She Didn't Even Flinch - Reflection for the Solemnity Mary Mother of God

She Didn’t Even Flinch

Readings

Instincts are the behaviors that exist in all living things. They are gifts of God to creation. By instinct, newly hatched sea turtles go to the sea. Honeybees dance in the direction of food. Spiders spin webs and birds build nest by instinct.  

People have instincts too. Human instincts are fear, anger, shyness, and curiosity and many more. Another instinct is infant for mother and mother for child. Proven by scientist, the maternal instinct is hard-wired into the brain.  

There is another instinct that is shared by both animal and human. It is the fight-or-flight instinct. The instinctive response to the unknown danger is to run away or fight. It insures survival.

Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God who faced the unknown and didn’t even flinch. She didn’t run away from God or fight against God when the angel gave her the most shocking news of the Annunciation.

Everything happening to her was scary. It promised punishment and even death. She should have been in flight or fight mode. But, her reaction was calm. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

In today’s gospel, the wild men came, shepherds. They were not the most desirable of people. They lived in the wild. They were ragged and unkempt. They were coarse and unmannerly. They smelled like sheep.

The Blessed Virgin Mary didn’t even flinch when they came running to the infant lying in the manger, shouting fanatics praising and glorifying God. "…they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds."

She reacted calmly, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

She didn’t flinch, She was full of grace. She was full of God’s grace. And yet, she had another gift from God, the grace of a mother’s instinct, the impulse to love and protect her child.

This is the way Our Lord God, Jesus Christ entered our world. He could have come in other ways. He could have come as a full grown man. Yet, He freely chose Mary to be his mother and he was her Son. He dwelt in Mary’s womb, nursed at her breasts, was held in her arms, sat on her lap and entrusted his life to her care.

Today is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. It is mostly a Catholic thing, but it should be celebrated by all Christians.

As Christians, we want to be like Jesus. Jesus loved, honored, and respected Mary. All believers should love, honor, and respect Mary as well.  As a child Jesus was entrusted to Mary’s care so we could all know God. 

Paul writes, “God sent his Son born of a woman …so that we might receive adoption….  As proof that you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.“

Many Christians flinch when Catholics talk of Mary. Mary who they agree is the mother of Christ; Jesus Christ who they agree is God. Because of these, Mary is the Mother of the Church. These are part of our faith.  

If you do not honor Mary, asks yourself why? Scripture says every generation will call Mary blessed because God who is mighty has done great things for her. (Luke 1:48-49)  Why don’t you call her blessed as the Bible says?

Worship belongs to God alone. To worship Mary is a sin, but to honor Mary and give her the respect that she deserves is to be like Christ.  

Mary is Jesus’ mother, the Mother of the Christ who is God. In all  this she didn’t even flinch. The Lord blessed her. The Lord let his face shine upon her. The Lord gave her peace.

We honor Mary because she was the first to know God through the presence of the Christ. She was the first Christian.

You too are called to be a Christian, but do you flinch?

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

Feast of the Holy Innocents - Reflection

Feast of Holy Innocents  (12/28/2016)

(readings)

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.

Do those words make sense for the Feast of the Holy Innocents?  I had to think hard about that this morning.

Because  in the Gospel, the light of God was not in Herrod’s actions. The light of God is not in any of the actions that threaten innocence.

So many people today, use evil and suffering in the world to doubt the existence of God. How can this happen? If there is a God how can the darkness of evil exist in the world? Darkness, lies, and evil exists and it pulls people from the light, truth, and goodness of God.

In reality we who believe know that this is proof that God exists. Science supports it by Newton Third Law. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  

Where there is light there is darkness. Where there is good there is evil.  Where there is absolute truth there is absolute lies.  We are born free to choose light or darkness, truth or lies, and good or evil.  We are free to live the actions of God or live the darkness of the evil one.

Darkness, lies, and evil exists. Today, when innocence is threatened by abortion, genocide, or euthanasia the darkness in the world gets darker. When personal innocence is attacked by rape, abuse, or violence, our light is dimmed. When the world is attacked by the lies and evil of terrorism, war, and murder that the evil one can justify in humanity then the darkness gets stronger. Innocence is slaughtered. The truth, goodness, justice, dignity, and peace that is the light of God that existed in the innocence is extinguished. But, the light of the innocent will remain if we remember them.

And most of us stay in the middle of the road, because the light of Christ is not strong enough in us to fight the evil. To strengthen the light of truth come to it through prayer, the sacraments, and fortify the light in you by the Body and Blood of Christ.

Believers strengthen our flame. Stand up for the innocent. It is our mission to shine the light of God in Christ on the darkness that abounds in the world.

We will always be like Rachael sobbing and weeping for the death of the innocent; yet in the cloud of our tears. we are called out of Egypt to be the light of Christ in the world. Amen.

Perfect Gift - A Christmas Reflection

Perfect Gift

Christmas Vigil Readings

Our children brought us a special gift tonight as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and wise men. They told the Nativity story reminding us that Jesus is the gift God has given to the world.

Sometimes, we can forget the gifts we get. How many remember your Christmas presents from last year or the year before? A lot of things happen and we can forget about the gifts; even when the gift is from someone special.

We read the names in Jesus’ family from Abraham to Joseph. These were God’s chosen people. Even in this special relationship, they seemed to forget God’s gift to them.

The first person named was Abraham. God promised him descendants numerous as the stars in the sky. God would be with them and make them a great nation. God asked that they remember his gift and carry out his wishes.

Many years passed. Everyday life happened and people forget; but, God didn’t forget His promise.

God raised up David as the King of Israel. David was a man after God’s own heart and carried out God’s wishes. God promised one of King David’s descendants would be the greatest King, the messiah, and the anointed one of God. God just wanted Israel to remember His gift and carry out His wishes.

Many years passed. Everyday life happened and new Kings and people did not follow God’s wishes. They forgot God’s gift. But, God didn’t forget His promise.

God honored his promise and sent the perfect gift, Jesus. Sadly, people had fallen asleep and forgotten God’s promise. Even, Joseph fell asleep.

God sent an Angel to Joseph in a dream. The Angel told Joseph of God’s promise to be fulfilled through the Holy Spirit in Mary. She will have a child. Take her into you home. Protect her and protect the child.

This was no ordinary child. It was God’s perfect gift. He was Jesus, God saves us, the gift of God’s salvation. This child was the promise of Emmanuel which means God is with us. This child was love and hope for the better. He was God’s mercy brought to the world. He was God become man for you and me.

Then, Joseph woke up. He woke up to God’s gift. He understood the love of carrying out God’s wishes.

Maybe we should shout: Wake-up everyone! God has become man for you and me. Wake-up, all you who are sleep…. God is with us.

God’s gift is Himself. God’s gift was in his promise to Abraham. It was in his promise to David. God’s wish was for the people to accept His gift and love Him.

The Bible tells us, “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father ….” God the Father sent Jesus, the perfect gift so we would know God is with us.

God’s wish is  for us to have God and Jesus in our life. God’s wish is for us to realize - God is with us.

The children’s presentation of the nativity was a gift to us. We may forget earthly presents, but by this story always remember Jesus.

We can be the nativity in everyday life by the way we live, act, and love God. We can be like angels singing praise to God. We can be like shepherds coming to worship him. We can be like the wise men bringing gifts of ourselves to God.

In all these things, never forget God’s perfect gift, Jesus.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Called to Be.... - Reflection 4th Sunday Advent

Called to Be ....

Readings 4^th Sunday Advent

A dear friend pulled me aside one Sunday after mass and said “Bill have you ever thought about becoming a Deacon?” That question began discernment on the plan God had for me.

Discernment is an interesting thing. It’s hearing God speak to your heart; “I have a plan for you, trust me.” And, asking “What does God want of me?”

Discernment is self-discovery of Christ - Emmanuel, God is with us.

I knew Him as my Lord and savior. I knew He forgave me my sins. I knew He was always there; but, I had to ask the question. “Do I want to be holy or do I want to be bad?”

That is the story of King Ahaz. The Lord called out to Ahaz. I have a plan for you. Ahaz faced the choice, follow God’s plan or follow my own. Ahaz's problem was he didn't want Isaiah’s prophesying. God’s plan intruded on what he wanted to do. Rejecting the Lord, Ahaz became a weak and idolatrous king. His story did not end well.

Joseph had a similar choice. Follow God’s plan or follow his own. Joseph’s problem was his betrothed was with child. He had to make a choice. He had to discern what was right and Joseph was a righteous man.

If Joseph divorced Mary publicly, he would expose the unwed and pregnant girl. According to the Law, she would be stoned. If he married her they both could be disgraced. He decided to divorce her quietly, go to her parents and break the marriage contract. Joseph had plans of his own, and they didn’t include a pregnant woman, a child that was not his, or the whispers, rumors, and laughing behind his back.

An Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his sleep, telling him, “God has a plan for you!” It was not a wakeful moment; the Angel of the Lord spoke to his subconscious, his heart, and his righteousness. Unlike Ahaz, Joseph abandoned his plan and followed God’s.

Joseph’s discernment of God’s plan was important. It was part of how Jesus Christ came to be born.  He knew God’s plan was bigger than his.  They shall call him “Emmanuel, God is with us.”

Paul called himself a slave of Christ Jesus, called to an apostle. We know the story of Paul’s discernment. He had to be blinded for his eyes to be open so he could examine himself and see God’s call. He died to his old self and found new life in Christ.

Jesus once said, “He who would save his life must lose it.”

Discernment is not about being a Priest, a Deacon, or entering a consecrated religious life. God’s plan for each of us is unique as each of us is unique. Each fingerprint is unique so is the way we touch the world. Our love, our holiness, and how we live the Good News is the fingerprint of God’s plan in our lives.

Paul wrote to the Romans about discernment. It was to receive the grace of apostleship; called to belong to Jesus Christ; and called to be holy. He was telling the Romans, “God is with us,” and “Do not be afraid, God has a plan for you.”

Joseph was called to be Jesus earthly father. And he realize Emmanuel, God is with us. When we are distressed by the overwhelming task of bringing God’s plan of compassion and justice to those in need, realize God is with us. When we are worried and desperate, or about to lose hope, God is with us. We discover God is truly with us by choosing to live as we are called to be ...

Prayer is an important part of this choice. By prayer, we open our hearts, minds, and moral conscious to God. Whoever seeks Christ in this way and prays in this way, opens the way for Christ to come again and again.

God will send someone, a prophet or an Angel, whether we recognize them or not. They will tell us, “Do not be afraid, God has a plan for you.”

In my life I’ve had many Angels; one was Chuck Miller. He said “God has a plan for you!” He woke me up to God’s plan.

Called to be ..... Yes, this is how Jesus Christ comes.

Yall be good, yall be holy and live the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

In the Desert, Life is Hard - Reflection 3rd Sunday Advent

In the Desert, Life is Hard

Readings 3rd Sunday Advent

When we think of a desert we think of a dry and barren land. In most cases, we think of a desert as a sea of sand as far as the eye can see. The desert tends to encroach on fertile ground.  

There is a lot of symbolism in the fact that John the Baptist preached in the desert.  John preached to those in a spiritual desert, a dry and barren relationship with God.

The truth is that in the desert, life is hard. 

In today’s gospel, John finds himself in a place worse than the physical desert, Herrod’s prison. Yet, John is still seeking the truth. Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?

Jesus sent this answer: Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

These things Jesus did as he traveled about Galilee. Prophesy John would have preached. Jesus’ answer recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah – “they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.”

“Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God; he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing."

Jesus is the glory and splendor of God. He is bringing the glory and splendor of God to the desert.  

Still today, the world is full of spiritual deserts. The Lumen Gentium (the dogmatic constitution of the Church) states that the pilgrim church bears a likeness to the passing world. The pilgrim church is all of us. Our tiny part of this world reflects the larger world. People struggle with a spiritual desert created by the secular culture. Humanity's spiritual desert is sparse of love and forgiveness.  And in that, our interior life (our tiny part of the world) is trying to be overtaken by a place that is dry and barren of prayer and a relationship with God.

In a spiritual desert, life is hard. 

So, often it is in the desert where God’s salvation is seen. Just like the desert that John preached in and like the spiritual desert that exists in the world today. “Lord, come and save us…” You hear the cry of the poor; the small, the broken, the weak, the needy will be renewed.  

The world is waiting for promised renewal that Isaiah spoke: this desert will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.

That promised renewal is here and has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Even today, that renewal is fulfilled in Christ through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that moves the Church and each of our hearts to fulfill the renewing promise of Christ by our lives here on earth.  

Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. We are to do the work of renewal that God the Father and Christ has entrusted to us. Go and tell what you hear and see … proclaim the good news.

In the good news of Jesus Christ, we find salvation, our true renewal. People hear that the coming of the Lord is at hand, and look somewhere else for renewal in Christ.

Advent is a time of promise and preparation, be patient. The renewal of love and forgiveness has again been made flesh. In the renewal of our salvation, final happiness and healing, rich or poor, is pulled from the desert.

Be patient, brothers and sisters, The LORD God keeps faith forever.

Yall be good, yall be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen

Getting Manly - Reflection 2nd SundayAdvent

Getting Manly

Readings 2^nd Sunday Advent

I’m fixing to get manly.

On a recent podcast of the “The Art of Manliness” the discussion was Why Men Hate Going  to Church.  It explored the reason so few men are active in their Christian faith. It was based on the book by David Morrow.

Mr. Morrow said for most men, the Christian faith is not manly enough.

Feminist protest the Church as patriarchal; but, statistics show different. After the male dominated professions of the ordained clergy, Darrow said seventy-nine percent of church ministry is by women. This positions include administrators, liturgist, outreach ministry, and support employees.

He further states this has cause worship in many churches to become feminine. Worship is horizontal instead of vertical. Vertical is worshiping God, heavenward. However, many churches focused on horizontal worship. Worship of God based on bringing the church to the community, the neighborhood, and to others. Men see this as nurturing, maternal, and feminine. Darrow hypothesizes that calling the Church the “Bride of Christ” alienates men.

He pointed to studies showing men like strength in their worship. An example is songs of the power and might of God that men prefer like Onward Christian Soldiers or A Mighty Fortress is our God. Men want strength and familiar.

The most popular men’s missions are where leadership and bravery stand out. Darrow cited men involved in ministries fighting child trafficking and in war torn areas.

I see that in the example of Fr. Stanley Rother (Archdiocese of Oklahoma) who despite being evacuated from Guatemala returned to bring Christ to the poor. In 1981 at the age of 46, he was killed in the rectory of his church. Fr. Rother is recognized as the first American born martyr of the Church.

In the readings for this Sunday we have strong manly heroes. In Isaiah we are told of the messiah king. He is a king of strength, justice, wisdom and good counsel. He is faithful and in God’s favor.

The Gospel tells us about a real man’s man, John the Baptist.

John is “A voice of one crying out in the desert.” He lived off the land, “John wore clothing of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.”

Isaiah said he would “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John was like a construction worker, a man’s man.

John was a man who didn’t back down. “When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!”   Their boasting didn’t impress John in the least; he told them “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not to say, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”

John was a man’s man; yet, he said “the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” In Romans, Paul says Christ ministers to all.

I’m fixing to get manly. I’m going John the Baptist on you men.

If you’re not at Church because it’s not manly enough, then you are in the vipers den. You’re not bearing good fruit. You’re not being a good leader, good husband, or a good  father. You’re not sharing your faith.

Still not manly enough then listen to these words from scripture, “On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my watchman.” Men, you are the watchman. What a tragedy that souls are lost on your watch.

A real man emulates the man, Jesus Christ. A man finds endurance, encouragement, and hope through the Scriptures; so that God grants harmony in keeping with Christ Jesus.

Maybe that’s what being human is about, man or woman: endurance, encouragement, hope, and harmony. Real men and women of faith are voices preaching in the desert of this world.

The Church needs vocations: priests, deacons, religious men and women. It has been said that many are not Christians for one reason because there is nobody to tell them about Christ, no voice crying out in the desert. Through faith in Christ is the strength to minister to all.

Yall be good, yall be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.