Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Just when we thought that the world cannot get any worse, we were shocked by the awfully gruesome killing of the Jordanian pilot by ISIS militants. They put him in a cage and burnt him alive. We have seen brutality, but acts like these defy our imagination. Or, take for instance, the indiscriminate killing of about two thousand men, women and children by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria. They simply invaded a village and killed them all. Besides these world tragedies, a plane went down in Taiwan killing over thirty people, last year 2.6 million children died of hunger related causes, and last week someone you know was diagnosed with cancer. There is no dearth of bad news. There is much suffering in the world.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
A line from today's first reading from Hebrews struck me today. It reads, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind” (Heb. 13:16 NAB). This seems pretty simple, right? Any basic catechesis we received will tell us that sins of omission, failing to do something, are real. We even say it when we recite the Confeitor with these words, “I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, … in what I have failed to do.” So we are certainly supposed to do good and we are supposed to share. Hebrews tells us to share what we have and that is where we should spend some time today.
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Today’s gospel reading from Mark (6: 7-13) speaks to me not only of the importance of depending on God and our relationships with each other, but also of the importance of us welcoming others who may be bringing God’s word or healing into our midst, even in their need. As the disciples are sent out in pairs carrying only their walking sticks (no money or food or even an extra tunic) so as to rely on the hospitality of others, they are instructed to shake the dust from their sandals in testimony against whatever place or home does not welcome or listen to them. Rather than reflecting on the disciples’ role in this gospel (although an important one), what if we put ourselves in the place of the ones welcoming or not welcoming the bearers of Jesus’ message and healing?
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
When I was a child, after I did something insubordinate, I got spanked. While I am not that old, times have changed on how we discipline a child. What my dad made clear was that he did not cherish these attitude adjustments, as he called them. We got a spanking because of his love for us. This “love” as he said did not so much feel like love as my backside ached. If my dad was still alive now I would thank him for that and all of the other ways he showed me love.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The theme of the scriptures for today is faith. Faith can sometimes have a negative connotation. Sometimes it can seem like a commitment to something that goes well beyond common sense. At other times, faith can even seem off-putting to others who do not share our commitments. Faith can even lead us to live in ways that other people find to be strange. As St Paul says, faith seems like foolishness to those who pride themselves on their wisdom (1 Corinthians 1: 27). For these and many other reasons it is difficult to live a life of faith.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,
according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
Whenever I read this Song of Simeon I feel a strong tug at my heart. The aged Simeon, filled with the Spirit, rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s promise to him—that he would not see death before he had laid eyes upon the Messiah. This canticle, known as the Nunc Dimittus, is recited (or sung) each and every day of the year during Complin, the closing prayer of Liturgy of the Hours. To participate in night prayer, we are participating in the ‘prayer of the Church’ and, in a very real way, praying with the entire Church throughout the world. What an amazing thought! We are praying in unity with the entire Church and giving thanks for yet another day of living secure in the knowledge of our salvation.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
At every visit home, one of the greatest edification I receive is from my parent’s spirituality. First of all, they are two very genuine people. So I believe that their spiritual life is also genuine. Their hour-long morning and evening prayer, their selfless intercession for every need of the world, their participation in daily mass, their devotional practices and corporal works of mercy are truly inspirational. Not once have I felt that my priestly holiness and spirituality is superior to theirs. In fact, I have felt that the opposite is true. I know that my parent’s holiness far exceeds mine. And I know this to be true about them not only as retired people but even when I was a child. For that matter, there are many people in this congregation of whom I would say the same thing.
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
There are many storms that we face in life. There is poverty, the loss of a loved one, the reality of our society’s sins, fear, financial instability, betrayal by a loved one, our own brokenness and addictions; the list goes on and on for a while. In the midst of these storms we can cry out, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” That is what the disciples did in today’s gospel as they shook Jesus awake.
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Reading today’s Gospel I was immediately struck by one line in particular. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus tells us “’Anyone who has ears ought to hear.’ He also told them ‘Take care what you hear’”(Mk. 3:23-24) We are being told that it is our job to pay attention to the world around us, to hear. But we are also being told to be selective about what and how we choose to hear. There is a lot of noise in our world and we often have to filter out what is worth hearing and what should only be static. Amidst the noise, the technology and the busy-ness of life we often forget this simple task. We must be aware of what we are “consuming” as far as what shows we watch, music we listen to, sites we visit, because the more we expose ourselves to something the more it will start to impact who we are.
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Today’s memorial celebrates Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican priest and doctor of the church. Thomas is best known for his prolific writing that brought deep clarity and understanding to many Church dogmas and doctrines. The readings for this memorial give us insight into the Lord and perhaps even a glimpse into the mind of St. Thomas.
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
There are moments in the Gospels when Jesus says things that are quite confusing. Sometimes, the words he says are even a bit off-putting. One that comes to my mind often is Jesus’ response to his mother at the wedding at Cana. He says, “Woman, how does your concern affect me?” I always bristle when Jesus sounds like this. After several semesters of trying to find the right word to describe these moments, one of my students offered an option: “Jesus is being sassy!” she said. I’ve since come to think of these as Jesus’ “sassy” moments. We are faced with one of those moments in today’s Gospel. Like Cana, the story includes Mary. She and Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” (some scholars think this means relatives like cousins) are waiting for him outside while he in ministering in someone’s house. In response to the message that they’re waiting for him, Jesus replies, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
One of my favorite quotes is from St. Catherine of Sienna: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” This came to mind as I read and reflected on today’s readings. One of the greatest challenges that I face in living out my Christian faith is believing that God created me in a unique way with a special calling. I also fail to recognize that the only way I can be who I should be is through the grace of His Spirit. Recently, I was in several different circumstances surrounded by people who were talented, engaging and fun-loving. Many people commented about these individuals, and I found myself thinking, “This is how I should be!” After further prayer and reflection, I realized that desiring to be someone else denies the goodness and gifts that God has given to each of us individually. In order for these particular graces to be ignited, I think the Holy Spirit must be active in all that we think, say and do. God’s Spirit gives us the wisdom to discern who we are, what our gifts are, and how we should act. But more importantly, it is His Spirit that gives us the courage to go forth with his power and “set the world on fire”.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am sure I have shared the heartache I experience every time I leave home to come back to Dayton. Let me also say this. It is easier to come back when I know I am coming back to you! Of course the last day, the last hours, and the last moments are intensely emotional. Just before I leave, mom and dad always pray over me and give me their blessings. As they blessed me this time I realized how much it hurt all of us to part from each other. For some reason, my mother always surprises me with her prayers over me. She prayed something like, “Loving God, bless the people of my son’s parish whom you have called him to serve. Bless them and let them know your love through him.” This is what is surprising about my mother – she is always able to rise above the immediate situation and find the bigger meaning and purpose. She did this when I left home at 16 and she does it even now when I am 48. In her simple prayer, my mother, had lifted us all from our gloom and given meaning. We still wept as we parted but there was hope.
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
What does it mean to be a disciple? Sometimes I think we want to reduce discipleship to an overly simplified, and dare I say, ‘appealing’ definition. I think we want discipleship to mean that we become really nice people. Or some would like to boil discipleship down to living a moral life. Maybe we want to reduce it to being a daily Mass goer. Or we think that if we spend enough hours in a soup kitchen we are a disciple.
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
My kids love to play with each other, but from time to time, one of them will suddenly check out and proclaim that she doesn't want to play anymore. That person will then move on to some other activity, and the remaining person (who most definitely still wants to play!) will inevitably come to me and say, while crying, "Mama, Mama, my sister won't play with me!"
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
I have noticed a need for balance in my life over the past couple weeks in particular. My daughter was home from college over Christmas and well into January, which, along with our travels to extended family, meant I was out of my usual routine even after her younger brothers were back in school. I cherish the time we have as a family, even more so now that our time all together is limited, but I also realize, again, that I need and benefit greatly from some alone time for prayer and reflection. In order to be at my best in my vocation as mother, spouse, spiritual director, etc., I have to keep a healthy balance of quiet prayer time, taking care of myself, and active “doing” and ministering time. Today’s gospel reading brought this to mind for me.
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
This memorial of St. Agnes reminds us that sometimes there is a need to give our whole self to do the right thing. Popular belief has it that at around age twelve, Agnes was placed in a brothel by Roman authorities. There she remained unharmed as those who desired her were said to have been blinded. What Agnes is remembered for is standing up for her belief in Christ and being martyred for this purity and her steadfast faith. Her life was a lesson in defending the faith.
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews admonishes its listeners to not become sluggish, but persevere in the faith and service of the holy ones. In eagerness and patience, we are to travel onward to the inheritance of the saints. Today is also the feast of St. Sebastian, martyr from the third century. His life is one of perseverance, even in death, to maintain faith in mind, body, and spirit.