Sunday Reflections

By Monsignor Paul Whitmore

Homilies on the Readings from the Sunday Liturgy

March 14, 2010

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Our beloved Catholic Church is chocked full of traditions and practices that originated in the dim past. The blessing of the throats, ashes, blessing oneself with the sign of the Cross, are only a few. On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the celebrant at Mass surprises the congregation as he appears in rose-colored vestments. In Lent, of all times! It all goes back to the custom of the Pope sending a golden rose on this day to Catholic heads-of-state, and sometimes to churches and shrines, like Our Lady of Knock shrine in Ireland. (If you want to learn a lot more, type in “Laetare Sunday” on Google®).

The key word for the day is “rejoice”. In the first reading, Joshua tells the Israelites to rejoice because God has removed their shame at being slaves in Egypt. They’re finally in the Promised Land. Now, if we have been praying, reflecting on God’s Will for us, and making some changes in living our Christian lives this Lent, then we too can expect God’s approval.

The high point today is in the Gospel. When the Pharisees were complaining that Jesus was too soft on sinners, even eating with them, the Master tells them the great story of the Prodigal Son. He spent everything of his inheritance foolishly and sinfully. Yet, the Father (who is meant to be God) forgives his son even more foolishly (at least the older brother thinks so). If we want to identify with that younger sinner (and most of us do), then we will rejoice in the mercy and forgiveness of the Father! If we’re honest, we should also see in our lives many charactistics of that smug and self-righteous older brother. We wonder what the rest of the story was like. Did he eventually get over his anger and join the party? We like to think that a whole new relationship developed between the brothers. Life is so short! Carrying grudges just makes what little time we have so unpleasant. Forgiveness frees us from unhappiness, and opens up the floodgates of joy. It even improves our health. That father of theirs must have been a joyful man. We know one thing - that Jesus was teaching us a lesson about the mercy of God the Father through this famous parable.

I love that T-shirt that says, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven!” Can’t you imagine how very joyously and gratefully that prodigal son must have lived his life after being restored to respectable family status.

In today’s second reading from 2nd Corinthians, Paul reminds us that “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.”

So what “new things” are we called to? Paul tells us that God has given us a ministry - the ministry of reconciliation. As it was Christ’s ministry on earth, so now is it our ministry to encourage the discouraged, and to give hope to those who are hopeless and despairing of God’s mercy. God Himself pleads through us, for we are “ambassadors for Christ”. An ambassador works, not through force or recrimination, but through diplomacy. For us, it means treating all we meet with the example of our love and concern without judging their past behaviour.

And so our journey to Easter continues.

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March 7, 2010

Third Sunday of Lent

We all love to see a gripping drama, even if it is an old, familiar story in which the main character has seemingly impossible obstacles to overcome. That’s why so many people watch old movies that they’ve seen many times before. We even enjoy horror stories and bloody scenes since we’re safe in the “comfort zone” of our easy chair.

The first reading this Sunday gives us a favorite story. It’s about Moses and the burning bush. Imagine Moses, who at this point is just a lowly shepherd, living in exile in Midian when he wanders with his sheep to the holy mountain and there sees a bush on fire - and the bush is not destroyed. When he hears a divine command, he takes off his sandals. Then God calls him to go on a mission to free the Israelites. He gives God excuse after excuse in protest, but to no avail. God then reveals his name to Moses: "I am who Am - Yahweh!" In fear and trembling, Moses goes back to Egypt to announce God’s decision to the elders.

On our Christian journey through Lent, as we hear read the stories about the prophets, and listen to the teaching of Jesus, there is a danger that we’ll keep the same cozy distance that we do when watching a TV drama or an old movie.

Should we stick to our comfort zone this Sunday as we hear Jesus struggle to convince his “righteous” hearers that it’s time for action, time for them to repent of their sins and change their ways before God grows tired, and brings them to final justice? Toward the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells them about the owner of the vineyard who wants to cut down his barren fig tree. Year after year, he’s waited. Now he’s tired of waiting. Fortunately, he’s persuaded to wait just one more year...just one more year!

That fig tree is a symbol of each one of us today. In what way have we perhaps exhausted God’s patience? Lent is the time for some action on our part that will remedy that. St. Paul, in his exhortation to the Corinthians, is urging them not to be complacent at all the good they have done, but to make sure they have gotten rid of any sinfulness. How about us? Are there sins that we’ve been unwilling to part from? God is calling each of us this week to move out of slavery into the desert freedom of prayer, penance, and renewal.

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February 28, 2010

Second Sunday of Lent

So, we’re all settled into our daily Lenten routine, right? We’ve had twelve days to let the meaning of those ashes sink into our consciousness. By this time, I hope we’re convinced that if we want to change the world around us, we have to change ourselves first. Lent is that precious time of the year when God has our attention! It’s a time for us to talk more to God - about our needs - and for God to talk to us - about his plans for us.

This Sunday’s readings are about two of the great encounters of God and humans. The first happened between God and Abraham, hundreds of years before he appointed Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt. God hadn’t yet changed Abram’s name when he appeared to this great man of faith on his desert journey, and promised to make him great, with many descendants, and further promised him a vast tract of fertile land Abram could call his own. In this reading, we realize why we should feel so secure in trusting God to watch over our own journey of faith. This ancient covenant of God with Abraham continues through all that followed, including the New Covenant of Jesus with us in his Body and Blood.

As long as we have faith! St. Paul tells the Philippians in the second reading that faith is more important than all the early Jewish practices and Jewish laws! It seems to me that therefore we should never fear change in our own Church laws and practices, as long as our faith and doctrine stays rock-firm.

The Gospel is about Jesus’ dazzling transfiguration in the sight of Peter, James, and John, in which Jesus talks with Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet. Luke tells us that they discuss Jesus’ coming “exodus” to Jerusalem, as well has his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Then, God the Father thunders his advice to the three apostles (as well as to us!): “This is my Chosen Son. Listen to Him!”

The only sure way we can change ourselves is by listening and meditating on the teaching of Jesus, through prayer, through deep thinking, through fasting, almsgiving - through works that follow on our faith. Flowing through each day from our faith is also the conviction that we must remember to reach out to God in love, and recognize Jesus’ presence in everyone we meet.

Whatever the details or variations or times for doing all this, our new self that results from Lent will make God stand up and take notice, as he exclaims to his Mother, “Notice how different my daughter – my son - is this Easter!”

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February 21, 2010

First Sunday of Lent

It’s finally here - Lent, the springtime of the liturgical year, and renewal time for our own personal journeys to God. A good theme for our First Sunday in Lent might be found in the chorus of Marty Haugen’s hymn: We remember, we celebrate, we believe.

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing the people to leave the desert sands and joyfully enter the Promised Land. Before they begin their new life of freedom and enjoy the fruits of the new Land that the Lord has prepared for them, Moses wants to make sure they will never forget the incredible works of God in freeing them from the shackles of slavery. And, even though, during these past forty years, they have grumbled much and have been unfaithful to the Covenant, God has relented and has forgiven them over and over. He has shown them mercy beyond measure. Now, God commands them to renew that covenant, and, so purified, begin a new life in the lush lands of Canaan. Moses charges them never to forget the mercies of the Lord, and never to let their children forget.

Lent is a time for us to remember and to celebrate the mercies of the Lord, and to shake off any traces of sin or sinful habits.

In the Gospel, we see a parallel to the Old Testament story of the Exodus. Well over a thousand years after the journey of the Jews through the desert, Jesus embarks on his journey in the desert as messiah and saviour, not just for the Jews, but for all people, past, present, and future. The Spirit who had overshadowed him at his baptism in the Jordan, now leads him into the desert for his initial battle with the powers of evil. Satan seeks to probe any human weakness in his adversary. First, he tempts Jesus to flaunt his power. Why not turn stones into bread? Later, Jesus will miraculously feed others, but he refuses to let the devil manage his miracles! Again Satan tempts Jesus to political power and possessions - and Jesus, the poor and humble teacher, refuses. The last temptation is to pride and glory. Jesus, knowing that his mission is to win hearts through love and truth, refuses engage in theatrical stunts to win popularity. Quite soundly beaten, Satan leaves him - for a while! Angels come and minister to Jesus who is now ready to begin his public ministry.

This Sunday, we celebrate the victory of Jesus over Satan. What were his weapons? Prayer, fasting, and the truths of Scripture. Through humility and a recognition of the weakness of being human, Jesus overcame temptations to pleasure, power, and pride. He thus strengthened himself for his passion and death. Ultimately, he must drink the cup of suffering to secure victory - and so must we, his followers. His weapons against Satan must be our weapons, too, this Lent, as we enter the discipline of believers. Jesus believed in the Father’s truth and in the Father’s love. He believed in obeying the Father’s will in all things. In that spirit, let us remember and celebrate...and believe!

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February 14, 2010

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday is Valentine’s Day, a time for flowers and candy and a candlelight dinner for your wife or husband - or even for your favorite “lonely heart”! And, of course, Mardi Gras and “fat Tuesday” celebrations are in order before Lent begins this coming Wednesday! The readings for this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time can seem to clash. Not really, since the theme of trust in God rather than in people (first reading), and the message of the Beatitudes (the Gospel), are both inspired by God’s great love for us. Without divine love, human love alone would be shallow.

Taking a look at Jeremiah first, we know how hard this prophet worked to prevent the Israelites from being made slaves in Babylon in the year 587 B.C. Why? Because they didn’t listen to Jeremiah’s plea, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings - whose heart turns away from the Lord...he is like a barren bush in the desert.” By contrast, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord...He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream....” What a beautiful image, that God also uses in several of the psalms. It’s a message for government leaders, business people, and society in general. If we want peace, we must work for justice as God’s law directs us.

The Beatitudes teach us that God’s way for us contradicts what the “world” says will bring us happiness. If we seek riches, and hoard our possessions instead of sharing them with the poor, if we engage in evil practices for the sake of popular approval, then we risk divine punishment and loss of eternal life. On the other hand, those who go against the stream, and endure insult and abuse in this life, should “rejoice and leap for joy...for your reward will be great in heaven.” Sound familiar? We’ll hear a lot more of the same during Lent. The message ought not spoil our Valentine celebrations. Rather, let’s see it as a head start on the direction of our Lent.

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February 7, 2010

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

When we’re young, most of us have glamorous or exciting careers we want to follow. “I want to be a fireman...I want to be an astronaut...I want to be movie actress.” As we grow older, our choices are more realistic. “I want to be a veterinarian...I want to be a nurse.” More rarely, a person feels “called” to be or do some special work. It sounds so noble, for it takes both courage and humility to answer a call!

The two persons in today’s readings - Isaiah and Peter - were both called, but felt unworthy to accept until strengthened and encouraged by God. In today’s reading from the first chapters of Isaiah, the young prophet is aware of his sinfulness as he experiences a vision of God on his throne about to make a decision. Who will he send as his messenger to clean up the mess left by King Uzziah and bring the people back to fidelity? After one of the heavenly seraphim has touched a burning coal to his lips (ouch!), Isaiah now feels worthy enough to cry out, “Here I am; send me.” And so, Isaiah’s whole life’s work begins.

The Gospel is just as dramatic. It portrays an unforgettable day on the Lake of Gennesaret. Simon Peter and his partners, James and John, are tired and discouraged after a night of fruitless fishing. Jesus prevails on them to let him use their boat as a pulpit. After Jesus has preached a while to those on the shore, he dares to ask these tired fishermen to try just once more. Simon must have thought, “ He’s a good preacher, but He doesn’t know much about fishing!” However, he obeys, and puts out to the deep. To his amazement, the nets are filled to breaking with huge fish. In panic, Simon calls for help. Now the two boats are in danger of capsizing as they carefully head for shore.

Like Isaiah, Simon feels unworthy. He falls on his knees, crying out, “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man.” With amazing powers of persuasion, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” They leave a profession they know very well, for a life filled with uncertainty and danger. And not just Simon Peter, but his partners, James and John, are willing to take the same risk.

While we may not have the stature of an Isaiah or a St. Peter, God knows better than we do what vocation in life will make us truly happy and fulfilled. The wisdom of God often seems like foolishness to humans. Jesus that day issued an invitation. Simon Peter, James and John had trust enough to answer it!

We must pray every day that young people (and older people, too) will have the courage and the humility to answer God’s call to the consecrated life and to the priesthood. They need a lot of encouragement from their families, the Christian community, and close friends who know them.

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January 31, 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Many of us “older” folk remember how an important part of our Sundays was gathering around the radio to listen to Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen’s weekly broadcasts on The Catholic Hour. Later on, he became the most popular TV personality of the ‘50’s and ’6o;s with his “Life is Worth Living” weekly telecast. With his deep resonant voice and piercing eyes, he mesmerized millions of people, both Catholic and non-Catholic. People crowded into bars and public places, as well as in their own living rooms to listen to his warnings about godless communism in Europe and the dangers of its infiltrating all parts of America. Later as Archbishop Sheen, he headed the Office for the Propagation of the Faith, raising millions of dollars for missions throughout the world. Only Billy Graham could match this fearless modern-day prophet. As such, he was vilified, envied, and persecuted. This came from outside the Church, but also from within.

Today’s first reading is about God’s choice of Jeremiah, one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” Jeremiah, knowing how badly people treated prophets, protested, but to no avail. God tells him to stand up and be a man, promising that “...I am with you to deliver you....” After he spent his life battling false religions and the cowardly fear of weak political leaders, he is finally stoned to death in Egypt!

Jeremiah is often compared to Jesus, since both were consumed with love for the Father, zeal for the truth, and both suffered death because of that truth. The Gospel today demonstrates how Jesus, from the very beginning of his ministry in his hometown of Nazareth, suffered rejection from the very villagers he had grown up with! Here, it all boiled down to envious remarks like, “Who does he think he is?” “We know his family and his relatives!” “Where does he get all of this?” As Jesus’ fame grew, so too did the opposition from religious leaders who feared for their standing among the people. The words of the prophets will always anger and upset those who will not face their own sinfulness.

The power that drove both Jeremiah and Jesus to persevere to the end was their fire of love for the Father and for his glory. Today’s second reading describes that love. It is the classic text from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous....” At our baptism, the priest anointed us with holy chrism to be “prophet, priest, and king”. We, too, need a burning love for the truth for our ministry as prophets. Are we willing to pay just a portion of the price that it takes to love as Jeremiah and Jesus did?

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January 24, 2010

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

With each passing day, we find it easier to write “2010” on our checks and papers. But we also realize there’s not much difference from “2009” in our daily living. We realize with that sinking feeling that we are living in another year of fears and uncertainties. In world, national, and local news, there’s not much to lift our spirits. More than ever before, we need to lean on God’s Word and presence in our lives.

Fortunately, there’s a treasure of hope in this Sunday’s readings, beginning with Nehemiah, appointed by King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, which lay in ruins following the exile. The spirits of the people also need rebuilding, so Ezra, the priest, dusts off the neglected scrolls of the law, and calls all the people together, even children who are old enough to understand. From morning to night, Ezra reads to them the Law. Most had neglected its precepts for years. As they hear it read and explained by Ezra, they begin to weep tears of joy and of sorrow. After recommitting their lives to the Lord, they express their joy with days of feasting.

Today’s Gospel describes an even greater “reading”. As Jesus formally begins his mission on earth, he starts with his hometown of Nazareth. There, in the synagogue on a Sabbath, he reads to the people from the passage in Isaiah which proclaims the coming messianic age. In a voice filled with the fire of the Spirit, he announces to them Isaiah’s prophecy of a time of good news to the poor, liberty for captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. Then, handing the scroll to an attendant, he proclaims to all present, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” These words are the core of Jesus’ message to both the people of his day and of our times! Talk about a reason to hope!

In today’s second reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians, we find a blueprint for acting on the two readings we have heard. Some reflection points out the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on Nehemiah and Ezra, and on Jesus. St. Luke tells us in the Gospel that Jesus came from the desert to Nazareth “in the power of the Spirit”. It is the Spirit, too, that came upon us in our Baptism and Confirmation to make of us part of the Body of Christ. The Church is one body, but made up of many members. How very different we are! St. Paul tells us that there are “important” members and “not-so-important” members. However, we are all needed, and must respect and support one another in charity. Why? So that this new messianic age may one day be realized.

Meditating on today’s readings gives us every reason to hope and to act in 2010 as a unified Body of Christ, with our many gifts, witnessing and working for the fulfillment of the Kingdom.

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January 17, 2010

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Christmas season is now completed with last Sunday’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism by John. We now have five Sundays of “ordinary time”. Today’s Gospel is all about Jesus’ first miracle, his changing of water into wine at a wedding. What was Jesus doing at a wedding? Quite probably the couple were friends or relatives of Mary and Joseph. The village of Cana wasn’t that far from Nazareth. Jesus had already chosen his disciples, and was about to show them his “glory”, as John mentions. Someone obviously slipped up on the supply of wine for the seven-day celebration, and Jesus’ mother is sympathetic with the newly-weds for the embarrassment this will cause them. When she mentions this to Jesus, he seems quite indifferent. Some scholars see in the text of his reply what is actually a question, “Has my hour come?” In a flash, both of them discern a new relationship between them. It is now Jesus’ turn to give the orders! In any case, as soon as Mary tells the waiters, “Do whatever he asks,” Jesus asserts full authority, and performs a miracle that dramatically relieves the situation! At the same time, in the changing of water into wine, the Church sees tremendous spiritual meaning. The fullness of Jesus’ “hour” will occur on the Cross, when he will provide the wine of salvation to all peoples. For the present, however, his disciples witness the glory foretold in today’s first reading by Isaiah. This is written at the time of Israel’s release from captivity in Babylon. They have made up for their former infidelity, and Isaiah proclaims that “nations shall behold your vindication and all the kings your glory.” Of course, they have to wait a few hundred years for that to happen.

The second reading today from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, states that the Holy Spirit has distributed to all those baptized in Jesus many gifts. Some have received the gift of wisdom, others the gift of faith, still others have received the gift of healing. Why? So that all of us who proclaim to be followers of Jesus may show forth the glory of the Messiah, and so give to others the reason to believe in their salvation through Christ.

Christmas may be over, but the Epiphany, or showing forth of Jesus to the world, has just begun for us in the new year.

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January 10, 2010

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Last Sunday, we celebrated “little Christmas” - the Epiphany of the Lord. Jesus, as an infant, is already preparing the way for his mission to the world. That mission is to bring the light of God’s truth and God’s love into the world’s ignorance and lack of love. And so, the Father sends a star to guide foreign “magi” - wise men - to see the light for themselves. Today’s feast is another “epiphany” of Jesus as he is about to begin his preaching and healing.

To the amazement of his cousin, Jesus goes into the desert to receive John’s baptism of repentance. Here, surrounded by ordinary sinners and seekers Jesus, the sinless One, requests John to baptize him. John protests, then gives assent to Jesus’ request. While John pours the water, Luke tells us that Jesus “prays”. We wonder what Jesus was praying about. Was it to the Father that he show some sign of his approval for Jesus who now “goes public”? His prayer is answered in a most dramatic fashion. The heavens open, a voice thunders, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” We are told that the third Person of the Holy Trinity, in bodily form, takes the form of a dove, visible to all onlookers. He, too, endorses Jesus’ mission.

As we close the Christmas season today, can there be any doubt that Jesus has come to invite all people to know the truth, and, in love, to share that truth with one’s family and friends? We, too, have been baptized, not with the baptism of John, but with the baptism of Jesus himself, in water of life and the fire of God’s love. The Holy Spirit also gives his approval to our witnessing to Jesus’ message of love and truth. What a great message to carry with us into this new year of grace.

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January 3, 2010

Feast of the Epiphany

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the “showing forth” of Jesus’ birth to people beyond the borders of Palestine. The coming of the Magi to Bethlehem fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah. He had foretold that “all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.” And the Gospel for that Mass had promised that all people would eventually be included among His followers. “...to those who did accept Him, he gave power to become children of God.” And now, on the Epiphany, the light from the skies is intensified a thousand-fold, and the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that “nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.”

To the amazement of all in that region, there come foreign camels bearing foreign scholars—wise men—kings! Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh! What courage and perseverance those strangers have shown, to brave the dangers of travel, skepticism, and political intrigue. But they found what they were looking for. That star gave trustworthy guidance and now triumphantly shines as guard over the lowly dwelling wherein rests the child who possesses all meaning. They fall to their knees in homage, for their learning has made them humble, and their wisdom leads them to recognize the divine in the fragile flesh of a child.

What a silent adoration! What loving glances they exchange with Mary and Joseph.

But for all their simple faith, their wisdom is sharp enough to detect the sham delight and murderous intentions of the wily Herod. And so they pay their respects, leave their gifts, and modestly depart for their homeland, sorrowfully aware of the terrible price justice must pay for peace.

Their role in history has been accomplished - to teach us all to follow the guidance of the Almighty, to accept our own role as bearers of the light, and to follow this Christ into his mission, to partake of his passion, and to join the millions through the ages who will preach his Gospel of universal salvation.

The Son of God is the one judge and arbiter of truth and the one source of light, but we are all called to be “epiphanies”, providing glimpses of that truth, showing the way in our own small spots of time and circumstance to a larger plan and destiny.

Princely Child, make us all wise men, courageous women, obedient children who will follow wherever you lead us. That means being faithful to prayer, to diligent study of our faith, sharing what we learn with others. This is the way for us to be light-bearers, lighting up the darkness and confusion in the world in which we live.

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December 27, 2009

Feast of the Holy Family

Once a year, the Church celebrates family life. It holds up the example of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Today’s Gospel focuses on a stressful experience in their lives when Jesus was twelve years of age. Despite the fact that Jesus was divine, he shows himself to be a normal teenager when he fails to tell Joseph and Mary where he will be for a couple of days. Even more surprising, he doesn’t bother to ask their permission. Like many a young boy of that age, his thoughtlessness causes hours of pain to his parents. When they finally catch up with him, and gently scold him, Jesus calmly replies, “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” As Simeon had prophecied, at that moment a sword of sorrow pierced Mary’s heart as she realized what lay ahead. Even here, we notice that the essential bonds of love and obedience were quickly re-established. The Gospel tells us simply that “...he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them.”

In the first reading, we hear about a joyful birth - that of Samuel. After years of prayer, Hannah and Elkanah are granted a son. Her hymn of praise is very much like Mary’s (“ My soul doth magnify the Lord”). As soon as Samuel is weaned, the mother fulfills her promise and gives him up to the Lord’s service at the shrine at Shiloh. The lesson for families is clear: trusting in the Lord bears fruit. Children are a gift from God, and they always belong to God. Parents do not own their children. They are guardians who are responsible before God for their education and upbringing.

The second reading gives a great recipe for successful family relationships. What makes a family “holy”? It’s all so simple? Just love one another and keep the commandments! Of course, simple answers like that are the hardest to accept! Our families would find their disagreements, stressful relationships, and resentments that spoil the joy of family harmony so much easier to solve by imitating the faith and loving trust of the Holy Family.

Today’s Scripture lessons for family life are made even more important in the light of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). In it, he teaches that many of our economic, social, and political problems are a result of the absence of strong family life. Virtues such as honesty, generosity, and loyalty are first learned and practiced in families that are obedient to the Creator’s commandments. The habits thus engrained in individuals flow naturally into the public life of society. Pope Benedict calls the family “the primary vital cell of society.” We cannot then separate the private world of family life from the success of failures of the public life of money and power, the economy, business practices, politics, and the way that nations treat world poverty, joblessness, the environment, and immigration.

Your family would benefit immensely from a group reading today of the alternate readings for this Sunday – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 and Colossians 3:12-17. Then, take the time to discuss them together. It could change your family life forever!

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December 20, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Are these frantic shopping days for you? As the postal person(?) brings more and Christmas cards, are you alarmed to have forgotten to send a card to that person? Christmas is just a week away! What happened to your plans to “start over” this year? Or are you smiling contentedly as you read this column, “Well, I’ve had a great Advent! I can’t wait for Christmas!”

The readings for the Fourth Sunday anticipate the joy of the Incarnation. Micah’s prophecy, though written eight centuries before the coming of Christ, show us how far in advance God planned “from ancient times” to send a shepherd king who would lovingly heal his people. He would come as one of us - vulnerable and humble - to atone for the sins and shortcomings of the leaders of both kingdoms. Micah’s prophecies were usually condemnatory, but today’s prophecy promises a bright future.

The second reading from Hebrews emphasizes the self-sacrifice of Jesus. Even as he comes as a sweet, tiny baby, the manger is really a bed of sacrifice. He gives himself freely from love. This love is the astounding fact about Christmas. It is the birth of a divine love enriching our selfish human nature. He comes that we too may learn to sacrifice ourselves to the Father and to consecrate ourselves to divine Love for the benefit of our neighbor, and, indeed, for the whole world.

The Gospel narrates Mary’s three-month visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, also to bear a child. At Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth and her child in the womb are filled with grace-filled joy. Through the Spirit, both Elizabeth and the unborn John the Baptist prophecy as to the blessedness of Mary and the greatness of her Son. Luke lets us know throughout his Gospel how faithful God is to what he promises. Like Mary, our model for holiness, who was “blest for her believing that what was promised will be fulfilled”, so we are shown the way to being blessed by God. It’s never too late to start over. Let’s make one final attempt this Sunday to banish the fear and depression brought on by the daily news reports, and to stir up our joy in the action of the Holy Spirit on a young girl and her elderly cousin living in a backwater village like Bethlehem. The child born for us is still working his miracles of love. He still promises eventual peace to our world. “Come, Lord Jesus!”

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December 13, 2009

Third Sunday of Advent

Many peope aren’t looking forward to Christmas this year. When a father or mother are troubled and anxious about paying bills or finding work, it’s so hard for them to respond with a happy laugh when their child bounces into the room, just bursting with joyful news. Worry can put a real damper on the joy of this season. If we don’t have hope in our future, or trust in God’s love and care for us, how can we respond with joy to the readings we hear today?

Yet that’s the spirit of the Third Sunday of Advent - “Gaudete Sunday” as it’s sometimes called, from the Latin word for “Rejoice”! The first hearers of Zephaniah’s prophecy must have gone wild with joy as he told them that the Lord has removed his original harsh judgment against them. This ordinarily gloomy prophet now urges them to rejoice and shout for joy, for God is in their midst.

St. Paul speaks in similar terms to the Philippians as he urges them to always rejoice, for the Lord’s coming is close at hand. In fact, he is here now – Emmanuel - God is with us! In effect, God is telling us, Stop worrying! I want a joyful heart and unconditional trust in my care for you!

Isn’t it time in our journey toward eternal life that we take to heart those words which we have heard every Advent of our lives? If we really haven’t taken this truth to heart, then, we cannot really stir up much reason for joy, especially as Christmas draws near. We are often far more present to the media news reports of murders, rapes, and the horrors of war than we are to the great truth that God lives in the midst of his people, including our family and fellow-workers. Do we want to see God? Then we must look into the eyes of our neighbor. If we don’t see love there, then we must give them our loving smile. This daily exercise of finding God in others is the key to a good preparation for another coming of Jesus into our sad world this Christmas. It’s time to stir up our faith that, as it really happened two thousand years ago, it is really happening again in 2009.

If we really believe that God has saved us, then that joy should make us serious about changing our lives. In today’s Gospel, soldiers, shopkeepers, politicians and clergy were all among that desert crowd listening to John the Baptist. As he persuaded them that the Messiah was really near, many anxiously shouted out to John, “What must we do?” (That’s a good kind of anxiety!)

As we get rid of needless anxiety, may we rejoice with the Church today, resolve to trust more completely that the mysteries of Christ’s birth, our redemption through his death and resurrection, are indeed worth celebrating!

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December 6, 2009

Second Sunday of Advent

Ann Rice, a prolific popular writer, has recently written a very moving autobiography, Called from Darkness. It’s about her spiritual journey from a devout Catholic childhood in New Orleans to years of atheism, then back to her Catholic faith. At the core of her entire journey is the power of Jesus’ love for us in the mystery of the Incarnation. She remembers fondly all the Christmas manger scenes elaborately displayed in all the many churches of the city. As a child, she often pondered the mystery of how a God could ever have loved us so much as to become a tiny, helpless baby? In love, he freely chose to be born; in love, he freely chose to die. All that was blotted out during her years as an atheist, but it was the mystery of God’s love which brought her back to faith, and continues to strengthen her faith now.

Advent is all about the Incarnation - that awesome moment when God because of his love entered our flesh to experience our sinful condition - and, love, to repair it and lead us to wholeness. That’s why, in this second week, we must listen again to the urgent demand of John the Baptist that we recognize our sinfulness, bring it to light, and repent. Like the people of Israel, whose deep-down desire to be free of their sin brought them running to the desert, so we who hear today’s Gospel must consider John’s message as addressed to us. Only when we are convinced again this Advent of our need for new grace to restore and refresh our hearts, can we truly appreciate the words of Baruch in the first reading to come alive, put on new garments of justice, and be alert and ready. Only then can love stir in our hearts as we gaze at the manger scenes in churches and public squares and in our own living rooms. St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us of our partnership in the Gospel, and that we are committed to increase our love all through our lives so that we will be “pure and blameless in the day of the Lord.” If that message is intimidating, why not just focus on this year’s coming of the Lord?

Love can be so vague unless we center it on holy people, like John the Baptist whose life was so self-effacing and courageous. His voice fades away so that all attention may be focused on Jesus. May we keep the words of John in our hearts all this week.

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November 29, 2009

First Sunday of Advent

Some years ago I was leading the rosary at the wake of a wonderful Irish mother whose family and friends were all praying with me. One of her sons told me that, as children, they recited the rosary every night after supper. If she caught anyone misbehaving, she would simply say, “We’ll start over.” He told me they were all very devout the second time!

Advent is a time for all of us to “start over”. We may have missed many opportunities to grow closer to the Lord during the Church year which has just ended. As we went through the various events in the life of Christ, we had the chance to grow in appreciation for Jesus leaving the glory of heaven to come in poverty and cold to a stable in Bethlehem. As the year progressed, did we appreciate enough how much he suffered, enduring the discomforts of life as an itinerant preacher, often ridiculed and misunderstood? How well did we ourselves get the message that, if we were to follow him, we would be called to imitate his life of prayer, his life of love and service? Maybe we “nodded off” along the way, and missed opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. This First Sunday of Advent is a “wake-up call” to start all over.

All the prophecies of the Old Testament point in some way or another to Jesus in the New Testament. The first reading from Jeremiah tells us that, a long time ago, God had promised Israel that a “just shoot” would come from the line of King David to bring security and justice to the people. We today are the heirs of that promise.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that our lives are all about waiting. And how do we wait? By being careful to love one another, to live lives “blameless in holiness” at the final coming of the Lord.

In the Gospel, it’s the Lord himself who warns us against careless carousing and drowsy hearts. He tells us not to let the distractions and anxieties of daily living catch us off guard. “Be vigilant at all times” is the punch line!

Aren’t you glad that we have a chance to “start over” this Advent?

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November 22, 2009

Feast of Christ the King

Today marks the last Sunday of the Church year, celebrating the coming of the Son of Man on the clouds of heaven at the end of time. In every century, Christians have found immense consolation from these readings, and give us hope that, despite the violence, wars, and crimes against humanity of our times, God’s justice will prevail at the end. Just when we seem to be heading for cosmic, social, and personal disaster, we are reminded that God is still in charge, and that we belong to a kingdom that will never fail us, an eternal kingdom of justice, peace, and love.

God speaks to us today through the writings of two great visionaries - the Old Testament prophet, Daniel, and the New Covenant writer, John. Although they are “dream visions”, we can confidently believe that they carry God’s inspired truth. Daniel wrote at a time of great distress for the Jews under the Greek ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes II. Such visions gave the people courage to endure, just as today’s reading about Jesus “coming on the clouds of heaven” encourages us. In John’s time, Christians were already suffering persecution under the Emperor Domitian. As Jesus was with the Father at the creation of the world, so will he be the one to judge all nations at the end of time. He says of himself in John’s vision, “I am the Alpha and the Omega" (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet). He is our past, our present, and our future King.

Every living follower of Christ has reason to find meaning and purpose in the wonderful statement John makes about our role in this kingdom. “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”

In the Gospel, Jesus boldly affirms to Pilate that he is that Son of Man who will come on the clouds of heaven as a king. In effect, Jesus is saying, “Don’t worry, Pilate. I’m not here to take your job, or to dethrone Caesar, for my kingdom is not political but spiritual. It’s not on your maps!" When Jesus affirms that his whole purpose is to testify to the truth, Pilate cynically asks, “What is truth?”

May those words serve to melt all pessimism, doubt, and despair about the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and of the effectiveness of our witness through prayer and suffering as we struggle to live the truth that the Pilates of our day so freely reject.

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November 15, 2009

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

We’re fast approaching the end of another Church Year. In two weeks, Advent will begin. Beginning today, the readings speak of the final days of justice, when all that is hidden will be brought to light, both our good deeds and our evil deeds. With all the horrors of war, ethnic cleansings, and sins against the dignity of human life, we almost welcome the descriptions of the end times. We ponder some of these today in the prophecies of Daniel, and of Jesus Himself.

The prophet Daniel wrote during the Greek persecution of the Jews under the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes, one of the cruelest rulers of all time. Just one hundred and fifty years before Christ, the prophet expressed his belief in the resurrection of the just: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some shall live forever, others shall be in everlasting horror and disgrace.” Then he describes the other side of justice - justice for all who have patiently endured and courageously witnessed to the truth: “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” These are words that stir up our hope in eternal life, and vindicate the efforts of all who fight injustice. We do not suffer in vain. This prophecy contradicts those who tell us there is no God, and prayer is useless.

Even more dramatic is the prophetic vision of Jesus in the Gospel. Jesus, who knows already that he is to be the judge of all creation on the last day, realizes too that he is soon to offer his own body and blood on the cross once and for all in expiation for the sins of the world. This theme is treated in today’s second reading from Hebrews.

In this vision of the final days, Jesus declares that a cosmic collapse of the powers of heaven and earth will occur first, then he himself will come in glory to gather those he has chosen. Then, he gives his listeners a warning to be on the alert. Only God the Father knows the exact day and the hour.

This Sunday is a call to live justly, to act rightly, and to stir up a firm hope in eternal life and joy with God.

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November 8, 2009

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

As we approach the end of the Church year, the Gospels focus on Jesus’ final days of preaching in the Temple. We can imagine his frustration and sense of failure in convincing the religious leadership of their errors, much less changing their hearts and their actions.

Nevertheless, the crowds of ordinary people continue to be nourished by his teachings. Today, we listen with them as he praises the generosity of the poor widow who gives all she has towards the upkeep of the Temple. She wasn’t obliged to give all she had, but she wanted to be that generous. Most others that day in the Temple gave only what was convenient for them to contribute.

In the first reading, we hear about another poor widow who has only enough flour and oil for one last meal for son and herself. Along comes this stranger, the prophet Elijah, who requests her to first bake for him a little bread. She consents. Like the widow in the Gospel, this woman’s generosity goes beyond reason. As the prophet had assured her, God rewards her with a miracle. For a whole year, her jug of oil never runs dry, and her flour bin is always full. Later, when her son dies, Elijah raises him from the dead.

We can easily relate to the plight of both widows. In these days of little available money and fewer jobs, we are nevertheless called on over and over again to help out a neighbor, to respond to a charitable cause, to respond to the growing hunger and poverty of people in other countries. We can easily become angry at these demands, feeling that enough is enough. Do we have the kind of faith in the promises of Jesus and the prophets that will still prompt us to open our hearts and our purses to share what little we have?

God is only asking us to give up a few of the many, many gifts he showers on us every day.

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November 1, 2009

Solemnity of All Saints

Since the Feast of All Saints falls on a Sunday this year, we have special Scripture readings. The first reading is from the great dream vision of St. John, written during a time of intense persecution in the first century. The second reading from the first letter of John, emphasizes love as the key quality for a follower of Christ. The Gospel gives us the Beatitudes, the rules for sainthood.

More people than usual will celebrate those millions of saints, including the “ordinary saints”, people like ourselves who have struggled to live out their baptismal promises despite failures and sins along the way to heavenly glory. These include our deceased parents and grandparents, our aunts and uncles who gave us such a wonderful example of faith, sacrifice, and generous hearts, who struggled all their lives to “follow the Lamb”, as the first reading tells us. Of course, this feast also includes the thousands of famous saints like St. Damien of Molokai who worked among the lepers in Hawaii. Pope Benedict XVI raised him to sainthood last Sunday. Today reminds us to pray to and study more the lives of all the “greats”, like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Therese the Little Flower, and so many others. By the way, do you have a good modern Lives of the Saints? Get one soon, or go on Google. That’s a wonderful way to put your computer to good use.

Saints are people who “washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb” (first reading) - that is, they put the grace of their baptism to daily use. Saints are people whose main struggle in life was to live as “children of God” (second reading) - merciful, humble, forgiving, peacemakers. They lived the Beatitudes of today’s Gospel. Saints are people who suffered often, fell from grace sometimes, but always picked themselves up through genuine sorrow for sin. They are the ones who talked to God as a friend, sought to put his will first in their lives, and found their strength in the food of Eucharist.

The saints lived free and joyful lives. We hope to be included in their number some day!

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October 25, 2009

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

How often these days we run into people who are discouraged at losing their jobs, or worried about their children who are out of work and low on cash. Others of our friends or neighbors are just gloomy and pessimistic about the confusion in our country as to what direction to go with reform of our health care. How can we bring about peace and security-- how to act responsibly toward our natural resources and the environment. We are confused. As to issues of morality in our society, forget it! Our standards as to what is right and wrong seem to crumble more each day. And so in frustration, we cry, “Enough, Lord!”

Today’s readings will give us a much-needed boost. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah assures the Israelites that the day is coming when God will bring them out of slavery in Babylon back to Jerusalem. He will bring all of them back - the blind, the lame, mothers and babies, the broken and the battered - all who are repentant of their infidelities. God has promised, and he will do it.

The Gospel shows us that the fullness of that promise will come through Jesus Christ. The scene is the final healing that Jesus performed before returning to his passion and death in Jerusalem. A blind man named Bartimaeus calls out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” He hardly expects a response from the one whom he acknowledges as the messiah asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus responds, “Master, I want to see.” And Jesus gives to Bartimaeus the gift he asks for!

As Jesus healed this blind man because he wanted so desperately to see, he will heal all of us who long to be cured of our spiritual blindness, our hopelessness, and our sinfulness, if only we have faith and trust to battle an indifferent world and cry more loudly to our Saviour for our personal and public needs.

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October 18, 2009

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Even saints were once young and foolish! Not only foolish, but selfish and pushy! In Mark’s Gospel, the two “sons of thunder”, James and John, make a bid for a power position in Jesus’ new kingdom. They’re over-eager and too confident as they ask the Master for the choice seats next to his throne! Jesus doesn’t get angry with them. After assuring them that seating arrangements will be made by God the Father, he quietly asks them if they’re prepared to drink the bitter cup he is about to drink. James and John must have looked at each other in some embarrassment and confusion before they reply, “We can!” Now the other disciples are angry and resentful at James’ and John’s attempt to pull one over on them. (Obviously, they’re looking for power and prestige just as much as the two brothers). Sadly, Jesus realizes that none of them understand, so he emphatically and clearly sets the rules for Christian discipleship. There is to be no lording it over one another! “...whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Be careful! There’s a tendency for us to assume that the Lord is talking to the “big shots” in the Church. The truth is, he’s talking to the whole Church. To whatever extent we abuse the authority of our baptism, either in carrying out our Church ministries or in our families, to that extent we are untrue to the example Jesus sets for us. The other readings for the day make it clear that Jesus, the High Priest, does not identify with us in our sinfulness, but in our suffering. So, if we are to follow Jesus’ rules for discipleship, we must prepare to be “suffering servants”. On this Mission Sunday, we pray and sacrifice for our missionaries at home and abroad who are bringing many to faith through the example of their lives of sacrifice and suffering.

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October 11, 2009

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Have you ever gone shopping for one particular thing, like a new coat, a laptop computer, or...just about anything that you’ve set you heart on possessing? We can go from store to store, convinced that this one thing will make us so very happy. Once we have obtained it, the pleasure fades rather quickly. It won’t be long before the search and the longing begin all over again. Children will often enlist the help of God or their favorite saint to change Mom or Dad’s mind about purchasing it for us. “Oh, Mom, I won’t ask for anything ever again!” they plead.

What a different gift the writer of the Book of Wisdom seeks in this Sunday’s reading. The writer prays and begs God for the gifts of prudence and wisdom. Unlike gold or silver, these gifts give him joy and contentment for the rest of his days. Last week, Pope Benedict begged young people in the Czech Republic to seek after the truths of their country’s rich Christian heritage. He added, "Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. If our eyes remain open to the beauty of God's creation and our minds to the beauty of his truth, then we may indeed hope to remain young and to build a world that reflects something of that divine beauty, so as to inspire future generations to do likewise."

Jesus, in the Gospel, offers eternal life to the rich young man. Because of his many possessions, he could not accept the offer. The wisdom to choose truth and beauty and eternal life cost too much! May all of us, especially our young people, beg God for prudence and wisdom to make the right choice!

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October 4, 2009

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings for this Respect Life Sunday are truly appropriate, since they show us the reason why God made marriage. In the Book of Genesis, we find that, after creating this beautiful world and allowing Adam to name all the creatures, God decided that it was not good for a man to be alone. He needed a helpmate that would be his equal, so God created woman. Far from being an afterthought, woman became the crown jewel of all creation. And so learn that God established marriage as a union of a man and woman in one flesh.

In the second reading from the Book of Hebrews, we learn about the purpose of marriage. We find that, after God made a suitable partner for man, that the two of them are meant to mirror in their lives what Jesus did while he was on earth. They are to bring many children to glory through lives of mutual and sacrificing love.

In the Gospel, Jesus is under attack (as usual) from the Pharisees who try to trap Jesus by asking him if it were licit for a man to divorce his wife. When the religious leaders quote Moses as allowing divorce, Jesus tells them God allowed it then “because of the hardness of your hearts.” He insists that it was not so from the beginning, and quotes what we have just read in the first reading, “...what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Why then, we must ask, has the Catholic Church always allowed annulments of certain unions? Always true to the teaching of Scripture and of their founder, Jesus Christ, the Church examines many things in that marriage. Among them, are the following: 1) Were each a suitable partner to the other, capable and willing to live their marriage in sacrificing love, building a true community of life? 2) Were both willing to bring children into the world for the glory of God? (for further explanation, consult your pastor or qualified Family Life co-ordinators.)

Our Gospel concludes today with another teaching from Jesus about the essential sacredness of children. Today is a good day for us to make reparation through our Mass and prayer for the lack of respect in our society for all life, and the daily crimes against the unborn.

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September 27, 2009

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

No matter how good a leader is, many people will grumble and complain about his leadership. In today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers, Moses was discouraged at all the complaints he receives from the Israelites. “If only we had meat to eat”, they cried. God, seeing Moses’ frustration, decides to lighten the burden of leadership. He pours the divine Spirit also on seventy elders who will share Moses’ authority. Now, two of the elders were not present at the ceremony, but received the Spirit anyway. When they began prophecying on their own, Moses’ young assistant, Joshua, became envious. “Moses, stop them!” he cried. To Joshua’s surprise, Moses praised the two, and told Joshua he wished everyone had that gift.

Jesus, in today’s Gospel, teaches the same lesson. When a few of his disciples complained to Jesus that some, not of their company, were driving out demons, Jesus, like Moses, rebuked his followers for being so exclusive. “Whoever is not against us, is for us” became Jesus’ rule for his Church.

Years ago, many pastors did not welcome help from the laity. Often, they did not even allow their priest assistants to use their talents and their energy to the full. Those days are gone forever. With the current priest shortage, the help of deacons is absolutely essential to the smooth running of a parish. In addition, we have many hundreds of the laity who have trained and commissioned as lay ministers. Pastors now urge all Catholics to take seriously their baptismal consecration, and become active in church ministries. Those who respond are welcomed with open arms as they learn how to visit the sick and shut-ins, how to teach the beautiful truths of the Gospel to our children, and how to work with our youth, to name just a few.

By opening up the apostolate, our Church is assured of longevity. Christ promised to remain with it until the end of time, and that “the gates of hell” would not prevail against it. Our readings teach very clearly that God never intended his church to be an “old boys club”, but that all baptized Catholics have a right and an obligation to actively share in its role of teaching, governing, and sanctifying. Under the guidance of our hierarchy, including bishops, priests, and deacons, may our parishes became ever holier, boldly proclaiming the Gospel, and witnessing to Christ’s great love and concern for all.

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September 20, 2009

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We all know that there are seven “capital” sins. They are the sins that flow from pride and passion. All the others sins flow from them. One of them, envy, is often pictured as a green-eyed monster. In the first reading, the corrupt power people are plotting to get rid of a Holy One who is exposing their evil. Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us. Like scheming back-room politicians, they are saying, He’s a pain! Get rid of him! They plot to torture him, and eventually kill him! Of course, the just one wins out in the end since, in his wisdom, he is following the way that leads to truth and justice.

In the second reading for this week, St. James warns the early Christians to avoid self-seeking and envy. This only leads to dissention, quarreling, and war. The true follower of Jesus will seek that wisdom that is “peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” According to St. James, wisdom leads to good order and peace.

In the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus are so busy arguing about which one is going to be greater in the Kingdom, that they really miss what Jesus is trying to tell them. For the second time, he is attempting to explain that soon he must suffer and die, and on the third day, to rise from the dead. When they arrive at a house in Capernaum, Jesus asks them what they were arguing about on the way. He knows very well that they had not been listening, so he tells them that any follower of his must be a servant to others. Placing a small child in the middle of the group, he declares that the trust and love they see in the eyes of this little one is a model for their future discipleship.

As we think about that dramatic teaching of Jesus, we realize how far we are from being truly child-like. May we silence our ambitions, our dissentions, and the clamor of a fearful world this week, and listen to God’s Wisdom. In so doing, we will get rid of that green-eyed monster, envy, and grow in that wisdom that leads to humble service in the Lord’s kingdom.

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September 13, 2009

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are many meanings to the phrase “comfort zone”. For some people, their comfort zone is sitting in an easy chair with a good book. When I was a teenager, my mother was good at prying me out of my “comfort zone” with a gentle reminder that I was not a “star boarder” in our home.

Jesus applied a stronger “shock treatment” than that to the comfort zone of his apostles in this week's Gospel. After he had challenged them to confess that he was more than just a human teacher, one with divine authority, he then announced to them the sobering news that he would soon suffer a humiliating passion and death at the hands of his enemies. Ironically, it was Peter, who had just publically proclaimed that he was the Son of God, who immediately rebuked Jesus for such defeatist talk. And Jesus says to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan!”

Do we modern-day disciples do any better at accepting a Messiah who calls himself a “suffering servant”? How good are we at joining our own sufferings with Jesus’ redeeming passion and death? It’s all part of the faith plus good works that St. James speaks about in today’s second reading. He insists that faith without loving works is dead. For centuries, battles have raged about “faith alone” or “faith and good works” being necessary for salvation. Of course, we cannot pull ourselves into heaven without the grace of God. However, common sense will confirm the truth of today’s second reading. Faith without actions that flow from that faith is useless and hollow.

Have we given only the assent of our mind to the truths that Jesus proclaims? He wants far more than that. He wants the full assent of our hearts and wills. Since Jesus gave himself completely to us even unto death, he will never rest content until we have given him back our total selves. That means accepting the suffering that he asks of us, and joining that suffering to his own sacrifice for the redemption of the world. That is faith accompanied by works.

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September 6, 2009

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Friday will mark the eighth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. While the starkness of that day and memories of the weeks that followed have grown dimmer, the insecurity that was created that day continues to haunt our lives. Over these past nine years, fear has spawned two horrible wars, and the world is still suffering the evils of terrorism.

In contrast, this Sunday’s readings are filled with hope for our future. Isaiah assured the captive Israelites that, if they repent, their land and their people will again prosper and they will rejoice at the lavish blessings that will come to them. To all of us today who are held captive by a culture spoiled by war, drugs, and loss of respect for life, God holds out hope.

In the first reading, Isaiah tells us that new vitality will spring forth from the desert. It will bloom with fresh beauty, and the pools and springs will again overflow with refreshing water. What do we need to do to experience this “second spring”? God tells us to strengthen our weak hands, and make firm our feeble knees. Furthermore, we are to encourage one another with words like Be brave! Fear not! In other words, we are to rebuild the “ground zeros” in our lives left barren of hope and courage.

Fear can paralyze, causing our hearts and souls to wither. Fear can close our purse string, and tempt us to clutch our possessions to ourselves, not sharing with those who are poor and destitute. In Isaiah and in James, we are warned of God’s punishment on narrow and exclusive behaviour. If our fear paralyzes our faith God will exclude us from the kingdom.

In the Gospel, Jesus shows us the way to get rid of prejudice. Travelling into non-Jewish territory and, much to the astonishment of his disciples, he heals some gentiles. These, in turn, exclaim in wonder, “He does all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak!”

This weekend, we beg Christ to open our eyes and hearts to a world in confusion. “Be brave. Be courageous, be impartial in sharing your possessions, especially the Good News.”

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August 30, 2009

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Just as we’re beginning to enjoy the belated summer heat, we find with a shock that it’s time to think of Labor Day picnics and September programs for church and school.

The readings for this Sunday fit well with our new resolutions for the coming season. Moses reminds the people that the Ten Commandments which he is giving them bind them to a sacred covenant with their Creator. “Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations....” The passage connects their faith in the Law with reason. In other words, only a foolish person will violate the Law. Further advice is given us in today’s second reading from James. He tells us to be "doers of the word and not hearers only." In other words, we must always put our faith into action. In the Gospel today, Jesus scolds the Pharisees and religious leaders for focusing on the washing of hands rather than the larger issues of divine justice, mercy, and love.

One of the ways we can act on faith is to carefully listen to our Holy Father and our bishops in the current health care debate. Preservation of human life is a core teaching of the fifth commandment. Providing care for the poor, the sick and elderly, the legal immigrant, and the unemployed are also part of the command, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Jesus told us very clearly in the parable of the Good Samaritan who is included in that term! Let the Gospel values of Jesus guide us and our legislators in formulating right policies for our nation's health care in the months ahead.

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August 23, 2009

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Often, when we’re faced with hard decisions, we’ll seek the advice of an “authority figure”. It’s usually a wise idea to do so, but sometimes, we just want to shift the burden to someone else. “What shall I do?” we ask, hoping the other person will make up our mind for us. If the answer comes back, “Use your own judgment”, then we’re right back where we were, faced with the personal responsibility for our choice.

That’s exactly what Jesus does in today’s Gospel. Many of the Lord’s followers had left him because of his teaching that he himself is the Bread of Life. If they were willing to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, they would live forever. Otherwise, they would die. Many thought the message was too good to be true. So they “walked with him no longer.”

Jesus turns to the Twelve and says, “Do you also want to leave?” It’s as though he had added, “It’s your decision. I’m not going to make your minds up for you!” Fortunately for them and for the future Church, they have enough faith to reply, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. For we have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” For us today, we need to renew often our decision to believe in firmly and to act on the truths that Jesus teaches.

The second reading from Ephesians should capture the attention of all married couples, since it is so often misunderstood. It’s the famous passage about wives being “subordinate” to their husbands. Women feel that this statement has led to much “wife beating” and worse.

It all hinges on the word “subordinate”. We need to read the whole passage to understand St. Paul properly. He starts off by telling us that Christians ought to be “subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.” That means loving and caring for one another as Christ loves us. It means being attentive to each other’s gifts. Furthermore, St. Paul tells husbands to love their wives “as their own bodies...for no one hates one’s own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it.” In a nutshell, marriage is all about sacrificing for one another, listening carefully to each other, and telling the truth to one another. All lack of respect, all physical, verbal, emotional or spiritual abuse is out. And that’s really God’s idea of a perfect marriage, a true romance!

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August 16, 2009

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Most people love an invitation to dinner. For one thing, they won’t have to cook for themselves that day. For another thing, they look forward to talking with friends. How many people there are in the world today who would give anything for a dinner invitation, since otherwise they would not eat at all! I’m speaking of the hungry poor. More people than ever, both at home and in Third World countries, are literally starving from lack of food. And we’re all starving for spiritual food that satisfies.

For several Sundays, the Gospel has told us about Jesus’ attempt to convince a large crowd that he himself is the living Bread come down from heaven, bread that will satisfy their hungry spirits. Instead of responding with shouts of joy, the people argue among themselves as to how “this man” could possibly do what he says he will do. Already some of them turn away and leave for their homes.

In every age, it takes real wisdom for people to believe in the gift that Jesus offers us. What is wisdom? Wisdom involves seeing deep down below the surface of words and events, making a judgment as to the truth of that insight, and giving an assent which we call “understanding”. Wisdom is a gift. It’s one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom can be lost through through carelessness. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, lost his precious gift through sinful living.

In the first reading today from the Book of Proverbs, God offers the gift of wisdom at a banquet prepared for all “who are simple” and “lack understanding.” All we have to do is forsake the path of foolishness and sin, and we will then grow in “understanding”.

In the second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul urges us to live not as foolish persons, but as wise ones. Why? Because wisdom leads to understanding, and understanding leads us to faith in the words of Jesus.

Holy Spirit, grant us more wisdom each day, that we may not only understand the Living Bread of Life, but that we may receive this Bread more worthily.

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August 9, 2009

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Have you ever been so discouraged that you wanted to die? Elijah was. And, ironically, he had every reason to be cheered by his success against the false prophets of Ba-al. Before an audience of many hundreds, he had called down fire from heaven to consume damp and soggy pile of wood and animal carcasses. And God did what he asked! Now, fleeing for his life, he becomes despondent, crawls into a cave, and goes to sleep! Now, sleep sometimes cures our downcast spirits, and we can shake off our despondency. In any case, God took matters into his own hands, and sent an angel to wake him - and feed him. It wasn’t a seven-course dinner, but it gave Elijah the strength to walk 300 miles to Mt. Horeb, where God renewed his covenant with sinful Israel.

We must never let Satan or our own emotions keep us from doing all the good God wants us to accomplish. We must never give up, but rather turn to prayer for nourishment. Sometimes, we need to stir ourselves into action by reaching out to someone that we can encourage or assist in their need.

St. Paul urges us in the second reading today, not to “sadden” the Holy Spirit. It may come as a surprise that the Holy Spirit can feel so deeply, and, like humans, can be saddened. What saddens him is our bitterness, quarreling, shouting, ingratitude, and lack of forgiveness. What gladdens the Spirit is our kindness and patience with one another. We are reminded to be imitators of Christ, and to live in love. What great advice. If we want to get rid of despondency and discouragement, we only need to imitate the Saviour, and be ourselves “bread’ for others.

The Gospel deals with a doubting audience, shocked and critical of Jesus’ claim to have come down from heaven as the Bread of Life. Despite the miracles they had witnessed, and the words of wisdom, preached with such convincing authority, they could not go the extra step to accept his claim. At last, Jesus reveals his power to give eternal life. What an incredible opportunity! But they refuse it.

Without judging these listeners too harshly, may we stir in our hearts deep gratitude for the faith in the Real Presence of Jesus, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity we have as Catholics.

Our reaction can only be an awestruck “Thank you!”

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August 2, 2009

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Growing up as a child in the 1930’s(!), we had ice refrigerators that depended on the iceman delivering ice to our homes every few days. In the hot months of July and August, I can remember running after the ice wagon with the other kids, looking for small chips to cool us down. We weren’t really interested in the ice man, just the cooling ice. He must have satisfied hundreds of kids in the course of his route.

In today’s first reading, the Israelites were always running after the manna which God sent from heaven. They were happy only when they had full stomachs! The same is true in today’s Gospel. Crowds pursued Jesus all the way across the lake, looking for more of that delicious bread he had provided the day before. Jesus chided them aiming only to feed their stomachs, when he had much more to give them of the spiritual bread of eternal life. When they asked him what they could do to accomplish the works of God, he told them bluntly, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

The entire sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel is concerned about Jesus’ teaching that he himself is the Bread of Life, far superior to the bread for our stomachs that satisfies only for a short time. He affirms that this precious gift from the Father is of no avail unless we believe. We must get rid of any indifference, doubt, or skepticism about the words of Jesus and about their source, and just abandon our minds and hearts to unqualified acceptance. God the Father has sent us Jesus from heaven to be our food, our strength, our hope, and our joy in living. Nothing else in life can surpass this Bread of Life. The Israelites died after eating delicious manna and quail from the skies, and so will we die after acquiring all earthly food, including knowledge, money, success, and other earthly treasure. God’s life-giving Bread has in it the power of eternal life, but it will nourish only those who truly believe.

Before we approach the altar at Mass again to receive this precious gift, let us stir up in our hearts full assent to what we proclaim at the Creed: “We believe!” Without faith, we may receive into our bodies the true Body and Blood of the Son of God, but we will never know the full transforming effects we should desire so earnestly.

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July 26, 2009

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prophets were often recognized by the people of their time by some miracle or “sign” that they performed. In our first reading, we see such a sign performed by the prophet Elisha, the successor to Elijah who, as he was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot, had bequeathed his cloak to Elisha. The sign in today’s first reading from the second Book of Kings is very similar to that performed by Jesus in today’s Gospel. They are both “sacramental” signs, and they both are about a multiplication of loaves of bread. In the first reading, Elisha receives 20 loaves of bread to feed the crowd listening to him. This miracle is significant because Elisha had been commanded by God to honor him with a special sacramental meal. The man giving the bread protests to Elisha that he can’t possibly feed 100 people with that amount. Elisha points out to him that God had promised, “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.”

In the Gospel, Jesus performs a similar “sign”, only on a grander scale. Elisha had fed 100 people, while Jesus feeds five thousand with even fewer loaves! The people are amazed at this miracle, and, seeing its similarity with the sign Elisha had performed, declare Jesus the great prophet who was to deliver Israel. In other words, they recognize him as the messiah. Jesus leaves abruptly before they carry him off to make him a king!

Obviously both “signs” point to the future institution of the Holy Eucharist, the true food sustaining our spiritual life, and linking us to a most intimate sharing in the person of Jesus Christ.

The second reading from Ephesians is about unity, “...one Lord, one faith, one baptism....” This cements the two readings together nicely, since the Holy Eucharist is the great sacrament of unity, binding all who participate into “one bread, one Body.”

Incidentally, from the seventeenth Sunday through the twenty-first Sunday, the gospel is taken from the sixth chapter of John, in which there are seven different “signs” pointing to the beginnings of the Eucharist. We wonder how anyone could possibly deny that Jesus intended to give us his own Body and Blood as a sign of his life and his love.

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July 19, 2009

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

As summer slowly warms up, we are more inclined to expand our souls, to relax, and enjoy the natural world of mountains, lakes, or just our own back yard. We’re right in the mood for today’s Gospel, when Jesus invites his apostles to slow down. They’ve just returned from some mission travels, dusty and weary. They need a break. Jesus says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.”

We all need to take that Gospel to heart during these summer months because the rapid pace of our lives, working too many hours, cutting back on hours of sleep, is wearing us out. Often, it’s making us short-tempered, and causing us to neglect the life of the spirit. Aren’t we supposed to have an immortal soul? We need “soul time.” That means reflective reading from Scripture and from other reading that expands our imagination and our appreciation for the beauty and wisdom of God who dwells among us. Perhaps it’s about people who have learned valuable lessons from some tragedy in their lives, and, as a result, have “found God.” Then, we need time just to think about what we’ve read, learn more about God’s love and mercy. From this can come ideas for changing our outlook, help us forgive someone who’s hurt us. It can help us be a little more grateful for life.

Summer time should also include prayer time, time to ask God for what we need to be stronger in altering our frantic ways that lead to nowhere. The grace that the Lord will give us from our asking will make a big difference in how we treat our families and friends.

Summer is so short. We need to come away with Jesus every day, just to relax and to “re-create” our souls.

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July 12, 2009

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Most people are “turned off” by fiery denunciations of sin by TV preachers. Even in the homilies we hear at Mass, we don’t want anything too heavy, or any sharp criticism of our failings. But we do love to hear a humorous story. Often, that’s all we remember.

This Sunday’s reading from the Book of Amos is about a prosperous sheep-breeder and a “dresser of sycamore trees” from the southern kingdom of Judah whom God called to prophecy in the northern kingdom of Israel. Here, King Jeroboam had made his land prosperous, with many of its citizens rich and comfortable. Unfortunately, the rich exploited the poor, making their lives almost intolerable. Now comes the prophet Amos with a harsh message from God that their nation is nearing its end. God, in his anger, will send death to the king and slavery for its people. When the priest at the northern temple of Bethel hears this, he expels Amos, telling him to go home to Judah. Amos tries to explain to Amaziah that it wasn’t his idea to become a prophet in the first place, but that his message is authentic, and they had better listen to it. To no avail. His prophecy came true when the Assyrians cruelly invaded Israel within a few years. The message of the prophets was rarely welcomed, and many of the prophets were rejected, and others killed.

Today’s Gospel from Mark gives Jesus’ instructions to his disciples on how they, like the prophets, must conduct themselves. In effect, they are to travel light and rely on the generosity of townspeople for food and lodging. If they are badly treated, or their message is not welcomed, they are to “shake the dust from their feet” in protest, and go to another town.

Many in our society today are unwilling to listen to Christ’s message. Fewer and fewer people, especially the young, attend Mass on Sundays. In effect, they are rejecting the prophets of our time.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves some questions this week: 1) Like Amos, we have been called; as disciples of Christ, we have been “missioned” to promote Christ’s message through earnest, daily prayer, through discussions with our neighbors, and by the example of our lives. How well am I doing that? And 2) What will the judgment of God be on us if we fail in our responsibility? What will God’s judgment be on our society which is so unwilling to listen to the Lord’s prophets?

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July 5, 2009

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Teenagers will often take advice or warning from their peers, rather than from their parents or teachers. It’s a phase most of us have gone through. But even later in life, we will accept the word of an “expert” before listening to someone we’ve known all our lives. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is frustrated at the refusal of his own hometown friends and relatives to give him a hearing, and comments sadly to his followers, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place, and among his own kin....” Because of their lack of faith, God withheld many graces from them. Why didn’t they listen to Jesus? They were all too content with their little village life and its comfortable demands. They didn’t want any large challenge to that life.

In today’s first reading, God has much to say to the Israelites in exile. Because of their refusal to accept the warnings of the prophet Ezekiel, their exile lasted much longer, and the destruction of their beloved Jerusalem and its Temple all the more devastating. Why didn’t they listen? They were caught up in the life of Babylon. They were too comfortable with it all.

We can all get very satisfied with our lives as they are. We don’t like challenges to our way of thinking or our ways of acting. When God tries to adjust our values to bring them more in conformity with his will, we often turn a deaf ear. We may even harden our hearts against God and his messengers. There are many around us who challenge the Holy Father and the teachings of the Church. Many have even been persuaded by the secular voices of our times, and have given up the practice of their faith completely.

However, like the Israelites at the time of Ezekiel, and the contemporaries of Jesus in Nazareth, we ignore the voice of God at our own peril. The readings from Scripture this Sunday give us much food for contemplation. What particular teaching of the Church am I resisting?

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June 28, 2009

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Recently, the Lay Ministry of our area sponsored a program of religious music and dance. A wonderful youth singing group called Transformation thrilled us with their enthusiastic rendering of sacred songs, some traditional, some original. They sing regularly at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Watertown. A dance group of young ladies from St. Cecelia’s in Adams also performed some religious tableaux that were beautiful and inspiring. To me, it was a sign of the Holy Spirit working to bring life and joy through the faith of young people.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus says to the dead child, “Little girl, get up!” God created life, and always works to restore its fullness. Jesus’ mission was to revive us from both spiritual and physical death.

The readings for this 13th Sunday in Ordinary time fit so well with this theme. They remind us that God created us for happiness, freedom, and life to the full. “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living,” the Book of Wisdom declares. So, then, who did invent death? Satan the Destroyer! All who submit to his rule will experience death! How then, do we escape death? Through clinging with all our strength and will to the commandments of God, and the teaching of his Son, Jesus. In the second reading, we find the key to life in the letting go of self, and sharing generously of all that we have and are with the “have nots” in our midst. When the Israelites in the desert did not share the manna that God sent, it rotted away.

The Gospel today gives us two stories, one of which is sandwiched inside the first. The “outside” narrates the healing of a prominent Jew’s daughter. Jairus falls before Jesus, acknowledging his power to heal, and begs Jesus to come to his house, where his twelve-year old daughter is on the point of death. Jesus goes immediately with Jairus, a large crowd following. Now comes the “story within a story.” A poor woman who has exhausted all her money on doctors, none of whom can cure her from her serious illness, sees Jesus coming, and quickly comes up behind Jesus. Here, it’s important to know that she is legally “unclean,” and therefore cannot touch anyone. Nevertheless, she reaches out and touches Jesus’ cloak. Both she and Jesus know that healing power has gone forth. Jesus turns around, inquiring who is the one who has touched him. Fearfully the woman admits that she is the one. Jesus immediately calms her fear, telling her to go home in peace, for she is healed. Then, he proceeds to the house of Jairus, where he learns that the little girl has died. Quieting all the commotion, he goes in with the child’s parents and Peter, James, and John. Taking the hand of the girl, he brings her from death to life, ordering that some food be brought to her.

God is the creator, the source of life. Wherever there is “death,” either through sin, disease, or distress of any kind, he brings new life, and even greater joy than we had before.

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June 21, 2009

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The theme of our Scripture readings this Sunday might be stated as “overcoming fear through trust.” In the first reading, Job has lost his trust in God’s justice because of his terrible afflictions, and he is about to demand that God give an explanation for treating his servant so unjustly. At that point, God speaks to Job “out of the storm,” calming Job’s anger, and reducing his complaining to silence. Today’s reading gives us a mere fragment of a much longer speech in which God says to Job, “Gird up your loins like a man...will you condemn me that you may be justified?” Job, aware of his lack of trust in the Almighty, cries out, “...I repent in dust and ashes!”

The setting of the Gospel is a violent storm on the sea of Galilee. Even though Jesus is with them asleep in the boat, they awaken him in their great fear, and, like Job, they reproach him with the complaint, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus immediately calms the sea, and the storm ceases! Then he, in turn, rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith in his power.

The most reasonable human beings are afraid of storms. The people of New Orleans and surrounding areas have still not recovered from Hurricane Katrina. Even more frightening are the storms that beset us in the form of constant attacks on Americans by Islamic terrorists. We need to fear most of all the “storms” that are caused by those in our own society who systematically undermine the moral dignity of all life, and little by little are removing laws which were designed to protect the lives of the unborn and the helpless, and the consciences of religious people who seek to live by their faith.

God urges us this Sunday to stir up our faith in his power to bring right order and harmony to the disorderly times in which we live. There is nothing that a rock-like faith cannot overcome. And fear not! God is not asleep! He expects us first to calm the disorder in our souls. Then he, the Lord of the universe, can calm the fierce storms that are out of our control.

On this Fathers’ Day, we need to pray for all fathers whose role reflects the protective and nourishing role of God himself towards their children and their spouses. We pray that they will show firm and steady love, wise and understanding care always. We pray also for fathers who are deceased or absent, that we will always pray for them, and forgive them for any hurts we bear because of weakness or neglect on their parts. In turn, we pray that God will help them forgive us any neglect or lack of love we showed them while they were with us.

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June 14, 2009

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

On the Sunday following Trinity Sunday, the Church celebrates the greatest gift of Jesus to those who remain on earth - the loving presence of his sacred Body and Blood in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This feast celebrates a promise made by the Master that he would remain with his church until the end of the ages, a promise that he would keep close to us as a friend and nourish us with the Food of Life.

Blood is mentioned in all three readings today. Moses sprinkled blood on the Israelites as a sign of a covenant between God and his people. Jesus shed his blood on Calvary as a new covenant was made between God and those newly redeemed. The Holy Eucharist was established at the Last Supper so that we who are baptized into Christ might share with him in his dying and rising, joining our own sufferings with his for the continuing salvation of the world. Our liturgy refers to the Eucharist as “food for the journey” in a double sense. The “journey” means, first of all, our earthly journey from birth to death, as well as our heavenly journey when it is given to the dying person as Viaticum (literally, “with you on the way”).

There was a time in our history when an overemphasis on the sacredness of this food limited the reception of Eucharist to once or twice a year, or in exceptional cases to once a month, since Christians were seen as “not worthy” of so great a gift. Pope Piux X corrected this abuse, restoring the practice of frequent Communion, while stating that the Body and Blood of Christ is medicine for our weakness, not a reward for holiness. We will never appreciate enough this greatest of gifts - the Body and Blood of Jesus, both sign and reality.

Unfortunately, there is now a laxity in proper preparation on the part of Catholics before receiving Holy Communion. Many have forgotten the rule that we must rid ourselves of serious sin by the Sacrament of Reconciliation before presenting ourselves at the altar. If a priest is not available, we should make a good act of sorrow, then receive Holy Communion. Even then, we are obliged to make a good confession as soon as possible. Today is a good day for us to ask the question, “Have I carefully prepared myself to receive my Lord and my God with respect and love? Do I allow the love and mercy and joy of Jesus to flow through me to all I meet?”

We will never appreciate enough this greatest of gifts - the Body and Blood of Jesus, both sign and reality.

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June 7, 2009

Trinity Sunday

Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. It celebrates the most awesome of all mysteries. The Scriptures for the Mass guide us through the story of its revelation to God’s people.

The first reading from Deuteronomy is all about Moses’ reminding the Israelites of just how great this one God has been to them ever since he revealed himself to Abraham many years before. More recently, he has performed incredible miracles in delivering the people from Egypt’s ruler. The number one as in “God” has been indelibly branded in their minds and hearts! (This accounts for some later confusion and reluctance on their part to accept the teaching of Jesus about the Trinity).

The final passages of Matthew’s Gospel are read this Sunday. In them, we find Jesus revealing the great mystery which has left us speechless for two thousand years - and the mystery is this: he himself is the Son of God, and he is equal to God the Father! How can this be? Two separate “Persons” in the one God? We may well ask, “Why do we need a third person?”

Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians casts much light on the mystery (but not enough to solve it completely). Paul talks about the Holy Spirit as the love connection between Father and Son. In fact, It connects the very distant idea of a Creator God with the still very awesome idea of the Word of God taking on human flesh. He has been given the divine-human name of Jesus, the Anointed One (Christ).

So the third Person of the Trinity is really the Holy Connection between Father and Son. St. Basil called this Spirit of God the Divine Being who is totally contained in every baptized and confirmed Christian. Now the catch! He gives his power to the whole universe, and to those individuals “who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.” This makes God much closer than we realize. This third Person makes holy all those persons who will allow him to do so. We ourselves share in the connection between “Father” and “Son”.

We need not be disturbed by the fact that we’ll never solve the mystery of three Persons in one God - all we have to do is to live by the Spirit who is the Great Connector, and realize that we have been given the immense privilege of being a living temple of the Holy Trinity, sharing in its power, its truth, and the incredible delights of its love life, joy, and everlasting happiness!

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May 31, 2009

Pentecost Sunday

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church. After the Ascension, the apostles gathered around Mary in the Upper Room to prepare by prayer and supplication that Jesus fulfill the promise that he made the night before he died to send “another Counsellor, to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth...He will teach you all things, bring to your remembrance all I have said to you...guide you into all the truth.” (Jn 14:16-17; 16:13) The Holy Spirit on Pentecost also breathed into his disciples the power to forgive the sins of the whole world: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” (Jn 20:22) Immediately, the Twelve began to speak in many languages to devout Jews from every nation under heaven.

The Holy Spirit’s coming was shown outwardly by fiery tongues hovering over the heads of the apostles, accompanied by a rushing wind. Through these signs, God made his presence known, a presence of the power of love, designed to change and transform the whole world through his Church.

What does it mean for us today? It means that as confirmed Catholics, the Holy Spirit dwells in us as in a shrine, frees us from sin, and helps us in our weakness. Only in the power of the Spirit can we really hope for grace beyond our grasp, for a glory beyond the grave. With that hope, we can walk in the Spirit, and boldly confront other powers that threaten to engulf and destroy our society. If we do not stir up this hope in us, then we will despair into thinking that the powers of greed and hatred, the spirit of exploitation, the spirit of abuse of the weak and helpless, are stronger than the power of the Spirit of love and truth. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful. Make us bold and fearless Christians!

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May 24, 2009

Seventh Sunday of Easter

As children or adult converts, we learned that the distinguishing marks of our Church are: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. This week’s readings emphasize the apostolic nature of the Catholic Church.

After the Ascension, the apostles felt a sense of grief and loneliness. But Jesus had promised to send them the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them. So they gathered with Mary in the upper room to pray and await his coming.

First, however, they felt it necessary to round out their numbers again to twelve. We may well wonder why the number twelve was so important. Scholars are generally in agreement that Jesus himself carefully chose twelve to fulfill the mission of the twelve tribes of Israel. In any case, the Holy Spirit chose Matthias. In choosing Matthias, they established a key criterion for an apostle. He must have accompanied the others the whole time, and have been a witness to the resurrection. Listeners to the Gospel would be strongly drawn to believe those who, with their own eyes, had seen Jesus alive in his own body. Even Thomas had believed when he saw the wounds of his Lord and Saviour.

The Gospel continues from last week the farewell address of Jesus at the Last Supper. “Consecrate them in the truth,” Jesus prays. All successors of the apostles are so consecrated. Truth is the one great divine force which will assure the unity of the infant church. “One faith, one Lord, one baptism” binds all who would be faithful branches on the vine which is Christ. We have seen through the ages from the beginning how deviation from Christ’s teaching tears asunder the solidarity of one Church. Christian bodies generally separate from this unity on one or another point of doctrine. The physical unity of Christ’s church will only be restored when there is a return to consensus on all aspects of the “deposit of faith”.

Today’s second reading from the first letter of John provides the key to unity in truth and adherence to authority through the great prayer of Jesus to “remain in my love”. All of us must struggle to be ourselves faithful and obedient witnesses to a church that is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

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May 17, 2009

Sixth Sunday of Easter

There is no more exciting episode in all of history than that of the steady growth of the early Christian Church under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just when the apostles think they understand and preach just what Jesus has commanded them to preach, the Holy Spirit comes on the scene with new directions for growth.

Just when some consensus to Jesus’ message of salvation for the Jews has been achieved, the Holy Spirit sends them for a tailspin. Jesus had been circumcised when a baby, and all the apostles had been circumcised. So new converts had to a) be circumcised, and b) they had to observe the same dietary laws as Jews. Right? Wrong, says the Holy Spirit. One day, while Peter is having his afternoon siesta, he has a disturbing dream. Peter has a noonday trance that disturbs him. From heaven, a sheet comes gently down, loaded with delicious food (not all of it kosher!). When told to eat it, Peter refuses, because some of the food is “unclean” according to Jewish dietary laws. A heavenly agent contradicts Peter, and forbids him to call any food unclean that God has made clean! Some miles away, Cornelius, a pagan, is likewise visited by an angel who commands him to summon Peter. Today’s first reading takes up the story at this point. When Peter arrives and sees that the Holy Spirit has come upon these pagans, Peter becomes convinced that the message of salvation must be meant for them as well as for the Jews. This new idea does not go over well with many Jews back in Jerusalem. They are shocked to hear from the Holy Spirit that salvation was no longer an exclusive prerogative for the Chosen People. Now, all are chosen! The community peace is shattered - for a brief time. Through their faith in the Spirit, and through prayer, the power of love restored unity. Love is the “glue” that holds the community together, not only then, but in our own times. For two thousand years, the Church has been obedient to the command of Jesus at the Last Supper: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Just think of what dynamic transformation there would be in our world society, if all Christians really loved one another! The example of Rwanda, a mainly Christian country, shows us the power of love and forgiveness. Fifteen years ago, tribal hatred caused the brutal massacre of many thousands of the Tutsi tribe by the Hutu majority. Today, through the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, that country is building for a peaceful future. When love can overcome fear, greed, and ignorance, then people can reach out to one another, resolve stubborn difference, and listen to one another. God listens to us a lot! We get in trouble when we fail to listen to God. God’s love knows no boundaries, and neither should ours. We will never measure up to Jesus’ command until we are able to recognize all people as brothers and sisters, and treat them accordingly.

There is no power on earth stronger than love. It will ultimately silence critics, win over those who are hostile to the Church, and bring all nations and peoples to the salvation for which Christ died and rose again. “May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me, and I am in you.”

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May 10, 2009

Fifth Sunday of Easter

One of the most popular programs on EWTN is The Journey Home, hosted by Marcus Grodi. Every week, former Protestant ministers tell their story of conversion to the Catholic Church. Time after time, their conversion follows a study of the history of the Church and the writings of the early Fathers of the Church.

The first great conversion story is told in this week’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Saul of Tarsus, a learned Jewish scholar, is miraculously converted from persecutor to ardent follower of Christ. No one could have predicted the startling accident that befell Saul on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus. He was knocked off his horse and struck blind by a divine shaft of light that left him totally helpless. He was directed by a voice to seek out one Ananias who would give him further directions. The rest is history. After some time in prayer and solitude, Barnabas, a man respected and trusted by the Christians, brought him to Jerusalem and introduced him to Peter and the other leaders. Overcoming their fears and suspicions, the apostles accept him as one of their fellowship. Saul (now Paul) becomes the great Apostle to the Gentile world.

It was surely a miracle of grace that often-bitter fighting between various factions did not split the Church apart and destroy it. Furthermore, many were sorely tested when friends and relatives opposed them or even betrayed them to the authorities. What saved the whole enterprise was the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit, enabling divine love to conquer jealousy. In today’s second reading, John directs his followers to “...love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” We must not merely give lip service to the truths taught by Jesus but act on them every day of our lives.

The Gospel today is taken from the great farewell address of Jesus at the Last Supper in which Jesus pleads for unity among his disciples. He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Think about it! As a branch cannot survive if it is separated from the vine, neither can we survive if we sever our connection with Jesus. He is constantly strengthening us with grace, just as a vine never interrupts the flow of vital sap to its branches.

Sometimes we take all the credit for our growth. We even try to control the directions in which we share that life with the Church. We like to pick our own ministries, rather than allow the Lord to have a say in the decision. Then, when our activities are “pruned” through failure, illness, or other disappointments, we complain or become bitter. At those times, we need to be more trusting, and realize that perhaps God’s Providence has broader plans for our growth and the growth of his kingdom. Without pruning, a vine may look flourishing and healthy, but it will produce much less fruit. Likewise, if we are to be fruitful members of Christ, we must sacrifice our own plans and projects for what the Lord has in mind.

After all, Christ is the Vine, and we are the branches!

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May 3, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Easter

All of us love to acquire a new car or a new computer, but many of us are quite unaware of the power and possibilities in them. It can be dangerous to push the wrong button! It’s just as foolish to let fear prevent us from pushing the right button. A famous sewing machine company has as it’s motto: “To know your machine is to love your machine.”

The first two readings on this Good Shepherd Sunday are all about the incredible possibilities in connecting with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the first reading, Peter stands before the religious leaders to speak of the power of Jesus’ name. In that sacred name, he has just healed a crippled man in the temple. He accuses the Jewish leaders of rejecting the power in that name. Even the apostles are just discovering that power. The early Church was in the process of expanding beyond the control of either the temple or its conquerors. Indeed, the Roman empire was itself an unwilling channel of its expansion. Despite persecution or imprisonment or death, the blood of martyrs would be the fertile seed of growth, as Tertullian prophesied.

In the second reading, John writes: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yes so we are.” Even today, we are slow to realize the power and the possibilities in that fact. John further tells us that our destiny is to be like him, and to “see him as he is.”

Jesus has told us what he is really like through many different metaphors, but the favorite one by far is that of the Good Shepherd. His loving sacrifice of himself for our sins, his mercy, his caring, his kindness, are all sources of consolation to billions of people through the centuries. The favorite subject of artists is that of Jesus, staff in hand, carrying a lamb in his arms. Above all, a true shepherd has the power to defend the sheep.

In these days, the shepherds of our Church from our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI down to own local bishop are determined to defend the truth that Jesus preached, whether it be the dignity of each human life, or the nature of marriage, or justice to the poor and downtrodden. We as Christ’s disciples are called on more and more to follow the voices of our shepherds as they speak out. It is a question of the obligation we have as children of God and followers of the Good Shepherd to let our voices we heard both in our homes and in the public square.

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April 26, 2009

Third Sunday of Easter

If your Easter joy is beginning to sag a bit, just check out today’s readings. The scene is Solomon’s Portico just after Peter has cured the lame man. As the man leaps for joy, a very large crowd gathers (later reports put the number at three thousand). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares that it is God who has worked this miracle, and that what they have seen is another proof that the man, Jesus, whom they crucified, was truly God’s Son. We can imagine how those words must have pierced many hearts with terrifying guilt. They were the ones who had cried “Crucify him!” just a short time ago. Memories of God’s terrible punishments in years past must have crowded their minds. What were they to do?

Peter’s words reassure them. Since they acted out of ignorance, God offers them salvation if they repent and believe. They must be baptized in his Name, and in the Father and the Holy Spirit. And they must spread the Word. This is the mission of every follower of Jesus!

The Gospel for this Sunday is even more exciting. This is Luke’s account of the commissioning of the apostles. Scene one takes place in the upper room, where the two disciples to whom Jesus appeared on their way to Emmaus have just returned, breathless and bursting with the news that Jesus is alive. Even as they speak, Jesus suddenly appears to the whole assembly, throwing them into consternation and fear. With powerful persuasion, Jesus convinces them that he is not a spirit, but a human person, very alive. He asks them for something to eat. They give him a piece of baked fish which he eats in their presence! From the upper room, Jesus leads them out to Bethany where the crowd had acclaimed him as king. According to Luke, Jesus ascends from here and disappears into the heavens.

The greater news is that Jesus is still with us - in the Eucharist, in the Spirit that dwells within us, and in our loving encounters with one another. He is here in our sorrows, supporting and strengthening us, keeping us on the journey that will inevitably lead to fullness of life, if only we are faithful. With that conviction, may we grow even more as Easter people, and may ‘Alleluia’ be our song!

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April 19, 2009

Second Sunday of Easter

Most people are happy that Lent is over and the Alleluias are back! We have celebrated the central event of Jesus’ life, the Resurrection. It’s as though we’ve attended a magnificent drama in which our hero, Jesus, has triumphed...the curtain has come down, and we can go home now!

But - come back! The drama isn’t over yet, for the risen Jesus is still on the world stage to play out over and over again the preaching of the good news of salvation, his rejection by the power people, his enduring ridicule and rejection, the brutal attacks of those who reject his teaching, his cruel death, and glorious rising.

It’s been going on for two thousand years - and those of us who have been baptized through water and the Spirit are on stage with him. We have been thus committed to his service, and transformed into a communion with his body and his blood. We are his church, living out the paschal mystery.

We’re still living out the doubts of Peter and, yes, doubting Thomas. How embarrassed Peter must have been when Jesus passed through that locked door, looked him in the eye, and said, “Peace be with you!” Did his doubts vanish then, or did it take a second appearance of Jesus in today’s Gospel? How ashamed Thomas must have been when Jesus turned to him and told him to place his hand into his side, and feel the wound there. “...and be not unbelieving, but believing.” Then Thomas fell to his knees with relief and joy, and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”

How are we to act in this drama? The first reading shows us how the early church did it. They shared all that they possessed. Their first priority was to take care of widows and orphans, then all who were in need. So it’s impractical! How close to the ideal do we come?

As we pray and work during these after-days of Easter, we must call on the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts with courage and love, to continue the drama that Jesus wrote for us.

So we must not go home now that Lent is over. We’re the ones on stage now! Easter shows us how our journey must begin anew...and how it will all end.

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April 12, 2009

Easter Sunday

Easter is the most joyful feast of the entire Church year, but like all feasts, it requires careful preparation if we are to have a good celebration. Hopefully, we made good use of the opportunities offered during Lent. If we really “got into” prayerful reflection on Scripture, fasting, and almsgiving for the needy, and real effort to loving closeness with Jesus, then our Easter joy is going to last longer than one day.

During this past week, if the events of Holy Thursday and Good Friday really hit home to us, then we’ll understand the stunning shock the followers of Jesus experienced at the empty tomb. In all four Gospels, it is Mary Magdalene who is the first to whom Jesus appears, although tradition believes he appeared first to his mother. Mary rushes back to tell the apostles in the upper room, and is met with resistance. They just weren’t ready to understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead. John and Peter went to the tomb. John believed, but Peter still had doubts.

The first reading on Easter is from a later sermon of St. Peter that forms the basis for the beliefs of the early Christians. In the time that elapsed from Peter’s seeing the empty tomb and that sermon, Peter had much time to think and pray. Like the others, his faith was transformed by the Pentecost experience of the Holy Spirit. No wonder this reading conveys a deep and enthusiastic faith that Jesus was really alive.

Not only Peter and the apostles, but each one of us is called on to be transformed in our hearts through the rising of Jesus from the dead. We have the advantage of hearing the testimony through the centuries of “a cloud of witnesses”. The second reading of Paul to the Corinthians urges this early Church to cast out the leaven of sin, and become a “new batch of dough”.

It will take a lifetime for most people to grasp fully what Jesus’ resurrection from the dead means to us personally. Each year, we have the chance to come closer to the truth. One day is not enough. In a sense, the season after Easter is even more important than Lent. These are the days when the apostles grew in faith, conviction, and courage to tell the whole world what had happened. They couldn’t do it without the Holy Spirit, and neither can we. For us, the sacrament of Confirmation has already brought us the Spirit of Jesus. We must call on his gifts of wisdom and understanding to keep us from letting go of Easter. If we do, we’ll know what to do with Easter, and our joy will be full.

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April 5, 2009

Passion (Palm) Sunday

Holy Week begins today. The waving of palm branches alerts all Christians to a week marked by intense drama. It all starts with a parade. Even today, people get excited and come running at the sound of celebration. We can imagine a stranger in Jersualem asking, “What’s happening?” A shopkeeper would reply excitedly, “They’re going to make this Jesus a King!” King for a day! What a shallow mockery that is repeated with blows and spittle by the soldiers just a few days later! A thorn-crowned king! On Sunday, Jesus allows the acclamations of his royalty, knowing how fickle their allegiance really is. Now, his heart is really broken as he sees how he has failed to win their loyalty and love. This year, the Gospel of Mark is used for the Passion narrative. The horrors of the Passion are proclaimed , and we must with reluctance raise our voices with the crowd clamoring “Crucify Him!”

How could events have accelerated at such a dizzying pace between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday? The forces of darkness were never more vicious in their attempt to terminate the mission of Jesus on this earth. That the religious leaders of that time were made instruments of evil is a tragic lesson to all religions, even to the present day. That these leaders scandalized their own people, making them agents of falsehood, is another warning to those of unwary and careless piety. How easily the righteous can be lulled into blind activity that can do harm! We wonder if any of the many that Jesus healed in his journeys were among those crying out against him. The Passion narrative is the most powerful story ever written about the sacrifice of the innocent to evil, and the blind consent of crowds to those in power.

Holy Week offers us the opportunity to personally suffer and die with Jesus for the sinfulness of our world - the sin of the past which seems so remote, and the sin of our present which is all too real, and, in our fear, threatens to overwhelm us. We often cannot understand our own behavior. We fail to carry out the things we want to do, and find ourselves doing the things we hate.

It is often a cause for sadness among priests and religious that so few people take part in the Holy Thursday re-enactment of the Last Supper. The washing of the feet forces us to feel the humiliation of Peter when Jesus waited on him. When will we allow Jesus to do what he wants with us? The special attention given on this day to Jesus’ truly leaving his body and blood with us until the end of time stirs us to come more frequently to adore him really present on our altars every day. Holy Week is a time for us to examine the flaws in the practice of our faith. The only remedy for our weakness is love for the Crucified One.

Along the street called the Via Dolorosa, Jesus, carrying his cross, must have walked over the withered palms! Are we ready to pick up one and take it with us all the way to Calvary?

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March 29, 2009

Fifth Sunday of Lent

As our Lenten journey draws closer and closer to Holy Week, we realize how much God is at times almost desperate for our love. In the Old Testament times, God tries many times to bind the people to himself in a covenant of fidelity. When his beloved Israelites try to break that bond and pull away from his love, God is angry for a time, but then, he mercifully forgives them, and tries once more to draw them to himself. In today’s reading from Jeremiah, he promises that, this time, he will write the Law in their hearts. He promises to “remember their sin no longer”.

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel from John come after the Transfiguration has failed to impress them. They’re not listening as he tries in vain to prepare them for his passion and death. He uses the familiar experience of seed falling to the ground and dying. By that very action, the seed is transformed from its tiny ugliness into a magnificent juicy fruit. As we hear that story today, we are well aware of loss through friends who die, our own loss of vitality as we grow older, relationships that are broken through betrayal, or just moving far away. Losses are painful, yet many times losses are necessary if we are to grow and mature.

Today’s Gospel is a great source of consolation and hope for all of us as we endure losses. What Jesus was trying to tell his disciples, he says to us today. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” The way out of death and into life for both our lost loved ones and ourselves is the same that Jesus experienced for us long ago by his patient endurance of being lifted up on a Cross and dying. From it came resurrection and joy unimaginable.

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March 22, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Lent

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is still called “Laetare (rejoice) Sunday” because the opening words of today’s Mass are from Isaiah, 66: 10-11: “Rejoice, Jerusalem...you who mourned for her”. This past Thursday marked the mid-point of Lent, so for centuries Christians on this day have “taken a breather” and let up a little on their strict(!) penances. We also rejoice in the new insights into God’s mercy and great love for us which we find in all three readings.

Second Chronicles (first reading) gives the history of Israel from Solomon, the last king of the united kingdom, to King Cyrus of Persia. Princes, priests and people had “added infidelity to infidelity” by mistreating the prophets and ridiculing God’s message. Enraged, God had sent them into exile in Babylon for seventy years. But in his great mercy, he uses a pagan, King Cyrus, who had conquered the Babylonians, to release the enslaved Israelites, sending them back to Jerusalem, loaded with gold and materials for rebuilding the Temple, the center and soul of their worship.

What striking similarities there are in our own day. All we have to do is read surveys and follow the news to know how many in our country wish to make laws that would overturn God’s laws on life, marriage, and family. We need to pray that God will forgive us for this flaunting of his laws. If we do not pray and do penance, all who wish to remain faithful to God’s values may end up in isolation and exile in our own country!

A further reason for hope, however, is found in today’s Gospel. There, we find one of the most consoling texts in all Scripture: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” What follows is Jesus’ plea that we shun the darkness. “For whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

Our reason to rejoice then lies in our resolution to live by the light of God’s truth, and to stir up our faith and hope in his incredible and ever-present love and mercy.

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March 15, 2009

Third Sunday of Lent

For most young people, it is very important to look, think, and act “cool”. If someone indulges in a sudden burst of anger before their friends, they are said to be “losing it”. Both young people and adults shy away from people when they are angry. Yet, there is such a thing as “righteous anger”.

In today’s first reading from Exodus, God the Father lays down his Law with great clarity. He even warns his chosen people in this passage about the Law that he is a jealous God, and will punish infractions severely. It is absolutely required that we “bow down” before his majesty, and before no other “false gods”. In this passage, God also commands that we set aside one day a week for workship - the Sabbath (for Christians, this means Sunday). This Lent is a good time for us to meditate on this passage, making some real changes in the choices we make for Sunday activities. Many parents just give up trying to contend with sports activities, yet we know how important our weekly worship is in God’s eyes. Perhaps we could look at it this way: What excuses are we planning to make on Judgment Day?

In the Gospel, we find the most shocking example of Jesus’ righteous anger in all of Scripture. Jesus loved the Temple because it was his Father’s house. He deeply resented the circus atmosphere that he found at entrance. All entering the temple had to pay a tax. Since the religious authorities would not accept the Roman coin with its image of the “divine Emperor”, all foreign money had to be converted at the door, often at a fat profit for the money lenders. So Jesus made a whip out of cords and drove out of the temple these extortionists, overturning their tables, and spilling the coins in every direction. In the stunned silence, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove his authority to do this. What a sign he gave! “Destroy this temple (meaning his body), and I will rebuild it in three days.” Only after the Resurrection would even his disciples understand what he meant.

Do we ever exert righteous anger against injustice in our day? Do we get angy enough to protest against those who destroy babies in the womb, those who enslave women and children for sinful purposes, those who have stolen the pensions and life-savings of the poor? This is anger in the face of injustices which cry to heaven. They certainly provide ample reason for us to make reparation for them this Lent by our fasting, our prayer, and our almsgiving. We are all sacred temples of God’s Spirit, so much loved by Jesus that he died on a cross to set us free. Lent is a time for us to reflect often on these truths, and witness to them by our actions.

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March 8, 2009

Second Sunday of Lent

Lent is a time for special encounters with God in prayer, a time for new insights into what God wants of us on our journey this year. In Lent, we should be asking the question, “What do you want of me that I haven’t given you?” “How much of myself should I offer to you?”

Thousands of years ago, Abraham found the answer to those questions in a way he could never forget! God tells him to take his son, Isaac, the “child of promise”, and to travel to the land of Moriah, up a mountain there, where he is offer Isaac in sacrifice! This request must have devastated Abraham in heart and mind. He must have felt that God had tricked him years ago when he promised himself and Sarah that their descendents would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Nevertheless, he obeys God to the point of raising his knife to kill his son. How was he to know this was only a test? An angel stops his arm, and God, now satisfied, renews the covenant he had made. And Abraham now knows that, if he is to please God, he must offer him absolutely everything of himself, of his dearest possessions, and his every hope of future joy.

In prayer, today, as we ask God how much he wants of ourselves, we can hear him say to us, “I want your whole life. Trust me, and I will give you all of myself!”

Another great encounter with God is offered us this Sunday in the Gospel. It was offered to Peter, James, and John also on a mountain, Mt. Tabor, which rises almost two thousand feet about the level land of Lower Galilee. Tired from the climb, the three disciples wake from a snooze, only to find Jesus who has been praying, suddenly radiant before them, talking with two men. They recognize these strangers as Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the prophets who called kings and commoners to follow their conscience and do the “right thing”.

As Jesus is talking with them, he is radiant with glory. He is glowing even more with the Father’s love as the thunderous words sound out, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” There is the key for our Lenten observance: listening to God.

God demanded total surrender from Abraham, although he spared Isaac. He did not spare his only Son, Jesus, but, as the second reading says, he gave him up for us and for our salvation. God’s extreme love for us is seen when St. Paul says, “...how will he not also give us everything else along with him?”

May our prayer this week be one of total surrender, total love, and trust that God will, in return, give us his Son “and everything else along with him”! What an incredible bargain!

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March 1, 2009

First Sunday of Lent

The season of Lent began this past Wednesday. I can remember when I, as a young priest, was distributing ashes for the first time. In my nervousness, I dumped half of the dish on the lily-white frontal piece of one of the Sisters of St. Joseph piously kneeling at the altar rail. Although she has long since forgiven me, I still think of that every year as we sing “We rise again from ashes!”

Yes, every year we rise again from the ashes of our sins and failures “to create ourselves anew.” Every year we take a journey, a pilgrimage through penance, self-discipline, prayer, and, hopefully, an abundance of good works, to the refreshing Easter waters of renewal.

Our first reading is about God’s complete disgust with the human race - all except Noah and his family. Because of this just man and his family, God instructed him to build an ark so that he could escape the avenging flood-waters that would destroy all other living creatures. After forty days, that ark must have been a rather smelly place! As Noah stepped out of the ark, he breathed new freshness from a world washed clean by water.

Lent can help wash our world clean as we go from the ashes of war, the murder of innocent children both in and out of their mothers’ wombs, and the greed that has brought such economic misery to both the guilty and the innocent. This Lent may we seek through God’s grace to rid ourselves of laziness and blindness and come to a renewal of all the covenants God has made with us, beginning with the one he made with Noah, leaving a rainbow of hope in the sky even to this day. Lent brings to us a greater appreciation for the Passion and Death of Jesus as he made for all of us a New Covenant in his blood.

The Gospel gives Mark’s abbreviated story of Christ’s temptation in the desert by Satan. The other evangelists fill in more details. Jesus experienced the same temptations the devil uses on all humans - the temptations to comfort and sensual appetites, the temptations to abuse whatever power we have, the temptations to pride and possessions.

As Jesus went into the desert, so we should seek out a quiet space for reflection and renewal, for refreshing talks with Jesus, inviting our family members to do the same. Remember the words of Jesus as he began his public ministry: “This is the time of fulfillment. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

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February 22, 2009

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Ash Wednesday! It’s very fitting that God’s merciful forgiveness of sin is the major theme of our readings for the seventh Sunday.

In the first reading, Isaiah is writing at the end of the Babylonian Captivity. God had sent them into exile in the first place because of their sins and infidelity. Ironically, God has to urge and cajole them to leave! Why? Because they had grown too comfortable with the pagan lifestyle of their captors. So God makes their road home through the desert very attractive. Where their first path through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land had been torturous and difficult, this new desert road to Jersualem will have many watering holes along a straight and easy path. Though the chosen people have continually sinned, even in Babylon, God will now forgive them, and welcome them home!

In today’s second reading, St. Paul is in a tight spot, for he had promised a second visit to the Corinthians, but later decided against it in an effort to avoid an unpleasant confrontation with some Jewish troublemakers. These people were trying to discredit Paul’s authority. So Paul decided against his second visit. Still, he assures the Corinthians that, as God himself is not “yes” one moment and “no” the next, neither is he. He has changed his mind solely out of love for them.

Today’s Gospel narrates the astounding incident of the four friends of a paralytic letting the man down through the roof of the crowded room where Jesus is teaching. As the dust settles, Jesus looks into the eyes of the paralytic and has pity on him. First, he forgives the man’s sins. When the scribes and Pharisees accuse him of blasphemy, saying that only God can forgive sins, Jesus responds with a question, "Which is easier - to say 'your sins are forgiven' or to say 'arise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth (he turns to the man) I say to you, rise, pick up your mat and go home.” And the man does! Do we believe that Jesus in his mercy can forgive my sins? Why don’t I ask Him more often?

What heroic friends that paralytic had! Without friends, the helpless ones in our society will not find life and health. In our own country, we need to be strong advocates for babies in the womb in danger of being aborted, for the elderly who face neglect and even euthanasia, for the millions without health insurance, and for the disabled and mentally ill who face neglect and abuse. We need to earnestly pray, and earnestly witness.

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It’s another time to seek absolution for sin, a time for opportunities to witness to the dignity of all life and to offer our service to those in need.

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February 15, 2009

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Most people are repulsed by the sight of bodily deformity, whether it be a mangled face or an ugly sore. In the time of Jesus, leprosy was a broad term for acne, ringworm, or psoriasis, as well as for Hanson’s disease. Leprosy in its worst forms involved running sores, decaying flesh, and a putrid odor. Because the early Israelites thought any skin deformity was contagious, the Mosaic law called for the exclusion of lepers from normal society. They were to shout out, “Unclean, unclean” when someone approached them. Their humiliation and loneliness of life must have been just as painful as their deformed bodies.

In today’s Gospel, the people who were listening to Jesus’ teaching must have been indignant at the leper who dared approach that close to Jesus, and beg him for a cure. Then they must have been horrified that Jesus actually reached out and touched this outcast. That made Jesus Himself legally unclean. What a powerful lesson Jesus’ action taught that day! He was obviously compassionate, generously sacrificing his own social status by healing the man.

And, because the newly-cured leper, ignoring Jesus advice, spread the word of the healing throughout the region, he now made it impossible for Jesus to be seen in any public place without being mobbed by those seeking a similar cure. While the leper returns to society, Jesus is forced out. The messiah is now the one who must seek out desert places!

After this incident, Jesus’ listeners knew they should never fear to approach the Master because of their past sins or social standing. He would understand and show compassion. To the “dark side” in each of us, Jesus brings light and healing, if only we can trust in his love. What is holding me back today from approaching Jesus for healing or just for his friendship? There’s no such thing as an “outsider” in Jesus’ book. All are welcome who seek his loving touch.

Another question: who are the lepers in my book? Do I avoid those who are repulsive to me? Do I shun those with whom I disagree, or those I just don’t like? We can all learn from one another. Remember Jesus’ words, “I will reject no one who comes to me.” We can at least follow the advice of today’s second reading and “avoid giving offense.” A smile, a welcoming word, patiently listening and then giving a loving response is not going to kill us! In fact, we will receive much more than we give.

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February 8, 2009

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Book of Job is one of the most popular stories in world literature. It deals with the problem of human suffering of the just person. Why? Job knows he is righteous, but in the course of the story, as he argues with three friends who are convinced he is being punished for his sins, Job overdoes his own righteousness. He speaks to God directly, demanding an explanation for the ill-treatment he has received. God rebukes Job for thinking that his righteous life has somehow “earned” him happiness. Job is humbled as he learns that that our sufferings are not the result of our sins. Rather, that we suffer so that the works of God may be shown forth in us. Suffering is still a mystery, but our trust in God’s goodness and obedient acceptance of his reasons will bring us to joyful salvation in God’s heaven. In the end, health and prosperity are restored a hundred-fold to Job.

His powerful story has comforted thousands upon thousands of people who have lost everything, but have held tenaciously to their faith in a loving God.

In our own lives, when we feel that God has acted cruelly or unjustly, then we need to look at Christ on the cross. Was it fair for Jesus whose only crime was loving us, to be killed on a cross after severe humiliation and torture? Was it fair for Mary to suffer the terrible pain that only mothers can know and appreciate?

Our second reading from Corinthians give us the example of St. Paul who endured daily trials because of the compulsion of love and zeal urging him to preach the Gospel of life every day, in season and out of season. His mission, too, involves great suffering.

In the Gospel, Jesus helps Peter’s mother-in-law to her feet after curing his fever. What a touching scene when this now healthy woman immediately begins to prepare a meal fo Jesus and those gathered. Although we do not know the name of Peter’s wife, we admire her courage, too. Not only does Jesus take her husband away to be an apostle; he even makes a follower out of her own mother!

Like Job, may we never feel that God has abandoned us when he allows us to suffer. Rather, may we have faith enough in the wisdom of Providence that has allowed us to share in the mysterious plan of Jesus’ saving Passion that goes on through the centuries. It all ends in Resurrection.

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February 1, 2009

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The first reading today from Deuteronomy gives us an amazing insight into God’s patience and mercy toward the people of the Covenant. The setting is the desert, where the Israelites are stalled on their journey toward the Promised Land. Why are they stalled? Because their parents grumbled against God in their lack of faith. So now the young people beg Moses not to subject them anymore to God’s fire and thunder. “Moses,” they cry, “you are flesh and blood like us. You be God’s voice, please.” And God agrees with their request by sayng to Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin.” But God gives a warning. Any prophet he chooses had better take the job seriously. So Moses becomes the first of a whole line of prophets for Israel who would reveal God’s plans for the future Messiah. He will be called the Suffering Servant, Wonder-Worker, Lamb of God, and Prince of Peace. He will redeem them from their sins, and will heal their illnesses.

In the Gospel, Jesus announces to the people that the Kingdom of God has finally arrived. He proceeds to amaze the people by driving out a demon from a man who confronts him in the synagogue. He does it with an authority unlike that of their religious leaders.

Place yourself in that scene in the synagogue. Looking around, you might see one or two who might look enviously at the man freed of his demon. Would you be envious too, knowing that you yourself might have a demon or two? What demon would you like driven out? The demon of depression or stress, perhaps? In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” Are you so afflicted?

Stress has been pictured as an old man with head bowed down carrying a load of feathers which he thinks to be lead. Or a man trying to cross a bridge, and he hasn’t even gotten to it yet.

Stress comes from trying to control everything, especially things that are beyond our control. Perhaps it’s the economy, or lack of health care, or lack of a job. Stress comes from trying to be perfect in everything, all the time. No one is perfect except Jesus Christ.

Some years ago Richard Carlson wrote a book called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. It was so popular that it became a series of books. He wrote, “Make peace with imperfection.” “If someone throws you the ball, you don’t have to catch it.” “Life isn’t an emergency.” “Give up on the idea that more is better.” “Stop blaming others.” “Get comfortable not knowing.” “Resist the urge to criticize.” St. Paul said it in today’s reading: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Jesus told us very clearly in the Gospels not to let worry get out of hand, not to be afraid, but to trust the power and the plan of his Heavenly Father. “Call on me,” God says, “and I will answer you.” Take the load off your shoulders and just give it to the Lord. And pray.

Of course, some concerns are legitimate, like whether or not we pray enough every day. Do we calm our spirits and shut out distractions, so that we can really listen to the Lord? We should worry about our lack of trust, our lack of awareness that only one thing is necessary - to give over our worries to the Lord, and believe that our faith will be rewarded. If we do, the tension will drain from us.

So we’re back in that synagogue. Jesus is coming toward us. Tell him of your demon. Ask him to free you from it. Then, freed from that demon, you can with renewed energy, praise him, serve him, and love him with joy.

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January 25, 2009

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

(Note: The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has given permission this year for parishes to celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle)

In this Year of St. Paul, it is especially fitting for the readings this Sunday to reflect the command of Jesus to preach the Gospel “to the ends of the earth”. Appropriately, the first reading is from either the 9th or the 22nd chapter of St. Luke’s “Acts of the Apostles" both of which give the details about the most famous conversion in history, that of Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, who becomes Paul, the fiery Apostle to the Gentiles. On the road to Damascus where he intended to round up Christians, place them in chains, and haul them back to Jerusalem for trial and martyrdom, he is suddenly surrounded by an intense light which blinds him. As he falls to the ground, he hears a voice calling to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” When Saul questions the person’s identity, the Voice responds, “I am Jesus, the Nazorean, whom you are persecuting.” An amazing dialogue follows between Jesus and Saul, in which he is told to be baptized, and then to preach “what he has seen and heard” everywhere.

This event near Damascus was a turning point in the growth of the infant Church. Paul affirmed that his conversion was through a divine revelation of the Son “accorded him by the Father” (Gal.1:16), and that he “saw Jesus the Lord” (2 Cor 9:2). His conversion was a violent experience in which he said he had been “seized” by Christ, and a necessity laid on him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The only difference between the apostles’ witnessing to the Resurrection and his own was that his came much later. It cannot be reduced to a mere psychological experience, but was a true revelation that made him the equal of the Twelve apostles.

The Gospel reading narrates the divine commission of the risen Jesus to the Eleven in the Upper Room: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature...”

Every time we listen to Scripture, we ourselves are invited to conversion of mind and heart. In this Year of St. Paul, today would be a good time for all of us to read the entire Acts of the Apostles which takes us through Paul’s amazing adventures, his trials, his missionary journeys, even to Rome, the heart of the Empire, as Jesus had commanded him (Act 23:11). Christ, the Lord of Light, calls on us today, in the Year of our Lord, 2009, to further Paul’s great mission.

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January 18, 2009

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

After a festive season like Christmas (which extends all the way through the Baptism of the Lord), we can easily experience a let-down. After all, the party is over, and we’re back to our daily routine. The readings for this Sunday, however, make it quite clear that Jesus’ mission is just beginning, and the Father is sending him disciples. The first reading prepares us for this with a wonderful story about the call of Samuel who was to become the greatest judge in Israel. Hannah, his mother, had experienced stinging taunts from her rival to the father’s affections, and goes to the temple at Shiloh, angry and upset. As she prays in her emotional distress, Eli, the priest, thinks she’s drunk, and tries to send her away. Hannah wins him over to her side, and God blesses her with a son. This Samuel, whom later she dedicates to the service of the temple, is under the care of Eli, when, one night, God calls him from sleep three times. Eli instructs him to answer the next time with the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (This is good advice for all who are seeking to know what God wants them to do with their lives).

In the Gospel of John, the call comes to Andrew and others through the encouragement of John the Baptist, who dramatically points out Jesus to them with the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew seeks out his brother, Simon, and together they seek out Jesus with the words, “Master, where do you live?” Jesus says simply, “Come and see.” For a whole day, they follow Jesus around, listening to him explain his mission. Only then, after some discernment, do they decide to leave their fishing and follow Jesus. In the synoptic gospels, we are told that the two fisherman sons of Zebedee, James and John, make the same decision.

This Sunday gives us valuable advice about the vocation process. In another passage, Jesus tells his followers, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Even though God is the one who chooses, it is necessary for those whom he has chosen to have open minds and open hearts, to listen to the voice of the Master, to learn what mission is all about, and then, generously and deliberately, through prayer and counsel, to answer the call.

Why should young people today seriously consider the priesthood and religious life? Today’s second reading provides a reason they might not have thought of as connected with “vocation”. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that their bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” and should be used to glorify God. This all fits with another passage which tells us that we are “not our own”, but belong to the Lord, body and spirit. What better way to use our bodies than by offering them totally in the Lord’s service?

These are deep thoughts for all of us, particularly young people, to think about on this Sunday which is all about God’s call to follow his Son. The word for the day is, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!”

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January 11, 2009

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the final event of the Christmas season. Jesus is no longer an infant. His private sheltered life is over. Now, in the fullness of youthful manhood, he seeks out his cousin, John the Baptist, who has been preaching a gospel of repentance in preparation for the One who is coming - the One greater than himself. And the evangelist, Mark, forty years after the Resurrection, makes very clear that John is not the Messiah, in case there are lingering doubts among the former followers of the Baptist.

Jesus’ call to mission by God the Father has been with him from before his human birth. It even predates the several covenants God had made with Noah, Abraham, and David. Today’s first reading has remarkable ties with the Gospel for today. In that reading, the second prophet of the book of Isaiah speaks God’s Word to the people in exile. In a passage resembling a vendor calling out in the marketplace, God commands the people to “come to the water...You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat....” Through the prophet, he urges the people not to spend money on foolish things which do not satisfy, but to stay on track in seeking life through obedience. God is announcing his intention to establish a new covenant much broader than the former ones which will embrace all peoples in a new epiphany. To do this, he will send a messiah.

Today’s Gospel declares that the time is now. As Jesus is baptized by John, the heavens open up, the Father’s voice thunders down, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” The purpose of this baptism is certainly not the removal of sin from Jesus, but is rather a commitment ceremony which identifies Jesus as the Messiah. By the action of coming to John, Jesus is openly declaring the start of his mission to remove the ancient curse on Adam and all his descendents. From the heavens above, the voice of God the Father is heard ratifying his identity as God’s Son. John, too, is now aware that his cousin is now being officially sent. John’s work is over.

As the Christmas season ends, the public life of Jesus begins. Today is also a time for all of us to remember how we have been sent through water and the Spirit to be also a voice of truth and a sign of hope for the people of our day who yearn for new life.

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January 4, 2009

Feast of the Epiphany

Christmas is not really complete until the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s fitting that this year it falls on the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the final day of celebration.

On the night of Christ’s birth, how amazed Joseph and Mary must have been to hear the song of the angels, followed by a whole procession of shepherds from the fields. And now, some months later, they must have been just as amazed to greet these foreign visitors whom tradition names as Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar. As they graciously accept the precious gold, frankincense and myrhh which they bring as gifts, they must have realized that their child was somehow meant for a mysterious destiny.

The word epiphany (a showing forth) has many meanings connected to the word. It suggests a burst of light, a sudden revelation. In literature, it often means a bringing together of many seemingly unrelated incidents into a breakthrough of meaning that connects all the threads together.

In the first reading today from Isaiah, we hear the prophet proclaiming to Israel that “Your light has come!” and, with even more startling news, “Nations shall walk by your light.” In the fourth verse of the reading, the prophet foretells an event that was fulfilled hundreds of years later as the Magi knelt in adoration in Bethlehem. He says, “Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you.” What! All nations shall come to little weak Israel?

St. Paul proclaims the same message in the second reading to the Ephesians: “...the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel." So the Magi had it right. By trusting in the star and obediently following it light, they will share also in the fruits of the saving grace Jesus will earn by his passion and death.

The Gospel narrates how the coming of the nations was nearly frustrated by the deceitful scheming of a power-hungry King Herod. From that time to the present, political, social, and even religious leaders have tried to prevent the nations from following the star and finding the rich treasures that the Prince of Peace has waiting for them. The Child who has come from the heavens with his saving truth and love will never rest until all the nations have come into his light.

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December 28, 2008

Feast of the Holy Family

Every year, the Feast of the Holy Family falls on the Sunday following Christmas. This year, the readings show us that, just as the power of God himself was responsible for the birth of Abraham’s son, Isaac, and Mary’s son, Jesus, so every father and mother must have faith and trust in God’s plan for their family.

The first and second readings today focus on Abraham, the trail-blazer of our Judao-Christian roots, to whom God made the promise of heaven - to Abraham “and his descendents.” As Abraham approached the age of one hundred, he complained to God that he had no offspring. God brought him out from his tent, and made him look up into the sky and try to count the stars! “More numerous than the stars shall be your children,” he says to Abraham. All Abraham had to do was to trust Him. When Isaac is born, Sarah in amazement now laughs in joy.

When parents are childless, God will find a way. It may be through adoption!

In the Gospel reading, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus, the miracle baby, to the Temple where Simeon and Anna both prophecy to the future career of this child for which God has destined him. Simeon says that he will bring about “the rise and fall of many.” He also proclaims that a “sword shall pierce Mary’s heart" - just one of the seven sorrows Mary would experience in her lifetime.

What would have happened to “salvation history” if Abraham had replied, “Sorry, it’s too late,” or if Mary had said “No” to the angel Gabriel? We may never know until Judgment Day what great plans of God were frustrated because married couples have failed to trust enough to bring another child into the world? Of course, God knows when there are exceptions.

Today, we need to pray for all families who sacrifice so much in bringing children into the world, in loving and nurturing them in a hundred different ways every day. Especially, do we pray that fathers and mothers will give their children the experience of eating together at a family meal, of praying together in a way that imitates the peace and leisure that the Holy Family models for them. Granted, it’s a very different world in which we live, but only a family that teaches their children how to solve the tensions of living together through patient love and a generous habit of forgiving one another, can ever expect that their children will form their own healthy, faith-filled, happy families later in life. Even members of Jesus’ own extended family thought He was crazy! Nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus lash back at them in anger!

For those mothers and fathers whose marriages lie in shambles, may they know that God’s power can still help them to mend the broken fragments with forgiveness and new hope. God will show the way for separated spouses to protect their children from destructive anger and hurt.

As Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus to his Father, so may all families present themselves for blessing and re-dedication at our Catholic altars this New Year’s Day. May it mark a strengthening of the bonds which will make them also “holy families.”

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December 21, 2008

Fourth Sunday of Advent

It is a well-known fact that the practice of many people to buy expensive homes way beyond their means led to the recent economic downturn in our country. In this Sunday’s first reading, God scolds David for trying to build him a house of gold, when, for years, God says he has been perfectly satisfied to live in a tent. This tent (called the Ark of the Covenant) had poles attached so that it could be easily carried from place to place. When the Israelites went into battle, the Ark of the Covenant was carried by Levites, students for the Jewish priesthood. In later times, it rested in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that David’s son Solomon built. But that was later. In today’s readings, God says, “Not yet!” Through the prophet Nathan God tells the King that he’ll let Solomon do the building of a temple (actually, there were two more built after that one!).

This reading was chosen for the Fourth Sunday of Advent to show that sometime later, God is going to do something truly awesome. He is going to send his Son Jesus, and Jesus will chose for his temple a human person called Mary. We may ask how, then, it is possible for Jesus to be set on the throne of David as the Father had promised. The answer lies in the fact that Jesus’ mother Mary and his foster-father Joseph are both descendents of David. In this way, the promise will be fulfilled.

The Gospel today tells us how all this is to happen. God sends his angel Gabriel to ask Mary if she will consent to God’s plan. After a discreet inquiry as to how all of this will come about, she simply says, “Yes.” Then she adds, “May your will be done.” She asks no more questions; she just trusts that God will take care of everything - before, during, and after the event.

It will help us to trust if we can take to heart the meaning of a name applied to Jesus: Emmanuel. It means “God is with us"! The coming feast of Christmas is meant to take away our fear of a distant God. It is meant to make all of us ambassadors of the Light. Advent has been all about waiting. And now we know what the waiting was all about. We are meant to live our lives in the spirit of freedom, opening them up to God’s action just as Mary did. Despite our unworthiness, despite our frustrations with the corruption of the world about us, God is with us, making sense of all our struggles and suffering and all our misery, helping us to believe that we are part of a much larger Advent in which Christ will come for the last time. Then, all those prophecies we heard read in the last few weeks will be brought to fulfillment.

If we can only learn to give a simple, unqualified “yes” as Mary did, our lives will become less stressful, more directed by grace, and more joyful. That’s why its so important for us to confess our sinfulness before Christmas, to be absolved of those obstacles to Jesus’ full coming into our hearts. Christmas is just around the corner, bringing another opportunity for God to enter his world through us.

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December 14, 2008

Third Sunday of Advent

The joy that fills this Sunday’s liturgy is the closest we have to Christmas itself. In those parishes fortunate enough to have rose vestments, the celebrant will probably choose those to wear at Mass today. They fit with the words of the second reading, “Rejoice! Again I say to you rejoice!" “Why?” we ask. The reason for joy is the same as that of the early Christians. They held to their firm belief that Jesus Christ has paid the price for their sins, and that he would bring them to glory in the life of the Holy Trinity. Many Catholics are apparently left emotionally dry at this teaching. It’s as though we are saying, “Is that all?” So we need to listen carefully to this reading. St. Paul knew that the early Christians would be tested, so he exhorts them (and us) to “pray without ceasing” and “give thanks always”. Above all, he warns them, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” In this way they will be “preserved blameless in spirit, soul, and body...for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” For many, Christ came quickly as they were led to martyrdom. But they never lost their joyful spirit.

Today’s Gospel continues the preaching of John the Baptist. How carefully he makes clear to the Pharisees that he is not the Christ, not the light, but a voice testifying to the light that has come into the world. Fear and doubt thrive in darkness. Just as turning on a light in dark room can take fear away from a child, so the light that increases in us each day of Advent can shrink our fears and bolster our hopes. When the light intensifies to the radiance of faith’s assurance, then we know joy.

The only legitimate fear we’re allowed to cling to is the fear of not appreciating enough what the coming of the Christ Child into the world really means. Historically, it was truly an earthshaking event. Nothing would ever be the same again. Sin and darkness fled when the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. Of course, people can and do close their eyes to the light and choose to live without his light. Only when we refuse to repent of our sins and hang on to the darkness can we have reason to fear. When John in prison sends emissaries to Jesus to ask if he is really the Messiah, Jesus sends back the answer that is already fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (first reading). He tells John that the blind now see, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the Good News preached to them! John must have been filled with joy, even in prison.

And so must we!

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December 7, 2008

Second Sunday of Advent

St. Mark was the first of the followers of Jesus to narrate the most important words and events in the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. He invented the form we call a ‘Gospel’ and he begins his work by telling us about the man who prepared the way for the mission of Jesus - John the Baptist. As this fiery prophet, dressed so strangely in a garment of camel hair, prepared the people of his day for the preaching of Jesus, so he prepares us on this Second Sunday of Advent for another coming of Christ this Christmas. Soon, we’ll be receiving greetings from our friends, messages filled with words like “love”, “peace”, “joy”. Will those words mean much to us this year?

Let’s listen to what John is saying. He is calling us to change our hearts. He knew that before the hearts of his listeners would be ready to receive the Good News of their salvation, they needed to humbly repent of their sins, and get rid of their pride.

Lest the people think that he himself was the Messiah, John firmly asserted that “one mightier than I is coming after me”. The message for us this Advent is to keep our eyes on Jesus, whose message is in danger of being dismissed as “old hat” and unrealistic. After all, we’ve seen very little of peace or brotherly love in our world. Unless we seriously resolve to look with fresh eyes and open hearts at the Advent Scriptures, we’ll never be moved to action by the message they contain. So often we’ve been deceived by the promises that life can be better, or that our love can change the world. How many believe that peace is really possible?

Anger and frustration in our nation combined with a yearning for change and new stirrings of hope brought record numbers of Americans to the polls this November. Human nature lives on promises, and while we always take the risk that our hopes will again be crushed, we cannot live without that hope. Our new leaders need the power of God and our prayers and faith support to make their dreams of change come true.

Those of us with faith in Jesus Christ know that the promises first preached by the Son of God on the hillsides of Judea and Galilee have come true over and over again to past generations of Christians. Because they come from the mouth of the God-Man, they can come true for us as well. If only we heed the call of John the Baptist to repent, to come out of our darkness into his Light, and to stir up our energy once more to really live his Good News in word and action, we are giving God a chance. In a sense, Christmas is what we make it. Taking this strange prophet seriously may just unleash astonishing miracles of grace.

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November 30, 2008

First Sunday of Advent

There was a popular song of the ‘40’s “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” which captures a common experience of people everywhere. How many times have we let time slip by us, then exclaim in those same words “But I didn’t know what time it was!” We have to struggle to control the moments of our lives. Perhaps this is the reason that millions watch the ball drop at midnight in Times Square. At least at that moment we are wide awake to greet the ‘now’ moment of a New Year.

This week is a “now” moment in our journey through life. It’s New Years Day in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, and a time to heed today’s readings. In our first reading from Isaiah, the Israelites have recently returned from their exile in Babylon, and they ask, “Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?” Today, we can well ask God the same question. We are battered and weary from both natural and economic disasters. Is God punishing us for our selfish use of his gifts? What should we do? We are confused and disheartened.

Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of Mark are words of warning to repent, for the Kingdom of God is very near, and we know not the day nor the hour when an accounting will be required of us. An accounting for what? Of how seriously we have focused on building this kingdom. Advent is not only about a past coming of the Redeemer, but a present and future coming as well. The only response we can make to past failures is repentance. Now, we are only responsible for the present coming. It is for us to make up for past carelessness, and to prepare with faith and with energy for his present “advent” this Christmas. “Be watchful, be alert” to recognize him in the little ones who are suffering from the inaction of the powerful and wealthy. As we encourage our families and friends to bring the light of Christ’s word and love into their Advent practices and prayer, we can prove to God that we do know what time it is, and we will be alert and ready for “the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (second reading). Our New Year begins today!

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November 23, 2008

Feast of Christ the King

The feast of Christ the King can seem like easy triumphalism, a nice way to end the Church year. But the readings set us straight in a hurry. As soon as we realize how this King is described, we realize that it’s more about judgment than it is about triumph. Comfortable saints, beware! This feast is all about justice. Center stage is a shepherd-King who comes to chastise those who feed on the poor and helpless. “Move over,” Jesus says, “I will care for my little ones and heal their hurts. As for the ones whom I will admit to my kingdom, here is the qualifying exam - Did you feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison? Did you see the face of God in the poor and the powerless? Did you love one another? And did you forgive one another? If so, come, share your Master’s joy!”

This feast is anything but a Hollywood Awards Night. Anyone expecting to find the glitter of worldly fame or the glamour that surrounds the crowned heads of this world are in a for a jarring surprise. Our king comes dressed as a shepherd, with eyes that pierce through a godless crowd. With a simple gesture he condemns worldly pride and corruption, the cruel abusers of the children of God. His judgment will be swift, both for the wicked and for those who silently stand by and do nothing!

So what must we do? We must determine to change some things in our lives - to be more alert in seeing and judging as Jesus sees and judges; secondly, we must resolved to place ourselves in his presence on a daily basis - through prayer and thoughtful reading of Scripture. If possible, we should consider attending more daily Masses. Saintly living is not about perfection as much as it is about striving little by little to mold ourselves to the mind of Christ, and to act as children of the King in every circumstance.

Today, we are called to commiserate with the broken heart of our Christ whose vision for the Kingdom is one of peace, universal love, and total justice. We beg of him to avert his anger and to defer his judgment. May the mercy of our King extend itself yet again in our journey so that we may amend our lives. May he have patience yet again until we learn to love and care about all men and women, all people of every culture, until we can qualify for the final exam on judgment day.

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November 16, 2008

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Each year as we celebrate the Feast of All Saints and All Souls’ Day, we are reminded of the Day of Judgment when we must all give an accounting of our lives on this earth. It can easily strike fear in our hearts if we have not been faithful to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. The readings for this Sunday give more insights into just what the Father expects of us during our journey home.

While the story Jesus tells about a man on a journey seems quite simple and clear, it can easily be misunderstood. On the surface, while it seems to be solely about our responsible use of money (talents), it suggests much more when we search out its full meaning.

First of all, the man in the journey is Jesus himself who is on a journey to his passion and death. The servants are his disciples, from the twelve apostles to his present-day followers. The five, two and one talents are not just casual bonuses, but the whole package of the gifts of God’s Spirit, including the gift of faith, the call to discipleship, and the individual “talents” or charisms for ministry that are unique to each. The Master does not expect the same return on his money, but only that of which each person is capable. Now, it is true that the risk is higher for those with the five talents than for those with only one talent. The same is true of followers of Jesus who are more capable than others of serving the Church and society. They must always be sensitive to the words of Scripture: “To whom much is given, much will be expected.” They must never allow selfish living, or indifference or fear of failure to keep them from a generous spirit and generous deeds. Especially, it seems, does Jesus condemn the fears that cause the man with one talent to bury, rather than invest his money. Neither must we allow fear of risk to paralyze us from sharing our faith and convictions with our brothers and sisters, or from growing ourselves in knowledge and love of God.

Our second reading today sums it all up well: “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night…Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.” If we replace fear with confident trust in God’s patience with us, and live as children of the light, we need never fear the final judgment.

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November 9, 2008

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

We may wonder why the Church is so concerned about celebrating the anniversary of an ancient building in Rome this Sunday. For one thing, we need to remember how connected we are to our past. This church is the first publically dedicated building in Rome, built in 324 A.D. when it was safe for Christians to worship openly, because the Emperor Constantine had himself become Christian. It is even today the Pope’s own church.

Secondly, the Church wants us to reverence our own cherished parish churches, seeing in them powerful signs of our faith, and reminding us that we, too, are living temples of the Spirit from which flow God’s truth and life to our children and our neighbors.

The first reading from Ezekiel narrates the story of an angel showing Ezekiel around the new Temple, rebuilt after the people’s return from exile. God had left the old building in anger because of the people’s infidelity. Now, he restores its power and life to the new building. Symbolically, Ezekiel sees water flowing outward from the temple gates down to the sea, making the salt waters fresh. All sea creatures now flourish, as well the tress and vineyards along its banks, bringing great fruitfulness. Thus, it is in God’s providence that his life-saving grace comes to the people of the world through the Church which he founded.

In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that we are God’s building, and must take care to make sure that Christ is our foundation. In a memorable verse, he says “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” In this month of October dedicated to life, that verse is a clear mandate that no one ever destroy what God has breathed his Spirit into!

The Gospel of John portrays the anger of God in Jesus who drives out the animals from the Temple and overturns the tables of the money-changers. At the same time, he predicts his own death and resurrection, and foretells his actual presence in our churches, as well the presence of his Spirit in all who will follow him. God’s anger is leveled at all forms of exploitation in the name of religion. All sins against human life are sins against God’s Temple.

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November 2, 2008

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

It is fortunate that All Souls’ Day, November 2nd, falls on a Sunday this year. When it comes on a weekday, it often falls “through the cracks”, and many Catholics often fail to celebrate this most consoling of feast days. As the years go on after the death of a loved one, and grief is now lessened, we tend to forget that those who have died are still “real”, still bound to us in love. On our part, this feast allows us to renew our love and affection for them, and to strengthen our belief that we will one day see and enjoy their love. And they will enjoy our love.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom strongly affirms that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” For those not yet accepting of their death, and not yet ready to see him face to face, they pass through a time of God’s merciful purification. Even there, they are in peace, knowing they will soon be in the full joy of heaven. Unlike those who are without faith, we must not look on their death as “total destruction”, or that our loved ones are “lost”. The loss is on our part.

The second reading from Romans rejects the idea of death as abruptly ending life. Rather, the purpose of our Baptism was to destroy the power of death. The plunging into water signified our death to sin and corruption. Baptism is the door to life, and a pledge that we will one day experience our own resurrection.

Most consoling of all is today’s Gospel. In effect, Jesus tells us that each one of us has been given to him by his Father. He purchased us by shedding his blood, and he will never let us go. Jesus emphatically says that it’s the Father’s will that he not lose anyone, and that our faith in him is an insurance policy for eternal life. There can be no room for doubt here.

All Souls’ Day is a day to remember, to renew our bond of love with our deceased loved ones, and to renew our habit of praying for all who have died. In so doing, we can be sure that they will intercede for us before the throne of God’s mercy. What powerful friends we have in our beloved dead. Since they are “the faithful departed”, we should be the faithful who remain.

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October 26, 2008

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

If someone were to suddenly ask you, “Do you love God?”, you would probably reply immediately, “Of course I love God.” If that person persisted with a greater challenge, “Do you love God… enough?”, then you might hesitate, then reply, “Well…no. Who does?” The lawyer in today’s Gospel was quite satisfied when, in answer to the test question he gave Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the Law is the greatest?” Jesus quoted the great Shema from Deuteronomy, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Even today, a pious Jew, as he enters his house, will touch a little box called a mezuzah which contains the words of the Shema that is attached to the door post. The gesture reminds him of the great commandment.) We as Christians are bound to that same law. So, no wonder any honest person would reply to the person who asked if we love God enough, “No…who does?”

But Jesus went further, by naming a second commandment which is like the first, the law from Leviticus, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When Jesus tells the lawyer, “On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets,” the lawyer approves. So we have, in a nutshell, what God’s will is for us. It is love! And we cannot really love God without loving our neighbor.

How do we grow in love for God? We grow in his love by loving our neighbor. In that same first reading, God tells the Israelites who their neighbor must especially include - the alien, the widow, and the poor. And God tells them that he always hears the cry of the poor, for he is compassionate. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, tells us in his book, Jesus of Nazareth, that God’s compassions is like a mother’s love for the child of her womb.

Not loving God as we should is a sincere concern of most people. What a relief to know that if we look at just about everyone as our neighbor, we actually grow immensely in our love for God. If we’re honest, we all have some difficulty with recognizing other people as neighbors. And to try to respond to them as God does - with true compassion. Perhaps if we could actually look into the faces of everyone to whom we give money or clothing or help, it would make a difference. If we could see where they live, what their fears and dreams are, it would help us to see them as neighbors. If we could recognize the face of God in the immigrant, the poor, the hungry family, the sick man or woman without insurance, then we would find it easier to feel compassion. Numbers and labels don’t really help.

As a postscript, we know how much tension and stress there is in our country at the present time. As a result of the financial downturn, many of our neighbors may be in serious need. If we can be sensitive to their needs, even in small ways, it will help us cope with our own anxieties and stress. Add to compassion, frequent prayer, and reading and reflecting on Scripture, including the psalms. Then we would come much closer to loving God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole strength.

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October 19, 2008

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Many of you will remember back in 1963 when John F. Kennedy was president. Nuns in classrooms proudly hung pictures of the “two Johns” - Pope John XXIII and John F. Kennedy. After his tragic assassination, coins were soon struck - the Kennedy half-dollar - bearing that famous profile. For a brief time in history, he was King - our hero. Soon after, he was discovered to be a monarch with clay feet - just like most other earthly monarchs.

In today’s first reading, we find an unusual prophecy. Isaiah delivers a personal message to a pagan monarch, the Persian King Cyrus. He refers to him as the Lord’s anointed! The message is that there is only one God, and he alone is responsible for the rise and fall of earthly kings. He is the one who opens doors and causes kings to “run in his service.” In other words, as the famous spiritual sings, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that “our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”

The two readings together prepare us well for Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees who were trying to trap him - “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”

To the Herodians, Caesar was a god. We wonder if they really got Jesus’ message that there is only one God of the universe to whom we owe absolute allegiance. He is the one to whom we owe everything - the air we breathe, the life we live, the possessions we cling to so jealously. We note that Jesus called to the Pharisees’ attention the inscription on their coins. Just as the profile of Caesar claimed their allegiance, so too does the image and inscription of God on our hearts demand of us our complete obedience. God inscribed on every heart the command, “You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart (soul, mind, and strength), and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

And what do we owe to Caesar whose image and inscription is on the coin of the realm (and on our currency)? We owe the payment of taxes, and the obedience to our nation’s laws, provided that they are not contrary to the laws of the one great Lawmaker. Before the face of this Judge, we must one day stand to give an accounting of our stewardship.

As we prepare to vote in national elections, it might be good for us to sit down and draw up two lists - one, with all we owe to God, and one with all we owe to our country and its leaders. What we place in those columns will be determined by the depth of our faith and its values, by our understanding of justice, by thorough and intelligent forming of a right conscience, and by our courage in voting according to that conscience. I urge all my readers to read carefully the just-published appeal of the Bishops of New York State entitled Our Cherished Right, Our Solemn Duty or the U.S. Bishops’ document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (www.faithfulcitizenship.org). These are sure guides to help us make a conscientious decision for following this Sunday’s Gospel on Nov. 4th.

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October 12, 2008

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s first reading is one of the most beautiful in all of Scripture. It’s about a lavish banquet set on a high mountain. God has prepared “...juicy, rich food, and pure, choice wines” for all people at the end of the world. No one will be excluded. Isaiah has certainly changed his tune from his former criticism of Israel. Not unusual! The prophets often went from angry denunciations to consoling hope-filled predictions of God’s intentions. Just in the telling, it makes our mouths water! In addition, God will remove the veil from all faces, the veil that distorts our vision and embroils us in hateful wars and misunderstandings.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a banquet quite similar to the one in Isaiah’s prophecy. Here, the king gives a wedding feast for his son. At first, the guest list is rather limited. When these elite guests (obviously, the chosen people) refuse the invitation (some of these guests even abuse and kill the messengers), the king sends his soldiers out to compel the whole countryside without distinction to fill his banquet hall.

The parable is directed against the leaders of the Israelites, God’s chosen people. Since they have failed to respond to Jesus’ preaching, and are even now about to kill him, all peoples of the earth (the Gentiles) will now be invited to the banquet of eternal life.

Scholars and preachers have puzzled for years over the king’s anger at one of the guests who fails to wear a proper garment. One explanation is that wedding attire was readily available as guests entered the hall. This guest showed disrespect for the host by neglecting to procure one. For us, the banquet is the Holy Eucharist. The proper wedding attire for God’s banquet is to be clothed in a state of grace through Baptism. All who attend Mass with proper dispositions receive immense graces. But to receive fully in Holy Communion, we should always make efforts to be free of sin through proper sorrow and purpose of amendment. This is best done through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sandwiched in between the first and third readings is St. Paul’s brave hope that he, too, will experience God’s “glorious riches” in the midst of his sufferings and imprisonment. The example of the saints and martyrs of every age can easily shame those of us who live in the midst of plenty, to be much more grateful than we are for the relative comfort of our lives and the few real obstacles we experience in living out our Catholic faith. As St. Paul encourages the Philippians, so we need to support the millions suffering from lack of both spiritual and bodily nourishment. May our generous response through sharing both our faith and our resources show them that God is in their midst with his love and caring.

This Sunday’s Scriptures urge us to look with new eyes at those around us whom God so desires to taste the feast he has prepared. We must be include them in our love and invite them to accept the wedding garment of divine grace.

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October 5, 2008

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirty years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Assisi. I’ll never forget the rich panorama of fertile vineyards that surround the town from the valleys below. No wonder God used the image of a vineyard in describing the chosen people of Israel. In today’s first reading, Isaiah describes how his friend, God, went to elaborate pains in constructing his vineyard, with ditches and a tower for protection, and a winepress for squeezing out the precious grape juice that would become delicious wine.

How disappointed God was when all that the vineyard produced was wild grapes, unfit for a good yield. All that work and loving care came to nothing! While Isaiah wrote, the Assyrians were pounding at the gates of Jerusalem, about to destroy it, as God promised to tear down that vineyard and let it revert to pasture land.

Jesus in the Gospel uses that same image of a vineyard to describe Israel, but now he focuses in on the unfaithful people who by their sin and failure to listen to the prophets have brought God’s anger down on them. Jesus’ reference to the killing of the King’s only Son was not lost on the Pharisees. They had already decided to kill this Jesus who claimed to be the son of God. Jesus’ words enraged them, and their hearts were further hardened against him.

There is an axiom in law which states that the greater the person offended, the greater the offense itself. Since God himself was the victim, the offense against Him was beyond measure. In addition, while the Pharisees reject him from hardness of heart, Jesus himself is wounded beyond measure with a broken heart. We will never understand the immensity of God’s love for us. To offend the Lord is worse than any possible offense given to human beings, whether a President or a homeless person.

Our response today should be a resolve to produce better and more abundant fruit in our surroundings. Recently, our beloved former Bishop Gerald Barbarito, while guest homilist at our diocesan celebration of the Year of St. Paul, demonstrated that bishops have hearts like God’s. As we were so beloved and appreciated by Bishop Barbarito (and, now, by Bishop Cunningham), their love should encourage us to work ever more fruitfully in this vineyard of the North Country.

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September 28, 2008

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “A wise man changes his mind sometimes; a fool, never!” It’s a great response to give when someone says to you, “But you said a month ago… (etc)”. In this Sunday’s readings, God is giving us advice on when to change our minds, and when not to. If we’re pretty well secure in habits of virtue, then it’s not a good idea to give in to the persuasions of friends who call us “old-fashioned” or foolish for following the teachings of our parents and childhood religion classes - and act contrary to our principles. To change because of fear of losing face or being the butt of ridicule could risk God’s displeasure, loss of grace, and even loss of eternal happiness. As the old wisdom warns, why risk losing heaven for a few hours of the wrong kind of pleasure.

There’s another kind of change discussed in the readings. And that’s the kind of change that may be defined as conversion - from sinful ways to virtuous ones. That’s the kind of change that won the approval of Jesus in the Gospel. The first son in the parable is the one who said “no” to his father’s request. He was ready to disobey the father, risking his displeasure and even punishment. Then, (wisely), he began to feel guilty. He decided it wouldn’t kill him to cut short a good time with his friends to work for his father. Let’s hope that it was really love that made him change his mind. But even if it was just shame, and maybe a little fear of the consequences of his refusal, he did change his mind. If his friends were real friends, they more than likely respected him for his decision.

How different was the behaviour of the second son who said “yes” to his father, but then never followed through. He just wanted to look good, and to avoid his father’s disappointment and anger. He was quite possibly a hypocrite, who had no intention at all of helping in the vineyard. No one likes a hypocrite, not even the hypocrite himself. Of course, he may just have been a weakling, of whom it is said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” His problem was loving himself and his own pleasure more than the Father.

How do we know when to change our minds and when not to? The second reading gives us sound advice: “Do nothing out of selfishness...rather, have that mind in you which is in Christ Jesus who humbled himself even to the point of death.” To change one’s mind is often humbling, especially if we risk the ridicule of worldly friends or even worldly family members. But isn’t it far better than to stubbornly keep to the road that will eventually send us over a cliff?

Both presidential candidates this year have made change the major theme of their campaigns. Just the word evokes strong emotional reactions from people. For many, it brings resistance, because they like things the way they are. This year, because of the condition of our economy and the drawn-out war, people welcome the idea of change, because we assume change will be for the better. Of course, our country will not change unless people adjust their values. It flows from the inside of our hearts to the outside of our living.

On the spiritual level, we all need to change. St. Paul urges his beloved Philippians to get rid of selfishness, and work for the needs of others besides themselves. He counsels them to find “solace in love”, to be guided by the Spirit, to grow in compassion and mercy, and to think always of others as more important than themselves. What an agenda! But if they constantly strive to grow in humility, then they will achieve the goal of a true Christian. “Have in you the same attitude which is in Christ Jesus” is the way he sums it all up.

If from our attachment to personal pleasure, we have said “no” too many times, will we decided to change, and finally decide to respond to what our loving Father is asking of us?

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September 21, 2008

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

How difficult it is to understand today’s Gospel. Any self-respecting union would be up in arms at the arbitrary treatment the landowner gave to his workers. “Unfair!”, we cry at the first hearing. Then, as we simmer down and think, we have to admit that the landowner has a point in his defense. It’s his money, and he can do what he wants with it. Actually, the grumbling of those who had worked a full day was their problem. They were envious, and envy is a very human vice. Since it’s a parable told by Jesus, the landowner is obviously God...and God’s justice operates within the broad vision of past, present, and future that we call “Providence”. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” It’s all right there in today’s first reading from Isaiah. On many occasions of illness, death, natural disasters, and senseless misfortune, we cry “Unfair!”. God knows what is “justice”. Today’s readings challenge our trust in God’s Providence.

Now we really have to face the lesson of the day - if my ways of thinking and judging are truly far from the Lord’s way, then I must have some adjusting to do! Perhaps I need to work harder in the areas of forgiveness, mercy, and generosity, to mention a few. St. Paul urges the Philippians today to conduct themselves in a way that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ”.

If I’m honest, I have to admit that I look for apologies more than I give them out myself. And I use the excuse that I’m the injured party, so why should I go first! That leads me to harbor grudges, to make mountains out of molehills, and so extend the hurt into months and years, when I could end the whole thing quickly by reconciling immediately. How sad to see a son or a daughter keep his or her distance from a dying parent, even refusing to attend the funeral! Now, maybe that’s an extreme example, but...how many times have I waited to reconcile until it was too late? The pain and stress on both parties is so unnecessary. Both are the losers. To forgive is to be free, and to free the other person as well. Once we have reconciled with a friend who has offended us, or whom we have offended, we open the way to form a new and closer relationship. And that could give us joy for years...instead of prolonged stress and unhappiness.

To think as God thinks requires openness and a broad vision based on faith and trust, free of self-pity and selfish brooding. It takes a habit of gratitude. It means sitting down and reflecting, “What would God think and do in this situation...and then, in the power of trust and love of God, to think and do likewise.

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September 14, 2008

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today is a major feast day, so it replaces the regular Sunday readings. It all started when St. Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor, Constantine, found the actual wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified. The soldiers had thrown it in a ditch and covered it over with stones and dirt. It was placed in a new Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sept. 14th, 325 A.D. Since the 7th century, the whole church has celebrated this feast.

Why do we use the word “exaltation”? The readings for the day tell us why. The Book of Numbers tells us the story of the Israelites in the desert, grumbling because of the long journey, and losing faith in God. They are punished with poisonous snake bites. God relents, and tells Moses to make a bronze copy of a poisonous snake, and mount it on a pole. Whoever looks at this snake will be cured! (Even today, snake bite is cured by an anti-body made from the venom of a similar snake).

In the Gospel, Jesus uses this story to foretell his death. He tells Nicodemus, “...just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

None of us can count the times we have gazed at the body of Christ on a crucifix. Is it just a work of art? Or is to us a powerful symbol of Christ’s love for us in emptying himself of his divinity so that he could take on “sinful flesh”? Can our faith allow his eyes to penetrate our hearts and let him dissolve any lingering sinful desires? How many times have we let the power of his sacred Blood pour over our sins to forgive them?

In fact, gazing in faith on the suffering Jesus in the only effective way we will ever understand our own suffering and pain. Through the ages, millions have been healed of anger and resentment that a God would allow so many to suffer from physical and moral evil. His cross is the only answer.

Today as we gaze at Jesus lifted up for our sins, we fervently thank God for his mercy that brought us such a loving friend to die once that we might live forever. Gazing at Christ, lifted high on the Cross, may we grow out of resentment to suffering to gratitude for his love.

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September 7, 2008

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary time

Older brothers have it hard! When my older brother wanted to go off with his friends, my mother would often call out, “Take your little brother with you.” In a resigned tone of voice, my brother would say to me just two words, “Come on.” And more than once, when I would loiter with my friends on the way home from school, he would hurry me along before I got in trouble. Older brothers are expected to look after younger brothers.

Ezekiel was God’s trumpet, a prophet who was expected to look after his brothers and sisters in a foreign land. In fact, God told him the consequences of not blowing the trumpet to warn them - the prophet would be charged with the same crime as those he was supposed to warn!

And Jesus, in today’s Gospel, gives the rules for his followers to confront their brothers and sisters who have sinned. First, go privately to speak to your brother. If that doesn’t work, bring a friend or two along. If that fails, bring him to “the church”, that is, to the whole assembly (our bishops know only too well how they have been criticized for not doing this early enough and firmly enough). Only then is our obligation to look after our brother and sister ended.

If moms and dads, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, could only take seriously this “looking after one another”, and sometimes blow the trumpet on their sins and failures, how much stronger would be the moral fiber of our society. Sometimes it may be a legislator who needs to vote for justice to the poor and defenseless, sometimes it’s a niece or nephew who is about to make a bad decision on a relationship. It may be a call to pray and support someone that is on the edge of despair. The “watchman” idea is not to sit in judgment, but to act out of genuine concern for their eternal happiness and salvation. St. Paul tells us the same thing in today’s second reading. “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another....” God never told us it would be easy!

Often we hesitate to act for fear of losing a friendship or breaking a relationship. Maybe the warning or the advice will be resented at the time. But, deep down, the person usually knows that we are right in our warning, and hopefully, will eventually thank us for caring.

We all have reason to be grateful for older brothers and sisters , as well as other friends and family, who have helped us along the way.

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August 31, 2008

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary time

In last week’s readings, Peter was given the keys to the kingdom, and in this week’s readings, he nearly gets them taken away from him! Jesus is so upset with him that he exclaims, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Tough language! Peter got himself in trouble for strongly protesting Jesus’ prediction of his passion. In effect, Jesus is telling his disciples, I never promised you a rose garden!” If we think Jesus is unfair, his Father had done this before. Jeremiah, in the first reading, had been made a reluctant prophet. Jeremiah even claims that God duped him into the job. He’s so angry and discouraged at the rough treatment he has to take from his own Jewish people, that he decides to quit. However, he can’t get rid of the fire in his heart, so he continues to prophesy that Babylon was chosen as God’s instrument for chastising Israel. Why? Because Israel was just plain unfaithful, and they deserved punishment.

Not that the truth makes a prophet’s job any easier!

God has called all of us to discipleship, and we must be prepared for opposition. It goes against popular thinking and popular belief to be either a prophet or an apostle. How about just a plain, ordinary Christian? We don’t fare any better. We get criticized at home, at the office, and even sometimes in church from more comfortable church members.

How many times in our lives have we felt that Jesus’ teaching was just too much? We don’t like turning the other cheek, or forgiving seventy times seven. We don’t like being criticized or even ridiculed for standing up for church teaching on abortion, or contraception, or stem cell research - or the death penalty. Yet, if we’re loyal and faithful....

St. Paul gives us some very good advice in today’s second reading. (You might even mark your bible, even memorize it!) “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” and “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

Following Christ isn’t for babies. So maybe God or the priest didn’t tell us everything when we started out. But that was a long time ago, and we’ve grown up since then. So let’s get on with it, and remember, there is a final act called eternal joy!

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August 24, 2008

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary time

Visiting dignitaries are often given an honorary “Key to the city” by the mayor. On the practical level, to be given a key by an employer implies their trust that we will use that key responsibly. In the first reading, God takes the Key of David away from Shebna, the master of the palace of King Hezekiah, and gives it to a worthier man, Eliakim. Shebna had really “messed up” - he had torn down houses of the poor for material for the city walls, and he had arrogantly built himself a showy tomb for all to admire! So God took away his sign of power and authority, his Key.

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, in the Gospel, is also concerned about the Keys to the kingdom - and gives them to Peter, the Rock. At the same time, he makes Peter the head of his “Church” (the only time this word is used in the New Testament), an assembly so strong that Hell itself will not be able to destroy it. With that Key, Peter and his successors will have the power to lock and unlock the gates of heaven. Many bishops and priests through the centuries will use those keys, even though they are weak and fragile themselves. Many have failed in the responsible use of those keys. Christ foresaw all of this when he first entrusted the keys to Peter!

But the power and responsibility are shared in a real sense with all the baptized. To us also have been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. With those keys we may unlock the doors of forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; with those keys we can unlock the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, given us at Confirmation, and to us have been given the keys to the source and summit of grace, strength, and happiness, the Holy Eucharist. With those keys we can unlock the doors of hearts that others may be nourished with God’s love and truth. What power lies behind those keys!

What if we abuse the privilege? What then?

Some time ago, a teenager I knew failed to show up at his parents’ home at the appointed time. He, not thinking of the worry he was causing, was still at his buddy’s place. To his dismay, he saw his mother appear. Without a word, she took his car keys away from him. (I never did hear how he made it back home). How embarrassing for that young man, although he was merely thoughtless, and felt he was doing the right thing by spending time with his friend.

Even though we may be merely thoughtless in our neglect of the Sacraments and of so many opportunities to share the treasure of our faith with others, we are taking a huge risk of losing those keys. Isn’t it possible that God could take those Keys away from us, like he did to Shebna, and give them to others who would use them responsibly?

Life is so short!

Thank you, God, for entrusting to me the keys to eternal life. Let me never through carelessness or sin, risk their being taken from me! Help me to responsibly use the power, share the treasures, and respect the authority of those Keys always.

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August 17, 2008

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary time

Our first reading today prophesies an “opening up” of Jewish worship to foreigners. Their sacrifices will be accepted by the Lord as well as those of the Israelites themselves! “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”! We are so accustomed to this idea that we may fail to realize how shocking it must have been to Isaiah’s listeners.

In the second reading, Paul deals with this very question - how will his former colleagues accept his preaching the good news of Jesus to gentiles? He finally decides that it may be a good thing for them to be jealous enough of the Gentiles to want themselves to become Christian! This is his fervent wish. In other words, Paul desires not only the conversion of the Gentiles, but just as much, he wishes the conversion of all people, including the Jewish community.

After hearing Paul’s struggle with Israelites vs. Gentiles, we are somewhat shocked to hear Jesus reject the request of the Canaanite woman to heal her daughter. His reply to her seems harsh to our ears, since he tells her and the apostles (who beg Jesus to give in to her request, just to get rid of her whining!) that he was sent only to the lost children of Israel. Then turning to the woman, he quotes a familiar proverb that forbids “dogs” to be fed from the table by their masters (What! Is this our gentle Jesus speaking?). But then, Jesus is so impressed with her faith and humility and her sense of humor when she persists in her appeal, that he heals her daughter. Within fifty years of the Resurrection, the church was called “Catholic”. As James Joyce once said of the Catholic church, “Here comes everyone!”.

What a challenge to us Catholics today who are sometimes too smug or self-righteous to share our faith with other Christians and those of other religions! To drag our feet is to risk going against Jesus’ own prayer before he died on the Cross: “that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn 18: 21). Let’s open our arms wider.

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August 10, 2008

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

One of my favorite sayings is “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” How often we worry ourselves sick over some deadline - a report that is due, an inspection of our work, a tough decision about our future - only to wonder the next day why we were so upset and jittery. We get all “fussed up” over nothing. And to what purpose? It only robs us of sleep and peace of mind, and doesn’t really change the situation.

How must Peter have felt after Jesus calmed the storm? Of course he must have felt relieved, but probably a bit foolish, too! “O you of little faith!”, Jesus had chided Peter. That had to be embarrassing! Now, there’s no getting around it - trusting in God is easier said than done. When the doctor tells us we might have a tumor, or the boss tells us our job may be terminated, there’s reason for concern. But if we fall to pieces over the news, then there’s something we lack - namely, courage and confidence in God! Is God in charge, or is he not?

And think of Elijah in the first reading! His whole challenge to the prophets of Baal took immense courage. Some would label it foolhardy. He told the King to set up two sacrifices, one to Baal, and one to the God of Israel. It was a test of which deity would send down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices. To make it more difficult, Elijah dumped water on his offering. What a risk he took! After all, what if God didn’t go for that kind of challenge - to set on fire some soaked oblations placed on top of thoroughly soaked wood! Of course, God did meet the challenge. And Jezebel was furious, as Elijah knew she would be. As a result of his smashing success, Elijah put to death the four hundred false prophets, and then had to run for his life. Jezebel had put a contract out on his life! Some days and many miles later, he dropped to the ground exhausted. Elijah was so discouraged that he wanted to die! And what did God do? He spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper! And that calmed him down! In effect, God said to him, “Elijah, don’t sweat the small stuff.”

So, Elijah got up and ate, and on the strength of that food, we’re told, he walked for forty days and forty nights! Now, that may sound far-fetched, but just think of your own experience. Have you ever noticed how discouragement saps our strength and weakens us? And then, a good sleep, along with a word from a friend or a pat on the back energizes us in the twinkling of an eye, and we are able to face our problems.

People, prayer, and especially God’s grace can provide us with fast soul food. The best soul food is the Eucharist. God tells us over and over again, “Come, all you who are weary, and I will refresh you.” When we have been strengthened by the Body and Blood of Jesus, we know that Jesus is with us in our difficulties. What seemed so frightening often shrinks into “small stuff”.

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August 3, 2008

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

Meaning is so very important in our lives. Teenagers and young people in their twenties are particularly at risk when nothing in their experience makes any sense. A report in Time magazine a few years ago emphasized that young, bored Muslims in Britain are particularly susceptible to extremist propaganda, and are drawn to extremist Islamic “seminaries” in Pakistan and elsewhere. There, a distorted form of Islamic teaching teaches them that self-immolation is an ultimate value, pleasing to Allah (how blasphemous!). One simple form of sacrifice is particularly recommended - offering their bodies through terrorist acts such as suicide bombing to further the cause of this false philosophy.

How totally different is our Christian theology that the Son of God immolated himself as a sacrifice for the sin of the world. He was raised up on the Cross that he might draw all people to share in the beauty and strength of sacrificing love. That’s the love that keeps marriages together. That’s the love that draws young men and women to enter seminaries and novitiates to become consecrated priests and brothers and religious sisters. That’s the love that strengthens all followers of Christ, single or married, to know the peace and fulfillment that comes from faithfulness to Mass and the sacraments, faithful to a Church that reaches out to sinners and all people in need. How different this is from radical Islamic teaching. The effects of Christ’s immolation was not death but life, not an insult to human dignity, but a redemption of every human being, lifting it up from final nothingness to eternal joy and fulfillment. One is based on contempt for flesh - the other is founded on respect for life and the joy of living.

Today’s Gospel, reported by all four of the Evangelists, is the clearest event in the life of Jesus to describe this great truth. Jesus came to feed and nourish the world. The multiplication of the loaves and fish is the prelude to Eucharist. What is Eucharist? The continuation of the greatest act of Love the world has ever known. As Jesus dies, he is transformed into the food of love, transforming every one who dares to share in this divine nourishment.

Unfortunately, as the miracle is repeated over and over again, our reaction is the same - a weak and feeble faith that this is really Jesus, come to shock us into becoming more than weak, selfish human beings. We believe, of course, that Jesus redeemed (that is, bought back the world from Satan’s power). But do we really believe that Jesus longs to transform the world, to make every person holy? So often our “Amen” at Mass is feeble and half-hearted. Our “Amen” as the priest or Eucharistic minister holds up the host before our eyes, is lacking in conviction, hardly the faith that would impel us to seize this God with passion and love and draw him to our souls - and never let him go, but to make us channels of justice and hope for the society around us.

Lord, we cannot ask you to die all over again to redeem us from indifference! What, then? Help us find meaning in the Sacrament you offer us. Our fervor in received Eucharist can keep us from that boredom so many experience in a life without meaning, a life that can lead to real trouble, and for many like those bored young men in Britain, to acts of violence. Prince of Peace, bring peace to our world through all who feed on your word and on your Body and Blood.

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July 27, 2008

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary time

Have you ever spent hours looking for something, searching every possible nook and cranny, going through drawers and boxes and piles of things, only to find it right under your nose? My mother had a saying for that: “If it’d been a bear, it’d have bit you!”. This Sunday’s readings are all about searching for the Kingdom of Heaven and finding that it’s right out in plain sight. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, knew that. When God invited him to ask for anything at all, Solomon asked for the gift of wisdom - and God gave it to him. Later in life, he foolishly let wisdom slip through his fingers, and so his kingdom split apart. But, oh, how glorious it was with even the fabled Queen of Sheba traveling all the way to Israel just to meet him.

So what’s so great about wisdom? Wisdom shows us what is really important in life, and what is worth living and dying for, and what is not. (When I was growing up, I think pins must have been a lot cheaper than they are today, for my mother used to say, “That’s not worth a roll of pins”!

In a couple of weeks, I’ll have the privilege of being at a celebration of the Jubilees for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Watertown. What wisdom those consecrated nuns had in choosing to pursue the Kingdom of God from their teenage years all the way to the present! And how happy and fulfilled those sisters are - they have found love in the love of their Spouse, Jesus. They are surrounded by care and attention in their later years, and they have the assurance of a heavenly reward when God calls them home. They are wise virgins, indeed!

The kingdom of heaven is like...a pearl of great price, a treasure hidden in a field, a net full of fish!! And each one of us in every time and place are meant to fill in the blanks. Whatever our treasure is...doing something important with my life, doing something that will help others, finding happiness and contentment. And there it is...the kingdom of heaven is right here and now, staring me in the face, challenging me to take possession now.

And how do each one of us “take possession”? That all follows after we have had the wisdom to make a right decision in the first place, to let that decision open up for us a thousand and one little, daily decisions to seek what really matters. Will I spend time with the Lord in prayer and reflection and good reading for a while each day, or decide to waste it on more TV, more shopping, more running around just for the sake of getting rid of my boredom? If we really want wisdom for all this, we’d better start praying today that God will grant us that gift. Solomon asked for wisdom, and then God gave it to him.

Some of us may say, “But if I ask, and God gives it to me, then what? It would be like winning the lottery. It could change my life, and I’m kind of frightened.” Don’t worry. Wisdom will show you the way for each succeeding decision, and they’ll be the right ones if you let God take over. You can’t lose!”

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July 20, 2008

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

The Gospel today is all about the growth of the Kingdom. We know that Jesus was the master story-teller, and he often used a form called a “parable”, in which a truth is compared to something very familiar. Today, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is “like a man who sowed good seed”, or “like a mustard seed”, or “like yeast”. Notice how tiny and seemingly insignificant are the three examples that Jesus begins with. Then, something creative and powerful happens! The good seed has grown into a field of rich, golden grain, the little mustard seed has developed into such a large and bushy tree that the birds come and dwell in its branches, and the tiny bit of yeast has caused the dough to ferment and expand into delicious, fragrant bread!

The first parable is the most developed, for there is an element of high drama here. An enemy (the devil) comes at night to sow weeds in with the grain. The farmer’s helpers (Jesus’ disciples) are dismayed, and are all set to pull out the weeds, until the farmer (God) wisely stops them, warning them to patiently wait until harvest time (judgment day) to separate weeds from the wheat.

There are many lessons for us today. First, how do we know the difference between a plant and a weed? We mustn’t be too quick to make judgments! Some weeds are delicious and useful, like dill weed and dandelions. Especially when it comes to people, its best to let God decide! Our job is to carefully cultivate the wheat.

St. Augustine tells us that we must love everyone - not just those who are the faithful members of the Church. To those who say, “We are your enemies”, we are to say, “No, you are brothers and sisters of ours, not our enemies”. Why? Because by our love and patience, we may bring about a change of heart and mind in those who at present work evil.

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical “Saved by Hope” tells us that Christians are certain that, whatever happens in our lives, we will one day experience a favorable outcome. “Only when the future is certain as a positive reality, does it become possible to live the present as well”. Hope makes it all possible to live patiently with the weeds in the midst of the wheat! God will take care of the rest on judgment day.

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July 13, 2008

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

There’s no chaining the Word of God! Isaiah found that out a long time ago. No one can prevent the Word of God from penetrating the hearts of people any more than our umbrellas can keep the rain up in the sky. And the Word will not return to the heavens until it has born fruit. In other words, God’s Will must come to fulfillment, no matter how long it takes for our hearts to soften and our minds to expand and grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God.

In the Gospel, Jesus compares the Word of God to seed that a farmer sows in the spring. Some years ago, I was driving to a meeting on a windy day in early May. From my car window, I saw a farmer spreading seed in his field. The wind caught much of it, and swirled it high in the air. The farmer had no idea how much would land in his carefully ploughed land. Like the seed in today’s parable, some would produce a rich crop, but much of it would be wasted. In this parable, Jesus compares himself to a farmer, and the soil to the hearts of his listeners. Some are flighty enthusiasts who go crazy with joy at hearing the Good News, but who haven’t a clue of what to do with it. Their enthusiasm burns up with nothing to show for it. And how about those who minds and hearts get all choked up with the internet or morally unhealthy television shows and movies? Many teenagers and adults spend too much time in “virtual reality” and not enough time in real life prayer, and growing time with their spouses and children. They’re too busy for generous serving time for their Church and community.

Then there’s the big question we have to ask as we hear today’s Word. “Where do I fit into this parable? Will I have a u-haul full of good deeds to bring to my judgment day? How many friends will testify on my behalf?

Will I have a redeemed heart, a heart full of love for God and people...all my fruitfulness from hearing the Word of God? It just takes a little more focus, a bit more determination to till the soil of my soul - making quiet space for reflection, and time for those who need me. After all, how many millions of people throughout history would have made so much better use of the seed if it had fallen in their territory! In God’s mysterious providence, that seed did fall in my back yard. That Word did fall on my ears, and, (to change the metaphor), Christ has knocked on the door of my heart thousands and thousands of times. Was I home to Him?

“My word will not return to me void!” God says in our first reading. Does that mean that if I can’t produce, God will find others who can? He’s done it before. No! Wait, Lord, I’ll try to do better!

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July 6, 2008

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

Summer is here! And it's just so good to enjoy longer days and brighter evenings. At the same time, the prospects of another summer under the shadow of terrorism, the lingering Iraq war, floods, fires, and cyclones, and the high cost of oil, casts a dark cloud over our joy. We need to listen carefully to the first reading from Zechariah. It can refresh our spirits. The vision of the King of Peace coming to abolish all fighting is a cause for hope. And, of course, it's more than a dream, since we are children of the Covenant. God has promised us a time of peace. We must never give up on the dream.

After all, our country was founded on a dream. Otherwise we would not be celebrating the Fourth of July this weekend. Their dream is very like God's dream, his Providence. We are all entitled to be dreamers. We must never give up hope that God's dream of peace will come true. It his plan!

How do we help make his plan come true? By living in the Spirit as our second reading explains. As members of Christ, every good individual action strengthens the whole body. We need to faithfully pray for peace, respond with serene charity to the many frustrations and "downers" in our lives, and influence others to do the same. Living in the Spirit will reduce our tendencies to "live in the flesh", which includes greed, lust, and a habit of decision-making based on material gain. To live in the Spirit brings life - so why allow ourselves to be chained to the flesh?

Is living in the Spirit that burden we fear? Jesus tells us in the Gospel that his burden is really light! So, the question is: can I make "living in the Spirit" his burden? If we can, then it is no burden at all! All we have to do is to pay attention to Jesus, pray to Jesus, and let him guide our hands and our hearts. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will refresh you". How caring is our God!

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June 29, 2008

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

This year we observe the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of the great Apostle Paul. He was born in Tarsus in present-day Turkey. Pope Benedict XVI has declared this to be the Year of St. Paul beginning with the Vigil of today's Feast (June 28th, 2008) and ending on June 29th, 2009. All throughout the year, Catholics who make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome may receive a plenary indulgence. Those who are impeded for a serious reason from going to Rome, may still obtain the indulgence (consult your parish for details). This beautiful church of St. Paul Outside the Walls contains the tomb of St. Paul who was beheaded around the year 65 A.D.

The readings for the feast are concerned with both St. Peter and St. Paul. In the reading from Acts 12, we hear that King Herod, after killing St. James, the brother of St. John, by the sword, arrested St. Peter, threw him in prison in double chains, and had him guarded there with a large cohort of soldiers. In the middle of the night, the chains dropped from him, and he walked out on his own to freedom. Why such direct divine intervention? Because, as today's Gospel from Matthew narrates, Peter under divine inspiration declared Christ to be God's Son and Saviour of the World. Then came Jesus' appointment of Peter - "You are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." The passage concludes with Jesus conferring on Peter the "keys of the kingdom", with its accompanying power to absolve sin or to keep that person "bound" by his sin. Two other readings this weekend recounts Peter's cure of the crippled man at the gates of the Temple (Acts 3), and the dramatic test that Jesus gave Peter right after the Resurrection, asking Peter three times if he loved Him (Gospel for the Vigil).

The readings for St. Paul give us a sample of how St. Paul defended his credentials for preaching the Gospel (Galatians 1). In this letter, he declares that his own teaching is not from human origin, but has come by direct revelation from heaven. The reading for the Feast gives us a portion of Paul's farewell to Timothy from the Roman prison at the end of his life. He declares to Timothy that he has kept the faith, and run the race, and now expects an eternity with the Lord in heaven.

Paul of Tarsus was completely different from Peter. Peter, impetuous and generous, was an uneducated fisherman, while Paul was a "city boy" and somewhat of an introvert. He became a zealous Pharisee, tremendously learned in Jewish law, but an outsider, and a Roman citizen. Peter was the main authority figure in the early Church, while Paul was the brilliant catechist who developed the "theology" of the early Church and the missionary apostle who evangelized the eastern Mediterranean. Pilgrims today can walk in the footsteps of St. Paul, following the path of three separate missionary journeys.

We honor both St. Peter and St. Paul by imitating their generous faith, and their love and total commitment to the crucified and risen Jesus.

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June 22, 2008

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's first reading gives us an amazing insight into the anger and discouragement of the prophet Jeremiah. No one seems to be listening to him. Furthermore, the King and all his friends have denounced him, flogged him publically, and threatened him with death! Jeremiah, in turn, after accusing God of dealing with him deceitfully, decides to quit. Struggling with his feelings, he finally admits that he can't quit because God's word is burning like fire in his bones. He knows God will not desert him, and that his enemies will eventually be brought to justice.

From the time of Jeremiah and the other Old Testament prophets right through the days of the apostles and martyrs of the New Covenant, and, indeed right up to the present day, those who preach the Word of God have met with opposition and violence from evil people. Today, there are 200 million Christians suffering persecution in places like China, Iran, North Korea, Uganda, and at least forty other countries.

Why such violent reaction to the "Good News" from those redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus? Why do many blasphemously say that they are killing Christians as an act of worship to God? It's because of Original Sin! Today's second reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans clearly states the doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning Original Sin. In other words, Satan maliciously released the power of evil into the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. That evil has infected every person born (except Mary because God chose to exempt her, and Jesus, because He was divine as well as human). This doesn't mean that those who kill Christians aren't responsible for their own actions, but only that evil exists in the form of original sin, and that the battle between good and evil isn't over yet!

Evil is something to be feared. But Jesus, in today's Gospel, tells his followers, "Fear no one". He teaches further, "And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul". Is there anyone we should fear? Yes, "the one who can kill both the soul and the body in Gehenna". God tells us not to be afraid of suffering for our Faith, for those who are faithful in speaking right out loud in praise of God's truth, will share with Him the Final Victory!!

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June 15, 2008

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

What would you do if Jesus tapped you on the shoulder, and said, "I have a job for you"? Would you be terrified, have a fainting spell, or look around to see if there is someone else he could possibly be talking to? Then, when you had recovered enough to speak, would you tell him that you really had to know what he was asking before you'd say "yes"? Or would you just say "Sure, Lord, anything you want"? Imagine how the Twelve felt after he had called them by name, and given them a mission that seemed impossible.

Why didn't Jesus just do it all himself right from the beginning? Because the Father had promised to make of us "a kingdom of priests, a holy nation" as we hear in the reading today from Exodus. Imagine! And as Jesus had called himself a shepherd, come to save the "lost sheep of Israel", so, too, he would share with us his priesthood, making us a nation of shepherds who would seek out the lost, and bring them back to their inheritance.

How we respond depends very much on that last part of today's Gospel, where he reminds his apostles that "without cost you have received; without cost you are to give". Isn't that a great saying? If we can only stir up enough gratitude for Jesus laying down his life for us, then we can find it in our hearts to return the favor, and start looking around ourselves for the lost sheep right in our families and in our neighborhood.

To share in the mission of Jesus takes generosity and love, humility and courage. As Jesus called the apostles by name, so has he called each of us by name. He has called us, and he expects a response. As we celebrate Fathers' Day this Sunday, we need to give thanks to God the Father for sending his Son, Jesus, to redeem and free us for eternal life in his dwelling. As his adopted brothers and sisters, he calls us to share in his mission to the world. We have been called...we have been sent!

Those of us in our own diocese need to thank our Father-Bishop. He truly cares and reaches out constantly to fulfill our needs. As the priest shortage becomes more acute, he truly depends on us to help him reach out to all under his care. Not only our Bishop, but our priests need you so very much! Start this week praying for the courage to be bolder in looking for the lost around you, in reaching out to them in love, and leading them home to the limitless forgiveness of a loving God. And to all fathers of families, we say "thank you" for sheltering, feeding, caring, and loving your spouses and children. We pray that you will always try to imitate your great model, God our Father.

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June 8, 2008

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our Gospel today describes the great power and magnetism of Jesus' personality. Only a charismatic leader like Jesus could walk up to a despised government official, say to him with a touch of audacity, "Follow me", and expect him to respond. And Matthew does what Jesus asks! If he had not, the world would have been deprived of our most complete gospel account of the life and teachings of Jesus!

God's people in the time of Moses should have been listening as closely as Matthew. Hosea scolds them for their shallow knowledge, their faulty sacrifices which they performed without the spirit of love. As a result they were sadly lacking in true obedience to God's Will.

The second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Romans develops the theme of "righteousness". This is an essential quality of the true disciple which comes from believing in God's promises when there seems no logical reason to believe. Abraham wanted very much to be the "Father of many nations". Although he was close to being a hundred years old, and his wife long beyond child-bearing, he still firmly believed in God's promises.

Both Abraham and Matthew are held up to us as models of righteousness. The question for us this Sunday is clear: do we have enough faith, trust, and love to obey the Lord's commands - enough for us to be called "righteous" in God's sight?

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June 1, 2008

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the recent earthquakes in China, thousands of school children were trapped beneath the rubble. Most of them died there. The cry of complaint went up all over China, "Why did the schools collapse?" The obvious answer was to be found in cheap materials and shoddy construction. In all likelihood, they lacked solid foundations.

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that people who build their houses on sand will risk disaster when the winds and the rain and the floods come. In other words, we need a rock-solid foundation for what we believe (faith), if the houses of our good works are to be acceptable for salvation on the day of judgement.

Faith is much more than passive assent to the teaching of Jesus. It is above all a deeply-felt conviction that in accepting them, we believe they are truths to live by, forming the foundation for all of our judgments, our decisions, and our words. In our second reading, St. Paul insists that faith is necessary for "righteousness" (not self-righteousness).

The righteous man or woman seeks only to follow God's Will in everything. If our boss tells us in the morning what he wants done, and tells us the steps he wants us to follow in accomplishing the task, we certainly are not going to do something quite the opposite from his orders. We're not even going to change the methods of doing what he ordered done. If we didn't really listen in the first place, or just ignored what he said, then we might find ourselves looking for a new employer.

As Moses told the people in today's first reading, "I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: a blessing for those who obey the Lord, your God...and a curse for those who do not obey the Lord, your God..." It sounds so simple, but people forget!

There's an old saying, "Out of sight, out of mind". Moses gave the Israelites very practical advice for remembering God's commandments: "Take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendent on your forehead". The chosen people must have found it very difficult to ignore something that was swinging a few inches from their noses! For us Christians, we hear the word of God whenever we attend Mass, whenever we read Scripture and meditate prayerfully on its message.

The story is told of Albert Einstein that, when asked for his train ticket by the conductor, he was unable to find it. The conductor, recognizing the great man, said to him, "It's all right. I know who you are". Einstein replied with some agitation: "I know who I am, too. I just don't know where I'm going."

In our journey through life, it's not enough for us to know who we are; we also have to know where we're going. With that goal firmly in mind, it's the height of wisdom to keep God's commandments always just a few inches from our nose! From there, we can breathe them into our hearts.

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May 25, 2008

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

In the first reading for this great feast of Corpus Christi (Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ), Moses reminds the people in the desert to "remember their story". And what a story! From the beginning of creation, God has always taken care to feed the people he created. They failed to appreciate the delicious fruit in the Garden of Eden, so they lost it! But later he gave them that mysterious "manna" in the desert. They got tired of that, too. Then Jesus promised them something much better than manna. "After all," he told them, "your fathers ate manna in the desert, and they're all dead!" However, they couldn't trust him and all his talk about "flesh and blood". They ran! Except Peter and the apostles who did a double-take, thought a little about the alternative of leaving him, and decided to stay it out. How lucky for the Church and for themselves that they did! Even though the Last Supper was still shrouded in mystery, they got the idea of how he would give them his own Body and Blood. That wonderful Emmaus incident of Jesus revealing himself in "the breaking of the bread" helped a lot, but it took the coming of the Holy Spirit for them to finally believe with all their minds and hearts. And the Mass was celebrated from then on!

St. Paul insists we are all one body when we celebrate - French or Latino, American or African or Chinese - we are all one body - for rejoicing, for loving, and for giving away. I think the biggest questions this week for us, besides firmly believing in the Real Presence, is the question of how much of the Eucharist do we share?

After all, if we really become the Body and Blood of Christ in the Lord and in one another, then selfishness has no place. Of course, we want to savor the Lord's friendship, for some time after receiving Holy Communion (don't let anyone cheat you of that time!). But then we must "go" and "give". We give when we discipline ourselves, when we answer the pastor's call for help in a parish activity, and when we are patient with our children (even if we have to force a smile and a kind word of correction). And we certainly give when we share ourselves and our families on a Sunday afternoon with a visit to grandmother or an aunt - or just a neighbor - in the nursing home or hospital. It's a sermon to our children that they will probably remember even more than Father's carefully prepared homily! Then, there are the big issues of social justice! These are all connected with the Holy Eucharist.

This feast is a time for reminiscence for us "older" people. Remember Sunday afternoon Benediction and Vespers, with the wonderful smell of incense, the clanking of the censor, and those beautiful Benediction hymns? Many of us still remember the great Corpus Christi processions in our home parishes or in our Catholic high school. I remember taking part in a grand Corpus Christi procession in Rome in 1979 when Pope John Paul II restored this ancient custom, and carried a huge monstrance publically from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major, with thousands singing and weeping for joy at the honoring of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Some may be attending the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec this summer.

Whenever possible, look for opportunities to bring your children and family to Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and to parish days of Exposition and prayer. These devotions are a cherished part of our Catholic heritage, and highly recommended by Pope Benedict XVI.

May the heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved, with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles throughout the world, until the end of time. Amen.

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May 18, 2008

Feast of the Holy Trinity

Today is the Feast of the most Holy Trinity - one God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The words "Holy Spirit" and "Holy Ghost" are interchangeable, since "spirit" is directly translated from the Latin "Sanctus Spiritus" - while "ghost" is the Old English word for spirit. How do you explain the Holy Trinity? You don't really. It's beyond our human reason. Just use multiplication - three times one still equals three. Right? But three Persons times One God equals One God. Now, if you want to carry it further, you'll get dizzy and may even suffer a headache. At this point, you really should give up!

Logic doesn't carry us very far in trying to explain the mystery of three Persons in one God. St. Anselm had it right a long time ago when he wrote, "I don't understand so that I can believe; I believe so that I can understand." Just believe Jesus' teaching that there is a Holy Trinity. From there, let's look at our heart's experience of God's beauty, his wisdom, his mercy, and his limitless love. It's as though someone were to ask you, "Do you believe in sunsets...or mountain tops...or starry nights?" We'd tell them, "Just go out and watch a sunset...just to up and sit on a mountain top...just go out on a warm summer evening, lie on your back, and gaze up at a sky filled with stars!"

God is powerful, and eternally in motion. Think of a celebration that never comes to an end. At a celebration, there are people - there's action, music, food and drink, and a good time. So...the life of the Holy Trinity is like an eternal party. God the Father loves the Son without interruption, and the Son returns that love with every breath of His being - and that breath becomes the Holy Spirit of them both - full of the power of love and jubilant motion.

God the Father is like a beautiful sunset, soothing and quieting my soul. God the Son is like a lover, forgiving and tender, feeding my hunger, satisfying my desire. And the Holy Spirit is like a hot scorching fire, a whirlwind of inspiration, stirring me to intense praise and dynamic action.

Through faith, we believe that this Holy Trinity actually dwells inside the souls of the baptized when they are in a state of grace. Our only proper response to that awesome truth is Wow!

No wonder we speak of the dignity of the Christian.

Three-personed God, I gape at the wonder of your beauty, I glow with the light of your truth, I burn with the excitement of Your life! When will I see You face to face?

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May 11, 2008

Feast of Pentecost

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church. As the Holy Spirit entered into Mary at the Annunciation, making her fruitful with the Son of God, so, too, at that first Pentecost, the Spirit entered into the expectant twelve apostles (Mathias replacing Judas), swooping down with wind and fire. As breathing fresh air purifies blood, so too did the Spirit gave vigor to all that was dead or sluggish in the hearts of the apostles, freeing them from their fear of proclaiming publically the truth they knew and had experienced. The Spirit infused them with gifts beyond value - wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. As he breathed into them, they would in turn breathe out the Holy Spirit for the rest of their lives, even to death, for love of that truth.

And fire! We often joke about the heat from birthday candles. Can you imagine the heat from 2008 birthday candles today! Far greater is the heat from millions of flames radiating from those confirmed in the Spirit. Pray that our young people being confirmed by Bishop Cunningham this season will make a difference through the faith and love they could bring to their families and parishes here in the North Country. And they are only a part of many thousands throughout the world whose faith could create a "second spring" for the universal church. That faith could engender a revolution of love and the establishment of justice among the peoples of this bleeding earth.

Three years ago, Pope Benedict, in his Installation Mass homily, clearly set unity among all Christians as a central goal of his pontificate. Unity is the work of the Holy Spirit, to bind all into oneness with Christ...one faith, one Lord, one baptism. And surely it was the Holy Spirit who inspired his recent visit to the United States to assure us that in Christ is our hope!

On this feast of Pentecost, a new energy comes to the Church through the grace of the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit of hope, we can shed our fear, as individual Catholics, of calling attention to ourselves, or of creating resentment in the quieter ones in our community. We are called to be courageous in witnessing to our faith through an outpouring of prayer and activity inspired by the Holy Spirit. Especially do we need to show hospitality to those seekers of truth in our community who, with a little encouragement, might inquire about the Catholic faith. And how about all those who entered the Church at Easter? Do we know their names, and what they look like, and where they live? Do we invite them to our homes so that we can get to know them better? Or just a daily prayer that these new Catholics will persevere. The possibilities are truly endless.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful! And enkindle in them the fire of thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, And thou shalt renew the face of the earth!

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May 4, 2008

Seventh Sunday of Easter

What a wonderful whirlwind visit we had from Pope Benedict XVI just a couple of weeks ago. He brought us the message that Christ is indeed our hope, and reminded us that America's unique success as a democratic republic is based on the truth of the natural law and the truth of nature's God. God's truths are the bedrock for freedom, justice, and responsible striving for the common good, that all in our nation and abroad may sit in dignity at God�s table of plenty. And, as he spoke wise words of advice to Bishops, Priests and Religious, Educators, Seminarians and Youth, he helped heal the hurts of those scarred by sexual abuse of the clergy. He urged us to respect and love one another, and to work together in unity. His gentle presence and obvious care for America left us with a degree of nostalgia as we recall his ascent into the air at Kennedy Airport.

It occurred to me while thinking about this Sunday's readings, that the apostles experienced a similar nostalgia two thousand years ago. Just when they were getting used to their amazing glimpses of the Risen Christ, appearing here and there so dramatically, he suddenly ascends into the air before their eyes, and is lost to sight in the clouds. They must have thought in dismay, "He's left us again!" So what did they do? They withdrew together to pray and ponder what He had taught them. Wisely, they invoked the intercession of Mary in those nine days of waiting for the Holy Spirit.

They must have remembered what Jesus had said to them: "If you really love me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father". In other words, I have a better way to remain with you. I will live in you and in the Church through my Spirit and in my Vicar. And did they remember that wonderful farewell address in that same upper room just a few weeks before at that strange, sacred meal the night before he died? Did they now understand the reason for his institution of the Eucharist, that he might remain with them always?

On this Seventh Sunday, as the Apostles we reflect on this new amazing life in the Spirit that will all become a reality on Pentecost, it's a good idea that we spend some time reflecting on the words of Christ�s Vicar that he spoke to us during his recent visit. When we think ourselves alone and abandoned, when the contrary spirit of the world depresses us, Christ is there! When we are tempted to give up, to feel far from God, Christ is there through the Spirit!

What Christ really wants of us modern-day followers is concrete, lasting action, a living out of his Truth. We must go simply and deliberately into our souls daily - into the core of our being - and there listen to him in silence. Then, strengthened by his grace, we can confidently go about our Mission. We need that grace more than ever in these days of rebuilding our nation and our world. Pope Benedict XVI has given us a wonderful blueprint for hope!

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April 27, 2008

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Although Pentecost is still two weeks away, this Sunday could well be called "Introducing the Holy Spirit Sunday" since the Gospel is all about Jesus' promise to send another "paraclete" (one who pleads our cause) when he returns to heaven. The first reading tells of the marvelous workings of this Holy Spirit in Samaria when Philip, "filled with the Spirit", goes there to evangelize.

The Gospel is part of Jesus' Farewell Address to his apostles at the Last Supper. There, he prepares them for his death, resurrection, and ascension. He tells them they should be happy that he is leaving them, for now God the Father will send them an Advocate or Counsellor. As Jesus himself was the first "Paraclete", so God the Father will now send the Spirit of Truth who will complete their education, reminding them of all that he said while on earth, and giving them full understanding and skill to preach the Word with great power and wisdom. This Holy Spirit will make it possible for Jesus along with God the Father to come into their hearts and dwell there. In this way, Jesus will be present to them always. Further, this Holy Spirit will fill them with courage to witness to the Truth. He will console them with great joy, and help them to live always in hope of their own resurrection.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells a story that shows how the apostles, following Pentecost, were able to perform miracles and healings very similar to the ones Jesus himself worked while yet with them. These signs gave such strong credibility to their preaching, that crowds of people immediately believed in Jesus, and were baptized. The story itself tells us that Philip, filled with the Spirit, goes to Samaria and there converts these traditional enemies into enthusiastic believers. When the apostles heard this astounding news, they immediately sent Peter and John to lay hands on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit. It was in Samaria that a certain magician names Simon, reverenced there as a god, was converted to Jesus. Unfortunately, he made a serious mistake of offering to "buy" Peter's power. Even today, we refer to that as the sin of simony. Peter excommunicated him on the spot, but invited him to repent of this grave sin. We never do find out what happened to him.

The second reading today from a letter attributed to St. Peter, gives the early Christians a rule of conduct as they set out on their mission of truth and service. "Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence." They should have no fear of their enemies, but be prepared to pay the price of discipleship. If they unite their sufferings to those that Jesus endured, then their personal reward in heaven is assured.

This Thursday is Ascension Thursday, a Holy Day of Obligation and the beginning of our nine-day preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. As a people of hope, we need to ready ourselves for a new Pentecost for our beloved Church.

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April 20, 2008

Fifth Sunday of Easter

It's a well-known teaching that only God can bring good out of evil. As Scripture says, "To those who love God, all things work together for good". In today's first reading, we see what could have been a serious division in the early Christian community become the cause for an important development in its growth. There were two languages spoken by the new followers of Christ. Those called Hebrews by St. Luke spoke Hebrew and Aramaic, while those called Hellenists in this reading spoke Greek. Tensions were bound to arise since each group had different ways of thinking and acting. All this came to the boiling point when the Hellenists felt discriminated against in the care given their widows. Very wisely, the Twelve decided to formally establish a new ministry of "table servers" (later known as deacons), so that they themselves could devote themselves entirely to prayer and preaching. They imposed hands on seven men of outstanding reputation. Actually, when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they did much more than wait on tables. In this way, God used a crisis in charity to further the effectiveness of Church in spreading the word.

The second reading from the first Letter of St. Peter uses the image of "stone" or "rock". Peter, referring to Isaiah's prophecy, tells us that God the Father long ago had established his Son, Jesus, as the "cornerstone, chosen and precious". Peter, with warm and welcoming tone, urges us to come with hope and trust to the living stone of salvation, and there to become ourselves a holy temple. Now, it's not all peaches and cream! There's a price to pay. Through our own sufferings, we may offer sacrifice and praise to the Father along with the Son. How do we do this? Through our Baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then comes a warning. Just as many have rejected this rock of salvation to their own condemnation, so too, if we attempt to bypass Christ, then we will ourselves stumble and fall. Peter quotes Isaiah as his authority for referring to Christ as a stumbling block to those who reject him. All this will become clear on the day of judgment.

The Gospel is taken from the wonderful farewell address of Jesus to his apostles at the Last Supper. Here, he tells them not to be afraid, for after much trial, the kingdom with its many dwelling places will be theirs. A good teacher loves students who ask a lot of questions. We're forever indebted to Philip who complains to Jesus that he doesn't know the way to the kingdom. In answer, Jesus gives us one of his most quotable quotes: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me". We could spend a lifetime exhausting the meaning of that sentence. It's "Christology" in a nutshell. It means that we�ll never walk alone, that God will protect us against evil on the journey, that we'll always be able to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, and that, best of all, if we are faithful to the end, we will live life to the full - now and forever.

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April 13, 2008

Fourth Sunday of Easter

This fourth Sunday of Easter supplies us with very rich images for our meditation. Jesus calls himself the "good Shepherd" as well as the "gate" to eternal life. He is the only way through which we have access to the Father. His listeners were very familiar with the crucial role that shepherds in Israel trained sheep. They would spend hours alone with each lamb, making sure that every one had a name different from any other in the flock, and would respond only to the voice of the shepherd calling out that name.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is speaking at Pentecost, assuring his listeners that his fellow apostles are not drunk, but rather filled with the Holy Spirit. He tells them that, if only they repent of crucifying their Lord and Messiah through their sinfulness, they will be forgiven, Jews and Gentiles alike. If they allow themselves to be baptized, they too will receive the Holy Spirit. Amazingly, about three thousand persons heeded Peter�s preaching, and were baptized that day.

The second reading today is taken from another sermon of Peter in which he urges his listeners to model their lives on the patience of Jesus who "when he suffered, did not threaten...He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness." (We must be careful to distinquish "righteousness" from self-righteousness).

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that he and no other is the shepherd of the sheep, the only voice we should recognize and follow. He is also the gate of the sheepfold, welcoming all to freedom from fear, security, and assurance of salvation. Lord, help us to silence those voices that would lead us into false paths, and lovingly follow only your voice.

To complete our meditation, read carefully the 23rd psalm today, "The Lord is my Shepherd".

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April 6, 2008

Third Sunday of Easter

The bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is one of the best-attested events in history. If we can believe anything at all in history, we can confidently believe that Jesus Christ was seen alive in the flesh by a large number of eyewitnesses. This happened at different times and in different places over a forty-day period. These are established facts, and have withstood attacks by many critics throughout the centuries.

Our first reading today is the word-for-word speech of Peter in the streets of Jerusalem to an astonished crowd of onlookers. At first, they think that the apostles must be drunk. Then, after hearing the words of Peter, they are distressed and fearful, crying out for mercy at their culpable crime - crucifying the Lord of Life. Most amazingly of all, five thousand persons were baptized that same day, the day of Pentecost. What a stupendous beginning for the Church!

Going back in time to the very day that Jesus rose from the tomb, the Gospel delights us with the amazing story of the Road to Emmaus. When you think of what actually happened - Jesus celebrates the Mass with the Liturgy of the Word. He then joins it with the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Inn. Let's take a look. These two disciples were getting out of Jerusalem, totally dejected, walking along with their heads down, gloomily talking about their broken hopes in Jesus, when a stranger joins them, asking them what their conversation was about. When they tell him the news, he professes ignorance, then points out how all of this was predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Fascinated, they invite the stranger to join them for supper at an Inn, since it is now nearly sundown. He agrees, and surprises them by taking the bread and wine into his hands, and quietly says the same words he had uttered just a few days before: "This is my Body...This is my Blood..." They look at one another, and recognize him in the breaking of the Bread! Then he disappears! No wonder they hasten back to Jerusalem, bursting into the Upper Room to tell their story. No wonder they cry out, "Were not our hearts burning within us as He explained the Scriptures to us on the way!"

What was the reaction of the Eleven? They greet their message with skepticism. It was only when Jesus himself appeared to them that they finally believed. And it took even longer for Thomas. It wasn't until the Holy Spirit entered their whole being that they embraced not only the event itself, but also the suffering and the ridicule that living their convictions would bring. Through the grace of that Spirit, they grew in humility, prayer, reflection, and holiness.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could feel that same enthusiasm each time we hear the Word of God at Mass, and experience again and again the great miracle of Eucharist? The best part is that Jesus doesn't disappear afterwards. He remains on our altars and in our hearts as we become part of him, and, hopefully, hasten back home to tell our friends how great God is to die for us, to live for us. And then - to share the Eucharist through our love and service - with some pain, but also with lots of joy.

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March 30, 2008

Second Sunday of Easter

Life will never be the same! Just when the apostles, huddling in fear in the Upper Room, were convinced that their days with Jesus were over forever, he appears through locked doors. It's beginning all over again! They should have believed the women - and the two disciples who gave them that outlandish story about the Stranger on the road! Now, here he is. "Peace be with you. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them..." Does he mean us? We're supposed to leave this safe hideaway and start stirring up trouble again?

Or maybe we even doubt that part about doubting Thomas. Do you suppose he really had the nerve to put his hand in Jesus' side? Jesus rewards the likes of us who don't demand such proof.

We really have no idea what went through the minds of the apostles following the Crucifixion, but we can imagine their fright and their disbelief at the rumors on Easter Sunday. In any event, we know it took time for everything to sink in. Between Easter and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit would change them forever, Jesus appeared many times and in many places to convince them of the truth - that he had risen from the tomb, and, since he would return to the Father, they were the ones who would do the leg work for the building of the kingdom.

Many people experience a definite letdown after Easter Sunday. Attendance at daily Mass gradually shrinks back to the "normal", and we lose the enthusiasm generated by Lent. If we're really attentive to Scripture, we'll feel just the opposite. The Easter Season is a most satisfying time to immerse ourselves in Scripture. From day to day, we just never know where the Risen Lord will "pop up"! At one point, he even provides the food for a shore dinner.

Like the apostles, it takes time for everything to sink in to our minds and hearts. For starters, we begin today with a focus on the Divine Mercy of Jesus. Our late Holy Father established this devotion for the Second Sunday of Easter. It makes special sense at the beginning of the Easter season. Just consider! Jesus showed incredible mercy in forgiving Peter his three-fold denial, in forgiving Thomas for his doubts, and in forgiving all the apostles except John for running away. And while dying on the cross, he forgave those who had nailed him there! He forgave all whose sins caused his passion and death. Our only appropriate response to his love and mercy is to imitate his love and forgiveness, and pray that all in our sinful world will surrender to his mercy - and believe!

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March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday

Easter has come suddenly, with a burst of light. Now we know that Jesus stands by his promises. In a flash, Christ has changed darkness and death into light and life. Our journey through the struggles of Lent and the pain of Holy Week is over. With malicious sacrilege, evil has done its worst to the sacred body of God's Son. With Mary and John, we saw him die. We wept at the tomb. Then, before dawn on Sunday, Christ broke through the rock, shattered the power of sin, and, according to tradition, appeared first to his Mother, then to the women and the apostles.

As we listen to the first reading, we hear one of Peter's very first sermons. The curious bystanders were astounded at the change in this man. He comes fresh from the fiery tongues of Pentecost, still in shock at the dream he had on the way to Cornelius' house. Nothing any more was to be considered unclean. So he is free to preach to Gentiles the Good News of God's forgiveness and freedom for all. Peter and the others are commanded to baptize any who believe in the Christ. So the word spreads through the whole countryside and beyond. Resurrection is the hope of every living person. No wonder the apostles preached with such courage and enthusiasm!

They preached about a God who cared first for people who were poor and powerless, a God whose love governed all his relationships. And he taught us to not only believe in justice, but to act justly.

The Scripture readings during these fifty days between Easter and Pentecost are among the most exciting in the Church year. We give burst into "Alleluias" over and over, and joyfully shout "Christ has Risen" this Sunday. But more than just singing, we settle into a new time of reflection on our own program for resurrection in these very troubled times. After all, it is our mission to bring new life to a troubled world. If we don't do it, who will? So let's repack for travel!

As followers of the Risen Christ, the time has come for greater efforts on our part to influence politicians and others on all the vital life issues that are integral to the teaching of Jesus Christ - from abortion and stem-cell research to corruption in government and all institutions - to proper medical care for the sick and elderly. Jesus teaches respect for every human person, whether alien or citizen. We need to study the document of the Bishops on Faithful Citizenship. Hopefully, many of us will continue our Why Catholic groups. Faith and action begin with understanding and loving the teachings and plans for action of our Church. We have so much to do as hope-filled Easter Catholics. These are critical times, and we must not fall back into laziness or complacency now that Lent has ended.

Let's hope our spiritual blood-pressure is just a bit higher as we proclaim the Good News. Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

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March 16, 2008

Palm (Passion) Sunday

Today we begin the most sacred week of the year - Holy Week. It all begins with the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, seated astride a donkey, with the crowd shouting "Hosanna", and it ends with the most astounding event in history, the God-man, Jesus, rising from a borrowed tomb. He rises with the light shining from the wounds of His horrible passion and death.

As our Saviour rode towards his great confrontation with the powers of evil, the words of today's first reading were very possibly in His mind: "I have set my face like flint, knowing that I will not be put to shame". No, the shame is ours that our sins and those of the millions before us have brought him to this hour. This is the week for us to bow our heads and hearts in sorrow and compassion as we put aside our daily distractions and focus on the events of the dying and rising of our loving Redeemer. We need to reflect prayerfully on the ancient Christian hymn that forms our second reading for this Mass: "...he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave...he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." No wonder every knee must bow at the mention of his name! The early Church fought long and hard to establish the doctrine for all time that it was both God and man that took up that cross for our redemption.

So what is our cross? It's the cross of responsibilities, the cross of sickness, the cross of loneliness and failure. We gain so much strength to carry those crosses when we take time this week to journey with Jesus to Calvary.

The Church is a master of drama in the liturgies of this week. Through the use of the celebrant and two readers for the Passion this week, and in the voices of the congregation, we all become part of the action. Most feel embarrassed to cry "Crucify him" with the palm branches still in our hands. We feel like hypocrites. Yet it was our sin which brought him to Calvary.

The Passion narrative of Matthew is a reminder of the ugliness of sin - his betrayal by Judas, the denial of Peter, the hearings before Caiaphas and Pilate - the awful scourging by the Roman soldiers, the thorny crown jammed upon his weary head, the whip cutting slashes into his flesh, the blood running down his shoulders and back, the cursing by the crowd, the nails tearing through his hands, the thud of the cross into the ground. As he hangs on the cross, he cries, "I thirst!" How that cry echoes down the centuries as a reminder of his search for our love.

The shock of Palm Sunday's liturgy compresses two thousand years into this present time. We have no place to hide. We need to suspend all other activities, quiet our busy-ness, and focus on the events of this week - the local penance services, the Stations of the Cross, the Thursday night adoration, and the Good Friday veneration of the Cross. All this will prepare us for the coming out of darkness into the new fire, the new light, the new saving water of the Easter Vigil - and Resurrection.

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March 9, 2008

Fifth Sunday of Lent

We�re on the last lap of our Lenten journey ... just a couple of weeks left. And, as the drama intensifies in the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees, so, too, our personal struggle to overcome the weak spots in our spiritual armor should also �heat up�. There�s so little time remaining before our well-deserved Easter joy!

What great symbols we�ve had to tease our imaginations and challenge our minds � water to quench our thirst on the Third Sunday, light in place of darkness on the Fourth Sunday, and now life coming forth from the tomb of Lazarus on the Fifth Sunday.

It�s such a startling story - Jesus arrives in Bethany only to find that his dear friend Lazarus has died. Martha has broken the news, �Lord, if you been here, my brother would never have died!� Is she reproaching Jesus, or merely expressing her faith in him? And what does he do? He bursts into tears, his heart torn with sorrow. What! God is crying! How grateful we are for this glimpse of the tender heart of God! Then Jesus tells them to roll the stone back. They try to stop him, warning him of the stench. But Jesus persists. And the Spirit of God enters into the body of Lazarus, and he comes out alive. When the Spirit enters, death departs, for death cannot prevail over Life.

It looks so easy, this miracle of Jesus, but the people are astounded. No one has ever come back from the dead before. He must be the promised Messiah. Yet, in a few short days, how skillfully the propagators of deceit will convince the people that it must have all been in their imaginations! And, through innuendo and suggestion, the crowd will prepare themselves to betray Goodness, and demand an end to innocence, and a cross on which to hang the Compassionate One.

As we go forward on our journey to Calvary, we should not fear the power of evil that so clearly fuels the plotting of the Pharisees. All evil in this world will have a short life. We need fear only our own weakness and vulnerability to falsehood and betrayal. While the action of this divine drama builds to a seemingly final catastrophe, the end is not the end. The epilogue plays out on a bright Sunday morning, and a whole new drama begins. We are the characters of this second and final drama - sharing in the role of the Hero-God whose victory is shared with millions upon millions, suffering a million crucifixions on a million crosses, right to the present moment.

How amazing and loving and compassionate is our God in the person of Jesus! He wept over Lazarus, wept over Jerusalem, weeps over those killed through terrorism and war, through famine and disease, through murders and rapes - weeps when we fail to forgive one another. In these days of continued wars, terrorism, and ethnic hatreds, may we reflect on the truth that Jesus had to give his own life that we might be assured of life. May we appreciate more each day that we are privileged to share with him his continual work of bringing the world from darkness to light, from hatred to forgiveness, and from death to life.

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March 2, 2008

Fourth Sunday of Lent

The Fourth Sunday in Lent is filled with light and celebrated in joy. In fact, we call it �Laetare Sunday�. At the beginning of the Mass today, the Church commands us: �Rejoice!� (Laetare). If your parish is fortunate enough to own a set of rose-colored vestments, the celebrant will probably wear them at Mass. It�s even o.k. to have flowers on the altar today.

Why all this joy? Because it�s break time from the journey, when, like mountain climbers, we stop and look back to see how far we�ve come! The readings are all about walking in the light, all about seeing things and people as God sees them. In the first reading, Samuel is forced to choose a new and better king than Saul. He visits Jesse, who lines up six stalwart sons. Which one is it, Samuel wonders? What a puzzle! Without the light of faith, he would never have chosen the seventh and youngest son, David.

In the second reading, St. Paul tells us to live as �children of the light�. Light brings goodness. Light exposes the shameful works of darkness. And then comes a very long Gospel which tells the story of the man born blind. After denying that the man is blind because of some terrible sin, Jesus bends over, scoops up a little clay, and smears it on the eyes of the blind man. You�d think the Pharisees would have been delighted and grateful at this miracle. But, no, because they are spiritually blind, they can�t see beyond the law. They quibble and complain that Jesus has broken the Sabbath rest. Even though they consider themselves enlightened scholars, they�re really blind. They did not see from the heart.

The newly-discovered sight of the blind man is also a metaphor for faith that comes when God draws us out of darkness to light. If Laetare Sunday is a time to rejoice, then we rejoice today that we have light in us which comes from our Baptism, from the living experience of sharing faith in our families, from having our sins forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and from Confirmation in the Spirit. And, best of all, we are able to see with the eyes of Jesus when our very person is absorbed into his Body and Blood of in Eucharist.

Sometimes we are unaware of the light of our faith, and we slip back into darkness. We misjudge people, seeing only the exterior. We do not see as Jesus sees. From this comes rash judgment, a critical spirit, and unforgiveness. In this darkness, we cannot even see ourselves as God sees us. St. Francis of Assisi had a great saying: �What we are in God�s sight, that we are, and no more.�

The whole world comes into our living rooms every night through TV and the internet, from phone conversations and magazines. What do we see? And how do we see? Can we have the heart to see injustice, the suffering of others far away as the suffering of our own sisters and brothers? Sometimes we merely look, and do not see with the heart.

This is a good Sunday to resolve to shun the darkness, and see all things in the light of faith. After all, as members of his Body, we are the light of the world that can help adjust the vision of those we live with. Let�s rejoice today that Christ is the Light of the World. He is the One who calls us also to be light bearers.

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February 24, 2008

Third Sunday of Lent

Have you ever noticed how many people around you are carrying a bottle of water? We cannot go for more than a couple of hours without satisfying our thirst. In fact, we would die in a matter of days if we couldn�t quench that need. In the first reading today, the Jewish people were desperate for water. Then God gave them water from the rock.

Like the woman at the well in today�s Gospel, we try every kind of water under the sun to satisfy our thirst. Later in life, we recognize that it�s for more than physical thirst - it�s thirst for happiness, satisfaction, peace of mind. Sometimes we �get it right�, but often we look for the wrong kind of water, and we look for it in the wrong places. We often spend all kinds of money and waste a lot of time, looking for something to quench our thirst.

Jesus offers us the spiritual water that really satisfies. He is offering us what he offered the Samaritan woman - water far superior to anything she had ever tasted or ever dreamed of. Certainly her five husbands (plus her newest lover) hadn�t brought her what she was really looking for. We know that she had tried cheap love, and we presume she was no stranger to intoxication, power, and money! This isn�t a gentle lady who comes to draw water from the well, but a toughened cynic. No wonder she is rude to this travel-dusty Jew, whom she is sure will avoid her with downcast eyes. Jews despised Samaritans who worshipped in the wrong church. But Jesus doesn�t follow the accepted prejudice!

What a surprise, when Jesus, tired, hungry, and thirsty, asks her for a drink of water. He breaks all the rules in speaking to her. Now, he keeps on talking, ignoring her hostility, aware that, in this unexpected encounter, the Father has provided him with an opportunity for piercing the heart of this sinful woman with his love. Jesus forgets his own needs, and offers this woman living water, spiritual grace. Incredible! Even when he confronts her with her sins, she shows humility. When Jesus reveals to her that he is the Messiah, she drops her bucket and runs back to spread the good news. �I�ve found the Messiah.� And she had!

Lent is a time for us to let Jesus satisfy our thirst. Like the Samaritan woman, we find real joy and satisfaction in letting the Lord fill us with the grace of the season. Like her, we find that our joy is greatest when we share that gift with others - joining in a study or prayer group, in visiting a nursing home, in being patient with our family members, and really listening to them, in praying from the heart in a quiet place, in reflecting on the Word privately or at daily Mass, and letting the Eucharist change us into the Body of Christ.

The Samaritan woman never did give Jesus a drink of water as he had requested. Do we stop to realize that Jesus� thirst for our love is even greater than our thirst for his love? I guess only saints understand that. It�s what gives them the energy to pour themselves out in ministry up to their last breath.

Next Sunday, Lent will be half over. A question: �Are you satisfied with what you have done so far to let Jesus into your life? Check out your prayer, your penance, your almsgiving. What are you planning for the remainder of Lent? It�s all about quenching your thirst for life - to shun the type of thirst-quencher that doesn�t really satisfy, and to earnestly beg Jesus to give you his living water.

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February 17, 2008

Second Sunday of Lent

Hopefully, most of us have settled into the discipline of Lent.�As we get out of bed each morning, we're getting more accustomed to looking ahead to some special practice we�ve decided on for the day, whether it�s meeting with our Lenten Why Catholic group, or joining with a friend to visit a nursing home, or just spending a little more time listening to the Lord in prayer.�Lent provides endless opportunities for personal growth and bonding with the Body of Christ. Hopefully, we�re within reach of a daily Mass that fits our schedule.�More frequent Eucharist is really the crown of Lenten practice - the sacred liturgy focuses our minds on the Word, nourishes our whole person with the grace of Holy Communion, and gives joy and purpose to the whole day.�Some parishes offer Scripture reading and a Communion service on certain days.

The first readings last week and this week are about our spiritual ancestors.�Why is it so important for us to keep them in front of our eyes?�Like all stories of ancestors, they teach us to live by avoiding their mistakes and imitating their virtues.�Adam made a big mistake - disobedience.�In contrast, �Abram (or Abraham) shows us a huge virtue - faith. Disobedience lost us a garden of delights, while obedient faith won us a wonderful holy ground called the Promised Land.�Lent, I think, is about fleeing sin, and journeying to holy places - places of prayer, challenge, and growth.

The Gospel is about the �high places� in our journey, pointing to light and resurrection. Arriving at new levels in life can be frightening.�Notice how afraid Peter, James, and John are when they see Jesus transfigured in light.�Jesus is at ease when talking with Moses and Elijah, both of whom had experienced light in their encounters with God on earth.�The great Law-giver and the great Prophet talk to Jesus who is the Law, to Jesus who fulfills all prophecy.�We wonder what they talked about.�Perhaps Jesus is telling them that soon, he will bring them to everlasting encounter with light, as soon as he has risen from death.

That�s the purpose of this experience, to let Peter, James, and John know that the days of darkness ahead will only lead to light.�The Father, thundering from heaven, validates the truth of Jesus.�He will come back and bring us with him one day!�We just have to be patient.�If we wish to live in everlasting light, we must be light for the world on earth. That will be painful, like Jesus� own Passion and Death, but it won�t last long.

If we�re really serious about Lent, we�ll take the Transfiguration experience as Jesus intended.�As he taught a lesson in patience and hope to Peter, James, and John, so he teaches us to listen and wait, to let the message of Jesus soak into our lives so that we can live it better.

Lent is really exciting.�No wonder that it�s the favorite time of year for so many people.

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February 10, 2008

First Sunday of Lent

Even though Lent comes early this year, many of us are looking forward to these forty days as a time for personal renewal. We've barely begun the new year of 2008, and already there are new reasons for insecurity and caution. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are like dead weights. Concerns that Pakistan is out of control, another crisis in the Israelii-Palestinian conflict, and worries at home about our choices for new leadership in the White House - all leave us numb and weary.

No wonder we welcome Lent. It's a time to renew the spirit and find new directions in our lives.

Lent is an attractive opportunity to strengthen our weak knees, toughen our weary hearts, and try all over again to bring order and discipline – with its resulting joy – into our lives. We come again to hear of the Garden of Delights we lost through the original sin of Adam and Eve. How good things would still be if those foolish parents of ours hadn’t listened to that lying serpent! So much damage from one man and one woman! Still, from our own experience, we know how a single family member who has lost faith, or who lives in a drug or alcohol-induced fog, can wreak incredible damage on the rest of the family, whether it be adults or children.

The good news is that the damage of Adam and Eve was all repaired by one man, Jesus.

Lent is all about focusing on Jesus' formula for wholeness and happiness. It's all found in the Scriptures, in daily prayer, and Lenten practices.

Today's Gospel speaks of Jesus' desert experience as he is about to begin his mission. It's a kind of relief for us to know that even the Son of God was tempted to give in to the human, and just forget the whole thing. We all know the feeling!

The work of our redemption would have been seriously damaged if Jesus had given in to temptations of the flesh, or possessions, or power. Instead, he focused on the Father's Will, the reason for his mission, and his great love for those living in darkness.

Jesus combated Satan through humility, obedience, and a loving spirit. And he taught his followers down to the present day to do the same when temptations come.

Let's make the same decisions that Jesus made as we begin our Lenten journey. To put it differently, Lent is a time for us to share in the continual repair work of Jesus, our Redeemer. Let's dedicate the time to reparation for personal sins and the sins of our world.

Here are some suggested ways:

There may be special group study of Scripture, Church history, Catholic social teaching, or some aspect of an article of faith available to you. Most parishes in our diocese have study groups called Why Catholic?. And there are different Lenten guides for daily prayer during Lent.

Daily Mass during Lent, or as often as it's available in your parish, Stations of the Cross, either public or private, a daily rosary, and special family activities, are all fruitful sources of grace.

However you put together your Lent, it's a wonderful forty days of decision, growth, and toughening for the insecure world in which we live. As the title of our Holy Father’s most recent encyclical suggests, we are all "saved by hope". The final page of history, written at the Last Judgment, will record the "undoing of all injustice", aided partially by the prayer and penance of all of us during the Lent which begins today.

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February 3, 2008

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

With this Fourth Sunday, we're up to our necks in "ordinary time" - living the Christian life in the messiness of every day life. We're into the boring grind of "just living". Perhaps it's not so boring if we have the right equipment...like tough faith, tough love, and lots of humility! We're talking here about the Beatitudes. If you think the ten commandments are demanding, try the beatitudes on for size! They make the Decalogue look like a piece of cake! With even more authority than Moses, Jesus is pictured in the Gospel as sitting down, the traditional posture for delivering solemn edicts. He turns middle-class values upside down. Have you ever had your picture taken while standing on your head? You'd look pretty foolish, wouldn't you? Well, that’s the way the beatitudes make a comfortable, easy-going Christian look - just plain foolish!

So we protest: "Do you mean that I have to sit down on the street and cry with a homeless person, or a poor woman just evicted from her apartment. Or...?" Perhaps nothing so dramatic. Let’s try a different approach. Have you ever in your life written to your congressman about unjust legislation? (Currently, in New York State, there's the Governor's Program Bill #16 (S.5829). It's called the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act. It would allow abortions into the third trimester at an outpatient clinic that could be performed by any health care practitioner. For more information, go to www.nyscatholic.org, or ask your parish secretary to give you the address of the New York State Catholic Conference. Then sit down and write! This is how an ordinary Catholic can live the Beatitudes.

Or have you ever taken the time to visit a home for the elderly, or volunteered your time as an auxiliary at your local hospital? Have you ever asked your pastor for the names of some shut-ins who need a phone call, or a note, or a sick person who could use a bowl of soup, or someone to bring them Holy Communion?

It's a question of attitude, looking at those less fortunate from the conviction that you yourself have been incredibly blest by the Lord, and hoping to give just a little bit back in thanksgiving.

And what are the rewards? Zephaniah says the faithful remnant will live a life of peacefulness, and Jesus says such a person is "blessed", and will have unimaginable rewards in the kingdom.

It would be impossible to assess the influence of the Sermon on the Mount on the history of Christianity. Those who have taken seriously the "option for the poor" have suffered great loss economically, politically, and personally. Jesus told us to expect that treatment. After all, he is the prime example for the martyrdom that results when Truth confronts Power. Only God's grace can give us the courage to imitate the Lord in whatever ways our circumstances will suggest. Then, we need not wait very long to experience the solace, the peace, and the joy of heart flowing into our souls from defending the poor and the powerless of this world.

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January 27, 2008

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The cold of winter is contrasted this year with conflicting predictions of global warming. Threats of a recession are added on to the still unresolved crisis in hospital and health care for the sick and the elderly. The paralysis among our lawmakers continues concerning the future of social security, and a just solution to immigration laws.

Into this present darkness comes the clear message of this week's readings - Christ is the unifier of division and the light for the darkness. Prefaced by the marvelous prophecy of Isaiah concerning the land of Zebulun and Naphtali (Capharnaum is in the ancient territory of Naphtali), in which the prophet announces the restoration of light, we find Matthew declaring Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy.

(By the way, we can well beg God on this Third Sunday of Ordinary Time to show us his solution to Middle East problems!)

Just as the people in Capharnaum sat in darkness until Jesus came, so, too, we sit in darkness. God provides clear light to dispel this darkness, but our culture is divided and confused on how to let religious and moral values influence our political action. Fear can be prudent and justified when a real danger is present and immanent, but it can also cause depression and paralysis. Let's pray today for prayerful and courageous discipleship.

St. Paul gives us strong and helpful advice in today's second reading. Christ is the one reason for unity, he tells us. We break his heart with our squabbles. First, comes unity in our own Catholic communities. Both clergy and people committed to their care need to be united in our present crisis. With what nostalgia I look back on those early days after Vatican Council II when the spirit of Gaudium et Spes brought such excitement and new life. For a brief time, we were united. And then we let go the Spirit�s Hand. And all that of which St. Paul accused the Corinthians, happened to us! Working for unity is ongoing. It means struggling to let go of suspicions and false assumptions. It means prayer and discussion. When we are unified, we stand a much better chance of influencing the society in which we live.

Last week brought a great burst of light into the darkness. Over one hundred thousand gathered in Washington to take part in the great March for Life on the Capitol. This is one of the great unifiers, when people of every political and religious persuasion join together to celebrate Life, the life given us by God from the moment of conception. Every year, there are hearts converted, and charity prevails over insult and clamor. Many others joined them through prayer and local marches. Respect for the unborn brings a climate of respect for life at every stage. Our call to discipleship is never better served than in this cause.

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January 20, 2008

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

It would seem that the party's over....our Christmas and New Year's parties, that is. We've come into four weeks of "ordinary" time (is anything "ordinary" any more?). Certain words in the readings stand out - words like "servant" and "mission" and "follow me". How powerfully the Word of God underscores our personal responsibility to replenish the priesthood and religious life.

We see another side of John this week in his witnessing to the divinity of Jesus. After baptizing Jesus, and hearing thunderous approval from the heavens, John runs into Jesus the next day and calls him the Lamb of God. He is excited about what had happened when he poured water over John�s head, exclaiming that he saw the Spirit descend on him and remain with him. Again, the following day he says the same thing to his followers, "Behold, the Lamb of God". (By the way, "Lamb of God" connects Jesus with both the 'suffering servant' of Isaiah and the paschal lamb of sacrifice.). It's a major turning point in the story of our salvation as Andrew and his brother Simon became the first disciples of the Lord. How casual it all seemed. They ask Jesus where he lives, and Jesus simply says, "Come and you will see".

How attractive Jesus must have been to those seeking more from life. Older priests like myself find it puzzling that today's young men do not seek him out as Andrew did. Is it Jesus who fails to attract them? Or is it the life of the priest that doesn�t appeal? Young people should "come and see", ask their pastor for information and advice. Of course, the underlying attraction is love. Unless a young man falls in love with Jesus as Andrew and Simon did, he will never pursue a vocation. Only love can quiet the voices of protest from the world around them, as well as the attractions of lovely young women and a comfortable career.

Why should young men seriously consider priesthood as a lifetime commitment? Because priesthood leads not only to personal holiness and salvation, but because it prepares and officially commissions one to lead countless others to salvation through the sacraments of the church. There is no other calling in life to equal it. It is a life of imitation of Jesus' life in his great love for people, his willingness to search out the lost, to counsel and encourage, bless and forgive sins by God's power, to be a part of every family, yet belonging to none.

What does it take to become a priest? Priesthood takes sacrifice, generosity, common sense, adequate intelligence, piety, and a sense of humor. Do you know anyone that has those qualities? Then give them a nudge, pray for them, and encourage them. The Holy Spirit will carry on from there!

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January 13, 2008

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today's feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season. For many of you, there's a great sense of relief. For others (myself included), we protest, "Wait a minute! We worked hard during Advent for a time of touching, a time of tender intimacy. After all, we can relate to such an adorable, sweet baby-God. There's even a temptation to keep him all to ourselves, to be possessive.

Isn't that the sadness of all parents? Babies grow too fast, and become teenagers! And there's nothing we can do about it! Last week's feast of the Epiphany must have caused some pain to Mary and Joseph, for just when they�re getting used to their own child, he's claimed by foreigners as a God whom they want to adore. So Mary and Joseph have had to know the process we call "letting go". And later, that temple scene had to be a nightmare every parent dreads. Where is he? I thought he was with you! Stop the caravan. We have to go back. Jesus is lost!

And now, Christmas is over. He's said 'good-bye' to Mary. Probably he's already closed the eyes in death of his beloved teacher, friend, and foster-father, Joseph.

And he's on his own, humanly excited and a little fearful at beginning his great mission. His steps have taken him to the banks of the Jordan where a crowd surrounds a man in strange attire. He beholds his own cousin with whom he had played as a child. They meet in solemn moment as all see John stare, then greet Jesus warmly. And Jesus asks John for baptism! What? That's for sinners! John protests, and Jesus, seeking full solidarity with sinful humanity, urges John, "Give in for now". And John does! From the sky comes the same words as Isaiah had proclaimed hundreds of years before: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" With these words, God the Father publically introduces his Son and his mission to Israel.

And Jesus, rising up from the waters, begins to gather other men and women who can share his work. And, in turn, he urges on them his own baptism, in water and the Holy Spirit.

So, reluctantly this Sunday, we let go the gentle child Jesus, and take up the burdens of the Man with a Mission - to free all captives to sin, to bring joy and hope to the downhearted, to bring salvation to ourselves by helping others toward theirs.

It's not a call to the soapbox! Who needs to be preached at? Like Jesus, we are not called to break the bruised reed, nor to discourage our neighbor, already discouraged enough. What is needed is the energy of loving and the courage of doing. It's a call to the basic works of January - vocation awareness, the rights of the unborn, and Church unity. It seems like Jesus is rushing things, but he says to us loud and clear, "Follow me!"

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January 6, 2008

Feast of the Epiphany

The theme of the Epiphany really completes the spirit of the Mass for Christmas Day. There, Isaiah had foretold that "all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God." And the Gospel for that Mass had promised that all people would eventually be the chosen ones. "...to those who did accept Him, he gave power to become children of God." And now, on the Epiphany, the light from the skies is intensified a hundred, a thousand fold, and the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that "nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance."

To the amazement of all in that region, there come foreign camels bearing foreign scholars - wise men - kings! Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh! What courage and perseverance those strangers have shown, to brave the dangers of travel, skepticism, and political intrigue. But they found what they were looking for. That star gave trustworthy guidance and now triumphantly shines as guard over the lowly dwelling wherein rests the child who possesses all meaning. They fall to their knees in homage, for their learning has made them humble, and their wisdom leads them to recognize the Divine in the fragile flesh of a child.

What a silent Adoration! What loving glances they exchange with Mary and Joseph.

But for all their simple faith, their wisdom is sharp enough to detect the sham delight and murderous intentions of the wily Herod. And so they pay their respects, leave their gifts, and modestly depart for their homeland, sorrowfully aware of the terrible price justice must pay for Peace.

Their role in history has been accomplished - to teach us all to follow the guidance of the Almighty, to accept our own role as bearers of the light, and to follow this Christ into his mission, to partake of his passion, and to join the millions through the ages who will preach his gospel of universal salvation.

The Son of God is the one judge and arbiter of truth and the one source of light, but we are all called to be "epiphanies", providing glimpses of that truth, showing the way in our own small spots of time and circumstance to a larger plan and destiny.

Princely Child, make of us all wise men, courageous women, obedient children who will follow wherever you lead us. That means being faithful to prayer, diligently reading articles and booklets about our faith, sharing what we learn with others, taking part when possible in prayer and study groups. This is the way for us to be light-bearers, lighting up the darkness and confusion in the world in which we live.

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December 30, 2007

Feast of the Holy Family

How do we define "family"? Is it just one Mom, one Dad, and four kids living in the same place for years? This fits fewer and fewer families in our world. Many children are members of broken families, and so-called dysfunctional families. Pictures of refugees escaping from the conflict of war have become familiar images on TV. Terrified families in Iraq, Darfur, Rwanda, or, more recently, Myanmar (Burma), stir our pity. Families on the run with a few possessions loaded onto a tractor and cart, or on foot, move out of their native land to seek refuge wherever they will be tolerated. Most homes are abandoned and will probably be looted and vandalized. It may never be possible for these people to return to their homelands. They�re part of our definition of family, too. It all comes under the umbrella of the "nuclear" family.

In today's Feast of the Holy Family, despite the familiar manger scene found on millions of Christmas cards, we find a family in deep stress, running for their lives from Herod the Great. This tyrant, having deceived the Magi who had unwittingly informed the King of the child's presence nearby, was enraged to the point of massacring all newborn babies in his kingdom. Joseph is informed of this in a dream by an angel who instructs him to take the child and his mother, and escape to Egypt. This flight into Egypt as told us in today's Gospel, is a reminder that many centuries before their journey, Moses, also a child of danger, had led the Jewish people from slavery to freedom in what we call the Exodus. Now Jesus, the new and greater Moses, will free his people from their slavery to sin in a new Exodus, and secure eternal life to all who will follow him, in the Promised Land of heaven.

Tradition says that after three years in exile, another angel informs Joseph that Herod the Great is dead. The Holy Family returns to their homeland, not to Bethlehem, since the new King Archelaus who reigns in his father's place is also a cruel and barbaric ruler. Joseph brings Mary and Jesus to his native town of Nazareth in Galilee. There, they lived a simple ordinary life, Joseph as a carpenter, and Mary as a housewife and mother. Jesus grew in holiness and in knowledge of God's will in the same ordinary ways that we do.

What extraordinary wisdom we find in both the first and second readings this Sunday for family life! Sirach, a second-century B.C. writer, gives us the fruit of constant reading of Scriptures. First, he reminds us that parents' authority is given them by God himself. When a children obey their parents they will have their sins forgiven, their prayers heard, and will themselves be blessed with children. Sirach counsels us to be good to our parents in their old age, even when their minds fail!

St. Paul, in Colossians, gives families, both our own individual families, and the wider family of the Church, a sure-fire formula for success. We are to act with "heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another." Who would ever want to escape home � whether Dad, Mom, or teenage � from such a happy home? Or, who would ever want to leave that kind of a parish family to seek Christ elsewhere?

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December 23, 2007

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Remember the last time you were caught "between a rock and a hard place", not knowing where to turn for advice, and hoping that somehow an angel from heaven would solve our dilemma? I can think of more than one!

Today's readings on this last Sunday of Advent describe how God very dramatically provides signs of his loving intervention in human history when there seemed no way out. In the first reading, God directly invites King Ahaz to ask for a sign that God would protect the southern kingdom of Judah from enemies that threaten to destroy it. Now, a wise leader would eagerly grasp at the opportunity. Not Ahaz, who in his pride has already decided on his own political solution! Isaiah decides to give him God's sign anyway, saying "the virgin shall conceive a child and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel". Ahaz was not interested in God's help. He foolishly trusted his own wisdom. As a result, the whole nation was defeated and sent into exile in Babylon.

The Gospel tells us of another man faced with a grave dilemma. Joseph, already bound by a solemn betrothal ceremony to take Mary as his wife, discovers to his dismay that she is with child. He can only suppose that she has been unfaithful to him, and is now subject to very severe laws that could result in her death if he exposes her. He takes the compassionate way out. He will divorce her quietly, exposing himself, not her, to shame. God intervenes through a dream in which an angel tells him the whole story. The angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for her child has God himself as the Father! With incredible trust and humility Joseph obediently agrees to the plan. What a contrast between this just man and crafty Ahaz.

How God rewards those who abandon their own plans and accept his plans for their lives. It's even more incredible that Jesus the God-man, in turn, entrusted his life to Joseph and Mary. No wonder a world holds its breath for His birth at Christmas. Again, God entrusts the success of his plans this year to those who can love enough and sacrifice their plans for his own. What will we make of this Christmas? For that's what Christmas is meant to do - destroy our fear and make us God-bearers.

Advent has been all about waiting. And now we know what the waiting was for. To live our lives, content in the midst of our frustration with war and corruption, as well as our own personal failures. For God is with us, making sense of all the suffering, all the misery, helping us believe that we are in a much larger Advent, waiting for Love to be born for the last time when all those prophecies we heard read in the last few weeks are brought to fulfillment. It's a question of that mysterious presence in our hearts that we call faith and hope. If we can only say a simple, unqualified "yes" as Mary and Joseph did, some amazing things could happen in our lives.

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December 16, 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

The joy that fills this Sunday's liturgy is the closest we have to Christmas itself. We're always shocked to see the celebrant process into the Mass this week dressed in rose-colored vestments. Today's Entrance antiphon proclaims, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. The Lord is near". In the old days, the words were in Latin: "Gaudete, iterum dico vobis, 'Gaudete'..." And so, this Sunday is still called "Gaudete Sunday". The whole message is one of hope.

But, we say, we don't feel like joy. Of course, we can get pleasure out of the Christmas shopping, the lights, receiving Christmas cards from people we haven't heard from since last year. I don't deny that this is a big part of Christmas on the emotional level. But where can we find real deep, serene joy in the midst of a world in turmoil?

The key is found in St. James' advice in the second reading. He advises us to be patient. There will come a day when wars will cease, and the desert of our despair will blossom again with peace. We're still climbing the mountain of the Lord as we resolved to do two weeks ago. It's when we pray and meditate each day that we find patience. In prayer, we let go and let God's Spirit do the work of flooding our souls with his light. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus assures us that the Father sent John the Baptizer as a messenger to prepare his way. And Jesus praises John as the greatest of the prophets, dressed as he is in rough clothing. His message is meant to shrink our fears and bolster our hopes. It inspires us with joy.

The only legitimate fear we're allowed to cling to is the fear of not appreciating enough what the coming of this Child into the world really means - historically, it was truly an earthshaking event. Nothing would ever be the same again. Sin and darkness fled when the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. Of course, people can and do close their eyes to the light, and chose to live without his Light. Only when we refuse to repent of our sin and hang on to the darkness can we have reason to fear. When John in prison sends emissaries to Jesus to ask if he is really the Messiah, Jesus sends back the answer that he himself is the fulfillment of all John's prophesies. Now the blind see, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the Good News preached to them! John in prison must have been filled with joy at Jesus' testimony about himself.

The celebrant has good reason for rose-colored vestments today. The liturgy of this Sunday looks forward to a future time of peace that Jesus has promised we will experience! Today, we match the joy of the liturgy through our prayer and penance, which includes a good confession before we celebrate the coming feast of Christ's birth.

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December 9, 2007

Second Sunday of Advent

To be faithful to the message of Advent, true followers of Christ must somehow close their ears to the messages of TV and the shopping malls. They must ignore much of what passes for the Christmas spirit (which treats the Birth of Christ as an unreal fairy tale), and focus on the voice of the Church and the riches of Sacred Scripture. Advent time is absolutely necessary if we are to understand and celebrate what our faith tells us is actually happening.

The first reading this week is from the prophecy of Isaiah which promises that rich fruit will spring from a tender shoot. The apparently dead stump of Jesse, the father of King David, is destined to produce an even greater King who will usher in an amazing era of perfect justice. It will be a time of peace and harmony, in which all wrongs will be righted, and all people will be free. This wonderful promise is the true "reason for the season"; this is why Jesus became a child in the first place!

In the second reading, St. Paul explains to us as well as the Romans, that Scripture is instructing us that we must be temples of justice, making the dream of Isaiah into a present reality. How do we do this? By "thinking in harmony" and, "welcoming one another".

The second Sunday of Advent always features John the Baptist in its choice of Gospel reading. This year, we have a very full description of John's mission, his message, and the difference between John's baptism (a baptism of repentance), and Jesus' baptism (a baptism of water and the Spirit). St. Matthew even describes John's clothing to us, and what his diet was!

When John sees many Pharisees and Sadducees coming out to be baptized, he interrupts his preaching to give them a dressing down in strong language. He tells them that if they are to receive his baptism, they had better live by it, and sincerely change their ways.

Indeed, John is a voice in the wilderness, telling everyone to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For those of us in today's Church, "repentance" should include a good Advent confession as we prepare for a fruitful coming of the Lord into our hearts this Christmas.

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December 2, 2007

First Sunday of Advent

In our diocese, we all love mountains. We climb them in summer, admire their colors in autumn, and ski them in winter. They inspire us, delight us, and sometime frighten us. But no one can ignore them.

Each week in this column we try to "break open the Word". On this First Sunday of Advent, we're concerned about one particular mountain - the Lord's Mountain. Isaiah issues an invitation: "Come, let us climb the Lord's Mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths". In our first reading, we also find that famous prophecy about all the nations eventually laying down their weapons of war. "One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again." If we didn't believe that Scripture is the Word of God, we would call that an impossible dream! So... Christians must keep working and praying for peace! We must never accept war as the solution.

Advent is a time for us to wake from sleep, as St. Paul tells us in the second reading today. And Jesus, in the Gospel, urges us to "...stay awake!". Why? Because we know "neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come."

To those of you who are tired already of Christmas ads and glittering lights, and even (God forbid!) Christmas music, just don't let the media and the market ruin your celebration. We really need Christ's coming with his love and his peace. And we definitely need these four weeks of Advent to prepare our families and ourselves. Take advantage of what your parish offers you in the way of daily meditation and Advent calendars and challenging activities. We need to stir ourselves, for Christ is still struggling to redeem our world, and he needs our help. Let's start climbing that mountain!

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November 25, 2007

Feast of Christ the King

As the days get shorter and darker, heralding the end of a most depressing year, we are reminded of T.S. Eliot�s famous lines, "This is the way the world ends...not with a bang but a whimper!" In contrast, this Sunday marks the very end of the Church year with our celebration of the Feast of Christ the King. It's not about pomp and pageantry; it's about the reality of a heavenly king who has issued a firm invitation to eternal joy if we but give him our hearts. It's a reminder that earthly monarchs may "mess up" and cause our world to whimper, but in reality, God is still in charge of this earth's final outcome. As the wonderful ancient hymn declares, "Christ conquers, Christ rules, Christ prevails!". One of the best statements of our faith, and most consoling supports for our hope is found in today's second reading which urges us to "give thanks to the Father...for He has delivered us from the powers of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption (and) the forgiveness of sins...and in Him all things hold together". He tells us to "hang in there"!

In the first reading, we see the origins of the Kingdom of David who was chosen by the northern tribes for his outstanding qualities of leadership and ability to unify the Israelites. He was the shepherd king, the caring and forgiving king who prepared the way for the Messiah-King, Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of God. His Kingdom is a kingdom of Peace and Love, a Kingdom of Justice and Truth.

The Gospel narrates in detail the horrible insults hurled at Jesus by his enemies as He hung helpless on the Cross. They came from the Romans who saw him as a threat to imperial power. They came from Jewish religious leaders who feared that he would replace their authority. Their taunts and jeers have been repeated endlessly down the centuries by all who who have refused him the obedience of their minds and hearts.

Today's feast is a call for every Christian to renew the total allegiance we owe our King. It is not a question of a one-time commitment. He demands our total attention and our whole energy - each day, each hour. By our faith, our prayer, and our good works, we are called to bring the whole world under his loving power.

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November 18, 2007

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Most of us remember how impatient we were as children, calling out from the back seat to our parents, "Are we there yet? How long will it be until we get to grandma's house?" Now that we're older, we are still eager to know the future - like, when the end of the world will come. A while ago, many millions of copies were sold of a book called Left Behnd. It was all based on a saying of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel, "Then two will be left in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left". Since the book was written for evangelical Christians, it got many Catholics worried that they would be excluded. Then, Carl Olsen calmed our fears and corrected this "rapture theory" with a book entitled Will Catholics be Left Behind?.

True, Jesus used some strong "apocalyptic" language in speaking about the end of the world. But his main message was that we are not to be afraid of the end of the world. If we have been faithful, and have persevered in doing our work well and responsibly, then we needn't fear that God will be merciful in judging us, and will bring us to life eternal. "If we die (suffer) with the Lord, we will live with the Lord", St. Paul said. And in his Epistle to the Thessalonians, he calms the fears of those who misread all the persecution they are suffering, all the earthquakes and disasters they are experiencing, as signs that the world is ending. It's not happening until God decides!

The prophecy of Malachi, which incidentally, is the very last book of the Old Testament, says the same thing. Evil doers should indeed quake and tremble at the coming of the just Judge. But those who have "hung in there", who have worked day by day for the benefit of their neighbor, and have struggled to keep faith and hope in the Resurrection, these people don't need to fear when they see natural disasters and horrible evil (as we are seeing at the present time!). It's not the end yet! Jesus has assured us that "we know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come". All we need to do is to witness by our Christian faith, even in the midst of disaster. How? By our standing firm to the laws of God as revealed in the Scripture and by His Church.

Of course the world will end some day. Only God knows the exact day and the hour. All we need to do is to work conscientiously while we have the light, for a time is coming when no man will work. When that time comes, we are to leave fear aside, and trust in the mercy and loving promises of the One who died and rose from the dead that all his faithful ones might rise with him.

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November 11, 2007

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

We always chuckle when someone says to us, "If I had only known that I would live so long, I would have taken better care of myself!" This Sunday's readings give a whole new meaning to that witty saying. They all speak of the hope of the resurrection of the body to everlasting life. The living conditions of our life after death depend very much on how we took care of that body in this life. Did we use it as an obedient servant, helping the spirit to love God and neighbor, or did we let it run riot like a spoiled child, satisfying its own selfish desires?

In the first reading from the Book of Macchabees, the Israelites finally rebel against the viciously cruel Antiochus Epiphanes IV. A brave mother, having encouraged her sons to keep faithful to the death, now watches one after the other being tortured and killed in front of her eyes. As they die, each of them declares publically their belief in a resurrection of the body to everlasting life. At the time, some Jews were shocked at the teaching, for not all believed in the resurrection of the body.

In the Gospel, Jesus enters into a public debate with the Sadduccees, a party of the Jewish leadership with did not believe in bodily resurrection. While relying heavily on Sacred Scripture for his arguments, he also let his hearers in on some new teaching about what our lives would be like in heaven. For instance, our happiness there will far exceed the sexual joys of marriage in this life, so the ridiculous problem of a man who had seven wives in this life won't apply in the next. (Provided the man makes it to glory in the first place, he won't have to worry about getting six of them angry at him!) Jesus explains that in heaven, we will all be "like angels".

The Master is really telling them to let God the Father take care of heavenly problems. On earth, our task is to recognize the surprising endurance of our bodies. God has created them as partners of our souls, either helping them on the journey to view the loving face of God, or leading them into darkness and the eternal pain of Paradise Lost. Today's readings certainly give new meaning to taking better care of ourselves!

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November 4, 2007

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

It's a good thing that God doesn't leave to us to decide who is worthy of heaven and who isn't. We'd make a mess of it! Today's Gospel shows what poor judges we would make. The crowds have been witnessing Jesus' miracles with growing enthusiasm, and then the cheers turn into jeers. Why? A few have noticed this little man standing on his tip toes, trying to get a glimpse of Jesus. Most recognize him as the hated chief tax collector of the area, a very rich man named Zacchaeus. A few avoid contact as he suddenly drops his dignity and runs to climb a nearby sycamore tree. He wants a better view. As Jesus passes underneath, he glances up and spots the man. Jesus' glance penetrates into the heart of Zacchaeus, and contritely he stares back at Jesus. "Zacchaeus, come down quickly," Jesus says, "I want to have dinner with you today." The crowd gasps in disbelief and revulsion that the Healer would have anything to do with this despised sinner. As the delighted little man explains to Jesus how he means to make up for his many sins, Jesus turns and explains to the crowd, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." Beautiful words that so harmonize with what we heard in today's first reading from the Book of Wisdom. There, the writer extols both God's power and God's mercy. After declaring that the whole universe is like a small grain in the scales, or like a drop of morning dew compared to God's greatness, he praises God for his mercy in searching out sinners in order that they may repent of their sins and be justified in his sight.

That's exactly what Jesus, the Son of God, was doing that day in Jericho when he sought out Zacchaeus. And that's just what the message is for us. No matter what we've done in the past, the mercy of the Lord can search us out, inspire us to repentance, and then embrace us as his own. God never gives up on those the world has condemned as hopeless, for, as the first reading proclaims, he is "a lover of souls" and he alone will decide who gets into heaven and who doesn't!

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October 28, 2007

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I�m sure we all remember that song, �Lord, It�s hard to be humble when you�re perfect in every way�! We always get a chuckle out it, the way we do with any bold-faced boasters among our friends. The Pharisee in today�s Gospel is like the man in that song. He wasn�t really praying to God, but merely talking to himself about all his virtues. At the same time, he was guilty of rash judging that poor tax-collector at the rear of the Temple who didn�t even dare raise his eyes to heaven as he begged forgiveness for all his sins. The Pharisee�s prayer didn�t impress the Lord very much. In fact, he didn�t even return home justified.

On the other hand, the tax collector�s prayer earned him forgiveness from God. Why? Not because of his offenses, but because he honestly acknowledged them and humbly repented.

God loves us when we pray with humility. We could even say that humility is the key to God�s heart, a sure guarantee to a favorable reply. The first reading from the Book of Sirach teaches the same thing. Humility is the beginning of wisdom. A humble heart puts us on the level of the poor and needy to whom God always bends an ear. Of course, when we pray, we must not play games with God. We must really mean what we say when we acknowledge our sins and imperfections. Now that shouldn�t be difficult!

St. Paul�s words to Timothy in the second reading are so very beautiful. �I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.� Some would ask, "Why is Paul�s prayer any different from that of the proud Pharisee?" The difference is the humility in Paul and the complete lack of it in the other. Wouldn�t it be wonderful if you and I, in the sunset of our lives, could justly pray as Paul did? A good daily dose of humility added to our prayer can make that possible.

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October 21, 2007

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend the readings are all about the connection between prayer and faith. We�re always complaining that we prayed once for something and we didn�t get it! God tells us today that praying for something once just isn�t enough!

In the Old Testament passage from Exodus, the Israelites are battling against the Amelikites who are trying to stop them in their journey through the desert. At God�s command, Moses goes up a mountain and prays with hands raised high. Fine! The Israelites prevail over their enemies for a time. After a while, Moses gets tired and lowers his hands. Immediately Amelik and his army seems to prevail. Aaron and Hur get a stone for Moses to sit on and stand on either side, helping keep his hands aloft. Because of their perseverance, the battle is won.

The message for us today is clear: we should never stop praying, even if we have to get our friends and community to help us persevere!

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples never to lose heart, even if we have to get a bit �pushy� with God. Put yourself in that Judge�s place. Wouldn�t you get annoyed and maybe a little frightened at this obnoxious widow who keeps pestering for a favor? Of course, there�s no question that she�s in the right and he�s in the wrong. When she finally wears him out, he gives in and grants her request.

Again, the message for us is very clear. God is inviting us to persist in our request until he gives in! THERE�S ONLY ONE CATCH! We have to have faith that he will answer us, and we have to try to outdo God in persistence, like the tug-o�-war game we played as kids. Only in real life, God guarantees that he�ll be the first one to give in. Now there�s an offer we can�t refuse!

Today�s second reading contains the classic passage concerning the divine inspiration of both Old and New Testaments - �All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.�

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October 14, 2007

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Despite the fact that God had chosen the Jewish people as his very own, he was disappointed at their lack of faith and trust in him, and their lack of gratitude for his favors. There are two great stories this Sunday in which God clearly points out that "outsiders" were more trusting in God�s healing power and more grateful for his favors than were his chosen people.

The first reading is really a shortened version of the very exciting story of God�s healing an "outsider" named Naaman, a foreign military commander, who has contracted leprosy. In desperation, he turns to the conquered King of Israel for a cure. Fearful of a plot, the King sends him to the prophet Elisha who tells him to wash seven times in the Jordan river. At first he refuses, but then swallows his pride and obeys the prophet. As soon as he enters the waters, his leprosy is cured! Immensely grateful, he is converted, and worships the God of Israel. Apparently, this Syrian has more faith in God�s power than the Jews have!

A similar theme is found in today�s famous Gospel about the ten lepers. Because their disease, incurable at the time, was contagious, lepers were shunned by all, and looked down upon as great sinners. The disciples must have been appalled when Jesus shows these outcasts such compassion. When he sends them to the priests for official reinstatement into society, he also heals them during their journey. One of them, a Samaritan, returns immediately, and falls down in thankful adoration at Jesus� feet. Luke emphasizes how disappointed the Master is that only one of them comes back. "Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"

God loves all people without exception, but he expects much more from those to whom he has granted the fullness of his revelation, his special love, and the privilege of being called his followers.

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October 7, 2007

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

A common topic of conversation these days is the inability or the unwillingness of world leaders to do much about the violence that flows from ethnic and religious hatreds. As a result, we are experiencing general frustration and helplessness. We end up blaming everyone in sight, and, of course, even God becomes the target. In this Sunday's first reading, the prophet Habakkuk lashes out at a God who seems to be deaf. "How long, O Lord? I cry for help, but you do not listen!" The prophet is angry as he watches the steady growth of the Babylonian Empire which threatens to swallow up Israel. After listening for a while to this outburst, God answers Habakkuk. He tells the prophet that his divine plan is all mapped out in his mind. "The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint." He says, in effect, just be patient, don't be so rash, and stir up your faith in me.

In today's Gospel, Jesus is even more demanding of his followers than his Father was with Habakkuk. When his disciples beg of Him, "Increase our faith," he emphasizes first their need for humility. He shows them what he means by comparing them to servants. "When you have done all that is commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done only what we were supposed to do.'" Now that takes humility! As for their need of faith, he tells them that real faith is so powerful that a man of faith could demand of a tough stubborn mulberry bush, "Be transported into the sea, and be planted there" and it would happen!

It's that kind of faith that St. Paul was trying to fan into a flame in his faithful disciple, Timothy, in today's second reading. Read it carefully. It's great advice for us, too. In fact, read all three of the Scriptures again after today's Mass. When we complain to God in our pain and misery, he's urging us to greater patience, humility, and faith.

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September 30, 2007

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are two characters who dominate the Gospel this week - a very selfish rich man named Dives, and a very humble poor man named Lazarus. The scene opens on the street in front of Dives� front door. There lies the beggar, Lazarus, in tattered clothes that scarcely cover his open sores. The door opens, and the well-fed guests of Dives emerge, laughing loudly as they depart from their daily banquet. Then Dives comes out. Having bid good-bye to the last guest, he decides to take an evening walk. Like his guests, Dives steps over the beggar, not even looking at him. He doesn�t kick or abuse him. He just doesn�t pay any attention.

The next scene is some years later. In the upper right, we see Lazarus in heavenly glory, courted by the angels, reclining at table with the patriarch, Father Abraham. In the lower left, we see Dives, in the torments of hell, looking longingly at the heavenly feast in the distance.

Why is Dives in hell? Not because he is rich, for Jesus, in telling the story, never condemns him for that. Why, then? Because he never thought to share his riches with this poor beggar who lay outside his door day after day. He never offered him some of the leftovers, never inquired about his health, never offered him employment. What a difference he could have made in the life of Lazarus. He might have gotten to know him better, and given help to Lazarus� wife and children. Who knows? They might even have become friends!

In the first reading, the prophet Amos paints a similar picture of the wealthy rulers of Israel, lying on their beds of ivory, and drinking wine from bowls, completely oblivious to the near-collapse of the kingdom. Again, God is condemning this indifference, their selfishness, their lack of discipline, and their disloyalty to His commandments.

God�s warnings in Scripture apply to every age. Who are we stepping over? God isn�t condemning us for working diligently and acquiring some wealth. He just wants us to share what we have with our brothers and sisters in need. He wants us to be his loving and caring followers.

There is a day of judgment.

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September 23, 2007

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Like most priests of our diocese, I grew up in a family that was rich in faith, but very limited in the goods of this world. While Americans live on a comfort scale well above the Third World, there is growing concern that the gulf between the �haves� and the �have nots� is growing at an alarming rate. The current injustice in our structure is well expressed in the old adage, �The rich are growing richer, and the poor are growing poorer�.

How does God judge greed? The prophet Amos, while speaking in the eighth century B.C., might just as well be voicing God�s judgement on our present-day society. It is just not acceptable to him! In fact, greed seems to be one of those sins which anger God the most. Although the story in today�s Gospel about the unjust steward who is about to be fired is somewhat confusing, the main lesson is very clear - �the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light�. How come? Because this steward, seeing he is about to be fired, reduces the debts of all his master�s debtors. In so doing, he makes his master look good, and makes friends of those debtors he had cheated by giving back to them his own commission! Even though he lost his job, he neatly provides for his future state of unemployment.

God has never blessed stupidity. On the contrary, he so wishes that his followers, in spreading the Kingdom, would imitate the cleverness of the worldly! One saintly medieval commentator, Cornelius a Lapide, suggests that we sinful, struggling disciples show some cleverness. How? By praying earnestly every day for the poor souls in Purgatory so that when we die and are in that place of purification ourselves, those for whom our prayers have earned Heaven may return the favor, and beseech the Lord to shorten our stay there and bring us immediately to eternal joy. That, according to a Lapide, is the meaning of �Make friends for yourselves of the mammon of dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings�. Not a bad idea, when we consider that the second reading for this Sunday is all about the necessity of constant daily prayer if we wish to be saved.

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September 16, 2007

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There's the story about a beggar who came to a church rectory one day. The priest listened sympathetically until the man told him he hadn't been to church for years. He seemed so indifferent about it that the priest lost his temper and threw him out. That night in a dream, God appeared to the priest and upbraided him. "I�ve put up with that old man for seventy years, and you couldn't even show some patience for ten minutes!"

Our readings this week are all about God's patience - first, with the Israelites when they panicked at Moses' absence on the mountain, and made a golden calf as a substitute for the One True God. At the very time God was presenting Moses with the Ten Commandments, they were breaking the first one! It was Moses, of course, who cooled God's anger, so that God relented, and gave the Israelites a second chance.

In the second reading, we read about God's patience with Paul (then called Saul), who was murdering the new Christians with great zeal. Paul tells us that Christ came to redeem sinners, and mercifully treated him "so that in me, as the foremost (sinner), Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life."

In the Gospel, we have the story of a lamb, a coin, and two brothers that were lost. There are some beautiful paintings of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, pulling that poor lamb out of a thorn bush, or carrying the exhausted and trembling lamb on his shoulders. The second story about the woman sweeping the house for a single coin, then throwing a party in her joy, seems a bit exaggerated to us today, but we certainly get the idea that Jesus is filled with happiness when someone like ourselves, not much more important than a small coin, comes back to our senses.

The third story is the most famous, the one about the Prodigal Son. The spendthrift, younger son, can't even get his carefully-rehearsed speech out of his mouth, before the Father smothers him with kisses, and treats him like a returning hero. He could well sing for the rest of his days, "I once was lost but now am found." We're not so sure of his angry, resentful older brother. The tearful father could not persuade him to come into the party! Was he lost?

Which one do I resemble?

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September 9, 2007

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Has anyone ever told you that they think you�re �too Catholic�? If someone said that to me, I�d ask them back, �What do you mean by that?� If they said it�s because I appear to be all caught up in �small stuff� like � why don�t women have to wear hats in church anymore, or - how many days indulgence can I get for this prayer, I�d be embarrassed, and agree with them. But if they said, �Well, I think you love Jesus Christ too much!� I�d feel flattered, but know, deep down, that I don�t love him enough, especially after reading this Sunday�s Gospel. In it, Jesus gives a check list of what he expects of his disciples. First, Jesus expects us to love him more (that�s what �hate� means) than our father or our mother, or our wife or children, even our very life. Secondly, he demands that we get rid of possessions (remember those bulging closets a few weeks back?). Finally, he expects us to willingly take up our cross of suffering, failure, and ridicule. Being a disciple costs a lot!

Then Jesus asks how good a planner we are. He mentions that no person of common sense would ever build a tower without first sitting down and checking to see if he can afford it, and if he has materials enough to finish it before he begins! Frankly I don�t think I have enough love, enough courage, and enough grace to be his disciple all the way to the end of my life. But God never asks the impossible. And I have enough supplies today to be a good disciple. If I love a little bit more each day, then I�ll make it to the end. Remember that beautiful prayer, Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray - keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, just for today? On the road to being a perfect disciple, I�ll just have to take one day at a time.

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September 2, 2007

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Go into any good bookstore, and you'll find plenty of "How-to" books. The Bible has a famous "how-to" book as well. We used to call it Ecclesiasticus, but today it's referred to more often as the Book of Sirach. It's filled with practical ethics and instructions about many things - how to raise your children, how to choose friends, and many other matters.

Our first reading this Sunday takes from it some passages about humility. It reminds us that everyone loves a humble person, especially God. If we're humble, we won't go searching into topics that are way over our heads, but rather listen to wiser minds that can explain them to us. Listening makes us wise.

Jesus' advice in Luke's Gospel for this Sunday is even more detailed. Of course, he probably upset the religious leaders he was talking to when he advised them not to push and shove their way into the best seats at a banquet. Won't they be embarrassed to have the host come along and tell them that they're in the wrong place, and they'll have to do down to a lower place at the table! Rather, he advises, "If you take a lower place in the first place, won't you be honored when you're told to take the higher place you really wanted!"

Then he added some advice that must really have upset them. Jesus tells the religious leaders that when they make out their dinner invitation lists, they're not to invite their wealthy friends and relatives, but rather those who can't pay them back...the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind! "Let the Lord pay you back!" he adds.

That's rather difficult teaching, not only for the religious leaders of Jesus' day, but for ourselves as well. The Church calls it the "preferential option for the poor." All of our communities must make room for everyone!

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August 26, 2007

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

If someone were to conduct a survey that asked a simple question, �When you die, do you want to go heaven or to hell?�, can you imagine anyone answering, �I prefer hell�? Everyone wants happiness without end, yet how many people are willing to undergo the disciplined life that is necessary to attain it? No wonder Jesus, in today�s Gospel, answers the way he does to the person who asks, �Lord, will only a few people be saved?� Jesus tells the crowd to do their best to enter through the narrow door. Furthermore, just because someone has followed him around and listened to his teaching, does not guarantee salvation. They can�t just say, �We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.� He goes on to tell them that they must put his teaching into practice. Jesus might have been referring to today�s first reading from Isaiah when God told Israel not to think that the chosen people are the only ones who will be saved. �Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last...I am coming to gather all nations and all tongues..." and many of these had never heard of his glory before!

This Sunday, make sure your children really listen to the reading just before the Gospel. It�s all about discipline. �My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.� The writer is speaking to the early Christians, but also to us adults today, since we�re all God�s children: �Therefore, lift your drooping hands, and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet.� What a wonderful pep talk the Lord gives us today!

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August 19, 2007

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Making a covenant with God can be very dangerous for those who break their promises. Covenants are not for the weak-hearted, the fearful, or the �backsliders�. Once God has accepted us as his own, he demands the best that we have. God�s love is like fire, and he expects us to love in the same way. The hearts of prophets and saints were on fire with that love. Those who resist God usually resist His messengers. In today�s first reading, the prophet Jeremiah is ridiculed, hated, thrown first into prison, then let down a deep cistern by those who wouldn�t listen to his message. They said it was �too demoralizing�. King Zedekiah admires Jeremiah, but he is too weak to act on his advice. Poor Jeremiah! He is battered and beaten just for telling the truth! As a result, God threatened complete destruction of the city by fire, and eventually it happened!

Through the ages, prophets have usually been treated this way.

In the Gospel, Jesus declares that his teachings will bring division and conflict, even within his followers� own households. The fire of God�s love is meant to bring justice, but at what a price! Hearts hardened by greed and hate, or just indifference, are always intolerant of those who preach the power of God�s truth. They turn the fire of God�s love into the fire of a violence which will never bring peace. In the meantime, his prophets and saints continue to face rejection and even martyrdom.

The second reading from Hebrews urges the early Christians - and us - to look at the �cloud of witnesses�, the saints and heroes who have gone before us, for courage to remain loyal in the face of opposition. In other words, God urges us to �hang in there� till the hour of heavenly reward and a final fulfillment of his plan for us.

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August 12, 2007

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

One of the more frightening games that children play is Blind Man�s Bluff in which one player is blindfolded and has to �tag� the other players without knowing where they are. Teasing the one blindfolded can sometimes be cruel.

Blind faith can be frightening too. In today�s readings, God reassures us of the rewards for those who live by faith. Abraham is the great example, even firmly trusting God when asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The Israelites often grumbled, but Moses steadfastly followed God�s instructions in the desert.

In a confused and frightening world, we need to read today�s Gospel over and over again. �Don�t be afraid, little flock.� Jesus says. "God has decided to give you the kingdom!" Jesus does not suggest that we walk in blind faith, he demands it. There is a lavish reward in store for steadfast believers, and a rather harsh punishment awaiting those who get tired of waiting around. The wisest course for the follower of Jesus is to live as if every day were to be the last.

There is a strong message here for the leaders of the Church community. �To those to whom much has been given, much will be required!� Not only do we need to pray daily for our bishops, priests, and deacons, we need to be models of staunch faith ourselves. The Lord will never abandon his children.

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August 5, 2007

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings this week send a powerful message to all those people who are so attached to possessions. They�re addressed especially to all those whose closets are bulging with clothes they haven�t used in years, and gadgets that have long outlived their usefulness...and to people who haven�t the courage to either give them away, donate them to a worthy cause, or just get rid of them. Possessions can choke our souls to death!

In today�s Gospel, Jesus gets a request from a person in the crowd whose relative won�t share an inheritance. He wants the Master to intervene! Jesus, reading the man�s heart, utters a great teaching: �Avoid greed in all its forms�. Then he tells a great story about the foolish rich man who is a real �pack rat�. Rather than give his excess wealth away to worthy causes, he decides to build a huge storage barn to hold it all. He never pauses to ask himself what God might have to say about all his wealth. He just decides to hoard it all. And God says to him, �You fool! You�re going to die this very night! And who will inherit all this wealth of yours?�

The first reading from that great Wisdom book, Ecclesiastes, puts it in words that are so familiar to us: �Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity!� In other words, what a waste is a lifetime spent in accumulating wealth, if we don�t share it with those who have less? It�s empty �whistling down the wind�!

The second reading from St. Paul to the Colossians tells us how to avoid all this foolish preoccupation with riches. �Seek the things that are above, where Christ is...Set your minds on what is above, not on things that are on earth.� In other words, just keep your eyes, your thoughts, and your heart attached to me, and you�ll never lose sleep at night over all those bulging closets.

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July 29, 2007

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I always remember a student from Italy who attended Wadhams Hall, a small seminary-college in northern New York, many years ago. He was totally unaware of American customs. When he tried to bargain over the price of a comb at the local pharmacy, the manager almost threw him out! Americans aren�t as used to bargaining over small purchases as Europeans are.

God seems to encourage bargaining in today�s first reading. Abraham is disturbed when he learns that the Lord plans to destroy the evil city of Sodom. After all, he knows that his nephew Lot and his wife have not given in to the sinful deeds of their neighbors. He succeeds in getting God to spare the city �for the sake of ten just men!�

Jesus not only allows us to bargain with God, he actively encourages us to do so. After teaching his apostles how to pray in the beautiful words we know as the Lord�s Prayer, he urges his followers not to give up if at first the Father doesn�t seem to be listening. To paraphrase, he says, �Don�t give up, keep knocking! Do you think my Father would refuse anything to his children?�

It�s an important lesson that we often forget.

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July 22, 2007

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings this weekend are all about welcoming. Since strangers and guests alike were often weary and dusty, sometimes needing shelter from fierce weather, the laws of hospitality were carefully observed. In the first reading, Abraham runs to meet the three strangers and even offers them a full meal. His generosity is rewarded by the news that Sarah, his wife, is to bear a child in her old age.

In the Gospel, Mary and Martha warmly welcome Jesus to their home for a meal. Martha immediately goes to the kitchen to prepare the food. The laws of hospitality would demand that a male member of the household would entertain a male guest. Instead, Mary fulfills that role. Luke is quick to note that Jesus approves this apparent departure from custom. When Martha asks the Master to rebuke Mary and send her back to the kitchen, Jesus rebukes Martha instead for being more concerned about the dinner than about the spiritual message He has to impart. For all time, He establishes the superior role of contemplation to action. Even more, he approves the involvement of women in discipleship!

When we apply Sunday�s readings to our own lives, we need to ask ourselves if we are more concerned about the details of our worship than we are with the challenge of the Scripture that is proclaimed to us. Are we intent on absorbing the message of the homily? Do we really take to heart the words of Jesus? If our prayer time fails to provide us with inspiration for our daily living, then is there too much of Martha in our lives, and not enough of Mary?

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July 15, 2007

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A while ago I bought a small vacuum cleaner that needed to be assembled. I struggled with the instructions to fit everything together, and finally gave up. I brought the whole unit back to the store, explaining to the clerk that the directions were too complicated. She said, �Oh, I have one of those at home. See, it�s easy.� In a few quick motions, she had the whole vacuum together and working!

Explanations of the law can give us headaches, too. In this Sunday�s first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people that God�s law is not complicated, nor is it too lofty and mysterious. No one needs to travel to distant lands in order to find it. It is, in fact, written in their hearts.

Jesus also simplifies the Law of Love in today�s Gospel. The scribes knew well the law that commanded the people of Israel to love their neighbor as their very selves. That wasn�t the problem. The debate was all about who was their neighbor. And so, Jesus gives them the beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus teaches several important lessons here. First, our neighbor can be anyone at all - there are no boundaries to the word; second, an unbeliever may be quicker to give help, and more generous in his response than a pious religious person.

This week we need to ask ourselves, �Do I get close enough to my neighbor to identify his needs, and then to give that neighbor practical and immediate assistance?� We need to look into our hearts for answers. There we will find the law written very clearly and simply.

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July 8, 2007

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last weekend�s celebrations of our beginnings as a nation that offers hope and haven to refugees was also a bitter reminder that our borders now treat the stranger with hostility rather than hospitality. The torch of Lady Liberty in New York harbour is as much a warning fire as it is a beacon of hope. The number of displaced peoples in the world now numbers close to 20 million. Why? Because of race and class struggles, terrorism, and the pernicious belief that violence can only be cured by counter-violence. Is there any hope for peace?

The Scripture readings for this Sunday offer food for reflection, and God�s recipe for peace. Beginning with Isaiah, we hear that the Lord offers a future of peace and prosperity to Israel following the Babylonian captivity. �As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.�

In the Gospel, Jesus and His apostles, and his 72 disciples, are on the way to Jerusalem to fulfill this ancient prophecy. In every village and hamlet, they preach the Good News, heal the sick and drive out demons. Jesus has instructed them to travel very light, relying on the common people to feed and protect them (they are not to take staff or traveling bag). Unfortunately, Jerusalem rejects the message, puts the Son of God to death, and seals its own fate, not the peace of Jerusalem, but its eventual destruction in the year 70! No wonder that, when Jesus arrives, He weeps over the city�s rejection, again using the image of God as tender-hearted mother.

Our late Holy Father, John Paul II, reminded us that peace begins in the human heart. Peace will only come from those whose hearts are filled with God�s love, and obedience to His plan for the world. At the same time, Paul reminds us in the second reading that the disciple must be prepared for rejection, bearing the marks of the Cross in his or her own body.

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July 1, 2007

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Even though July 4th falls on a Wednesday this year, millions of people will celebrate Independence Day this weekend. This most glorious of all holidays marks our courageous break from a tyrannous King, when a few brave leaders called all citizens of the American colonies to risk their lives, their fortunes, and family ties in the cause of freedom.

The Scripture readings for this Sunday also invite us to a freedom trail. God�s word invites all faithful Christians to accompany Jesus as he begins his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. It is a journey filled with the excitement of healings, miracles, and the rich wisdom of Jesus� preaching to the people who eagerly crowded about him. This journey will take ten chapters of Luke�s gospel all the way to the 31st Sunday in November!

The theme of God�s call begins with the first reading from the Book of Kings. Here we read that Elijah is tired out and wants to die. So God allows him to retire. First, though, he must pass on his prophetic powers to young Elisha, son of a rich landowner. Dramatically, he throws his cloak around Elisha�s shoulders, and tells him to leave everything and follow him. Reluctantly, he allows Elisha to bid goodbye to his family first. Elisha burns his plow and throws a great party before leaving.

Jesus, in today�s Gospel, demands more than Elijah, saying to his disciples, �No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.� Nothing less than unconditional surrender of our wills, our goods, and any sinful attachments are required if we are to be a true follower and friend of Jesus. Only this kind of discipleship will bring us true freedom. If we can�t come up to Christ�s standards, then we cannot be his disciples. We are merely His admirers!

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June 24, 2007

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Normally, we would be celebrating the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time this Sunday. But on June 24th the Church celebrates the Birth of John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, whom God chose to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah. It isn't often that a saint's feast is more important than a Sunday's readings. And it's even more unusual to celebrate the birthday of a saint, rather than the date of death. St. Augustine tells us that this only happens when the person comes into the world sinless. There are only three - Jesus, his mother Mary, and John the Baptist - who qualify for this honor.

Some people this weekend will hear the readings from the Vigil Mass, and some will hear the readings from the Mass of the Day. I hope that you will check out both gospels, for one speaks of the angel telling Zechariah that his new son will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. Only two others in past history had been so anointed - Jeremiah and Isaiah. Like John the Baptist, they had been appointed to prophecy even before they were born! The passage from Luke's Gospel that will be read this Sunday tells us that Zechariah's power of speech was restored soon after John's birth. We also learn how amazed the people were at this sign of God's favor.

There is a strong connection between this feast and that of the Visitation of Mary to John's mother, Elizabeth, when she was five months pregnant. When the two mothers meet, they both feel the power of the Holy Spirit as John is freed from original sin (according to Augustine). At that very moment, both Elizabeth and Mary are made very aware of Jesus' divine nature. The destiny of both infants is bonded so closely in both tragedy and glory.

Indeed, the birthday of John the Baptist is a foreshadowing of the birth six months later of the Saviour of the world. Both the penitential life and the powerful preaching of John was predestined by God the Father as a prelude for the mission of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who would free all people from the bondage of sin and God's displeasure.

Prayerful study of the readings for this feast helps us appreciate better the mysterious plan of God in preparing the world for the coming of His Son. The birth of John the Baptist marks the dual role of this great man - he is both the last of the Old Testament prophets, and the first of the New Testament, a voice crying out in the wilderness of his day, and echoing into the confusion of our own.

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June 17, 2007

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The long procession of great "Easter" feasts is ended, and we begin "ordinary" time with somewhat of a jolt. We start the countdown to the very end of the church year with the Eleventh Sunday through the Thirty-fourth! If you don't understand, just resign yourselves. It all makes sense to liturgists!

The common theme of God's unbelievable mercy ties together the first reading about King David's plea for forgiveness and the Gospel which is all about the uninvited woman who bursts into the Pharisee's house to anoint the feet of Jesus!

David, the best king in all of Israel's history, had nevertheless given in to lustful desires. His desire for Bathsheba was so uncontrolled that he deliberately had her husband murdered, then took this attractive woman for his own pleasure. When the prophet, Nathan, very bravely confronts David about this sin, the King breaks down and begs forgiveness of God. Considering all the great favors God had bestowed on David - protecting him from Saul, providing divine assistance against David's enemies, giving him a glorious kingdom, the king had already seriously offended God by his ingratitude. Add to this his serious sins of murder and adultery, and we are amazed that the Lord still loves David, and forgives him!

The Gospel concerns Jesus at a banquet in the house of Simon, the Pharisee. A woman comes into the banquet room uninvited, and shocks the whole gathering by her actions. Bursting into tears, she falls at Jesus' feet. She breaks every social rule by letting down her hair, touching this man, and even kissing his feet. Then, she pours soothing oil over those feet. Jesus not only does not prevent her from doing this, but even explains to Simon that her great faith has merited God�s forgiveness for her sins. Then, Jesus concludes with a very human touch. Jesus points out to Simon that his neglect of providing water and oil for his guests as they arrived, has been more than made up for by the behavior of this woman (whom Simon obviously despises).

Where does the second reading from Galatians fit in? St. Paul's words declare that it is faith that merits God's forgiveness. Without faith, David would never have asked for God's forgiveness. Neither would the penitent woman of this Gospel, whose great faith and love so pleases Jesus. Faith in the great mercy of God should also prompt us to abandon our pride and obstinacy, and humbly ask God to forgive us our offenses.

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June 10, 2007

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi)

Today, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, celebrates the central mystery of our faith, God as sacrificial food for the world. All three readings speak about some important events in the Bible that led up to the greatest gift Christ left us, the sacrifice of the Mass. Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, referred to the Eucharist as the "source and summit" of our lives, while Pope Benedict calls it the Sacrament of Love.

The first reading tells us about a very successful rescue mission. Abraham, who is not really a military man nor a king, with only a couple of hundred men, bravely rescues his nephew, Lot, who has been taken prisoner by a conspiracy of foreign kings. Another king, Melchisedek of Salem, is so grateful for this action that he invites Abraham to a royal banquet, offering him bread and wine, and a special blessing. Melchisedek, incidentally, is also a priest. Abraham, in turn, shows his gratitude by making a covenant with this priest, offering him a tenth (a tithe) of all his property. We can easily see why no one ever forgot this holy meal.

The second reading is also an important one, for it's the first sacred writing to speak of what Jesus did at the Last Supper, and to tell us of the very words Jesus spoke in instituting the Holy Eucharist. Of course, later, the Gospels would tell us the full story of that sacred night. Jesus tells us that he himself will be the very food of sacrifice for the salvation of the world, and commands the apostles to do this over and over until the end of time.

Gospels contain the great story of the multiplication of the loaves of bread and a couple of fish that fed over five thousand. Jesus "took, blessed, broke, and gave" the food on that hillside, just as he would later do in the Upper Room. And that four-fold action of Jesus is just what the priest does at every Mass.

The Eucharist is both symbol and reality. As symbol, it reminds us of Jesus as friend, nurturer, lover, and saviour. Without it, we would not be Catholic. Whenever we adore the Body and Blood of Christ, either privately in the tabernacle, or publically at Solemn Exposition and Benediction, we must always associate it with the action of the Mass in which Jesus is the Lamb of Sacrifice and the food of salvation. Although it appears as bread and wine, it is truly his Body and Blood. There is no greater gift. Our young people have the right language for it...it's awesome!

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June 3, 2007

Trinity Sunday

There is a saying that good things come in three's. This Sunday we celebrate the awesome mystery of the Holy Trinity - three Persons in one God. We've never figured out the meaning of this truth that Jesus revealed to us, and we never will - on this side of heaven! But that doesn't mean that we must not think about what it means to our faith, for our faith must always seek understanding (that's what we call theology, and if we don't prayerfully consider the words of Jesus, we're really spiritually dead).

So let's take a fresh look at Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As Persons, their work is that of Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Right! Our weak minds need to divide things into neat boxes like that. In reality, they all helped each other out. For example, the first reading from Wisdom tells us that it was the Holy Spirit that was present at creation (some scholars think that this passage refers to the Son! Whatever!) The point is that God really enjoyed creating the world, and that God, dancing and playful at what he had made, intensely loved his creation from the beginning. What else would account for his patient mercy at the ways his creatures "messed up" their lives and the world he had created? And he will always love us.

The second reading from Romans explains how the gift of the Spirit's love urges us to be patient with our afflictions, and endure and hope in a victorious outcome. So...the Father has created us in love, and the Son's redemption has assured us of a peaceful relationship with God.

Jesus, the very human friend and companion of the apostles, is also a divine Person in this three-fold One God. He is the Word, radiating from his Person all Truth. Everything he speaks is true - in him, there is no possibility of falsehood. How do our weak minds understand what he speaks? Only through the Holy Spirit.

Every Trinity Sunday, we only scratch the surface of this great mystery of our faith!

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May 27, 2007

Pentecost Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday. The Church invites us to live again the experience of that incredible day when the Upper Room in Jerusalem shook with hurricane force as the wind of God's Spirit and the fire of his love descended on twelve apostles, changing them forever. As thousands more were baptized that day, the Church was born in the presence of Christ�s own mother and countless other witnesses. Today the Holy Spirit comes to renew his gifts in modern-day Christians who have been born of water and the Holy Spirit.

Again we are consecrated in the Truth that God is love and lives in us as in a fleshly Temple, that in the renewal of our lifetime commitment, our faith is rekindled that our light will more effectively destroy the indifference and violence that threatens to engulf the world.

Only a lack of faith and trust can prevent the Holy Spirit from empowering us, for he is our "Advocate", our silent supporter, who will help us to boldly proclaim the Gospel to a people living in fear and confusion. Are we ready to let Him speak His Word through us?

Today the Church is reborn in the power of the Spirit's gifts. He comes to make us free through the daily practice of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through the fruits of the Spirit in us, he can renew the face of the earth.

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May 20, 2007

Seventh Sunday of Easter

The days of the "Alleluia" season are drawing to a close. For those who are privileged to attend daily Mass, we have followed the exciting history of the days following the Resurrection. It was a time of sudden appearances of the risen Lord, with Jesus' dramatic lessons to the apostles that he was not a ghost, but a flesh and blood person who had truly risen from the dead. This past Thursday we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. Despite Jesus' careful preparation to his followers that, if he didn't go back to the Father, the Holy Spirit would not come to them, their hearts were heavy as they watched him disappear into the clouds. With almost desperate pleas, they closed themselves into the Upper Room to pray with Mary for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

As we await the explosive events of Pentecost next Sunday, it is good for us to concentrate on the Gospel for this Sunday. In this section of Jesus' farewell address to his apostles the night before His passion and death, he prays for all those who will one day believe in him through the preaching of courageous witnesses like Stephen, the first martyr (first reading). The last will and testament of Jesus is that "they all may be one!" Even though Christians today seem so far from peace and unity, we must keep in mind that on the night before he died, his earnest prayer for unity extends far beyond his Resurrection, far into the future, even to Christians today. And his plea to the Father will never cease until unity has been achieved. We need to be aware that astounding progress has been made by both Pope John Paul II and by Pope Benedict to bring this about. Thanks to their efforts, we are closer today to unity with the Eastern Orthodox churches that at any time since they separated from Rome.

Spend a little time thinking of the words from the second reading from the Book of Revelation: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." The world cannot end until all nations and all peoples have been drawn by the Spirit into the loving arms of the one God who died for all. At times we think of Christianity as going backwards. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The steady flow of today's martyrs to God's truth is moving us always forward to that unity for which Christ still prays.

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May 13, 2007

Sixth Sunday of Easter

We're getting closer to Pentecost. Already, our Bishop is visiting a number of our parishes in order to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation. At this ceremony, one of the readings is nearly always from the Acts of the Apostles. It's that one which describes the apostles at prayer suddenly feeling great power come on them in the form of fiery tongues. From weak and uncertain men, they become courageous and bold followers of Christ.

In today's Gosepl, Jesus prepares his apostles for this great moment I just described. He tells them that when he leaves them, the Holy Spirit will teach them everything they need to know, and will remind them of everything he himself had taught them. Jesus knew that all the time he had spent preaching and healing would be in vain without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Even as he tried to prepare them for His death the next day, he knew that only the Holy Spirit could give them the courage they would need to baptize and preach the Good News to all the world.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn of the events that lead up to the First Ecumenical Council of the Church in Jerusalem. It was there that a courageous decision was made to welcome non-Jews into the Church without requiring that they be circumcised or made to follow the law of Moses. Only the power of the Holy Spirit present at that council could have guided that decision.

This is a good week for us to ask ourselves how we make use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we received at our Confirmation. In today's world, there are so many dangerous signs that more courage is needed in the practice of our faith if we are to overcome the increasing attempts to blot out all Christian influence in public life. Think of what might have happened if the Apostles had decided to keep the whole treasure of God's Word to themselves. The newly-born Church would have withered and disappeared within a few years.

Jesus did not prepare his followers for an easy life. That's now why he died on the Cross, or why he rose from the dead. As he loved us to the death, so he expects us to pay the price for the glory of eternal life.

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May 6, 2007

Fifth Sunday of Easter

"It's working!" Paul and Barnabas are really excited in today's first reading that their preaching in Asia Minor is incredibly successful. Of course, they acknowledge the fact that it's really the Holy Spirit, not themselves. It's worth all the beatings and rough treatment that many of the Jews have been giving them. And the Gentiles are elated that now they're the ones being offered salvation. Opening up the Good News to the Samaritans, the Greeks, and other non-Jews was the best move made by the early Church. But, much to the apostles' amazement, it was obviously what God wanted.

We must remember that whenever there's a collection today for the Missions. It's still what God wants.

The Gospel takes us back to Jesus' farewell address at the Last Supper. He's trying to prepare his apostles for his imminent arrest, with all its gruesome torture and crucifixion. When Jesus tells them that where he's going, they cannot come, they're frightened beyond belief. On top of everything, Jesus imposes on them a "new" commandment - that they love one another. Not just Jews, but everyone.

We have just as much trouble today in accepting this commandment as the apostles did. After all, how can we be expected to love those who hate life and try to destroy it? How can we love those who trod roughshod over our values? How can we love those who suffer from AIDS, our modern-day leprosy? (In the words of a famous singer, Barbara Cook, a few years ago, "Love is all we have for now, what we don't have is time.") If we only have love, we have enough to conquer our fears, our prejudices, and our inertia about solving some of our world problems.

How can love be commanded? Isn't love just a feeling? No, Jesus says, I command that you love, because it's a gift I have given you, and you have the power in your heart to share it. As Our Holy Father said recently, God can command that we love, because He has already given it to us. If we don't love others, then we don't really love God either.

The apostles didn't understand Jesus at the Last Supper, but they certainly did when, filled with the Holy Spirit, they poured out their love in preaching God's Word in Asia Minor. Taking the risk of loving all people can delight us, too, and free us from our fears.

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April 29, 2007

Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Gospel this Sunday in all three reading cycles is about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This year the emphasis is on the voice of Jesus. We can imagine how that voice must have stirred the hearts of all who were disposed to listen to it. How it must have moved people with its authority and its power to persuade. The voice of Jesus was at times so loving, and at other times so challenging. It was that voice saying to Peter, "Feed my sheep" that still rang in his ears as he preached boldly to the Sanhedrin; it was that voice crying out, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" that echoed still in the heart of Paul as he and Barnabas preached in the synagogues of Perga and Antioch and Iconium. It was the voice of Jesus which drowned out the vicious lies of all those enemies of truth that tried to choke off the Good News so bravely proclaimed by Peter and Paul.

The readings during the Easter season clearly show us how gladly those great Apostles suffered persecution and even death "for the sake of the Name". No wonder we call Peter and Paul the great pillars of the early Church who inspired so many others not to fear contempt and bodily harm because the Holy Spirit was with them. Those who followed that voice would be rewarded with a glorious crown.

No wonder that literally millions of Christians have suffered for their faith down through the ages. Millions even today are deprived of human rights, imprisoned and killed just because they are loyal to that voice of the Good Shepherd. Racial hatred, abuse of women, child slavery, and exploitation of the poor, to name but a few, are the effects of strident, angry, and evil voices which constantly try to drown out the loving voice of the Good Shepherd who proclaims justice for the oppressed.

This Sunday is also National Vocation Sunday. There must be courageous and caring young men and women who will listen attentively to that pleading voice of Jesus who needs their help in feeding and caring for His needy children. Today we all must pray that they will respond promptly and generously to His voice.

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April 22, 2007

Third Sunday of Easter

As our fifty-day journey from Easter to Pentecost continues, we find that Peter is the central figures of both the first reading and the third. One of the most touching scenes in the New Testament unfolds in today's account from John's Gospel. Peter is back at his old occupation of fishing. Six others, including John himself, agree to go with him. As they sit in the dark through the long night, nothing much is happening. Then, as the dawn breaks, they hear a voice across the waters calling to them: "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" As they reply "No", the voice suggests that they try the right side! When their nets strain from the huge haul, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is the first to recognize that the voice comes from the risen Lord. As Peter immediately swims to shore, the new light reveals a charcoal fire with bread prepared for breakfast! After a breakfast of broiled fish, there is silence. Peter must have been troubled and embarrassed. What will Jesus say to him? With great delicacy, Jesus merely says, "Peter, do you love me more than these?" Peter, eager to reinstate himself with the Master, firmly replies that he does love Him. Jesus' commission to Peter is prompt: "Feed my lambs". The other disciples surely get the implication. Jesus is gently prompting Peter to atone for his three-fold denial in the courtyard with a three-fold atonement and promise of loyalty now. The primacy of authority that Jesus bestows on Peter at the seashore is amply demonstrated by Peter's amazing eloquence in preaching and his firm leadership of the early community following the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The word explosion doesn't come near describing the enthusiastic behaviour of the apostles and other disciples once they are convinced that Jesus is totally alive in both Spirit and Flesh.

The outrage and swift reaction of the Jewish Sanhedrin to the spread of Christianity has been repeated over and over again even to our own times. Whenever the real Truth of Jesus' teaching challenges our pleasure-seeking culture, with all of its unjust exploitation of the weak and defenseless, prison doors open to suppress those who pose a danger to the status quo.

We are not meant to be comfortable followers of Jesus. We are meant to be faithful and active lovers of His Truth. That is the real joy of Easter.

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April 15, 2007

Second Sunday of Easter
(Mercy Sunday)

What a relief! It will be easier to find a seat at Mass this Sunday! Yet, Easter is just getting in full swing! The readings tell us in exciting detail what really happened in the weeks and months following the Resurrection of Jesus. Our first reading tells us of the miracles that the apostles performed. People pushed close to Peter as he preached, hoping they would be healed of their ailments if only his shadow touched them! The amazing news was the rate of success..."and they were all cured." The excitement reached fever pitch, and "great numbers of men and women were added to them." The responsorial psalm is so appropriate for us modern readers: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His love is everlasting!"

The second reading from Revelation is much more somber, for it narrates the great suffering of St. John and many other Christians who were forced into exile on the island of Patmos by the Romans. What was their crime? Proclaiming God's Word and giving testimony! Yet, John has a vision of the risen Christ, present among them, sharing "the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance." Today, we cannot but commiserate with those thousands and thousands of Christians forced to flee from Iraq and other Moslem countries, deprived of property, freedom of worship, and a means of livelihood.

Yet, the message from Jesus then and now, in both the second reading and in today�s Gospel, is the same: "Do not be afraid." Huddled in fear in the upper room, the disciples suddenly see Jesus before them. In his glorified body, he has come easily through the locked doors. Just as easily he has penetrated their paralyzing doubts. May he melt our doubts as effectively as He did theirs! Eventually, he even broke down the skepticism of Thomas. How many modern-day Christians can identify with Thomas! They isolate themselves, just as he did, not wanting to look their companions in the eye, not sharing in their joy and enthusiasm that Jesus has indeed risen from the dead. It can't be true! Maybe it was Mary who noticed Thomas� absence. Maybe it was Mary's prayers that brought him from his isolation back to the community. If we can only pray for those alienated today from the sacraments, perhaps they too will open themselves to the healing grace that restores faith. Easter isn't over. We ourselves can be the channels of God's healing mercy to others this week, so that they too can live in hope.

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April 8, 2007

Easter Sunday

Easter has come suddenly, with a burst of light. Now we know that Jesus stands by his promises. In a flash, Christ has changed the Messianic secret into the fullness of Paschal Mystery! Our journey through the struggles of Lent and the pain of Holy Week is over. With malicious sacrilege, evil has done its worst to the sacred body of God's Son. With Mary and John, we saw Him die. We wept with them at the tomb. Then, before dawn on Sunday, Christ broke through the rock, shattered the power of sin, and, according to tradition, appeared first to His Mother, then to the women and the apostles.

As we listen to the first reading, we experience one of Peter's very first sermons. The curious bystanders were astounded at the change in this man. He comes fresh from the fiery tongues of Pentecost, still in shock at the dream he had on the way to Cornelius' house. Nothing any more was to be considered unclean. So he is free to preach to Gentiles the Good News of God's forgiveness. Peter and the others are commanded to baptize any who believe in the Christ. Thus the word spreads through the whole countryside and beyond. Resurrection is the hope of every living person. No wonder they preached with such courage and enthusiasm!

They preached about a God who cared first for people who were poor and powerless, a God whose love governed all His relationships. And He taught us not only to believe in justice, but to act justly.

The Scripture readings during these fifty days between Easter and Pentecost are among the most exciting in the Church year. We give over to "Alleluias" and joyful shout of "Christ has Risen" this Sunday, and then settle in for a new time of reflection on our own program for resurrection in these very troubled times. After all, it is our mission to bring new life to a confused world. If we don't do it, who will?

As we begin a new journey this week, our Easter journey, it would be good for us to reflect on what we have learned from our various Lenten study groups. Maybe we could invite our new friends into a coffee klutch flavored with prayer. As followers of the Risen Christ, the time has come for more of us to turn our Saviour's resurrection into a personal renewal that will influence the social and political sphere of our beloved nation. Our legislators need help from believers in forming their own consciences to act justly for the common good. The first Easter changed the ancient world, and Easter 2007 could do much through us to change our own troubled world. We need to continue what Lent has done for our understanding and love for the teachings and plans for action of our Church. We have so much to do as hope-filled Easter Catholics. These are critical times, and we must not fall back into laziness or complacency now that Lent has ended. Easter has just begun.

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April 1, 2007

Passion (Palm) Sunday

The waving of palm branches and the cries of "Hosanna to the King!" usher in the holiest week of the year. The full drama begins with the crowd's fickle acclaim of Jesus as King for a day. It is a foreshadowing of the blasphemous mockery the soldiers will hurl at our thorn-crowned Saviour a few days later. And yet, for a few hours we can raise our voices joyfully with the crowd, linking the honor given by the crowd, especially by the children, with his ultimate victory beyond the grave. We wonder and rejoice as the veil is raised to permit a glimpse of Jesus, the Messiah and liberator. But then, as the Palm Sunday Mass proceeds, the horrors of the Passion are proclaimed, and we must with reluctance raise our voices with the crowd clamoring "Crucify Him!"

How could have events have accelerated at such dizzying pace between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday? The forces of darkness were never more vicious in their attempt to terminate the Mission of Jesus on this earth. That the religious leaders of the day were made instruments of evil is a tragic lesson to all religions, even to the present day. That these leaders scandalized their own people, making them agents of falsehood, is another warning to those of unwary and careless piety. How easily the righteous can be lulled into blind activity that can do harm! We wonder if any of the many that Jesus healed in his journeys were among those crying out against Him. The Passion narrative is the most powerful story ever written about the sacrifice of the innocent to evil, and the blind consent of crowds to those in power. In this year's narrative according to St. Luke, the Roman Procurator three times declares the innocence of Jesus, and so does Herod Antipas, the Jewish tetrarch of Galilee. Finally, the "good" thief declares Jesus innocent, and begs Jesus to bring him along to Paradise.

Holy Week offers us the opportunity to personally suffer and die with Jesus for the sinfulness of our world - the sin of the past which seems so remote, and the sin of our present which is all too real, and, in our fear, threatens to overwhelm us. We often cannot understand our own behaviour. We fail to carry out the things we want to do, and find ourselves doing the things we hate. Henri Nouwen has said "Our lives are always busy. They're like overpacked suitcases, bursting at the seam. We never seem to fulfill all our obligations."

Holy Week is all about Jesus suffering for our inadequacies and for our very real sins. Holy Week is a time for us to realize what we're really like, and to find that the only remedy for our pains and fears is love. I suggest that as soon as possible, you obtain a copy of the new Apostolic Exhortation by our Holy Father in which he calls the Holy Eucharist the Sacrament of Love. It would make good reading for this Holy Thursday and Good Friday. It's available on the Internet here.

Are we ready to join our own pains and fears to the Master's, and to add as much love as we can possibly muster to His limitless love? If we can, we are guaranteed a great Holy Week.

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March 25, 2007

Fifth Sunday of Lent

It's definitely getting closer to Spring, with melting snow and warmer weather. It's so much better to look forward than to look back at all those February storms! Maybe that's why so many people have gotten in step with Lent this year. We're not only tired of winter but there's a deeper reason...we're tired of remaining our same old selves, full of tensions, fears, and, yes, our sins and imperfections. If you agree, then, read with relish what God says through the prophet Isaiah in today's first reading. God says in words something like this: "Tell the people I�m about to release them from exile In Babylon. I've actually cancelled all their debt! Tell them not to dwell on the past. I'm the God that makes desert places fertile and lovely. All my anger is over. Tell them to be more faithful now that they're home again. And let them remember that their main duty is to give me praise and glory!" Now, that shouldn't have been hard for them, for God had given them a fresh beginning.

In much the same way, Jesus in our Sunday Gospel gives a fresh start to the woman caught in adultery. By Jewish law, she should be stoned to death. But just as the elders are about to pick up their stones, Jesus says, in effect, "That law should be changed! Let�s try this: if anyone of you is without sin, let that person cast the first stone!" And they all dropped their stones and left, beginning with the oldest among them! Just thinking about their own sinfulness made them ready to forgive that poor woman, and change a brutal law. Maybe those elders were relieved as well as the woman!

And Jesus says to us as well as to the woman, "Forget the past. Just look to the future and don't commit sin any more." No wonder St. Paul exclaims to the Philippians, "For his sake, I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish...."

It is a forgiving and merciful God who accepts our Lenten prayer, our fasting, and our almsgiving. Like the Israelites coming home from Babylon, and the sinful woman of the Gospel, Jesus gives us a future filled with new hope.

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March 18, 2007

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Most people feel a bit sad at the beginning of Lent. But by the Fourth Sunday, there is a general feeling of gladness that we're back into some good habits of extra prayer, sharing with others in faith groups, and daily Mass if we're able. No wonder the Church calls this "Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday." We're finally in gear!

Some of you may be thinking, "Oh, really?" Well, if you don't think you're been doing so great, there's still time. Maybe you can even identify with the Prodigal Son in today's Gospel. If so, then rejoice in the mercy and forgiveness of the Father! At least you're not like that smug and self-righteous brother of his. We wonder what the rest of the story was like. Did he eventually get over his anger and join the party? We like to think that a whole new relationship developed between the brothers. Life is so short! Carrying grudges just makes what little time we have so unpleasant. Forgiveness frees us from unhappiness, and opens up the floodgates of joy. It even improves our health. That father of theirs must have been a joyful man. We wonder if his wife was of the same forgiving nature? We know one thing - that Jesus was teaching us a lesson about the mercy of God the Father through this famous parable.

Lent is definitely a time for new beginnings. In the first reading, the Israelites are on the very borders of the Promised Land. No more of that heavenly manna would descend from the skies as soon as they crossed over Jordan. Now they would be nourished by the rich harvest of crops planted by those they would conquer in this land of milk and honey. Still, it took courage. As is always the case, some were fearful of new beginnings and longed to be back in Egypt. Would we be among the fearful ones, shirking the effort to become all that God calls us to be?

In today's second reading from 2nd Corinthians, Paul reminds us that "Whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."

So what "new things" are we called to? Paul tells us that God has given us a ministry - the ministry of reconciliation. As it was Christ's ministry on earth, so now is it our ministry, encouraging the discouraged, giving hope to those who are hopeless and despairing. God Himself pleads through us, for we are "ambassadors for Christ." An ambassador works, not through force or recrimination, but through diplomacy. For us, it means treating all we meet with the example of our love and concern. Great food for the journey in today's readings.

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March 11, 2007

Third Sunday of Lent

Most of us get up early each morning. When we hear the alarm, our first inclination is to snuff out the bell with the "snooze" button. The next bell usually gets our full attention. For some people, Ash Wednesday is enough to rouse the Lenten spirit of prayer and penance. Many need another warning that we must get serious about prayer, discipline, and almsgiving.

Lent involves so many different types of response. We have to ask ourselves, "What is God calling me to do with my life? What is my 'call?'" God commanded full attention from Moses in today's first reading. Moses must have wanted to run far away when God appeared to him in that burning bush. The Lord overruled all his objections and commanded him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. What a wake up call! Frightened and unarmed, he began what seemed an impossible task. He had one advantage, of course (besides the help of his brother, Aaron). God had revealed to Moses what had been kept secret up until then - His Name, I AM. God's name helps us establish our own identity. If God is pure existent Being, then my own life is dependent on His will. My own identity is that of creature and servant. Everything I am and have hangs by a thread from God's own mysterious and awesome Life. Am I a true lover and servant? Lent is a time for me to check out my own name.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends us another "wake-up call". In the parable of the barren fig tree, the Lord emphasizes the importance of repentance and change of heart. And even though His Father is patient with sinners, there is a time limit. There will come a day when the time of mercy is past, and Christ will judge us on our performance as faithful, obedient, and loving followers. A whole life of fidelity can seem overwhelming, but it's all so possible when we live it day by day with whatever prayer form fits our schedule, hopefully attendance at Mass, some kind of prayer, study, reaching out to those in need, devotions like a Holy Hour or Stations of the Cross.

I have four weeks left to journey with Jesus to Calvary - and Easter Rising.

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March 4, 2007

Second Sunday of Lent

We're definitely launched into the "discipline" of Lent. As we get out of bed each morning, we're getting more accustomed to looking ahead to some special practice we've decided on for the day like a meditation from The Word Among Us. Perhaps it's meeting with our Lenten Why Catholic group. Maybe it's joining with a friend to visit a nursing home, or a friend who has lost a family member. Lent provides endless opportunities if we look for them. Hopefully, we're within reach of a Mass celebrated at a time that fits our schedule. Daily Mass is really the crown of Lenten practice - the sacred liturgy focuses our minds on the Word, nourishes our whole person in Eucharist, and gives joy and purpose to the whole day.

Our readings today are about two frightening "cloud" experiences. Abram (he's not yet called Abraham) is undergoing a test from God before he receives extensive land in covenant. The sacrifice is prepared, and he is awaiting divine action in consuming the split animals. Abram becomes frightened as a cloud plunges him in darkness for several hours. After a fiery torch passes through the sacrifice, God completes His promise.

Arriving at new levels in life can be frightening. The Gospel is about the "high places" in our journey, pointing to light and resurrection. Notice how afraid Peter, James, and John are when they see Jesus transfigured in light. Jesus seems at home in the glory of Tabor, talking with Moses and Elijah, both of whom had experienced light in their encounters with God on earth. The great Law-giver and the great Prophet talk to Jesus who is the Law, to Jesus who fulfills all prophecy. We wonder what they talked about. Perhaps Jesus is telling them that soon, he will bring them to everlasting encounter with light, as soon as he has risen from death. Then, like Abram, they are plunged into the darkness of a cloud. In the cloud, the voice of the Father, thundering from heaven, corroborates the truth of Jesus. If they are faithful, they, too, will come into dazzling light one day. They just have to be patient. If we wish to live in everlasting light, we too must be patient. We must be light for the world on earth.

If we're really serious about Lent, we'll take the Transfiguration experience as Jesus intended. As he taught a lesson in patience and hope to Peter, James, and John, so he teaches us to listen and wait, to grow in Truth that we may help lead others into the light right here and right now.

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February 25, 2007

First Sunday of Lent

Are you ready for a soul-lift? It's always exciting to realize we can change and start a new relationship with Jesus. The readings at the beginning of our Lenten journey are summed up so well in the words of Tom Conry's hymn: "...we rise again from ashes, to create ourselves anew!"

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing the people to rise from their long trek through desert sands and joyfully enter the Promised Land. As they offer their best fruits to the Lord, Moses reminds them to throw off the shackles of sin and enter into a whole new life. They are free at last! Other trials and struggles will come later. Meanwhile, Moses charges them never to forget and never to let their children forget what they had suffered in Egypt, and how God had miraculously led them to freedom.

Well over a thousand years later, Jesus embarks on his journey as messiah and saviour, not only of the Jews, but as redeemer of all the people ever born or would be born. The Spirit who had overshadowed Jesus at his baptism at the Jordan now leads him into the desert for His initial battle with the powers of evil. Satan seeks to probe any human weakness in his adversary. First, he tempts Jesus to flaunt His power right away. Why not turn stones into bread? Later, Jesus will miraculously feed others, but he refuses to let the devil manage his miracles! Again Satan tempts Jesus to political power and possessions - and Jesus, the poor and humble teacher, refuses.

The last temptation is to pride and fame - and glory. Jesus, knowing that his mission is to win hearts gently through truth and love, refuses to win hero-worship through cheap exhibits. Ultimately, he must drink the cup of suffering to secure victory - and so must we, his followers. Quite soundly beaten, Satan leaves him - for a while! Angels come and minister to Jesus who is now ready to begin his public ministry.

And how about us? Hopefully, through the liturgy of this first Sunday of Lent, we will begin with joy and energy to create ourselves anew through prayer, discipline, and communal study of the treasure of truth found in Scripture and of the Catholic Church. It may be through Why Catholic groups or through whatever form your parish provides for this short seven weeks of spiritual growth that we will truly rise from ashes to create ourselves anew.

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February 18, 2007

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus says "Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you." I wonder how many of his listeners who heard this for the first time gave a disgusted snort and walked away? Of course, if they knew their Scriptures, they would have realized that their great hero, the young shepherd-warrior, David, showed incredible love and forgiveness for his enemy, King Saul. Saul was filled with jealous hatred for David because he feared that this popular hero would steal his crown and rule in his place. So Saul and his men combed the desert for David, seeking to kill him. But God intervened, placing the King and his soldiers in a deep sleep. David crept into the camp during the night, and seeing the King asleep, carefully removed the sword and water jar from near Saul's head and ran with them to a bluff above the camp. When the king was awakened with David's shouting, he realized that his life had been spared. He began to weep repentant tears, and sought David's forgiveness.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his hearers that they must forgive and love everyone, even their enemies. Now Jesus knew what he was asking. Nothing is more difficult than to love those who hate us. It goes against the grain. Only God's grace can give us the strength to do this. Jesus expands on this teaching with the "Golden Rule" - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (How different from the Jewish Law that said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." A great peacemaker of the last century, Mahatma Gandhi, scorned that law, saying "If you follow that principle, then both you and your enemy will end up blind!") Jesus concluded his remarks with the shocking news that, on the last day, his Heavenly Father will dole out the same amount of mercy to us that we have shown to others in this life! He thereby made love a command. Who would want to take the chance of being damned because of a bad track record? After all, loving everyone, even when it's difficult, brings us salvation. No wonder that it is said that God doesn't put anyone in hell. We put ourselves there!

Where on earth can we find the strength to love those who despise and hate us? Good psychologists tell us that we're both demon and dove. St. Paul tells us the same thing - we're part "natural man" and part "spiritual man". If we remain attached to the demons of selfishness and follow the "old" Adam, we'll never make it. If, rather, we allow the dove in us to flourish, then the spiritual power of Jesus, the "new" Adam, will help us shun hateful actions, and grow in new ways of forgiveness and love.

New decisions to abandon our selfish ways and embrace a new gentleness in our ways of handling "enemies" is a great way to prepare ourselves for the exciting journey of Lent. It all begins this Wednesday.

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February 11, 2007

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

One word sums up our readings this Sunday - TRUST. There is a remarkable unity to all four speakers (Jeremiah, followed by David in Psalm 1, Paul to the Corinthians, and Jesus as reported by Luke). BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD ALONE. On the other hand, those who place their trust outside of God, in people, or money, or pleasure, or possessions, are doomed to final unhappiness.

The nation of Judah in the time of Jeremiah, were very nervous about the power of Babylon. In order to save themselves, many felt it wise to join the enemy and compromise their values. Jeremiah warned them to trust only in God's advice, not in what the false prophets were urging them to do. They didn't listen; as a result, God allowed them to be led into the Babylonian captivity.

The response to today's reading, "Blessed are they who hope in the Lord", is rounded out with Psalm 1 which compares the man who trusts God with a tree "planted near running streams". Even in times of drought, it has nourishment. The one who scorns God's Word, trusting rather in human resources, is like "chaff, blown about by the wind".

As usual, the first reading (and today's responsorial psalm) are linked closely to the Gospel. Here is the famous Sermon on the Plain (the parallel to this is Matthew�s Sermon on the Mount). Jesus says God will pour His blessings on the poor, the hungry, the sorrowful, and the abused, not because of their misery, but because they endure all this for the sake of God's truth, God's love, and God's justice.

Why should we trust that God will reward us for patiently for enduring trials for the sake of the Gospel? St. Paul proclaims this in today's second reading. He tells the new Christians, that, if Christ didn't rise from the dead, then it's foolish to trust God's Word. But since Jesus did rise from the dead, how foolish and sinful for us not to trust in God.

Do I really trust in God? Totally? Do I act as though I believe, with courage, serenity, and joy? Dear God, help me to trust you completely!

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February 4, 2007

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are two central figures in this Sunday's readings who feel totally unworthy of being chosen for special divine missions - Isaiah and Simon Peter. In today's reading from the first chapters of Isaiah, the soon-to-be prophet is aware of his sinfulness as he experiences a vision of God on His throne about to make a decision. Who will He send as His messenger to clean up the mess left by King Uzziah and bring the people back to fidelity? After one of the seraphim has touched a burning coal to his lips (that must have been painful!) Isaiah now feels worthy enough to cry out, "Here I am; send me." What a dramatic scene!

The Gospel is just as dramatic. It portrays an unforgettable day on the Lake of Gennesaret. Simon Peter and his partners, James and John, are dead tired after a night of fruitless fishing. Jesus prevails on them to let him use their boat as a pulpit. After Jesus has preached a while to those on the shore, he dares to ask these tired fishermen to try just once more. Simon must have thought, "He�s a good preacher, but He doesn't know much about fishing!" However, he obeys, and puts out to the deep. To his amazement, the nets are filled to breaking with huge fish. In panic, Simon calls for help. Now two boats are in danger of capsizing as they carefully head for shore.

Like Isaiah, Simon feels unworthy. He falls on his knees, crying out, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man." With amazing powers of persuasion, Jesus says to Simon Peter, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." Even though they have a fish story they could tell for years, they leave a profession they know very well, for a life filled with uncertaintly and danger. And not just Simon Peter, but his partners, James and John, are willing to take the same risk.

God knows better than we do who will make good disciples. The wisdom of God often seems like foolishness to humans. Jesus that day issued an invitation; Simon Peter, James and John had trust enough to answer it! Our Church today needs more men and women to answer his call to the consecrated life and to the Priesthood. He needs all of us to switch from our ideas of generous service to His!

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January 28, 2007

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings for this Sunday are rich in the truth and the power of divine love. The first reading speaks of God preparing Jeremiah to be a prophet in dangerous times when he must oppose both kings and people. God tells Jeremiah to insist that his instructions be carried out, and he assures Jeremiah that he will form him like steel for his protection. In this reading, we see how God�s Will, which comes from his love, is a power that will overcome all opposition.

People who attend a lot of weddings can almost recite the second reading from memory (Love is patient, love is kind�). And, of course, the inevitable question, "Are we patient, are we kind?" St. Paul was not the only one to write to the Corinthians about love. Pope St. Clement in the second century told that same community about the binding power of divine love and the splendor of its beauty. "Love unites us to God; it cancels innumerable sins," he wrote. He said further that it is impossible to please God without love. Our present Holy Father, in his very first encyclical letter, tells us that human, passionate love, when properly exercised is transformed by grace into spiritual love which gives of itself in deeds of justice for our neighbor. The message through the centuries is clear: we must show our love at every stage of life's journey. God did not just suggest it as something nice. He commanded it. We must practice love in word and deed if we expect eternal life.

If only those citizens of Nazareth had been more loving people, they would have listened most attentively to Jesus' message in today�s Gospel. They would have curbed pride and anger, and welcomed his announcement about the Kingdom. Instead, they tried to kill Him! We, too, can kill the messenger of the Word, whether it be the priest giving a homily that doesn't sit well with us, or any voice that urges us to loving works of charity and justice. The Kingdom is here! Are we on board?

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January 21, 2007

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Did you ever have pains throughout your body that didn't go away until the dentist pulled out that infected tooth? Or have a headache that made you so dizzy and blind you couldn't function? Remember that song about "the hip bone's connected to the knee bone..." and so on? This all helps us realize what St. Paul was saying in today's second reading. We are all parts of one Body (in Christ). Of course, it's only the grace of God that can help us live this truth. It's only "in Christ" that we can truly care about every person in the "household of the faith," to say nothing about those who aren't!

We are in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, begun many years ago by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. It was designed to help all Christians better understand each other, to work together, and to pray together. Great progress has been made, but there is still the scandal of division. If we all worked as hard at unity as our recent Popes have, that unity we so long for might actually come about.

We also observe the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision this week. The idea of one Body is all tied in with the March for Life observed tomorrow in Washington. How? Through the Spirit that came upon Jesus, the Beloved Son, at his Baptism (observed this past Monday), and proclaimed by Jesus in today's Gospel ("the Spirit of the Lord is upon me..."). As Jesus proclaimed freedom for captives, he surely included those bound in the womb before their birth, as well as those separated by ancient feuds and misunderstandings from unity of worship in Christ.

Our first reading describes a public reading of the Law from a book long forgotten that Ezra literally dug out of the trash heap. The people wept upon hearing it read to them, and swore to keep it more faithfully than their ancestors had. In the Gospel, Jesus also reads publically from the Scripture, and proclaims that He is its fulfillment. It was the beginning of His Kingdom. The beginning of the Kingdom is also the start of "Ordinary Time." It is a time for us to continue the work of Jesus. What a huge task for us as Christians. But, remember, we have been given extraordinary grace that guarantees the success of our efforts.

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January 14, 2007

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

It seems that Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany were hurried through our lives this year. We needed Christmas so badly this past year (and thank God we can call it "last year"!). And now this Sunday, Jesus' infancy and teen years are past. In the Gospel, we see him as an attractive young man in his twenties, attending a wedding with his mother in the little village of Cana. Whoever this wedding couple is, their honor and reputation are at risk, for the wine has run short. Now wine was both a symbol and a cause for much joy and merriment at a wedding, and everyone will soon know of the blunder. Jesus' mother, having quickly sized up the situation, wants to prevent any embarrassment to this young couple, and begs her Son to intervene with a miracle. It's interesting that Mary, even before Jesus' public life, is so certain of his special powers. Even though Jesus is reluctant, he is not about to refuse his mother! He blesses the couple with far more wine than they needed. From this hour on, his time will never be his own. Soon after this event, he enters the synagogue at Capharnaum and announces the coming of the Kingdom. From then on, he will be swept up in a whirlwind life of teaching those open to the Truth of his Word, healing the sick, challenging the religious leaders to use their authority with greater honesty and compassion...and on and on...even to Calvary.

The Church refers to these next six weeks before Lent as "Ordinary Time". It's a time for us to become involved in the ordinary Christian life - daily prayer and meditation, constant attention to our neighbor's needs, responsible carrying out of those duties that flow from our relationships as parents, children, teachers, and caregivers. We needn't get frightened, of course, for we don't work alone. In today's second reading from Corinthians, St. Paul assures us that we have the powerful help of various gifts of the Spirit. Each should use the particular gift God has given without worrying which is the greater gift.

How can "ordinary time" be dull or boring when God says in the today's first reading from Isaiah that he loves us as a Bridegroom loves his bride, and that he rejoices in us as his delight? If God is happy with us and our weak efforts, then we should enter into this season with confidence and joy.

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January 7, 2007

Feast of the Epiphany

The theme of the Epiphany really completes the spirit of the Mass for Christmas Day. There, Isaiah had foretold that "all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God." And the Gospel for that Mass had promised that all people would eventually be the chosen ones. "...to those who did accept Him, he gave power to become children of God." And now, on the Epiphany, the light from the skies is intensified a hundred, a thousand fold, and the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that "nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance."

To the amazement of all in that region, there come foreign camels bearing foreign scholars - wise men - kings! Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh! What courage and perseverance those strangers have shown, to brave the dangers of travel, skepticism, and political intrigue. But they found what they were looking for. That star gave trustworthy guidance and now triumphantly shines as guard over the lowly dwelling wherein rests the child who possesses all meaning. They fall to their knees in homage, for their learning has made them humble, and their wisdom leads them to recognize the Divine in the fragile flesh of a child.

What a silent Adoration! What loving glances they exchange with Mary and Joseph.

But for all their simple faith, their wisdom is sharp enough to detect the sham delight and murderous intentions of the wily Herod. And so they pay their respects, leave their gifts, and modestly depart for their homeland, sorrowfully aware of the terrible price justice must pay for Peace.

Their role in history has been accomplished - to teach us all to follow the guidance of the Almighty, to accept our own role as Bearers of the Light, and to follow this Christ into His Mission, to partake of His Passion, and to join the millions through the ages who will preach His Gospel of universal salvation.

The Son of God is the one Judge and Arbiter of Truth and the one Source of Light, but we are all called to be "epiphanies," providing glimpses of that Truth, showing the way in our own small spots of time and circumstance to a larger plan and destiny.

Princely Child, make of us all wise men, courageous women, obedient children who will follow wherever you lead us. That means being faithful to prayer, diligently reading articles and booklets about our faith, sharing what we learn with others, taking part when possible in prayer and study groups. This is the way for us to be light-bearers, lighting up the darkness and confusion in the world in which we live.

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December 31, 2006

Feast of the Holy Family

Every year the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph - on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.

And that means a celebration of family life - births, weddings, funerals, anniversaries.

In the first reading we hear about a joyful birth - that of Samuel. After years of prayer, Hannah and Elkanah are granted a son.

As soon as Samuel is weaned, the mother fulfills her promise and gives him up to the Lord's service at the shrine at Shiloh.

What's the point?

Trusting in the Lord bears fruit.

Children are a gift from God, and they always belong to God.

Parents do not own their children. They are guardians to whom God entrusts their education and upbringing.

So we call Jesus and Mary and Joseph the Holy Family, and paintings always place a halo over their heads.

In order for us to see how this family encountered problems just like other families, the Gospel chosen for this Sunday is about Jesus' boyhood years.

Joseph is by now a carpenter in Nazareth, and Mary is a busy housewife and mother of a teenager! As parents, Mary and Joseph are well aware of their responsibilities. Being God's divine Son does not prevent Jesus, however, from acting with all the inexperience and spontaneous behaviour of any normal twelve-year-old. What an exciting experience for a boy from a small town to travel to Jerusalem for the Feast.

Fascinated with the learned teachers he found in the Temple, he loses track of time and, like most teenagers, doesn't think about the terror that a missing child can cause for parents.

After three frantic days of searching, they find him, only to hear Jesus rather naively ask, "Didn't you realize I had to be in my Father's house?"

No, they don't understand, but they tuck it away in their hearts, along with a lot of other unanswered questions.

Mary and Joseph, like millions of other parents, were acting as good, responsible care-givers who are having difficulty understanding their son.

So what else is new!

Teenagers don't understand themselves either.

Was Jesus just carried away with impatience to start his ministry?

For Joseph and Mary, the fact that Jesus was divine made his actions all the more mystifying to them.

What Jesus did after that is really the great lesson for all families - he humbly bowed to their authority.

When he saw how upset they were, he promptly left the Temple, and went back obediently to Nazareth where he "advanced in age and grace and wisdom."

The second reading gives a great recipe for successful family relationships. What makes a family "holy"?

It's all so simple. Just love one another and keep the commandments.

Of course, simple answers like that are the hardest to accept! John says we must believe in the Son and keep his commandments.

Joseph was totally committed to heading this "holy family" because the Angel told him to; Mary, at the risk of her reputation, gave birth to Jesus, and was a faithful, protective mother because God wanted it.

And Jesus was a faithful son, subservient to human parents because his heavenly Father willed it so!

Our families would find their disagreements, stressful relationships, and resentments that spoil the joy of family harmony so much easier to solve by imitating the faith and loving trust of the Holy Family.

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