Building Houses - Which Little Pig are You (Mt 7:21-29)

Everyone has heard the story of the three little pigs.  Each one built a house but every house was different.  One built a house of straw, but it did not last through the big bad wolf's assault.  One built a house of sticks.  But again, it did not last through the huffing and puffing of the wolf.  

The third little pig was a smart and hard working little pig that built a house of brick.  It took him longer and was hard work but it was strong house.  This little pig was a hearer and a doer.  The little pig was smart so he looked around and got the message.  He was not afraid to do what was necessary to act on the message. This built a house that was strong.

The story of the three little pigs comes from Jesus' parable of the wise man who built his house on rock,.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house but it stood firm because it had been founded on a rock.  A foolish man built his house on a foundation of sand, and when the same trials came, the house fell.

How many children know the story of the three pigs?  Almost all of them, they know you have to build your house of brick to keep the big bad wolf away.  If they are brought up in the Church, they hear Jesus' parable of building your house on rock not on sand.  It is a strong allegory that even as a young boy, I put together.

As we grow up we tend to forget this stories.  We take the easy worldly way and build our houses of straw and sticks.  It is, of course, a lot easier to build on a foundation of sand.  When trouble comes and beats against our houses of straw and sticks built on sand - "Our fall is great."

These houses of straw and stick are our lives, our relationships with our families and friends, and even our faith.  Jesus tells us not to deceive ourselves.  Not everyone who builds a house to the Lord will have a strong house.  Like the two foolish little pigs, our weakness allows everything to fall down around us.  To be strong, we are to hear Jesus' words and act on them to build a strong house on a strong foundation. 

The greatness that is in us through Jesus Christ our Savior is the ability to change.  We can always leave our houses of straw and stick and build a stronger house.  My favorite ending to the story of the three little pigs is that they all end of in the house of brick - singing and dancing.  (I think they may have been Pentecostals)  

I know that I used to live in a house of straw and I fell.  Then I thought I had made my self stronger; but, it was only a house of sticks and again I fell.  My most gracious Lord has allowed me to build a stronger house on a foundation of rock hewed from all I have experienced in my life.  Now, I sing and dance with the joy that is in Him.

Fear Not, For I am Your Shield (Gn 15:1)

I received an email forwarded to me by a friend.  The email was from a young woman who was seeking help for her friend.  In her email, she asked, "What would Jesus do?"  It was not her friend's fault that she was born with bad parents. (my phrasing)  It was not her child's fault that he was born into almost poverty.  The young lady who wrote the email went on to say, you know how I feel about religion and stuff, but ignoring this girl, who is crying out for help, is not a Christian thing to do.

First, I don't know how she feels about "religion and stuff"; but, I also think, she does not know.  

Second, as a father, a grandfather, and a soon to be deacon, my heart aches for the young woman and her child.  I immediately went to work to try to find some help for the young lady.  I know of several ministries in this area that work with young unwed mothers.  All but one of the agencies, I provided was a non-profit that was run or started by a religious organization.  The one that was not was a State funded agency that identified the other organizations as sources of help.

I wonder how this young woman seeking help felt about "religion and stuff?"  In our small city, there are ministries that are there to help in some little way.  It never matters how those who need help feel about religion.

The atheist Madeline Murray O'Hair said that "Atheist believe that hospitals should be built instead of Churches"  How many hospitals have been built by atheist and how many built by the Church?  It is the same for organizations offering help and support for those in need.  It is easy to speak of magnanimous acts.  In reality, it is the indifference manifest by lack of action that reveals true intentions.  Christians realize that indifference is true sin.

God told Abram, "Fear not for I am your shield. . ."  It is a truth even today.  To the ancient world, the shield was important not only for protection but also for rescue.  In battle, the shield was used to stand behind for protection against attack.  The shield was also an implement of rescue.  When a person was not able to continue, the shield was used to carry them to safety.

Maybe I do know how this young person feels about "religion and stuff"; but, maybe she doesn't know.  In a time of need, she fell behind the shield that God provided.   She asked the shield to carry the wounded.  How she feels about "religion and stuff" is shown by her  caring.  She did not show the indifference of those who truly do not believe.  Her shield was built in the Church, she only needs to hold tightly to it.

Who Do You Say That I Am

A person can go through their entire life and never know how to answer the question "Who am I?"  But it is always easier for us to look at others and see who they are.  Maybe it is not who they think they are but the reality of who they are in the world.  Look at others and who do you see.  You see your neighbors. You see your friends. You see your family.  You see the good and kind.  You see the those who are maybe not so good and kind.  Is the person you see the "Who am I" they want to be?

Each of us can define "Who am I?" by answering the question that Jesus asks "Who do you say that I am?"

We can see how people answer this question.  The answer is seen in those who have given themselves totally to Christ.  It is answered in those who have started a family and in that family is Christ.  In others, it is seen as single adults, living their faith, loving their life, and happy following the path that our great God has places before them.

Many search for answers. They may not know the love that is Christ.  Many have embraced the world instead of Christ. They are looking for the answer to the question "Who am I? without realizing the question of Christ "Who do you say that I am?"

If we stop to think, everyone answers both questions.  The answer comes from the freedom that God gives us.  Some find the answers early in life.  People ask "Who am I?" continually and answer it in every choice they make.  Some souls think they have found the true answer to realize that they have found nothing but despair and loneliness apart from the love of Christ.  "Who am I?"  is a question that is imprinted on our heart.  Every time we answer yes or no to what God asks of us, we answer the question "Who am I?"

Apostles and disciples, saints and future saints, the sinner, you and me answer yes or no to what God asks of us.  So when we stand  before our ultimate judge, I think our judgement will be for us to ask of Christ, "Who do you say that I am?"  At that time, we will know the answer of "Who am I?"  But in that answer, we will answer the question that Christ asks "Who do you say that I am?"   

We answer both questions every moment of every day of our lives.

A Lesson in Humility

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

This week, I worked with my company's management team making visits to some of our brokers and customers.  It was a very good week on the most part, except one of my friends had to leave due to a death in his family which left me as a driver for several in the group.

During our visits, I received several compliments from brokers and some very important customers on my abilities and work ethics.  After our last customer visit, we said our farewells and my boss told me that I had done a good job and he was proud to have me as part of his team.  He asked that I share the secrets of my success with my peers.

I got in the car with the people I was driving,  My ego and my head swelling with pride.  I promptly backed into my customer's mailbox.  I did not damage the mailbox, but I had to go in and tell them and then I had to call my boss who had just praised me.

St. Paul says in his second letter to the Corinthians, "So that I would not become conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh . . . to keep me from getting proud.  The Lord told Paul, "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.""  

I thank my creator with my prayers for the grace that bestows on me so many blessings.  A happy and healthy family, good friends, and the ability through God's gifts to work with people.  I do have thorns in my flesh that keep me humble. 

God's grace has allowed me to have a good job and good people to work with; but sometimes we think that our success is all us.  We are tempted by our humanity with pride that leads to conceitedness and boasting, a thorn in our flesh.  But, this week shows how God can humble the proud in such a simple way when they forget the source of their gifts.

I was telling this to a friend of mine and I loved his comment.  "Humble pie taste great when you know where it comes from."

Fathers are Fixers

Luke 7:36-50

[I heard Pastor Bill Dye, (N. Monroe Baptist) speak about fathers as fixers on a radio broadcast as I left mass this morning.  I loved this idea so here is my reflection and perspective.]

Fathers are fixers.  It doesn't matter if you're born into the role of a dad, adopted or married into it, or are a mentor to some one, if you are looked at as a dad, then for someone you are a fixer.  

Now, some dads are natural born fixers, others have to learn to be fixers, and some never quite get it right, but try so hard.  The most important thing about being a fixer is seeing the good in what you are trying to fix.

This is Jesus.  Jesus' love sees the good no matter how broken we are.  Jesus the fixer,  asks the Pharisee the question about a creditor who forgives the debt of one who owes a small amount and one who owes a large amount.  Which one would be more grateful?  The Pharisee's answer was the one with the larger debt.

Jesus asked the question to fix the Pharisee's bigotry.  But the question was asked from the point of view of someone needing to be fixed.  Maybe we missed the point, both of the debtors were fixed.

God our Father is the fixer.  He made us and He fixes us when we are broken.  God forgives us no matter how bad we are broken.  If we are broken in a small way or shattered completely our Heavenly Father, through grace, offers through forgiveness, a way of fixing our broken lives.  

This Fathers Day, a friend of mine posted on Facebook the words of his dad.  "Love is the willingness to sacrifice anything for the happiness of someone else."  This is the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father.  God became man.  As Jesus, He taught us what love is and then gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins.  All of this was done in order to fix us.

Sometimes we must go to our dads.  Many with only a small thing that dad needs to fix.  Others will come to dad on their knees and crying with so much that needs to be fixed.  In the loves that our dad have, they forgive us and try to fix the problem.  Some are naturals, others have had to learn, and others though they try with the greatest love, just cannot quite fix it.

We all have a Father we can go to.  A Father we can turn to when we need fixing.  A Father we should approach on our knees.  Ask for the His love to truly make us.  The love that makes us the best fathers, the best mothers, the best children, and the best family.   It is also the love that also makes us the best friend, the best neighbor, and the best helper to all who need.  

As earthly fathers, dads are fixers, but we do not un-break.  Only our Father in Heaven can un-break.  Through Jesus, He knows our need of fixing.  It was through Jesus, He offered a way for us to pick up our pieces.  Through His sacrifice we are forgiven.  In God's forgiveness, we are made unbroken.

Remain in My Love

Jn 15:9-11

I think everyone has a poetic heart. Some express it in music, some in song, some in the beauty of their lives. Some of us always strive to find that poetic heart. I cannot sing, I cannot play music. All that I can really do is talk. Sometimes I am lucky because what I am thinking, what I am saying, or writing actually are the same thing and make sense.I hope my words do today. This is my prayer. Not a prayer as we think of it; but, God wants our prayers and worship offered through our gifts.

Remain in My Love
Remember that his love means - we will never be alone, if
everything we have done or will do is in unselfishness,
meant to follow the greatest commandment.
Always love the Father, through the perfect love that
includes the poor, the forgotten, the suffering and not with pity. 
No with the truth of love found in dignity.

If loneliness is the absence of love, then
no one who knows truth is lonely.

Mystical searchers seek to know the answer to that interior
yearning for closeness to what they do not know; a
love that is joy.  A love in the
oneness that is the divine, three
voices, love in unison,
even to the ultimate love of his sacrifice.