Virtual Retreat

Daily scriptural reflections by Fr. Rory Pitstick, SSL from Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane, WA
Also available via daily email

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Daily Retreat 01/31/06

2006 Jan 31 Tue: John Bosco, p, rf M

2 Sm 18: 9-10. 14b. 24-25a. 30 – 19: 3/ Ps 85(86): 1-2. 3-4. 5-6/ Mk 5: 21-43

From today’s readings: "If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!... Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to You I call all the day.... Talitha koum, which means, Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

David’s Sons

Everyone knows David, and we’ve all read of his son Solomon, but, in fact, David had many children (cf. 1Chronicles 3), a number of whom, however, were degenerate: Amnon, David’s firstborn, raped his sister; Adonijah, another son, tried to establish himself as heir apparent in his father’s final days, and Absalom, David’s third son, led a full-blown rebellion against his father.

Absalom’s revolt is recorded in chapters 15-18 of the Second Book of Samuel. Today’s first reading recounts the tragic end of the rebellion, when Absalom was killed by Joab, and when the news is reported to the king, his heart breaks, even in spite of Absalom’s sedition.

It’s easy to understand David’s no-win predicament: as king, the death of Absalom the rebel was a victory; as father, the death of Absalom his son was a disconsolate tragedy. In the end, notwithstanding his own character defects, David’s broken heart proved he was first a father, then a king....

Daily Retreat 01/30/06

2006 Jan 30 Mon: Ordinary Weekday

2 Sm 15: 13-14. 30; 16: 5-13/ Ps 3: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mk 5: 1-20

From today’s readings: "Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day.... Lord, rise up and save me!.... Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in His mercy has done for you"

Making the Best of the Worst

While it’s true that David was especially blessed by God, it’s not at all true that David had a particularly charmed life, or anything close to it. In fact, David’s life was plagued with some of the most awful tragedies anyone can imagine, such as the rebellion raised against him by his own beloved son Absalom.

In David’s case, holy scripture specifically mentions the king’s own sins as the root of his greatest problems. Without a doubt, wickedness is bound to yield a harvest of rotten fruits, and all of us can recall times in our own lives when our sinfulness led to awful consequences. But the Bible also records holy and innocent people who had to suffer great catastrophes and evils, such as Job, in the Old Testament, and most of all, Jesus, in the New Testament, who was holy and wholly innocent as well.

So, what exactly are we to do when the worst happens in our lives? Well, like David, we need to begin with the searching honesty of owning up to our own past sins and mistakes, which so often are a big part of our problems. As the reflection last Saturday noted, even the most sincere repentance and confession doesn't mean that all of the unfortunate consequences of our sins simply disappear! In the end, David wasn't punished for his sins, so much as he was punished by his sins - the evil aftermath of his turning away from God plagued him so much of the rest of his life.

But then, there are also times when our troubles and tragedies are not due directly to our own sins, or else perhaps it seems they go beyond any sense of just retribution. In all cases, whatever the degree of our own fault, we must strive to make the most of the situation. David reasoned that, by his penance of putting up with Shimei’s unjust insults, there was the opportunity to call upon God’s mercy. In acting thus, David was prophetically but imperfectly anticipating the practice of uniting one’s sufferings with the redemptive suffering of Jesus.

Perhaps the most incredible claim of Christian faith is that all suffering in this life, just and unjust, can be ennobled and transformed by uniting it to the redemptive sufferings of Christ. Although none of us can completely explain how that works, the unanimous witness of all the saints testifies that it does indeed work, so an essential, but admittedly most difficult part of Christian discipleship is the embrace of the Cross of Christ, in whatever way it is found in our own lives.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Daily Retreat 01/29/06

2006 Jan 29 SUN: FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Dt 18: 15-20/ Ps 94(95): 1-2. 6-7. 7-9 (8)/ 1 Cor 7: 32-35/ Mk 1: 21-28

From today’s readings: "Moses spoke to all the people, saying: ‘A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to Him you shall listen....’ If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts..... I am telling you this for your own benefit.... The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority.... "

What Can We Still Learn from Jesus?

Like those first disciples mentioned by name in last Sunday’s gospel reading, all of us who glory in the name "Christian" have decided to follow Jesus in our lives. In one way or another, be it promptly or tardily, be it enthusiastically or begrudgingly, each one of us has heard the call of Jesus to come and follow after Him.

But our commitment to Christian discipleship does not imply that you and I already know everything about Jesus - on the contrary, by definition, a disciple is a learner, a student. So we follow Jesus because we recognize Him as our Rabbi, our Teacher, someone who can yet instruct us in essential matters about ourselves, about our world, and about our God Himself.

In all four Gospels, and most clearly in the Gospel of St. Mark, every turn of the page brings new additional and essential details which are intended to teach the Christian disciples the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus?" As a matter of fact, as I will explain later this year, the entire Gospel according to St. Mark is structured to provide the pedagogical answer to that question.

Who is Jesus? When the first disciples originally decided to follow Jesus, they recognized Him as their rabbi, their teacher, and some even had at least a vague hope or hunch that He was the prophet promised by Moses in the First Reading from the book of Deuteronomy. But, in any case, every time Jesus spoke or acted, He revealed Himself as substantially more than the disciples had previously learned about Him.

So, for instance, the Gospel passage today, which is taken from the very first chapter of Mark, relates that the first disciples, soon after their decision to follow Jesus as their rabbi, observed Him teaching in their synagogue on the Sabbath. But clearly, He was more than a typical teacher, more than a run-of-the-mill rabbi, for "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." In fact, His authority evidently even extended over the unclean spirits, for He rebuked one such disruptive demon with the simple command, "Quiet! Come out of him!" and the demon had no choice but to obey.

In time, the disciples would gradually learn more and more about the authority of Jesus, and they learned that, although He was indeed their rabbi and teacher, although He was indeed the prophet promised in the Old Testament, He was still much more than just that! Gradually, the disciples would learn to recognize Jesus as Messiah and Son of God and all that that entailed, but only because they heard His voice, and hardened not their hearts; they never (except for Judas) closed their minds to new insights taught by Jesus about themselves, their world, and their God.

Yet I fear that, too often, you and I, and so many of the Christian disciples of this time and place, think we already know Jesus enough, and know enough about Jesus. We think we have Him pretty well figured out, and so there’s no compelling reason for us to listen carefully to the Scriptures and His Sabbath teaching in the Church. We figure that our baptismal matriculation in His Church is enough in itself - why would we need continuing education in His school, why would we need careful study of His doctrines?

Well, the first Christian disciples learned, every day that they followed Jesus, that He was more than they had previously learned about Him. They learned that He loved them more, they learned how He loved them more, they learned that they needed to love Him more, they learned that He had more to teach them, they learned that He clearly wanted them to learn more - and so they learned that Christian discipleship means following Jesus every day, learning from Him continually about themselves, their world, and their God! They learned what you and I need to learn today: that we don’t yet know Jesus well enough, and we don’t yet know enough about Jesus, but as long as we remember that we’re still disciples, we’re still learners, then He Himself will clearly continue to teach us!

Daily Retreat 01/28/06

2006 Jan 28 Sat: Thomas Aquinas, p, r, dr M

2 Sm 12: 1-7a. 10-17/ Ps 50(51): 12-13. 14-15. 16-17/ Mk 4: 35-41

From today’s readings: "You are the man!.... Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God.... Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

You are the man!

Did God abandon David to his moral delinquency? No! God sent His prophet Nathan, who cleverly confronts the King with his culpability, provoking the royal wrath against a worthless rich man whose cruel crime was only a shadow of David’s own deceit and decadence. Nathan has the courage to fearlessly expose the King’s hypocrisy, shouting "You are the man!" And David has the courage to humbly accept the truth of the prophet’s charge, confessing "I have sinned!"

In contrast to Saul, who never recovered from his moral fiasco, David proves to be a rather complex character. Although he's clearly the hero and has so much going for himself, the books of Samuel certainly don't portray David as perfect, do they? In fact, the sacred scripture doesn't shy away from his sins, it doesn't ignore the problems he creates for himself and for his entire people. Looking at this as history written by God, what is the lesson that we can learn from this?

Well, first of all, we learn that God does accept the one who confesses and turns to Him, as David did, with a humble and contrite heart after sinning. But that doesn't mean that all of the consequences of our sins simply disappear! In the end, David wasn't punished for his sins, so much as he was punished by his sins - the evil aftermath of his turning away from God plagued him so much of the rest of his life. God, writing history, didn't make David's son Absalom rebel against his father, but God does drive home to David (and to us!) the truth that the things that we do that are wrong, the decisions of turning away from God, all these will have consequences in our life and in the lives of our loved ones, and we have to remember that! And yet, even in spite of our sins, in spite of our failings, God does not hesitate again to send His prophets to call us to repentance, back to His banqueting table. He welcomes all who come there, like David, with a humble and contrite heart, having courageously confessed "I have sinned!"

Daily Retreat 01/27/06

2006 Jan 27 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Angela Merici, v, rf

2 Sm 11: 1-4a. 5-10a. 13-17/ Ps 50(51): 3-4. 5-6a. 6bcd-7. 10-11/ Mk 4: 26-34

From today’s readings: "At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign.... Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.... Without parables He did not speak to them, but to His own disciples He explained everything in private."

Deus Caritas Est (Part II)

Wednesday, the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI was published, entitled, "Deus Caritas Est," the Latin words meaning, "God is Love"(cf. 1John 4:8,16). It is freely available for downloading from the Vatican’s website: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals /documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html

Yesterday, some points of the first part of the letter were presented which philosophically reflected especially on the convergence of "eros" and "agape" love. Today, we look at a few highlights of the second part of the letter, which is subtitled, "Caritas: The Practice of Love by the Church as a Community of Love."

This second section focuses concretely on the Church’s essential communal commitment to put charitable love into daily practice. Pope Benedict explains that "the entire activity of the Church is an expression of a love that seeks the integral good of man: it seeks his evangelization through Word and Sacrament, an undertaking that is often heroic in the way it is acted out in history; and it seeks to promote man in the various arenas of life and human activity. Love is therefore the service that the Church carries out in order to attend constantly to man's sufferings and his needs, including material needs. And this is the aspect, this service of charity, on which I want to focus in the second part of the Encyclical."

The Church is committed both to the pursuit of justice and the practice of charity. While direct formation of just political structures is not part of the Church’s mission, still the Church " is called to contribute to the purification of reason and to the reawakening of those moral forces without which just structures are neither established nor prove effective in the long run.," while "the direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, on the other hand, is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity."

Furthermore, "Love—caritas—will always prove necessary, even in the most just society.... There will always be suffering which cries out for consolation and help. There will always be loneliness. There will always be situations of material need where help in the form of concrete love of neighbour is indispensable. The State which would provide everything, absorbing everything into itself, would ultimately become a mere bureaucracy incapable of guaranteeing the very thing which the suffering person—every person—needs: namely, loving personal concern. We do not need a State which regulates and controls everything, but a State which, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, generously acknowledges and supports initiatives arising from the different social forces and combines spontaneity with closeness to those in need. The Church is one of those living forces: she is alive with the love enkindled by the Spirit of Christ. This love does not simply offer people material help, but refreshment and care for their souls, something which often is even more necessary than material support."

The Pope closes the encyclical with a reflection on the inspiring examples of the many holy people throughout the ages (e.g., Mary, Martin of Tours, Mother Teresa of Calcutta) that teach us how to live in Christian love.

Daily Retreat 01/26/06

2006 Jan 26 Thu: Timothy and Titus, bps M

2 Tm 1: 1-8 or Ti 1: 1-5/ Ps 95(96): 1-2a. 2b-3. 7-8a. 10/ Mk 4: 21-25

From today’s readings: "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.... The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you!"

Deus Caritas Est

Yesterday, the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI was published, entitled, "Deus Caritas Est," the Latin words meaning, "God is Love"(cf. 1John 4:8,16). It is freely available for downloading from the Vatican’s website: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals /documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html

We all are aware, as the Pope points out, that "Today, the term ‘love’ has become one of the most frequently used and misused of words, a word to which we attach quite different meanings....we speak of love of country, love of one's profession, love between friends, love of work, love between parents and children, love between family members, love of neighbour and love of God. Amid this multiplicity of meanings, however, one in particular stands out: love between man and woman, where body and soul are inseparably joined and human beings glimpse an apparently irresistible promise of happiness."

In the first part of the encyclical, the Holy Father explores the complementary relation between two kinds of love: the distinct love called "eros" in Greek, and that other love called "agape" in Greek. In the original Greek of the New Testament, "eros" is never used, but, the Pope explains, that does not mean that the Christian faith is opposed to that type of love. But Christian writers have always needed to use that term cautiously, because the unfortunate tendency has long been to reduce "eros" to romantic or sexual love, (as, for example, in the English derivative "erotic"). To be sure, such a meaning in itself can be noble (as our faith, recognizing the goodness of God’s creation, unabashedly asserts!), but it can also be tainted with brutish connotations. Christianity not only embraces the most noble understanding of "eros," but also the broader meaning of the term as well, for in fact, "eros" semantically also denotes passionate, joyful, yearning love that ultimately draws one out of oneself, up to another.

In contrast, "agape," a term used especially in the New Testament (and rarely in pagan literature) expresses selfless, sacrificial love of God and of neighbor – this is the "love" referenced, for example, in today’s first reading, 2Tim 1:7. But, the Pope points out, "man cannot live by oblative, descending love alone. He cannot always give, he must also receive. Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift." Consequently, " ‘eros’ and ‘agape’ – ascending love and descending love – can never be completely separated. The more the two, in their different aspects, find a proper unity in the one reality of love, the more the true nature of love in general is realized." This is a profound insight with which to measure the full horizon of Christian love!

Tomorrow, I will present some highlights from the second part of the Pope’s encyclical.

Daily Retreat 01/25/06

2006 Jan 25 Wed: Conversion of Paul, ap F

Acts 22: 3-16 or Acts 9: 1-22/ Ps 116(117): 1bc. 2/ Mk 16: 15-18

From today’s readings: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? .....Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature!"

The Conversion of St. Paul

Accounts of the conversion of St. Paul recur three times in the Acts of the Apostles: first, the author (St. Luke) recounts the incident (chapter 9); then, St. Paul narrates his conversion while presenting his defense to the Jews in Jerusalem (chapter 22); and then again, Paul recalls the miraculous events in his speech before King Agrippa (chapter 26).

In compiling the Acts of the Apostles, Luke could have chosen to present the details of Paul's conversion only once, and then merely mentioned a summary of Paul's defense statements before the Jews and King Agrippa. But because the details of the conversion are repeated and even offered from a slightly different point of view each time, it's patently clear that Paul's conversion was a watershed event in the early Church, and the miracle of his conversion must have been the inspiration for many conversions.

Some of us can trace particular moments of conversion in our own lives, but even if, by God's grace, we've stayed relatively close to Him all of our lives, each of us needs to be committed to ongoing conversion, to continual sanctification, and the commitment to grow in our faith - and to be just as grateful as St. Paul was for the wondrous ways God has shown us His light!

Daily Retreat 01/24/06

2006 Jan 24 Tue: Francis de Sales, bp, rf, dr M

2 Sm 6: 12b-15. 17-19/ Ps 23(24): 7. 8. 9. 10/ Mk 3: 31-35

From today’s readings: "The ark of the LORD was brought in.... The LORD of hosts; He is the king of glory.... whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother."

Return of the Lost Ark

In one of the greatest liturgical celebrations of all time, King David led the Ark of the Covenant after a tumultuous history (cf. 1Sam ch. 4-7, and the preceding verses in 2Sam 6) to Jerusalem. Rhapsodic music, dancing with abandon, extravagant sacrificial offerings, free food for all, prayer and a royal blessing - what a party!

The Ark of the Covenant was the most holy of all sacred relics, a physical guarantee of the presence of the Lord God. It is understandable that its enshrinement in Jerusalem would be the cause of such rejoicing! Yet an important question remains for us: since we believe that the Eucharist is the Body of Christ, Its holiness surpasses even that of the Ark, which merely manifested the presence of God and was thus not equivalent to the very presence of God (as is the Eucharist). How then can our Eucharistic celebrations ever be apathetic, lackluster and lifeless?

Through the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God has generously diffused the concentration of His sacred presence, but never diluted His presence! Obviously, this means we need to grow in our festive awe and awareness of the Lord’s Real Presence, so that each one of our liturgical celebrations will be the greatest all of the time!

 

P.S.    In future years, I do plan to specifically address saint's feastdays in these meditations, but up to this point, that's only happened rarely.  However,  I need to make an exception today for St. Francis de Sales!  At the beginning of this past Advent, I started reading his classic, Introduction to the Devout Life.  His profound theological insights, the inspiration of his life, and his intercession came together in these past months to bring such spiritual enrichment for my life, that I feel compelled to heartily recommend his writings to all who are hungering for the heartiest spiritual fare!  And thank You, God, for the continual blessing that You bring to Your Church through the inspiring wisdom of St. Francis de Sales, that great Doctor of the Church!

Daily Retreat 01/23/06

2006 Jan 23 Mon: Ordinary Weekday

2 Sm 5: 1-7. 10/ Ps 88(89): 20. 21-22. 25-26/ Mk 3: 22-30

From today’s readings: "You shall shepherd My people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.... I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him.... If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."

God’s Chosen Shepherd

God clearly blessed David - long before he assumed the kingship of Israel and Judah, he had been chosen as the Lord’s anointed one through Samuel, God’s prophet. Gradually, all the people came to see David as the shepherd God chose for them, and so, after the death of Saul, David was unanimously recognized as king.

Since God Himself chose the leader for His chosen people, it followed that when the chosen people followed the chosen leader, they were following God’s will for them. Although David, like all leaders, was far from perfect, he was among the greatest in history, for he certainly strove to follow God and lead the people in God’s ways.

At this time in history, God has chosen Pope Benedict XVI to lead His Church. Like all leaders, Benedict is far from perfect - and he has no qualms about humbly admitting that! Yet the Holy Father is, by all accounts, a great man, striving to follow God, and lead people in God’s ways. As always, when God’s people follow the leader God has chosen for us, we are then following God’s will for us!

Daily Retreat 01/22/06

2006 Jan 22 SUN: THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Jon 3: 1-5. 10/ Ps 24(25): 4-5. 6-7. 8-9 (4a)/ 1 Cor 7: 29-31/ Mk 1: 14-20

From today’s readings: "When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way.... Teach me Your ways, O Lord.... the time is running out.... Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

1-22

Our Lord faced the stark reality of the Cross at the end of His earthly life. Today, we followers of the Crucified Christ must confront anew one of the most hideous splinters of that Cross, the residue reality of sin, freshly nailed again into innocent human flesh. For after the passage of 33 years, our Lord's earthly lifetime, this day, 1-22 (an exponentially more tragic anniversary than 9-11) is the awful anniversary of the still standing US Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade, when in 1973, the judicial branch of our government made bold to legislate the legalization of abortion, the crime that has stopped so many beating human hearts.

Stained with the splattered blood of so many humans sacrificed to the pagan idol of choice, you and I are tempted to yield to despair, to believe the lie that the precedent is too enthroned to be overturned, and so we moan, "There's nothing I can do!"

"There's nothing I can do." That flimsy excuse fits well on the lips of the likes of Jonah, that reluctant prophet chosen by God to preach against the wickedness of Nineveh. "Now Nineveh," as the first reading relates, "was an enormously large city." It was the capital of the Assyrian empire, the mightiest world power of the day, and one of the cruelest, most blood-thirsty reigns in all of history. The Assyrians ruled by terror: if a vassal state attempted rebellion or withheld tribute, the Assyrians would unleash a frenzy of annihilation, leveling whole cities, impaling rebel officers of all ranks, decapitating every surrendered soldier, and enslaving every man, woman, and child still breathing among the conquered peoples. And Nineveh hosted the emperor's supreme court - from Nineveh, those tyrannical decisions would be promulgated that meant the death for so many innocents because of the cold-hearted choice of those in power.

So who can blame Jonah? Faced with such political might, no wonder he fled in fright! Yet God insisted there was something Jonah could do - in fact, there was something Jonah needed to do for his own salvation, and the good of the entire nation! And so, in that biggest fish story of all time, the Book of Jonah recalls not how a prophetic fish nearly got away, but how a fishy prophet finally got "the Way" - God’s Way, that is, for Jonah got reeled into the Lord's own angling, which Jesus later labeled "fishing for men."

When Jonah cast away his flimsy excuses, and finally decided to act "according to the Lord’s bidding," he simply warned the Ninevites that "the time is running out," as St. Paul would later likewise warn the Corinthians; Johan simply raised the call to repent, as Jesus would later do in the fullness of time. "Time is running out," because evil laws legislate moral disintegration, and thence falls, inevitably, even the mightiest nation. So again, this day becomes our moment of crucial decision, for again, this is the time of fulfillment, the moment to renew the call to repent, and believe in the Gospel!

"There’s nothing I can do?" Cast away that and all other flimsy excuses, because when you and I finally decide to act according to the Lord’s bidding, when you and I warn the citizens of this nation that time is running out, when you and I recall that Christ has already transformed the Cross into the instrument of redemption, THEN you and I can courageously face the tragic sliver of the Cross overshadowing our lives, THEN you and I can denounce the evil of abortion with the zeal of the prophets, THEN you and I will lead our country to turn from the evil way, when we finally get God’s Way!

Daily Retreat 01/21/06

2006 Jan 21 Sat: Agnes, v, mt M

2 Sm 1: 1-4. 11-12. 19. 23-27/ Mk 3: 20-21

From today’s readings: "Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen!.. Let us see Your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.... Jesus came with His disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.."

Merciful and Magnanimous in Life and Death

Yesterday, the first reading recounted an example of David’s extraordinary mercy toward Saul while he yet lived; today, the focus is on David’s heartfelt grief in the face of the death of Saul and Jonathan. A lesser man would have welcomed the report as good news (as the messenger had expected of David!), breathing a sigh of relief to be completely free from Saul’s fitful jealousy, while also hyperventilating at the prospect of succeeding him as king!

Yet David responds not just with his lamenting, but also recalling for himself and others the more noble deeds of Saul and Jonathan, refusing to solicit pity, from himself or others, by dwelling on bitter memories of Saul’s jealousy and persecution.

Perhaps you and I can be inspired to treat those who have died (even our enemies!) with such clemency, explicitly offering our forgiveness for past wrongs, thanking God for all associated blessings, and praying for the eternal rest of their souls!

Daily Retreat 01/20/06

2006 Jan 20 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Fabian, pp, mt/ Sebastian, mt

1 Sm 24: 3-21/ Ps 56(57): 2. 3-4. 6 and 11/ Mk 3: 13-19

From today’s readings: "Whom are you pursuing? Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.... He appointed Twelve, whom He also named Apostles, that they might be with Him and He might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons."

Whom are you pursuing? Who is pursuing you?

The encounter between Saul and David in the first reading highlights the underlying differences in their characters: Saul, driven by nothing but spiteful jealousy, is pursuing David with intent to kill; David, with the providential opportunity to put an end to Saul, instead gallantly shows him the meaning of mercy.

Is your own character more like Saul’s, or like David’s? Granted that you’re not pursuing anyone with intent to kill, yet is there someone you are harassing in some fashion? If you would deny that, perhaps the better question to ask is, who perceives you as an enemy, and why? And then ask yourself, who is pursuing you? How do you treat those who plague and provoke you? When given the upper hand as David was, do you seize the moment to settle the score, or do you know how to be merciful and gallantly take the initiative in committing yourself to reconciliation?

Daily Retreat 01/19/06

2006 Jan 19 Thu: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7/ Ps 55(56): 2-3. 9-10a. 10b-11. 12-13/ Mk 3: 7-12

From today’s readings: "And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.... Now I know that God is with me.... He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon Him to touch Him."

Jealousy of Goodness

David’s defeat of Goliath was a miracle that made him very popular with the people of Israel, but clearly, God gave David that victory for the sake of all of His people, not just for some fleeting fame and popularity for David!

But as the crowds celebrate David’s triumph, perhaps the only one among the Israelites who didn’t feel like celebrating was King Saul, who becomes bitter because the people held David’s success in higher esteem. In Saul’s blind jealousy, the fact that God had also blessed Saul with success in his past endeavors was now inconsequential - the only thing that mattered was that David was outshining him!

Sometimes, those who are striving to serve God faithfully find themselves pricked with that same diabolic jealousy: Why do others have more success than I do in evangelizing? Why do others show up at just the right moment as "Good Samaritans" in high profile cases, whereas the opportunities I have to help others are much less glamourous? Why are others chosen to receive heavenly visions and other special graces, when I just experience God in the most ordinary ways?

Far from letting jealousy spoil such blessings, we need to rejoice always in the goodness of others, especially when God, in His wisdom, chooses to do great things through others. The effort to realize the Kingdom of God is the world’s greatest team effort, and each of us has a crucial position to play! An outfielder won’t play his position well if he’s sulking because he’s not the pitcher, and likewise you and I will only botch up our own vocation and position of serving God if we sour with jealousy for the role of others.

Daily Retreat 01/18/06

2006 Jan 18 Wed: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 17: 32-33. 37. 40-51/ Ps 143(144): 1b. 2. 9-10/ Mk 3: 1-6

From today’s readings: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts.... My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in Whom I trust.... Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?"

David and Goliath

David’s triumph over Goliath is certainly among the most familiar of biblical events. In a way, perhaps even TOO familiar, for like Christmas, the story is often stripped of its context of faith, then shanghaied into secular service as an upset success story meant to motivate underdogs of all breeds.

David’s victory was not due to his own pluck or luck, his "positive thinking" or shrewd hoodwinking - rather, David confesses his only and sure hope of prevailing: "For the battle is the LORD's, and HE shall deliver you into our hands!"

When you’re faced with formidable foes, where do you place your hope of victory? The moral of "David and Goliath" is not that underdogs occasionally will even win an upset, it’s that God (and those on His side) ultimately will win - even a setup!

Daily Retreat 01/17/06

2006 Jan 17 Tue: Anthony, ab M

1 Sm 16: 1-13/ Ps 88(89): 20. 21-22. 27-28/ Mk 2: 23-28

From today’s readings: "Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.... I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him.... the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

Not as man sees does God see

God’s election of David as King of Israel came as a total surprise to everyone, even the prophet Samuel himself! God reminded Samuel that "not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." It’s a reminder for you and me as well, both about how we should see ourselves, and how we see others.

Perhaps you’ve enjoyed great success and worldly esteem - what does that amount to in the eyes of God? Conversely, perhaps you’ve had more than your share of failures and are routinely dismissed by others, yet rather than yielding to discouragement, you should look for the good that God created in you - what He yet sees in your heart!

As we look to others, it’s so easy to write someone off just because we can’t see much good in him, or be easily impressed with worldly credentials. But again, we must listen (as Samuel did) as God reveals His standards, and thus we seek to see as God sees.

Daily Retreat 01/16/06

2006 Jan 16 Mon: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 15: 16-23/ Ps 49(50): 8-9. 16bc-17. 21 and 23/ Mk 2: 18-22

From today’s readings: " Why then have you disobeyed the LORD? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.... New wine is poured into fresh wineskins."

 

Following Directions

We've all had the frustrating experience of entrusting another person with a simple task, only to have the job botched completely because directions were not followed fully. It’s a pretty sure bet that each of us ourselves has likewise at times deliberately ignored instructions because we thought we could do things a better way, but the result was a mess, and thus we needlessly complicated what should have been a easy assignment.

Throughout my high school years at Gonzaga Prep, I had a work/study job which included helping set up for various receptions. The first time I was charged with preparing coffee, the instructions were to set up one heavy duty coffee maker in room 46, prepare another one in room 45, and eventually bring both machines to the reception area after the coffee had percolated. Pretty simple, right? Except that I couldn’t see any reason for setting up the coffee pots in different rooms, so I decided to save a little time and running around by putting them together in room 45. After I had filled them both and turned them on, I moved on to other tasks, intending to return when the coffee would be ready and take both machines to the reception area as planned.

However, when I returned for the coffee, I discovered that putting both machines in one room had overloaded the circuit - the breaker had been tripped, and so, I was stuck with nothing but cold water and damp coffee grounds! Needless to say, there was no coffee available for that reception, all because I failed to follow instructions and thought I could do things a better way.

Sometimes though, there’s more at stake than a shortage of coffee! Saul figured that, instead of obeying God, he would do what he figured would be better for himself and his army. Saul’s disobedience eventually proved to be an ongoing source of temptation for the Israelites, as well as the start of his own ruin. But before you and I rebuke Saul for his mistake, we need to honestly own up to our own sins of sidestepping God’s commandments for our own convenience (even when we fool ourselves into believing it’s for a good reason - plain and simple, there NEVER is a good reason to disobey God’s commandments, there NEVER is a better way than His way!).

God, who created us, has given us pretty straightforward instructions for living our lives. Obeying His commandments doesn’t guarantee us material prosperity or hedonistic pleasures, but it does lead to a permanent share in His divine life and eternal joy. A bungled pot of coffee might be embarrassing and troublesome, but it’s not disastrous. However, it would be eternally wretched if we mess up our job of getting to Heaven just because we tragically think there’s an easier way than following God’s directions.

Daily Retreat 01/15/06

2006 Jan 15 SUN: SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1 Sm 3: 3b-10. 19/ Ps 39(40): 2. 4. 7-8. 8-9. 10 (8a. 9a)/ 1 Cor 6: 13c-15a. 17-20/ Jn 1: 35-42

From today’s readings: " Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening..... Here am I, Lord; I come to do Your will.... The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord.... What are you looking for?"

Listening and Looking

As the guarantor of our free will, God has made it very clear that He will never force us to come to Him. He calls us, and stands ready to lead us; He beckons, and offers to feed us, but ultimately, we can say "No" to all of this. Or, just as bad as saying "No," we can simply ignore His loving invitations.

You see, most people, even those least marked with love for God in their lives, will initially recoil in horror at the mere idea of saying "No" to God, because such a refusal is so clearly Satanic. And well does the Devil know that, even among the many whom he routinely drags into mortal sins, few of them will confess their dealings with demons, their friendship with the Fiend. Few people will confess an actual "No" to God, but many are they who are content to engage in selective hearing in regards to the Word of God, in order to better tune in the secular musings; many are they who are satisfied to spot God only in peripheral vision, in order to better focus on worldly things.

But what then of those of us ready this day to cast off such complacency? How can we follow more faithfully, to come and see, not just a peek, but the full revelation of all that Jesus wants to show us? How can we respond more readily, to come and hear, not just a peep, but the whole symphony of all that Jesus wants to conduct us in?

In his youth, Samuel was given this excellent advice by Eli the priest: "If you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’ " The priest who writes this can only emphasize and echo the soundness of such wisdom! For there are certainly still many among us whom the Lord has been patiently calling and repeating their names, and yet in the same mistaken way that Samuel initially responded, such people barely hear the first word of God, but then immediately start running in the wrong direction and talking altogether too much, when they need to stand still, be quiet, and pray, "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening." So indeed, does the psalm prescribe patience, that we too at last can say, "I have waited, waited for the LORD, and He stooped toward me and heard my cry. And He put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God!"

In their adulthood, Andrew and another of John’s disciples heard the Baptist’s voice pointing out the Lamb of God, and so they decided to take a closer look at this Lamb, Who then rewarded them with a personal invitation for an ever closer look: "Come and you will see!" were the simple words, but the full revelation was, "Come and follow Me! Come and remain with Me! Come and let Me lead you to My dwelling!" For there are certainly still many among us to whom the Lord has been patiently beckoning with His invitation, "Come, and you will see, come, for you still have much to learn about Me!" and yet in the same mistaken way that Peter initially stood aloof, such people hesitate to come any closer, perhaps out of pride, or shame, or lack of interest, or any number of excuses, but then finally a family member, a close friend, a zealous disciple brings them Jesus.

Listen to the Lord, and look for the Lord! Not listening just with selective hearing, but listening attentively with all our hearts to all He says, including the hard sayings, such as this found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: "Avoid sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body."

Listen to the Lord, and look for the Lord! Not looking just from afar or merely with peripheral vision, but looking intently with all our hearts to all He reveals, following the path of life where He leads us, and eating the Bread of Life which He feeds us, and making the holy choice with the noble resolution of our free will, to not refuse God’s invitation, to no longer ignore God’s call, but to say, in word and deed, "YES!" to our divine vocation.

Daily Retreat 01/14/06

2006 Jan 14 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM

1 Sm 9: 1-4. 17-19; 10: 1/ Ps 20(21): 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mk 2: 13-17

From today’s readings: "There was no other son of Israel more handsome than Saul; he stood head and shoulders above the people.... Lord, in your strength the king is glad..... Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners .."

God's Choices are always good

Understandably, our perception of Saul is clouded by our awareness of his future failings (such as his jealousy of David) and the disastrous end of his life. However, in the first reading, Saul is introduced in a most flattering manner, as "head and shoulders" above everyone else. In spite of his future disobedience and pathetic phobia, Saul was still chosen by God to be the first king of the chosen people.

Whenever God calls someone to a mission of service, God gives the wherewithal to faithfully fulfill the vocation. This was certainly true in Saul's case - his stalwart lineage, lofty stature, courage, handsome composure and other strengths made him an ideal kingly candidate. So Saul's failings will prove to be his own fault - he cannot complain that God demanded more of him than he was suited for.

You and I need to bear in mind this same insight: God has intentionally equipped you with the talents and strength (internal and external) necessary to faithfully fulfill His vocation for you. For past, present, and future failings, we cannot get off the hook by complaining that God asks too much of us; rather, in moments of failure, we need to re- discover the depth of character which God saw in us when He called us to the challenges of our vocation, and ask Him to help us anew to live up to the dignity of our calling!

Daily Retreat 01/13/06

2006 Jan 13 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Hilary, bp, dr

1 Sm 8: 4-7. 10-22a/ Ps 88(89): 16-17. 18-19/ Mk 2: 1-12

From today’s readings: "It is not you they reject, they are rejecting Me as their king.... For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord..... But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth....."

Rejecting God as King

A careful study of the books of Samuel reveals an ambivalence toward the monarchy: on the one hand, the kingship of David is certainly celebrated, but, texts such as today's also point out the downside of royalty.

The elders of Israel who insisted that Samuel anoint a king, did so with the hope of being like other nations. So instead of inspiring other nations to imitate the exulted example that God wanted them to give (viz., a holy nation living in God's law), the Israelites chose to adapt the non-divinely directed customs of the pagan peoples around them.

Do you and I conform to God's exulted plan for us, or do we content ourselves with accomodating to the prevailing world spirit? This is the choice we have to make in all our decisions, and so we do well to remember that whenever we reject God as our King and the rule of His law, we inevitably invite the disastrous and miserable consequences that are sure to follow.

Daily Retreat 01/12/06

2006 Jan 12 Thu: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 4: 1-11/ Ps 43(44): 10-11. 14-15. 24-25/ Mk 1: 40-45

From today’s readings: " The elders of Israel said, ‘Why has the LORD permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines?’ Redeem us, Lord, because of Your mercy.... Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out His hand, touched the leper....."

 

God's Side

The Old Testament is full of incredible battle accounts which relate great victories of God's people against humanly impossible odds. Less memorable, but also chronicled in the Bible, are details of ignoble defeats of the Israelites.

So, was God on their side, or not? If God was on their side, that certainly explains the miraculous victories. But then, if the almighty God was on their side, how could they ever lose, as, for instance, the time of the disastrous battle against the Philistines recorded in the first reading?

The question the Israelites should have asked (and that we should ask today) is not whether or not God is on our side, but whether or not we are on His side! God cannot be expected to endorse with His omnipotence every action of His people, especially when His people's actions are contrary to His will.

Compare the pathetic defeat recounted here in chapter 4, with the picture in chapter 7 of the First Book of Samuel, when the Israelites returned to God. When we align ourselves squarely with God and His will, then indeed He will give success to the work of our hands, and we will have the thrill of triumphantly surfing the waves of His invincibility!

Daily Retreat 01/11/06

2006 Jan 11 Wed: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 3: 1-10. 19-20/ Ps 39(40): 2 and 5. 7-8a. 8b-9. 10/ Mk 1: 29-39

From today’s readings: "Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.... Here am I, Lord; I come to do Your will.... Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed."

Samuel’s Model Vocation

The Lord’s call of Samuel is an excellent biblical example of typical signs which point to a divine vocation. First, note that Samuel thought that he was being called by Eli. Likewise, a modern vocation to the priesthood or religious life often is first felt with a subdued suggestion, from parents, pastor, teachers, or others, who ask a youngster if he has ever thought of becoming a priest, or if she has any interest in serving the Lord as a religious Sister. A child faced with this prospect would probably at first just think the vocational idea originated with the person who brought it up. However, if the idea resonates within the child’s heart, and especially if the same suggestion is brought up by several significant adults, the child will eventually conclude that the vocation actually originates with God, who often calls through human instruments.

Second, note the nature of God’s call to Samuel: gentle and initially indefinite, yet clear and persistent. Likewise, a modern vocation to the priesthood or religious life often is experienced as a gentle invitation heard in prayer to come closer to God. The child or young adult might not even have a vague notion about where the invitation ultimately will lead. But the invitation itself is clear - when dismissed or put on a back burner, it inevitably will turn up again, gentle, but clear and persistent. There are exceptions (such as Paul’s vocation!) when the initial call is itself an overwhelming experience and not subtle at all, but those are the exceptions.

Finally, when Samuel responds to the Lord’s call with the exemplary, "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening!", the Lord in turn responds to Samuel’s response. The lectionary reading omits these verses, 1 Sam 3:11 -18, because the Lord’s words are not good news for Eli, and the lectionary compilers evidently sought to preserve the propitious and sacred sense of this vocational moment by not dampening it with the introduction of the negative news - Eli himself would probably concur with that approach (cf. v. 18). Likewise, although the call is at times experienced in the midst of some turmoil, whenever a young adult begins to respond to a divine vocation, confirmation signs affirming the response will soon be given by God.

Each of us has a role in fostering vocations to the priesthood in religious life, through our prayers and personal encouragement. During this vocation awareness week, the model vocation of Samuel can help us all to do our part in making sure the call gets heard! Note that while the call came directly from God, Eli was instrumental in setting Samuel on the right track, and think about how you might be able to do the same for someone you know who might be called by God as was Samuel.

If anyone reading this has surfaced personal vocational questions, I heartily encourage you to bring them up with a trusted spiritual advisor!

Daily Retreat 01/10/06

2006 Jan 10 Tue: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 1: 9-20/ 1 Sm 2: 1. 4-5. 6-7. 8abcd/ Mk 1: 21-28

From today’s readings: "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.... My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.... The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes."

Prejudice and Contrition

The word "prejudice" literally means "pre-judgment," the crystalizing of an opinion before all pertinent facts have a chance to be examined and considered. While the word is strongly charged in modern parlance as the unwarranted basis for racial and other discrimination, "prejudice" actually has a wider denotation that applies to numerous everyday situations that more than likely all of us find ourselves in too often.

In the first reading, when the priest Eli saw Hannah miserably mouthing her petition in the temple, he concluded that she was drunk, and so he berated her in a rather un-priestly fashion! In his pre-judgment, Eli had concluded the worst about Hannah, and even told her so. To Hannah’s credit, she did NOT storm out of the temple, never to return, harboring a lifelong grudge against cruel priests! Given Eli’s insensitivity, no one would have blamed Hannah for overreacting in such a manner, as some have done in our day in response to insensitive remarks or other inexcusable actions of priests. Hannah, however, looks past Eli’s human failings and calls upon the intercession of his priesthood as she explains to him a bit of her sad situation. Much chagrined, Eli changes his tone completely, intercedes as a priest for her petition, and offers Hannah a few words that evidently brought her comfort, for she "left, went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and no longer appeared downcast." Read the rest of chapter one to see the happy ending to this incident!

In my own human frailty, I know I have been guilty of Eli’s example of prejudice - instantly assuming the worst about people; and even if my words aren’t as coldly insensitive as were Eli’s, there’s still been too many times when I made my disgust known, even if only with a non-verbal cold shoulder. Inspired by the Word of God, I’m sure that all my brother priests join me in praying to God for forgiveness for such faults, and begging anyone offended by any one of us to have the mature faith of Hannah - look past our human failings, turn to your priests for the prayers, inspiration and intercession God charges us to provide, bringing the Gospel - the Good News! - to every heavy heart.

Daily Retreat 01/09/06

2006 Jan 9 Mon: Ordinary Weekday

1 Sm 1:1-8/Ps 115(116)/Mk 1:14-20

NB: in the lectionary, the weekday readings are from "Year II" of the daily cycle. Odd number years follow the "Year I" cycle, even numbered years (such as "2006") follow Year II.

From today’s readings: "Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve...? This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel!"

Vocation and baptism

After the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (celebrated yesterday), the daily lectionary makes a jump to the beginning (almost) of the Gospel of St. Mark, and to the very beginning of the First Book of Samuel. In spite of the jump, a certain continuity can be found, since with baptism, there comes a vocation and mission.

Perhaps you will recall that the incident of Samuel’s presentation in the temple by his mother was read just a few days before Christmas. Now we have the chance to get the background for that whole story - today and tomorrow, the first reading focuses on Hannah’s misery in being childless. For this reason, there’s a timely providential reminder here for us, in preparation for the upcoming tragic anniversary of the American Supreme Court decision (Roe vs. Wade) which legalized abortion, to begin today praying for greater respect for life.

Daily Retreat 01/08/06

2006 Jan 8 SUN: BAPTISM OF THE LORD F

Is 55: 1-11/Is 12:2-6/1 Jo 5:1-9/ Mk 1: 7-11

N.B. Epiphany is celebrated today (instead of January 6th) in some countries, in which case the Baptism of the Lord is observed tomorrow.

From today’s readings: "Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water.... With joy, you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.... This is the One who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood..... It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.."

His and our baptism

Since the life of Jesus is an example for us, our celebration of His baptism today is also intended to inspire us to appreciate anew the grace of our own baptism. Our own baptism is such a glorious bath of rebirth and renewal that should be celebrated annually (and even commemorated daily, in some form, such as by making the Sign of the Cross with holy water).

Many people, particularly those baptized as infants, since they lack specific memories of that event, aren’t very inspired to commemorate that day. However, even though each of us was born as an infant, although we have no recollection of that, we still celebrate our birthday every year. So, if we appreciate the ongoing effects of our baptism, that day should be noted even more so!

Take the time today to look up the date of your baptism, and write the anniversary on your calendar. Then, on the feast of your own baptism, turn to God with gratitude for generously adopting you as His own beloved child. And, so that you can be cleansed of all sin and be once again wholly pleasing to Him, go to confession that day (or week) so that your soul is once more cleansed of all sin.

Daily Retreat 01/07/06

2006 Jan 7 Sat: Christmas Weekday/ Raymond of Peñafort, p

1 Jn 3:22--4:6/Ps 2/Mt 4:12-17.23-25

From today’s readings: "Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world... I will give You the nations as Your inheritance.... The people who dwell in darkness have seen a great light."

Testing the spirits

(I apologize that the reflection today might seem overly abstract because of the subject matter - do your best to stay with me here!)

Human beings were created by God with a body and a soul, and while it is almost impossible to ignore the corporeal aspect of our existence (body), there is an ongoing temptation to slight the spiritual dimension (soul) of our life. As a result, many, if not most, people fail to appreciate the spiritual facets of reality, which are both positive and negative.

For instance, everyone recognizes "physical" as a neutral adjective - there are good physical things and experiences (such as delicious meal), but there are also bad physical things and experiences (such as indigestion). But many people would call to mind only the positive denotations of the word "spiritual" - that which pertains to God or man’s higher faculties (intellect, conscience, will). But we must not forget that evil spirits are also part of the whole of spiritual reality!

Why is this such a crucial insight? Because so many people are spiritually impoverished, they automatically tend to welcome every spiritual experience as "positive," and neglect to "test the spirits" and evaluate whether the source is Good or Evil. For instance, a physical and spiritual euphoric experience can result both from marital intercourse and from an illicit union. In the first case, in conformity with God’s plan of creation, it is something good, but in the second case, involving an infraction of God’s commandment, it is something evil. However, the false prophets of this world, denying God’s dominion in matters of the flesh, would equivocate them both as equal spiritual experiences. But when we "test the spirits," and acknowledge Jesus Christ come in the flesh, we must recognize His dominion in this and every aspect of our life!

Daily Retreat 01/06/06

2006 Jan 6 Fri: EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Is 60:1-6/Ps 71(72)/Eph 3:2-3.5-6/Mt 2:1-12

From today’s readings: "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.... Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.... The mystery was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed.... Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage."

Are you a lax Christian, or max Christian?

God has graciously made Himself known to humanity throughout the ages. Every single instance of such divine revelation has been purposeful, specifically, to elicit a response of faith from all the beneficiaries of the revelation.

The magi who came from the east to honor the newborn King of the Jews were blessed with a revelation from God, but it was a minimal revelation. These wise men, who studied the stars, noted a peculiar star which stood out in some way and inspired their holy quest. They themselves were gentiles - pagans, fending for themselves without even the light of divine revelation from Old Testament times.

The Star of Bethlehem did not spell anything out for them - all it offered was an intriguing invitation for a closer look. But the magi reacted to this minimum of revelation with a maximum response of faith! Not satisfied to just cautiously observe the star from afar, they set out on the journey that was to lead them to the Epiphany of God Incarnate!

Unlike the magi, who were only led by the dim light of a single star, you and I start with the brilliant fullness of divine revelation! First, we have the complete revelation of God entrusted to His chosen people in the Old Testament scriptures. Most importantly, we enjoy the epitome of revelation in the Word made Flesh - Jesus our Lord! And He founded His Church to proclaim His Gospel to all the world, to go and teach all the nations, and continue His mission of sanctification through His sacramental presence. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Church published the New Testament scriptures, and over the centuries, holy shepherds of souls and other saints have enriched the Christian faith with their inspiring lives - clearly, we are blessed with the maximum, not the minimum of revelation!

But unlike the magi, who committed themselves to the maximum response of faith, you and I too often content ourselves with a bare minimum response of faith to this maximum revelation with which God has blessed us. Looking over the past year, who of us can claim that the quest for sanctity defined our lives to the degree that their holy search marked the mission of the magi?

Just consider, for instance, the Epiphany celebration. January 6th, the 12th Day of Christmas, has for centuries upon centuries been the traditional date to commemorate the Epiphany to the Wise Men. Yet in the United States and in many other countries, this solemnity has been transferred to the first Sunday after January 1, simply because lazy Christians weren’t making it to Church when this feastday fell on a weekday. In response, many national conferences of bishops, concerned that people were thus completely missing an annual commemoration and reflection on the solemnity of the Epiphany, thus settled on a minimal compromise: the Epiphany would be celebrated on the first Sunday of January, and because of the Sunday obligation to attend Church, fewer people would miss the feastday.

But God’s love and revelation deserves a maximum response of faith, never a minimum! Too often, Christian commitment is merely along the lines of "What’s the minimum I need to do to stay out of Hell?" Inspired by the example of the magi, who gave a maximum response of faith to the minimum of divine revelation, you and I, blessed and confirmed with the fullness and maximum of divine revelation, can resolve never to content ourselves with the minimum: that this new year, and for the rest of our lives, instead of crawling along as lax Christians, we will race ahead, following the true Light of revelation as max Christians!

Daily Retreat 01/05/06

2006 Jan 5 Thu: Christmas Weekday/ Bl André Bessette, r

1 Jn 3: 11-21/ Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Jn 1: 43-51

From today’s readings: "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.... Let all the earth cry out to God with joy..... Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Love and Life

In general, the tendency is to think of MATTER as distinct from ENERGY, although intuitively, one supposes that the two notions are certainly somehow related. Albert Einstein’s simple yet most profound equation, E= mc2, calculates the fundamental equivalency of ENERGY and MATTER. As Einstein explained, "It followed from the special theory of relativity that mass and energy are both but different manifestations of the same thing -- a somewhat unfamiliar conception for the average mind."

St. John’s Gospel and letters are favorites of many Christians because of the ardent and sublime verses which extol and explain Christian LOVE. But St. John also returns time and time again to the theme of LIFE. It’s intuitive, of course, to recognize that LIFE and LOVE are intimately related realities, but St. John declares certain formulae which insists that the two notions are marked with a fundamental equivalency, e.g.:

"We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

Daily Retreat 01/04/06

2006 Jan 4 Wed: Elizabeth Ann Seton, r M

1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 97(98)/John 1:35-42

From today’s readings: " Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.... All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.... We have found the Messiah!"

Unraveling the Devil’s works

The Devil is also known as "the Deceiver" - he lurks in lies and eclipses truth with the darkness of dishonesty. In contrast, Jesus is the true Light of the world (John 1:9), dispelling the darkness of sin and error, untangling the mess of deception and confusion. The clarity of this radical opposition is bluntly expressed time after time in the works of St. John.

The tendency of modern man, however, is to avoid absolutes, insisting that there is no black and white - only varying shades of grey. Granted, many moral issues are indeed complex, but it is precisely the complexity of these issues that calls for a clarifying examination in Christ’s light.

The Son of God was revealed precisely to unravel and destroy all the Deceiver’s deceptions, so whenever we’re faced with the confusion of choices, you and I need to pray, study and seek the illumination of the eternal Truth of Christ. In fact, many (if not most) of us are at least vaguely suspicious that we continue to tolerate some self-deception in various areas of our lives - NOW is the time to pierce the fogginess of these secret issues with the piercing light of the Truth of Christ!

Daily Retreat 01/03/06

2006 Jan 3 Tue: Christmas Weekday/ Holy Name of Jesus

1 Jn 2:29--3:6/Ps 97(98)/Jn 1:29-34

From today’s readings: "See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God..... All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.... Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Children of God

At the Incarnation, when God became man, human nature was elevated - no longer were we to be considered mere creations of God, now Jesus our Brother gives us the right to be called children of God. This is the highest dignity of our race - even if an alien race were discovered which surpassed human intelligence, they would still rank below us in the order of grace, for we are the only "blood relatives" of God!

That’s why the birth of Christ has universal, direct significance for every human being of the past, present, and future. And that’s why our Christian moral obligations to others of our race goes beyond just the minimal, "Do no harm." As children of God, united as members of His holy family, we have the divine command to "Love one another." Divine adoption enriched our nature not just with great dignity, but great responsibility.

And that’s not all - St. John reminds us, "Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." So God is not finished with us yet - in the end, those adopted children of God who persevere in His grace will be glorified in body and soul and have the fullness of sharing the Resurrection of Christ!

Daily Retreat 01/02/06

2006 Jan 2 Mon: Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bps, drs M

1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 97(98)/Jn 1:19-28

From today’s readings: "Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.... All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.... I baptize with water; but there is One among you whom you do not recognize, the One who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

Lies and deceptions

The moral implications of Christian faith are pretty clear - we can hardly call ourselves Christians if we don’t pursue righteousness of action. But faith is also a call to embrace the fullness of Truth - in our pluralistic society, we forget that we can stray from our faith not just by implicating ourselves in evil actions, but also by embracing false teachings.

St. John is particularly emphatic in warning readers against errors in teaching. In his day, as in ours, many compromise orthodox belief in Jesus in order to harmonize with other popular opinions. For instance, there is the false notion that Jesus is just one of many ways to salvation - those who hold this notion, have little zeal in sharing their faith because they think that an atheist or pagan can be saved without Christ. While Jesus Himself taught that it is possible to attain eternal life without explicit knowledge of Him (cf. Matthew 25), such people are nevertheless still saved through Christ’s merit, so leading atheists and pagans to the awareness of Christ is still the most invaluable assistance to salvation.

That’s just one common error leading people astray - there are many such "antichrists." How do you and I avoid falling into such errors? The Splendor of the Truth of our faith calls for constant effort on our part - ongoing prayer, meditation, and study, so that our personal understanding of our faith is continually enriched and kept pure from the dross of all error!

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Daily Retreat 01/01/06

2006 Jan 1 SUN: MARY, MOTHER OF GOD S (Octave of Christmas)

Nm 6:22-27/Ps 66(67)/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21

From today’s readings: "The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.... May God bless us in His mercy.... When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman.... When eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus, the name given Him by the angel before He was conceived in the womb."

Best Place to Start

Today, the beginning of the civil new year, is also the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God - her most exulted title! A most festive feastday throughout the world, not because of this date’s position at the head of the civil calendar, but because of it’s status as the octave day of Christmas (cf. Luke’s gospel: "When eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus, the name given Him by the angel before He was conceived in the womb." Although we would refer to today as the seventh day after Christmas, the ancient tradition of counting days always included the day of reference as the first day, so January 1st is the "8th day" - "octave" of Christmas).

This raises the question of what we recognize as our own central point of reference: the birth of our Lord, or merely the civil tradition. The Church calls us to celebrate this day in the context of Christmas, recognizing Mary as not just the mother of Jesus’ human nature, but the mother of His entire person (including His divine nature) and therefore, veritable Mother of God. So the festivities of this day need to focus on these religious reasons. There’s nothing wrong with festive New Year’s Eve/Day activities, but if champagne and party hats and football games are all that you think of today, then your most crucial resolution should be to realize what it’s all about: the mystery of God made man, through the loving cooperation of Mary, Mother of God.