Knowing many things, having great possessions, actually being good avails humans of nothing. Time and life go on while we are here and after. Vanity is like smoke or wind - it all vanishes. Nothing is of much value or importance. One person can labor for a lifetime and when that person dies, the profits and accumulations might be given to one who did nothing to deserve it all.
The basic message is the old one of, “You can’t take it with you.” Instead of the meaning of the word “vanity” concerning superfluous clothes and cosmetics, I offer the word, “Fragile” or “symbolic”. Everything is sacramental, that is leading beyond itself. The theme here is that what is, is, and will not be, very soon. This text is not meant to be a bucket of cold water, but a reflection upon the shortness of life’s span and even more deeply, a pointing to the possibility of a life beyond the fragile.
There is an old saying, “You can’t take it with you, except the things you gave away.” We all might be looking for the loopholes, but there aren’t any. Do we wonder just what does “matter to God?” Luke’s Gospel stresses the centrality of holding on to Jesus as we saw last week with Mary’s sitting at the feet of Jesus while Martha was doing many other good things.
We all have things of great value, emotionally, materially, historically. We all have possessions. The thing is not what we possess, but what possesses us. We know that it is so easy to receive the gifts and not the hand Who offers them. Reception is sacramental; to cling to them for our value and identity is sacrilegious.
The man of the parable in today’s gospel reading is quite self-satisfied, even though it was the land that gave him his abundant crop. He is preparing himself for a life of easy self-reliance. Maybe his farming neighbors will think more highly of him, because of his bigger barn. He has lost contact with the fragility of his own life. Apparently he has not been sharing much and so he will take nothing with him. What seemed to matter to the man of the parable was himself and his personality establishment.
The parable does not say that he will not receive eternal life with God in heaven. The parable is meant to remind us all that life is short and fragile and what matters to God has to do with God’s becoming bigger within the human experience.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Funny (I think)
On a particularly hot summer day, the priest began the Mass by saying, "Dear children, our air conditioner went out this morning. The restrooms are out of order, and our PA system is on its last legs. We are having all sorts of problems with facilities today."
To which the congregation, being very devout Catholics replied, "And also with you!"
To which the congregation, being very devout Catholics replied, "And also with you!"
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
We are clay in the Potter's hands
Over the past few weeks—or has it been months?—I have heard several people say things that make me wonder if they “get it”. One of my friends has an acquaintance with a “man” who feels “trapped in a woman’s body.” There have been quite a few stories lately of children who have been “diagnosed” with a “condition” that is “cured” by “gender reassignment.” These are children under the age of 10! They don’t even realize what “gender” is yet! How can they be confused? Are the doctors and the parents of these children saying God made a mistake?
Then there are those who say, “I hate my life!” Or, “Life sucks!” Or, “Why does everything bad happen to me?” Or, “What did I do to God to deserve this?”
Then there are those who say, “I hate my life!” Or, “Life sucks!” Or, “Why does everything bad happen to me?” Or, “What did I do to God to deserve this?”
We have to remember that God does not cause bad things to happen. He can’t—Everything about the Nature of God is good. If you know your Bible at all, you’ll find in Genesis that everything God made and continues to make is good. He allows bad things to happen so that our faith and free will can be tested. A good thing to remember also is that He will never give us more than we are capable of handling, regardless of what we think. He knows our limitations better than we do. And, whether we realize it or not, He sends His Holy Spirit to help us. We only need to be open to receiving His help.
We do not always realize that we are being formed by the events and circumstances of our lives. Sometimes in retrospect, the "pieces" of our life make sense and we can see the hand of God in what has happened.
Jeremiah makes reference to clay in the hands of the potter, a clear image of how God can be forming us throughout our lives. The gospel of Luke depicts a change in Martha with the death of her brother, Lazarus. Earlier Mary sat quietly at the feet of Christ while Martha busied herself with food preparations. This time Martha seeks out Christ and expresses an act of faith, believing that Christ could have prevented the death of her brother.
It is a challenge sometimes remaining open to the events that can change us. Events can be wasted on us if we spend our energy reacting negatively instead of leaning gracefully and lovingly into the hands of the Potter, God Himself.
Monday, July 26, 2010
My own little corner of heaven
I took a break yesterday from my Sunday routine of yard work, Mass, Eucharistic Minister at the hospital, and visiting Mom to take a “mini-retreat”. My intention was to go salmon fishing in the San Francisco bay, but the captain of the charter boat I usually hire each year called me to say that it would be a waste of my time and money to go out. The fish are simply not out there yet. So my back-up plan was to go golfing and practice so I don’t look like a complete doofus when my brother Dick, his wife Jane (yes, that’s true!) and I go golfing during his visit next week. I was going to go into the foothills and hit a few balls and enjoy God’s creation in the process.
While the "harvesters" are able to tell the difference between the weeds and the wheat, we must ordinarily remain in some uncertainly about whether we truly have chosen God enough, whether we have loved Him enough. Any certainty about whether we are "saved" or not can be a form of self-delusion and lead to pride, laziness, and a fatal assumption that we are "good enough." That sort of thing can be deadly in our human relationships, and it is no different in our relationship with God.
I simply do not know whether I am weed or wheat while I am alive, and the fact is that I am both --- but which is the dominant side of who I am? While I myself am responsible for the choice, it is up to God to decide what I have actually chosen. And that is where the virtue of hope comes in.
The kingdom of heaven starts small, as small as the smallest seed you can see. A still, quiet voice in the human heart, speaking and reminding us that God is always present. Sometimes there will be no sign of it on the outside. But within, there is the yearning, the striving for heaven here and now.
But no matter how small it starts, with gardening and attendance, paying attention to God and what is important, with the slightest care, the smallest amount of devotion, it can grow by leaps and bounds -- a seedling, a shrub, a bush, a tree. And when it has grown, when we've allowed it to take root, it has another supernatural property -- it summons, from every corner of the earth and sky, those who would join. People can see the blessing of it; people can feel its comforting presence. And they are drawn to it. They are drawn to the cool shade of it on a hot summer day.
When we allow grace to work, we allow the Kingdom of Heaven to take root. And this kingdom is not for us to hoard and enjoy alone. It has as its chief characteristic the need to be shared, the desire to grow to include everyone.
When you open yourself up to God, do not be surprised that others see it in you and start to want to be near you. Do not underestimate the ability God has given you to change your part of the world into a corner of heaven.
I enjoyed my “mini-retreat” and the time of reflection—no matter how short it was, but I missed more than I would have realized my weekly visit with Mom and visiting the sick at the hospital and bringing Jesus to them. It goes to show you that you never know what you’ll miss until you do—In this case, my duties as Eucharistic Minister (and son) create my own little “corner of heaven.”
I put the golf clubs in the car and headed off to Mass, intending to leave from the church to the course. During Mass, I made the decision I didn’t want to golf after all, but take advantage of the time I had to myself to just relax and pray. Then to spend some quality time with the family when they got home from their overnight stay at the cabin.
I started by going over the readings for last week and the coming week. When I got to last Saturday’s readings about the weeds and wheat growing together, it took me back to a conversation I had with Dad quite a few years ago. What a brilliantly simple man he was!
I was about 11 or 12 years old and we were out in the back yard working in the garden. He wanted me to help pull the weeds. There were some pretty flowers that he took really good care of in the flowerbeds around the house, but in the vegetable garden, he was pulling them out! So I asked him, “How do I know which is a weed, and which plant isn’t?” He replied, “If it isn’t what we planted, no matter how beautiful it is, it’s a weed, because it can take over the whole garden and the vegetables won’t grow or get as big as we want them to, so it doesn’t belong here.” Sin is like that. It can be quite beautiful and seductive, but it is never what God intended to be in His garden.
In the four Gospels, Jesus tells us of many ways that we have to choose between living joyfully with God forever and being forever separated from Him, in great pain over our loss.
The special spin that Jesus puts on this question of our choice is that we have a whole lifetime to make it in. God provides us with all that we need to choose Him and to make that choice concrete in our life rather than just a vague wish or orientation, and we must make that one central choice of our life in terms of the small daily choices that inch us closer to God or away from Him.
I simply do not know whether I am weed or wheat while I am alive, and the fact is that I am both --- but which is the dominant side of who I am? While I myself am responsible for the choice, it is up to God to decide what I have actually chosen. And that is where the virtue of hope comes in.
The kingdom of heaven starts small, as small as the smallest seed you can see. A still, quiet voice in the human heart, speaking and reminding us that God is always present. Sometimes there will be no sign of it on the outside. But within, there is the yearning, the striving for heaven here and now.
But no matter how small it starts, with gardening and attendance, paying attention to God and what is important, with the slightest care, the smallest amount of devotion, it can grow by leaps and bounds -- a seedling, a shrub, a bush, a tree. And when it has grown, when we've allowed it to take root, it has another supernatural property -- it summons, from every corner of the earth and sky, those who would join. People can see the blessing of it; people can feel its comforting presence. And they are drawn to it. They are drawn to the cool shade of it on a hot summer day.
When we allow grace to work, we allow the Kingdom of Heaven to take root. And this kingdom is not for us to hoard and enjoy alone. It has as its chief characteristic the need to be shared, the desire to grow to include everyone.
When you open yourself up to God, do not be surprised that others see it in you and start to want to be near you. Do not underestimate the ability God has given you to change your part of the world into a corner of heaven.
I enjoyed my “mini-retreat” and the time of reflection—no matter how short it was, but I missed more than I would have realized my weekly visit with Mom and visiting the sick at the hospital and bringing Jesus to them. It goes to show you that you never know what you’ll miss until you do—In this case, my duties as Eucharistic Minister (and son) create my own little “corner of heaven.”
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Catching up and continuing my pilgrimage
I haven't posted on my blog as regularly as I would like, because I like it to be of a certain quality of writing. I just haven't been very pleased with my skills lately. I know what I want to say, but it doesn't sound the same once I put it on paper. I related this to a couple of you who have wondered about my health this week, so to put your fears to rest, I'm going to write an entry tonight to prove I'm not sick, just tongue-tied. ========================================================================
My plan this morning was to attend Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fresno. This plan would have had two significant meanings for me. The first was to continue my pilgrimage to visit every church in the Fresno and Stockton dioceses. The second was to finally see the inside of the church where I was baptized!
I say finally, because this was my fifth attempt to attend a Mass or just to get inside the doors of OLMC! Every time I have tried previously, no one ever showed up, and there was a “CLOSED” sign in the window of the parish office. Today was no different.
According to the website, daily Masses are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 AM. So I got there at 7:30 to look around and say a few preliminary prayers before Mass was to start. By 7:50, no one had opened the doors, nor had anyone driven up to the church. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m not supposed to include this church in my pilgrimage until all of the others have been done!
A less-determined pilgrim would have given up on Mass today, but there are plenty of churches I haven’t seen yet, even here in Fresno. I remembered that I would be passing by the diocesan Cathedral (St. John’s) on my way to the store I was working today, so I headed over there. In less than 5 minutes, I was there (on time) for Mass. At first glance, it seemed a lot smaller than my own “home” cathedral in Stockton, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. After Mass, I took a couple of minutes to look at it more closely. It does appear to seat less than Assumption, but the sanctuary in St. John’s is much larger and ornate—almost 25% of the entire church is the sanctuary.
About the Mass. It was in Spanish. I attend a lot of Spanish-language masses when I’m out of town. I don’t know why, it just works out that way. It doesn’t really matter, because the structure of the Liturgy is the same no matter what language it’s in. And I usually read the next day’s readings every evening so I don’t miss out on the Liturgy of the Word. I’m getting better at understanding the homilies, too. It’s amazing the number of words I pick up on. What happened at today’s service is an example.
At two different points during the service, cell phones started ringing! They were turned off rather quickly, but not before taking everyone’s attention from the liturgy to the source of the interruptions. After the Liturgy of the Eucharist and concluding prayers, but before the final blessing and “ite misa est”, the priest said (in Spanish), “It is necessary that I speak about respect for Our Lord for a few minutes.” At least that’s what I heard. As I said, I am not fluent or even conversant in Spanish, but I am quite certain the Holy Spirit was allowing me to understand Father’s words. He spoke about the reverential attitude we should exhibit when we enter the house of God to listen to His Word and receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of His Son. He reminded us that weekday masses only last about 30 minutes and it was a show of disrespect not to give Jesus our undivided attention while we were guests in His house. He said we should leave our cell phones in our cars before coming to see our Lord.
This got me thinking about the gospel earlier in the week about Mary and Martha. Martha seemed more concerned about the duties of the world, while Mary ignored everything else to listen to the Word. Jesus lovingly told Martha that, while he appreciated her labors, Mary had chosen the better path. Just as I was thinking about this, I heard the priest saying the names of Martha and Mary. Who needs a language class, when you’ve got the Holy Spirit translating for you?
=======================================================================
Now, my reflection for tomorrow:
Faith is a gift from God, as necessary as the air we breathe. In addition to our physical life, He has made us in His image by giving us a human spirit through which He silently communicates His love and truth to us.
Some dismiss this, because unbelief has deafened and blinded them to God. Others are so comfortable in sin that their only concern is satisfying their desires. A third group performs all the visible signs of faith, but has neither "heart knowledge" nor a true love for Christ that develops in those who have a prayerful relationship with Him. The latter are open to receive His gift of Faith, which is a deep-seated, totally trusting belief in God's Word and in His love for all humanity.
These humble, steadfast people live quietly, but they unwittingly provide this world with a strong witness that God, in Christ, is present on earth and ever offering us His graces through His Spirit of love and truth. Jeremiah refers to these as faithful shepherds who will help unite and guide God's people to live in a spiritual covenant that will one day symbolize their nation as a divine throne attracting all the world's nations.
Christ's parable of the "sower" refers to those sent by God to sow His "Seed," to inspire faith in His holy Word by generously casting it upon the minds and hearts of all those in the land. But the seed's growth depends on the "ground" in which it falls.
For example, if the seed falls on an insensitive, foot-hardened path, it will lie there to be stolen by the evil one. Rocky ground may joyfully receive the seed but it lacks sufficient soil to allow the seed to develop strong roots, and the plant dies for lack of nourishment. The seed sown among thorns is suffocated by worldly concerns; earning riches is more exciting than waiting for God's gifts.
Only a rich, yielding, receptive soil will understand what the precious seeds will bring forth, and it gives itself to promoting a large and nourishing crop. It is man who determines the goodness and the growth of God's life in this world.
My plan this morning was to attend Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fresno. This plan would have had two significant meanings for me. The first was to continue my pilgrimage to visit every church in the Fresno and Stockton dioceses. The second was to finally see the inside of the church where I was baptized!
I say finally, because this was my fifth attempt to attend a Mass or just to get inside the doors of OLMC! Every time I have tried previously, no one ever showed up, and there was a “CLOSED” sign in the window of the parish office. Today was no different.
According to the website, daily Masses are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 AM. So I got there at 7:30 to look around and say a few preliminary prayers before Mass was to start. By 7:50, no one had opened the doors, nor had anyone driven up to the church. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m not supposed to include this church in my pilgrimage until all of the others have been done!
A less-determined pilgrim would have given up on Mass today, but there are plenty of churches I haven’t seen yet, even here in Fresno. I remembered that I would be passing by the diocesan Cathedral (St. John’s) on my way to the store I was working today, so I headed over there. In less than 5 minutes, I was there (on time) for Mass. At first glance, it seemed a lot smaller than my own “home” cathedral in Stockton, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. After Mass, I took a couple of minutes to look at it more closely. It does appear to seat less than Assumption, but the sanctuary in St. John’s is much larger and ornate—almost 25% of the entire church is the sanctuary.
About the Mass. It was in Spanish. I attend a lot of Spanish-language masses when I’m out of town. I don’t know why, it just works out that way. It doesn’t really matter, because the structure of the Liturgy is the same no matter what language it’s in. And I usually read the next day’s readings every evening so I don’t miss out on the Liturgy of the Word. I’m getting better at understanding the homilies, too. It’s amazing the number of words I pick up on. What happened at today’s service is an example.
At two different points during the service, cell phones started ringing! They were turned off rather quickly, but not before taking everyone’s attention from the liturgy to the source of the interruptions. After the Liturgy of the Eucharist and concluding prayers, but before the final blessing and “ite misa est”, the priest said (in Spanish), “It is necessary that I speak about respect for Our Lord for a few minutes.” At least that’s what I heard. As I said, I am not fluent or even conversant in Spanish, but I am quite certain the Holy Spirit was allowing me to understand Father’s words. He spoke about the reverential attitude we should exhibit when we enter the house of God to listen to His Word and receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of His Son. He reminded us that weekday masses only last about 30 minutes and it was a show of disrespect not to give Jesus our undivided attention while we were guests in His house. He said we should leave our cell phones in our cars before coming to see our Lord.
This got me thinking about the gospel earlier in the week about Mary and Martha. Martha seemed more concerned about the duties of the world, while Mary ignored everything else to listen to the Word. Jesus lovingly told Martha that, while he appreciated her labors, Mary had chosen the better path. Just as I was thinking about this, I heard the priest saying the names of Martha and Mary. Who needs a language class, when you’ve got the Holy Spirit translating for you?
=======================================================================
Now, my reflection for tomorrow:
Faith is a gift from God, as necessary as the air we breathe. In addition to our physical life, He has made us in His image by giving us a human spirit through which He silently communicates His love and truth to us.
Some dismiss this, because unbelief has deafened and blinded them to God. Others are so comfortable in sin that their only concern is satisfying their desires. A third group performs all the visible signs of faith, but has neither "heart knowledge" nor a true love for Christ that develops in those who have a prayerful relationship with Him. The latter are open to receive His gift of Faith, which is a deep-seated, totally trusting belief in God's Word and in His love for all humanity.
These humble, steadfast people live quietly, but they unwittingly provide this world with a strong witness that God, in Christ, is present on earth and ever offering us His graces through His Spirit of love and truth. Jeremiah refers to these as faithful shepherds who will help unite and guide God's people to live in a spiritual covenant that will one day symbolize their nation as a divine throne attracting all the world's nations.
Christ's parable of the "sower" refers to those sent by God to sow His "Seed," to inspire faith in His holy Word by generously casting it upon the minds and hearts of all those in the land. But the seed's growth depends on the "ground" in which it falls.
For example, if the seed falls on an insensitive, foot-hardened path, it will lie there to be stolen by the evil one. Rocky ground may joyfully receive the seed but it lacks sufficient soil to allow the seed to develop strong roots, and the plant dies for lack of nourishment. The seed sown among thorns is suffocated by worldly concerns; earning riches is more exciting than waiting for God's gifts.
Only a rich, yielding, receptive soil will understand what the precious seeds will bring forth, and it gives itself to promoting a large and nourishing crop. It is man who determines the goodness and the growth of God's life in this world.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Blind, gullible and stupid
Can you believe this? Click on the link.
Idiocy
I hope no one I know is so stupid as to try this. Showing love by biting is something reserved for food, in my opinion!
Idiocy
I hope no one I know is so stupid as to try this. Showing love by biting is something reserved for food, in my opinion!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Free will
Human beings value their freedom very much. There have been many wars throughout history and to this day over personal freedom. Free will, a gift from God, enables us to be free to make our own choices, but also comes with some responsibilities.
We know many instances where countries and perhaps where individuals within a family take away another's freedom. Unfortunately with our weaknesses as individuals we sometimes get ourselves into situations that compromise our freedom. How many "crosses" are of our own making?
Throughout the ministry of Christ, He constantly, but gently, urged His listeners to follow Him and His way. The Jewish people of His day were bound by hundreds of laws that they were to follow. The term "yoke of the law" referred to that reality. Instead, Christ said, "Take MY YOKE upon you and learn of me because I am meek and humble of heart and you shall find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29-30)
We know many instances where countries and perhaps where individuals within a family take away another's freedom. Unfortunately with our weaknesses as individuals we sometimes get ourselves into situations that compromise our freedom. How many "crosses" are of our own making?
Throughout the ministry of Christ, He constantly, but gently, urged His listeners to follow Him and His way. The Jewish people of His day were bound by hundreds of laws that they were to follow. The term "yoke of the law" referred to that reality. Instead, Christ said, "Take MY YOKE upon you and learn of me because I am meek and humble of heart and you shall find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29-30)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Blessed Kateri
On July 14, we Catholics celebrate the “Lily of the Mohawks,” Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (“Gaw-deh-lee De-ga-kwe-tha”). Because my daughter Alicia chose Blessed Kateri for her patron saint at her confirmation, it's an especially appropriate day to give her a great big bearhug and tell her that I love her very much! I think she knows how much I love her, but it's always nice to hear it, too. She is always in my prayers and I hope she is in yours, as well.
Kateri was born near the town of Auriesville, New York, in the year 1656, the daughter of a Mohawk warrior. Her mother died when she was young, she was raised by aunts and uncles, and eventually rejected by her tribe when she converted to Christ. She had to leave her family to practice her faith. In the four years that she lived as a disciple of Jesus before her death at age twenty-four, she cared for the sick and aged and dedicated herself to prayer and penance. Her greatest devotion was to the crucified Jesus and the Eucharist. Blessed Kateri lived a simple, humble life. She is a beautiful “icon” through whom we can catch a glimpse of the message of Wednesday’s scriptures.
In the Isaiah passage the Lord pronounces woes against the nation Assyria. Assyria was an instrument God used to punish other nations but then attributed its might and wisdom to itself. Assyria becomes arrogant, and for this God plans to bring punishment. Arrogance is defined as "an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions."
No word could better define how the nation of Israel had become at the time if Isaiah. To show the people of Israel their folly, Isaiah uses some beautiful imagery asking, "Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it?" Of course, the answer is no: the axe has no power over him who swings it, just as the saw can do nothing to the person who cuts with it. Axes and saws are powerless, inanimate objects.
The Israelites were nothing more than axes and saws, but in their arrogance they believed they had great power and could ignore God's laws. In reality they had no power at all, especially in the face of God's anger.
As our scientific knowledge, our success and our seemingly great accomplishments continue to expand, it seems God gets smaller and smaller. But as our own presumptuousness grows, God really never gets smaller. In fact our true need for Him grows larger and larger. Don't ever be fooled by letting arrogance creep into your life!
Blessed Kateri is the anti-Assyria because she never forgot her Creator and never exalted herself. In humility and love she served God.
The refrain of the responsorial psalm is “The Lord will not abandon his people.” Blessed Kateri was persecuted by her own tribe. Although she loved her people, she felt compelled to travel to a place where she could practice her faith. I can’t fathom the courage required of a twenty-year-old, single, Native American, young woman living in 1676 who abandoned all to embrace the crucified Jesus. Yet, through it all she experiences the love of God. The one who made the ear hears her cry. The one who made the eye sees her faith. Her inheritance is the Spirit who does not abandon His people.
The gospel lesson records one of the prayers of Jesus. Jesus praises the Father for hiding His will for the world from the wise and learned and revealing it to the childlike. It is the Blessed Kateris of the world to whom the Father reveals His will. The haughty, the proud, the wise, the learned simply are not enough like children to be able to receive it. God would give it to us but we are too full of ourselves. There is no room within our hearts for the gracious will of God.
Kateri was born near the town of Auriesville, New York, in the year 1656, the daughter of a Mohawk warrior. Her mother died when she was young, she was raised by aunts and uncles, and eventually rejected by her tribe when she converted to Christ. She had to leave her family to practice her faith. In the four years that she lived as a disciple of Jesus before her death at age twenty-four, she cared for the sick and aged and dedicated herself to prayer and penance. Her greatest devotion was to the crucified Jesus and the Eucharist. Blessed Kateri lived a simple, humble life. She is a beautiful “icon” through whom we can catch a glimpse of the message of Wednesday’s scriptures.
In the Isaiah passage the Lord pronounces woes against the nation Assyria. Assyria was an instrument God used to punish other nations but then attributed its might and wisdom to itself. Assyria becomes arrogant, and for this God plans to bring punishment. Arrogance is defined as "an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions."
No word could better define how the nation of Israel had become at the time if Isaiah. To show the people of Israel their folly, Isaiah uses some beautiful imagery asking, "Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it?" Of course, the answer is no: the axe has no power over him who swings it, just as the saw can do nothing to the person who cuts with it. Axes and saws are powerless, inanimate objects.
The Israelites were nothing more than axes and saws, but in their arrogance they believed they had great power and could ignore God's laws. In reality they had no power at all, especially in the face of God's anger.
As our scientific knowledge, our success and our seemingly great accomplishments continue to expand, it seems God gets smaller and smaller. But as our own presumptuousness grows, God really never gets smaller. In fact our true need for Him grows larger and larger. Don't ever be fooled by letting arrogance creep into your life!
Blessed Kateri is the anti-Assyria because she never forgot her Creator and never exalted herself. In humility and love she served God.
The refrain of the responsorial psalm is “The Lord will not abandon his people.” Blessed Kateri was persecuted by her own tribe. Although she loved her people, she felt compelled to travel to a place where she could practice her faith. I can’t fathom the courage required of a twenty-year-old, single, Native American, young woman living in 1676 who abandoned all to embrace the crucified Jesus. Yet, through it all she experiences the love of God. The one who made the ear hears her cry. The one who made the eye sees her faith. Her inheritance is the Spirit who does not abandon His people.
The gospel lesson records one of the prayers of Jesus. Jesus praises the Father for hiding His will for the world from the wise and learned and revealing it to the childlike. It is the Blessed Kateris of the world to whom the Father reveals His will. The haughty, the proud, the wise, the learned simply are not enough like children to be able to receive it. God would give it to us but we are too full of ourselves. There is no room within our hearts for the gracious will of God.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A life of forgiveness is a life full of the grace of God
Forgiving someone you love is infinitely easier than someone you don't. The spirit of what Jesus says about forgiveness is that we should forgive ANYONE who needs it many more times than will feel comfortable or "right" or fair.
Part of what communicates God's grace in the world is the Spirit-freeing aspect of the act of forgiveness. Giving hurt and anger up to God and forgiving the person who created that them relieves such a burden. Everyone has done something, somewhere, sometime, to hurt another person -- whether intentionally or not, whether seriously or not -- so we all have something to consider within ourselves that needs forgiveness. God's forgiveness, through Christ, is meant to free us from the bonds of death. Death as expressed in the lies and deceits with which we live; death as expressed in the separations we experience in our relationships with others; death as expressed in the greatest separation: that of ourselves from God.
In the forgiving process, we are the ones needing forgiveness first. Whether we reflect on the forgiveness gained for us by Christ on the cross, an instance of our being forgiven by someone else, or a time where we have forgiven someone -- forgiveness starts at "home". Without recognizing the grace we have received, we simply cannot truly and honestly extend that grace to anyone else.
Forgiveness, being a grace of God, is free but not cheap. Forgiveness takes work and commitment. The work part is the inventory of just how we feel about the person and the situation creating the need for forgiveness. The work part includes looking at our own culpability in a situation and if it exists, owning it -- however small or seemingly insignificant. The work involves seeing the other person through the eyes of Christ. The work takes true shape in the encounter with the one who has hurt us. The work ends in the letting go of the anger, disappointment, and disillusionment that rests in our heart, binding our spirits. Laying it down at the foot of the Cross and stepping away, turning our backs on it. Trusting that God will give us what we need to heal, to become whole, to forgive.
Commitment comes with the change in our heart and soul--a change that is nothing short of a miracle. Commitment to forgiveness reveals itself in gentleness, in loving forgiveness of our own imperfections, and in loving forgiveness of the imperfections of others. Commitment to forgiveness brings a deep abiding joy to our hearts and souls which radiates outward. Commitment to forgiveness is just that...a commitment. Living a life of forgiveness, forged in our hearts by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ demands an effort to be engaged in a relationship with Christ.
Engagement in a relationship with Christ brings us to that deep abiding joy in our hearts and souls because of the forgiveness we receive, time and time again. Engagement in a relationship with Christ is about accountability. We are accountable to God through Christ. When we become engaged in a relationship with Christ, we become part of the Body of Christ.
Part of what communicates God's grace in the world is the Spirit-freeing aspect of the act of forgiveness. Giving hurt and anger up to God and forgiving the person who created that them relieves such a burden. Everyone has done something, somewhere, sometime, to hurt another person -- whether intentionally or not, whether seriously or not -- so we all have something to consider within ourselves that needs forgiveness. God's forgiveness, through Christ, is meant to free us from the bonds of death. Death as expressed in the lies and deceits with which we live; death as expressed in the separations we experience in our relationships with others; death as expressed in the greatest separation: that of ourselves from God.
In the forgiving process, we are the ones needing forgiveness first. Whether we reflect on the forgiveness gained for us by Christ on the cross, an instance of our being forgiven by someone else, or a time where we have forgiven someone -- forgiveness starts at "home". Without recognizing the grace we have received, we simply cannot truly and honestly extend that grace to anyone else.
Forgiveness, being a grace of God, is free but not cheap. Forgiveness takes work and commitment. The work part is the inventory of just how we feel about the person and the situation creating the need for forgiveness. The work part includes looking at our own culpability in a situation and if it exists, owning it -- however small or seemingly insignificant. The work involves seeing the other person through the eyes of Christ. The work takes true shape in the encounter with the one who has hurt us. The work ends in the letting go of the anger, disappointment, and disillusionment that rests in our heart, binding our spirits. Laying it down at the foot of the Cross and stepping away, turning our backs on it. Trusting that God will give us what we need to heal, to become whole, to forgive.
Commitment comes with the change in our heart and soul--a change that is nothing short of a miracle. Commitment to forgiveness reveals itself in gentleness, in loving forgiveness of our own imperfections, and in loving forgiveness of the imperfections of others. Commitment to forgiveness brings a deep abiding joy to our hearts and souls which radiates outward. Commitment to forgiveness is just that...a commitment. Living a life of forgiveness, forged in our hearts by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ demands an effort to be engaged in a relationship with Christ.
Engagement in a relationship with Christ brings us to that deep abiding joy in our hearts and souls because of the forgiveness we receive, time and time again. Engagement in a relationship with Christ is about accountability. We are accountable to God through Christ. When we become engaged in a relationship with Christ, we become part of the Body of Christ.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Faith is good medicine
I’ve been so mentally and physically exhausted lately that I was not going to write a blog tonight—in fact I was just turning out the lights and the television (it’s 1 o’clock in the morning), when I heard someone cite a Mother Teresa quote. That alone would not generally move me to write, but the fact that it’s the 3rd time I heard the quote today in 3 different contexts tends to tell me the Holy Spirit is prompting me to write this short note of thanksgiving and praise to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mother Teresa’s quote is, “God doesn’t want us to be successful. He wants us to be faithful.” Worrying about all the health and family dramas playing out on the home front the past few weeks has brought me thisclose to losing my mind. The worry has also had an effect on my ability to do my job at a standard I can be happy with. I decided to make a commitment to prayer, giving all of the issues to Jesus through Mary and trusting that it’s all a part of His plan to strengthen my faith and the faith of those around me. God has already answered my prayers to most of the health issues (Praise Him always!)! As far as my job stress, my boss has been really good about it, giving me some time to work things out and taking it relatively easy on me, but it’s time I buckle down and get the job done. After all, I want to be successful. And I believe I will be, as long as I remain faithful to God.
Mother Teresa’s quote is, “God doesn’t want us to be successful. He wants us to be faithful.” Worrying about all the health and family dramas playing out on the home front the past few weeks has brought me thisclose to losing my mind. The worry has also had an effect on my ability to do my job at a standard I can be happy with. I decided to make a commitment to prayer, giving all of the issues to Jesus through Mary and trusting that it’s all a part of His plan to strengthen my faith and the faith of those around me. God has already answered my prayers to most of the health issues (Praise Him always!)! As far as my job stress, my boss has been really good about it, giving me some time to work things out and taking it relatively easy on me, but it’s time I buckle down and get the job done. After all, I want to be successful. And I believe I will be, as long as I remain faithful to God.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Jesus is at the door of our souls
All that we have is a total gift: "Without cost you have received: without cost you are to give." (Matthew 10:8)
At our baptism we became sons and daughters of Christ. Through that sacrament and Confirmation we are challenged to carry out His mission. In Matthew 10, Christ spells out clearly what we are to do and that we have His assurance that He is always with us.
If only all of us understood that challenge, given in love, by Love Himself!
How often, instead, we hear the comments such as, "I don't get anything out of going to Mass." It is a spillover from our secular society where so often we are looking for rewards without putting out any effort .
Persons speaking in that manner have yet to grasp the tremendous gifts that we have been given, the gifts of faith and redemption, given by God Himself from the Cross. Christ doesn't force Himself on anyone, but He is always at the door of our souls, waiting in love for us to give Him some time and space in our hearts.
At our baptism we became sons and daughters of Christ. Through that sacrament and Confirmation we are challenged to carry out His mission. In Matthew 10, Christ spells out clearly what we are to do and that we have His assurance that He is always with us.
If only all of us understood that challenge, given in love, by Love Himself!
How often, instead, we hear the comments such as, "I don't get anything out of going to Mass." It is a spillover from our secular society where so often we are looking for rewards without putting out any effort .
Persons speaking in that manner have yet to grasp the tremendous gifts that we have been given, the gifts of faith and redemption, given by God Himself from the Cross. Christ doesn't force Himself on anyone, but He is always at the door of our souls, waiting in love for us to give Him some time and space in our hearts.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Love is an action, not a feeling
In Matthew (Chapter 9) we hear that Jesus is going from town to town preaching the Good News of the Kingdom and curing people of their illnesses and disease. It then says that His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were troubled and abandoned.
Like Jesus, we all encounter people who in one way or another are troubled. Some naturally move our hearts to be compassionate while others do not. Often those who don't are the ones whose troubles are self-inflicted and yet they are in most need of kindness and help. Yet, like sheep without a shepherd they have no one willing to shelter them from the catastrophes of their lives.
At times like this it is well for us to remember that love is not a feeling, but a response.
To be imitators of Christ means that we choose to be loving, even when we feel the least inclined. Let us choose then to cooperate with God and the gifts and grace He has given us and let our God-given hearts be moved with pity.
Like Jesus, we all encounter people who in one way or another are troubled. Some naturally move our hearts to be compassionate while others do not. Often those who don't are the ones whose troubles are self-inflicted and yet they are in most need of kindness and help. Yet, like sheep without a shepherd they have no one willing to shelter them from the catastrophes of their lives.
At times like this it is well for us to remember that love is not a feeling, but a response.
To be imitators of Christ means that we choose to be loving, even when we feel the least inclined. Let us choose then to cooperate with God and the gifts and grace He has given us and let our God-given hearts be moved with pity.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Praying for "Justice for All"
This weekend's celebrations of our beginnings as a nation stir our hearts to renewed loyalty to our beloved country.
Yet our nation is now in the throes of a huge debate about policies concerning immigrants. Our borders once offered hope and hospitality to the stranger. No more! The torch of Lady Liberty in New York harbor is as much a warning fire as it is a beacon of hope. At the same time, the number of displaced peoples in the world has reached 20 million. How much of our freedom are we willing to share?
The Scripture readings for this Sunday offer food for reflection, and God's recipe for peace. Beginning with Isaiah, we hear that the Lord offers a future of peace and prosperity to Israel following the Babylonian captivity. "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort."
In the Gospel, Jesus and His apostles and disciples are on the way to Jerusalem to fulfill this ancient prophecy. In every village and hamlet, they preach the Good News, heal the sick and drive out demons. Jesus instructs them to travel very light, relying on the people to feed and protect them. They are not to take staff or traveling bag.
Unfortunately, Jerusalem rejects the message, puts the Son of God to death, and seals its own fate, not the peace of Jerusalem, but its eventual destruction in the year 70AD! No wonder that, when Jesus arrives, He weeps over the city's rejection, again using the image of God as a tenderhearted mother.
Our late Holy Father, John Paul II, reminded us that peace begins in the human heart. Peace will only come from those whose hearts are filled with God's love and obedience to His plan for the world. At the same time, Paul reminds us in the second reading, that the disciple must be prepared for rejection, bearing the marks of the Cross on his or her own body.
On this Fourth of July, may we remind ourselves that, when we practice "justice for all," God will send us the peace for which we so long.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)