January 29, 2017

 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time A Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31; Matthew 5: 1-12 One of the great scenes in the Holy Land is overlooking the Sea of Galilee on the Mt. of the Beatitudes. I’ve been there six times, each time celebrating mass. The gospel for the day is the reading of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. It starts out with the Beatitudes, Matthew 5: 1-12. The focus in Living the Word, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days says, “The Beatitudes in today’s Gospel reading show us how to orient ourselves and to give ourselves an attitude toward living that is truly Christ-like.” Simply put, do people see in me what they see in Jesus? Am I constantly changing my attitudes and life-direction so that I can draw closer to what God needs me to be? The Beatitudes are a series of statements that begin with ‘Blessed are’ which contain a compendium of Jesus’s teachings. I look at these and today’s readings to check on the way I am living my life and how the Lord is leading me. Zephaniah writes to tell the people that they are getting very complacent in their ways. They had been distracted away from God and were living the illusions of the world. This exists today: ‘Go ahead… you’ve been working hard…you deserve some relaxing…go celebrate…splurge some…party…have fun…skip your prayers and going to church…live the good life…you don’t have to fast and sacrifice… let the holy people do that.’ The people of Zephaniah’s time were more attached to the riches of the world than devotion to God. They were looking the other way from injustice; people were cheating the poor, and pagan worship was taking place within the Holy City. Their sole aim was themselves. The question for my meditation is what am I worshipping in my life? What am I making a ‘god’ for me? Do I find my blessings in God? Paul has been having deep problems with the Corinthians. They were very prideful so he ‘busts their balloon.’ “Not many of you were wise by human standard, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” In God’s eyes everyone is important. Don’t make yourself so important that you put down God’s little ones. “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.” Do I feel that I am so important that I can ‘lord’ it over others? Do I realize that the poorest of the poor is special to God? And like them, I am important if I live as a servant of all? The very first beatitude calls me to reflect: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Is Jesus telling me to look at the poor and to see how God blesses and cares for them? Possibly. But could Jesus be saying that people may not necessarily be physically poor but are they spiritually poor? I look at myself, where am I spiritually poor? I say often, that I would like to have more time to read some more spiritual books…I would like more time to sit and reflect…I would like more time for my devotions. But do I look at how I am presently using my time? Have I asked God for help in processing and giving time to Him while living as I know I should? Where does my ‘blessedness’ with the Lord come from? Many interpret the word ‘blessed’ to mean ‘happy’. So where does my happiness come from? Jesus is telling me that happiness is given by God. I don’t receive it as a prize or as a reward from an achievement. I can’t merit it or even buy it. Jesus tells me that happiness comes in my serving…in my caring. It comes if my hands are open to help, my heart is humble and receptive to all in need. Happiness is God’s gift, I can’t make it my own. So I look at hungry and the thirsty? Is this about the starving and the destitute? Mother Teresa looked at Jesus’ words from the Cross, “I thirst” and says that this is a reminder from Jesus to respond first to the immediate need of the poor person in front of her. But she didn’t remain there, she took this to a deeper level realizing that many people were thirsting for kindness, for compassion, for delicate love. Do I respond with the same awareness? Yes, I do when I’m not concentrating on me. I have to continually realize that I am to be love as St. Therese of Lisieux took as the model of her life. We look at St. Mother Teresa’s comment on hunger, “You see, we have a wrong idea that only hunger for bread is hunger. There is much greater hunger and much more painful hunger: hunger for love, for the feeling of being wanted, to be somebody to somebody. A feeling of being unwanted, unloved, rejected. I think that’s a very great hunger and very great poverty.” The word ‘meek’ is defined as being gentle, mild, tame, lenient, tolerant, patient, etc. But with God’s eyes this means that we harnesses our talents and abilities and say ‘Yes’ just as Mary did and Joseph too and so many others. It means to bring the talents and abilities that I have been given by God to serve God’s interests not my own. Do I do this? Do I use my gifts just for me or do I share and care? If I set my sights on God then I will see the God I seek. If I set my focus on others then I will be aware, I will be able to see those who are in need. This is when I have the choice that Mary had: to say ‘Yes’ or to say ‘No’. If I am aware I can pay attention to those who mourn or who hurt or those whom I have hurt. I can then feel with others and become compassionate and be a person of God’s peace and love and caring. Each day have I been called to BE a follower of Christ? Zephaniah and Paul taught and urged people to get out of their shells and be committed to the love of God and love of neighbor. And I love myself when I am involved in these two. Connections puts it this way: “The Gospel of the Beatitudes is grounded in such an attitude of love, that true ‘blessedness,’ heart-felt happiness and satisfaction is entered in Jesus’ perspective of humility, mercy, compassion and justice. Titles and labels don’t matter; skills and talents are not the measure of faith. Jesus calls us to become a people of the Beatitudes: to embrace a spirit of humble gratitude before the God who gives, nurtures and sustains our lives and to respond to such unfathomable love the only way we can - by returning that love to others, God’s children as we are, in whatever way we can, as a way of returning it to God.” So I reflect on: • When am I aware of my weakness and frailty? How easy is it for me to admit I need help? • At what times do I recognize that God has given me everything that I have and am? In what ways do I express my gratitude? • How readily and generously do I share my gifts with others? What gifts am I most often tempted to hold back? Sacred Space 2017 states “Often compared with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes are quite different: They are blessings or gifts offered by God. There are not to be observed as commandments but, rather, desired and nurtured in prayer. So ponder them slowly and see if they resonate with your own life experiences. Think of the affirmation that Jesus gives to what is fragile, weak, and overlooked in the eyes of the world. I might choose two of the Beatitudes to be a backdrop to my prayer and reflections today: one that affirms me and one that calls me further.”

January 22, 2017

  3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3;1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4: 12-23 What was it like to receive Jesus’ call to follow Him? Was there any previous contact? Does it matter to God what I was doing when He called, or am I preparing myself for this call? Did He call me when I had time to devote myself to His mission? The followers that Jesus called were asked to deepen their understanding that God is with them and God works through them to bring others to a knowledge and belief in the living God. What seemed to never be the case was “Why me?” We never can figure out God’s ways but we can come to some sort of understanding of where He is leading me. Isaiah was writing about King Ahaz. Isaiah was looking for the King to unite the people. The King was not relying on God at all. The king was blind to the ways of God. Isaiah describes this lack of understanding as ‘darkness.’ Instead of trusting in God, the king struck up alliances with the Assyrian Empire. This territory was occupied by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (better known as Galilee). Because it bordered on the pagan territory it would have been associated with darkness. Unfortunately this darkness enveloped the whole northern region of Israel. It was the first province of Israel to be conquered by Assyria in 732 BC. This is where the lands had great harvests and were productive for farming and grazing. They were also the first areas that invading armies ransacked. Isaiah was predicting the future liberation for the people living in that region. . Today’s opening lines show this. “Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah instructed the people to turn to God rather than to powerful nations. He was telling future nations to always rely on God. In today’s Gospel Matthew sees Isaiah’s prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus. Do I place my trust in God? And when do I turn just to myself for answers? Paul launches a passionate appeal for unity in the community of Corinth. He wants his followers to agree on what they say so that there are no divisions. We are all united in Christ, not in division. Am I for Christ or am I against Christ. Do I live as Christ lived or do I live according to me; which may have some things of Christ when it is convenient but for the most part it is about me, not God? John the Baptist’s ministry immediately preceded Jesus’ ministry. Today Matthew is zeroing in of the beginning of Jesus’ mission at Capernaum, in the Galilee region. Isaiah said how these people ‘lived in darkness’ and now are seeing the light which is Jesus. John the Baptist had already been imprisoned. Jesus starts in the northern region. Jesus begins His mission calling all to repentance. This is a radical conversion of heart and living one’s life according to God’s instruction. Jesus begins to call those who are willing to allow Him to rule over their hearts . This will spread God’s presence and make disciples of all nations. First He calls four fishermen at the Sea of Galilee. This was located on the international trade routes. Jesus’ is calling those who will have to make a decision to leave behind what they value, their life’s occupation. So they are not jumping at the opportunity to better themselves. It doesn’t seem that these four, Peter, Andrew, James and John had any previous contact with Jesus. The first two left their own business and the later two left their father’s business. They begin their apprenticeship by listening to Jesus teach and watching Him heal the sick. What is the message for us? Like these first four, since we are called as apostles, we too at various times will be asked to leave something behind so that we can follow Jesus. If I follow Jesus, I have to turn my heart to Him. Do I believe, as Jesus taught? Matthew is comparing the arrival of Jesus on the scene to the coming of a great light to a people who had been living in deep darkness. In order to appreciate a light, we must be conscious of our darkness and have a desire to escape from it. This means that I must realize that I have to change and want to change. Jesus described His mission when He said, “I am the light of the world.’ To change means that I am willing to reform my life from what encouraged darkness and even the parts that hid in the darkness to be people of light. Jesus uses the expression “ Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What is there in my life that I want to hang on to? What do I just want to keep and not let go even though at some time, I know I have to let go? We look to what Matthew is urging his faith community to adopt: Repent. The Greek word probably would be better understood if we use ‘change the direction of your life.’ Matthew wants to show us that Jesus did not come to give us some kind of simplistic individualistic piety. He came to create totally new structures that would revolutionize our society. He came to establish the Kingdom of God. What is this? Its God’s Kingdom of Love. Jesus came to start this movement, to bring an entirely new vision. That’s why Paul is telling this community that there is no room for bickering or back-biting. There should not be factions or different groups. The only group is “I am for Christ” (verse 12). This is why Jesus came along and spotted these first four at their nets. He’s telling them, ‘Come along, there is work to be done.’ Immediately they left their nets. There is not time to think what am I to do…how much should I pack…what will my spouse and kids say…who will take care of the business. Our business is about God’s Kingdom on Earth. It is about the Kingdom of Love. Am I loving or am I not? Am I showing others that this is my role…now… and all the time? Or am I struggling in this? So I reflect on: • I look at the times I have provided a reconciling presence in times of division? What led me to do what I did? Did I express my gratitude to God? • Jesus calls the Apostles by name. How does He know them? He is God. They leave everything and follow Him. How can they? Their ancestors had awaited this moment for centuries and now they see the prophecy fulfilled in the Man standing before the by the shores of Galilee. Now God calls me today…He knows where He is needed and where He needs me to bring the healing…love…patience…care… forgiveness…compassion…SO what holds me up? What spurns me on? Why? • What darkness feels overwhelming to me? • Where do I see the light of Christ calling me out of darkness to be a marvelous light? Why do I ‘buck this’?

 Sacred Space 2017 shares: “Jesus ventures into regions where pagan influences are palpable. The demoniacs are in the grip of the prince of darkness; a dark shadow hangs on the lives of the epileptics; and the lives of the sick are blighted also. But Jesus, lord of light, launches the kingdom of heaven—rolling back the darkness. Does some dark influence also tend at times to pull me down in spirit? I open myself to the healing light of Jesus.” Prayer: “Generous God, I want to believe that I will see your bounty in the land of the living, both in heaven and here on earth. Give me courage not only to see Your light but also to become Your light that brings rejoicing, peace, and hope to our world.”

January 15, 2017

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time A Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3; John 1: 29-34 The Christmas Season has ended and many have taken down the Christmas decorations and updated their card list. And we get back to our ‘regular life and activities.’ What are we to be focused on this year? The theme of Ordinary Time this year gives us a wonderful direction. As we begin examining the readings, the first ones will be taken from the Prophet Isaiah and have been chosen because they parallel the direction of Matthew’s gospel. They tell us to look at our lives as we look at our ancestors in faith and see God’s continual care for the Israelites, and looking to see how present He is in my life. I ask, I plead, God responds in His kindness and care always telling of His love. I have received this, how am I at giving what I have received? A side theme that is noticeable in the first readings is the one of light: Israel is prophesied to become a light to the nations, a light of hope, God cares for His creation and all peoples. Later on different prophets give us direction, especially Sirach who reminds the Israelites and each of us that the choice to be a light to others is ours. We can listen to God. We can follow His commands and the Great Love commandments of Jesus. We can do good and live in love OR we can choose not to. Am I loving as God loves me…am I loving my neighbors, the people God places in my life and those I don’t see or don’t know and am I loving myself so that I can be God’s instrument? Many of the second readings will be taken from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Paul tells this Grecian community that God has called them and He has called me and each person to be holy. So much came up in the Corinthians lives and I’m reminded that it also comes up in my life: to follow me…and not God. I busy myself on ‘things’ versus ‘gifts’. God has given me gifts so that by His constant grace-giving I can share these gifts of love, caring, compassion, forgiveness, etc. with others. For the most part the Gospels this year come from Matthew who is reminding his church community that Jesus, the true Messiah, is the supreme teacher of the Law of Moses. The highlight of this is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, chapters 5,6, and 7 opening up with the Beatitudes. Am I a Beatitude person? It is good to get an overview of the readings because they are leading each of us closer to the Lord. Today we start with John’s gospel. The readings today get very specific on the direction the Lord needs me take. Isaiah —“I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation my reach to the ends of the earth.” Are the people in my life touched by me? Are they able to see some of Jesus’ goodness, love, care etc in me? Is it about me and how ‘great ‘ I am or is it about God and how ‘great God has been to me’? Psalm Response Psalm 40, “Hear am I, Lord, I come to do Your will.” Again is it me or is it God? When I love, I am touched by love. Didn’t I experience this at Christmas? So many people through their gifts, cards, greetings, said something, gave something, touched me in such a special way that I felt touched and loved. Was I grateful, did I realize in these ‘touches’ it was God who was doing the touching? I am called to be one who touches others with love. Paul”’…you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus…” The point is that I am called…I am important to God…He has touched me…He touches each person. John “Behold the Lamb of God…the reason why I came was that He might be made known to Israel…on whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain…” and the Spirit has come down on me and each baptized individual. The Spirit rested on me in Confirmation and continues to give grace so that that I may testify that …”Jesus is the Son of God.” Today John is sharing John the Baptist’s first encounter with Jesus. And Jesus is constantly encountering each of us…Matthew concludes his Gospel, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…go therefore…teaching…all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” The devil is constantly distracting me from the mission God has for me and each person. He says I’m not worthy (it’s not about worthy but knowing I am loved), that I’m a sinner (everyone is a sinner, but each is a loved redeemed sinner), that I’m a nobody (each person is special because we are God’s creation). Alice Camille in Exploring the Sunday Readings, shares these beautiful insights, “God’s glory radiates through you. YOU. It sounds crazy even to me, sometimes: that God expects people to recognize the divine glory through my exceptionally dull and remarkably repetitious little life. I try to imagine how God is supposed to be visible through us. Maybe it’s God’s fidelity that people can glimpse as we keep our promises, meet our responsibilities, love our families, and say our prayers. Maybe it’s God’s compassion they feel as we serve even when we’re tired, share even when we don’t have much, offer kindness even if it’s not returned. Maybe God’s peace is what they experience when we forgive those who offend us, and build bridges toward those who don’t understand us. The more we love, the more God shrines through us.” We don’t like to hear this but this is what holiness is. We think that ‘Holy’ is a saint word..well it is. But look at all those saints who have touched us physically: our parents, grandparents, relatives, teachers, clergy, religious, friends. They let us know in so many little ways that we are loved, we are special. That is exactly what Jesus came to tell us that God loves us, just the way we are now. SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT?…This is the purpose to the Scripture writers. So I reflect on: • Do I intend to represent myself and my concerns today or will I represent God? • What are the places, objects, activities, or people that are holy to me now? What about those from my past? • The Holy Spirit is always with me. When have I been led by a force greater than myself? • Matthew begins and ends his gospel with the theme, Emmanuel, God-with-us. What are the obstacles in my life that keep me from realizing this? Sacred Space 2017 says “‘Lamb of God’ bears biblical overtones of the Passover lamb and of the suffering servant in Isaiah, led like a lamb to the slaughter, bearing our sins. Lord, whenever I hear of some atrocious barbarisms by one of our race, and of the injustice and pain that people suffer through others’ wickedness, I remember that this is the world You entered, the burden You took on Yourself. You had a strong back to carry the evil that is in the world. The witness of John the Baptist depended on what was revealed to him in his prayer and on what he saw with his eyes. Bless me now, Lord, to recognize more clearly where you are moving in my life. Jesus came to take away sin, yet I sometimes hang on to guilt and won’t let the past go. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on me.”

January 8, 2017

Epiphany of the Lord A Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12

Christmas has come and gone yet we continue the Christmas season. We have thanked St. Francis of Assisi during these days because he is the one who ‘invented’ the creche to help remind us attractively of what happened on Christmas Day. When we set up our manger, most of us put the magi or kings a ways away since they came later…the shepherds with the sheep, we presume came first. So today with the magi in our scene the manger is very crowded. Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. What does ‘epiphany’ mean? The Dictionary tells us, “1 Epiphany [singular]: a Christian festival held on January 6 in honor of the coming of the three kings to the infant Jesus Christ 2 [count] : a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way. Seeing her father again when she was an adult was an epiphany that changed her whole view of her childhood. She experienced an epiphany.” Some cultures celebrate this day as their main Christmas celebration. Some celebrate this as the last day of the Christmas season, others say next week the Baptism of the Lord ends the Season. In some countries this feast is called ‘little Christmas’. Since Matthew says that the visitors who came this day were from the East, many thought that they were learned and wise men from Babylonia. They would have had contact with ideas about the Jewish Messiah (Daniel 2:2). The word Matthew uses for them is ‘magoi’ which is difficult to translate. Later on it was translated as ‘kings’ but the original does not mean kings. Psalm 72 says, “May the kings of Tarshish and the Islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.” We know that many cultures felt that one could foretell one’s future from the stars, and that your destiny was sealed by the star under which you had been born. Many also believed that the births of great men were marked by unusual signs in the heavens. We can spend time in research but what does this Epiphany mean to me…Mary ‘reflected in her heart’…what can I reflect on…where does it lead me? How about the second description from the dictionary: has there been moment(s) in my life in which I suddenly see or understand something of this feast in a different way? I review Isaiah’s words in the first reading: “Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you…upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears His glory…raise your eyes and look about..then you shall be radiant at what you see…all shall come and proclaim the praises of the Lord.” The community had been complaining because God has let their enemies be victorious and they want to be assured that they will be victors. Isaiah responds by predicting this season’s theme: ‘God is with you…Emmanuel…and you will be victorious.’ Now very often I feel that I am alone. Where can God possibly be? Why am I not hearing Him? Am I doing something wrong? Isaiah predicted that a child would lead us (Isaiah 11: 6-10). How can a child possibly be the symbol of hope? Perhaps I try to answer everything by my own reasoning and I’m not open to mystery and God’s mysterious design for the whole world. I should be spending time on looking at the characters of the story, the shepherds and magi. At that time the shepherds were an unsavory lot…they were looked upon as thieves and the word was to ‘watch out…be careful…don’t trust them…avoid them.’ They came to the manger as ‘people who were inquisitive…who were open to wonder…who in living in the open fields it was easier for them to ‘see God’ in the nature that surrounded them. The Magi were gentiles, foreigners who worshipped differently. They were people of good will, open to God, ready to hear and follow His call. They were prepared to follow a star wherever it might lead them. They came to honor a little child because they saw God in Him. And God loved them. The Jewish religious leaders were convinced that they knew ‘the truth’ and how God would come and manifest Himself to them, and certainly not as a child. They missed Jesus’ coming. Paul tells us that God’s hidden plan includes all people: “That the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” All are related in love…all are called…God cares for all. Sometimes it’s easy to put my trust in God. Then challenging times come when health is not good, money is scarce, tempers are short and I worry about tomorrow. Epiphany means that God is with me. Do I move ‘toward the light of Christ in faith and hope and in love, or do I stay with my ghosts? Paul is reminding me that God’s ways are not my ways. The Twelve who followed Jesus wouldn’t grasp this. Paul originally had nothing to do with outsiders, gentiles. Now the Lord shared with him that God is not just with ‘us’; He’s also with ‘them’. The Magi came and could see in this baby… how old…probably younger than two…the answer to all the riddles in their lives. How did they do this? They believed in God’s ways and were blessed that the Lord showed them this sign. They saw love..they saw God. I remember a ‘new father’ told me once that before he was married, he was petrified to hold an infant, for fear of dropping the baby. Yet when he lifted his ‘hours’ old son he was filled with a total blessing that encompassed love…beauty…wonder…miracle…everything whole and good and he said, “I felt that I was touching God.” You were AND more especially God was touching you AND continues to touch you…touch me…touch everyone. Do I let God love me? So I reflect on: • I take time to look back and see an ‘epiphany’ that came to me through some simple or commonplace experience. Can I see God there? • Where has the presence of God surprised me and made me ‘stretch’ my understanding? • The magi had to travel a distance and must have been willing to alter their course when difficulty arose, but they kept on moving. Am I open to where God is leading me on my journey or do I feel I know the way? • Am I open to God’s signs and go in search of a clear vision of where those signs lead me? • What gifts do I give today to the Lord and others? What gifts do I hold back? Why? • What piece of the future would I like to know? How would I suppose Jesus would answer this? • Do I ask the Spirit to help me pour the wealth of my heart before Jesus and to accept His salvation and mercy? Sacred Space 2017 states: “The wise men are remembered for their gifts. The gift most worth giving at any age is our love. In prayer, ask God to accept your love for husband or wife, friend, children, neighborhood. Think of those you love, and bring your love for them to the crib where Jesus lies. This is the full unveiling (epiphany) of a mystery: The Lord has come among us to take an intimate hand in the future of the human race. We have God’s word in Scripture: ‘I am about to do a new thing.’ I try to allow this to sink in.”