A Good Christian is not Perfect - Healing Prayer Service Reflection - July 27

A Good Christian is not Perfect - Healing Prayer Service Reflection

(Inspired by Fr. Richard  Rohr)

Act on this word. If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves. There is, on the other hand, the man who peers into freedom’s ideal law and abides by it. He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law in practice. Blest will this man be in whatever he does. (James 1:22,25)

To be a good Christian is not about being perfect. Fr. Richard Rohr writes that to be a Christian is to seek union with God. St. James writes - Act on this word. 

This is where we find healing. Take action by professing Christ and claiming his healing.

Act on the word of God. Taking action is the path to union. It is entirely different from being perfect. A union with God creates a very different person in of us. It brings us patience, forgiveness, and compassion. It integrates us into God’s will. 

That is so different than what the world wants. The world wants to bring us into the world’s will. In our perfection we can solve our own problems, heal ourselves. It's an appeal to our ego that is actually a self-defeating search for perfection in ourselves.

We can never realize perfection. When people realize they’ll never be perfect in their ego, they give up on God. No one can be perfect except the one who was born perfect, Jesus Christ. Yet, through him, all can find union with God.

Union knows God's compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and freedom. The man who peers into freedom’s ideal law and abides by it is blest in whatever he does. We know God by union with God. We know God by participation in God. We know God through Christ, prayers, and sacraments. 

We know God in our imperfection, trials, and our suffering. Act on this word. Seek union with God in our imperfection. Because, we will never come to know God seeking our own perfection.

St. Therese of Liseaux wrote, "Jesus, … unite me so closely with you that you live and act in me."

Achieving union with God is our ultimate healing. Take action by professing Christ and claiming his healing. Act on this word.

Amen

It Began as Movie Night

18th Sunday 

It began as movie night. Our Pastor, my son-in law, my future son-in-law, and I enjoyed a man’s night with pizza, beer and a sci-fi movie. Father picked the movie. Then he asked us to critique it.

I had never seen the movie. But, my life experiences, theology, and the Sociology of Film (Dr. Frank Forwood, NLU), helped me to develop a critical eye. I had a good idea of the movie’s theme.

Here is a quick synopsis: a scientist creates a life-like robot with artificial intelligence. It is either a re-telling of the creation story or Frankenstein. The inventor becomes to believe he is god because of his man-made invention. The creature rejects all this.

The next day, we exchanged comments on the film’s symbolism. I felt the movie was a critique of man-made religion. The conversation stopped; I hope I didn't offended.

My thought was that in our vanity, we replace God’s ideal with our own ideas. That is our man-made invention, an artificial intelligence.

This Sunday’s readings begin: Vanity of vanities. All things are vanity. The readings focus on our need for possessions and belongings. Replacing God’s ideal with our stuff.

Why do we need so much stuff? We get stuff and then try to figure out what’s missing so we can get more stuff. As we get more stuff, we lose ourselves to our stuff. Our ministry becomes obtaining more. It becomes our religion guided by the need for more stuff. There we lose our freedom and our self.

“This is vanity and a great misfortune.”

Our want for stuff becomes our perception of God. People justify what they desire. Even saying it is God’s will. It arises out of ego’s vanity, pride, and desire. The accretion of belongings is a desire for glory in this world.

It is not God. It is man-made. It is our artificial intelligence. It is more stuff.

This week a radio preacher preached that nuclear weapons were a club God had given the US to punish other countries and groups in the world.

A national discussion group for Permanent Deacons discusses the need to carry guns on the altar. Proponents say “Jesus healed the centurion’s servant and didn’t condemn him.” And “There are saints who were soldiers.” Brother deacons, remember the centurion’s words, “I am not worthy….”

The deacon’s ministry is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to love, and serve others. The love that is God, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not written on a club or the butt of a gun.  Love is not preached by nuclear weapons.  Christ is not found in our stuff, possessions, or belongings. It is not in our pride and glory. These things are not rich in what matters to God.

Despite what we say we believe, too many try to create our time on earth in our image. Instead, we should pray, teach us to number our days right that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Pray for God’s help to realize our vanity. Our vanity “stuffs” our ego. We make ourselves gods in a false religion. We worship and desire a life of full of possessions. But, though we are rich, life does not consist of possessions.  

Paraphrasing St. Paul: Stop lying to yourself, take off the old self and its practices and put on the new self. Put on the image of the Creator….Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory…. Christ is all and in all.

Many live in vanity. They believe in man-made artificial intelligence and ignore God’s ideal. As God’s creation, we need to reject our vanity. 

Seek what is above.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote "Jesus, draw me into the flames of your love…, Unite me so closely with you that you live and act in me."

Despite our vanity and by the love of Christ, God lives in us. It is by God’s mercy that all returns to love.

My prayer as always is Y’all be good, y’all be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Not by Army - Homily Reflection 17th Sunday OT

In the days of the prophet Zechariah, Israel was a broken country.  The people felt helpless, “How do we bring our people together? How do we bring God back to his people?”

The Lord answered, “Not by an army, nor by might, but by my spirit.” (Zec 4:6)

These words pointed to the one born of the Holy Spirit. It was prophesy of the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. It foretold of the one the disciples asked to teach them to pray.

And, Jesus taught them these words:

Hallowed be your name…Your kingdom come…Give us our daily bread… Forgive us our sins…Allow us to forgive

He taught petitions asking God to be glorified and asking for the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus gave us these words to ask for our existence in dignity, for forgiveness and the ability to forgive.

Today, the loudest voices deny these petitions. Instead they promote a broken country like Israel in the time of Zechariah. Some call it doomed like Sodom and Gomorrah.

In that exists society’s anxiety; every day more hate and injustice are thrown at us. People are alone, agitated, and panicked. They feel a desperate need to do something. But, most feel helpless.

We are never helpless. Jesus taught us to pray! Ask him to teach us to pray together. It can make a difference.

In college, my daughter was in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Its members were from all over the United States and even the World.

For 4 years, she was to be asked to pray. The Protestant members lead beautiful spontaneous prayers; she felt her Catholic prayers would be inadequate.

I told her, “Don’t worry. Just pray, the God will put words in your heart.”

No one asked her to pray, until her senior year. She was so nervous; she opened her heart and prayed. These beautiful words came “Our Father, who art in heaven…” All the Catholic athletes joined her; so did everyone else. The only time in four years everyone joined as one voice in prayer.

That group of young people prayed for love of Christ. They were all different: sports, cultures, skin colors, accents, and even denomination. They came together in the prayer Jesus taught.

Things will change not by army, nor by might, but by the Holy Spirit of God.

It’s true we have problems in our country and the world. Problems caused by the pain of injustice. Pain is something that all of God’s living creatures try to avoid. Even plants try to avoid the pain of fire.

People always find some way to avoid pain; some by army or some by might and some by the Holy Spirit.

One is by army; conquer the pain of injustice with a fight. Fight injustice, oppressors, bad people, and many times anybody not like us. Attack, feel righteous and heroic.

Another is by might. People achieve might by having some power over someone else. Those hurting often use blame to achieve this power. Everyone is guilty; pain transfers by guilt.

The way to end the pain of injustice is the Holy Spirit; glorifying God, working for his kingdom, and working for equality and dignity of all. Pain is conquered by joining hands and hearts in prayer. With bowed heads and clasped hands, people cannot fight or point fingers. Erase pain by forgiving and asking for forgiveness. Open our hearts to our loving God, the source of justice, dignity, and the end of pain.

Open our hearts, ask the questions Abraham asked.

In our Police departments, sadly some own hateful hearts and should not be police officers. But, will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? What if there are 50 righteous people? Will you spare them?

What about the protests and actions of people? Sadly, some only want mayhem. What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole because of those five?

What about our country’s leaders? “What if there are at least ten righteous persons there?" 

How will we bring our people together? How do we bring God back? Are we helpless?

We are never helpless. Never give us hope. Jesus taught us to pray! Do as Jesus taught, bow our heads. Clasp our hands, and join in one voice to pray to our God, ask for what we need.  We are raised through faith in the power of God.  

There are more people joined in prayer than are rioting in the streets. More are praying for those hurt than there are those who propose violence. Our prayers display God’s grace. Pray that by grace, hurt becomes the opportunity for healing. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Not by army, nor by might, but by the Holy Spirit, these words point to our savior, Jesus Christ, the one who brings life and forgiveness of all our transgressions.

My prayer as always is be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Prayer in Times of Violence & Fear

Listen to the Prayer

~ From a collection of Prayers for Times of National and International Crisis and Tragedy - Posted on the PCUSA website

Almighty, all-merciful God,

through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another,
to love our neighbors as ourselves,
and even to love our enemies.
In times of violence and fear,
let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,
so that we may not be overcome with evil
but overcome evil with good.
Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace
you have shown us in Christ.
Put away the nightmares of terror
and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation.
Establish among us a future where peace reigns,
justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled.
We ask these things in the name
and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Mercy Seat - Reflection 16th Sunday OT - C

The Mercy Seat

In the book of Exodus the Lord says He will meet the people in a place above the covenant he has given, this is the Mercy Seat. Those words describe the Ark of the Covenant.

Today we live under the new covenant in Jesus Christ. In the new covenant, God has given us the place that is above the old covenant, a Mercy Seat found in the real presence of Jesus Christ.

Jesus says: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  

Mary sat quietly at his feet, nurturing the presence of the Lord being aware, focused, and enjoying Christ’s presence. The best thing is what Mary had. The best thing is being in the Lord’s presence.

Martha was busy. Without the presence of Christ in our life, we tend to be anxious and worried about things. What Martha was doing was important, but, the presence of Christ Jesus is the better part.

Abraham welcomed three traveling strangers. Showing hospitality, Abraham busies himself in welcoming them. Maybe, he gets too busy. Soon, his busyness comes to an end and he realized there was something more to these visitors. Abraham was in the presence of the Lord.

Saint Paul knew the mystery of Christ’s presence. He writes, “It is Christ in you, the hope for glory.” He called it the mystery of Christian life; the presence of Christ in us. The presence of Christ in us is the seat of God’s mercy. Apostles and disciples have preached this mystery to the world; yet, many people still do not know.

I saw two couples at lunch a while back. A young couple sat at a table not saying a word, eyes and fingers glued to their cellphones. So focused on their phones, if one left, the other might not notice.

What they were missing was at another table where an elderly couple sat, each in their eighties. The wife appeared frail and was having trouble with her food. Without a word, the husband reached to cut her food, wipe her mouth, or help with her glass. They did not say a word, but, was totally aware, focused, and enjoying each other’s presence. They nurtured with their presence. Neither wanted the other to leave.

One of these couples knows God’s testimony. One lives in Christ’s presence. One knows God’s mercy seat.

The Lord’s presence was not hidden from the other couple, but they were unaware of anything but their anxious and worry of their busyness.

We fall short of the Mercy Seat by not being aware, focused, and enjoying Christ’s presence in our lives. Christ’s presence is the testimony of God. It is at the place that he meets us where we know right from wrong, where the root of our conscious exists, and where love and justice begins. This is where we go for the problems of the world because it is written “He who does justice lives in the presence of the Lord.” (Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5)

The young couple in the restaurant, Martha, and even the busy Abraham are like most of us; too busy in the world and the world’s expectations to be in the presence of the Lord.

Realize the Lord’s presence is with us and in us. Be like Mary of Bethany totally focused on Christ. Be like Abraham and realize the presence of God in your life.

The best thing in the world is to be in Christ’s presence. Jesus told Martha, “There is need for only one thing and Mary has chosen the better.” Mary chose the Mercy Seat.

I saw in that older couple in the restaurant, the presence of Christ. It was His presence in their relationship. It was His presence in their witness to the world. Surely, Christ has used them to change hearts of many.

How do I know? I saw them invite His presence. Their shaking hands joined in prayer, they asked God’s blessing over their food, each other, and thanked God for His mercy.    

Bring Christ to your family and others. Be a witness of Christ’s presence to our community and the world. Open your hearts to his presence. Welcome Christ’s presence and give him all that you are.

The world has problems. In the past couple of weeks we have seen violence, hate, and injustice. So many are busy, anxious, and worried looking out there to solve the problem.

Instead, be quiet. Sit at the feet of Jesus and focus on Christ’s presence in our lives and in us. It brings us to a place more than the commandments. It brings us to a place more than what the world says is right or wrong. Christ presence is in that place God put in us. Realize Christ is the seat of God’s mercy.

Be quiet; enjoy the presence of the Lord in your life. Choose the better part. Nurture Christ’s presence. It will change the way we are and that can change the world.  

My hope is we all meet the Lord at his Mercy Seat, the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in our lives. That’s the better part, that’s where the Lord wants us to be.

As always, I pray: Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen

Our Jericho Road - Homily Reflection - 15th Sunday OT

Our Jericho Road

“There once was a man who went down the Jericho Road.” LK 10:25-37

The road between Jerusalem and Jericho was a bad place. Those who traveled the road often experienced danger, violence, suffering, turmoil, and bloodshed. This road was trouble.  

It passes through the Valley of Darkness of the 23^rd Psalm. (Maura Sala, University of Rome, www.bibleodyssey.org) Another location, the Ascent of Blood is where the parable of the Good Samaritan takes place. (www.bible-history.com)

Jesus walked this road and knew these places. Part of the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem was by the Jericho road. Jesus and all who heard this parable knew the Jericho road.

Today, too many people know this road. Justice suffers and a person’s dignity is left dead on Jericho roads in the modern world. Like the original road, these are places of danger, violence, suffering, turmoil, and bloodshed.

This week is evidence that a Jericho road exists in our culture. A Jericho road built with angst, turmoil, and injustice. It is a Jericho road paved daily in violence and bloodshed. Our county’s politics and leaders fund this road in their divisiveness, elitism and condescension towards each other and towards us. Then the road is open to the robbers and bandits that are the anger and hate that has overtaken society.  

Then on top of that each of us traverse the Jericho road when we face the suffering of cancer, mental illness, addiction, or other diseases. On the Jericho road many walk in the Valley of Darkness.

Jericho roads exist because we don’t "Love God, with all your heart, all our being, all our strength, and all our mind, and love our neighbor." LK 10:25-37   We forget God and neighbor.

On TV, no one forgets the neighbor. Do you remember on “I Love Lucy,” Ricky and Lucy’s neighbors were Fred and Ethel. Do you remember on “Seinfeld,” Jerry’s neighbor was Kramer who always came bursting through the door. Do you remember on Home Improvement, Tim “the Toolman” Taylor’s neighbor was the man behind a fence - Wilson.

But in the real world even good people forget their neighbors. In the parable, a Priest and then a Levite came upon the man left for dead. They did as good people of that time were taught.

When I was a small boy walking on the road to school in Gorum, La, we didn’t have robbers or bandits, but, we had free range cattle and open grazing. Cattle gathered on the road and parking lot of the school at night. In the morning this proved a dangerous path to travel for an 8 year old boy. My mother told me, if you come upon a cow patty – leave it alone, don’t touch it, and don’t get close enough that the cow’s mess will jump on you. Stay clean for school.

I was to keep my mind on going to school and forget about being a little boy on a road full of cow patties.

The Priest and Levite were not necessarily bad people. They were just busy on the way of the Jericho road. They were taught leave it alone, don’t touch it, and don’t get close enough for that mess to jump on you. Stay clean for God.

They were to keep their mind on God; so, they forgot to care like God as they traveled the Jericho road.

In the world today, maybe we are doing what we think is right like the Priest and Levite.

Maybe, we are robbers full of anger and violence.

Most of us are the victims on the Jericho road.  

Too few of us are the Samaritan.

Be like the Samaritan, take time to care. We have to stop and take care of those who are hurt. Stepping around the cow patties doesn’t get them off the road. Get dirty, touch the problem, and get close enough so that all that mess jumps on us so we see the issues. Be like the Samaritan, live the gospel. Love God. Love your neighbor.

That is asking a lot for those on the Jericho road. In turmoil, fear, and anger we forget how to love; but, we can learn.

Love is possible in the one who traveled his own Jericho road. Love is possible in Christ. He is before all things and in him all things hold together… making peace by the blood of his cross…” COL 1:15-20

This is the answer the world needs.

By baptism, each of us is called to be the Good Samaritan, to share Christ’s love. He sends the Holy Spirit so that we can share his love, “It is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out." DT 30:10-14

“Who is my neighbor?”  Jesus said, “There once was a man who went down the Jericho Road.” LK 10:25-37

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

A Very Bright Yellow Shirt - Reflection 14th Sunday OT - C

A Very Bright Yellow Shirt

Two hundred forty years ago, the United States declared independence from the English. May we use our freedom responsibly and may God bless the United States of America.

On the second anniversary of our ordination, the local Deacons from our class and their wives had a wonderful dinner and conversation.

We asked Deacon Chris Domingue and his wife Dr. Szu-Wei Domingue about their recent pilgrimage of the Holy Land and Rome. They unpretentiously told of their experience.As the only Deacon, Chris assisted at the masses in these holy ancient churches. He was even privileged to give a homily while in the Holy Land. He and his wife said it as powerful spiritual experience.

One of my regular pilgrimages is to the non-denominational chapel at the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home for the first Friday Mass. In July, a small number of people were gathered (4), but no priest. Father was on retreat; but, we didn’t know.

Our little group had come together to pray and hear the word of the Lord. What good could our little group do? The Lord sent them in pairs to every town and place ahead of him. He said, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” LK 10:1-12, 17-20

The OT reading on that first Friday of July was the prophet Amos who foretold of a famine that would come upon the land. It would be a famine and hunger for God’s word. AM 8:4-6, 9-12

So, not wanting to feed that famine, we had a Liturgy of the Word. I didn’t have my deacon’s alb; I was dressed for the summer - shorts and safety yellow shirt, sandals on my feet. I hoped I wasn’t being disrespectful.  

Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; LK 10:1-12, 17-20

I thought if I’m to share the word of God don’t worry about my shorts and very bright highlighter yellow shirt.  We should please others and not worry about ourselves. “For even Christ did not please himself.” rm 15:2-3

In a very bright yellow shirt, I had a humbling but powerful spiritual experience. I was living my ordination. Go out, preach the Gospel, and prepare the way without money bag, sack, and only the sandals on your feet. LK 10:1-12, 17-20

The 72 came back, proud and rejoicing. "Lord, even the demons are subject to us..." Jesus rebuked them, “do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." LK 10:1-12, 17-20

Being a Christian is not about me. We are to instruct others and build them up. We build others up by sharing the good news of the Lord and praying over them in the name of Jesus. In these things they find the abundance of God’s mercy.

It is God’s mercy that Isaiah describes in terms of a mother’s love.  He compares it to a nursing mother; a mother who comforts her child. IS 66:10-14C Many seek His mercy.

Christians, be vessels of God’s mercy, build up our brothers and sisters. This builds up Christ’s church; a Church hungry for the preaching of the word of God. The Church is hungry for our prayers. The Church looks for our good example of heart and voice glorifying God.

Our example is built in Jesus Christ, who didn’t think of Himself but of others. Jesus’ life wasn’t about Himself. Jesus’ life was to please God. It should be the same with us.

We may never preach in the Holy Land were Jesus walked. But, we preach every day in the holy place Jesus sends us. That holy place may be a nursing home, a hospital, a homeless shelter, or the streets of our town. In the name of Jesus, you can work miracles.

Never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. GAL 6:14-18

Have a  blessed July 4th.
Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.