Homily Reflection 26th OT - GiGi and the Pope

GiGi and the Pope

Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14;  James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Hubris is a word that I learned in high school or college. It was probably a word I had to learn for a vocabulary test. I probably memorized then forgot it. I learned it again in studying for the Diaconate. I learned it was a sin.

Hubris is having excessive pride. It’s the opposite of humility. Joshua and John may have had a little issue with hubris.

Eldad and Medad were in camp (among those they loved) when the spirit of God came upon them and they preached God.

Joshua comes to Moses “stop them.” They can’t be prophesizing, they weren’t at the meeting. Moses’ answer “Are you jealous for my sake?”

John came to Jesus "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us." John’s concerned was he does not follow us, not that he is following Jesus.

Joshua and John protective of who they were and their relationships were guilty of hubris. Pride is sin. Most of us are guilty. I am.

GiGi Thrasher is a minister in Moss Point, Ms. You've probably never heard of her or her ministry; but, I asked if I could tell her story and she said yes. Her blog Tents, Tarps, and Tears is about her ministry, family, and life.

Her ministry began because she saw people living under bridges. She acts as a go between for the homeless and help organizations. Along with her husband, she goes into camps, brings food, helps with appointments, helps find housing, and shares what God has done for her.

GiGi’s words to me “YOU know what a mess I was.”

Her ministry works with transitional shelters, councils, and coalitions for the homeless. This has enabled her to tap into funds for housing and rehabilitation of the homeless.

Seeing her wonderful ministry, I was guilty of hubris. It was after my ordination that I saw the announcement of GiGi’s ordination.  

I was like Joshua and John, STOP-IT. She doesn’t follow us; a woman being ordained. She’s been married twice and non-denominational. But, my biggest issue was I knew what a mess she was!”

But praise God, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. Don’t be jealous and full of self-pride. Get rid of it; cut it off.

The words of Moses “Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!"

The words of Jesus "There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

The Holy Spirit showed me “What a mess I was!”

This week Pope Francis addressed Congress (speaking of a mess.) The Catholic News Service paraphrased his address "Stop bickering, the world needs your help.”

I didn’t remember those words. I printed up the address to read and didn’t find the words; but, I found the message. A message passed by Pope Francis from the testimoney of the lives of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton. Americans whose lives and actions speak of God, humility, service, and love.

Francis compared these peoples humility to the problems in the world that have arisen from hubris in the human condition. It’s the things James wrote about. “You have fattened your hearts ….” Hearts fattened by greed, bigotry, injustice, hatred, and the disregard of human dignity.  

Christians, the world needs our help. The Pope speaks to the world. Father Joe serves you and I. GiGi’s ministry is to the homeless and addicted.

To whom do you offer a cup of water for the sake of Christ?

Don’t be full of yourself; don’t say I can’t; don’t say I’m too messed up.

Instead, be like Eldad and Medad, go to those you care about: as spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, neighbor, and co-worker. By our baptism, God calls each of us to lead others to Christ. Christ sends us the Holy Spirit to share his love with others.

What’s stopping you: hubris, jealousy, or self-bickering? These things keep us from allowing God to work through us.

Believing in and loving God with all our being is the potent message of our life. It is a potent message for the life of others. We bring others to Christ by the way we live, prayer, and faithfulness to God.

Police officer, firefighter, and first responder pray for those who need your help. Doctors, Nurses, and caregivers ask God to guide your care. Teachers see the needs of your students through the eyes of God.  

Look around you; who needs your ministry?

Homily Reflection 25th Sunday - Things We Argue About

Things We Argue About

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8;  James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

Last week, we heard Jesus words “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”

I see it all the time across the country and in our area. People standing along the road with a cross on their shoulder, smiling and waving; usually, it’s a man. He is following Jesus’ words.

But, how many ask the question. Is that what Jesus meant – stand by the highway and wave at people? Is he denying self or looking for attention? Is it following Jesus?

I’m guilty of judging them. But I still argue, usually to myself. (My wife warns me, you’re talking to yourself again. No, I practicing my Homily.)

Believers argue. Too many time the witness of our faith is an argument between believers about things we’re certain and others are wrong. That’s a conflict, an oxymoron, being certain about the mystery of God. 

These arguments/discussions are we spend our passion - human things. Things we can go on and on about that are core aspects of our religion.

Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.

Interesting, it wasn’t about Jesus. They had just finished a trip where Jesus fed the multitude, revealed He was the messiah, and Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration. But they were not discussing Jesus. It was about them - “Why I am better than you.”

We are guilty of that too. If Jesus Christ is brought up, “Oh yea, Jesus, I know Him and love Him; He’s my Savior and my Lord.” But let's argue about how great the (fill in the denomination) are. Everybody look, these are OUR things.

Things . . . ? Things that set us ablaze; things we’re stuck on it; things we’re obsessed with; things we’re fascinated by; things we love. If we’re not careful these things become about us and not about Jesus. It’s the things believers argue about, like these things:

• Evangelism: We do it better - missions; discipleship; testimony.
• Perfection: We know how - Perfect marriages; perfect children; perfect health; perfect life.
• Right and Wrong: We teach it - Inerrancy of the Bible; fallibility of the Bible; Conservatism or Liberalism (in Religion, in Politics); what’s right or wrong with our culture.
• Worship: We do it right – We’re entertaining; We have a band and videos; faith v. works; spiritual gifts; secret to salvation; end times; prosperity.

And we argue these are a mature faith. Really, mature faith is about things and not Jesus! Hmmm, Jesus put a child among those arguing apostles and said, come to me like this child. 

There is nothing wrong with these things if they are innocent, pure, and about Jesus. Yet, too many times, “Jesus,  I’ve know Him and love Him; He’s my Savior and my Lord.” But let’s discuss who’s better. We’re beyond preaching Jesus.  

We begin to worship these things and difference instead of Jesus. And, the enemy divides and conquers us with “jealousy and selfish ambition.” The enemy uses these things because we fail to bring Jesus to them. Things that are about our passion not about His passion. 

In our passion there is argument. We have a world view that is hard but simple to us. We bring the same arguments found in the book of Wisdom.

• What Jesus asks is too much;
• What He ask is not what we like;
• Forget what Jesus asks, what does the world ask.

In Jesus’ passion there is no argument. He gives us simple things to do that are hard to us.

• Love God with all that you are and love your neighbor.
• Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.
• Do this in remembrance of me.
• Preach the Gospel; baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus there is no argument only Wisdom that is “pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” 

These things can be good. If in these things we proclaim Jesus Christ, the Lord that upholds our life. Preach in these things the Good News that leads others to Him.

God doesn’t call us to argue among ourselves. God calls us to profess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the cross we take up when we follow Him.

So let’s ask the question. Are we carrying that cross, so everybody can see us or so they can see Jesus in us?

Sunday Reflection 24th "Answer the Question"

Answer the Question

Isaiah 50:5-9a; Psalm116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

Jesus asked them “But who do you say that I am?” God is “I am.” Maybe it is better to ask, “But, who do you say God is?”

The answer that Peter gives in Mark is “You are the Christ, You are the Messiah.” In Matthew, the answer is “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Luke says “the Christ of God.” In John the words are, “We have come to believe and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

If Jesus asked us, we might say something similar.” We might say “Savior of the World, Lord and Savior, Redeemer, Word of God, Shepherd, King of kings, Bread of Life,” or one of many descriptions of Jesus in the bible.

How do we answer when Jesus asks - “But, who do you say that I am?”

It’s a questions we answer by who we are in the world. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

Someone sent me a video titled “I am Christian, But I am not…”  You can watch it here.  

It’s a collection of young adults making statements about being Christian. They say:

I’m Christian but I’m not homophobic; I’m Christian and I’m definitely not perfect; I’m Christian but I’m not close-minded; but I’m not unaccepting; but I’m not uneducated; but I am not judgmental; but I’m not conservative; I’m not ignorant; but I don’t place myself on a pedestal; I’m Christian but I don’t have all the answers.

The truest statement is “I’m a Christian and I’m definitely not perfect.”  And with that and the rest of the statements is the fault of the video. It’s all about the individual’s “I am” and not about Jesus’ “I am.”

But that fault is shared by many Christians in their answer to Jesus’ question, “But, who do you say that I am?”

Stand in front of a mirror and look for the “I am.” Look at yourself as other people see you. Look at yourself, your life, your prayers, your faith, the way you worship, your family life, and the way you treat other people, the poor, those you don’t agree with. Do you see love in your eyes, a smile on your lips, an absence of worry, anxiety or tenseness in your face?  Do you present yourself to the world with respect and honor as God’s creation? Do you see Christ in you?

We shouldn’t find in the mirror a cookie cutter version of a Christian. Every Christian is different and that is a gift from God.

Remember, “I’m a Christian and I’m definitely not perfect.” Christians live in the world. We are a mirror that shows others what we truly are. We live by what’s expected of us, what’s cool, or the “in” thing. We worry about life, bills, and things we can’t control. We try to keep up with the neighbors. 

Jesus asked “But, who do you say that I am?” And we answer like Peter, thinking as human beings do. We put the “I am” of our uniqueness, bigotry, and prejudices before God. The answer is what we show to the world.

Jesus tells us the true image of a Christian. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For 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.”

People can call themselves Christian, but without a transformation like Jesus taught; we cannot change the “I am” of who the world makes us.

Jesus is asking. We need to look at ourselves for the answer. Our answer is the worlds “I am” or Jesus’ “I am.”

Reflection 23rd Sunday OT - Arms Flailing

Arms  Flailing

Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146:7,8-9, 9-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

I was seven and a movie scared me. It was “The Miracle Worker” the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. What scared me was the wild child Helen Keller. She was blind, deaf, and mute. At the beginning of the movie Helen tries to communicate in a foreign world; running around arms flailing with sobs, screams, and groans.

Annie Sullivan comes as a teacher. She enters Helen’s world. Annie communicates with Helen by letting her touch lips, tongue, and throat. Touch taught Helen.  

Jesus came to teach change. He entered our world to touch humanity and heal us. Here he comes into the life of a man who cannot hear or speak. Jesus enters his world. Jesus sticks his fingers in deaf ears and spits on the tongue. Jesus looks to heaven and with the groan the deaf man was able to feel prayed to God. Jesus touched him. Today the risen Christ touches each of us.

Why did Jesus tell them not to tell anyone?

Jesus wasn’t there to be a miracle worker. He wasn’t “Jesus Christ, Superstar.”  He hushed people to minimize the crowds. Jesus was there to be a teacher of change; but, the miracle seekers didn’t understand. Their ears were closed to Jesus true message.   

I was like that. Sometimes, I felt like young Helen, scared and frantically running arms flailing in the world reaching out with sobs, screams, and groans to God. Then Christ touched me. Where I was broken, He healed me. He has done that for many of us, yet so many keep quiet. Jesus is not telling us to be quiet.

We should follow the example of Christ’s servant, Pope Francis; a man living in the world as a humble Christian. He preaches a message of love. Like Jesus, the world can see and hear his message but does not always understand. Even some Catholics do not hear and can end up running around flailing, sobbing, screaming, and crying.

Pope Francis preaches the same message as James. Christ has chosen the poor. Don’t make decisions based on looks or by our fear. Don’t reject those different or unattractive or in a bad place. We are to see, hear, and speak Christ in these things. If we fail, we fail to love God. We fail “the promises made to those who love him.”

Jesus’ miracles were told by those He healed. Even the apostle’s had their eyes and ears opened to the Word. Their tongues were freed to bring the gospel to the world. Pope Francis preaches the Gospel as a voice for the voiceless. He shares it with the world. We are to do the same: share the Good News with opened eyes, opened ears, and proclaim it with our mouth.

Tell the world: Love and forgive sinners; Minister and care for the sick; Give to the poor; Take care of those who cannot care for themselves; Respect life; and, Respect those with who you don’t agree. Show the world how Christ has touched you.  

If Christ is in us, we won’t be scared running around arms flailing searching for God. Instead, we see and hear. We praise the Lord by sharing his love with the world. 

Sunday Reflection 22nd Sunday - Distractions, Potty Chairs, and The Litany of Life

Distractions, Potty Chairs, and a Litany of Life

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8l  Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5;  James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Today’s psalm, “One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” 

It reminded me of a television commercial. A group of people is sitting in the room in front of a movie screen, the moderator explains that all they have to do is pay attention to what’s on the screen; easy enough, right. If you know the commercial, distractions keep happening. No one can pay attention.  Luckily, this company has the solution to the problem of distractions.  

Life is not that easy. Jesus and his disciples were accused of being distracted from the purity laws by not washing their hands. Jesus said it is not what comes from the outside the defiles but what comes from within. We can call these the distractions of the world. James tells us to keep ourselves unstained by the world. It’s a hard thing keeping those stains out. And, this is what Jesus is pointing out: the true distraction is in us.

As a grandfather, I am experiencing the joy of two year old child discovering the world. There was a four way conference call the first time the potty chair was used. Someone is always there to praise him. He gets scraps, knots, and bruises as he tests himself.  He has no fear. There is always someone there to catch him when he falls and to correct him if necessary.   

A child is pure innocence and love; yet, a child grows in the distractions of the world. The child becomes an adult with right and good distracted by the world. We become distracted. This can cause us to forget God.

But that is what is so great about our God. He is the solution to these distractions. The solution is a relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. A relationship where the Holy Spirit guides us through the Church praising what's right, correcting what's wrong, and picking us up when we fall. The Lord is always with us, always calling us, and always speaking to our hearts.

I put together a prayer for our healing service and I think it's good prayer to reflect on distractions in life. I called it The Litany of Life. The response is “Be with us Lord.”

Be with us Lord through the darkest night and brightest day; be at our side and in our life, be with us Lord.

When we suffer, be with us Lord.

When we are sick and in pain, be with us Lord.

When we have been hurt by life and are struggling, be with us Lord.

When we are grieving, be with us Lord. 

When we are anxious, be with us Lord. 

When we are depressed, be with us Lord. 

When we feel hopeless, rejected, unloved, abandoned and alone, be with us Lord. 

When we feel nobody understands, be with us Lord.  

When we feel we have nowhere to turn, be with us Lord. 

When we are blind to goodness, be with us Lord.

When others let us down, be with us Lord. 

When tempers are raised, outrage and violence occur, be with us Lord. 

When peace is fragile, be with us Lord.  

When lives do not seem important, be with us Lord.  

When forgiveness is rejected, be with us Lord. 

When burdens are heavy, be with us Lord. 

When we face difficult decisions, be with us Lord. 

When darkness weighs us down, be with us Lord.

When we are weak, be with us Lord. 

When hope seems faint, be with us Lord. 

When faith seems difficult, be with us Lord.

When joy escapes us, be with us Lord. 

When we feel detached from you, be with us Lord. 

When we cannot feel your presence, be with us Lord. 

Let us pray:

Be with us Lord and show us the wonders of the world you created, the depth of your word, and the life you offer us. Open us to the mystery of your purpose, the closeness of your presence, and the depth of your wisdom. Be with us Lord and open our hearts to your presence in the Eucharist, your presence within us, your presence among us, and your presence in our neighbor. Be with us Lord in our daily lives. Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.  Amen.

Distractions keep us from God but by His glory and mercy God sent His Word to us. The grace of the Holy Spirit brings us justification through Christ Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. This justice allows us to live in the presence of the Lord. And we must empty ourselves of all the distractions - be with us Lord.

Litany Inspired by EXPO Formats for Eucharistic Adoration; Patricia Carroll Episcopal Delegate for Pastoral Resources; Anne McEvoy Youth Ministry Coordinator

Homily Reflection 21st Sunday - Excuse Me; I'm not going out there!

Excuse Me; I’m Not Going Out There!

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b;  Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; John 6:60-69

We have two dogs, spoiled like children. One is 3. The other is 11. The young one is excitable; the older is laid back. The young one is nervous and scared of most things. The older dog is calm. The young dog is a pest. Let’s run. Let’s wrestle and play. The old dog endures it. 

Some nights, a stranger visits our yard. The dogs get excited. The old dog wakes me up with a poke from her paw. I imagine her wine as “Wake up! Come and see! Something’s here!” The old dog runs out the door barking. “Something’s here! Come and see! Something’s here!”

The young dog is all excited and runs out. Shocked by the darkness, she stops, turns around, and runs back inside. She’s afraid of the dark. Sitting on her heels, me between her and fear, she looks up with an expression that says: “Excuse me; I’m not going out there.”  

This is supposed to be a funny story but look closely. We can see Christians in this example.   

As Catholic we live among Christians of younger traditions. I’ll refer to them from now on as the young ones.

Catholics don’t get excited by much. We’re patient. But, the young ones are always excited about saving us. They’re concerned for our souls. Those poor Catholics are lost. The Catholic Church is confused. It’s not the Church Jesus founded. Catholics don’t believe in the Bible. Catholics do things, standing, kneeling, crossing themselves, it’s not Biblical.  

On the Eucharist and the real presence, the young ones sit back on their heels, “Excuse me; I’m not going out there!”  But, Catholics can get excited about the Eucharist. “Wake up! Come and see! Christ is here! “

If you are like the young ones and doubt, I hoped you paid attention to the readings. Paul writes to be faithful to Christ and the Church. Our Catholic faith lives the words of Joshua, “As for me and my house we will worship the Lord.”

These readings are about the Eucharist. Something the young ones believe Catholics have wrong. The young ones don’t believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. To them, it’s the Lord’s Supper, a symbolic memorial to Jesus. They believe that’s what Jesus wanted.

It’s not what Jesus tells us. Last week we heard Jesus’ instructions to “eat His flesh and drink His blood.” The Greek word John actually used was “gnaw.” I like chew on it.  Chew on Jesus; Chew on who Jesus is; Chew on what he means to you; Chew on the Christ that becomes part of you.

We shouldn’t be surprised that the young ones criticize and can’t accept this. Jesus’ disciples couldn’t accept His words either. They grumbled and criticized. His words were extreme. The words were different and controversial. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

The disciples knew his words weren’t symbolic. They took His words literally. 

And, Jesus explained his words. He didn’t say this is a parable you don’t understand. He asked “Does this shock you?”

It was not the shocking description of a memorial meal but an invitation to an intimate and personal relation with the living Christ. “Does this shock you?” It shocked his disciples; many no longer accompanied him.  

Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter said, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

This was Peter who Christ used to build his Church. This was was the same Peter to who every Pope, Catholic Bishop, Priest, and Deacon can trace the authority of his ordination. It was Peter and his successors in the Church that have kept the faith, defended it against heresy, false tradition and teachings; always remains faithful to Christ, celebrating the real presence in the Eucharist, and preaching the promise of eternal life.

Despite how the young ones interpret it, the Bible is Catholic. It contains the traditions, teachings, beliefs and sacraments of the Catholic faith. It is the teachings of those in the upper room, the ones Jesus breathed upon to receive his Spirit; the ones guided by the Advocate, the Paraclete that brings truth always. It’s the teaching traditions of the apostles, beginning with the 12 who stayed.

• They believed His words were Spirit and life.
• They believed the promise of eternal life.
• They believed in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, His flesh and His blood under the species of bread and wine. 
• They believed what Jesus said and believed Jesus meant what He said.

We believe it too. We believe the Lord is here in the Eucharist. We believe God loves us: old ones, young ones; those who left and those who stayed; the ones who would not believe, those who betrayed him, the sinners, the lost, and everyone else.  We believe God loves all of us. We believe God forgives all of us.

In all that we believe as His Church, Jesus is still asking, “Does this shock you?” It shocks many.  

Brothers and Sister, live your Catholic Faith. Stand up proudly for what you believe. Love one another as Christ loves us. Come to mass. Celebrate the sacraments. By your life, words, and actions accompany Christ as faithful members of his body.

Finally, what did I learn from my dog as she sat there with me between her and fear. It’s like our relationship with Jesus.  No matter what scares you, Christ is between you and your fears. Jesus is with you always.

Don’t be shocked. Don’t sit back on your heels afraid thinking “Excuse me; I’m not going out there.”  Get excited. Go out and shout to the world, “Wake up! Come and see! Christ is here!”

Christ is here in Eucharist, in the Church, and in each one of us.

Sunday Reflection - 20th Sunday - Everyday Wisdom

Everyday Wisdom

Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7;  Ephesians 5:15-20;  John 6:51-58

Over the years I’ve invited people to a Bible study who are afraid to come. They’ll tell me that they just can’t understand the Bible. No matter how much they study the bible, they didn’t get or understand a lot of it. Maybe, a lot of us are like this.

As a deacon I have certain things I do. Every day, I pray. Every day, I read a little bit of the Bible and study. I usually do these early in the morning, and late in the evening.  I put daily verses and prayers on facebook or email. I share short pieces of the Catechism on Twitter. These are part of my studies and I pray that I get them right.   

We live in a culture where wisdom and intellect is paired with how we think, book smarts, and a formal education. This comes from the ancients Greeks; a people of philosophy, who liked to sit around, ponder and argue ideas. This sounds like bible study. We tend to forget that wisdom is more. I said I pray that I get it right; but no matter how much I study to understand. I don’t always get it right. Someone or something can always open my eyes more fully to the Lord’s wisdom.

In Hebrew, the word for wisdom is more a tactile thing. The word is “chokmah” (hokhmah.) It’s the wisdom we find every day in God’s creation. Wisdom is the building of the house, the setting of the pillars, the preparing of the meal, and even the eating of the meal. True wisdom comes from God. Sharing in creation is sharing wisdom.

In this proverb, wisdom is found in action. Ultimately wisdom is abandoning foolishness (simpleness, ignorance or errant thoughts.) To do this, Wisdom calls for action “come and eat my food.”

Brothers and sisters, this proverb points us to Jesus Christ. The house is the Church that Christ built; the seven pillars are the sacraments. Each of us is called to the table of thanksgiving. All of these things are visible concrete actions of Christ, of wisdom.

Paul warned believers to watch how you live – don’t be foolish or ignorant but know the will of the Lord. This was his call to the action for believers. How many of our fellow Christians have forgotten this?

Jesus tells us: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.... Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him…. whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Sometimes it is hard to understand what Jesus asks of us. The words that Jesus speaks will cause many of his followers to leave him. Trying to understand by studying the bible is a good but hard if all we do is sit back and think. The true wisdom comes by living what Jesus taught. Taking Jesus and chewing on him making him part of us.

Wisdom is the action in our lives that bring Christ. We become one with Christ through the Eucharist, the sacrament that is the meal of the risen Christ. God is alive. God is in us. What a great call to action!!

That call to action opens our eyes to the Lord’s wisdom maybe more than the reading and study. It’s that tactile form of Wisdom. I understand what Christ asks of me when I bring communion to a patient in a dementia ward than in studying the bible. In this I find Jesus who calls me to his table and eat the bread of life. I chew on Him; He nourishes me; He remains in me. This is truly studying his word.

Wisdom found in every day. May we build his house, set his table, and call others to eat. May we have every day wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.

Sunday Reflection 19th OT - Don't Worry, God will make it Better!

Don't Worry, God will make it Better!

(Who’s on Your Cross?)

1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

I went to a memorial service this week for a long-time friend. Sherry was a gracious, optimistic, and a most Christian person. She could find a bright spot in every situation and always had words of encouragement.  She could build a person up, no matter how dejected they were. In a bad situation, she would say, “God will make it better!” And when a situation improved, she would praise God saying “Isn’t it a blessing.” Sherry worked at the University for 30 years touching the lives of students, parents, other employees, and even visitors. People's spirits were raised up by her “Don’t worry, God will make it better!” as she taught them to recognize their blessings.

She lived the Psalm: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.” It takes a special person to be like this.

Elijah needed this. He had lain down to die. Elijah was in such a bad place that he prayed, “take my life Lord!”  Elijah was sitting under a broom tree in the desert, murmuring his discontent.  Elijah didn’t believe God would make things better.

The people murmured against Jesus. A murmur is that mumbled or quite expression of discontent hovering in the background. If we listen closely; it is still heard today. We do it ourselves saying, “Things are bad and and getting worse.” The evil in the world uses these murmurs to grow the things St. Paul warns us about - bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling and malice. Murmurs of discontent denying people dignity and respect; murmurs that deny people freedom and safety. Murmurs building anger, bitterness, and malice. Murmurs spoken against God’s creation that needs our care. Even those who call themselves Christians murmur.

Open the newspaper or the internet and you see racism, hatred, bitterness, injustice, and disrespect. Most is disguised as patriotism, heritage, national safety, justice, or one of many other things we could call good. It calls us to circle our wagons, lock down the churches, and makes us forget Jesus.

I am going to say something many of you may not like. We do not have a flag on our altar. We come to worship God, through Jesus Christ. It should not be conservatives or liberals, democrats or republicans speaking to our hearts but the Holy Spirit. It’s not the President or a Supreme Court judge or a member of Congress that looks down from the Cross. It is the Lord, the one who whispers the words “Father forgive them.”

Words drowned out by the murmur. We live too short a time to be in a murmur of discontent.

The Angel of God quieted Elijah with bread from heaven; Jesus quiets the murmur in those who truly live by the bread of life; the bread of life that hung on the cross. He is “Our God and He makes things better.”  The bread of life is Jesus, God who teaches us. Jesus is the bread of life God sends to us. “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns comes to me.”

Through the bread of life, we can be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Be imitators of God and live in love. Look at life and if it’s bad remember “God will make it better!” If it’s good remember, “Isn’t it a blessing!”

Just days before Sherry slept in the Lord, a friend visited in tears, despondent as her friend neared the end to her worldly life. Sherry looked at her and with a smile said, “God’s going to make it better and it will be a blessing.” Sherry went to be with the Lord and God did make it better and God did bless her.

Sunday Reflection 18th Sunday - Monkey Mind

Monkey Mind

Exodus 16:2-4,12-15; Psalm 78:3-4,23-24,25,54; Ephesians 4:17,20-24; John 6:24-35

I am going to start this reflection with some oriental wisdom called the monkey mind. St. Paul called it a futile mind.

The monkey mind is this: The human mind can be like it’s filled with monkeys, jumping around, screeching, chattering and carrying on endlessly. Our emotions are different monkeys in our mind. It is said monkey mind overtakes an entire society.

I know I’ve been there with stuff screaming, screeching and jumping around in my head; so many different things fighting inside of me. Fear has been especially loud pointing out the unknown hidden things to worry about.

Faith calms a fearful and futile monkey mind. Paul tells us “Truth is in Jesus.” He writes do not live in the futility of your mind or deceitful desires.

The whole Israelite community was full of fear and deceitful desires. They grumbled. Afraid of the unknown, they desired to go back Egypt and slavery. They complained of hunger.

Hunger is “a strong desire or craving.” You can hunger for food, success, revenge, love and truth. Our emotions mostly desire and crave truth.

From hunger, the multitude followed Jesus. Looking to him not for the signs of the messiah; but, because they ate. They wanted to make Jesus king because he had quieted a hunger.

The Israelites left Egypt. No one made them leave. They saw the plagues and the signs that God set upon Egypt. They saw the miracles of God. They saw the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. They saw the Angel of God the led the way. They had no faith; all they saw was the hunger and hardships, the violence and the vastness of the unknown about them. The Israelites had all these hungry emotions inside the mind of the community. The strongest was fear.

The multitude following Jesus saw or heard of his miracles, healing and casting out of demons. They heard Jesus teach. They were part of the miracle that fed 5000. They had no faith; all they saw was oppression in the rulers, hunger and hardships in life and a violent vast unknown existence. The multitude hungered from fear.

Two sets of people existing and seeking the answer to their hunger. Today, our society is the same. This world has put so many things screaming, screeching and jumping in our heads. It is a world existing in fearful hunger from a lack of faith.

It’s not necessary. If we lived as Jesus taught us and follow the commandments of God, if we just look around to see the miracles God works in this world despite the evil and lack of faith, we could quite the fearful and futile monkey mind.  

This is faith. Through faith, God gives himself to us to quite the hunger.   

Paul tells us to put away our former way of life; renew the spirit of your mind. God calmed the Israelite community with manna, bread from heaven. Jesus calmed the multitude breaking the loaves and feeding them. God can calm us if we look to him to feed us.

Fear is all about hunger. We hunger for peace. We hunger for comfort. We hunger for safety. We hunger for an absence of conflict. We hunger for justice and dignity. We hunger for much in our fear.  Faith calms the fearful and futile mind. Faith renews the spirit of our mind.

Faith in God, Jesus Christ, can rid us of hunger. Christ quiets the hungers that exist in our lives. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

If your mind is jumping around, screeching, and chattering endlessly from something missing, maybe it hungers for truth. Truth is in Jesus. Brothers and Sister come to the Bread of Life.

Sunday Reflection, 17th Sunday - "5 Barley Loaves"

Five Barley Loaves

2 Kings 4:4244; Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15

Elisha was brought barley loaves. The boy in the crowd had five barley loaves and two fish. In each reading five barley loaves, why are they so important?

Barley was a common grain used as fodder for horses, feed for cattle and bread for the poor. It grew during winter in poor soil. This grain represented overcoming the impossible. In the book of Judges, Gideon’s victory over the enemies of Israel is foretold in a dream. A barley loaf tumbles into the enemies’ camp at night and knocks down their tents. In the book of Second Kings, Elisha throws barley meal into a stew to overcome poison to feed the hungry. Barley was the sin offering required for jealousy and wrongdoing.

A man from Baal-shalishah came bringing barley loaves. He was from the Northern Kingdom, where the rulers, the priests, and the prophets had forgotten God. They built temples and named cities for the god Baal. They were not feeding those hungry for the true God.

He comes to the man of God, Elisha, with barley loaves. Some were still faithful to God. It was an offering from those who had not forgotten the true God. Even though the powerful in Israel had sinned and done wrong, many still worshiped the one true God.

The barley loaves represented something else. The loaves were a sacrifice for all the wrongdoings and forgotten promises of people of the covenant. A poor man brought 20 barley loaves for the forgotten promises and wrongdoings of the people. Twenty in the bible is a symbol for redemption. The man of God takes and multiplies this sacrifice for the many.

So many were following Jesus - the poor, the sinners, the sick, and the lost. Five thousand men but there were also women and children. A boy was there with five barley loaves and two fishes. It was all he had.

So many were following Jesus that it was asked what good was five barley loaves and two fishes. Jesus knew.

The temple officials had not fed them; forgotten what God had asked of them.  They had forgotten to bring God to the poor, to the sinners, to the sick, and to the world.  They were not feeding those hungry for God.

Again, these five loaves represented the Torah and the promise of God. They implied the original covenants between God and his people; but, now more. The two fish would make the meal complete. The two fish stood for the comparison between the old and the new.

These five barley loaves represented a sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins, broken promises and wrongdoing. Jesus himself would take away our sins.

In both readings the barley loaves were multiplied. They provided food for many. The man of God, Elisha, multiplied five loaves to feed a hundred. The Son of God, multiplied the five loaves to feed a multitude.

Everyone there knew the story of Elisha. The multitude saw the greatness in Jesus and wanted to make him King.

Jesus wanted to remain as humble as the barley loaf, food for the poor, the sick, the sinners, and the world. Jesus was to be a sacrifice for our sins. He is the final covenant and the fulfillment of God’s promises. He is the risen Christ whose body is the bread we share in the Eucharist. 

Lastly, in the Bible the number five is used as a symbol of God’s grace. These are two stories about God’s grace.

Most of us probably never thought about the five barley loaves. But, God can use the simplest of things to teach us so much. A simple grain used to nourish bodies, nourish spirits, and nourish faith. Two stories showing us it is the hand of the Lord the feeds us; feeding those hungry for God. Two stories about five barley loaves that show God’s grace through Jesus Christ is over all and through all and in all.

Sunday Reflection 16th Sunday - Voices

Voices - We’re not as Smart as Sheep

Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34

(With influence by the voice of Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI  )

I’ve always heard how dumb sheep are from the voices of characters on television westerns when I was young.

From the voices of priests and the Bible, I heard a good shepherd knows his sheep.  He is there when his sheep need him or in danger or get lost. The sheep know this and they know the shepherd. They know his voice.  

Other voices in my life have told me that a shepherd can look out at all those white wooly sheep and tell them apart.

Before sheep farming became a big business, shepherds would come at night to a common enclosure for protection. The next morning going their separate ways, each shepherd would call to their sheep and the sheep would follow their shepherd’s voice.  And they couldn’t be fooled; others shepherds would try to imitate another shepherd’s voice to steel sheep, but the sheep would only come to the voice of their shepherd. In the mix of voices calling sheep, even the false voices calling to them, a sheep followed the voice of his protector, its good shepherd.

My inner voice tells me that we’re a lot like sheep; but, maybe we’re not as smart as sheep. We don’t always recognize the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We don’t recognize the voice of God.

We live surrounded by voices. Voices found on television, radio, internet, and news sources. Voices heard from spouses, children, friends, teachers, and employers. Voices come to us that are jealous, envious, petty, angry, and hateful. Voices invite us to greatness if we follow the trends, buy this or that. Voices call out hatred and anger disguise as good. Voices call out love and forgiveness; and, these may be disguised as well. Voices calling right and voices calling wrong. So many voices speaking the way of the world as vital and important, but always, the voice with ultimate truth is God’s.

In all these voices, which is God’s voice? How do we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd? There’s no easy answer, so many times all these voices are disguised as the voice of truth.  The voice of God is always true and always good.

The prophet Jeramiah warns the people of Israel that the priests have called to the people with voices that are not of God. Voices disguised as truth have ultimately misled the sheep and scatter the flock; driven them away. Their voices were confusing and wrong. Through Jeramiah’s voice, God calls his sheep promising he will send a shepherd.

Jesus, whose heart was moved with pity seeing a people without a shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd who teaches many things. His voice is comforting, protecting, and good. It calls for us to follow the shepherd. We hear His voice and it teaches us many things that can tear down dividing walls set up by the voices of all the others. 

So we go back to the question - how do we know God’s voice? How do we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd?

Sometimes the best we can do is to trust in our gut feeling that comes from our morals, beliefs, and traditions. Remember that the voice of God is always good.

Remembering what Paul said that is was a voice of peace that reconciles us to God.  It is a voice that tears down dividing walls. The Gospel found in many things.   

Jesus taught many things like listening for the voice of God:

• The voice of God recognized in life, joy, health, and humor and at the same time recognized by the dying, suffering and the poor in spirit.
• God’s voice that calls us higher, sets us apart, and invites us to be holy and at the same time calls us to humility.
• God’s voice that is heard in our enjoyment and gratitude for life, as it asks us to deny ourselves.

These are ways in which we hear God’s voice.  

Jesus Christ the word of God, the Good Shepherd, the voice of peace that calls to the scattered sheep.

Hear his voice. Hear his words. Follow his voice and come to God.

Homily Reflection 15th Sunday - The Ordinary Person's Divine Commission

The Ordinary Person's Divine Commission

Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14  Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10 Mark 6:7-13

Some of the most beautiful and poetic words in the entire Bible are in today’s Psalm. “I will hear what God proclaims – for the Lord proclaims peace. Kindness and truth shall meet, justice and peace shall kiss.” These words are beautiful and appropriate because hearing God is a theme in today’s scriptures.

The first reading occurs after the splitting of the Kingdom of Israel. There were 2 kingdoms. The Southern Kingdom had 2 tribes, the city of Jerusalem, and the Temple. The Northern Kingdom, was the 10 other tribes. Powerful, wealthy and worldly, it had its own temple and Gods. Prophets and priests told the king everything he wanted to hear. (This could be a profitable career.)

Amos from the south goes north proclaiming prophesy of God. They didn’t like what Amos had to say and asked him to leave.

Already, in the Gospel of Mark we learned how Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. The temple priests didn’t like what Jesus had to say. They asked him to leave and plotted against Jesus.

So, Jesus went and found the 12, his apostles.

Amos and the 12 are proof that God does extraordinary things with ordinary people.

Amos was a shepherd and tender of sycamore trees. He was a migrant worker. Alone, he contemplated God and was given a divine commission, prophesy repentance.

The 12 apostles were common folk. Seven were fisherman and one a tax collector. Two were zealots. One was probably not Hebrew. Another was greedy and betrayed Jesus. They were ordinary.

Jesus sent them 2x2. Take nothing except your staff, the sandals on your feet, and a single tunic. Jesus gave instructions, a divine commission: heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach repentance.

God was doing extraordinary things with ordinary people, giving them a divine commission.

Paul writes about our divine commission. God chose us before the foundation of the world. God destined us to be in accord with the ONE, to bring Christ to the world. We exist for the praise of His glory. We are to work for justice, peace, and to be channels of grace. We are to proclaim the Kingdom of God. 

Amos had nothing, the 12 took nothing; yet, they walked with God trusting in His divine grace. A grace found in prayer, contemplation, and their friendship and gratitude with God.

Our problem is the idea of taking nothing. Our stuff gets in the way of nothing. The freedom to walk with God doesn’t come from our stuff but through prayer and contemplation. Through prayer and comtemplation friendship and gratitude follow. We become friends with Jesus. We recognize the Holy Spirit in the whispers to our heart. We are grateful for God's grace in our life.

Until we get to this point, we tend to be complacent (an I don’t care attitude). The blind leads the blind in a world where our stuff gets in the way: the stuff where our morals are establish by pop culture; the stuff where leaders make decision without regard for justice and human dignity but, for their own glory; the stuff of ministers who don’t preach Christ but preach what the world what it wants to hear.  

God calls us from complacency to action.

I didn’t have a story as an example of my point until Friday when my wife took me to lunch.  Driving on an empty parking lot another car came across aisles and parking spaces straight for us, heading to the exit.

“Look!! That car is going to hit us.” And Janet hits the horn. She tells the driver of the other car to pay attention and lists all the things the driver did wrong. The driver of the other car never slowed and couldn’t benefit from Janet’s critique.

I said, “Don’t be so upset. You saw the car coming; you could’ve just moved out of the way.” But, Janet continued her analysis of the other driver’s lack of etiquette.  

I finally said, “Stop fussing, that driver can’t hear you.” Janet looked at me and said, “I’m not fussing at them, I fussing at you.” 

Did I say that I love my wife?

As Christians, we are challenged to move beyond our complacency. Janet moved to someone who would listen to her. Jesus said, "if they will not listen leave there."  Move from complacency by rooting yourself in Jesus Christ who sends each of us to preach repentance, proclaim the Kingdom of God, and continue his mission of salvation.   

God can do extraordinary things with ordinary people.

God works through us. Be open to the whisper of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart. Bring Christ to the world and to proclaim the Kingdom of God where kindness and truth shall meet, justice and peace shall kiss.

Brothers and sisters, this is our divine commission.

Sunday Reflection: 14th Sunday OT - Sometimes We Need a Top on the Shoulder

Sometimes We Need a Tap on the Shoulder

Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123:1,2,3,4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6

Years ago, I worked with a second generation millwright. His father had been a millwright at the same plant.  

A millwright keeps the plant running smooth. He knows the machines; when they need maintenance, adjustment, or just a swift kick. The smallest sound the machine makes talks to him.

Over the years, the number of plants and employees continued to grow. Engineers and professionals were hired to maximize production and profit. I was the safety manager.

One day, I found the managers and engineers walking a dangerous path on the conveyor that fed the wood press; and, it was on. If someone fell, they could be pulled into the machine and killed.

I said, “Stop!” 

They said, “No! This was adjusting the machine. If it didn’t run correctly, the company could lose millions of dollars a day. If I didn’t like it, leave."  

The millwright tapped my shoulder, “I can fix it.”  

I said, “The engineers can’t fix it, how can you?”  

He simply said, “My job is fixing these machines. My father fixed these machines and taught me how. His best advice was read the operator’s instruction manual. They’re too smart to do that. The instructions explain that to fix this problem requires only adjustments at the control panel.”

He continued, “They think they’re smart; but, they haven’t read the instructions.”

For safety, I brought this to management’s attention. The response, “He’s a millwright. What does he know?”  I convinced them to read the instruction manual. The millwright’s wisdom fixed the machine.

We can be too smart for the truth. God called His people “hard headed and rebellious.”

We say, “Where did He get this wisdom?”

Not me, I’ll never ask that!!  

How many completely follow the instructions: love all our neighbors; never lie, covet, steal; honor our parents; love God with all we are? Or, do we make up our own rules - confession, anyone?

This is life! In it, we walk a path that can be dangerous. Our country and the world are led by people who walk this same path. Forgetting the instruction manual, we make up the rules to allow us on chosen path.

We stray from Jesus’ words. We ignore the path and argue with the guidance given to us by the Church. We forget the authority given to Peter and the apostles; through these comes the authority given the Church.

To justify straying from Christ and His Church, we can find reasons and justify them. We say its freedom, equality, and justice; but, these are found in our human thoughts and weaknesses. We forget true freedom, equality, and justice that God teaches through Christ and the Church.

There are no new paths. The way the path is presented and how we perceive is what’s new. We get excited and forget the instruction manual.

Where did He get that wisdom? Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary?  Yes and He is the Word of God, the instruction manual. We profess that we believe in him. We come to the Eucharist to be one with Him.  

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” Many will walk out the door of His house and return to their life and walk a different path.

In this country, we are blessed with freedom to read the instruction manual. We need to read it; the experts need to read it. The instructions will help keep us safe.

It is in our weakness that we are strong.  Our everyday little things bring God to the world: our prayers, our words and actions, the sacraments. When we see things not exactly running right, maybe we need to be like the millwright. Tap someone on the shoulder and say “I’ve read the instructions, let me tell you about them.”