tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63993171779596372532024-03-19T01:47:54.396-07:00From my side of the AltarA humble effort to evangelize: Reflections on Scripture and Saints alive in our Catholic life - Blog of Fr. Tim MockaitisFrom my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.comBlogger1044125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-73329663899622453052024-03-17T05:30:00.000-07:002024-03-17T05:30:40.461-07:00March 17- Breaking Open the Word (5th Sun Lent)<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/bu3iKFi0QsU?si=Ac6xcT9gI-BH7v0j" frameborder="0"></iframe>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-44764776733425715312024-03-15T13:58:00.000-07:002024-03-16T09:30:07.388-07:005th Sunday of Lent: "When I am lifted up from the earth . . . "<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALvwnEyD_65mDsKYVlwFllpawqNowgaxuCOvO47ROJuxAgUhI3J2htwEy85bjkInJmOAnGEz4n8PYWAm7cz2it9igALw3pCzY_cTc1ogpED3QW6MAcrLO10wwI7OHOymZx9UGkIw2LfzYke1WQAOoxNkTzESOpKcMvvqd6KP7mC49-gI6m2Rzc5wTOpBE/s1920/jesus_teaching_apostles_friends.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALvwnEyD_65mDsKYVlwFllpawqNowgaxuCOvO47ROJuxAgUhI3J2htwEy85bjkInJmOAnGEz4n8PYWAm7cz2it9igALw3pCzY_cTc1ogpED3QW6MAcrLO10wwI7OHOymZx9UGkIw2LfzYke1WQAOoxNkTzESOpKcMvvqd6KP7mC49-gI6m2Rzc5wTOpBE/w400-h266/jesus_teaching_apostles_friends.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified</span></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 12: 20-33</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To begin with a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” to all
readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ever-popular memory of the
Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick, happens to fall on a Sunday in Lent this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, being Sunday, enjoy the
celebration no matter how you may be planning it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us pray indeed for the nation of Ireland
that has experienced some very painful times recently and for a renewal of the
Catholic faith that has so enriched the Irish people these many decades.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite that celebrated Saint, we still find ourselves in
the journey towards Holy Week and Easter, so let’s turn to the Scriptures for
this Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We are a country of laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We speak about a land of “law and order.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are laws about everything, they govern
our lives, direct our actions, and are intended to maintain the boundaries in
which citizens behave which hopefully creates a land of peace and harmony,
which is right now being tested in our country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We also speak of the natural law - the force that keeps
planets apart from each other in defined orbits, the law of gravity keeps
everything fixed on earth lest we go flying off into space. Our bodies are
governed by certain biological consistencies as well. We have laws that guide
our traffic, our tax system, our use of land, our homes, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without certain established constraints we
simply become governed by nothing other than our base instincts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Church we have Canon Law which governs our lives
as Catholics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps us to understand
the deeper meaning of God’s superior Law and how we can live out what he asks
of us. Church laws govern the sacraments, our parishes, the formation of
priests, the governing of a Diocese by the Bishop, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the final goal and purpose is the
salvation of souls. Our readings today speak about another source from where
law has come. A law or relationship; a covenant between us and God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On this final Sunday of Lent before Holy Week we hear the
voice of Jeremiah the prophet speaking of God’s desire to “Make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Then in a divine longing for
relationship with us, God speaks through Jeremiah: “<b><i>I will place my law
within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God and they will
be my people.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you see in these words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine a kind of sculptor at work on a
piece of marble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chisels away an
indelible image of beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He breathes
upon the work and forms it according to his personal imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, the name of the Renaissance
inspired genius Michelangelo comes to mind, his famed statue of David, carved
from one piece of marble and that of the Pieta, depicting the crucified body of
Jesus in the arms of his mother. Such it is with the law of God on our hearts
that Jeremiah speaks of in our first reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The law of the “new covenant” is not a restriction or a
punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God in this passage desires
an intense relationship with humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has tried to reach out to us over and over again only to be ultimately
met with rejection. So now he enters our hearts and imbeds his genius on us. He
wants to reform a people and build a deeper bond of communion with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, human hearts are not made of stone so
our Creator desires to live in the hearts of all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeremiah’s words imply that God will implant
a natural longing for union with God; an innate sense of right and wrong, a conscience that speaks from within us. The Jews have returned from exile in Babylon
with a new and renewed faith. That law is alive, and they will know that God is
God for them, and they are particularly chosen for him. It is about a law of
love and relationship between God and humanity. In other words, God wishes to
redeem humanity. Yet, our nature is flawed by sin and we are in constant need of conversion. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Gospel passage from John we hear from Jesus what
the sign of this redemption will be: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I
will draw everyone to myself.” The cross of Christ, that grain of wheat which
dies to produce much fruit as we hear today, is the sign of the covenant God
has made with humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the
“hour” which Jesus speaks of in the Gospel; when he will be “glorified.” That
in death there is life and resurrection; there is hope and promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In giving one’s life away we produce the fruits
of virtue and holiness: unselfishness, compassion, humility, true sacrificial
love. His reference to being "lifted up," certainly is shown not only in his being raised on the cross but also in the resurrection and Jesus' ascension into heaven - the whole of the paschal mystery and God's saving action in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, at the Last Supper he was about to finally set things
right for there he took the bread and wine, established the Holy Eucharist in
the new covenant of “my blood.” He has given himself to us in the new and final
for all time in the sign of his love and through his Church as he poured out
his life for us on the cross. The Holy Eucharist is Christ in our midst
intimately connected with us and there he calls us to “lawful” thankfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The sacred law, and all that Christ has done for us, is
to keep our hearts open and receptive to God. To embrace the sign, the cross,
as an integral part of our Christian lives as we too die and rise with Christ
through the grace of our Baptism and the measure by which we live our faith. If
we follow our own "law," always by our own ego centered lives, we're
on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we follow in his Way, a
life focused on God as the center, we will bear much and more effective fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As we approach Holy Week, beginning with Passion (Palm)
Sunday, we see reflected the whole meaning of that week and our lives in the world
of today that has seemingly detached itself from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see the results of an ego-driven society
and our gift is to aid in putting things back on track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus came to rescue us to save us from
pride, greed, selfishness, revenge, and any other dark ego centered emotions
you can imagine. He willingly, offered his own life as a ransom for the
many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our Gospel closes this Sunday,
we hear a most moving image from the words of Christ: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">+ <b><i>And
when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself</i></b>. +<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-63336654915683734212024-03-09T10:18:00.000-08:002024-03-09T13:15:50.030-08:004th Sunday of Lent: "God loves us this much +"<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXd0DoioyHL06pxnJTuq0nsbwCxK-5jpG3VyjKvu4BqkzTV2vgExnpgmyeKcTA9Mqm277XKIhv16emrjZf2gxFRiKQwImG4iEv4DngyXTnywzonP4LM2v1hDs9T7navkJb9HTZu1rG72JIrnuLGNA5ZmqheY9kHV1TRmsrkzBl6u7vxdwlP1KpflRKHj1/s880/R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXd0DoioyHL06pxnJTuq0nsbwCxK-5jpG3VyjKvu4BqkzTV2vgExnpgmyeKcTA9Mqm277XKIhv16emrjZf2gxFRiKQwImG4iEv4DngyXTnywzonP4LM2v1hDs9T7navkJb9HTZu1rG72JIrnuLGNA5ZmqheY9kHV1TRmsrkzBl6u7vxdwlP1KpflRKHj1/w349-h400/R.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">". . . the Son of Man must be lifted up . . . for God so loved the world . . ."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">John 3: 14-21<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024-YearB.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024-YearB.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A simple way to explain the love of God to
children is to ask: “How much does God love us?” The answer is to say with arms
stretched out: “This much!” + That gesture forms a cross and we are
reminded that the cross of Christ is forever the indelible sign of God’s love
for humanity. At the heart of the Christian Gospel, is love born of servant
leadership and self-sacrifice in the name of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Though it may sound a bit simplistic its truth is far
more transforming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our readings on this Laetare
(joy) Sunday) before the drama of Holy Week and the glory of Easter, are
saturated with the overwhelming truth of God’s love for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the mistake we consistently make is
to think that God’s love and our human expression of love are the same. That
God falls in and out of love and is as fickle and inconsistent as we humans can
be. We often have an almost parental view of God who rewards good behavior and
punishes the bad. Yet the truth is, that we did nothing to earn what Jesus did
for us, it is pure gift of God’s love that we might be saved from the darkness
of sin that we brought upon ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our first reading from Chronicles relates the story of
the destruction of Jerusalem, its sacred Temple, the center of both civic and
religious life, and the capture of the Jewish people off to Babylon where they
were enslaved for seventy years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
that may not exactly sound like a Divine love story but it is an indication of
God’s desire to save his people and to purify his people in order to offer them
a new beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The reading is strong in its imagery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The princes of Judah, the priests and the
people added infidelity to infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the
nations and polluting the Lord’s temple . . .” It certainly is not a rosy
picture. We hear how far they had strayed away from the Lord’s original
Covenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, despite this, God
desperately sends “his messengers,” the prophets, to warn them and call them
back to Covenant faithfulness. Yet, they mocked and killed the prophets!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking back on history, the writer of Chronicles sees
this moment as a profound turning point as Babylon’s invasion and destruction
of Jerusalem and its Temple is seen as a moment not of eternal punishment but
rather as chastisement, purification, which in the end, when after seventy
years “sitting in the corner to think about it,” he inspires Cyrus, King of the
Persians to lead them back, to rebuild the Temple and restore the Nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s give it another go,” as our British
friends might say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s love never
ceases as time and time again he longs for our salvation. If we come away from
Lent learning nothing else other than God does not give up on us, that would be
powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How might we humans deal with the same situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think most of us would have given up long
before and moved on to someone who might appreciate our efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever love may have been there initially
would have long gone sour through such hurt and disappointment. You sadly hear some
married couples state they fell out of love. Not God and so we see in our other
readings as well. The farther we stray from him, the more he desires to call us
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the Prodigal Son parable
(Luke 15: 11-32), for example. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul in his writing to the Christians of Ephesus speaks
of God as “rich in mercy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He states
that even when we were “dead in our transgressions” God “brought us to life
with Christ – by grace . . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Gospel reflection from John contains the often quoted
and inspiring quote that some sums up the entire Gospel: “God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not
perish but might have eternal life.” Jesus finds himself in a secret conversation with Nicodemus, a well meaning and curious but influential Pharisee, is where the Gospel passage takes place. Nicodemus wants to understand more fully the meaning of Jesus preaching and his use of analogies. He wonders who Jesus is, not unlike any of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If anyone ever experiences judgment and critical comments
about Christianity or why we believers do not walk away considering the state
of evil in the world today, this foundational quote, John 3: 16, is the reason
why we should never abandon God or walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus coming among us was not an opportunity for God to inflict his
final revenge on humanity but rather the ultimate turning point in our
relationship with him. God enfleshed in Jesus his Son, and the sign of the
Cross, is the forever testimony to how far God’s unrestrained love has gone for
our sake. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, the pain of suffering we see and hear about
throughout the world these days, the strong diatribes coming from world
leaders, and the power we have to destroy ourselves is frightening. We all
question “why” God tolerates such things and more personal struggles in our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, even in such dark conditions the Christian message
is consistent and both the Sacred Scriptures and history itself prove to us
that although God is mysterious and distant he is very much in our lives and
personally involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he walked among
us in Jesus he brought hope and promise and made even those moments of struggle
for us meaningful in the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best
answer to “why?” is always the cross of Christ, which was followed not by the
end but the new beginning of the Resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This Sunday we rejoice in God’s overwhelming love for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Eucharist is essentially about
thanksgiving for that Divine love unleashed upon us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are reminded that God indeed does love us
“this much!" -----+-------<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">O God, who through your Word</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">reconciles the human race to yourself</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in a wonderful way, grant, we pray,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that with prompt devotion and eager faith</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">the Christian people may hasten </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">toward the solemn celebrations to come.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">(from the Collect of Mass)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-6545591588394414072024-03-01T14:52:00.000-08:002024-03-02T13:51:14.001-08:00Third Sunday of Lent: God at the core of all that is holy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxOkIj6x3aSuz0wqN1gJQW613Z-dLPqcQY23g4yh3Sii3g-HPaGGmRW9Q7jqo4vCiKF9brbmT0dwiDQE7MEuvyUn3YIzpNkOEllt4FIHWwAJpeEb-i9dIoBb1FGjhuu02PrYuE5loO_l6paoZckZQ8hXZX6gbrM4oiCf3vUGt52i53UY_yUwSugubXRfx/s1000/bartolomeo_manfredi_christ_money_changers_temple.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxOkIj6x3aSuz0wqN1gJQW613Z-dLPqcQY23g4yh3Sii3g-HPaGGmRW9Q7jqo4vCiKF9brbmT0dwiDQE7MEuvyUn3YIzpNkOEllt4FIHWwAJpeEb-i9dIoBb1FGjhuu02PrYuE5loO_l6paoZckZQ8hXZX6gbrM4oiCf3vUGt52i53UY_yUwSugubXRfx/w400-h272/bartolomeo_manfredi_christ_money_changers_temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">(Christ driving the money changers from the Temple:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Bartalomeo Manfredi)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 2:13-25</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324-YearB.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324-YearB.cfm</a></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s an interesting fact about human nature that when we
are told not to do something, we choose to do it.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Typically, children will test the patience of
their parents in this regard.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Teenagers
may think, “Well, why not? I’ve never done this. My friends tell me there’s
nothing wrong and it’s fun.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m not
hurting anyone.” We adults, while pretending to be more enlightened may skirt
around the “shall nots” by creating a kind of compromise or we minimize the
seriousness of an action to avoid taking responsibility or living with guilt.
We sometimes refer jokingly to “catholic guilt” which implies there are many
things, sins, which we can commit and so we rather live with this sense of
burdensome hyper-responsibility.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This Sunday’s readings near the mid-point of Lent bring
to us a clear listing of what we call the Ten Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we only look at the “shall not” part of
the Commandment we may miss their positive force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Gospel we see a somewhat out of character Jesus
cleansing the sacred temple of financial commerce in a forceful display of
prophetic righteousness. In this case, his anger is justified and constructive
rather than a kind of destructive irrational rage. While the exchange of money
to Jewish coins was a necessity for visiting pilgrims to Jerusalem, as was the
purchase of animals for sacrifice, it was not that normal commerce that Jesus
rebelled against. It was rather the place in which it was done. He makes a whip
out of cords and turns over their tables!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s going on? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To the Jews the temple was the most sacred place on
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it was believed God chose to
dwell among his chosen people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
heaven and earth meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here sacred
worship and animal sacrifice is carried out and the people see this place as
the center of all they hold dear in their existence. The money changers, while
providing an essential exchange for the temple tax and animals for sacrifice,
should have been left outside the temple. This bargaining, dishonest at its core, took place in the outer
courtyard, the area of the Gentiles, which was considered sacred ground and
worthy of sanctity in public worship. Yet it is filled with booths and animals
being sold apparently with disregard for its holiness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To get a real-life example of this, would be at the Marian
shrine in Lourdes, France or the Marian shrine in Fatima, Portugal. If you have
been to both or either, you will see the large open areas around the places of
apparition reserved for prayer and procession, while in the city outside this
area, literally across the street, there are multiple religious
goods shops, restaurants, and hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All such venues remain outside the sacred space of the shrine reserved
for only one purpose. To ignore the sacred in favor of the secular is a
violation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such was the Temple situation
in Jesus’ time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Many looked the other way, including religious leaders of
the time, and gave in to the lower temptation of using it for financial
convenience and gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It needed to be purified
and returned to its original purpose as a sacred place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus takes it upon himself to carry out this
forceful symbolic action as coins are scattered, animals flee, and a great
ruckus surely must have been made. His action, though, was more than just irrational rage. Here he claims the Temple, moves to the higher purpose of sacred worship away from animal sacrifice, and now the the sacrifice of his own body on the cross, for the atonement of all sin. The ring of the early prophets must have
been in his ears for they too called the people to right worship and away from idols
and religious compromise. Yet, only Jesus could claim by his own authority, to do such a thing. Nothing he did was empty or meaningless; it all connected to ancient prophecy as a fulfillment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Commandments of God, or the Decalogue (<i>Ten Words)</i> in our reading from Exodus and
this cleansing of the temple by Jesus provide a good Lenten exercise for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the confrontation by the
religious leaders: “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus speaks of
his body, though the reference is lost, as a “temple” that will be raised up
after three days. An obvious reference to the resurrection but his reference
point is greatly significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Body,
his person and faith in him, will be the new place of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ Jesus God abides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who come to him will meet the living
God and be cleansed through his mercy and love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For if the Body of Christ is the new Temple, and his
Spirit dwells in us as Paul reminds us, then it is our person whom Christ will
cleanse with forgiveness and mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can drive out of us all that
is not centered on God and love for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In three ways, the Commandments form our daily life by: 1. honoring God, 2. living well with others, 3. keeping the Sabbath.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Do I love God above all things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he the center of my existence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I keep the Lord’s Day sacred by attending
Mass and by offering charity towards others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do I respect my neighbor’s possessions and family members?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I keep my own body clean as a temple of
God? Do I respect the sanctity of human life in all stages of existence? Am I
honest and trustworthy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I be a
person of integrity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “shall nots”
are in place not for restriction but for freedom. They guide us in containing
our behavior and center us in harmony with God and others as he remains the core
of our lives as we have “no other gods besides me.” They belong to God’s
gracious self-communication with humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We are cleansed by Christ in the sacraments, in our good
works, in sharing with a faith community, and particularly through the Holy
Eucharist that “super abundant” bread for our journey, Christ himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grace is mercy, forgiveness, love and a
powerful “detergent” of grace that calls us to holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In and through the Church Christ is present
in his Body and members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cleansing
grace comes to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The earliest of Christian communities and the preaching
of Paul himself centered on the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no other truth more central than
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this Lent lets allow us to be
cleansed and renewed through the power of Jesus Christ as he enters the temple
of our persons to cleanse and prepare us for new life at Easter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">O God, author of every mercy</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">have shown us a remedy for sin</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">may always be lifted up by your mercy.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who lives and reigns with you</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in the unity of the Holy Spirit, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God, for ever and ever. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">(Collect of Mass)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-56107075953608919732024-02-24T09:03:00.000-08:002024-02-24T09:03:48.102-08:00Second Sunday of Lent: What we do and what God does<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zn0naYZuJc9bXWXRfr-M3TvQTHs2mXcYSSLA5xTRsULErdAcMXCCmBn4mJx-7E4rWk5sXWIPBLXVVFWvmyH0k4TLgKhDRAlb2SHum-q6FfT4c_b1EFkaS9GssKB9R-BmnZGBCN02HBfBFN4nY5fUCOd07C76xkbXV_sjMvASGhBof00AMyGAo_Kn7BgY/s532/abraham-sacrifices-isaac.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zn0naYZuJc9bXWXRfr-M3TvQTHs2mXcYSSLA5xTRsULErdAcMXCCmBn4mJx-7E4rWk5sXWIPBLXVVFWvmyH0k4TLgKhDRAlb2SHum-q6FfT4c_b1EFkaS9GssKB9R-BmnZGBCN02HBfBFN4nY5fUCOd07C76xkbXV_sjMvASGhBof00AMyGAo_Kn7BgY/w289-h320/abraham-sacrifices-isaac.png" width="289" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Mark 9: 2 -10</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">For after he had told the disciples of his coming Death,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">on the holy mountain he manifested</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">to them his glory, to show, </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">even by the testimony of the law and the prophets,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that the Passion leads to the glory of the Resurrection.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;">(From the Preface for 2nd Sunday of Lent)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">This second
Sunday of Lent opens with a risky test that God offered to Abraham. Neither God
nor Abraham knew how this would turn out in the sense that God awaited
Abraham’s response to his disturbing request: “Take your son, Isaac, your only
one, whom you love, and . . . offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I
will point out to you.” This was not metaphorical language but what God was
requesting of Abraham he meant, at least as we hear in the opening, as a test of Abraham's faith and loyalty. Yet, what an upsetting test indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">God’s test of
Abraham in requesting that this faithful older man slay his only son as a burnt
offering, a human sacrifice, which is repulsive on first blush. How can God be serious about such a request? God had given Abraham the son he and Sarah
longed for all their married life and now God seeks that Abraham return him. Abraham and Sarah a very old, near the end of their lives, and Isaac's presence has only brought them joy and gratitude. He was their promised heir. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">Abraham, seemingly without question, obeys God's command. Although we are not given any insight into his fatherly heart, surely he was deeply conflicted but carried on. At the very last second, the messenger of God stops him and reminds Abraham that this "test" was pleasing to God for Abraham's single minded devotion to God's outlandish command. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">He passed the disturbing test and God rewarded his heroic trust. In fact, God rewards Abraham abundantly, in a
sense out of balance with Abraham’s obedience.
Not only does he reward him, but God also goes beyond and grants him an
eternal memorial, makes his descendants countless as “the stars in the sky and
sands of the seashore.!” What Abraham did and what God does in response should
give us all pause to examine our own life considering what this extraordinary
man did. God’s overwhelming generosity and abundance we know did not end with
Abraham but carried on in the ministry of Jesus. What Jesus does, God does. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">Abraham and
Isaac foreshadow the even greater sacrifice of Jesus on the cross who went
willingly to that sacrifice and carried out his own Father’s will for the
salvation of humanity. Our second reading from Romans reminds us: "He who
did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all” compels us to believe
that, as Paul states, God is truly “for us.” In response to our sin, what we
did, God answers by providing his Son who takes upon himself our guilt, nails
it to the cross, and grants us the promise of eternity in the resurrection. What God does is far beyond what we can do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">In the Gospel
story of the transfiguration Jesus appears in divine glory with Moses and
Elijah and prepares Peter, James and John for the scandal of the
cross. Both the story of Abraham and the
vision of the transfiguration of Jesus are vivid biblical events of faith and
trust and an example to us in this season of personal renewal and conversion
that may test our faith, or lack thereof. God sent his Son in our nature who
sacrificed himself out of overwhelming love for the salvation of humanity; a
truth we cannot ignore. In Jesus appearance with Moses and Elijah, the sacred Law and the ancient prophetic voices, remind us that our salvation was a plan of God since the beginning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">At the sin of our first parents, God already plotted that he will save humanity. The whole ancient Covenant with Abraham in the desert and Moses on Mt. Sinai, along with the voices of the prophets before the coming of Christ, all were calling us to prepare for the only Son of the Father, God himself, who would come to rescue us. In this Lenten season, as we journey towards Holy Week, we are reminded today of this profound truth, as these three privileged Apostles were before the dramatic days of Jesus capture, suffering, death and resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">So, what may
be testing our own faith; our trust in God so starkly shown us in Abraham?
Was God clear with Abraham in the original promise he made? Abram had no idea
how far God would test him but nonetheless trusted in his promises. Such unabashed pure faith is our call as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">Was Mary
given a clear plan of direction when the Angel Gabriel requested she be the
human mother of the Son of God? Was Joseph given satisfaction that Mary was
truly pregnant through divine intervention?
No to all three questions yet they trusted in what God asked of them,
regardless of clarity. The same is true for us when our own faith is
tested. To walk by faith and not by sight
is St. Paul’s advice and to allow God to do what he does for what he does is
far more than what we may expect. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">So, in Lent,
prayer, fasting and offering acts of charity towards others are the classic
ways for us to prepare for the Lord’s sacrifice but also remind us of our
ultimate destiny. That we too must
sacrifice ourselves ultimately at the end of this life and will need to let go
of everything and surrender ourselves to God’s extravagant love and mercy. God's covenant with us is his promise of mercy and forgiveness for those who sincerely seek it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;">Our gathering
at the Eucharist is the fruit of Jesus’ obedience to his Father’s will. He gave his life for us and now offers his
body and blood as our food in this journey of life and tests our loyalty to
him. May the grace of this season
overwhelm us with confidence in the word of God made flesh as we too surrender
our very selves with an Abrahamic obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-73399402825053672662024-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:002024-02-17T14:15:28.530-08:00First Sunday of Lent: the world, the flesh and the devil<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEIu7vxuWeHRNG4NYYs3h_dB8BLcw-tKmF-It0ERG1Zh3WdA_vVIKnrpz4Tf6X6M4bGBLbk_KvHPoLCx_e7KDhJtvY-Q_SQfR94x_wktn2zVXS0IFiPCZbtzRIG8EZWvPgU0hWeoXfHhnDlVVL2djysbrMASS4rcv4ZjLXGDXTrHKWzcP3H5Ux2vp-2rr/s474/OIF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEIu7vxuWeHRNG4NYYs3h_dB8BLcw-tKmF-It0ERG1Zh3WdA_vVIKnrpz4Tf6X6M4bGBLbk_KvHPoLCx_e7KDhJtvY-Q_SQfR94x_wktn2zVXS0IFiPCZbtzRIG8EZWvPgU0hWeoXfHhnDlVVL2djysbrMASS4rcv4ZjLXGDXTrHKWzcP3H5Ux2vp-2rr/w400-h225/OIF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan</span></div></i><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>Mark 1: 12-15</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.cfm</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">May bountiful blessing, O Lord, we pray,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">come down upon your people,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that hope may grow in tribulation,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">virtue be strengthened in temptation,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and eternal redemption be assured.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through Christ our Lord.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;">(Prayer over the People)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With a very brief mention in our Gospel, Mark relates to
us the desert experience of Jesus immediately after his baptism by John in the
Jordan river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the extended more
detailed and frankly more interesting narrative of the same event by Luke and
Matthew, Mark nonetheless offers us only a mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew (4: 1-11) and Luke (4: 1-13) fill in
the details by telling us of the three temptations, Jesus’ dialogue with Satan,
Our Lord’s steadfast resistance to all three, and the devil’s intent to return
another time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can only imagine that
Satan was perplexed by Jesus, not quite understanding what his mission was all
about initially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, we do know that Jesus was in a battle; a war as it
were with the forces of evil and Satan himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His whole mission was to defeat Satan and gain back final victory over
sin and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lent leads us to share in
the Paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Christ, and to come out
victorious at the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Resurrection of Jesus is the grand exclamation point in which God wins and
forever extends to us new hope and promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That the final word is no longer death and despair but now life and
eternity in heaven for those who are faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite all that “good news,” we still know that we
inhabit a broken world and share a broken human nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final victory is yet to come when the
power of evil is destroyed and God’ kingdom will triumph at the end of all time
in the resurrection of the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the meantime, the daily confrontation with the powers
of darkness continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we are
marked for Christ in baptism, we bear his likeness, we are enemies of the demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their whole existence is to cause division,
lies, discouragement and lead us away from Christ. Yet, with the power of God
we too can overcome sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus own
temptation in the desert is to not only establish his superiority but to assure
us that in times of temptation, times when distortion and pride tempt us, we
can turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. The words spoken as ashes
were imposed on our foreheads just a few days ago, are reminders to us of our
mission as disciples of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
to “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How are we tempted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The longer versions of Jesus’ temptation teach us as principally in
three ways:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the world, the flesh, and by
the devil. These three ways are not new but present to us three areas where we
should be aware.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The world: as temptation to pride and power, to riches
and authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was shown all the
kingdoms of the world by Satan and tempted to abandon his mission rather than
suffer the humiliation of the cross. He resisted and did the Father’s will out
of love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The flesh: to satisfy the sensual desires of our bodies
without regard for self-discipline and our proper dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was tempted to turn stones to bread to
satisfy his hunger which must have been very great at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He resisted, knowing that life and his
mission was about more than momentary pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He was taken up to the high point of the Temple and tempted to test God by throwing himself down and daring the Father to send angels to rescue him. Jesus answer was that one does not defy God and presume on his grace as if God was at our command. Honestly as well, God has given us a free will to choose or to not choose him. So many of the problems of our lives often are traced back to our bad choices and not something God has inflicted upon us. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The devil seeks to deceive us, lie to us, for he is the enemy of </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">all that is good, holy, true and beautiful. Rather than to carry our cross along the way with Christ, he would rather we abandon our call as sons and daughters of
Christ and selfishly seek our own way.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">While life is indeed a beautiful thing, a gift from our
Creator, we know that we are weak, in need of a Savior, and to stay on the
mark Christ has shown us, protects us from doubt and fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jesus, I trust in you” is a simple way, I
think, to resist temptation in its initial beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This Lent, pray more, be more generous and less
selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of others before yourself
and offer the sacrifice of time for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go without for a change and offer that sacrifice for those whose lives
are surrounded by false idols of wealth, pleasure and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Much to reflect on this holy season as we accompany each
other in the way of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world,
the flesh and the devil: be aware but overall place your faith in the Lord and
be faithful to the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-43129455050728724782024-02-13T15:50:00.000-08:002024-02-14T14:56:11.906-08:00Lent: ethics, morals and conversion<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-QFzHHaO1Gvh9e-2PnlBaK43tqJ2hHo8_S5T1w474gXzE7bvZNQ71RaYxGlde7q0px_NpxR_3ObVmeXnimVE_ye1RevZ7w-uc-f9Wri4kbKcwlngRgxfE0U8e0czCJ5f6PvInzUT7taRVs595534q0LRIXPfYKdrPUMCbx7OuuHGM3aMP_qGT9VpujlV/s509/istockphoto-1368306068-170667a.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-QFzHHaO1Gvh9e-2PnlBaK43tqJ2hHo8_S5T1w474gXzE7bvZNQ71RaYxGlde7q0px_NpxR_3ObVmeXnimVE_ye1RevZ7w-uc-f9Wri4kbKcwlngRgxfE0U8e0czCJ5f6PvInzUT7taRVs595534q0LRIXPfYKdrPUMCbx7OuuHGM3aMP_qGT9VpujlV/s320/istockphoto-1368306068-170667a.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."</i></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, it snuck up on us, Ash Wednesday that is, which this year just coincidentally happens to fall on a day for love, especially the renewal of love and commitment found in married life. The 14th is normally a day of traditional romance, hearts, flowers, chocolate candies, dinner out, etc. </div><p></p><p>While that secular holiday may have a very personal place in the life of many, it has nothing to do with Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. There is nothing especially romantic about ashes! So, I've recommended to couples they go out on the 13th, reservations likely easier, or the 15th. No point in giving chocolates on the 14th since you can't eat them anyway due to the Lenten fast and abstinence requirement for that day. Yet, fear not. Next year Ash Wednesday is not until March 5th with Easter in later April, everything shifts to about three weeks later next year. </p><p>We enter this annual holy and graced season this Wednesday in the same spirit as our fellow Christians have done for centuries going back to the early Church. While prayer and fasting remains an ancient and constant practice of self-discipline in both Christian, Jewish, Moslem and religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, for us it holds particular significance in light of the focus on our participation in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ as we anticipate that joyful season in about six weeks. </p><p>Common to all of these religions is the universal theme of self transformation. While there may be different perspectives on that important way, for us Christians it is centered both on our moral conversion and on our spiritual openness to rid ourselves of sin and sinful attachments in order to make room for all that is holy and transformative in the way Jesus Christ has presented to us. It is essentially a way of Gospel conversion. </p><p>From the Ordo (a small book used daily by priests as a liturgical and prayer guide for the Church year), Lent has two parts. The scripture readings of the <b>first </b>three weeks center around our need to begin anew by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving and the universal call to holiness of life. Meaning, how am I doing on the way of a disciple of Jesus? Does my life, both private and public, reflect the way Christ has shown me?</p><p>The readings for the <b>second</b> half of Lent, taken from the Gospel of John, present Jesus as the healer and life giver and as the one who confronted death in order that we might live. One part is centered more on our ethical and moral examination and the second half remains centered on Christ himself as the one who sets us free and brings us the good news of God's love. As the Ordo states: "John presents Jesus as the Savior, but Jesus can only save those who know their need for salvation. Confronted with our sickness and powerlessness, we pray for our salvation."</p><p>I personally find that both daunting and joyful. It's not easy to admit that I may not be as decent as I think I am, at least not completely, and that maybe its more my pride or stubborn unwillingness to acknowledge that I am in need of a savior, I cannot save myself. Only the grace of God which is pure gift can bring me to this point. </p><p>So Lent, at least to me, may seem somewhat tedious at times due to the lack of a "feel good" moment. There is a tangible focus on my imperfections yet also balanced by knowing that God knows we are not perfect. Any sincere struggle with sin coupled with a deep desire to stay centered on Christ, despite those time when I fall, I think is seen by God as a path to holiness. This is why the cross is seen as the "trade mark" or the "brand" of Christianity. </p><p>Nothing good ever came about without a death and a resurrection. As enter this holy season, let's not become so self-centered with some sort of navel gazing attitude but rather recognize the goodness of all around us and with grateful hearts, support one another in our common call to live better Christ centered lives. Take advantage of what your parish may be offering this Lent as special Lenten prayer practices such as stations of the cross and going to confession regardless of how long it has been. Why not attend daily Mass one or two days each week, etc. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"<i>We adore you O Christ and we bless you,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world"</span> </i></p><p> </p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-43153399625234059442024-02-10T10:22:00.000-08:002024-02-10T13:01:39.399-08:006th Sunday : from isolation to restoration - the work of healers. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AudfXLhSNPpI_xNMs4n0_HLMcoTtccZBPrTWXAnz6SyB3pznrNaTRDDoEczZwReYDJ626O-Uh0uXqg5VN_n7FS0i2TFKqgZALGVnYosdP-Uk2DMG8zTdvdSW0BiOw4dPesJLMR0Tn1RPI9RvJ6HOkDuiWfso6kvmeAF5CAw_ch44B8OcBOblqa2Io07C/s1024/Jesus-heals-the-leper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AudfXLhSNPpI_xNMs4n0_HLMcoTtccZBPrTWXAnz6SyB3pznrNaTRDDoEczZwReYDJ626O-Uh0uXqg5VN_n7FS0i2TFKqgZALGVnYosdP-Uk2DMG8zTdvdSW0BiOw4dPesJLMR0Tn1RPI9RvJ6HOkDuiWfso6kvmeAF5CAw_ch44B8OcBOblqa2Io07C/w400-h300/Jesus-heals-the-leper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand"</i></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mark 1: 40-45</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord, our God, you sent your Son into the world to bear our infirmities</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and to endure our sufferings. Heal your servants who are sick,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that your blessing will give them strength to overcome weakness</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">through the power of patience and the comfort of hope</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and that with your aid they will soon be restored to health.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We ask this through Christ our Lord.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Book of Blessings: blessing of the sick)</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of
the greatest social problems we have today is the very real experience of human
isolation, especially among our youth, it may even be identified as a social </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">leprosy. The<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> almost obsessive use of social media
as a means of communication has created both positive fruit and also has been
found down right dangerous in extreme cases.
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Those who pose on your personal page may or may not be who they present
themselves to be. One may have allegedly thousands of “friends” who are nothing
more than strangers one may never meet in person.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Building up expectations in artificial communication
distorts the real purpose of human interaction.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I know
that many use such means to communicate with family and friends but when this
means of sharing becomes the sole way, it may be well classified as addictive
behavior. Who has not seen a family sitting in a restaurant around a table with
everyone’s face in their phone. As we
wait in a doctor’s office, in the bank, in the airport, etc what do we do? Open the phone, stare and pass the time despite
thousands of fellow humans around me. The rise in teen suicide is a very
troubling statistic. The old motto for a
large phone company, “reach out and touch someone,” may well be wiser than we
think. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In
this Sunday’s Gospel again from the first chapter of Mark, we find Jesus
expressing himself in a powerful means of human communication. As a man with leprosy approaches him,
astounding in itself since such a condition forbade lepers from approaching anyone
so closely, this man kneels in a posture of adoration and desperation. He pleads with Jesus that his leprosy be
healed: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Undeniable proof of the man’s
faith in Jesus and deeply compelling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jesus
reaches out and touches the man seeing him not as a person with a repulsive
disease but as a child of God who is suffering greatly both physically and
socially. What Jesus did in making human contact was equally forbidden for no
one was permitted to touch a leper.
Since this unfortunate disease was seen as a sign of punishment for some
great sin, those who would touch him would render themselves unclean, forbidden
to travel in social circles and be banished from public interaction with
everyone, even one’s family members. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Both
Jesus and the man are lawbreakers! Yet, in the face of human suffering such a
law has no power. What does Jesus
do? He acts out of compassion, pity, for
this man, identifies with the pain he is experiencing, and in response to the
man’s faith, touches him and instantly restores him to perfect health. What healed the man? Was it Jesus’ power, yes, but even more it
was the love he showed for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
is love that heals, a love rooted in Christ that flows from him to bind up and
have such a positive effect as to transform this man’s life forever. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Yet,
one caution that Jesus gives him – Don’t tell anyone I did this. Strange in a sense. He advises him to follow the expected ritual
spelled out in Leviticus in the sacred Torah. We heard of this in our first
reading. The priest will officially
declare the man clean or unclean and allow him back into the worshiping
community, back to social life and Temple worship. Why would Jesus warn him “sternly” not to
tell anyone and did he really believe the man would keep quiet about this
astounding event? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Certainly,
our Lord did not want crowds amassing around him simply to be healed. He is not a healer only nor some ancient
magician and until his mission is completed with his death and resurrection, he
must remain somewhat a mystery. He is
Lord and savior who has come to rescue us from the grip of sin and death. He is the preacher “par excellence.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Yet,
despite all this the man ignores Jesus’ warning and does exactly the opposite,
another law broken? No, the healed one becomes
a true evangelist. He cannot contain himself for he has come to see in Jesus
the God of Israel who has worked in and through him. What was done for him, may be done for all
who come to our Lord. And, the crowds
continued to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How
can we continue to become healers in our own right? Through love for others, we can truly reach
out and touch those around us. Through
our caring, compassion, through our personal encounter with the Lord in the
eucharist which sends us out as disciples on mission. Who is a leper near you? What are the signs of leprosy in our society
today? What member of your family or
your circle of friends may need a touch of compassion, forgiveness, or a
hospital visit? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As
we are about to begin the penitential graced season of Lent this Wednesday, may
we recognize the distortion of sin within our own hearts, our own burden of
uncleanness. God continues to heal the broken hearted and in the sacrament of
confession we are touched by Christ through the priest and healed within,
restored to the community as one who has experienced this pity of the
Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">May
we be true healers to all around us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b> </p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-47545289757397636772024-02-02T11:50:00.000-08:002024-02-03T12:26:42.411-08:005th Sunday: Jesus the Divine physician<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1fK-O7uxcAaF_pLgAM9F4UeQvVkF6nGWk1lrVG8yGzuwT3YpPIMeaTUZREAz-owo11aRYccUF9dUk7n5S148D9RYgvhxuDzx2u260GUcVIcC8t8qQHNgPkY-AA5Hap2ryiN4uSCyNloeifZDe-8iNGAyvisPsn9MslJywVjAWe5FgaarlRmu2ITiOWbv/s587/Peter_Mother-in-law1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="587" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1fK-O7uxcAaF_pLgAM9F4UeQvVkF6nGWk1lrVG8yGzuwT3YpPIMeaTUZREAz-owo11aRYccUF9dUk7n5S148D9RYgvhxuDzx2u260GUcVIcC8t8qQHNgPkY-AA5Hap2ryiN4uSCyNloeifZDe-8iNGAyvisPsn9MslJywVjAWe5FgaarlRmu2ITiOWbv/w400-h248/Peter_Mother-in-law1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">"<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>He grasped her hand and helped her up"</i></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mark 1: 29-39</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It is an interesting, verified
fact that Pope Pius XII who had the unfortunate fate of being elected during a
very dark time in world history, was convinced that Adolf Hitler was possessed
by Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The level of destruction, violence
and hatred that Hitler encouraged would indicate this strongly, as was true in
the case of Stalin and other ruthless dictators during the Second World War. I personally wonder about some of the same today. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">That being so Pope Pius is
alleged to have attempted the rite of exorcism from Rome, facing Berlin, over
Hitler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, he did so repeatedly
but it seems to have not had an immediate effect. There may be specific reasons
for this, according to professional exorcists, but it is one example of this
dark power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a reason why the
Church reminds us about sin and temptation by naming three sources of
temptation: the world, the flesh and the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We live in an imperfect world, flawed through human weakness but there
is still much reason for hope. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Christ has overcome this power
of darkness, and his death and resurrection is the key to that success and to
our salvation. In Christ there is only light and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Gospel this Sunday and the scene in the
synagogue at Capernaum is one such example.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Here we find Jesus in the
ministry of healing, exorcism and preaching which Mark indicates that our Lord
was very busy about such things daily. In fact, it seems that Mark here
presents Jesus not only as exorcist, which we saw in previous Sunday Gospels
but now as the Divine Physician who heals even the most ordinary conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, God cares not only about the big
things but also the small. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jesus comes as healer as he
compassionately reaches out to Peter’s mother-in-law who was likely a widow
considering her living in Peter’s house. Jesus, “grasped her hand, and helped
her up” as the fever left her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
heard of this and as the Sabbath day ended after sunset, the whole town was
gathered at the door with the sick and desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cured many and drove out demons. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">While we may be tempted to look
more critically at this through the eyes of modern medical science as in
dismissing what was thought to be demonic possession but were symptoms of a
medical condition. However, the Gospels many times emphasize Jesus’
confrontations with the forces of darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The time in which our Lord
lived was a dark age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the force of
ruthless Rome whose heavy hand kept the population under control, the poverty
that most lived in, and all around indications of disease and ineffective ways
to heal, the ability of Christ to bring hope and healing became a powerful
force for optimism. It is no wonder that once the word got out about Simon’s mother-in-law,
the whole town desperately gathered at the door of the place where Jesus was,
pleading for his help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our first reading from the Book
of Job while poor Job laments his human condition as hopeless sets up a kind of
backdrop for what Jesus found in the social conditions of his time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Gospel passage further
tells us that as Jesus went off to pray, Simon Peter and others pursue Jesus
stating: “Everyone is looking for you.” While we imagine that the compassion of
Jesus had no limits it still indicates as our Lord says, “Let us go to the
nearby villages that I may preach there also” that his mission was greater than
one location or simply to work healings all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued to preach the good news and
drive out other demons throughout Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here Mark shows a kind of frenetic Jesus who wasted no time in the
active fulfillment of his daily ministry yet, the time for personal prayer
alone was paramount to Jesus’ mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a good lesson for all of us as to the absolute importance of our regular
encounter with God, our time for daily prayer. It brings forward to us the
importance of this practice for those who live very busy lives; lives that
often can be distracting and disjointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The very nature of our faith is
to be sent out on the mission Christ has given to his Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this in everything the Church does,
and Pope Francis has made it clear that we cannot be a Church closed in on
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What God has done for humanity
is sending his Son must be known by the world and like Jesus in the Gospel
today we move out and “go to the nearby villages.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For most of us, for myself as
priest, we begin here at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Going
out” may mean my own family and extended family, our neighbors, those we know
who have left the Church, those we work with, those in our classrooms and even
something as simple as prayer before a meal in a restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can evangelize in both silent witness and
in our behavior and words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might mean
developing a more active and focused prayer and sacramental life or renewing my
commitment in your marriage or other vocation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How can I combat evil that I
see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I live a life of virtue
that is an example to others of who I say I am?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus’ ministry of a preacher and healer is the mission we are called to
where we find ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can forgive
rather than seek pay back; I can love rather than hate; be honest rather than
try to hide something. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">May Jesus be our model as we
all share as loyal sons and daughters in the life, he has gained for us. As the
late Pope Benedict XVI said: “<i>The Church does three things – prays, serves
the poor, and evangelizes.”</i> Our privilege is to share in that mission. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Peace to you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Keep your family safe, O Lord,
with unfailing care,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">that, relying solely on the
hope of heavenly grace,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">they may be defended always by
your protection. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">your Son<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">who lives and reigns with you<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">one God for ever and ever. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(Collect of Mass)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-85227191764815213902024-01-27T09:41:00.000-08:002024-01-27T11:49:11.289-08:004th Sunday - "What is this?"<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzd31tTMr8dSJQWgwuu9Roml524JtJsElLom0-zo1XifDQSysQ0WrcbcWkTBke6q2ZfCrx_o_CgEtX35kH0X0IeRH5nRiFDWq_d0HABxb3U3nybOMZ6uT6sl5TsdckSx7_taQXbcZ8c2SJ24s-KegckcPs5ayfiDu7HBBaD7kCYmULZcZaj7XsTrpkJbb/s637/R.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="637" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzd31tTMr8dSJQWgwuu9Roml524JtJsElLom0-zo1XifDQSysQ0WrcbcWkTBke6q2ZfCrx_o_CgEtX35kH0X0IeRH5nRiFDWq_d0HABxb3U3nybOMZ6uT6sl5TsdckSx7_taQXbcZ8c2SJ24s-KegckcPs5ayfiDu7HBBaD7kCYmULZcZaj7XsTrpkJbb/w400-h226/R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">He taught with authority </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mark 1: 21-28</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012824.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012824.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is a well-known fact that our third President, Thomas
Jefferson, was a rationalist, that is centered on reason as the determiner of
truth. He was a theist believing that a benevolent
God was owed the praise of humans. Yet,
those beliefs developed over time. He was a brilliant man, a kind of historian
and philosopher, who also claimed to be a Christian of sorts. Yet, being a
product of the Enlightenment, he was not especially fond of the supernatural,
of faith or the miraculous. In fact, he
dismissed the miraculous quite openly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Nonetheless, he had great admiration for the moral
teaching of Jesus. So, he decided to
collect various English translations of the New Testament and quite literally
did a cut and paste job using a sharp knife and placed the life of Jesus in a
more coherent chronological order. In
addition, he eliminated all references to the miraculous from the Gospels. So, no walking on water, feeding of the
thousands, healing of the blind or leprous, no exorcisms and certainly no
resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, he constructed what has been called the Jefferson
Bible entitled: “<i>The life and morals of Jesus of Nazareth.</i>” It was published in
1820.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus was essentially reduced by Jefferson to nothing
more than an inspiring moral teacher. A
kind of wise sage whose philosophy of life provided a solid guide for right
moral living. According to
Jefferson’s reconstruction, Jesus did nothing except teach from the mountaintop
as it were, now locked in time and space. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In our Gospel this Sunday, however, we cannot deny that
we see another Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth. It is very much a teacher, yes, and an
impressive one who teaches with a unique authority which deeply moved the
congregation. There was evidently a particular charisma around Jesus that those
who heard him were “astonished" by what seemed to be a unique authority about
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Typical rabbinical teaching would always make reference
to previous teachers: “Rabbi Gamaliel said this . . . Rabbi Ruben said this . . . and I say such
and such” for example. No rabbi would claim to be speaking on his own
authority. Yet, Jesus spoke with such
authoritative certainty that it left the crowds deeply impressed and his honor
spread quickly. Thomas Jefferson would likely have approved of this Jesus as
well. But Jesus’ authority is claimed to be that of God himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our first reading from Deuteronomy helps to support this
as we hear Moses speak to the people: “A prophet like me will the Lord, your
God, raise up . . . to him you shall listen.” Our Christian tradition makes a
clear connection, then, between this prophecy of Moses, the greatest reference
point for all Jewish authority and teaching, as being fulfilled in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Then a surprise rises in the synagogue as the scene is
quickly interrupted by a man who screeches out, “What have you to do with us,
Jesus of Nazareth?” This is no mere
objection to what Jesus may have been teaching. It is a direct challenge by a
darker spirit to Jesus’ authority and mission. One can only imagine the ruckus
that suddenly took place. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">At this moment Jesus is more than a mere brilliant and
insightful commentator. He commands the
powers of evil in this man, an “unclean spirit” to come out. The man convulses
and the evil spirit is leaves him. Both frightening and impressive. At his word
alone even, demons flee. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Now both teacher and exorcist overcome the crowd who
states: “What is this? A new teaching . . . and he commands unclean spirits and
they obey him.” The Jesus we see is one
who commands our homage and our full response.
It is the full Jesus of faith which gives Christianity its legitimacy
and our lives hope as we place our trust in a God who has entered our lives and
taken charge to heal the broken, offer mercy to the sinner, confront the
ungodly and the dark forces that desire to break us and tear us away from him.
We mighty even say to the dark spirit who questioned, “have you come to destroy
us?” The answer is “Yes!” Jesus whole mission was to bind up and free humankind
from the forces of darkness, and particularly the hopelessness of death. He established the power of forgiveness that
we may know we need not be caught in sin but be free to become true children of
light as God’s beloved sons and daughters. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Is this the Jesus you follow and believe in? Or is the image of Jefferson more compatible
with your lifestyle? Is the Jesus of
comfort and good advice one that has become Lord of our lives or can we walk
the way of true discipleship?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In his preaching today, Mark opens his Gospel with a
Jesus who challenges us and calls us to deep conversion of life: “The kingdom
of God is at hand. Repent, and believe
in the gospel.” We cannot divorce this
proclamation from what happened next in that synagogue on that Saturday
centuries ago. His preaching was nothing less than the announcement that God
has come in power to rescue his people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His power then, his presence remains here among us as
well. The coming of Christ was not just
a moment in history but the beginning of God’s action to reverse and heal the
effects of sin in a broken world. The message of the Gospel has a power of its
own to transform lives in Christ and we are called to share that
"power" as we become a light in the world. He overcomes evil by the establishment of a
new community of grace, baptized into his community, made holy by the
sacraments and sent on mission to proclaim the good news. The Church, the Body of Christ living and
active in this world is a force for good in opposition to the kingdom of Satan.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">While that community is not perfect and in constant need
of reform, we should not be shocked by the sin we may see in its members and
leaders. But the mercy of God is
available to us in prayer and sacrament which calls us to always look to
ourselves before we cast judgement on others.
At our gathering before the Lord’s table, we are both in the presence of
this authoritative teacher in his word and fed by the food of Christ himself as
the miraculous enters our lives in quiet but transforming ways. Jesus is no mere Jeffersonian philosopher he
is God among us who enters our lives and calls us each to a higher holiness in
our self-less service to one another after his own example. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Grant us, Lord our God,<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>that we may honor you with all our mind,<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and love everyone in truth of heart.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>who lives and reigns with you<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>in the unity of the Holy Spirit, <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>God for ever and ever.</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-40348194839630047552024-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:002024-01-20T12:13:10.909-08:003rd Sunday - "Come after me"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v9VnipoFVobJrMlzV-ueCXrazF01kWw3r8zEKfkYvzw6Sz12bE8rXPaf-s0eaFVg_x9dwTfjEtf8HpD8_4Cd-m442Xvn611CWtCvcXxlq3JUKxDnXm82LI4L-vszxcGg3ckrbA7TQp-01s0IrqUfsP-ojj5eDEOmC4UXRhkUFGEtY-jdhC8xhuAMT1jZ/s5181/cassiano-psomas-C6aNNakl7ok-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3454" data-original-width="5181" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v9VnipoFVobJrMlzV-ueCXrazF01kWw3r8zEKfkYvzw6Sz12bE8rXPaf-s0eaFVg_x9dwTfjEtf8HpD8_4Cd-m442Xvn611CWtCvcXxlq3JUKxDnXm82LI4L-vszxcGg3ckrbA7TQp-01s0IrqUfsP-ojj5eDEOmC4UXRhkUFGEtY-jdhC8xhuAMT1jZ/w640-h426/cassiano-psomas-C6aNNakl7ok-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">(Cassiano-Psomas on Unsplash)</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"I will make you fishers of men"<br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 1: 14-20</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012124.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012124.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Anyone who has ever fished whether in rivers, lakes or
the ocean knows that above all you need to have patience and
determination.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My earliest memories of
fishing as a child go back to family vacations when we would take a boat out on
the lake, set a worm on a hook, attach the bobber and wait, and wait, and wait
for a bite.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Fishing is like the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all the preparation you may make in
the end, there is nothing you can do beyond that except wait for the outcome.
You rely on greater power for protection and even for guidance of what would be
the next step to take. Not unlike the call of the early disciples to follow
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This weekend as we continue our journey reflecting on
discipleship with the Lord, we hear of both a reluctant prophet by the name of
Jonah and the call and response of the first disciples of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Sunday, it was John the Baptist who sent
his disciples over to Jesus to follow him as “Lamb of God.” This week we hear
of Mark’s version of the call to fishermen on the Sea of Galilee to, “Come
after me, and I will make you <i>fishers of men</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">These are the first words we hear from Jesus in the
Gospel of Mark. The call to reform and conversion was the heart of all that
Jesus said and did and certainly set the tone of his mission. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, I would suppose these early disciples of Jesus were
not really looking for another trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These were fishermen by trade and obviously skilled at what they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were trying to carve out a living in a
common trade along the lake of Galilee and were likely doing well by ancient
standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What amazes us, then, is how they responded so quickly:
“So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and
followed him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some brief history may
help us understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus came preaching in what appears to be the same theme
as John the Baptist but with one important difference. He did not point the way
to another but to himself: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God
is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” The time is now and is here with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, his call was both immediate and
a look to the future. But he implied more than just, “Drop what you’re doing,
and I’ll show you a better fishing hole.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">News traveled fast in the ancient world and preachers
were common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jewish sensibility was
tuned in to end times prophecy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
believed that the occupation of ancient Israel by the Romans was the last such
event and the next to happen was the kingdom of God which would now replace all
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From the occupation of Israel by the Assyrians to the
Babylonians, to the Romans, and now God will come in these end times and
establish his kingdom on earth. The Messiah would set his power and make the
nation of Israel a mighty force on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To hear Jesus, then, proclaim that the “kingdom of God is at hand,” and
to see his power over nature must have created an irresistible attraction and
hope for the ancient people and for these early disciples as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Remember that Jesus had moved down to Capernaum by the
Sea in a very different environment than tiny Nazareth and his reputation by
now had begun to spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Jesus
begins to form a kind of band of followers, disciples of a master teacher but
calls them to a major disruption in their familiar lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There is evidence that these two sets of brothers of
Andrew, Simon, James and John were in fact pious Jews and disciples of John the
Baptist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once John had been arrested,
where our Gospel begins, they retreat to Galilee from the desert in the south
where John was preaching and he had pointed out Jesus to them as the Lamb of
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, is it likely they were not
total strangers to Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had they met
him before in some context?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps.
Now, from the Lamb comes a call to follow him and so they are tuned in and
ready, even eager to respond, and so they do to his invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Jesus will continue the theme the
baptizer set and fulfill more than they could have imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It is also good to know that Jesus entered not from
clouds but in the ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
normal task of their lives, Jesus met them along the lake and recognized their
useful skills that could now be applied to a new “fishing” trade. He cast out
the invitation and patiently waited for their bite. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Our first reading this Sunday even more emphasizes the
impact when one hears the Lord’s call and responds – or at first maybe
resists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonah, the reluctant prophet
who first tried to run away from the Lord and found himself cast overboard from
a ship and swallowed by a large fish now accepts the call to preach to the
pagan Ninevites whose reputation was far from virtuous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To Jonah’s surprise and bewilderment before God, the
pagan Ninevites repent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them
including the animals too, showed signs of contrition and “. . . God repented
of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.”
God’s call is not only patient for our response, but he is likewise merciful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And that remains the bottom line of our call to
discipleship – conversion of heart and a new direction with the Lord. In our
independent and feel-good culture this is not an easy process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a time where everyone receives
acclamations for anything they do, in order not to feel bad, the call to
recognize my limitations, sin and imperfections is not attractive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the early disciples, Jesus proposed the
same process in his invitation to now go fishing no longer for simple fish but
for ever greater prizes – the souls of men and women turned to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God enters our boats or calls to us in numerous ways. He
calls us to a new direction, a better way of life but it demands personal
sacrifice for the sake of a higher good. The present day uncertainty about the
direction of our culture demand that we followers of the Lord
be a sign of light and hope in the midst of trends that are clearly not of God:
the dismissal and casualness of human life, especially the unborn, the
suffering of immigrants unjustly treated, the poverty of those who through no
fault of their own are deprived of basic human needs, the forgotten in prison,
the division of racism and economic disparity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The confusion of gender in the human person, the endless tension and violence of war, etc. However, if we’re
always looking for the spectacular or expecting some vision or voice calling
us, we may be greatly disappointed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Simon, Andrew, James and John responded to the bait that
Jesus cast out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their ordinary lives
where the Lord met them were about to begin an extraordinary journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> But they too needed to change from one way to a greater way now that they had encountered Christ. For God loves us too much to let us remain as we are; he calls us to a higher way.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Fishing for people has become for us an
undeniable image of discipleship. What it means to follow Jesus in the ordinary
of our lives is to engage in the same process. As we gather each Sunday in the
Lord’s presence, to break open his word and to share in the sacrifice he has
made for us and to share in his living presence in the food he feeds us, we
find strength to follow the call as we hear it. Missionary disciples as we are
reminded to live out and mission that Christ has entrusted to all who will
follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Where has God set out a line hoping to find a
good catch? And ultimately what skills can I bring as a disciple of the Lord to
assist in the basic missionary call to go and fish for others?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i>Almighty ever-living God, </i></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>direct our actions according to</i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>your good pleasure, </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>that in the name of your beloved Son</i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>we may abound in good works.</i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Through our Lord Jesus Christ, </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>your Son, who lives and reigns</i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>God, for ever and ever. </i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Collect of Mass) </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-39226824708094309302024-01-13T11:32:00.000-08:002024-01-13T15:15:32.052-08:002nd Sunday: The new way of Christ<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBT6xhJjeemaLr9RT2ZpSe5j8gjF3hqgehnKtMK9e9WBVb8io64usMGlswC20-8RxAIifA1fBiHdfYz5DK_8bwOzuBVR_xYiB4G1BZYeaDKavAc-FUkDaYWoFFZihvHnnhis4CUUnvl5GZFlcmbddY7rjw593uUiagEMh9aXlCcUrcJ7Od_17y3jS_2IA/s4424/jesus-christ-images.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="4424" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBT6xhJjeemaLr9RT2ZpSe5j8gjF3hqgehnKtMK9e9WBVb8io64usMGlswC20-8RxAIifA1fBiHdfYz5DK_8bwOzuBVR_xYiB4G1BZYeaDKavAc-FUkDaYWoFFZihvHnnhis4CUUnvl5GZFlcmbddY7rjw593uUiagEMh9aXlCcUrcJ7Od_17y3jS_2IA/w400-h208/jesus-christ-images.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: right;"><i style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">"What are you looking for?"</i></div><p style="text-align: center;">John 1: 35-42</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Out
here in the mission country of the Pacific northwest we are familiar with two
early American explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were commissioned by
President Thomas Jefferson in 1803 to begin an exploration of the enormous
newly purchased western half of what became a much vaster United States. These courageous explorers, along with the
team who accompanied them, were branded the “Corps of Discovery.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Along their
laborious trek from St. Louis to the Pacific </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Ocean,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> they met a young female native American
guide, Sacagawea, who became an indispensable navigator to open the way to an
unprecedented new beginning for the American nation. It was an amazing
accomplishment, somewhat equal in value to the exploration of the moon. They
were searching, literally walking, rafting, and horse riding into unknown and
perilous territory hoping to find a new route to the Pacific Ocean.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our
first reading this Sunday from the Book of Samuel in this now ordinary time of
the liturgical year finds the Lord calling the young Samuel by name as he
sleeps in the temple of the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Samuel
hears the call but does not recognize that it is the Lord who calls him.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In a near humorous scenario in which Samuel
wakes up and goes back to sleep, directed by the priest Eli, who had been his
mentor in the Temple. Samuel finally comes to identify the voice of God within
him as the voice he hears and responds: </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Speak,
for your servant is listening</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.” The Lord finally got Samuel’s attention.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As
the Book of Samuel states: </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At that time
Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed
anything to him as yet. </i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It seems that rather than Samuel seeking the Lord,
it was the Lord who was seeking him. It was the Lord who was on a mission of
discovery to find the heart of Samuel and like our northwest explorers; Samuel
was called to set out to discover the will of God. His whole life turned to a
new way.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
our Gospel </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">passage from<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> John, Andrew and
another disciple of John the Baptist are redirected by him to go in search of
Jesus who he </span>points<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> out as the “Lamb of God.” To Jewish ears the title Lamb of
God would have resonated with images of the Passover, their deliverance from
Egypt and their longing for a savior with Messianic overtones.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">These two disciples of John now eagerly
follow John’s advice and seek out Jesus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All
of this sense of search and discovery is confirmed in Jesus’ statement as he
notices John disciples now following him: “</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What
are you looking for?”</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> We might more exactly understand the words of Jesus
saying: “</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What are you seeking</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">?” They
discover that is is not a “what” they are searching for but a “who.” John
invites us to see these words, the first spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John,
as a call to all of us as we discover that, like</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Samuel,
the Lord is seeking us. In many ways in our daily life the Lord makes himself
known and asks, “<i>What are you looking for</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our
pursuit of pleasure, love, satisfaction, meaning and purpose often can lead is
in the wrong direction. Once we find that satisfaction, is does not least so we
seek more and more of it.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Today, social
media is an excellent example at time of false friendship.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We strive to overcome loneliness and may
think that this way of modern connection, while some good is certainly
possible, there is also a dark side, an empty side to it all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All
of this searching to discover the right path is truly a search for the One who
can satisfy all these human needs in us.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To search for love and community is bottom line a search for an
encounter with the One who brought us in to life. Andrew was so impressed that
it was less than a day before he went in search of his brother Simon to bring
him to meet this Jesus. While that was only the beginning of a new direction,
the ultimate discovery was a life constantly fulfilled by their relationship
with Christ. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">So,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> we see the gathering by
Jesus of his early disciples who later became the pillars of his Church in the
apostolic order.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So
too with us. To set out for a deeper discovery of the Lord is to set out in
search of the whole meaning and purpose of our lives.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What are we seeking?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More stuff, fame, wealth, a nice home, a
great marriage, a secure job, good heath?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While all that does have its place in our lives it does not ultimately
fulfill our greatest desire for God.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When we go from new and shiny to dull and routine, we seek more that
provides the same level of discontent in the end. We are called to holiness, to
discipleship, to understanding and faith; to hope and trust in the Lord.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If
I am marked through baptism with the sign of Christ + ideally for all of us it
would be to follow Christ and to see him as Lord of my life. If he is truly
Lord, then everything we have pours from his generosity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let
us bring Christ to the world in a way that will not be apologetic or
half-baked.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The great evangelist Bishop
Robert Barron is clear on this point. We have been incorporated, folded in to
and grafted on the vine of life in Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hear him calling to you in the many ways he speaks through the Church in
Scriptures and Sacrament, in prayer, in the experiences of daily living, in the
call to selfless service to those in need, then “Go announce the Gospel of the
Lord.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Almighty ever-living God,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who govern all things,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">both in heaven and on earth, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">mercifully hear the pleading of your people</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and bestow your peace on our times.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God, for ever and ever. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(Collect of Mass)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-34168768772761745902023-12-30T11:10:00.000-08:002023-12-30T13:05:12.489-08:0012/31: Feast of the Holy Family <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj5Z_WhU53AvMtRLEAfYQXKsjkEVllYqpPUXKf0Y_nIRD6AkgQKE6tAsao293XnRrzonTFdOOJUu2_QpSPSQCJP9xU8I64wdLJOb7aTAVrENSggBGqeL5kEqN2Qp8O5Lw5dQx0bLL1SRRmTJYH9clVklUXuO7o9qymyWdxTQqRuABcm5BYdCDLzBHtoDg/s900/488c9ade9919dba0d5f05e9dd459ee6a-1953606925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj5Z_WhU53AvMtRLEAfYQXKsjkEVllYqpPUXKf0Y_nIRD6AkgQKE6tAsao293XnRrzonTFdOOJUu2_QpSPSQCJP9xU8I64wdLJOb7aTAVrENSggBGqeL5kEqN2Qp8O5Lw5dQx0bLL1SRRmTJYH9clVklUXuO7o9qymyWdxTQqRuABcm5BYdCDLzBHtoDg/s320/488c9ade9919dba0d5f05e9dd459ee6a-1953606925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: x-small;">(The Holy Family: Pinterest)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Luke 2: 22-40</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"</span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection."</span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A very popular book written by author Robert Fulghum was
entitled: </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All I Really need to know I
learned in Kindergarten.</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> It was popular because everyone knew that those
earliest years of life teach us the basics upon which everything else is
based.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Among the many things we learn
are the following:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1. Share everything.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">2. Play fair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">3. Don't hit people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">4. Put things back where you found them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">5. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">6. Don't take things that aren't yours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">7. Say you're SORRY when you HURT somebody.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">8. Wash your hands before you eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">9. Flush.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we think about it, there is great wisdom in these
fundamental lessons that appear so basic. This Sunday after Christmas, the Feast
of the Holy Family is a lesson for us not only in the basics but likewise in
the call to holiness that we all must pursue. The Church views the family not
only as a social construct but as a group of persons whose very vocation is
established by God as a holy unit.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph both in their common Jewish life stand as
a universal sign of unity and a powerful icon of the importance of faith in
human relationships.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, who among all the families we know could ever reach the
level of this unique Biblical family in ancient Nazareth?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With the Immaculate Conception as Mother, the
Son of God as the child, and the ever patient and faithful St. Joseph as the
Father, of course they were holy! Some may wonder not about the importance of
this family unit in salvation history but how could they be a model for all
other more "normal" family relationships? </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What can be learned? Pope Francis has said, “. . . We are made by God to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre
existence.” The Holy Family shows us the way to become saintly. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Life was not by any means easy for this unique couple and their
child. From the beginning, Mary encountered suspicion from Joseph as to the
origin of her pregnancy with her very life endangered.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Their journey to Bethlehem in the south from
Nazareth in the north was burdensome and dangerous and on top of this, Mary is
close to giving birth. Shortly after Jesus was born a very real threat to his
life rises from Herod. Fleeing to Egypt as the angel directed them was not a pleasant
ride across the desert and their return to Nazareth was even longer than before.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The point of this is that real families are
not just randomly chosen in birth.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Strong family life comes about through real life experiences and shared
sacrifice.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Bonded to ones faith in God
the results prove that unity is achieved through grace and trust. Mary and
Joseph never wavered in what God asked of them it seems.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The same is true for family life today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No” to God was not in their vocabulary and the young child
Jesus was formed through their example and inspiration.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, he is God but in order to enter into the
full human experience for our redemption, Jesus placed his divinity on the back
burner as it were for a while. Through the embrace of the realities of life,
comes holiness.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, the common glue that held them together was that
their existence was always seen in relationship to a higher purpose and
meaning.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That glue for them was seen in
relationship to their obedience to God’s will.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For this family, as for all families, God and the pursuit of living out
the Gospel as we know it must have a place in our lives that is more than just
an afterthought, an occasional experience, and a secondary choice in
relationship to everything else that busy families do today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we ever think that this particular family never had a reason
to just give up, become discouraged, stand there in confusion, doubt or
question the events of their lives we would be greatly disappointed. Above all
life brought to them both great challenges and questions. The Scriptures share
much about Mary's own joy and anguish as the public ministry of Jesus began. In
today’s Gospel itself we hear Simeon’s prediction to Mary that: “. . . and you
yourself a sword will pierce . . .” As those words were spoken we can only
imagine what may have been in the mind of Mary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is our biological family of origin but that family is not
a closed society.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rather it is open to a
larger world and recognizes that its identity and strength can be found in a
broader human and spiritual connection.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The family of the Church is really a collection of diverse families yet
joined together in a common purpose: to give praise and thanks to God as our
common Father as his beloved sons and daughters in Christ Jesus, energized by the Holy Spirit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As St. Paul reminds us in the second reading to the Colossians
our families are called to pursue higher values. To, “Put on, as God’s chosen
ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness,
and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another . . . and over
all these put on love, that is the bond of perfection.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(Col 3: 12).</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If there
ever was a blueprint for family dynamics and family health and healing it would
be these words of Paul.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The lesson is clear for any family unit.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The reality is that family life today and by
association marriage itself is experiencing challenges unheard of before.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With marriage itself being questioned, the
effects easily trickle down to relationships within the family itself.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The lessons are timeless though.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If the parents are strong and faithful the
chances of the children becoming so are many times greater than if they were
not.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If the Church has a consistent and
regular place in the life of the family so will the children benefit.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Children follow the lead of the parents.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Boys look to their fathers for an example and
girls to their mothers.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If they see
parents who love and respect each other, if they know that discipline will be
firm, fair, and consistent it all comes together in an excellent formula for holiness.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If God is an afterthought, an occasional
experience, and if the Church is not present actively, the Christian family
will grow weaker.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Heroic single parents today indeed deserve our love and support
as they struggle to remain faithful and do what they feel is right and know is
right for their children.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, with the
place of a faith community as a major priority in their lives, it can go a long
way to assisting them in their call to holiness as well. It is sad to see that
when the Church can be most a help some parents may fall away due to personal
issues.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, if we remain a community of
welcome we can indeed become what Pope Francis has termed a “field
hospital.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A place to find health in the
midst of what may seem the battle ground of life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">May we all be holy as Joseph, Mary and Jesus were holy and may
our marriages and families, so questioned and challenged in our day, find
healing.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">May Christ and his Church
become a regular home for all homes. May all married couples, regardless of age
or years, be blessed with the grace of fidelity and seek God's will for them
daily.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bring those you refresh with this heavenly Sacrament,<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>most merciful Father,<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>to imitate constantly the example of the Holy Family, <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>so that, after the trials of this world,<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>we may share their company for ever.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Through Christ our Lord. </b><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><o:p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i>(Feast: Prayer after Communion)</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-47198424726706788922023-12-24T10:29:00.000-08:002023-12-24T10:29:33.362-08:00The Nativity of the Lord - Hope for the ages<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Luke 2: 1-14</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-Night.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-Night.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">-------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">O God, who have made this most sacred night</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">radiant with the splendor of the true light,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">grant, we pray, that we, who have known </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">the mysteries of his light on earth, </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">may also delight in his gladness in heaven.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Who lives and reigns with you</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God, for ever and ever.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">(Collect: Mass at night)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The popular English essayist C.S. Lewis referred to Christmas
as: </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Grand Miracle. </i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A miracle indeed it is and even beyond a sudden physical
healing or the restoration of sight.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
is the grand act of love. The mysterious, hidden, creator of the universe and
all that there is or will ever be, of his own initiative, chose to reach out to
us, tiny and limited creature, and to literally enter his material world to
become one of us; to embrace humanity in all of our beauty and ugliness. As St.
John puts it so beautifully in the prologue of his Gospel: Y</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he Word was made flesh and dwelt (pitched
his tent) among us.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The image of the beloved Christmas scene at a cave outside
Bethlehem has become the iconic image of this beautiful time of year in the Christian
world.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">C.S. Lewis also stated that God
came, “Slipping behind enemy lines,”which implies a battle scene, one waiting
to attack the enemy and proclaim victory in the end and will use power to overcome
the opposition without warning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Even the prophet Isaiah, like a trumpet that is blown, begins
our first reading from the Christmas Mass at night with the words: “</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The people who walked in darkness have seen
a great light.” </i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He goes on to speak a message of hope and healing to a
people who have been downtrodden, burdened, held in slavery.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But it’s more than just a comforting
promise.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He quickly gives a human
identity to the message and speaks of a child to be born, a “Son is given to us
who is named: “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-forever, and Prince of
Peace.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">So,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> we might imagine as the chosen people hoped for centuries,
that a mighty figure would be a man of great power and influence over humanity.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Messiah or savior would expel the Romans
and raise up a mighty nation to overcome all enemies and occupiers. In fact, in
the coming of Christ two powers do clash, that of the earth and that of </span>God - <span style="font-size: 12pt;">the earthly and the divine.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The two
faced each other in the most unlikely way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Luke begins the familiar Christmas story with the most powerful
person in the ancient world, Caesar Augustus Emperor of ancient Rome.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This man who saw himself as a great
peacemaker, also bore the title of Savior and Lord.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whatever Caesar wants or wills, Caesar
gets.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He speaks his “good news” and it
happens at his will. His power is absolute, unquestionable and he rules by fear
and force with a mighty army. Into this world, another power appears on the
scene – quietly and clandestinely – “behind enemy lines.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The scene then shifts to a young, obscure and poor Jewish
couple who obediently travel to the village of Bethlehem to register for the
census the powerful Caesar has </span>demanded,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and the mother is very near </span>childbirth<span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Luke’s continued focus on this
scene powerfully tells us that the child which Mary bears will be the center of
the new order arranged by God. It is this child we now center on. This child,
we believe, is the prince of peace. In fact, Luke’s narration has more to do
with this couple and child than it does with mighty Caesar.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The power of this child far </span>outshines<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> that
of earth.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we can remove
sentimentality around the manger scene for a moment it brings us to see this as
a great playing out of God’s plan from the beginning.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we can see this as the culmination of
centuries of human experience planned in the mind of God to send his Son among
us then we cannot ignore what God is saying.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What drama do we participate in? The Christmas message is a proposal to
all humankind that we cannot reduce to a passing emotion or a momentary
celebration of sharing gifts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God invites us to participate in the grand “Theo drama,” as
Bishop Robert Barron explains. In other words, the play or drama that God is
directing and his invitation now like Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zachariah
and John the Baptist to take our place on the stage of life directed by God
according to his will. This is God’s plan and his story that he has written and
directed in the birth of this child to whom everyone looks as the central
figure in the new order as God has arranged. God came to give us hope for the
present and the future.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The final word
is not death, despair, domination, or a meaningless life. God has the final
word and that is “life.” Life in Christ Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">But</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> he seems powerless.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The contrast could not be </span>starker<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> between the fearful Caesar in a
palace the most powerful man on earth and a young couple in a tiny stable with
animals and what seems an ordinary Jewish baby whose coming challenges us to
recognize who truly rules the world and by what force – that of love and mercy.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, the Christmas story assures us that the power of God has
come.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That power, unlike that of ancient
Caesar or any </span>present-day<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> leader, brings about an interior change in our
hearts.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Earthly power affects the
external world.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Laws can be changed or </span>enforced,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and other economic fallout is measured but the power of the God-Man
overcomes all of that through an interior change with the greater power of
love, forgiveness, healing and hope.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That is a power we are called to exercise ourselves and to reject fear,
force, greed, indifference, and selfishness from our hearts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God chose to do this. He came purely out of love as one writer
stated, “</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to accustom himself to
humanity.”</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He chose to come in smallness.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Not through great and influential people in the large and dominant
Empires of the ancient world.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He chose a
different course; that of the simple and obscure.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Instead of Jerusalem or Rome he came to an
unknown girl in the tiny village of Nazareth. God directed this drama from the
beginning and continues to do so.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What can we learn?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That
we must look for God in the ordinary and the margins around us. We see that
real power is that of a love which gives itself away as the infant was laid not
in a comfortable crib but on straw, in a manger, a feeding trough for the animals
in the cave.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As one person said, “Could
you imagine the strench with large animals, and the unsanitary conditions of
the manger itself. Filled with straw and who knows what else from the chew of
the animals as they ate. Surely Mary and Joseph would have cleaned out that
temporary crib for the newborn. Still, here Jesus, offers himself as food for
the world, as the bread of life, as the Holy Eucharist at each Mass.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As we gather around Word and Sacrament at Holy Mass this
Christmastime, let’s reflect, rejoice, and embrace this new good news of the
Savior that is both ancient and new. There may be large crowds everywhere at
whatever Mass you attend but God came for us all, regardless of our state in
life.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He loves us to the end and calls </span>every one<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> of us to leave the old behind and to embrace his grace. God entered
secretly in Bethlehem so that we might find him and rejoice at his coming.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Today is born our Savior, Christ the </span>Lord.<span style="font-size: 12pt;">”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-65766307364313906322023-12-16T09:40:00.000-08:002023-12-16T11:51:14.881-08:003rd Sunday of Advent: "Rejoice always . . . pray without ceasing"<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja228iKIdDjh39S2szqpoRUTmQLApB7gQdxSQK-IYAiX7HvhZivFAtbLE7HnzNl6IdgTq4WQXLdJesHFawVFgvuDymGUiadLgjDtHMMMh2wWSB-Db34qNSmhTPxh2TjQrEKV-46QUnLOmeepx4svb0qRU2C7LEgsMLE5B7Ma7s-1O9hRG6i47HXkCg3Nkx/s1500/john-baptist1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja228iKIdDjh39S2szqpoRUTmQLApB7gQdxSQK-IYAiX7HvhZivFAtbLE7HnzNl6IdgTq4WQXLdJesHFawVFgvuDymGUiadLgjDtHMMMh2wWSB-Db34qNSmhTPxh2TjQrEKV-46QUnLOmeepx4svb0qRU2C7LEgsMLE5B7Ma7s-1O9hRG6i47HXkCg3Nkx/w283-h400/john-baptist1.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>"One who is coming after me"</i></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">John 1: 6-8, 19-28</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word:<a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121723.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121723.cfm</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">-----------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">O God, who see how your people</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">enable us, we pray,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">to attain the joys of so great a salvation</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and to celebrate them always</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God, for ever and ever.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(Collect of Mass)</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I think one of the most beautiful things God has created is
watching a little baby laugh. They may be responding to the smiling face of
their parent, or maybe they’ve been tickled by a sibling, or maybe their older
brother or sister has made a crumpled face and they respond with baby
laughter.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The very sound of it has an
effect on us; we can’t help but smile or laugh ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Normally, one might say: “Gee, what a happy
baby.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">However, if one were to change the phrase a bit and say to the
parents, “You have a joyful baby” it may sound odd. Our normal expression is the all inclusive word, "happy." In</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> the scriptures
we hear that when Mary visited her older cousin Elizabeth the baby in the womb
of Elizabeth “leaped for joy.” There is a reason the mysteries of the Rosary are not referred to as the "happy" mysteries but the joyful ones. O</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ur scriptures remind
us that “joy” is something much deeper and more lasting. It touches our soul and is not dependent on external factors but on an interior conviction of our relationship with God in Christ Jesus. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> In o</o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ur second reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians
Paul invites his early converts to: “Rejoice always . . . give thanks.” Isaiah
the prophet speaks of “glad tidings” and to “rejoice heartily.” It’s clear at
this point in our Advent walk, as Christmas is nearly upon us, that life may be
tough and challenging at times but we can be joyful nonetheless.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, how realistic is that or is this just a
kind of "pie in the sky" wish?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Between global concerns in the call for war and conflict, the American political judgements
and accusations, the many businesses that are challenged, our challenging health concerns, money woes, children who no longer participate in their faith, and the endless political battles between ideologies and candidates, what is there to be happy
about?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We all just want it to end. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">St. Paul was no naïve preacher out of touch with reality
or trying to be sarcastic. Jesus coming gave to humanity new hope rooted in a
fuller revelation of God. We should rejoice always because we come to know
that we are not just born into this world with no purpose or value. As beloved sons and daughters of a
loving Father, whose heart is seen in Jesus, we are invited to share in the
same divine life that Jesus enjoys with his Father. That personal encounter with God touches us in the soul and gifts us with the Spirit of joy as we know that God is in love with us and invites us to approach him in trust. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With God all things are brought together.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The coming of Christ into the world meant, as
John the Baptist reminds us, one who will share his Spirit with us and
reconnect with humanity that had been separated by sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, joy in the deepest sense means that we accept God’s proposal in Christ. To live by the
blueprint of Biblical values as members of his kingdom. The voice of John
reminds us what is important and what will bring us closer to God. As Isaiah
reminds us in the first reading as well to know that God will bring “glad
tidings . . . healing . . . liberty” to those forgotten.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It's not riches and power that bring true joy but knowing that
we are loved by God. Joy is not the numbing of pain, or the denial of real life problems but rather an inner conviction that God is always with us.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We see this in the ministry of Jesus – his
healing and teaching; his reaching out to the separated and shunned. In Christ
we know we are not abandoned or forgotten by God.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we seek the good in
all things, to follow in his Way, we know we are right with God despite
opposition we might find, and all is balanced and as it should be.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To know that is a call to go beyond emotion
which is happiness and to enjoy a deeper sense of connection with God which
brings joy. If that is our conviction, then we are able to “rejoice always.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, John the Baptist prepares us to hear this new
perspective.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As long as the prophets
spoke among the people, they recognized the active presence of God among
them.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Although these prophets were all
generally treated badly by authorities, still the common people felt that the
position of a prophet of God was a significant sign of God’s faithfulness to
his people.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But for hundreds of years
before the baptizer appeared, no one claimed that position.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John leads them through a process of elimination and finally
says, “I am not the Christ, the prophet Elijah or THE prophet (Moses)” but his purpose
is to point to one greater and say in essence:</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There HE is.” This voice, as St. Augustine wrote, prepares us for the
Word to come. This creates anticipation in the people and sets the stage for
Jesus entrance. Such an event must have filled people with great joy hoping
that now all things will be made right and their oppressors (the Romans) will be expelled and they will be free again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe this has not been an especially joyful year for you.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You’ve been juggling concerns about health
with limited finances.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Humanity across
the world is uniquely united on the hope for something better in the new
year.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe adult children still haven’t
returned to the practice of their early Catholic faith or it has been a tough
year for grandparents and you’ve had to make some uncomfortable decisions about
caring for them.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe life has just
been more of a roller coaster than a smooth highway.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we are convinced God lives among us and walks with us in our
joys and sorrows. As St. Paul implies today God is with us “in all
circumstances” we can rest in a joy rooted in God’s promise. This may be a time
to identify what is lacking in my spiritual life; that I really haven’t
connected much with God this past year.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve gone through the motions but never took the time to seek more.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve done nothing but complain about politics
and been filled with fear.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The words of Pope Francis remind us of good news strong enough
to give us a reason for hope.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In his
letter entitled The Joy of the Gospel our Holy Father writes:</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>There are Christians whose lives seem like
Lent without Easter.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I realize of course
that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at
moments of great difficulty.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Joy adapts
and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our
personal certainty, that when everything is said and done, we are infinitely
loved.</i>” (EG, # 6).</span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-47697768505137889092023-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:002023-12-09T13:03:11.997-08:0012/10/23: 2nd Sunday of Advent: "Come Lord Jesus, Emmanuel"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSTr20VtVREJZijMLgEh43yI-0tBuHFz_Tp-0nLzyw1TuUfzWmzNJb4Vyd2VdYH4_oH3o6UEjOnPTDuATXLs3j0aBIfP_6qEi6H7VAP-reFA-VmOrbVwceNK8n-63Xvz-qVklWndgiQOfIL4jQZldqMb3uGgfn3-siMbjaEUhFmsVJikPkfiWzEC3_67g/s1024/03_John_Baptist_JPEG_1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSTr20VtVREJZijMLgEh43yI-0tBuHFz_Tp-0nLzyw1TuUfzWmzNJb4Vyd2VdYH4_oH3o6UEjOnPTDuATXLs3j0aBIfP_6qEi6H7VAP-reFA-VmOrbVwceNK8n-63Xvz-qVklWndgiQOfIL4jQZldqMb3uGgfn3-siMbjaEUhFmsVJikPkfiWzEC3_67g/w400-h300/03_John_Baptist_JPEG_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!"</span></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: large;">Mark 1: 1-8</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121023.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121023.cfm</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No one of us should be surprised by the technological
advancement in our time.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While we may
certainly be amazed at what is </span>possible,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> we’ve become a society that more or
less has come to expect such “cool stuff.” The ominous warning about Artificial
Intelligence (AI) should make us all pause, though in some areas there seem to
be definite benefits such as in medicine. Our newer cars feel like computers on
wheels with all their safety gadgets and elaborate GPS guides.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This Sunday we see a far more primitive and basic method of
warning to keep us on the right path. The figure of John the Baptizer,
literally known as “John the dipper,” appears essentially out of nowhere in the
desert.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He cries out in the manner of
the prophets hundreds of years before whom the people felt had become nothing
but a voice from their past history. The call of the living prophets had not
been heard in centuries and here is John, preaching with zeal in the manner of
the prophets, and promoting a unique water ritual which emphasizes cleansing
from sin rather than a more Jewish interpretation of entering the waters of the
Red Sea and escaping to freedom on the other side.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As Mark tell us:</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“John
the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The baptizer, a
strange and unsettling figure in some ways, stands along the shore of a
well-known river and apparently engaged the hungry crowds through his
charismatic preaching and his cleansing baptism in the Jordan River. No guiding
technology, no books, newspapers, or internet, websites or blogs - just a voice
of conviction and his charismatic persona made the people take notice. Stay on
the right way to welcome the One who is coming. Get ready and clean up your
act!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The force and presence of this “voice” in the desert has become
the quintessential call </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 16px;">of the Advent season</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">passed on from generation to generation as we “Prepare the way of the Lord.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His words are not words of comfort as we may define that word.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He calls for deep conversion, to confess
one’s sins, and to be washed clean. We see obvious allusions to baptism and the
sacramental cleansing from the guilt of original sin to enter into the life of
grace in the Holy Spirit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We hear the same in the first reading from Isaiah to a people
who had suffered “double for all her </span>sins. John’s<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> message rang true in the
heart of the likely hundreds who were attracted to him.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, this fiery figure of John, like a
television or radio announcer about to present a significant person of great
notoriety, prepares anyone who would listen for </span>Jesus'<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> formal coming.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As he (Jesus) is about to appear, we must be
prepared and ready.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">Jesus is</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> the humble
servant of God, the Lord who now enters our lives in human history. But he is
also a warrior who is ready to battle the forces of evil and darkness and Satan
himself.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John sets the stage and raises
the bar of expectation that someone, mighty and strong will in fact profoundly
move history in a new direction.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John’s
voice, then, is to be heard over and over again down to our own time, since the
call to conversion is a daily invitation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We know there is something innate in the human spirit that </span><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>long for someone</i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i> </i>more powerful than
us.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Those who study the power of an
addiction, for example, may feel the pull of the addiction is more powerful
than them.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It could be alcohol, smoking,
drugs, gambling, or even technology. It could be something less but some repetitive
behavior that I feel impossible to live without and that which consumes my time
in an unhealthy way.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In its darkest most
destructive </span>form,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> an addiction can destroy not only the person who is the addict
but his/her family as well. That power over us can only be overcome through
hard work and in its purest form through faith as well.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We also<i> </i></span><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>long for
community</i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We are social creatures;
made for one another and God intends us to live in relationship not
isolation.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the challenging condition
of our present time the experience of isolation and loneliness has become a not
uncommon problem among so many. Apart from God, we are on our own! We pray for
protection against this spiritual virus of personal isolation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John’s voice promises all a way to follow that will free us from
powers which can destroy rather than build up.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As Isaiah speaks in our first reading this Sunday: “Comfort, give
comfort to my people . . . every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and
hill shall be made low . . . then the glory of the Lord shall be
revealed.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’ coming among us
provides the WAY to freedom and peace.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In his coming the isolated are brought to community and the powers that
destroy our freedom are broken though an embrace of his role and his way in our
life. To center our lives on Him is to allow him to keep us on the road, to
warn us when we veer off, and to call us back through </span>forgiveness,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> a more
comfortable ride indeed.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">So,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> we are ready to welcome a God who is mighty and strong yet
at the same time gentle and comforting.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the end, this God will visit us not with force and fear but with
mercy, gentleness and love.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, we must </span>prepare,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and we must accept whatever process we need to turn our lives around
and to welcome him at his coming. We draw strength from the Eucharist, from the
grace of forgiveness in reconciliation, and comfort from the presence of the
Holy Spirit.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Come Lord Jesus, Emmanuel!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Almighty and merciful God, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">may no earthly undertaking hinder those</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who set your in haste to meet our Son, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">but may our learning of heavenly wisdom</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">gain us admittance to his company. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Who lives and reigns with you </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in the unity of the Holy Spirit, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God, for ever and ever. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">(collect of Mass)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><o:p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><o:p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></o:p></span></p>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-3470824314034721782023-12-01T15:08:00.000-08:002023-12-02T13:01:22.483-08:0012/3: First Sunday of Advent - "Some quiet preparation"<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LZnkeQK69MRlgsCSoY_FweeHGA4dY8J-BE8IIG_jO8-lS04OxqbHspu1J3N0s6agx7pM1RusdeRxuoKzDOUa01ADM7_pa2a5Nis3L6RE0ppANrMC9gLreJUeWfcThjuISC7FPPX3KkZEfI7nZBIa-QYJgdtszU_B1jOz6VdCzsbBD_zgLftR5zKV45pX/s2581/photo-1701114413455-875c598cd407%20(1).webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="1936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LZnkeQK69MRlgsCSoY_FweeHGA4dY8J-BE8IIG_jO8-lS04OxqbHspu1J3N0s6agx7pM1RusdeRxuoKzDOUa01ADM7_pa2a5Nis3L6RE0ppANrMC9gLreJUeWfcThjuISC7FPPX3KkZEfI7nZBIa-QYJgdtszU_B1jOz6VdCzsbBD_zgLftR5zKV45pX/w300-h400/photo-1701114413455-875c598cd407%20(1).webp" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down . . "</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: large;">Mark 13: 33 – 37</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm</a></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">We say that patience is a virtue and indeed it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, how often do we pray for an increase in
patience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the one prayer that God
always answers because he takes his time about it and in the process teaches us
to be patient. In fact, in the waiting he has already answered us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to learn patience is to be
patient. So, stop being anxious, wringing your hands, and looking at the clock
with frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All things will come
in time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In so many ways, we are not a patient people are we?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Although our Nation these days has some
serious flaws, we still have so much so be thankful for. Have you driven on the
highway recently or found another car behind you about three inches from your rear
bumper at 70 miles an hour urging you to get out of the way?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Have you recently waited in line to buy
something and found yourself feeling anxious because the person in front of you
took another 20 seconds longer than you expected? We are not a patient people
which all the more emphasizes for us the value of this season, brief as it is
this year, only three weeks, but with long time value.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our readings this Sunday and in particular the first reading
from Isaiah, the ancient prophet of Israel hundreds of years before the coming
of Jesus, prays as he patiently waits: “Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from
your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake
of your servants . . . Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down. . .”
It sounds like a cry of desperation – Why are you taking so long to come? Look
at the mess we are in. Tear open the skies and come to help us!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Writing about 600 years before the coming of Jesus that hope
was already expressed among the people; that God would one day “rend” the
heavens and come down to save them.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Bishop Robert Barron, the popular evangelist of our day, comments about
the similarity between that hope and that of being kidnapped, a rather common
experience in the time of Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One would
never travel outside their town alone, along the roads, especially at night;
only in caravans or in groups.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Still, to be kidnapped, even held for ransom, is to find
oneself in a condition of desperation.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You long for freedom, you’re in an unfamiliar place and a foreign land,
you don’t know what your future will be, you see the danger before you and you
don’t know what the ultimate intention of your captors will be.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You want to go home. You long for freedom, for
safety, and for a savior.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That is something
like what Isaiah pleads for and the hope kept alive for centuries, knowing that
at some time and place a savior will come to set you free.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At the closing of our Isaiah passage, we hear surrender to the
confidence that all will be right with God: “</span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are
all the work of your hands.</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">” An assurance built upon faith that God will be
and ever is true to his promises.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So what are we to do about Advent which is all about patiently
waiting for the coming of the Lord?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our Jewish
brothers and sisters kept the hope of the coming Messiah alive for hundreds of
years and passed that hope down generation to generation, right to our own day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For us, we know that the Lord has already come.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In physical time and in a geographical place
a child was born who we believe is the answer to that desperate plea.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The prayer has been answered and the Savior
has come to set us free; to take us home.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So we live on the other side of that event.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, we are still in a mode of patience for
him to come again.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, Advent, in my estimation, is the Church’s gift to us in
this hectic and impatient modern world which encourages instant gratification
to step back and take our time.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
offers us the opportunity to let go of expectations about instant everything
and to re-order our priorities both about our Christian life and how we live
it.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God does not look at time the way we
humans do so if we assume that God thinks as we do we would be short sighted
indeed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, the words of the Gospel from Mark this Sunday offer us a
wakeup call: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come .
. . whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the
morning.”</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s remember that the great
events of our salvation happened at evening, midnight, cockcrow and the morning
hours.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Last Supper in evening darkness, the secret nighttime
capture of Jesus, his trial before Pilate and his crucifixion in early morning.
Through these fatal events Jesus became a new light for the world.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was his resurrection that was discovered
by the empty tomb at dawn by the women who went to the tomb. So, be watchful
for what has happened, what it now means for us, and how we can live in
daylight and not under cover of darkness.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where is the Lord NOW for us?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How can we be busy about the things we need to do in the works of
charity and the living of our sacramental faith, particularly the Holy
Eucharist and prayer? We don’t need to worry about when he is coming if he finds
us doing what he has called us to do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, due to Christmas being on a Monday this year, we have about
three weeks of Advent grace offered to us this year to reflect on the profound
implications of God’s entry into human history, which is the meaning of the
Christmas season. We are offered the grace to live in trust before a God who
invites us to slow down and ponder for a moment what this means for me
personally and for humanity in general. Frankly, that isn’t much time to
prepare and to ponder but we do have the rest of our life as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s try living in the present moment rather than anticipating
the future.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Be watchful” the Gospel
reminds us as we begin this season.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Be
watchful for God’s presence in our daily life.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we live in anticipation of what our next thing is, we miss the God
who speaks to us NOW.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, this can be a
season of mindfulness – to pay attention to and to live in the present moment
as fully as we can.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Practice patience.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Intentionally carve out some time to pray with the scriptures or </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">the Sunday readings in particular, read slowly
and prayerfully in as much silence as you can find. How is God present to you
in prayer? We are rarely deliberately mindful of our precious time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you haven’t done so already, delay sending Christmas cards
until at least the middle of December.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pray for the people on your list of family and friends who will receive
those cards.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dress your home somewhere in the violet color of Advent.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is the Christmas tree up already? Don’t turn
on the lights for two weeks and just wait.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Instead, light a candle each week in anticipation of the Lord’s coming.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Spend some time with a frail loved one who moves slowly and
whose daily life is far less “exciting” than yours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As we remember Christ’s coming more than 2,000 years ago, take
some time to find him today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Grant your faithful, almighty God,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">with righteous deeds at his coming,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">so that, gathered at his right hand,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";">they may be worthy to </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">possess</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">the heavenly kingdom.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who lives and reigns with you</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif";"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">in the unity of the Holy Spirit, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>God for ever and ever. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">(Collect for Mass)</span></div>
From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-12570553859758177922023-11-25T12:07:00.000-08:002023-11-28T14:03:51.326-08:00Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - "You did it for me"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMWzMrxOf5Ht8Q37Mt0WJF8wxwA0l80Bhc8yWcTviN9elTpwQ3Oz6syPQ0wldNCm86usQlL85ABhmRd98BxyVCLgOsUQ1GawQAChCx1tZzaSWq2Ww5Mxc-WSC3uszyXxXIe94O0CtBHueHoIfVJG7o0NW3BLdEomhGQS_qSeukz2dfed9rNQoRRWW2mOr/s3285/helping_the_homeless.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="3285" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMWzMrxOf5Ht8Q37Mt0WJF8wxwA0l80Bhc8yWcTviN9elTpwQ3Oz6syPQ0wldNCm86usQlL85ABhmRd98BxyVCLgOsUQ1GawQAChCx1tZzaSWq2Ww5Mxc-WSC3uszyXxXIe94O0CtBHueHoIfVJG7o0NW3BLdEomhGQS_qSeukz2dfed9rNQoRRWW2mOr/w400-h266/helping_the_homeless.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"As often as you did it for one of these least ones</span></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you did it for me"</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 25: 31-46</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112623.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112623.cfm</a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="TextRun SCXW44524368 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW44524368 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">(I apologize for the contrary color of the reflection on the page this weekend. I'm trying to work out a better format for the center. God bless you for your patience.</span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" paraeid="{d065b8e7-51d4-467a-a3c7-a838f9a5d06e}{225}" paraid="387952355" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">According to a former secret service agent who served under President John Kennedy in the 1960’s, the President made it known that he would prefer the agents (bodyguards) keep a distance from him rather than stand close in obvious protection. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Apparently, the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> first lady requested the same</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW73063477 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW73063477 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" paraeid="{d065b8e7-51d4-467a-a3c7-a838f9a5d06e}{225}" paraid="387952355" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" paraeid="{d065b8e7-51d4-467a-a3c7-a838f9a5d06e}{225}" paraid="387952355" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The reason was not to foolishly play with dangerous possibilities but rather the President did not want to have any barrier between he and the people of this country. He felt it was far better to have direct contact with the citizens rather than to appear as a distant or uncaring leader, somehow remote from those he served and represented. Sadly, that distance was respected on that fateful day when the President was killed in 1963. Because of the large crowds, and the now sunshine that broke through after rain, the President requested the protective clear “bubble top” covering on the limousine be removed so that he could be more easily seen as he was driven past the adoring crowds. A well-intentioned choice that proved to be fatal. </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{173}" paraid="462275168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{177}" paraid="43326390" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">However, the intention of the President was to be close and personally involved with the citizens. To show his care and concern for them. We are accustomed, though, to viewing such leaders and distant royalty with all sorts of protection and all reason to enjoy the trappings of their position far removed from the average citizen. Historically, we have seen such rulers who squandered their wealth at the expense of the general populace. Think of King Lous XVI in France for example</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">While some rulers have done otherwise, those who live in luxurious surroundings and are given unquestioned power, obedience and luxury can easily remain above it all and unaware of the needs of others. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{183}" paraid="1040977785" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{187}" paraid="1774258044" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This beautiful Feast that we celebrate this weekend at the end of our liturgical year presents to us a ruler who is not at all distant from those he rules. In almost lyrical poetic imagery Jesus uses in our Gospel this Sunday, we hear of our call to care for the suffering and the disadvantaged: the hungry, the thirsty, the unclothed, those in prison, the stranger, the sick. Why? Because in them the ruler, Christ Jesus the King, himself exists. Unlike any human leader, this Shepherd is so deeply in love with his flock, that he personally identifies with the suffering of each sheep. “Whatever you did to the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{193}" paraid="1144472168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{197}" paraid="989813145" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This is not a King who wastes his wealth, who ignores the distress of others, who </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">remains</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> above and far distant from those he rules. But a King of compassion, mercy and love who has no barrier of protection but rather who is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">literally up</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> close and present to all who follow his rule and walk in his ways. A God who is deeply involved in our lives and who knows our choices and motivations. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{203}" paraid="1751486341" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{207}" paraid="150102101" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">clincher</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> is that this is not just a poetic inspiration but rather a clarion call to see not only our relationship with this King and Shepherd as essential to our final judgement but also to view one another in the way this Divine Shepherd views us. To be compassionate, aware of, and courageously available to relieve the suffering of those in need when we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">identify</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> them. To give ourselves not out of a sense of guilt or even obligation but rather out of a sense of love and compassion. How we do so, or not, will have eternal consequences. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{213}" paraid="1160977024" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{217}" paraid="840453480" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The separation of the sheep and goats is symbolic of where we want to spend eternity: Forever united with Christ or eternally separated from him. In the joy of Heavenly bliss before the face of God, or forever divided from God </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">as a result of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> our selfishness or uncaring towards others we find ourselves in that same isolation in Hell? “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to eternal punishment but the righteous to eternal life.” There </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">isn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> much gray area to the lesson of this parable of Jesus, is there. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{223}" paraid="216087791" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{227}" paraid="1315746599" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">While this parable reveals much about the God we worship, who cares deeply about each of us, finds us hopefully all standing on the right side (the sheep) of the nations gathered before the King at the final judgement, it may also create a bit of guilt that we have not been as interested or caring about those who suffer. </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{241}" paraid="1777259216" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{245}" paraid="1381254861" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">As Bishop Barron reminds us, this parable teaches us that this is not some reminder to say I love humanity in general but a specific call to love individually; to love this person who is homeless, to serve that person who is hungry, to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">assist</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in the healing of this sick man through our compassion for them. Though the judgement is general, the call of Christ is specific. If you want to find a good examination of conscience before going to confession and a way to respond to our need for conversion, Matthew 25 would be a wonderful choice. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{251}" paraid="1199453929" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{d5bcd952-5d03-4b20-8a5a-103bf4df8702}{255}" paraid="2115988340" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">While I may not be able to join all sorts of organizations who serve the needs of the poor and suffering, we most certainly can take our heads out of the sand and begin to recognize my self-centered tendencies and respond to the call for conversion by stepping outside our box of comfort and security to show more identification with those who have far less: the homeless, those on the streets, the immigrant, the poor, etc. Some of our brothers and sisters in this condition may even be neighbors or members of our own family. Try giving where it is not requested or showing kindness to the handicapped or elderly. Jesus desires to redirect the social order from and ego centered existence, which leads to isolation and depression, to an other-centered focus for society built upon our faith in God, which brings happiness and peace. </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{6}" paraid="1016047970" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{10}" paraid="15134435" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mother Teresa, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">likely is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the clearest embodiment in our modern age of our Gospel this Sunday. Her very example is counter that where the secular world, which has turned away from God, sees value: in power, wealth, position, abundance, and beauty. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{16}" paraid="887220584" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mother Teresa offered us a simple image to remember our sensitivity for the “poorest of the poor.” Holding up her hand and counting on five fingers she said: “YOU - DID – IT – FOR – ME.” Nothing more need be said – only action. Eternity depends on it. </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{22}" paraid="267376469" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{26}" paraid="18030457" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Almighty ever-living God,</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{32}" paraid="605125253" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">whose will </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to restore all things</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{38}" paraid="923390075" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">in your beloved Son, the King of the universe </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{44}" paraid="234411242" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">grant that the whole creation,</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{50}" paraid="1987731069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">set free from slavery, </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{56}" paraid="1376742337" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">may </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">render</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> your majesty service</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{62}" paraid="1486483337" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{68}" paraid="581941255" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{74}" paraid="1147689992" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">who lives and reigns with you in the unity</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{80}" paraid="1740360113" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">of the Holy Spirit, </span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{86}" paraid="851492065" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">God for ever and ever.</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{92}" paraid="1397623370" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW238978285 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW238978285 BCX8" paraeid="{2d5e5886-495c-4475-bbf1-e837fa1591dd}{96}" paraid="1044581922" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Collect of Mass)</span><span class="EOP SCXW238978285 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" paraeid="{60099b45-654b-4dc4-9f74-57218d2ce7aa}{87}" paraid="2109656934" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d065b8e7-51d4-467a-a3c7-a838f9a5d06e}{219}" paraid="1386498278" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW158672320 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW44524368 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW158672320 BCX8" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d065b8e7-51d4-467a-a3c7-a838f9a5d06e}{193}" paraid="677636067" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW158672320 BCX8" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158672320 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW158672320 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "Book Antiqua_EmbeddedFont", "Book Antiqua_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div></div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-74127049656722794662023-11-17T16:28:00.000-08:002023-11-18T09:36:23.784-08:0033rd Sunday: What have you done for me?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqngxtrc__wItJLasT2l7QiENJD9j6HzPBC51tXZYxgE3P1eG6hcUyscsgux7vsfbuNATWUqetxFxcyiksM3705tRUBV0lKG14LDfYMgC3r-x1oWIRlZjlTU4tQM1EdjkRdaNSDDMZNEBVrfFjzHGW1rVVdj5_hcJx35oQ92yyl04zVCHi2DPXGcSVBhFW/s1000/parableoftalents.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1000" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqngxtrc__wItJLasT2l7QiENJD9j6HzPBC51tXZYxgE3P1eG6hcUyscsgux7vsfbuNATWUqetxFxcyiksM3705tRUBV0lKG14LDfYMgC3r-x1oWIRlZjlTU4tQM1EdjkRdaNSDDMZNEBVrfFjzHGW1rVVdj5_hcJx35oQ92yyl04zVCHi2DPXGcSVBhFW/w400-h241/parableoftalents.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Well done my good and faithful servant!"</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 25: 14-30</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111923.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111923.cfm</a></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Artists, architects, and
musicians all have something in common. What they design and create they must
simply let go of after their work is accomplished. A beautiful painting,
sculpture, building or a piece of inspiring music once finished lives on beyond
the artist themselves. The famed sculptor and painter of the Renaissance,
Michelangelo, never signed a piece of his work. Only the beautiful and tender
“Pieta,” the moving marble sculpture of Mary holding the dead body of her son,
has his name inscribed upon it. That was done by Michelangelo himself, to prove
to many, despite their doubt, that indeed he, a young artist in his 20’s at the
time, did indeed shape that priceless image.</span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our familiar Gospel parable
this Sunday about the talents entrusted for what the master hoped would be a
positive outcome by his servants. It is about wise investment of money as an analogy,
but about our natural talents and gifts and about the treasure of faith we have
been given. But in the end, the constant theme is accountability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In Jesus’ time a talent was
a measure of weight – about 80 pounds to be exact. When used in trade it was
the value of its weight in silver or gold, estimated to be 15 - 20 years worth of wages, a huge amount of money per talent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So this extravagant master
entrusts a generous amount (do the math) of talents to each servant: 5, 2, and
1, each according to his ability and he leaves to see how they will invest the
talent. How clever, industrious, generous, or grateful for his generosity will
they be? In other words, how much one has been given is less important than how
they use the given gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We see that two out of the
three servants were enterprising and gave their master a 100% return as they
doubled the original investment yet the one given just one talent simply did
nothing with what he had. While he didn’t spend it foolishly, he simply buried
his money in the ground so no one could find it or even know of
its presence then just returned basically nothing to his master. The result for
each servant is both reward, advancement, and for the laziest one, severe
punishment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As always, such a parable
can be taken in several ways but since our Lord was the teacher here it
certainly has a spiritual context. Jesus, aware of the value of money even in
ancient times, used what was familiar to the people to stress the greater
treasure he was offering. Jesus’ treasure of salvation, of spiritual growth, of
the proposal to live a better life in accordance with God’s will and come to
know the way of love was of greater value than what would have been reasonable
– the sharing of such an exorbitant amount of wealth by a master to his slaves.
But the common call to responsibility that we all must use the gift of our
faith wisely seems to also be at play here. In the end, I believe when we
appear before the judgement seat of Christ, he will ask us how we used all that
he gave us: for ourselves in wasteful pursuit or for the benefit of others?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Like the artists,
architects, or musicians we are called to let go of vain glory and
self-recognition. Unlike artists and such we are not to seek our own glory with
our talents – be they money, natural abilities, or opportunities but rather to
do all for the glory of God and to inspire others in the ways of the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Unlike the servant who hid
his money out of fear of the master we use our abilities, wealth, opportunities
and multiply them for the good of the Gospel. How we use what we have been
given will be the result of our judgment. Yet, more than just our own personal gifts and advantages from God, the talents also remind all Christian disciples to share in the whole mission of the Church and to play our part in advancing the Gospel to all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t think that it is
without conscious intent, that following this parable in Matthew is the scene
of the Last Judgment with the separation of the sheep and the goats. There we
are reminded that judgment will be based upon how compassionate and generous we
have been towards the little ones: “I was hungry, and you gave me food; thirsty
and you gave me drink; a stranger and you welcomed me . . .” (Mt. 25: 31-46).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Seen as a whole, as we hear
in the first reading from Proverbs about the worthy wife who: “. . . reaches
out her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive
and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Something may have value by itself,
but even greater value is given when it is honored, nurtured, cared for, and
offered to others. So, the same is true with our life of faith and with our
material wealth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How do I want to be judged
in the end? What would I like to hear the Lord say to me? What is on the resume
of my life that I may need to account for? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well done good and faithful
servant . . . come share your master’s joy.” Or “You worthless, lazy servant.”
Hmm, seems to me that the answer is obvious. Such a thought may give even more
immediacy to the dismissal of each holy Mass: “Go and announce the Gospel of
the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Grant us we pray, O Lord our
God,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-70466461374660974542023-11-11T09:56:00.002-08:002023-11-11T09:57:50.230-08:0032nd Sunday: Wisdom or Foolishness?<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AMp0WvZD6AKOgOLLZfsVHkAqtLlpWhjiOllWTCqOvHm28eSFAchp4GQjulbxGLi7MZx0Uzt9nYgFNK6xgT9rxwyJS_XipsG1q2-aQjoqXBpTfIq4_zByYIjCniFzuOk27ww-Lv-VdaqZ8IDZRpXFAukQ4L1MK1_BidC_-wHAVRL1kUJOwrfRplXRx75U/s1470/photo-1523494521045-aad24c1f3e97.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1470" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AMp0WvZD6AKOgOLLZfsVHkAqtLlpWhjiOllWTCqOvHm28eSFAchp4GQjulbxGLi7MZx0Uzt9nYgFNK6xgT9rxwyJS_XipsG1q2-aQjoqXBpTfIq4_zByYIjCniFzuOk27ww-Lv-VdaqZ8IDZRpXFAukQ4L1MK1_BidC_-wHAVRL1kUJOwrfRplXRx75U/w400-h266/photo-1523494521045-aad24c1f3e97.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;"><b>"The wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps"</b></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Matthew 25: 1-13</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111223.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111223.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A number of years ago, as a
favor to another priest, I conducted a wedding at a nearby Catholic Church for
a couple who I really didn’t know very well.
He assured me they were prepared for the marriage and felt things would
go well. So, all the proper permissions were in order and I frankly looked
forward to a nice wedding ceremony from all that I had heard.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The priest was right as far
as I could judge on meeting them that all should go well for the wedding
however the beginning of the wedding was a bit off putting. The entire wedding party had arrived early
enough. As guests were arriving I was likewise getting ready and joined them in
the back of the Church to begin the ceremony. Ready to begin with the wedding
party lined up, I noticed the groom was missing! With less than five minutes to
go I asked if anyone knew where he was but no one did. Earlier "sightings" of the groom
had happened, including by myself, but when all was ready we were found
waiting. I don't know how the bride felt
but she was preoccupied with last minute details out of sight. All was ready,
but no husband to be. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally, one of the groom's
men said, "I last saw him downstairs." So two of us then went in
search of the groom and sure enough, he was watching a baseball game on
TV. He claimed he lost track of time of
all things and ran upstairs to take his place. Embarrassed, nervous laughter
and all settled down to proceed as expected.
I whispered to him, "Are you sure you want to do this?" he
joked, "Sorry, yes of course." I could not help but think of this
Sunday's parable from Matthew's Gospel about the waiting bride’s maids as they
longed for the groom to appear. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Reflecting Jewish wedding
custom of the day this parable of Jesus is fundamentally our attitude as Christians
who await the return of the Lord who will come at some time in his risen glory
for the final judgement on all creation. Like the bridesmaids we must be ready
to receive him whenever that moment arrives keeping in reserve a life of good
works and spiritual strength to offer when he comes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">According to Jewish custom, virgins
or more literally bridesmaids are to accompany the bride from her home to the groom’s
home in great joy as she is carried in procession as his wife. The mood is festive. Yet, the groom may be
negotiating with the bride's father about financial arrangements for his
daughter. Still, as my earlier experience, he is late for the wedding. In fact, very late and those who are waiting
for him begin to fall asleep not knowing when he will arrive but in their wisdom,
prepared for that moment. The unprepared, the foolish ones, live only for the
moment with no anticipation of the future. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Suddenly, at the midnight
hour the groom (Christ) appears to the surprise of everyone. The story
emphasizes overall that being prepared for the Lord's final coming at the end
of all time is a wise choice. To seek
and welcome Wisdom, a reference to Christ, in our first reading is the model
for all Christians. While living life with no future thought is foolish, in
particular when it comes to our faith; our spiritual life and the life of
Jesus' Gospel values. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here Jesus emphasizes not
when he is to come, yet we fully believe that he will return the this earth at
some moment in time, but wisdom is not so much to fret about that as it is to
live in readiness. Each day is another
opportunity to meet the Lord and to show him how wise we have been rather than
wasteful and foolish. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our first reading from the
Book of Wisdom uses the word “anticipation.” The writer of Wisdom tells us:
“She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire.” Obviously,
the writer of this Book assumed Wisdom, feels the female pronoun adds to the
beauty of wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The implication is that she
knows that she is desirable not for any inappropriate reasons but rather for
the insight she bestows to make careful and intelligent choices – with
“prudence.” True wisdom is to know what God desires and to seek that out for our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Spirit breaths into us
and teaches that we can’t be lazy but rather we must be open and ready to
receive the Lord. We should be seeking
him, anticipating his coming, and be ready for when he arrives. Our lives should contain good works, signs of
charity and selfless service towards others, a faith that has grown and been
put into to practice. Such works are the fruit of our lives in Christ and,
symbolized by the oil, our “lamps” are found burning bright when the groom
arrives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Having enough oil as our
parable illustrates is a sign of our readiness before God. The Christian life
points to the future and not only to our present moment in time. Thus, we see
this illustrated in our Gospel parable. So, we hear the Gospel as a whole, not
just as a part. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus tells us to not be
complacent about our life of faith. As Catholic Christians we enjoy a spiritual
treasure and tradition. How well do I
know what is there? Do I take seriously my prayer life, do I participate in the
sacraments especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation? Do I offer some time in
doing good works for the benefit of others, do I take advantage of learning
more about my faith or do I assume that what I learned in Catholic grade school
or during my teenage years is all I need to know? Do I take some time to spend with the
scriptures and/or read a book on spirituality or the lives of the saints? Do I ever pray the Rosary? Our journey may
lead us down different paths but in the spiritual life, there is a path for all
of us. We can go on and on about the treasures of our faith but to ignore them,
to never explore such things or participate on some level in them, is to be at
a serious loss – basically foolish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Bottom line, the whole point
of our existence here is to get to heaven.
How I get there is answered in this parable. If we are living the life
of the Gospel in the best way that we can as a disciple of Christ, then we are
ready to meet him whenever it is that time. I think, personally, how we will be
judged in the end will hear God saying to us: “What did you do with what I gave
you?” If we cannot answer that question we may indeed need to check our oil
supply! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our life here is meant to be
lived with a certain level of readiness. Not to be obsessive and overly focused
on the preparation but to respond each day to God’s call and desire that he
always remains the center of our lives and Lord of our lives. The last thing we want to hear from him, as
the foolish, self-centered and unprepared bridesmaids did, “I do not know you.”
Let’s not be caught unprepared but
embrace this good news. "Stay awake!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">------------------------------------------------------</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Almighty and merciful God, </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>graciously keep from us all adversity, </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>we may pursue in freedom of heart</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the things that are yours.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>who lives and reigns with you in</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the unity of the Holy Spirit, </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God for ever and ever.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">( Collect of Mass )</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></p></div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-73828343887580848842023-11-03T13:51:00.003-07:002023-11-04T14:04:43.751-07:0031st Sunday: To serve in the name of Christ<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2LNcTaJ8H-jktAc2E-jsaqyXg7n19SFYM2-QNAEH5OZByOZnNvuWvE9MAOJNIqPj7MxulEaNvzqhipSCAM1gPmobWy0V7x1vJfFb1ubYfnniTOrdEzandH-L1hIrEfU7p2ENDZVUEUlmUgjmlLkXcQrYNTlgx6mmW3P_IMz-KT2IH6iKx74uMNo114AV/s777/photo-1547707188-cdbffa0bc270.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2LNcTaJ8H-jktAc2E-jsaqyXg7n19SFYM2-QNAEH5OZByOZnNvuWvE9MAOJNIqPj7MxulEaNvzqhipSCAM1gPmobWy0V7x1vJfFb1ubYfnniTOrdEzandH-L1hIrEfU7p2ENDZVUEUlmUgjmlLkXcQrYNTlgx6mmW3P_IMz-KT2IH6iKx74uMNo114AV/w258-h400/photo-1547707188-cdbffa0bc270.webp" width="258" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>"They widen their phylacteries and make their fringes broad."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Matthew 23: 1-12</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110523.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110523.cfm</a></span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I remember distinctly during my seminary years, there was a fellow seminarian who never referred to his parents as Mom or Dad.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He would simply use their first names, rather than speak of them in parental terms.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He always seemed to do so </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">at first I wondered, “Who are these people he keeps mentioning during conversation.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When I found out these two folks were his mom and dad, I was taken back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could never imagine using my parents’ first names without identifying them in that role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This friend of mine was not adopted, he has a brother and sister who did the same! Finally, I was able to meet them, great folks and good family it was just a custom apparently </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">to speak only in first names regardless of the relationship.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">No titles or special position identifier. That seminarian, a classmate of mine, is a very good priest.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Today’s Gospel may have been something they read about in Jesus’ warning to avoid titles such as “Father” or “Rabbi” or “Teacher.” Yet, as always, there is something more here in these words of our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that very much should model our lives in keeping with the Christian Gospel and especially, in our exercise of authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That of servant leadership, a concept not unfamiliar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The words power, authority, ego, praise, popularity, notoriety, position are words which mark success. One is simply not given such privileges on a gold platter but rather you have to work hard, to be committed, to have a single focus and unfortunately, sometimes take advantage of others in order to get ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you’re born into a royal family and find yourself next in line for the throne such self-aggrandizement (self-promotion) takes a conscious effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, how quickly wealth, power, position can “go to your head” as the expression states.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Nowhere in this Sunday’s Gospel does Jesus imply we should not speak of our parents in parental terms as father and mother; he himself spoke of Mary as his mother and cousins and family members as the custom was, as brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But rather, his anger at the Jewish law protectors, the Scribes, and the Jewish teachers and enforcers, the Pharisees, was not their position but rather their abuse of power over the people, their hypocrisy, and the unrealistic and legalistic expectation of the people, something they never intended to live by themselves. They are far more concerned about being noticed, praised, given accolades and important authoritative titles, than they are about becoming the words they speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They worshiped themselves rather than the true God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ouch!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">So, our Lord’s warning about avoiding such titles is a reminder that in his view, these disciples and some to be apostles who would be given authority over people as teachers and missionaries are to avoid such behavior as the Pharisees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, listen to what they say because of the position they hold, but never “do what they do.” They have abused the titles and authority passed on to them, no matter how hard they may have worked to achieve it. They flaunt even religious reminders on their clothing such as exaggerated fringes and larger phylacteries and they seek places of honor before others, and self-serving praise to come their way. They must have been quite a spectacle to behold. Like peacocks strutting on the lawn, colorful tail feathers wide open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Rather, Jesus himself is the true teacher, rabbi, and we have our Father in heaven as the only “father.” So, they, and we in our own way, teach in the name of Christ, we serve in the name of Christ, the Church does not belong to us as if it was our personal invention. We are here to lead by example, to enforce only what we ourselves would be willing to likewise “carry.” We are servants of the Lord in his Church and if we do so with the right measure of humility and self-sacrifice, we will be deserving of special titles given to us but titles and positions that should never be sought for.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">If a member of the clergy ever admitted the whole goal of his priesthood was aimed at becoming a Bishop or a Cardinal of the Church, lusting for authority and public recognition over others, I would run far away from Father "Wonderful." I say that as a fellow priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an example you can apply in other ways of life as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">So, this passage penned by Matthew who was in the midst of a Jewish community of early Christian converts who followed Jesus as the Messiah but whose leaders were evidently not among the most admirable, teaches several basic truths. 1. That to Christian leaders must recognize that humility is the guiding principle. 2. That the greatest among them are the ones who serve, the "servant leaders" who live what they preach. 3.That the purpose of true authority is to: instruct, guide, and edify. 4. That to be humble and servant hearted as Jesus models, distinguishes the Christians from the pagan world around them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Parents should never be overbearing on their children or spouses be dictatorial over each other demanding from the other, treating them as inferior or more like a slave than an equal partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I exaggerate a bit, but it makes a point.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is not without purpose that the Church holds up the humble and simple pastor of souls St. John Vianney as the patron saint of all priests.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or praises the young Carmelite St. Therese of Liseux, as the greatest saint of modern times. Or St. Andre Bessette for his humility as a porter (door keeper) in the front office of a Canadian Catholic University where he was able to work many healings through the intercession of St. Joseph. Or even the Blessed Mother as the greatest of all the saints for her humble surrender to the will of God.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">She never stopped saying “yes” to God throughout her life.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There is no doubt of Jesus’ intention as we hear in his closing statement to his disciples: "All who exalt themselves will be humbled and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Almighty and merciful God,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>by whose gift your faithful offer you</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>right and praiseworthy service </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;">grant </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">that we may hasten</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">without stumbling to receive the things</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>you have promised.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><i>(Collect of Mass)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-85552364505677290242023-10-27T13:57:00.005-07:002023-10-28T13:55:52.758-07:0030th Sunday - "The Greatest Commandment"<p> </p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Os-Ka6649VpUb-JF-7aEPk3mfVLYsE_uxkBCv1K4j67_njief-AnSeEdUPrZektCQJAiJvVswYpophIPsLD7fJ2o5sgF_nQbmb2HsoOtyEdVppYQG2qRRdAW5-TAdwmpsQ3fHWK9iyFTZ9u8NfXLfSZr8AWZ5N6GvoulfBeu6cbSvAowSUJuoUFB9csO/s1472/photo-1451471016731-e963a8588be8.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Os-Ka6649VpUb-JF-7aEPk3mfVLYsE_uxkBCv1K4j67_njief-AnSeEdUPrZektCQJAiJvVswYpophIPsLD7fJ2o5sgF_nQbmb2HsoOtyEdVppYQG2qRRdAW5-TAdwmpsQ3fHWK9iyFTZ9u8NfXLfSZr8AWZ5N6GvoulfBeu6cbSvAowSUJuoUFB9csO/w400-h266/photo-1451471016731-e963a8588be8.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: large;">"Love the Lord your God, with all your heart . . . soul . . . mind</i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>love your neighbor as yourself."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 22: 34-40</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102923.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102923.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">--------------------------------</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Almighty ever-living God,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>increase our faith, hope and charity,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and make us love what you command,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so that we may merit what your promise.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">(Collect of Mass) </p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It has been said
sarcastically, that the “Church would be great if it wasn’t for people!” Anyone
in full time ministry, in the work of service to others, knows how both life
giving and frustrating serving others can be. Anytime one works with the
public, you are open to everything. So, “If people were not around, life would
be so much easier and peaceful. I could
take time for prayer and do all the things that saints speak about in seeking a
strong spiritual life and become holy. I
could enjoy all the beauty of music and art and celebrate the liturgy without
having to wonder about all those others who participate.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, such sarcasm will only
produce a very lonely ministry and frankly, a boring life. The point of this little example is that as
our Gospel reminds us this Sunday, God has placed us in the midst of human
interaction. That our whole life is
designed for relationship and to imagine a Church without people is neither
Biblical nor Christian nor realistic. So, like it or not we are stuck with each
other which is the beautiful truth. But that is exactly the point of our
scriptures. The core and center of our
life is focused on a relationship both with God and with our brothers and sisters
and therefore both vertical and horizontal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today’s readings are very
familiar to us for we’ve heard them stated so often: love God and love your neighbor. It’s at the foundation of our Christian way
of life. Yet, what if I’m not loved in return?
What if I show kindness to another and all I receive back is a cold
shoulder, an insult, or an angry response?
To extend love to another is often more challenging than it sounds but
it can also become more rewarding than you ever imagined. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In other words, if we truly
love God then love would be the constant measure and force of my life. In
essence, we are to love who and what God loves – and that is everyone and all
that he has created. In fact, that is clearly the intent Jesus had when he
answered his deceptive inquirers in the Gospel passage this Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Pharisees, hearing the Sadducees failed
in their attempt to trap Jesus after showing him the Roman coin with the image
of Caesar on it, now turn on him again. This
time it is a challenge to explain what might be at the core of the Jewish
covenant, a sacred law by which all righteous Jews would live. What is more
fundamental to their way of life than obedience to the Sacred Law which
governed everything from food, work, worship, and relationships with Jews and
non-Jews. The Pharisees above all were
the law police making sure that all Jews were following the proper
prescriptions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, they ask Jesus, of all
the laws which govern the life of the Jews enumerated in the first books of the
Torah, which is the greatest? Jesus once
again turns the question on them and states the sacred Shma: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart … soul … and mind.” This is the greatest and something they would
have agreed with but then he goes a step farther</span>: “<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second is ‘like’ it: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.” While his
audience would have been familiar with the sacred love of neighbor, Jesus
states that in essence the way to love God is to love your neighbor. It’s not
about the law as much as it is about charity in action. Your love for God is
expressed through your love of neighbor.
In the view of God, everyone is your neighbor for his love is universal.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The most unique thing is
that Jesus put both on the same level thereby as a blend of two laws as one. “The second is like it . . .” Jesus said.
Thus, it is one sacred law with two do-equal parts: love God and love your neighbor. If we love what God loves, then our love is
without borders, it is inclusive and extensive of everything God has made and all he loves. Jesus,' t</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">he incarnate Word of God who
speaks, captures for his listeners and for us the very heart of the law. This
is how God sees it for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How often do we get love
tangled up in our feelings, however? Love is how you feel about another person,
therefore my negative feelings towards another, even if I can justify, they are
undeserving, qualify my love. How can I
love a stranger, the person walking down the street, the parishioner in the pew
I’ve never spoken to, the man whose skin is darker than mine or who dresses shabbily
or who speaks a different language, how can I have warm and fuzzy feelings
towards someone who has done wrong and deserves punishment? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Stop! It is right to know
that our Lord is not speaking of feelings for another but rather about behavior.
My attraction or my feelings are simply emotions – that’s not love. True love
is a choice I make; a movement towards another to do good for them, regardless
of who they are. To love is to will good for the other regardless of my
emotions for them. It is possible and
right to love another for whom I feel nothing in particular: the stranger walking down the street, a disheveled
person who approaches you on a cold night in a parking lot asking for money,
the one who has spoken harsh about me, or a person in need anywhere that I
might notice or encounter, etc. In relationship with each other, we show our
love for God. Remember Jesus washed the
feet of his disciples the night before he died and stated clearly: “As I have
done, so you must do.” Then he offered them the greatest act of love in the Holy
Eucharist the night before he sacrificed himself for our sake. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What will I do to show my
love for God? All depends on the
situation and the need that is present.
Give the one who asks for money on a cold night, a warm piece of your
own clothing? How about a sincere smile and “hello” as you pass by or a kind
comment on something you notice they are doing?
To offer a simple assistance to someone who asks for help? To resist
judging another person who looks and speaks differently than you or is caught
at a different economic level than you? I think we can find endless examples of
how we can contribute to the common good and share our love for God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In closing, let me illustrate
this through an ordinary personal example.
The other day I was shopping for groceries in the early evening. It was getting dark and was cold enough to
wear a warm jacket. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As I was putting the items
in my car, a man approached me who was clearly “on the street” and politely asked
for some money. My usual skepticism
stepped in and my initial resistance, but I knew I had a few dollars in my
pocket, so I gave it to him. He thanked
me, went on his way to the other side of the lot near the entrance to the
store, where he sat down on the sidewalk, covered in a blanket that I’m sure
had not been washed in some time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As I was getting in my car,
I had the strongest desire to go to him and offer him the coat I was wearing,
but sadly I did not do so. I had another coat and sweaters at home but for some
selfish reason on my part, I watched him for a short time, then drove off. As I write these words, I feel a sense of
guilt knowing I had resisted a call from God to love my neighbor. A lesson learned indeed. As a priest, you think I would know better
but nonetheless, do not resist the grace of God when a moment arrives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the way it is and
the way Jesus, the Son of God, has proposed for us. Imagine for a moment, as naïve as it may
seem, that all in the world lived this way – it would be heaven on earth. And
maybe that is the point of Jesus commanding us to love God and our
neighbor. In that way, we not only have
a Church filled with people, but a collection of persons who model the Kingdom
of God to bring hope to a very troubled world around us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
</div>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-1605842861244158662023-10-21T10:51:00.001-07:002023-10-21T10:52:09.864-07:0029th Sunday - Whose image do you follow?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKZKbYWGnSrISlLqxsezwDaWmM_xzWWWzqYfVOmqGENXL9shaod17ufJ_GMXDQ1NFlgzXLsPjQeMW5ZhguTg8cwDlAseacMg6mFTjuu4Wm7jV5GHA_sU8I5MqP5TGMoG2W6WbsVP8WiuRpue4IsDELOuJQ6wKWg8_xh_ImTHMuprY_2Iw2yz-pDyAsvLJ/s1960/photo-1512075135822-67cdd9dd7314.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKZKbYWGnSrISlLqxsezwDaWmM_xzWWWzqYfVOmqGENXL9shaod17ufJ_GMXDQ1NFlgzXLsPjQeMW5ZhguTg8cwDlAseacMg6mFTjuu4Wm7jV5GHA_sU8I5MqP5TGMoG2W6WbsVP8WiuRpue4IsDELOuJQ6wKWg8_xh_ImTHMuprY_2Iw2yz-pDyAsvLJ/w240-h320/photo-1512075135822-67cdd9dd7314.webp" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">"<i><span style="font-size: medium;">Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and to God what is God's"</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kBF0XQt3EhVHenMfgxXeB-9IV3dcf2nQ3Z3S4NXaF7WoTNznRoFR3JnkZ7Gb-SMdVctWDB6CB0tivBk6e9i-X60AUaR98JADW3LE1CHUS009k4-Tf63gAj3CNfN2M2OhSawxjr_vtM0AlAyeyJyPHdrX-cn16nOE3Mp0YH72ksus6NzueVPy8XOBnXyl/s753/1_omcsI9aGCpv7hla4tMazBg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="753" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kBF0XQt3EhVHenMfgxXeB-9IV3dcf2nQ3Z3S4NXaF7WoTNznRoFR3JnkZ7Gb-SMdVctWDB6CB0tivBk6e9i-X60AUaR98JADW3LE1CHUS009k4-Tf63gAj3CNfN2M2OhSawxjr_vtM0AlAyeyJyPHdrX-cn16nOE3Mp0YH72ksus6NzueVPy8XOBnXyl/s320/1_omcsI9aGCpv7hla4tMazBg.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><span><p style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 22: 15-21</span></p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102223.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102223.cfm</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A number of years ago I
pastored a parish that enjoyed a local farm family with 15 children.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">One thing was for certain; there was a
definite family resemblance that ran through all the children and youth who
were a mixture of grade, high school and college age youth at that time. One
daughter was recently married.</span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You knew what their family
name was and all you had to do was look at any of them to know what “clan” they
belonged to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, with the exception
of one of the older boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I
could tell he didn’t look anything like his brothers or sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meeting the family for the first time, I
thought he was a friend of one of the older boys but soon was corrected and
told, nope he’s one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A roll of the
genetic dice I suppose. Whose image do we show? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Many things may run through
our minds here in light of the Gospel this Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a clear effort to entrap Jesus, the
Herodians and Pharisees, enemies themselves, join forces to pose a question to
Jesus that would reveal on whose side he really was – or so they thought: that
of the Romans or that of the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either way, they felt he would entrap himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In an almost sickening false
flattery, Jesus is insincerely complimented by his questionnaires, then asked
the entrapping question: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Matthew relates that Jesus knew their “malice” their evil intent and, as
always, could read their hearts and knew their true intention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If Jesus said “no” you
should not pay the census tax, then he would anger the Romans and be accused of
sedition. If he said “yes” then he would challenge the very Commandment to the
Torah to have no other god’s before you by siding with the Romans and their
brutal occupation of Israel. For imprinted on the coin they showed Jesus was
the clear image of Caesar and an inscription which claimed him to be the “son
of god,” in reference to his father who had been proclaimed divine by the Roman
government. Interesting coincidence considering who these characters were
talking with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Show me the coin, “Jesus
stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Pharisees, being
representatives of the Sacred Law, they should have no such graven image in
their pockets let alone in their hands. Still, someone does although it isn’t
stated who but the very fact that it is produced for Jesus proves their
complicity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They possess the coin which
pays the census tax, which reveals their complicity with Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Brilliantly, Jesus states: “Then
repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Score
another one for Jesus! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There is likely no other
line Jesus spoke that Christians have wrestled with its meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is Caesar’s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is God’s? How wealthy can the Church be
and what about the right use of money in light of our Christian faith? We
modern American’s may point to this as a classic example of the separation of
church and state, but its meaning has nothing to do with our American
Constitution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is far more about our
right relationship in the human community and the one God, who is Lord. One
example may help to answer the question as to what belongs to who.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the story of creation, as
God creates humankind, we hear that we are created “in the image and likeness
of God,” Every human created with the image of God is unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t look the same, we don’t walk in lock
step uniformly and each human person has a unique individuality that reflects
the limitless power of God over all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Creation is the same. A tree is a tree but not every tree is
identical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flower is a flower but each
one bears a unique shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To God is owed all things because he
is Lord of all and we above all , bear the image of the creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the ancient image of Caesar imprinted on
the coin, the image of God is imprinted on us eternally. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So to whom do we owe
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As citizens of a nation, we have
responsibilities of good citizenship of course and to determine what is "Caesars,”
that is taxes, obedience to law and order, good citizenship, and patriotism is
pretty clear. Government officials have a legitimate authority to protect its
citizens and we work for the common good of all in this Country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know how fortunate we are to have a
say in our own governing. Yet that power is limited and uniformly applied, we
hope, like the money we carry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But the things of God have
no limit: all is gift, and all is grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All authority ultimately comes from him. Our first reading from Isaiah
today reminds us how God used the pagan Persian King Cyrus as an instrument to
return the exiled people to Israel: “I have called you by your name, and given
you a title, though you knew me not.” He released the Jews in captivity and
even assisted them in their return to the devastated Jerusalem with assistance
to rebuild their temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a “messiah,”
a savior to these people despite his pagan background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will use anyone for his good
purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We human beings belong to
God for as money is printed in the image of an earthly nation we human beings
are created in the image of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, it may be not so difficult to recognize that when it comes to
our human obligations to our government pitted at times against those that call
us to Christian discipleship, we find a tension, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It should be for us a matter
of how the human person is recognized, respected, protected, and honored by our
government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we live in a culture
which looks at life as more pragmatic rather than as sacred, then our
allegiance must be always to the higher moral standard which God has
established.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the poor, the elderly,
the frail, the unborn child the innocent are all unable to support and protect
themselves are ignored or dismissed, then we rise to make a difference and
speak to “Caesar” so that laws can be changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We give to God what is God’s. If the sanctity of the marriage covenant
is seen as not what God intended, then we must choose what God is owed not what
is popular or political. Give to God what is God’s. We owe him everything as he
is the Lord of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, while we may separate
our allegiance to State and Church we cannot live as dual citizens – one way
for one and another way for the other; one way in Church and another in the
public place. The choice must be ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are Catholic/Christians who live in a secular culture, and we cannot
compromise the things of God for the things of Caesar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As citizens of a nation life stops here when
we are gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as citizens of the
kingdom of God, we go on beyond this world where our total giving will be for
God alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, whose image do we follow?
Upon one another, who do we see? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Grant, O Lord, we pray,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">that, benefitting from participation in heavenly things,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">we may be helped by what you give in this present age</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and prepared for the gifts that are eternal.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Through Christ our Lord.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">(Prayer after Communion)</span></p>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-31147306024430982442023-10-14T11:08:00.005-07:002023-10-14T13:55:19.350-07:0028th Sunday: It's more than just showing up <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBaf5jAo4ntnBTPJu83kcgCVcIV3xsnjd3NxBAYnDIaHX1IzRw9Hyz8Jcx1juXoRZT3578JFO-P57weHQhDfVkFVAb7njqjoqIQ2Zvcw1HokTOQLo88HkkEkJ1bfO6ZFhx-AgOn-pGcglRC7vReccW6nduxRYEMMFEQ_wy-H_5CHWWED69vaCc9SWOwRx/s1640/The-Parable-of-the-Wedding-Banquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1640" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBaf5jAo4ntnBTPJu83kcgCVcIV3xsnjd3NxBAYnDIaHX1IzRw9Hyz8Jcx1juXoRZT3578JFO-P57weHQhDfVkFVAb7njqjoqIQ2Zvcw1HokTOQLo88HkkEkJ1bfO6ZFhx-AgOn-pGcglRC7vReccW6nduxRYEMMFEQ_wy-H_5CHWWED69vaCc9SWOwRx/w400-h269/The-Parable-of-the-Wedding-Banquet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"Behold, I have prepared my wedding banquet . . . come to the feast!"</span></i></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 22: 1-14</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101523.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101523.cfm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Weddings are meant to be happy
events.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In our present American culture,
the wedding industry has become a billion-dollar business.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For some it’s all about the presentation, the
venue, the clothing, the flowers, the food, the photographer, the guest list,
the music.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Exorbitant amounts of money,
in excess of $20,000 is not unheard of.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the time of Jesus, Jewish
weddings involved two invitations:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one
to invite the guests and to let them know the son/daughter was being married
and another, after the necessary preparations had been made for the banquet,
etc, to tell the invited guests the when and where. After all, Jewish weddings
went on for at least five days of feasting and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder the wine ran out at Cana! Believe
me, we priests can write a book about what we’ve seen, heard and been asked at
a wedding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Still, of all the details
that go into creating a wedding celebration, the one which seems to cause the
most stress is who to invite. Invitations are sent hoping that everyone is
included, and no one suffers hurt feelings. Despite the desire for a destination
wedding, or the venue of an outdoor space at a nearby vineyard, for a Catholic
who understands the sacramental nature of marriage, a beautiful wedding in the
sacred space of the Church, is the best choice. In that space, the King is
present, and we his guests come with great thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our readings this Sunday
speak both of a feast and of a royal wedding. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a
“feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy rich foods and pure, choice wines .
. .” It is God himself, the Lord of hosts, who has prepared this banquet for us
and the one who extends his invitation to anyone who would accept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Feast is a foretaste of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An invitation to share in the banquet our
King has prepared and extended to us through his own Son. This sumptuous feast
is available to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would you not
accept an invitation to the royal wedding?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Imagine that you received a messenger
at your door who hands you an engraved invitation from the King of England to
the royal wedding of his son. Or the President of the United States does the
same and invites you to the marriage of his son/daughter at the White House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would say no to such an honor? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One would think that anyone
would be honored to be invited to a royal wedding feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people would do anything for such an
honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, this story of Jesus takes a
weird turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the parables of Jesus
are not meant to be taken in a literal sense, they provide an allegorical image
for us to ponder. In this case, the Lord in his exaggeration, is striving for
our attention to his message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wake up!”
“See what God has done!” “Don’t pass this by! "For, in this parable we see the never-ending theme of God's relentless pursuit for our attention. Though we may feel that it is our search for God that drives us, it is truly his search for us and his invitation to us hoping for our positive response. Just ask St. Augustine what he came to realize he had been missing. But, alas, that great blessing from God is not always received well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Still, despite the
invitation, some refused. Others found themselves just too busy to come
making up silly excuses to their own eventual regret. How strange that sounds. But here we see the dealings with the chosen people God has experienced and in particular the very bad leadership of those chosen by the people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, the king sent servants
into the byways and highways to invite everyone both the bad and the good. The
wedding hall was filled, the party began, and the very generous king
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would think that wedding
attire would not be an issue considering where the servants went to fill the
hall with guests, but the king spots a guest “without a wedding garment.” That
person is treated harshly and eventually thrown out of the banquet! Again, don’t
take this literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t about a
proper piece of clothing as it is rightly about our response to the
invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sure, I came and here I’m
enjoying all the feasting but the call to conversion and grace that God
requires of us, is not worth the effort. With the invitation goes an
expectation of gratitude and taking this seriously on our part. Showing up is a
good thing but it’s only the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
leave the banquet and maybe reconnect when the time is right for you –properly “dressed.”
Like all the parables of Jesus they are meant to have a twist or to pull the
rug out from us to think about a deeper implication.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, that garment is
somewhat key to understanding that although the invitation offered by God (the
King) is not only generous and merciful there is still a caveat about our
willingness to embrace and to live by the Gospel. There is a theme of
conversion and repentance that our life in Christ is not without a cost. Our very participation in the Eucharist, should call us to self-reflection, that great feast Jesus has prepared for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The call to the kingdom of
God includes a reassessment of our lives. We are invited to conversion; to set
ourselves in a new direction and to return on the mark the Gospel shows us. In
a real sense the “wedding garment” is a symbol of the white baptismal garment
and the virtues we have acquired in our lifetime. It is the moment to “put on
Christ” as Paul reminds us and to acquire a life of virtue: love, forgiveness,
compassion, selflessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To put on
Christ and to conform our lives to his is how we must be clothed to enter the
Feast of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we can’t just show
up – it’s more than that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In a way, in telling this
parable, Jesus’ invitation was consistent in his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, through Christ, has proposed a new
vision for humanity and the values of the kingdom are its blueprint. Through
his preaching, miracles, his person he constantly extended the invitation yet
many surprisingly said "not now" and many accused him of siding with the sinners and outcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the poor and fringe population that
embraced his call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like those invited to
the parable at the end, those Jesus received were among the forgotten, the
fringe, the poor and powerless. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe an interesting
question that we must all ask is “why am I here and about to share in the very
body of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What brings me here?”
Even in this time which is so challenging to our faith we still must seek an answer
to this fundamental question. We can find an excuse for anything but why would
we refuse the invitation that God himself is offering us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That feast is a sign of both
our Christian faith and the joy of sharing in the Eucharist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we joyful Christians?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we here just out of obligation or do we
come because we truly want to keep our lives directed in the ways of the
Gospel? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, if we want to be dressed
well, put on Christ and enjoy the party!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us pray incessantly for
peace in the world, especially in the middle east at this time and among both Christians
and Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">May your grace, O Lord, we pray,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">at all times go before us and follow after </span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and make us always determined to carry out</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">good works.</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>who lives and reigns with you</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>God, for ever and ever.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">(Collect of Mass)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399317177959637253.post-36674160975448051542023-10-07T12:03:00.000-07:002023-10-07T12:03:23.971-07:0027th Sunday - To bear good fruit<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxsP7MBNurYLxmXR7YStXqoSJXX7vE08FIhLPwl9my4_puch9-tCOKvHFNrbnstHcW8oHfQshRy-bZzgRl-ieUR5CY9RPkLAy3651IUW1YnWheA4vnlcCapSsB4lq_KRi80U2aSZJTZWMchmOCwCFCk_RtZ3JjTxa4vzmfSifCkVcOoSnvDMWq_663v8a/s750/photo-1695928893379-bb7e67790f2b.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxsP7MBNurYLxmXR7YStXqoSJXX7vE08FIhLPwl9my4_puch9-tCOKvHFNrbnstHcW8oHfQshRy-bZzgRl-ieUR5CY9RPkLAy3651IUW1YnWheA4vnlcCapSsB4lq_KRi80U2aSZJTZWMchmOCwCFCk_RtZ3JjTxa4vzmfSifCkVcOoSnvDMWq_663v8a/w266-h400/photo-1695928893379-bb7e67790f2b.webp" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">". . . what it yielded was wild grapes"</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 21: 33-43</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Word: <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100823.cfm">https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100823.cfm</a></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think most of us will
easily call to mind the successes we’ve had in life but will either deny or
much rather forget the failures or the past painful memories.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe you worked hard, studied hard, really
prepared well on a project or an assignment only to find out that it didn’t
quite meet the level you were hoping.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe
there was a relationship you were hoping would go better than it did, and the
sadness of failure took some time to get over.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve had successes in my
priesthood for which I am grateful and I’m glad to share those, but I really
would rather not bring up the failures or the disappointing memories. Maybe
it’s our ego or own sense of self-importance or it could be a lack of
appreciation for what we have rather than what we don’t. Sometimes, we’re just
sour grapes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In light of today’s
readings, both the first from Isaiah and the Gospel parable of Jesus about the
wicked tenants in the vineyard I think we find some of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They provide us a moment to remind ourselves
about what we have, and the richness or “fruits” God is expecting us to produce as we follow his will and
maybe our failures can turn out to be successes in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Both Isaiah and Jesus’
parable from Matthew speak of a vineyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, the Gospel has Jesus making comment on the specific passage we
hear today from Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, the images
are tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They begin with a vineyard
owner who very lovingly prepared his vineyard: on a fertile hillside, spaded
it, cleared the ground of stones, planted the finest vines he could find and
then built a watchtower in the vineyard to guard it carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But those best laid plans
went sour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went to harvest the fresh,
juicy grapes and found they were wild and tasteless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is angry and disappointed, so he abandons
it to become a ruin filled with thorns and briers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Such care and love had been given to it in the beginning but for some
reason it was wasted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More specifically, Isaiah clearly states that
the vineyard is a sign of the “house of Israel” and that God, who tended his
“vineyard” with tenderness and love, has found only rejection and
carelessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s be careful
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this mean that God has
rejected his chosen people? The audience Jesus’ addressed were the religious
leaders of the people who had turned from the covenant and led the people astray.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is where Jesus fleshes
out further commentary in the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tenants in the vineyard had squandered its riches on their own selfish
pursuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any servants sent to the vineyard
were welcomed with a violent end (Prophets) and even the son of the landowner
was killed there (Jesus).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a tough
story for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vineyard taken away
may identify the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and God who then
handed over the care of the new vineyard, the Church, to the mix of Jews and
Gentile community. The point is more about us because in similar vein we see
the Church as the vineyard of the Lord as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, if we see this for what
it is meant it challenges all of us who have been given all as gift from
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our task, by reason of our Baptism,
is to take care of that vineyard in which we live: the vineyard of our faith
community and the values by which we live here and, in this world, as missionary
disciples of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the
parable seems a harsh lesson in rejection it is filled with disappointment and
frustration due to its’ lack of good produce. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This parable, and a reminder
to us, is more about the kind of fruit that is produced. How do we deal with
what has been given us? How open are we to the message of the Gospel? Is our
life producing virtue or apathy towards our faith? Do we truly embrace the
sometimes-challenging morality Jesus calls us to live especially as we find
ourselves in a counter cultural and dismissive society as we have today? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That my life is guided by
knowing that I’ve been placed in the Lord’s vineyard with many gifts and
opportunities given from him that are not meant for me alone but meant to be
shared for the good of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, to take care of one another, to nurture our faith in the Lord, and to
guard God’s creation around me for example and not exploit it for my own
selfish pursuits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s a very Catholic
perspective to say, “all is gift.” God has prepared the vineyard of our lives,
gifted us with certain advantages, and shared with us the richness of our faith
and it’s spiritual treasures. All is gift and we tend the vineyard to produce
richness for the time we have been given. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because our culture today is
becoming more critical of who we are as Christians and Catholics and of how we
more and more challenge the status quo of what is considered acceptable in
society it is becoming all the more important for us to tend our vineyards with
care and not let it simply turn to sour grapes through our neglect.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our second reading from
Philippians drives this home beautifully for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a poetic reflection on truth, honor,
justice, and beauty, Paul writes: “Keep on doing what you have learned and
received and heard and seen in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
the God of peace will be with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we gather at the Eucharist each Sunday, we
see this played out as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The very
word “Eucharist” means to give thanks to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We gather not to decide what’s in this for me but more to recognize our
unity in the Lord and our care for one another in Christ and to give thanks to
God for all he has done. Baptized into Christ we have been placed in the
vineyard of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Take care to tend it
carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Almighty
ever-living God<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">who
in the abundance of your kindness<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">surpass
the merits and the desires of those who entreat you<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">pour
out your mercy upon us<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">to
pardon what conscience dreads<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">and
to give what prayer does not dare to ask.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">(Collect of Mass)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>From my side of the altarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06494956082667625344noreply@blogger.com0