Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Today is the feast of St. Paul Miki and companions. They are 26 Japanese martyrs from 1597. As Vatican II confirms, martyrdom is one of the highest witnesses to love and an unquestionably powerful testimony to the Gospel and its demand to forgive our persecutors. Celebrating the feasts of martyrs from every age reminds us of the Council’s words that, “And while it [martyrdom] is given to few, all, however, must be prepared to confess Christ before humanity and to follow him along the way of the cross amid the persecutions which the Church never lacks” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 42, Austin Flannery translation). There is another lesson I draw from this feast day, the danger of political hijacking.
Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 6:14-29) is one of those scripture passages that makes a person wonder, “What, exactly, was God trying to inspire here?” The story of the beheading of John the Baptist is one that makes me feel a bit slimy, actually. Interestingly enough, some people have been captivated by this story. There have been many artworks commissioned, and plays and operas written about Salome, the young girl who requests to have John’s head on a platter at the behest of her mother. I still remember listening to Richard Strauss’s “Salome” in a college opera class, and thinking that even the music itself had been written to make me feel touched by something gross.
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s better to give than to receive,” but I would like to argue that sometimes the opposite is true and harder to do. When we give to someone, especially if that person is in need, we can have a sense of having some power over that person, or of being somehow better, or in control of the situation. To receive, however, requires an openness, a humility, an acknowledgement that I am in need of something that the other person is offering, whether it be something tangible like a meal or place to stay or money, or something intangible like their listening ear, their service or assistance with something, or simply their love. I, at least, find that it is sometimes harder to let myself be vulnerable and graciously receive.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Walking with people in crisis is challenging and rewarding. It is a privilege to be on the holy ground in people’s lives and feel that one is making a difference. Somedays this journey can be especially tough as people are offered very limited options for their loved ones. These choices are often summed up in the three choices. One choice is to increase care, another is to continue the same level of care, and the third is to decrease the care being offered. This sounds like a straightforward choice until you realize the outcome of the care will likely be the same no matter what one chooses.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
In today’s gospel, in the midst of Simeon’s prophecy, Mary gets some bad news. In what should have been a moment every bit as joyful as our tradition of baptizing our children, she hears that she is going to be run through by a sword! ‘Have a nice day!’
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Showing mercy to someone that we love can be challenging at times, but looking at evil with eyes of mercy can only be done with the grace of God. Today’s scripture readings show us how God is calling us to look upon others- even those whose actions are cruel and violent- with a judgment that flows from mercy.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is not uncommon for people to ask, “How did you decide to become a priest?” My answer often is a big sigh! First of all, it is a complex story. I find it hard to talk about my call to priesthood either as a casual conversation or a conversation that is time-constrained. The second reason is that my decision to become a priest was unlike Jeremiah’s call in today’s first reading. I did not hear voices or see visions. I was a teenager trying to figure out what to do. I did not even know if I wanted to be a priest. I simply wanted to try it out, and then, year after year, for twelve years continued to plough on. On the way, I faltered, I fell, I got up and fell again, and.… here I am today. Today, almost twenty-two years back, as I look back at my priesthood, I realize that this is my calling. The peace I have in the depth of my being… that is what assured me of my call.
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
It is striking how the same passage can speak into our lives in so many different ways. I have read this gospel a number of times and always find encouragement or conviction in a new area. This time it was conviction. I read the passage and thought to myself, “This is my prayer life.”
Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time
I've been feeling overwhelmed, lately, with the enormity of the world's problems - and with the relative difficulty of my own problems too. I just find myself thinking sometimes that I am doing everything wrong, and when combined with what I see as the "wrongness" of the world (war, famine, political arguments) everything looks pretty bleak. Maybe it's the grey skies of January, or maybe it's just post-Christmas depression, but I'm just not feeling my best, and it's easy to get caught up in feelings of desolateness.
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
“Take care what you hear,” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. To “take care” of something means to put time, energy and attention into it. The term “take care” often makes me think of taking care of a garden. Tending a garden involves giving it daily attention and focusing our energies on it. We must provide fruitful soil, remove the weeds and be attentive to its needs. A garden that is ill-planned and ignored will die. When we “take care” of something we are vowing to commit our time and energy into it, because we value it and find it important, which will then produce results, much like a bountiful harvest.
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
"When the oxygen mask falls put it on yourself first and then help the others around you." These words are part of the universal safety talk given on airplanes before a flight. It seems counter-intuitive for people who wish to help others. On the other hand there are many times in our lives when we have inclinations toward self-centeredness. These times can naturally grow out of a need for self-preservation. More often, especially in our individualistic society, they are part of the pull of our culture. As Christians, we are called to go beyond self towards the other. The first and most important other is of course God. It is through our relationship with God, out of which all of our relationships should flow.
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Scripture Readings (Reflection drawn specifically from the Gospel for this feast)
Around this time last year, I learned something very important about myself-- I was an addict.
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, spiritual children of St. Paul whose letters to them were inspired by God and consigned to Sacred Scripture. For today’s feast I have freely adapted the antiphon from today’s responsorial psalm (Psalm 96:3) to fit the theme from today’s readings that I wish to highlight.
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
After I graduated from high school I fell away from the Church. Truthfully, in my heart, I had fallen away long before that. Although my entire education took place in Roman Catholic schools, it felt very oppressing and I was only going through the motions from the time I was a sophomore in high school my mid-twenties. That is when my husband and I started our family and I knew we must care for the spirituality of our children. While I did all the things I was supposed to do as far as educating and informing our children about the Catholic faith, I had never had a personal experience of Jesus. Now I know how important that was.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
I have probably shared this with you before. Every time I leave home, my parents and I gather for prayer. Something wonderful happens just before I leave. My mom and dad lay their hand over me and bless me. I feel their breath. I feel the warmth of their body. I feel their tears as they feel mine. Most of all, I touch their holiness. And then, they both make the sign of the cross upon my forehead. Right at that moment, I experience a little bit of heaven. Right at that moment, I feel a little more free, a little more strong, a little more loved, a little more sure. I know that heaven is indescribable. But if someone asked me what heaven it like, I would say, its like my mom and dad blessing me.
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel passage captures one third of something called Lewis’ Trilemma. Here is how Lewis describes it:
A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. … Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. (Mere Christianity 56)
This is commonly represented as “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.” The goal today is not to discuss all of the flaws or merits of his argument, but to draw from it the startling connection in Mark today.
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Today, our prayer focuses on legal protection for the unborn. This day calls us to be mindful of the most vulnerable in our midst and to love all, even and especially those we have not even met yet.
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Today’s Gospel passage from Mark demonstrates Jesus’ ability to overpower evil spirits curing those who were of diseases and allowing the unclean spirits to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. One key element from this reading that can be overlooked is Jesus’ summoning of the disciples to have a boat prepared so that Jesus isn’t overcome by these evil spirits. This displays a key element of servant leadership amidst the disciples and the trust that Jesus places upon them to make sure their needs are met and their mission upheld.
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Serving God faithfully is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple and it demands a radical trust in the Lord. This is not always an easy task as it seems we regularly encounter obstructions to our faith. These challenges may be people or situations that present roadblocks or bog us down leaving us without the energy to move forward. These truly may be impediments. However there is another level that lies below the surface and they call us to dig deeper. The pretenses of today’s scripture stories leave us mystified as to the depth of courage needed to serve the Lord.
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
In our first reading, Samuel has called the whole town of Bethlehem together for a banquet. Everyone is supposedly there, including Jesse and his sons, one of whom will be the next king. The sons are dressed up and looking their best. But the Lord reminds Samuel, and us, that the outward appearance is not an accurate way to judge.