In the first installment of the Shrek film series there is a scene where Shrek and Donkey are going to rescue Princess Fiona from the clutches of the castle with the fire breathing dragon. Along the way Donkey asks Shrek, "What are ogres like?" to which Shrek proceeds to tell Donkey, ogres are like onions because they have layers. Perhaps the same could said of us, can it not?
Each of us has layers, different elements that make up who we are, from our personalities to our personal experiences and within all this there are layers to us that everyone knows, just like the outer layer of an onion is exposed and evident to the inner most layer, perhaps the layer only we ourselves and God know. In between the outer and inner layers there are those layers that are known to some and not others, those that we freely share, and still others that we keep guarded.
During the season of Lent it is about peeling back the layers, examining what is there and growing. There is a lot of talk about what we sacrifice in Lent but there should also be equal talk about what we will take on as a means of growth. Reflecting upon the layers in our lives should help reveal where we need to grow.
Just as in the Gospel this Sunday where the friends of the paralytic broke through the roof to lower their friend down into the presence of Christ so too we are called to peel back or break through the layers of our lives in order to place ourselves into Christ's presence in a deeper way. This may mean we have to let our guard down, to let the walls in our lives come down. This may mean not only taking in and examining what perceive about ourselves but also listening for the truth in what others say about us.
It is not easy to expose and open ourselves up to change and transformation. Sometimes it is easier to stay in the comfort of where we are, even if where we are is not exactly where we want to be, need to be, or is the best for us. As St. Paul reminds us that God has put the Spirit into our hearts and with that a "Yes," reminding us that indeed through God's grace all things are possible, not easy, but possible.
During Lent let us not be afraid to examine the layers of our lives, and with courage, honesty, faith, and an open heart, allow the Lord to transform and bring us to new life through His life, death, and resurrection, i.e. The Paschal Mystery.
Sunday's Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021912.cfm
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
James 1:19-21
"Know this, my dear brothers and sisters:
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls."
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls."
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Ss. Cyril & Methodius Day!
Christ is The Love we share. Yes, in our commercial world it is none other than Valentine's Day and if you are a Clevelander like me, you know how busy the drive thru booths at Malley's Chocolates will be today.
However, truthfully speaking, today is actually the feast day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. Cyril a monk, and Methodius a bishop are brothers who ministered to the Slavic people and in particular in translating liturgical texts among other things they did.
My brothers and sisters, we know that when we share Christ with others, like Ss. Cyril and Methodius, we share Love. In the spirit and memory of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, while the world shares cards, chocolates, and roses may we share the Love of Christ which ministers to every human need, endures for all eternity, and is the fulfillment of our earthly desires and short comings as the Gospel relates to us today.
Prayer After Communion
O God, Father of all nations, who make us sharers in the one Bread and the one Spirit and heirs of the eternal banquet, grant in your kindness on this feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, that the multitude of your children, persevering in the same fatih, may be united in building up the Kingdom of justice and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To learn more about Ss. Cyril and Methodius go to: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx
Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021412.cfm
However, truthfully speaking, today is actually the feast day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. Cyril a monk, and Methodius a bishop are brothers who ministered to the Slavic people and in particular in translating liturgical texts among other things they did.
My brothers and sisters, we know that when we share Christ with others, like Ss. Cyril and Methodius, we share Love. In the spirit and memory of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, while the world shares cards, chocolates, and roses may we share the Love of Christ which ministers to every human need, endures for all eternity, and is the fulfillment of our earthly desires and short comings as the Gospel relates to us today.
Prayer After Communion
O God, Father of all nations, who make us sharers in the one Bread and the one Spirit and heirs of the eternal banquet, grant in your kindness on this feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, that the multitude of your children, persevering in the same fatih, may be united in building up the Kingdom of justice and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To learn more about Ss. Cyril and Methodius go to: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx
Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021412.cfm
Monday, February 13, 2012
Reading the Signs
In today's Gospel the Pharisees seek a sign from Jesus and yet Jesus says no sign will be given this generation. Why? It is because Christ Himself is the sign and there is no need for another.
How often do we ask for a sign? Seek a sign from God? What is so important about signs? Well first, we are called to recognize the signs of God's presence in our lives but to seek a sign is another matter unto itself. For seeking a sign indicates we are seeking proof to validate a belief and/or a point whereas recognizing a sign is a matter of simply growing in an awareness of what God is revealing all around us, not that we seek it but it's that we grow in awareness.
What can we say about signs? When we talk about signs that help us recognize God's presence do we only look to the positive? A time when we had a warm fuzzy or someone reached out to us or did something for us unexpectedly? But! How about the negative?
For example when our faith and/or the practice of it is tested, like what is taking place in Congress and the the controversy over abortion and contraception, or we are being persecuted for our faith; when we persevere and conquer, is that not a sign too? A sign of strength?! A sign of courage?! A sign of a faith that is active and will not settle for that which is contrary to it?!
May we recognize the signs all around us, through the thick and thin, through the positive and challenging times.
Today's readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021312.cfm
How often do we ask for a sign? Seek a sign from God? What is so important about signs? Well first, we are called to recognize the signs of God's presence in our lives but to seek a sign is another matter unto itself. For seeking a sign indicates we are seeking proof to validate a belief and/or a point whereas recognizing a sign is a matter of simply growing in an awareness of what God is revealing all around us, not that we seek it but it's that we grow in awareness.
What can we say about signs? When we talk about signs that help us recognize God's presence do we only look to the positive? A time when we had a warm fuzzy or someone reached out to us or did something for us unexpectedly? But! How about the negative?
For example when our faith and/or the practice of it is tested, like what is taking place in Congress and the the controversy over abortion and contraception, or we are being persecuted for our faith; when we persevere and conquer, is that not a sign too? A sign of strength?! A sign of courage?! A sign of a faith that is active and will not settle for that which is contrary to it?!
May we recognize the signs all around us, through the thick and thin, through the positive and challenging times.
Today's readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021312.cfm
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Like a Pumpkin - an All Saints Day homily
Readings: www.usccb.org
How does God see us? As scripture relates to us, we are His children. Let us not be mistaken about that we are indeed His children. One way of looking at this is with Halloween being this past Monday and Thanksgiving on the horizon is that in God's eye we are all pumpkins! Yes, in God's eyes we are all pumpkins. Okay so, before you think that I have had one too many pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, just run with me on this for second.
If you think about it no two pumpkins are alike, they are all unique in their own way. Just like no two human beings are the same. Further, pumpkins are orange and nothing rhymes with orange, pointing to another aspect of uniqueness, and a sense of being set aside from the rest of creation just as humanity is. So, we like the pumpkin are created by God and like a pumpkin that is hollowed out, all the seeds and pulp are taken out, carved, and a candle place inside so too are we in Baptism. In baptism the Lord clears away the gunk of original sin and imprints the image of the cross upon us and places a light and the call to sainthood within us. It is then our job to make sure the light is kept burning brightly and to display the image placed upon us to the best of our ability just like a light displays the image carved on a jack-o-lantern.
How can we keep the light within us burning brightly? Well certainly through prayer, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture, putting our faith into action by helping others are all ways we can maintain the light. On this day, as we remember the saints, we also remember it is by way of following the teachings and examples of the saints that we can help fuel the fire within and allow the image placed upon in Baptism to shine brightly.
At St. Charles we have the images of the saints on the ceiling, not to drum up business for any chiropractors that may be in the parish but to remind us where the saints are because of their faithfulness and that they are indeed there to guide us, inspire, and pray for us.
For example, take St. Terese of Liseux who, although she passed away in her early 20's, taught us to do our everyday activities no matter how great or small, with great joy and love. In this way, through her simple way, St. Terese, the Little Flower, helps us to fuel the fire by helping us to see how everyday things can be "everyway" things that help us to live and embrace our faith. Take St. Francis of Assisi who taught us to preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary to use words, in other words to let our actions be a living example, a living proclamation of the faith we have within. Take Gianna Beretta Molla, after just celebrating the gift of life in October, we remember how she defied the opinion of doctors to abort her baby and became an advocate of life. Lastly, one who is a personal favorite of mine, and not simply because he is Polish but because of what he taught me as Pope and that is Blessed John Paul II the Great. As a JP2 Generation Priest, I am inspired by his affirmation of the youth, hence the reason I wore the vestment I received at World Youth Day this past summer in Madrid, and I am also encourage by his constant insistence to not be afraid to follow Christ. To never, ever be afraid to say Yes to the God and although we may face persecution like many believers before us, we too receive the reward of the Saints as the Gospel tells us: eternal life.
The saints they are our example and our inspiration and we honor them today, we also honor today our own call to sainthood. We are all called to be saints, to lead and inspire the next generation by our example, just as so many holy men and women have done for us.
Now I know some of you maybe thinking, well I'm just not worthy or, if you only knew what I've done or, that's not me. But who are we kidding, really?! Nothing could be further from the truth. We are called to sainthood! Think of it this way, as Sara, a friend of mine, reminds me all the time, that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Meaning that there are many saints who have a checkered past and yet because they found the way, they found Christ and turned their lives towards God, they became the saints we know today which by the same token means that we have tomorrow and we have the power to be the saint God calls us to be, to get back up and choose Christ.
The saints, help fuel the fire within, they help to keep the light of Christ burning brightly by their teaching and example. How will we, like the saints, respond in faith? How will we keep the image placed upon us at baptism by the "Master Carver," shining brightly? Which saints will we look to to guide us on our way, to inspire and encourage us, to help us become the saints of today that God calls us to be?! And lastly, what example will we set for further generations, how will we go forward to inspire the next generation of saints and honor the call of sainthood?
How does God see us? As scripture relates to us, we are His children. Let us not be mistaken about that we are indeed His children. One way of looking at this is with Halloween being this past Monday and Thanksgiving on the horizon is that in God's eye we are all pumpkins! Yes, in God's eyes we are all pumpkins. Okay so, before you think that I have had one too many pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, just run with me on this for second.
If you think about it no two pumpkins are alike, they are all unique in their own way. Just like no two human beings are the same. Further, pumpkins are orange and nothing rhymes with orange, pointing to another aspect of uniqueness, and a sense of being set aside from the rest of creation just as humanity is. So, we like the pumpkin are created by God and like a pumpkin that is hollowed out, all the seeds and pulp are taken out, carved, and a candle place inside so too are we in Baptism. In baptism the Lord clears away the gunk of original sin and imprints the image of the cross upon us and places a light and the call to sainthood within us. It is then our job to make sure the light is kept burning brightly and to display the image placed upon us to the best of our ability just like a light displays the image carved on a jack-o-lantern.
How can we keep the light within us burning brightly? Well certainly through prayer, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture, putting our faith into action by helping others are all ways we can maintain the light. On this day, as we remember the saints, we also remember it is by way of following the teachings and examples of the saints that we can help fuel the fire within and allow the image placed upon in Baptism to shine brightly.
At St. Charles we have the images of the saints on the ceiling, not to drum up business for any chiropractors that may be in the parish but to remind us where the saints are because of their faithfulness and that they are indeed there to guide us, inspire, and pray for us.
For example, take St. Terese of Liseux who, although she passed away in her early 20's, taught us to do our everyday activities no matter how great or small, with great joy and love. In this way, through her simple way, St. Terese, the Little Flower, helps us to fuel the fire by helping us to see how everyday things can be "everyway" things that help us to live and embrace our faith. Take St. Francis of Assisi who taught us to preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary to use words, in other words to let our actions be a living example, a living proclamation of the faith we have within. Take Gianna Beretta Molla, after just celebrating the gift of life in October, we remember how she defied the opinion of doctors to abort her baby and became an advocate of life. Lastly, one who is a personal favorite of mine, and not simply because he is Polish but because of what he taught me as Pope and that is Blessed John Paul II the Great. As a JP2 Generation Priest, I am inspired by his affirmation of the youth, hence the reason I wore the vestment I received at World Youth Day this past summer in Madrid, and I am also encourage by his constant insistence to not be afraid to follow Christ. To never, ever be afraid to say Yes to the God and although we may face persecution like many believers before us, we too receive the reward of the Saints as the Gospel tells us: eternal life.
The saints they are our example and our inspiration and we honor them today, we also honor today our own call to sainthood. We are all called to be saints, to lead and inspire the next generation by our example, just as so many holy men and women have done for us.
Now I know some of you maybe thinking, well I'm just not worthy or, if you only knew what I've done or, that's not me. But who are we kidding, really?! Nothing could be further from the truth. We are called to sainthood! Think of it this way, as Sara, a friend of mine, reminds me all the time, that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Meaning that there are many saints who have a checkered past and yet because they found the way, they found Christ and turned their lives towards God, they became the saints we know today which by the same token means that we have tomorrow and we have the power to be the saint God calls us to be, to get back up and choose Christ.
The saints, help fuel the fire within, they help to keep the light of Christ burning brightly by their teaching and example. How will we, like the saints, respond in faith? How will we keep the image placed upon us at baptism by the "Master Carver," shining brightly? Which saints will we look to to guide us on our way, to inspire and encourage us, to help us become the saints of today that God calls us to be?! And lastly, what example will we set for further generations, how will we go forward to inspire the next generation of saints and honor the call of sainthood?
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A Reflection of What's Within
Am I a liar? Frustration. I have much work to do. I know I'm not perfect.
In reflection upon this week's Gospel, these are some of the thoughts that came to my mind. I share these thoughts not because of need for sympathy or pity but by way of honesty.
In a very direct and forward way, through an analysis of the Pharisees talks about the importance of practicing what we preach. However, is the our first reaction to think about the person in our life that does not practice what he or she preaches? The truth is that there are genuinely people that we encounter whose words and actions, whose words and faith, just don't seem to match up.
Sometimes though, when we are so inclined to point the finger, perhaps what we need to point to is ourselves. If we are honest with ourselves when we point to a fault of another person, could it really be a fault within that we are hitting upon or don't want to acknowledge ourselves?
Practicing what we preach, practicing the faith we profess, requires a sense of introspection. In other, words working to improve the short comings and points for improvement within; for the only person any of us can truly change is ourselves.
The pathway to change though, is not about creating a laundry list of what we don't like about ourselves or what we know to be a fault because I'm sure that if I passed out a paper and pen to everyone here, we could all make our own list of points of improvement. Although it is important to be aware of our points for growth in a real and honest way. The pathway of change Jesus calls us to is not by a list of changes but rather a change of heart. The Lord calls us to place ourselves at the service of others and to conduct ourselves with humility.
If we have a change of heart to infuse our lives with humility and place others before us, the changes that need to happen to bring our words, faith, and actions in accord with each other as one consistent entity, will fall into line automatically. A better way to look at this is to say, that we must take on the servant heart of Christ. To lead with the same servant leadership Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
We also know that when this change of heart takes place great potential for true and lasting change within ourselves and in our world increases all the more. For who among us has not or would not be touched, and in some way changed, by someone reaching out to us, helping us, or encouraging us? Would we not be different in some way?
Therefore, where is it that we are called to cultivate the servant heart of Christ? Where can we better place others before ourselves and allow the Lord's call to help our words, actions, and faith be of one accord?
In reflection upon this week's Gospel, these are some of the thoughts that came to my mind. I share these thoughts not because of need for sympathy or pity but by way of honesty.
In a very direct and forward way, through an analysis of the Pharisees talks about the importance of practicing what we preach. However, is the our first reaction to think about the person in our life that does not practice what he or she preaches? The truth is that there are genuinely people that we encounter whose words and actions, whose words and faith, just don't seem to match up.
Sometimes though, when we are so inclined to point the finger, perhaps what we need to point to is ourselves. If we are honest with ourselves when we point to a fault of another person, could it really be a fault within that we are hitting upon or don't want to acknowledge ourselves?
Practicing what we preach, practicing the faith we profess, requires a sense of introspection. In other, words working to improve the short comings and points for improvement within; for the only person any of us can truly change is ourselves.
The pathway to change though, is not about creating a laundry list of what we don't like about ourselves or what we know to be a fault because I'm sure that if I passed out a paper and pen to everyone here, we could all make our own list of points of improvement. Although it is important to be aware of our points for growth in a real and honest way. The pathway of change Jesus calls us to is not by a list of changes but rather a change of heart. The Lord calls us to place ourselves at the service of others and to conduct ourselves with humility.
If we have a change of heart to infuse our lives with humility and place others before us, the changes that need to happen to bring our words, faith, and actions in accord with each other as one consistent entity, will fall into line automatically. A better way to look at this is to say, that we must take on the servant heart of Christ. To lead with the same servant leadership Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
We also know that when this change of heart takes place great potential for true and lasting change within ourselves and in our world increases all the more. For who among us has not or would not be touched, and in some way changed, by someone reaching out to us, helping us, or encouraging us? Would we not be different in some way?
Therefore, where is it that we are called to cultivate the servant heart of Christ? Where can we better place others before ourselves and allow the Lord's call to help our words, actions, and faith be of one accord?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Who is my neighbor?
Imagine a neighbor from your street came to you asking for your help to feed his or her family. Would you help?
Imagine a neighbor from a few streets away came to you in need of someone to talk to. Would you be there to listen and to help?
Imagine a neighbor from the next town over asked you for some help in the yard. Would you help this neighbor?
Who is my neighbor?
In a very direct way the Lord puts before us the true testament of love as He tells us that not just some but the whole law and the prophets, in other words our very life, depends upon the commandments to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our ability to dedicate ourselves and love God with our whole hearts, souls, and minds, may come easy to us, for all we have to do is drop to our knees or drop into Merici Chapel for some time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. But to love our neighbor as ourselves can challenge us. In this call to love we must go beyond ourselves, at times beyond our comfort zones, we must let our walls fall down and see things we’d rather not see, and recognize and respond to the needs of others on and beyond the corner of our street.
Four years ago I had an experience that helped me to gain a deeper realization of what it means to love my neighbor as myself. In June of 2007 I joined the CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Global Fellows program. Global Fellows is a program that trains priests and deacons to share the story and the way to new life for our neighbors around the world. After receiving training at Catholic Relief Services headquarters in Baltimore, I boarded a plane bound for Cambodia. Cambodia, is a nation of about 14.5 million people and the size of the state of Missouri that is struggling with poverty and illness due to years of civil unrest and dictatorship and yet a country whose future is bright and rich in possibility and potential.
One day after traveling by jeep through bumpy dusty dirt roads which seemed to take forever, I encountered a health initiative project that trains volunteers from local villages to diagnose and treat tuberculosis and other illnesses. Because of this training many people who would otherwise die of disease are treated and survive and communities are strengthened. Also, I remember clearly one of the local health care volunteers saying that because of the training she received and what she now can do for her village that she sees her own self worth, she has experienced new purpose and meaning, she has a new life.
I am grateful to Catholic Relief Services because of not only what it taught me but what Catholic Relief Services does for our neighbors around the world. For us Catholics in the United States, Catholic Relief Services is our main outreach to those in need across the globe. CRS provides immediate aid in times of need, for example the earthquake in Haiti or most recently the famine in East Africa; but also the CRS difference is that it also helps people in the areas of healthcare, farming and food security, community building, fair trade, obtaining fair loans, advocacy for the poor, and many other areas that help our neighbors in this world to live to their fullest potential, which is something we all hope and long for and do our best to fulfill.
My time in Cambodia showed me, and demonstrates for all of us, what is possible when we challenge ourselves to open our eyes, recognize and respond to the needs of our neighbors both across our street and across the world.
This week may we challenge ourselves to recognize and love our neighbor as God has called us to.
For some of us that means reconciling what we allow to get in the way of loving others as ourselves. For someone of us that may mean pitching in and helping a neighbor with an immediate need. For some us this may mean encouraging a neighbor to use his or her gifts and talents to the best of their abilities, to live to their fullest potential. For some of us that means learning more about the needs of our neighbors that we cannot see. For example logging on to www.crs.org and becoming more informed or writing our representatives in congress to assist those most in need; because our voice must be heard, no matter how long it takes.
As Blessed John Paul II once said, "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." As we seek to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind may we cast our nets to love all our neighbors as ourselves and in doing be caught up in arms of God's mercy and love.
LEARN MORE: http://www.crs.org/countries/cambodia
Readings: http://www.usccb.org/
A special word of thanks to Fr. Chris Trenta, a fellow CRS Global Fellow, and parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Wooster for his inspiration which made this homily possible.
Imagine a neighbor from a few streets away came to you in need of someone to talk to. Would you be there to listen and to help?
Imagine a neighbor from the next town over asked you for some help in the yard. Would you help this neighbor?
Who is my neighbor?
In a very direct way the Lord puts before us the true testament of love as He tells us that not just some but the whole law and the prophets, in other words our very life, depends upon the commandments to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our ability to dedicate ourselves and love God with our whole hearts, souls, and minds, may come easy to us, for all we have to do is drop to our knees or drop into Merici Chapel for some time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. But to love our neighbor as ourselves can challenge us. In this call to love we must go beyond ourselves, at times beyond our comfort zones, we must let our walls fall down and see things we’d rather not see, and recognize and respond to the needs of others on and beyond the corner of our street.
Four years ago I had an experience that helped me to gain a deeper realization of what it means to love my neighbor as myself. In June of 2007 I joined the CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Global Fellows program. Global Fellows is a program that trains priests and deacons to share the story and the way to new life for our neighbors around the world. After receiving training at Catholic Relief Services headquarters in Baltimore, I boarded a plane bound for Cambodia. Cambodia, is a nation of about 14.5 million people and the size of the state of Missouri that is struggling with poverty and illness due to years of civil unrest and dictatorship and yet a country whose future is bright and rich in possibility and potential.
One day after traveling by jeep through bumpy dusty dirt roads which seemed to take forever, I encountered a health initiative project that trains volunteers from local villages to diagnose and treat tuberculosis and other illnesses. Because of this training many people who would otherwise die of disease are treated and survive and communities are strengthened. Also, I remember clearly one of the local health care volunteers saying that because of the training she received and what she now can do for her village that she sees her own self worth, she has experienced new purpose and meaning, she has a new life.
I am grateful to Catholic Relief Services because of not only what it taught me but what Catholic Relief Services does for our neighbors around the world. For us Catholics in the United States, Catholic Relief Services is our main outreach to those in need across the globe. CRS provides immediate aid in times of need, for example the earthquake in Haiti or most recently the famine in East Africa; but also the CRS difference is that it also helps people in the areas of healthcare, farming and food security, community building, fair trade, obtaining fair loans, advocacy for the poor, and many other areas that help our neighbors in this world to live to their fullest potential, which is something we all hope and long for and do our best to fulfill.
My time in Cambodia showed me, and demonstrates for all of us, what is possible when we challenge ourselves to open our eyes, recognize and respond to the needs of our neighbors both across our street and across the world.
This week may we challenge ourselves to recognize and love our neighbor as God has called us to.
For some of us that means reconciling what we allow to get in the way of loving others as ourselves. For someone of us that may mean pitching in and helping a neighbor with an immediate need. For some us this may mean encouraging a neighbor to use his or her gifts and talents to the best of their abilities, to live to their fullest potential. For some of us that means learning more about the needs of our neighbors that we cannot see. For example logging on to www.crs.org and becoming more informed or writing our representatives in congress to assist those most in need; because our voice must be heard, no matter how long it takes.
As Blessed John Paul II once said, "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." As we seek to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind may we cast our nets to love all our neighbors as ourselves and in doing be caught up in arms of God's mercy and love.
LEARN MORE: http://www.crs.org/countries/cambodia
Readings: http://www.usccb.org/
A special word of thanks to Fr. Chris Trenta, a fellow CRS Global Fellow, and parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Wooster for his inspiration which made this homily possible.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
pushing further... a discerning process
Building upon "Give us this day, our daily bread," in today's gospel from Luke we hear:
"And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100611.cfm
What we are called to consider is that in being receptive to the food that sustains us, our daily bread, it is also a matter of discernment. What I mean is that, have you ever found yourself going back to prayer time and time again and it just seems like there are no answers, or maybe like your prayers are going unanswered or that maybe, just maybe God isn't listening? But then! You hit that point, the "Ah-ha" moment where things make sense, the light bulb goes on, and you realize what you really need or what God really is trying to say to you, something other than what you want and that you did not hear at first. At times it all becomes crystal clear.
This reminds us that as our lives change, what we need changes and as all this unfolds we must remember that as we ask, seek, and knock in order to find we must listen and discern. Listen and discern. Listen and discern.
This process takes time and will require much persistence and patience on our behalf because we all know full too well that God is not going to text us back right away. We need to invite that daily bread in - the scripture, the Eucharist, our daily prayer - allow it to nourish us, become one with us, and enlighten us or bring us a step further than where we were before.
May we be persistent and patient in cultivating a discerning heart.
"And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100611.cfm
What we are called to consider is that in being receptive to the food that sustains us, our daily bread, it is also a matter of discernment. What I mean is that, have you ever found yourself going back to prayer time and time again and it just seems like there are no answers, or maybe like your prayers are going unanswered or that maybe, just maybe God isn't listening? But then! You hit that point, the "Ah-ha" moment where things make sense, the light bulb goes on, and you realize what you really need or what God really is trying to say to you, something other than what you want and that you did not hear at first. At times it all becomes crystal clear.
This reminds us that as our lives change, what we need changes and as all this unfolds we must remember that as we ask, seek, and knock in order to find we must listen and discern. Listen and discern. Listen and discern.
This process takes time and will require much persistence and patience on our behalf because we all know full too well that God is not going to text us back right away. We need to invite that daily bread in - the scripture, the Eucharist, our daily prayer - allow it to nourish us, become one with us, and enlighten us or bring us a step further than where we were before.
May we be persistent and patient in cultivating a discerning heart.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Want or Need?
"When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse"
-"Fix You" by Coldplay
This week we hear the story of Jonah play out in the daily Mass readings, http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100511.cfm. Today it seems in some ways, in his desire and his attempt to escape God's will, he got what he wanted but not what he needed, nothing quite worked out, and in the end he was no happier; perhaps stuck in reverse? Which brings us to the Gospel for today in which we hear St. Luke's account of Jesus instructing His disciples to pray which over time has became for us The Lord's Prayer or The Our Father, one of, if not the most common prayer amongst Christians.
When we think of, "Give us this day, our daily bread," what do we truly think of? In this request, this prayer of supplication to the Lord, do we assume this to mean what we think we want or do we acknowledge and humbly ask God to sustain us with what we truly need?
What we want and what we truly need can at times be two different things. Could it be that we can see the brush stroke but God sees the picture? I remember a field education assignment in the seminary some years back, it wasn't what I wanted and at first I was upset and frustrated but now on the flip side of that experience and some years later, it truly was what I needed. Sort of like, we want the burger and fries but really we need the fruits and veggies.
Today, may we humbly, openly, and honestly pray the Lord's Prayer and when we get to the line, "Give us this day, our daily bread," with love and trust, accept what the Lord gives to us to nourish and sustain us, knowing that is what we truly need.
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse"
-"Fix You" by Coldplay
This week we hear the story of Jonah play out in the daily Mass readings, http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100511.cfm. Today it seems in some ways, in his desire and his attempt to escape God's will, he got what he wanted but not what he needed, nothing quite worked out, and in the end he was no happier; perhaps stuck in reverse? Which brings us to the Gospel for today in which we hear St. Luke's account of Jesus instructing His disciples to pray which over time has became for us The Lord's Prayer or The Our Father, one of, if not the most common prayer amongst Christians.
When we think of, "Give us this day, our daily bread," what do we truly think of? In this request, this prayer of supplication to the Lord, do we assume this to mean what we think we want or do we acknowledge and humbly ask God to sustain us with what we truly need?
What we want and what we truly need can at times be two different things. Could it be that we can see the brush stroke but God sees the picture? I remember a field education assignment in the seminary some years back, it wasn't what I wanted and at first I was upset and frustrated but now on the flip side of that experience and some years later, it truly was what I needed. Sort of like, we want the burger and fries but really we need the fruits and veggies.
Today, may we humbly, openly, and honestly pray the Lord's Prayer and when we get to the line, "Give us this day, our daily bread," with love and trust, accept what the Lord gives to us to nourish and sustain us, knowing that is what we truly need.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Hole
The Hole Author: unknown
One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost ... I am helpless...
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Two
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I still fall in... it’s a habit...
But my eyes are open. I see it is there.
I know where I am. It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Five
I walk down a different street.
One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost ... I am helpless...
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Two
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I still fall in... it’s a habit...
But my eyes are open. I see it is there.
I know where I am. It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Five
I walk down a different street.
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