LA Fabra prayer for pilgrims

Although I may have travelled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, 
if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergue with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere. 

Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement, 
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work, 
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language;
or tried the clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.

If from today I do not continue walking on your path,
searching for and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the Camino;
if from today I cannot recognize God,
the God of Jesus of Nazareth
as the one God of my life,
I have arrived nowhere

Pope Francis on women and mothers

"God does not choose according to human criteria: the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus are the shepherds, simple and humble people, the first witnesses of the Resurrection are women.

This is beautiful, and this is the mission of women, of mothers and women, to give witness to their children and grandchildren that Christ is Risen! Mothers go forward with this witness! What matters to God is our heart; if we are open to Him; if we are like trusting children. But this also leads us to reflect on how in the Church and in the journey of faith, women have had and still have a special role in opening doors to the Lord, in following him and communicating his face, because the eyes of faith always need the simple and profound look of love."

official take off delayed

Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47 God mounts his throne to shouts of joy;a  blare of trumpets for the Lord; Ephesians 1:17-23Mark 16:15-20

Again we find ourselves here at the point in the liturgical year where we actually know for certain a given day on which a particular feast is to be celebrated and yet we postpone the celebration.

We have arrived at 40 days after the resurrection, that time when JEsus takes his disciples to the edge of the word and ascends upward.

Today is the Feast of the Ascension, though liturgically we celebrate it this weekend at all the masses.

Think about Jesus taking the disciples to the edge of the world and ascends.


It kind of makes me think of Buzz Light Year: to infinity and beyond!

Not really!  But I think we all get the point.

JEsus ascends and the disciples get sent.  Jesus fulfills his mission the disciples are empowered to get moving on their mission:  "Go into  the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

There it is: plain and simple.  Nothing fancy about this commissioning.

Proclaim to every creature.  Does this mean we talk to animals and trees and rocks?  I would love to evangelize my Cat, it need all the help it can get, in fact there are moments I think it is possessed, demon kitty as it chases its shadows up and down the walls.  I blame it on its orange fur.

Proclaim to every creature.

We are not sent to make christians out of cats and dogs and whales and dolphins, but every creature should experience a change in us because we follow Christ.  Our loyalty to Christ should effect how we deal with animals, plants, and the created world.

We proclaim it by the lifestyle we embrace and living that proceeds from it.

The most meaningful line for me on this day is the last line of the gospel: "they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them..."

There is the meaning of the Ascension.  We do not go alone.  He has ascended so that he is no longer bound by the physicality of his presence.  He is closer to them then he ever was.

commotion

Acts 17:15,22-18:1; Ps 148 Heaven and earth are full of your glory; John 16:12-15

Commotion after commotion followed in the footsteps of St. Paul.  Everywhere he went to preach the gospel message, he encountered opposition.

In each city through the chapter of 17, men stir up trouble to get St. Paul out of town. This is why we encounter Paul with escorts at the beginning of today's reading.  

Paul has found himself in Europe preaching the gospel message.  He has covered a lot of ground.

Now he arrived near mount Olympus, where the great names of ancient greece were held with reverence and their gods were honored.

So many gods, so little time, could easily describe the greeks.  They wanted to make sure they had all of their bases covered, so not only did they have shrines to named and known gods but also to unknown, unnamed gods, just in case they left one out.

As st. Paul states plainly, "You Athenians, I see that in ever respect you are very religious.  For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, "to an Unknown God."

Paul seizing such a golden opportunity, continues, "what therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.  The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.  Rather it is He who gives to everyone life and breath and everything...In him we live, move, and have our being..."

Paul give a beautiful homily on the greatness of God just when he held their attention in the palm of his hands, he blows it.

That's right he blew it.  He blew it because he mentioned the truth.  He mentioned the dreaded word: resurrection, "by raising him from the dead."

Who would have thought the resurrection would be such a deal breaker.

Even today there is opposition.  I encounter people all the time who insist that this world is as good as it gets.  They may romantically think about life beyond the grave , but nothing i their lifestyle suggest it to be a real part of their existence.

There are some who think the resurrection of the dead is far fetched.  It is a made up story or concoction to control people.

There are others who love the idea of an unknown god, unknown gods are a safe bet, no string attached.

But if the resurrection is true, then all of a sudden God becomes  not only known but alive.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.

That is why the greeks were hesitant.  It was one thing to honor gods with shrines and please them with sacrifices and offerings; it is another ballgame to have to listen and be led and please a living God with one's life.

The unknown god is a safe bet; the god os the resurrection isn't so safe.  Things have to change if God has power over death.  Change isn't so comfortable.



What about us?  Do we treat God has if he were alive?  Do we trust in the power of the resurrection?  Does our life reflect the reality of the resurrection?

Does it cause commotion in our life, a God that is a live and God that brings forth resurrection?  It should!

surprise

Acts 15:1-2,22-29; Ps 67 O God, let all the nations praise you!; Revelation 21:10-14,22-23; John 14:23-29

Do not ruin the Surprise!  How often have I heard these words growing up!  My mother would line us children up and tell us, "don't ruin the surprise," when there was a party or gift for someone who was unsuspecting.

The thought was that the suspense and mystery was essential in magnifying the experience of the surprise.

We were told not to ruin the surprise.

How many times have i been told not to ruin the a movie or a book by spilling the beans about how it ends!  We do this all the time.  We don't want the movie or book to be spoiled.  Some how we want the experience of discover not to be trampled upon.

We tell people who watch the movie first or read the book first to keep their lips sealed until after we have had the opportunity to let the story unfold be for us.

The thought is that somehow knowing the end ruins the story, ruins our experience, takes something away, lessing the moment.

Is this true.  Does knowing the end ruin or lessen the experience?

I think not.  In fact, how often have we reread novels or re-watched movies without it ruining the experience.

Many times this revisiting of movies or novels have actually enhanced and enriched my experience.

The plot is more meaningful; the characters take on a new depth of meaning and importance.

Knowing the end keeps everything flowing and puts everything in proper perspective.

This is the same in our spiritual journey.

Knowing the end makes all the difference.

Today we read from the last chapter of the last book of the bible.  John catches a glimpse of heaven and shares it with us.

spoiler alert  indeed!

What we first see as we encounter John's experience is that the holy city comes down from heaven to earth.  Think about that for a moment.

How often when we think of heaven do we think of going up; we imagine ourselves being lifted to some extra terrestrial [;ace where God dwells.  This is not what John reveals.

Heaven comes down to earth.

The fulfillment of our desire is realized in this downward movement of heaven.

How does heaven come to earth?

Look at the gospel for today.  JEsus tells us, "If you love me you will keep my words; if you keep my words my Father and I will come and make our dwelling in you."

God in Christ wants heaven to come down daily in our lives.  This is a gradual and gentle reality that unfolds step by step.   As often as we keep the command of Christ and put is words in to action in our lives, heaven is made realized here and now.

As often as we turn the other cheek, forgive 7 times 70, love our enemies, do good to those who hurt us, bless those who curse us, heaven is made present in our lives.

God does not just dwell upward, out of sight and out of mind, but he dwells in us.  This indwelling of God is what brings heaven to earth in and through our lives.

Knowing the end doesn't ruin the surprise but helps us put all things in proper perspective.  We bring the surprise with us as heed the words of Christ and live out our discipleship daily in what we think, say, and do.

Jesus words put into act in our lives brings about the downward movement of heaven to earth which is our fulfillment.

Knowing the end, keeping the end in mind enhances and enriches our experience of life and love.

Where you are going determines how you will get there.  John does us a great favor.  May we return the favor and allow heaven to come daily in our lives.

Reminder

1 corinthians 15:1-8; PS 19 their message goes out through all the earth; John 14:6-14

Reminders.  Think about that crazy yet powerful word.  How often have we been reminded of something or someone and in that moment a change took place in us and in our lives.

With our memory newly jogged and brought to a deeper awareness, life takes on new meaning, a new dimension opens wide before us that was previously hidden and out of sight.

Often times, when I look at my calendar in the middle a busy day and see an appt. that is approaching or that is upon me, i am quickly reminded to either wrap things up so that i may  be ready or it reminds me to say no the present offer since I have a previous commitment.

Many times these reminders get me out of bind.

Or sometimes, I get a call and all the other end of the line, I am told they are calling to remind me of something out of courtesy.  THese courtesy calls can be invigorating especially if it s something i am looking forward to be involved in.


Many times I get  invitations or reminders to upcoming engagements, fabricated from some magnetic piece that can be easily placed upon the refrigerator, a posted note to remind me.

My engine light comes on to remind me i need a oil change.

My alarm clock rings to remind me to rise and shine.  The bless on the church ring to remind me about mass or to stop and pray the Angelus.

Where would be without constant reminders?

St. Paul begins the reading for today with these words, "I am reminding you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you stand.  Through it your are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached, unless you believed in vain..."

And what is this gospel: Jesus died for us, for our sins; Jesus was buried; JEsus was raised on the third day; Jesus appeared to Peter and then to the other Apostles and then to Paul himself.

In other words: Jesus is alive and we are alive in Christ.

Here is a reminder we should not forget.  HE is risen and we rise with him daily.

Joseph the worker

Genesis 1:26-2:3; PS 90 Lord, give success to the work of our hands; Matthew 13:54-58

"God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons."   Blessed John Henry Newman 

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in order to Christianize the concept of labor and give to all workmen a model and a protector. By the daily labor in his shop, offered to God with patience and joy, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God, and thus became an example to all laborers. "Workmen and all those laboring in conditions of poverty will have reasons to rejoice rather than grieve, since they have in common with the Holy Family daily preoccupations and cares"(Leo XIII).

Today's reading are striking.  Think about the words of Genesis for a moment.

"God created man in his image; in his divine image he created him; male and female he created them."

What does it mean to be created in the image of God?  It is important to remember that the first commandment of God to Moses and the nation of Israel: "I am the Lord your God...you shall have no other gods beside me...you shall not make for yourself an idol or likeness of anything in the heavens above or earth below or water beneath..."  In other words don't make images of god.  Why?

In short, man himself is already the image of God in his capacity to think, to choose, to be free, to use his intellect, to be creative and such. 

Think about that today. 

Now part of being in the image of God is doing what God does.  According to our first reading God rested on the sabbath from all his work.  "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation."

God rested from all his work.  

All this day of the Feast of Joseph the Worker, it is important to remember not only the necessity of rest but the command to rest, keep holy the sabbath. 

What does out work mean if we never rest?

Especially in today's fast pace reality, rest is essential to life, to a good life.  

We are told to keep the seventh holy.  It is kept holy by imitating God, doing what God does.  He rest.  If the eternal being that is all powerful and all present chooses to rest after his labor of creation, how much more should we enter int o that productive stand still we call rest. 


Jesus rest often in the gospel.  He probably learned from St. Joseph himself.  

As we ponder the work of Joseph's hands at his trade as a carpenter, should we not stop to contemplate his rest, his reprieve from work to better appreciate the holiness of his life.

Here are the words of Pope Francis on this wednesday audience:

"This calls to mind for us the dignity and importance of work. The Book of Genesis tells us that God created man and woman by entrusting to them the task of populating the Earth and subjugating it, which does not mean to exploit it, but to cultivate and guard it, to care for it with their own labour (cf. Gen 1:28; 2:15). The work is part of the plan of God's love; we are called to cultivate and safeguard all the goods of creation and in this way we participate in the work of creation! The work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use an image, "anoints" us with dignity, it fills us with dignity; it makes us similar to God, who has worked and works still, He is always acting (cf. Jn 5:17); it gives the ability to maintain oneself, one's family, to contribute to the growth of one's nation...."

The Pope continues...


"in the silence of his daily activity, St. Joseph shared with Mary a single, common focal point of attention: Jesus. They accompany and guard, with dedication and tenderness, the growth of the Son of God made man for us, reflecting on everything that happens. In the Gospels, Luke points out twice the attitude of Mary, which is also that of St. Joseph: "She treasured all these things, and pondered them in her heart" (2:19.51).

To listen to the Lord, we must learn to contemplate, to perceive His constant presence in our lives; we have to stop and talk to Him, give Him space with prayer. Every one of us, even you adolescent boys and girls, and young people, so numuerous here this morning, should ask yourselves: how much space do I give the Lord? Do I stop to dialogue with Him? Ever since we were little, our parents have accustomed us to begin and end the day with a prayer, to teach us to feel that the friendship and the love of God accompany us. Let us remember the Lord more often in our days!

And in this month of May, I would like to recall the importance and the beauty of the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Reciting the Hail Mary, we are led to contemplate the mysteries of Jesus, to reflect, that is, on the central moments of his life, so that, as for Mary and for St. Joseph, He may be the center of our thoughts, our attention and our actions. It would be nice if, especially in this month of May, you would pray together as a family, with your friends, in the parish, the Holy Rosary or some prayer to Jesus and the Virgin Mary! Praying together is a precious moment for making family life and friendship even more stable! Let us learn to pray more in the family and as a family!"