Prayer for Pope Francis

7th Sunday: The active nature of Christian love

 

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you"

Luke 6: 27-38

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022325.cfm

 

Our first reading this Sunday from the book of Samuel leaves us perhaps with mixed feelings.  David has a once in a million chance to gain one up on his enemy Saul by killing Saul while he slept. Not only slept but stood over him as he did so! – but he doesn’t do that.  David resists the temptation from his companion Abishai who wanted to nail Saul “with one thrust of the spear” when they find him sleeping.  David resists and takes the non-violent approach as he acknowledges King Saul as the “Lord’s Anointed.” While that may not be the best military strategy, to instantly win the advantage, it certainly highlights the core moral teaching of Jesus we hear in the Gospel from Luke today about the unique nature of Christian love.

While David’s resistance was a momentary response, Jesus invites his disciples to make such behaviour our way of life. For David’s response raised him to a higher level than violence for violence.  He rose above evil with charity. David was hardly perfect and had done sin himself blinded by lust for Bathsheba and a murderous plot of her husband, but such past sin was repented and rejected and he chose the better part with Saul.

The Scriptures this Sunday continue for us Luke's version of Jesus' famed Sermon on the Mount but in his case, the Sermon on the “plain” or really a level stretch of ground from the higher stand of the upper mountain. This Sunday we are reminded about the controversial nature of Jesus' teaching; the fundamental call to non-violence and love of enemies is given a prime place in Jesus' sermon to the crowds. It is what makes Christian love unique and counter intuitive.

Many times, we feel guilty about our anger.  We may confess the natural emotion of anger as sinful. But it's right to acknowledge that anger is normal.  There is no sin in emotion.  It's normal to feel joyful, angry, sad, jealous, or an attraction to things and others, etc.  Emotions are emotions and they in and of themselves have no morality.  Our natural anger rises in the face of injustice, rejection, or being treated unfairly but that's just the feeling.  We may sense a physical attraction to a person, no priest is immune from such either, but the point I make is that this is normal and human. It means we are alive! It's built into our brain and DNA.  And certainly, we may feel we want to seek revenge against another person and that they don't deserve our forgiveness or certainly not our love for what they did to me or to another was hurtful. This is all the stuff of normal life. But it is just emotion based. Our thoughts and our feelings should not be our sole guide to action.

What Jesus speaks of are not emotions but rather actions and reactions.  Did Gandhi feel anger?  Did Dr. Martin Luther King feel like returning violence for violence?  I wonder if St. Teresa of Calcutta ever felt jealous, anger, or was tempted to pride. I would guess they did but did they follow through, act upon their feelings?  No, and that is the point.  To recognize our natural emotions as normal but we resist acting upon them in a vengeful sort of way. In there lies virtue.

I remember hearing a story of the famed Cure of Ars, the extraordinary parish priest in 18th century France whose fame spread quickly as a confessor and holy pastor.  The thousands who came to see him would jostle and push in the crowds around him and at times he would recognize his rising aggravation.  He once said that he kept a handkerchief in his pocket and rather than speak angrily at a soul who would annoy him, he would squeeze that handkerchief very tightly in his hand discreetly and direct his negative energy into that ball of cloth.  Well, it apparently worked!

Rather than seek retribution and put gas on the fire as it were simply to make myself feel justified, I will instead offer a peaceful and non-violent response.  I will raise myself to a higher level of behavior and instead seek to reconcile or at least to offer love in the form of peaceful non-violent resistance and forgiveness. In that way I absorb the violence of the enemy and show them a more powerful way to behave. That love is stronger than hate. Sin is in behavior and not in normal emotion.

 Of course, plotting and scheming a retaliation is sinful since the intent is to carry through. We are then acting upon our potentially destructive feelings by our thoughts and scheming.  We find sin in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds but not in our natural emotions. "I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in my thoughts, and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do . . ."

Bishop Robert Barron speaks of gift giving as a model for Christian love.  Yet, when we gift someone, we naturally expect some sort of return:  another gift, a “thank you” note, something even better than what I gave.

However, Jesus’ teaching demands far more. He speaks of the difference between and active and passive love. And God, in Christ, is the ultimate model for what this means; to give gratuitously without expecting return.  While giving in this way is in some way contrary to our natural inclination we are called as disciples of Jesus to model ourselves after him; after how God has given himself to us.  If we love only those who love us we will never learn to love as God loves.  Jesus teaches: “Even sinners do the same.”  So, our charity should always be active and not passive:

“Lend expecting nothing back . . . love your enemies, do good to them . . . stop judging, stop condemning, forgive, give . . . for the measure with which you measure will in return be measured be measured out to you.”

Now there in brief short phrases and words is an ideal examination of conscience before confession.  It will surely bring out our personal stinginess, jealousy, pride, and prejudice.  The whole sacramental system of our Church is gratuitous gift, and the holy Eucharist is the greatest of all – Christ himself given to us. Christ himself who actively ransomed us from the darkness of death to the promise of eternal life. Jesus did not sit passively in the sight of evil but through the active power of love, transformed humanity.

While the world might consider such behavior foolish imagine the witness it gives to the call towards love rather than hate, forgiveness rather than retribution, peaceful non-violence rather than active violence.

May we not tire of doing what is right and reach beyond our natural limitations but only by God’s grace given as gift out of love. 

 

 

6th Sunday - Beware of our attachments

 

(fineartamerica.com)

James Tissot: Jesus preaching

"Blessed are you . . ."

Luke 6: 17, 20-26

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021625.cfm

If we were given a choice between being rich or poor, I have no doubt that the majority of us would choose to be rich. It just seems to bring fewer worries in life and having unlimited wealth would create a kind of fairy tale existence. I mean, who needs to drive when someone else can take you where you want to go?  Who needs to live simply rather than surrounded by expensive and beautiful things? Why sit home all the while, rather than travel to beautiful and exotic destinations, flying first class and staying in 5-star hotels.  For some, it appears to be the purpose of life, or at least the norm when they travel. No wonder that the television show “Lifestyles of the rich and famous,” was popular back in the 1980 ‘s and 90’s. Does money make you happy?  Well, it does make life easier, as someone said.

We are saturated with the mantra that wealth is a kind of blessing that everyone should pursue. If someone wins a large lottery jackpot, often they will interpret their win to divine intervention: “Thank you Jesus!”

Our culture is becoming more and more secular as sacrifice, simplicity, humility and sharing for the good of the whole give way to wealth, power, independence and subjective truth. We find multiple substitutes for God and assume all will be well, “if only . . .”

In the time of Jesus the tags of poor and rich were quite different than today.  The poor were powerless to do anything about their lot like orphans and widows.  They lived weighed down by their socially unfortunate fate.  There was no hope for a better future and no opportunity for advancement. If you father was a fisherman, you will be a fisherman and will pass that on to your offspring.

Meanwhile the rich became rich because they had the power to take wealth away from those who were not able to defend themselves.  In the ancient world power was the means of attaining wealth.  Imagine the impact on society.  In ancient Israel and particularly around the Galilee region where Jesus spent so much time, he taught crowds that were living on merely a hand to mouth existence, while the religious leaders looked on from a distance.

Our Gospel this Sunday challenges us on much of this. But is it wrong to be wealthy?  Money is just money it’s we who make choices that affect others for either good or ill. That power of free will is what Jesus may indirectly be addressing in the Gospel.  Unlike Matthew, Luke has Jesus more specific in his accounting of the Beatitudes. The “poor in spirit” become the “poor.” Blessed are the poor and “woe” to the rich!  Jesus comes down from the heights and addresses the crowd on a level stretch.  In Matthew, Jesus goes up and so it becomes the sermon on the “mount.” Luke’s concern for the poor and their condition is one Jesus identifies with.  So, here Jesus comes down to them; he lowers himself to their condition and embraces it as his own.

It has geographical detail since large hills, as the Galilee region contains rather than mountains, we are familiar with, also have lower parts that are like wide open level stretches.  Same “mount” in both Matthew and Luke? Quite possibly. Luke, a gentile, highlights Jesus' care for both Jews and gentiles alike who are particularly in a lower place. But the location is not near as significant as the message.

The popular Bishop Robert Barron, writer, speaker, theologian, historian, philosopher, and pastor, comments on the Lukan beatitudes by speaking more of the spiritual discipline of “detachment.” He paraphrases a few of Jesus’ beatitudes in Luke with that theme in mind. On the theme of “Detachment,” Jesus teaches the true importance of seeking the lasting things of God, rather than the unsatisfying material things:

Jesus teaches: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours”

Which implies: “How lucky you are if you are not addicted to material things”

Material things are often a substitute for God as we seek our ultimate fulfilment and purpose through the pursuit of technology, science, music, human relationships, unrestricted freedom, etc.                                                          

Jesus teaches: “Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh”

Which implies: How lucky you are if you are not addicted to good feelings

To search always for the good feelings, the avoidance of sacrifice and pain – whose life is addicted to pleasure: drugs, alcohol, the pursuit of pleaser in bodily satisfaction.

Jesus teaches: “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man, rejoice and leap for joy on that day”

Which implies: How lucky you are if you are not addicted to the approval of others.

This is the path of spiritual freedom from addictions that can chain us. Status, attention and fame are among the most powerful “false gods” that lure us – promising great rewards, joy and easy life but never satisfying where only God can satisfy in our soul, the inner region of our heart.

A Christ-centered relationship seeks ultimate satisfaction and fulfilment in him.

Our first reading from Jeremiah has the outspoken prophet wasting no words.  He speaks: “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.”  

Our faith moves us to believe that if I give away a portion of what I have for the benefit of others God will still care for me because as Jeremiah reminds us: “Blessed in the one who trusts in the Lord.”  The sin of indifference is one that the prophets and Jesus himself reminds us is deadly.

At times the Scriptures comfort us and other times they call us to discomfort.  Today’s readings are the latter.  Our discomfort may well be a sign that we need to let go and let God be who he is in my life: our greatest treasure as the Holy Eucharist which we can receive far too casually, for the treasure of our faith is given as gift to bring us to greater holiness.

Jesus offers himself to us in the Eucharist when he gave it all away for our salvation. This one treasure we would pursue, hold fast too, and even die for if necessary.  

Let us Pray

O God, who teach us that you abide

in hearts that are just and true,

grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace

as to become a dwelling pleasing to you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity

of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever

 

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Put out into the waters"

 

(Alif photo)

"Put out into deep waters" 

The Word: Luke 5: 1-11

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm

Our readings this Sunday present the miraculous in the call of Isaiah the prophet and the call of the disciples on the Sea.  While Isaiah’s mystical experience in the Temple is personal to him alone God unexpectedly intervenes in this new prophet’s life and Isaiah willingly answers the call: “Here I am send me!” How unique among the prophets for Isaiah’s unusual willingness to embrace that tough and hostile vocation.

Luke tells us in the Gospel that Jesus was already engaged in his teaching ministry along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  The crowds were enthralled by this young rabbi who taught with a certain authority, charisma, and presence they had never experienced before. Lets remember, he had no formal training, never attended a rabbinical school such that they were at that time, never spent long hours, as much as we can tell, studying the scriptures under the guidance of a learned rabbi. He was a layman, a carpenter from Nazareth when he appeared.

All of which makes his teaching and knowledge even more impressive and mysterious. “Where did he get all this,” was the question asked by his own townsfolk in Nazareth.  It seemed, he simply appeared on the scene with such wisdom and knowledge. Yet, he likely learned from his own mother and Joseph when beyond the age of 12 yet his knowledge and teaching went far beyond that.

The crowds were “pressing in” and “listening to the word of God” spoken by Jesus. Whether they simply wanted to hear better amid the crowd or were deeply impressed by Jesus’ teaching, as is indicated in many other places, our Lord recognized that he needed to do something before the crowd would overwhelm him. 

Certainly, the fishermen, Simon (Peter), James and John as well as others, must have heard something of what Jesus was saying but they were engaged in their work and maybe didn’t pay much attention. 

At one point, Jesus asks Simon as he boards his boat without invitation to push out a short distance.  Like the Lord who appears to Isaiah unexpectedly, Jesus commands Simon to push out. With the natural effect of the water and the surrounding hills, his voice would travel to the shore more effectively. But there is much more.

So, Simon follows Jesus’ request.  Soon our Lord tells Simon to “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”  Go out farther beyond your comfort zone and beyond what seems reasonable. Simon protests and says that they’ve been doing so all night in a futile attempt to catch anything.  The fish just aren’t there right now. After all, what does this preacher from Nazareth know about fishing – still he does what Jesus tells him to do. It is somewhat reminiscent of his first miracle at Cana when Mary says: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 1-11).  Isn't that key to discipleship?

So, Simon puts out and lowers the nets once more. To his astonishment and that of his fishing companions, “they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing . . . they filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.” (Lk 5: 1-11).  If you’ve seen the series of episodes from “The Chosen,” you may remember how beautifully this crucial moment is portrayed.

Symbolic of the future ministry of the Apostles and the many who will come to believe in Christ through them, with awestruck humility Simon addresses Jesus: “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  He may be speaking about all in the boat who feel the same in the face of Jesus’ miraculous power. Before God we stand in awe.

Simply at Jesus command, at his mere word, abundance appears.  Jesus uses this event to call his disciples with the familiar turn of phrase: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”(all people). These now dubbed “fishers of men” leave behind the familiar and with adventure they follow Jesus into the unknown.  Into the uncharted waters as it were to engage themselves in this mission of Christ.  Grace comes to us not because we deserve it but because we are loved. Great things will happen if we partner with Christ who works even through our feebleness.

To be a Christian a Catholic is not just a name or a title or a Church I attend. It means something to continue the mission Jesus’ established in his Church. If we immerse ourselves in the promise of Jesus that if we keep God the absolute center of my life and I use that relationship to measure all things, then who knows what God will work through us. It is not what we do on our own but what we allow Christ to do in and through us but it demands that we “put out into deep water.”

A loving parent and faithful husband and wife live out their vocation in holiness or a priest who commits himself to faithfully carry out his ministry. It may be a faith that has grown and matured over the years.  It may be a wonderful family or a satisfying and fulfilling ministry, yet not at all without challenges.  We can never second guess what God will do for those who trust in his word and put out in the uncharted waters.

We know that his sacramental presence in the Holy Eucharist is miraculous and far more than we can imagine as he feeds us with this bread of life, this food for the journey.

Take some time to reflect on the abundance in your life.  How and where has our Lord shown you that he is present to you?  Where do you feel called to do more with him? Am I satisfied with what I have or am I constantly seeking more, in competition with others, jealous of what they have and what I feel I don’t have?  Go fishing!

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, who called the first disciples

in the midst of what was familiar to them,

and asked them to risk something new. 

Grant us the ears to hear, the eyes to see, and the courage,

to step forth when you get into our boat and ask no less of us.

Jesus, we trust in you.

Amen