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?

He loves us T H I S much!

The heart of the Holy Thursday Mass comes in the Gospel of John, where John describes Jesus before the Passover feast with the apostles. Jesus knows the end is near. In those last hours with the apostles, Jesus ties a towel around His waist and washes their feet. The gesture and the act are so full of humility and love. The actions speak more than a torrent of words. The apostles don’t quite understand, but Jesus assures them that they will.

This ritual, carried out every Holy Thursday, in churches in Rome to my neighborhood parish, still speaks volumes. We are humbled by Jesus’ willingness to do such a personal and menial task. The model of love and willingness to sacrifice for others are so strongly portrayed in the simple act of washing feet. With that act, Jesus put His faith in those apostles, and throughout the ages, to each of us. We don’t always understand, but we can follow Jesus’ example and model of humility and sacrifice.

The beauty and simplicity of the Gospel story work in tandem with the first two readings. The first reading sets the scene of Passover while the second reading resonates with the familiar words of the Eucharist. We have a covenant that we renew each time we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. I pray that I am mindful of that covenant, of the promise I make. And I pray for humility and the willingness to follow Jesus’ model of love.

Holy Thursday is a very special day in the Christian world. It marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the Sacred Triduum - three very sacred days in our Catholic tradition. The celebration this night is so special that in each parish community there may only be one liturgy (except where a special consideration is made for the elderly with an earlier liturgy).

In this liturgy we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. We might celebrate the Eucharist every day, or certainly every Sunday, but on this special night we celebrate its gift to us and its meaning in the context of the life giving story of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection for us. And we also celebrate the gift of ministry. We are not only the gifted. We are given a lesson in how we are to give ourselves to and for each other. During this rite we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the gift of Priesthood to the Church, but on this night we solemnly reflect upon the gift of priesthood that we all receive from Jesus, as those who are bathed in him in Baptism.

With the Exodus story of the Passover tradition and with Paul's account of the Last Supper story, we are free to enjoy John's account of that special night. It has a dramatic feel to it. John doesn't tell us that Jesus gave us his body and blood at the supper and then after the supper washed his disciples' feet. He doesn't mention the gift of the Eucharist at all! This is not an omission. This story of the washing of the feet is the story of the Eucharist. They are identical in John. This story explains the Eucharist. It tells us what the Eucharist means. By washing his disciples' feet, Jesus is saying, "This is my body; This is my blood; Do this in memory of me." And, he is also saying, "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

This is why on this special night we act out the Gospel. We need to act it out to feel it, to let the experience of seeing it happen touch our hearts. By surrendering to his Passion and Death on the Cross, Jesus washes our feet. By being broken and given for us in the Eucharist, Jesus is giving us an example and a commandment for how we are to be broken and given for each other, by washing each other's feet.

It is not easy to have our feet washed. I remember I only participated in one Holy Thursday Mass as an altar boy. I dreaded it. Looking back, I think I was probably embarrassed that everybody in the church was going to see my feet! Mom must have sensed my trepidation, because the advice she gave me in preparation for that Mass was to make sure I took a bath and put on clean socks before Mass. But my discomfort went further than just embarrassment. Think about your feet. I don’t care who you are, your feet smell. They are not always very attractive. It is a part of our bodies that we rarely let others touch or caress. And, it is not easy to wash the feet of another. This is all a powerful drama representing the power of love. It is not easy for me to let you love me. It is not easy for me to love you. Parts of me are not very acceptable. I'll let you love certain parts of me, but rarely will I let anyone close to the "smelliest" and most unattractive parts of me. And, when I love you, I often will love you when you are most presentable or attractive. When you put me off or when you are not at your best, I don't do so well at loving. Consider how we treat those poor homeless people at off-ramps or intersections—don’t we sometimes form instant opinions of them based on their appearance? And those opinions are rarely favorable, at first, until we realize we are called to love our neighbor unconditionally, that is, without condition.

Jesus loves us unconditionally. He loves us, not because we deserve it. He loves us because we need loving. He tells us to love the same way. At the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday we are given his Eucharistic, self-sacrificing example of how to love each other. "This much," he says. "Love each other this completely, this freely, loving the most unattractive parts of each other, where love is needed most."

So when we watch this example of his love for us, and when we receive the Eucharist together, let us let Jesus love us. We can pray in our hearts, "Lord, I so desire for you to love me. I don't want to hold back, hold away from you, those un-presentable parts inside of me. I don't want anything covered up, anymore. I want to be transparent and free before you. Wash all of me with your love." And we might ask, "Lord, let your body and blood bring me into the most intimate communion with you tonight. Fill my heart. Push out all of the fear and anxiety, all of the anger and frustration, all the pettiness and lust. Fill me tonight, Lord, so that I might be filled with your peace and learn how to love others this way. Help me to give myself to those closest to me in the days ahead. Help me to be self-sacrificing, thinking of their needs first. Help me to serve them and care for them and to delight in losing myself in feeding their hungers. And, Lord, let me hear the cries, the hungers and thirsts of so many more of your people, not only those close to me, but those in my city and throughout the world. On this special night, let me taste your desire that we all be one, through our sharing of this Eucharistic love."

The tragedy of Judas' life

As I sit here tonight thinking about Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, I can think of a lot of different reasons (although none are justified) why he did it. I think the most important conclusion I came to is that Judas’ perfidy was the result of failure to understand.

What kind of Messiah was Judas expecting? It would seem that the Messiah was not a spiritual figure for Judas but rather the concept that had evolved of a military, royal figure who would restore Israel to greatness among the nations. I imagine that Judas, as a close follower, pictured himself in high place in such a kingdom. Thus Jesus’ message of loving one’s enemies, concern for the poor and so forth was probably nonsense to Judas. His disillusionment then gave way to greed.

Judas also failed to understand Jesus on a far deeper level. His subsequent despairing end indicated his failure to understand the forgiveness of Jesus. The tragedy of Judas’ life was not that he betrayed Jesus but that he did not ask for forgiveness. Judas failed to realize that our God is a loving and forgiving God.

This leads me to wonder, what kind of savior am I looking for? One that will keep challenge and hardship out of my life or, hopefully, dispatch a miracle to resolve any such problems? Do I realize that the value of suffering consists in the lessons to be learned from it? I may not reject , but do I simply ignore those areas of the Christian message that appear too challenging? It’s something I need to work on.

I think I’ve learned today that Judas’ failure in understanding must not be mine. In my opinion, every person must ask the question: What kind of God do I pray to? The redemptive events of Holy Week supply the answer: Our God is a loving and forgiving God.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus

This is the week to have our eyes checked. What are we to focus on during Holy Week, our selves or on Jesus?

The early days of Holy Week are such a combination of anticipation and fearfulness of what is to come. We’ve had the weeks of Lent to prepare and we’re ready for Easter, yet we’re not. I’ve tried to live up to my Lenten resolutions – on some days with more enthusiasm than others. Tuesday’s reading from Isaiah reminds me that God knows of my struggles: “Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength. Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense with God.” The beautiful words and images in Isaiah help me feel protected and loved, and help to reduce my own fearfulness at falling short.

The focus of Holy Week and of Triduum is very simple. The words from the Letter to the Hebrews can help us keep it in the forefront of our minds and in the depths of our hearts: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." All this week we consider what God has accomplished for us through the paschal mystery.

The Gospel touches me deeply because I can feel how troubled Jesus is. I, too, know what is to come and see the beginnings played out around the table. I feel His sadness at knowing the betrayals of Judas and Peter, yet He is still patient with the apostles, who, at this point always seem to me to be so oblivious to what’s going on. Haven’t they been following this man? Haven’t they been listening? I realize that I, too, am dim. I would like to think that I would get it, that I wouldn’t be Peter. Those same questions can be asked of me: Haven’t I been following this man? Haven’t I been listening?

I know that God won’t abandon me, and that I have not toiled in vain. My prayer today is to ask God to open my eyes, my ears and my heart. Help me to be brave, to be strong and to be present for others.

The Jesus portrayed by John's gospel is the one who is always composed, always attentive, always focused on his mission. The reason is also simple: "The Father and I are one." That's what we see playing out in the evening of betrayals. Jesus knows that, as He acts He is glorified and He in turn gives glory to God. That is the key part of the story here.

But, the questions remain. What about Judas? What about Peter? They are betraying Him, for goodness sake! And what about the rest of us who continue to betray Jesus?

They are not the main part of the story. In the same way, our own betrayal of Jesus is not the main part of the story. Not that it is insignificant or trivial, but all these betrayals are less important than Jesus' glorification on the cross. For that is when He most truly reveals God in glory!

I know that I really want to make this story all about me. That involves my desire to keep my own self in the spotlight on center stage in this great narrative that unfolds before our eyes and within our hearing this week. But, if we really reflect on it, that's not the authentic spirit of Holy Week, is it? That's just a continuation of my own drama of betrayal and demand to be center of the universe.

So, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus." He goes to the cross and rises in order to be glorified and in order to give God great glory. May we bathe in the light and delight of that glory, may our betrayals be immersed in the brightness of His glory throughout this Holy Week and Triduum so that we all might share in that same glory.

Were You There?

As far as “regular” Masses go in the Catholic Church, I’ll bet today, Palm Sunday is the longest of the year. For me it’s also the most exhausting emotionally.

First, the priest blessed the palms that we waved as he entered the church, just like the early citizens of Jerusalem did when Jesus entered their city on the back of an ass. I never fail to feel the exhilaration of joy that comes with acknowledging the presence of the King who has been prophesied to set us free!

Then, almost immediately, I got to the verge of tears when the Passion of Christ is read. To further the sadness I was feeling, the music director chose “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord?)” for the Communion song. I found myself staring at the Crucifix and saying to myself, “Yes, I was.” I couldn’t help thinking, “Although every Mass is a re-presentation of our Lord’s sacrifice on Calvary, this Mass makes me feel like I am there.” God help me, I felt angry toward those who betrayed Him, who told lies about Him, who ridiculed Him, and finally who killed Him. I felt anger towards Peter, who denied Him 3 times! Then I realized I was angry at myself, because I have denied Him in my own ways—when I “looked the other way” when I could have helped a neighbor, when I failed to stop idle gossip that was hurtful to another human being, or when I just “didn’t feel like” praying.

Now we enter Holy Week once again. But first, we spend a quiet moment in Bethany with Jesus at the house of His friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Judas is there too.

As usual, Martha is active, preparing and serving. Mary, on the other hand, is at Jesus' feet where she performs a curious act, something seemingly opposed to what she usually does, that is, "to listen" of which Jesus says "is the best part and not to be taken from her."

Using costly nard, Mary anoints Jesus' feet and dries them with her hair. Seeing this, Judas is beside himself and as the room fills with the fragrance of the oil, he demands to know why this valuable nard wasn't sold and the proceeds used for the poor or maybe, he secretly thinks, to line his own pockets!

Jesus said to him, "Leave her alone . . . you do not always have me."

Mary's simple act of love shows us the best way to use our talents and wealth, what is exemplary, and above all, lasting - to sit at the feet of Jesus!

This week will end at Calvary with the darkness of our Lord's death and the silence of His tomb, but if like Mary we chose the best part, Easter will dawn. "It will not be taken from us."

On My Father's Side

I wasn't planning on posting anything today because I got busy with Lily's blog (check it out!). But as I was reading my e-mail I thought this video that Mom sent me was worth posting as we go into Holy Week.

Repentance should be out of love

I have no idea why my thoughts led me to meditate on the Act of Contrition today (maybe the Holy Spirit?), but I was meditating on it so deeply, I began to tear up. I won’t say, “I cried”, because real men don’t cry—yeah, right.

I guess it would help my readers unfamiliar with this prayer to know what the Act of Contrition is and when it is used. It is generally used during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (“Confession”) and is said to Christ (through the priest in persona Cristi) to show contrition for our sins. I also say it daily at the end of my rosary. It’s a habit I picked up years ago when my brother Bill was in the seminary. He came home one time on a break and was talking to Mom about what he was learning and I was listening in from the other room. I remember him telling Mom that it was a very good prayer to say if in immediate danger of death. I figured that was a good enough reason to say it every day, because you just never know. Even those days when I can’t get a full rosary in (which are few), I manage to say the Act of Contrition. It also helps to remind me to examine my conscience pretty regularly—and that can’t hurt!

The prayer is this: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell. But most of all, because they offend thee, my God, who art all Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy Grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

There are many different versions of the prayer, but this is the one that touches my soul. The others seem to be tailored to younger people, and “watered down” somehow.

What got me crying was a point in my meditation when I started thinking about the Passion of Christ and all of the pain and trauma he endured because of my sins. I found I wasn’t as concerned about the punishment that should be awaiting me, but that He suffered my punishment for me, and I fail most of the time to recognize that.

It reminded me of an incident that occurred many years ago when I was in the Boy Scouts. My brother Tom had just joined and was on his first camping trip with us. I was a patrol leader and Tom was assigned to my patrol. We were assigned the task of collecting firewood so that dinner could be prepared. For some reason, we didn’t collect enough wood. Some of the other boys blamed Tom for our shortage, although we were probably all to blame. But being the “new kid” he was an easy fall guy. The patrol, as a group, decided to “punish” Tom by putting him on “KP”—washing the dishes and cleaning up the food preparation area while the rest of the patrol went exploring. Instead of standing up for my brother, as I should have, I remained silent and let the hazing continue until Tom started crying about the unfairness of it all. That’s when my own waterworks began and I spent the entire first night in my tent crying because I wasn’t strong enough in my love for Tom to protect him. Tom quit the scouts shortly after that trip possibly because of that experience. It took several years for me to forget the incident, but it was brought to my mind today when I realized that my indifference to the situation was probably more hurtful to Tom than the actual hazing. Sort of like the indifference I show to our Lord’s sacrifice for me every time I sin.

My personal pilgrimage keeps rolling along!

I was able to add two parishes—technically, anyway--to my pilgrimage this week—both in Delano, CA. I say technically because this morning was a Communion service, not a Mass at the parish of St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal. It was scheduled for a Mass, but the priest had an emergency and was unable to make it, so he asked one of the parishioners to conduct the service. And, technically it wasn’t in the church. I don’t know why—I think they might be remodeling or something—they held the service in the “Cardinal Manning Hall”. Cardinal Manning was the bishop who conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on me way back in the 60’s. So I offered up my Communion service this morning to his memory. It was a nice-looking church from the outside with a couple of other points of interest on the grounds. The first was a plaque honoring Cesar Chavez (who else would be honored in the birthplace of the United Farm Worker’s movement?) But it is also the home to a California Historical Plaque that reads:

NO. 631 GARCÉS BAPTISMAL SITE - Three miles north of this point was the site of the first recorded Christian baptism in the San Joaquin Valley. On May 23, 1776, Padre Francisco Garcés, earliest non-Indian in this area, baptized an Indian boy whom he called Muchachito at a Yokuts Rancheria in Grizzly Gulch.

I thought that was cool.

Last evening, I attended Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish on the other side of town. It was pretty interesting, and unlike any other church I’ve seen to date. What makes it different is the way it is designed inside. It is very long and the altar is positioned in the center of the church, so that when the parishioners are on the East side of the church, the priest says Mass facing the people as in the Novus Ordo. When the parishioners are on the West side, the priest faces the altar, as in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. I thought the set up was very interesting. It also seemed to be the more diverse parish ethnically between the two. There were lots of Filipinos and Mexicans with a smattering of Caucasians here and there. And I really liked the way they had the area around the altar set up for the Lenten season. They made it look like a desert scene with sand and cactus and rocks, etc. with what looked like a sculpture of Jesus sitting on a large rock praying for the strength to get Him through His forty days. It was very good for meditating while I said my rosary before Mass.

Anyway, I only have about 100 more churches to visit in the Central Valley to complete my pilgrimage. I anticipate at this rate, I should be done about 2053. I’m not complaining—it gives me something to look forward to, and an incentive to keep going to daily Mass when I’m out of town.

A truly remarkable woman with a story to tell

Imagine an older, modern woman – gray haired, wearing slacks and a sweater, calm, wise and compassionate. Over coffee she’s explaining how she has survived her life.

Her life really started the day that an angel turned her life upside down and asked her to say yes to having God’s child – a terrifying decision, nothing like the piously overblown Renaissance paintings depict it.

She knew people would gossip that she was either a liar or a nut case. Just picture what the ladies at her synagogue had to say about THAT explanation. At least Joe believed her after HE got the word from an angel – what a sweetheart! And her cousin Elizabeth was pretty supportive, too.

Maybe it was good that the Romans ordered them out of town for the census before the baby was born but she can still remember every bump on that donkey ride. Bethlehem looked pretty good until they found out that all the motels were full. The stable was dirty and it smelled. What a place to have your first child. (Reality check for city folks: visit a working barn some day.)

After pausing a couple of minutes (to collect her thoughts again) she continues by telling you about the flight to Egypt with a baby followed by the hardships of living in a foreign country. She can really identify with today’s immigrants. Then there was the time her 12 year old kid decided to disappear for three days during a trip just so He could show the elders in the Temple how smart He was. How “Junior high” of Him!!!

She had to be tough to raise Him and stand up to Him on occasion like she did at Cana. Of course she was there when the going was roughest and His friends deserted Him. Suddenly she was the mother of a felon dying a horrible death.

Mary—a real woman—smart, tough and loving – who made many hard choices to say “yes.” No wonder generations have called you “blessed!”

Too busy to pray?

Do you sometimes feel that you are too busy to pray? Do you wish God had voice mail so that you could quickly leave a message to let Him know you’re thinking about Him, and at the same time avoid having a conversation because you’re just too busy to talk right now? I know I do!

Harried and hurried through our days, we can miss God's abiding presence and invitation.

In John's gospel, some people actually argue with Jesus. They push his words away and listen only to their own self-talk. They fail to hear this Jesus who came forth from God to be with us here.

Perhaps in these final days of Lent we might follow the advice of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who asked others to spend a few minutes reflecting on how God had been present in their day. Specifically, how has God blessed me through service of others, and through holy desires to pray and to help others? How has God given me a sample or taste of Jesus' Passion and/or Resurrection?

Today we might consider renewing our search for God's abiding presence and love that encounters us as a shower of mercy, a burst of song, or even as a God-given peace and rest. I have found the best way to search is to pray the rosary. Fathers, take the lead and set the example for your families in this month that is dedicated to St. Joseph.

The best way to listen

Perhaps some of the darkest words spoken in the gospels are spoken in the readings for Tuesday. "You will die in your sins." What fate could possibly be worse? Because they refused to open their eyes, they could not see who Jesus was no matter how evident it was.

Jesus told them, "I do nothing on my own." Nothing. Everything from Jesus is a sign of love from the Father. Everything. Jesus says nothing of His own, reveals nothing of His own, holds forth on nothing of His own. Every action, every word, every breath is charged with God.

And so too with us, if we allow it to be. Proper worship of Jesus Christ is imitation of Him in everything. When we can cease to be the steersman of our own ships and pilot everything the way God goes, we are truly loving and worshipping Christ.

We have the advantage of centuries of proof and revelation through the Church and the Saints. If we listen we won’t face the fate described for the Pharisees. And the best way to listen is to imitate the One who speaks to us. Become Christ and let everything you do be done with God the Father as your source of strength, Jesus as your friend, guide, and companion, and the Holy Spirit as the voice within that assures you of the presence of a loving triune God.

Looking forward to Mercy

Lent is a time of endless opportunity for new growth, a time for insights into the meaning of God's love for us.

On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we need to perk up the ears of our hearts when God says to a despondent people in exile to look forward, not backward, as though this moment in which they hear Isaiah's prophecy is really the first day of their lives. He tells them to forget the past, because He has decided to do something new! This prophecy is really a veiled reference to the Father's decision to send His Son Jesus as Messiah. By His sacrifice, He will bring them out of their vicious cycle of sinning. How sad that hundreds of years later, when their descendants actually saw their Messiah in the flesh, they failed to remember Isaiah's words that God was doing something new!

In the light of that first reading from Isaiah, we can better understand that mercy is the "something new" in the message of Jesus. The Gospel describes what incredible mercy Jesus shows toward the woman in today's Gospel. There is no question that she is guilty as well as the man involved. The law in Deuteronomy clearly says they should both be put to death by stoning. For the time being, the Pharisees have placed the woman squarely in front of Jesus, hoping to trap Him into saying something incriminating.

By writing on the ground, Jesus cleverly shifts the attention to the sins of those about to stone the woman to death. Here, indeed, is "something new," and the Pharisees immediately see that Jesus has placed them in the trap! The elders among them are the first to acknowledge that Jesus has won the test, and they are the first to drop their stones and slink away. The others follow, leaving Jesus alone with the woman. Without excusing her sin, He merely tells her she is free to leave, but to "sin no more." What is to me surprising and delightful here is that the Lord has placed something new into the Law; He now includes MERCY - mercy is now a part of justice!

The second reading on Sunday doesn't always fit the meaning of the other two readings, but it does today. St. Paul tells the Philippians that in the light of our faith that Jesus has redeemed our sins, and in the power of His Resurrection, we now have God's mercy as the reason for our hope and joy. Now, it will be much easier to "strain ahead" each day in pursuit of that goal to which Jesus and His Spirit call us. This Fifth Sunday should bring us more joy than we had expected. Now we should be convinced that Lent is truly a seedtime of hope for the glory yet to come!

Flying pigs

As Catholics were exhorted to do this week by the USCCB, I sent a letter to my local US Representative and US Senators as well as to the House of Representatives “leadership” asking them to please consider the rights of the unborn as paramount in voting for health care reform. It isn’t the first time I’ve written to them and it probably won’t be the last, even though the form letter I got back from Representative Steny Hoyer, the House Majority “Whip”, pretty much told me that he doesn’t have time to read his own email—He’ll let his staff read it “for consideration”. Read that: “Take a hike!”


It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a congressman will hire folks with the same beliefs and ideals to decide what he will “consider”. I can only hope that whoever reads my plea to Rep. Hoyer will at least record it as a request for a “no” vote this weekend. Wait! Is that a pig flying?

Thinking of fatherhood on St. Joe's Feast Day

I like to think I learned (actually, I'm still learning!) to be a father by watching my father. After he passed away, it was my brothers who unknowingly took up his mantle as my role models. It was an easy transition for me—Dad was a good example to follow, and each of them had a lot of Dad in them. Different parts, but Dad nonetheless.

As much as we think we are prepared, we learn most of fatherhood through “on-the-job” training. I’ll admit that when Marilyn and I found out she was pregnant with Alicia, I was Scared, with a capital “S”!

How was I ever going to live up to the expectations of my child? I didn’t even know her yet, but I knew she’d expect a lot from me growing up. You know what? She did. Both of my daughters expected a lot from me. Not material expectations, but love. I hope I’ve been able to live up to their expectations.

That leads me to something I’ve been thinking about all day—today’s Feast (a Solemnity) of Saint Joseph. I know the feeling of helplessness and wonder about how to raise a child. And while my children are gifts from God that I am charged with teaching life’s lessons, I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to know that the child I was raising IS God! I’m sure Joseph knew. I believe God gives fathers (and of course mothers-even more so!) the grace to instinctively know their children’s strengths and weaknesses and how to teach them to reach their full potential. What a daunting task for Joseph! What could he possibly teach Jesus?

The answer is—everything Jesus needed to learn in His human Nature. He humbled Himself to be born as a helpless baby, in a stall, surrounded by animals and the “poorest of the poor”, the few shepherds that were present. And, like any other human child, He needed His mother’s milk, and His step-father’s protection and guidance growing up.


So Joseph, with Mary’s help and support (like all good marriages) taught his “son” how to walk, how to talk, how to be a carpenter, and probably how to read! I picture Jesus on Joseph’s knee, listening to His “father” tell the family history, praising God through prayer, and maybe even hearing some bedtime stories.

It’s nice to know that as a father, I share a special bond with Joseph, my dad and my brothers, and that I have examples I can draw from when I feel overwhelmed in my role.

And as a bonus, today's Solemnity is just like a Sunday! So I can go off of my Lenten fast for today! Man, I've had a taste for hot wings like you wouldn't believe since Lent began!

This Olympic Game of Life

In Thursday’s gospel reading, Christ is explaining to the apostles that He has been sent by the Father. He asks them to look at the works He has accomplished that the Father has given Him to perfect.

Millions of people around the world recently enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Some of the Olympic games were determined solely on how fast (or even IF) someone got down a mountain or around a track. Some others were decided on finesse and technique by judges who watched every single move the athlete made.

All of us are stewards, responsible for the talents that we have received. The Father has given these to us to perfect just as He did to Christ. In a way, we are all in an ongoing "Olympic" race for the Heavenly Reward. Each of us has been given a challenge, which no one else can accomplish in this life.

In this Olympic sport we call “life”, there is but one Judge. How will Christ judge us when our "game of life" is over and we continue on into eternity?

Gold, silver, and bronze medals do not come easily!

There were many, many stories told about the athletes and how they overcame adversities and fears of one sort or another. I think it's pretty providencial that as I write this blog, Father Corapi is on EWTN Live talking about fear.

He says the only way to combat fear is with trust. How true. The story I told yesterday is a good example. I was afraid of what the doctor might tell us about Mom's condition, until I decided to just TRUST Jesus and His mercy. At that very moment, my fear left me and I was confident that whatever I heard was the will of God. Since it was the will of God, how bad could it be????

Prayer. Never leave home without it.

Mom went to the doctor last week because she wasn’t feeling well. She got some antibiotics to clear up an infection, but the doctor also said she found an aortic aneurysm that was causing her concern. She set up an appointment with a surgeon specializing in this type of condition and told her to be sure a family member went to the appointment with her. The doctor was not very forthcoming about any other information other than to say Mom’s age would work against her if surgery became necessary. When one hears news like this, it sometimes leads to all sorts of conjecture and worry.

After Mass on Sunday, I told Father Brandon that I was going to have to take Mom to see the surgeon on Tuesday and that we were very worried about the outcome. He suggested we come to the office before the appointment and he would administer the blessing of the sick.

We did as he suggested and got to his office about 1:30 this afternoon. He began the Sacrament, and as he was praying the words, my thoughts were joined with them as I repeated to myself, “Dear Jesus, I know you can heal Mom with a thought—please do what You think is best for the plan the Father has for her.” As soon as I said that prayer, I KNEW that whatever we found out at the doctor’s office would be the will of God, and I felt at total peace. I mean TOTAL confidence in Jesus and peace. I have never felt more peaceful and comfortable about the future in my life.

When we saw the doctor, he told Mom that there was nothing to be concerned about. The aneurysm was nowhere near large enough to worry about. He said that he would like to keep an eye on it, with visits every 6 months, but that he didn’t see any reason for concern at this point.

Mom and I both thanked God, then the doctor for giving us some very good and comforting news. It occurred to me that Mom had walked into the doctor’s office looking sullen and worried, and walked out like she didn’t even need the walker! Her demeanor was a total opposite of what it was just one hour earlier! I know that it was the prayers of many good friends and relatives the past couple of days that led Jesus to get Mom through this rough patch.
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A meditation on Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word

Love should bind a mother to her baby, but it is a sad fact though, that there are times when there is no bond, no tenderness, no love. Some mothers are forgetful of the child of their womb, as evidenced by the many abandoned and neglected—or worse, slaughtered—children in the world. For some mothers, it seems that the attractions of the flesh and the world are just too much.

Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
(Isaiah 49:15)

The prophet gives us the word of the Lord, "I will never forget you." What a wonderful message this is! Even though we can forget and break what should be the strongest of human bonds, God will never break His bond with us! There is nothing in all of creation that can take God's attention from us and make Him forget. No matter what we do, no matter how far, or how fast, we try to run away from Him, His love is always there.

Healing Waters

Tuesday’s first reading is the story of Ezekiel's vision of water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple and becoming a river so large it could only be crossed by swimming.

Reading the story presents us with a wonderful image not only of the Church as the Fount and Repository of Sacramental Grace, but also the imagery for the potency of grace in we who receive it.

From Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick, sacramental grace gives us a share in the very life of Christ, so that what in us was just a little trickle, can become a mighty river.

But we might ask: What’s the purpose?

To make the briny, sweet - the parched, supple - the withering, flower.

In the Gospel we hear about a man who had been sick for 38 years who came to Bethesda to the Sheep Pool in hope of being healed.

Aren't there many things in our lives that we have hoped could be healed? Some may be very dramatic like healing from a life-threatening illness, while others seem almost too silly to even mention. In all cases we recognize there is something we hope could be changed. The Gospel tells us that the man went to the pool even though he had little hope of being immersed in its healing waters.

The man made some effort to be in the right place - the place for healing and that he refused, even though logic might have dictated it, to give up altogether and abandon even a far-fetched hope for healing.

Jesus used this situation to teach us that God's grace and healing often defies logic and that being required to do something like "be in the right place" or asking someone 'who knows what' in order to be healed, might be required.

The last thought expressed in this Gospel story, is perhaps the most important. After everything has been said and done and the man is healed, Jesus says to him, "Remember how you have been healed." With these words we are reminded of the sad condition of so many people: they forget!

In this season of grace may we pray not to be forgetful of what God has done for us, of all the many things of which we have been "cured" and especially, the price of our redemption. Holy scripture reminds us that we have been ransomed (healed, saved) not by some measurable sum of gold, but by the precious blood of Christ, inestimable beyond our comprehension of its worth.