Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
In a happy coincidence, today’s first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians also happened to be the subject of my lecture on Monday. This remarkable text is one of the New Testament’s “Christological hymns.” Scholars say that texts like Philippians 2 very well might have been recited or sung in some of the earliest of Christian communities. That very fact alone makes reading it and hearing it a moving experience. We speak often of the Church over space and time, and here we have a text that brings us into the worship of our earliest Christian saints.
Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Although my Mom died over 13 years ago, she has been on my mind a great deal recently. When I read today’s readings, it brought back memories of my Mom and the generous hospitality that she shared with many people throughout her life. Her graciousness did not come from her desire to attract praise or recognition, but emanated from her deep belief in God and His call to serve others with love and compassion.
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Every priest has his favorite ministry. Some priests like weddings, some like preaching, others like visiting the sick and still others teaching. I am among those priests whose favorite ministry is funerals. Last year, we had about 40 funerals here at IC. And If I add the funerals I had at St. Helen and at funeral homes, I had a funeral a week. I had funeral services of elderly and young people, people I knew well and those that I did not, those who died of natural causes and those who took their own life, those who believed and those who gave up their faith, and I also buried a little baby. The one thing that was common to these funerals was the each one of them was unfailingly was a deep experience of God. Not that the other aspects of my ministry are not divine encounters, but at a funeral, I cannot but confront the God who loves us beyond death.
Solemnity of All Saints
Today is All Saint’s Day. This has always been one of the most treasured feast days for me. I remember being in middle school and dressing up as St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Padre Pio. Every all Saint’s Day, the whole school was a melting pot of St. Lucies, Francises, Elizabeths, Dominics, and Joans of Arc. The sight of St. Loyola playing tetherball with St. Peter was spectacular.
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The imagery in today’s readings varies from the more traditionally masculine to the more feminine. Both, however, have the ability to open our eyes in new ways and encourage us on our journey of discipleship. In the letter to the Ephesians (6: 10-20) we read of putting on the armor of God. The author uses the language of dress and equipment of Roman soldiers to encourage the Ephesians to prepare themselves for the spiritual battles against evil. The “armor” consists of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. The letter encourages them (and us) to draw strength from God and to “pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.”
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
When we hear the word master, one the first images that come to my mind is one of slave owner. Other phrases like master carpenter or master plumber also come to mind. In both the first reading and the gospel we hear the theme of the Lord as our master. In order to best understand what the term master means for us, let us first consider what is master of our hearts. In many ways our passions are the answer to this question, though not always. Sometimes we satiate our passions with alcohol, food, or some other desire that helps us feel whole. This desire might be healthy for us, but often it is not. This passion might be for control over lives by 24/7 news, politics, or work; for some it might obsessively working out, or video game play. Many times these passions become the Master of our life.
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Today is the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, chosen by our Lord to be his disciples. The Church remembers them both as apostles and martyrs. As apostles, Simon and Jude carried on the faith, professing the faith as witnesses to the life and teaching of Christ. Similarly, in their death by another’s hand, they witnessed to the death of Jesus with their own bodies, laying firm the foundation of the Church. Now, through their intercession as saints, they continue to bear witness to us of Gospel’s fulfillment.
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
If you have ever perused writings on Benedictine Spirituality you may have come across this quote from St. Benedict: “Keep death always before your eyes.” This sounds very strange! In our society, death is often viewed as something to avoid, something to put off, or something to dread. Who would ever desire to keep their death in the forefront of their thinking? Even those of us who see ourselves as deeply committed disciples of Jesus must admit that death is not something we want keep foremost in our minds. I mean, Christ is all about resurrection and life and abundance and truth and goodness. But today’s readings turned out to be an invitation for me to reflect on how the living out of my life will look to me when I come face to face with death.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
(My homily today is disconnected from the scripture readings. I have chosen to offer a reflection on the just concluded Synod on the Family instead).
The two-week long Synod on the family, convened by Pope Francis last year, ended last Sunday (Oct 19, 2014). The Synod was convened to discuss the "the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization." The Preparatory Document described the purpose of the Synod “to define the current situation and to collect the bishops' experiences and proposals in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner." The working document also invited ordinary Catholics in the pew to send in their reflections and assured them that the Synod “will thoroughly examine and analyze the information, testimonies and recommendations received [from them] to respond to the new challenges of the family."
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings led me into a reflection on purgatory. I know, there’s no verses from Maccabees today nor any language that speaks of purgation or a “refining fire.” But let me try to explain. Teaching high school theology, I’m often convinced that if the school offered a theological course on purgatory, exorcism, or discussing whether or not your pets will go to heaven, it would be the most popular course in the catalog. As such, the subject of purgatory is one that tends to arouse their inquisitive minds. How long will it last? Is it a real, material, physical fire? I heard that it’s more painful than hell… is that true? Navigating through the questions, clarifying the misconceptions of temporal punishment and poor “waiting room” analogies, while relying on Scripture and the teachings of the Church, is a thoroughly enjoyable (and equally challenging) task for me.
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel challenges all we know about Christ’s message of love on Earth. How can Christ come to cause division? We know Jesus to be a teacher of love and peace, not division. We are called to recognize the deeper message of this Gospel.
When you think of the people that you know best, are most loyal to, and would sacrifice anything for, who do you think of? For me, I think of my family. There is no one in this world I love more than my family. But Jesus challenges this sentiment. Jesus is calling us to think of how deeply we love our family and to go deeper. He is asking us to recognize that our love for God and for Christ needs to be even deeper and stronger than this. How can this even be possible?
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
For anyone involved in Scouting, you know that one of its core principles is “Be Prepared.” What this means very practically is to be prepared for whatever circumstances you might come upon. Practice of this principle means carrying a first aid kit, a flash light, a lighter or matches, water and a compass, especially when hiking or camping. Today’s readings speak of what being prepared can mean for one’s faith.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
This past weekend I had the good fortune of giving a presentation on the Eucharist at St. Leonard’s faith community in Centerville. It was spiritually edifying to hear and share personal experiences of the Eucharist. It was also encouraging to realize the depth and importance of community, especially the community around the altar of God.
Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Nature frequently reminds be about God and my relationship with Him. When I was taking my husband to the airport recently, I had the amazing opportunity to witness the lunar eclipse. The earth completely darkened the moon with its shadow. As I read today’s gospel, the memory of the eclipse reminded me that greed and earthly possessions can come between me and the light of God. I must remain turned to Jesus and learn from Him in order for me to continue to be in the light. If I want to be “rich in what matters to God,” then I must be Christ-like in all that I do.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I find today’s first reading about Cyrus the Persian king and gospel story about ‘giving to God what belongs to God,’ very intriguing. In a strange way, these stories - separated by more than six hundred years - are integrally connected. Cyrus defeated the Babylonians and after ascending the throne he ended the Babylonian exile of the people of Israel. He set them free to go back to Judah. However, it is the way that Isaiah reflects upon this event that should draw our attention. Isaiah calls Cyrus (even though Cyrus is not a Hebrew), God’s “anointed one.” He is the only one outside the Hebrew people that is considered anointed by God. Moreover, God says to Cyrus, “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not” (Is 45). The impression we get is of a God who directs history. Yes, there are human beings invested with power and authority but is God who ultimately directs the events of the world. It is here that we find our connection with the gospel reading. Caesar may be the Roman Emperor and what is due to him is his petty little coin. So give to Caesar what belong to him. But the human person, human life, human history, human destiny, belongs to God. So give to God what belong to God, which includes the world and all in it, including Caesar. In the strangest way, in the death of Jesus even the mighty Roman Empire would be accomplishing God’s plan of salvation.
Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist
Today is the feast of St. Luke and today’s gospel concludes with these words, “cure the sick in [the town] and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’” These words of Christ strike me as appropriate because of who St. Luke was and what that signifies for who we are called to be.
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Occasionally, I take the time to make bread or beer, both of which use yeast as a leaven. Leaven is mentioned in today’s Gospel (Luke 12:1-7) and the concept is important for understanding today’s scriptures, as well as for understanding our own spiritual lives. Leaven is used in various foods to make them rise, usually by fermentation, which is a process that changes some of the carbs in the food into carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is, of course, a big part of the air that we breathe – it is also this air that makes bread rise and beer foam.
Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I have learned something about myself over my lifetime. I do not like change. Or at least it takes awhile for me to adjust to change. I prefer things be predictable and to know what is expected in a situation so that I can “follow the rules” and not have to deal with surprises in life. Well, I’ve also learned with age that that’s not generally how life goes! Thankfully I’ve come to appreciate that change and surprises can be a good thing too, although sometimes the adjustments can be challenging and burdensome. For example, Vince and I weren’t planning on leaving Arlington, VA, where we had been raising our family for 11 years, when we began to hear and discern a call to move to Dayton. Initially I was most resistant to the idea, until the Spirit gradually opened my heart and even stirred an excitement in me for the changes that we were being called to. The move and all that was entailed wasn’t easy, but we were also able to see the blessings and believe that God’s hand truly was guiding our family.