What if the Church was a car company?

This article is pretty funny....true in a sad sort of way, too.  But funny!

The lesson of the potter can't be ignored--the Church will prevail in all of this

I, for one, am tired of all the “news” stories floating around the internet concerning Pope Benedict’s resignation and the upcoming conclave to elect a successor.  It seems like every day another “plot” or “secret” deep within the Vatican Curia is “brought to light”.  My gut feeling is that all of this is nonsense and just an attempt by Satan to do what he cannot do—bring the Church founded by Jesus Christ to an end.  Are these stories true?  I don’t know, and frankly the only thing I care about in all of this is the souls of the sinners if they are true.

I find Jeremiah verse 18, chapter 18 eerily similar to our events today:

“Come,” they said, “let us devise a plot against Jeremiah, for instruction will not perish from the priests, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets.  Come, let us destroy him by his own tongue. Let us pay careful attention to his every word.”

This whole drama surrounding the Church, the Vatican and especially the Pope and his motives reminds me of the potter in the verses earlier in the same chapter of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 18:1–12]. The lesson of the potter is that God has the power to destroy or restore, changing his plans accordingly as these nations disobey him or fulfill his will. (Jon 3:10).

For over a generation God's love has been misrepresented, redefined as His unconditional forgiveness for wrongdoing, virtually abolishing the concept of sin. This week’s readings refute such notions; sin is shown to be an abomination before God and forgiveness contingent upon our repentance and a return to living by His moral precepts. If this were not so, the Father would not have sent us His Son to suffer and die, to take upon Himself the death sentence we deserve for our sin; nor would He have given us the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, make us holy.

Our error began long before Vatican II when modernist theologians separated God's truth from His love. They failed to see that God's love cannot coexist with idolatry, greed, adultery, false witness, covetous- ness, thievery, killing, etc. God cannot negate the conditions of living out His love, approve of His children ravaging one another.

Our Church's rebirth in the new millennium should perhaps begin with a call to repentance of our "separated" prelates and clergy, their embrace of the true Faith rather than their secularized version and a re-education of our people (starting with our own families) in the genuine meaning of "God is Love."

Armed and dangerous (to Satan)

As a member of the “Church Militant”, here is my weapon of choice against the evil in the world!  I don’t have to—nor do I want to—carry it concealed, I don’t need to have a license to use it, and there is definitely no background check required.  How simple and powerful is that?

By what authority?

On February 22 we celebrate a universal Feast of the Church, the Chair of Peter. In a very real way, the Church treats this feast as a kind of foundation day of the Papacy – certainly the text from Matthew that we are invited to feast on (Matthew 16:13-19) is one of the classic proof texts for papal authority. The symbol of keys is also the primary symbol for papal authority.  It is proper then to meditate on the office of Papacy and its meaning for the life of the Church on this feast day. 

If we couple the Gospel in this year’s liturgical cycle with several other New Testament texts on authority (including this year’s first reading from the First Letter of Peter) we recognize that Jesus is giving to Peter and to the Church His own power – that is the power to reveal the Reign of God in the world throughout history.  Jesus is handing on His mission from God to the disciples – and specifically to Peter in Matthew’s version of this text – to carry on His work of disclosing the compassion of God made evident by the way He lived out His life and death.  The ultimate expression of Divine authority is manifest in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew explicitly states this in 28:18) and He challenges His disciples to exercise the authority He is giving them/us precisely by laying down their/our lives for the world. 

It is obvious to us that Jesus’ sense of authority is not easily grasped in our culture and time or in any era of human history.  Not only does He have to catechize His followers a number of times on the issue, He has to witness it by His behavior in every relationship in His life and ultimately in the manner of His death. And they/we still don’t get it!   Jesus never “flaunts” power over anyone or coerces anyone to do His will.  He invites, challenges, seduces by love, all behaviors that leave the other free to embrace or reject His desire. He gives us the freedom from the consequences of sin so that we are free to say yes, but He never takes away the power to say no. 

Within Christian history this Gospel testimony has not been regularly heeded – and the consequence in every instance has been the failure of the Church to fulfill the mission of Christ.  The human heart is turned to bitterness and revenge when the Church has raised a sword of conquest rather than the hand of mercy; the community of believers has been torn in shreds when ecclesial pompousness and greed refused to hear the cry of the poor begging for Good News.

Even the text of the aforementioned Gospel (whatever you bind . . . whatever you loose . . .) is often understood to mean that the Church ‘controls’ the distribution of God’s mercy – but a more accurate interpretation of binding and loosing is to see them as parallels rather than opposites: whenever the Church chooses to bind up the wounds of the world, God is binding those wounds.  When the Church looses the chains of sin’s power, God frees the human heart to forgive and to love.  The “keys” to the Reign of God are the manner and pattern of Jesus’ ministerial response: the keys of humble service in life and through death.

Given all this, how ought we to respond to the authority of the papacy today?  We American Catholics live and breathe an anti-authoritarian culture.  We love to hate authority figures.  Our current culture loves to make fun of and disparage those who bear the burden and responsibility for leading, and to tell them how poorly they are doing.  Some of our stance is historically due to poorly implemented leadership, but much of it is simply the consequence of sin in our lives.  Under the bonds of sin I don’t want to be liberated and led toward the Kingdom of God because I would generally rather worship myself as god.

The truth is, I grant authority to the one who does for me what I cannot do for myself. God alone is the ultimate doer of what needs to be done for me – thus He has ultimate authority.  If He has chosen to give that authority into the hands of fallible humans to exercise on His behalf then I have a call to listen and obey for the sake of my own life – if I want to live in joy and peace. 

Despite popular atheistic opinion, the papacy is blest in our time to be free from ownership of vast properties, the scandal of the profits of human serfs, and from the political entanglements, armies and war paraphernalia that weighed it down in other eras. The papacy is blest with the authority and opportunity to speak on behalf of human rights and human dignity – but the effectiveness of that authority is realized by the exercise of compassion and humility of the office holder.  It is a great moment of grace for the Church of our time that Pope Benedict XVI began his pontifical service with an Encyclical Letter on the Love of God and now ends it in a gesture of generosity by resigning for the sake of the Church in the face of his growing limitations.  We must all pray lovingly for him and for all presbyters among us: that they witness to the sufferings of Christ; that they tend to the flock willingly and not for profit, and that they serve humbly, not lording it over those assigned. For the next man to be chosen to sit on the Chair of Peter we pray for wisdom and faithfulness to the Spirit.  For ourselves we pray for the humility and good sense to obey the right exercise of leadership . . .so that the Kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven.

A birthday blog for Mom

Marilyn and I have been trying to figure out what to get Mom for her birthday this year.  For some reason, it was easier to know what she wanted or needed when she lived nearby.  She moved away only 2 months ago, but I miss her a lot.  I guess deep down, I’m a “momma’s boy”.  I miss taking her to Mass or bringing her the Eucharist on Sundays.  I miss our weekly visits together when we would discuss everything from faith to family and Facebook.  I even miss going grocery shopping with and for her! 

This is not to say I don’t love being able to spend more time with Marilyn and my girls (especially Lily), but there are some Sundays that we don’t necessarily go anywhere or do any activities and those are the times I feel a certain loneliness for Mom.  Even then, I’m such a lousy son I don’t call her and tell her I miss her.  Of course, I rarely call Marilyn either, even though I miss her terribly during the week when I’m away at work.  It’s a problem I confess often. 

Anyway, back to Mom’s birthday.  Marilyn and I have knocked around several different ideas for so long, we missed it!  Here it is the 20^th, her birthday is tomorrow, and nothing’s been purchased or sent—not even a card!  I feel real bad about not having anything for her tomorrow.  I have an “out” though; I’m going to visit her next Sunday.  That gives Marilyn and me 3 days to get this handled.

In the meantime, Mom, I thought you might enjoy reading some quotes I found on the internet about mothers that share my feelings about you:   

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

I would say your prayers have not only followed me, but led me in my life decisions and instilled in me the faith in Christ that is our hope for the world!

[A] mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.  ~Emily Dickinson

How true this one is! 

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.  ~William Makepeace Thacker

I think after we get to know God, “Mother” can still be substituted for the name of the love that God has for us.  The model of love that a mother gives her children makes them appreciate the magnificence and magnitude of God’s love all the more!

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

I agree.  A mother is absolutely new for every child she bears.  Each child has a mother of his own—children share a mother’s physical presence, but the love between each child and his mother is unique;  not more, not less—simply unique.  

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

Absolutely—My brothers and I are blessed that our mom has modeled her love for us on our Blessed Mother’s love for her Son, and given her the courage and foresight to know when to ask for Mary’s help when she feels overburdened.

You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool mom.  ~Author Unknown

And God knows we’ve tried!  Ha ha.

And my favorite for its comedic value…….as well as its veracity!

Don't ever tell the mother of a newborn that her baby's smile is just gas.  ~Jill Woodhull

 I also found the following poem that pretty much sums up my feelings today:

I love you, Mom

And that's why I pray

Not just today on your birthday

 

But with each remembrance

Of the love you've expressed

My thankfulness to the Lord I've professed

 

For my life began

In a warm and safe place

Then grew more secure in your tender embrace

 

When I was little

You taught me to crawl

Then to walk and run, and get up when I fall

 

Nurtured and cared for

You raised me to stand

Lifted, supported, by your loving hand

 

You believed in me

Inspired me to dream

Nothing was impossible for me, it seemed

 

It was your example

That pointed the way

To the life in Christ I know today

 

Mom, I love you 

On this, your birthday

You're the reason I'm taking this moment to pray

 

My mom, I love her

Let her know, dear Lord

Please bless her with the most abundant reward

 

--Mary Fairchild

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Eternity has only two choices

Have you ever pleaded with God to give you a sign?  I have, and I still do—usually when I find myself torn with a decision I need to make.

That brings to mind a few questions:  How do we interpret “signs”? How do we know that a sign is actually a sign and not a desire for a sign creating something out of nothing?  Does God actually send us signs?

Jesus says that Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites. (Luke 11:29-32)   Place yourself into Jonah 3:1-10.  Imagine yourself as a Ninevite, minding your own business, chopping wood or washing the laundry.  Imagine Jonah, a stranger, walking through town shouting that God was going to destroy your town.  How would you react? Would you take this as a sign from God? 

I think I would be pretty skeptical.  I think I would pass Jonah off as a lunatic and go back to my laundry.  If I’m honest with myself, as I publicly wave him off I might also secretly repent out of fear that he was right.  I might ask God to give me a sign that his sign is truly a “sign”! 

Whether signs are actually inspired by God or our own imaginations, the message of the prophet and Jesus remains clear: repent.  Jonah and the Son of Man preached the same message to different crowds and in different places.  The message, preached to us through the Bible, reaches us now in our own town and as we go about our own business.  Recognize how we fail to love God and choose sin so that we can repent and join Jesus in heaven at our own judgment. 

As we continue through the Lenten season, I pray that each of us repents.  God already sent us our sign, his son. Repent and choose God.  Choose life, freedom, truth and love. 

Life gives us lots of choices—Eternity gives us only two.  Think about it.

A Novena for Pope Benedict XVI starts on Wednesday!

Please join me in saying this NOVENA for Pope Benedict and for a Holy Spirit-filled conclave to elect his successor.  Thanks, and may God bless us all.

Be Holy

When I reflect on the words, “be holy” as a call to be like God, because God is holy, part of me wants to run far away—and fast!  I want to say that I can’t do this, that I can’t be holy like God because I’m NOT God – end of story! However, in a reading from Leviticus (Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18), we are told that part of being holy is doing justice to others. We are to treat others with respect and fairness, whether they are seeking wages, whether they are deaf or blind, or whether they are someone who is difficult to deal with. We are to love our neighbors, and the text doesn’t seem to give us the choice to pick and choose whom we will love. God’s measuring stick, even though I oftentimes don’t want to use it and don’t want to be measured by it, is a challenge for most of us.

I have an easy time loving my granddaughter--when things seem to be going well, she is behaving in reasonable ways, and there are no crises. However, there are also times when she pushes boundaries, and behaves in ways that frustrate me. It’s at these times, when I feel pushed as a grandparent and I find out about my true character, my ability to do justice and love my not so lovable (at that moment) grandbaby.  I can sometimes step back and take the long view, and invite her to keep growing as she experiences life’s ups and downs. There are other times when I react or overreact to something she says or does. I find that when I reflect on my behavior that there’s often something I can learn about my abilities as a grandparent and about God’s love. I can offer an apology when appropriate, if I was out of line. Even though she's only 4 years old I can also ask for what I need from her, and be clear about my expectations.  She's a smart girl.  She understands. Marilyn is a real blessing and a great example for me as she strives for consistency in teaching and consequences.  I grab the opportunity often to pray in thanksgiving for my wife as a partner in our efforts to help Alicia in raising Lily to be a good Christian, as well as for grace and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

There may be an opportunity for each of us in our day, to look at how we are doing justice today, to all our neighbors. We may also be able to ask “how am I sharing God’s love today?” This focus may help us to love God more deeply and follow God’s ways more closely.  May we seek Christ today in all our encounters and love Him as we find His Presence in them.

Plugging the loopholes in my Lenten sacrifices

My Lent is not going very well.  I wanted to visit a church every day; preferably a Mass, but if I missed Mass for some reason, I figured to at least visit the Blessed Sacrament for at least ½ hour.  I was going to give up Diet Coke—in fact, I was going to give up all soda pops for Lent, except for Sundays, when the Lenten sacrifices are excused because the Lord’s Day is a day for rejoicing, not sacrificing.  I was going to add the Divine Mercy to my daily prayer regimen; preferably at the hour of Divine Mercy, 3:00 PM. 

I got to Mass on Ash Wednesday and on Thursday.  I didn’t get there on Friday after Ash Wednesday because I simply forgot.  I went to Mass on Saturday night to fulfill my Sunday obligation since we celebrated Sarah’s birthday up at the cabin today (Sunday).  I came home after dinner since I have to work tomorrow.  So I visited a church on 3 out of 5 days; not a very good compliance to my first commitment.

 I tried to wait until Sunday for my first taste of Diet Coke but I broke down on Friday, grabbing a soda on my drive home.  So now I’m zero for two in making my Lenten sacrifices.

I have only said 3 Divine Mercy chaplets in the last 5 days and none of those was at three o’clock.  Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.  No excuse other than a lack of focus to my Lord.

Discussing my poor performance with family and friends this evening, I think I have my problem identified.  You see, it’s all about loopholes.  I used words like “preferably” and “excused”.  I knew going into Lent that I would have an “out” for each of the practices I wanted to observe. 

So I’m redefining my goals.  I set some time aside today to really decide what I can do to get closer to Christ this Lent.  After all, isn’t that the real reason for our sacrifices during the next 40 days?  Christ fasted for 40 days before facing Satan and his temptations.   Moses prayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights before receiving the Ten Commandments.  Elijah fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in preparation of continuing God’s call.  These were all done to strengthen their resolve to follow the Will of the Father.  They didn’t take a break on one day a week.  They didn’t say “I’ll fast unless it’s inconvenient.”  They simply did it. 

But if I spend more time considering how miserably I’m doing, how is that strengthening me?  I don’t think it is.  I’ve come up with a new game plan.  Rather than giving up a vice (drinking diet coke) that doesn’t really keep me from my relationship with Christ, why not pay more attention to avoiding a bad habit that is sinful?  In my case, my use of swear words in the course of my daily conversations.  I know this is a good choice, because before I ever told anyone about my resolve I used one of my famous expletives and a friend said (as if he knew) “Couldn’t you get your point across without the swear word?”  I was taken aback for a second by his question.  After all, he has a pretty colorful vocabulary himself.  He was even a bit surprised he scolded me!  When I realized what happened, I thanked him and explained to him that whether he knew it or not, he was being used by the Holy Spirit to keep me in line!

I will still try to keep the other Lenten practices of a weekday Mass as often as I can—if only once or twice a week—it’s more than I am attending now.  And I’m setting my watch alarm for three o’clock in the afternoon as a reminder to recite the Divine Mercy.  It’s something I should have done to begin with. 

Pray for me, that I can shake off the last few days’ poor focus and get back on track as I prepare for the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Thanks.

A prayer for engaged couples

My daughter Sarah is getting married in October to Tony, a wonderful man who obviously loves and respects her.  I’m excited for them and I know they will have a long and lasting love in the sight of God.  I know they realize the great gift God has given them in one another. 

On Twitter today, I was sent the following prayer that I thought is just beautiful.  It reminded me of the prayers of Tobiah and Sarah (Tobit 8: 5-8).

As I read it, I realized the words could be changed slightly and be just as beautiful for married couples to pray. 

Thanks to Ignatius Press for the “tweet”.  It was quite appropriate for Valentine’s Day.  

PRAYER OF ENGAGED COUPLES

Father, in my heart love has come alive for a person you made, and whom you too know and love. It was you who brought me to meet her (him) and come to know her (him), as once, in paradise, you brought Eve and Adam together so that man should not remain alone. I thank you for this gift. It fills me with profound joy. It makes me like you, who are love itself, and brings me to understand the value of the life you have given me.

Help me not to squander the riches you have stored in my heart. Teach me that love is a gift that must not be suffocated by selfishness; that love is pure and strong and must not be soiled or corrupted; that love is fruitful and should, beginning even now, open up a new life for myself and the person who has chosen me.

Loving Father, I pray for the person who is thinking of me and waiting for me, and who has placed in me complete trust for the future; I pray for this person who will walk along the path of life with me; help us to be worthy of one another and to be an encouragement and example to one another. Help us to prepare for marriage, for its grandeur and for its responsibilities, so that the love which fills us body and spirit may rule our lives for evermore.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Image: The Betrothal of Mary by Gulácsy Lajos

It's a matter of life or death!

When we want to emphasize that something is very, very important, we say, "It's a matter of life or death!"  In the book of Deuteronomy, that Jesus loved to quote, we are reminded that salvation is a matter of choosing life over death at every step of our journey of faith.  We will do this "by loving the Lord our God, heeding God's voice, and holding fast to God." (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)  Jesus takes this much deeper, much further.  He says we must be willing to risk our lives, to put our lives on the line, and even to lose our lives if we are going to follow Him on the path to true and everlasting life. (Luke 9:22-25)  What a wonderful reminder with which to begin our Lenten journeys!

The way we choose to observe Lent—seemingly a rather un-dramatic and personal matter, is actually of crucial importance not only for ourselves, but for everyone.  It is important that we take some time to examine our lives, noticing where we resist the call of Christ, and doing something, however insignificant, to break down any barriers we have placed in the way of Christ's desire to serve others in and through us.  What exactly this will be is completely up to each one of us, but this, at least, can be said:  it will move us away from what is self-serving, narrow, biased, and comfortable toward a life of compassion, concern, help, and dedication to others.

What does "losing our lives for the sake of Christ" really mean?  How do we put such a command into practice?  Each of us has to figure this out in the light of our faith, which is a combination of gift and choice, a power and a commitment. This much we know for sure:  we cannot remain where we are; we are always on the way, walking resolutely with Jesus toward Jerusalem.  For us, it’s the New Jerusalem, and so we walk with confidence and hope, knowing that Jesus both walks with us and goes before us.  But it’s also still the way of the cross, summoning us out of our tiny, narrow, self-centered world into the much larger arena of salvation -- involving the whole human race, life for all, the life that is heavenly in its origin and its destination.  We are called to die to what is secure and familiar.  We are called to die to what is narrow and selfish.  We are called to die to the tiny, false life of self-preoccupation and self- preservation.

The law of the cross is the royal road to a new and greater life -- which is joy and salvation for ourselves, who are only fulfilled by total love, and which is fuller life, greater justice, heavenly peace for all.  When we respond to the summons to choose true life, we enter into the joy that no one can ever take away from us! 

We have a choice every day to live in the way of the Lord.  An opportunity that should not be wasted is taken for granted a lot of the time.  In a world of temptation and negative influence, we need to rise above and become the best people we can be.  It is important to look over and review the Ten Commandments because we often forget what is right sometimes.  The Ten Commandments lay it all out for us simply.(ccc2052-2082)  God challenges our faith and our choices speak of the path we are currently on.  We have to be aware of what we are doing in life and make choices that put us on the right path.

In my own life, I’ve made good and bad choices.  The mistakes we make can serve as a learning experience for us.  Don’t discard these mistakes without learning from them, because this can be the most powerful form of learning.  It’s called living and learning and no one is perfect.  That’s what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about.  We can all be perfect together if we choose to love and respect one another and the choice God gives us.

A change of perspective

When I was a kid (yes I was a kid once), I remember Ash Wednesday as a melancholy day.  To me, every adult was unusually somber and whispery that day.  I thought Ash Wednesday, with its marked foreheads and meager meals signaled the beginning of a long period of giving up candy – and some feeling that we were all lost.

Now that I’m (ahem) older, my perspective has changed. The Church has chosen readings for Ash Wednesday that invite us into a hopeful joy.  In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17) God invites us to “return to me with your whole heart” and we ask God in return to “create a clean heart for me and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” 

Rather than being melancholy, Lent invites us into a deep joy, for we are known by God as imperfect people but we are loved by God as forgiven.  The deeply forgiving love God extends to us is like an invitation to renew our relationship with Him.

Think of it as a period of simplicity, paring down and clearing away the things that are getting in the way between us and our Creator.  Lent can be a time to take a clear-eyed look at ourselves and honestly see who we are, just as God does.  But it’s a time of great hope, as we realize how much God longs for a relationship with us.

That doesn’t mean we focus on us and our failings, but we can look at the way our lack of freedom gets in the way of our relationships with God.  An honest look at ourselves as flawed creatures of God doesn’t mean we give up. Rather we can rejoice in knowing that there is nothing we have done, no act or way of life, no hidden sin so deeply tucked away in our souls, that God doesn’t forgive in us. 

Imagine the next six weeks as time to spend with One who loves us so much, who forgives and comforts us and rejoices in our love.  Isn’t that celebration of love even deeper and more joyful if we have been separated from God for a while?

Many of us will have our foreheads marked by a cross of ashes.  It is a shocking symbol of our own mortality and of the sacrifice Jesus made for us with His death.  It’s also a public marking that reminds us - and others - of God's message to us, "I created you for myself and gave you my only son to free you from sin and death.  Even now, I am calling you, drawing you closer to myself so that someday, I can celebrate with you a never ending banquet of love." 

The ashes on our forehead are more than a symbol of our own mortality. They are a sign of God fighting for our freedom from this world, liberating us from the clutches of so many things that drag us away from Him.

Jesus is calling us to Himself in an ever-deeper way, inviting us into His endless forgiveness and asking us to return to His loving embrace.  With tears of joy, we can accept His outstretched arms. 

The big picture

When I heard the news about the pope resigning his office as Bishop of Rome, it threw me for a loop.  I had all sorts of thoughts and feelings swirling inside me; disbelief first, then sadness, then worry, then hope.

The disbelief stemmed from the fact that although I had read about a couple of popes resigning in the past, it was the distant past—the last was over 600 years ago!  I thought “Popes don’t ‘resign’!  The office of the Bishop of Rome is a lifetime gig!” I got over my disbelief after logic kicked in and I realized the pope wouldn’t resign if it weren’t possible.

Then I was saddened to think that our Holy Father might be sicker than anyone knew, and that was the reason he was quitting.  But no, turns out (as I’ve always known, but chosen to ignore the fact that) he’s human, getting old, and just can’t “feed Christ’s sheep” in the manner he thinks worthy of Jesus.  One of my biggest faults is taking on jobs that are too big for me to handle alone and waiting until the last minute to ask for help. After listening to people “in the know” on the radio and television today, such is not the case with Benedict.  It turns out he’s been discerning this move for a couple of years already.  It takes a heavy dose of humility to admit you’re not up to the task.  I say “Bravo, Holy Father”!

After the sadness wore off, worry set in.  Is this a sign from the Holy Spirit?  Why would he choose the first week of Lent to announce his decision?  Couldn’t he wait until after Easter?  I heard a priest on the radio today respond to a listener who had called in to ask those very questions.  His response came across in the form of a joke —at least it was meant to be a joke.  He told the caller that the Holy Father was setting the example for Lent.  He then asked her “And what are YOU giving up for Lent?”  I must admit I laughed at first, and then I realized how his question could apply to me, as well.  My worries about the resignation gave way to a search for humility in my own Lenten practice this season.

So I picked up my missal and sought to make some hope out of the situation.  I love the Holy Spirit.  He always knows just the right words to give me hope.  His words jumped out at me in the readings from Genesis that we’ve begun the week with.

Now and then, we get so caught up in all the details of our daily lives that we don't consider the "big picture." Genesis speaks about the creation of the world and gives us the perfect opportunity to step back and take a look at this big, beautiful world of ours -- all created by the hands of a loving God. Just think; the stars in the sky are the work of His fingers!

 

 

 

 

And every tiny creature, from the one-celled to the largest whales, was lovingly conceived in His heart and brought to life!

 

Take a few moments today to contemplate all that God has created and how each one fits into the “big picture”. Close your eyes and recall the most beautiful sights you have ever seen: a sky afire with a glowing sunset . . . a majestic snow-capped mountaintop . . . a pure, white rose . . . a sleeping kitten . . . a baby's smile. Each and every one is just a tiny reflection of the genius and loving care of God! And each one fits His plan, even though we sometimes fight Him every inch of the way, thinking we know better.

Good luck and God Bless you, Holy Father, in your well-earned retirement.  Rest easy in the knowledge of a job well done!

Beautiful beginning

“In the beginning, God . . .”(Genesis 1:1-19).  What a beautiful way to commence the Word of God!

The inspired writer of Genesis had no idea of the magnitude of human history that would follow that stage-setting opening. He didn’t know that there would be a New Testament. He did not know that the Creator of the universe he wrote about would enter the human race fully, being born of a woman (and no less than a virgin!) and then living, loving, dying and rising from the dead—forever changing life and death on the planet Earth.

There is no way the writer could not have envisioned the printing press and that thousands of years later, we would have a book called the Bible. Nor that we would be reading about those four words on a device called a computer or a “smart phone”.

Thinking along those lines leads me to the reminder that we don’t—and don’t have to—know everything. In fact, we know very little of where our actions, our words, our faith will lead. But we should exercise them anyway, doing our best to listen to God’s promptings, the Spirit’s whispers. There is a plan. We need to cooperate with it.

“In the beginning, God . . .”  Another reminder I received from reflecting on these words was that the fourth word is “God,” not “humans” or “humankind.” This is God’s story. It is God’s wisdom, God’s mind. Humans are a key element to the story, for sure, but we are not the primary actors. We are creatures. We are receivers of God’s love. But in the beginning, there was only God. And God moved and acted and created. Just as His Spirit has throughout the Bible, throughout history, and will forever more.

I find that very comforting. It leads me to want to know this God, to align with this God. Even more amazing, I find that this God is knowable and seeks friendship with his creatures. Could there be a more wonderful reality than that?

We learned as children that we are all created in the image of God. Do we really believe it on a day to day basis? Christ reminded His followers also that they were to be good, were to seek perfection.(Matt 5:48) Do we really take His advice seriously?

One of the ways God has sought our friendship is to send Mary, His daughter through her creation, His spouse by her fiat, and His mother through the Incarnation to help us find our way to His Son.

Today is the beautiful feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We are familiar with the many healings that have occurred over the years at Lourdes. In many places the gospel describes the early healing ministry of Christ. People scurried around to bring their infirm loved ones to Him, mostly for physical healing. (Mark 6:53-56)  It must have been awesome to watch those healings take place!

Lent begins Wednesday. It might be a good time for us to reflect on the recommendations of Christ, that we should seek perfection. Couldn't we benefit from some healing? It is an ongoing process, one that requires ongoing vigilance. 

Pray for Us!

It’s been a long day!  I have managed to get together a list of the saints who I feel comfortable recommending to you as intercessors for what I see are the most pressing problems today.  I have already featured Sts.  Gianna Molla and Joseph.  Tonight, I simply don’t have the time or the passion required of me to write about any of the others.  But I think this is a good starting lineup for our “Legion of Heavenly Heroes”.  Every effective hero group needs a battle cry.  I like the tried and true battle cry when asking for heavenly intercession….”Pray for Us!”

Here’s my list:

Abortion	Gianna Molla
Euthanasia	Blessed Pope John Paul II
Atheism	St. Thomas the Apostle
Cancer	St. Peregrine
AIDS	St. Marianne Cope
The attack on sacramental marriage	St. Joseph
The idolatry attached to technology	Gabriel the Archangel (God’s Messenger), the patron saint of telecommunication.
Wars	St. Barbara and St. Michael the Archangel
The attack on the priesthood	St. John Vianney
Lack of respect for the dignity of the human person	St. Therese of Lisieux
Poverty	Blessed Mother Teresa
Injustice to immigrants	Frances Xavier Cabrini
The assault on religious freedom and beliefs	St. Thomas More
Addictions to drugs, alcohol, and pornography	St. Augustine