Jeremiah 17:5-10; Ps 1 Blessed are they who hope in the Lord; Luke 16:19-31
Just a few phrases that leap forth from the page this morning.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots tot eh stream; it fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
The above image is what it looks like for a soul to give itself to prayer on a regular basis. Its diet consist of entering in and going deep, such that nothing can disturb it.
Many people boast of the prayer life. But in fact they have no idea what prayer is.
They spend a few moments here or there telling God what to do. But seldom do they open their hearts and let him do the talking, guiding, leading.
Thus, there is fruit in their lives only when the circumstances are going in their "favor" but when the winds of change happen upon them then quickly the fruit withers and dies.
PErhaps this is why the prophets follows the exhortation on prayer with the following words, "More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?"
Why do we forsake what is good for us? Why do we neglect that which will benefit us more?
Why do we excuse ourselves from prayer? Why do we pretend?
Jeremiah reminds us that the "Lord alone probes the mind and test the hearts."
This is why prayer is so important. Only in prayer, entering into the silence of our inner room can we allow God the opportunity not so much to educate us on the human heart but to educate us on our heart.
Then we go to the gospel for today. It is the familiar story of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus.
The poor man is ushered into the arms of Abraham upon his death. While the rich man is ushers into flames of torment.
But the gospel readings ends in such a way that is both a warning and invitation, "If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead."
Someone has risen from the dead! Are we persuaded?
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
MASCULINE HOLINESS
2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16; PS 89 The son of David will live for ; Romans 4:13,16-18,22; Mt 1:16,18-21,24
St. Joseph pray for us!
Why?
Today is the solemnity of the St. Joseph husband of Mary.
Joseph introduces us to the reality of masculine holiness.
He was a guardian and protector.
He was strong, courageous, and tender all at the same time.
One of his finest attributes as a man is that he wasn't afraid to to admit he was wrong. He did not insist on being right.
The fact that he heeded the invitation of his dream to change his way of thinking and acting.
Now that would be a great gift for men to incorporate in their life.
Joseph was a doer of God's will and a man of goodness. Joseph invites us to breathe into ourselves the fatherhood of God and let it challenge us and encourage us as we continue our journey.
Lastly, Jesus helped "bring Jesus up." HOw do we bring Jesus up in the lives of those around us.
St. Joseph pray for us!
Why?
Today is the solemnity of the St. Joseph husband of Mary.
Joseph introduces us to the reality of masculine holiness.
He was a guardian and protector.
He was strong, courageous, and tender all at the same time.
One of his finest attributes as a man is that he wasn't afraid to to admit he was wrong. He did not insist on being right.
The fact that he heeded the invitation of his dream to change his way of thinking and acting.
Now that would be a great gift for men to incorporate in their life.
Joseph was a doer of God's will and a man of goodness. Joseph invites us to breathe into ourselves the fatherhood of God and let it challenge us and encourage us as we continue our journey.
Lastly, Jesus helped "bring Jesus up." HOw do we bring Jesus up in the lives of those around us.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
ATTENTION SEEKERS
Isaiah 1:10-16-20; Ps 50 to the upright I will show the saving power of God; Matthew 23:1-12
"come now, let us set things right, says the LORD."
These are the words of the prophet Isaiah in today's first reading. Simply put, Isaiah reminds us that it is never to late to right a wrong. Too often I encounter people who muse that perhaps it is too late for them; perhaps that missed the opportunity to put their life together.
Isaiah tells us this is false thinking. God's patience is directed to each of us and all of us. It is never too late. To think it is too late is to give in to the whispering of the devil and to not think highly enough about God's love for us. As St. Paul tells us else where in scripture, Now is the time of salvation. Each moment is ripe with the invitation to change and move forward to follow where Jesus leads. Do not delay. It is never too late.
We turn to the gospel and we encounter Jesus giving it to the scribes and pharisees for the sake of instruction of his disciples.
"therefore do and observe all things whatever the scribes and pharisees tell you, but do not follow their example."
Why should you listen to them? Because they sit on the chair of Moses, as Jesus tells us in today's gospel.!
Interesting reality that chair of Moses.
The chair of moses was Moses' teaching authority-authority inherited by the legitimate teachers of Israel. The particular place in synagogue where the leaders would sit was known metaphorically as the 'chair of Moses' symbolizing the succession of teachers of Torah from Moses down through the ages. It was considered the teaching authority of the synagogue. IT was held by the principal Rabbi of particular city synagogue, principal Rabbi of a region, on the universal level it was held by the High Priest in Jerusalem.
This is not unlike the Chair of Peter which was instituted by Christ to Peter himself Mt 16:18 as a line of succession of authority (what you loose on earth shall be loose in heaven, what you bound on earth shall be bound in heaven."
None the less, a part from the above side bar, Jesus give a hard critique to the scribes and pharisees, not so much by what they say but how they carry themselves. He continues with the following, "All their works are performed to be seen. THey widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in market places…"
It seems they were attention seekers. They would widen their phylacteries, which are leather boxes which contain parchment of scriptures (ex 13:1-10, 11-16 Deut 6:4-9, 13-21) to remind them of God's saving power., in order to show off their piety and devotion. Yet they seemed to focus clearly on their status rather than on God's status.
They were attention getters instead of attention givers. Jesus simply reminds us that their is good attention. Good attention is when we give it rather than seek it. This is the call to service and being a servant of others.
Then he call non one on earth your father, you have but one Father in heaven. This phrase has caused quite a stir in the protestant circles. They get all excited when catholic priest are called father and they quote this particular passage. What are we to make of this?
Jesus is teaching about false piety and pride. He wants us to truly understand humility and service, being for others and not for ourselves.
Now for calling no one father obvious Jesus doesn't mean it literally. In Matt 15:4 he tells us to "honor your mother and father." In Mark 9:17-29 jesus rebukes the unclean spirit of a child immediately after again the "father" states I believe help my unbelief."
In mark 10:6-9 Jesus quotes scripture once again stating a man shall leave his mother and father and be united to his wife…
St. Paul in philemon 10 states "i appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. St. PAul identifies himself as father.
in 1 corinthians 4:14-15, again St. Paul states, "for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."
St. Paul recognize Abraham as "the father of faith."
Here are just a few scripture references to shed more light on the text.
Priest being called 'father' recognizes their mission to represent the fatherhood of God in and through the call of Christ. The priest stands in person Christe, and as Jesus states clearly, "he who's sees me sees the Father." Just so the priest represents that reality as well as he faithful lives out his calling. It also recognizes their spiritual role as guide for the faithful and non faithful alike.
How many of us call our natural dad's father. Priest represent us in the supernatural life.
Just a few musings.
"come now, let us set things right, says the LORD."
These are the words of the prophet Isaiah in today's first reading. Simply put, Isaiah reminds us that it is never to late to right a wrong. Too often I encounter people who muse that perhaps it is too late for them; perhaps that missed the opportunity to put their life together.
Isaiah tells us this is false thinking. God's patience is directed to each of us and all of us. It is never too late. To think it is too late is to give in to the whispering of the devil and to not think highly enough about God's love for us. As St. Paul tells us else where in scripture, Now is the time of salvation. Each moment is ripe with the invitation to change and move forward to follow where Jesus leads. Do not delay. It is never too late.
We turn to the gospel and we encounter Jesus giving it to the scribes and pharisees for the sake of instruction of his disciples.
"therefore do and observe all things whatever the scribes and pharisees tell you, but do not follow their example."
Why should you listen to them? Because they sit on the chair of Moses, as Jesus tells us in today's gospel.!
Interesting reality that chair of Moses.
The chair of moses was Moses' teaching authority-authority inherited by the legitimate teachers of Israel. The particular place in synagogue where the leaders would sit was known metaphorically as the 'chair of Moses' symbolizing the succession of teachers of Torah from Moses down through the ages. It was considered the teaching authority of the synagogue. IT was held by the principal Rabbi of particular city synagogue, principal Rabbi of a region, on the universal level it was held by the High Priest in Jerusalem.
This is not unlike the Chair of Peter which was instituted by Christ to Peter himself Mt 16:18 as a line of succession of authority (what you loose on earth shall be loose in heaven, what you bound on earth shall be bound in heaven."
None the less, a part from the above side bar, Jesus give a hard critique to the scribes and pharisees, not so much by what they say but how they carry themselves. He continues with the following, "All their works are performed to be seen. THey widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in market places…"
It seems they were attention seekers. They would widen their phylacteries, which are leather boxes which contain parchment of scriptures (ex 13:1-10, 11-16 Deut 6:4-9, 13-21) to remind them of God's saving power., in order to show off their piety and devotion. Yet they seemed to focus clearly on their status rather than on God's status.
They were attention getters instead of attention givers. Jesus simply reminds us that their is good attention. Good attention is when we give it rather than seek it. This is the call to service and being a servant of others.
Then he call non one on earth your father, you have but one Father in heaven. This phrase has caused quite a stir in the protestant circles. They get all excited when catholic priest are called father and they quote this particular passage. What are we to make of this?
Jesus is teaching about false piety and pride. He wants us to truly understand humility and service, being for others and not for ourselves.
Now for calling no one father obvious Jesus doesn't mean it literally. In Matt 15:4 he tells us to "honor your mother and father." In Mark 9:17-29 jesus rebukes the unclean spirit of a child immediately after again the "father" states I believe help my unbelief."
In mark 10:6-9 Jesus quotes scripture once again stating a man shall leave his mother and father and be united to his wife…
St. Paul in philemon 10 states "i appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. St. PAul identifies himself as father.
in 1 corinthians 4:14-15, again St. Paul states, "for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."
St. Paul recognize Abraham as "the father of faith."
Here are just a few scripture references to shed more light on the text.
Priest being called 'father' recognizes their mission to represent the fatherhood of God in and through the call of Christ. The priest stands in person Christe, and as Jesus states clearly, "he who's sees me sees the Father." Just so the priest represents that reality as well as he faithful lives out his calling. It also recognizes their spiritual role as guide for the faithful and non faithful alike.
How many of us call our natural dad's father. Priest represent us in the supernatural life.
Just a few musings.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
GRACE IS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT IN THE SOUL
Esther c:12,14-16,23-25; Ps 138 Lord, on the day I called of help, you answered me; Matt 7:7-12
"As A child I used t hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you. NOw, help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O LORD, my God…"
We have entered into the story of salvation at the reference point of Esther, the queen who seeks to fight for her people Israel against conniving man who wants to serve only himself.
It is a beauty story of faith, Esther puts her life on the line. I recommend reading it.
But what I want to call to mind is the line of her prayer as she recalls from her childhood the stories she heard about GOd's action in and through the forefathers.
What a beautiful reality. Memory is such a wonderful thing, a precious gift.
To have that memory of faith as we journey through life is such a necessary component to ensuring tranquility and peace of mind and heart.
So many do not know. So many of today do not have that memory of faith. Many children have their heads filled with Sponge Bob Square pants and Nick at Night and Disney. They can tell you about Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse and Goofy and Dragon Ball z but they don't know the stories of faith that bring light into darkness, triumph in defeat.
This is where the victory of Christ begins to shine forth, when the young mind is exposed to the light of the gospel, the good news of God's action in and through salvation history.
The more the soul is enlightened by the stories of salvation history, the more the soul can identify with the heroes of the past, the more they are open to the light of grace.
Grace is the amount of light in the soul.
Esther was filled with light. She became a light to her nation as she prayed to God for aid.
Jesus in the gospel for today give us the golden rule: "do to others whatever you would have them do to you."
But wait this isn't just a moral imperative.
This is a guideline of action that God himself chooses to adhere. He gives us this line right after he says these words about asking, knocking, and seeking: If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him."
The imperative to do to others whatever you would have do to you is really a description of God's motivation in giving to others. He will give to us according to the desire of what he would have us do for him.
The golden rule is the self imposed regulation of God's way of acting toward us. This is good news.
"As A child I used t hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you. NOw, help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O LORD, my God…"
We have entered into the story of salvation at the reference point of Esther, the queen who seeks to fight for her people Israel against conniving man who wants to serve only himself.
It is a beauty story of faith, Esther puts her life on the line. I recommend reading it.
But what I want to call to mind is the line of her prayer as she recalls from her childhood the stories she heard about GOd's action in and through the forefathers.
What a beautiful reality. Memory is such a wonderful thing, a precious gift.
To have that memory of faith as we journey through life is such a necessary component to ensuring tranquility and peace of mind and heart.
So many do not know. So many of today do not have that memory of faith. Many children have their heads filled with Sponge Bob Square pants and Nick at Night and Disney. They can tell you about Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse and Goofy and Dragon Ball z but they don't know the stories of faith that bring light into darkness, triumph in defeat.
This is where the victory of Christ begins to shine forth, when the young mind is exposed to the light of the gospel, the good news of God's action in and through salvation history.
The more the soul is enlightened by the stories of salvation history, the more the soul can identify with the heroes of the past, the more they are open to the light of grace.
Grace is the amount of light in the soul.
Esther was filled with light. She became a light to her nation as she prayed to God for aid.
Jesus in the gospel for today give us the golden rule: "do to others whatever you would have them do to you."
But wait this isn't just a moral imperative.
This is a guideline of action that God himself chooses to adhere. He gives us this line right after he says these words about asking, knocking, and seeking: If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him."
The imperative to do to others whatever you would have do to you is really a description of God's motivation in giving to others. He will give to us according to the desire of what he would have us do for him.
The golden rule is the self imposed regulation of God's way of acting toward us. This is good news.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
WHAT A YEAR
Jonah 3:1-10; Ps 51 A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn; Luke 11:29-32
A year ago yesterday the Cardinals gathered to elect a new pope. They megan the process with these words, "I call as my witness christ the Lord, who will be my judge that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected."
Thus began the process of the conclave. Cardinals from around the globe gathered in prayer and fasting to listen to the Spirit of God and to cast a vote and thus elect a successor to Peter, Vicar of Christ.
Tomorrow we celebrate the one year anniversary of the election of Pope Francis.
He certainly has shaken things up. He was on the cover of Time Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine just to name a few. He has achieved Rock Star status.
Why?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Here are his words for Ash Wednesday last week.
May they guide you as you continue to enter in to this reality of lent.
"Lent is about two things: to have a greater awareness of the redemptive work of Christ and to live out our baptism with deeper commitment.
Awareness of the marvels God works should lead to thanksgiving. Conversion begins with a grateful response to the stupendous mystery of God's love.
Living out our baptism to the full means we no longer accept (mediocrity). We can no longer passively accept certain forms of behaviors. We need to be shocked once again by these behaviors (what people do or say).
We have grown to accustomed to these behaviors and we (let them slide).
We need to recover the ability to react to the reality of evil which challenges us."
A year ago yesterday the Cardinals gathered to elect a new pope. They megan the process with these words, "I call as my witness christ the Lord, who will be my judge that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected."
Thus began the process of the conclave. Cardinals from around the globe gathered in prayer and fasting to listen to the Spirit of God and to cast a vote and thus elect a successor to Peter, Vicar of Christ.
Tomorrow we celebrate the one year anniversary of the election of Pope Francis.
He certainly has shaken things up. He was on the cover of Time Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine just to name a few. He has achieved Rock Star status.
Why?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Here are his words for Ash Wednesday last week.
May they guide you as you continue to enter in to this reality of lent.
"Lent is about two things: to have a greater awareness of the redemptive work of Christ and to live out our baptism with deeper commitment.
Awareness of the marvels God works should lead to thanksgiving. Conversion begins with a grateful response to the stupendous mystery of God's love.
Living out our baptism to the full means we no longer accept (mediocrity). We can no longer passively accept certain forms of behaviors. We need to be shocked once again by these behaviors (what people do or say).
We have grown to accustomed to these behaviors and we (let them slide).
We need to recover the ability to react to the reality of evil which challenges us."
Monday, March 10, 2014
No Spin zone
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18; PS 19 Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; Mt 25:31-46
What's really at stake? When it all boils down and all the spin is over, what really matters.
What is at the heart of the gospel message and all the doctrines that we hold and profess to be true and revealed by God?
What's at stake? What matters most?
Which brings us to the gospel for today this monday, first week of Lent. Jesus puts it all on the line. Clears the stage. He enters the no "spin" zone."
We thought only Bill O'Reily could claim that as fame, but Jesus was trying to stop the spin long before Bill ever came along.
Here it is as clear and precise as Jesus can lay it down: "what you do to the least of my brothers you do to me…what you do not do to the least of my brothers you do not do it to me."
It is the five finger gospel: You Did It To Me!
Read it. Read it again. Don't spin it. Learn the true motivation behind giving alms: solidarity with Christ.
What's really at stake? When it all boils down and all the spin is over, what really matters.
What is at the heart of the gospel message and all the doctrines that we hold and profess to be true and revealed by God?
What's at stake? What matters most?
Which brings us to the gospel for today this monday, first week of Lent. Jesus puts it all on the line. Clears the stage. He enters the no "spin" zone."
We thought only Bill O'Reily could claim that as fame, but Jesus was trying to stop the spin long before Bill ever came along.
Here it is as clear and precise as Jesus can lay it down: "what you do to the least of my brothers you do to me…what you do not do to the least of my brothers you do not do it to me."
It is the five finger gospel: You Did It To Me!
Read it. Read it again. Don't spin it. Learn the true motivation behind giving alms: solidarity with Christ.
Friday, March 7, 2014
HUNGER FOR MORE
Isaiah 58:1-9; Ps 51 A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn; Matt 9:14-15
"The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
These are the words of Jesus in this Friday's gospel passage as we continue our journey of lent.
The bridegroom of course is Jesus himself and he as ascended to heaven though he remains with us his presence is not complete. We are invited to hunger for that full revelation of his glory and his presence.
The word "fast" as in "to fast" simply means to hunger for something. We are asked to hunger physically so that it may mirror our hunger spiritually for the full revelation of Christ.
Many times we focus on the lack of food as a source of hunger and thus we fast from various food items through the season of lent.
But Isaiah gives us another approach, something a little more "meaty" if you do not mind the pun since we are asked to abstain from meat on Friday's.
Hear again the invitation and exhortation of the prophet Isaiah, "This is the fasting I wish, says the LORD, releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own."
Now that is serious fasting. Lent is not for wimps. Why should we fast in such a manner.
Isaiah once again spells out the benefits of such behavior, "then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your wound shall quickly be healed, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. THen you shall call and the Lord will answer, 'Here I am!'"
How is that for reason. Is it reason enough to get us off our butts. Will we heed the word of the prophet or do what we have always done: give up ice cream or cookies or whatever. Don't be boring this lent.
Shake things up as our Pope reminds us. Be bold! Be Brave! Be real!
Who wouldn't want the glory of God to be our rear guard? Who wouldn't want the wounds to be healed? who wouldn't want light to break forth in our life and the life of those around us?
Don't just fast but be hungry for the glory of God! Hunger for more!
"The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
These are the words of Jesus in this Friday's gospel passage as we continue our journey of lent.
The bridegroom of course is Jesus himself and he as ascended to heaven though he remains with us his presence is not complete. We are invited to hunger for that full revelation of his glory and his presence.
The word "fast" as in "to fast" simply means to hunger for something. We are asked to hunger physically so that it may mirror our hunger spiritually for the full revelation of Christ.
Many times we focus on the lack of food as a source of hunger and thus we fast from various food items through the season of lent.
But Isaiah gives us another approach, something a little more "meaty" if you do not mind the pun since we are asked to abstain from meat on Friday's.
Hear again the invitation and exhortation of the prophet Isaiah, "This is the fasting I wish, says the LORD, releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own."
Now that is serious fasting. Lent is not for wimps. Why should we fast in such a manner.
Isaiah once again spells out the benefits of such behavior, "then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your wound shall quickly be healed, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. THen you shall call and the Lord will answer, 'Here I am!'"
How is that for reason. Is it reason enough to get us off our butts. Will we heed the word of the prophet or do what we have always done: give up ice cream or cookies or whatever. Don't be boring this lent.
Shake things up as our Pope reminds us. Be bold! Be Brave! Be real!
Who wouldn't want the glory of God to be our rear guard? Who wouldn't want the wounds to be healed? who wouldn't want light to break forth in our life and the life of those around us?
Don't just fast but be hungry for the glory of God! Hunger for more!
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