“Today it is fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them.” ~ Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Lk 14,12-14):
On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
How many begging, crippled, lame, or blind people have you had over for supper lately?
Why does Jesus want us to eat with the poor and handicapped? It is not because they are so needy but because they are not able to repay us (Lk 14:14). The Lord calls us to look for situations in which we won't, or better yet, can't be repaid. As far as the Lord is concerned, thankless jobs are the best because we won't be repaid. Moreover, secret or obscure works are ideal, for no one but your Father knows about them (Mt 6:3-4, 6, 18). Thus, no one but your Father is in a position to repay you. Although we must often go public for Jesus to be His witnesses, there is a danger in this because we might be appreciated and rewarded. We must try as best we can to hide our life "with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). This guards against the temptation to live and work for payment rather than for pure love. Therefore, look around for situations that don't pay.
Let us beg from the Mother of God enough generosity so that we can elude any temptation of selfishness.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Preach what you practice
The most persuasive gospel passage is the exemplary life
Matthew 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."
The religious scholars and Pharisees in today’s readings are competent teachers in God's Law. For the most part, we won't go wrong in following their teachings. Yet, we are told to be careful about mirroring their actions. Although the Pharisees and religious scholars can talk a good line, they don't live out their words. They do not absorb the teachings of Moses into their hearts and reflect it through their behavior. Morosely, the Pharisees and religious scholars are not the only ones to fall short of reflecting God’s love to others. I know this because I am one who has fallen short.
Too often we put ourselves, or get put by others, onto a pedestal like the Pharisees because we can talk a good talk. We then can forget that we all have our shortcomings. Or at least we want to forget, so we don’t have to acknowledge to others we are not as good of a teacher as we come across to be. We must remember we all have a single Teacher, and we ALL are the classmates, continually learning and making mistakes.
"The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." -Matthew 23:11-12
We all want to stand out; to know that we are different. But let us all step down from our pedestal and learn to become a servant. God is constantly asking us, "What is more important, your pride or your relationship with me?" If we are willing to put our pride aside, our hearts will finally be filled with God’s grace and love. Only then can that love be reflected out onto others by our behavior.
Matthew 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."
The religious scholars and Pharisees in today’s readings are competent teachers in God's Law. For the most part, we won't go wrong in following their teachings. Yet, we are told to be careful about mirroring their actions. Although the Pharisees and religious scholars can talk a good line, they don't live out their words. They do not absorb the teachings of Moses into their hearts and reflect it through their behavior. Morosely, the Pharisees and religious scholars are not the only ones to fall short of reflecting God’s love to others. I know this because I am one who has fallen short.
Too often we put ourselves, or get put by others, onto a pedestal like the Pharisees because we can talk a good talk. We then can forget that we all have our shortcomings. Or at least we want to forget, so we don’t have to acknowledge to others we are not as good of a teacher as we come across to be. We must remember we all have a single Teacher, and we ALL are the classmates, continually learning and making mistakes.
"The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." -Matthew 23:11-12
We all want to stand out; to know that we are different. But let us all step down from our pedestal and learn to become a servant. God is constantly asking us, "What is more important, your pride or your relationship with me?" If we are willing to put our pride aside, our hearts will finally be filled with God’s grace and love. Only then can that love be reflected out onto others by our behavior.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”--Saint Augustine
If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. - Mother Teresa
Gospel text (Lk 14,1.7-11):
On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
"Give your place to this man,"
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
"My friend, move up to a higher position."
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Today, did you notice the beginning of this Gospel? «They [the Pharisees] were carefully watching him». Jesus also watched and «noticed how they tried to take the places of honor» (Lk 14:1). But... what a different way to watch!
Jesus says with words whatever He is, whatever He has in his heart: He is not looking to be honored but to honor; He does not think of his honor, but of his Father's glorification. He does not think of himself but of the other. Jesus' whole life is a revelation of who God is: “God is love”.
This is why, in Jesus, it becomes a reality —more than in anybody else— his teaching: «Rather, He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance (…) Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name» (Phil 2:7.9).
Jesus is Master in deeds and words. We, Christians, want to be his disciples. We can only assume the Master's behavior if we have inside our heart what He had, if we have his Spirit, his Spirit of love. Let us work to completely open ourselves to his Spirit and to let him get hold of us and be entirely possessed by him.
And, let us do this, without thinking of being “enhanced”, without thinking of us, but only of him. «Should there be no heaven, I would love you; should there be no hell, I would be afraid of you; just as I love you I should love you» (Author unknown). Being only carried by love.
Gospel text (Lk 14,1.7-11):
On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
"Give your place to this man,"
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
"My friend, move up to a higher position."
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Today, did you notice the beginning of this Gospel? «They [the Pharisees] were carefully watching him». Jesus also watched and «noticed how they tried to take the places of honor» (Lk 14:1). But... what a different way to watch!
Jesus says with words whatever He is, whatever He has in his heart: He is not looking to be honored but to honor; He does not think of his honor, but of his Father's glorification. He does not think of himself but of the other. Jesus' whole life is a revelation of who God is: “God is love”.
This is why, in Jesus, it becomes a reality —more than in anybody else— his teaching: «Rather, He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance (…) Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name» (Phil 2:7.9).
Jesus is Master in deeds and words. We, Christians, want to be his disciples. We can only assume the Master's behavior if we have inside our heart what He had, if we have his Spirit, his Spirit of love. Let us work to completely open ourselves to his Spirit and to let him get hold of us and be entirely possessed by him.
And, let us do this, without thinking of being “enhanced”, without thinking of us, but only of him. «Should there be no heaven, I would love you; should there be no hell, I would be afraid of you; just as I love you I should love you» (Author unknown). Being only carried by love.
Friday, October 28, 2011
It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life. --Saint John Chrysostom
My little children, your hearts, are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun.--Saint John Vianney
(Luke 6:12-16)
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Today, we may contemplate a full day in the life of Jesus. A life with two clear sides: prayer and action
You may ask yourself a question. Did Jesus need these lengthy hours of lonely prayer, when everybody else was asleep?
Once we have well established our prayer life , it only remains for us to imitate Christ in our action. In today's gospel, we can see him “organizing the Church”, that is, choosing those who were to be his future evangelists, the followers of his mission on earth: «When day came, He called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them whom He called apostles» (Lk 6:13). We find him, later on, healing all types of sicknesses. «Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all» (Lk 6:19), the Evangelist says. So that our identification with him may be complete, we only need to digest the fact that this “power” to heal everybody may also come forth from us. But here is the key, the source of that “power” is not ourselves but Jesus. John the Baptist put it best, “I must decrease and he must increase” (Jn 3:30). This will only be possible if we remain in him, by developing a daily prayer life and participating in the Sacraments of the Church frequently (both the Eucharist & Confession). Then little by little, our lives will mirror more and more the life of our Lord. Scripture tells us, “for apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Do you truly believe that?
I feel Mother Teresa captured this idea well when she said:
"Each of us is merely a small instrument. When you look at the inner workings of electrical things, often you see small and big wires, new and old, cheap and expensive lined up. Until the current passes through them there will be no light. That wire is you and me. The current is God.
"We have the power to let the current pass through us, use us, produce the light of the world. Or we can refuse to be used and allow darkness to spread."
(Luke 6:12-16)
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Today, we may contemplate a full day in the life of Jesus. A life with two clear sides: prayer and action
You may ask yourself a question. Did Jesus need these lengthy hours of lonely prayer, when everybody else was asleep?
Once we have well established our prayer life , it only remains for us to imitate Christ in our action. In today's gospel, we can see him “organizing the Church”, that is, choosing those who were to be his future evangelists, the followers of his mission on earth: «When day came, He called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them whom He called apostles» (Lk 6:13). We find him, later on, healing all types of sicknesses. «Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all» (Lk 6:19), the Evangelist says. So that our identification with him may be complete, we only need to digest the fact that this “power” to heal everybody may also come forth from us. But here is the key, the source of that “power” is not ourselves but Jesus. John the Baptist put it best, “I must decrease and he must increase” (Jn 3:30). This will only be possible if we remain in him, by developing a daily prayer life and participating in the Sacraments of the Church frequently (both the Eucharist & Confession). Then little by little, our lives will mirror more and more the life of our Lord. Scripture tells us, “for apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Do you truly believe that?
I feel Mother Teresa captured this idea well when she said:
"Each of us is merely a small instrument. When you look at the inner workings of electrical things, often you see small and big wires, new and old, cheap and expensive lined up. Until the current passes through them there will be no light. That wire is you and me. The current is God.
"We have the power to let the current pass through us, use us, produce the light of the world. Or we can refuse to be used and allow darkness to spread."
Thursday, October 27, 2011
"Divine Providence, in its own good time, will defend the innocent." – St John Bosco
“Let us not forget: we are a pilgrim church, subject to misunderstanding, to persecution, but a church that walks serene, because it bears the force of love.” - Archbishop Oscar A. Romero - martyr
(Romans 8:31-39)
Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
As it is written:
For your sake we are being slain all the day;
we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
St. Paul asks: "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword?" (Rm 8:35) This was no mere rhetorical question for Paul. He had experienced firsthand all of these dangers and more (see 2 Cor 11:23ff). He knew for "certain" that nothing could separate him from the love of God (Rm 8:38, 39). This certain knowledge of God's personal love for him gave Paul the courage to be more than a conqueror (Rm 8:37). No threat could deter Paul from carrying out his mission.
Just like Jesus, our lives as Catholics are not easy. While we are not living in a time or place where people may not want us physically dead, there is much adversity in our lives and cultures that makes being a Catholic difficult. Even in my experience, going to Catholic schools my whole life and coming from a predominately Catholic area, I have met many challenges to my faith. People who question, people who judge, people who see scandals, or mistakes, or simply don’t understand the fundamental tenants of my faith have all posed challenges.
We must never forget that we were baptized into Jesus, and like Paul, we have a mission from God. Pray to know God's love for you (Eph 3:18-19). This is where it all begins, a rock solid understanding that Jesus loves you, like no one ever has or ever will. Then "do not be afraid" (Mt 10:31). No threat can deter you from carrying out your God-given mission.
The goal is to live the mission, for people to see Jesus and to see what it means to be Catholic through me; through all of us.
(Romans 8:31-39)
Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
As it is written:
For your sake we are being slain all the day;
we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
St. Paul asks: "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword?" (Rm 8:35) This was no mere rhetorical question for Paul. He had experienced firsthand all of these dangers and more (see 2 Cor 11:23ff). He knew for "certain" that nothing could separate him from the love of God (Rm 8:38, 39). This certain knowledge of God's personal love for him gave Paul the courage to be more than a conqueror (Rm 8:37). No threat could deter Paul from carrying out his mission.
Just like Jesus, our lives as Catholics are not easy. While we are not living in a time or place where people may not want us physically dead, there is much adversity in our lives and cultures that makes being a Catholic difficult. Even in my experience, going to Catholic schools my whole life and coming from a predominately Catholic area, I have met many challenges to my faith. People who question, people who judge, people who see scandals, or mistakes, or simply don’t understand the fundamental tenants of my faith have all posed challenges.
We must never forget that we were baptized into Jesus, and like Paul, we have a mission from God. Pray to know God's love for you (Eph 3:18-19). This is where it all begins, a rock solid understanding that Jesus loves you, like no one ever has or ever will. Then "do not be afraid" (Mt 10:31). No threat can deter you from carrying out your God-given mission.
The goal is to live the mission, for people to see Jesus and to see what it means to be Catholic through me; through all of us.
“I believe in the surprises of the Holy Spirit.”
“A man may read the figures on the dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun is shining on it; so we may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn until the Spirit of God shines upon us and into our hearts.”
(Romans 8:26-30)
Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Think about a time when you were going to do something wrong. Remember that feeling in your gut that you shouldn’t do it? How about the time when you felt drawn to pray or go to church for no explicable reason? Some call this feeling conscience. Christians call it the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit tends to be the underappreciated person of the Trinity. When we are in trouble or filled with joy, we rarely call upon the Spirit. Yet, the Spirit is indispensible. As St. Paul tells us, the Spirit is the one who helps us, because we do not know how to pray without the Spirit. It is the Spirit who moves our hearts to God and enables us to pray.
Everyone likes to say, “With God all things are possible.” And this is very true. But, we must also remember, “Without the Spirit, nothing is possible.”
(Romans 8:26-30)
Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Think about a time when you were going to do something wrong. Remember that feeling in your gut that you shouldn’t do it? How about the time when you felt drawn to pray or go to church for no explicable reason? Some call this feeling conscience. Christians call it the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit tends to be the underappreciated person of the Trinity. When we are in trouble or filled with joy, we rarely call upon the Spirit. Yet, the Spirit is indispensible. As St. Paul tells us, the Spirit is the one who helps us, because we do not know how to pray without the Spirit. It is the Spirit who moves our hearts to God and enables us to pray.
Everyone likes to say, “With God all things are possible.” And this is very true. But, we must also remember, “Without the Spirit, nothing is possible.”
“I believe in the surprises of the Holy Spirit.”
“A man may read the figures on the dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun is shining on it; so we may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn until the Spirit of God shines upon us and into our hearts.”
(Romans 8:26-30)
Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Think about a time when you were going to do something wrong. Remember that feeling in your gut that you shouldn’t do it? How about the time when you felt drawn to pray or go to church for no explicable reason? Some call this feeling conscience. Christians call it the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit tends to be the underappreciated person of the Trinity. When we are in trouble or filled with joy, we rarely call upon the Spirit. Yet, the Spirit is indispensible. As St. Paul tells us, the Spirit is the one who helps us, because we do not know how to pray without the Spirit. It is the Spirit who moves our hearts to God and enables us to pray.
Everyone likes to say, “With God all things are possible.” And this is very true. But, we must also remember, “Without the Spirit, nothing is possible.”
(Romans 8:26-30)
Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Think about a time when you were going to do something wrong. Remember that feeling in your gut that you shouldn’t do it? How about the time when you felt drawn to pray or go to church for no explicable reason? Some call this feeling conscience. Christians call it the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit tends to be the underappreciated person of the Trinity. When we are in trouble or filled with joy, we rarely call upon the Spirit. Yet, the Spirit is indispensible. As St. Paul tells us, the Spirit is the one who helps us, because we do not know how to pray without the Spirit. It is the Spirit who moves our hearts to God and enables us to pray.
Everyone likes to say, “With God all things are possible.” And this is very true. But, we must also remember, “Without the Spirit, nothing is possible.”
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