6/27/2020 0 Comments 13th Sunday in Ordinary TimeLast week we were invited to take a closer look at what drives us, what prompts us to do the things we do – fear or love! If we are filled with hatred for someone or something then our lives are being driven by fear. If we are filled with care and compassion then our lives are being driven by love!
Today in our first reading from the second Book of Kings, we continue the story of Elisha. In the time of Elisha to have children was seen as a blessing from God. Not to have children, to be barren, was like a curse from God. Likewise, wealth was seen as a blessing, an affirmation that you were a righteous person. While this woman was a kind and righteous person, she lacked the ultimate blessing, children. Elisha, who has been the recipient of the hospitality of this rich woman and her husband, seeks to bless her. When he discovers that she is childless, he calls her and promises that she will embrace a son. This despite their advanced age. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter ten contains various events and sayings around what it means to be a disciple – a follower of Jesus. The disciples are sent out on mission and Jesus instructs them on what a disciple does and does not do. They don’t use family relationships or commitments as an excuse not to pay attention to God – to act as a disciple. Jesus highlights the importance of letting go of things that we hold dear/cling to so that we can live out the commandment of love. Hospitality is important and our acts of hospitality bring with them blessings. Being hospitable to the poor literally transforms our lives. Paul speaks to the Romans about baptism. He reminds them that when we are baptized – we are baptized into the death and new life of Christ. What that means concretely is that we die to sin – we literally turn away from sin and we choose to do those things that are life giving. Our fundamental orientation directs us to do only those things which are good and life giving. While we might sin from time to time, we no longer choose sin as a pathway for our lives. Sin is no longer the dominating force in our lives – love is; life is! This week I baptized a child. Because of the virus there was his mom and dad and his family and me – the parish community was absent. Despite the small numbers this child was baptized into the Church, the Body of Christ. He does not yet, really know God! He does not yet, really know that he belongs to the Body of Christ! He does not yet really know how to pray! He does not yet really know what sin is! He does not yet know what he is to do with his life! How will he come to know God? How will he come to know and appreciate the blessings of God, the call to follow God, the difference between sin and grace, the importance of love and hospitality, the meaning and purpose of his life? He will rely first and foremost on his family. Secondly, he will rely on the parish community. If his parents don’t teach him then the journey he began this week will be a difficult one! If the parish does nothing to support the family then the journey he began this week will be a difficult one! What we as adults do and don’t do has a huge impact on the children we baptize. Our children learn lots of things from us – we are teaching them intentionally and unintentionally! Over 30 years ago I walked my little niece to school after lunch. She was in grade one. As I walked her to the door of the school we passed some of her classmates. One little boy was punching his classmate over and over again. It was a Catholic school, I am a priest, one kid was getting beaten up and nobody was doing anything and my niece was concerned. I suggested he stop. He turned to me as defiant as could be and began to swear using words that I am pretty sure he did not learn from his teacher in the classroom. Did his family sit down and teach him those words? Probably not! But he heard them somewhere! When we spread rumors, when we repeat gossip, when we share information that is not true, when we shame or belittle people, when we use verbal, emotional or physical abuse we are teaching our children, our society how to live. When we forgive, when we are patient, when we care for the poor, when we respect people who are different, when we are curious, when we seek to learn, when we seek to settle conflicts with dignity and honor, when we make room for opinions that are different from the ones we hold we are teaching our children, our society how to live. Our birth marks the beginning of our human life and it is a wonderful thing. Our baptism marks the beginning of our Christian journey and it is a wonderful thing. Our founder St. Eugene de Mazenod says that we have three tasks. We are to teach people to be human, we are to teach people to be Christian and we are to teach people to be saints. Whether we have just been Confirmed, whether we are just finishing high school, whether we are getting married, having our first child or becoming grandparents – the things we say on Facebook, in person, in the Church, in the school, at work, at the lake – they have an impact on others and they shape the color of our lives, the color of our faith. We are disciples 24/7. We are responsible for one another. In our first reading the old couple provided a meal, they provided shelter for a stranger and they recognized him as a holy man. In the gospel, Jesus emphasized the importance of not making excuses for those times we have chosen to forget about God and about our poor neighbour. Paul reminds us that we are baptized – we choose life and love not sin and death. As this week unfolds let us pay attention to what we choose – what do our words and actions say about what we value? What are our words and actions teaching our children? What are we doing to shape the lives of our children as people, as Christians and as saints? Today, June 28th is the feast day of St. Irenaeus of Smyrna (Bishop and Martyr)! He is famous for saying, “the Glory of God is the human person fully alive!” When we are fully alive we love others as Christ has loved us! Take some time to notice the fierce love Jesus has for you and for your family!
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I want to give the people who are taking part in our liturgy from home a sense of what we are living this morning. When people arrived at the Church I greeted them from a distance. I checked their names off a list and reminded them of many things:
While we may find this moment difficult or odd given our liturgical history, while we may not like this moment; while this moment is unfamiliar it is our moment. We are doing these unusual things, because we love one another and we are concerned about the safety of each other. This is our best effort given what we know. While we are afraid of what this virus can do to people we love, these actions are rooted in love. In our first reading, from the book of the prophet Jeremiah we get a sense of what happens for the prophet Jeremiah as he responds to God’s call. He experiences the threat and intimidation of those who oppose his words – words he is speaking on behalf of God. In the midst of this fear of his opponents, Jeremiah speaks of his confidence that God is with him, taking his side. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds his followers to Fear No One. It is almost like a command. He reminds the people not to be afraid of those who can harm the body. They should fear those who can kill the soul. In other words, fear the evil one – the one who can distract you, stealing your soul, the capacity to love, to be compassionate, to be generous, and to care. Stealing your goodness – those are the people you need to fear. In our second reading, St. Paul tells the Romans that Jesus – his life, death and resurrection have brought life. Sin and death have entered the world through one man; Adam. Life has entered the world through one man; Jesus. As I prayed with sacred scripture this week my imagination was captured by the theme of fear and what it often does to us. As a child I remember being afraid of the dark, of bees, of chickens, of doing things wrong, of being the centre of attention, of not impressing/pleasing my mom and dad, and of getting in trouble at school which would displease my parents. These fears at times paralyzed me. I retreated into myself. I hid myself from the world. I said very little. I did not connect much with others. I worked hard but I worked quietly. My childhood fears have been replaced by different concerns. The dark, chickens, bees, pleasing mom and dad are no longer uppermost in my mind. Today, I still want to do what is right, I want to do a good job, I want to please God, I don’t want to leave anyone behind, I don’t want to hurt anyone, I want to lead people to God and to freedom. I want people to serve God out of love and not out of fear. I do not want to stand in someone’s way as they journey towards God. Jeremiah is afraid. He says that God is beside him so he is not afraid. While his confidence in the nearness of God is praiseworthy, we see the evidence of his fear in his desire that his enemies be crushed. Fear hardens our hearts. Fear creates shame, blame, resentment, hurt, anger and exclusion. Fear makes us hard, spiteful, vengeful, and resentful. Jesus says, do not fear those who can harm the body, rather be afraid of/worry about/be concerned about those who can harm the soul. Fear harms the soul. We are not good at dealing with our fears. We often deny them. That is not helpful. Paul says that Jesus has given us a way to deal with our fears. He invites us to love. Paul invites us to imitate Jesus. Fear hardens our hearts. When we are fearful, mercy and compassion disappear and forgiveness goes out the window. When we are afraid we freeze up and we alienate others, we drive people away and we exclude. When we are afraid we create our own hell; we miss seeing the God who dwells within us and around us. Swirling around us today are concerns about systemic racism, about our economy, about our right to do what we want, when we want and how we want, about our health and many other things. As we face these fears let us remember that our God is with us. John tells us God is love. When our hearts are soft, caring, generous, patient, forgiving, merciful, compassionate, inclusive we know we are loving. When we blame, shame, accuse, harden our hearts, exclude we know that fear is driving our car. Whether we are here in this Church or reclining in our favorite chair we are called to love. As I interview the children in preparation for the celebration of the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist I remind them - the Spirit comes to awaken in us our mission to serve one another. Jesus feeds us so that we can serve one another. Each time we serve our brother and sister in need we give our God exquisite thanks and praise. This week let us praise our God often as we love one another unconditionally. In our first reading today, Moses reminds the people of Israel of how God led them through the desert (40 years); he talks about the long journey. The purpose of that long journey was to help the people remember who their Lord and God is. When they were enslaved, God freed them. When they were hungry, God fed them. When they were alone, God accompanied them. When they were thirsty, God gave them water. When alone in the wilderness, God stood by them and protected them. They did not understand or appreciate the ways of God, but all that happened was for their own GOOD, even though they did not see it at the time!
In Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, Jesus reveals that he is the bread of life; he bread for their hunger and wine for their thirst; his flesh and blood will provide for them. In the same way God provided for the people of Israel long ago, God is providing for you today; in a new way. Your ancestors did not appreciate the bread and water they received, the protections they received; will you appreciate what you are being given today? Jesus promises that those who eat and drink of his Body and Blood will live forever! This is a new teaching, a new promise. Will they trust it? In our second reading, Paul asks the Corinthians, “Is not the bread we eat and the cup we drink, is it not a sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ?” He leaves that question for them to ponder. Paul reminds them that because there is one bread and one Body – we are One. I have celebrated mass almost every day since I was ordained (37 years). When I consider those masses and all the people who took part in those liturgies I wonder; I wonder what they hoped for, what they were expecting to see, to hear, to do at mass. During this pandemic we have been sharing in the mass online or on TV. Hundreds of people have taken part in this mass, virtually. Some have watched and made comments. Some have clicked on one of the available emojis. Some have sung along, some have spoken the responses as if they were at mass, some have sat and stood and prayed aloud and some have simply watched; silently taking it all in. People have told me, that from this community, the mass has been shared in other parts of Saskatchewan. People from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and from countries around the world, have shared in the celebration of the Eucharist, reminding us that we are one Body. As this virtual mass ended, we have made every effort to take the Word we have heard and put it into practice. Even though we were not physically present in this space, we were touched by God, we connected with others and in response, we reached out to family and friends and strangers. If you are comfortable doing so, I invite you to type in the comment section, your nearest town or city. Let your brothers and sisters , who are taking part in this liturgy virtually, experience firsthand the wonder of the Body of Christ. We have been brought together by Jesus Christ. Our image of what Church is has grown. It goes far beyond Meadow Lake, Green Lake and Waterhen Lake. We are a wonderful mix of people – of language, race, age, orientation, way of life and system of beliefs! We, all of us, are the Body of Christ. We, all of us, are the Blood of Christ As we prepare to gather physically, in limited numbers, we are invited to ask ourselves, ‘what am I expecting to think, feel, see?’ Will we recognize in the proclamation of the Word, the very presence of God? Will we recognize in the masked people who are 2 meters distant from me, the presence of God? Will we recognize in the priest who now celebrates so differently, the presence of God? When we silently receive the host, gently placed in our hands, will we recognize the Body of Christ and what this gesture means? When our movements, postures and gestures are changed and limited, our songs silenced and our Church space modified, will we recognize the God who cannot be contained or completely understood? Or will we who are so devotedly Catholic, be so disturbed by the changes that our reaction will prevent us from believing and praying and celebrating? Will we forget that the God who communicates in and through such ordinary means is much more than a place, a space, a language, and a way of doing things! The liberation from Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land was so not what the people of Israel had imagined. The manna was not like the food they were used to! God gave it as food! God’s idea of protection was so different from their idea of protection. Jesus was so not like the messiah they were expecting. Jesus proclaimed that he was the new liberation – not from a country or a leader, but liberating the people from sin and death. Jesus proclaimed his Body and his Blood, his way of being, was the new food the people needed if they were to really live. Jesus proclaimed that something new was happening. And what was the response of the people? They struggled to believe. Paul said our sharing the Eucharist is a sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ – the very life of God. Paul said, because we share this One Bread, this Body and Blood, we are one Body, we are ONE people. When we come to Eucharist, virtually or physically, many things will be different. God is inviting us to be liberated, to be changed, to become one with him, to be his Body and Blood for the life of the world. I cannot share in this Eucharist except that I walk away a different person. If I come to mass to feed me – God will encourage me to feed others. If I come to mass to feed others – God will feed me. If I come to mass so I can change you – God will invite me to change. When I come to mass and allow God to change me, I will go out and you will see a difference. God knows what we are up against today. God is alive in our world; feeding us in marvelous ways. He feeds me when:
During this pandemic, God has asked us, not to come to Church but to be CHURCH, to be ONE BODY, to be his Body and Blood, feeding one another. As we (some of us) prepare to return to our Church buildings, we imagine returning to what was; to that which is familiar. It is not going to happen. We cannot go back. While we will receive his physical Body, which is not an end in itself but a reminder that God is feeding us, here in this Building and in the world beyond these walls; feeding us, that we might feed one another, our lives are no longer the same. There will be no return to what was. Our lives will be new and our Future will be new! God is pleased when we come and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. God is pleased when we become Body and Blood, food for those around us who hunger and thirst. We don’t get to heaven because we are perfect. We get to heaven because we have become ONE BODY, caring for and feeding those who are most in need in the world around us. Let us ask our God to make of us, his Body and his Blood! Throughout the Sundays of the Easter Season, the Church invites us to examine the various aspects of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Church wants to help us explore and understand what the death and resurrection of Jesus might mean for us at this moment. How do we understand it, experience it, celebrate it, proclaim it, and live it, not just in the Church building but also in our homes, at work, when we are having fun and when we are struggling? Asking what the death and resurrection of Jesus means for us now is not a once and done event. It is an ongoing event – we do it when we are 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90…we do it until Jesus calls our name and takes us to the place he has prepared for us in heaven.
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the story opens with this image of the apostles gathered in a house; they hear throughout the house the sound of a VIOLENT WIND. Not a gentle breeze or a wind – rather it is a violent wind. The storyteller continues reminding us that tongues, like fire, come to rest on them. As a result, they begin to do extraordinary things. The coming of the Holy Spirit is not a peaceful thing…it shakes up the people and it shakes up the house. The result is new life, new capabilities for all those who experience the Holy Spirit. How many people gathered here have experienced the Spirit shaking up their lives in this way? In the Gospel reading, John gives his account of how the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. It would seem that the group is larger than just the apostles – it includes other followers of Jesus; the ‘who’ is not clear. They are gathered and they are afraid. Jesus comes to them and twice he wishes them peace. The first time is a simple greeting of peace. The second time he greets them with peace and then he gives them a mission – he sends them as the Father has sent him. John tells us that Jesus breathed on them – giving them the Holy Spirit. Connected to the gift of the Spirit is the ability/the mission to forgive others. As we know from experience, forgiveness given, received or withheld, changes everything, the way we live and the way we die. In our second reading, St. Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the Spirit. He tells them that the gift of, the presence of the Holy Spirit enables them to recognize Jesus as Lord of their life. Does that mean without the gift of the Spirit we cannot recognize who Jesus is? Not at all! The Spirit does shape how we see and understand Jesus. Paul tells the Corinthians we receive the Gift of the Spirit for the common good – the good of others and not for ourselves. Paul affirms that there is one God and one Spirit blessing and gifting all of us. So what do these readings have to teach us, gathered as our virtual community this morning? First of all, the Spirit comes to each of us in different ways. Sometimes with a huge disruption to our life and sometimes quietly, peacefully and all things in between. In all instances the gift of the Spirit is for the good of others, to help others understand the God of Love, the God of forgiveness, the God who gives gifts. In all instances when the Spirit comes our lives are changed – something shifts within us. If we need the gift of the Spirit to recognize Jesus then let us celebrate that gift of the Spirit as soon as possible – let us pray for the gift of the Spirit – let us recognize that we are not in charge of the Spirit – the Spirit is in charge of us. The Spirit diminishes the power of fear and strengthens our courage. The Spirit diminishes confusion and anxiety and strengthens peace; always. If we are not at peace then we need to make room for the work of the Spirit. The gift of peace has little to do with nice, with control, with order, with easy. The gift of peace has little to do with ‘keeping things the way they have always been’. Peace is the awareness that ‘God is with us.’ Peace is not the absence of struggle. God is at work in our world. We have to be really careful when we talk about who God is because God does not play by our rules. While we often think we know what God wants and who God is, the fact is, God surprises us. Violent wind and tongues of fire – new energy and the capacity to do things never done before, quietly, peacefully, diminishing fear and strengthening courage – bringing goodness. Our God is alive! If you are wondering about your behavior – the things you do and whether or not God is okay with them…today’s readings give us a little test…
As we continue our prayer let us ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember God does not play by our rules. If you pray expect that God will shake up your life – the way you do things – the way you treat people – the way you see yourself; God will do it. Remember also that the Spirit brings forgiveness and sends us to be ‘forgivers of people’. Finally remember the Spirit is about NEW LIFE – about GOOD NEWS! The Spirit is about news that is good for all people – not just those of us who have our lives all figured out and are perfect in every way. The Spirit challenges the self-righteous attitudes that sometimes find their way into our lives and prompts us to see that we are all sisters and brothers – even those people who see things differently than we do. This week let the Spirit live in you! 5/25/2020 0 Comments May 24, 2020 - Ascension SundayIn the gospel of Matthew, we have Matthew’s version of the Ascension. The eleven disciples are invited to meet Jesus on the mountain. Matthew tells us that when the disciples and Jesus meet, some of the disciples worshipped Jesus and some of the disciples doubted that it was even him. Think about that folks – some doubted that it was him. We, are then told that the disciples (the worshippers and the doubters), are given a mission by Jesus. Jesus shares with them his authority and asks them to make disciples of people from all nations baptizing them and teaching them to obey the commands of Jesus. Before disappearing from their sight Jesus reminds them that he will be with them until the end of the age.
As we read sacred scripture today it is important to remember that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. These two books need to be read together because they are one story. In our text from the Acts of the Apostles we are reminded that the gospel follows the life of Jesus from his birth to his resurrection – the Acts of the Apostles begins to trace the disciples of Jesus from the Resurrection to the early foundation of the Christian community. Today we pick up the story of Jesus as he meets with the disciples and reminds them to remain in Jerusalem and to wait for the coming of the Spirit. He then disappears from their sight. Their eyes are fixed on the Jesus they knew and it is the angels who remind them that their work is here – their focus ought to be here and not on the past. Our second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Christians at Ephesus. Paul prays that the early Christians welcome the Spirit of Jesus and allow the power of the Spirit to be unleashed in their lives. Paul reminds the Ephesians that Jesus has received the fullness of God’s power and not only that, Jesus has been made the head of all believers, the Church. As I prayed with the texts a couple of things struck me:
The Church has a duty to preach salvation to all. The Gospel message is not reserved to a small group of the elect or privileged but is destined for everyone. There is anguish in the Church of Christ because there are exhausted crowds like sheep without a shepherd who hunger for the liberating word of God that offers hope and life. The word of God must be spoken, shared, proclaimed and lived.” This is the mission – the work of all of us and not just the deacons, priests and bishops. This mission is given to us by Christ. 4. We have been gifted with the Holy Spirit – the Spirit is at work in us, doing all sorts of good things. This is God’s promise and gift. 5. We are not alone – Even though Jesus has returned to the Father we are not alone and the mission that is ours is not ours alone – it has been given to us by Jesus and he will stand by us. How? In and through the presence of the Spirit. So how might these scriptures touch us? The time we are living in right now is a fearful time – we are concerned about Covid-19 – concerned about our financial future – concerned about the well-being of our earth/dangers of climate change – we are concerned about when our lives will return to normal – we are curious/concerned about what that normal will be – we are concerned about when we will be able to gather, to celebrate our faith and to receive the Body of Christ. We have many concerns – into the midst of our concerns Jesus comes and says:
My friends, God is still at work in our world right here and right now. We might feel confused and unsure about our faith and how strong it is. While we have no clue as to what tomorrow will be like, we can do something about today. Jesus is calling us to do something today! We cannot change the past and we cannot look into the future and know what will be. We are invited to trust that God is at work in us today. We are not alone. Because of Christ we can do the impossible, the unthinkable, that which scares us, takes us out of our comfort zone. This week I invite you to sit with the knowledge that Jesus needs you – the Spirit is alive in you, as near as your breath - you will not be abandoned - ever. If perchance you feel alone, pause and take time to listen as Jesus says to you, “I am with you always until the end of the age!” And then tell yourself, “I am never alone, Jesus is with me until the end of the age!” As you hear those words, believe in your goodness and believe in your desire to please God in all things! Believe in the God who loves you! Have you ever said to someone, “Well, why didn’t you say that?” Sometimes details matter – the little things we say and do. Sometimes a word, a phrase or a sentence, a touch, a look, a gesture can change everything. That is the case today in the gospel of St. John.
We read, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” This line can be used to beat people up or it can be used to encourage. Some people read this line and they suggest if you sin you are not keeping the Lord’s commandments and therefore you will not receive the Spirit of God. God does not love us if and when we get things right. God loves us! The sense of this text according to scripture scholars is this: it is an invitation, an exhortation to love. Everything is about to change – Jesus is about to die and he is speaking to his disciples just before his death. Jesus wants to deepen within them the connection between love and following the law. Loving someone and obeying the Law are not mutually exclusive. Love is the one thing that will sustain them as leaves them. Loving one another can change everything. They are not going to be alone. Even if he is not going to be present to them in the same way. The deeper my love the greater my respect for the other. The Spirit is being sent by Jesus, by the Father to remain with us, not just for a day, until the end of the pandemic; the Spirit is with us forever. The closer we are to Jesus the greater our ability to recognize the presence of Jesus/the call of Jesus. This gospel story stresses the desire of Jesus to remain with his disciples, to encourage and support and teach them. The death of Jesus will not mean that the disciples are forgotten or abandoned. The love and respect that God has for us, is called forth from us. We are invited to do for God what God does for us. In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear how there are many disciples, followers of Jesus but they have not received the Holy Spirit. We are told the Apostles send Peter and John to them to pray over them and to bestow upon them the Spirit. The Apostles want them to know they are NOT alone. In his letter to the Christian community, Peter invites the early Christians to trust in the power of the Spirit at work in them. Peter reminds them that living a good life frees up space for the Spirit to work. We can hear the call of the Spirit if we are not preoccupied with what we want to have happen for our own selves - we recognize more readily the call and the work of the Spirit in the world. So what has that got to do with us. The Spirit is in us, at work. We may not consciously see what the Spirit is doing but Jesus assures us that WE ARE NOT ALONE. Perhaps we don’t see the work of the Spirit but the Spirit is real nonetheless. This calls forth from us TRUST. We are invited to trust that God is with us and that regardless of what happens God will hold us. This TRUST opens us up and enables us to serve one another because that is what Jesus has done. There is a relationship between love and good deeds. We know that we have faith when we forget about ourselves and reach out to care for the other. A sign of faith is to put the other first. Our behavior our choices can stifle the work and the voice of the Spirit or they can set the Spirt loose in the world. When I am constantly attending to my own needs, my own concerns, my own dreams, my own desires there is no room for the other and there is no room for God. We know we are on the path to wholeness and to life when we care for ourselves AND when we reach out to help others. Holding this tension of care for self and care for the other is our daily work. Perhaps this week we can unlock the power of the Spirit in our world by reaching out to someone to let them know they are loved. I issue you an invitation – this week – each day do something that reminds another person that they matter. Touch the lives of seven people with goodness, with small, selfless acts of love. When we do that, the world will know that God is real, that God dwells in us and that we dwell in God. We are not alone. God is alive just as Jesus promised. The Spirit is in us! Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 2020 The words of John’s gospel that I just read are comforting on so many different levels. I want to take a closer look at this text and our life experience and the connections that seem to be present when I prayed with this text this week. We are in the fifth week of Easter. We have been hearing stories of Jesus and his encounters with the disciples after the resurrection. Today our gospel reading takes us back to Holy Thursday, the Passover Meal, the Last Supper. The context of this gospel reading is simple – the disciples have gathered to celebrate the Passover with Jesus. Jesus has just been warmly welcomed by the people of Jerusalem. They have waved palm branches and celebrated his miracles and now Jesus and the disciples are gathered for the meal. Jesus has communicated to the disciples that his death is at hand. We don’t hear the disciples comforting Jesus, we hear rather Jesus comforting them. The source of his strength is not the knowledge that everything is going to be ‘nice’ – that he will be saved from suffering and death. The source of his strength is his relationship with God – the confidence that he has that he is loved by God – a love that is so strong that even suffering and death has no power to eliminate it. Jesus knows he is loved and that God will take care of things – somehow – even if he does not know how. He has full confidence in God. It is precisely this confidence that enables him to speak to his disciples and say – do not let your hearts be troubled – trust in God and trust in me. God loves you and whatever takes place cannot overwhelm or dismiss that love. Jesus reminds the disciples that he is about to die – but his death will lead him to be reunited with God and from that place alongside God he will prepare a place for those whom he loves. When it is their turn to die, Jesus will come and take them to their eternal resting place in heaven. This is way too much for the disciples (Thomas and Philip) and they protest – we don’t know where you are going and we don’t know how to get there and we don’t know the ‘Father’. The thing is they don’t have to know where they are going – they just have to stay close to Jesus and everything will be fine. What they don’t realize is that they already know where they are going – they simply cannot believe that it is true. Friends, relationships are important – love relationships are important. While we need to work, make breakfast and do the laundry, make money, service the car, plant the garden, take care of the livestock – all of these ordinary tasks are meaningless unless they create, sustain and nurture our relationships with each other and with God. It is our relationships that help us to cope with life – they make good moments great, they make difficult moments bearable and they give us the courage to keep on putting one foot in front of the other. In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear how some people are being neglected – pushed to the edges. The marvelous thing is that the community says, ‘this is not right, we need to do something about it!’ And so, several people are chosen and prayed over, they emerge to help the Christian community take care of those who were neglected. In the second reading, Peter tells the early Christians that God is at work among them – building up a community, a spiritual house. Each of them is a spiritual living stone in the building up of the house. Peter reminds them that each of them is important. He reminds them that they are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” So often we can feel as if we are being left behind, excluded, taken for granted, ignored. We can feel as if we are invisible. Sometimes all those things are true – they are not just feelings – they are really happening – we are in fact being left behind. When they do happen, it is critical that we do two things: 1. Call to mind who we are in God’s eyes Over and over Sacred Scripture reminds us that we are valued. Today, Jesus says to each of the disciples, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled. I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come and get you when your life is over and I will take you to your place.’ When we doubt that, when it feels like it is not possible Jesus comes back and says, ‘stay close to me,’ the end is clear. Jesus says, ‘I will come and get you.’ 2. Do whatever we can to speak up for those who are being left behind.In the first two readings we are reminded we have a mission – leave no one behind. We are good at belittling people, mocking people, bullying people, we have done that as individuals, as communities, as countries and as Church and we still do it. We punish and we exclude people who are different from us. The thing is, Jesus and the early Christian leaders, Paul and Peter and others say, ‘no that is not right - you are to take care of each other. You, all of you together are living stones and you make up a spiritual house. Each of you matters. Without you the house looks different/incomplete. You belong to God – you cannot dismiss each other, punish each other or neglect each other. Today is Mother’s Day and those of us who have mother’s here shower them with blessings. Those of us who have mothers in heaven we remember them. Those of us who have mothers who have been less than kind and helpful, we grieve, we lament the fact that we did not/do not have a mother who loved us and blessed us. I began by saying relationships are important – our relationships with each other and our relationship with God. Today, let us remember what God thinks of us. Let us remember those who need us and let us strive to bring life – faith hope and love to all whom we meet. We can do nasty things, spread fake news, belittle others and create hatred or we can create and nurture love. When this liturgy is over – reach out and share a blessing to the women, the mothers in your life who have nourished you – give thanks for the gift of life and share with them a blessing. When this liturgy is over, spend some time by yourself, calling to mind how God sees you. Hear Jesus say to you once again – ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust in me. I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come back and get you.’ Folks, whether we feel loved and welcomed or disliked, excluded and rejected, God’s opinion of us counts. Let us pay attention to what God says. We are chosen and important. Let us stand and let us live in the knowledge that we are loved. Let us in turn create and encourage life in and through all we say and all we do, beginning in our home with our mothers/those women who have loved us as mothers! Let us extend that life to our community, our Church and our world! Christ is risen, he truly is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia. Do not let your hearts be troubled. 5/3/2020 0 Comments May 3, Fourth Sunday of EasterI want to start my homily today by taking a closer look at the Gospel of John. Jesus continues to develop the idea that he is the Shepherd. As I prayed with the scriptures this week two things stood out in the gospel – Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep (all the sheep) – the second is that he is the gate to the sheepfold – the path for life leads through him! We need to make our way into and through Jesus to eternal life.
Today, in our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles Peter, inspired by the Spirit reminds the crowds that they have sinned – they have killed an innocent man – that same man that they killed has forgiven them and is calling them to life – to be free of their sin and to taste the fullness of life. Jesus himself will show them what real life looks like. In his letter to the early Christian community Peter reminds the Christians that if they want life they need to do as Jesus has done. Jesus has set an example – suffering for the well-being of others – forgiving others before they ask and trusting in the goodness of God. So what? The thrust of the readings today is that we follow Jesus. Why? Because he is goodness, he is kindness! In my years as a priest I have heard lots of confessions – I have listened to people who have struggled with relationships – I have listened to parents and grandparents who are at odds with their children and grandchildren and vice versa. While I can sit back and say to this person or that person you should have done this or that or you should not have done this or that, what strikes me is that in the heart and mind of each person, they were doing what they were doing at that particular time because they thought it was the best thing for them. Someone on the outside could easily see that it was not a good thing to do – but they thought it was. As Christians, as Catholics it is our desire to encourage people to follow Jesus – to get to know God – to be members of the Church! We want others to know what we know about our God. Sometimes we go about it in a way that is helpful to people and sometimes we go about it in a way that actually drives people away! I am sure that at some point in your life you have met a Catholic/a Christian who was simply wonderful and kind and generous and you thought to your self – I would like to be like that person. I am sure that at some point in your life you have met a Catholic/a Christian who was mean spirited, hypocritical and unforgiving and you thought to yourself – I hope I am never like that. Today, we have in Sacred Scripture, an image of Jesus who cares, who forgives, who calls to us, who leads us, who suffers for us and who offers life to people who have been less than kind. We have an image of a Shepherd who cares for all of us. We who have gathered here are followers of Jesus. We do what Jesus does. When people encounter us do they encounter someone who loves, who forgives, who calls, who leads and who offers life? We are not perfect – we may not be there yet. We are however, growing and becoming more and more like Christ! That is a great thing folks! We are making progress and becoming more like Christ! This week as we ponder this image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd we ask ourselves – what do I need to do so that people see me as a Good Shepherd? What changes do I need to make so that people will stop and say, “Hey, I would like to be like you!” What actions, what choices will lead us to become more like Jesus? Do I need to seek healing? Do I need to learn more about Jesus? Do I need to pray? Do I need to practice patience/kindness/gentleness or generosity? Do I need to forgive myself? Do I need to set my wants aside and look out for the needs of others? I don’t know what you need to do to become more like Jesus at this moment, so I cannot tell you what to do! But you know what you need to do and if you don’t stop and think about it for a bit! I know what I need to work at to become a little more like Jesus. I encourage you to pick one or two things that you can do this week so that when you encounter others – in your household, in your extended family, in your workplace or out and about, they have a positive experience, an experience that leaves them saying – wow that is a kind person. You and I know that if someone is kind to us we tend to listen and to pay attention. We are attracted to kindness! We want to be around kind people. We do not want to be around, mean, cranky, hurtful people. Goodness and kindness might not be enough for some people – but for most of us it is everything - it is certainly enough for Jesus! In this time of COVID-19 when there is illness, mistrust, grief, fear and frustration – let us practice goodness and kindness. As Catholics, as Christians let us be known for our kindness and generosity. When people ask us, “Why are you so kind?” Let us not be afraid to answer, “Jesus is kind. He loves me! I am trying to be like Jesus!” 4/26/2020 0 Comments Sunday Mass - April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2020 Today, in Luke’s gospel, we have one of the most loved stories in sacred scripture – the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and their encounter with Jesus. Let us take a closer look at the story. Jesus, the friend, teacher, miracle worker, healer has died. His followers were inspired and hopeful that in some way he would help the people of Israel to change – giving them a future full of hope and possibility. He was physically abused, crucified, dead and he was buried. The disciples were heading home – two of them walking together and sharing their struggles. They had heard the rumor that the body of Jesus was gone and that he had risen from the dead! But it did not touch them – it did not lift them out of their sadness and disappointment. As they walk home – they are confused – sad – disappointed - discouraged – their hope has disappeared. They are empty. Into this pain, disillusionment and this emptiness comes Jesus. He meets them on the road – in their suffering – he meets them where they are at. We are told he shares the Word of God – sacred scripture with them. He speaks of God’s plans/promises, God’s presence and God’s activity. At a certain point in their journey, they stop for a rest and some food. They invite their guest to stay. We are told he shares a meal with them and when he breaks the bread, they suddenly understand – Jesus is alive! He is not dead! Their hearts come alive – they say their hearts are burning when Jesus was speaking to them. Their awareness of newness, of life prompts them to turn around, after such a long journey and they head back to Jerusalem – traveling in the darkness. They share their experience with the disciples and their story becomes a part of the bigger story – a story of new life. Throughout history we, as Christians, have been gathering stories of Jesus – stories of new life. In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. we have the blunt and yet powerful testimony of Peter – proclaiming to all that Jesus is risen from the dead. Peter makes it clear that death had no power over Jesus because he is about life! In our second reading we hear from Peter as he writes to the early Christians. He tells them that neither their present nor their past can hold them down. Christ is risen from the dead. In Peter’s letter it is clear that Jesus leads us into relationship with God. As this great season of Easter continues to unfold we, the Church, tell again and again the great stories of our beginnings/our origins. We tell stories of illness and healing. We tell stories of disappointment and hope. We tell stories of suffering and joy. We tell stories of absence and presence. These are stories from the early Church but they are also our stories today. From time to time our lives are filled with illness and healing, with disappointment and hope, with suffering and joy, with absence and presence. These experiences are part of our human journey. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were lost – somehow God was absent. Or so they thought. They were surprised when God came to them in their emptiness. Luke is clear that they did not recognize Jesus. He looked like an ordinary traveler. For the most part we experience God in and through our senses – through nature – through events and ordinary people. Often times we recognize, after the fact, that God was present – that God was with us. Right now, we are experiencing things that we have never experienced before. We are required to self-isolate, to find new ways to communicate, to support one another and to pray. We are required to take care of each other – regardless of our background, belief system, economic status, language, religion, or job skills! The scriptures remind us that God is present even if we cannot see God. God found the disciples not in some room at prayer. No, God found them on the road when they were down and out! We are invited to believe that God is looking for us and coming to us in our sorrow and our struggle. God is not waiting for everything to be good again! God is here with us now! Today, in addition to being the Third Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel – a title that suggests Mary gives good advice. The Catholic Women’s League of Canada have Our Lady of Good Counsel as their patroness. Mary does not answer our prayers – Jesus does! We believe that Mary always leads us to Jesus. She always suggests that we should listen to him and do what he tells us! The members of the Catholic Women’s League pay attention to Mary! Like Jesus, they are intent on making a difference! The CWL members go to where there is a need and they look for ways to help! They are not concerned about whether or not the folks are Catholic – they are concerned about proclaiming the Good News to those who are in need. As our day unfolds, let us take heart – God is looking for us! As our day unfolds, let us take heart – God needs us to look out for one another. Do we know some folks who are walking along a lonely road, away from friends, away from hope; some folks who are in need of a companion? Would we dare to walk with them and share the fire that is burning in our hearts? Would we dare to share with them our trust in the Lord who has died and is risen? Would we dare to look for them and meet them where they are at with the news that there is hope for all people? Let us take a moment and honor our Lady of Good Counsel, the work of the Catholic Women’s League and our call to walk with one another along the roads of suffering, disappointment and loss! Sing Immaculate Mary Today the mercy of God is a backdrop to all that we read and hear in Sacred Scripture. Let us take a look at the gospel where John speaks about the fear of the disciples, the power of the Holy Spirit, the mission of forgiveness and our struggle to believe.
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Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI Archives
March 2021
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