November 29, 2015

 1st Sunday in Advent C Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4: 2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36 It’s Advent...what will I be doing spiritually? So often I’m busy thinking of Christmas: sending out cards...gift shopping...Penance services...homily preparations...trying to find time to be still...responding to the invitations to ‘stop by’...all of these take time and time is vastly reduced during this season. AND the readings tell me to focus on this Advent season as being a time of watchful waiting. This seems to be a task that just can’t be accomplished the way I would like it. I’m thinking of a different twist to my Advent this year: what prevents me from being holy? The readings can help me with this. The first reading today is taken from the prophet Jeremiah. Now God sent him to shape and form the people of Israel into an inspiring example of faith. He was told to build the people up just as a potter takes a clump of clay and molds it and forms it into something recognizable. Well, the people were just too busy and didn’t listen to Jeremiah. But the ideals that he wrote about would come about later...today’s reading describes this. He tells us that God will fulfill the promises that He made to David centuries earlier. David was told to build a house for God...but God would be the builder. The people waited and still ‘no house’. David’s line would remain, even if individuals in that line failed. In this reading Jeremiah predicts how God will raise ‘a just shoot’ in the royal family tree. Unlike others who assumed the throne, this King would do what is right and just...this King will be guided by God’s word. All sorts of questions arise from this oracle: how will it happen... when will it happen...what are the people do as they wait? These are good questions for me today too. Paul gives me a path of follow when he tells the people of his love for them. He says this can be a model for them. Paul’s love is personal and universal. Is my love personal and universal? Do I ‘program’ my loving to be just to the people I want to love or do I include all people in all love? Paul compliments the Thessalonians by telling them that they please God by their lives, the way they live, the example of love that they show others and He encourages them to continue to be ‘love’. He tells them, “For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” I know the guidelines that I was given...I know the principles of Jesus...I can hear the Spirit within me direct- ing me to love in each situation that comes up in my life. What am I doing? What is it that I’m letting get in the way of following Jesus’ way? NOW IS THE TIME! THE TASK AT HAND ISN’T FOR LATER! I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS CONVENIENT! THIS MOMENT IS THE ONLY TIME I HAVE! Why do I say this? This is what Jesus is telling me in the Gospel When Luke wrote this Gospel, the communities for which he wrote this were very well aware that the temple of Jerusalem, one of the ‘Wonders of the World’ at that time had been destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. What a shock this was to both the Jewish people and Christians. What would happen next? Luke tells about the predictions that Jesus had made as a prophet about signs that would come next. The language that Luke uses now is apocalyptic which is dramatic, poetic, visionary and symbolic. As I said last week, it is not intended to be understood literally. It points to the ‘dramatic’ coming of the Son of Man who will come in a cloud with great power and glory. We can’t spend time trying to ‘figure it out’ rather it’s a time to listen The passage next quickly moves from different prophetic warnings by Jesus to some very practical advice. WHAT AM I TO DO? Each person must begin a life of preparedness. My house must be in order each and every day. This resonates so abruptly to me: for over a year my house was on the market. I had to keep the counters cleared...keep the house neat...be ready within minutes to do a ‘quick cleaning’ so that perspective buyers would come into a well presented house. I had to be serious about this, and I was. Jesus is telling me that since I am a follower I must take seriously the day that is coming in my life...the day of the ending of my earthly life...and the Day of the Lord. As a believer and follower I must continue to know the teachings of Jesus and put them into practice each and every day. This is what it means to be vigilant at all times. How am I doing? This is the task of Advent. The important message of the readings today is that these ‘days’ are not days of dread or worry. When I was little, many of the ‘tales’ and songs about Santa brought some ‘packaged’ fear — ‘You better watch out...you better not cry...’ etc. Jeremiah gives a tremendous amount of assurance that he day when God will come to fulfill His promise is a wonderful special day for those who wait faithfully. Paul foretells day when God will invite each person to a joy-filled life with all the saints in heaven. Jesus sums up the meaning of Advent: Watch and wait for God, not in fear but with joy- ful hope. Isn’t this a wonderful day to come...a day knowing and being filled with this God who has constantly at every moment loved me and showered grace and grace upon me? Faith Catholic provides guidelines and homilies and the reflection from today’s guest preacher says, “Stand secure before the Son of Man? How can we stand secure? We will be standing there before Him without our bank accounts and security fences. All you and I will have at that moment, when we face the Son of God, will be our memories. It is from them that we will draw up our accounts, that we will find the records of our lives. I want to share what I’d like to have in my own account when I die: —First, I would like to have love for people, particularly the hurting, the rejected - those without privilege and those who have experienced pain and loss. I’d like the record to show that I wasn’t angry or haughty towards others. —Second, I’d like the record of my life to show sensitivity, respect, tender loving care and humility in my relationships. — Third, reliance on the power of God would be an important part of my portfolio as I face Christ. I hope there will be many entries revealing times when I let God be God, when I relinquished my desire to control outcomes, to control other people’s decisions, to control the events of my life. —Finally, I would stand a whole lot more secure before the Son of Man if I could simply continue the conversation we had already been having for a good portion of my life one earth. Wouldn’t it be lovely to meet Christ face to face and discover that He was always near to me, and was my dear friend all along throughout my life here on earth?” That is a wonderful scene...if I’m prepared. What can I do this Advent to foster my preparedness? Sr Sandra DeGidio OSM says, “In this Advent season of watchful waiting for the coming of Christ, joy is waiting for us, peace is waiting for us. As we prepare to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist, let us remind ourselves that the treasures of inner peace and joy can remain constant inner lives. Christ comes into our hearts and assures us that He is the Prince of Peace and Cause of Our Joy. “

November 22, 2015

November 22, 2015 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe B Daniel 7: 13-14; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37 Where are my loyalties? Are they to my family, the Catholic Church, the United Sates? Yes, then I ask and reflect on, am I loyal to God? How come this question makes me stop and wonder and invites me to reflect on where I am weak, where I need to grow, and where I am satisfied? In 1925 Pope Pius XI instituted todays feast to celebrate the jubilee year and the sixteenth centenary of the Council of Nicaea. In every age of the Church theologians have addressed mysteries of faith. In the early Church the question was how can we solve the mystery of God? Specifically how are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit related to one another? Particularly the Son to the Father? One theologian, Arius said that the Son, despite his exalted status is a creature like us. The Council declared, ”We believe in one God the Father…and in one Lord Jesus Christ..the only begotten generated from the Father, that is, from the being of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God…” The Son, therefore is ‘begotten, not made…one in being’ or consubstantial. Pope Pius XI affirmed the primacy of Christ in the face of rising nationalism and fascism. The readings from last Sunday, the 33rd in Ordinary Time and next week, the First Sunday of Advent look at the second coming of Christ in glory. They complete the cycle of the mysteries of Jesus from birth to unending death. Christ our King… Christ my King…am I obedient to my King…do I follow my King…do I listen to my King? John today presents one of the most dramatic scenes in the Gospels: Jesus before Pilate. The question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “is the central question surrounding Jesus’ guilt or innocence, Pilate and the High Priests feel. The point is what is meant by the word KING? Pilate means it in a political way and Jesus answers theologically. Sunday Homily Helps gives a wonderful explanation of this trial, “Notice that Jesus never directly answers any of Pilate’s questions. Instead, He responds to Pilate with a question of His own. This reverses the roles of interrogator and responder. In effect, Jesus is interrogating Pilate, who has become the one actually on trial. Irony also plays an important role in this situation Pilate despises Jews and does not want to be identified with them in any way. He makes that clear by saying, ‘I am not a Jew, am I?’ But in a way he is. At least, he is one with the Jews in that both have rejected Jesus. Pilate’s rejection is based on politics. The Jews’ rejection is based on theology. Jesus kingship: Jesus makes it clear that He is not a contender for a secular throne. His kingship is not this world. He goes on to indicate that His power is to be used elsewhere; otherwise, He could easily have HIs supporters free Him on the spot. Again Pilate misunderstands what Jesus really said. Pilate takes Jesus’ response to mean that He is indeed a political king. At this point, Jesus allows the irony to take over. Jesus reaffirms that He is a king, but He describes His kingship in terms that make it clear He is not speaking politically. The truth is that Jesus’ kingship is not concerned with this world but with what is often referred to as the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is not a political reality. Pilate will never be able to understand what Jesus means. He will not even be aware that, in this trial, the theological king has surpassed the political king. The mission of Jesus, the King of the Jews , is to testify to the truth. Only those who are willing to listen to the truth will accept the kingship of Jesus. Jesus is a king who serves—not one who rules. That is what we celebrate today.” So the question comes again, ‘Am I willing to listen to Jesus or do I only listen to myself and those I want to listen to? Do I accept and live that Jesus is the Lord of my life? If I do this that means that Jesus’ rule over me takes precedence over any other allegiance that I have. This is an important reflection because so many other ‘allegiances’ creep in without me taking not of them. This means that I have to keep my focus on the Gospels and what the Church teaches and live accordingly. So I ask, do I use any other source for my ultimate guidance? Am I a servant? Do I realize that this ‘Kingdom of God’ is found inside my heart? It is embracing a vision of humankind that Jesus proclaimed. It is the vision that all are equal, all are special, all are created by God out of love. It is the vision of the world centered in the hope, compassion and the love that Jesus taught. Do I realize the this kingdom of God…this Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not found in selfishness and hurt but in every act of selfless kindness and generosity I can give? Jesus came to reveal to the world and me that His love is within me and each person at every moment of our lives. This love can transform the brokenness that I experience into the consuming love and respect that God has for each person with me as the witness and giver of this love. So I ask myself, am I embracing the values of the world or the values of God? Am I embracing the things that make my body feel better or am I embracing the things of God? The bottom line is do I embrace the lasting, eternal treasures of love, hope and mercy? Am I selfless in my giving? Do I lift up the hopes and dreams of others? Mercy and compassion are the foundation of God’s Kingdom with its foundation stone of love. So I ask: Am I a servant of God’s love? Can people see in me Jesus? Can they see that I believe and know what real life is all about and as Bishop Sheen used as his motto: ‘Life is Worth Living’ when I’m living it with God’s love. I read this bit of wisdom from Fr. WIlliam Bausch’s Once upon a Gospel that fits: “When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hanging my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking. I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked…and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.” Sacred Space 2015 concludes with a prayer: “Jesus, in the midst of all the noise and distractions of this world, we find it hard to hear Your voice. Open our ears, Lord, that we may hear and take account of Your Word.”

November 15, 2015

33rd Sunday in Ordinary time B 

Daniel 12: 1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18; Mark 13: 24-32

While we were at the Richmond Priest’s Convocation, a discussion was going on at our table about how we would die.  This had nothing to do worth the topics of the different talks but it was none the less very interesting and animated.  It came about because one of our special holy priest was found just a little while ago, dead in his bed.  At any rate a few said that they would like to die in the same way.  I said well that’s no worry for the deceased person but what about his family, the parishioners, those who found him and a vast array of people this person had touched and ministered to?  

Most people wanted their passing to be peaceful, no worry, no pain, with only a few gathered around them.  I said this probably was more make-believe than real life.  We don’t know when we were to be born and we have no idea when our life here ceases.  The interesting question is ‘What does God say about this?”  This is part of the subject matter of this last Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Next week we celebrate the feast of Jesus, Christ the King; the last feast of the Liturgical year.  The season of Advent follows this feast.  The theme this week is to encourage each of us as followers of Christ to deepen our faith in Jesus’ promise of eternal life.  Isn’t that a wonderful thought:  Jesus promises each of us, and God does not lie,that eternal life with God forever is a reality if we follow His teachings and commands.   

The first reading is taken from the Book of Daniel.  In the beginning of the book, Daniel interprets dreams for others (chapters 2 & 4).  But in Chapters 7-12, Daniel is pondering the future of his people.  They had returned home and now were under fierce persecutions from King Antiochus IV.  His cruelty and harsh policies sparked the revolt that was led by Judas Maccabees.  Daniel describes this king in 11:36 as “The king shall do as he pleases, exalting himself and making himself greater than any god; he shall utter dreadful blasphemies against the God of gods.  He shall prosper only till divine wrath is ready, for what is determined must take place.”    Daniel is writing to tell the people that God is in charge…that these threats, distress and even during these persecutions God will bring comfort.   Daniel brings visions on how Michael appears as Israel’s guardian and protector.  So the people who are faithful will escape any threats launched against them by earthly powers.  This theme of protection is a constant with Daniel.  God protected Daniel in the lion’s den (chapters 6 & 14); God protected the three friends in the furnace (chapter 3); Susanna who was falsely accused of infidelity (ch 13) was exonerated.  Today’s reading ends telling us that God’s faithful ones will awake from the dust of the earth and shine like brilliant stars forever.  God is in charge.  God loves.  God cares.  Praise be God forever.  

In the second reading Paul is writing to the Hebrews and presents Christ as the true high priest.  This symbolism can’t be lost:  the temple priests made daily sacrifices to atone for sins, yet they couldn’t take away sin ; they only foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.  As a perfect priest and perfect sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled all the OT sacrifices.  His sacrifice takes away sins and finds its completion in heaven, which has always been promised and is goal of every person.

lIn the gospel we look at the 13th chapter from Mark.  This has been called the ‘Little Apocalypse’ in contrast to the Book of Revelation which is called the ‘Big Apocalypse’ .  The word ‘apocalypse’ means a revealing.  It is a specific style of writing that uses coded language and images foretelling the end-times.  Understanding the Word explains it succinctly:  “In the first part of Chapter 13, Jesus explains the events leading up to the parousia(false prophets, vv. 5-6); wars and rumors of war, (vv. 7-8); persecution and mission, (vv. 9-13).  In the second, he describes the great tribulation and warns about being led astray (vv 14-23).  The third part, from which our reading is taken, presents the eschatological events and the coming of the Son of Man (vv. 24-27).  Mark portrays Jesus as this sSon of Man( 2:10; 8:31-32; 10:33,etc) who has come to initiate God’s reign (1:15).  The chapter concludes with an exhortation urging vigilance (vv 28-37).   SO WHEN will all this happen…Mark says NO ONE KNOWS WHEN ANY OF THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.  Mark said this because even in his time people were claiming to know and even predicting when the final day will happen.  I’ve heard a whole bunch of predictions during my life…and…they didn’t happen.  THE KEY is for myself and each person to remain faithful AND to live in hope.  

The first reading and the Gospel have used all sorts of imagery that shows the presence of evil in each of our lives and in the world.  EVIL will not triumph, although it seems so much that it will at times that we feel we are ‘losing the battle.’  There is no battle…Jesus has won…heaven is promised…how am I living?  that’s the question…HOW AM I LIVING.  Living the Word shares a wonderful conclusion, “But in light of all this apocalyptic combat, there are three points to remember.  First Jesus says that only the Father knows the day or hour of the final judgment; it is not our place to try and figure out a timetable for the end.  Second, the combat against evil in our lives is a spiritual battle that we wage though growth in holiness through God’s Spirit, not a physical battle against anyone.  And third, the basic thrust of all of Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching is that we should face the future with trust and confidence, because even though heaven and earth will pass away, Christ’s words will not pass away.” 

I started out by saying that God is in control.  All of history unfolds according to God’s plan.  The ultimate salvation of all will come after unspeakable suffering, trouble and disasters.  Each person has high points and low points in their lives…happy times and those filled with pain and suffering.  Mark is telling us through the words of Jesus that the key words in our lives should be:  beware…watch…pray…endure…believe…trust…have faith in our God who is constantly in love with us and each day leading us closer to Himself.  AM I DOING THAT TODAY?  WHAT DO I NEED FROM GOD TODAY?  

So I reflect on:

How often do I reflect on the fact that both my life and the world as a whole will someday come to an end?  When I think of these things, what feelings do they give rise to in me?   DO I BRING THESE FEELINGS TO GOD IN PRAYER?

Where in my life right now do I feel most strongly the conflict between good and evil?

Jesus tells me to live my life to its fullest, as He invites me to do.  Do I help others bring gospel joy to our world today?  Can they see this joy in me?

Our story does not have a scary ending.  Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.

Sacred Space 2015 says:

Even in our darkest hour, the Lord does not abandon us.  His eye always upon us, He watches over us night and day.

But if we take His words to heart and stay close to Him as we journey, we have nothing to fear.  His gift to us is His presence with us till the end of the world.” 

November 8, 2015

Bulletin November 8, 2015
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time B
1 Kings 17: 10-16; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44
How does God feel about the way I am living my life right now? Is He aware of only the big things that I am into or is He aware of everything? Jesus cared tremendously for the people who popped into His life. To Him, each person was important; each person was special; a unique creation of His Father. Does God scrutinize me to see the times that I concentrate on me and am not aware of oth- ers in need? How does God feel about me right now? Maybe the better reflection question for me right now is How do I feel about me?
So I continue within the same framework: Do I feel comfortable within myself? How do I feel? What do I need? Do I ever start my prayer period by asking myself how I feel? After reflecting on this for a while do I then ask what do I need and what do I need from God? Often I feel uncomfort- able with asking this of God...but I’m starting with how I feel...now with how God feels about me. Jesus told us repeatedly that God loves us. After my study of Scripture and Theology and with years of Spiritual Direction I like to put it this way: God loves me right now, just the way that I am. And there is no way that I can love myself that way...but God does...Jesus told us so.
I like the definition that Carl Jung uses for reality: ‘Reality is that which affects you. whatever af- fects you is real. God affects my life, so God is real for me. God motivates me, so God is real for me. God touches me; therefore, He is real for me. God opens up infinite possibilities for me, and so I am alive, and God becomes ever more real for me.’ I add to this: If I let Him!
The people in today’s readings help us with this. In the first reading, Elijah had announced a famine in the land in response to King Ahab’s worship of the Canaanite deity Ba’al. Then he travels north into the foreign territory of Sidon when he encounters a poor widow and her son. The widow recog- nizes Elijah and whom He serves by her response, “As the Lord, your God, lives.” (1 Kings 17:12) The Israelite king failed his religious responsibilities, and it is a foreign woman who shows respect and offers the last of her sustenance to this prophet of God. LOOK at her faith: she didn’t ‘hoard’ the little that she had but continued to live the law of hospitality and kindness to strangers and those in need. How special it is to remember from our past lives the ones who have touched us. Many times it was those who have the least who often were the most generous. What has that told me? I am amazed at their total giving even in their desperate need. If I looked at them in this way...how does God look at them? I only have one response: with love!
The gospel from Mark gives the example of the poor widow putting money in the ‘poor box’. What was she doing...relying on God like the poor widow in the first reading. She knew that others are in need and she could help them in her own small way. In looking at her, we all would respond that she was helping in an enormous way and she was teaching each of us a very important lesson. Every- thing we have is a gift from our loving God. Do I with what I have received as a gift share as a gift? I have to constantly remind myself of this. It is not only giving physically and materially out of my surpluses but also giving and sharing of my time which is the most precious commodity that I have. Doesn’t Hallmark use the slogan to ‘give of your very best’? Well, do I? When I look at my ‘giv-

ing’ I could say that it seems to be inconsequential. But it isn’t...if it’s from the heart. I send five dollars to the missions—I have been told this can feed a family for a week. I can’t realize this in my culture, but it’s true where they live. How important is to God? I visit an elderly friend in the nurs- ing home, is this important? I might be the only one who came and helped them in their loneliness and helped them remember good times together. I send a note...I make a phone call...I e-mail, text or use social media to say ‘Hi...you’re loved’. Isn’t this doing what Jesus did for us...show us God’s love for each of us all the time. DO WE EVER GIVE GOD A CHANCE TO THANK US FOR LOVING? I think we should. JESUS TAUGHT US, COMMANDED EACH OF US TO LOVE BECAUSE GOD LOVES...How honored I am to bring God to others.
Fr. Paul Coutinho, SJ in his wonderful book How Big Is Your God? The Freedom to Experience the Divine in his chapter On Moving from Charity to Compassion says:“Do not stop practicing your charity, but pray for the grace of being more and more compassionate. Because when you have a relationship with God, when you are compassionate, you will experience God everywhere. When you have a relationship with a compassionate God, good things happen, wonderful things happen. In compassion, I celebrate the good, because that good is also part of me. When some person in the world does something extraordinary, I am drawn to that person, and I also feel extraordinary. I share in that experience because that person is part of me. If someone is celebrating, I celebrated with that person. If someone is hurt- ing, I hurt with that person. So I am part of every person’s life and each person is part of my life. Experiencing that human inter-connectedness through our divine connection is the transition from charity to compassion.”
So I come to look at my life as God looks at my life. He created me...He continues to create me. He gifts me...He continues to gift me. He needs me...He continues to need me to love and to be love as Jesus taught me and showed me. I am important because I am the only me that He created me to be. And in being ME I am completing His plan that He had for me forever. Someone always needed me....I don’t know who...I don’t know when...but it was the me that God created and gifted is what is needed. Lord help me to be aware...to never give up...to always trust.
So I reflect on:

• In what situations do I find myself most needing to rely on God?
• Am I ever tempted top exploit another person’s neediness for my own gain? How do I respond to
  this temptation?
• When has just a speck of hope, courage, friendship kept me going despite the odds?
• How many good ‘good deeds’ have I done today? Do I have to count how many?
• What does it mean to be poor? What does it mean to me to be wealthy?
• What does it mean for me to give from my want or need, instead of from my excess?
• Why do people who do something to help the poor give money or goods instead of time and pres-
  ence? Which is more valuable in helping to alleviated poverty: material goods and services, or time and presence? Why?
  Sacred Space 2015 says:
  “Jesus reminds us once again how we are to treat each other. We are all sons and daughters of the Father, and so we must be aware of the dignity each of us carry within. Through baptism, we have been brought into the family of God, and so we are all connected through grace.
  No one is greater than another, and no one is more important than another; we are all equal in the sight of our Father in heaven.”