Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Nature frequently reminds be about God and my relationship with Him. When I was taking my husband to the airport recently, I had the amazing opportunity to witness the lunar eclipse. The earth completely darkened the moon with its shadow. As I read today’s gospel, the memory of the eclipse reminded me that greed and earthly possessions can come between me and the light of God. I must remain turned to Jesus and learn from Him in order for me to continue to be in the light. If I want to be “rich in what matters to God,” then I must be Christ-like in all that I do.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I find today’s first reading about Cyrus the Persian king and gospel story about ‘giving to God what belongs to God,’ very intriguing. In a strange way, these stories - separated by more than six hundred years - are integrally connected. Cyrus defeated the Babylonians and after ascending the throne he ended the Babylonian exile of the people of Israel. He set them free to go back to Judah. However, it is the way that Isaiah reflects upon this event that should draw our attention. Isaiah calls Cyrus (even though Cyrus is not a Hebrew), God’s “anointed one.” He is the only one outside the Hebrew people that is considered anointed by God. Moreover, God says to Cyrus, “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not” (Is 45). The impression we get is of a God who directs history. Yes, there are human beings invested with power and authority but is God who ultimately directs the events of the world. It is here that we find our connection with the gospel reading. Caesar may be the Roman Emperor and what is due to him is his petty little coin. So give to Caesar what belong to him. But the human person, human life, human history, human destiny, belongs to God. So give to God what belong to God, which includes the world and all in it, including Caesar. In the strangest way, in the death of Jesus even the mighty Roman Empire would be accomplishing God’s plan of salvation.
Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist
Today is the feast of St. Luke and today’s gospel concludes with these words, “cure the sick in [the town] and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’” These words of Christ strike me as appropriate because of who St. Luke was and what that signifies for who we are called to be.
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Occasionally, I take the time to make bread or beer, both of which use yeast as a leaven. Leaven is mentioned in today’s Gospel (Luke 12:1-7) and the concept is important for understanding today’s scriptures, as well as for understanding our own spiritual lives. Leaven is used in various foods to make them rise, usually by fermentation, which is a process that changes some of the carbs in the food into carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is, of course, a big part of the air that we breathe – it is also this air that makes bread rise and beer foam.
Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I have learned something about myself over my lifetime. I do not like change. Or at least it takes awhile for me to adjust to change. I prefer things be predictable and to know what is expected in a situation so that I can “follow the rules” and not have to deal with surprises in life. Well, I’ve also learned with age that that’s not generally how life goes! Thankfully I’ve come to appreciate that change and surprises can be a good thing too, although sometimes the adjustments can be challenging and burdensome. For example, Vince and I weren’t planning on leaving Arlington, VA, where we had been raising our family for 11 years, when we began to hear and discern a call to move to Dayton. Initially I was most resistant to the idea, until the Spirit gradually opened my heart and even stirred an excitement in me for the changes that we were being called to. The move and all that was entailed wasn’t easy, but we were also able to see the blessings and believe that God’s hand truly was guiding our family.
Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
St. Teresa who is remembered today lived in a time not unlike our own. It was a time of huge cultural, social, religious and economic change. Today, we are starting to recover from face the worst economic crisis in a generation, along rapid technological and cultural change; Christianity is under more pressure than ever to be relevant. St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is also written in a time of great uncertainty, yet his admonition to the people in Galatia is pertinent to us today.
Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
In general, it is my tendency to stress Christianity’s bodily nature. That is, Christianity is a faith that requires us to do certain things with our bodies. Unfortunately, many Christians think there is a dichotomy, or split, between the “body” and the “soul”, and even worse, that God really only cares for one of these. For these Christians, “salvation” is only about our souls, or what is “inside” or apart from our flesh (which is deemed “evil”). But we find something radically different in the life and teaching of Jesus. For example, Jesus’ followers were literally followers. His disciples imitated Jesus’ actions, touching lepers, sharing meals with the poor, giving to those who ask. These actions (also called the “Corporeal Works of Mercy”) reveal God’s salvation, now.
Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
“For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” This is what St Paul admonishes in today’s passage from Galatians. Reflecting on this verse takes me to a couple places. It makes me ponder what the work of Jesus really means for me as a Christian and it invites me to look at how my day to day life is a testament to ‘standing firm’ against all the influences that draw me away from Jesus.
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I call myself a ‘foodie.’ Besides theology, I understand food. I love good food and I love trying out new food. I cook my food with passion. I am not a big eater but whatever I eat needs to excite my palette. For me, food is not just about the body; it is also about the soul. And that is why there is nothing I detest more than fast food or eating alone. Food is meant to be shared. If I get time, I cook for the staff the best part of it is sharing it with them.
Because I am a foodie, I totally get today’s scripture readings. Hear this from Isaiah: “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines; juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” I totally get the reason why life at God’s mountain is compared to a great feast with juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. Jesus continues this theme in today’s gospel reading as he uses the analogy of a wedding feast to teach important lessons about the kingdom of God.
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
My dad and I don’t always see eye to eye on everything. I know that comes as a surprise for everyone. Despite our differences, I have tremendous respect for my dad’s views. I respect his views because he is not an excuse maker. For instance, he decided that there were things he’d like to see change in his state government and so he ran for office. Sure he didn’t have political experience or fit the politician mold, but that didn’t stop him. His tenacity to address the problems he sees and reluctance to hide behind excuses are two of his most admirable traits. While, I’d be hesitant to say my dad and Jesus are always in complete agreement, I think today’s gospel and my dad’s witness challenges us to put aside our complacency.
Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Attending a Marianist college and now working at a Marianist high school, we speak a lot about hospitality and what that looks like when it is lived out in our daily lives. A discipleship of hospitality calls us to embrace the stranger, love the sinner and serve our neighbor. When I hear today’s gospel, I immediately think of hospitality.
Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians continues today to make the case for the Gentiles, that they need not become Jews in order to follow Jesus. Paul reminds the community in Galatia how he, Barnabas and Titus were given authority and commissioned by James, Cephas (Peter) and John while in Jerusalem. Paul describes how they preached the same gospel to the uncircumcised as Peter preaches to the circumcised. They were sent to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to be mindful of the poor.
Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Today’s first reading is a short explanation from Paul of his own conversion. He describes himself before he encountered Christ as “a zealot for my ancestral traditions.” Lest we think that Paul has totally forgotten these traditions, however, he then quotes the Hebrew scriptures in the next line, saying that God “who from my mother’s womb had set me apart” called him to something more. Paul is paraphrasing Psalm 139, which is the Psalm for today as well. The verses speak to the intimacy between humanity and God, their Creator. According to the Psalmist, God knows when we sit or stand, when we journey and when we rest. God has formed us, and we are “fearfully, wonderfully made.” It is a beautiful reflection on the relationship between Creator and creature, one that is marked by intimacy and love.
Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
As Christians we are called to be merciful. In today’s scripture reading, Jesus explains what it means to be a “neighbor” by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. The lawyer who was testing Jesus recognizes that the neighbor in the story is the “one who treated him (the victim) with mercy.” (Luke 10: 32) Being merciful is more than just being kind. Showing mercy implies that the person receiving the kindness may not even be “worthy” or deserving of the blessings, but the giver extends the benefits anyway. Because of Jesus, we can learn firsthand what it means to receive mercy, because He forgives us even though we are not worthy. Jesus paints a picture of love, compassion, and self giving in the parable of the Good Samaritan, and then He turns to us and sends us forth saying, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Every so often, I take the time to evaluate my life from the ‘big-picture’ perspective. This year, for example, I have been a priest for twenty years. Prior to that, I was in the seminary for twelve years. I have spent thirty-two of my forty-eight years in religious life. For most part, I am very content with where I am today. I feel exhausted with daily labor on most days, but inside, I feel I am in a good place with God and my communities. My faith in God has never been stronger. My life-vision is discipleship. But, life has not been a cake walk. I am not a man without sins, failures, numerous vocation crises, and some regrets. As I am approaching fifty, I think of the last 48 years as a gift from God. But then, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, how should I plan my life ahead? It is going to take some ‘big-picture’ prayer, reflection, and planning.
Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi
I’m in the midst of a Youth Ministry class right now. Recently we had a panel of individuals involved in Youth Ministry come in for half of our lesson. One of the guests reminded us of the importance of taking a posture of being “consciously incompetent.” In other words, knowing that sometimes we don’t know best. While that might not be the start of a motivational speech, it ties into a line from the Gospel today and our celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of the Guardian Angels
There are many references to angels in the Bible: some as messengers, some as guides, others as guardians and protectors. In some cases, the person encountering the angel knows it is an angel, while in other cases the angel appears as a human being and is not recognized for what they really are. You may recall the verse from Hebrews (13:2), “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” Or the more popular translation, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Today’s readings for the feast of St. Therese known as the “Little Flower,” remind us that like Therese we are to follow the Lord completely. The dialogue in today's first reading from Job goes back and forth between understanding God’s power and then asking the question: Is it wise to challenge God’s wisdom? This discourse is a response to Job’s friend who says that God is a God of knowledge whose justice is fair. Job struggles with this argument. He has lost much, and yet has a clear conscience, and still God’s justice feels more like divine anger. Job’s suffering feels not as a “just” reward for sin, but more as a recipient of an arbitrary allocation of God’s power. Job realizes that the person (God) to whom he wishes to complain may in fact be responsible for his pain. Job’s catch twenty-two leaves him feeling powerless.