We Have Our Father's Eyes

When, in our prayer and contemplation, we look upon the face of Jesus, we see the face of God the Father. It is a radical change in the way God deals with His people. Moses feared to look upon God's face and turned so that God could pass by and he could look only after God had passed by. But Jesus gave God a Human face. We are all invited to look upon that holy face and live. Indeed, we will live even better for being able to do so.

In Jesus, God entered the next stage of revelation. He showed us His face, the face of love, of compassion, of limitless and unconditional love—the face of a man who was God, who stretched himself out between Earth and Heaven, taking upon Himself all of our sins. This is the face of God and it is a face reflected in every Child of God, because as the saying goes, “every person on Earth has his or her Father's eyes”.

Warrior or worrier for Christ?

Friday’s readings juxtapose two figures that are well known to Christians: Paul and Thomas. I’ve felt quite a bit like each of them this last couple of weeks.

I’m having a bout with “shingles”. Simply, it is the chicken pox virus that went dormant when I was a child coming back to haunt me now. Shingles are quite painful, as the blisters break out along the nerve system, and in my case they broke out just above my forehead and made a bee-line for my left eye socket. I have blisters on my brow, my upper and my lower eyelids. It is getting dangerously close to my eyeball, where it can really cause some damage if I’m not careful. I am kind of worried that if that happens I could be struck blind, as Paul was. For me, it gives me a little more understanding what Paul felt with “scales” on his eyes. I hope my faith in Jesus is enough to make the scales fall from my eyes sooner, rather than later.

There aren’t really that many Pauls among us. I know I’d have a hard time running into a place of worship and boldly proclaiming the Resurrection to a bunch of people that I didn’t know. But that was Paul’s great gift.

It is probable that Paul never knew Jesus prior to when He was crucified and resurrected but came to know Him when Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Despite not having known Jesus during Jesus’s earthly ministry, Paul’s heart clearly was on fire. Twenty centuries later, one can almost hear the power of his voice urgently proclaiming the Good News that Jesus died to atone for our sins.

And then we have Thomas in the Gospel. Thomas is apparently the disciple who wants to make sure that everything is in order before being convinced. Before being sure that Jesus actually rose, he wanted to touch his hands and sides. Then, even in the face of Jesus’s soothing words that the Father’s house has many rooms and that Jesus will come back to guide the disciples home, this isn’t good enough for Thomas; he wants to know exactly where Jesus is going for fear that Thomas will get left behind.

Of course it’s easy to admire Paul and belittle Thomas, but I know I have a lot of Thomas in me and I bet I’m not alone. It seems clear to me that Thomas wasn’t in any way a person lacking in faith. He was just a bit of a worrier. He worried about what would happen the next day and about whether Jesus and God would really be there for him. I imagine he worried about a lot of the things that many of us do. They say shingles are brought on most of the time by stress. I’ve been working hard, but I honestly didn’t feel stressed or worried—or maybe I’m just fooling myself, trying to be as bold as Paul, when I’m really worried, like Thomas.

We all have gifts and we all fail to use them at various points in our lives. Maybe that makes us all a little bit like Thomas. But look how much Jesus loved Thomas, because rather than rebuking him Jesus responds with one of the most loving passages in the Gospels: ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If Jesus was there for Thomas he’s here for us now. And that in itself gives me optimism and the strength to join my suffering with Jesus’ for the redemption of all mankind.

Exhaustion can make you stupid!

I was trying to figure out something quick for my blog because, quite frankly, I'm exhausted!

While watching TV with the family, a ad came on for some product or another at a good price. I don't know why, but a program I heard on the radio on my way home from Bakersfield came to mind--Mother Angelica Live Classics. She was taking calls from people who were reading their favorite prayers to her. The last prayer was written by someone who I think would be an outstanding patron saint for shoppers---......ready for it???? St. Francis de Sales!

35 more souls were strengthened in faith today! (Praise God!)

At Mass this morning, I was a little surprised to see extra chairs put out inside the church, as though they were expecting a Christmas or Easter crowd. The surprise only lasted a minute until I noticed a bunch of 13 and 14 year old kids in the “crying room” all dressed up. I turned to Alicia and said, “Oh, it’s probably Confirmation!” Sure enough, a few minutes later I saw Bishop Blaire in the back of the church getting ready for the procession.

I know that Easter is the traditional time for bestowing the Sacraments, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. What surprises me is why the Holy Spirit wants me to witness so many of them lately. I have been to 4 different Confirmation ceremonies (quite by accident) at 4 different churches in 4 different cities in the last 4 weeks!

Today was by far the largest. There were probably 35 kids being confirmed. It was a nice ceremony (within the rubrics of the Mass, of course), with His Eminence “interviewing” a couple of the confirmands (with just a little embarrassment on their part) on why they wanted to be confirmed in the faith, and what happened during Confirmation. They were actually leading questions wherein he provided the answer he wanted as he asked them. I told Alicia it was a “lightweight” interview compared to the interviews we received at my confirmation way back when. Bishop Manning must have singled out 10 of us (we had a Confirmation class of close to 50) when I was confirmed. The question I had to answer, without hints, was “Can the Pope ever make a mistake?” It’s a good thing my teacher had prepped us for that question! (By the way, the answer is yes, he can make a mistake—unless it’s a matter of faith or morals and working in conjunction with the Magisterium). When the 2 interviews were done, Bishop Blaire gave each of them (a boy and a girl) a little box that I assume was a rosary. It was a nice gesture.

Just before the Prayer of the Faithful, the actual blessings with the chrism oil and descent of the Holy Spirit upon each of them began. I started to cry! I looked up at Bishop Blaire and imagined him to be St. Peter confirming those first Christians that we read about in the Acts of the Apostles. The words, “3,000 more were added to the Church that day….”, were all that I could think about! I felt like a kid, playing make-believe, but with the knowledge that there was a true power at work here. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving throughout the church—Much, much more that I usually do!

Lorenzo probably wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I know it was impressive to him, as well because he turned to me and asked, "When can Lily be confirmed?" I reminded him that it's usually around the 7th or 8th grade, when the Grace that was requested by the parents and Godparents at Baptism are accepted and strengthened or (God forbid)rejected through the child's own free will, because that's the age the Church considers to be the age that a kid can make a decision so crucial to their salvation.

The other Confirmations I have attended in the last few weeks didn’t hit me as powerfully as today’s—I wonder if it’s because of the numbers. In any event I praise God for sending His Holy Spirit among us as Jesus promised just before He ascended to the right hand of His Father. It was a great day!

It's all about listening

There are many reasons why we do not want to, or like to listen. We may not like the looks of the speaker. We might have already heard the same thing before, and many times. We do not trust the presenter, because of their often used, “Umms” and “You knows”, and the use of “in conclusion” which is the beginning of the post-oration. We do like listening to stories, but not statistics. We love listening to a speaker who seems to have been thinking the exact same way we have.

It is difficult to listen to Jesus when He is talking to me about letting go as much as possible to my independence, my wanting to be apart from any community and at other times wanting to be a part of community. Community here is family, church, nation, team, and class, whatever group asks for my time, gifts, heart and head.

Jesus claims us as actual gifts from the Father and Jesus is giving us to be in relationships that will continue the caring for all God’s creatures. Our depending on God is not a casual now-and-then experience. God loves us as God loves the Son and the Shepherd has laid down His life that we might pick up ours.

I know there are terms such as “inter-dependent, co-dependent, over-dependent, self-centered independence”. These are good distinctions, but the struggle remains. Jesus has been resisted by His listeners—then, now and throughout the ages—when He tells us He has brothers and sisters who are poor, rejected, afflicted, abandoned, homeless, and jobless. Jesus and they are asking, inviting us—actually insisting—that we are to depend on them for receiving true life. He tells us who are in the flock that there are others who also belong, but they have been listening to other voices. He depends on us - me - to speak and live what He has tried to say to us, to me, and so many times.

Happy Earth Day

Starting a prayer life

As I sat here tonight after a full day, trying to come up with a subject for today's blog, I found myself asking the Holy Spirit for inspiration. I usually get a topic to write about by reading the bible passage that will be used at Mass the next day, but nothing "hits" me tonight.


After I gave up writing this entry several times, I thought I would try to work on a project for St. Anne's hospital ministry to "kick start" my meditation today. St. Anne's is going to have a 'ministry fair' in the middle of next month and I've already volunteered to sit at a table and explain what we do and to ask for more volunteers, but I would also like to have some hand-outs or a display of some sort. So I've come up with a couple of "flyers". Bob, I value your opinion. What do you think?:

Well, enough of that. After that little exercise I was reminded that Mom and I were talking of one of our relatives last week who had called Mom and told her she sometimes couldn't pray because she "couldn't remember the right words".

This relative went on to say that she often takes walks in the country and just "talks to God" as she watches the beauty of the landscape unfold before her. Guess what? That's called prayer! It's probably the most effective type of personal prayer that one can say! The rosary is great, too, (remember that our Blessed Mother implores us to pray the rosary every day!) but sometimes it's a little hard to get started praying it day after day, night after night--it takes a commitment, that's for sure.

While my prayer life is not perfect, I would humbly submit that it is 1000 times better than it was 5 years ago. I thought it might interest some of you to know my journey in becoming closer to Christ through prayer.

First, I had to commit to prayer. Nothing fancy and nothing that would make me feel like I had to memorize or make up some fantastically worded prayers. Similar to my relative's solution, above. Just a simple one-on-one with Jesus.

Second, I had to learn how to make it a true conversation. In a true conversation, one speaks while the other listens, the vice-versa. This was probably my biggest hurdle. I sometimes wouldn't listen long enough for the answer to my prayer before I started speaking again. This went on for a while. Then I understood that prayer is sometimes just "a love letter" to God, when we take a few moments to just say "I love you" and wait for His reply (which, if you think about it, He gave us 2000 years ago on the Cross!)

Once I learned how to listen, I "heard" the Holy Spirit within me exhorting me to pray more. He asked me to start saying the rosary with more regularity. But he also taught me how to say it while meditating on the life of Christ, which is one thing I always had trouble with before. The Holy Spirit helped turned it, for me, from a repetitious prayer to a "journey" with the Apostles every time I say it.

My whole prayer life (and life in general) changed from that point on. I began to read the Bible regularly. I started attending Mass as often as I can. I started seeing life and other people differently. I am nowhere near as impatient or as untrusting of others as I used to be. I would like to think I have become a better son, husband, father, and brother--and become the "face of Christ" for others just as I really do "see" Christ in some way in everyone I encounter.

But it all begins with seeking God, then listening for the still, small voice that is calling each of us to more prayer.

I hope that all made sense. Let me know if it didn't and I'll try to clear it up.

2 stories of faith

I thought I would write tonight about 2 different, yet similar stories of faith.

We may wonder why God chose Saul, educated as a Pharisee who furiously persecuted Christ's followers, to become the instrument through whom many Gentile communities would embrace Christianity. He had a keen mind and an excellent education, but what set him apart from the Pharisees who rejected Christ?

It was his "faith,"— while the dissenters who rejected Christ followed the Judaic practices, some were more concerned with "self," rather than developing a deep knowledge of, and genuine love for, Christ. Their fear of change and loss of status shut their minds and hearts to Jesus.

In contrast, Saul was motivated by the love of God and of his people. Therefore, being visited by Christ and rendered blind for three days showed him his lack of spiritual perception. He regained his sight when God sent Ananias to witness Christ to him, pray for Saul's healing and baptize him to receive the Holy Spirit to give him the light he needed to discern Christ's true identity. God gives His gift of faith to those whose love for God has opened their hearts to receive it.

John 6:52-59 also deals with "faith," first on the part of the Apostles and also, to the present day, by all believers who accept Christ's words that the bread and wine He gives us are truly His Body and Blood.

This repeated act of communion indicates God's Son is nourishing us eternally with His gift of new life. Because this earthly flesh is prone to imperfections and inconsistencies, we require confessing our sins, repenting, and accepting His healing and forgiving balm.

Christ comes to us in His totality, human and divine, both in a visible and in an invisible form within the Communion Wafer. When we receive Him with a heartfelt faith, He strengthens us in body and soul through His sanctifying graces in preparation for our entrance into our heavenly home.

A journey of faith

Every one of us has a unique journey to faith but today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles highlights four foundational aspects of coming to believe:
(1) God’s calling,
(2) listening,
(3) desire to understand, and
(4) concern for others.

God (1) called Philip through his angel and Philip (2) listened. Without asking why he should go to a particular place, simply trusting that it is for the best, he got up, went to where the angel asked him to go, and approached the chariot of the Ethiopian. He could have left it with that, but when the Ethiopian, (3) desiring to understand the meaning of a text from the Holy Scriptures, asked him to explain the text to him, he (4) showed concern for him and explained him the text.

The Ethiopian would have never come to believe:

>If God had not called Philip through his angel.
>If Philip had not listened to the angel and done what God wanted him to do.
>If he himself had not had a desire to understand the Holy Scriptures.
>If Philip had not been willing to share his faith with a stranger.

Let us ask ourselves what God calls us to do today through his many angels – human angels through which he speaks to us.
Let us reflect about our response to God’s call.
Let us critically assess our desire to better understand our faith. Let us ponder if we are genuinely interested in sharing our faith with others.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)

The gates of Hell will not prevail!

As a Boy Scout of about 12 or 13 years old, I was busy earning “Merit Badges” in my quest to become an Eagle Scout (I didn’t quite make it that far, but not for lack of trying!) One of the badges I got was for fire safety. I remember I had to go to the local fire department and speak with one of the firefighters who taught me some valuable lessons.

One of the lessons I learned was that you can’t put out a gasoline fire by putting water on it, as you can with just a paper fueled fire. When you try to put out a gasoline fire with water, the flaming gasoline just floats on top of the water, spreading the fire.

In the first reading for the 3rd Wednesday of Easter, we hear of something very similar happening. The religious leaders wanted to put a stop to the new Christian church so they began a severe persecution. What they had not expected was that their persecution actually helped the new Christians by spreading them out away from Jerusalem so they could preach and convert new members. So, in their attempt to put out the fire of Christianity by throwing water on it, they actually caused it to spread.

We (by “we” I mean the Catholic Church) are going through another severe persecution in the 21st century. It seems like every day there is another claim by some “news” organization that yet another priest has been involved in pedophilia and that a bishop or even Pope Benedict XVI is complicit in the acts! And, of course, since we live in a culture that feeds on sensationalism and is prone to believe anything, the vile and disgusting acts of a relatively very few priests become the portrait of all priests. These sinful men started the gasoline fire, but the media (working through Satan) is pouring as much water on the flames as they can! It has been discouraging. But after reading today’s Sacred Scripture, I find a new reason for optimism. I truly believe the Church will go through a lot more persecution before things get better, but when it is all said and done, She will be stronger and more beautiful than ever!

By the way the fireman helping me get my merit badge put the gasoline fire out by “smothering” it with foam from a fire extinguisher. But as we know, nothing can smother the fire of Christianity!

Let your voice be heard--Remember Jericho?

I don’t believe in coincidence much. Many times while in prayer, I will meditate on something and my mind will come up with all sorts of questions or sometimes even doubts about my faith journey. When this happens, more often that not the Holy Spirit will give me the answer rather quickly—whether it’s in a sermon, or a radio or TV program, or even through everyday conversations with someone!

I think I prefer it that way—I’d go nuts if I actually heard voices like Joan of Arc or any of the other Saints who have been privileged in that regard! I’m just not strong enough (or humble enough) to warrant that type of attention from our Lord! So I’m glad He makes it subtle enough that I have to listen more attentively to hear Him.

Take today, for instance. On my drive to Fresno for a meeting tomorrow, I was thinking that, while prayer is the best weapon against evil, I can and should do more to let others know how I feel in regards to the dignity of human life and the sanctity of Marriage.

I thought, “Well, Lord I write a blog and when the opportunity presents itself I try to put my two cents worth in.” I guess it’s not enough. When I got to Fresno, I turned on the TV and here’s Bishop Steinbock of the Fresno Diocese on the screen reading this letter exhorting everyone to get more involved in letting our government representatives know how we feel.

I signed up even before his Eminence finished reading the letter. The Holy Spirit doesn’t have to tell ME twice!

My Namesake--whatta guy!

So they said to Him,
"What can we do to accomplish the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"This is the work of God, that you believe in the One He sent."
(John 6:28-29)

This is what Stephen had done. He believed in the only Son and the glory of God was manifested through him. We read in Acts that, "All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel."
(Acts 6:15)

Stephen had learned of Jesus through the preaching of the Church, a preaching that the Apostles initiated on Pentecost. Unlike the disciples and members of the crowd described in today's gospel passage, Stephen had not seen Jesus perform His signs. Rather, he is one of those we can think of when we read Jesus' words addressed to Thomas and the others on the day of the Resurrection, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Blessed is Stephen who heard the word of God and kept it. Blessed is he who cooperated with the work of God and believed in the one He sent.

Today, I ask to be blessed as one who hears the Word of God and keeps it.

Jesus continues to call on us

There are some quite touching scenes in today’s Gospel. The first is that of Peter and his companions who decide to return to the life from which Jesus had called them . . . fishing. Jesus, who had told them at His washing of their feet that apart from Him they could do nothing, do nothing for their all night fishing. When it was already dawn the great Fisherman appears and catches them according to what catches fishermen, a great catch of fish.

So here again we have the favorite theme of John, bad things happen at night and Jesus—as light—does great things during the daylight. They come to the realization that it is the Lord and the catch becomes secondary, at least for a while.

The second scene is a reunion at the breakfast table. Peter, who had warmed himself by a charcoal fire while betraying Jesus, is invited to bring some of his catch to be cooked on the charcoal fire where Jesus was already cooking fish and bread. This is a socially awkward situation, but Jesus breaks the tension by distributing the bread and fish to them. Earlier in their relationship, Jesus had taken loaves and fish to distribute to them and many others. This scene ends with that symbolic gesture of reconciliation. They know who He is in the sharing of the bread.

The final scene focuses on the recommitment of Peter and the commissioning of Peter by Jesus. Peter is invited to follow Jesus once more and this time for keeps. This scene ends with Peter’s following Jesus to a life that will imitate that of Jesus even to the manner of his death.

When going to visit the doctor I make sure I am wearing squeaky-clean underwear. When going to the dentist I make sure I have flossed and really scrubbed my molars. When found, we want to be found at our best. Jesus had the delightful and delighting habit of meeting people where they would rather not be met at all. A fisherman does not want anybody to ask about how many fish have been caught if the stringer is empty. Jesus meets His beloved disciples quite fishless and quite sinful quite often in the Gospels.

After the Resurrection, Jesus went about collecting His beloved friends and usually in socially and spiritually awkward settings. He continues doing the same thing in our lives. He does not check the under garments, but the inner. He does not check the molars for cavities, but asks what we are doing with our emptiness. He emptied Himself by living His whole life even to His last. He emptied His tomb to fill our empty boats and lives with His Eucharistic presence.

What He comes to offer us is our lives as bread for others and the mission to follow Him, to where we do not know. The emptiness of Peter’s boat was the last experience of emptiness in his life. Jesus continues meeting us where we would rather not be met. Jesus continues calling us to where we might rather not go and that is into the mystery of His love.

It is I. Do not be afraid!

In whatever situation we are in, God is with us. He is there beside us, within us, whispering to us and manifesting Himself through us.

Do not be afraid. This is a key phrase in the ministry of Jesus. It is the phrase He speaks when He is with the Martyrs at the end. It is the phrase He speaks when He tells our Catherines of Siena and Teresas of Calcutta to speak out against the madness of the times. It is the phrase He speaks to us as we tend a sick child or a dying parent. It is the phrase of peace and joy that promises forever a presence with us.

He walks across the water to us. There is no place on Earth that we can be where He cannot. There is no place out of His reach. The Father has given Him to us, and even though we have tried to throw Him away and push Him away, still, He is our friend and our constant companion - the reason there can be no fear, because He has driven it out and He continues to drive it out.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

The Breakfast of Champions

What did those apostles eat for breakfast that morning? Wheaties weren’t invented yet! Was there some special food they ate that suddenly gave them such courage? In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see the same friends of Jesus who had cowered in the upper room in the days after the crucifixion. But now they are bold and speak out with such courage on the steps of the temple, even rejoicing when they are whipped by the religious authorities for “proclaiming the good news of Jesus, the Messiah.”

Most of us can identify with the apostles in the earlier gospel stories because they seem so human, running in fear, asking dumb questions and bickering among themselves. But now, where did this courage come from? What happened to my terrified friends? Who rejoices in being whipped?

Maybe the answer is later in today’s readings - in the gospel, where we read the story of the loaves and fishes, and the feeding of the five thousand. When this huge throng of people kept following Jesus, out of town, around the shore of the sea and up the mountain, they trusted that somehow they would be fed. They came unprepared, knowing only that they had to listen to what He taught them. And He loved them with tender care. He fed them so lavishly with the simple food at hand that there were baskets of it left over. He showed them how to pray, how to give thanks to God and how to trust.

Maybe that’s the special breakfast the apostles had in the first reading. It might have been nothing more than gathering together and praying in the morning, telling each other stories, remembering “the time Jesus fed the crowd of five thousand and wanted us to trust Him…?” Maybe what they remembered was how many times Jesus has said to them – and us – “I will be with you; do not be afraid.” Why is that such a difficult lesson for us to learn?

Jesus asks us to trust in Him and some of us balk at it. I suspect that deep down, I think I could do better on my own, without having to trust in Jesus or anyone else. Such arrogance has me hiding in the upper room of my soul, afraid and unwilling to be fed by Jesus in the meal He so lavishly serves for me.

Help me, Jesus. Teach me to trust in You. Feed me with Your words and let me believe in the trust and courage You offer me. Help me to stand on the front steps of the temple and proclaim the good news, side by side with Your apostles. I know You love me and all of my fearful weaknesses, just as You loved the apostles as they shook with fear. Teach me as You taught them. Let me be aware and awake as You touch my life, my soul and heal me of my fears.

Of prayers and puzzle books

After Mass on Easter Sunday, Mom wanted to accompany me while I went to the hospital to distribute Holy Communion and pray with the patients who were in need of Jesus’ presence that day. She decided to stay in the car while I went in to do my service because it’s difficult for her at age 91 to walk around the halls of the hospital—although I could feel her presence with me spiritually when I was in each room. It was a very welcome presence, indeed. When I came back out to the car, I expected to see her praying a rosary or chaplet because that’s a passion we share—the power of prayer. But nooooo, she was indulging in another passion we share—she was figuring out one of the puzzles in MY puzzle book! The nerve! (haha) I love word games and puzzles. They keep my mind sharp (relatively, anyway) and take me away from the stress that my job sometimes presents me with.

But the episode got me thinking about how my passion for puzzles and word games is strangely connected to my passion for prayer. I feel very pleased with myself when I am able to take (in most instances) very subtle clues and come up with the solution to some very difficult problems.

There are times when I am stuck for the answer to a particularly difficult clue. I even sometimes get so frustrated at my inability to “get” an answer from what is a very obscure hint that I “cheat” and look at the solutions in the back. The key to having fun with the puzzles though, is to look at the answer to only the clue that has you stuck. Then keep going on from there. If I just copied the answers from the back of the book, I wouldn’t learn anything or get anything out of the experience! When I learn a new word or definition for a word, I usually remember it and it comes in handy a few months later when that clue pops up again in another puzzle. It’s very satisfying to get through a puzzle without looking for the answers, or looking for one or two “hints” but it’s also gratifying to know that all of the answers are there at the back of the book—one just has to be humble enough to know when to look. There have been plenty of times when I have been so stubborn about not wanting the help provided that I just don’t do the puzzle. Then I feel like I let myself down for not trying, and stupid for buying a book I couldn’t finish.

It’s the same with life. We learn from our experiences, but sometimes we come up against what we think are insurmountable obstacles to our happiness and prosperity. We lose a job, we get sick, we worry about our kids, and on and on and on. If we’re lucky, we get through the obstacles without help. This is just like finishing the puzzle without looking in the back. Sometimes, we need others to help us out of a jamb. Maybe someone else has been through the same experience and is able to guide us to a quick resolution. This is comparable to looking for “just one little clue” to help us keep going through to the end. But for our most difficult problems we have to realize that the “answer” is at “the back of the book”—the Good Book, the chronicle of the Good News, especially the New Testament, which is not just a narration of historical events, but a prayer in and of itself.

The answer is that our Father is always with us, whether in good times or bad. We just have to be humble enough to admit our failure to “see the clues” and ask for His help.

John 3:16

What an amazing gift God has given us. He sent his Son to redeem each of us. We can easily see ourselves as insignificant, just because of the sheer numbers of people who share this planet with us now, not to mention throughout history. We can see what we do as insignificant in comparison with the brilliant, the great, the famous and those known for their holiness. We can see our insignificance in so many ways, but God does not see any of us as insignificant. He sent his Son for you individually and for me individually.

What a love that is! All we have to do is accept that love. We make the choice. God does not choose whether to love us. He loves us - of that we can have total confidence. We make the choice whether to accept his love and live in his light or reject his love and live in the dark. It seems like it should be so easy.

One might wonder what would ever lead us to reject this most fantastic gift. But what is most awesome about all of this is that when we are foolish enough to reject his gift, it is still there for us. He does not take away the redemptive power of his Son. His love is there for us to accept. In that love there is total comfort and security, no matter what else is going on around us. There is nothing in our human experience that can begin to compare to the gift of Easter.

We can be as bold as Peter, through faith

Boldness of expression is a powerful practice, but in today’s world, boldness is also a bit scary. Our nation and world are so polarized that we may place ourselves in danger by being too bold. How many of us fear being bold, because there may be retaliation toward us for our speaking boldly about our faith or our political beliefs? How many of us fear speaking boldly toward a stranger when that stranger is doing something that we find offensive? Do you think of “road rage” when you read this?

How can we be true to our faith and also be bold in our expression? If Jesus knew of Peter’s betrayal and still loved him, it would seem to follow that Jesus knows that we may not speak with boldness as often as we should. He knows that the circumstances of our lives and the world in which we live may challenge our courage, because we are afraid for ourselves or our loved ones.

But, what can we do that is bold and faith-filled? I believe that we can be bold of expression by our example. We can live our lives in a manner that demonstrates our faith and lets those around us know by our actions what is important to us. We do not have to continually speak out against those whose behaviors are contrary to the tenants of our faith traditions, but we can speak and act boldly to show others the faith-filled way. We can be the example of faithfulness and faith-filled actions that set a positive tone and which provide others with behaviors and attitudes to imitate.

In Peter’s example, we see a faithful and faith-filled man who has to make terrible choices three times. Jesus does not condemn Peter, but he does recognize Peter’s human nature and concerns. There is a way to act boldly and to give glory to God without endangering ourselves. We can be bold in our faithful and faith-filled actions!!

A Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

Please go to this website to find a novena for our Holy Father as our Church faces the current onslaught of accusations and persecution. The novena starts today, Mercy Sunday and continues through April 19, the anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.

For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion.....

So, why is this Sunday called Divine Mercy Sunday?

Because Pope John Paul II saw in the visions of a Polish saint, Blessed Faustina, a message Jesus Christ wished the world to focus on more: His Divine Mercy.

His Mercy is powerfully shown in Sunday's Gospel as the newly-risen Savior appears to those who had betrayed Him, those who in weakness had run far away from the soldiers and from the mock trials -- and from their Master in His three-hour agony and death.

As Jesus came through those locked doors where they had huddled in fear of arrest, He did not upbraid or condemn them, but said with loving compassion, "Peace to to You." He forgave them for their weakness, their cowardice, and their sinfulness. He continued to heal them of their doubts and the fears.

Secondly, he did not fire them from their ministry, but commissioned them to preach His Name to the ends of the earth. He restored His trust in them, and loved them even more. He would eventually send His Spirit to strengthen them with His Divine Power.

As Jesus showed His Divine mercy to His apostles on this Sunday, the Church urges us this Sunday to show our gratitude and belief in His never-failing forgiveness for our sins and betrayals of His love.

Jesus urges us to pray often for a world that has abandoned His commandments, ignored His words, shunned His healing, and rejected His love. We need to imitate God's mercy by our daily prayer and speaking out on their behalf, to our own government.

Our Easter joy continues during these weeks after Easter as we prepare ourselves in prayer with Mary for a further "confirmation" of His gifts this Pentecost.

The Holy Father needs our prayers!

I got caught up reading the Acts of the Apostles again! I just don't understand how anyone could think this stuff was just made up, as the Catholic Church has been accused of doing. Why would thousands of people die horrible deaths for over 2000 years to perpetuate a lie? I've been doing some advance perusals of the readings for the next week or so, because they are giving me hope and some good examples to follow as I try to make sense of all the Church-bashing (aimed especially at our Holy Father) that is going on these days.

I draw the comparison between the early persecution of the Church and the persecution She is going through now, because the remedy is the same--absolute faith in the Truth and strength that comes to us through the Grace we received at our Baptisms and Confirmations. That is not to say that we should just forget about those who are trying to defame our Holy Father and the Church through their persistent pathetic search to undermine his God-given authority.

Rather, we should pray for those who are obviously being led by Satan, that they come to see that their actions cannot and will not destroy the Church (as promised by Christ Himself) and that they instead turn toward the Light instead of trying to extinguish It.

Pray for those, too, who are so weak in their own faith that they believe the drivel and gossip being spread by these evil forces.

Join me in praying for our Holy Father, that he is able to remain strong in administering to the flock entrusted to his care.

And finally, let's pray for one another, that our faith in the risen Christ remains strong and that we, who like Peter and all who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit, have the courage to speak up for Him and His Church when we are confronted with the ignorance of and abuse by those who have been seduced by the Devil.

Comfort food

Comfort Food; A meal, a dish, possibly prepared by a particular individual which brings with it not only the comfort of being fed, warm food on a cold empty stomach, but also elicits the warmth of memories of times past and the reassurance of healing and strength in times to come.

We speak of comfort food – maybe meat loaf and mashed potatoes or mac-n-cheese or homemade soup and dense crusty bread on a cold blustery day. Often families have traditional meals served in times of grief and mourning. Each nationality, each culture, each region, each family celebrates or honors certain events and times with specific meals. There is nothing universally significant about the dish itself. The memories evoked and the relationships attached to the dish or meal is what gives it significance. Comfort food is a symbol of the comfort and consolation experienced in the sharing of a particular meal in the midst of true companionship and intimate relationship.

We can only imagine the number of times Jesus and His beloved disciples shared a meal of fresh fish cooked over an open fire. The fruits of their labor shared in the intimacy of their relationship. On seeing the figure on the shore, they did not need to ask, “Who are you?” They knew in their hearts who He was. He called them “children’, He invited them to “come have breakfast.” He fed them the comfort meal of open-fire roasted catch of the day. Again, we can only imagine the consolation, comfort and reassurance these men and women experienced as Jesus took the bread and fish, and gave it to them in a way that only He could – as He had done so many times before. Consolation, comfort and reassurance filled their hearts at a time when they least expected it. They were in grief and mourning for their beloved Jesus who was no longer with them – or so they thought.

During this joyful Easter season, let us be open to the unexpected presence of the risen Lord. Let us pray for those who hunger for essential nourishment, and for those who hunger for the Spirit of comfort, consolation, and reassurance.

Sidebar: Have you noticed what a bad fisherman Peter was? Read the gospels! Every time he had just been fishing, he hadn’t caught anything! He either had to have Jesus in the boat, or have Jesus tell him what side of the boat to lower his net into! It’s probably a good thing Jesus pulled him out of that occupation—he might have starved!

Let's get to our mission!

Christ is totally man and totally God.

It is a mystery that is hard for us to understand. At times we might be tempted to say He was more God than man, or vice versa, but that is not the teaching of the Church.

In the gospel (Luke 24:35-48), Christ used His humanity to convince the apostles that He rose from the dead and yet was still among them. He asked that they touch Him and He ate a meal of fish with them. Throughout His time on earth Christ modeled for us how as Christians, we are to use our humanity to bring others to God. Touch, for example, was very significant in His healing ministry. That, in fact, was His last healing before the Crucifixion -- healing the ear of the high priest's servant in the Mount of Olives. (Luke 22:51)

If we are open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and able to offer ourselves for the service of others as modeled by Christ, much can be accomplished. It takes self-discipline, a spirit of humility and generosity of heart, but we can do this through the grace of God! Each of us has a unique mission that no one else on earth can accomplish!

Interpretations

It’s remarkable to me that every time I read something in the Bible, even the same passages over and over, the Holy Spirit shows me a different interpretation. But all of the interpretations work together! As I said, it’s remarkable. For instance, yesterday I was inspired to write one interpretation of the story of the travelers on the road to Emmaus. I was inspired after reading the passage. But now, this morning at Mass, instead of reading the gospel, I just listened. And a totally different, but complimentary interpretation came to me.

Listening to the passage, I became somewhat envious of the travelers! Can you imagine getting a “Bible study” from Jesus Christ personally; then, when the “lesson” was over, to “break bread” and give thanks to our Savior for His sacrifice? That’s when it hit me. That’s the Mass! God is awesome.

And their eyes were opened....

Wednesday’s gospel is the story that inspired the name for my blog. It is also the story that inspired me to start going to daily Mass about 4 or 5 years ago. I’ve learned that frequent reception of the Eucharist keeps my mind on the Living Christ and hope in the redemption He purchased for us with His Blood.

When a very significant event occurs in our world it affects countless people, and gives many of us memories that last for the rest of out lives. For example, for my parents and their generation both Pearl Harbor and the day President Kennedy was shot affected people all over the world. I can remember very little about my activities last Friday. However I can remember very clearly everything that I did on that Friday in 1963 when Kennedy was shot, even though I was only 10 years old. I also remember September 11, 2001 as though it was yesterday. For many days—even years—that was the main topic of conversation for me, and everyone around me. In fact, people are still talking about it—and the consequences that came from that day, rightly or wrongly, agree or disagree.

In the gospel for Wednesday of Easter week the words of Cleopas about the events in Jerusalem make it clear that this was a very significant day for him and for everyone else in Jerusalem at that time.

The people in Jerusalem were all affected by the events of Easter whether they knew Jesus or not. And since many visitors had come to the city for Passover there were many who had not previously heard of Jesus. Had they had newspapers at that time, this would have been a front-page story. (If it were the NY Times it would have negatively portrayed Jesus as a rabble-rouser and criminal—but I digress). And so Cleopas is incredulous how anyone who was in Jerusalem during those days could fail to know of what happened there. St. Luke does not give the name of the companion of Cleopas. He does tell us that they were disciples of Jesus. And he makes it clear that they were sad and disillusioned as they walked along on their return home to Emmaus. In spite of all the teaching and preaching of Jesus these disciples had apparently given up hope of redemption when Jesus died on the cross. They seemed to regard the disappearance of the body as an unfolding mystery with more details to come.

Cleopas and his friend did not recognize the risen Jesus as he walked along with them. In the evening, after they prevailed upon him to spend the night with them, he joined them for their evening meal. It is when they were at table that the disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. St. Luke describes the scene at table in words almost identical to those he uses in the preceding chapter of his gospel when he describes the breaking of bread at the Last Supper. As we know it was on that occasion that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist. So on this occasion he gave the Eucharist to the disciples. And it was in the receiving of the Eucharist that their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. They recognized him as he shared his body with them in Holy Communion. Jesus was probably telling them that although his body would soon cease to be present to them, he would remain close to them in the Holy Eucharist. Cleopas and the other disciple were immediately transformed from sadness to incredible joy. The full truth of the Resurrection came to them and they realized that they were in the presence of Jesus. Even when Jesus suddenly disappeared from their sight, they remained filled with joy. They forgot all about their previous plans and joyfully rushed back (in the dark!) to tell the brethren in Jerusalem what they had witnessed.

Today we continue to enjoy the incredible gift of the Holy Eucharist. We are able to be with Christ in the Sacrament. It is the reason I try to attend daily Mass! And this wonderful gift suffuses our Easter celebration with joy. Just as the eyes of the disciples were opened to see Jesus on that Easter night, so we are privileged to be with Jesus in our Easter celebration.

The Reassuring Voice of Christ

The joy that we experience at Easter is enhanced by the gospel accounts of the joy felt by those who were privileged to see the risen Jesus on Easter day. On Tuesday St. John directs our attention to Mary Magdalene who, according to the gospel accounts, was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection.

There is a tradition in the Church that even before his appearance to Mary Magdalene Jesus visited his mother Mary. But the gospels are silent about such a visit. However, when I contemplate this gospel reading about Mary Magdalene I always think also of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What joy she must have felt on seeing her risen son! The lives of the two Marys offer an interesting contrast: the sinless Virgin Mary and the repentant sinner Mary Magdalene. And yet they are very much alike in their love for Jesus. Their love of Jesus bound them in a friendship reserved for the very closest of his followers.

During her life after she met Jesus and was forgiven her sins, Mary Magdalene became one of his closest followers. She proved her love and her loyalty over and over again. At the time of the passion and death of Jesus, Mary and the other holy women followed him through all the terrible events that led to Calvary. They stood grieving at the foot of the cross as Jesus suffered and died. And during the time that Jesus was in the tomb, Mary and the others learned the location of the tomb and prepared spices and perfumed oils for the body of Jesus. In all of these events Mary Magdalene demonstrated how totally devoted to Jesus she was. And Jesus rewarded her devotion with his appearance to her on Easter morning.

The scene of the meeting of Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the garden is very moving. It reveals Mary Magdalene as very human and very devoted to Jesus. When Jesus appears Mary is weeping. She is terribly distraught that the body of Jesus has been taken away, and is frantic to try and find out where it is. In the early morning light and with the tears in her eyes, she fails to recognize Jesus. She mistakes him for the gardener. Here her words reveal her devotion and her concern to find the body of Jesus so that she can clean and prepare it for a proper burial. She is determined to find and take possession of the body because of her great love for Jesus. And then we have the very tender moment when Jesus reveals himself to Mary. He speaks her name. But I think that he speaks her name in such a way and with such inflection that Mary recalls other occasions when Jesus called her by name, and she knows that this is Jesus. Immediately her tears are turned from sorrow to joy. Immediately she believes that Jesus is risen and lives. And then she does something else that is very human. She is so beside herself with joy that she wants to hold on to Jesus and never let go. Jesus has to gently tell her to let go of him. But then he also gives Mary an important task. He makes Mary his messenger and sends her to his disciples in Jerusalem to announce his resurrection. And Mary is a wonderful messenger because she is so full of joy and so clearly proclaims her belief in the resurrection.

Meditating on the scene I just described reminded me of a lady whom I visited in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. As procedure dictates, I had to ask the nurse if she could receive our Lord. (Some patients are not allowed to take anything by mouth at doctor’s orders). I was given the go ahead, and I headed to her room. She was very fidgety and restless and when I asked her if she would like to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I was met with a blind stare mixed with what I perceived as fear. It was obvious to me that she could not understand what I was asking, and in fact, I realized right away that she would not be able to discern our Lord’s presence enough to receive Him. I decided instead to just recite the Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be. As soon as I made the sign of the cross on myself and began the Lord’s Prayer, she started to settle down. By the time the Hail Mary was finished, she was laying down on her side. After I said the Glory Be, it appeared that she recognized what had just happened. She shut her eyes and had a slight smile on her face. To me, it was as if she recognized the presence of Jesus in the room with us and it was calming. I, too, was calmed by the experience. (I had not encountered anyone before that was so obviously disoriented and it had scared me so much I had thought about calling a nurse. But she had just left the room as I was entering, so I felt she must have known the situation). The more I think about it, the more I think that it must have been the same feeling that Mary Magdalene felt when “the gardener” spoke her name in that special way that gave her the confidence to know everything was as it should be.

The center of our faith

The resurrection of Jesus is what centers our faith, the mighty deed done by God, in relation to our need for salvation.

As a result, what really matters is how each one of us lives the mystery of the resurrection of Jesus. The Easter season provides the opportunity to discover again and again how it impacts our lives.

Wherever we encounter Christ, the effects of His resurrection extend to us. Encountering Christ clearly flows from the reception of the sacraments: When we receive the Eucharist; when we receive forgiveness for our failings and sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to name but two of the sacraments.

These next 50 days or of celebrating Easter invite us to set our sights on Jesus, raised from the cruel death of the cross by God’s loving hands only to come alive again as the Risen Christ present to us all in so many remarkable and simple ways. Our task is to open ourselves to the Risen Christ, to the many ways that He is present to us and to continue to grow as women and men of faith, hope, and love because of His presence. Our task, these next few weeks during Easter season is to discover Christ in those persons we meet and in the situations that make up our lives.

Thoughts on the first Easter

Mom and I were together for much of today, as the girls and Lorenzo went to the cabin to celebrate Patty’s birthday, keeping with tradition. I might have gone, but my duties as Eucharistic Minister at the hospital tomorrow takes precedence for me. And it will give me a chance to celebrate the risen Christ with Mom, who might otherwise have been alone. Anyway, Mom and I were talking a bit about that first Easter morning and that conversation, along with watching the Easter Vigil Mass with Pope Benedict XVI on TV this evening, led me to meditate deeper on the mystery.

The first Easter had to come as a total shock to those who had loved and followed Jesus through His public ministry. They knew Him to be a totally good and holy Man, with wonderful teachings about the goodness of their Father who had created them in love, a merciful and forgiving God, who wanted only their faith and obedience. They had seen Jesus as a mirror of the Father in His compassion for the sick and the deformed, and for those troubled in spirit and body. And now He was dead! How could their own religious leaders have conspired with the Romans to torture and kill Him?! How could they?!

If His followers had slept at all since His arrest, it must have been a troubled sleep, filled with nightmares and darkness. And now, early this Sunday morning, an hysterical Mary Magdalene pounded on their door, trying to convince them that she had seen Jesus alive! Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. Could it be true? From that first Easter to this year's celebration, the shock of these events even today shakes us into the truth of God's incredible love for us in sending us His Son so that all might be cleansed from the divine displeasure. And so we struggle to absorb it once more. Malicious evil had done its worst to the sacred body of God's Son. Then, before dawn on Sunday, Christ had broken through the rock, shattered the power of sin, and, according to tradition, appeared first to His Mother, then to Mary Magdalene and the other women and the apostles.

In the Mass for Easter day, that Mom and I will attend, the first reading is taken from the very words of an early sermon of St. Peter. What a change from the first Pope who denied he ever knew "the man!" He came fresh from the fiery tongues of Pentecost, still in shock at the dream he had on the way to Cornelius' house. So much had changed forever! No food would ever again be considered unclean. Peter is now free to preach to Gentiles the Good News of God's forgiveness. Peter and the others are commanded to baptize any who will believe in the Christ. Thus the word spreads through the whole countryside and beyond. Resurrection is the hope of every living person. No wonder they preached with such courage and enthusiasm!

They preached about a God who cared first for people who were poor and powerless, a God whose love governed all His relationships. Through the Holy Spirit, we could now live by the power of the Resurrection, and share it with others. The Scripture readings during these fifty days between Easter and Pentecost are among the most exciting in the Church year. We surrender to "Alleluias" and joyful shouts of "Christ has risen!" and then settle in for a new time of reflection on our own program for resurrection in these very troubled times. After all, it is our mission to bring new life and hope to a needy world.

As followers of the Risen Christ, the time has come for more of us to turn our Savior's resurrection into a personal renewal that will influence the social and political sphere of our beloved nation. That first Easter changed the ancient world, and Easter 2010 could do much through us to change our own troubled world. We need to continue what Lent has done for our understanding and involvement in the teachings and plans for action of our Church. As He has always been, Christ is our only hope! Alleluia!

Bleep Bleep!

In my hometown newspaper this morning there was letter to the editor from “a recovering catholic” (sic) who was complaining about several things in general, but then got into a tirade about the current Pope.

I admit my first reaction to letters and statements from supposed self-proclaimed former Catholics is anger at their gall for presenting arguments that have been answered already to the satisfaction of those who are seeking the truth. My second reaction is pity that they apparently are so full of hate (for reasons only they can know) for the Catholic Church that they don’t want to see the truth in the answers.

If these critics of the Church would go beyond the secular media reporting of all that is supposedly wrong with the “organization” of the Catholic church they would find the truth, and not help Satan in his efforts to undermine the INSTITUTION founded by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew Chapter 16, Verse 18.

I think what bothers me most is that I hate futility. I get upset having to explain the same things over and over and over. Some people just don’t get it. They are trying to destroy something that Jesus promised that “even the gates of Hell” would not destroy.

But Satan is nothing if not persistent. I wonder if that wasn’t God’s plan for Satan’s betrayal? To spend eternity trying to destroy something indestructible, which is eternal frustration. It’s almost funny, if you meditate on it long enough. Think of an eternity of “Roadrunner” episodes, with the Roadrunner representing the Church and Wile E. Coyote as Satan. I have just two words for you, Satan--"Bleep Bleep".

Instant communications

I wish I could take credit for tonight’s blog idea, but it was actually a composite of several different sources, all “pushing my buttons” as it were. (Pun intended)

These days you can’t call any large company without having to go through a lot of automated questions that you either have to answer by voice or push a number on the phone, which just leads to another set of questions and finger exercises—in more ways than one! If you’re lucky, you may even get an answer from someone before you forget why you called!

Unlike the large companies I just wrote about, God takes all calls immediately and simultaneously. And whether you are calling to thank Him or ask Him for a favor or even complain about something, He will take all the time in the world—at least as far as we who are in time are concerned—to handle your call personally.

If for some reason you feel your issue isn’t worthy of God’s personal immediate attention, or you don’t want to “bother” Him with it, you can choose to speak to one of His holy operators, or—as I like to call them—saints, and leave a message with confidence that He will get it. His Blessed mother is your best bet. She has never failed to take one of my requests to her Son. Some of the saints (“Patron Saints”) have certain experiences or traits that make them uniquely qualified to understand your specific plight and implore our Lord to help you out.

It’s called prayer. Earnest, heart-felt prayer. Confident prayer. Short prayers. Long prayers. Formal prayers. Loud prayers. Quiet prayers. It doesn’t matter—Heaven is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and the phone lines are open, and you don't even need a phone!

Those who don’t believe in prayer might say that with our instant communications these days through cell phone technologies, IM, Facebook, Twitter, and whatever else is out there, we have become so independent we don’t NEED God. Let me remind you that God knows what you need BEFORE you do! He just wants you to ask! What can be more instant than that?