The Green-Eyed Monster - Reflection 26th Sunday OTB

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Moses said to Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake?”

I know where Joshua was coming from; we can all have a twinge of jealousy sometimes.

For me, jealousy rears its ugly head when I hear great speakers; when I hear words crafted in beautiful ways; when I hear voices rich and full; and when I hear anyone with a beautiful singing voice. My jealousy comes, when I hear myself - off tune and voice cracking. Am I not worthy of more than those who fail to used their talents to glorify God?

Jealousy personified is the green-eyed monster. I have to fight that monster way more than I like. It is the same green eyed monster poor Joshua was fighting.

Joshua had been Moses aid from his youth and was still a young man. He was being groomed as the next leader of Israel. Joshua was probably in the tent with all those leaders who had received the Holy Spirit.

He was worthy to receive the Holy Spirit, not the two who did not even show up. Joshua was not feeling jealous for the sake of Moses.

Moses, my Lord, stop them!!

Luckily, the young Joshua grew out of that jealousy spell he was experiencing.

Maybe, it was the same thing with Jesus’ disciples.

John the youngest of the disciples came to Jesus: "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

In others words, Jesus, my Lord, stop him!!

Jesus’ reply to John was that “no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.”  

“Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!”

Luckily, John, the youngest disciple grew, out of that jealousy spell he was experiencing.

Jesus goes on to tell us that if your hand causes you to sin cut it, if your foot causes you to sin cut it off, if your eye causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter into eternal maimed than to be thrown into Gehenna.

Find the millstone that weighs us down and keeps us from receiving the Holy Spirit. It may be seeking pleasure or greediness or jealousy or anger or worldliness or something else; cut it off.

Sometimes, mine is jealousy, by my faith, I’m trying to grow out of it. My Lord, stop jealousy from tempting me.

I am learning not to be jealous. Everything I bring to God even if it is out of tune or poorly crafted or meager of words, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God uses it for his glory.

We are made by God for good things. Friends, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be prophets that give glory to God through Jesus Christ. Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ by the way we live and love. Amen.

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The Devil Pulls Your Toes - Reflection 25th Sunday OTB

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Taking a child and putting his arms around it, he said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

When I was a  child, my mother told me to say my prayers or the devil would come and pull my toes while I slept. There was truth in her words.  I am 57 years old and I still cannot sleep with feet out from under the covers.

Friends, we are made my God for good things. One of the good things we are made for is to be a Church of powerfully holy people. Holy people live as Jesus taught, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

That is not what most tends to do. Most don’t want to be told what they do is wrong. In all their malice, they would rather argue who or what is the greatest.

If we are good and holy people, we fight evil. We recognize what is wrong and hold people accountable. We share the gospel, because evil does not like Jesus’s words.

The wicked say: he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training.

Evil has invaded the Church in some. It grows in the secrecy, ineptitude, unaccountable, and lackluster preaching and teaching. Manifest in our midst, evil robs many of their faith. It must be confronted.

But this evil is nothing new, St. James wrote “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” It sounds familiar.

The humanity of the Church is wounded and hurt. The scandals of abuse and cover-up make want to run from the Church and in doing so, many will loose their faith. Abuse and cover-up is sinful, evil and wrong; but, it is not a reason to run from God. 

The holy people of God realize all that has happened is an attack of evil on the Church. They stand strong who follow the LORD.

These must pray for the healing of the battered Bride of Christ: O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. Haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.

We pray because, despite all our human weaknesses, God has entrusted us, the people of His Holy Catholic Church with the gospel of Jesus Christ; the good news that He comes to rescue the world from sin and death.

As a people searching for holiness, we still need God’s priest that were given to us and empowered by Jesus to bless us and place the body of Christ on our tongues. That is enough to ignite hearts and strengthen shoulders to carry the burdens of this world.

The faithful are challenged. We are challenged by scandals and the encumbrance of living in a toxic and often evil culture. In this challenge, the Catholic Church needs priests and laity willing to travel the path of holiness to heal from the darkness of sin and broken trust.

Becoming holy is not instantaneous but is growing in the wisdom from a lifetime of humility and a willingness to suffer. Wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits…

It is hard for us and priest to realize this holiness and wisdom.

That is how the devil sneaks into our rooms. He pulls our toes to make us think that by human scandal the Church will fall apart.

Friends, in God’s grace and by faith realize is that the Church is not the clergy but each and every holy one of you. The clergy and rest of the world need to realize that as well.

“Whoever receives one such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Pray for our Priests, Bishops, Cardinals, and our Holy Father Pope Francis. Pray for the Church, the powerfully holy people that bring Christ to the world.

God created us for good things. The devil knows and is trying to sneak in to pull our toes.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel of a powerful holy people of God, by the way you live and love one another. Amen

My Soul Clings to You - Reflection 24th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

I begin with a prayer “My soul clings to you Lord Jesus Christ.” We are made by God for good things. I cling to all that is of Christ, the truest of good things.

I start with this prayer because of the battles the Church is fighting. The world is against the People of God.

This week, the CBS Morning News had an interview with the FBI Director on the midterm elections. First, the interviewer came after the Church.

The questions asked, “Why wasn’t the FBI investigating the Catholic Church?” “Why are they not persecuting, excuse me, investigating the Catholic Church?” The question was not immediately about priests or Bishops. It began against the Catholic Church.

Social media finds the ugliness in people. Against the Church, there is not shortage. Some say they believe. Some say they are Catholic. Some say they are leaving the Church.

It is ugliness thrown at Christ. And, I pray, “My soul clings to you Lord Jesus Christ.”

Along the way Jesus asked those who were following him. "Who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ."

As we travel on the journey of faith, the Lord continues to ask the same question. He asks us. He asks the Church. Who do you say that I am?

We answer by our faith. If faith is shown in works, think about how we answer.

Think about how priests in sexual scandals answer.

Think about how those who covered-up abuse answer.

Think about how those who leave the Church answer.

Think about faith and how it is lived, and how we answer

But those are all different things. Yes, they are different; do not compare sins.

Sexual abuse and cover-up is a sin against the innocent, our neighbors, and God. It is devastating to all it touches. To see sin and to cover it up allows sin to grow.  

Sin attacks us and the Church in those we are supposed to trust. Yes, it is different from the sins most of us experience; but, sin is sin no matter by whom and no matter the form. We may not be guilty of sexual abuse, but when we knowingly sin or see sin and cover it up by thinking it acceptable, sin grows.

Leaving the Church, living sinful lives, forgetting our promises to God, lying to our self and to the world is sin; sin against the innocent, our neighbor, and God. Even coming forward to receive the Holy Eucharist outside a state of grace, without reconciliation and penance is a cover-up of our failings.

Sin is Sin. Not respecting God is not respecting God.

What good is it, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? What good is faith if it does not have works; it is dead.

All our sins are against the innocent, our neighbor, and God. Even though we may say we have faith, it can still be dead. Then, we are where the devil wants us.

I was in Little Rock this week and on the grounds of the State Capitol, the Church of Satan erected a shrine. It is a goat headed god with children looking on in wonder and expectation.

No matter what they say, the reason for this shrine is to attack God and his Church.

The world says it is about free speech.

Jesus says to the world, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

The church gives its back to those who beat upon it, its cheeks to those who plucked its beard; it does not shield its face from the buffets and spitting. This is where the Church is today. I believe this is from where Pope Francis leads the People of God.

Jesus began to teach them that He suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed…. and rise after three days. He spoke this openly.

Jesus promises us the Church will continue. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

As the Church is attacked, many are returning to their former way of life. Many choose a life at the foot of Satan, as the world erects monument to Satan in our hearts, falling for the deceiver’s false promises, lies, and temptations.

Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.

Remember these words from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: Three times I begged the Lord to take this thorn from my side, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

We are made by God for good things. Good things are all that is of Christ; the Church (the People of God), faith, and grace that is the power of Christ dwelling in me.

 “My soul clings to you Lord Jesus Christ.” Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Yes. We are Open - Homily 23rd Sunday OTA

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(Readings)

We are made by God for good things. Today, the world only wants to see bad, not good.

On Labor Day, I went to the water store to fill up my water bottles. It was late afternoon and I asked the young man working there if he had been busy.  He said, I was the 3^rd customer, all day. He did not know why the owner insisted that they “Be open.”

I needed the store to “be open.” I thanked him for being open and put $5 in the tip jar.

As of Saturday morning, that is all I had for a homily. But, if we will just “be open” the Holy Spirit will speak to us.  

The first voice the deaf man heard was Jesus saying, “Ephphatha.” Be open. Not only did he hear it, he felt it. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” Be open.

Immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment removed, and he spoke plainly. Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.  

After reading the Gospel, and being open to the Holy Spirit, I heard these words from my morning prayer again in my heart: Lord open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I try to praise him to best of my human failing’s every day. The challenge is for every believer who hears or reads or is told of this to do the same. Everyone, every day pray – Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Yet, look at the contemptuous gossip on the lips of the media and even the church to question if the LORD God, Jesus Christ is receiving praise.  

Instead of praise, we hear of crisis. Abuse, scandal, sin, and accusations cause Bishops, priests, and the faithful to take sides. Similarities can be seen in the uncivility of the country’s political climate. Some say the Church is experiencing civil war. (1) & (2)

And, Satan smiles because this is the devil’s plan. The old axiom of war is divide and conquer; Bishop against Bishop; priest against priest; Church against church; rich against poor; people against people. Satan’s plan is to make us judge our brothers and sisters with evil designs.

St. James warned to show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Satan tempts us to keep us from “being open” to God. He uses human weaknesses – lust of the eyes, lust of body, and pride - against God, his church, and his people. The deceiver works to change God’s truth to the tempter’s truth, a little at a time.

In the desert, the devil tried Jesus with the same, but failed and departed until an opportune time.

Jesus is still fighting against Satan in the world. He groans to our hearts, “Ephphatha.” Be open. Be open to him. Be open to the Holy Spirit. Be open to praise God and give him thanks.

Jesus is looking for an intimate relationship with each of us. He wants to draw near to us. He wants us to know his touch. He wants us to bring to him, the things we are not able to do: our disability, our suffering, and our deepest needs.

He says to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Your God comes with vindication to save you.

To win this battle against Christ’s Church know Jesus’ word,”Ephphatha.” Be open.

• Be open ears and hear the LORD’s voice.
• Be open lips to proclaim the Word in praise and thanksgiving.
• Be open eyes to see injustice.
• Be open hands to do Gods work.
• Be open feet to carry his Gospel to the world.
• Be open hearts in faith, hope, and love.
• Be open to live a life for the LORD.

Do ministries, pray, and work for justice. Be intimate with Jesus. Be Christ’s Church, the People of God in this world. And, the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; the lame will leap, and the voiceless will sing.

It is through his Church that the LORD works good in the world. He keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, and sets captives free.

Despite what the world tells us; the way of the wicked He thwarts for the LORD shall reign forever; through all generations. Alleluia!!!

Remember, someone-everyone- the world, needs you, the People of God who are the Church to “be open.”

Yes. We are open.

We are made by God for good things. Pray, Lord open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.  Be open to the good things for which we are made by being good, being holy, and preaching the gospel by the way we live and love. Amen.

In Beauty, I Walk - Homily 22nd Sunday OTB

(Readings)

We are made by God for good things. One of the good things we are made for is to walk with God. Everyone knows this, everyone longs for this, yet, and some think our walk with God is by their rules.

Last week, I participated in the funeral of lovely man. His wife of 61 years called him my beautiful-beautiful husband. He was a beautiful-beautiful soul.

Bishop Robert Barron says that we come to know God through the beautiful. Fr. Richard Rohr shares this prayer of the Navajo or Diné people:

In beauty I walk.

With beauty before me I walk.

With beauty behind me I walk.

With beauty above me I walk.

With beauty around me I walk.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

Beauty is the presence of God in creation and the world. This prayer realizes that God is with us in creation, the sky, the earth, and all living things. Beauty leads us to God.

King David prayed a similar prayer:

Praise be to you LORD from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours is the greatness

and the power and the glory

and the majesty

and the splendor

of everything in heaven and earth. (1Chr 29:10-12)

Many Navaho people are Christian; but, the prayer In Beauty I Walk is from their native religion and part of their ancient culture’s knowledge of God.

I hope the fact that I speak of this prayer doesn’t shock anyone. If it does then we misunderstand the purpose of religion.

Religion’s purpose is to help us understand God by taking away the self-created narrow human concept of God. It moves us from the separate self-important individual we think we are to a humble self-giving union with the beauty that is God.

Religion should radically transform and liberate us from ourselves. Freeing us to seek the undefiled beauty that is God; walking with God on God’s terms, not ours. That is the message of salvation history. Religion found in the Church.

Moses said hear what I am teaching you to observe so you can live and take possession of the land the LORD God is giving you. You shall not add to nor subtract from it.

St. James wrote: Religion pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep one’s self unstained by the world.

...pure and undefiled before God, unstained by the world, staying in beauty.

In the beginning, we were made in beauty. Humanity walked in the garden of the Lord God our creator in beauty. We walked with beauty before us, beauty behind us, beauty above us, and beauty all around us. And the beauty of God came again and again and again and again.

Then humanity sinned and hid from God.

We hid from God not because we ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but humanity realized that because of sin, we were no longer beautiful. We feared we could no longer walk in the beauty of God.

It was not the fruit but the ugliness of sin.

And people will say, I am spiritual but not religious want God on their terms. That is what Jesus warns us about.

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come from within are what defile. "From within their hearts, come evil thoughts, arrogance, unchastity, adultery, meanness, lies, immorality, folly, envy, greed, theft, murder, blasphemy.  All these evils come from within and they defile.

These things separate us from the greatness and the majesty and the splendor that is the beauty of God.

Yet, the world celebrates all these. We subtract from God’s word and add what suit us. We defile the beautiful.

Not me Deacon, but, if our eyes see sin and accept it as a way of things, we defile the beautiful. We honor the LORD with our lips, but our hearts are far from God; worshipping in vain and teaching human precepts.

Christ brings us back to beautiful. His cross and salvation forgives us the ugliness of our sins. Jesus Christ, the word of God, came from God and is God, true beauty. We must humbly welcome beauty into our hearts. He is one that saves our souls.

Jesus started this Church and it is our earthly path to the beautiful. Sin has tried to hide it from us. Jesus knew there would be betrayal and it has come forward in scandal and deception of folly, meanness, lies, and blasphemy. It is not the fruit but the ugliness of sin.

We are made by God for good things. A good thing is to walk in the beauty of God.

The prayer In Beauty I Walk truly praises Lord God. It gives thanks to the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor of heaven and earth.

We can offer the prayer this way:

In God I walk.

With God before me I walk.

With God behind me I walk.

With God above me I walk.

With God around me I walk.

God the Holy Trinity has come again.

God the Father has come again.

God, the Holy Spirit comes again.

God, our Lord Jesus Christ will come again.

I see beautiful-beautiful souls in every one of you; beauty before me and behind me and all around me. Friends, in our walk with God we become beauty again. Beauty is seeing Christ in the face of others. It is beauty in you.

Be good, be holy and walk in beauty to preach the gospel by way you live and love one another. Amen.