Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 17: 22-24

I don’t know too much about trees and plants.  I do remember that my Mom had a plant graveyard in the basement of our house.  The dead plants piled up there until they were thrown out.  Today God promises that a shoot will grow on a high and lofty mountain.  Remember that King David’s line was described as a “shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse.”  God will make David’s lineage thrive and continue on forever.  God will make it bloom and animals will find protection in its shade.  “As I the Lord, have spoke, so will I do.”  It will happen.

We give thanks for our families (lineage.)  Ask God to bless each of your family members.  God, let them thrive in your care.

2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

“We walk by faith…”  Those few words are quite important for us in the Christian life.  When I celebrate a baptism of an adult or a wedding, these words have special meaning.  They are also important for today’s celebration of Father’s Day.  The newly baptized are embarking upon a special journey that they have not experienced previously.  They are called to live the faith of Jesus in their lives and they might not be sure where that journey will take them.  Newly married couples also walk by faith because it is their faith in each other and in God that will guide them.  Indeed all people walk forward in their Christian journey not knowing how it will end, but knowing that God will be there for them.

How do you sense yourself walking in faith?  Is it too hard sometimes?  What is God asking of you as you walk the path to him?

Mark 4: 26-34

Science attempts to discover the truths of our universe – a noble task.  There is not a conflict between science and religion because both seek to answer the same questions?  How do things in this world work?  What is our place?  We want to understand our universe and science and religion help us do that task.  Jesus tells us that there are sometimes truths beyond our ability to understand.  The farmer doesn’t necessarily know how his crop grows but he is still confident and hopeful  that the harvest will be fruitful.   We might not understand completely the workings of the world but we can be confident that God directs us and cares for us.

What don’t you understand?  What puzzles you?  Ask God to help you understand what you can.  Ask for the trust necessary to place yourself in His hands for those things you don’t understand.

 

I invite your comments.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today is the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.  In the past, there were processions and other services in honor of this day, which recalls the gift of Jesus’ offering of himself for us.

Exodus 24:3-8

Moses stands in front of the Israelites and reads to them the law of God.  They respond with gusto, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us.”  Then they offer a sacrifice to show their assent.  The sacrifice of the body and blood of the young bulls reminds the people that they are called to give their body and blood to the Lord.  They are called to give their entire selves in service to God.  This covenant

Between God and Israel will stand forever due to the sacrifice that is made.

We pray that we can make a sacrifice of ourselves to God.  Do we see the Eucharist as a covenant between ourselves and God –a  covenant to serve God and others?

Hebrews 9:11-15

In the first reading, who offered the sacrifice to God?  The priests.  This reading tells us that Jesus is the high priest who offers the sacrifice on the people’s behalf.  He offers a sacrifice not of animals like in the Old Testament.  Rather the sacrifice is his own flesh for the life of the world.  The sacrifice of animals had its’ effect but the sacrifice of Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, rendering all other sacrifices for sin unnecessary.  He has established a new covenant, replacing the covenant of the Old Testament.

What are the sacrifices that you have had to make?  Did you see God’s hand in those sacrifices?

What are the sacrifices God is asking of you now?

Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

It is interesting that Jesus asks for a “Guest room” for the Passover celebration with the disciples.  Two things stand out.  First, guests come for a time and then leave.  This night is a part of Jesus’ identity as Messiah.  He comes for a little while as a guest and then gives those who follow him food for the long journey ahead.  The disciples will be sent into the world at Pentecost as “guests” – foreigners who bring a foreign idea to the people.   They will preach about Jesus in all parts of the world.  Very hard work indeed.  Second, Jesus is a guest of the world as well as being its ruler.  It would be so much easier if Jesus just stayed forever with the disciples and the world.  That doesn’t happen.  He comes as a guest, staying with us for a while.

We pray that we can make a “guest room” for Jesus in our hearts, homes, businesses, government, etc.  Do you sense that Jesus is a guest, coming and going?  How is it when we sense that the guest Jesus has left us for a while?

 

I invite your comments.

Most Holy Trinity

Today is the Feast of the Holy Trinity, which is the bedrock belief of our faith in God.  Jesus tells the disciples to baptize in the name of the “father, Son and Holy Spirit” at the end of Matthew’s Gospel.  The belief is a remarkable change in the thought about the identity of God. 

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

Moses is challenging his people to think about the miraculous intervention of God in the life of Israel.  “Did anything so great ever happen before?”  “Was it ever heard of?”  God spoke to his people from a burning bush.  God saved them from the Egyptian empire by signs and wonders.  What is the proper response to such generosity and power shown by God?  “You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today.”  We pray that we may show to God our friendship and devotion by keeping his statutes and commandments.

Romans 8: 14-17

In my life I have known a few people who were adopted children.  They were grateful for being adopted by their family.  One family in particular adopted a young man who was not of their race.  There were challenges but he felt joy at living in this new family.  He now had the love and support he had looked for all his life.  This reading says that we have been adopted by God through the person of Jesus.  We are loved, supported and redeemed by a loving Father and that relationship will not be broken.  We celebrate that we are adopted by God.  Because of that adoption, we are “heirs,” meaning that we will receive all that the Father has for us.  Glory will come to us because of that adoption.

We pray in gratitude for that adoption.  We pray that all that the Father has will be ours as his “heirs.”

Matthew 28: 16-20

The disciples go to Galilee as Jesus ordered them to receive further instructions for the task ahead.  The reading says, “they worshiped, but they doubted.”  They see him in front of them.  They know he is risen but they doubt.  What exactly is the nature of their doubt?  Perhaps they doubt that God will be with them always.  Perhaps in the struggles of life, they doubt God’s presence.  Perhaps they doubt their own ability to do what God asks of them.  I would imagine it is the same for us.  We believe but we doubt.  We pray that the Lord will strengthen our faith.  Lord, alleviate our doubt in you and in ourselves.  Help us to be disciples that follow you always.

 

I invite your comments.

Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost is our feast since our community is named for the Holy Spirit.  This gives us an opportunity to think about who we are and how we make present the Holy Spirit in our neighborhood and in Schaumburg as a whole.  I see some implications for the Acts 2:1-11 reading.

First of all, the disciples are gathered in one place and a “strong driving wind” filled the entire house.  That strong driving wind drives the disciples out of their locked room into a world that is hostile to them while at the same time the world needs them and their message of peace.  We pray that the strong driving wind will push us out of our complacency, our comfort zones so that we can experience the new realities that the Holy Spirit is giving to us.  That is not so easy.  Many would rather remain in the shallow end of the pool where it is safe.  That is the worst, most unlikely place for the Christian.  We should be doing new things and thinking new thoughts.  The Spirit gives us creativity and new challenges.

Second, there are tongues of fire that indicate the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  That fire is reminiscent of the pillar of fire that leads the Israelites through the desert to a land flowing with milk and honey.  It is the fire of the sacrifice of Abraham that forges a new covenant relationship with the people of Israel.  The left-overs of the Passover Lamb are burned to show complete sacrifice to God.  Think of the burning bush and the furnace of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego – signs of liberation by God’s grace and power.  The fire is liberation and punishment (Gehenna, Sodom and Gomorrah) at the same time.  We pray that the fire of the Holy Spirit will purify us so that we can be faithful disciples.  Where is God’s fire leading Holy Spirit in the years to come?

Finally, there is language.  The people should be confused by the diversity of the people who are present in Jerusalem.  By God’s grace, each hears the word of God in his or her own language.  We at Holy Spirit celebrate Mass in different languages because that is the Spirit’s call to us.  Some see this as a problem or an obstacle.  Diversity in language and custom is not easy but it should not cause any true Christian to run.  In our modern times, we are called to embrace the different languages and cultures here as a gift, which calls for humility, compassion, and patience on our part.  Let’s pray for those gifts.

I invite your comments.

The Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1: 1-11

This book is addressed to Theophilis, which could mean two different things – a specific person or anyone who reads the Acts.  Theophilis means “beloved of God” in Greek.  Any beloved person could be reading the book.  If a beloved person reads this book, he or she will find out what the Loving Father has in store for the world after Jesus ascends to the heaven. 

This reading points out that Jesus does not leave us alone after the Resurrection.  Jesus appears to many people and speaks with them about the Kingdom of God and tells them about the coming of the Holy Spirit.  The end of the reading is interesting too.  After jesus ascends, two men stand at the side of the apostles and ask them, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”  This reminds me of the angel at the resurrection who asks the apostles, “Why do you look for Jesus among the dead?”   The question seems to say, “Don’t just stand here.  Get going.  You have work to do.”

Ephesians 1:17-23

This reading invites us to reflect on the works done for us by Christ.  It goes on to say that for these great works, Jesus was rewarded with a seat “above every principality, authority, power and dominion.”  Jesus has power over all.  We ask Jesus to give us power over the things that happen in our lives.  Many times we can be overwhelmed by life’s events.  Jesus is all-powerful.  May he bless us with the ability to endure our trials and have hope that all will be well.

Mark 16:15-20

The disciples have an amazing responsibility.  “Go… and preach the Gospel to every creature.”  Jesus does not give them a quota of people to convert.  Nor does he say they will be graded on the effectiveness of their work.  The only thing he requires is that they do the preaching.  The Spirit will do the rest.  It is truly impossible to measure their effectiveness.  All Jesus requires is faithfulness to the task. 

Signs will accompany their ministry:  They will drive out demons, meaning evil will be vanquished by their presence in the world.  They will speak new languages, meaning that they will encounter a universal and diverse church.  Their preaching will have to change so that each culture they encounter can be touched by God’s word.  God’s word is not presented in only one language.  They “will pick up serpents…and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.”   They have no need to fear the things of this world, no matter how powerful they seem to be.  Even if they kill the body, God will deliver them.  These words are an invitation to complete hope and trust in God.

I invite your comments.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10: 25-48

Think different.  Remember that slogan from the Apple Company.  Apple did challenge the world to think different(ly) and the company came up with many different products born of the creative vision of Steve Jobs.  This reading challenges us to think different, too.  St. Peter is a good Jew and would therefore think that Jesus’ message is only for the Jews.  He would think also that the Holy Spirit would only be given to the Jews.  He sees, however, evidence to the contrary.  St. Paul is preaching to the Gentiles and many of them are coming to believe in Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is coming to Jews and non-Jews alike.  St. Peter has to rethink his own ideas and has to question over a thousand years of Jewish thought and belief.  Not an easy task.  It would be soooo easy for him to say, “I don’t care what is happening, I think that only Jews can receive Jesus’ message.”  He is open, however, to the movement of the Spirit outside of his expectations and he does not deny what is happening around him.  God is calling ALL nations to believe.  That realization will change St. Peter and the Church as a whole for the future.

How is God calling you to think different?  What are the “closed” parts of yourself that need to be opened?  What needs to be changed in you and in the world?

1 John 4: 7-10

This reading invites a discussion of the nature of humanity and the nature of God.  First of all, God is love.  It does not say, “God is like love” or  “God loves.”  It says that “God is love” which means that when we love, we are participating in the life of God.  God is love itself, calling us into relationship with him and one another.  Second, if God is love and we are called to be “perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect,” then we are defined by how we love others.  It reminds of a song I heard in church as a kid – “They’ll Know We are Christians By Our Love.”  That is our challenge.

John 15: 9-17

The Gospel continues this theme of the second reading.  Jesus says that the way to love is “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  There are many stories in literature of people giving their lives so that another might live – Sidney Carton in Tale of Two Cities, and many others.  It is a constant theme in fiction but Jesus does it in reality.  And he does not die for just one person but for all of creation.  God’s greatest gift is His Son who comes so that ALL can live in hope of eternal life. 

Jesus’ love does not dominate the other but sets that life free.  Jesus calls the disciples “friends” and not “slaves,”  showing his complete connection with humanity.  He calls us “friends” because he came into this life as one like us in all things but sin.  He commands us to love one another because He comes to show the depth of his love for us.

I invite your comments.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:26-31

Saul, the great persecutor of the Christians, goes to Jerusalem and tries to join the disciples after his conversion.  The disciples are afraid of him.  They would be crazy not to be afraid of him.  Saul was vicious in his attempt to stomp out the name of Jesus from Jerusalem.  God’s grace, however, was too much for Saul.  What changes the minds of the disciples?  The testimony of Barnabas and Saul’s preaching to the Greeks.  How will people know our allegiance to the Lord?  We have to follow Saul’s example.  Tell everyone we encounter the reason for our joy and hope – the power of God in us.  Then we reach outside of ourselves and preach about Jesus’ blessings.  Saul talked to those inside the church (the disciples) and those outside the church (the Greeks) about the new motivation of his life.  We’re called to do the same.

1 John 3:18-24

This reading builds upon the first one from Acts.  In the previous reading, Saul is speaking, using words to convince the disciples of the sincerity of his conversion.  The first line of this reading says, “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”  To love “in deed” is self-explanatory.  It means to show our love by our actions.  Easy enough.  What does love “in truth” mean?  My take on it is that we should do what we do for the correct reason or motivation.  We should do God because we desire to see God’s kingdom established among us and not because of guilt, mere obligation, or for the sake of appearance.

John 15:4a-5b

In this very short Gospel, the word “remain” appears eight times.  That is a lot for such a short reading.  “Remain in me as I remain in you.”  Jesus remains in us by the indwelling of his Holy Spirit.  When he left this earth, he gave the spirit – his spirit - to his disciples.  We share in that spirit because of our baptism and confirmation.  In that way, Jesus remains in us for always.  How then do we remain in him?  We are called to acknowledge that Jesus is in us every day.  Keeping him in mind means that there is a spiritual connection formed between Jesus and us.  Frequent prayer – no matter how long the prayer may be – keeps us in him.  Coming to Mass and Communion, doing good works, giving alms, etc. to the poor keep us in contact with Jesus.  Doing the spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy also connect us with Jesus’ life and ministry.  There are countless ways to remain in him.

I invite your comments.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 4: 8-12

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preaches to the people about the reason he is able to cure the sick.  I would imagine that it would be quite tempting for Peter to say, “It was I who am responsible for this miracle.  He, however, points to the power of God working in him.  He is an instrument of God’s love and kindness but ultimately it was “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean” that the man is healed. 

In our own lives, we have received many blessings.  It would certainly be tempting to say, “I am a great guy and that is why these blessings come my way.”  Or we could say, “My smarts and hard work are the sole reason I am doing so well.”  This reading invites us to think about the blessings that have come to us in our lives and give thanks to God because He is the true source of all that is good.

1 John 3:1-2

The reading says we are the children of God.  What does that mean?  I would like to think that we are actually the “adult children of God.”  We ask God’s help but we are called to follow our own path and make our own decisions.  We pray that those decisions reflect our faith.  Yet, even if those decisions deviate from God’s plan, we can still be forgiven and we are still loved.

“what we shall be has not yet been revealed.”  Even though, we are God’s children, what the future brings is still hidden in some way.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could know how our story will end?  Wouldn’t it be great if we knew the end so we could avoid all the mistakes in between?  But that won’t happen.  We will make mistakes and we might sometimes get lost on the path.  Sometimes we will be in darkness and won’t know where to go next.  But all will be well.  We shall see him as he is.  We shall be like him.  That is a great comfort to me.

John 10:11-18

Many times, a pastor of a parish is called the Shepherd of his Flock.  It is a nice image that gives off some nice feelings but it does have some problems.  I read a book of meditations on the 23^rd Psalm and one of the meditations said that sheep are not so smart.  I find parishioners to be very intelligent and holy people.  They are, in many cases more intelligent and holy than I am.  I am a fellow Christian, sinner, questioner just like you.  I would like to think that we could learn from each other. 

Parents (and grandparents) could be called Shepherds of their children but I would imagine that they too learn from their kids.  Parents are fellow travelers with their children but are in a special place of authority and protection over them. 

As we talk about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we could pray for all the people who have shepherded/loved/cared for/walked with us over the years.  We pray that we may be good shepherds to others around us.

I invite your comments.

Easter

There are two people – Judas and Peter - who are extremely important to the story of Jesus’ Passion and Death.  They are important for very different reasons but these two apostles figure prominently in the Passion narrative.  I hope these reflections give you insight into the story.

Judas 1  The Gospel of John is referred to as the Book of Signs.  Jesus is always performing miracles/signs in order to indicate the presence of His kingdom.  Judas is a sort of “anti-sign.”  In John 12, as Jesus is anointed by Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, Judas criticizes the action as wasteful.  “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?”  “He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.”  Judas immediately assigns an earthly/monetary value to the kindness of Mary.  He focuses on the earthly kingdom and his place in it.  Mary’s kindness is a “priceless” act of kindness but Judas evaluates it by its cost.  He will do this again when he sells out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, placing a monetary value on the life of Jesus.  Judas receives this money from the chief priests, who presumably get the money from the Temple treasury – the money used for sacrifice.  Very appropriately, the money for Jesus’ sacrifice comes from the Temple sacrifice money because he will be the final sacrifice for the sins of the nation.

Peter  There are some very important aspects to Peter’s actions in the Gospel.  First, Peter is there with the disciples at the Last Supper/Washing of the Feet in John’s Gospel.  The disciples argue about who is the greatest and then Jesus shows them what they are called to do – wash the feet of others.  Jesus takes on the job of a lowly servant – foot washer – in order to show an example of humility to his disciples.  No king, mayor, senator, alderman would ever do this, but Jesus, King of the Universe, does.  Peter says, “No.”  Maybe he is afraid of water after his failed attempt of walking on water with Jesus.  Just kidding.  Finally Peter consents because Jesus tells him he will understand later.  Sometimes God may ask us to do something even though it may be unintelligible to us.  Have faith that all will be well.

Judas 2  Judas gave Jesus a kiss.  A kiss is a very powerful symbol for us.  It means love, care, devotion and Judas cheapens it.  When Judas kisses Jesus, it is for betrayal and not for love.  “It is night,” the Gospel says and rightly so because humanity has betrayed Jesus.  The light is gone.

At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Judas repents of his sin.  He takes the money back to the chief priests and they will not accept the tainted money.  The money weighs Judas down rather than making him free.  Judas then takes his own life.  I think this event shows the result of a life without Christ.  Judas has lost hope.  He used the world’s possessions to serve himself rather than God and that is death for him.

Peter 2  Peter is in the high priest’s courtyard after Jesus is arrested (JN 18:15).  There is a fire in the middle of the courtyard and as Peter gets closer to it to warm himself, he is recognized as one of the disciples.  He denies knowing Jesus.  It is important to pay attention to the details of the story.  As Peter moves closer to the fire (the light) his weakness becomes more recognizable.  He also focuses on keeping comfortable and warm around the fire, rather than tell the truth about his relationship to Jesus.  We are not called to be comfortable but to be faithful.  As we move closer to the light of Jesus, we can see that we are sinful.  We see clearly our faults and failings.  Peter sees his faults and failings and weeps.

  I invite your comments.

Palm Sunday

In this article, I am going to focus on some of the events of the Passion and Death of Jesus and not on a particular Gospel passage.  We are going to be hearing these stories on different days of Holy Week.  I hope you like the commentary.

Entrance into Jerusalem. 

The Jewish people at Jesus’ time would select the Paschal lamb to be sacrificed four days before the Passover weekend.  Palm Sunday is the day of choosing the Lamb and the Palm Sunday readings show how the choosing happens.  Jesus enters Jerusalem to acclamations and shouting.  All are happy to see him and some talk of making him king.  Jesus arrives riding a donkey.  Kings always travelled by horse and chariot in Jesus’ time but he arrives on a lesser animal – a burro.  He is king, but not in the same way as the king of Egypt or Roman Emperor, so his mode of transport is different.  Also people are waving palms which were symbols of victory.  Jesus will be victorious by next Sunday but not in the way of an earthly king.  His victory is over sin and death.  The people acclaim him but in just a few days their “Hosannas”  will become “Crucify him!”  After he arrives, Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard and the servants.  The servants reject all the envoys (prophets) of the Master.  Finally the vineyard owner sends his son thinking, “Surely they will respect my Son.”  The servants plan to kill him.  Jesus knows he will follow the way of the prophets – rejection and death.  But he is the last of the prophets because his death will bring salvation to all.

Last Supper

The Lamb will be sacrificed to establish a new covenant.  With whom does God make this new covenant?  Everyone.  The Jews of Jesus’ time were told they were the Chosen People and all others were unclean.  All people are God’s chosen ones now.  The Jews offered sacrifice to thank God and appease God.  The blood of the sacrificed animal was poured out upon the altar.  Now the blood of the sacrificial victim, Jesus, would not be spilled out on the altar but would be drunk by his disciples.  “Whoever does not drink the Blood does not have life in him,” says Jesus.  The Passover meal that the apostles share is unlike any other because the sacrifice is consumed and Jesus’ life is now in their bodies and they will carry Jesus in their bodies to the ends of the earth.  When we celebrate Mass, the Body (consecrated bread) is on a plate and the blood (consecrated wine) is in the chalice.  They are separate.  If our body and blood are separated, we cannot live but the body and blood of Jesus are mixed together when we receive communion.  We have life in us when we celebrate Communion in our commemoration of the Last Supper.

Another point.  To make bread and wine, created things have to be destroyed.  Wheat kernels are crushed for the bread.  Grapes are crushed for the wine.  In this destruction, new possibilities open for these substances.  It is only by destruction that the bread and wine can be made.  In the same way, Jesus’ body is destroyed so that new life can come to the world.

I will write more about this next week.  This is part of the talk I gave at the Spanish Mission. 

  I invite your comments.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Jeremiah 31-31-34

Three times in this short reading, the word “covenant” is used.  It is a very powerful word.  The covenant was first made with Moses and the Israelites with the presentation of the Ten Commandments.   God promised to accompany His people always as they journeyed through life as a nation.  At times, they broke the covenant and damaged their relationship with God, but he always forgave them.  God promises in this reading to always be with Israel.  He will forgive them and always value them.  Now that covenant is ratified in the Blood of Jesus, the Son of God.  Jesus will be with us always until the end of time.

Have you ever broken the covenant with God by sinfulness?  Are you reconciled?

Hebrews 5: 7-9

This reading really makes Jesus accessible to us all.  He sometimes approached God with “loud cries and tears.”  Perhaps we have been in the same situation where it seems all is going wrong.  Only cries and tears can express what is happening.  The next phrase says that Jesus “was heard because of his reverence.”  I assume that “reverence” means faith, courage, strength and other characteristics of a faithful disciple.  The most important thing is that he was heard.  God hears our loud cries and tears too and responds with generosity.

What is your suffering now?  How is God there with you in that suffering?  What have you learned from it?

John 12:20-33

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”  That small phrase spoken by the Greeks to Philip is very important to us all.  We don’t know why they want to see Jesus.  They do listen closely to him and then they hear him talk about losing his life and then a voice comes from heaven.  They are probably thinking, “Geez, who is this guy?”  So Jesus speaks about his mission not just to Jewish people but also to the Gentiles in order to show the universality of his mission.  He is here for all people.  Later in the reading, Jesus says he is troubled and then a heavenly voice speaks like thunder.  Despite his troubles, His Father is there for him.

If you, like the Greeks, want to see Jesus, what would you say to him?  What would you ask of him?  How does the universality of Jesus’ mission challenge you?

 I invite your comments.

Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus 20: 1-17

In this reading, God celivers the Ten Commandments to the Israelites.  Other nations will know that God loves Israel by the Law that God has given them.  As you read through the Old Testament, however, you will find that Israel violates at least one of these commandments on just about every page.  David kills Goliath, thousands of enemy soldiers and commits adultery with Bathsheba.  David is one of many who break the Commandments, yet God never turns His back on Israel.  They are still beloved.  God punishes them sometimes for their transgressions but his devotion to his people never falters.

Of what do we need to repent?  Do you feel God is with you right now?  How does God touch your life with forgiveness?

1 Cor 1:22-25

“I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For” is one of U2’s best songs.  It speaks of the quest for fulfillment but the quest has not had the results they wanted.  Listen to it.  It’s really good.  Paul is telling the Corinthians that all the folks are looking for answers – “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for Wisdom.”  But they are looking for the wrong things.  No sign or wise saying is going to satisfy us.  It is Christ who will fill us with power and wisdom.  Christ, however, does not come in power and triumph.  The sign of Jesus’ triumph is his cross.  This is the hardest thing to understand about our faith.  Jesus dies a criminal’s death on a cross.

Have we found what we’ve been looking for?  Why do you think suffering is so important in Jesus’ life?  What does the cross mean for you?

John 2:13-25

Scholars tell us that the moneychangers in the temple performed a necessary and valuable service.  They changed money so that people could buy animals for sacrifice to God.  They were crucial to the religious services.  Yet Jesus drives them out.  Curious.   Then he talks about destroying the Temple, which is a very unpopular idea, naturally.  They spent years making a temple for worship.  It was  a beautiful, huge temple that expressed the grandeur of God.  But Jesus is not talking about stone and mortar but about himself.  He will be destroyed but will be raised up. 

How do we use the resources (money and possessions) that we have?  How is God calling me to use those gifts?  Do we have “zeal” for the house of God?

 I invite your comments.

Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 22: 1-2,9,10-13,15-18

As we read the story of the sacrifice (or almost sacrifice) of Isaac by his father, Abraham, we can react with revulsion.  Remember that Isaac is Abraham and Sarah’s only Son, a son conceived miraculously late in their lives.  How could God take away the son he gave them?  It’s not right.  How could God do this to them?  I am sure we have had the same reaction when something goes terribly wrong in our own lives.  In the face of extreme suffering it is natural to have this type of reaction.  Perhaps this reading is asking us about our willingness to sacrifice something dear to us for God’s (and our) benefit.  All that we have is a generous gift from God.  How do we begin to give back to God for all that we have received?

Romans 8:31-34

Continuing the theme of sacrifice in the first reading, Paul is telling us that God has sacrificed for us.  He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, so that we might receive God’s great blessing.  This reading is also very confident.  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Paul basically says that no one can really conquer us because we have God’s power on our side.  Christ intercedes for us and so we are invincible.

Meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice by thinking of sacrifices you make in your own life.  Have those sacrifices been a grace for you? Or not?

Mark 9:2-10

Question:  Why only Peter, James and John?  Maybe if Thomas were there he would not be “doubting Thomas” after Jesus’ resurrection.  Maybe Judas Iscariot would not have turned Jesus over if he had been there.  Were the other disciples jealous?  Who can say?

It is interesting that Moses and Elijah come and go.  They converse with Jesus about His mission and then disappear after the Father speaks.  Perhaps they disappear because now the disciples see the One who has replaced/fulfilled the Law (Moses) and the Old Testament Prophets (Elijah.)  All is different because Jesus is the one who will stay on the mountain – Moses and Elijah leave.

Despite this grand event, they still doubt and have questions, evidenced by the last two sentences of the reading. 

What do you need to transfigure in your life?  Ask Jesus to help you with that.  Why did Jesus tell the three disciples not to tell anyone about the Transfiguration? 

 I invite your comments.

First Sunday of Lent

Genesis 9: 8-15

God looks upon all the destruction that the flood caused and regrets it.  He created all living things but then wipes them out and he feels bad about it.  I find it gratifying that God is in the same position that we sometimes are in.  We do something, regret it and feel bad about it afterwards.  God doesn’t undo the destruction but vows not to do it again.  He puts a rainbow in the sky.  He does something beautiful to atone for the destruction.  We are called to do the same thing during Lent – look honestly at our actions, regret what has caused destruction and then do something so that we don’t repeat the action. 

What do we regret?  What can I do to atone for the hurt I cause?

1 Peter 3:18-22

It is my privilege to celebrate baptisms.  It is always a joyous occasion.  It is always a little crazy and noisy especially when there are a lot of kids but it is a great celebration of life and faith.  Peter is telling his audience that baptism is not like washing dirt from your face but it spiritually cleanses the whole person, claiming the person for Christ.  We were baptized long ago but the spiritual cleansing is still operative because Jesus continues to call us to conversion.

Have we ever given thanks for our baptism?  How has baptism changed me?  What does baptism call me to do or to be in this world?

Mark 1: 12-15

I have always wondered why the Spirit would drive Jesus into the desert.  I assume the Spirit knows that Jesus will be tempted and will suffer.  Yet, Jesus is driven out to the desert.  The word “drove” makes me think that Jesus did not go willingly.  Perhaps this is an indication to Jesus of the type of life he will have in this world.  He will suffer.  He will be tested.  His life will not be easy.  It also says that Jesus lived “among the wild beasts and the angels ministered to him.”  No humans are mentioned.  It seems to me that the temptations come when Jesus is separated from the community.  He is not among those he came to save and so feels alone and tempted.  For me, negative influences come when I am isolated.  When I am with others, I get support, love and care.  

How am I integrated with the community?  Am I happy with others or do I feel alone in the crowd?  Have you had a “desert experience” like Jesus – suffering, temptation, isolation?  How did you get through it?

 I invite your comments.

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46

Being a priest today can be difficult but I cannot imagine the priesthood of Aaron.  He is supposed to evaluate people’s scab, pustules or blotches in order to detect leprosy.  Huge “eeewww” factor.  It was necessary to do this type of evaluation in order to protect the community from disease and from being ritually unclean according to the law.  Nowadays, leprosy or Hansen’s disease is rare but we still have lepers in our society.  I think of the poor, the immigrant, the person with AIDS or some other controversial disease.  These modern day lepers can be ostracized and shunned.  We must do our best to welcome, comfort and give refuge to those who find themselves on the outside. 

Who are the modern day  lepers we encounter?  Offer a prayer for them.  Ask for the grace to see and love them as God does.

1 Corinthians 10: 31-11:1

“Do everything for the glory of God.”  St. Paul says that even the simple acts of eating and drinking can reflect the glory of God.  Paul also calls the Corinthians to avoid offending anyone.  That is not an easy task because Paul was a rather gruff person.  Also people can take offense at the slightest thing.    He says that he tries to please everyone.  Also that is hard to do.  Those difficult tasks are summed up in the last line of the text.  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.  Just imitate Christ and all will be well.  We will fall short sometimes, but try and see where it takes you.

Task:  Today I will make it a point to do everything - no matter how small - for the glory of God.  That can change the world.

Task: Today I will avoid offending others by thinking of them first and me second.

Task:  Today I will make a conscious effort to imitate Christ.  Good luck, all of you.

I think if we try these tasks with some effort, we can change ourselves, our household and world.

Mark 1: 40-45

The leper in the story disobeys Jesus.  Jesus tells him not to say anything about his healing.  He went away, however, “and began to publicize the whole matter.”  He is only supposed to tell the priest so that the priest can document the healing.  The cured man cannot keep the message to himself.  We are also called to follow the example of the man and not keep the message to ourselves.  If I have great news I have to share it.  I want to tell others about the great thing that happened to me. 

What good thing God has done for you do you want to share with the world?  Who are you going to tell?  Would you feel comfortable telling even one stranger? 

Is there anything about ourselves that we need the Lord’s help to heal?

Next week I will not have a reflection.   Sorry about that.

 I invite your comments.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Job 7:1-4, 6-7

Job is not a very fun person to hang out with right now and we all know why.  Everything has been taken from him – family, friends and possessions.  Also, he is afflicted with sores on his body.  Things were going well until recently.  He had family and enough possessions to last him a few lifetimes, but the devil took away everything from him.  In today’s reading, Job is lamenting the loss of everything he holds dear.  Despite all his suffering, he does not curse God.  In another section of this book, Job says, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the Lord.”  This is a statement of great faith in the midst of suffering and trial.

We also can experience difficulty and suffering.  Perhaps our health is compromised or a relationship went bad.  Perhaps we can pray with our sufferings and ask God’s help.  Are we thankful when all is well and when all is not so good?

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Yo Yo Ma, the famous cellist, said once that if he doesn’t practice for 8 hours a day, he can sense that his skills have slipped and if he misses a full day of practice, the audience will notice that his skills have slipped.  You have to keep working to keep your skills sharp.  Paul has the same dedication.  “Woe to me if I do not preach it!”  He has to keep preaching the Gospel if he is to fulfill the call that Jesus gave to him.  The Gospel now is the driving force of his life and he must serve it always.

Is there a part of our lives which needs deeper dedication to the Gospel?  What is the driving force of our lives?  Jesus or something else?

Mark 1: 29-39

Today’s Gospel presents the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law.  It says that Jesus grasped her hand and “helped her up.”  Scholars say that this word is the same word that Mark will later use for “resurrection.”  Jesus resurrects Simon’s mother-in-law which predicts his own resurrection.  And what does she do after her “helping up?”  She begins to serve the others.  All of us are called to serve because of our resurrection to new life.  Later, the disciples report to Jesus, “Everyone is looking for you.”  It may have been true then but it is not so now.  Not all are looking for Jesus.  Perhaps you have family members and friends who are not in contact with their faith or with a church.   

How has Jesus helped us up to a new life?  Have we had resurrections in our own life?  Also, let’s pray for those who are looking for Jesus and those who are not.  May God touch their hearts and minds.

 I invite your comments.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Moses is considered the greatest prophet of Israel because he spoke with God face to face.  He was able to go into the cloud surrounding the ark of the covenant and talk directly to him.  I wonder what those conversations were like.  “Hey, how you doin’ today?”  “Not so good, God.  This desert sand gets everywhere.”  In this reading God shows a desire to maintain conversation and communication with His people after Moses is gone.  God will give prophets to Israel so that he can maintain communication with Israel.  Israel, however, will reject these prophets over the years.  They will persecute them and even kill them.  We pray that God will communicate with us through the words of others.

How has God communicated with you recently?  Homily? Song? Book of reflections? Friend’s touch or presence?  Remember that communication with God does not have to be verbal.  Maybe you just had a feeling of God’s presence.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

This reading once again shows that Paul is very concerned about being prepared for Jesus’ second coming.  Just like the reading from Paul two weeks ago, he says that people should remain focused on the Lord and not on their human relationships.  Because we are in a very different time from Paul’s time, it seems to me that our faith is expressed in our human relationships and not hindered by them.  In waiting for the Lord, be a better husband or better wife.  Attend to your spouse’s needs as if attending to the needs of the Lord. 

Paul also presumes that an unmarried person is not anxious about the things of the world.  We are now preparing our budget for 2012-13.  I am unmarried, however, I am anxious about the budget and many other things – definite things of the world.

What preoccupies you now?  Hand that over to God in prayer.  What about your life “pleases the Lord?”  What doesn’t?

Mark 1: 21-28

I am noticing that people nowadays are obsessed with demons and other supernatural things.  The kids in our Confirmation class have asked me a lot of questions about that stuff due to the many recent movies about the demonic.  People have asked me to bless their houses because they hear unexplained noises.  In my 20 years as a priest, I have never heard or seen anything “demonic” when blessing a house, but I am not in that house all the time.  Demons know not to mess with me.

Today Jesus encounters an “unclean spirit.”  Jesus reacts quickly, telling the spirit to come out of him.  I have never had any experience with phenomena such as this but it is easy to see in our world that evil exists.  We encounter it every day.  Evil is very often not expressed in possessed people who shriek and spit green pea soup like Linda Blair, but is expressed in the wrong choices we sometimes make.  We take the easy way or the more profitable way, which then affects adversely our brothers and sisters.

Is there any evil you must repent of?  What is the sinful thing you struggle with most – lack of patience, stealing, lying, etc.?  Ask God’s forgiveness and help. 

 I invite your comments.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Jonah goes to the great city of Nineveh to tell them that God is angry and they will be destroyed if they don’t mend their ways.  They believe him and everyone repents.  Pretty amazing.

Jonah’s journey to Nineveh takes a few twists and turns.  If you remember, God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh and he decides to run away because he does not want to do this work.  When Jonah tries to escape by ship, God sends a storm that is swamping the ship.  Jonah is thrown into the sea by the sailors and everything quiets down.  Jonah, however, is swallowed by a whale and remains in the whale for three days.  Nineveh’s story is Jonah’s story.  They have run away/turned away from the Lord.  They have to make a radical shift back to the Lord just like Jonah did when he splashed into the sea.  Jonah is a sign that all can be well again with God.  Nineveh sees the sign and turns its’ life around.  All is well between the city and God.

Have you ever felt separated from God?  What do you need to turn around in order to be closer to God?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Many scholars believe that St. Paul believed that Jesus would return very soon to earth for His Second Coming.  This short reading presents that belief very clearly.  He tells people to give up everything in order to receive Jesus well.  This reading surprises me to a certain extent.  “let those having wives, act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, etc.”  He is telling people to detach from everything so that you can meet Jesus without distraction.  I don’t want to criticize St. Paul, however, it would seem to me, if you have a wife, you should be a better husband.  If you weep, ask Jesus to comfort you.  If you rejoice, thank Him for the rejoicing.  The world may be passing away, but let’s pass away well.

Mark 1:14-20

I was pointing out the other day to the weekday Mass crowd that this Gospel is an interesting one.  We are reading from the first chapter of Mark.  Jesus is just new on the scene and he says, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”  Since it is so early, the people who hear him are probably saying, “Hey, what’s a Gospel.”  Jesus is preaching something entirely new.  The people probably don’t have vocabulary to understand the message.  Still there is something about Jesus that makes Simon and Andrew, James and John follow him.  He himself is the Gospel.  “Repent and believe in me,” he is saying.

What is it about Jesus and His message that attracts you?  Repels you?  Would you be ready, like Simon and Andrew, to risk everything for someone you haven’t seen before?

 I invite your comments.