October 28, 2012

Bulletin October 28, 2012 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52
“What do you want Me to do for you?” What a wonderful question from Jesus. I believe that it is the one of the key passages that has been a part of my spiritual development and is just as important for each person trying to get closer to the Lord; let me explain.
The scene says so much about Jesus and what it means to be His follower. In Mark 8, Jesus predicts for the first time His passion and death; He repeats this prediction in Mark 9 and a few verses before today’s passage from the 10^th chapter. In each of these Jesus tries to explain His mission but without success. The disciples just wouldn’t listen; they wanted Jesus…the Messiah…to be what they wanted Him to be. They are in opposition to the blind Bartimaeus who wants to see; who wants to know. Also earlier in the 10^th chapter, Mark tells of the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him to keep the commandments; the young man said that he keeps the commandments but he knew there was more, he just wanted to get closer to God and His love. Jesus told Him that there is one thing lacking if he wants this closeness: ‘Give up your riches; these are too important to you, give them up and you will be able to see God and His love and His calling you closer to Him.’ The man was sad and left because as Mark says, “…he had many possessions.”
So Jesus is asking me, ‘What do you have that is blinding you from Me?’ What is more important to me than striving to live so that I can be in heaven for all eternity?
Mark does not say anything about Bartimaeus outside of his being a blind beggar, and the son of Timaeus. Jesus came along and Bartimaeus ‘cried out’; you would think that the apostles would be sensitive to his needs, but they were insensitive and Mark, writes that they “rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” But Bartimaeus wisely and courageously “kept calling out the more.” Every day the Lord asks the same question of me, ‘What do you want me to do for you’; my response really has to be to cry out that I want to be healed, to be loved, to be helped, to feel God’s intimacy. I can’t understand why the crowd didn’t want Bartimaeus to get to Jesus. It doesn’t matter really because what is wonderfully shocking is that not only does Jesus hear the blind man calling out but He stops and wants to talk to him. Jesus wants this encounter with me and each person every day.
Then the man “threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.” This may not seem like much, but being a beggar, I’m sure this was the only cloak he had to protect him from the elements and he threw it aside. He would also store the coins that he received from his begging in the pockets or folds. So throwing this aside, risking the change that someone would grab it and run, he really gave up possibly everything to respond to Jesus’ invitation. And Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” I look at my own blindness: in my busyness, do I become blind to the people who mean the most to me and to the pursuits that bring joy and meaning to my life? In the craziness of my life do I stop seeing the possibilities for doing good and affirming others? Jesus is always present and comes to restore ‘my sight’ enabling me to realize His presence and to make me aware of the opportunities to be Him. Bartimaeus said, “Master, I want to see.” Don’t I want to see God’s compassion and forgiveness, His mercy and justice in my life and the lives of those around me? To do this I have to stop, throw off the ‘comfort zone’ I am in and disregard the ‘precious things’ I have and be willing to follow and trust Jesus. Do I trust that the Lord is leading me the way I should be going? What do I have to do to throw off whatever shackles me and come to Him?

Fr. John Dear wrote a beautiful book, The Questions of Jesus. He says about today’s passage, “The blind beggar shows us our proper disposition before Christ and His question. We too are poor, blind beggars. We too need to come before God in our brokenness, helplessness, blindness, and poverty. We too need to call out to Christ to take pity on us. If we dare renounce our egos and selfishness and beg for God’s help, we too will hear God ask, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’

The question is beautiful because it not only shows God’s desire to help us, but it reveals the very nature of God. In Jesus, we have a God who is humble, loving and generous, a God who longs to serve humanity, especially in its brokenness, poverty and blindness. Jesus came ‘not to be served but to serve.’ With this question, we see once more how serious He is.

Like all the questions of Jesus, this one requires reflection, not a hasty response. Do we want to sit beside God in heaven in powerful domination over others, like the selfish male disciples did? Do we want eternal life as if it is our rightful inheritance, as if we deserve it, as if we are the great, worthy elite? Or do we recognize our poverty, brokenness, helplessness, and blindness—our need for God, our need for vision—and want simply to see again, to see God face-to-face?

If we come before God as the broken beggars we are, we can trust that Christ will restore our vision, and, like Bartimaeus, we will see God.”
So I reflect on…all the questions I have asked and these:

• Bartimaeus was referred to as the son of Timaeus; the fact that this was stated means that he remained with the early Church community. He wasn’t just cured and went off, how could he? Every time he opened his eyes he could see what God has done for him. What faith; how is my faith? Am I filled with gratitude like this?
  
• Is there really a thing called ‘blind faith?’ If there is one thing in life that isn’t blind its faith. True faith doesn’t always give immediate answers, but it gives meaning and direction. The apostle Thomas ‘saw and believed’; Bartimaeus believed and then was able to see. Where am I in this process of living with God?
  
• What does my faith allow me to see?
  

“Lord Jesus, You heard the cry of a blind man and answered his plea, giving him a new life with You. In our blindness, we sometimes fail to remember how near you always are. Remove any obstacles that prevent us from calling out, trusting in Your mercy and love.”

October 21, 2012

Bulletin: October 21, 2012

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45
I have heard the answer to this many times, but I still ask, ‘Why do good people suffer?’ Coupled with this are other questions, Jesus was so good a person why did He have to suffer? Did the Father make Him suffer on purpose? My mother use to say so often when something negative happened to me, “Offer it up for the poor souls in purgatory?” When it was about food that I didn’t like to eat, it was always “think of the poor starving children in China.” At which I volunteered to send them my spinach or fish; that response always got me in trouble. So I have questions, questions and questions, and if I ‘really’ listen, today’s readings can help tremendously to answer them.
What is the role that God plays in suffering is a big question. I can see being punished for what I did or should have done, but what about when I did nothing wrong? What about Jesus; He was all good why did He suffer, and why for ‘little old me?’ Today’s reading from Isaiah is so special to me and to all; in fact it is the most celebrated of Isaiah’s oracles portraying the Suffering Servant of God. Most commentators have understood the servant to be either a real individual or a symbolic figure created to represent the best ideals of Israel. Fr. Lawrence Boadt, an Old Testament scholar, says that today’s passage “expresses in moving language how God uses the undeserved violence against His servant to save other guilty people. It is the only instance in the Old Testament of vicarious suffering. This is the famous ‘Suffering Servant of Isaiah. It is a remarkable passage because it suggests more clearly than anywhere else in the Old Testament that God accepts one individual’s suffering to atone for the sins of others.” The Jewish tradition in the Talmud says that this servant is Moses who suffered as he led Israel through the wanderings in the desert. Early Christian interpreter’s (Acts 8:32-35) identify this Suffering Servant as Jesus.
What can be said is that Jesus throughout His life suffered ridicule and hatred from so many around Him. Ultimately He was put to death, thinking that this would ‘end it all.’ But Jesus did this as an example for me and for everyone. He did this to show that the gift of life was granted by God, not to promote my own interests but God’s. The Fall as seen in Genesis says it all: God said this is My plan, “Adam and Eve’ agreed, and then they wanted it their way. It’s not about my way but God’s way which is the only way that brings me and each person to Him in heaven forever.
Paul tells this in Hebrews saying that Jesus is everyone’s model and strength. His triumph gives me and everyone confidence that each one will experience the mercy and help that is needed, if I do it God’s way.
The Gospel solidifies this: Mark gives the example of two very close to Jesus who wanted it ‘their way’. Sure the others were upset, maybe because they didn’t think of it first or were just jealous. James and John wanted honor and glory; they were looking out for themselves. I wondered if these two brothers bickered among themselves before they decided who would be on the right side and left side of Jesus (maybe Secretary of State and head of the Military). Jesus says importance is found in service not in wielding authority over others. These two said they understood this, but it just shows how little they understood; they couldn’t even understand that Jesus had to suffer and die. He had just made this prediction (His third) in the previous passage (Mark 10:32-34). ‘Will you die for Me? Sure I will!’ I couldn’t say this in truth because I struggle each day in dying to my own selfishness, pride and a host more of things.
Donald Reeves in Sunday Homily Helps says this: “Let’s return to today’s Gospel to listen again to what Jesus has to say. A) Upon hearing His disciples argue over who rates the best seats, He told them they had things all wrong. ‘Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant, whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.’ B) Such teaching is radical, revolutionary, upsetting to the attitude of the culture then and now. But, it is a basic premise of Jesus’ teaching. C) Interestingly, some businesses have apparently recognized the wisdom of this teaching and urge their higher-ups to practice what is called ‘servant leadership.’ D) If corporations can recognize the wisdom of this lesson, surely Christians will have no trouble seeing it and more importantly implementing it. – Would that such was the case! CONCLUSION - Anyone who aspires to greatness must serve others. Quit lobbying for special accommodations in the hereafter. Instead, bend down to help others. Strange as it may seem, that is the way to climb. TRANSITION TO LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST - We continue by moving to a place at the table of the Lord. We can be confident and pleased that there will be no bickering for places.”



So I reflect on:

• When am I tempted to ‘lord it over’ someone else? What do I do? More importantly, why do I do this?
  
• Jesus was tempted and tested in every way and didn’t sin. When do I find this hard to believe?
  
• Do I go the next step and say I have to get rid of sin in my life? Why not? Jesus didn’t mince words on how I can get to heaven—give up my way and do it His way: serve and love…all…at all times.
  
• What does it mean to be humble? Can someone in a leadership position be humble and still be a good leader? Does being humble bring a sense of being weak into today’s society? Why do I have to take credit?
  
• “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Joseph Donders says “A ransom is the price you pay to free someone. The ransom paid here is Jesus’ blood, the receiver is God the Father, and we are the ones freed.” Where is my gratitude or is it still about me?  
  

October 14, 2012

Bulletin October 14, 2012

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30
What do I want from life? What do I need at this point in my life when the end is a lot closer than the beginning? What do I ask God for at this point in my life?
There was a program on TV that was entitled “The Homes of the Rich and Famous”. I wonder if I just picked one of the rich and famous and asked them the same questions, what would they want from and need in life? Today’s First Reading shows Solomon, certainly one of the rich and famous, he was King David’s son and he was put in the position that he could ask God for whatever he wanted. He responded ‘prudence and wisdom’. What a surprise that is. He asked for wisdom so that he could rule sensibly and thoughtfully. He stated that this was worth more than all the riches in the world. How often I thought that if I had a little more: money or intelligence or persuasiveness or a big position or whatever, I could be better off and could do more. But could I? Maybe the “little more” would be just enough to turn me away from the path God has chosen to bring me closer to Him?
Paul continues this theme in a slightly different way in his letter to the Hebrews. What is most important to him? After God pursued him, he says that the word of God is most important. God’s word is truth; it is what God is all about: it is His love, compassion, and care for each person and His desire that every person He created be with Him in Heaven. God’s word comes to each one as the ‘right way’ to live so that I and each person can respond to His call and live the life that is in accord to His way. And God promises, this is the way to heaven.
Then Mark shares the story of the man in the gospel who ‘had it all.’ He had kept every law of God: ‘Teacher, I have observed all the commandments from my youth.’ Jesus didn’t deny this. But it also brought out a deeper question: can I gain eternal life or is eternal life a gift from God? The thesaurus gives some interesting words for ‘gain’ which makes the statement look like this: can I achieve or acquire or win, or secure or obtain eternal life on my own. And Jesus says NO. He looks at the young man and sees that he is a real good person and he has done what he said. But Jesus always goes deeper into each person; and with this man He knew there was something that was holding him back from giving his all. So Jesus said in response to the man’s question what else can I do; in other words he realized that there was still something missing in his life. Jesus hit the nail right on the head; it was his riches, he was really attached to them; he felt that he needed these. Jesus said, ‘Sell, give to the poor and become one of my disciples. The young man was sad and went away. He just couldn’t give up ‘his way’.
The authors of “Living the Word” say this:

“The wisdom prayed for in the first reading is a gift from God. Perhaps the first question that confronts us today is whether we consider wisdom worth our energy and effort, or whether we are busy pursuing what are considered more ‘practical’ objectives. Consider, however, that the wisdom of God has been described as knowledge of how to do things—in Solomon’s case, ruling wisely.

Scripture also connects the pursuit of wisdom with the pursuit of eternal life that the man is seeking in the gospel. He has come to recognize that eternal life is the supreme value, and he wants to know what he must do to inherit it. Again, wisdom as doing. When Jesus points him toward keeping the commandments, he quickly responds that he’s been doing this ‘from my youth.’

He wins Jesus’ heart with this response, so Jesus invites him to join his disciples, to be part of a new family, leaving behind his property, possessions, and all that binds him to the past. All too much! He walks away sad. ‘Who can be saved?’ asks Peter. ‘Impossible for humans, but not for God. All things are possible for God.’ Which brings us back to prayer. Ask for wisdom, the ability to do what is necessary, and more will be given than you can imagine.

God’s word is spoken of as living and effective, a two-edged sword that penetrates our heart, enables discernment, brings light, leads to right action. What does Gods’ word illuminate today?”
There is an old saying, “You can’t take it with you”; well Jesus goes even deeper making it clear that ‘not only can you not take it with you, but in this life, possessions and wealth cannot give you lasting happiness, much less entry into heaven.’
There is much for me to reflect on today:

• The Gospel reminds me not only to look at what I have but also to realize that what I do have is meant for me to get to heaven by being aware of and responsive to the needs of others. Am I doing this each day or am I looking out for me?
  
• My personal possessions can actually keep me ‘stuck at the gate of heaven’ because I am not letting go and letting God show me the way. Is it my way or God’s way in my life now?
  
• How attached am I to my possessions? Can I have an abundance of material things and still be a good Christian?
  
• Can those who love me sometimes be a stumbling block to living a good Christian life?
  
• There is an old check list that goes like this: “Make a list of your most important material possessions. Then ask yourself, one by one, why you really need that possession and what would happen if it were suddenly taken from you.”
  
• Am I as blinded as the rich young man? Is it about God or is it about me?
  

A prayer from Living the word: “God of wisdom and life, ‘teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.’ Send us Your Spirit of Wisdom and understanding that we may know the difference between what the world holds up as riches and what is of true value in Your sight.”

October 7, 2012

Bulletin October 7, 2012 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B/.

Genesis 2: 18-24; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10:2-16
Today the readings are difficult. I do not think that they are difficult because of the content but because so many people, me included, get off on a tangent and misunderstand the message of scripture. This happens when the word marriage comes up, when divorce is mentioned and/or when living in relationships are discussed. Each and every one of us has his or her own sensitivities and feelings; each has seen life at its best and at in its worse, and each has definite opinions especially when the hurts happen to those they love. I do, this is not only natural but expected. And this clouds what God is telling us through today’s scripture readings.
There are two creation accounts in the Book of Genesis: Genesis 1 – 2:4; and Genesis 2: 4-25. Obviously with two mismatched creation stories in the first two chapters, the purpose is not to suggest a scientific history of creation. Today’s first reading is from the second creation story; it begins and God has already created a man, planted a garden, and turned it over to the man. Then this always aware and caring God sees that the man is lonely. It’s so interesting the contrast between this account and the first creation story; because for the first time God says that something ‘is not good.’ So God remedies it by creating animals and tells man to name them. But not one was a “suitable partner”; this word can also be translated as a “fit helpmate.” In looking at it in this way, the Genesis author presents the image of a person alone as helpless. To resolve the problem, God puts the man into a sleep so deep that he cannot watch what is going on. Having created the woman from the rib of the man, God brings her to the man, almost like the father of the bride escorting a daughter to her intended. The man is delighted. It is obvious that Genesis is teaching theology and anthropology, not history. The point is that it is not good for a person to be alone. Human beings are social by nature. Each one is created to be partners and helpers one for another. This passage presents marriage as meeting the need for companionship and equality.
The Gospel passage contains two controversial stories about Jesus. One focuses on divorce and the other on children and the kingdom of God. Over the divorce issue the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus again. John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod over the question of divorce. While that lurked in the background, rabbis of that day debated the legitimacy of divorce – do we side with the ‘King’ or the Law. They come to Jesus who asks them what Moses “commanded”. They responded by saying what Moses “permitted”. Rather than debate their using the word ‘permission’, Jesus explained that Moses did this because of the people’s hardheartedness. In reality the law about writing a bill of divorce protected women, proving that they were free to remarry. Also at the end of this section of the law, Moses indicated that a man had a duty to his wife, not just vice versa. The big point is that they are questioning the authority of Jesus to teach in the name of God. Who is this upstart! Doesn’t He know that we are the teachers of the Law, not Him, even if He claims to be God?
Then Mark includes an unusual insertion about children who were being brought to Jesus to obtain a blessing. The disciples didn’t like this. Jesus stops then in their tracks by pointing out that the kingdom of God is for people who have the same status as children which are no status at all. This means that no one is to be excluded from heaven. Children were on the very bottom of the social scale; Jesus is saying that the Kingdom is about inclusion not exclusion.
So how can this all be tied together? I find it interesting that the verse right at the end of the Genesis reading (Genesis 2:25) says, “The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.” They had nothing to hide. They were living in unity and love, intimacy and trust. This is a certain glimpse of what heaven is like. And they could have ‘lived happily ever after’ but then came The Fall. They blame each other and cover themselves in their shame. Jesus came to restore order, the order of love. He came to reconcile all people to God and to each other. He gives His strength through the Spirit to live lives according to God’s law of love.
But what happens is that ‘society’ comes in…or my own desires…or my way of doing things and since it ‘feels’ right it has to be OK. Do I let how others think affect how I live God’s message of love? Today is Respect Life Day. This is what Jesus taught that all life is created in love and all life is to be love so that others can see God and come to know God.
Fr. Flor McCarthy, a Dominican priest and noted Homiletic writer from Ireland has some interesting comments in his sermons for this weekend. I quote the ones I feel fit:

• “In marriage God answered the human need for friendship, companionship, closeness and warmth – all those things we pine for but find so difficult. These needs can also be met by belonging to a community. And those who have a close relationship with God are never alone.”
  
• “All of us are wounded by sin and selfishness. To enter marriage is to enter a school of love, a school in which all are slow learners.”
  
• “What are things which weaken the marriage bond? Lack of respect, poor communication, selfishness, and above all infidelity. Respect good communication, unselfishness, and fidelity strengthen the bond.”
  
• “Relationships have to be worked on.”
  
• “God has made us for love – to receive it and to give it. However, the ability to love is not something that is given to the couple on their wedding day with all the other gifts. Love is something that has to be learned.”
  
• “Nothing is easier as life goes on than to grow old in heart, dry and disillusioned, cynical and selfish. Children put us in touch with the gentler and more innocent part of themselves that we may have discarded in the struggle or battle of life. They revive in us too a sense of wonder and it is the sense of wonder above all that keeps us young. When Jesus says to us, “Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven,’ He is recalling us to our lost childhood, so that though old and frail in body, we might be reborn in innocence of character.”
  
• “Children are more suited for the kingdom because they know how to receive a gift. No one can enter the kingdom who is not open to receive it as a gift. “
  

It is all about God…who loves us…gifts us…leads us to Himself and wants us to be Him forever. He didn’t make a mistake in creating me and all of humankind, God doesn’t make mistakes. I do, all do, when they do it their way. So in reflection: Am I listening to God…society…or me?