James 2:1-9; Ps THe Lord hears the cry of the poor; Mk 8:27-33
We continue to follow in the footstep of JAmes as he gives guidance and direction to the universal church. St. James in his letter turns his attention to partiality.
He ask the question, "who are we partial towards?" Who do we have a tendency to choose to be next to or to invite over or want to share our life with? Why do we choose those people? More importantly why do we choose to exclude others?
Many times we choose people with ourselves in mind, that is we think about what we can get out of it?
When was the last time we chose someone for themselves and what we could give to them not for our sake but for theirs?
We live in an age of much partiality, a partiality that could be seen as prejudice? We pre judge many before we ever get to know them.
We judge by appearance, by dress, by lifestyle, by color, by accent, by position. When was the last time we set those aside and just got to know the person next to us for the mere fact that we share a common lot, fallen and in need of salvation.
Hear the words of St. James, "Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
Does not Jesus identify himself with the poor, "what you have done to the least of my brothers you have done unto me…"
St. Margaret of Cortona pray for us as we seek to serve the poor and rich alike, surrendering our partiality and allowing God's grace to lead us forth.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
MISSION
James 1:19-27; Ps 15 Who shall live on your holy mountain; Mark 8:22-26
Here again are a few words from Pope Francis from his Apostolic exhortation on evangelization.
Pope Francis states that every christian should be "permanently in a state of mission. Evangelization of today's world is not about self-preservation…Our missionary style should concentrate on the essentials, that which is most beautiful and most necessary, where it is simplified while being more forceful and convincing."
Are we on a permanent state of mission? Or are we on a permanent state of self-preservation? Do we want to keep things as they are because that's the way it has always been or do we want to evangelize, adapting our presentation of the gospel so that the most essential is brought forth in a more forceful and convincing manner.
I encounter this self-preservation mindset all too often in the church, especially on the level of the parish. Pope Francis is basically saying that when we lose sight of the mission, when Jesus is no longer the focus then we ourselves become the focus and center. This is detrimental to the life of faith and the proclamation of the good news.
James is saying that as well in today's first reading.
Listen attentively to his words.
"Be doers of the word not hearers only, deluding yourselves…But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts; such a one shall be blessed in what he does."
Amen!
James goes on to say "if anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
One who is "permanently on mission" is aware of what is most essential. He is a doer. He does not forget. The mission itself purifies his thoughts, his words, his actions.
Does the mission Jesus give us effect and permeate the whole aspect of our life or is it just a Sunday thing?
But before you get overwhelmed by the task remember the gospel. Jesus has to lay hands on the blind man twice before he can see clearly. Jesus is patience. He will accommodate the limitations we all bear and he will continually work with us to transform our hearts and our minds.
It is said of the blind man that "he could see everything distinctly."
There is so much hope in this passage for us all. We must continually go to Jesus and expose our limitations and allow his grace to transform us and make us whole so that like the blind man, we won't go back to the village that is we won't go back to the way things always were but we will be filled with a renewed sense of mission & purpose and then we can finally lose our self permanently for the sake of the gospel.
Here again are a few words from Pope Francis from his Apostolic exhortation on evangelization.
Pope Francis states that every christian should be "permanently in a state of mission. Evangelization of today's world is not about self-preservation…Our missionary style should concentrate on the essentials, that which is most beautiful and most necessary, where it is simplified while being more forceful and convincing."
Are we on a permanent state of mission? Or are we on a permanent state of self-preservation? Do we want to keep things as they are because that's the way it has always been or do we want to evangelize, adapting our presentation of the gospel so that the most essential is brought forth in a more forceful and convincing manner.
I encounter this self-preservation mindset all too often in the church, especially on the level of the parish. Pope Francis is basically saying that when we lose sight of the mission, when Jesus is no longer the focus then we ourselves become the focus and center. This is detrimental to the life of faith and the proclamation of the good news.
James is saying that as well in today's first reading.
Listen attentively to his words.
"Be doers of the word not hearers only, deluding yourselves…But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts; such a one shall be blessed in what he does."
Amen!
James goes on to say "if anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
One who is "permanently on mission" is aware of what is most essential. He is a doer. He does not forget. The mission itself purifies his thoughts, his words, his actions.
Does the mission Jesus give us effect and permeate the whole aspect of our life or is it just a Sunday thing?
But before you get overwhelmed by the task remember the gospel. Jesus has to lay hands on the blind man twice before he can see clearly. Jesus is patience. He will accommodate the limitations we all bear and he will continually work with us to transform our hearts and our minds.
It is said of the blind man that "he could see everything distinctly."
There is so much hope in this passage for us all. We must continually go to Jesus and expose our limitations and allow his grace to transform us and make us whole so that like the blind man, we won't go back to the village that is we won't go back to the way things always were but we will be filled with a renewed sense of mission & purpose and then we can finally lose our self permanently for the sake of the gospel.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
TEMPTATION
James 1:!2-18; Ps 94 Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord; Mark 8:14-21
"Do you still not understand?"
In today's gospel Jesus ask a lot of questions. The second half of the gospel is a list of questions Jesus is posing to his disciples. IT seems Jesus it a little frustrated with their lack of comprehension and the slow uptake.
I wonder if Jesus is ever frustrated with our lack of comprehension and our slow uptake?
James in the first reading continues to play with the reality of being tested as opposed to tempted. It seems to me these two realities are really two sides of the same coin depending on how we choose to perceive it.
God does not tempt us but he does test us. Sometimes testing can be look upon as tempting depending on one's attitude. In the gospel JEsus is critiquing the attitude of the disciples.
Temptations are like CAT SCANS for the soul, They reveal to us the ailments in our desires. They point out where we need more fortification. They point out where we need strength exercises to build those spiritual muscles.
They are necessarily problematic unless we refuse to heed their warning and grow in strength in God's grace.
See where yo are tempted on a regular basis? How do you handle it? Do you use it as opportunity to grow in strength and fortify the weaken area or not?
"Do you still not understand?"
In today's gospel Jesus ask a lot of questions. The second half of the gospel is a list of questions Jesus is posing to his disciples. IT seems Jesus it a little frustrated with their lack of comprehension and the slow uptake.
I wonder if Jesus is ever frustrated with our lack of comprehension and our slow uptake?
James in the first reading continues to play with the reality of being tested as opposed to tempted. It seems to me these two realities are really two sides of the same coin depending on how we choose to perceive it.
God does not tempt us but he does test us. Sometimes testing can be look upon as tempting depending on one's attitude. In the gospel JEsus is critiquing the attitude of the disciples.
Temptations are like CAT SCANS for the soul, They reveal to us the ailments in our desires. They point out where we need more fortification. They point out where we need strength exercises to build those spiritual muscles.
They are necessarily problematic unless we refuse to heed their warning and grow in strength in God's grace.
See where yo are tempted on a regular basis? How do you handle it? Do you use it as opportunity to grow in strength and fortify the weaken area or not?
Monday, February 17, 2014
TESTING
James 1:1-11; Ps 119 Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live; Mk 8:11-13
We are reading from the Letter of James. It is considered to be one of the "catholic" or universal letters since it is not written to any particular or single community but rather to a broad audience. Here is what James says today.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…"
I do not know many people who like test or being tested. Many students cringe when a test is on the horizon. They would rather it be other wise.
I do not know many adults who like trials in life. They took like the students also cringe and would rather it be another way.
Testings in life are for us who are undergoing them a revelation of our deepest values and truest selves.
Under fire, as they say, impurities are removed and so are mask and false selves and everything else we put on to avoid who we really are. Fire refines.
Where does the joy come from in such an occasion? It can only come from one place and that is the passion of Christ himself, the Paschal Mystery. In our testing we are invited to pass through the passion, death, and resurrection of the Christ.
On the Cross Jesus had joy.
James continues, "Let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, he will be given it."
What will God bestow in order to help us grow in wisdom? Perhaps trials and testing. To grow in wisdom, one must suffer the loss of ignorance. Seldom have I discovered a more sure fire way of attaining wisdom then suffering the loss of ignorance.
Wisdom doesn't come easily. God will certainly give us the opportunities to grow in that area daily.
Will it hurt? Yes. Will it be rewarding? Yes.
We are reading from the Letter of James. It is considered to be one of the "catholic" or universal letters since it is not written to any particular or single community but rather to a broad audience. Here is what James says today.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…"
I do not know many people who like test or being tested. Many students cringe when a test is on the horizon. They would rather it be other wise.
I do not know many adults who like trials in life. They took like the students also cringe and would rather it be another way.
Testings in life are for us who are undergoing them a revelation of our deepest values and truest selves.
Under fire, as they say, impurities are removed and so are mask and false selves and everything else we put on to avoid who we really are. Fire refines.
Where does the joy come from in such an occasion? It can only come from one place and that is the passion of Christ himself, the Paschal Mystery. In our testing we are invited to pass through the passion, death, and resurrection of the Christ.
On the Cross Jesus had joy.
James continues, "Let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, he will be given it."
What will God bestow in order to help us grow in wisdom? Perhaps trials and testing. To grow in wisdom, one must suffer the loss of ignorance. Seldom have I discovered a more sure fire way of attaining wisdom then suffering the loss of ignorance.
Wisdom doesn't come easily. God will certainly give us the opportunities to grow in that area daily.
Will it hurt? Yes. Will it be rewarding? Yes.
Friday, February 14, 2014
VALENTINE
Be my Valentine! Tis the day for exchange. Today countless gifts are purchased and given to show one's love and affection. Candy, Chocolate, flowers, cards. Tis the day for Love. Be my Valentine!
We pray today that love does not sell it self short and simply settle for flowers that will fade, cards that will be discarded, chocolate that will cause weight gain, and candy that may go stale.
May today be a true exposition of love: May you love one another as I have loved you! (Jesus)
It is both a sad tragedy and and a comedy of errors that as we enter into this day of love, we read in the book of genesis love gone sour.
The happy couple of Adam and Eve, who were filled with awe and wonder at the gift of each other find themselves in a all to familiar "blame" game: whose fault is it, anyway?
Adam blames his wife, the wife blames the snake, and all get expelled from paradise.
Yet, the story doesn't end in failure of love. God continues to guide them and work with them and lead them along the path. Adam and Eve do not call it quits. They continue forth, re-learning, time and time again, what love is all about.
There is hope in the story of the fall. As the narrative tells us, "the man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all living. For the man and his wife the Lord God made leather garments, with which he clothed them." A sign of God's continued grace.
But there were consequences to the fall, from the garden they were sent and a Cherubim with a fiery revolving sword was stationed to guard the way to the tree of life.
We shall see the sword again!
The sword will appear on calvary and shall pierce the side of the one who will come to allow access once again to the tree of life. Only this tree is not in the garden of Eden but on Calvary. The cross of Christ is the tree of life, and from there we all shall eat and live: Lest you eat my body and drink my blood you shall not have life with in you.
The cross is the wedding bed of Christ and the church. It was spousal love that led to the fall it is spousal love that redeems. Truly, this is why we celebrate Valentine.
On the Cross Jesus looks out to the world and behold he says, "Be mine..." What an exchange! Here Jesus gives his life that we might have life. So much for chocolate, candy, cards, and flowers. There is something greater and more lasting here.
This is the strength of St. Valentine. May it be ours as well.
"Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and offered his life up for her." Ephesians 5
Thursday, February 13, 2014
HEART
1 Kings 11:4-13; Ps 106 Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people; Mark 7:24-30
Sometimes when I look at the readings for the given day's liturgy, I scratch my head trying to figure out how they fit together or why were they chosen to be together.
Today's readings was that for me as well.
Int he first reading we get Solomon making political alliances by compromising his religion. Now this sounds eerily familiar. Look around. how many politicians and people in general compromise their religion for alliance of a political sort.
Solomon bows his knee to the pagan gods, Astarte, Milcom, Chemosh, and Moloch.
In the gospel we have Jesus encountering a pagan woman who will do everything to save her daughter, even to the point of forsaking her gods.
Solomon bows the knee to the gods that would have been worshipped by the syrophoenician woman in the gospel. She bow shed knee to Jesus seeing that he rods really haven't helped her much.
It is ironic. Solomon turns away from God almighty for his own personal gain; the mother turns toward God almighty for the sake of another.
Now think about the pagan gods for a moment. Astarte was considered a female demon of Lust. Today Trojan or viagra might be the company that relates to this pagan goddess. Moloch was a god that demanded child sacrifice. Perhaps Planned Parenthood and the abortion mills might have this god enshrined. Chemosh was a god that also enjoyed violence and human sacrifice. Perhaps this god would be a welcome for those who push illegal drugs upon our children and family members.
Either way there are many things in our society that want us to turn our heart from God not unlike in the time of Solomon. There are many who want us to make alliances with them and to look for happiness in all the wrong places. Isn't that what all consumer companies want. They want us to think happiness is found in what they offer: Beer, Smokes, Cars, Shoes, Video games, computers and on and on.
It is our task to guard our heart and then drive them from our land and refocus our heart on the living God where happiness alone is found.
It is said that Solomon erected a shrine to Moloch on the hill opposite Jerusalem, which was probably Mount of Olives. It is only when we spend time with JEsus on Mount Olives can we truly get our hearts aligned correctly. It is ironic.
Sometimes when I look at the readings for the given day's liturgy, I scratch my head trying to figure out how they fit together or why were they chosen to be together.
Today's readings was that for me as well.
Int he first reading we get Solomon making political alliances by compromising his religion. Now this sounds eerily familiar. Look around. how many politicians and people in general compromise their religion for alliance of a political sort.
Solomon bows his knee to the pagan gods, Astarte, Milcom, Chemosh, and Moloch.
In the gospel we have Jesus encountering a pagan woman who will do everything to save her daughter, even to the point of forsaking her gods.
Solomon bows the knee to the gods that would have been worshipped by the syrophoenician woman in the gospel. She bow shed knee to Jesus seeing that he rods really haven't helped her much.
It is ironic. Solomon turns away from God almighty for his own personal gain; the mother turns toward God almighty for the sake of another.
Now think about the pagan gods for a moment. Astarte was considered a female demon of Lust. Today Trojan or viagra might be the company that relates to this pagan goddess. Moloch was a god that demanded child sacrifice. Perhaps Planned Parenthood and the abortion mills might have this god enshrined. Chemosh was a god that also enjoyed violence and human sacrifice. Perhaps this god would be a welcome for those who push illegal drugs upon our children and family members.
Either way there are many things in our society that want us to turn our heart from God not unlike in the time of Solomon. There are many who want us to make alliances with them and to look for happiness in all the wrong places. Isn't that what all consumer companies want. They want us to think happiness is found in what they offer: Beer, Smokes, Cars, Shoes, Video games, computers and on and on.
It is our task to guard our heart and then drive them from our land and refocus our heart on the living God where happiness alone is found.
It is said that Solomon erected a shrine to Moloch on the hill opposite Jerusalem, which was probably Mount of Olives. It is only when we spend time with JEsus on Mount Olives can we truly get our hearts aligned correctly. It is ironic.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
SPIRITUAL HEALTH
1 kings 10:1-10; Ps 37 The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom; Mark 7:14-23
"Each Christian and every community must discern the path the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the "peripheries" in need of the light of the Gospel. The gospel joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy….The Church which "goes forth" is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice…we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and to become involved…" Pope Francis
"But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly…"
The above two passages give us a hint as to what to recognize in regards to spiritual healthiness.
JEsus points out the obvious symptoms of spiritual illness. A long list of symptoms that speak of stench of the heart and erosion of true value and worth.
The list is a cesspool that cries out for a need for healing.
Pope Francis gives us another look at to spiritual health. A sense of missionary joy, a joyful desire to go forth from one's comfort zone to be involved and supportive, to stand at the cross roads and be involved.
True Spiritual health requires a stretching forth to fill the world around us with joyful rejoicing at the news of another, Jesus. Spiritual malady is when we ourselves become the focal point.
Where are we? Which do we relate?
"Each Christian and every community must discern the path the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the "peripheries" in need of the light of the Gospel. The gospel joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy….The Church which "goes forth" is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice…we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and to become involved…" Pope Francis
"But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly…"
The above two passages give us a hint as to what to recognize in regards to spiritual healthiness.
JEsus points out the obvious symptoms of spiritual illness. A long list of symptoms that speak of stench of the heart and erosion of true value and worth.
The list is a cesspool that cries out for a need for healing.
Pope Francis gives us another look at to spiritual health. A sense of missionary joy, a joyful desire to go forth from one's comfort zone to be involved and supportive, to stand at the cross roads and be involved.
True Spiritual health requires a stretching forth to fill the world around us with joyful rejoicing at the news of another, Jesus. Spiritual malady is when we ourselves become the focal point.
Where are we? Which do we relate?
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