I Can See - Reflection 30th Sunday OTB

readings 

We are all made by God for good things. One good thing is to praise and give glory to God.

When I had cataract surgery, after the surgeon placed the new lens in my eye he asked “can you see any better?”

I saw the operating equipment, the doctor, the ceiling, and everything else in the room. All I could do was shout, “I can see - - I can see.”

I shouted so loud my wife heard me in the waiting room. 

My doctor said no one had ever done that before. He needed me to go up and down the street shouting “I can see - - I can see” to advertise for him.

The truth is, I did. I bragged on my doctor to everybody. I let every one know that I could see.

I think Bartimeaus did the same.

Jesus, the divine healer asked Bartimeaus, “What do you want me to do?

Some translations say his answer was “Master I want my sight.” Others, and ours today say “Master, I want to see.”

It is an important distinction. Asking to see is so much more than asking for restored sight. Seeing is a whole lot more than just good eyesight.

Scripture does not say or suggest that Jesus did more than speak to the man. There is no mention that Jesus reached out to the blind man or touched him or spit in the dirt to make mud to spread on his eyes or even washed his eyes with water.

Jesus only spoke to him.

Jesus told Bartimeaus, “Your faith has saved you.” Jesus did not say Bartimeaus was healed or now he could see but that he was saved. 

Immediately, he received his sight. Instantly, he was able to see.

Bartimeus could see who Jesus truly was; more than just the son of David. 

Jesus said “Go your way.” His way was to follow Jesus.

As he followed, I bet he yelled out a lot. The Lord wants us to shout with joy. Bartimeaus probably shouted with joy, “I can see - - I can see.” 

I would have.

There were probably plenty of alleluias and glory to God. His sight was restored. He could see, Bartimeus followed and praised Jesus as the Christ, the anointed one, the messiah, and the chosen one of God.

Look around, many of us are blind today.

There are things that keep us from seeing. Things that keep us from seeing Christ in the world and in our brothers and sisters are anger, bias, jealousy, prejudice, hate envy, paranoia, self protection, and bitterness. It is a darkness that blinds us.

The same darkness covers our country today. There is a horrific blindness to others. A self imposed darkness that keeps us from seeing our brothers and sister from which this nations needs to be healed. It is a darkness of relativism spreading through words and images.

Our nation is not truly blind, we are just not looking. You can see a whole lot of things just by looking. By looking we learn how to see that we are all children of the same God.

Yet,we stare into the darkness and it blinds us from the light of Christ. As a nation we must cry out “I want to see” by the light of Christ that takes away the darkness. In that, we will learn to see. 

We have get away from that blindness to everything but that only concern self to see all the things God has done for others. If we get away from that blindness of our self relativism and pity, we can see all the great things God has done for us.

We must want to see. Seeing can lead to understanding. We see by faith the light of Christ in our community, our family, our church, the Eucharist, and all the sacraments. It saves us. Faith opens our eyes so the Lord can deliver and heal his people. 

In every prayer, every sacrament, every moment of adoration the Lord Jesus calls to our hearts “What do you want of me?”

The problem is how we answer. 

The problem is how does the nation or the world answer. Should it be as Jeremiah wrote exult at the head of nations, proclaim your praise.

“I want to see.”

We are blind, the world is blind. We can either sit still and ask for pity or get up and run to Jesus. The one that can heal us. We can go our way or follow him; the only one that can truly heal the world.

Go out to the world, praise his name, and shout with joy. That shout may be as simple as praising him “I can see - - I can see.” 

The darkness that blinds us does not like us to see.

We are made by God for good things, A good thing is to praise and give glory to God.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel so others can see Christ in the way you live and love one another, Amen.

Zebedee-do-dah Homily 29th Sunday OTB

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Zebedee-do-dah Audio

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is that the Lord has patience with us, as we try to realize the good for which we are made.

The lottery jackpot was over billion dollars. I didn’t win. That’s a lot of money. Some of us may have said a little prayer like maybe, Lord let me win this billion dollars; I’ll give you your share… (Are you guilty?)

It is good that God has patience with us.

It’s hard to understand the truth of a billion dollars and how it would impact your life. One man I heard being interviewed understood one thing. He said if he won “I’d have to leave the country because all of his friends and relatives would show up asking for something.”

Like James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who came to Jesus, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.… Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."

They were thinking in their own terms. They wanted glory and probably the riches and power that came with it.

He answered, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” 

It was hard for the disciples to understand the truth of who Jesus was.

Peter, James and John had witnessed the transfiguration. His disciples had witnessed the miracles. Jesus had told how hard it was for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. He had foretold of his passion, three times; yet, they still didn’t understand Jesus.

None of the disciples did. Instead, they were waiting to win the lottery looking for their billion dollars. It is good that God had patience with them and has patience with us.

How many of us know Jesus’ story, but ask God for the wrong thing. (I’ll raise my hand.) Sometimes, we pray for the easy way.

God’s will for us is not always the easy way. Jesus is our example.

The Word of God took human flesh not to take the easy way. He felt what we felt; He suffered as we suffer.  He came to know our weaknesses. He came and was tested just like us, in every way.

The temptation of wealth and power and glory can lead to sin. The devil tempted Jesus with all these. Yet, he remained without sin. He did not seek wealth, power, or glory; instead, He gave all he was, all he had, and all he did to God the Father.

Jesus told that earthly glory is ruin. Those recognized as rulers hold it over the people and make their authority felt. (Politics anyone)

Whose authority do we follow?

Jesus told his disciples and tells us: Whoever wishes to be great will be a servant; whoever wishes to be first will be the slave of all.

This was His lesson in the truth of riches, power, and glory. It is those who serve others that find true glory. It doesn’t come from all you have, but from serving others.

James and John asked to be at Jesus’ side when he was raised in glory. But, as Jesus was raised on the cross two others shared in his glory. One was on his right and one on his left. Two thieves but only one came to know the truth of His glory.

That glory is the salvation the cross. It is the eye of the needle, the entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is the single point that is the fulfilment of all joys and all desires.

It is good that God has patience with us. On the cross, our Lord prayed- Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

It is good that God has patience with us. Even now, He sits at the throne of grace, the right hand of the father, to intercede for us.

It is good that God has patience with us.

True glory is not found in the riches or the power or the glory of this world. True glory is to give all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do to God by being servants to all.

Many find this truth hard to understand. Only some will understand the true glory of salvation.

We are made by God for good things. It is good that God has patience with us. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

Physics, a Camel and the Eye of a Needle - 28th Sunday OTB

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Podcast: The Servant's Cup - Camel, Needles and Physics

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is the richness of the gifts God has given us to share with the poor.

In college, I was required to take a physics lecture and lab. I had problems with that class. So I prayed and pleaded. If I would have had prudence or wisdom, I’d have gone to class and paid attention. But ultimately, I took the easy way out by changing my major.

Then God in His wisdom gave me a wonderful career as a safety engineer. My job is part of my ministry. I bring Christ to the companies and workers I help. Every time, I use prayer; almost, every time I use physics.

The basic rule of physics is this: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. My job is to prevent that reaction from being an accident.

For something I thought I’d never need, I use physics a lot.

I should have realized that gift sooner. I should have paid attention in class.  But, as a young man, I was too arrogant -- or ignorant -- or lazy -- or distracted to realize this opportunity was a gift I was given. 

That’s the way it is for most of us.

In the gospel, a rich man kneels before Jesus and asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

As an answer, Jesus recited the commandments of God.

Excited, the man said he had lived them his entire life. He presumed that is all took to gain eternal life. Presumptions can be based on being too arrogant or being too ignorant or being too distracted.  

He probably had this big smile and thought - I am perfect for this man Jesus.

Jesus, looking at him (possibly seeing an arrogant and ignorant man) loved him still.

Then Jesus continued, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement the man’s face fell, and he went away sad….

He had many possessions. Maybe, he did not realize all his possession were a gift of God. The man was seeking eternal live but did not want to give up the one he was and become the one Jesus wanted him to be.   

St. Paul points out in his letter to the Hebrews; we cannot hide who we are from Christ. The word of God is living and effective, it penetrates our soul to discern the thoughts of the heart. Everything is exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must account. Jesus knew this man.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. That one verse is so important because Love calls for love in return.

For the rich man and for many, the one God wants us to be is not the one we want to be. To follow Jesus then we must forget self and move towards union with him which is love. That involves giving up the one we want to be to be the one God wants us to be.

That’s not easy.

The man had many possessions and Jesus said give them to the poor. The man grew sad and left. Jesus followed it up with these words to his disciples; it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

If I had paid more attention in that physics class, I would know more about getting an actual camel through the eye of a needle.  

But that is not what Jesus means. He is asking us to give up our worldly riches for the Kingdom of God.

Many argue they are not rich; but, God has showered each of us with riches. All the good things God has given us, our gifts, our talents, our opportunities, make us rich.

For some it is money or possessions. For some, it is time, skill, and labor. For some, it is teaching or preaching. For others, it may be just being there for others when they need or time spent in prayer.

If we are all rich, "Then who can be saved?"

Take the modern example of the rich man. It is a person who professes to follow Christ; yet, identifies with wealth or a certain circle of friends, the grandness of their house or car, and the clothes they wear. They refuse to share their gifts because they are part of the one they want to be instead of becoming the one God wants them to be.

Everything is exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must account. And, Jesus looks at them and loves them still.  

Or take the example Rose who lived 97 years. She never had a lot of money or a big house or a new car or designer clothes; yet, she was abundantly rich. Her riches were her smile, her prayers, her faith, her bluntness of truth, and her labors for Christ. She had no possessions the world would call riches, but, gave all she was given to be the one God wanted her to be.

Love calls for love in return.

Praying for wisdom didn’t work in physics; but, prayer is one of God’s richest gifts. Friends, our prayers and talents are the countless riches of the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus truth is for every action done in his name there is an even greater reaction:  “sell what you have, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then follow me.”

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is the richness of the gifts that we have to share. Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

Everyone is Called to Love - Homily 27th Sunday OTB

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Not everyone is call to the vocation of married life. Some are called to be single, some religious, some will lead a consecrated life as a lay person. But everyone is called to love.

The sacrament of marriage is a promise between God and the couple being married. It is also pretty much a Catholic sacrament. Protestant Churches do not recognize the Sacrament of Marriage, arguing it is not in the gospel. Instead it is identified as a religious rite. Maybe, they overlooked today’s gospel.

Friends, we are made by God for good things.

God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." God made us sexual beings and gave us gender. He gave us the gift of marriage and the ability to be fruitful. God made us open to and dependent on each other, they shall become one flesh.

Because of our fallen world that openness and dependence brings vulnerability. Those who are married become vulnerable to the torments of the others sin and its heart-break and suffering.

Sin hardens the heart and destroys marriages; even marriages that are promises to God. Jesus says the destruction of a marriage is not from God but comes from the hardness of hearts. 

Hardness of heart creates violence and abuse – physical, mental, emotional. It creates dissatisfaction, infidelity, and a person that cares more about self than anyone else. Hardness of the heart can justify desertion and reneging on the promise to the spouse, the children, and to God.

The hard heart attacks the heart of others. It is a heart far from love. Hardness of heart assaults the Sacrament of Marriage.

Churches that do not consider marriage a sacrament have little problem with divorce. Churches failing the sacrament may even promote marriage between the same sexes; Husband and Husband or Wife and Wife.

That’s not the way God made us. God made a suitable partner for the man, a partner that is bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh; called woman.

The Sacrament of Marriage Jesus describes is that from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female so that a man would leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

Unless your family is living in the Garden of Eden, it will experience some conflict of marriage. In my family some are on their third, fourth or fifth spouse. There are gay and lesbian couples; some say they are married. That is the real world.

Jesus accepts each of us as the sinners as we are. Do not condemn or turn away another person. Do not condemn who they are. Do not condemn who they love. Accept the ones they love. Each and every person is loved by Christ.

But, lifestyle or personal choices are not to be put before God. Do not change the gospel, the word of Jesus for worldly benefit.

For those who suffer divorce. Marriages are shattered every day by sin found in a hard heart. God loves you and wants to make you whole.

A marriage that is physically or emotionally abusive and filled with deceit, dangerous for you or your children is far from love. God does not want this for you.  A marriage cannot be distant from the promise made to God and to each other.

Answers are found in prayer. Understand your faith. God wants all to know His love, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion brought to the world by each of us and that cannot be found in a hard heart.

A hard heart can destroy marriages and faith. Faith is not the marriage. Faith is a healing and loving union with God. And that comes from grace and by the example of Jesus.

An example we can find in Jesus words, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

A child does not have a hard heart. A child knows everyone is called to love.

This week, my daughter picked up my grandson from daycare. As she called for him, he said goodbye to the friend he was playing with, pulling his head down to kiss him on the crown of his head. The other little boy didn’t know what to do.

His mother had to tell him, you can’t kiss the others kids at school.

His answer, “That’s the way Pop says goodbye. He kisses me on the head and tells me he loves me.”

No. A child does not have a hard heart. Jesus wants us childlike, loving, and accepting the kingdom of God. 

We were made by God for good things, one is a heart open to love, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion. With an open heart, be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.