Tuesday in the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

Mark 10:28-31

The Gospel today continues the event of one person seeking the kingdom of God but being stymied by his  worldly goods.  Peter speaks for the apostles again assuring Jesus that they have surrendered so much to follow him.

In essence Jesus' reply is simple:  if you give up possessions to him me, you will be blessed with an abundance of gifts.  Giving up or surrendering what impedes your experiences of your faith and the gospels of Jesus Christ results in an abundance of treasure.

What does Jesus mean with his response to Peter's statement?  Again, a lengthy statement that might be reduced to "end the controlling powers of possessions and you will experience the new resources that God will provide."  Let me share a story that might make this so very real.

Several years ago a friend called.  She was seeking advice concerning a request from her Pastor.  The good Father, clearly moved by the Holy Spirit to help the young woman follow the path that would lead to so much goodness, had asked her to consider becoming a part of the parish's RCIA program.  Her immediate feelings were to take a pass on the request because it would require her not being free when she returned to her apartment on the night(s) she would have to be with the RCIA team.  The advice was simple:  "He must trust you.  Do you think the Holy Spirit would put him on your trail if there would be disaster.  Try it.  You just might like it."

Some several months later, she called again.  "I have to tell you what has happened to me.  I gave it to the request!  It was not easy.  God did not make it easy.  The night of the sessions is the one night that was always glued to my TV!  But I accepted the invite.  Now a few months later I am elated you had good advice for me.  What a sense of fulfillment and happiness I have come to experience in being a mentor for those who are seeking to follow Jesus Christ in our Church.  I have made wonderful new friendships.  Come to know my team and the treasures they are.  The sacrifice of one special evening  has done so much for me.  I am embarrassed to think that I would have said "no" had you not given me an opening to a new pathway.  My own faith has so come alive through those seeking to have what I have taken for granted for so many years."

Enough said.  Think about this.

Memorial Day -  2012

Today's Liturgical Readings

Yesterday and today have offered a number of experiences and thoughts that make moving to the gospel story about the rich young man who could not give up his possessions certainly provides a challenges -- at least for me -- in preparing these thoughts for you.  My experiences, all of them wonderful, do make clear once again, that praying truly demands some inner peace, inner quiet.  Pentecost, for me, began with the vigil Mass Saturday evening.  Yesterday was culminated with a Mass honoring the man who served as a Deacon in a parish where I first served as a Pastor.  After 24 years of service to the parish, the Deacon was saying farewell as he prepares to move to another state.  Of course it was a wonderful experience to be with the people who were so close and helpful to me during those almost nine years as their Pastor.  Yet, I did feel that I was diminishing the Deacon's day in the sun as I realized how many people made a line to see me when we were there to honor the Deacon.  He is a man who did so much for the parish during those many year.  Most specially he was instrumental in leading this Pastor to establish what has become a frequently honored and most outreaching Knights of Columbus Council.

After those wonderful moments with so many friends, I returned to my quarters and watched the Memorial Day Concert held on the West Side of the US Capitol -- until severe weather forced so many to clear the grounds although the "show went on" under cover.  What a moment to share with so many who were honoring the memory of some 42 million Americans who served in military service since the days of President George Washington (remarks by former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell).  It was on more than one moment during the presentation quite emotional.

Today we celebrate Memorial Day, recalling the dedicated service of so many men and women.  Yet, at first, it seems difficult to reflect on the gospel, the rich young man trapped by his possessions.  Yet, perhaps he is a good model for us today.  Why?  How blessed I am.  How blessed you are.  God has given us so much -- not necessarily the coin of the country we live in.  We have been given so many blessings, so much abundance.  Our celebration of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as the sacrifices of so many younger men and women through more than two hundred years of service to their beloved USA can, however, be united.  Those who wore their uniforms with great pride, in many instances to their deaths, gave us many different kinds of possessions:  Moms and Dads, siblings, relatives, spouses, children, friends, careers, educational goals and personal aspirations because they valued the liberty that is the most prominent characteristic of our nation.  As an aside, it is this liberty that has our Church locked in contest with the Government at this time.

Let us try to pray with an abundance of gratitude to a God who has given us so much and for those who gave so much of themselves so we can continue to enjoy God's abundance in our country and the unselfish sacrifices of so many.

Pentecost Sunday - 2012

Readings for the Feast

Today we conclude the Easter season also known as the Paschal Mystery -- from Jesus’ agony in the olive garden to the day of Pentecost.  In reality all the events of the season are one great mystery for us!

Today let us consider the power of this feast, this gift from God, presented to us by Jesus Christ.  Perhaps the magnitude of he powers given us in this gift of the Holy Spirit is of importance for all of us living in this first decade of the 21st century.

We learn that after their “Confirmation,” the apostles wasted no time in preaching the message of the Good News to number gatherings of people from many nations, languages and cultures.  Nationality or language differences did not hind them.  Gifted by the Spirit, the apostles preached in many languages -- without the benefit of Rosetta Stone!

What was clear about the happenings of Pentecost is not complicated.  The fits of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to preach to the whole world!  God’s message was not intended for one nation or culture.  The message of God was intended to bring about a true unity under God.  This is what our Church is called to do -- particularly in our times: to preach and teach in a manner that brings people to God.  This is the mission given to each of those who were present for the Pentecost moment.  The charge is identical for each of us today:  working with God in building his kingdom on earth.  Considering this charge, we cannot overlook the other gift of that Pentecost moment: “...whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven....”  The Sacrament of Reconciliation.  For us today reconciliation with God is a necessity.  Without our own purification from sin, we cannot be true preachers of the Word of God demonstrated to others whom we might be seeking to bring to reconciliation with God by the lives we live.

St. Paul’s comparison of the human body as an example of our mission as followers of Jesus Christ should be examined: many different organs working toward a common goal.  While a body has many different parts but all work together for the good of the whole body.  Shouldn’t Christians today be more mindful of this comparison as it applies to our culture in our world today?  Do the members of the Christian religions accept equality in diversity as Jesus and Paul endeavored to teach those who wish unity with God?  Yet just look at the lack of dignity among us.  We are, all of us, equal in dignity but so different in the God-given talents needed to accomplish the goal the Holy Spirit puts before us -- unity of heart and mind.

Let us pray:  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts and minds of those who profess their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Yes, Holy Spirit, fill my heart and mind with your graces if there is ever a time when I cannot see beyond differences in others.  Help me to know what weakness blocks my accepting others who are different in color, nationality,lifestyle or language or natural talents and other gifts.  Never allow, I pray, a defective part of my mind and heart to bring about the end of my being a true follower of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

John 21:15-19

Perhaps the words of this gospel selection are too familiar.  A second or third reading read or even a fourth travel over John's thoughts can open a newer appreciation of the divine inspiration that lead this evangelist to write as he did about a breakfast with Jesus.

Peter.  What a New Testament character.  When his name is read or mentioned, what comes to mind:  his failures or his leadership?  If he had to be quizzed three times by Jesus -- "Do you love me?" -- doesn't it reveal an awareness of Peter's prior "performances"?  Yes, Peter had "baggage" as we say today.  There were moment in his Jesus-relationship history that demonstrated his lacking a full awareness of who Jesus was.

Were Peter in business -- a major player in a significant business or even in Church administration -- would the CEO or COO be willing to continue his employment or at least his position?  We know, however, that Jesus saw Peter's limitations but realized beneath the surface there was a qualified leader.

Whether an executive or an ordinary parent or single individual, there are people whose work or performance as an employee or volunteer, relative or friend can test a trust relationship.  Despite Peter's human weaknesses and his surprising failures, Jesus trusted his potential:  "Feed my flock....Follow me."  And Peter did precisely what Jesus entrusted to him -- the leadership of his Church.

It is also important to think about Peter's response to Jesus' trust.  He must have been aware of his failures, his disappointing actions and words.  From that very imperfection Peter labored until his martyrdom to serve his friend, his teacher, his shepherd.

So, what did these words of John mean to you today ... and to the way you conduct your relationship with those who might be your employees, your volunteer workers, your boss, your children, your partner ... yes, even your pet!  That third or fourth read can open up so much material for prayer and reflection.  Go for it!

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter - 2012

John 17

In verse 24 of this chapter of St. John, the Evangelist presents these words to us for our prayer:  "...that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me."  We have encountered these words several times during these final days of the Easter season readings for our daily liturgy.  Let's focus upon this attribute of our God:  He is One.  Oneness -- that gift, that state of existence that all of us consciously or unconsciously seek.  It is a part of the divine nature that has been entrusted to us when God created us: a part of the Creator's reality in his creations.  Unity.  Families seek it, nations seek it, sects seek it.  Unless I am mistaken, all religions seek unity within its membership, within its goals of being like the Creator God.

However, we must strive for a unity that does not allow for "oppressive uniformity."  This is a genuine challenge for all societies as well as religions.

When Jesus prayed, there was always the petition that we might always be one.  We might wonder at times just what that oneness is that he prayed for in his followers.  It is the oneness that is the primary characteristic of the Trinity:  the oneness of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

For all of us created by the One God who follow Jesus Christ love is an expression of the unity that is a part of our soul.  And for us to love one another means that we strive to achieve a freedom from any selfishness that acts as domination over another person.  We need only consider that unity, the love that exists in the Trinity.  Love is the very essence of the life of the Trinity.  It is this perfect love that brings about perfect unity.  The love in this model presented to us calls for diversity or multiplicity.

It is without any doubt this simple:  "Love alone unites."