows rather than exercises in serious democratic conversation.
I am bothered that we are losing sight of voting as an exercise in moral judgment, in which certain priority issues—especially the life issues, with the protection of unborn life being the premier civil rights issue of the day—must weigh heavily on our consciences as we make our political decisions.
I am worried by attempts to redefine marriage, and to label as “bigots” those who uphold the traditional, God-given definition of marriage.
I am anxious that we cannot seem to have a rational debate over immigration policy, and that we cannot find a way to combine America’s splendid tradition of hospitality to the stranger with respect for the rule of law, always treating the immigrant as a child of God, and never purposefully dividing a family.
I am worried about the persecution of people of faith around the world, especially with the hatred of Christians on a perilous incline; and the preference for violent attacks upon innocents instead of dialogue as the path to world peace.
I expect that many of you share these concerns. In the words of “Faithful Citizenship,” how we should respond is clear. The document says, “Our focus is not on party affiliation, ideology, economics, or even competence and capacity to perform duties, as important as such issues are. Rather, we focus on what protects or threatens human life and dignity.” As you consider these concerns, I will be praying for you in Rome that the humble, joyful Poverello of Assisi intercede for us, and that Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States and Star of the New Evangelization, will inspire in us wisdom, prudence, and courage.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
breakfast
Job 9:1-12,14-16; Ps 88 Let my prayer come before you, Lord; Luke 9:57-62
Breakfast with Benedict. This is a meditation booklet i have found my self enjoying over the past few weeks. Each day i flip open the book andI break my fast with some delicious well prepared instruction and teaching from the Successor of Peter.
This morning in the selection for the day, Pope Benedict was speaking about why he chose the name Benedict. Two reasons he listed: to create a spiritual bond with Benedict XV who steered the church during WWI, a person our Pope noted as a courageous and authentic prophet of peace.
How do we become courageous and authentic prophets of peace?
Secondly, he chose the name Benedict because of St. Benedict who reminds us of the indispensable Christian roots of culture and civilization, the one who in his rule of life stated, "prefer nothing to the love of Christ."
Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Here is nice way of cleaning up our lives and removing the garbage that clings to us along the way. As JEsus reminds us in the gospel today, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
How often do we look to what is left behind? How often do we find ourselves longing for that which is no longer an option if we follow Christ?
Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Breakfast with Benedict. This is a meditation booklet i have found my self enjoying over the past few weeks. Each day i flip open the book andI break my fast with some delicious well prepared instruction and teaching from the Successor of Peter.
This morning in the selection for the day, Pope Benedict was speaking about why he chose the name Benedict. Two reasons he listed: to create a spiritual bond with Benedict XV who steered the church during WWI, a person our Pope noted as a courageous and authentic prophet of peace.
How do we become courageous and authentic prophets of peace?
Secondly, he chose the name Benedict because of St. Benedict who reminds us of the indispensable Christian roots of culture and civilization, the one who in his rule of life stated, "prefer nothing to the love of Christ."
Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Here is nice way of cleaning up our lives and removing the garbage that clings to us along the way. As JEsus reminds us in the gospel today, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
How often do we look to what is left behind? How often do we find ourselves longing for that which is no longer an option if we follow Christ?
Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Guardians
Exodus 23:20-23; Ps 91 The Lord has put angels in charge of you to guard you in all your ways; Matthew 18:1-5,10
"Thus says the LORD, See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice...." Ex 23
Jesus reminds us, "see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." Mtt 18
Angels. These mysterious spiritual beings. They are part of God's creative love, visible and invisible.
This is what the church teaches about guardian angels.
"from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."
How is that for Amazing!
Note that JEsus points out that the angels in heaven always look upon the face of the heavenly Father.
think about that for a moment.
We have an angel that is in constant adoration for us. The angel's ability to guard and guide is rooted in adoration, prayer, looking upon the face of the uncreated one.
They already show us the key component in guidance for ourselves. If we are going to lead others, then we too must spend time in adoration, looking upon the face of the heavenly Father.
Going in to the church and spending quiet time before God in prayer, especially before the presence of Christ in the EUcharist.
Another thing to ponder. Every human life is surrounded by an angel. The next time you see someone on the street, or at work, or driving down the road, stop for a moment and think about the angel God has sent to watch over them.
How much does God care for us that he has sent this angelic creature to be there with us every step of the way! We are never alone.
"Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom's God love entrust you here; ever this day be at my side, to lead and guard and rule and guide." Amen.
Happy birthday to peanuts.
"Thus says the LORD, See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice...." Ex 23
Jesus reminds us, "see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." Mtt 18
Angels. These mysterious spiritual beings. They are part of God's creative love, visible and invisible.
This is what the church teaches about guardian angels.
"from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."
How is that for Amazing!
Note that JEsus points out that the angels in heaven always look upon the face of the heavenly Father.
think about that for a moment.
We have an angel that is in constant adoration for us. The angel's ability to guard and guide is rooted in adoration, prayer, looking upon the face of the uncreated one.
They already show us the key component in guidance for ourselves. If we are going to lead others, then we too must spend time in adoration, looking upon the face of the heavenly Father.
Going in to the church and spending quiet time before God in prayer, especially before the presence of Christ in the EUcharist.
Another thing to ponder. Every human life is surrounded by an angel. The next time you see someone on the street, or at work, or driving down the road, stop for a moment and think about the angel God has sent to watch over them.
How much does God care for us that he has sent this angelic creature to be there with us every step of the way! We are never alone.
"Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom's God love entrust you here; ever this day be at my side, to lead and guard and rule and guide." Amen.
Happy birthday to peanuts.
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