Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
I have two friends who, in the last year, have stood up for what they believed in their heart was the Christian thing to do in their workplace. They both knew it could cost them their jobs. They both encountered great opposition. They both endured rejection and judgment and a significant amount of suffering for it. They both held their ground. And I am proud to call them friends. I was reminded of these two disciples when reflecting on today’s readings. I was reminded of my two friends when I realized today is Labor Day. I am reminded it is tough “out there” and when a person meets Jesus and chooses to truly follow him, there will be consequences.
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
This past Thursday I presided over yet another tragic and challenging funeral. Our parishioners Mary and Bill Griffith were burying their 31 year old son. Kent Griffith worked at Wal-Mart and died most unexpectedly. An unsuspected blood clot did him in. This was one special funeral. Kent’s parents chose to speak at Kent’s funeral. I would like to read a few lines from their reflection. Bill read, “I am nervous, scared, and confused as I know many of you are also. However please know that we are not alone.” After honoring Kent in the most realistic and honest way, Bill went on the talk about faith: “A tragedy like this questions your faith and your beliefs. My Grandma Walch was such a person of faith. She never missed church in fact usually arrived almost an hour early often times transporting her sisters to and fro. She would kneel by her bed each night and pray despite how long she worked on the farm that day. I wish I was more like her. I want to think that I am a person of faith but often times it is only when it is convenient for me. It is much like the words of the Dierks Bentley song "A Better Believer" in which he sings about his blessings but takes them for granted. Kent is helping me become a better believer already.”
Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
In the first reading, Paul commends the Thessalonians for their charity and communal love. Which, let's be honest, if our community got a letter from Pope Francis telling us we were doing a great job, we would be pumped! Then, Paul tempers the possibility of pride by calling them to continual growth. However, he calls them to continual growth by telling them to “mind their own affairs” and “work with their own hands.” Now, I don't know about you, but this threw me off at first. How are they progressing in charity by doing their own thing? Doesn't this sound a little too much like hyper-individualized Christianity? I think not. I don't believe that Paul is calling the Thessalonians to have a more me-centered Christianity. I think he is calling the Thessalonians to live out their charity through responsibility. Perhaps my experience as I work with young people might help us understand this.
Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
As we remember the Passion of St. John the Baptist through today’s readings, we are called to not only remember the death of John the Baptist but his life as well. John’s whole life was in many ways a foreshadowing of Jesus. From his conception to his announcing Jesus in the desert to his death, which resulted from him speaking truth to those in power, John gives us a brief insight into what is to come through Jesus and his ministry. John is constantly challenging those around him to a deeper and more committed faith, a more righteous life, and for this he was eventually killed. Following his example by calling those around us to a deeper faith can be risky, but as disciples it is a risk we must take.
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Sometimes when I am at Mass, or listening to a talk or even conversing with a friend, my mind drifts from that present moment. The words and message around me are replaced by some internal voice that often leads me away from what is important. It might be understood as paying closer attention to the text message that our brain has just sent us as opposed to the current moment that demands our real presence.
Memorial of Saint Monica
St. Monica has long been an inspiration for parents everywhere. A woman of deep faith, she prayed and prayed that her stubborn son, Augustine, would someday come to know the love of God. Before Augustine became the giant of theology in the church as we know him today, he struggled with a life of vanity, lust and emptiness. In his Confessions, Augustine tells us his story of struggle and conversion. A particularly astute student of rhetoric, Augustine was held in the highest esteem for his intellect and really enjoyed all of the attention it gained him. But in spite of his outward appearance, he knew that there were problems inside. His mother, Monica, held him in love and prayer for years, placing her faith in the grace of God to turn Augustine toward the right and the good. By that grace, he did finally turn his restless heart back toward God.
Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Every day at work I spend a fair amount of time talking to children and their parents about the importance of eating nutritious foods and exercising in order to be healthy people. I will oftentimes share that I think that this is an important lifestyle for all people, and I try to follow the same recommendations in my own life. Not only do I think it is important for me to live this healthy way, but I think it is equally important that I convey that eating healthy and exercising is something I enjoy. How else could someone be convinced to follow your advice unless they see you living what you say, and they can see the benefits that you describe? I think this is true of our spiritual lives as well. It is one thing to say that we are Christians- followers of Jesus, but we must live that out in our daily lives. Today’s readings remind us of the importance of living out the words that we speak in order to bring others to God. When we are more than empty words, and we find ourselves in the presence of God it is then that we can “sing for joy” (Ps 149)
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
The last time these reading were read in church, my third practical implication generated a lot of good conversation. So I want to begin my homily with some of these questions that I raised then. If you had the opportunity to decide what heaven would be like, what would you do? Who will make it into your heaven? Would only Catholics make it to your heaven? If you have a child or a brother or a sister or parents who is not Catholic would they make it? Would a just and upright Hindu, Buddhist, Jew or Muslim make it? Will an addict Catholic make it? Will a Catholic murderer who has since repented and is on death row make it? Will a Catholic illegal immigrant working hard to pay for his mother’s cancer treatment back at home make it? Will your pet make it? Will your pet make it over non-believer?
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
“Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Those are the only words we receive from John's angelic guide in our first reading today. After that we receive a gorgeous description of the heavenly Jerusalem with the final detail telling us that, “The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.” The significance of why these lines are quoted will be clear in a moment.
Friday of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time
My students like to think that church and all that “religion stuff” doesn’t have much of an effect on their “real lives”. Sure, they go to mass on Sunday for an hour but the rest of the week, they don’t need it. They are in the midst of a culture war – video games and hanging out with friends are far more enticing than going to Mass. Indeed, lots of Catholics like to think that all this church stuff doesn’t really affect me and my life as a Christian (not really).
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We’re given some difficult readings today. There’s talk of war, human sacrifice, and a king throwing a guest out with bound hands and feet for not coming to the feast dressed properly. At first take it’s rather disturbing, even confusing. Today’s first reading taken from the Old Testament book of Judges (11:29-39a) involves a chieftain by the name of Jephthah trying to save the Israelites from the Ammonites. In asking God for help, he vows to sacrifice whoever first comes out of the doors of his house when he returns victorious. He is very saddened when this ends up being his daughter, his only child. He wants to keep his vow to the Lord and does so although it grieves both him and his daughter who will die without ever bearing children.
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
When I was young I remember having a conversation with my father where I asked him, “How is it that my allowance is one dollar a week and the neighbor boys allowance is twenty dollars a week?” My dad’s response felt very strange to me at the time. “First of all son, comparison is often the root of evil.” And then he asked me, “Do you think that your friend has better parents than you because they give their children so much money?” I said, “Of course not.” Then my father reminded me that while we did not have that kind of money, he tried to give me something more than money, dad gave us his time. He explained that our time together was worth more than any amount of money.
Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
When I look at people who are very rich – Bill Gates or Warren Buffet for instance – I feel myself wondering what it would be like to have that kind of wealth. How would it affect the way I see myself in relation to others? It is perhaps not surprising that many extremely wealthy people are drawn to philanthropy – spending their money to help others – for it seems to me that it would be unnatural to have so much money and to keep it only for oneself. Then I think of those of us – myself included – who may have enough money to live a comfortable life, but in comparison to many others finding oneself to be very blessed indeed. What does Jesus have to say to us in the gospel for today?
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
My husband and I moved recently. The house we left was large and we had been there for nearly 20 years. It is where our children spent most of their years growing up. We had been ready to downsize for several years but the move came about rather suddenly and this last month has been a true flurry of activity! I got choked up at the closing on our house and that surprised me. I got teary going through all the kids’ school art work and awards I had stashed in the attic and I had trouble letting go of my grandmother’s chipped, unusable goblets that she received as a wedding gift. When the last load was emptied at our new house, I realized that we still had to let go of at least half of what was sitting on the floor of our garage. So much “stuff”! I am certain I spent as much time rationalizing why I should keep these things as I did packing them. Now, a week later, I look at the stacks of boxes still taped closed and wonder what I was thinking. Frankly, I do not need anything I haven’t already unpacked, but for some reason I felt I needed to take them with me. Today’s readings made me take a much closer look at this.
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
One of the greatest stories of martyrdom in the early church is the story of St. Perpetua. She was merely 22 years old when she became a Christian. Consequently, she was incarcerated for her faith and put into prison along with her nursing baby. While in prison, she got the chance to write her testimony. In it she talks about her father’s visit to the prison. For his sake and for the sake of the baby he pleaded with her to renounce Christ. She writes, “…my father liked to vex me with his words and continually strove to hurt my faith because of his love: Father, said I, Do you see (for example) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian.” On March 7, 203, Perpetua was attained martyrdom when she was thrown to the beasts and killed.
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(When I was first asked to do reflections I was so excited. The excited for my chance to offer reflections, and because my wife, Bess, was asked to contribute as well. This is our first joint reflection, you will find her thoughts in italics.)
There are so many well known verses in these passages! Which is great, but we also have to be careful. Yes, it is awesome to find them in their original context. However, we can lose some of the value of the overall passages because of this, “Hey, I know that verse!” recognition.
That being said, I strangely latched onto the gospel's line, “After he placed his hands on them, he went away.” That's it, end of reading, end of story. I'm so curious about this ending. Christ prays over the children, tells His disciples what's what about who the Kingdom really belongs to, prays some more, and then just takes off. No indication where He went, no preaching to the parents, no “repent the kingdom is come,” nothing. I was seriously concerned about why the gospel doesn't record Him telling these parents how to be fantastic disciple parents (advice many parents would likely appreciate) or anything for that matter. Then Bess shared something that just made it click.
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
I find it more than a bit ironic to read today's readings this week, especially THIS week. Like many people, I find this time of year hectic with all the busy-ness of changing from summer to fall. My 5 year old started kindergarten this week, and I am getting ready for my own classes to begin next week. I know the summer harvest is at its peak; some friends of mine are picking and canning tomatoes and zucchini like crazy. And there's all the busy-ness of preparing for various new fall programs like our parish retreat and the new Sunday School year.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today, on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I am particularly drawn to the Gospel reading. The gospel presents for us three very important themes to model in our own lives. First, through Elizabeth’s example, we are shown to become aware of the divine presence in all things and in all those we meet. Through Mary we are taught that the work we do on this earth is not about us, but is about giving all glory to God. And finally, Mary models humility for us and she teaches us how to say yes joyfully to God’s call, no matter how challenging it may be.
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
What is the most awesome thing you have ever seen in your life? Realizing that it might be difficult to name just one thing or event, place one of the images in your mind’s eye. Now imagine yourself perceiving the beauty, however unable to enter into the experience. It could be very frustrating. Certainly, Moses would have had that feeling on seeing the Promised Land but being unable to enter it. Moses’ vision of this and subsequent death transpired to bring reconciliation to the Israelites for their indifference to their first attempt to enter the Promised Land.