The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose. - Mahatma Gandhi
Gospel text (Lc 4,38-44):
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God."
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, "To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
We may be a lot like Simon's mother-in-law. Jesus has come to our house, and we have the awesome privilege of waiting on Him and His disciples. However, there's a problem. We may be sick, weak, fearful, selfish, or sinful. We may be spiritually on "bed rest." We may be passive spectators and mere consumers who take but don't give. We need a miracle to free us from this rut.
Jesus wants to enter your home. He also wants your home to be a house of prayer and healing. Will you invite Jesus to be Lord of your life and your home? Will you pray daily with the members of your family? Jesus has promised: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst" (Mt 18:20).
Jesus not only wants to be enthroned in your home, but He also intends to make your home a center for evangelization, healing, and deliverance (see Lk 4:40ff). Will you let Jesus change the way your home has been used? Will you let Jesus radically change your lifestyle?
Your home is one of your most valuable resources for building God's kingdom. Make your home totally available to the Lord by obeying the Lord's every wish. When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He had "nowhere to lay His head" (Lk 9:58). Even today, Jesus is "homeless" because, when He knocks on our doors (see Rv 3:20), He is sometimes not allowed entry and lordship (see Lk 2:7). Throw open your home to Jesus.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time
The real conflict is inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the catacombs of concentration camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are victories on the battle-field if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves? - St Maximilian Kolbe
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, "Peace and security,"
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.
How much did you think about the Second Coming of Christ this week between the earthquake and the hurricane here in the New York area? If you're like many Catholics, the message of His coming again goes in one ear and out the other. However, through His Word and the Mass, Jesus constantly warns us that He is coming again. When you attend Sunday Mass, you hear the message of the Second Coming of Christ at least twice and as many as four times, depending upon the prayers and responses chosen. If you attend daily Mass, you heard about the Second Coming between nine and twenty-two times this week! In addition, numerous verses in Scripture are devoted to Jesus' Second Coming.
A good rule of thumb is for us to think about the Second Coming of Christ at least as much as Jesus and the Church think about it. If you haven't recently thought of the day of Jesus' Second Coming, or at least His coming at the day of your death, you are probably "off guard" (1 Thes 5:4). If so, it's not because the Lord and His Church haven't been warning you constantly. "You know very well that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night" (1 Thes 5:2). "Therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!" (1 Thes 5:6)
A good way to constantly think of the day of the Lord's return is to regularly tell others about it (see 1 Thes 4:18). Spread the good news of salvation (1 Thes 5:9) and "wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, "Peace and security,"
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.
How much did you think about the Second Coming of Christ this week between the earthquake and the hurricane here in the New York area? If you're like many Catholics, the message of His coming again goes in one ear and out the other. However, through His Word and the Mass, Jesus constantly warns us that He is coming again. When you attend Sunday Mass, you hear the message of the Second Coming of Christ at least twice and as many as four times, depending upon the prayers and responses chosen. If you attend daily Mass, you heard about the Second Coming between nine and twenty-two times this week! In addition, numerous verses in Scripture are devoted to Jesus' Second Coming.
A good rule of thumb is for us to think about the Second Coming of Christ at least as much as Jesus and the Church think about it. If you haven't recently thought of the day of Jesus' Second Coming, or at least His coming at the day of your death, you are probably "off guard" (1 Thes 5:4). If so, it's not because the Lord and His Church haven't been warning you constantly. "You know very well that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night" (1 Thes 5:2). "Therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!" (1 Thes 5:6)
A good way to constantly think of the day of the Lord's return is to regularly tell others about it (see 1 Thes 4:18). Spread the good news of salvation (1 Thes 5:9) and "wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
Monday, August 29, 2011
Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace
"When one is convinced that his cause is just, he will fear nothing." - St John Bosco
Gospel text (Mc 6,17-29):
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Today is the memorial of the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. This event has captured the imagination of many artists who have portrayed aspects of this story on canvas. Herod’s folly at the hands of his clever and vindictive wife and her conspiring daughter presents a tragic story that resonates with us on many levels.
In our current society we need in the worst way people like John the Baptizer (see Mk 6:17ff). We need courageous men and women who will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and stand up for purity. We need mature Christians, not "infants in Christ" (1 Cor 3:1) who are "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error" (Eph 4:14).
John called a sin a sin, a lie a lie, and adultery adultery. In a permissive, promiscuous society, where prime time TV is prime porn, it is not fashionable to speak of purity and sexual sin. If Grandma saw what is going on now, even in Christian circles, she wouldn't believe it.
Life is very challenging. The Lord has an astounding plan for your life. Take his hand and trust in him. The peace and joy you will feel as a result will be all the answers you need to confirm your “choice”.
Take the step...........
Gospel text (Mc 6,17-29):
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Today is the memorial of the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. This event has captured the imagination of many artists who have portrayed aspects of this story on canvas. Herod’s folly at the hands of his clever and vindictive wife and her conspiring daughter presents a tragic story that resonates with us on many levels.
In our current society we need in the worst way people like John the Baptizer (see Mk 6:17ff). We need courageous men and women who will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and stand up for purity. We need mature Christians, not "infants in Christ" (1 Cor 3:1) who are "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error" (Eph 4:14).
John called a sin a sin, a lie a lie, and adultery adultery. In a permissive, promiscuous society, where prime time TV is prime porn, it is not fashionable to speak of purity and sexual sin. If Grandma saw what is going on now, even in Christian circles, she wouldn't believe it.
Life is very challenging. The Lord has an astounding plan for your life. Take his hand and trust in him. The peace and joy you will feel as a result will be all the answers you need to confirm your “choice”.
Take the step...........
Sunday, August 28, 2011
What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approve ours
There are times when He Himself allows terrible sufferings, and then again there are times when He does not let me suffer and removes everything that might afflict my soul. These are His ways , unfathomable and incomprehensible to us. It is for us to submit ourselves completely to His holy will. There are mysteries that the human mind will never fathom here on earth; eternity will reveal them. --Saint Faustina
Gospel text (Mt 16,21-27):
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."
He turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life"
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."
Today, we can also see Peter —a most remarkable figure and great testimony and teacher of the faith—as a man of flesh and blood. With virtues and failings, as each one of us.
Listening to Jesus' scolding Peter gives us a good motive to make an examination of conscience about our Christian personality. Are we truly faithful to the teachings of Jesus, to the point of actually thinking like God, or are we rather adapting ourselves to the criteria and way of thinking of this world? Throughout history, the sons of the Church have fallen into the temptation of following this world thinking, of leaning on the material riches, of yearning for politic power or social prestige; and at times, we are more keen on the worldly interests than in the spirit of the Gospel. Before these facts, we are asked once again the same question: «What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself?» (Mt 16:26).
After clearing up these things, Jesus teaches us what thinking like God means: to love, with whatever is implied about denying ourselves in favor of our neighbor. This is why following Christ means taking up the Cross. It is a very tight following, because «with so good a friend and so good a leader at our side, who came forward first of all to suffer, one can bear everything. He helps us; He gives us strength; He never fails; He is a true Friend» (St. Teresa of Avila). And..., when the Cross is a sign of sincere love, then it becomes enlightening and a sign of salvation.
Gospel text (Mt 16,21-27):
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."
He turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life"
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."
Today, we can also see Peter —a most remarkable figure and great testimony and teacher of the faith—as a man of flesh and blood. With virtues and failings, as each one of us.
Listening to Jesus' scolding Peter gives us a good motive to make an examination of conscience about our Christian personality. Are we truly faithful to the teachings of Jesus, to the point of actually thinking like God, or are we rather adapting ourselves to the criteria and way of thinking of this world? Throughout history, the sons of the Church have fallen into the temptation of following this world thinking, of leaning on the material riches, of yearning for politic power or social prestige; and at times, we are more keen on the worldly interests than in the spirit of the Gospel. Before these facts, we are asked once again the same question: «What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself?» (Mt 16:26).
After clearing up these things, Jesus teaches us what thinking like God means: to love, with whatever is implied about denying ourselves in favor of our neighbor. This is why following Christ means taking up the Cross. It is a very tight following, because «with so good a friend and so good a leader at our side, who came forward first of all to suffer, one can bear everything. He helps us; He gives us strength; He never fails; He is a true Friend» (St. Teresa of Avila). And..., when the Cross is a sign of sincere love, then it becomes enlightening and a sign of salvation.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Those who have been given much….Much is expected!!
All God's gifts are good, but they are not all the same. As I often say to people who tell me that they would like to serve the poor as I do, "What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do something beautiful for God.” - Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Mt 25,14-30):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’'
The Lord does not expect everyone to make a million dollars. He does not necessarily expect us to do better than others. He also does not expect us to start from scratch; He gives us something to start with. We do not have to be prosperous, competitive, or creative by worldly standards. The Lord simply expects our best. If our best is very little, that's all right (see Lk 21:2ff). He doesn't expect us to do anything beyond our ability.
We may not be able to meet other people's standards or even our own, but we can always meet God's standards. We always have a "best," and we can always "do our best." We can always be pleasing to the Lord. We can always be everything God wants us to be. We don't have to wait on anyone else or on circumstances. We can choose always to be "an industrious and reliable servant" and to do a job "well done" (Mt 25:21).
If God calls us to a task, He provides the grace to perform the task. Because of challenging Scriptures like these, we may be tempted to "fear" to succeed in God's work since He has made it clear that success leads to even greater responsibilities (Mt 25:21). This "fear is useless. What is needed is trust" (Mk 5:36). Jesus makes it absolutely clear that greater responsibilities are first accompanied by greater grace (e.g. Mt 25:29). The Lord never sends anyone out without first empowering and equipping them for His service.
"One who has no love for the brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. The commandment we have from Him is this: whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 Jn 4:20-21). Therefore, love your brothers and sisters. The Lord expects us to be good managers of the lives, time, talents, opportunities, finances, possessions, and resources He has given us. May you each hear Jesus call to you: "Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your Master's joy!" (Mt 25:21)
Gospel text (Mt 25,14-30):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’'
The Lord does not expect everyone to make a million dollars. He does not necessarily expect us to do better than others. He also does not expect us to start from scratch; He gives us something to start with. We do not have to be prosperous, competitive, or creative by worldly standards. The Lord simply expects our best. If our best is very little, that's all right (see Lk 21:2ff). He doesn't expect us to do anything beyond our ability.
We may not be able to meet other people's standards or even our own, but we can always meet God's standards. We always have a "best," and we can always "do our best." We can always be pleasing to the Lord. We can always be everything God wants us to be. We don't have to wait on anyone else or on circumstances. We can choose always to be "an industrious and reliable servant" and to do a job "well done" (Mt 25:21).
If God calls us to a task, He provides the grace to perform the task. Because of challenging Scriptures like these, we may be tempted to "fear" to succeed in God's work since He has made it clear that success leads to even greater responsibilities (Mt 25:21). This "fear is useless. What is needed is trust" (Mk 5:36). Jesus makes it absolutely clear that greater responsibilities are first accompanied by greater grace (e.g. Mt 25:29). The Lord never sends anyone out without first empowering and equipping them for His service.
"One who has no love for the brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. The commandment we have from Him is this: whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 Jn 4:20-21). Therefore, love your brothers and sisters. The Lord expects us to be good managers of the lives, time, talents, opportunities, finances, possessions, and resources He has given us. May you each hear Jesus call to you: "Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your Master's joy!" (Mt 25:21)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Carpe Diem!
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." – Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Mt 25,1-13):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
"Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
"Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out."
But the wise ones replied,
"No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves."
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
"Lord, Lord, open the door for us!"
But he said in reply,
"Amen, I say to you, I do not know you."
Some things cannot be shared, no matter how much we might wish to share them. If a man has worked for years to reach peak physical condition, he cannot bestow his strength and endurance on someone else who asks for it. He can share his exercise regimen and dietary plan with another, but he cannot pass on his discipline and commitment to get in shape. That prime physical condition can only be attained through time and effort.
Jesus refers to this situation in the parable of the ten virgins. The wise virgins used their time to grow in faith and develop their spiritual gifts. They were "set aflame and burning bright" (Jn 5:35). The foolish ones squandered their time and did not mature sufficiently to keep their flame of faith burning brightly.
You must develop your own relationship with Jesus. You must cultivate it through an investment in daily prayer, Bible study, weekly Mass attendance, regular participation in the sacrament of Confession, praying the Rosary daily, etc. If you haven't developed your relationship with Jesus, start today. "Now is the acceptable time" (2 Cor 6:2). Jesus never rejects anyone who comes to Him (Jn 6:37).
Let us not wait for a “tomorrow” —that may never come. We must live every second of our life with all the passion a Christian must feel for his Lord. It is a well-known saying but we might as well refresh our memory: «Live every day of your life as if it is your first, as if it is your only available day, as if it is your last day».
Seek Jesus daily in sincerity of heart. He will give you a solid faith that won't burn out if you ask for it.
Gospel text (Mt 25,1-13):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
"Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
"Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out."
But the wise ones replied,
"No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves."
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
"Lord, Lord, open the door for us!"
But he said in reply,
"Amen, I say to you, I do not know you."
Some things cannot be shared, no matter how much we might wish to share them. If a man has worked for years to reach peak physical condition, he cannot bestow his strength and endurance on someone else who asks for it. He can share his exercise regimen and dietary plan with another, but he cannot pass on his discipline and commitment to get in shape. That prime physical condition can only be attained through time and effort.
Jesus refers to this situation in the parable of the ten virgins. The wise virgins used their time to grow in faith and develop their spiritual gifts. They were "set aflame and burning bright" (Jn 5:35). The foolish ones squandered their time and did not mature sufficiently to keep their flame of faith burning brightly.
You must develop your own relationship with Jesus. You must cultivate it through an investment in daily prayer, Bible study, weekly Mass attendance, regular participation in the sacrament of Confession, praying the Rosary daily, etc. If you haven't developed your relationship with Jesus, start today. "Now is the acceptable time" (2 Cor 6:2). Jesus never rejects anyone who comes to Him (Jn 6:37).
Let us not wait for a “tomorrow” —that may never come. We must live every second of our life with all the passion a Christian must feel for his Lord. It is a well-known saying but we might as well refresh our memory: «Live every day of your life as if it is your first, as if it is your only available day, as if it is your last day».
Seek Jesus daily in sincerity of heart. He will give you a solid faith that won't burn out if you ask for it.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
“The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before.”
"The present moment is ours." — Saint Faustina
Gospel text (Mt 24,42-51):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,
whom the master has put in charge of his household
to distribute to them their food at the proper time"
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.
Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is long delayed,'
and begins to beat his fellow servants,
and eat and drink with drunkards,
the servant's master will come on an unexpected day
and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely
and assign him a place with the hypocrites,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."
How years go by! Months are reduced to weeks, weeks to days, days to hours, hours to seconds...» (St. Francis de Sales). Every day, every hour, every instant in our life, the Lord is close to us. Through internal inspirations, through the persons around us, through the events that are happening and, as the Apocalypse says: «Behold, I am standing at the door, and I am knocking: if any one hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me» (Rev 3:20).
Do the job at hand, don’t look too far down the road, don’t get too distracted by extraneous thoughts or temptations. When you are hoeing a field, or picking fruit, or re-building an engine, or painting a house, you know what the end should be, but if you don’t concentrate on the details, the steps to get there, you will not end up where you thought you would.
So too with the end days, whether it be of our personal lives or the world itself. Those events will happen. We know that as a fact. But if we lose sight of the details, the journey, the how we pick the fruit today, or apply the paint, we won’t end up where we planned, but somewhere else.
Gospel text (Mt 24,42-51):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,
whom the master has put in charge of his household
to distribute to them their food at the proper time"
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.
Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is long delayed,'
and begins to beat his fellow servants,
and eat and drink with drunkards,
the servant's master will come on an unexpected day
and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely
and assign him a place with the hypocrites,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."
How years go by! Months are reduced to weeks, weeks to days, days to hours, hours to seconds...» (St. Francis de Sales). Every day, every hour, every instant in our life, the Lord is close to us. Through internal inspirations, through the persons around us, through the events that are happening and, as the Apocalypse says: «Behold, I am standing at the door, and I am knocking: if any one hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me» (Rev 3:20).
Do the job at hand, don’t look too far down the road, don’t get too distracted by extraneous thoughts or temptations. When you are hoeing a field, or picking fruit, or re-building an engine, or painting a house, you know what the end should be, but if you don’t concentrate on the details, the steps to get there, you will not end up where you thought you would.
So too with the end days, whether it be of our personal lives or the world itself. Those events will happen. We know that as a fact. But if we lose sight of the details, the journey, the how we pick the fruit today, or apply the paint, we won’t end up where we planned, but somewhere else.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Hope never abandons you, you abandon it
“A Desire becomes a Hope when we discover a reason for its expectation, and there is no better reason to expect something than a promise given in the Word of God.”
Gospel text (Jn 1,45-51):Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Bartholomew's (Nathanael's) first statement as recorded in the Bible is the bigoted comment: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46) Jesus took this bigot, transformed him into an apostle, and wrote his name on a foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rv 21:14).
"You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tm 1:15). Jesus takes extreme cases (1 Tm 1:16) to prove He can change even the hardest heart. He can change abortionists, death-row prisoners, terrorists, rapists, me, and you.
We shouldn't give up on anyone. Our stubbornness does not cancel out God's power; rather, His power overshadows all opposition. Jesus has changed the hearts of well over a billion people. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), His blood has paid the price, and the hardest heart is about to repent.
Do you believe this?
Gospel text (Jn 1,45-51):Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Bartholomew's (Nathanael's) first statement as recorded in the Bible is the bigoted comment: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46) Jesus took this bigot, transformed him into an apostle, and wrote his name on a foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rv 21:14).
"You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tm 1:15). Jesus takes extreme cases (1 Tm 1:16) to prove He can change even the hardest heart. He can change abortionists, death-row prisoners, terrorists, rapists, me, and you.
We shouldn't give up on anyone. Our stubbornness does not cancel out God's power; rather, His power overshadows all opposition. Jesus has changed the hearts of well over a billion people. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), His blood has paid the price, and the hardest heart is about to repent.
Do you believe this?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
As the hand held before the eye conceals the greatest mountain, so the little earthly life hides from the glance the enormous lights and mysteries of which the world is full, and he who can draw his hand away from before his eyes beholds the great shining of the spiritual life.
Gospel text (Mt 23,23-26): Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
Today's Gospel represents an invitation for those persons, the most outstanding groups of the Christian communities, that is, their guides, to appraise their conscience. Do we respect fundamental values? Do we value norms more than people? Do we impose upon others what we cannot do, ourselves? Do we speak from the complacency of our own ideas or from our humility of heart?
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more interested in exterior than interior cleanness. Likewise, today we are more interested in baths, showers, dry cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines, mouthwashes, shampoos, toothpastes, dental floss, disinfectants, clean air, clean water, working out in the gym, etc. than we are interested in the interior cleaning from our sins by means of repentance, Confession, prayer, and penance. We have things backwards, for interior cleanness is much more important than exterior cleanness. Without interior cleanness, we will lose perspective on reality (Mt 23:23-24) and gradually go spiritually blind (see 2 Cor 4:4).
The Pharisees have long been gone, but many still swallow camels today. You may be a modern-day Pharisee if:
You lead the fight to have kneelers in your church but continue to vote for pro-abortion politicians.
You often hint that you want your spouse to lose weight but neglect for months at a time to say "I love you."
You pray the Our Father for God's will to be done in your life (Mt 6:10) but use artificial birth control or sterilization so that He can't do His will in your life.
You are more interested in watching mindless TV programs than on praying to God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world.
You are more concerned about the few years of your retirement but not so much about the countless years after your death.
If we concentrate hard enough on the gnats, sometimes when we swallow, the camel goes down our throats so easily we don't even notice that we've swallowed it. "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12). Therefore, let us cry to the Holy Spirit and ask for His mercy so that we will not lose perspective, lose touch with reality.
The Lord has provided for us "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Go to Confession regularly (once a month is a good practice): "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12). "Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (51:4).
Amen!
Gospel text (Mt 23,23-26): Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
Today's Gospel represents an invitation for those persons, the most outstanding groups of the Christian communities, that is, their guides, to appraise their conscience. Do we respect fundamental values? Do we value norms more than people? Do we impose upon others what we cannot do, ourselves? Do we speak from the complacency of our own ideas or from our humility of heart?
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more interested in exterior than interior cleanness. Likewise, today we are more interested in baths, showers, dry cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines, mouthwashes, shampoos, toothpastes, dental floss, disinfectants, clean air, clean water, working out in the gym, etc. than we are interested in the interior cleaning from our sins by means of repentance, Confession, prayer, and penance. We have things backwards, for interior cleanness is much more important than exterior cleanness. Without interior cleanness, we will lose perspective on reality (Mt 23:23-24) and gradually go spiritually blind (see 2 Cor 4:4).
The Pharisees have long been gone, but many still swallow camels today. You may be a modern-day Pharisee if:
You lead the fight to have kneelers in your church but continue to vote for pro-abortion politicians.
You often hint that you want your spouse to lose weight but neglect for months at a time to say "I love you."
You pray the Our Father for God's will to be done in your life (Mt 6:10) but use artificial birth control or sterilization so that He can't do His will in your life.
You are more interested in watching mindless TV programs than on praying to God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world.
You are more concerned about the few years of your retirement but not so much about the countless years after your death.
If we concentrate hard enough on the gnats, sometimes when we swallow, the camel goes down our throats so easily we don't even notice that we've swallowed it. "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12). Therefore, let us cry to the Holy Spirit and ask for His mercy so that we will not lose perspective, lose touch with reality.
The Lord has provided for us "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Go to Confession regularly (once a month is a good practice): "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12). "Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (51:4).
Amen!
“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
As the hand held before the eye conceals the greatest mountain, so the little earthly life hides from the glance the enormous lights and mysteries of which the world is full, and he who can draw his hand away from before his eyes beholds the great shining of the spiritual life.
Gospel text (Mt 23,23-26): Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
Today's Gospel represents an invitation for those persons, the most outstanding groups of the Christian communities, that is, their guides, to appraise their conscience. Do we respect fundamental values? Do we value norms more than people? Do we impose upon others what we cannot do, ourselves? Do we speak from the complacency of our own ideas or from our humility of heart?
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more interested in exterior than interior cleanness. Likewise, today we are more interested in baths, showers, dry cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines, mouthwashes, shampoos, toothpastes, dental floss, disinfectants, clean air, clean water, working out in the gym, etc. than we are interested in the interior cleaning from our sins by means of repentance, Confession, prayer, and penance. We have things backwards, for interior cleanness is much more important than exterior cleanness. Without interior cleanness, we will lose perspective on reality (Mt 23:23-24) and gradually go spiritually blind (see 2 Cor 4:4).
The Pharisees have long been gone, but many still swallow camels today. You may be a modern-day Pharisee if:
You lead the fight to have kneelers in your church but continue to vote for pro-abortion politicians.
You often hint that you want your spouse to lose weight but neglect for months at a time to say "I love you."
You pray the Our Father for God's will to be done in your life (Mt 6:10) but use artificial birth control or sterilization so that He can't do His will in your life.
You are more interested in watching mindless TV programs than on praying to God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world.
You are more concerned about the few years of our retirement but not so much about the countless years after our deaths.
If we concentrate hard enough on the gnats, sometimes when we swallow, the camel goes down our throats so easily we don't even notice that we've swallowed it. "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12). Therefore, let us cry to the Holy Spirit and ask for His mercy so that we will not lose perspective, lose touch with reality.
The Lord has provided for us "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Go to Confession regularly (once a month is a good practice): "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12). "Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (51:4).
Amen!
Gospel text (Mt 23,23-26): Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
Today's Gospel represents an invitation for those persons, the most outstanding groups of the Christian communities, that is, their guides, to appraise their conscience. Do we respect fundamental values? Do we value norms more than people? Do we impose upon others what we cannot do, ourselves? Do we speak from the complacency of our own ideas or from our humility of heart?
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more interested in exterior than interior cleanness. Likewise, today we are more interested in baths, showers, dry cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines, mouthwashes, shampoos, toothpastes, dental floss, disinfectants, clean air, clean water, working out in the gym, etc. than we are interested in the interior cleaning from our sins by means of repentance, Confession, prayer, and penance. We have things backwards, for interior cleanness is much more important than exterior cleanness. Without interior cleanness, we will lose perspective on reality (Mt 23:23-24) and gradually go spiritually blind (see 2 Cor 4:4).
The Pharisees have long been gone, but many still swallow camels today. You may be a modern-day Pharisee if:
You lead the fight to have kneelers in your church but continue to vote for pro-abortion politicians.
You often hint that you want your spouse to lose weight but neglect for months at a time to say "I love you."
You pray the Our Father for God's will to be done in your life (Mt 6:10) but use artificial birth control or sterilization so that He can't do His will in your life.
You are more interested in watching mindless TV programs than on praying to God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world.
You are more concerned about the few years of our retirement but not so much about the countless years after our deaths.
If we concentrate hard enough on the gnats, sometimes when we swallow, the camel goes down our throats so easily we don't even notice that we've swallowed it. "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12). Therefore, let us cry to the Holy Spirit and ask for His mercy so that we will not lose perspective, lose touch with reality.
The Lord has provided for us "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Go to Confession regularly (once a month is a good practice): "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12). "Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (51:4).
Amen!
Monday, August 22, 2011
“Rules make the learner's path long, examples make it short and successful”
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means. - - Albert Einstein
Gospel text (Mt 23,13-22):
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
Today we celebrate one of the glorious mysteries of the rosary, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What a joy to have a mother in heaven that cares for us! What a blessing to realize that our mother is also the Queen Mother, the one who points all of her children to her Son, the King of heaven and earth, our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary is worthy of our honor and devotion. All generations have called her “Blessed” and rightly so
In the gospel, Jesus warns us to avoid a selfish attitude, in which we refuse to give God everything. For example, the religious people in Jesus' day speculated about which oaths they could get away with (Mt 23:16-19). Today, young people ask how far they can go sexually before they commit mortal sin. Catholics call the rectory and ask if a certain Mass "counts." Many Catholics come to church at the last minute and leave immediately after Communion. They rationalize this and many other things. These are all expressions of casuistry, which is a moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas.
Jesus did not begrudge us anything. He did not ask if just being scourged would "count" for our redemption. He did not try to shorten His time on the cross. He held nothing back. He emptied Himself (Phil 2:7) and gave us His all. If we give anything less than everything to the Lord, we turn others away from God, and worse than that, we refuse to love Jesus.
Let us look to the example our Blessed Mother gave us. How she completely surrendered to the Lord. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). It was Mary’s Fiat, her “yes”, that changed the world. Just think, Jesus is inviting us to say “yes” to him today.
What will your answer be?
Gospel text (Mt 23,13-22):
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
Today we celebrate one of the glorious mysteries of the rosary, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What a joy to have a mother in heaven that cares for us! What a blessing to realize that our mother is also the Queen Mother, the one who points all of her children to her Son, the King of heaven and earth, our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary is worthy of our honor and devotion. All generations have called her “Blessed” and rightly so
In the gospel, Jesus warns us to avoid a selfish attitude, in which we refuse to give God everything. For example, the religious people in Jesus' day speculated about which oaths they could get away with (Mt 23:16-19). Today, young people ask how far they can go sexually before they commit mortal sin. Catholics call the rectory and ask if a certain Mass "counts." Many Catholics come to church at the last minute and leave immediately after Communion. They rationalize this and many other things. These are all expressions of casuistry, which is a moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas.
Jesus did not begrudge us anything. He did not ask if just being scourged would "count" for our redemption. He did not try to shorten His time on the cross. He held nothing back. He emptied Himself (Phil 2:7) and gave us His all. If we give anything less than everything to the Lord, we turn others away from God, and worse than that, we refuse to love Jesus.
Let us look to the example our Blessed Mother gave us. How she completely surrendered to the Lord. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). It was Mary’s Fiat, her “yes”, that changed the world. Just think, Jesus is inviting us to say “yes” to him today.
What will your answer be?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
"VIVA IL PAPA!"
"A primacy is given to Peter and it is thus made clear that there is but one Church and one Chair." - St. Cyprian
Gospel text (Mt 16,13-20):
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
The crowds in Madrid for this World Youth Day were the largest of the six years of Pope Benedict XVI's service to the Church and the world into which she is sent to continue the redemptive mission of the Lord. Estimates (1 million young adults from all over the world at Sundays closing Mass) indicate that the turnout in Madrid exceeded the combined total of both Sydney and Cologne.
Pope Benedict XVI address the youth of the world in Madrid
Dear Young Friends,
I greet all of you, especially the young people who have asked me their questions, and I thank them for the sincerity with which they set forth their concerns, that express the longing which all of you have to achieve something great in life, something which can bring you fulfillment and happiness.
How can a young person be true to the faith and yet continue to aspire to high ideals in today's society? In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus gives us an answer to this urgent question: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love" (Jn 15:9).
Yes, dear friends, God loves us. This is the great truth of our life; it is what makes everything else meaningful. We are not the product of blind chance or absurdity; instead our life originates as part of a loving plan of God. To abide in his love, then, means living a life rooted in faith, since faith is more than the mere acceptance of certain abstract truths: it is an intimate relationship with Christ, who enables us to open our hearts to this mystery of love and to live as men and women conscious of being loved by God.
If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy. Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals. Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.
Nowadays, although the dominant culture of relativism all around us has given up on the search for truth, even if it is the highest aspiration of the human spirit, we need to speak with courage and humility of the universal significance of Christ as the Savior of humanity and the source of hope for our lives.
He, who took upon himself our afflictions, is well acquainted with the mystery of human suffering and manifests his loving presence in those who suffer. They in their turn, united to the passion of Christ, share closely in his work of redemption. Furthermore, our disinterested attention towards the sick and the forgotten will always be a humble and warm testimony of God's compassionate regard.
Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.
During this prayer vigil, I urge you to ask God to help you find your vocation in society and in the Church, and to persevere in that vocation with joy and fidelity. It is a good thing to open our hearts to Christ's call and to follow with courage and generosity the path he maps out for us.
The Lord calls many people to marriage, in which a man and a woman, in becoming one flesh (cf. Gen 2:24), find fulfillment in a profound life of communion. It is a prospect that is both bright and demanding. It is a project for true love which is daily renewed and deepened by sharing joys and sorrows, one marked by complete self-giving. For this reason, to acknowledge the beauty and goodness of marriage is to realize that only a setting of fidelity and indissolubility, along with openness to God's gift of life, is adequate to the grandeur and dignity of marital love.
Christ calls others to follow him more closely in the priesthood or in consecrated life. It is hard to put into words the happiness you feel when you know that Jesus seeks you, trusts in you, and with his unmistakable voice also says to you: "Follow me!" (cf. Mk 2:14).
Dear young people, if you wish to discover and to live faithfully the form of life to which the Lord is calling each of you, you must remain in his love as his friends. And how do we preserve friendship except through frequent contact, conversation, being together in good times and bad? Saint Teresa of Jesus used to say that prayer is just such "friendly contact, often spending time alone with the one who we know loves us" (cf. Autobiography, 8).
And so I now ask you to "abide" in the adoration of Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. I ask you to enter into conversation with him, to bring before him your questions and to listen to his voice. Dear friends, I pray for you with all my heart. And I ask you to pray for me. Tonight let us ask the Lord to grant that, attracted by the beauty of his love, we may always live faithfully as his disciples.
Amen.
Gospel text (Mt 16,13-20):
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
The crowds in Madrid for this World Youth Day were the largest of the six years of Pope Benedict XVI's service to the Church and the world into which she is sent to continue the redemptive mission of the Lord. Estimates (1 million young adults from all over the world at Sundays closing Mass) indicate that the turnout in Madrid exceeded the combined total of both Sydney and Cologne.
Pope Benedict XVI address the youth of the world in Madrid
Dear Young Friends,
I greet all of you, especially the young people who have asked me their questions, and I thank them for the sincerity with which they set forth their concerns, that express the longing which all of you have to achieve something great in life, something which can bring you fulfillment and happiness.
How can a young person be true to the faith and yet continue to aspire to high ideals in today's society? In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus gives us an answer to this urgent question: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love" (Jn 15:9).
Yes, dear friends, God loves us. This is the great truth of our life; it is what makes everything else meaningful. We are not the product of blind chance or absurdity; instead our life originates as part of a loving plan of God. To abide in his love, then, means living a life rooted in faith, since faith is more than the mere acceptance of certain abstract truths: it is an intimate relationship with Christ, who enables us to open our hearts to this mystery of love and to live as men and women conscious of being loved by God.
If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy. Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals. Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.
Nowadays, although the dominant culture of relativism all around us has given up on the search for truth, even if it is the highest aspiration of the human spirit, we need to speak with courage and humility of the universal significance of Christ as the Savior of humanity and the source of hope for our lives.
He, who took upon himself our afflictions, is well acquainted with the mystery of human suffering and manifests his loving presence in those who suffer. They in their turn, united to the passion of Christ, share closely in his work of redemption. Furthermore, our disinterested attention towards the sick and the forgotten will always be a humble and warm testimony of God's compassionate regard.
Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.
During this prayer vigil, I urge you to ask God to help you find your vocation in society and in the Church, and to persevere in that vocation with joy and fidelity. It is a good thing to open our hearts to Christ's call and to follow with courage and generosity the path he maps out for us.
The Lord calls many people to marriage, in which a man and a woman, in becoming one flesh (cf. Gen 2:24), find fulfillment in a profound life of communion. It is a prospect that is both bright and demanding. It is a project for true love which is daily renewed and deepened by sharing joys and sorrows, one marked by complete self-giving. For this reason, to acknowledge the beauty and goodness of marriage is to realize that only a setting of fidelity and indissolubility, along with openness to God's gift of life, is adequate to the grandeur and dignity of marital love.
Christ calls others to follow him more closely in the priesthood or in consecrated life. It is hard to put into words the happiness you feel when you know that Jesus seeks you, trusts in you, and with his unmistakable voice also says to you: "Follow me!" (cf. Mk 2:14).
Dear young people, if you wish to discover and to live faithfully the form of life to which the Lord is calling each of you, you must remain in his love as his friends. And how do we preserve friendship except through frequent contact, conversation, being together in good times and bad? Saint Teresa of Jesus used to say that prayer is just such "friendly contact, often spending time alone with the one who we know loves us" (cf. Autobiography, 8).
And so I now ask you to "abide" in the adoration of Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. I ask you to enter into conversation with him, to bring before him your questions and to listen to his voice. Dear friends, I pray for you with all my heart. And I ask you to pray for me. Tonight let us ask the Lord to grant that, attracted by the beauty of his love, we may always live faithfully as his disciples.
Amen.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.
Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. you only need a heart full of grace. a soul generated by love. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gospel text (Mt 23,1-12):
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Humility is not humiliation. True humility is not putting ourselves down but facing reality. The word "humility" derives from the root word meaning "earth." Humility is being "down-to-earth," realistic. Reality is that we are "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7). We cannot save ourselves, no matter how hard we try (Ps 49:8; Is 26:18). Reality is that we are utterly dependent on Jesus for life and eternal life. Reality is that we can trust our heavenly Father completely. He is perfectly faithful. Reality is that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. By faith, we can claim power from on high (Lk 24:49).
Therefore, humility is facing the reality that we can't control our own lives. We can be different from others, even vulnerable, because we have a Father. We can live simply because God will take care of us. We can live bold, free, and pure because we have a power within us that is from above us: the power of the Holy Spirit. Humility is living in the realities of holiness and simplicity
«For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?» (1Co 4:7).
Modern men are undergoing a regrettable amnesia: we live and behave as if we should have been the generators of life and creators of the world. John Paul II appeals to us to remember what we owe to God: «Man must honor his Creator by offering him, in praise and thanksgiving, whatever he has received from Him. Man cannot lose this sense of duty, which only he may recognize, amongst all other earthly realities».
Besides, thinking of the everlasting life, our cooperation —He will not do anything without our permission nor without our effort!— consists of not disturbing the Holy Spirit's labor: to let God do it!; for saintliness is not “manufactured” by us, but granted by him, who is Master, Father and Leader. In any case, if we do believe we are and possess something, let us hasten to put it at the service of our fellow men: «Let the greatest among you be the servant of all» (Mt 23:11).
Gospel text (Mt 23,1-12):
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Humility is not humiliation. True humility is not putting ourselves down but facing reality. The word "humility" derives from the root word meaning "earth." Humility is being "down-to-earth," realistic. Reality is that we are "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7). We cannot save ourselves, no matter how hard we try (Ps 49:8; Is 26:18). Reality is that we are utterly dependent on Jesus for life and eternal life. Reality is that we can trust our heavenly Father completely. He is perfectly faithful. Reality is that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. By faith, we can claim power from on high (Lk 24:49).
Therefore, humility is facing the reality that we can't control our own lives. We can be different from others, even vulnerable, because we have a Father. We can live simply because God will take care of us. We can live bold, free, and pure because we have a power within us that is from above us: the power of the Holy Spirit. Humility is living in the realities of holiness and simplicity
«For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?» (1Co 4:7).
Modern men are undergoing a regrettable amnesia: we live and behave as if we should have been the generators of life and creators of the world. John Paul II appeals to us to remember what we owe to God: «Man must honor his Creator by offering him, in praise and thanksgiving, whatever he has received from Him. Man cannot lose this sense of duty, which only he may recognize, amongst all other earthly realities».
Besides, thinking of the everlasting life, our cooperation —He will not do anything without our permission nor without our effort!— consists of not disturbing the Holy Spirit's labor: to let God do it!; for saintliness is not “manufactured” by us, but granted by him, who is Master, Father and Leader. In any case, if we do believe we are and possess something, let us hasten to put it at the service of our fellow men: «Let the greatest among you be the servant of all» (Mt 23:11).
Friday, August 19, 2011
“Action expresses priorities”
“Western civilization has not yet learned the lesson that the energy we expend in "getting things done" is less important than the moral strength it takes to decide what is worth doing and what is right to do.”
Gospel text (Mt 22,34-40):
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Today, a teacher of the law ask Jesus «Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law?» (Mt 22:36), the most important one is the first commandment. The answer, however, speaks of a first commandment and of a second commandment, which «is very similar to it» (Mt 22:39). Two inseparable rings, which are the very same thing. Inseparable, but a first one and a second one, a golden one and a silver one. The Lord takes us to the depths of Christian catecheses, because «the whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments» (Mt 22:40).
This could explain the classic commentary of the two wooden beams of the Lord's Cross: the upright beam stuck in the soil is the verticality, looking at heaven towards God. The crossbar represents the horizontality, the relations with our fellowmen. In this image there is also a first and a second. Horizontality would be at ground level if we should not have before stuck a vertical beam, so the more we desire to raise the level of our service to others —horizontality— the taller our love for God must go. Otherwise, dejection, fickleness, demanding compensations of any kind, will get easily hold of us. St. John of the Cross says: «The more a soul loves, the more perfect is in what it loves; this is why in this soul that is already perfect (Christ), is entirely love and all its actions are love».
The saints we know allow us to see how, in fact, their love for God is expressed in many different ways, and gives them a great amount of initiative when it comes to helping their fellowmen. Today, let us ask the Mother of God to fill us with the desire of surprising Our Lord with deeds and words of affection. Thus, our heart will be able to discover how to surprise with some nice little detail those who live and work next to us, and not only in their festivity, for that everybody knows how to do.
Surprise!: A practical way to think less about ourselves and more about others.
Gospel text (Mt 22,34-40):
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Today, a teacher of the law ask Jesus «Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law?» (Mt 22:36), the most important one is the first commandment. The answer, however, speaks of a first commandment and of a second commandment, which «is very similar to it» (Mt 22:39). Two inseparable rings, which are the very same thing. Inseparable, but a first one and a second one, a golden one and a silver one. The Lord takes us to the depths of Christian catecheses, because «the whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments» (Mt 22:40).
This could explain the classic commentary of the two wooden beams of the Lord's Cross: the upright beam stuck in the soil is the verticality, looking at heaven towards God. The crossbar represents the horizontality, the relations with our fellowmen. In this image there is also a first and a second. Horizontality would be at ground level if we should not have before stuck a vertical beam, so the more we desire to raise the level of our service to others —horizontality— the taller our love for God must go. Otherwise, dejection, fickleness, demanding compensations of any kind, will get easily hold of us. St. John of the Cross says: «The more a soul loves, the more perfect is in what it loves; this is why in this soul that is already perfect (Christ), is entirely love and all its actions are love».
The saints we know allow us to see how, in fact, their love for God is expressed in many different ways, and gives them a great amount of initiative when it comes to helping their fellowmen. Today, let us ask the Mother of God to fill us with the desire of surprising Our Lord with deeds and words of affection. Thus, our heart will be able to discover how to surprise with some nice little detail those who live and work next to us, and not only in their festivity, for that everybody knows how to do.
Surprise!: A practical way to think less about ourselves and more about others.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
"The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way."
“The end result of your life here on earth will always be the sum total of the choices you made while you were here.”
Gospel text (Mt 22,1-14):
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
The parable of the wedding feast is familiar to most of us, and the final line -"Many are invited, but few are chosen" - is probably one of the most quoted from the Bible.
But why are few chosen? After all, God's love is infinite and He wants to extend us mercy, even to the point of having sacrificed his Son in the name of our sins. Many times, I feel like the man at the wedding feast but not appropriately attired. In fact, I think most of us have some version of a dream where we are suddenly at some important event and we feel terribly out of place, not appropriately dressed or in some way embarrassed to be there.
Why is that we (or at least I) have this fear? I think the reason is that we know ourselves well enough to know how many sins we have committed and deep down we (or at least I) often feel unworthy. But I don't think that's what Jesus is trying to say in the parable. We are all in many senses unworthy, but we can make ourselves worthy by coming back to God and accepting his invitation.
As a child I used to dread the sacrament of Reconciliation. But as an adult, I have grown to love it. It's a chance to wash ourselves clean, to become worthy and not be the man at the wedding feast who is inappropriately attired.
Gospel text (Mt 22,1-14):
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
The parable of the wedding feast is familiar to most of us, and the final line -"Many are invited, but few are chosen" - is probably one of the most quoted from the Bible.
But why are few chosen? After all, God's love is infinite and He wants to extend us mercy, even to the point of having sacrificed his Son in the name of our sins. Many times, I feel like the man at the wedding feast but not appropriately attired. In fact, I think most of us have some version of a dream where we are suddenly at some important event and we feel terribly out of place, not appropriately dressed or in some way embarrassed to be there.
Why is that we (or at least I) have this fear? I think the reason is that we know ourselves well enough to know how many sins we have committed and deep down we (or at least I) often feel unworthy. But I don't think that's what Jesus is trying to say in the parable. We are all in many senses unworthy, but we can make ourselves worthy by coming back to God and accepting his invitation.
As a child I used to dread the sacrament of Reconciliation. But as an adult, I have grown to love it. It's a chance to wash ourselves clean, to become worthy and not be the man at the wedding feast who is inappropriately attired.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.”
You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing. Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me. Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little child, you receive me. – Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Mt 20,1-16):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
he found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Today, God's Word invites us to realize that divine “logic” goes beyond merely human logic. While we, men, calculate («they thought they would receive more»: Mt 20:10), God —who is a dear Father too—, simply loves («Why are you envious when I am kind?»: Mt 20:15). And the measure of love is to have no measure: «I love because I love, I love to love» (St. Bernard).
However, this does not mean justice is pointless: «I will pay you what is just» (Mt 20:4). God is not arbitrary and He wants to treat us as intelligent sons: it is, therefore, logical that He makes “deals” with us. In fact, some other times, the Lord's teachings clearly state that who has received more will also be demanded more (let us remember the Parable of the Talents). In short, God is just, but charity does not conflict with justice; it rather goes beyond (cf. 1Cor 13:5).
A popular saying asserts that «justice per se is the worst injustice». Luckily for us, God's justice —let us repeat it again— exceeds our schemes. If it would be a matter of mere and strict justice, we would still be pending of redemption. What is even more, we would not have any hope of redemption. In strict justice, we should not deserve any redemption: we would simply remain disowned of what we were given in the moment of Creation and we rejected with the original sin. So, when we have to deal with others let us examine ourselves, to find out how are we doing regarding judgments, comparisons and estimations.
Furthermore, if we are talking about saintliness, we have to start from the basis that all is grace. The most evident sample is the case of Dimas, the good thief. Not only, the possibility of being deserving before God is also a grace (something that is freely given to us). God is the master, our «landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard» (Mt 20:1). The vineyard (that is, life, heaven...) is his; we are just invited there and not just in any way: it is a privilege to be able to work there and be eventually “rewarded” with heaven.
Gospel text (Mt 20,1-16):
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
he found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Today, God's Word invites us to realize that divine “logic” goes beyond merely human logic. While we, men, calculate («they thought they would receive more»: Mt 20:10), God —who is a dear Father too—, simply loves («Why are you envious when I am kind?»: Mt 20:15). And the measure of love is to have no measure: «I love because I love, I love to love» (St. Bernard).
However, this does not mean justice is pointless: «I will pay you what is just» (Mt 20:4). God is not arbitrary and He wants to treat us as intelligent sons: it is, therefore, logical that He makes “deals” with us. In fact, some other times, the Lord's teachings clearly state that who has received more will also be demanded more (let us remember the Parable of the Talents). In short, God is just, but charity does not conflict with justice; it rather goes beyond (cf. 1Cor 13:5).
A popular saying asserts that «justice per se is the worst injustice». Luckily for us, God's justice —let us repeat it again— exceeds our schemes. If it would be a matter of mere and strict justice, we would still be pending of redemption. What is even more, we would not have any hope of redemption. In strict justice, we should not deserve any redemption: we would simply remain disowned of what we were given in the moment of Creation and we rejected with the original sin. So, when we have to deal with others let us examine ourselves, to find out how are we doing regarding judgments, comparisons and estimations.
Furthermore, if we are talking about saintliness, we have to start from the basis that all is grace. The most evident sample is the case of Dimas, the good thief. Not only, the possibility of being deserving before God is also a grace (something that is freely given to us). God is the master, our «landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard» (Mt 20:1). The vineyard (that is, life, heaven...) is his; we are just invited there and not just in any way: it is a privilege to be able to work there and be eventually “rewarded” with heaven.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
“It is more difficult to fight poverty in a rich country than in a poor one.”
“Today it is fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them.” ~ Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Mt 19,23-30):
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
What's wrong with being rich? Experience shows us that the more we have, the more energy it takes to maintain the wealth we have. And, it inevitably happens that the more we have, the more we want. And, sadly, the more we have, the more it seems we think we deserve what we have. Of course, there are outstanding exceptions. There are wealthy people who are incredibly generous and who work hard for the benefit of others. Unfortunately, that isn't the way it always works.
I find myself most challenged by how Jesus asks us, later in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 25:41-46, to live. It is our mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless and care for the sick and imprisioned. That is how we will be judged. It is stunning to me sometimes to realize that much of what I think is important, much of what troubles me, much of what takes up so much of my time, has nothing to do with caring for "the least" of Jesus' brothers and sisters. Too often the "riches" of talents and energies and our place in the world so insulate us from the day to day life and struggle of the poor that we can be seduced into the path that leads to pride, rather than the holy and simplifying path that leads to humility.
There is an outstanding summary of Catholic Social Teaching for our day - well worth reading in its entirety, as a meditation, with amazing relevance for the challenges of today. It is the great economic pastoral, written by the U.S. Catholic Bishops 25 years ago this year.
Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986 http://www.osjspm.org/economic_justice_for_all.aspx
Lord, guide us, each in our own situation, to be freer to serve you and your people. With you, all things are possible, so we entrust ourselves and our world to your care today. You cannot have willed such a horrible gap between the very wealthy and the very poor. Your desire must be for the greater care and dignity of all your people, around the world. Help us to find a way for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. And, simplify my heart, so I can even experience some of the dishonor and humiliation that the poor so often experience, so that I may know the humility that will draw me to your own compassionate heart.
Gospel text (Mt 19,23-30):
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
What's wrong with being rich? Experience shows us that the more we have, the more energy it takes to maintain the wealth we have. And, it inevitably happens that the more we have, the more we want. And, sadly, the more we have, the more it seems we think we deserve what we have. Of course, there are outstanding exceptions. There are wealthy people who are incredibly generous and who work hard for the benefit of others. Unfortunately, that isn't the way it always works.
I find myself most challenged by how Jesus asks us, later in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 25:41-46, to live. It is our mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless and care for the sick and imprisioned. That is how we will be judged. It is stunning to me sometimes to realize that much of what I think is important, much of what troubles me, much of what takes up so much of my time, has nothing to do with caring for "the least" of Jesus' brothers and sisters. Too often the "riches" of talents and energies and our place in the world so insulate us from the day to day life and struggle of the poor that we can be seduced into the path that leads to pride, rather than the holy and simplifying path that leads to humility.
There is an outstanding summary of Catholic Social Teaching for our day - well worth reading in its entirety, as a meditation, with amazing relevance for the challenges of today. It is the great economic pastoral, written by the U.S. Catholic Bishops 25 years ago this year.
Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986 http://www.osjspm.org/economic_justice_for_all.aspx
Lord, guide us, each in our own situation, to be freer to serve you and your people. With you, all things are possible, so we entrust ourselves and our world to your care today. You cannot have willed such a horrible gap between the very wealthy and the very poor. Your desire must be for the greater care and dignity of all your people, around the world. Help us to find a way for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. And, simplify my heart, so I can even experience some of the dishonor and humiliation that the poor so often experience, so that I may know the humility that will draw me to your own compassionate heart.
Monday, August 15, 2011
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
"We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son."--Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
Solemnity of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel text (Lc 1,39-56):
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
In 1950, Pope Pius XII officially recognized the assumption of Mary into heaven as part of divine revelation. The Church had believed this for many centuries, but the Pope was led by the Spirit to make it official in order to give us hope. In 1950, the world was beginning to realize that no one had won World War II or any other war. Every nation had lost, some more than others. A terrifying sadness was gripping Europe and beyond. We needed a sign of hope, and Mary assumed into heaven was a sure sign of hope.
Our mother is a model of correspondence to grace. If we contemplate her life, our Lord will give us the light we need to divinize our everyday existence. Throughout the year when we celebrate feasts dedicated to Mary and frequently on other days, we Christians can think of the Virgin. If we take advantage of these moments, trying to imagine how she would conduct herself in our circumstances, we will make steady progress. And in the end we will resemble her, as children come to look like their mother.
First, let us imitate her love. Charity cannot be content with just nice feelings; it must find its way into our conversations and, above all, into our deeds. The Virgin did not merely pronounce her fiat; in every moment she fulfilled that firm and irrevocable decision. So should we. When God's love gets through to us and we come to know what he desires, we ought to commit ourselves to be faithful, loyal and then be so in fact. Because “not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21)
We must imitate her natural and supernatural refinement. She is a privileged creature in the history of salvation, for in Mary “the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.” (John 1:14). But she is a reserved, quiet witness. She never wished to be praised, for she never sought her own glory. Mary is present at the mysteries surrounding the infancy of her Son, but these are “normal” mysteries, so to speak. When the great miracles take place and the crowds acclaim them in amazement, she is nowhere to be found. In Jerusalem when Christ, riding a little donkey, is proclaimed king, we don't catch a glimpse of Mary. But after all have fled, she reappears next to the cross. This way of acting bespeaks personal greatness and depth, the sanctity of her soul.
Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the “freedom of the children of God.” (Cf Rom 8:21)
Ave Maria!!!
Solemnity of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel text (Lc 1,39-56):
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
In 1950, Pope Pius XII officially recognized the assumption of Mary into heaven as part of divine revelation. The Church had believed this for many centuries, but the Pope was led by the Spirit to make it official in order to give us hope. In 1950, the world was beginning to realize that no one had won World War II or any other war. Every nation had lost, some more than others. A terrifying sadness was gripping Europe and beyond. We needed a sign of hope, and Mary assumed into heaven was a sure sign of hope.
Our mother is a model of correspondence to grace. If we contemplate her life, our Lord will give us the light we need to divinize our everyday existence. Throughout the year when we celebrate feasts dedicated to Mary and frequently on other days, we Christians can think of the Virgin. If we take advantage of these moments, trying to imagine how she would conduct herself in our circumstances, we will make steady progress. And in the end we will resemble her, as children come to look like their mother.
First, let us imitate her love. Charity cannot be content with just nice feelings; it must find its way into our conversations and, above all, into our deeds. The Virgin did not merely pronounce her fiat; in every moment she fulfilled that firm and irrevocable decision. So should we. When God's love gets through to us and we come to know what he desires, we ought to commit ourselves to be faithful, loyal and then be so in fact. Because “not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21)
We must imitate her natural and supernatural refinement. She is a privileged creature in the history of salvation, for in Mary “the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.” (John 1:14). But she is a reserved, quiet witness. She never wished to be praised, for she never sought her own glory. Mary is present at the mysteries surrounding the infancy of her Son, but these are “normal” mysteries, so to speak. When the great miracles take place and the crowds acclaim them in amazement, she is nowhere to be found. In Jerusalem when Christ, riding a little donkey, is proclaimed king, we don't catch a glimpse of Mary. But after all have fled, she reappears next to the cross. This way of acting bespeaks personal greatness and depth, the sanctity of her soul.
Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the “freedom of the children of God.” (Cf Rom 8:21)
Ave Maria!!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Every branch in us that does not bear fruit, He takes away
A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. - St Basil
Gospel text (Jn 12,24-26): Amen, amen, I say to you, 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
Today, the Church, through the liturgy of the Eucharist celebrates the feast of St. Lawrence, the roman martyr. This famous martyr of Rome lived in the third century. He was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus II was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping. "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the pope. "In three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand. He even sold expensive church vessels to have more to give away.
The prefect of Rome, a greedy man, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. He showed them to the prefect and said: "This is the Church's treasure." The prefect was furious. In his anger he condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted him. God gave him so much strength and joy that Lawrence is said to have joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. Before he died, he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus. He prayed that the Catholic faith would spread all over the world.
Lawrence died on August 10, 158. His feast spread throughout Italy and northern Africa. Emperor Constantine built a beautiful basilica in Lawrence's honor. St. Lawrence is among the saints mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.
Reflection: Why are we tempted to sow sparingly, to keep everything for ourselves? Why don't we sow cheerfully? Joy is not based on what we have but on how unselfish we are (Phil 4:4-5). The hardest thing to give is "in". When we give to the Lord's kingdom, are we only giving out or are we giving in? Giving out means dispersing funds; giving in means surrendering our lives to God as we die to self.
Jesus made it very clear that we must deny our very selves if we are to follow Him (Lk 9:23). He said: "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24). Give as Jesus has given to you. Jesus commands us: "Give in" (Mt 3:15).
Gospel text (Jn 12,24-26): Amen, amen, I say to you, 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
Today, the Church, through the liturgy of the Eucharist celebrates the feast of St. Lawrence, the roman martyr. This famous martyr of Rome lived in the third century. He was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus II was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping. "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the pope. "In three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand. He even sold expensive church vessels to have more to give away.
The prefect of Rome, a greedy man, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. He showed them to the prefect and said: "This is the Church's treasure." The prefect was furious. In his anger he condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted him. God gave him so much strength and joy that Lawrence is said to have joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. Before he died, he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus. He prayed that the Catholic faith would spread all over the world.
Lawrence died on August 10, 158. His feast spread throughout Italy and northern Africa. Emperor Constantine built a beautiful basilica in Lawrence's honor. St. Lawrence is among the saints mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.
Reflection: Why are we tempted to sow sparingly, to keep everything for ourselves? Why don't we sow cheerfully? Joy is not based on what we have but on how unselfish we are (Phil 4:4-5). The hardest thing to give is "in". When we give to the Lord's kingdom, are we only giving out or are we giving in? Giving out means dispersing funds; giving in means surrendering our lives to God as we die to self.
Jesus made it very clear that we must deny our very selves if we are to follow Him (Lk 9:23). He said: "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24). Give as Jesus has given to you. Jesus commands us: "Give in" (Mt 3:15).
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
We'd like to be humble...but what if no one notices?
"The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it”. ---Saint Vincent de Paul
Gospel text (Mt 18,1-5.10.12-14):
The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
Today’s culture does not encourage reflection. Go, go, go! Every waking hour has to be filled. If the page does not come up in five seconds, click on to the next. I don’t have time to talk, so I’ll just text. The disciples are classic examples of this. They wanted to know how to be the greatest. No time to pray for guidance. Just give it to us. How many do we have to heal? Tell us in 20 words or less. Jesus, time and again, has to tell the disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place.
The Gospel also teaches us today another lesson. Would you leave ninety-nine pressing matters to go in search of a stray? Would you stop all church activities to reach out to the lost? Would you interrupt your schedule, work, and life to share your faith with someone fallen away? Jesus has a heart for the stray sheep. He cries when He sees them (Lk 19:41). He drops everything to seek them. His heart is moved with pity (Mt 9:36). There's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine others (Lk 15:7).
Do you have Christ's heart for the strays? How much do you care?
Picture a baby in a high chair. No matter what the parents do, the baby refuses to eat, shutting its mouth. That is the picture of many Christians today. We Christians are spiritually anorexic. We refuse to eat what God gives us because we are stuffed with the things the world has brainwashed us into eating (see Prv 13:19). The food of the "feel-good culture," materialism and consumerism, is much more appetizing to us than God's commands given to us out of His Fatherly love.
The answer to this spiritual anorexic state is simple:
"Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, purify your hearts. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and He will raise you on high" (Jas 4:8-10).
Gospel text (Mt 18,1-5.10.12-14):
The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
Today’s culture does not encourage reflection. Go, go, go! Every waking hour has to be filled. If the page does not come up in five seconds, click on to the next. I don’t have time to talk, so I’ll just text. The disciples are classic examples of this. They wanted to know how to be the greatest. No time to pray for guidance. Just give it to us. How many do we have to heal? Tell us in 20 words or less. Jesus, time and again, has to tell the disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place.
The Gospel also teaches us today another lesson. Would you leave ninety-nine pressing matters to go in search of a stray? Would you stop all church activities to reach out to the lost? Would you interrupt your schedule, work, and life to share your faith with someone fallen away? Jesus has a heart for the stray sheep. He cries when He sees them (Lk 19:41). He drops everything to seek them. His heart is moved with pity (Mt 9:36). There's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine others (Lk 15:7).
Do you have Christ's heart for the strays? How much do you care?
Picture a baby in a high chair. No matter what the parents do, the baby refuses to eat, shutting its mouth. That is the picture of many Christians today. We Christians are spiritually anorexic. We refuse to eat what God gives us because we are stuffed with the things the world has brainwashed us into eating (see Prv 13:19). The food of the "feel-good culture," materialism and consumerism, is much more appetizing to us than God's commands given to us out of His Fatherly love.
The answer to this spiritual anorexic state is simple:
"Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, purify your hearts. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and He will raise you on high" (Jas 4:8-10).
Monday, August 8, 2011
“All that I know of tomorrow is that Providence will rise before the sun.”
"Providence is wiser than you, and you may be confident it has suited all things better to your eternal good than you could do had you been left to your own option."
Gospel text (Mt 17,22-27):
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”
In today’s gospel, God is reminding the Israelites that everything they have actually belongs to God. The people have the use of them, but in the end they are God’s – “the heavens as well as the earth and everything on it”. Everything. That means not just our possessions, but our talents, our heritage, our opportunities – all lent to us – all gifts. Our task is to use it all as God would. The richness that we have been given is in one sense a test – but better understood, I think, as an opportunity – an opportunity to live out our vocation to share God’s goodness with everyone we encounter.
It really pinches though when God says “. . . befriend the alien . . . feeding and clothing them.” We have things the alien doesn’t. We have relative security, relative prosperity, relative safety, relatively greater opportunities. All of them gifts. Why should we have them and the alien not? Precisely so we can share – share, not jealously guard. Precisely so we can show, in concrete terms, God’s own incredible generosity. We share not because we’re generous, but because what we share was not really ours to begin with. How can the world know who God is if it doesn’t see Him acting in those who claim to believe in Him?
But what about illegal aliens? We have laws, laws that ought to be obeyed. Yes, but laws are human institutions, necessary for human societies to function in an orderly way, and proper respect for law is certainly a virtue. However, it was not God who declared who could immigrate and who could not. It was not God who set quotas. Necessary as regulations must be, they are not absolute. To make them so is to make an idol of law where it is instead a tool – a tool to be used wisely.
This interaction between God’s laws and human laws is tricky. There is no single right answer. All we can do is pray God to show us the way – that, and be willing to share our lives and “our” possessions always and everywhere.
Reflection: Our walk is often different than our talk. Could someone deduce from our actions that Jesus is Savior, Lord, and God? Do our actions speak louder than our words about Jesus? Give Him life-service, not lip-service (Mt 15:8).
Gospel text (Mt 17,22-27):
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”
In today’s gospel, God is reminding the Israelites that everything they have actually belongs to God. The people have the use of them, but in the end they are God’s – “the heavens as well as the earth and everything on it”. Everything. That means not just our possessions, but our talents, our heritage, our opportunities – all lent to us – all gifts. Our task is to use it all as God would. The richness that we have been given is in one sense a test – but better understood, I think, as an opportunity – an opportunity to live out our vocation to share God’s goodness with everyone we encounter.
It really pinches though when God says “. . . befriend the alien . . . feeding and clothing them.” We have things the alien doesn’t. We have relative security, relative prosperity, relative safety, relatively greater opportunities. All of them gifts. Why should we have them and the alien not? Precisely so we can share – share, not jealously guard. Precisely so we can show, in concrete terms, God’s own incredible generosity. We share not because we’re generous, but because what we share was not really ours to begin with. How can the world know who God is if it doesn’t see Him acting in those who claim to believe in Him?
But what about illegal aliens? We have laws, laws that ought to be obeyed. Yes, but laws are human institutions, necessary for human societies to function in an orderly way, and proper respect for law is certainly a virtue. However, it was not God who declared who could immigrate and who could not. It was not God who set quotas. Necessary as regulations must be, they are not absolute. To make them so is to make an idol of law where it is instead a tool – a tool to be used wisely.
This interaction between God’s laws and human laws is tricky. There is no single right answer. All we can do is pray God to show us the way – that, and be willing to share our lives and “our” possessions always and everywhere.
Reflection: Our walk is often different than our talk. Could someone deduce from our actions that Jesus is Savior, Lord, and God? Do our actions speak louder than our words about Jesus? Give Him life-service, not lip-service (Mt 15:8).
Sunday, August 7, 2011
THE LITTLE WAY
"We cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Mt 14,22-33):
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Today, Peter's experience reflects situations that, more often than not, we also eventually undergo. Who has never, ever felt, at least once, that the world was crumbling around and then decided to let it all go and surrender to despair?
No wonder the world doesn't pay much attention to the Lord. It merely reads the messages that our lifestyles often display: that we don't believe God is big enough to trust with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, and life (Lk 10:27). If we who belong to Him only regard God as worthy of a little bit of our lives, why should the worldly take Him seriously?
The good news is that God understands littleness. Jesus came to earth as a little child. He welcomed the little ones (Mt 18:2). The Lord spoke to Elijah through a "tiny" voice (1 Kgs 19:12). Jesus compared God's kingdom to the "smallest" mustard seed (Mt 13:31-32). Therefore, come to Jesus with the little strength you have (Jgs 6:14; Mt 11:28). If you must remain little, then follow St. Therese's little way, and become like a little child (Mt 18:3).
Trust God with all your life.
Gospel text (Mt 14,22-33):
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Today, Peter's experience reflects situations that, more often than not, we also eventually undergo. Who has never, ever felt, at least once, that the world was crumbling around and then decided to let it all go and surrender to despair?
No wonder the world doesn't pay much attention to the Lord. It merely reads the messages that our lifestyles often display: that we don't believe God is big enough to trust with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, and life (Lk 10:27). If we who belong to Him only regard God as worthy of a little bit of our lives, why should the worldly take Him seriously?
The good news is that God understands littleness. Jesus came to earth as a little child. He welcomed the little ones (Mt 18:2). The Lord spoke to Elijah through a "tiny" voice (1 Kgs 19:12). Jesus compared God's kingdom to the "smallest" mustard seed (Mt 13:31-32). Therefore, come to Jesus with the little strength you have (Jgs 6:14; Mt 11:28). If you must remain little, then follow St. Therese's little way, and become like a little child (Mt 18:3).
Trust God with all your life.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
"Analysis does not transform consciousness."
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend. - Martin Luther King Jr.
Gospel text (Mt 17,1-9): August 6th: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
If anyone had his life transformed by meeting Jesus, it was surely St. Peter, who left his fishing boat and nets to follow a prophet who offered to make him a fisher of men. Today I’m drawn to Peter’s role in the Transfiguration because I see him as our surrogate witness at the event.
Here was a guy that those of us with blue-collar backgrounds can relate to – tough, practical, and no-nonsense like the people we grew up with. Peter was no mystic but a man like my dad who never went to work in the morning without making his own lunch.
Of COURSE Peter’s first thought on seeing Jesus, Moses and Elijah together was to offer to build three tents. What else would be more USEFUL? He was probably already looking around to see what he could find to work with when God interrupted to say: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Years later as Peter was dictating his letter (since I doubt he could write), he must have been thinking of the Transfiguration when he told the early Christians that “we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it.” Peter could state that Jesus’ message was “altogether reliable” because he had BEEN at the Transfiguration, had heard the voice of God and had seen what happened with his own two skeptical eyes. This was no myth that he had picked up from some otherworldly dreamer and Peter knew that his audience knew this. In today’s lingo, he had street credit.
I find myself focusing on Peter for a more theological reason as well. While meditating on the Transfiguration, I read that Jesus’ revelation of his divinity to his lower class disciples symbolizes that He came for common people. It touches me that at one of the sublime moments in the New Testament, we were represented not by a big wig from the Temple but by a man who reminds me a lot of my father, the barber from Bellville, New Jersey.
Gospel text (Mt 17,1-9): August 6th: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
If anyone had his life transformed by meeting Jesus, it was surely St. Peter, who left his fishing boat and nets to follow a prophet who offered to make him a fisher of men. Today I’m drawn to Peter’s role in the Transfiguration because I see him as our surrogate witness at the event.
Here was a guy that those of us with blue-collar backgrounds can relate to – tough, practical, and no-nonsense like the people we grew up with. Peter was no mystic but a man like my dad who never went to work in the morning without making his own lunch.
Of COURSE Peter’s first thought on seeing Jesus, Moses and Elijah together was to offer to build three tents. What else would be more USEFUL? He was probably already looking around to see what he could find to work with when God interrupted to say: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Years later as Peter was dictating his letter (since I doubt he could write), he must have been thinking of the Transfiguration when he told the early Christians that “we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it.” Peter could state that Jesus’ message was “altogether reliable” because he had BEEN at the Transfiguration, had heard the voice of God and had seen what happened with his own two skeptical eyes. This was no myth that he had picked up from some otherworldly dreamer and Peter knew that his audience knew this. In today’s lingo, he had street credit.
I find myself focusing on Peter for a more theological reason as well. While meditating on the Transfiguration, I read that Jesus’ revelation of his divinity to his lower class disciples symbolizes that He came for common people. It touches me that at one of the sublime moments in the New Testament, we were represented not by a big wig from the Temple but by a man who reminds me a lot of my father, the barber from Bellville, New Jersey.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Something happens whenever you sacrifice
“How does one become a butterfly?" she asked. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”
Gospel text (Mt 16,24-28):
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Today, the Gospel clearly confronts us. It is absolutely radical in its approach, and it does not admit any half measures: «If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me» (Mt 16:24).
Before loading our backs with “the cross”, the first thing we must do is to follow Christ. It is not a matter of first suffering and then following Christ... Christ must be followed from our Love, and from there we can then understand the sacrifice, the personal negation: «For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it» (Mt 16:25). Love and mercy may lead us to sacrifice. Any true love engenders, one way or another, some sort of sacrifice, but not all sacrifice engenders love. God is not sacrifice; God is love, and only from that perspective pain, fatigue and the cross in our existence, have any meaning, following the model of man the Father reveals us in Christ. St. Augustine said it beautifully: «When one loves, one does not suffer; but if one does suffer, the very suffering is loved».
When I was a boy, my friends and I often played a winter game in the snow. The leader would walk across a snowy field. The rest of us had to place our feet exactly into the leader's footprints without disturbing any of the surrounding snow. The one who followed the footprints most exactly was the winner.
Discipleship is much like that game. We are called to "follow in" Jesus' "footsteps" as precisely as possible (Mt 16:24). We go where Jesus goes and do what He does. Jesus goes to Calvary and His steps lead to the cross; we "take up" our cross (Mt 16:24) and go there too. Jesus denies Himself and washes the feet of those who will betray and abandon Him (Jn 13:4ff); likewise, we deny ourselves (Mt 16:24) and forgive and serve those who hurt us. Jesus prays long into the night (Mk 6:46ff); we are challenged to do that too.
A funny thing about that childhood game: when I followed the steps of the leader exactly, my feet didn't get cold because the leader had packed down the snow. If I messed up my steps, I got snow down my boots and I had cold feet. Discipleship is like that also. We only get "cold feet" about following Jesus when we get out of step in following Him. If we follow directly in His steps, we are protected and strengthened for that next step of discipleship.
In the ensuing events of our life, we are not to seek a divine origin to explain our sacrifices and shortcomings: «Why is God sending this to me?», but we rather have to find a “divine usage” for them: «How can I transform this into an act of faith and love?». It is from this evaluation how we are to follow Christ and how —certainly— we may acquire the Father’s merciful glance. The same glance which the Father looked at his Son on the Cross, with.
"Follow in My footsteps" (Mt 16:24).
Gospel text (Mt 16,24-28):
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Today, the Gospel clearly confronts us. It is absolutely radical in its approach, and it does not admit any half measures: «If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me» (Mt 16:24).
Before loading our backs with “the cross”, the first thing we must do is to follow Christ. It is not a matter of first suffering and then following Christ... Christ must be followed from our Love, and from there we can then understand the sacrifice, the personal negation: «For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it» (Mt 16:25). Love and mercy may lead us to sacrifice. Any true love engenders, one way or another, some sort of sacrifice, but not all sacrifice engenders love. God is not sacrifice; God is love, and only from that perspective pain, fatigue and the cross in our existence, have any meaning, following the model of man the Father reveals us in Christ. St. Augustine said it beautifully: «When one loves, one does not suffer; but if one does suffer, the very suffering is loved».
When I was a boy, my friends and I often played a winter game in the snow. The leader would walk across a snowy field. The rest of us had to place our feet exactly into the leader's footprints without disturbing any of the surrounding snow. The one who followed the footprints most exactly was the winner.
Discipleship is much like that game. We are called to "follow in" Jesus' "footsteps" as precisely as possible (Mt 16:24). We go where Jesus goes and do what He does. Jesus goes to Calvary and His steps lead to the cross; we "take up" our cross (Mt 16:24) and go there too. Jesus denies Himself and washes the feet of those who will betray and abandon Him (Jn 13:4ff); likewise, we deny ourselves (Mt 16:24) and forgive and serve those who hurt us. Jesus prays long into the night (Mk 6:46ff); we are challenged to do that too.
A funny thing about that childhood game: when I followed the steps of the leader exactly, my feet didn't get cold because the leader had packed down the snow. If I messed up my steps, I got snow down my boots and I had cold feet. Discipleship is like that also. We only get "cold feet" about following Jesus when we get out of step in following Him. If we follow directly in His steps, we are protected and strengthened for that next step of discipleship.
In the ensuing events of our life, we are not to seek a divine origin to explain our sacrifices and shortcomings: «Why is God sending this to me?», but we rather have to find a “divine usage” for them: «How can I transform this into an act of faith and love?». It is from this evaluation how we are to follow Christ and how —certainly— we may acquire the Father’s merciful glance. The same glance which the Father looked at his Son on the Cross, with.
"Follow in My footsteps" (Mt 16:24).
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Who do you say that Jesus is?
"Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus Christ claimed to be the true and living God. Buddha simply said, "I am a teacher in search of the truth." Jesus said, "I am the Truth." Confucius said, "I never claimed to be holy." Jesus said, "Who convicts me of sin?" Mohammed said, "Unless God throws his cloak of mercy over me, I have no hope." Jesus said, "Unless you believe in me, you will die in your sins." --Unknown
Gospel text (Mt 16,13-23):
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
and he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Today in the gospel, Jesus asks his disciples a question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
It reminded me of a reflection Mother Teresa wrote when meditating on the same question:
Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.
Jesus is the Sacrifice offered at the Holy Mass
For the sins of the world and mine.
Jesus is the Word – to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth – to be told.
Jesus is the Way – to be walked.
Jesus is the Light – to be lit.
Jesus is the Life – to be lived.
Jesus is the Love – to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy – to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice – to be offered.
Jesus is the Peace – to be given.
Jesus is the Bread of Life – to be eaten.
Jesus is the Hungry – to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty – to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked – to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless – to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick – to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely – to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted – to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper – to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar – to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard – to listen to him.
Jesus is the Retarded – to protect him.
Jesus is the Little One – to embrace him.
Jesus is the Blind – to lead him.
Jesus is the Dumb – to speak for him.
Jesus is the Crippled – to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug addict – to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute – to remove from danger and befriend.
Jesus is the Prisoner – to be visited.
Jesus is the Old – to be served.
To me –
Jesus is my God.
Jesus is my Spouse.
Jesus is my Life.
Jesus is my only Love.
Jesus is my All in All.
Jesus is my Everything.
Jesus, I love with my whole heart, with my whole being. I have given Him all, even my sins, and he has espoused me to Himself in tenderness and love. Now and for life I am the spouse of my Crucified Spouse. Amen.
So I will ask the question again - Who do you say that Jesus is? I mean really, truly and personally.
Gospel text (Mt 16,13-23):
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
and he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Today in the gospel, Jesus asks his disciples a question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
It reminded me of a reflection Mother Teresa wrote when meditating on the same question:
Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.
Jesus is the Sacrifice offered at the Holy Mass
For the sins of the world and mine.
Jesus is the Word – to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth – to be told.
Jesus is the Way – to be walked.
Jesus is the Light – to be lit.
Jesus is the Life – to be lived.
Jesus is the Love – to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy – to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice – to be offered.
Jesus is the Peace – to be given.
Jesus is the Bread of Life – to be eaten.
Jesus is the Hungry – to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty – to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked – to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless – to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick – to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely – to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted – to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper – to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar – to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard – to listen to him.
Jesus is the Retarded – to protect him.
Jesus is the Little One – to embrace him.
Jesus is the Blind – to lead him.
Jesus is the Dumb – to speak for him.
Jesus is the Crippled – to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug addict – to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute – to remove from danger and befriend.
Jesus is the Prisoner – to be visited.
Jesus is the Old – to be served.
To me –
Jesus is my God.
Jesus is my Spouse.
Jesus is my Life.
Jesus is my only Love.
Jesus is my All in All.
Jesus is my Everything.
Jesus, I love with my whole heart, with my whole being. I have given Him all, even my sins, and he has espoused me to Himself in tenderness and love. Now and for life I am the spouse of my Crucified Spouse. Amen.
So I will ask the question again - Who do you say that Jesus is? I mean really, truly and personally.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
"The great act of faith is when a man decides he is not God."
You must be strong, dear brothers and sisters. You must be strong with the strength that comes from faith. ~Bl. Pope John Paul II
Gospel text (Mt 15,21-28):
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her.
His disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.
The Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus: " 'Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is terribly troubled by a demon.' He gave her no word of response" (Mt 15:22-23). She kept shouting. Jesus replied, "My mission is only to lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 15:24). She pleaded, "Help me, Lord!" (Mt 15:25) Jesus answered: "It is not right to take the food of sons and daughters and throw it to the dogs" (Mt 15:26). She insisted (Mt 15:27). Her wish came to pass; "that very moment her daughter got better" (Mt 15:28). Why did her daughter get better? Her daughter was delivered not because of the mother's persistence or persuasiveness but because of the woman's great faith (Mt 15:28).
This woman heard only what must have seemed like discouraging words from Jesus rather than great promises. She believed in Jesus anyway, because she had heard of His great works (Jn 14:11). Like the man born blind, she must have intuitively known that no one could do such healing works if God was not with Him (Jn 9:33). She knew that what Jesus was saying had to be outweighed by His power, and that His compassion was evident in His works. So she persevered in imploring Jesus for her request, believing in Jesus' ultimate power, refusing to be discouraged by what she saw and heard in the present moment.
To whom do you listen? We hear many negative, discouraging voices. We must shut out these voices and make it our priority to listen only to God. Yet, even when what the Lord says seems discouraging, we must pray without ceasing and not lose heart (Lk 18:1). "Do not give in to discouragement" (2 Cor 4:1).
The Lord is looking for faith (Lk 18:8). Will He find faith in You? Have faith in Jesus (Jn 14:1). Have faith in God (Jn 14:1).
Gospel text (Mt 15,21-28):
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her.
His disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.
The Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus: " 'Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is terribly troubled by a demon.' He gave her no word of response" (Mt 15:22-23). She kept shouting. Jesus replied, "My mission is only to lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 15:24). She pleaded, "Help me, Lord!" (Mt 15:25) Jesus answered: "It is not right to take the food of sons and daughters and throw it to the dogs" (Mt 15:26). She insisted (Mt 15:27). Her wish came to pass; "that very moment her daughter got better" (Mt 15:28). Why did her daughter get better? Her daughter was delivered not because of the mother's persistence or persuasiveness but because of the woman's great faith (Mt 15:28).
This woman heard only what must have seemed like discouraging words from Jesus rather than great promises. She believed in Jesus anyway, because she had heard of His great works (Jn 14:11). Like the man born blind, she must have intuitively known that no one could do such healing works if God was not with Him (Jn 9:33). She knew that what Jesus was saying had to be outweighed by His power, and that His compassion was evident in His works. So she persevered in imploring Jesus for her request, believing in Jesus' ultimate power, refusing to be discouraged by what she saw and heard in the present moment.
To whom do you listen? We hear many negative, discouraging voices. We must shut out these voices and make it our priority to listen only to God. Yet, even when what the Lord says seems discouraging, we must pray without ceasing and not lose heart (Lk 18:1). "Do not give in to discouragement" (2 Cor 4:1).
The Lord is looking for faith (Lk 18:8). Will He find faith in You? Have faith in Jesus (Jn 14:1). Have faith in God (Jn 14:1).
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much
“Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness". They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.”
Gospel text (Mt 14,22-36):
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
If you saw Jesus walking on water, what would you say? You might be too shocked to say anything. Like the apostles, you might say: "It is a ghost" or a hallucination (Mt 14:26). Maybe some people would say: "Praise the Lord!" But who would say with Peter: "Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You across the water"? (Mt 14:28) Peter was often different. What made him say such a thing?
Perhaps Peter intuitively grasped the essence of discipleship when he asked to walk on the water. Christian discipleship is to imitate Jesus — not merely in a general way but as exactly as possible. As far as possible, disciples walk, think, feel, work, love, talk, see, and live as Jesus does. Disciples are interested in walking on the water only in imitation of Jesus.
Are you preoccupied with imitating Jesus? Do you read the Bible so as to better imitate Jesus? Do you go to confession regularly and pray the Rosary daily? Do you consider it a "good day" or a "good life" based on how well you imitate Jesus?
Think discipleship. Think the imitation of Christ.
Gospel text (Mt 14,22-36):
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
If you saw Jesus walking on water, what would you say? You might be too shocked to say anything. Like the apostles, you might say: "It is a ghost" or a hallucination (Mt 14:26). Maybe some people would say: "Praise the Lord!" But who would say with Peter: "Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You across the water"? (Mt 14:28) Peter was often different. What made him say such a thing?
Perhaps Peter intuitively grasped the essence of discipleship when he asked to walk on the water. Christian discipleship is to imitate Jesus — not merely in a general way but as exactly as possible. As far as possible, disciples walk, think, feel, work, love, talk, see, and live as Jesus does. Disciples are interested in walking on the water only in imitation of Jesus.
Are you preoccupied with imitating Jesus? Do you read the Bible so as to better imitate Jesus? Do you go to confession regularly and pray the Rosary daily? Do you consider it a "good day" or a "good life" based on how well you imitate Jesus?
Think discipleship. Think the imitation of Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)