Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings are about two things: gifts and excuses. Paul’s letter to the Romans encourages them to recognize the variety of gifts in the Body of Christ. We all have “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” This ancient wisdom is just as relevant to us today as it was to the early Christians. Despite so much in our culture telling us to place ourselves above others, we still have a curious aversion to recognizing our own gifts. We struggle to affirm out loud what gifts we can bring to a community. We’ve also been struggling as a Church to appreciate the diversity of gifts in the Body. Paul’s words should ring in our ears as we engage each other in parishes and in all places where the Body of Christ gathers.
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
A few weeks ago I lost a friend. He was my sister’s husband—my brother-in-law. Although my sister passed away more than 5 years ago and they had no children together, he and I still kept in touch; our strongest bond developed during the care of my sister over the four years she had cancer which eventually took her life. This day, as the Church Commemorates All Souls Day, I am thinking of my friend—my sister’s husband, who recently passed away. At this time, I need assurance of his salvation.
Solemnity of All Saints
The origin of the Feast of All Saints goes far back into the history of the Church. In fact, it goes back as far as the persecution in the early church. The persecution of Christians at the hands of the Roman Empire gave birth of many, many martyrs. These martyrs stood firm in their faith in Jesus Christ as they endured horrendous suffering and ultimately, death. When persecution ended with the conversion of Constantine in 314 AD, the church felt a great need to honor these martyrs. The church wanted to honor their striving toward godliness and faithfulness. As early as 379 AD, Pope Boniface of Caesarea called for a common day to venerate all the martyrs. After centuries of further development Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November to the entire Church and to include all the saints, known and unknown. Today, I feel very proud and privileged to be part of this long tradition in the Catholic Church. I feel proud, not only because of the history but also because of what the feast stands for – honoring the striving for godliness and the fidelity it takes to get there.
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s opening words in the Gospel resonate with a cultural, societal, and human truth. Here is the text, “Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.” Those words, “the people there were observing him carefully,” makes me think that they wanted to know how Jesus was going to handle this Pharisee. Was he going to put him in his place? Or pat him on the back?
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul presents the question “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I’ve frequently heard this question while driving in the car and listening to Christian radio because of Chris Tomlin’s well-known song entitled “Our God” (linked below). Without the context of scripture, this question seems to infer some level of superiority or invincibility based on our belief in God. I will admit that such a theme of superiority makes me quite uncomfortable given Jesus’ command to love one another as He has loved us. Therefore I find it refreshing that today’s first reading puts this thought into the context that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is much more comforting but still has its challenges.
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude. The word apostle means “one sent out”. The readings remind us that we are called to be missionary disciples/apostles. The context for this call to discipleship is rooted in our faith community. What makes this call seem even more radical is the cultural shifts in mobility and communications. These shifts are causing people to be more isolated, more like strangers. One outward sign of this reality is the general shift toward individual spirituality and away from communal based faith.
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Paul seems to be in a low spot in his life as he writes today’s first reading, but he doesn’t let it get him down. Instead, he makes his ‘present sufferings’ into an encouraging sign. Isn’t that the gospel in action? This is how Christ works in the world; the present challenges are a sign that something better is coming. It is the Eucharistic shape of life for us Christians. It is the child waiting for parents to agree that he is ‘old enough’ for the next privilege or responsibility. It is the student studying diligently for a test, knowing it brings her one step closer to graduation. It is the young family nervous about how their next childbirth will change the family dynamic. It is the person with a terminal illness, waiting for her birth into eternal life. It is Jesus living and dying for us, knowing that resurrection and ascension to Heaven are coming.
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
As part of the Discipleship training seminar at Immaculate Conception Parish, we are reading Pope Francis’ book about mercy. One of the chapters is entitled “Coming out of Ourselves.” I believe that Jesus in today’s gospel shows us how this is done. Pope Francis explains what this means when he says, “God does not wait for us to go to him, but it is he who moves toward us, without calculation, without quantification. That is what God is like. He always takes the first step; he comes toward us.” As disciples of Jesus we are called to do the same.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
How deep are you into Jesus? The healing of the blind man in today’s gospel reading is hardly an isolated story. Mark wrote this gospel very carefully to communicate a very intentional message – that Jesus is the Son of Man (one of the Old Testament titles for the Messiah), that he was put to death by undiscerning religious and political authorities and that God raised him from the dead. However there are two more things to consider about Mark’s composition of his message. First, Mark is writing from the perspective of discipleship. He wants the reader to take a personal stand with regard to Jesus when he or she reads his Jesus story. Second, he is writing in time of great persecution. This means that taking a stand for Jesus will cost the reader something, if not everything.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
For a long time I was intimidated by Romans. It is a heavy book where Paul wrestles with some tough topics, not to mention it is a letter written to a community of people 2,000 years ago and we read it without having copies of the rest of the correspondence between Paul and Rome. To help with my apprehension I decided to sit down one night and read all 16 chapters in one sitting. It was great. I’m going to share a little of what I concluded from that exercise for my brief reflection today.
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12: 49) Perhaps some of Jesus’ disciples (both then and now) wish this gospel verse were a literal statement, looking for a warrior savior who would “take the world by fire!” It would certainly make for a popular movie or computer game. But seriously, it’s somewhat jolting at first read as Luke in today’s gospel reading (Luke 12: 49-53) continues with Jesus preaching to his disciples, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” Really?
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Sometimes late at night when I can’t fall asleep I have cravings for something to eat. So I will go sit in front of the television and work my way through a number of different snacks. Often something sweet followed by something salty. The question is do I really need to be eating at 11:30 pm. Of course it does not help that this is when the food advertisements are pushing one toward a feeding frenzy. Still this begs the question, “Do I obey the cravings, or do I act according to reason?” Often the cravings and the commercials have already guided me to the pantry. Confronted by the intellect and the will I am given the choice, do I obey the cravings or reason which reminds me that junk food is not good for my health.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In Exodus 12, we learn about the Passover meal and God tells the Hebrews that they are to eat their meal “like a people in flight,” with their “loins girt” and their “sandals on their feet.” Now that I’m teaching high school girls, the phrase “gird your loins” makes my classroom into a giggle factory. I ask my students to imagine themselves in gym class, ready to run the dreaded sprints. You gird your loins, I say, when you pull slightly on your gym shorts or roll up your sleeves. You’re getting ready to go and making sure nothing is holding you back!
Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
Here is a little meditation for you:
“One day when I was sitting on a bench in a quiet, sunny courtyard, looking at a fuchsia bush. It was late August, and the bees were constantly visiting the fuchsia. They would land very gently on those flowers that were fully open to receive them. They made no attempt to enter a closed flower or to force the petals in any way. When they found an open flower they crept into its depths to extract the nectar. In doing so, of course, they also carried the pollen from flower to flower, bush to bush, thus ensuring further fruitfulness.” (excerpt from Inner Compass by Margaret Silf)
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It was eight years back. I was officially appointed associate pastor at St. Helen and Immaculate Conception Parishes. Fr. Dave entrusted much of the administrative responsibility of IC to me. Huge challenges stood before me. The community needed to rebuilt bottom up, faith formation programs needed to be revamped and the parish had a $320,000 debt. I was confident that through sheer hard work, commitment and the volunteerism of our parishioners the community could be built up. However, I was genuinely concerned about the debt. I took James and John’s approach in today’s gospel reading. I pray, “Lord, I want you to do for me whatever I ask you.” You may not believe this, but I even bought lottery tickets and prayed that God may ease our burden by making me win the lottery. Well, as you probably know, I never won the lottery. But something far greater happened. This community rallied together under and banner of discipleship, developed a vision, strived to live the gospel message, repaid the debt within four years and today is a growing, vibrant and diverse community of disciples. I believe that, had I won the lottery and paid off the debt, this community would not have the character it has today. Our struggles and our hard work taught us commitment, generosity, sacrificial giving and dependence on God.
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
As it is the feast of Ignatius of Antioch, one of my son’s namesakes, I wanted to spend the entire reflection talking about him. But then I read the Gospel. So I’ll have to leave my focus on St. Ignatius of Antioch at a recommendation to check him out and give you these words from our 2nd Century brother, “It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one. Yes, if I prove to be one, then I can have the name.” Right, on to the Gospel.
Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s scripture readings I’m struck by the emphasis on faith and the redemption that comes with it. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he emphasizes God’s righteousness and mercy is universal not because of one’s works, but because of one’s faith. Such righteousness and mercy is not limited to specific populations. The Gospel reading from Luke depicts Jesus telling the scribes and Pharisees that the blood of the prophets’ deaths is on their hands despite the fact that it was their ancestors that killed them. This message from Christ could seem daunting at first glance, however Jesus emphasizes that because of their ancestors’ actions, the scribes and Pharisees have the responsibility to be “builders.” Their choice to focus on works over faith therefore contributes to the death of the message of the prophets. Consequently, their failure to embrace their faith places the blood of the prophets on their hands.