Love is a Gracious Act - Reflection 13th Sunday OT

(Readings)

Love is a Gracious Act and on this Independence Day, it is disappointing to look at this country and to not see that most gracious act abound.

Most people try to live good lives; but, the voices we hear on television and in the media disappoint. They disappoint us in the failure to respect the dignity of every person and the promotion of disappearing civility.

They validate it by screams about injustice.

Disappointing because does this screaming and challenge against injustice come from love or hate? It is in the lack of civility and disrespect of others that hate raises its ugly head.

All this ugliness cannot be for love; because “Love is a gracious act.”

It is not the President’s actions in doing what he thinks is right or a senators opinion and rhetoric or a restaurant owners bigotry and prejudice manifest in their refusal to serve someone or a celebrity’s vitriol expressed as expertise in things they know nothing about that is the problem.

It is not about one person or their actions. It is about the essence of this age that permeates society.

Its essence is not love.  

Its essence is not a gracious act.

It’s really not an essence; it’s a stink - the stink of discontent and hate. You cannot help anyone from that place.

To understand the down trodden, the poor, the immigrant, the refugee, the person who is not like us, and to love them, you have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Forget yourself and become them. To excel in the gracious act that is love, our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

The discontent and hate we have seen are not new. The acts of using innocents, yelling and screaming, and name calling are tried and true rules of radicalism.

In 1971, Saul Alinsky, who is considered the founder of modern community organizers, wrote the book, “Rules for Radicals” giving guidance for social unrest. Guidance realized in arguments and screams of radical protesters. He wrote: 

• Increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty, fabricate events to agitate, disrupt and ultimately destroy.
• Make the enemy live up to the rules. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all the rules.
• Ridicule is a most potent weapon. There is no defense.
• Push a negative hard enough, it will become a positive.

On the dedication page of Alinsky’s book, is this “let us not forget the original radical, Lucifer, who gained his own kingdom….”

Lucifer won his own kingdom when he was thrown from heaven and fell to earth.  God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. These things entered the world by the envy of the devil, and they who belong to his company experience it.  

Lucifer, the fallen angel we call the devil, is not about love but pride.

For those shouting the loudest, it’s not about love. And, none of this is about charity. It’s not about loving your neighbor or welcoming a stranger. Neither is it about feeding the hungry, nor clothing the naked. For those shouting the loudest, it is not about what is right, it is about pride.

Shouting to agitate, disrupt, destroy through insecurity, anxiety, and uncertainty is not about love.

Ridicule is not about love. Changing wrong into right is not about love.

Love is willing the good of others. If the activist are truly working to will the good of other (to love of those who need our love), why are they making so much noise?

It doesn’t take crowds. It doesn’t take a lot of noise. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping?  And they ridiculed him.

Then with those who really loved, the father, mother, and those who were with him, He entered the room. Taking the child by the hand and said to her, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

The love of Christ is reaching out to others.

The woman who was bleeding was forgotten by all the noise. Those smarter than the rest of us, yet the problem only grew worse. She knew Jesus was the answer, “If I can only touch his clothes!”

Many reach to touch the clothes of our country; so, the power of freedom, opportunity, and love flow to them. But in reality, are they forgotten by all the noise?

Jesus is the answer. All that is needed is for us to bring the loving touch of Christ to those who need it the most.

By faith, the power of the love of Christ moves through us. We can feel it, others can feel it, and it heals.

Never forget, Love is a gracious act. Be good, be holy and be gracious by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

*See Al Perotta's Article The Red Hen, the Death of Southern Hospitality and the Spirit of Destruction (https://stream.org/red-hen/)

Homily on ACTS Retreats - Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

(Readings)

This was a beautiful day. It has been a great weekend and a month to remember in the Diocese of Shreveport. Saturday, was the ordination to transitional deacon of Keven Muse. It seems yesterday he was a baby faced underclassmen at Catholic Campus Ministry telling me he was considering the priesthood.

Earlier this month, Bishop Ducca ordained Fr. Duane Trombetta and celebrated the first profession of vows for Sister Heather to The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. Next Thursday is the fourth year anniversary of the ordination of my deacon class. Our Diocese is joyous in these events.

This weekend is also the kickoff for the Men’s August ACTS Retreat.

That brings to mind the Army recruitment slogan from years past, "The Army is looking for a few good men." You probably would get in trouble for saying that in today's world. 

But I can say this with confidence, God is looking for a few good men (and women and young adults); a few good souls to complete the work of His kingdom. God has called people, great and small alike, like John the Baptist and the prophets to proclaim his Kingdom. God continues to call us today.

The prophet Isaiah’s words, The LORD called me from birth; from my mother's womb… God spoke to Jerimiah: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you….. This weekend, one of young man answered the call of God to carry on his kingdom.  Our own, now Deacon Kevin Muse is a prophet of God called to this modern world.

But if truth is known he calls all. He has called people throughout history. He is calling you. Maybe not to the priesthood or the diaconate or a consecrated religious life; but, God is calling to you. God asks each of us to proclaim his kingdom come.

You’re looking at me and saying, “Deacon I can’t do that I have no talent or gift of any kind.” No one say they have no gift, no talent or is so poor or weak that they cannot give what they have to God. God asks for what you have and that is who you are.  

It is natural to be hesitant, maybe afraid.

That is the story of Zachariah. An Angel of God appears to Zachariah and said God in his mercy and grace was bestowing a son to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth. This caused Zachariah to be troubled and afraid. He and Elizabeth were old and barren. He did not believe and Zachariah was made mute for his doubt.

After mass we are going to have someone tells us about the Men’s ACTS Retreat to be held in August.  It will be natural to be hesitant, maybe afraid. But the ACTS retreat or someone you meet there may be your angel.

One thing about the ACTS retreat, it is like what the Angels said about John – filled with the Holy Spirit

Men and women who have attended an ACTS retreat will tell you it is a Spirit filled experience.  And, when the Holy Spirit is present, something always happens. Where the Holy Spirit is, things are never at a standstill. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength to achieve holiness in our everyday lives.

And this was St. John’s life. Filled with the Holy Spirit, John heralded the coming of Christ by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

God doesn’t call us all to be a John the Baptist. He calls everyone from where they are. He calls leaders like David. He calls prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. God calls everyday people, all imperfect sinners. Abraham denied his wife. Moses killed a man. Noah was a drunkard. Peter denied Christ, three times. Paul  persecuted his Church. Mark ran away. He even calls people who think their best days are past like Zachariah and Elizabeth.

He calls us in who we are to proclaim His Kingdom. 

That is what ACTS is about. ACTS stands for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. In those we worship, praise, and proclaim his kingdom. ACTS is a way for us to work for God in who we are as men, women, and teens.

My friends, God’s work is not done by walking into a church. Gods work is done by walking out and helping others. God needs people to bring His forgiveness and His mercy to the world.

That can cause us trouble and fear because it is outside our comfort zone.

Going to an ACTS retreat may be outside our comfort zone. Yet, outside our comfort zone is where Jesus asks us to live and work and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Anyone who follows Jesus – loves. That is uncomfortable to the rest of the world. The world makes it uncomfortable for us.

The love of Christ is not a superficial sentiment. It is an attitude of the heart. We demonstrate that attitude when we live as He wants us to live.

But the world calls to us in worldly things. The people said his name would be Zachariah.

Elizabeth said “No, his name is John.”

The world never gives up trying pull you away from God. Then the people went to Zachariah asking what the child’s name would be.

God always call us to be his own. And he said, “His name is John.” And immediately his voice returned to bless God by giving praise and thanksgiving.

God is looking for good people, men and women to proclaim his kingdom. Christian believers living to accomplish what Jesus taught: praising God, sharing, serving, and loving our neighbors.

That’s what ACTS is about. Ask someone who has been to an ACTS retreat. They will tell you it was not what they expected. They didn’t think they needed to go.

Eight other deacon candidates and I thought we didn’t need to go. It changed us for the better.  Even, Fr. Rothell Price, who has been part of several ACTS retreats, says the spiritual benefit he received has been off the chart every time. These are spiritual benefits can prepare us for the Kingdom of God.

A friend, a senior in High School, is entering the military after graduation from High School. The recruiter told him to lose 20 pounds, attend regular recruitment meetings, graduate, and prepare for the aptitude test. For the military to be his future, he must change his life and keep that change alive.  

We say we want the Kingdom of God. Are we preparing for that wonderful place? What are we doing to build God’s kingdom? The ACTS retreat can put us on a path of growth and strength in spirit to answer God’s call.

Scripture tells us seek the Lord in prayer, He is the one who has called us. Congratulations Transitional Deacon Kevin Muse, Fr. Duane Trombetta, and Sister Heather, you heard God’s call; Happy Anniversary my brother Deacons.

For the rest, we must be open to God’s call. Grow in strength and spirit. Consider the ACTS retreat.

Live in the goodness and holiness found in the love of Christ, grow strong in the Holy Spirit, and you will preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

It’s not Mustard Greens - Homily Reflection 11th Sunday OTA

Readings

Inspired by a CH Spurgeon message

Happy Father's Day, and to all you Mothers, thank you for putting up with us.

Everybody has gotten their gardens planted; the farmers’ fields are full of growth. Today scripture tells us about planting the shoots on the high mountain and scattering seed to harvest the fruit.

Then there is the parable of a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds. In my youth, I pictured mustard green seeds. Mustard greens have the tiniest seeds, but they don’t grow into trees. It’s not mustard greens.

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

Christ is the seed in me. The Christ in me is preaching the gospel, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. It is sowing and scattering the seed to others. Remember, the truest way to preach the gospel is in the way we live our lives and love each other.

We do not do this for fame and honor. The parable tells that one planting the seed is unknown. “A mustard seed is sown in the ground.” All it takes is someone to sow one seed.

This is proclaiming the Good News. Not doing it for fame and fortune or testimonial plaques on the wall. It is just living good and holy everyday lives sowing the seeds of the Kingdom of God.

The mustard seed was only one small seed; but, the sower didn’t leave it lying on the shelf; it was put to its proper use.

It may seem a trivial act, it is expected that a seed will be planted in the grown. But truth be told, it is a miracle of simplicity.

A single, small, naked mustard seed placed in the naked soil. Insignificant too many, but, for the seed and the sower it is an all-important matter. It is the same for the gospel, for the one preaching and the one who receives; it is an all-important matter.

Like the mustard seed, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a miracle of simplicity. But, it has to be put to proper use so it grows in the human heart. That gospel is Jesus came; he died for the forgiveness of our sins; and rose again on the third day. If we believe it, we will sow, proclaiming God’s Kingdom

The mustard seed, though small, is a living thing. Life slumbers in it. Just like life is in the mustard seed, life is in the gospel; the message the soul needs. Simplicity itself, believe the gospel and live! 

That simple seed has everything in it that it will ever become. Every branch, every leaf, every flower, every seed to be and even the plants essence is within the seed. It needs to be developed; but it is all there. 

The gospel is simple. It is goodness and it is love; yet, the Kingdom of God is everything we will ever need. It is the truth of eternal life. It is there but it needs to be developed. If we are true to ourselves and if we are true to the gospel, we will live and love as the gospel leads us.

The mustard grew. The seed became more than the size of the seed seemed to promise. “It becomes the largest of plants.” It puts forth great large branches. It became a tree. That proves that it’s not mustard greens.

Preach the gospel and truth will take root and grow. Those who accept it grow in grace to increase and strengthen the Kingdom of God! 

The tiny seed the gospel puts in us can put forth large branches of faith to become a great tree.  The LORD will lift high the lowly tree. The tree planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

The tiny seed that grew into a tree became even more.

Birds came to dwell in its branches. A tiny mustard seed that once could hardly be seen was providing life and peace to others. How many birds came to that tree in a day, a week, in a year?

When you preach the Gospel do you see this very wonderful tree? A tiny gospel seed that was once hardly seen grows to provide life and peace to others. How many lives will it touch in day, a week, in a year?

This is the parable. Plant the seeds that are the Kingdom of God. Plant that seed in the hearts of others by His gospel.  Let the seed of faith grow.

That is why St. Paul writes, “We are always courageous in this body away from the LORD. We walk by faith, not by sight. When we face judgement before Christ, each will receive recompense, according to what he did in the body.”

It’s not mustard greens; but, with faith the size of a mustard seed nothing is impossible; a little seed can grow into great things. Faith is the seed planted in our hearts.

That is the Kingdom of God.

Sow the seed, pray it grows. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

3 Questions - Homily 10th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

It was a day in paradise, a day probably similar to today, blue skies, comfortable temperature, and low humidity. The perfect presence of God was walking in the Garden of Eden. It was the day God asked a simple but profound question. Simple questions are often the best.

There are three questions in today's scriptures. Three questions we answer every day by the way we live our lives. They are simple questions; because sometimes simple questions are the best.

My mother knew about simple questions. She had one simple question in her arsenal that asked so many questions - my whole name. If she called me by my whole name “William Earl Goss”, with a questioning timbre or tone in her voice, it was either time to run and hide or stand and confess.  

I’m sure most mom’s had the same technique. Yes, sometimes, short and simple is the best.

In the bible, God's first question is short and simple.  

The man and woman had just eaten from the forbidden tree when they sensed God's presence in the garden, so they hid from him. God called out to Adam. He probably called out with his whole name. It was only one word, Adam.

God’s simple question is “Where are you?”  The question in Hebrew is “ayeka”, which translates “Where are you?”  (Rabbi Marc Gellman)

God, who knows everything and created everything in the universe, asked “Where are you?”

God did not need to ask Adam where he was. But, Adam needed to be asked.

Maybe, God asked so man could confess and repent.

When your mother called you by your whole name, it was time to confess. Running and hiding does not good. Confess everything and do it immediately. She already knew. And God, God knows everything.

Adam who knew God and walked with God in the garden was hiding from God. The same Adam God formed from clay and blew the breath of life into his nostrils was no longer in the perfect presence of God.

If we really believe Holy Scripture holds the truths of God; then, they are truths for all eternity. God asks every person the same question when we are no longer in the perfect presence of God. God calls us by our whole name, “Where are you?”

In that question, God gives direction. He is calling us back to him.

Just like Adam, instead of answering, we hide. Hiding from God does not work!  We hide because our shame when we realize that we are naked before God.  But, God is God. We are always naked before God. God created us and knows all the intimate details. It is the world that points out we are naked.

When God ask us the simple question, “Who told you that you were naked?” Each will realize their nakedness in a different way. It may be:

• Who told you that you’re a failure?
• Who told you, you’re bad?
• Who told you, you’re not good enough?
• Who told you that money was happiness?
• Who told you that you’re not loved?
• Who told you that you cannot be forgiven?

If we are not in the perfect presence of God, we answer those questions with excuses. It's not my fault, someone else or something else made me do it! 

This story of the first man and woman is considered humanity’s fall from grace. It was our loss of the perfect presence of God.

But, we have Jesus Christ. He is the one who asks the third question.

Jesus family comes looking for him. Why? Maybe they felt their nakedness. Maybe the family was concerned or embarrassed or shamed by what the world was saying, accusing him of having an unclean spirit or being possessed by Beelzebul.

When his family arrived, the crowds said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sister are looking for you.” Maybe, his family called him out by his whole name.

Jesus didn't run and hide. Jesus had no sin to confess. Instead he asked in reply, “Who are my mother and brothers?”

Jesus, looking at those circled around the Son of God. Looking at those in the perfect presence of the incarnate word of God, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers, for whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

In his own words, Jesus calls out, “Where are you?”

If you cannot give a good answer to “Where are you?” don’t despair. Saints may be the only ones with the right answer.  Yet be honest  in giving an answer to God, God already knows everything.

Only the world sees we are naked, absent of the perfect presence of God and points it out. The world points away from its own shame.

This is why St Paul writes - What is seen (our nakedness) is transitory, what is unseen (the perfect presence of God) is eternal.

Don’t be discouraged; our nakedness is just a momentary light affliction. Our inner self is being renewed day by day to bring us an eternal glory, beyond comparison.

It is in this glory, that we can answer “Where are you?”

Here I am Lord!

My brothers and sisters, strive to walk in the perfect presence of God. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

There is Power in the Body and the Blood of Christ - Reflection for The Feast of Corpus Christi

Readings

Today we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Before the Gospel is a sequence. It is an ancient hymn of the Church. It is beautiful. It is poetic. It tells the universal truth of the Body and Blood of Christ.

What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’er to cease:

I am different: because, I think of another song. The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ brings to mind that old gospel song “There is Power in the Blood.”

I am particularly fond of Alan Jackson’s version found here: There is Power in the Blood

As Catholics we know this to be true more than so many of our Christian brothers and sisters. Amen! However, as Catholics, we will sing, “There is Power in the Body and the Blood of Christ.”

We think this feast is about the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of Holy Communion and it is. However, the body and blood of Christ is the reason for all the sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance-Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders.

All the sacraments are established by the body and blood of Christ. Each are a promise to God for the promise made in the blood of the new covenant. And Covenants with God are forever, and even though we as imperfect humans fail to realize it, the sacraments we make are covenants with God and are forever.

These sacraments are the power of the Body and Blood of Christ. Friends all the Sacraments are important.

These are the power of the blood of the new covenant. These are the power in the Blood of Christ. How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood…, Would you o'er evil a victory win? There's wonderful power in the blood

Christ is mediator of a new covenant: his death has taken place for deliverance from our transgressions so those we may receive the promised eternal life. This is the power in the Blood of Christ.

Would you be free from your passion and pride…, There’s power in the blood, power in the blood… Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide There's wonderful power in the blood

Jesus said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”

There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

There is power in the body and the blood that is the life and the Spirit of Christ. By the new covenant and in the Eucharist, we are united with Christ through the wonder-working power of his body and blood.

We come to the power of the Body and Blood of Christ through the Sacraments, our promise to God. By the power of the blood of the new covenant and in the Eucharist the blood of Christ comes into us. Then, Christ’s life comes into us, too. By his life, we are made into one body with him, one living body that is His Church. That is a body alive with the living Spirit of Christ.

From that ancient hymn: 

What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’er to cease

There is power, power wonder working power in the body and blood of Christ; but know that power we must be like Jesus, break the bread, share the body of Christ. Pass the cup of the blood of the new covenant and drink from it fully.

Then we bring the power of the body and blood of Christ to the world.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel, the power of the body and blood of Christ, by the way you live and love. Amen.

Why Curse the Fig Tree? - Homily for First Friday Mass and Adoration

Prayer: Lord Jesus keep us true to our faith, true to love, and true to you. Amen

Why Curse the Fig Tree?

Jesus could do without food. He fasted for forty days in the wilderness, resisting temptation. He fed 5000 with a couple of loaves and a few fishes. If Jesus commanded the fig tree would have produced abundant fruit. So, why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

Even though it was out of season, the fig tree was full of leaves and the splendor of those leaves promised it would be full of fruit. That is the way fig trees are in that part of the world. The tree promised to be fruitful, but bared no fruit. Comparing it to a person, it would have been a hypocrite, putting on a false appearance. So, Jesus cursed it.  

Cursed means He passed judgement. "May no one ever eat of your fruit again!"

Jesus was cursing hypocrisy. The hypocrisy of the fig tree was all leaves and no fruit. The hypocrisy of humanity is all show and no love. Many speak and boast but bare no fruit.

Hypocrisy is not that we are sinners; but, we pretend NOT to sin and are too proud to be humble, honest, or human. Like the people Jesus found in the temple that would speak and boast of their relationship with God but bared no fruit. They had made the promise and splendor of God’s temple, a house of prayer, into a den of thieves.

The priests and scribes heard Jesus was there and feared him…, they were all show and no fruit; hypocrites in faith, all show and no love. 

And, Jesus passed judgement on them, driving out those buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those selling doves.

When evening came, He went out of the city.

The next day, the fig tree was withered and dead. The next day, the priests and scribes withered and died in conspiring to put Jesus to death.

Friends turn away from hypocrisy. Lead a life that is an authentic and genuine worship of God. If you preach, preach the words of God. If you serve, serve with the strength God supplies.  Let your love for one another be true and intense.

More than anything else as Jesus said, "Have faith in God.”

In other words, be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.