There was a Child - Reflection 17th Sunday OTB

(Readings) (Inspired by R. Rohr)

Jesus shared a meal with lots of people. He ate with Pharisees, scribes, women, sinners, lepers, and both Jew’s and non-Jews. Most of (if not all) Jesus’ miracles of healing and exorcisms took place entering or leaving a house for a meal.

At Mass, He shares with us the most wondrous of miracles and the holiest of meals, the Holy Eucharist.

And, people criticize it with statements like - everyone should be able to take communion, whether they believe in the real presence or not. Jesus fed 5000, it should be for everyone. 

People and even Churches seem to forget this meal is different. Jesus said it was really his body and blood. So, to share in this meal, you must believe. It is not up to the priest or deacon to decide if we are to share the meal that is the real presence of Christ with those who don’t believe.

But, all are free to share the real presence of Jesus Christ in us with others. This is our shared communion. Today’s gospel shows us how powerful it is to share the presence of Jesus in us with others; because, there was a child who gave its meal to Jesus.

One of his disciples said to him… but what good are these for so many? Jesus’ answer was to blessed the food and set the table.

When we give what we have, in the love of Christ, we feed many. Christ makes the table ready. It is the table of sharing, the table of Jesus Christ and all who love him.

We are the child called to bring what we have to Jesus. We are called to live in a worthy manner; with humility and gentleness, with patience, with love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace…

The Missionaries of Charity share Christ with the world. They witness Christ not my sharing the Eucharist, but by being the real presence of Christ in the world. They give to the world the love of Christ that is in them.

It began when a child of God brought what she had to Christ. Her faith has fed millions with food, with compassion, and with Christ. The Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa feeds the hungry, cares for the poorest of the poor, and picks the dying up off the street to care for them. This is a living example of miracle of the Eucharist. 

Transubstantiation is the mystery and miracle of the bread and wine becoming the real presence of Christ. This mystery and miracle is personified in those who live Christ's love. It is multiplied over and over by our witness and the sharing of His love in us with others.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta shared the real presence of Christ in the world.  “Of free choice, my God, and out of love for you, I desire to remain and do whatever be your Holy will in my regard.” Even in her darkest moments, she knew the LORD is near to those who call upon him in truth. She knew He would answer her needs.

He answers all our needs. He answers us so abundantly in mercy and grace that there is much left over. Pray that we as believers allow Him to answer our needs.

If you truly believe that Christ is in the Eucharist, you believe that you receive not only his body and blood, but abundant mercy and grace.

The mercy and grace you receive should not be wasted. For thus says the LORD, They shall eat and there shall be some left over. What we do with what is leftover is the real presence of Christ in the world.

Pray with and for others. Teach others about Christ. Share the love and communion with Christ by your life and what you do, how you work, the way you interact with family, friends, and community.  Bring Christ to the poor. Support charities in volunteering and financial support. Preach the gospel.

Share Jesus. "Gather the fragments left over, so nothing will be wasted."

Critics opposing Mother Teresa’s sainthood said her intention was not to help people; she wasn’t working to alleviate poverty.

Her answer, “I am not a social worker. I don't do it for this reason. I do it for Christ...” 

Mother Teresa’s intention was Christ. She brought Christ to the poor and the dying by respecting the dignity of who they were. In sharing the real presence of Christ, Saint Teresa of Calcutta did more for the poor and dying than all who critiqued her.

There was a child who gave its meal to Jesus. 

Communion is sharing the real presence of Christ in this world, how do you live that?   

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel, sharing Christ in the way you live and love. Amen.

Peace Fruit - A Reflection 16th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

We think we know everything. If we don’t, we turn to someone else who we think knows everything. That may be the media or a politician or a political party or a special interest group.

Here is a secret. They tell us what they want us to hear. They call it justice. Many times, it is only a cover for a hidden agenda. Agendas that are intended to mislead and divide us. Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD.

The LORD gave us good shepherds. The LORD, Jesus Christ left us the Church and the Christian faith and religion. Still, people in the Church have agendas. Even denominations and factions in our faith have agendas.

But, the role of the Church and religion is to direct us to the truth, each other, and God. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, would never abandon His Church. By the Holy Spirit, God always sends shepherds to His fold. As Christians, our shepherd is Christ Jesus and here on earth Christ shepherds his flock through the Church. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Realizing that, we know a moment of grace.  He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Peace is known through faith; for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

It is found in the truest teachings of our Catholic Church. In fact, all Christian denominations began in that same place; even though they fail to recognize it. Sadly, some are not even there anymore.

Faith, religion, and Church teach us how to be a good and moral society in a framework of justice to understand and live. When Jesus saw the vast crowd, he felt compassion for them and began to teach them.  

Here are the basics Catholic Social teachings:

Every human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral society.

With that dignity, people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good, what is good for all of us including the poor and vulnerable. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined.

Every person has a fundamental right to those things required for human decency. The basic moral test for society is our respect for the dignity of the poor and vulnerable in a world that divides rich and poor.

The wealth of the world and its economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is the way we are to continue to participate in God’s creation.

We participate in respect and love for the Creator of all by our stewardship of creation. We protect people and the planet by living our faith, which includes caring for creation, its creatures, and this earth.

We are one human family. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbors is the concept of solidarity and at its core is justice and peace.

John Paul II wrote solidarity “…goes beyond itself to total gratuity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It leads to a new vision of the unity of humankind, a reflection of God's triune intimate life. ..."

The thing needed to make this work, subsidiarity.  It is handling issues at the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority and problem solving as close to the problem as possible, where people know the needs.

Peace holds it all together. Peace is mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. Peace is the fruit of justice.

Look to the one who is our peace. And, the name they shall give him; The LORD our justice.

To know peace, consent to peace; consent to justice. To know peace, make the choice of peace; work for justice. In peace and justice there is no hidden agenda; only dignity.

Be good. Be Holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Peace.

I Got… to let God be God - Homily 14th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

I was serving at a funeral mass in another Parish. The Tabernacle sits at the top of three stairs approximately 15 feet behind the altar.

As I was bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the altar, my shoe slipped on the second step. I was falling backwards. I was about to get hurt; but, I couldn’t drop the Blessed Sacrament. I pulled the Ciborium close to my chest and put my thumbs on the lid.

Then as suddenly, I was falling forward. I was afraid I was going to fall on the ciborium and scatter the body of Christ across the sanctuary. So I moved the Blessed Sacrament to a position out in front of me, above my head.

I stuck the landing, straight up on both knees; no wobble, no bounce, and no sway.

But, I couldn’t get up; my Alb and Dalmatic were under my knees. I couldn’t place Jesus on the ground so I crawled on my knees to the Altar. The older priest never knew what had happened. Luckily, my wife, the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, took the ciborium so that I could stand up.

I am 300 pounds of clumsy, but my guardian angel was with me.

It is times like this, I hear in my head, what are you doing here on the Altar of God? Off with you, flee from here! This is the sanctuary of the LORD…

So, I pray to be filled by God the Holy Spirit, to be open to the will of God the Father, and to justly proclaim the good news of God the Son. I pray until I read the gospel. I open myself in hope to grace; and I let God be God.

I am just an ordinary man like Amos. He was a shepherd. I am a husband and a father. He was a dresser of sycamores; I make sure people are safe at work.

But, God enlighten the eyes of my heart. I heard his call, “Go and minister to my people!”

God enlightens the eyes of each of our hearts if we let God be God.

St Paul writes, In Christ, God blesses us with every spiritual blessing and He has chosen us. Paul states in those words that two times God has chosen us,

Most will say - Nope can’t do that. God isn’t calling me.  I’m too busy, I got a job, I got to make money, I got bills, I got, I got, I got….. I got excuses.

Our personal lives and private morals down to the smallest detail are our reality. Those are usually our god.

Most of the time it is full of I got, I got, I got….. All those “I got” are not free. They demand more from us that our Heavenly Father ever will.

For all those I got excuses, “Get behind me Satan.” Throw them away. We are all called by God. God has chosen us and wants to be part of your life, so let God be God.

As a young wife, my wife’s aunt Laura laid in the hospital bed in pain after giving birth by caesarian. Her new born child was in serious condition. She looked at the crucifix on the wall of her room at St. Francis Hospital and made a promise to Almighty God if he would let her son live, she would serve Him the rest of her life. It was a prayer of desperation for God’s grace that sprang from hope and faith.

Immediately the pain left her and her child survived.

Hope and grace are God’s spiritual blessings; so are joy, happiness, and love. God lavishes blessings on us. She shared her story with everyone. She preached the Good News of Jesus until she went to be with Him at the age of 93.  

Laura let God be God and come into her life. Staring at that crucifix, she knew she was redeemed by the blood Christ Jesus. Her life was one in service to Christ and the Church.

I got an excuse; I have nothing to give. Chosen by God in Christ, you will be given the gifts you need. Doing the work of God brings us closer to the one who chose us.

Jesus summoned the twelve and gave them authority.... They preached repentance, drove out demons, and healed the sick. Jesus used the twelve to bring his message to the world.  

We are chosen and God blesses us with every spiritual blessing. Let God use you and me and her and him to proclaim his Kingdom.

He chose us in Christ. Let God be God and raise us to our divinely intended greatness. He chose us for adoption to himself.

God wanted Amos for a new job. God wanted Laura for a new job. God called all the saints to a new job, working for him. God wants each and every one us to working for him.

Brothers and sisters, forget “I got, I got, I got…” Remember this “My God, My God, My God” and let God be God.

By being good, being holy and preaching the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

2B Com4table - Homily 14th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

In searching to understand the mystery of God, I read. I read the Church Fathers, writing of the Popes, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. I read theologians and minister from other denominations and faiths. I don’t agree with everything; but, I know their thoughts and writings come from trying to understand mystery as well.

I read a blog this week by a minister that identified as a Progressive Christian. It read, “Educated young adults, having grown up in a multicultural and gender-fluid world, are leaving the church: they see it as a hateful and ignorant place, a place of lies and sexual discrimination.” The minister finished, “I don’t blame them.”

That blog linked to a study by The Public Religion Research Institute; however, the study actually said something different. “The (main) reason people are leaving Church is they no longer believe religious teachings.” (60%)  It called this group rejectionist.

I recognized something. A minister was comfortable using a controversial lead to meet an agenda. Churches are comfortable changing their teachings to meet an agenda. The rejectionist in the world is comfortable rejecting God for their agenda.

In that comfort, the world is a slave to sin and evil thrives. But, the rejectionist doesn’t believe in sin or evil.

St. Paul knew evil was real. It was a thorn in his flesh. He said it was an Angel of Satan that tormented him. The Church teaches it is real. So, why are so many rejecting religious teachings?

Evil has become entertainment. It is no longer real; instead, it’s a movie, a television show, or a video game in which evil disappeared in an hour or two. For those who don’t believe evil is real; neither is hell.

It is the preacher’s faults, it is the priest’s faults, it is the parent’s faults; and it’s our fault. What do we teach about evil? What do we teach about hell? Is it a joke or entertainment or is it dismissed as something that doesn’t exist.

Do we witness to God’s grace and mercy? Do we tell others about Jesus? Do we teach the importance of the sacraments? Do we teach others how to pray? Do we teach the Catechism?

Or is that not part of the agenda?

The thorn in our side is we are afraid. Our torment is the fear of what others think or say. They are going to laugh or think we are all a bunch of religious kooks.  

It is true; the world takes offense at us. It scoffs at our belief in Jesus, our faith in God, and our allegiance to the Church. But my brothers and sisters we are believers, disciples of Jesus Christ and are called to preach the Good News and proclaim the Kingdom of God.

2700 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel said, “Look around at the amazing lack of faith of the people; people that are hard of face and obstinate of heart. They have revolted against God.”

The world is just like that today.

Do not be afraid or tormented or intimidated because God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. His grace is sufficient. The Lord sends his disciples as prophets to the world to preach His message. We cry out so the world can hear the voice of Christ through us.

The Church is not a hateful and ignorant place, but people can be. That is sinful. The Church is not to change Christ’s message for an agenda. That’s sinful.

Jesus didn’t change his message because it made people uncomfortable. St. John writes that because of Jesus words many of his disciples left him and returned to their former way of life. (John 6:66)  It was not part of their agenda, leaving was comfortable.

It is not always a comfortable message. It is not a message that a minister or a Church can change to meet an agenda. Be uncomfortable with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ.

Preach that there is evil, there is a hell; preach the importance of the sacraments and preach that God’s grace is sufficient. Tell the world about Jesus.

The world will ridicule us. It ridiculed Ezekiel. It ridiculed Paul. It ridiculed and crucified Jesus. That’s good company.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love so others know a prophet has been among them. Amen.