Beast of Burden - Reflection Palm Sunday

(Readings)

It's about Jesus and His choice. 

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He did not ride in on a kingly horse or a royal chariot but on a lowly yet ennobled beast of burden. He rode a beast of burden that dutifully carried him to the cross.

Think about it, Jesus was the one carrying the burden of the sins of the world. He carried them into Jerusalem. He brought them before Caiaphas, the high priest, as he was accused. He bore them before Pilate and was beaten and suffered. He carried our sins in the cross to a place called Golgotha.

All the world and those He loved abandoned him. They denied him. 

We do that today, "Surely not I, Lord!"

In some way, each of us asks the world we live in "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"  

We ask that question, maybe not in those words but in our acts and actions. We asked that by prejudice, hate, and bigotry. We ask that by falling to drugs, addictions, and pornography. We seek reward in lies, cheating, and the idolatry of the world.

In our weakness for these things and so much more, we chose the world over Christ. Given a choice, we answer, "Barabbas!"

Christ looks down from the Cross, looks at us and his eyes speak “why have you forsaken me?"

Jesus gave us all that he was, his life and his death, his body and his blood. He gave all these things in His passion as a beast of burden for our sins as he rode into Jerusalem and to his crucifixion.

It's about HIs love for you.

Yall be good, yall be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love, Amen.

Expectations - Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Lent

(Readings)

In the Gospel, I recognized something that I missed many times before, Jesus was perturbed, twice.

When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled…. And when, “Some said, ‘could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?’ Jesus was perturbed again….”

To be perturbed is to be anxious. In Philippians we are told “Work with anxious concern to achieve your salvation.” In other translations, anxious concern is written “fear and trembling.”

I picture these emotions as an upset Jesus speaks with the crowd. He was upset at the death of Lazarus and perturbed at the expectations of the Jews, Mary and Martha, and even his disciples. Even as Jesus neared the cross, they did not understand everything He did was for the glory of God.

Everyone has expectations. We have expectations for our self. Parents have expectations of their children. Spouses have expectations of one another. You have expectations of the Priest and Deacon. Priests and Deacons have expectations of the community.

We even have expectations of God. Remember, Jesus was perturbed, twice.

Expectations hold others to our standards. It is not fair to impose our expectations upon another. Only God has the right to expect things from us and scripture says that “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Maybe that is why Jesus wept. He wept for his friend Lazarus; but, He also wept in anxious concern for our salvation.

As Christian believers, our salvation is manifest in striving to meet God’s expectation and His will for us. We are to follow Him.

But this is made difficult because the world has human expectations of God, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?"

God’s expectation is not passiveness. We must be active in God’s work. “If Christ is in you…, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” He gives us his righteousness, which is the goodness and love in us to do His work,

Salvation has anointed us for His work. Jesus tell us, If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

In Christ, we can raise those dead because of sin. Like Jesus’ call to Lazarus, Christ reaches out to others through our goodness, our holiness, and our lives lived as an example of Christ’s love. The Christ shouts, Untie them.

This is done in Christ’s perturbation for sin. It is done not of expectations but in anxious concern. This is done in fear and trembling, because we always fall short of God’s expectations. Yet, we continue in the hopeful expectation given by Christ’s death on the cross.

“Then you shall know that I am the LORD….”

God’s expectations are the same for all Catholics, Christians, and true believers. So like Thomas, called Didymus, said, "Let us also go to die with him."

Jesus, our salvation, words, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Those who believe answer, "Yes, Lord.”

The resurrection is not a place or a time, but is Jesus. – (Fr. Joe Martina) For some this is unexpected and it perturbs them.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.Amen.

Are You Scared - Homily Reflection 4th Sunday Lent

(Scripture Readings)

Let me tell you about my week.

Monday, my wife and I were eating lunch and received fortune cookies at the end of the meal. Mine read, “You cannot be happy in what you want to be. Be happy in what you are.”

Janet says, “That would make a good homily.”

I didn’t think a fortune cookie homily was a good idea.

Tuesday, I read an article about a young woman entering a cloistered convent. At 21, she was leaving her family, friends, and the world to live as a bride of Christ in penance and prayer.

Her sister said, I don’t see a nun, I see my little sister with wild curly hair and loves pretty clothes.

This young woman was asked a question, “Are you scared?”

I think everyone has thought about that in their life, being scared. We like control; we want to be who we want to be and when we're not in control we can get scared.

Wednesday, I read the scriptures for this Sunday.

David was just a boy out tending the sheep and goats when God call him to be King of Israel. God had rejected all of David’s brothers who were taller, smarter, strong warriors, and charismatic leaders.

David’s father and brothers didn’t see a king. They saw a ruddy faced little boy who tended the flocks. God chose David. God sent Samuel to anoint a boy as the next king of Israel.

I wonder if someone asked David that day, “Are you scared?” David had no control of God’s plan for him.

There was a blind man Jesus healed. The disciples saw nothing special in him. In fact they asked, “Why was this man born blind?” “Did this man sin or was it his parents?” They looked at the blind man and saw sin.

The blind man sat alongside of the road listening for Jesus’ answer. I wonder what the blind man would have said if someone asked, “Are you scared?”

He had no control of the sins of his parents or his past or what he would be. The blind man had no control of what Jesus would do in his life.

Thursday someone told me of their life and failures. I wondered how many look themselves and see nothing special? There is no way the Lord would call me.

Not true; each of us is born for the same reason “…so the works of God might be made visible through us.” It’s out of our control - God’s plan for us. Are you scared?

The Psalm says, “The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want.” It continues, “Though I walk through the dark valley I shall not fear, for God is at my side.”

It’s true. The Lord is our shepherd. Before anyone became who they are like the nun or King David or a blind man healed by Jesus, the Lord was their shepherd. With the Lord there is nothing we lack or nothing to fear. There is no reason to be scared. God is the one in control.

We know the words of the Psalm. We have good intentions. We want to live for Jesus. We want to do good things in the world. We want to be someone who will make the works of God visible to the world.

Yet, in all this, we still see ourselves as what we are sinners who have failed the Lord. Deep inside we cry that there is nothing special this sinner to give to God.  

That’s not what God sees, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the hearts.” “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”

We are scared because we have no control.

Friday was the Way of the Cross, confession, and Fr. Job giving me the blessing of giving the homily.

In that it was made clear: No one really knows until they are called how they will make the works of God visible in the world. That’s up to God. We wait until the moment that God lifts us up, lifts up our works and prayers and makes it His works.

David was boy tending his flock. By the end of his life, he was a strong and powerful king of a great country.

The blind man was a beggar on the street. By the end of the Gospel, he was thrown out of the synagogue for defending Jesus.

The 21 year old nun is someone’s curly haired little sister who loves pretty clothes. She admitted to sometimes getting cold feet about God’s call.

Are you scared? There’s no need to be. In the light of Christ, goodness and kindness will follow us all the days of our life.

Today, I remember that fortune cookie, “You cannot be happy in what you want to be. Be happy in what you are.”

We are by grace what God calls us to be. That’s what Lent is about, realizing what God calls us to be – someone who will make the works of God visible to the world.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

S.E.L.F. - Homily Reflection 3rd Sunday of Lent

(Readings) 

(Thank you for the inspiration Mr. Derreck Kayongo)

Monday’s bible study was Daniel, Jeanne, Janet, and I. Daniel and I were busy interpreting the symbolism of this Sunday’s readings. We dove into the meaning of living water. We carried a conversation about the woman's bucket. Yes, we were deep in the word.

Then, I looked over at Jeanne. She had that look on her face, lips pursed and forehead wrinkled; wringing her hands as she looked at the Gospel. Then she says "I just don't see it. It's a story about a woman who meets Jesus. He tells her sins and she believes. It’s simple; that's what I see."

She was right. It was simple. Jesus met and spoke to the Samaritan woman. She looked at herself, her life, and she believed in Jesus. All we can do is give to the LORD our entire self. 

That's a great message for Lent. Look at self. The woman did. Look at our life in reference to self, S-E-L-F (Serve, Educate, Lead, Faith)

First, S is for serve. Jesus called the woman to serve. Give me a drink of water.

Jesus calls each of us to serve; feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned, and clothe the naked. What you did for the least, you did for me. Every day in the voices of the poor Jesus calls, “Give me a drink of water.”

The E is educate. Jesus educated the woman. He told who she was and told her sins. Jesus told her of the living water that He would give. Then, He told her more.

For many sin is the “yuck" factor.  It what makes following Jesus so hard: realizing sins, trials, and low points in our lives. We don't want to face our shortcomings. Yet, facing that part of our lives educates us. It teaches us that we need to turn to Jesus, listen to his gospel and learn the truths of our faith. Educating others in Christ is ministry and mission.

What about the L? The L is for lead. After answering the call to serve and learning the truth about Jesus, the Samaritan woman left her bucket at the well and went to lead others to Jesus, the savior of the world.

That is how Christians are called to lead. Lead others to Christ. Every good leader knows others find Christ by service, mission, and ministry.

It’s the "yuck" factor that makes us leaders. Leading others through the sin, trials, and low points where we've already been. We lead people to Christ through our experiences, knowing Jesus, and sharing the gospel, the good news of Christ.

Not least is F for faith. The Samaritan woman believed in Jesus. She would lead others to Jesus by faith.

Everyone needs faith. Faith is what makes us whole. Faith brings us to the living water that Jesus promised. We believe in faith that Jesus is Savior of the World. "It is by faith we are justified."

I don’t want anyone scratching their heads about the living water and the bucket. The bucket represents the empty lives we bring to Jesus. Jesus speaks to us and fills us with the Living Water (the Holy Spirit); the gift He promises. As the spirit fills us, we want to be something more in our SELF.

God knows us and wants us. The Holy Spirit fills us. We leave behind the old empty bucket that we once were to tell others about Jesus. The bucket and living water, Jesus puts it all in motion, when we hear is voice.

Because, God loved us so much that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. On this third Sunday of Lent, a season to look at self, Love enough to give your entire self to God.

Jesus spoke. The woman looked at her SELF. She believed. It's a simple message.

Y'all be good, y'all be holy; preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

A Mystic Path - 2nd Sunday Lent

 Genesis 12:1-4a;   Psalm: 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22;  2 Timothy 1:8b-10;  Matthew 17:1-9

Listen to him.

A person once told me they were a mystic and the first thing that came to my mind was - mystic no; kind of freaky, yes. I wondered, can an everyday person be a mystic?

My idea of a mystic came from movies and fantasy novels. It was an ancient thing or a Hollywood interpretation of Christianity as an ancient thing. Mystics spent their time in prayer or a monastery or a convent or a cave. They had visions, stigmata, or experience holy ecstasy. Mystics aren't normal everyday people.

I pictured mystics walking in a mist with hoods and long robes, otherworldly. I never imagined a highly-intelligent woman in business clothes. I've learned since, that a true mystic is someone with insight into the mysteries of God.

One of those mysteries is the presence of God in our lives. The Bible is full of mystics, normal ordinary people that experienced the presence of God in their life.

Abram's insight came when God told him, "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you."

Leave what makes you who you are, your family, your kinsfolk, your inheritance, and go. Leave what protects you. Leave your father's house. Leave what makes you who you are and gives you comfort. Walk the path I give you. Live in the world depending on the LORD your God and by the LORD God's instructions. Experience the LORD in the world, follow Him to a promised land.

Peter, James, and John had followed Jesus from the beginning. They followed even though Jesus promised hardship and ridicule. They followed not understanding the words He preached or the message He spoke. He took them to a high mountain.

They knew He was messiah, the anointed one, the son of David. They knew he was something more than an ordinary man. They knew these things; but, did they know Jesus?

Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shown like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And a voice spoke this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.

The transfiguration allowed them to see the son of the living God. They got a deeper understanding into the mystery of God, the mystery of Jesus.

Abram, Peter, James, and John came to understand the mystery of God through the ordinary and not so ordinary experience of God in life. Each grew in their faith.

That is the way our faith grows through the ordinary and not so ordinary experience of God in life. Our existence, our everyday life living with the mystery of God begins in the concrete reality of breathing, of our body being, of our thoughts, emotions and feelings. The secret to these mysteries, listening to Jesus.

Jesus taught us to find God in this world, in our neighbor, and in the ordinary of life. He taught us in parables of the ordinary. Jesus taught us how to see, what to emphasize, and what to ignore.

People protest, we do not live in the same world Jesus did. Humanity and society are changing; yet, we are still created in God's image. We forget that and forget God's presence in our lives.

That brings us back to mystics. Abram became a mystic by walking the path the Lord set before him. Peter, James, and John followed Jesus to have their eyes opened by the transfiguration. All truly aware of God's presence in their life.

Most of us are aware of God and are trying to understand the mysteries of God by believing Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior, the only Sion of God. We grow in understanding the mystery of Jesus believing in the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We move to familiar with the Holy Trinity by recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete in our life and in our world.

These are realize by contemplation and prayer. Look at your life, God has put us on the path we walk. Look back on God's presence in your life. Believe your prayers are heard. Believe your prayers are powerful. Pray all the time, pray in Jesus name. Study the word of God.

In the hard times we find our strength in God. God calls us, not because of what we do but because it is God's will. Listen to him. Be aware of his presence. Follow where he leads.

Maybe there are a lot of mystics that are everyday people. People freaky for Jesus.

Y'all be good, y'all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen

Walk with a Purpose - Reflection 1st Sunday of Lent

Readings
I heard a young man (11 yo) speak these words about his father. "One of the things my father has taught me is to walk in life with a purpose."

That's a great phrase. Great words to take to heart this Lenten season. 

"One of the things my father has taught me is to walk in life with a purpose."

It is the walk that defines us, gives us our identity and energy. It is the walk that forms us in the image and likeness of the god we worship. It is our faith; what we truly believe and live.

How many can say our walk in life with a purpose is the one given to us by our Heavenly Father?

Truthfully, probably only one person has, that's Jesus.

Even in the face of temptation Jesus never forgot his purpose. But people say, Jesus' purpose was to resist the devil and to walk with the Heavenly Father.

That is our purpose as well. It is why we were created.

The LORD God formed man out of clay and blew into his nostrils the breath of life.  In that breath we were given our purpose....

Temptation came to the man and woman in the form of a serpent. Both ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; and the eyes of both of them were opened.

We know good from evil. We know right yet still sin. We know justice and still allow injustice. We recognize dignity and live with shaming of other persons.

The reason for these things is that we are tempted. The devil tempted Jesus with possessions, pride, and honor. Those  are same things that tempt us. The devil comes to each of us, maybe not in the same form that a he came to Jesus. 

The devil, as they say is in the details, because we all want to be something special, extraordinary, not just some collection of dust or clay, not just an accidental, anonymous person.

Deep down, whether we admit it or not, we each nurse the secret of being special. That is when the devil can step into our lives.

We are tempted: I have to have this car, this house, these clothes, all my friends do.

We begin to believe: I have be in this circle of people, in these organizations, and at this Church. My children have to be the great athletes, the great students, and the perfect children.

Our world is built on: What do people think of me? People have to see me this way. Other people's opinion of me. I have to be the leader.

These are temptations that can promote sin, injustice, and disrespect for the dignity of others. They often bring to those tempted more heartaches than happiness.

No matter how much we work to make ourselves special and extraordinary, there will still be anonymity and ordinariness. No matter how many possessions, how much pride and honor we have sin brings emptiness.

The temptations of possessions, pride and honor become the things you worship; come between you and God. One or all of them become the walk of purpose in your life.

Someone asked, "Deacon, if God knows all our needs, all we do, and forgives us, why do we have to pray?"

Prayer keeps us focused on our walk with God. Have you ever heard the saying "out of sight, out of mind?" Without prayer we lose sight of God and he is no longer part of our thoughts and heart. We get lost and the devil steps in with temptation and sin.

Jesus came so that we would not forget and lose sight of God. God became man to walk on this earth with a specific purpose. Jesus' walk of purpose in life was to bring to us forgiveness, acquittal for our sins, and redemption, and abundance of grace, and justification; so, that through the obedience of one many will be made righteous.

Jesus brings focus to our walk in this life, which is union with God; a purpose we tend to throw away to temptation and sin. Yet in Christ Jesus, we find it again. Take a purposeful walk in life with the one who formed us from clay and gave to each of us the breath of life.

"One of the things my father has taught me is to walk in life with a purpose." It is a walk with a truly good and holy purpose.

Do you walk in life with a purpose?

Y'all be good, y’all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Safety First - Reflection 8th Sunday OTA

The psalmist writes safety can only be found in God: God my safety and glory; God my rock, my refuge, my stronghold; Only in God is my soul at rest; God is my salvation.

A safety professional in everyday life, I believe safety first. As a Deacon, a servant of God, I believe prayer and love is the best safety program.

Here in Louisiana, Sen. Bill Cassidy’s town hall meeting achieved national attention with angry protests and mayhem.

National media did not cover the prayer of invocation by Louisiana State Chaplain Michael Sprague. The prayer was booed.

The Times- Picayune Newspaper quoted the senator’s thanks to the Chaplin "Thanks for doing that, Mike," Cassidy said. "Wow, they booed the name of Jesus." (They booed Jesus)

For those who hear this, do not condemn the protest. Do not condemn the discussion. Do not condemn the opposition to Sen. Cassidy and his views. Instead, recognize the vitriol targeted on a prayer. I am not sure of the words, but I hope it was a prayer for peace, understanding, and guidance in decision making.

Here is the concern. Those who condemned the prayer condemned my faith, my beliefs, my safety, my rock, my refuge, and salvation. It was condemned by people who said they were asking for their beliefs to be heard and considered. 

Their concerns are safety, refuge, and salvation. The difference is that they were not seeking any of these things from God, but their faith is in human authority, the government.

After the prayer, the protesters shouted for separation of Church and State.

If anyone even comes close to understanding the mystery of God, then they should know one thing. God is not about politics. God is not about rallying people around political platforms. People are more than that to God who looks on each and every one of us equally with the love of parent upon a child.

Blessed are the peoples whose leaders call upon God for peace, understanding and guidance in decision making.  This is the heart of a servant. These are leaders that are stewards of the people.

These are the ones working below deck on the ship; rowing diligently and deliberately to keep things moving forward, on track, and for the good of all. 

This is the definition of a servant. God’s stewards truly seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness to be trustworthy.

If his prayer was earnest, then Sen. Cassidy truly is a servant and steward of God for the people. And for all of those who boo Jesus, all those who oppose God, the Lord will manifest the motives of hearts and bring truth to light.

The people cry, “The Lord has forsaken me, my LORD has forgotten me.”  

Remember this; No one can serve two masters. You will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

What is it that we worship more than God – Politics, Ourselves, Money, Pleasure-seeking? People place their safety, their refuge, and their salvation in politicians or a political party, in themselves, in money and having more, or in how much pleasure can derive from this life.

The psalmist speaks for many; True safety can only be found in God, my safety and glory; God my rock, my refuge, my stronghold; Only in God is my soul at rest; God is my salvation.

Safety first; prayer and love is the best safety program.

May all who pray God, believe and live their prayers. May hearts that condemn and judge, be open to God’s peace, understanding, and guidance.  May all who cry out that the LORD has forsaken us, forgotten us, remember these words:  Even should you forget, I will never forget.

The Times Picayune said, “the loudest folks … were having none of it.”

The world has so many sources of mammon; people forget about God.  Do not fear, the God who saved the psalmist, the God who saves me will surely save others. Prayer and love is the best safety program.

Y'all be good, y'all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Healing Prayer Service Reflection - Old Chairs

http://www.ibreviary.org/en/tools/ibreviary-web.html

Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, and Mardi Gras – for a lot of people a reason to party. Many don’t know the true reasons to observe these days.

Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Even many Catholics don’t know what this feast is about. In Latin, it’s the feast of Cathedra Petri.

Yes, there is a Chair of St. Peter and it is located at the back of St. Peter's Basilica. At one time, the chair was shown yearly to the faithful. A newly-elected pope would be enthroned on the Cathedra Petri. There is no doubt this is a true relic.

It's an old chair, the feast has been a celebration giving thanks to God for the mission He entrusted to the Apostle Peter since the 4th century. You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. A Church made of every true believer. 

The Risen Christ asked Peter – Do you love me? Do we answer like Peter “Lord, you know that I love you.” Then, we are called to that Chair. We are tasked to “Feed my sheep.”

It’s a mission entrusted to each of us. “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope …”Each and every Christian baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is given the mission of the Cathedra Petri. 

The Pope, who officially sits in the chair of Peter, is the head of the church; Even though so many deny it, Jesus  said “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.  In the Church, We are all fellow laborers in Christ; each is the rock on which the Church is built, go out tell how glorious God is and make known his wonder to all people.

On the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, take Peter’s mission to heart, a mission and ministry of prayer. Pray for the sick and those who suffer. Profess the good news, that by the power of the Holy Spirit in name of Christ Jesus,  we will be healed.

Take this feast to heart. Amen.

Oil Change Required - Homily Reflection 7th Sunday OTA

(Readings)

“Holy - Holy - Holy, LORD God Almighty. Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.” 

That is one of my favorite songs. It’s from Rev 4:8. 

“Holy – Holy – Holy” -- “Only thou art holy.” (….. Tires screeching to a halt ……)

That’s the fault in the song. God wants us all to be Holy. The LORD said to the Israelites “Be Holy, for I the LORD your God am Holy.” By this command, each and every one of us is called to be Holy.

Writing this, I was at Rocket Lube getting my truck’s oil changed. I have always followed the maintenance rules for my truck. Years ago, when automobiles were simpler, oil changes were 3 months or 3000 miles. Things change, technology improves; recommended oil changes became every 5000 miles. Now, my newest truck is more complicated. A computer monitors operation and oil condition. When the oil needs to be changed, a message appears on my instrument panel: oil change required.

I’m not comparing our LORD to an oil change; I’m comparing people. -- Sometimes, we need to be given instructions on changing; directions on how to be Holy.

For the Israelites, to be Holy was to be the people of God so the LORD would be with the community. They had simple rules; Holiness was what was good for the community.

The Israelites interpreted Holiness was doing right by their community. Their community was the neighbor who looks like them, spoke like them, and dressed like them. To be holy was to be good and respectful to your nation, your people, and your family.

But, things change, people change, and for the Israelites this meant that the temple became Holy.  It became the place where the Holiness of God resided. To be holy, members of the community went to temple, offered sacrifice, and followed the law. For many, the trip to temple was a once a year thing.

Those two examples were  limited understandings of God and holiness. And, God sent His Word so we would understand what is Holy. Jesus told us there's more to being Holy.

Jesus came to bring Holiness to the people; a holiness for everyone. God's love came as man in Jesus so the world would know how to be Holy. His example was more than the people of God would have imagined. Jesus showed us Holy is when God’s love acts in us. Love, by Jesus’ example, acts wisely and gently to bring us to holiness.

Jesus tells us that being Holy is not a private act.

We cannot be Holy in private and be something else to the world. When someone strikes you offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your tunic, offer them your cloak. If they ask for a mile, give them two. These are no secretive acts but acts of boldness; but examples of the strength of Holiness. Being Holy is not a private act.

St. Paul explains it well. Each and every one of us is a temple of God. Each of our bodies is where the Holy of Holies resides. But people tend to want to ruin that holiness by trying to be smarter than God; trying to destroy God’s temple with foolish human wisdom; taking credit for God, his works, or his Holiness.

Jesus told us that to be Holy we have to do better. The rain falls on the good and bad. The sun shines on the just and unjust. All people love those who love them. Even those who don’t know God are good to their family. To be Holy, we have to give all. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Show the other cheek. Give them all your clothes. And, go the extra mile.

To do the things Jesus tells us is not weakness. It’s being strong and not falling victim to our natural state. It’s super-natural and holy.

Jesus tells us, be perfect (Holy) as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Holy). The same instruction was given to the Israelites.  The word of God, Christ Jesus, wants us to be Holy.

At the Rocket Lube, I’m thinking about the oil changed required message and comparing myself to that truck. Vehicles are complicated just like people. So complicated are vehicles that messages or little voice from the vehicle will give instructions. Humanity is more complicated than automobiles and many are looking for instructions. The world will look to things or ideals or someone to give them directions. Do they look to Jesus?

Everyone needs direction; Jesus shows us how to change.  

We cannot be Christians in private. It’s turning the other cheek that sets us apart. The extra mile distinguishes us. Our prayers bring us closer to God. God's love in us acts wisely and kindly to open us to holiness.  

Be open to that love; because, God wants us all to be - Holy, Holy, Holy.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

A Blind Man’s Confession (Reflection communion service - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2017

A Blind Man’s Confession

Readings

The story of the blind man at Bethsaida causes confusion. Why did Jesus healing of the blind man take two tries? Maybe, the story has deeper meaning.

All language about God is symbolic and figurative. All language is metaphorical. Words are never the thing itself. We can only use words to point at what we want to describe. And, when it comes to the divine, our words don’t even come close to the mystery of God. Love and death are things we may never know in completeness.

The word moon only points us toward the moon. Only a handful of people can say they touched the moon. Words can only point us to God. Words are how we begin to see God.  Words keep us humble by searching our limited world to best describe our experience with Jesus.

I think that is the story of the blind man at Bethsaida. It is a blind man’s confession. It is the words of the Blind man and the words of the Gospel writer attempting to describe an experience of Jesus.

What does the Gospel mean and how do these words point to God?

Maybe faith in Jesus shows us the fullness of our human potential. The more we know Jesus, the more intimate we come with Him; the more we realize our potential. We reject our outlook on the world. We come closer to Jesus becoming fully human.

Maybe it means even though we find Jesus our eyes may not be open fully at first. Maybe, we need to get closer more intimate with the Lord. We are to come to Jesus again and again so we can see clearer.

Maybe opening our eyes we awaken our faith. Jesus awakens our faith to fully see God’s love. It is a love that transforms how we believe and who we are in the world.

All we have is words, like a blind man, trying to see God.

So what does the gospel speak to you?

The Whole Truth - Reflection 6th Sunday OTA

The Whole Truth (Inspired by Fr. Richard Rohr)

Readings

God loves you. God loves the true you, the one He created, the eternal soul that is your identity in God. God's love is true for every person. But most choose to believe something else.

Let me tell you a story. (Inspired: Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood)

A long time ago, a great truth fell from heaven.  As it fell, it broke in two. One piece was found by man who look at it said it was a great truth. Man brought it to the people who built a tower for this truth so all the world could see that they had truth. Others also wanted the truth. Those who had the truth did not share and jealously began. The ones with the truth said of others - They do not deserve this truth. And people began to fight over the truth.

One youth looked at the truth and realized it was broken, a part was missing. Leaving the village, the youth set out to find what was missing of this truth. Searching for years, the youth grew much older before the missing part of the truth was found. Now, as an elder, the former youth returned to the village to find people were still fighting over the truth.

The elder asked that the truth to be taken down from the tower. The people saw the truth and it was brilliant. The truth was golden. On that piece of the truth was written, "You are loved;"

All the people shouted that the truth belonged only to them. The elder raised a hand and the crowd grew quite. Pointing to the jagged edge, the elder showed that the truth was broken. It was not the whole truth.

The elder showed the found piece. It was brilliant. It was golden. It completed the first truth. Putting the two together, the elder showed all the whole truth. All realized their wrong. All saw the whole truth. The whole truth is, "You are loved and so are they."

This is our world, this story of a fragmented and broken world. It is not the world that God made. God created the world to be whole.

To make the world whole once more, God sent truth to the world.

Instead of embracing the truth, humanity has broken the truth. People have taken one part of the truth and claimed it. We are loved and no one else is loved. The truth belongs to us. The others, they are not loved.

Instead of moving to a union with God, the whole truth, complete love; we read and interpret to our own broken individualistic truth. The only truth we want to hear, but it may not be the whole truth.

It was the whole truth that Jesus preached. The truth of Christ that "You are loved; and so are they!" 

Accepting the whole truth we can't play games of a judging, labeling, and punishing others. The gospel of Jesus is the whole truth - ""You have heard it said "You shall not kill..., You shall not commit adultery..., Do not take a false oath...."" Jesus brings the whole truth in his words, "But I say to you ...." and he brings us the truth of love.

"Love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." (1 Jn 4)

Only a few get this. Most choose something else. Jesus said follow him, get close and know his love, but we worship him from far off. Instead of moving to a union with God, the whole truth, we read the Bible and interpret its truth in selfish ways. Ways that help us know only the broken truth, only the part of the message we want to hear.

The whole truth is the wisdom of God. Wisdom that is the mysterious truth God established before the each and every one of us. A wisdom people have forgotten. St. Paul writes if this wisdom was known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

It is the wisdom of knowing the whole truth that God reveals to us through the Holy Spirit. The whole truth that is for each and every one of you - all those who are not here, strangers, those we call our enemy, those who are saints, and those who are sinners - God loves the true you, the one he created, the eternal soul, your identity in God.

You are loved and so are they.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

A Salty World - Reflection 5th Sunday OT A

A Salty World

Readings

Salt nuisances flavors, used the right amount it brings flavor.. But if it is used unwisely, it can cause problems. We live in a salty world; better yet, a complexed world. Its complexity is influenced by the many lives, governments, and diverse goals in the world. Then the world throws in the battle of good and evil just to spice things up.

In all these, God's word and message has never changed. But, we use the salt of His words unwisely sometimes to add complexity to our human existence.  

The word of God is the light of truth. We tend to hide His truth in different opinions, ideas, and beliefs. We tend to disagree. Our disagreements turn to turmoil, riots, and violence instead of settling them with the wisdom that comes from God. Instead of God, we look to people. People who claim they are a people of peace. A peace salted by the complexly of their ideas of peace. The world has always been a complexed place.

Mirroring the words of Isaiah and Jesus, Pope Francis said “It's hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of help.”

But Pope Francis was quoted in the Spanish newspaper El Pais, “every country has the right to control its borders, especially where the risk of terrorism exists.” Even the Pope must speak in a complex world.

This world has always been a complexed world. The Old Testament of the Bible was written in a complexed world. Jesus lived in a complexed world. And, Paul wrote in a complexed world. All are salt intended to bring out our best but we tend to make them complex.

God's message is not complex. Isaiah gave this message to a people who had been at war, held captive, and could not trust. God's message: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.

These are important things. In these important things, Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth, the seasoning that gives taste to life. But, salt goes stale and loses it taste. We become stale when the gospel becomes secondary in our life.

Jesus tells us we are called to be the salt and the light. We are not called to be stale flavorless salt. We are not a light to be kept hidden. Over the years and in times of fear and uncertainty, even those of us who call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ have become like stale tasteless salt. The light of Christ is hidden under the basket that is the complexity of life.

It is hard to be a Christian. We are to preach the gospel by who we are, what we do and say, and by the example we give to the world. But, our message is too many times hidden by our weakness, fear, and trembling. The sad part is that we are not in fear and trembling of God, but a fear and trembling from our humanness.  We fear our message. We fear we will be called weak because we stand up for love, called soft because we care for the weak, or considered the enemy because we care for the refugee.

We can change this complex world by looking at the simple.Think of the teachings of solidarity and subsidiarity. Solidarity, simply, is loving our neighbor (a global concept in a shrinking world.) Subsidiarity is doing it at the simplest level first.

In solidary and subsidiarity, the Lord will be glorified.  And, the light of the Lord will shine in this world.

Put your faith not in human wisdom but on the power of God then our message will be salt and light to the world.

Be the salt and light; preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.