Daily Retreat 10/06/06

2006 Oct 6 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Bruno, p, h, rf/ Bl Marie-Rose Durocher, v, rf
Jb 38: 1. 12-21; 40: 3-5/ Ps 138(139): 1-3. 7-8. 9-10. 13-14ab/ Lk 10: 13-16

From today's readings:  "Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer You?...  Truly You have formed my inmost being - You knit me in my mother's womb.....  Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me, rejects the One who sent Me."

Taking Life Seriously

"Easygoing" is a term which would be very difficult, I think, to apply to Jesus. He was certainly convinced, and He did His best to convince others, that this life needs to be taken seriously and  that our choices matter, because there's a lot at stake - nothing less than eternal salvation!

Many of the Lord's hardest sayings and most emphatic warnings are found in the third of Luke's Gospel which comprises Jesus' journey to Jerusalem.  As Christians disciples, it's essential that you and I take these hard sayings and warnings seriously, right along with all of the other teachings of Jesus.  That doesn't mean that we live in dread and despair - quite the opposite, for Jesus brings peace and hope!   But at the same time, we must at least recognize the Lord's words are intended to guard us against any easygoing presumption.

For instance, since preaching about repentance was such a central component of Jesus’ ministry,  for those who recognize the necessity to turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel, the words of Jesus offer peace and hope - no matter how heinous the sins of the past may have been!  But for those who imagine they have it all together and thus refuse to repent, the words of Jesus are warnings of woe, no matter how much such people may think such hard sayings are only intended for others.

Daily Retreat 10/05/06

2006 Oct 5 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
Jb 19: 21-27/ Ps 26(27): 7-8a. 8b-9abc. 13-14/ Lk 10: 1-12

From today’s readings:  “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives....   I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living....   Jesus appointed seventy-two others  whom He sent ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit....”

Harvest Help

In addition to His Apostles, Jesus sent a number of His other disciples out on mission to prepare towns for His coming visit.   According to His instructions, though, their mission was to begin with prayer, because, as Jesus explained, “The harvest is plenty, but laborers are scarce, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest!”  

The harvest that Jesus speaks of is the harvest of souls, which Jesus makes reference to in a number of parables.   The laborers are those who dedicate their lives to that work of the harvest of souls - we think here especially of priests and all those in the religious life, but it’s essential to realize that everyone can either help or hinder in the harvest of souls.

And, again according to Jesus, those who are committed to helping Him, do best to prioritize with prayer, asking the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers - that means asking God to send us out to where He wants us, and how He wants us, and asking Him every day to send out others, especially more holy priests and consecrated religious, for it is certainly true in our time too that the harvest is plenty, but laborers are few.....

Daily Retreat 10/04/06

2006 Oct 4 Wed: Francis of Assisi, rf M
Jb 9: 1-12. 14-16/ Ps 87(88): 10bc-11. 12-13. 14-15/ Lk 9: 57-62

From today’s readings:  “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood Him and remained unscathed?...  Let my prayer come before You, Lord....  No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

All in All

There are a few verses in the Gospels where Jesus appears uncharacteristically cold-hearted.  Interestingly enough, almost all such verses pertain to the complete surrender of self that is demanded by authentic Christian discipleship.  The would-be followers of Jesus approach Him with seemingly reasonable requests, questions, concerns, observations, explanations, excuses, exceptions, but none of them matter, for Jesus will not budge, bend, give in, or give up on His demands of discipleship.

One was ready to follow Jesus, but in his heart, he was concerned, naturally enough, about taking care of himself - what he would eat, where he would sleep.  Jesus explains, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head!”  Jesus didn’t tell him not to take care of himself, but the Lord did give a reminder to not let care for ourselves, even very legitimate human cares, even the most basic demands of our fleshly existence, ever be an excuse for not following Jesus.  Hasn’t your direction as a disciple been woefully misdirected at times because your first concern was clearly to address your own needs?  “I’m too tired to help,” “I’m too hungry to pray now,” “I’m bored,” “I’m upset,” “I’m distracted.....”  It certainly happens all too often!

Another was inclined to follow Jesus, but was concerned, naturally enough, about taking care of his duties, such as burying his father.  Jesus explains, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God!”  Jesus didn’t tell him not to take care of his duties, but the Lord did give a challenge to transcend secular standards and put things - everything - in God’s perspective, for this world will always try to convince us that something else has to be done first before getting around to taking our faith seriously.  Hasn’t your development as a disciple been pathetically stunted at times because you keep getting side-tracked with other things?  “I’ll pray as soon as I check my email,” “I’ll start tithing when I get my tax refund,” “I’ll read the Bible when I’m done with the newspaper,” “I’ll go to Church when I finish my weekend plans,” “I’m too busy....”   It certainly happens all too often!

Yet another was eager to follow Jesus, but was concerned, naturally enough, about taking care of his family and friends.   Jesus explains, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God!”  Jesus didn’t tell him not to take care of his family and friends, but the Lord did give an insight about how to rightly order the priorities of our lives, for the Devil is a master at using even very good and important things of life, like family and friends, as a means to lure us away from God.  Hasn’t your dedication as a disciple been partially compromised at times because you worried about making waves with family and friends?  “I don’t want them to think I’m a fanatic,” “We could skip Sunday Mass and have some great family time watching the game together,” “The kids were pretty good about going to Sunday school last year, so we could just skip it this year,” “I didn’t want to inconvenience anybody by asking for a ride to Church,”  “My spouse probably wouldn’t go for more religion in our lives.....”  It certainly happens all too often!

Jesus is all-good, and all-loving, and could never be accurately described as cold-hearted!  But Jesus is also all-knowing, for He knows that the flesh, and the world, and the Devil will all generate endless excuses for us not to follow Jesus, or to follow Him later, or to follow Him with less commitment.  But Jesus will not budge, bend, give in, or give up on His demands of discipleship, because He is all-in-all, our God.

Daily Retreat 10/03/06

2006 Oct 3 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
Jb 3: 1-3. 11-17. 20-23/ Ps 87(88): 2-3. 4-5. 6. 7-8/ Lk 9: 51-56

From today’s readings:  “Job opened his mouth and cursed his day....  Let my prayer come before You, Lord....  As the days were being fulfilled for Him to be taken up, Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem....”

Jerusalem in Luke’s Gospel

Chapter 9, verse 51 is one of the most important verses in the entire gospel of St Luke:    “As the days were being fulfilled for Him to be taken up, Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem....” This final journey that Jesus makes to Jerusalem comprises about a third of the gospel of St Luke, and throughout this section, no other specific topical indications are mentioned, in order to preserve the focus on Jerusalem.

For, in Luke’s Gospel, Jerusalem is emphatically the central locale of reference.  The very first narrative of the Gospel is set in Jerusalem, when Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple.  Then soon after His birth, Jesus Himself is presented in the Temple, and is found there again in Jerusalem in His childhood.  Later, the Devil’s climatic third temptation is set in Jerusalem. Then, after His activity in Galilee, Jesus resolves and “sets His face” to go to Jerusalem, which, of course, is where He suffers His passion and is crucified.  But then Jesus rises from the dead, and Luke goes on to specify that it just outside Jerusalem where the Ascension of Jesus took place, when He was taken up to Heaven.

The use of the verb “take up” in Luke 9:51is thus intriguing, for the only other place it is mentioned in the Bible is at the Ascension of Jesus, when He is taken up to Heaven.  Thus, it is the glorious Ascension that is understood as the fulfillment of the whole series of events Jesus contemplated when He set His face to go to Jerusalem.

Here’s another point about Luke’s wording:  In the Bible, the passive voice is often used to respectfully portray divine agency.  So, as the days are fulfilled for Jesus “to be taken up,” the use of the “divine passive” underscores that God is in control here. For Jesus is completely aware of what awaits Him -  He knows exactly what’s going to happen. He Himself determines to go to Jerusalem.  So, He’s not a dunce that just ends up in Jerusalem and gets overpowered by his enemies because he’s completely naive and doesn’t know what is going on.  No, for Jesus knows, and sees what’s coming. He has the whole picture, and yet He resolves, freely and fully, “sets His face” and commits Himself to go to Jerusalem.

This all ties in with our own lives of Christian discipleship, for Jesus has lovingly and resolutely set His divine face on you and me as well, calling us to be taken up with Him on the whole passionate journey to Jerusalem.....

Daily Retreat 10/02/06

2006 Oct 2 Mon: The Guardian Angels M
Jb 1: 6-22/ Ps 16(17): 1bcd. 2-3. 6-7/ Mt 18: 1-5. 10

From today’s readings:  “One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD....  Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit....  See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in Heaven always look upon the face of My heavenly Father.”

Children’s Mass Guardian Angel Homily

    Each of you has a birthday, that magic one day in the year when your family and friends treat you extra specially - they give you a party, bake a cake, or other favorite food for you, and give you wonderful presents - they do all these special things for you on your birthday to remind you that they love you, and that they are happy and grateful to God because you're part of their lives.
    Now when it comes to our wonderful friends, our Guardian Angels, we have a little problem, because we don't know exactly when is their birthday.  Yet they certainly deserve a yearly party in their honor, because our Guardian Angels do an awful lot for us:  they're always watching over us, even when we're asleep, and protecting us from the dangers of the devil.  Our Guardian Angels are always at our side, helping us to do good, encouraging us to make the right choices, to always do what Jesus would do.  And another thing Guardian Angels do, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel, is they constantly stand in the presence of God the Father in Heaven, so that they can report to God everything that happens to you and let Him know right away if you ever need a little extra help from Him.
    So, because our Guardian Angels do so much for us, Holy Mother Church decided that they certainly deserve a birthday of sorts, one magic day in the year in early October, when all of us, their friends, would get together and give them a party, make their favorite food, and give them wonderful presents - we do all these special things for our Guardian Angels to thank them, and to show our joy and gratefulness to God because they're part of our lives.
    Dear children, think about this Holy Mass - THIS is the party we're celebrating in honor of our Guardian Angels.  For special food, even better than the biggest, sweetest cake you can imagine, we have the Most Holy Eucharist, the Body of Christ, Which our Lord says is "the True Bread come down from Heaven!"  Did you ever realize, dear children, that when we receive Holy Communion, we are eating the Food, the Bread of Angels?  Now I know that the 1st and 2nd Graders haven't received First Holy Communion yet - that's why your Guardian Angels are looking forward with you and helping you prepare for that special day when you can share their Heavenly Food - the Body and Blood of Christ!
    So we have their party with special Food, but what about any birthday presents?  Well, children, that's up to you!  What are you going to give your Guardian Angel on his special day?  Perhaps one present you'll give is to listen closely and obey your angel's good advice all day.  Or maybe you'll say some extra prayers today, especially prayers of thanks to God for giving you a wonderful Guardian Angel.  Or you could draw a picture of what you think your angel looks like - you can probably think of something else too.  Children, let's all give some special presents to our Guardian Angels today!

Daily Retreat 10/01/06

2006 Oct 1 SUN: TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Nm 11: 25-29/ Ps 18(19): 8. 10. 12-13. 14 (9a)/ Jas 5: 1-6/ Mk 9: 38-43. 45. 47-48

From today’s readings:  “Would that the LORD might bestow His Spirit on them all!...  From wanton sin especially, restrain Your servant; let it not rule over me....  Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries....  Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”

Doing Things God’s Way

It’s natural for us to want to do things our own way.  It’s even understandable (although not necessarily justifiable!) if we get annoyed when other people don’t do things our way as well.  And it is downright unsettling when God doesn’t do things our way!  In that case, we should realize that there’s something about US that needs to change, although it’s typical to first hope God will change and see things our way!

In the book of numbers, Joshua gets a bit perturbed to hear that Eldad and Medad were prophesying, and he implores Moses to put a halt to it.  In St. Mark’s Gospel, John and the other disciples are similarly annoyed to learn that someone who wasn’t a regular part of the company of disciples had been casting out demons in Christ’s Name.  Joshua and John both are then told to allow things to continue in God’s way, rather than insisting on the way they think things ought to be.

We too need to be humble enough always to allow God to take the lead, and whenever we note that His way is not our way, then, as hard as it may be at times to swallow, it’s definitely our way that needs to change!

Daily Retreat 09/30/06

2006 Sep 30 Sat: Jerome, p, dr M
Eccl 11: 9 – 12: 8/ Ps 89(90): 3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 14 and 17/ Lk 9: 43b-45

From today’s readings:  “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth....  In every age, O Lord, You have been our refuge....  They were afraid to ask Him about this saying....”

The Words in our Ears

Too often, our modern translations tone down colorful phrases in scripture, evidently assuming that today’s listeners and readers lack the intelligence to understand what is actually written.  But are we really that dense?  

In America, for instance, surely everyone understands Paul Harvey when he occasionally invites his radio audience to “wash your ears out with this....”   Centuries ago, Jesus emphasized the importance of His personal prophecy with a similar lead-in (Luke 9:44), “Put these words in your ears!”  

It’s pretty clear what He meant from that simple and literal translation, isn’t it?  Yet the New American Bible and most other contemporary versions needlessly abstract the concrete and vivid imperative, rendering the verse along the lines of  “Pay attention to what I am telling you.”  Even the venerable King James Version reads, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears....”

Every modern language version of the Bible, of course, involves compromises and choices that result in a less-than-perfect translation.   For this reason, it’s often helpful to compare different translations when reading and studying scripture.  In our boastfully literate culture, there’s just no excuse for being biblically illiterate!   St. Jerome, one of the earliest and greatest scripture scholars, keenly insisted that “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!”  True indeed, for, if we fail to put the Lord’s words in our ears, we’ll soon find them plugged up with nothing more than the insipid soundbites and the absurd cacophony of modernity.

Daily Retreat 09/29/06

2006 Sep 29 Fri: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, archangels F
Dn 7: 9-10. 13-14 or Rv 12: 7-12a/ Ps 137(138): 1-2ab. 2cde-3. 4-5/ Jn 1: 47-51

From today’s readings:  “War broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon....  In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises, Lord....  Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

St. Gabriel

Today we honor the three archangels mentioned by name in scripture: Michael (his name is found in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Apocalypse), Gabriel (Daniel and Luke), and Raphael (Tobit).

This year, let’s focus a bit more on St. Gabriel, the Archangel of the Annunciation, whose name means “Warrior of God” or “God is Mighty.”  The following links are recommended:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06330a.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/Gabriel.htm
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=279

Because the scriptural verses about the archangels are relatively few, the tendency in art and popular devotion has been to further identify them with other unnamed angels in the Bible.  So, for instance, in addition to his mission at the Annunciation (which established him as the patron saint of telecommunications), many have speculated that Gabriel was also the same angel that appeared in dreams to Joseph (cf. Matthew 1:20,2:13, 2:19), and heralded to the Bethlehem shepherds the Christmas tidings of great joy (Luke 2:9ff), and perhaps also the angel sent to comfort Christ Himself during the Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43), and that Gabriel will be the one to sound the trumpet at the Second Coming of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:52).

In any case, we all have a share in the greatest message delivered by the archangel, for the first line of the “Hail Mary” is an echo of Gabriel’s greeting to Mary (cf. Luke 1:28), and so, in praying that familiar prayer, we can be inspired by the immeasurable joy which marked that moment when the Word became flesh, and our Savior was conceived.

Daily Retreat 09/28/06

2006 Sep 28 Thu: Ordinary Weekday/ Wenceslaus, mt/ Lawrence Ruiz, mm, mt, & co., mts
Eccl 1: 2-11/ Ps 89(90): 3-4. 5-6. 12-13. 14 and 17bc/ Lk 9: 7-9

From today’s readings:  “Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!...   Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.....  Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed....”

Tyrants’ Distress

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod was distressed by the reports he heard about the newborn king, and so he sought to kill Him.  Thirty years later, when Jesus was in the midst of His public ministry, Herod the tetrarch was similarly perplexed about what he heard about Jesus, and so he too sought to put an end to Him.

Jesus, of course, was no military or political threat to either Herod, or to any other tyrant, for that matter.  But Jesus was certainly a moral threat, for His person and preaching directly and fearlessly confronted the evil lurking in each Herod’s heart.  But the Lord sought, not the end of Herod, but only the end of the evil in Herod.

So much is similar in modern times, as secularism and every totalitarian tyranny still strive to eliminate Jesus and intimidate all His followers simply because of the same moral threat: the person and preaching of Jesus still seeks only the end of all inherent evil, and so directly and fearlessly confronts that evil lurking in every Herod’s heart.

Daily Retreat 09/27/06

2006 Sep 27 Wed: Vincent de Paul, p, rf M
Prv 30: 5-9/ Ps 118(119): 29. 72. 89. 101. 104. 163/ Lk 9: 1-6

From today’s readings:  “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him....   Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet....  Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Apostles

The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent.”  After His Resurrection, Jesus sent forth His Apostles to the whole world in the great commissioning, but even during His earthly life,  He also sent them forth on mission - as the Gospel records,  “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

The word “disciple” literally means “student” or “follower.”  Logically, all the Apostles were also disciples of Jesus, but not all of His disciples were specifically sent as Apostles.  In Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels though, the word “apostle” is rare, and instead, the more generic term “disciples” is often used in a restrictive sense to designate the band of the 12 Apostles.  

Luke, however, generally maintains a cleaner distinction between the two terms, and thus more clearly highlights the unique role of the Apostles both in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote.  However, as will be noted in a reading next week, in addition to the 12 Apostles, Jesus later also sent 72 other disciples forth on a similar mission (cf. Luke 10:1ff).  For indeed, all faithful Christians are disciples of Christ and have a real share in the Church’s ongoing apostolate, which is based on the historical and authoritative example of the Apostles, those first sent by Jesus Himself.

Daily Retreat 09/26/06

2006 Sep 26 Tue: Ordinary Weekday / Cosmas and Damian, mts
Prv 21: 1-6. 10-13/ Ps 118(119): 1. 27. 30. 34. 35. 44/ Lk 8: 19-21

From today’s readings:  “All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts....  Guide me, Lord, in the way of Your commands....  My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it....”

Relating to Jesus

Jesus loved His mother and other relatives, He Himself chose His 12 Apostles, and the Gospels even mention some of His personal friends, such as Lazarus and Mary and Martha.  And yet, He didn’t play “favorites” - He didn’t make special exceptions for any of these, and so those who were close to the Lord  understood that their claim on His love could never selfishly limit His love for others.

For, He chose to claim as His own all “those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  Jesus Himself is the Word of God, and what He taught in Sacred Scripture is the word of God.  But it’s not enough to just hear God’s word - Jesus specifies we must also act on it!

You and I should therefore ask ourselves: how well do our actions identify us as relating to Jesus?  What habits and commitments do we have in our lives of listening to the word of God AND acting on it?

Daily Retreat 09/25/06

2006 Sep 25 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
Prv 3: 27-34/ Ps 14(15): 2-3a. 3bc-4ab. 5/ Lk 8: 16-18

From today’s readings:  “Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways...  The just man shall dwell on Your holy mountain, O Lord....  There is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light....”

God’s Omniscience

God knows absolutely everything - everything from the past, everything from the present, and everything from the future!  God even knows our most secret thoughts, which should give all of us something to think about.  For, even very self-controlled people are apt at times to give free rein to their thoughts, and this can easily lead to sins of the mind.

For even though it is certainly less sinful to merely think about some crime and never actually commit the heinous deed, still, Jesus insists that thoughts and attitudes can be sinful in themselves (e.g., Matthew 5:28).  And at the Last Judgment, “the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts [will] be brought to light” (CCC §678).

But, just as much as they can be sinful, our thoughts can also be virtuous, leading us to prayer, contemplation, and the formation of noble intentions, which, with God’s help, we can put into practice.  So then, enlightened by the awareness that God knows even our thoughts, we should strive to make them a holy offering as well, since “there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.”

Daily Retreat 09/24/06

2006 Sep 24 SUN: TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Wis 2: 12. 17-20/ Ps 53(54): 3-4. 5. 6-8 (6b)/ Jas 3: 16 – 4: 3/ Mk 9: 30-37

From today’s readings:  “The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us.... Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life....   The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace....  The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill Him, and three days after His death, the Son of Man will rise....”

A Crucial Connection

This year, it seems autumn fell with a thud: suddenly, we wake up, and, instead of sweltering, there’s a nip in the air, a less-than-gentle breeze rising, and more than a hint of color in the treetops.  The suddenness of it all can make one long to turn back the calendar to the long, lazy days of August.

And, reading and listening attentively, perhaps you have also noticed a similar cooling trend in the Gospel readings.  During the summer, weren’t our hearts inflamed with Eucharistic tinder during the incomparable Bread of Life discourse, when our Lord repeated over and over, “My flesh is Real food, My Blood is Real Drink - I Myself Am the Living Bread come down from Heaven - and he who eats of this Bread will have Eternal Life!”  Eternal life, a share in the Lord’s bodily Resurrection  - if those thoughts don’t warm your heart, my friend, you must already be dead!  All those succulent words of comfort from chapter six of the Gospel of St. John, and every Christian should be intimately familiar with those words of life from chapter six of John’s Gospel.

Yet the sweet aroma of those words seems now to have been blown away by the chilling wind of a new Gospel theme: beginning with the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, continuing through these last weeks, Jesus turns His gaze and our focus to His passion, the Cross, the Cross, the Cross!  Why this chilly shift? Like the suddenness of Autumn blowing away our summer, our comfort from chewing on the idea of the Lord’s Real Presence with us in the Eucharist dissipates as He Himself, having tested the wind, begins to speak insistently about the cold reality of the cross...

And yet, my friends, the true surprise, the real shock, comes not from our musing on how different are these two themes (last month’s appealing invitation to the Eucharistic banquet, this month’s numbing prophecy of the passionate crucifixion), but rather, in the Lord’s gradual yet integral explanation that they are the same!  Yes, the Lord’s gift of Himself under the appearance of Bread and Wine is one and the same with His gift of Himself immolated on the Holy Cross.  For this reason, we speak rightly of that act, that great drama of our Sunday worship, as “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”  For Our Lord Himself, in the Eucharistic discourse (chapter six of St. John’s Gospel), AND at the Last Supper, insisted, “The Bread I will give is My Flesh, offered for the life of the World - Take and eat, for this is My Body, Which will be given up for you!”

The Eucharist, then, truly “re-presents” the Crucifixion, yanking that holy event from the snare of time and space constraints, and making that event present at that privileged moment in your life, in my life, making us present at that singular moment in the Lord’s life.  Ponder, then, nothing earthly minded, for as we worship, you and I stand at the foot of the Calvalry, sorrowful for our sins, and though we are not worthy, we place our hope in the Lord, Who even now says the Word, heals our soul, and deigns to dwell within us, as Our Eucharistic Lord!  And now, doesn’t that just blow you away?

Daily Retreat 09/23/06

2006 Sep 23 Sat: Pio of Pietrelcina, p M
1 Cor 15: 35-37. 42-49/ Ps 55(56): 10c-12. 13-14/ Lk 8: 4-15

From today’s readings:  “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one....  I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living....  As for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance....”

Parable of the Sower

Jesus Himself stressed the fundamental importance of the Parable of the Sower (cf. Mark 4:13), which considers various responses to the encounter with the Word of God.  Not only is it one of His most detailed parables, but it is also the one with the most detailed explanation.

In each case presented, the sower is the same, the seed is similar, but the soil is sundry.  So, Jesus explains, in some lives, the Word of God has no yield because of the lack of reception: just as some seed falls on the hardened path and is trampled by daily traffic and then finally and fecklessly disregarded as birdseed, likewise does the Word of God at times fall on hardened hearts, tragically tread upon by a stampede of prevailing preoccupations and then utterly abandoned to the devouring Devil.

Then too, Jesus explains, in some lives, the Word of God has no yield because of neglectful inception: just as some seed sprouts in the shallow soil of rocky ground but does not take root, likewise does the Word of God at times germinate prematurely in shallow hearts, initially receptive but lacking in depth and without provision for regular nourishment, and thus soon scorched and dried up.

And, Jesus explains, in some lives, the Word of God has no yield because of adverse interception:  just as some seed gets lost among thorns which choke it’s growth, likewise is the Word of God at times effectively gagged when it falls on hearts overgrown with worldly desires and anxieties.

Surely it is not just in other people, but in our own hearts as well, that you and I can detect traces of such spoiled soil!  So if the Word of God is ever to produce that supernal yield for us, we must address all our personal deficiencies of reception, inception, and interception, and thus receive the Word and “embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”

Daily Retreat 09/22/06

2006 Sep 22 Fri: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 15: 12-20/ Ps 16(17): 1bcd. 6-7. 8b and 15/ Lk 8: 1-3

From today’s readings:  “If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?...  Lord, when Your glory appears, my joy will be full....  Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God....”

Gospel Summaries

While the Gospels give us many details about the life of Jesus, particularly His years of public ministry, it must be remembered that history has not recorded the particulars of the majority of what Jesus said and did.  In fact, one can read travel logs longer than Luke’s entire Gospel that share memories of only one week of an unforgettable vacation!

What does this mean - that we don’t know much about Jesus?  Some have concluded just that (and it’s certainly true of some people!), but the Gospels weren’t written to give the exhaustive details of the life of Jesus - they were written, rather, as part of the Church’s evangelization effort to introduce us to Jesus Himself, the risen and living Lord!

All of the Gospels include occasional verses summarizing the activities of Jesus as He “journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God....”  Instead of passing over such verses with disinterest, perhaps it would be better for us to read them as reminders of some of the things that Jesus has done in our own lives, for we too are part of His Gospel - the good news that Jesus brings of the Kingdom of God!

Daily Retreat 09/21/06

2006 Sep 21 Thu: Matthew, ap, ev F
Eph 4: 1-7. 11-13/ Ps 18(19): 2-3. 4-5/ Mt 9: 9-13

From today’s readings:  “Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift....  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork....  As Jesus passed by, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post, and He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’”

The Call of St. Matthew

Caravaggio’s  famous painting of the Call of St. Matthew can be found in Rome, in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi.   But if you’re not in that neighborhood, many decent online reproductions are freely available, e.g.: http://gallery.euroweb.hu/art/c/caravagg/04/23conta.jpg

For today’s virtual retreat reflection, I started to write some notes about this striking masterpiece, but then discovered that most of my observations had already been well-articulated in this pithy and powerful portrait provided by Bishop John M. Smith of Trenton: http://www.Godiscallingyou.com/discMatt.html.

St. Matthew, pray for us!

Daily Retreat 09/20/06

2006 Sep 20 Wed: Andrew Kim Taegon, p, mt, Paul Chong Hasang, ca, mt, & co., mts M
1 Cor 12: 31 – 13: 13/ Ps 32(33): 2-3. 4-5. 12 and 22/ Lk 7: 31-35

From today’s readings:  “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts....  May Your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in You....  Wisdom is vindicated by all her children....”

Hell’s Excuses

There’s an old saying: “Some people, it’s just impossible to please!”  Jesus gave His version of that insight in His parable of the children in the marketplace who were so contrary as to be stubbornly unmoved by any music, ranging from a lively flute jig to a somber dirge.

For John the Baptist had preached in the classical prophetic style, with the fire of fasting and self-denial - some sinners listened to him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore him, dismissing him as demonic.  Jesus proclaimed His Gospel of love with a radically new approach - once again, some sinners listened to Him and repented, but others found an excuse to ignore Him,  writing Him off as a glutton and drunkard, no better than a publican or other notorious sinner.

For those who need one, there always seems to be some makeshift reason readily available to reject God’s messengers - surely, the Devil has some of his best teams working there at Hell’s Excuse Mill, mass producing an impressive variety of grounds to spurn the Divine Word!  But in the end, wisdom exposes how flimsy are all such excuses, and so it happens that those who faithfully patronize Hell’s Excuse Mill eventually find themselves with secure employment there.

Daily Retreat 09/19/06

2006 Sep 19 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ Januarius, bp, mt
1 Cor 12: 12-14. 27-31a/ Ps 99(100): 1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Lk 7: 11-17

From today’s readings:  “As a body is one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ....  Sing joyfully to the LORD....  Young man, I tell you, arise!”

God Visits His People

At the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zacharias blessed the Lord, the God of Israel, praising  Him for having visited His people (cf. Luke 1:68).  When Jesus raised the widow’s son in Nain, the people glorified God and exclaimed, “God has visited His people!”  And, yet, on Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, He saw beyond the fickle crowd’s Hosannas, and so lamented the city’s impending destruction, the inevitable consequence for not having recognized the chosen time of visitation (cf. Luke 19:44).

Does God still visit His people?  Indeed He does, and in fact, in this life, He always comes to us as a most gracious visitor, since He stays only as long as we continue to welcome Him.    Although He has every right to, He refuses to impose Himself on us, or commandeer our hearts for His service.

Do you and I then recognize the time of our own visitation from God?  For He comes to us in Word and Sacrament, in His Church, and in the least of His brothers.  Yes, He comes directly to the very door of our hearts, occasionally expected, but often enough, His visits come as a bit of a surprise to us.

But if only we resolve to welcome Him with all our heart, one way or another, He will come to visit us today!

Daily Retreat 09/18/06

2006 Sep 18 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 11: 17-26. 33/ Ps 39(40): 7-8a. 8b-9. 10. 17/ Lk 7: 1-10

From today’s readings:  “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread and, after He had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is My Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me....  Proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again....  “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith”

Faith in a Word

There’s a natural tendency for all people of faith to look for signs confirming their faith as well-placed.  And even though Jesus was at times exasperated by those who demanded a constant stream of signs as the prerequisite for their faith, He nevertheless gladly performed many miracles in confirmation of faith-filled prayers during His time on earth, and He continues to do so!  

But there is another level of faith which would still certainly welcome such signs of confirmation, yet is just as content to let God do things His way, as He knows best. The Gentile centurion was a sympathizer and benefactor of the Jews who sought the Lord’s intervention on behalf of his servant.  But, in evidence of his remarkable faith, the centurion didn’t even feel himself worthy to receive Jesus in his house, but simply was content for Jesus to “say the word,” and bring healing in whatever way He wanted.

The mighty centurion thus humbly recognized the authority of Jesus, and his confession of faith is indelibly echoed in the final public prayer before we receive Jesus in Communion, “Lord, I am not worthy....”  Ideally, this same sentiment should be part of all of our prayers!

Daily Retreat 09/17/06

2006 Sep 17 SUN: TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 50: 5-9a/ Ps 115(116): 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 8-9 (9)/ Jas 2: 14-18/ Mk 8: 27-35

From today’s readings:  “See, the Lord GOD is My help; who will prove Me wrong?...  I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living....  What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...  Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. ”

Who is Jesus?

The Gospel of St. Mark is the shortest (only sixteen chapters) and it also has the simplest structure. Look at the first verse of the Gospel of St. Mark. “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. the Son of God.”  Now right in the middle of the Gospel of  St. Mark is Chapter 8, beginning with verse 27, today’s familiar passage, which leads up to the Lord’s question, “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter’s great confession of faith “You are the Christ!”  is also translated “You are the Messiah” - Messiah is the Hebrew word, “Christ” is the Greek word, both meaning “the anointed one.”  So Peter declares to Jesus, “You are the Anointed One, You are the Messiah, You are the Christ.”  Remember Mark’s first verse: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

 Now let’s look at the end of the Gospel of  St. Mark - not the very end, but very near the end, as Jesus is on the cross praying from Psalm 21, and after that He dies.  This is chapter 15 verse 39, when “the centurion who stood guard over Him and had seen the matter of His death declared: Truly,  this man was the son of God!”

This was before the resurrection of Jesus and the centurion, a pagan, has this beautiful confession of faith: this man was the son of God!  Remember how the Gospel begins: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The first eight chapters lead up to Peter’s declaration “You are the Christ , the Messiah!” The second half of the Gospel of St. Mark lead up to the centurion’s declaration: “Surely this man  was the Son of God!” So, it’s very clear that the Gospel of St, Mark is structured around the question of “who is Jesus?”

Who is Jesus? Start to read the Gospel of St. Mark and pretend you don’t know who Jesus is and see how Mark methodically takes you through experiences in the life of Jesus that little by little build the pieces for you, for me, and for those who are reading about who Jesus is. That’s why at the middle of the Gospel, at the center, at the focal point, Jesus Himself asks the question, not just to His disciples, but also to us who read the Gospel, “Who do you say that I am?”  And Peter, as spokesman for all the apostles, but also, at this moment for you and me, declares “Thou art the Christ, You are the Messiah!”

Now it turns out, Peter didn’t understand at that moment fully what he was talking about. Because right after that, Jesus starts to explain to him and to all disciples what that means - being the Christ, being the Messiah, when “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.   He said all this quite openly.”

Now Peter, who just had this great insight about “You are the Christ, you are the Messiah!”  doesn’t get the implication at all and so starts to rebuke Jesus, and so Jesus has to reprove Peter, “Get behind me Satan - you are talking as man talks and not as God!”  The first half of the Gospel led to Peter’s affirmation, “You are the Christ!” but that wasn’t enough, it was a type of faith without works, because Peter and the others didn’t really understand the sacrificial mission of the Messiah, in fulfillment of the words of Isaiah and the other prophets.  So the second half of the Gospel of St. Mark incarnates and draws out the implications of Peter’s insight, which leads to the complementary confession and full recognition of Jesus as the Son of God.

And so the Gospel of St. Mark can be summed up as the answer to that question of: Who is Jesus?  That is, in fact, the most important question of our life!  How we answer that question sets the course both for how we live our earthly life, and ultimately, what trajectory we give for our eternal life as well!

Daily Retreat 09/16/06

2006 Sep 16 Sat: Cornelius, pp, mt, and Cyprian, bp, mt M
1 Cor 10: 14-22/ Ps 115(116): 12-13. 17-18/ Lk 6: 43-49

From today’s readings:  “ You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.... My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all His people....  Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?”

Jesus is Lord

By definition, all who glory in the name “Christian” recognize Jesus as the Son of God, and as our Lord and Savior.  But that verse from today’s Gospel reading is among the most pointed questions asked by Jesus Himself of all of His followers: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?”

To be sure, we all fail at least occasionally in completely fulfilling the divine commandments.  But it’s one thing to disobey Christ and then repent fully, but it’s quite different for those who pick and choose to recognize only some of the commandments of Christ, and then dismiss the others as  non-binding, antiquated leftovers from another time and culture.

Even those who explicitly reject Christ will generally recognize at least a few points they can see of moral excellence in the Lord’s teaching.  But whether or not they profess themselves as Christian, all those who would presume to judge the scope and merits of Christ’s commandments certainly no longer are recognizing the Lordship of Jesus - instead, in their own minds and hearts, they’ve set themselves up as lords over Jesus!

Daily Retreat 09/15/06

2006 Sep 15 Fri: Our Lady of Sorrows M
1 Cor 9: 16-19. 22b-27/ Ps 83(84): 3. 4. 5-6. 12// Jn 19: 25-27 or Lk 2: 33-35

From today’s readings:  “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way - they do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one!...  The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk in sincerity....  Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Sharing the Cross

Yesterday’s feast of the Triumph of the Cross was a reminder of God’s presence and the victorious banner of His love even in the midst of sorrow, pain, and suffering.  As Christ teaches, each one of His followers has a share in the Cross - even Mary, His beloved mother, was not spared her share of the Cross.

How true it is that, often, our heaviest crosses are born when we share in the sufferings of those closest to us.  For true love,  such sharing in suffering (“com-passion”) is not an option - it’s essential!  Thus Mary’s wordless presence at the foot of the Cross reminds you and me of the importance of compassionately supporting with our own presence, in whatever way possible, those faced with sorrow and suffering.

While it’s not always possible to physically stand in the shadow of others’ crosses, our prayers and visits, timely help, favors, letters, phone calls, emails or whatever means of communication available can convey our loving commitment to, like Mary, share fully in the Cross for the sake of Christ.

Daily Retreat 09/14/06

2006 Sep 14 Thu: EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS F
Nm 21: 4b-9/ Ps 77(78): 1bc-2. 34-35. 36-37. 38/ Phil 2: 6-11/ Jn 3: 13-17

From today’s readings:  “Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived....  Do not forget the works of the Lord!...  Christ Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped....  Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.”

The Triumph of the Cross

The Cross of Christ is such a paradox - the most barbarian instrument of torture and suffering, now converted into the Savior’s sign of hope, comfort, and ultimate victory.  God, who in His omnipotence could have saved us in any number of ways, chose, in His wisdom, to unfurl His banner of victorious love in the most least likely locale.  What does it all mean?

In the darkest hour, engulfed in deepest despair, amidst coldest cruelty and vilest villainy, surrounded even by heartless hearts, in such situations from which one would concede God Himself had been completely banished - there, even there, and especially there, the Cross of Christ alone can stand again triumphant, but only when those now charged with carrying a cross dare to raise it anew as the banner of God’s victorious love!

Daily Retreat 09/13/06

2006 Sep 13 Wed: John Chrysostom, bp, dr M
1 Cor 7: 25-31/ Ps 44(45): 11-12. 14-15. 16-17/ Lk 6: 20-26

From today’s readings:  “For the world in its present form is passing away....  Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear....  Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours....”

The Sermon on the Plain

Most Christians have some familiarity with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, Chapters 5-7 in the Gospel of St. Matthew, which begins with the eight beatitudes.  Parallel parts of that sermon are presented in the Sermon on the Plain, found in Chapter Six of Luke’s Gospel.  This discourse likewise begins with the beatitudes, although it’s a shorter list there of only four, and these are immediately contrasted with four “woes” which are not mentioned in the longer Sermon on the Mount.

Christ, like all good teachers, repeated Himself when necessary to stress important points, and because He preached to different congregations and in various venues, it’s only to be expected that  the four Gospels often differ in recording details of His words and actions.

Some people unfortunately get perturbed about such deviations, fixating on such questions as whether Jesus really preached on a mountain, or was it a plain?  Or was it a plateau?  Did He teach about four beatitudes, or eight?   Scripture must be taken seriously, of course, but such trivial preoccupations prove it’s possible to fall into a nitpicking attitude even with the Word of God!

Daily Retreat 09/12/06

2006 Sep 12 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ Holy Name of Mary
1 Cor 6: 1-11/ Ps 149: 1b-2. 3-4. 5-6a and 9b/ Lk 6: 12-19

From today’s readings:  “Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the Kingdom of God?...  LORD loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory....   Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God....”

Jesus the Prayer

While obviously prayer is an essential part of spiritual life, this aspect can be so taken for granted  that one never thinks about it.  But, the instructions and emphatic example of Jesus remind us of the need to carefully consider our prayer commitment, for, just as a trusted doctor may make a timely remark inspiring a person to address a shallowness in breathing, so the teachings of Christ should  inspire us to do something about shallowness in prayer.

Jesus’ habits of prayer are especially noted in the Gospel of St. Luke, particularly in times of preparation for the most crucial moments in the life of our Lord.  Thus, for example, before He called the band of the Twelve Apostles, Jesus “departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer....”

The major decisions and crucial moments of our own lives call for the same intensity of prayer, turning to God for direction, strength, comfort, and inspiration, always remembering that true prayer consists not just in talking to God, but, even more importantly, listening to Him as well!

Daily Retreat 09/11/06

2006 Sep 11 Mon: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 5: 1-8/ Ps 5: 5-6. 7. 12/ Lk 6: 6-11

From today’s readings:  “Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth....  For You, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with You; the arrogant may not stand in Your sight....   I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

More on the Sabbath

In the first verses of Chapter Six of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the Pharisees’ objections to plucking grain on the Sabbath (cf. Saturday’s reflection).  That incident is followed by another pericope (Gospel passage) considering the scope of licit Sabbath activities, the healing of the man with the withered hand.

Jesus' position is voiced in a rhetorical question presented as a double dilemma: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” This dilemma couches a significant insight:  omission of a good act furthers the tide of evil, and refusal to save life contributes to its destruction.

Clearly, God did not institute the Sabbath to give people an excuse for doing less good on the Lord's day!

Daily Retreat 09/10/06

2006 Sep 10 SUN: TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
B: Is 35: 4-7a/ Ps 145(146): 7. 8-9. 9-10 (1b)/ Jas 2: 1-5/ Mk 7: 31-37

From today’s readings:  “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing....  The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down....  Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ....  Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis....”

Leaving nobody out

Since I live in the small town of Okanogan, WA, when people inquire where I live, when I give the answer, the one asking will frequently give a blank stare, so as not to be so rude to directly inquire “Where in the world is Okanogan?  Why would anyone go there?”

Some places mentioned in Scripture are equally obscure.  Not many people could point out “district of the Decapolis” on a map of the holy land.  This was a league of 10 rather insignificant non-Jewish cities in eastern Palestine.  Not much reason for anyone to go there!  Since Jesus generally confined His mission to the Jews (e.g., Matt 10:6, Mark 7:27), His brief excursions into pagan territory are remarkable.  What did He do there, and why?

The healing of the deaf/mute man is one of the few actions of Jesus recorded on this trip.  In literal fulfillment of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy mentioned in the first reading, Jesus makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.  While the pagan onlookers are not so dense that they miss the miracle in their midst, being ignorant of Isaiah’s prophecy, they are likewise ignorant of the significance of its fulfillment.  Their astonishment and their praise (“He has done all things well!”) are ultimately too tame of a reaction - no mention of a single person being moved to conversion and full discipleship!

Yet that doesn’t mean we can conclude that Christ’s actions were superfluous or pointless - rather, His presence among pagan peoples was personally purposeful and poignantly prophetic.  Purposeful, because He brought the comfort of His presence (which caused the tongue of the mute to sing!) and thus already He was certainly sowing the seeds of stirring to faith among the Gentiles (the fruition of His work would be seen after Pentecost); prophetic, because His actions were meant to be reflected upon and interpreted in their fullest intent, viz., if even the pagan peasants of the Decapolis were open to the blessings of Christ’s presence, then surely no one is meant to be excluded from the Messianic joy of the Gospel!

St. James develops this theme: when we give warm welcomes only to the wealthy, we’re wallowing in worldliness!  But if we deliberately share our Christian faith and love with the oppressed, the hungry, the captives, the blind, the stranger, those who are bowed down, the fatherless and the widow (leaving no one out!), then we’re doing things God’s way (as is also extolled in the Psalm)!

As surprising as it may be, Christ comes to our own insignificant towns today, and again His presence is personally purposeful and poignantly prophetic.  Since we’re no longer ignorant of the significance of His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, it would be too tame of a reaction for us to merely nod knowingly and say smugly of our Savior “He has done all things well!” Rather, His command shatters the deafening silence of our complacency, pealing out to you and to me, “Ephphatha!”– “Be opened!”  Let our ears and hearts be opened then to the Good News Christ set out to bring us this day - let our tongues sing His Gospel, and let no one be left out!

Daily Retreat 09/09/06

2006 Sep 9 Sat: Peter Claver, p, r, ms M
1 Cor 4: 6b-15/ Ps 144(145): 17-18. 19-20. 21/ Lk 6: 1-5

From today’s readings:  “But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? ...  The Lord is near to all who call upon Him....  The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath....”

Lord of the Sabbath

Among the Jews at the time of Jesus, there was an exaggerated preoccupation with observance of the Sabbath rest enjoined by God in the 3rd Commandment of the Decalogue.  Clearly, the labor of harvesting was a violation of the Sabbath, but to some Jews, that meant that anything remotely similar was also forbidden, such as the disciples’ innocent act of plucking a few heads of grain for a light lunch on the go.

Some very strict Jews still have this same extreme approach to Sabbath observance.  For instance, because the work of making a fire is considered incompatible with Sabbath rest, I understand that some rabbis have extrapolated that even pushing an elevator button is illicit on the Sabbath, since the button causes a spark as the electrical circuit is closed.  So, there are actually elevator controls designed for apartment towers in predominantly Jewish regions, which run automatically on the Sabbath, stopping at each floor.

But for most modern people,  objections could be raised about the laxity, rather than the severity of their Sabbath observance.  Since Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, from the Church’s beginning, Sunday has been observed by Christians as the Sabbath of Christ’s new creation, in commemoration of His Easter victory over sin and death.  But, if Sunday is truly the Lord’s Day, and if we are to properly acknowledge Him as Lord of the Sabbath, then going to Church on Sunday is certainly the essential climax, yet not in itself the complete fulfillment of remembering to keep the Lord’s day holy.  For, the Sabbath spirit should permeate all of our Sunday activities, thereby keeping a true Sabbath, an entire sacred day of turning to God in a bigger way, a sacred day of resting and remembering that we are more than machines, a sacred day of making more space for God in our life than our usual minimum, because it is so easy to allow other things to encroach on the sacred space and time that God want us to have for Him in our life!

Daily Retreat 09/08/06

2006 Sep 8 Fri: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary F
Mi 5: 1-4a or Rom 8: 28-30/ Ps 12(13): 6ab. 6c/ Mt 1: 1-16. 18-23 or 1: 18-23

From today’s readings:  “Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel....  With delight I rejoice in the Lord.....  Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.”

Birthday prayers

Next to Christmas, there is no other birthday so joyful and so important as the nativity of Mary.  It would be inexcusable to ignore our Mother’s birthday!  Since Mary is the perfect model of Christian discipleship, perhaps the religious significance of her birthday can inspire us to celebrate our birthdays in that way as well.

This is what I mean: a birthday, of course, is meant to celebrate the gift of a person’s life.  So, wouldn’t it be rude if the celebrant forgot to thank the Giver of that gift?  So the very best thing to do on your birthday is to celebrate with Jesus in the Eucharist (the word means “thanksgiving”) to give God thanks for the gift of your life (not forgetting, of course, to also thank Him for your parents and your faith).

Sometimes, it can involve quite the extra effort to get to Mass on your birthday, but consider this:  if someone gave you $1000, wouldn’t you take great pains to enthusiastically thank the giver in a timely manner?   Yet the gift of your life is worth more than any fortune, so it only makes sense to go the extra mile to thank God, the greatest and most generous Giver!  Nonetheless, if work or school or illness makes it impossible to go to Mass on your birthday, you can still prayerfully thank God by means of some private devotion and unite your heart to the celebration of the Eucharist (perhaps also getting to Mass on another day of the week).

Birthdays are also an ideal time for reconciliation.  I recall a few occasions in growing up when I was, for whatever reason, at odds with a family member in the days before his or her birthday.  Whether it was my fault or the other person’s fault, birthdays were (and still are!) the ideal occasions to let bygones be bygones, and put differences aside, and focus on the joy of the feast.  So, why not use birthdays to be reconciled with family members (or at least take a step in that direction!), and also celebrate the reconciliation sacramentally by turning to our merciful Father for the peace given by Jesus in His sacrament of confession?

Write these ideas down on your calendar for birthdays in your family (and don’t be afraid to add your own ideas!). That way, you will offer Mary the perfect birthday present today by simply committing to commemorate your own birthday by making her Son the central part of the celebration!

Daily Retreat 09/07/06

2006 Sep 7 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 3: 18-23/ Ps 24: 1bc-2. 3-4ab. 5-6/ Lk 5: 1-11

From today’s readings:  “Let no one deceive himself....  To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it....  Put out into deep water....”

Duc in altum!

A number of years ago, as the year 2000 was fast approaching, it seemed everyone had some form of  “Millennium fever,” looking forward to the new century with excitement, and also, often enough, a bit of anxiety.  But, thank Heaven, the Millennium Bug and Y2K scare proved to be groundless, and life went on as normal.

Way back in 1994, Pope John Paul the Great had written “Tertio Millennio Adveniente,” a detailed, upbeat, and positive program of preparation for the whole Church and world to reflect on and ready itself for the celebration of the coming third millennium of Christianity.

Then, at the end of the millennium jubilee year, John Paul II wrote another letter, “Novo Millennio Ineunte”which sought to utilize the final enthusiasm of Millennium fever as a springboard for a confident look to the future .  As a scriptural motto, the Pope seized on Christ’s daring words to Peter, “Put out into the deep - Duc in altum!”

That needs to be the ongoing battle cry for the Church’s missionary elan, and not just in matters of deciding such practicalities as where missionaries are to be sent, but even more crucially, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, in our own attitude to living and sharing our faith in our day-to-day lives!  For, miraculous catches still come to those who have the faith and courage to obey Christ’s command to  “Put out into the deep - Duc in altum!”


Here's the link for the full text of “Novo Millennio Ineunte”:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20010106_novo-millennio-ineunte_en.html

Daily Retreat 09/06/06

2006 Sep 6 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 3: 1-9/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 14-15. 20-21/ Lk 4: 38-44

From today’s readings:  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth....  Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own....  At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place....”

A Preaching Tour

As many are aware, the word “gospel” means “good news,” and Jesus was personally very committed to preaching and diffusing all the good news stemming from His presence, and the Apostles too were specifically commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the gospel.

But in many places in the world, the message of Jesus is no longer seen as “good news” - rather, it’s disregarded as “old news.”  This seems to be true even in the churches, for, as a preacher of this time and place, I am saddened to occasionally see people yawning even during the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures (yes, sometimes they also yawn during my homilies, but it’s much worse when God’s Word as well is dismissed as wearisome).

But the divine message of Jesus, in its fullness, can hardly be brushed aside so lightly, so what people are actually bored with is only the caricature of the gospel and the watered down Word of God.   For, just as the transcendent magnificence of a Beethoven symphony can be vulgarized by transcribing it into elevator music, so the gospel, the best news of human history, has been emasculated by insipid translations, lackluster preaching, banal commercialization, and, worst of all, blasphemous appeals to scripture as justification for crimes against humanity.

In spite of its undeserved association with such bad news, the Word of God has not been exhausted, for only the unadulterated gospel can answer the deepest needs and desires of the human heart, and so it is that every town in the world still wants the faithful proclamation of the gospel of the Kingdom of God.....

Daily Retreat 09/5/06

2006 Sep 5 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
1 Cor 2: 10b-16/ Ps 144(145): 8-9. 10-11. 12-13ab. 13cd-14/ Lk 4: 31-37

From today’s readings:  “We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God....  The Lord is just in all His ways....  He taught them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at His teaching because He spoke with authority....”

Teaching with Authority

From the beginning, people noticed extraordinary features of Christ’s teaching - especially noted is the fact that He taught with authority.   The 20th century, however, left many with an incredible distrust of authority, a practical skepticism fueled with political objections to every system of governing authority, and even epistemological arguments against every school of scholarly authority.  

Now, if anyone would object to such a provocative blanket statement, let me just ask this question: how much credence should one give to any government statement about diplomatic intentions?  And what should be taught to students in, say, the fifth grade?  These and so many other issues of are day are clearly matters of opinion much more than they are matters of fact, and the assumed experts in the fields are so much at odds with each other that it’s difficult to discern who is a true authority, and who is a charlatan.  The mass media fuels the myth that modern man, if he is but well informed, need accept no authority but himself.  Causes of the Iraq War?  Plausibility of global warming threats?  Link between abortions and breast cancer?  Just do a Google search, read the articles that you deem credible, and then you decide!

Often unknowingly or unwittingly, modernist Christians tend to treat Christ and His Church with the same skepticism.  Jesus may have been unequivocally opposed to divorce, for instance, but surely other factors must also be weighed in these complicated times, right?  Jesus had a great personal record of Sabbath synagogue attendance, but that certainly doesn’t mean He would object to my skipping Church on Sunday to go to the lake, right?

Decades ago, C.S. Lewis wrote an article on this phenomenon, entitled “God in the Dock.”  It’s as if modern man tells God that He needs to take the witness stand (the “dock”), and let us be the judge to determine the merits of His case, and the extent of His authority.

Yet if the word “God” means anything, then He alone is the Supreme Being, and He is the sole reliable benchmark for truth, and only He qualifies as the ultimate authority about everything!  So, if we are to live up to the noble name of “Christian,” we can never let our personal opinions  trump the authoritative teachings of Christ, whom we acknowledge as the divine Son of God.  And if we believe Jesus founded His Church, doesn’t it make sense to also believe He founded it authoritatively?  For, as Jesus explained to His Apostles, “He who hears you, hears Me.....” (Luke 10:16).

Daily Retreat 09/4/06

2006 Sep 4 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Labor Day
1 Cor 2: 1-5/ Ps 118(119): 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102/ Lk 4: 16-30.

From today’s readings:  “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified....  Lord, I love Your commands....  Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Lookout for Luke

After months of Matthew’s Gospel in the weekday readings, why does the lectionary abruptly move to Chapter 4 of Luke’s Gospel?  Since readers keep raising such questions, I’m committed to these occasional explanations about the lectionary scope and sequence of readings.  Although they’re not the most inspiring meditations, at least they should help so that the little pieces of the daily readings can be better understood in the wider context of the seasonal structure of the liturgical year.

The two main tracks of the ordinary lectionary readings are the Sunday cycle, and the weekday cycle (which, incidentally, includes Saturday).  The general plan of the 3-year Sunday cycle is to focus on one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) each year, with portions of John’s Gospel read in the Easter season, and occasionally during the year.  So, for instance, this year, the Sunday Gospel readings are primarily from Mark, although for the last several weeks, the 6th chapter of John had been covered in a Eucharistic excursus, up until yesterday, when Mark’s Gospel was resumed.

Because the lectionary’s structure includes a Gospel reading every day, the weekday cycle traverses almost the entirety of all four Gospels each year.  Readings from John’s Gospel are limited to weekdays of the Christmas, Lent, and Easter seasons, but the other three Gospels are sequenced throughout the year. Thus, in January, after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the lectionary logically starts with Chapter 1 of Mark’s Gospel, with consecutive readings from that Gospel until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season.  During  Lent and Easter time,  season-specific readings temporarily interrupt the ordinary lectionary plan, which is, however, resumed after Pentecost.  

Jesus’ “End Times” discourses and the accounts of His birth, childhood, baptism, temptations, passion, and resurrection are all readings reserved for the proper liturgical seasons.  So, when the weekday lectionary finishes Chapter 12 of Mark (usually sometime in June), it suddenly switches to Chapter 5 of Matthew, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  The majority of Matthew’s Gospel, through the 25th chapter, is then featured sequentially until the 22nd week of Ordinary Time (generally in September).  So, today, the weekday lectionary jumps to Chapter 4 of Luke’s Gospel, the Lord’s own opening manifesto of His ministry, proclaimed in the synagogue at Nazareth.  The rest of Luke’s Gospel (through Chapter 21) is then followed for the remainder of the year, until Advent.

Daily Retreat 09/3/06

2006 Sep 3 SUN: TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Dt 4: 1-2. 6-8/ Ps 14(15): 2-3. 3-4. 4-5 (1a)/ Jas 1: 17-18. 21b-22. 27/ Mk 7: 1-8. 14-15. 21-23

From today’s readings:  “What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?...  He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord....  Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves....   This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me....”

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

It's so trite, isn't it?  We've all heard this cliché a million times, and in most cases we don't think it's necessary that we be reminded again.  But God thinks it is necessary to remind us again.  And again.  And again!  In fact, all the scriptures we've heard today highlight this simple theme:  Actions do speak louder than words.

In the first reading, Moses holds up the commandment of the Lord and tells the Israelites, "Behold the decrees   made by God Himself.  Listen to these.  Don't just talk about them, but live your lives in accordance with these."

Remember, the Lord gave us these statutes, so when we live out these commandments, our actions are speaking with the wisdom of God Himself...and all peoples can't help but admire divine wisdom put into action, for that is how we are meant to live!  Think about it:  are we bound to obey the laws of ancient Egypt?  or Greece?  or Rome?  Of course not!  All those laws have passed away, because they were mere human precepts.  Even though they were copied by thousands of scribes, even though they were proclaimed in every town square, even though the words were carved into stone, all those laws have been forgotten.  And all of our laws today are doomed to oblivion except for those few that speak with the wisdom of the Lord.  In a hundred years, no one will get a speeding ticket for driving faster than 55!  Only the commandments of the Lord, held up by Moses, are just as much in force today as they were in ancient times.  Only those laws which embody the commandments of the Lord will last through the ages, because the decrees of the Lord are proclaimed anew everyday, not so much by words, as by holy men and women putting them into practice.  The Word of God is not merely spoken or written, but etched indelibly in our hearts, and meant to be incarnated in our actions.

In the psalm, it is the doing of justice, rather than the speaking of it, that is praised:  He who does justice, and not just talks about it, will walk in the presence of the Lord.  And in the second reading, St. James puts the matter point blank as he urges "Humbly welcome the word of God and ACT ON IT, for if all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves."

The gospel takes the matter one step further:  Jesus points out to the pharisees that some actions are so hollow that they do not speak louder than words.  Jesus complains that the Pharisees' actions are worthless token gestures because they go no deeper:  What is the use of cleaning something on the outside, when all the dirt is on the inside?  What merit is there in lip service when the heart is far from the Lord?  Actions speak louder than words, but not if the actions are just as empty as mere words.

On this labor day weekend, the Lord asks us to consider what our actions are saying:  do our deeds and our labors throughout the week truly speak of a commitment to following Christ?  Is our heart shining with the Word of God that is written there, or have we covered it up with the muck of wicked designs?  We celebrate the Eucharist precisely so that Christ may dwell in our hearts and drive out any lurking evil and stain within us, so that all our actions, and our words, may reflect a true purity from within.  We pray that the Holy Spirit enter our hearts and our minds, so that all our actions will speak loudly and in fact thunder with the Word of God!

Daily Retreat 09/2/06

2006 Sep 2 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
1 Cor 1: 26-31/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 25: 14-30

From today’s readings:  “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord....  Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own....  Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more!”

Talents

The word “talent” is mentioned a couple of times in the Gospel of St. Matthew.  In this context, it refers to a mammoth unit of money, like a gold or silver brick.  It’s hard to give an equivalent in modern currency, but to get a close estimate, consider the following: Each talent was worth about 6000 denarius coins; each denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wages, say, around $50.  So it’s clear the master was extremely generous with his servants!

But even that generosity pales compared with God’s generosity for each of us.  Think of just a few of the many blessings you’ve received from God - ask yourself: have you used these “talents” wisely, or have you buried them?

In fact, although “talent” is originally a Greek word, the Oxford English Dictionary asserts that the modern English use of the word “talent” to denote an ability or aptitude is not coincidental - it’s directly derived from this parable!  This shows how the Sacred Scriptures can and ought to be our point of reference - if only we use our talents as God intends!