Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I began our parish retreat, ‘Discipleship: Encountering Christ Everyday,” by outlining the hierarchy of beings. I suggested that encountering God is a complicated reality because of the huge gap between who God is and who we are. The difference between God and us is like the difference between a bug and us. If a bug or a bull-frog were trying to describe human beings, what would they say? I am not trying to raise a bizarre question to draw your attention. I am merely trying to draw your attention to the first reading from Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”
Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Luke’s Gospel gives us much to ponder on today. We can think about the nature of parables, the question of God’s providence and our understanding. We can talk about the Devil, temptation, and sin. But I want to focus on the last group of seeds from the parable, the ones that fell on rich soil.
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Who am I today? Who do I relate more with in today’s readings? Am I like the self-righteous Pharisee quick to judge the sinful woman? Am I like the Sinful Woman with abundant love to share because of the abundant forgiveness given? Am I like Paul who, because of his sinful past and dramatic conversion, now sees himself as the least of all the Apostles but able to give glory to God for who he has become?
Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
In class at the seminary last week I learned a new vocabulary word. Pianoforte is a word that has become abbreviated and now we simply call it a piano. Pianoforte translates from its Italian roots to mean soft and strong. This imagery rushed upon me as I reflected on these readings from scripture. Angelic tongues, without love, are like clashing cymbals. While a piano can be played and the notes can be rendered precisely, without love is it really music?
Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Today, on the feast day of martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, we are instructed by St. Paul on the unity of the Church. We also hear these words in the midst of a world torn apart by violence. The reality of the martyrs is upon us: our sisters and brothers are daily loosing their lives for their profession of faith in Christ. It seems that, at this point when it seems that the world could not be more torn to pieces, it is important that we listen to the words of Paul very closely.
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
There is a song by Neil Young entitled “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”. I love the song as it reminds me of a time when I was younger. Now that I have lived a bit, I realize more deeply the truth in those words. When I recall the times I have had a broken heart it has always been because I loved someone. I have no regrets about the suffering but I do realize that if I had not loved I would not have suffered. Loving another includes suffering. Loving means opening myself to the probability of some type of loss, betrayal, or disappointment—in other words, suffering and sorrow. I think most people would look back through their lives and, given the chance, would choose to love even though they now know, in addition to the joy, the heart breaking sorrow that would accompany that love.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Two weeks back, the gospel reading was the passage where Jesus says to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” I had preached a homily on the meaning of “carrying our crosses.” Today, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I would like you hear this quote. It is a quote by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan Capuchin priest and also the papal household preacher for both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict. He says, "It is no longer you who carry the cross; it is the cross that carries you; the cross does not crush but exalts you." I find great comfort in the fact that this year the feast of the exaltation of the cross falls on a Sunday, so that the entire Church can reflect on the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Fr. Michel Schmitz tells the familiar story of a child who asks their parents if their deceased pet will one day be reunited with them in heaven. Looking upon their parents with anticipation and hope, the parents respond as only they know how- by gently and lovingly reassuring the child that if they need their pet in heaven to be happy with God then God will surely reunite the child with the animal. Putting theological arguments of a spiritual soul versus a material soul aside along with our own love for animals and the theological opinions of St. Francis, Fr. Schmitz draws out one problem with the parents’ reply: if we need God AND something else (whatever that something else may be) in heaven in order to be happy, then maybe we’re not ready for heaven.
Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
I am, by nature, a people-watcher. I love sitting back, observing people, and trying to figure out their backstory and their family history. I always make speculations and guesses as to how everyone in a group fits together or who is in a relationship with whom, just based on subtle gestures that they may be doing. I always want to know more about the people I am observing.
Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Late in the spring I took on a new ministry. Hospital Chaplaincy has challenged me on so many different levels. The lesson that I learn nearly every day is that life is short so appreciate every moment. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians we are reminded life is short. At the time of Paul’s writing he believed that Christ’s return was imminent and therefore it would be better to remain single than to get married. These inspired words expressed the urgency in which Paul understood the situation.
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
The Corinthians are in trouble with Saint Paul in today’s first reading. Apparently, instead of settling disputes between themselves in the Christian community, they were going to non-church authorities. Paul calls these external authorities the “unjust ones.” He does not mince his words in this passage, saying that he says these things “to shame you.” What are we to make of such statements from Paul?
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today in the liturgical calendar we celebrate the nativity of Mary. I know many of our Christian friends wonder why Mary holds such an important role in our Catholic faith. A recent story in the news I think gives some insight. The killing of James Foley brought great sadness to many people around the world. In the midst of all the reports, there was an interesting article published about how he prayed the rosary during his captivity. He said, “I began to pray the rosary. It was what my mother and grandmother would have prayed. I said 10 Hail Marys between each Our Father. It took a long time, almost an hour to count 100 Hail Marys off on my knuckles. And it helped to keep my mind focused.” In the midst of praying the rosary, I believe that James Foley found courage and strength in his faith. Mary is not the object of Mr. Foley’s prayers, but she helps him focus on what will bring him peace and strength in the midst of his struggles- her son, Jesus Christ. Mary is the perfect Christian role model, and ideal intercessor, but most importantly Mary in total humility turns our gaze towards Jesus who is Emmanuel- “God is with us”.
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
First of all, I must confess that in asking to share a reflection tonight instead of Fr. Satish, I feel like the batboy who has just been called up to pinch-hit for Babe Ruth. Nevertheless, in a similar style, I will have three points upon which to reflect.
For a moment, call to mind the last time you were hurt or offended. What was it that someone said or did to hurt you? How did you respond? Jesus wants to be right in the middle of these situations—quite literally—and offers us practical wisdom on how to handle them. This week, I believe God speaks to us through the scriptures about encounter, changing the weather and harmony.
Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
As we close this Labor Day week I want to offer a thought about work and labor. The Church firmly advocates the dignity of work and the value, even need, for participating in fulfilling labor. However, the Church is not utilitarian. We believe that the dignity of the human person exists regardless of their ability or inability to do work. It is because of the person that the work gains dignity, and not the work that grants a human dignity. This is important for when work collides with pride.
Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
This school year has brought major changes to our house: our oldest kid is attending a new school, with an earlier start time, and my husband is now driving to Cincinnati several days a week to take classes, so isn't always here to do some of the things he's done a lot in the past, like picking up the kids from school or bedtime routines. The upshot of this for me is: life's a little crraaaaazy! I'm still at my regular full-time job, but also in charge of a lot of new things.
Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
A few years ago our family had the opportunity to go to Guatemala to visit my sister and her family living in Antigua. While there, we climbed a volcano nearly to the top and looked out to a neighboring volcano with it’s top above the clouds. It was for me an unexpected experience of God’s awesomeness and grandeur through this magnificent part of creation. I recall another time before having children of my own that I had the privilege of witnessing the birth of my friend’s baby. Seeing that little one for the first moments of his life outside of the womb, I witnessed, again, the awesomeness of God in a new way. I can be overwhelmed by the power of God in these moments, and humbled.
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
In speaking with a friend of mine recently we were discussing his special needs child and how much of their families focus is consumed meeting the child’s needs. Then my friend said to me I think I focus more on my child than I do on God. My response was overly simplistic but essentially quoted Matthew 25, and said that by ministering to their child they on some levels were ministering to Christ.
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The lectionary readings today have a common thread. Each one bears witness to the reality of the Spirit of God in our midst. Paul, in his first letter to the church at Corinth, admonishes the community to be sensitive to this Spirit. The Spirit is actively present among them, “scrutinizing” all things and rendering the truth of God before their eyes.