First Sunday of Lent
Each year, we keep aside fourty days out of 352, for fasting, abstinence, penance, and prayer. If we really think about it, it seems strange that an entire people would put themselves through artificial hardships. The rest of the year, we try to make life easier. The rest of the year we strive to avoid hardships, inconveniences and pain. And yet, for fourty days, we freely and willfully submit ourselves to the Lenten penances. Why? Why are we putting ourselves through these hardships? Merely because of tradition? Or is it guilt? Is there a deeper meaning to our personal Lenten penances?
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
It is Lent. We are getting deeper into a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. During this time it is easy to get distracted by what we aren’t doing. There are habits, foods, or drinks from which we are fasting and that is good. However, sometimes I don’t think we explore enough prepositions. Not only are there the things from which I fast, there are things for which I fast. This broader view can be summarized to include fasting for prayer, fasting for charity, and fasting for obedience.
Friday after Ash Wednesday
When I was on a contemplative retreat a few years ago, I had a conversation with one of the monks about contemplation and the spiritual life. At that time, I had in mind that contemplation was supposed to be about attaining greater and greater spiritual heights. I supposed that I would find God and fall in love with God more and more through my own silent prayer and my time spent thinking about God.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Today’s readings show us the type of life we can expect to live if we place our trust in God’s providence. In Deuteronomy we read the original life-or-death question from Moses: Follow God to life and prosperity, or do it yourself and face certain death. With a choice so plain, it’s surprising that anyone would choose not to follow the Lord. Yet so many people do not follow. Why?
Ash Wednesday
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) These words from St. Paul’s intone a sense of urgency to the people of Corinth. An even greater urgency can be found in the first reading from the prophet Joel, “Even now, say the Lord, return to me with your whole heart. (Joel 2:12) This urgency is recognized by many of us today as we turn out in large numbers to attend Ash Wednesday services. It is ironic then that this sign of the cross in ash on our foreheads marks us so outwardly when the readings strongly push for inward conversion.
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I’ve been thinking lately that the advice given in the Bible about how to live seems opposed to much of the advice that we are given by our 21st-century, Western culture. We are told by the world to pursue wealth, success, and power but justice and wisdom are not put forth as things worthy of our time or energy. The readings today emphasize the need for human beings to pursue the latter qualities if we are going to find favor with God.
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
In Ignatian Spirituality one of the basic concepts is 'Magis' which, in Latin, means 'more'. Magis, refers to the ever-increasing generosity, openness, and greatheartedness necessary to develop and sustain relationships with God and others. "Magis has been described as 'the Jesuit “itch”—a restlessness in service, an ambition to maintain high standards of performance, a desire to conquer new frontiers." (ignatianspirtuality.com) For us, magis is our willingness to always give more got the glory of God. We are loved by a God who loves without limit. While we try our best to love him in return, what more can we do? How can we be living examples of 'the magis'…the 'more'?
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We continue with our reflection of the Sermon on the Mount in today’s gospel reading. Jesus has been contrasting the Old Testament Laws with his New Laws. He said, “You have heard that it was said of old… but I say to you….” In the same way, Jesus now contrasts paganism and Christian discipleship. We heard Jesus say last week, “And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?” On the contrary, Jesus asked his disciples to love enemies and pray for those who persecute. And then, when he teaches them how to pray, he asks them not to babble like the pagans. In today’s reading he says, “So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.’ (Mt 6:33).
Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Two words you rarely hear in the same sentence are “Jesus” and “indignant.” Yet there they are, right next to each other in today's gospel (Mk 10:14). Now, I can be indignant sometimes and that usually means I need a nap or I know that I'm wrong; but Jesus getting indignant is a different story. I have a sneaking suspicion that he has a little more justification than general grumpiness or pride. In today's gospel, this indignation stems from the direct actions of his disciples as they rebuked people, presumably parents, for bringing children to Christ. Beyond that though, I think he expected them to know better because of what they were just taught in the previous passage.
Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
In our era of Facebook, the concept of "friends" is interesting to ponder. Some people on Facebook "friend" anyone who requests a friendship with them; others are much more guarded, and "friend" only people who they really know well, because of privacy concerns. Either way, more than one cultural commentator has said that social networking seems to be changing the way we see our relationships with each other. We generally have looser connections with each other, but we have connections to more people. I think it is somewhat strange, actually, that I know more about what a good friend from my high school days who lives in another state is doing this morning than I do about my next door neighbors.
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
"Who do you say that I am?" In our gospel Jesus asks this question of his disciples. I would like to take a moment and challenge each of us to sit with this question as well. Imagine yourself face to face with Christ. Maybe you imagine you're in your living room, in your favorite coffee shop, in a chapel, in your car. Wherever you are - it is you and Christ and he looks you in the eye and he asks you this question - "who do you say that I am?"
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. God’s glory is constantly being shown to us. Sometimes our eyes or minds are not always attuned to the wonder God has placed before us. Or perhaps we recognize the beauty but we do not attribute that grandeur as coming from God.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
One of the themes we encounter in today's readings is the theme of trial.We have many trials throughout our lives. All of us suffer. One of the messages of the Cross is that such trials need not be fruitless, but can be transformed through Jesus' suffering love.
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I recently read an article in the Dayton Daily News entitled “Some couples want to leave God off wedding guest list.” According to the author, in the state of Ohio a wedding celebrant must be ordained in a religion. Some individuals are pursuing a change in legislation that would allow people without any religious affiliation to perform a wedding. One couple promoting this idea stated that if God had been mentioned as part of their ceremony, it would betray how they live their lives- without a belief in God or any type of religious practice.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
The text book that I used to teach Religion 101 at the University of Dayton had a Chapter in it entitled, “Breaking the Cycle.” The author, Dr. Dennis Doyle, cites an example of how his eight year old and his six year old got into it one day while playing basketball. The eight year old made his shot, and then, just for fun tossed up a quick practice shot, which he did not make. The six-year old did not see the first shot but saw the practice shot that his brother did not make. The argument led to the older brother hitting the younger one with the ball. The younger one ran into the house screaming. Dr. Doyle was aware of the sibling rivalry that existed between the two. After much talking and conversations and after much going back the forth, aware that he was not making much progress, he finally asked his children this question, “… And who is going to break the cycle?”
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
I have a bad habit, well several bad habits, but one in particular came to mind when I read today’s Gospel. Remarkably, I can take the simplest of things and over complicate them into muddled messes. I’m sure others can attest to this. Maybe they have experienced it in the midst of a planning session when I have proposed a convoluted solution and upon noticing confused looks around me, timidly offer, “Maybe I’m overthinking all of this.” We can all do this with the Lord as well.
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
"Let us build the city of God! May our tears be turned into dancing!" This may be one of your favorite hymns that we sing. It is a catchy tune with a beautiful image of all of us working with and for God's city- the time when there will be no tears and weeping, the time when we shall all be together praising God.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, we conclude the great flood epic of Noah and his family. The Earth and all the people in it have just endured a destructive reset. God’s relationship with humanity and all of creation is starting over, beginning with a promise that God won’t do it again. Our relationship with the Lord is the most definitive element of who we are. What is God telling us in today’s reading about who we are?
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The readings speak to us today of God’s extraordinary power, God’s generosity and how we need to be grateful for God’s accomplishments. The story of the flood and Noah continues in the readings today. The rain has stopped, but the journey is nowhere near complete. Noah sends forth a bird three weeks in a row to find out if it’s possible to download his cargo. The first week the dove returns, the second the dove returns with an olive leaf. The third time the dove does not return at all, signaling Noah that the land was dry enough leave the ark.
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
A little bit can go a long way. At least that’s one “moral” I take away from today’s Gospel reading. When the disciples realize they only have one loaf of bread in their boat, it seems as though they become discouraged as if they don’t have enough to feed each of them. However, Jesus reminds them of the times where many were fed with a small amount of bread and there were always fragments left over.