Do you call this a fast?

The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022820.cfm

This past Wednesday we started the 40 days of Lent with the imposition of ashes on our forehead. As you approached the priest or deacon you would have heard one of two phrases: “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” One person who approached me for Ashes this past Wednesday, after I reminded her that she was dust and to dust she will return, asked me, “What does that mean?” I just responded that it means that without God, we are nothing. Her eyes widened with understanding and it was then that she understood that we are totally dependent on God for who we are.

It is during these days of Lent that we will be focusing on prayer, fasting, and works of charity, in order to bring ourselves closer to God, recognizing that we are dependent on Him for everything.

In our first reading from Isaiah, we learn how we really should be fasting and turning to God. Most people, when they think of fasting, thinks of giving up food for a period of time, or giving up their favorite treat like chocolate or ice cream. Isaiah points out to the people around him in today’s reading that their fasting “ends in quarreling and fighting.” This defeats the whole reason for fasting. Fasting for spiritual reasons is meant for us to become less self-centered and become more concerned with those that God has placed into our lives. The people Isaiah was talking to didn’t seem to get this.

Isaiah goes on to tell us that the fast that God is most pleased with is that of service to those in our lives and society. He tells us that God expects us to help free the oppressed, share bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless and to cloth the naked. These are all different ways of serving Christ. By serving the least among us, we are serving Christ.

Other fasts that we can do is to fast from excessive talk and making time for prayer and contemplation on scripture. We can fast from excessive use of the computer and internet, or we can fast from TV. In place of these things we can use the time to pray for those in our lives that need our prayer. Further, by fasting from these things and reflecting on Scripture more, we can be open to the promptings of God in our lives.

As we approach the Eucharist for today, let us think of the ways we fall short in serving God in our friends and families and pray for the strength to serve God in those people he has placed in our lives.

Faith without works is dead

The following is the homily I gave on Friday, February 21st, 2020 at St. Michael's. The scripture readings for it can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022120.cfm

There’s two saying that I’m sure we all know: “Actions speak louder than words” and “if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk.”  We can say a lot of words about how we love the Lord. We can go to church every day and pray a lot of prayers, yet if we ignore those in our lives (our family and friends) that may need us, then we’re not really putting our money where our mouths are!


All throughout the gospels, Jesus is calling us to do what St. James is telling us in this letter: to love God with our whole mind, hearts and body, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Further, through the parables, Jesus taught us that works go hand in hand with faith. The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that to be concerned with things of God (prayer and worship) needs to be coupled with our concern for those who we see suffering. St. James in today’s reading says, “…(if) you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?”


One example of someone following what St. James was teaching was Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She had a strong faith in God. She could have stayed in the convent praying to God and showing Him how much she loves Him through prayer, but she heard the words of St. James that “faith without works is dead” and went out of her way to serve those in India, to the poorest of the poor, to put her faith into works.

We are called to follow this example of faith and works in how we live our lives. We are challenged by St. James to take the faith that we proclaim here in church to those in our lives. We will have our challenges in doing so. But by doing this we are doing what our Lord says in the gospel for today, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” By proclaiming our faith in Jesus Christ and bringing His love to others through action, that will be our cross. Following Jesus and doing what we need to do in faith and love of Him is not easy. But it’s what is expected of us as Christians. 

He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

 

The Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021420.cfm

In today’s gospel we hear of Jesus healing the deaf man with a speech impediment. This is one of the times when Jesus felt it necessary to touch the person in need of healing. Jesus, being God, could have simply said to the afflicted person, “Be healed” and the person would have been immediately healed. Jesus has that power, as God, to cure and heal with just a command.

Yet today, Jesus felt it necessary to not only touch this man to heal him, but also to bring him away from the crowd. This deaf man had a chance to spend what I would call quality time with Jesus. Jesus was able to be close and intimate with this man and cured him and brought him back to his family and friends cured of his affliction.

Then, to the astonishment and amazement of all those around Jesus, once the man was brought back whole and healed, Jesus told them not to tell anyone. But the amazement was so great, they couldn’t contain themselves and started to proclaim it to all who would listen.

We have the same opportunity as that deaf man to be alone with Jesus daily whether at home or here at Church. I’m sure the man spoke words to Jesus about all his cares and frustrations about being deaf and the problems he had in communicating with those around him. He placed all his cares on Jesus and hope and prayed for healing.

Each time we enter into prayer before Jesus, whether it’s here at church or at home, we need to feel free to share all our cares with Him, whether it’s for a specific healing, or just to bring peace into our lives and those who we care for. Jesus will respond in the way that is best for each of our requests. We may not need as dramatic a healing as this deaf man needed, but we do need to have Jesus at the center of our lives in order to have that peace and contentment that can only come from a deeper encounter with Jesus.

Then we can, like the people in today’s gospel, proclaim to those in our lives all that Jesus has done for us in bringing us peace and contentment.

John the Baptist & Herod

 

The scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020720.cfm

In our gospel for today we hear of the familiar story of how John the Baptist told the truth of God’s law to Herod that he should not be living in an adulterous relationship with Herodias, the wife of King Herod’s brother. John would tell Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  (Mark 6:18) As a result, Herodias was angry at John and held a grudge against him, until one day she found a way to get rid of John.

Herod, on a certain level, must have felt that John was right. Scripture tells us that Herod feared John and knew him to be a righteous and holy man. He even liked to hear John speak. God was attempting to speak to Herod through John to turn away from his sinfulness and to turn to God.

As it turns out, Herod was week and lacked backbone.  He was more concerned with his reputation and keeping his promise, made in front of his guests, when he told Herodias’ daughter, “Ask of me whatever you wish, and I will grant it to you.” (Mark 6:22) Herod immediately regretted his words when, prompted by her mother, she asked to have John’s head placed on a platter.

We have in this gospel two ways to live. The first is as John the Baptist lived. God was central to John’s life and he wasn’t afraid to speak the truth about how to live according to God’s laws to others, even if it meant losing his life. We, too, are called to share the truth of God’s love and commandments with all those that are in our lives, whether they’re family or friends. This may cause us some difficulty, but we can’t compromise the truth of how to live according to God’s law, as taught to us through our Catholic faith.

The other way to live mentioned in today’s Gospel is how Herod lived. He heard the word of God, through John the Baptist, but was afraid to embrace God’s law that was being proclaimed to him by John. He was wrapped up in his reputation and how he appeared to others. As a result, he lacked the courage to turn away from sin in order to follow God’s law.

We are called to have the courage to live out our faith in God in truth and honesty, as John did, not fearing what can happen to us for proclaiming this truth of God’s law. Let us ask God for the courage that John had to follow Him in a way that’s pleasing to Him and beneficial to us and to those in our lives. 

The Presentation of the Lord

The Scripture readings for this blog can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm

Today we commemorate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, formerly known as the Purification of Mary and Candlemas Day. According to the Law of Moses, 40 Days after the birth of a male child, the mother was to undergo the ritual of purification. Wealthy people offered lamb while poorer people offered two turtle-doves. It is at this time that the newborn male is consecrated to the Lord.


In today’s feast we see the continuation of how our salvation history is being worked out through Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It started with Gabriel visiting Mary to let her know that she was to be the mother of the Savior of the World. Mary wasn’t sure how this would work out but accepted the angel’s explanation that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the child would be born and would be the known as the Son of God. She gave her YES to God to become the mother of the Lord.


Then Joseph, uncertain as to how Mary got pregnant, also accepted, in a dream, Gabriel’s message about how Mary was to be the Mother of the Savior, and he (Joseph) was to be the protector of this precious gift. Joseph trusted the words of the Angel and did what was expected of him by God.


At Christmas we have the birth of the Lord in Bethlehem, and the visit of the Magi and the Shepherds, all praising God for the gift of this new child being born the King of Kings. We hear of angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace to men of good will.”


Finally today we have at the Presentation of the Lord. When Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem, Simeon, upon seeing Jesus, saw something special. The name Simeon means “God has heard.” Simeon embraced the Child Jesus in his arms and said a prayer that has become the Church’s daily night prayer, “Now, Lord you can let me go. You have kept your word. I have Seen your salvation. He will be a light to the Gentiles, as well as the glory of Israel.”


In  Simeon we see represented all the Old Testament Holy Ones who were looking for the Messiah. In Simeon we have a remembrance of Abraham, Jacob, Moses Isaiah, and all the Old Testament prophets. Simeon saw in Jesus the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. Simeon would go on to prophesy that Mary herself will suffer. He said to Mary “…and you yourself a sword will pierce…”


Then we have Anna, which means “God’s favor.” Anna also recognized something special in Jesus. She saw in Jesus that he was for all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 


Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all open to the promptings of God in their lives. Scripture was central to who they were. They were always open to do God’s Will, even when it seemed difficult and hard. They recognized God’s presence in their lives.

We are all called to follow God in our own special way. We can, like Mary, say yes to God in bringing Jesus into the world. Mary brought Jesus physically into the world by being the mother of Jesus. We can bring Jesus into the world by how we live our lives: by loving God and loving neighbor. There will be times that this will be difficult, but like Mary, we are to trust that God will be there with us to guide us according to His Holy Will.


Or we can be like Joseph who was the guardian of Jesus in his early years. Joseph was open to God in his life and was ready to do what God needed him to do in serving Jesus in his childhood needs. By serving others that God has put into our lives, as Jesus was placed into Joseph’s life, we are following in Joseph’s steps in serving God in those we serve.


Then we have Simeon and Anna who were at the temple, reflecting on God’s Word in Holy Scripture, and being open to God when he appeared as Jesus in the arms of Mary and Joseph. Scripture was central to Simeon and Anna and how they lived their lives. As a result, they were able to recognize the Messiah as he entered the temple. The study and reflection upon scripture should be central to who we are as Christians.

Let us all be open to God and his promptings in our lives by being those people who bring the love of God to a world darkened by sin. Let us recognize the presence of God in each one of us. And as we approach the altar for Holy Communion, let us, like Simeon and Anna, recognize Jesus in his Holy Temple.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned

 

The Scripture reading for this reflection can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013120.cfm

Our first reading for today has everything that would make for a great soap opera: love, lust, deceit, intrigue and murder. In this reading from the second book of Samuel we have the familiar story of King David and his relationship with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. King David allowed his lust to overtake him and as a result had an adulterous relationship with her. In his abuse of power, he first entered the relationship that was sinful. He then gets her pregnant and then tries to hide his guilt from Uriah. He does this by trying to get Uriah to have relations with her just so he could take credit for the baby. When this doesn’t work, David arranges for Uriah to be killed. Just beyond where today’s reading ends, David takes Bathsheba as his wife, thus compounding his sin. With each event, David gets further and further into the darkness of sin. He went from lust to murder. David will eventually seek the forgiveness of God once he is made to see the sinfulness of what he has done.

 All of us, like David, have sinned in same way, shape or form. We may not have sinned to the extent that David did by committing adultery and by committing murder, but we all have done things that we may be ashamed of that we are trying to hide from God and from one another. We may have an old resentment towards a family member or friends that we may hesitate to forgive. Or we may have hurt someone in our family, and we hesitate in seeking forgiveness for the offense we have committed.

In whatever way we have sinned we need to be able to turn to God and to seek His forgiveness and healing. God is always there to forgive us. We can do this through the Sacrament of Confession where we can start our healing with God, and eventually with those in our lives that we may need to forgive or to seek their forgiveness.

“Holy Spirit give me a repentant heart. Help me to confess my sin and seek reconciliation and healing.”

Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012620.cfm

Last year Pope Francis declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary time be set aside as “Sunday of the Word of God.” In his comments about this day, he mentioned the importance of having reverence for Scripture. He indicated that scripture is how we can hear God calling us and speaking to us. It is through the prayerful reading of Scripture that we can develop that faith in God and that relationship with Him. This is how we can hear God’s call to us.

In our gospel for today we hear of Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James and John to come and follow him. It appears that they just dropped everything to follow Jesus. I can only imagine what Zebedee, James and John’s father, must have felt when they just dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus. I’m sure Zebedee had a few choice words to say to them as they followed Jesus away from the boat.

This is Matthew’s way of emphasizing the dramatic nature of God’s call. Matthew wants us to realize that they didn’t simply leave their nets out of boredom and being discontent with the familiar. This event was a moment of epiphany.

What was so special about Jesus that they would so dramatically leave their familiar lives behind and to go and follow him? I’m sure they must have seen and heard Jesus going all throughout Galilee preaching about repentance and encouraging people to develop that closer relationship with God. And before Jesus, they heard of John the Baptist preaching about repentance and turning away from sin. As we heard in last weeks gospel, John was pointing to Jesus and saying, “Behold the lamb of God.” 

Further, I’m sure these first followers of Jesus would have spent time in the synagogue on the sabbath listening to the proclamation of the Word of God in Scripture. They were devout Jews awaiting and hoping for the Messiah to come. Then along comes Jesus preaching about repentance and healing the sick! By their being open to God through their reading of scripture, they were able to feel God’s prompting to follow Jesus to a new and totally different way of life.


How is God prompting us to live and follow Jesus to a new and totally different life? The apostles prayed and studied scripture each week at the synagogue. They realized that they must be open to God’s call through prayerful reflection on scripture. They were so open to the word of God that they weren’t afraid to leave behind their familiar way of life for something better.

The charism of Jesus draws them in, they perceive that what he is asking is a new and better way. Jesus seems to have a sense of authority in which his invitation comes to them from God.

As Jesus called the early apostles to a new and better way of life, He is calling each one of us to that way of life. We just need to be open to it and find that call that God has for each one of us. That new and better way of life is that of not only loving God and having that peace that can only come from Him but living a life of service to those that surround us: our family and friends.

By our regular reading of scripture each week, we are called to be open to God’s call through Jesus Christ. We need to make time to read and study scripture in order to hear what He is calling us to do in our lives in our relationships with God. It may be something totally unexpected, as it was for Peter, Andrew, James and John, or it may be just a way of better serving God through our family members.

The apostles were brave enough to leave behind those things in their lives that kept them from following God fully. What is holding us back from following Jesus completely? What are the people and relationships in our lives that distance and separate us from Christ? Other things that keep us from following Christ completely is gossip, cutting corners, immoral behavior, habits of arrogance, rash judgements and addictions! We need to leave these behind in order to follow Christ in peace and contentment.

The reign of God is open to all of us, if we are willing to risk a new way of living and to the commitment of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Gospel suggests that a relationship with Jesus Christ comes from deep within, where he waits for us. Take the leap to enter the heart of God, who abides within you.

In a few minutes we will approach the altar. Let us prepare to meet Christ who invites us to leave behind everything that we are comfortable with in order to develop that closer relationship with Him.