Test Your Mattress not Jesus, 29th Sunday OT A

Readings

God has made us for himself.

In the 1980’s Northeast Louisiana University (NLU) had the top ranked School of Construction in the country.  As I travel the region, I meet graduates of this program with successful construction companies. Not too many identify themselves in a tradition of NLU.

One friend of mine with an NLU Construction degree has become very wealthy. He considers himself “a self-made man.”

His office is full of LSU posters, helmets, jerseys, and memorabilia. On one small section of his wall are a football letterman’s certificate, his NLU helmet, two All-American Awards, and a Hall of Fame plaque. No honor and glory is given the NLU tradition that made him. His reasons are business, preference, and choice; besides, it was a long time ago.

For many, the same thing has happened with God and our faith. We forget God has made us for himself. We fail to see the hand of God in all things

Instead, we interpret the Gospel to please us. We choose the parts of Jesus’s teachings that are easy to believe and popular. We choose how we worship God like we choose a team or shop for a mattress. We go to different stores, lie on different mattresses, and check style, firmness, comfort, and popularity. We choose what we like.

Do not confuse the freedom in the world with how we are to worship God. Jesus tells us not to be confused. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. We are not to test God.

When we worship, whose image do we see? Worshipping God is not worshipping at the altar dedicated to us.

People choose their altar of worship by the amenities, what is good and comfortable. People choose their churches by.... They have a beautiful new building. It’s the right place to be seen. There’s a coffee bar. Worship is lively and worship means the music. They have things for the kids.

Worshiping God is not about choosing a baby sitter for children or the adults. Worship is to give God glory and honor. Worship is to praise the Lord. God is awesome. He is beyond all even fancy buildings, coffee shops, and hip church bands.

People will say they attend a Bible teaching church and the Catholic Church relies on tradition not the Bible. At every mass more of the Bible is read than at most Protestant church services. Scripture is proclaimed in the first reading, psalms, epistle, alleluia, Gospel, and even the Eucharistic prayers. Consider this truth, the infinite mystery, wondrous grace, and awesome glory of God cannot be contained only in the Bible.

It is found in the tradition of the Church. Tradition is the people of the Church who shared the Gospel and worship before the Holy Bible was put together. Four hundred years of tradition started by Jesus. Tradition lives in the world.

Jesus we know you are a truthful man and you teach the word of God. Tradition is truth that Jesus shared and Paul writes about “the Gospel does not come in word alone, but also in the power and in the Holy Spirit....”

The prophet Isaiah points out that event the even the most powerful and wealthy are not self-made. God has made us for himself; and, all we have and all that we are comes from him and belongs to him.

We can choose our team. We shop for the best mattress. But, we cannot change God. We cannot change the Gospel to fit your beliefs. For those who do, we are hypocrites that test God.

Remember God’s message, “Though you know me not, there is none besides me. I am the Lord and there is no other.”

If shopping is necessary, read the Gospel. Read Jesus’ words. Study the writings from the early Church. Know that God wants us to shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. Jesus’ Church is faith, love, and endurance for its people and tradition.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Show Up - Homily Reflection 28th Sunday OTA

(Readings)

Yesterday, an elderly friend called me aside before mass. He was upset. Working hard all his life, he felt he had failed to study scripture as he should have. I told him this homily was for him.

I have known him for over 30 years and the one thing he always got right is that he has always showed up for mass.  

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. The Lord invites us to his house bad and good alike.

This brings me to the story of a young man I recently met.  

Cody met the love of his life when he was 16 and she was 14. He was Catholic. She was protestant. Her dad didn’t like him or Catholics.

Gathering courage, he asked the father for permission to date the daughter. The father’s said OK, but you must renounce your Catholic faith and join our church.

For the dream of that girl’s love, he left the Catholic Church and joined the family’s protestant church. He said it was a church that taught scripture as prophesies against the Catholic Church.

After college, Cody returned to his hometown to marry the woman of his dreams, the same girl from years earlier. He worked in his family’s business and continued to attend that anti-Catholic church.

As a couple they attended a bible study regularly. They studied the Gospel of John. At John chapter 6, Jesus says “I am the Bread of Life” and God began to speak to Cody’s heart. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlightens our hearts to know the hope that belongs to our call.

He knew the Lord was calling him back to the Catholic Church and the Blessed Sacrament. Finally, he said to his wife “God is calling me to the Catholic Church and I would like you to come with me.”

Her look was shock. Her mouth dropped open. She began to cry with a response that surprised him, “I feel God is calling me to the Catholic Church.”

Together, they went to Mass and joined RCIA.  The next Easter they entered into full communion of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

They heeded God’s call to their heart and returned to the Church. By their witness, most of his wife’s family has become Catholic as well. Cody’s story is like the parable Jesus teaches.

The King invites us to the feast. We’re only asked to show up.  

Hate and anger will fight to keep us from the invitation. But show up and the King will protect us. Show up and the Lord provides a feast. Show up and God saves us. God asks us to come.

Show up and share the invitation with others. It’s a call for all believers to bring the truth of the Gospel to the world. That’s our call. That’s how we know the hope that enlightens our heart. 

Don’t worry if you stutter. Don’t worry thinking you’re unworthy. Don’t worry thinking you’re too young. Don’t worry you’ve never memorized a bible verse. 

Remember what is written, I can do all things in him who strengthens me. God will supply whatever your need.

Like the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament - Listen to God. Like the apostles and disciples of the New Testament - Sit at Jesus’ feet as the Gospel is proclaimed. Come the supper of the Lamb and bring the invitation to others.

Don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. It will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of God speaking through you.

We have to show up for the King’s invitation. We have to show up to live the gospel. We have to show up to share the gospel. We have to show up for the feast found in the Bread of Life. All are invited the bad and good alike. All God asks is that we show up with right intentions ready for the banquet.

It’s not hard. Show up in small simple of acts.

Last week, a special lady gave me a rosary that belonged to her aunt, a nun. Since it belonged to a religious and was made in Germany, the rosary has a small skull, crossbones, and heart. That evening, examining the rosary my daughter asked, “Was she a Pirate nun?”

It’s called a memento mori (Latin 'remember you must die') and used to reflect on mortality and becoming a better person.

Look at the invitation a rosary and the simple act of showing up gives. A woman showed up with a rosary. I showed up to pray. I showed up at home. My children showed up. You and I have showed up here.  

To show up is our memento mori.  Life on earth is short so be good. Show up for family, church, neighbors, and community. In small simple acts, show up for God.

Show up women in the freedom and dignity given by God. Show up men as God’s champions of justice and right. Show up young people as virtuous and moral witnesses of Christ. Show up; announce our faith, what we believe.

Christ Jesus showed up for all of us even to the cross. The real presence of Christ shows up for us in the Blessed Sacrament.

Show up to know the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Be good, be holy; SHOW UP to preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Keep On Keeping On - Homily Reflection 27th Sunday OT-A

(Readings)

What a great week. Monday, we began the celebration of Our Lady of Fatima, the 65^th anniversary of this Parish and the 100^th anniversary of the appearance of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary, at Fatima. Every evening, 50 – 60 faithful come for Adoration, a Rosary Novena, and Mass.

Two nights, I celebrated the Benediction. Afterward, someone probably said a special prayer for me “Bless Deacon Bill and help his singing.”  I pray the same and keep on singing.  

For all those praying the rosary, coming to adoration, and attending mass, I pray keep on keeping on. That means to keep doing what you’re doing because it’s the right thing to do.  

During this celebration, Father asked the homily reflections to be on Our Lady of Fatima. After the today’s readings, a homily on the Blessed Mother was obvious, right?

Isaiah tells us about the Lord’s vineyard. Jesus tells us about the vineyard but his parable has a different twist. In both cases there is something wrong in the vineyard.

It seems the vineyard has gotten out of hand. The vineyard is full of bitter grapes or wicked tenants that have forgotten the goodness of the Lord and think only of self.  

As I reflected on this and the Blessed Mother, I remembered growing up the first weekend of October was a special time.  On Friday some schools canceled classes. Football games were not scheduled.  On Sunday, the churches would be empty. It was the opening weekend of squirrel season.

You’re probably asking why I brought up squirrel season. It’s to make a point. An old theologian said “Show me what’s most important to you; I’ll show you your god. “

There is something wrong in the vineyard when hunting season is more important than worshipping God. The vineyard has gone bad when the tenants worship money, power, prestige, sports, television, or even things like prejudice, bigotry, and racism. It is a shame when Disney World has become a modern god because it is what is most important to us.

The harvest has gone sour. The tenants have become wicked. Yet our loving and generous God is still setting his watchman and sending his servants to the vineyard that is the world. Those who love God work to make the vineyard a good place.

But, the world is still fighting, beating, stoning, and even killing his servants.

When times are at their worst, God sends his most vigilant and trusted. One hundred years ago at the beginning of WW1, at Fatima, Portugal, He sent the blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary, with a message to three children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.

She told them, pray the rosary daily for peace in the world. She urged us through them- pray a lot, pray for sinners and souls that have no one to pray for them.

The Holy Mother taught the children five prayers. 

One of the prayers: My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

What a great prayer for those wicked servants and sour grapes in God’s vineyard.

They also learned this prayer: Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Strengthened by the Blessed Sacrament the Lord sends us, his messengers and servants into the vineyard of the world.

I witnessed one such servant this week and a young man named Cody. He came back to the Catholic Church after years of going to a very anti-Catholic Charismatic Protestant Church. To prepare for RCIA, he went to a local shop to purchase a St. Joseph’s Bible.

The sales clerk knew him from the protestant Church and asked why he wanted a Catholic Bible. He explained that the Lord was calling him back to the Catholic Church.

Her response was typical of the problems in the vineyard. “God must be calling you to convert those Catholics.” She went on, “They believe they are really eating the body and blood of Jesus at the Lord’s Supper.”

He answered “I believe the Catholic Church is God’s true Church.”  “I believe in the real presence in the Eucharist. Let me show you in the Bible.” He opened his St. Joseph’s Bible and then he stopped. “Take your King James Bible. Go to John Chapter 6 and start reading where Jesus says ‘I am the bread of Life’ ”

She read saying I thought it was all symbolic. “How did you learn this?”

“Bible Study in the protestant Church,” Cody answered and then he said to me, “Deacon, I may not have converted her put I planted a seed.”

He came back to the Church because “The God that surpasses all understanding had protected his heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”

Cody keep doing what you’re doing, replanting the vineyard one seed at a time.

Remember another prayer, Our Lady taught at Fatima- Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

She said, pray a lot, pray for sinners and souls that have no one to pray for them.  

Paul wrote it first – Keep on doing what you’re doing. “Keep on doing what you have learned, received, heard and seen. The God of peace will be with you.

In other words, keep on keeping on.  

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

Drift - Reflection 26 Sunday OT-A

(Readings)

I sometimes listen to Ryan Michler’s “Order of Man” podcast. Recently, he spoke about "drift". He used the metaphor of a car that drifts off track on the road comparing it to people getting off track in life.

Michler defined drift as the tendency of people to take their hands off the steering wheel of life, being controlled and at the mercy of all that life offers.

I use that metaphor for a life of faith in Christ and the issues we face. Drift is when we take our eyes of Christ and come under the controlled and mercy of all the worldly life offers.

Have you every driven down the road and suddenly find yourself driving on the rumble strips? That’s the result of drift. Those bumps and grooves on the road are designed to keep you in the correct lane and prevent you from running off the road or into the wrong lane.

That’s pretty much the problem of the world and the problem in people’s faith.

On the road, rumble strips are there to minimize your drift. Christ and his church are the rumble strips of Christian faith.

The problem with drift is that if it is not corrected, you end up someplace you don’t want to be. Drift can cause catastrophe in a person’s life. You drift into sin, into bad relationships, into bad habits, into addictions, into affairs, and more. That drift pulls us farther and farther away from Christ Jesus.

The things that cause drift from God are:

·         Being distracted by the world.  

·         Being discouraged in faith by friends and even family.

·         Being inattentive to focus on what is important.

Drift can take you places you are not interested in going. Thinking about drift, God, and self maybe we can say that by loving yourself you drift from love of God and by loving God your drift from love of self.

Now, most men know drift on the road does not happen if your wife or your mother is with you. You may take that as a joke; but, it is truth. They hold you accountable. The rumble strips hold you accountable and accountability stops the drift.

Maybe this is the secret behind Jesus’ parable today.

The father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard.  One says he will not; but, he changes his mind and goes to the vineyard. The second said “Yes sir, but did not go.”

They both suffered from drift.  In both cases, the sons got off the path they should have been traveling. The first son, realize he was drifting and corrected himself. Maybe, his father held him accountable.

The second son started on the right path, but soon was going to a place he was probably not interested in going.

Someday, each and every one us is going to be held accountable.

Jesus tells us the tax collectors and prostitutes who will be entering the kingdom of heaven before those who think they are on the straight and narrow path.

Sinners know they are a drift and not on the right path. They have run over the rumble strips so they look for the right direction.

Jesus refers to this as way of righteousness that John preached. 

The self-righteous don’t know that path. Those are ones who will drift to the wrong place. They have taken their hands off the steering wheel of their faith and let the world control them.  They will think the road is safe and clear; but, they are about to be wrecked.

The way to correct the drift is not out of selfishness or out of vainglory. It is by humbly regarding others as more important and looking out for the interest of others.

God sent His word to hold us accountable. Jesus Christ established his Church to hold us accountable.

But, Christians have taken their hands off the steering wheel. They have drifted off the path. The world says, "The LORD's way is not fair!"

Because of drift you focus too much on you. That’s not what being a Christian is about. Instead, have in you the attitude of Christ Jesus.

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

He said “All” - Reflection 25th Sunday A

Readings

He said “All.”

Jesus said that the greatest and first commandment was (Mt 22:37) You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind

Think about that as we look at the parable of the workers. Those who worked all day received the same wages as those who worked for just one hour, so they complained.

If we apply this to our faith, then we can look at the parable this way: The vineyard owner is God. The laborers are people doing God’s work in this life. The wage given is eternal life in union of love with God in heaven

But the problem with those vineyard workers then and even many who do the Lord's work today is what can be called consumer mentality. Consumer mentality asks the question – what’s in it for me?

• I work more than anyone else, I should merit more grace.
•  I have been a believer all my life, God should favor me.
• I’m more pious, more devout, more prayerful, more this more that; so, I should get more, more, more…

Here is the question I’d like to ask those with this mentality - What more do you want?

You are the adopted sons and daughter of God. You are promised eternal life. You have been saved for eternity. You will know the kingdom of heaven.

For what more could we be asking? 

It’s a place we all go; I found myself there recently.

September was our first on-line retreat; A Mother’s Tears: A Retreat on Our Lady of Sorrows. Saturday morning was to be the first closing conference breakfast. I reminded everyone of the retreat every week. I placed announcements on the Webpage and Facebook. I sent invitations to email contacts. I was prepared even if no one completed the online part.

Arriving early, I made breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, and fruit, expecting a full house.  The only one to show up was my wife.

I was bummed. Looking at the empty hall, my consumer mentality kicked in,” What’s in all this for me?”

I decided just to eat too much breakfast and leave. But, my beautiful fountain of wisdom, Janet, says, “I came for the conference; teach me what you were going to teach others.”

So, I sat down to review the closing conference with my wife. One thing emphasized during the retreat that I had highlighted in my notes was this – He said “All.”

Up until that time, it really hadn’t made an impact on me.

Yet, I was feeling sorry for myself because no one showed up. It was Janet and I praying and talking about the Sorrow of Our Lady, when those three words hit home.  He said “All.”

Jesus said this was the greatest and first commandment. (Mt 22:37) You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind

At that time I realized, I was failing badly.

Isaiah’s prophesy says - Seek the LORD... Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

In the parable Jesus reminds us the same; the Lord is generous. His generosity is "All" that we are made in the likeness and image of God.

If I truly believe I am made in the likeness and image, I should be the same. Everything that is not striving for this ideal is sin. It does not matter if I am preaching to one or to hundreds.  It does not matter if I came to labor early or late. I am to give all.

If I am created in His image and likeness, I am to be generous and forgiving. Because we are to love Him with all that we are. It’s about, “He said ‘All’”.

I must give all to be in union with God. It’s making all, everything a prayerful act.

All I do must have purity of intention. Everything should be without ulterior motive, not done what’s in it for me.

All my work must be done with fervor. It’s about doing everything for God with passion, dedication, and offering up everything and all you do to God.

In that, we can come close to being the person Paul writes about:  Christ will be magnified in us whether by life or death. For me, Life is Christ; living means to have fruitful labor.

Serving God is not about what’s in it for me.

Paul concludes: Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

In that Gospel, He said “All.”

I will remind you the same.

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

Evangelist Gym - Reflection 24th Sunday OT A

(Readings)

Early this morning, I met my son-in-law, Bryant, at the gym for a workout before Mass. Another young man came into the gym and the two began to talk.

The friend of Bryant’s evangelized his young men’s group at the local mega Baptist Church. Between sets at the bench press, he invited Bryant to come to the young men's group meeting, stay for Sunday school, and the worship service.

Bryant said that we were going to Church as a family; then, he introduced me. I introduced myself as the Deacon of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

My new friend said “I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic Elementary School, and High School; but, my wife is Baptist so I’m Baptist now.”

He continued to speak about his faith, the young men’s group, and his friends. I enjoyed seeing a young man so on fire.

I had to leave to get ready for mass, so I excused myself; but, not before I asked one last question. “Do you miss the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist?”

He said, “We have the Lord’s supper almost every month.” I looked him in the eye. He lowered his head, “I know, it’s not the same.”

That was the best evangelization my son-in-law could have heard.

As I left, I told him, “You’ve invited Bryant to Church; I’m inviting you to come back to Mass. You’re still Catholic.”

In the readings, Paul writes, “For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.”

That’s great message for those non-practicing and fallen away Catholics. People think they can’t come back to the Church. Maybe it’s because they feel alone in their journey of faith.

Maybe it’s because they believe you are saved only by a personal relationship with Christ. It’s between you and God only. But Paul’s message is clear. None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.

Some have left the Church because they feel that the Church has hurt them. It may have. A scandal, teaching, or moral issue has hurt them.

Some left the Church because they think they’ve done wrong. They can’t go back. The Church won’t take them back. God doesn’t want them back.

We are equals among equals. The Church is made of sinners. We are sinners. In sin we hurt each other. In sin we hurt the Church. In sin we hurt God.

The solution, if you’ve hurt someone, you have to say I’m sorry and ask for forgiveness. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone? Seven times?”

Jesus says forgive not seven times but seventy-seven times. Jesus wants us to forgive more than anyone can ever ask for forgiveness.

My young evangelist friend said the thing he loved about the Catholic Church was starting each week with a clean slate, forgiven. He was speaking of the grace and blessing in the sacrament of reconciliation, asking for forgiveness.

The Lord forgives you. God doesn’t count the times He forgives our sins. Christ died for our sins and in that act He forgave us forever; just like we are to forgive.

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

Is It Me or Is It Us? Reflection 23rd Sunday OTA

READINGS

Ezekiel talks about being a watchman. Its hard today because the world tells us to mind our own business. We are not to dissuade the wicked from their ways. We are not to say anything to offend, even if by accident or ignorance. 

That would be real easy if being a Christian was only about God and me. Being a Christian is about us; we are to love God by loving others. God tells us to be watchman. Jesus tells us to be responsible for one another. Paul reminds us “loving your neighbor” is helping each other stay on the path of following Jesus.

Love does no evil. It does not judge even in being a watchman. But it’s not a job everybody wants. If we don’t approach it right, with love, and a sense of unity and community, it can be lonely job.

My daughter is the HR Manager for a security company. She hires watchmen. The problem is not many people are suited for the job. A watchman must have the right morals. A watchman must be good and honest. A watchman must be a good person. Even when they meet all these, a watchman can still become bored or fall asleep or just fail to show up.

God calls us to be watchman for our Christian family and the whole human community. It is a task that cannot wait until others take it up. We must all share the responsibility according to our gifts, abilities, and circumstances.

But sadly, even God’s watchmen become bored, fall asleep, or just don’t show up. When this happens, Ezekiel has warned us that the watchman will be responsible for the circumstances. The world has skewed what is right. Look at the issues in the public debate today. Many are the things of which we need to be vigilant.

Even in this debate, we are to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Striving to do what is good is keeping the commandment. It’s hard because people don’t always know what is good. People do not know how to love self so they cannot possibly know how to love others. Since we do not know how to behave we are in doubt of what should be done. And, the watchmen argue amongst themselves.

There is no perfect relationship. Disagreements happen. We are not all saints.

That’s o.k. Jesus came for us sinners to know by his example – to love the person who has wronged us and always respect the other’s dignity. This is Jesus example of love that brings people together. 

Heed the example of God; do not harden your hearts against your brother and sister when they do something wrong. The worst thing to do about a wrong is brood about it; except, that’s what the world does.

Is it God and me or do I love God by loving others?

God does not want us to be only concerned about ourselves and only their spiritual life. God wants people who are a part of the body of Christ and in full community.

In community we are called to help one another grow. Community is family and a place that natures faith. Community can be as few as two or three persons gathered together in the name of Jesus.

Prayer is secret of unity in Christ: unity of community, unity of church, unity of marriage, unity of family. The saying “those who pray together stay together” is true.

The problem with the watchman from the security company may be that they lack the unity of community. At the locations where the watchmen are alone they don’t stay. But, on the jobs, where there is community, watching and working with a sense of responsibility for community, watchmen stay.

It’s not just about God and me. Being a Christian is not just a purely private and personal affair even though some people think and behave that way. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is shouted out by the way we live and how we relate to other people. It is living and loving in Christ; yet, still belonging to the community of faith and the community of this world.

Love God by loving others. May our prayers be unselfish! May our prayers be unifying!  May prayers be for the whole human community!

Do I love God by loving others; because, my brothers and sisters that is the secret of truly expressing our love of God.

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

Duped - Reflection 22nd Sunday OTA

Readings

I love to look at life through the scripture readings. This week was a great example of how life and the scripture readings sync. This post is very Catholic and very apologetic. 

It’s 1978; a group of friends stand on the football field at the beginning of their senior year. We are young, powerful, and full of life. If you are young, you think you will be young forever; but, if you are older, you have learned that is not the case.

Thirty-nine years later, several of us came together for a memorial service for our coach and mentor.  I looked at my friends and the words of Jeremiah came to mind.

You duped us, O Lord. 

We have grown older, some fatter, and some bald.

The younger versions of us thought we could live life in our terms, young, powerful, and full of life.

Jeremiah wanted to be a prophet in his own terms. He was duped not by God but by his own plan. God touched Jeremiah’s mouth to prophesy God’s plan not his.

That’s our problem today. We think God should do what we want. We want to make our plan God’s plan. If we think we can do this we are dupes and fools.  

Look around, advertisement, media, society tells up what the perfect human being  is and it is probably not any of us. It’s not grey hair, potbellies, and broken bodies. But that is where God’s plan for every one of us will eventually lead if we are blessed with a long life.

Scripture tells us “Do not confirm yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind to discern the will of God, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

And too many will say, my will is my god’s will.

In a recent article a minister said his denomination recites the Apostles’ Creed. He will tell those who ask that it is not necessary believe the Apostles’ Creed, especially the part about the Virgin Mary.

Even those who identify themselves as ministers of God speak with the tone of Jeremiah, I will not mention him; I will speak in his name no more.  

At dinner the night of the memorial, I was speaking to someone about coming into full communion with the Catholic Church by preparing to receive the Blessed Sacrament.

He asked, “Do I need to do that?” "Are you telling me that will keep me out of heaven?"

I cannot say what will keep a person out of heaven.  

These are Jesus words, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall have eternal life and I shall raise them on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink by blood abide in me and I in them.” (Jn 6:53-56)

At one time, every Christian believed these words. But over the years, because of this teaching many turned back and no longer followed him. (Jn 66)

People say, God forbid, no such thing shall ever happen.

But Jesus rebukes those who try to change God’s plan. “Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does but as humans do. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny self, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Even Jesus did not change God’s plan. For Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself taking the form of a servant, born in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross. (Phil 2: 6-8)

That is why I say, I was duped Lord, not by God but by my own selfishness and human weakness. We make ourselves fools because we think we gain the whole world. And everyone else tends to listen and believe the dupes and become dupes themselves.

If I make a god in my image, then my thoughts are that god’s thoughts; my desires are that god’s desires.

In this foolish state we think we can stay young (without sin) but life catches up with us.

One day, we will look back and realize we have been duped. It will be too late for many because Jesus warned that the Son of Man will come and repay all according to his conduct.

Listen to what Jesus says not what the world wants Him to say.

May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to know the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, according to his will. (Eph 1:19)

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

Maybe Jesus Will Say Peter - Reflection 21st Sunday OTA

Readings

(Inspired by Carmelite Lectio Divina)

My brothers and sisters, Christian life is striving to be Holy in with all our shortcomings, insecurities, disobedience, and personal faults. God is found in all things, even in painful, tragic, and sinful things. 

God is in each of us. Each of us is the face of Christ. Each is the Church.

Jesus asked the disciples “Who do the people say that I am?” The disciples answered some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or even Jeremiah.

Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

Christ will ask us the question every day. Our answer is Christ, the Son of the living God?  Our answer must be visible to all so strive to be holy.

Then, if we turned that question around and asked Jesus “Who am I Lord? Who do I remind you of Lord?” Maybe, He would say Peter!

Peter was like us, and ordinary person in the world. He had a family and went to work every day. He worked to take care of those around him, pay his bills, and make life easier for his family.

The people in his community knew him as Simon, son of Jonah.  But, then Simon, son of Jonah met Jesus.

Jesus would call him Cephas or rock and that would become Peter.

 In reality, ordinary everyday Simon Peter was everything but rock. But Jesus, inscrutable his judgments and unsearchable his ways, chose Peter to build his church.

Peter was a good person, but, he had his faults. Yes, he tried to be courageous, but would often collapse in fear and flee.

When Jesus walked on the sea, Peter asks: “Jesus, allow me also to walk on the sea”. Jesus says: “Come, Peter!” Peter left the boat and walked on the sea. He realized the  wind and waves so he panicked and lost trust. He began to sink crying out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reached out and saved him.

At the Last Supper, Peter tells Jesus: “I will never deny you, Lord!” But a few hours later, after Jesus was arrested, a servant girl recognizes Peter. Peter denied him, swearing that he had nothing to do with Jesus.

When they came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Olives, Peter takes out the sword but then runs away leaving Jesus alone.

Peter was far from being rock.

Peter was weak and human, so similar to us, yet he becomes rock by knowing Jesus.  From him and through him and for him are all things.

God is found in all things, even in the painful, tragic, and sinful things. Jesus could say: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church”.

When Jesus gave us the Eucharist, He prayed for Peter: “I have prayed that your faith will not fail …, strengthen you brothers.”

After the Resurrection, Jesus asks: “Peter, do you love me?” Peter responds two times: “Lord, you know that I love you!”

Jesus repeats the question a third time, Peter answers: “Lord, you know all things! You know that I love you very much!” And Jesus entrusted to him the care of his sheep: “Peter, feed my lambs!”

Peter became rock with Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The strength and steadiness of rock grows in Peter revealed on the day of Pentecost.  

The apostles were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Yet, in the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter finds rock and courage. He throws open the door and announces to the people the Good News of Jesus.

Peter is a rock among believers, a rock standing firm.  

He was arrested and imprisoned because of the Good News. Even from prison, he remained steadfast continuing to teach the way of Jesus. At his trial, he was forbidden to announce the Good News; but, Peter does not obey.

He said: “We have to obey God more than men!”

He was arrested again and tortured. He said: “Thank you. But we shall continue!” Peter’s life was ended because he announced the Good News.

Peter was weak, human, and like you and me. He was one Jesus loved and trusted. He was the rock on which Jesus built his Church. Rock refined by the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

“Who do you say that I am?” We are asked that question every day. Our answer must be visible to all, so strive to be Holy.

Even in our pain, tragedy, and the sinfulness of our faults and disobedience, if we love Jesus and open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we can be rock like Peter.

In us and on us, He will continue to build His Church.

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

Following Jesus Is Not Easy But It's Wonderful - Homily 20th Sunday OTA

Readings

“Do you take risks to follow Jesus?”  

Early this year, Pope Francis asked that question on faith,

Taking risks to follow Jesus is the place we grow in our faith. It keeps us from becoming stagnant.

But, the reality is that taking risks to follow Jesus is about facing our fear. And, we are our own distractors. I’ll stay where it’s safe:

• What if someone judges me?
• What if someone hurts my feelings?
• What if someone challenges what I say?
• What if I embarrass myself?

As a deacon, I face these every day. To stand against this self-doubt, I pray a lot and think about things like bungee jumping.

Most have seen a bungee jump. A person stands on the edge of a cliff tied to an elastic rope and jumps. Bungee jumpers take risks with the faith that the elastic rope will catch them before they hit the bottom.

That’s what faith is about, the risk of the unknown. Real faith takes risks to realize rewards. If they can trust that rope, I can trust God. The bungee jumpers’ rewards are thrills. A Christian’s reward is hope.

That’s the story in the gospel. Taking a risk, the Canaanite woman came to Jesus for a reward of hope.

She was alone. She was a Canaanite Gentile and a woman in a time when a Canaanite would not approach a Jew and a woman would not approach a man.

Like every person that comes to Jesus, she came for what was important to her.

That is the way it is with everyone. People come to God with a personal agenda. They think God is behind them, what they do, their beliefs, culture, and even more.

But, God doesn’t care about personal agenda. He has mercy on all.

God’s mercy and grace extends to the hearts of all who live. God’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples. Christ’s church is for all believers.

We should pray that personal walls between people fall. In faith, we should work to break down walls of hate, prejudice, and bigotry. These issues are still prevalent in the world today.  

That is why people who follow Jesus should be risk takers by faith and in faith.

By taking a risk to follow Jesus, the Canaanite woman knocked down walls. The disciples tried to run her off. She persisted. Her faith was Jesus would cure her child.

Probably, she was afraid, but, took a risk of faith. She came to Jesus with hope for a miracle. Someone was depending on her to stand up and take the risks to follow Jesus.

She stood up to hate, prejudice, and bigotry for love of her daughter and the hope of healing.

Jesus’ words are confusing because He insults her. “It is not right to take the bread of the children and give it to the dogs.”

Maybe it was a test, because even with that insult, He doesn’t send her away.

She doesn’t turn away. Like a bungee jumper, she went to the edge and jumped.

“Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.” She stood her ground before the one she recognized as the messiah, the Lord, the Son David and had just asked for a miracle.  

She was considered a person who didn’t matter. Everything was stacked against her as a Canaanite and a woman in a male Jewish world.  

Yet, Jesus loved her and her answer. “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wished.” And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

God doesn’t care about personal agendas. He cares for all. Christ’s love and compassion extends beyond personal boundaries. He has mercy on all.

Jesus came looking for lost sheep, for someone ready to risk all for faith, hope, and love. This woman was the one willing to take that risk.

Jesus was looking the sheep that recognized him as the messiah. The shepherd breaks down walls of culture, prejudice, bigotry, and hate that scattered his flock.

Following Jesus isn’t easy. It’s always a risk, but it’s wonderful! (Pope Francis)

We are adopted children of God, which is our greatness and call to faith.

Our faith is special; put it out there for the world to see. Someone is depending on you to standup and take the risk to follow Jesus when everyone is trying to send you away.

The world faces the same problems that Canaanite woman faced. We should take risks to follow Jesus or our faith will become stagnant. We don’t move or grow instead we judge.

The world is on the edge ready to jump. God is mercy and asks us to be conduits of mercy. Take the risks needed to follow Jesus and bring to others God’s mercy through faith, hope, and love. It keeps our world from hitting bottom.

Don’t live in your fears, take risk to follow Jesus. Trust God win everything. Be like the Canaanite woman and make a difference.

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