The Path - Reflection - 13th Sunday OT C

The Path

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, begins “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler …”

The prophet Nathan told King David of God’s promise. Through David, God would build his Temple, the place of God’s presence. Stunned, David sat before the LORD saying: "Who am I, LORD…. (1 Chr 17:16) that you put me on this path?

David’s Psalm of praise is “You show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence.” (Ps 16:11)

The Lord called Elisha to be the prophet to succeed Elijah. Elisha sat before God and asked “Who am I, Lord?” Am I to be a prophet of God or man in the world? I have to follow the Lord and I have my father and my mother. (1 Kings 19:16b,19-21) His father was inheritance and position in the world; his mother responsibility. Leaving the world is a hard thing, even to follow the path the Lord has given you.

Jesus called directly “Follow me.” (Lk 9:51-62)  Those he called would sit there before the Lord with the same question, “Who am I, Lord?” It is a hard decision. Many answered, I need to go back and say good bye to my old life. I must bury my father or say farewell to my family. (Lk 9:51-62)

Who am I Lord; do I follow you or do I follow this world?

Psychologist tells us that individuals search for the absolute. Our Christian faith tells us the absolute is God. All are searching for the presence of God. Our problem is an infinite God in our finite reality. So we become our own God, our own absolute. The choice is follow God or follow the world.

This is the tension between God and our hearts that prevents the perfection of absolute communion with the presence of God through Jesus Christ. Those who get close to this perfection are called saints. This perfection is true freedom.

Jesus’ words are harsh; but, they offer freedom through the one who gave everything for us. To live Jesus is to live freedom through Christ’s truth of “yes” or “no.” It is freedom from the world that holds us back. (Gal 5:1.13-18)

At the same time, worldliness calls to the absence of freedom. It is saying “no” to the presence of God. We get better at sin and become slaves to sin. Our “no” can promote and serve injustice, destroying freedom.

Most people see these as wrong. Yet they still seek freedom in the world, in desires of the flesh, or in denying freedom to others. These oppose freedom. (Gal 5:1,13-18)

The absence of freedom holds us back from Him, the Holy One of God. It holds us back from the Kingdom of God. It keeps us from the presence of God. (Lk 9:51-62)

Who am I, Lord…? Do I follow the path God has set before me and follow Christ, or do I follow the world? It seems like an easy question; but, reality is hard.

Elisha never returned to his father and mother. He killed his oxen, burned his plow and fed the people of God. In freedom of a “yes,” he set off on the path the Lord set before him. (1 Kings 19:16b,19-21)

God has a plan for us; a path in life that leads us to the presence of God in Jesus Christ. This plan is not 'fate' but a ‘choice’ we make in freedom to have God’s presence in our lives. (Thomas Merton)  Jesus asks us to follow him and give our life to him. In the freedom of a “yes,” we build his temple, God’s presence in our life.

“The Road Not Taken” concludes, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Think about it; sit before the Lord saying, “Who am I, Lord…?” And pray this, “…show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence.”  

Y’all be good, y’all be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

2 Questions - A Homily Reflection for the 12th Sunday OT - C

2 Questions (Happy Father's Day)

Happy Father's Day to Fathers, Grandfathers, Godfathers, and even to Mothers who due to circumstance have to be mother and father, and to our Priest, our Fathers in our journey of faith. A father is an important part of any family; they set the example of faith within a family. If the father is man of faith, then that faith is planted in their children. Our fathers shape us in what we believe.

Today Jesus asks two questions; important questions.

“Who do the crowds say that I am?” John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets, the crowds were confused about who Jesus was.

Jesus then asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The Christ of God, Peter answers. (Lk 9:18-24) He knew that Jesus was the messiah, the anointed one, the One God sent.

Today, Jesus asks, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and people are still confused.

Many believe in a historical Jesus, some believe He was divine, others do not. Many believe Jesus was a miracle worker, but not all believe he actually performed miracles. Many believe Jesus’ tomb was empty, and his disciples saw him, or both, but not all of these believe he was really physically raised from death.

Every day Jesus asks “Who do you say that I am?” Catholics are taught the answer. We recite the creed and many believe it. Others believe some of it.

But, do we believe enough to deny ourselves? Do we believe enough to take up our cross daily? Do we believe enough to give ourselves totally to him?  (Lk 9:18-24) These are the ways Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?”

In hard times, when there is crisis and tragedy, people answer this question.

There was a great tragedy in Orlando last Sunday and in that tragedy so many answered Jesus’ question. Many answers came from a confused crowd. The shooter believed God’s will was to kill.  Some who don’t believe in God blamed Christ; it’s Christian’s fault. Even those who call themselves Christians are confused saying: this was God’s will and God’s punishment.

This confusion is a severe doubt in the grace and mercy of God. This confusion is not Jesus, our God who loves us and forgives our sins.

But some had confidence in God’s grace and mercy. They answered Jesus’ question like Peter. A witness said as people lay dying there were prayers and cries to Jesus. Victims and families reached out for prayers. These were cries and prayers to Christ Jesus, the messiah, the anointed one of God. Prayers to the same Jesus who suffered greatly was rejected and killed. (Lk 9:18-24)

One thing I know: the Lord heard them.

Jesus didn’t have to ask what the crowd thought. Jesus heard them.

Jesus ate with the sinners, the unclean, and the tax collectors. He touched dead bodies. He forgave sins to bring new life. Because God loves us, He died for the sins of the world.

This is still true. Jesus hears us.

He is the fountain that purifies us from our sin and uncleanness. (Zec 12:10-11;13:1) Jesus Christ doesn’t care who we are; Jew or Greek, slave or free person, male or female. No matter what label we put on ourselves or the world puts on us - all are one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26-29)

Understand this and never look at another person and see a label, but see Christ. Understand this and never be confused about who Jesus is. Understand this and never doubt God’s grace and mercy.

Always preach the Gospel by the way we live and love: by denying ourselves; by taking up our cross every day; and giving our life to him.

Jesus asks each one of us, “Who do you say that I am?” How do you answer?

Y’all be good, y’all be holy. Amen

The Sin of Whatever - Reflection 11th Sunday OT-C

The Sin of Whatever

2 Sam 12:7-10,13;  Ps 32:1-2, 5,7,11; Gal 2:16,19-21;  Lk 7:36-8:3

A teacher trying to teach self-esteem to her students stands in front of her class and asks a question. Does anyone in here think they are dumb? She is happy, when no one immediate stands up. However, slowly in the back of the class one young man stands up. The teacher asks, “Mikey do you really think you're dumb?” Mikey answers “No ma’am, but I didn’t want you to be standing up all by yourself.”

Mikey had empathy, the ability to share and understand the feelings of others. The opposite of empathy is apathy or indifference.

Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel wrote: “The opposite of love is not hate. It’s indifference. …. The opposite of faith is not heresy. It’s indifference. And, the opposite of life is not death. It’s indifference.” Wiesel, an agnostic, was unsure about God: but, he knew about sin.

The greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And  Love your neighbor as yourself.” Apathy or indifference are the opposite of this commandment.

These are the response to love as “whatever.” Indifference is rejecting God. Apathy is turning your heart from God, from others, and towards yourself. It’s rejecting the concern of others.

David was King. He was guilty of indifference. David took Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite’s wife, and killed Uriah with the sword of the Ammonites. David did this because he could, he was King. David's response to the Laws of God and concern for Bathsheba and Uriah was “whatever.”

In this David realizes he has sinned against God. He begs for the mercy of God. God forgives.

God also forgives in the story of the sinful woman. He forgives even those with the greatest sins; but, who is Jesus talking about in the parable?

Most of us would say it is the sinful woman. She is identified as a sinful woman. But, look at her heart, it was contrite. She knew she was a sinner and threw herself at the mercy of Jesus. She showed great love. She gave her heart and her life to Jesus.

My argument is that the Pharisee was the greatest sinner. He followed the Law, but he seemed to forget the greatest commandment.

The Pharisee did not show love for Jesus, by welcoming him with a kiss, water to wash his feet, and an anointing of oil. The Pharisee was apathetic; he had judged Jesus.

He had done the same with the woman. The Pharisee was dedicated to the Law. He probably walked past her daily, not even acknowledging her existence. To him, she did not exist. And, at the same time, because of the times, because of cultural norms, because men and women, rich and poor were held to different standards, the Pharisee may have knew she was a sinful woman by his sins.

To both Jesus and the woman, the attitude of the Pharisee and those in the room was indifference. They were indifferent to love and the greatest commandment.

Only the woman knew love and in that love the truth Paul would write about, “We are not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”

The greatest sinner was Simon, the Pharisee who said in reply, "The one who's greater sin was forgiven." Simon did not realize he had the greater sin.

David knew he was a sinner. The woman knew she was a sinner. Paul knew he was a sinner.

The greatest sinner was the Pharisee who was indifferent to his sin.

Look at your life. Examine your conscious with empathy instead of apathy. Sin is not sharing the love and mercy of God. Sin is found at indifference. Sin is not standing up with those who are alone.Sin is not hearing the cry for dignity from the poor, the needy, the sick, and the sinful. 

Now on to confession, but that's another reflection, or is it?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The sin in apathy and indifference is when we cry out from our sin with “Whatever” instead of throwing ourselves at the feet of Jesus and asking for forgiveness and mercy.

Y'all be good, y'all be holy and always preach the gospel by the way your live and love. Amen. 

Homily Reflection - Road to Beautiful - 10th Sunday OT C

Road to Beautiful

1 Kings 17:17-24; Galatians 1:11-14a,15ac,16a,17,19; Luke 7:11-17

Jesus, his disciples, and the multitude that followed him headed towards the city of Nain.  

Nain has two meanings: green pastures and beautiful. Those are images I like. The Lord is my shepherd; he leads me to green pastures. Those who know Jesus are on the road to Beautiful. Amen.

Instead of Nain, I will use the word Beautiful.

At the gates of Beautiful, two processions come upon each other. One, a procession of life, follows Jesus. A large crowd does not know Jesus and follows death away from the gates to Beautiful; away from green pastures.

In those days, people avoided the dead. The dead were unclean. Today, if we come upon a funeral procession, we pull to the side of the road and let it pass. It’s a habit. Maybe, the pious among us will offer a prayer.

We don’t know the people. We don’t reach out to them. That’s not Jesus.

Jesus has compassion for the widow. Jesus shows mercy.

The Lord saw the widow and moved in grace and power. He brought life to replace death. He bore hope instead of fear. He gave everything needed to turn that procession around and with joy in their hearts return to the gates to Beautiful!

Jesus’ compassion is the mercy of God, mercy for those trapped in hopeless and helpless situations.

The widow was in a hopeless and helpless situation. She was in a desperate time having buried her husband and burying her only son. She was a wreck.

She’s not alone in being hopeless and helpless. You will be like this. I will be like this. There is going to be sometime we find ourselves in a desperate position. That’s life. We should appreciate this widow.

Jesus comes to her. She doesn’t go to him. The widow doesn’t ask for help. Jesus sees her and comes to her. Jesus didn’t move to the side and let the funeral and this widow pass. Jesus sees her need and goes out of his way to come to her. 

Jesus touched the coffin, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” That’s what Jesus does. He touches dead people and brings them life.

Even though Jesus revitalized that young man from a physical death, He didn’t come to abolish physical death but to abolish spiritual death. Jesus touched so many more than just that young man. The people cried God has visited his people.

Rising from physical death we die again. When we rise from spiritual death, we have eternal life. Jesus brings us out of death into eternal life. The presence of the Lord brings life.  

Just like the presence of Christ brought Paul to new life. Paul wasn’t looking for Jesus. Paul was trying to destroy Christ’s church. The world made Paul spiritually dead and Christ Jesus saved Paul bringing him to new life.

In the same way we are called to be Christians. The world can make us spiritually dead. Christ comes to us, in the mass, in the Eucharist, in his body and blood. He brings eternal life. We are to be like Jesus.

A parent is bringing a child to school. The parent, a doctor, has a stethoscope on the seat of the car. The child picks it up. With pride the parent thinks, my child is on the road to being a doctor. The child puts it on and then using it like a microphone says, “Welcome to McDonalds. May I take your order?”

If we are on the road to beautiful, with Jesus, the disciples and the great multitude, then reach out to those traveling in the opposite way. We are to bring them the life giving presence of Jesus.

The scripture tells us what to do to bring people to new life. Pray like Elijah. Pray fervently for those on the path to death and darkness. Share the gospel like Paul. The gospel will reveal Christ to those who hear it and believe.

Those who know Jesus are on the road to Beautiful.

Y’all be good. Y’all be holy. Preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.