In Beauty, I Walk - Homily 22nd Sunday OTB

(Readings)

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

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

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

In beauty I walk.

With beauty before me I walk.

With beauty behind me I walk.

With beauty above me I walk.

With beauty around me I walk.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

It has become beauty again.

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

King David prayed a similar prayer:

Praise be to you LORD from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours is the greatness

and the power and the glory

and the majesty

and the splendor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then humanity sinned and hid from God.

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

It was not the fruit but the ugliness of sin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We can offer the prayer this way:

In God I walk.

With God before me I walk.

With God behind me I walk.

With God above me I walk.

With God around me I walk.

God the Holy Trinity has come again.

God the Father has come again.

God, the Holy Spirit comes again.

God, our Lord Jesus Christ will come again.

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

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

The Battle is On - Reflection 21st Sunday - OTB

(Readings)

We are made by God for good things. For that reason, we battle all that is bad every day. As Christians, we battle from the stronghold that is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The “Manual of Spiritual Warfare” (TAN Books www.tanbooks.com) begins:

“Like it or not, you are at war! No matter who you are, - whether or not you know it – you have a mortal enemy who wants to destroy you, not just in this life, but in the next.”

We as a church have been fighting this war. You fight this war. My family is been fighting this war. Our children are fighting it. And, the first rule in fighting this war is “know your enemy.”

When I say we fight all that is bad every day, do not be fooled. Our war is with the evil one, the Devil.  The world is going to scoff and say there is no such thing as the Devil. But the Devil, the enemy has blinded the world to its existence.

The Church has been fighting this war since the beginning of the Church.

The enemy has brought scandal to the Church. The proof of this is the enemy’s effects on human behavior and on the physical world.

It began in the priesthood. Demons took over the lives of many called to chastity and purity. Some may have been specifically led by the evil one to that lifestyle.

In the physical world, many are murmuring, some are running away. In some parts of the country, good holy priests are being insulted, spit on, and threatened as they walk down the street. People are turning away from the Church.

Jesus knows the ones who believe in him and the one who would betray him. 

Good and holy men who have given their lives to God are disparaged, discouraged, and disheartened; but they go on, finding strength in the words of Peter, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Each and every one of us is attacked by the Devil every day. My family is under attack. Our children are attacked. It is hard to understand this mystery of why the presence of evil is still among us.

I think Joshua understood it as he addressed the people of Israel. "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve…”

People succumb to the temptations of the Devil by their own free choice, radically rejecting God and what is good. In that free choice, people do so many wicked deeds, sins against God and their neighbors.  

But God is powerful enough to bring out of the greatest evil the much greater good. The source of the greater good is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

"This saying is hard; who can accept it?" There are some of you who do not believe.

As we face our daily war, remember Jesus. “The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life." Remember the Holy Spirit.

The saints tell us remember Jesus. St. Irenaeus said “by invoking the name of Jesus Christ, Satan is driven out.”

The saints tell us remember the Holy Spirit. St Cyril of Jerusalem said “in the Holy Spirit we have a mighty ally and protector from God.”

In the war we are in and the daily fights we face. It is a war against the goodness that is in us; it is a war on the Church and we are the Church. Be strong, keep this on your heart and on your lips, we serve the LORD, for he is our God.

This is a great mystery; we are made by God for good things. But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal 6:14)

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

Wisdom & Folly - Reflection 20th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

Imagine dropping a shaker of salt and God says, “Pick a grain of salt, any grain.”

No matter what grain of salt you choose, God says, "I am there."

Then, God says, “Pick a place, a situation, a circumstance in which you might find yourself.”

No matter what you choose, God says "I am there."

That should make us weak in the knees.

We come to crossroads, places, situations, and circumstance on a daily basis. There we must make a choice that points us in our life direction. What direction do you choose? Remember, no matter how small (grain of salt) or how large (life direction), God is there.

Each and every life has a direction. God is there as we make our choice and choose our direction. One brings us closer to God. The others lead us away. Those are choices we make every day in wisdom or folly.  

Choices that St. Paul warned the Ephesians about, “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise.”

Friends, we are made by God for good things. Those are choices made in wisdom. We do bad things. Those are choices made in foolishness. Even those who are supposed to be our shepherds and leaders live in folly.

In good choices or in bad choices, God is there, wholly present in each breath, each thought and feeling, each turn of our head. And, God is always inviting us to reflect on the choices and direction of our life. God is present, no matter what choice you make. Even if the choice is not God’s will, even if the choice is sin.

St. Paul continued his warning do not make bad choices. “Do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk on wine and live in wickedness, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Bishop, priest, deacon, or layperson, sin is focus only on our self, our ego. That ego-self is a small and restricted place with no room for anyone else or for God. We don’t see God in our life or put God in our choices or see God in anything. That is what the devil wants. That is where evil thrives in the absence of God when we focus only on ourselves and the folly it brings.

Knowing God requires closeness. Having a true relationship with God through Christ is transformational. For some, the ego-self is the only intimacy we know. The ego only seeks closeness with self-thoughts, self-needs, and self-desires. We come to resemble that which we know. . .

Those living totally in the foolishness magnified by the ego-self encourage by evil, only know self; forgetting God, forgetting Christ. That has happened to so many in the Church.

Focus on the self-ego and not on Christ gets us all in trouble. We make unwise and foolish choices. We begin to lose our Christ-self. We begin to lose the Christ in us and the Christ we see in others.

Our center becomes shaky, not because we don’t believe but because our belief lacks depth and strength that depth brings.

Many are shaky. Many will fall. Many have fallen.

That is why Jesus said to the crowds: "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."

Don’t settle for anything less than the truth of your Christ-self. We cannot know our Christ-self unless we make the choice to know Christ in an intimate way. That intimacy is transformational.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.

It is a choice that brings us to prayer, to praise, to thanksgiving. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. We begin to know our Christ-self. Wisdom has built her house….

Forsake foolishness that you may live…. Friends live with the wisdom of awareness to see in each little thing, every place, every situation, and each circumstance God’s presence. Live so others recognize God’s presence in their lives, through our lives. 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind stays on you. (Is 26:3) Life has direction, what direction will you choose - wisdom or folly?

Remember, we are made by God for good things. Go and do them. Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel in every choice you make, the way you live and the way you love one another. Amen.

A Man of Hope - Homily 19th Sunday OTB

Earlier this week, Father and I were talking about all those we care about and love. Many are going through hard times, suffering, crisis, troubles, and heartbreaks. Deacon I would your message to be for them.

Friends, remember we are all made by God to do good things. One of the good things we are made for is hope.

St. Paul wrote, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with which you are sealed…”  Instead, grow nearer to God; live in the hope of the Holy Spirit.

I have been saving something Pope Francis said for this time. He said the secret to hope. “Live, love, believe and in God’s grace, never despair.”

These words remind me of my step-dad, Jack Goodman. He is a good man and my grandson is named after him. He is retired military, a retired educator, and a man of hope.

Jack is 85 years old. He has fought cancer most of his life.  A pacemaker and defibrillator keep his heart running right. Due to an automobile accident, he suffered a closed head injury; slowing his step. To tell the truth, he is just not as spry as he used to be. Despite these, He does not despair as he grows older.

He continues to live, love, and believe. By the grace of God, he is filled with hope. Every day he gets up, packs his gym bag, and goes to the gym. He attends the Lion’s club. And on Sunday, he will be at Church, usually brining someone with him.

How many live in hope? When I look in the face of this community, I see hope in you!!

Friends, with God’s grace, we should never despair. As we grow older, take this to heart. Every day, ask God for the courage to live in hope and never despair. It is the message of scripture.

Picture in your mind, Elijah a man of God; He was probably not a young man; probably he had gray hair and a gray flowing beard. Elijah stood tall for God. Because he was God’s prophet, he was a fugitive from King Ahab and his Queen Jezebel, who wished him dead.

Despondent, Elijah escaped to the desert and sat under a broom tree, and gave up. “This is enough O’ LORD. Take my life.” Then, he lay down.

That is not what God wanted. God sent an angel telling Elijah, get up and eat. The angel placed by his head a hearth cake and a jug of water.

Elijah took what the Lord gave him and lay back down.

That is what many do. Day by day we take what the LORD gives us and just get by. Some lay down in despair, despondent in their suffering. That is not what God wants.

The angel of the LORD came back to Elijah lying under the tree, “Get up and eat, the journey is long.” Elijah ate and drank. Then he walked for 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain of the God.

Elijah realized he must “Live, love, believe and in God’s grace, never despair.” He walked day and night to God. He was a man of hope.

Our journey is long, too. We grow old. We hurt. We are sick. We fight arthritis. We fight diabetes. We fight cancer. We fight all the suffering, troubles, crisis, and heartbreak that the devil throws at us. We fight the dimming of our thoughts and the dulling of our minds; but, the LORD God does not want us to give up.

Hope is experiencing these things in the light of the good news of Jesus Christ. Do not get angry, bitter, or mad at the world. We are to be imitators of God! Imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ who conquered fear and suffered for us.

When our suffering and heartbreak seem insurmountable, remember Jesus lives in you and through you and is in the world by your life. It is he, who with his humbleness and meekness gives us strength to overcome all that is against us.

Elijah ate the bread of angels and found strength to live and not despair. My brothers and sisters, we are invited to eat of something that is even greater, the bread of life. Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever….”

That alone gives us hope. That alone gives us strength to live, love, believe, and by the grace of God, never despair.  Believe in God’s noble and beautiful truth, hope. Trust, that by the Holy Spirit, God is bringing you to the goodness of Christ’s embrace.

We dream of heaven, but do not forget this life. Don’t fail to see the goodness of the LORD in a life lived; God was with you and protected you. God is with you still.

Be lifted up, by the Holy Spirit to live in hope and share hope. We are here because we are made by God for good things.  

Be good, be holy, with the grace of God preaching the Gospel to live, love, and believe. Amen.

Desert of Forgotten - Homily 18th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

I have a new motto. From today, it will be, We are made by God for good things!!! I want everybody to claim it and say it aloud. We are made by God for good things!!!

My mother told a story about a doctor’s visit with two of my aunts. It was similar to this:

A man came in, sat down, and began to read his bible. My aunt says “I see that you are a good Christian man reading your Bible."

He asks, "Do you read your Bible?"

My aunt replies "I read my Bible every day.”

My mom then confides in me, “Sometimes, I think she takes it to the extreme. She locks herself in her prayer room to pray three to four times a day.”

Mom, I’m a Deacon. I lock myself in a room and pray, a lot. That’s a good thing.

Mom is not concerned about the praying; but, she is afraid her little sister worries too much. Worrying about the things mothers worry about. Worrying the world is falling apart because it has forgotten God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

I have told her and I tell you, even though it appears the world has forgotten God, God has not forgotten us.

Who remembers this from Catechism? “Where is God?” The answer is “God is everywhere.” This, the world has forgotten.

In the desert, the People of Israel forgot and everything began to fall apart. The whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. We just want to go back to our fleshpots in Egypt and have our fill.

The crowd Jesus fed with a miracle had already forgotten and grumbled as they said, “Our ancestors ate manna in the desert. What can you do for us to believe?”

All of us are a desert of forgotten; having forgotten God or forgotten He is everywhere. That is where everything falls apart.

Crowds grumble against the Church and religion. What can you do so we believe? We’d rather gather around the fleshpots of the world and have our fill of a self-indulgent, pleasure seeking lifestyle.

The world doesn’t want God. The crowd doesn’t want God in their relationships or marriages or sexuality. They grumble when they are told what is moral and right or wrong.

God’s truth is absent from worldly life, from things enjoyed, from family, from jobs, and from entertainment.

Still others have forgotten God because of tragedy and crisis.

Even, when what we desire is not God and everything has fallen apart, the LORD says, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” God is everywhere. Our lives are covered by His grace, the bread that rains down from heaven.

Most of the world just throws it away. Instead of wanting bread from heaven, the world wants the fleshpots.

We throw away God’s manna for addictions, unfaithfulness, pornography, jealously, envy, deceit, and lies. Then, everything falls apart.

There is only one way to put it back together. It is through the one who said, I am the bread of life.

Jesus was all about God is everywhere. He saw God in sinners, enemies, failures, outsiders, and those who have forgotten. He is everywhere and forgets no one. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

It is us that forget God.

Many come to mass and fail to recognize His presence in their life. They walk out the door calling themselves Christians; yet, leave God with the priest or in the pew or behind the doors of the tabernacle.

It becomes easy for those in the world to throw away Christ’s presence by the freedom God gives us.  We don’t want the bread from heaven in our life. That bread will keep us from wanting what is ungodly.

So, we walk out the door and leave God behind to the fleshpots of worldliness’ call. Made in the image of God, we make ourselves over in the image of the world.

Paul describes it as living in futility of the mind.

God has forgotten us. Remember the promise from Jesus the bread of God, which comes down from heaven, gives life to the world.

Don’t worry; it is by the bread from heaven we are renewed in the spirit.

God is either in all things or God is in nothing. He is in us; because, we are made by God for God.

He has not forgotten us. Go to find you a quiet place to pray three or four times a day. Because, the work of God is to believe in the one he sent.

Friends, we are made by God for good things, go do them!! Amen.

There was a Child - Reflection 17th Sunday OTB

(Readings) (Inspired by R. Rohr)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There was a child who gave its meal to Jesus. 

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

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

Peace Fruit - A Reflection 16th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the basics Catholic Social teachings:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Readings)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immediately the pain left her and her child survived.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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