Is it lawful?
That's the question that Jesus starts with in today's Gospel. He asks the question whether it is lawful to do good on the sabbath instead of evil.
On the surface, this is a no-brainer. The Pharisees know the answer, but they say nothing. Why? Because anything they say will show how far from the covenant they have strayed. Their own words will betray them.
Jesus isn't really concerned about the Law. The Law is there to protect against the exploitation and abuses the Israelites experienced in Egypt. Every law was directed toward protecting the dignity and unique identity of the person.
But the Pharisees have turned the Law into a noose. Rather than liberate, the Law has become a weapon of enslavement. The hard-won freedom of the Israelites, from Egypt, from the Philistines (first reading), and others, is forgotten.
Do we live our Catholic faith with freedom, or with enslavement? Do we create arbitrary rules and expectations on others (you MUST pray the Rosary every day...you MUST genuflect on both knees before the exposed Sacrament [even though it was supressed in 1976!]....you MUST forbid the use of inclusive language when you are free to do so), rather than allowing the rules and expectations to protect the faithful's freedom in the Gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom is liberty. The Sacraments are our freedom's song.
Are we singing the song of freedom?
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Jan 16, 2014
Why do bad things happen to good people?
That's the question that leaps out from the Gospel. It's not about healing, as we might initially suspect. The First Reading points out the early notion that suffering is for the sinful. Meanwhile, the Gospel points out that a good person suffers also.
So what's the answer to the question? (You'll hate me for this!)
It's not the right question to begin with!
The fact is that things happen to people. Period. The qualifications we put on "good" and "bad" are really our own subjective judgments, which--by the way--are often quite wrong.
Things happen for God's mercy to be manifest. It was manifest in the Gospel through healing. It was manifest in the First Reading to bring about greater freedom for Israel. God's mercy in both places.
Things happen; God can make them occasions of grace.
That's the question that leaps out from the Gospel. It's not about healing, as we might initially suspect. The First Reading points out the early notion that suffering is for the sinful. Meanwhile, the Gospel points out that a good person suffers also.
So what's the answer to the question? (You'll hate me for this!)
It's not the right question to begin with!
The fact is that things happen to people. Period. The qualifications we put on "good" and "bad" are really our own subjective judgments, which--by the way--are often quite wrong.
Things happen for God's mercy to be manifest. It was manifest in the Gospel through healing. It was manifest in the First Reading to bring about greater freedom for Israel. God's mercy in both places.
Things happen; God can make them occasions of grace.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Aug 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feasts of Mary are really feasts about us. That's right! Whenever we celebrate some aspect of the Virgin Mary, we celebrate an aspect of ourselves. In today's case, we celebrate our final end, heaven.
These days, we don't talk much about heaven. We are often more likely to talk about social change, moral certitudes, as well as the canned theology and soundbites that priests learned in seminary or from some "trendy" theme from another source.
What does it take to get to heaven? Authenticity. We are sons and daughters of God, period. Behave as such.
We are called to be who we TRULY are. If our inner lives are a mess, then admit it. Admit it to God, and to someone who will challenge you to growth. Our Lady is an example of true transparency. She realizes that there is in fact nothing in her that merits God's abundant grace. It is all for God. It is this transparency that brings the glory of God and his favor. She is authentic. As we should be.
As above, so below.
These days, we don't talk much about heaven. We are often more likely to talk about social change, moral certitudes, as well as the canned theology and soundbites that priests learned in seminary or from some "trendy" theme from another source.
What does it take to get to heaven? Authenticity. We are sons and daughters of God, period. Behave as such.
We are called to be who we TRULY are. If our inner lives are a mess, then admit it. Admit it to God, and to someone who will challenge you to growth. Our Lady is an example of true transparency. She realizes that there is in fact nothing in her that merits God's abundant grace. It is all for God. It is this transparency that brings the glory of God and his favor. She is authentic. As we should be.
As above, so below.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
August 14, 2013
The readings today bring a very important question to us: are you on fire? Now, most of us are on fire for one thing or another, be it our work, family, projects, and possessions, just to name a few. But today, we are faced with a far more probing question: Am I on fire for forgiveness?
Many times when there is a disagreement, our first reaction is to take the path of least resistance: go over the person's head to the one who is "over" them. Then we feel satisfied that we "did our job" of fraternal correction.
WRONG!
Our first priority when faced with a concern about a friend, relative or colleague is to confront him or her directly and in private. Then we may progress from there. Many times, our desire to avoid conflict short circuits not only the inherent beauty of fraternal correction, but it also short circuits our ability to actually forgive another person. After all, if the person reforms, we are faced with the task of forgiveness rather than revenge.
Are you willing to let your hands get dirty in the work of fraternal correction? Are you truly on fire for forgiveness?
Many times when there is a disagreement, our first reaction is to take the path of least resistance: go over the person's head to the one who is "over" them. Then we feel satisfied that we "did our job" of fraternal correction.
WRONG!
Our first priority when faced with a concern about a friend, relative or colleague is to confront him or her directly and in private. Then we may progress from there. Many times, our desire to avoid conflict short circuits not only the inherent beauty of fraternal correction, but it also short circuits our ability to actually forgive another person. After all, if the person reforms, we are faced with the task of forgiveness rather than revenge.
Are you willing to let your hands get dirty in the work of fraternal correction? Are you truly on fire for forgiveness?
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Preparing for Sunday - August 11, 2013 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflections for the First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9
It is night. Not just any night, but the night of Passover. The night of Death. The night of Deliverance. The children of Israel are waiting to leave. They roast the lamb. They eat the herbs. They stand ready for their salvation at any moment.
But is it real?
Realize that the Israelites are relying not on the word of a God they have heard, but of a man who had been a traitor to the Egyptians. Not only that, but he would only speak through Aaron, because he was too insecure himself! Was Moses really the kind of man that could be trustworthy about deliverance from a tyrant? Certainly, God had sent so many signs, but most of them could be duplicated by the Pharaoh's entertainment crew of magicians and priests.
Nevertheless, they stand in the dark, full of faith. It is a faith that goes beyond the fragility of the messenger. It is a faith that transcends the weaknesses of institutions and cultures. It is a faith that trusts in the God beyond all things.
This is the faith we must have.
It is night. Not just any night, but the night of Passover. The night of Death. The night of Deliverance. The children of Israel are waiting to leave. They roast the lamb. They eat the herbs. They stand ready for their salvation at any moment.
But is it real?
Realize that the Israelites are relying not on the word of a God they have heard, but of a man who had been a traitor to the Egyptians. Not only that, but he would only speak through Aaron, because he was too insecure himself! Was Moses really the kind of man that could be trustworthy about deliverance from a tyrant? Certainly, God had sent so many signs, but most of them could be duplicated by the Pharaoh's entertainment crew of magicians and priests.
Nevertheless, they stand in the dark, full of faith. It is a faith that goes beyond the fragility of the messenger. It is a faith that transcends the weaknesses of institutions and cultures. It is a faith that trusts in the God beyond all things.
This is the faith we must have.
Wed, August 7, 2013
We've all heard that suffering is a part of life, but it's the last thing we ever want to hear as advice to us! We live in a world that genuinely desires to alleviate suffering at all costs. Entertainment is perhaps the greatest indicator of this.
At one point in time, entertainment was a "once in a while" sort of activity. Now it is constant. In an age where everything is ultimately portable to one's smartphone, entertainment is now less than an arm's length away. If at any time one feels the pangs of suffering, or the slightest discomfort of soul, entertainment will whisk it away, be it a game, a Facebook post, a movie clip, or whatever is at hand.
Today's readings tell us the value of suffering. But suffering is really a bit of a strong word here. CONFRONTATION is really more appropriate. Opposition confronts the reports to Moses. Jesus confronts the woman with the fact that she is culturally insignificant. Yet the confrontation is itself an opportunity. For Moses, the confrontation results in a vision of the world that allows for the possibility that God really is bigger than our greatest fears. For the woman, the confrontation moves her to quick thinking, not out of a clever mind, but out the real need borne of true faith.
Confrontation and suffering are opportunities in our lives. They are opportunities for us to change our vision, to grow in our faith in a loving God, to know that ultimately, we are loved by God in a universe that resounds with God's love.
We are challenged to open our eyes to the truth around us, that our growth is God's ultimate desire for us: to grow more and more in the image of his Son. Then we can say with the psalmist today that God does indeed favor his people!
At one point in time, entertainment was a "once in a while" sort of activity. Now it is constant. In an age where everything is ultimately portable to one's smartphone, entertainment is now less than an arm's length away. If at any time one feels the pangs of suffering, or the slightest discomfort of soul, entertainment will whisk it away, be it a game, a Facebook post, a movie clip, or whatever is at hand.
Today's readings tell us the value of suffering. But suffering is really a bit of a strong word here. CONFRONTATION is really more appropriate. Opposition confronts the reports to Moses. Jesus confronts the woman with the fact that she is culturally insignificant. Yet the confrontation is itself an opportunity. For Moses, the confrontation results in a vision of the world that allows for the possibility that God really is bigger than our greatest fears. For the woman, the confrontation moves her to quick thinking, not out of a clever mind, but out the real need borne of true faith.
Confrontation and suffering are opportunities in our lives. They are opportunities for us to change our vision, to grow in our faith in a loving God, to know that ultimately, we are loved by God in a universe that resounds with God's love.
We are challenged to open our eyes to the truth around us, that our growth is God's ultimate desire for us: to grow more and more in the image of his Son. Then we can say with the psalmist today that God does indeed favor his people!
Monday, August 5, 2013
August 6, 2013 - Transfiguration
This particular feast day is bittersweet, to say the least. On the one hand, we celebrate that incredible moment when Jesus reveals himself as the One whom the Prophets foretold, who would fulfill the Law, who would bring true freedom. On the other hand, this is also the anniversary of the use of the horrific atomic bomb that killed so many innocent Japanese people.
The central image is that of light and fire of heaven, both in the First Reading and in the Gospel of this day. The prophet Daniel brings us face to face with a vision of the One seated on the throne amid fire and intense light. Luke holds before us the dazzling vision of Christ, and the deafening voice of the Father.
Yet this light and fire have witnesses. Daniel, the apostles...they are merely human. They are fallible. Peter (as always) ruins the moment by opening his big mouth. The Father, in his own inimitable way, says, "Peter, shut up and listen to my Son."
Back to Hiroshima. The fire and light of that atomic blast was our OWN creation. We manipulated creation to become our servant, and turned that incredible power upon the lives of innocent men, women and children. This gave rise to greater divisions, the arms race, and a world wrapped in terror.
So which light do we choose? Do we choose the light of our own making that demands blood for blood, and life for life? Or... do we choose the Light of Christ that speaks of peace, makes weapons fall from our hands, and silences the naïve mutterings of mouths so quick to speak?
The central image is that of light and fire of heaven, both in the First Reading and in the Gospel of this day. The prophet Daniel brings us face to face with a vision of the One seated on the throne amid fire and intense light. Luke holds before us the dazzling vision of Christ, and the deafening voice of the Father.
Yet this light and fire have witnesses. Daniel, the apostles...they are merely human. They are fallible. Peter (as always) ruins the moment by opening his big mouth. The Father, in his own inimitable way, says, "Peter, shut up and listen to my Son."
Back to Hiroshima. The fire and light of that atomic blast was our OWN creation. We manipulated creation to become our servant, and turned that incredible power upon the lives of innocent men, women and children. This gave rise to greater divisions, the arms race, and a world wrapped in terror.
So which light do we choose? Do we choose the light of our own making that demands blood for blood, and life for life? Or... do we choose the Light of Christ that speaks of peace, makes weapons fall from our hands, and silences the naïve mutterings of mouths so quick to speak?
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