Merry Christmas!
A few years ago I got to spend nearly two weeks during Lent in Arizona on retreat. I arrived in Phoenix in the late morning on a Wednesday. I rented a Dodge Neon and drove to Scottsdale and bought a ticket for Sunday's Cubs' Spring Training game against the A's. I then drove north to the Grand Canyon. As a 15 year old I'd been there before. The first visit was so impressive that I can still close my eyes and see the muddy Colorado River "ess"ing through the bottom 2 miles below, the far rim several miles north, the canyon mesas, pinnacles, and walls, and the vibrant hues of orange, red, yellow, tan, brown, and a few tufts of green. I got there in time to catch the last glimpses of sunlight fade across the massive gorge. Then I got a good idea. I would go to the lodge, get a room, dinner, and drink. Then I'd set my alarm for well before sunrise and go to the the first lookout to the east, watch the sunrise on the canyon, hike the rim for fifteen miles or so, and end my day at a lookout point to the west of the lodge, and then take a shuttle bus back to my car and then drive to Sedona the next night.
All those things occurred except the getting a room part. The lodge was booked. In other words, "there was no room in the inn." I didn't have to spend the night with the canyon mules though. I spent a few short hours sleeping in a cold rented Dodge Neon's reclining front seat. My research told me that it was going to be hot in Arizona in early April. And it was (during the daytime and at lower elevations). But night time in the higher elevations at the Grand Canyon was freezing or below. I did not have the clothes that it took to stay warm that evening. I ran the car heater for 45 minute periods, woke up to turn the car off so I wouldn't get asphyxiated, slept for 45 minutes w/out heat, and repeated the cycle until it was time to go watch the daylight come to the Canyon.
Also part of the reason I couldn't sleep was the anticipation of watching sunrise come over the Canyon. Have you ever stayed up all night just to experience the dawn – the gradual dimming of the stars as light gently pushes back the darkness revealing the now? Somehow all is refreshed, brilliant – light has come. My experience was just that. When I walked to the rim, it was completely dark. No moon, just cold, black, and stars. I could tell that I was at the Grand Canyon, but I could not tell how grand it was. Then the eastern sky s began to lighten, and silhouettes of the canyons forms started to make themselves known. The colors started to appear. Light made everything new and vivid. Light sanctified the Grand Canyon, making it new.
Christmas is just this – Light blessing the now. Christmas is not the end of the Advent waiting and journeying. It is the dawn of Advent. It is Light blessing and sanctifying the journey, the waiting itself.
Who waits for whom? Who blesses whom? Parents, siblings, buddies and lovers pensively wait for those who are engaged in ministry, mission and service to come home. Parents eager with anticipation wait for the infant soon to be born. Parents, friends and strangers compassionately journey with the lost and forsaken. Longingly families and friends wait for the estranged. The outcast in yearning wait for welcome. The hungry in trust wait for the cook. The homeless in hope wait for the host. The jobless in faith wait for the employers. The imprisoned desiring freedom wait for the visitor. And children everywhere joyfully wait for the anticipated delight.
May God give you the gift of hunger for the Light of the World.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Short People Got No Reason....
Hey Guys and Gals,
I have spent the last three of Monday afternoons at the Towne Mall working at the Helping Hand “Heart to Hand” Christmas tree. On one of those Mondays I counted the Christmas Carols being played over the intercom for the 2 ½ hours I was there. In that time there were 48 carols played. Of those only six were songs about Jesus. One was the “Our Father” by Elvis. Two were musical medleys (no words) of religious Christmas Carols. So actually, in the 2 ½ hours I was in the mall I only heard songs mentioning the birth of Christ four times. But I heard plenty about winter, snow, reindeer, Santa, and even chestnuts. I promise you that I’m not putting down the Towne Mall or their choice of Christmas music that they broadcast through their intercom. They are very generous for letting Helping Hand use an entrance to their Mall to let us help needy children in our part of Hardin County.
My point is that the voice of the faithful meaning of Christmas is still a very small voice in 2009. A person has to listen for God’s voice (or be bored enough to count Christmas songs at the Mall) in order to hear God at all, even during the season of the year when it should be most likely to hear something about Him. But there is nothing new in that.
In the readings today the prophet Micah and the evangelist Luke write to us about little towns and little women becoming the instruments of God. Micah writes about the little town of Bethlehem being the birthplace of the Messiah. St. Luke tells us the story of the too young Virgin meeting with her too old cousin Elizabeth to rejoice about their Good News. The message to me seems clear. The insignificant and the small are the ones that God chooses to bring in His Son, His Kingdom, and His plan.
That also means that that tiny little voice in the Mall proclaiming the birth of Jesus may just have a chance of becoming pregnant in me, or you, or some unsuspecting shopper who might just happen to have their ears open at the right time. Today’s readings are about pregnancy in the style of God’s design. Although Bethlehem, Mary, and Elizabeth are the featured small things in today’s readings who find themselves being the earthen vessels for God’s work, the message today is about NOW (and YOU, and ME, and HERE) and not only about long ago and faraway. Just like our microscopic beginnings in the wombs of our own moms, God has a wonderful and awesome plan that He wants each of us to play an important part. May we have hearts, minds, lives, and ears that can hear that tiny voice and be the fertile ground that God has made.
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
I have spent the last three of Monday afternoons at the Towne Mall working at the Helping Hand “Heart to Hand” Christmas tree. On one of those Mondays I counted the Christmas Carols being played over the intercom for the 2 ½ hours I was there. In that time there were 48 carols played. Of those only six were songs about Jesus. One was the “Our Father” by Elvis. Two were musical medleys (no words) of religious Christmas Carols. So actually, in the 2 ½ hours I was in the mall I only heard songs mentioning the birth of Christ four times. But I heard plenty about winter, snow, reindeer, Santa, and even chestnuts. I promise you that I’m not putting down the Towne Mall or their choice of Christmas music that they broadcast through their intercom. They are very generous for letting Helping Hand use an entrance to their Mall to let us help needy children in our part of Hardin County.
My point is that the voice of the faithful meaning of Christmas is still a very small voice in 2009. A person has to listen for God’s voice (or be bored enough to count Christmas songs at the Mall) in order to hear God at all, even during the season of the year when it should be most likely to hear something about Him. But there is nothing new in that.
In the readings today the prophet Micah and the evangelist Luke write to us about little towns and little women becoming the instruments of God. Micah writes about the little town of Bethlehem being the birthplace of the Messiah. St. Luke tells us the story of the too young Virgin meeting with her too old cousin Elizabeth to rejoice about their Good News. The message to me seems clear. The insignificant and the small are the ones that God chooses to bring in His Son, His Kingdom, and His plan.
That also means that that tiny little voice in the Mall proclaiming the birth of Jesus may just have a chance of becoming pregnant in me, or you, or some unsuspecting shopper who might just happen to have their ears open at the right time. Today’s readings are about pregnancy in the style of God’s design. Although Bethlehem, Mary, and Elizabeth are the featured small things in today’s readings who find themselves being the earthen vessels for God’s work, the message today is about NOW (and YOU, and ME, and HERE) and not only about long ago and faraway. Just like our microscopic beginnings in the wombs of our own moms, God has a wonderful and awesome plan that He wants each of us to play an important part. May we have hearts, minds, lives, and ears that can hear that tiny voice and be the fertile ground that God has made.
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
All I Want for Christmas!!!!!!!
More John the Baptist?!?!?! When do we get to the good stuff?
My problem is that I’m tired of John the Baptist and those prophesies of change of heart, change of attitude, and especially changes of my behavior. But this weekend we get one more installment of St. John the Baptist telling the folks that are coming to him what to do about their lives.(Luke 3:10-18)
I remember in grade school going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation every other Saturday with my parents. Fr. Spalding would always prescribe just about the same penance every time. No matter what the sin(s) Fr. John T. would give me one to five Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be’s. St. John the Baptist was different. When folks came to him asking, “What ought we to do about our sins?” his penances were more “sin” specific. He told the folks who confessed selfishness to share better. He told the tax collectors to quit stealing. He told the soldiers to quit lording their power over folks and be fair.
Saying a couple of prayers is easy. Actually changing is tough. But in order to really make Christmas what Christmas is, the “easy” way is not enough. If I want Christ to be reborn in me; if I want Christ to mean something more to me this year than he ever has before, then I have to be willing to change. I have to reprioritize my values, my attitude, my habits, and my behaviors.
The popular bumper sticker says, “Put Christ Back into Christmas!” That is easy to say we want to do. Are we each willing to make the changes in our lives that make this a reality? Or do we just want everyone else to change, and we remain the same dormant selves?
St. John the Baptist you are just what we need to make this the best Christmas ever!!!!
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Chuck
My problem is that I’m tired of John the Baptist and those prophesies of change of heart, change of attitude, and especially changes of my behavior. But this weekend we get one more installment of St. John the Baptist telling the folks that are coming to him what to do about their lives.(Luke 3:10-18)
I remember in grade school going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation every other Saturday with my parents. Fr. Spalding would always prescribe just about the same penance every time. No matter what the sin(s) Fr. John T. would give me one to five Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be’s. St. John the Baptist was different. When folks came to him asking, “What ought we to do about our sins?” his penances were more “sin” specific. He told the folks who confessed selfishness to share better. He told the tax collectors to quit stealing. He told the soldiers to quit lording their power over folks and be fair.
Saying a couple of prayers is easy. Actually changing is tough. But in order to really make Christmas what Christmas is, the “easy” way is not enough. If I want Christ to be reborn in me; if I want Christ to mean something more to me this year than he ever has before, then I have to be willing to change. I have to reprioritize my values, my attitude, my habits, and my behaviors.
The popular bumper sticker says, “Put Christ Back into Christmas!” That is easy to say we want to do. Are we each willing to make the changes in our lives that make this a reality? Or do we just want everyone else to change, and we remain the same dormant selves?
St. John the Baptist you are just what we need to make this the best Christmas ever!!!!
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, November 30, 2009
People get Ready!!!!
Howdy!
When I look at the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6,8-11, & Luke 3:1-6) two images come into my mind. Both are images of emptiness, yet hopefulness.
I remember as a kid getting ready for Halloween. First I'd get my costume on. My favorite was dressing up like a tramp. I'd put charcoal on my face to look like a beard and get a bunch of Dad's old work clothes to wear. It didn't take much work to dress like a tramp. The most important part of the preparation, no matter what the costume, was finding a bag for the treats that I was going to get. I'd get two old pillow cases and put one inside the other. I'd use double bags to prevent leaks and therefore no lost bounty. Then I'd call my friends to see where the meeting point was going to be so we could scavenge the neighborhood together, and then I'd leave the house with an empty sack (but not empty for long).
The second image I have for these Advent readings is decorating for Christmas. I usually don't decorate my house until sort of late. Two weeks before Christmas is my goal. Some folks have had their decorations up for well over a month before I start dragging mine out of the attic. I have a collection of nativity sets from all over the place. Folks have given me some of them. Others I have bought when I travelled to Israel, Mexico, Guatemala, etc. I got a lot from a store called Just Creations in Louisville. The store sells items from third world countries as sort of a co-op with the poor in those countries. I put these nativity scenes all over the house to remind me that the reason for Christmas is Christ, and that he came for everyone in the world, not just me, us, or a select group of folks. I also put up a Christmas tree. And when I put it up it is usually barren underneath. By the time Christmas Day rolls around underneath the tree fills up. I look forward, just like all kids do, when the I get to rip through the gift wrap, the bags, and the envelopes to see what is inside.
Why do these two images remind me of the Advent readings? Just like my empty trick or treat bag and my barren Christmas tree bottom, the readings have us anticipating what is going to be filled. Baruch tells us to throw off our sad rags and put on our party clothes. God is about to bring us justice, mercy, and glory. St. Paul prays to God that our capacity to love may grow more and more. He anticipates that the good work that God began in us will grow to fulfillment. In the Gospel John the Baptist comes on the scene. We'll here more from him next week, but he enters our Advent this week. His preaching and forgiving prepares for the the coming of the real Savior who has come into the World.
Advent is about emptiness; but an emptiness with a hoped for fulfillment. John the Baptist is not the Messiah, but we know that Jesus is not far down the street. St. Paul and the Prophet Baruch see the potential that we are capable of with God's involvement with us.
Advent is about prayer. May we pray these next few weeks with a purpose. As we enter our prayer time it will do us a lot of good to recognize the places in our hearts, minds and lives are empty. We may also find it helpful to pray about emptying our minds, our hearts, and our lives from some of the clutter that busies us. Next invite God into that empty place. I promise God can do a lot with a little bit of space.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
When I look at the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6,8-11, & Luke 3:1-6) two images come into my mind. Both are images of emptiness, yet hopefulness.
I remember as a kid getting ready for Halloween. First I'd get my costume on. My favorite was dressing up like a tramp. I'd put charcoal on my face to look like a beard and get a bunch of Dad's old work clothes to wear. It didn't take much work to dress like a tramp. The most important part of the preparation, no matter what the costume, was finding a bag for the treats that I was going to get. I'd get two old pillow cases and put one inside the other. I'd use double bags to prevent leaks and therefore no lost bounty. Then I'd call my friends to see where the meeting point was going to be so we could scavenge the neighborhood together, and then I'd leave the house with an empty sack (but not empty for long).
The second image I have for these Advent readings is decorating for Christmas. I usually don't decorate my house until sort of late. Two weeks before Christmas is my goal. Some folks have had their decorations up for well over a month before I start dragging mine out of the attic. I have a collection of nativity sets from all over the place. Folks have given me some of them. Others I have bought when I travelled to Israel, Mexico, Guatemala, etc. I got a lot from a store called Just Creations in Louisville. The store sells items from third world countries as sort of a co-op with the poor in those countries. I put these nativity scenes all over the house to remind me that the reason for Christmas is Christ, and that he came for everyone in the world, not just me, us, or a select group of folks. I also put up a Christmas tree. And when I put it up it is usually barren underneath. By the time Christmas Day rolls around underneath the tree fills up. I look forward, just like all kids do, when the I get to rip through the gift wrap, the bags, and the envelopes to see what is inside.
Why do these two images remind me of the Advent readings? Just like my empty trick or treat bag and my barren Christmas tree bottom, the readings have us anticipating what is going to be filled. Baruch tells us to throw off our sad rags and put on our party clothes. God is about to bring us justice, mercy, and glory. St. Paul prays to God that our capacity to love may grow more and more. He anticipates that the good work that God began in us will grow to fulfillment. In the Gospel John the Baptist comes on the scene. We'll here more from him next week, but he enters our Advent this week. His preaching and forgiving prepares for the the coming of the real Savior who has come into the World.
Advent is about emptiness; but an emptiness with a hoped for fulfillment. John the Baptist is not the Messiah, but we know that Jesus is not far down the street. St. Paul and the Prophet Baruch see the potential that we are capable of with God's involvement with us.
Advent is about prayer. May we pray these next few weeks with a purpose. As we enter our prayer time it will do us a lot of good to recognize the places in our hearts, minds and lives are empty. We may also find it helpful to pray about emptying our minds, our hearts, and our lives from some of the clutter that busies us. Next invite God into that empty place. I promise God can do a lot with a little bit of space.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, November 23, 2009
People Get Ready....!
Howdy!
I'm still having an NCYC hangover. I'm exhausted but still fired up about the National Catholic Youth Convention last weekend. There were 22,000 youth and leaders from all over the U.S. and the Spirit was definitely moving. The 12 teens from St. James didn't take long to get into the revelry and spiritual excitement. The music was heart throbbing, participatory, and inspiring. Most of the presenters were able to also get the youth involved by their speaking styles and timely topics. The prayer was moving and motivating.
The question is, "Now What?"
We've all had spiritual experiences that got us fired up. Whether it was a Mass, a retreat, an outreach event, or some other holy time, we all know what is like to be motivated in our faith. Mountain top experiences are important. But when the experience is over and we're back on our home ground,the balloon eventually deflates. How do we stay motivated yet real?
First we have to remember that the experience that we had was also a real experience. It was in an ideal situation perhaps, but it was still real. It is easy when we're living back in our ordinary existence to make light of our spiritual experience. To do so is spiritual suicide.
These spiritual events help us to see what is important in our lives, to set goals, and to dream dreams. In many ways they are God talking to us giving us our mission and our vocation. So when we throw cold water on our spiritual experiences we reduce our chance for intimacy with God.
Also, it is important to make the experiences we have part of our daily prayer. Reminding ourselves of why we were motivated and what we were motivated to do will help us to live out the experience that we had. By reminding ourselves of the experience in prayer it also makes God a continued a part of the experience. And God has a way of making dreams come true when He is part of them.
I bring all of this up because on Sunday, November 29th we begin Advent. And I plan on using this Advent season to pray on my mountain top experiences. When I think of the ways that Christ has been born in me in my life, most of the powerful ways have been in the mountain top experiences. So this Advent I plan on praying over the past and the most recent ways that Christ has come to me. I'm not doing this so I can try to go back and relive my past encounters with God. But I want to recollect God's interventions into my life so that I can follow His will for me now.
Advent is time of prayer and new spiritual awakenings. My hope is that you and I may be re-awakened to live more for God through this holy season.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
I'm still having an NCYC hangover. I'm exhausted but still fired up about the National Catholic Youth Convention last weekend. There were 22,000 youth and leaders from all over the U.S. and the Spirit was definitely moving. The 12 teens from St. James didn't take long to get into the revelry and spiritual excitement. The music was heart throbbing, participatory, and inspiring. Most of the presenters were able to also get the youth involved by their speaking styles and timely topics. The prayer was moving and motivating.
The question is, "Now What?"
We've all had spiritual experiences that got us fired up. Whether it was a Mass, a retreat, an outreach event, or some other holy time, we all know what is like to be motivated in our faith. Mountain top experiences are important. But when the experience is over and we're back on our home ground,the balloon eventually deflates. How do we stay motivated yet real?
First we have to remember that the experience that we had was also a real experience. It was in an ideal situation perhaps, but it was still real. It is easy when we're living back in our ordinary existence to make light of our spiritual experience. To do so is spiritual suicide.
These spiritual events help us to see what is important in our lives, to set goals, and to dream dreams. In many ways they are God talking to us giving us our mission and our vocation. So when we throw cold water on our spiritual experiences we reduce our chance for intimacy with God.
Also, it is important to make the experiences we have part of our daily prayer. Reminding ourselves of why we were motivated and what we were motivated to do will help us to live out the experience that we had. By reminding ourselves of the experience in prayer it also makes God a continued a part of the experience. And God has a way of making dreams come true when He is part of them.
I bring all of this up because on Sunday, November 29th we begin Advent. And I plan on using this Advent season to pray on my mountain top experiences. When I think of the ways that Christ has been born in me in my life, most of the powerful ways have been in the mountain top experiences. So this Advent I plan on praying over the past and the most recent ways that Christ has come to me. I'm not doing this so I can try to go back and relive my past encounters with God. But I want to recollect God's interventions into my life so that I can follow His will for me now.
Advent is time of prayer and new spiritual awakenings. My hope is that you and I may be re-awakened to live more for God through this holy season.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Greatest!!!
It was a different school night for me on February 25, 1964. I had to go to bed at 9:30 or so. But this 11 year old did not want to go to sleep. That part was normal. I was always making excuses for staying up later. Sometimes it was my sister snoring (Kathy doesn't snore)who slept on the other end of our upstairs bedroom. Often I blamed it on my little brother Stephen since he slept in the twin bed next to mine. He was either making the springs squeak, or talking in his sleep, or some other bogus excuse for me being able to spend more time downstairs with Dad and Mom or watching TV. This night was different. Olympic Champion Cassius Clay from Louisville, KY was fighting the evil and violent Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. And Dad was listening to it on the radio. Although rules were rules and bedtime was bedtime, I stayed awake in my bed trying to listen to to the radio through the floor and the stairwell to keep up with the fight. I couldn't make out many of the announcer's words but I could tell from his excitement that it was going longer than expected. I could also tell by the shrill pitch of his voice that Clay was doing well. As the fight went on I slunk out of bed, crawled on my belly to the top of the stairs, and tried to listen with all the strength my ears could muster to the progression of the fight. When, finally, Cassius Clay, from my home state, knocked out the much stronger and brutal Sonny Liston, I could tell by the delirious blabbering of the announcer that something big had happened. That's when I blew my cover and kind of whisper yelled downstairs to Dad, "Did he really win it?" Dad came to the door of the stairwell with a big grin on his face and said, "He's the new Champ!" Then I could hear soon to be Muhammad Ali's voice coming out of the tinny speaker yelling something. I asked Dad, "What's he saying?" Dad though he was saying, "I'm the King of the world!!!" He was actually saying, "I shook up the World!" But I like Dad's version better.
Later Ali became controversial for all sorts of reasons. He liked to brag on himself and belittle his opponents. He switched to the Islamic religion and changed his name. He was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and had to hang up his boxing gloves for his prime years of boxing as a punishment. He returned to the ring and won back his title. He fought way past retirement time and became kind of a sad figure. Since his retirement he has become a man who was once an icon because of his speed and ability to out think and out box every opponent and now he's an icon because of his ability to be a world peacemaker. Despite his controversial side, Ali has been a hero of mine since I was almost eight and he won the Olympic Gold Medal.
But he is not the "King of the World". Neither is Barak Obama, Osama bin Laden, Rush Limbaugh, Pope Benedict XVI, or any other human being.
I think it is okay to have role models and heroes. I have several. Some are priests. Others are faithful and courageous plain old folks. One of the reasons to have heroes is to try to be like them. Although I know that God has made me uniquely as His own and for a special purpose according to His design, I still like to look at the qualities that I admire in others, and then make them my own. I know now that I don't need to parrot everything about a person to imitate them.
November 22nd is the Feast of Christ the King. He is the only real King of the World. How do you make Him the ruler of your life? How do you try to imitate Him? Do you attempt to imitate the qualities of Him that you see in others?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
PS. I'll be tweeting from the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City from Nov. 19-22. You can follow "frchuck" on Twitter if you wish. It ought to be fun and exciting to see 22,000 teen aged Catholics living and exploring their faith together!! Check it out.
Later Ali became controversial for all sorts of reasons. He liked to brag on himself and belittle his opponents. He switched to the Islamic religion and changed his name. He was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and had to hang up his boxing gloves for his prime years of boxing as a punishment. He returned to the ring and won back his title. He fought way past retirement time and became kind of a sad figure. Since his retirement he has become a man who was once an icon because of his speed and ability to out think and out box every opponent and now he's an icon because of his ability to be a world peacemaker. Despite his controversial side, Ali has been a hero of mine since I was almost eight and he won the Olympic Gold Medal.
But he is not the "King of the World". Neither is Barak Obama, Osama bin Laden, Rush Limbaugh, Pope Benedict XVI, or any other human being.
I think it is okay to have role models and heroes. I have several. Some are priests. Others are faithful and courageous plain old folks. One of the reasons to have heroes is to try to be like them. Although I know that God has made me uniquely as His own and for a special purpose according to His design, I still like to look at the qualities that I admire in others, and then make them my own. I know now that I don't need to parrot everything about a person to imitate them.
November 22nd is the Feast of Christ the King. He is the only real King of the World. How do you make Him the ruler of your life? How do you try to imitate Him? Do you attempt to imitate the qualities of Him that you see in others?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
PS. I'll be tweeting from the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City from Nov. 19-22. You can follow "frchuck" on Twitter if you wish. It ought to be fun and exciting to see 22,000 teen aged Catholics living and exploring their faith together!! Check it out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
It's The End!!
Howdy!
I've gotten a couple of mailings recently advertising the end of the world. I say advertising because both were trying to either get me to put notices in our bulletin to get parishioners to believe in their "prophesies". It is also hard not to flip through the TV channels without catching a program about Nostradamus' predictions, or the Mayan calendar, or a giant meteor heading right at the White House (or maybe my house, YIKES!), or some other "prophecy".
I would like to jump on the band wagon. THE WORLD IS GOING TO END!!!!!!!! I have no idea when it is going to happen, buy this world will end.
Jesus warns us in the Gospel of Mark today that the things that we depend on are (in)security blankets. While the people of His world depended upon the sun, moon, and stars for telling time, navigating on land and sea, celebrating feasts, and even foretelling the future, Jesus warns that they are not going to last. His point is that only God is dependable; only God's time is for sure; only God is secure; only God is worth living for!
We spend a lot of our time, energy, and even our money trying to secure our lives. It is natural for us to want things to be dependable and safe. Our will to live is our strongest natural inclination. So, if we can help make ourselves safe and secure by any of our own efforts, then why not? However, God is bigger than our plans.
God also promises that it will be worth our sacrifice to let go of our (in)security blankets to cling to the only ONE who promises us eternal life, a banquet, and a Kingdom that will never end. Are you willing to let go of unreliable things and never be disappointed again?
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
I've gotten a couple of mailings recently advertising the end of the world. I say advertising because both were trying to either get me to put notices in our bulletin to get parishioners to believe in their "prophesies". It is also hard not to flip through the TV channels without catching a program about Nostradamus' predictions, or the Mayan calendar, or a giant meteor heading right at the White House (or maybe my house, YIKES!), or some other "prophecy".
I would like to jump on the band wagon. THE WORLD IS GOING TO END!!!!!!!! I have no idea when it is going to happen, buy this world will end.
Jesus warns us in the Gospel of Mark today that the things that we depend on are (in)security blankets. While the people of His world depended upon the sun, moon, and stars for telling time, navigating on land and sea, celebrating feasts, and even foretelling the future, Jesus warns that they are not going to last. His point is that only God is dependable; only God's time is for sure; only God is secure; only God is worth living for!
We spend a lot of our time, energy, and even our money trying to secure our lives. It is natural for us to want things to be dependable and safe. Our will to live is our strongest natural inclination. So, if we can help make ourselves safe and secure by any of our own efforts, then why not? However, God is bigger than our plans.
God also promises that it will be worth our sacrifice to let go of our (in)security blankets to cling to the only ONE who promises us eternal life, a banquet, and a Kingdom that will never end. Are you willing to let go of unreliable things and never be disappointed again?
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
-- Sent from my Palm Pre
Monday, November 2, 2009
Go in there and give it your all!
This weekend's Gospel reading (Mark 12:38-44) is about Jesus sitting in the Temple and observing a poor widow giving her last two coins as a tithe. Jesus pointed her out as an example of selfless giving. Although her gift amounted to about ten cents, Jesus said she gave more than the wealthy folks who were coming in and dumping bags of coins into the Treasury. Jesus said that they were just skimming their contributions off of the top of what they owned, while her two nickels were all she owned.
This reading is more than about tithing money. It is about total commitment.
Jesus is in Jerusalem; and we all know what is about to happen to Him in Jerusalem. His time there will eventually lead to Him giving His all for us. Calvary and crucifixion are only days away. The widow at the Treasury is an example for the disciples just as He will be the ultimate example of God's love, trust, and discipleship in a few days.
This reading makes me want to reflect upon my commitment as a disciple. How many times do I drag my feet when I get a call to respond to someone in need? How often do I turn and head in a comfortable direction when I see the possibility of someone or some project needing a lot of my time and attention? What makes me say, "I'd rather not." to invitations to spend some time with someone new?
I'm good at skimming off of the top, of saving some for later, of holding kindness, tenderness, compassion, and especially forgiveness back.
God help us follow the example of the widow and especially of Jesus. Help us be true disciples who give our all and know that you'll never disappoint a faithful giver.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
This reading is more than about tithing money. It is about total commitment.
Jesus is in Jerusalem; and we all know what is about to happen to Him in Jerusalem. His time there will eventually lead to Him giving His all for us. Calvary and crucifixion are only days away. The widow at the Treasury is an example for the disciples just as He will be the ultimate example of God's love, trust, and discipleship in a few days.
This reading makes me want to reflect upon my commitment as a disciple. How many times do I drag my feet when I get a call to respond to someone in need? How often do I turn and head in a comfortable direction when I see the possibility of someone or some project needing a lot of my time and attention? What makes me say, "I'd rather not." to invitations to spend some time with someone new?
I'm good at skimming off of the top, of saving some for later, of holding kindness, tenderness, compassion, and especially forgiveness back.
God help us follow the example of the widow and especially of Jesus. Help us be true disciples who give our all and know that you'll never disappoint a faithful giver.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, October 26, 2009
"You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'!"
Who is a saint? What are saintly qualities? Does a person have to be a spitting image of Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, or St. Francis Assisi to be a saint? If so, you wouldn't have a chance (me neither)!!!
The good news is that the world has already had a Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, and Francis Assisi. Now God has them, and they are His saints. The better news is that you are the only "you" that God has made, and God wants you to be His saint too.
I promise you that I do not look in the mirror each morning saying, "Good morning, St. Chuck!" I know my holes, sins, weaknesses, and lusts way to well to ever think that I am as saintly as I need to be. But I also know that God wants me to live with Him, trust Him, follow Him, love Him, and obey Him in the unique way that He made me to. I am doing all of those things to varying degrees although they may not be quite up to as high as I would like them to be (or as high as the standards someone else may have in measuring my holiness). But the good news is that measuring holiness is God's job, not mine.
Nov. 1st is All Saints Day. We thank God for the saints who have gone before us. I like to spend time thinking about the people who have done saintly things for me. I want to spend some time on this day honoring men, women, girls, and boys who have shown me some Godly example, or loved me with some Godly love. They too were never destined to be Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, or Francis Assisi, but in their own ways they were just who God needed them to be for the time and people destined them.
How is God calling you to be a saint? What can you do this week to honor a "saint" who has helped you?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
The good news is that the world has already had a Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, and Francis Assisi. Now God has them, and they are His saints. The better news is that you are the only "you" that God has made, and God wants you to be His saint too.
I promise you that I do not look in the mirror each morning saying, "Good morning, St. Chuck!" I know my holes, sins, weaknesses, and lusts way to well to ever think that I am as saintly as I need to be. But I also know that God wants me to live with Him, trust Him, follow Him, love Him, and obey Him in the unique way that He made me to. I am doing all of those things to varying degrees although they may not be quite up to as high as I would like them to be (or as high as the standards someone else may have in measuring my holiness). But the good news is that measuring holiness is God's job, not mine.
Nov. 1st is All Saints Day. We thank God for the saints who have gone before us. I like to spend time thinking about the people who have done saintly things for me. I want to spend some time on this day honoring men, women, girls, and boys who have shown me some Godly example, or loved me with some Godly love. They too were never destined to be Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, or Francis Assisi, but in their own ways they were just who God needed them to be for the time and people destined them.
How is God calling you to be a saint? What can you do this week to honor a "saint" who has helped you?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, October 19, 2009
Changes in Latitude
Howdy!
A bad habit that I've developed in my 28 years of being a priest is not trusting folks who come to me begging for something. Folks come to my door or call me on the rectory phone needing financial assistance. Sometime they need a meal, or a place to stay, or gas money, or transportation. My inclination is not to believe the story they tell me, especially if they are asking for money from me. I presume that the person is going to use the money that they are requesting not for the purpose they say want it for. I presume that I am being lied to.
I guess this comes from actually being lied to by a few of the folks that have come to me in need. That has caused me to form the attitude that all beggars are using me. I have formed a gross generalization to cover all of the needy. They have to prove to me that they are truly in need before I believe them. They are presumed guilty until proven innocent. Thank God that Jesus' attitude was different.
Beggars were a lot more prevalent in Jesus' time than in our day. The sick, the handicapped, divorced women, many widows, prostitutes, "public" sinners, and lots of others depended upon the charity of others for their "daily bread". They were outcasts. There was no Social Security or social obligation to help them. They were an unwanted drain upon society. Yet Jesus seemed to seek out these people. He actually ate and drank with outcasts. He touched the leprous and befriended beggars.
At the end of the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark a blind beggar named Bartimaeus approaches Jesus wanting sight. The others in the crowd were like me. They just wanted to ignore Bartimaeus, and asked him to shut up and quit bugging Jesus. Jesus had a better idea. Having the compassion of His Father He actually called the beggar to Him. After Jesus heard his request, He gave Bartimaeus sight. As a result Bartimaeus began following Jesus. Rather than ignore this beggar, Jesus listened to him and granted his plea.
Just before this story Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to be great in the Kingdom, then they needed to be the least of the world and act as a servant or slave to the needs of God and others. This Gospel follows as a "how to" lesson for us disciples. He lifts up the blind beggar by listening to him, treating him with credibility and respect, and helping him. He shows us would be disciples that no one is beneath us and that everyone deserves a merciful and compassionate hearing.
Jesus' bigger lesson comes on Calvary. That is where all of us get lifted up and given a reward that none of us deserve.
I need to change my attitude toward all others, especially those who have little. If Jesus can forgive me and love me even with my glaring faults, then I can change the way I look at others. How about you?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
A bad habit that I've developed in my 28 years of being a priest is not trusting folks who come to me begging for something. Folks come to my door or call me on the rectory phone needing financial assistance. Sometime they need a meal, or a place to stay, or gas money, or transportation. My inclination is not to believe the story they tell me, especially if they are asking for money from me. I presume that the person is going to use the money that they are requesting not for the purpose they say want it for. I presume that I am being lied to.
I guess this comes from actually being lied to by a few of the folks that have come to me in need. That has caused me to form the attitude that all beggars are using me. I have formed a gross generalization to cover all of the needy. They have to prove to me that they are truly in need before I believe them. They are presumed guilty until proven innocent. Thank God that Jesus' attitude was different.
Beggars were a lot more prevalent in Jesus' time than in our day. The sick, the handicapped, divorced women, many widows, prostitutes, "public" sinners, and lots of others depended upon the charity of others for their "daily bread". They were outcasts. There was no Social Security or social obligation to help them. They were an unwanted drain upon society. Yet Jesus seemed to seek out these people. He actually ate and drank with outcasts. He touched the leprous and befriended beggars.
At the end of the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark a blind beggar named Bartimaeus approaches Jesus wanting sight. The others in the crowd were like me. They just wanted to ignore Bartimaeus, and asked him to shut up and quit bugging Jesus. Jesus had a better idea. Having the compassion of His Father He actually called the beggar to Him. After Jesus heard his request, He gave Bartimaeus sight. As a result Bartimaeus began following Jesus. Rather than ignore this beggar, Jesus listened to him and granted his plea.
Just before this story Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to be great in the Kingdom, then they needed to be the least of the world and act as a servant or slave to the needs of God and others. This Gospel follows as a "how to" lesson for us disciples. He lifts up the blind beggar by listening to him, treating him with credibility and respect, and helping him. He shows us would be disciples that no one is beneath us and that everyone deserves a merciful and compassionate hearing.
Jesus' bigger lesson comes on Calvary. That is where all of us get lifted up and given a reward that none of us deserve.
I need to change my attitude toward all others, especially those who have little. If Jesus can forgive me and love me even with my glaring faults, then I can change the way I look at others. How about you?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, October 12, 2009
Let's Get Small!!!!!
Steve Martin used to do a routine on Saturday Night Live about "getting small". This was back when Steve Martin was edgy, quirky, and belly hurting funny. He would get this real druggie voice going and talk about how mind altering it was to "be small". It was like getting high only backward.
In Mark's Gospel this weekend (Mark 10:35-45) Jesus tells his disciples if they want to get high (in the Kingdom) they have to serve the needs of all ("get small"). Jesus has been described as the upside down Messiah who brings about an upside down Kingdom. If you think about that sentence it is very true, especially in Mark's Gospel. Jesus is the Suffering Servant Messiah in the Gospel of Mark. He didn't mount a throne. He was raised up on a Cross. He doesn't seek power and control. He empowers the powerless by eating and drinking with outcasts and sinners and He touches lepers and heals the sick. Rather than seeking wealth and kingly trappings, He asks His disciples to abandon all things to be a part of the upside down Kingdom of God.
We (or at least I) struggle to fit in. I want to be liked. I want (the right) people to think well of me. I dress to impress. I want the popular trappings (car, boat, TV, phone, etc.). I want to hang out with folks that are like me or that I want to like me. Today Jesus says worry about the little people first. Be the friend of the small of the world. Don't be a ladder climber. Get in the gutter. Be a cellar dweller.
I've got a long way to go. How about you?
paz,
Fr. Chuck
In Mark's Gospel this weekend (Mark 10:35-45) Jesus tells his disciples if they want to get high (in the Kingdom) they have to serve the needs of all ("get small"). Jesus has been described as the upside down Messiah who brings about an upside down Kingdom. If you think about that sentence it is very true, especially in Mark's Gospel. Jesus is the Suffering Servant Messiah in the Gospel of Mark. He didn't mount a throne. He was raised up on a Cross. He doesn't seek power and control. He empowers the powerless by eating and drinking with outcasts and sinners and He touches lepers and heals the sick. Rather than seeking wealth and kingly trappings, He asks His disciples to abandon all things to be a part of the upside down Kingdom of God.
We (or at least I) struggle to fit in. I want to be liked. I want (the right) people to think well of me. I dress to impress. I want the popular trappings (car, boat, TV, phone, etc.). I want to hang out with folks that are like me or that I want to like me. Today Jesus says worry about the little people first. Be the friend of the small of the world. Don't be a ladder climber. Get in the gutter. Be a cellar dweller.
I've got a long way to go. How about you?
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, October 5, 2009
I Think I'm Possessed!!!!!
The Gospel reading for Oct. 11th is a tough one for me to read (Mark 10:17-30). It is about the young man who comes to Jesus asking how to get to Heaven. Jesus and he agree that he is a good guy. He follows the commandments and knows what they are. But then Jesus asks him to give away his possessions to those in need, and come and be a disciple with Him. The young man walked away from the most generous invitation that anyone could ever receive. The Gospel says that he walked away sad because of his many possessions.
I do not consider myself a wealthy person. In the eyes of our culture I am comfortable but not rich by any stretch. Compared to some of the Third World countries that I've seen, or even parts of our own state or the inner cities of our country, I am extremely wealthy. However, I consider some other "possessions" as detrimental to my being able to be the disciple Jesus would have me be. I know that I possess some pride in my insistence on being "correct". I also possess some false judgement in the ways that I classify people. I possess laziness and apathy in my failure to want to change some "bad" habits. I possess fear when I am confronted with an opportunity to change and be a better person. The list could take up several pages of blogs if I wanted to list all of my possessions. So I'll just leave it here with the ones that I'm comfortable to declare. But just like the young man in the Gospel, I have chosen to cling to these possessions rather than give them away in order to help others and be a better disciple.
Jesus gives a rather funny image to talk about us rich people. He says it would be easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God's Kingdom. I think He meant this to be a funny image for His disciples to help them jettison some of their baggage in order to be a part of God's way of living. If you read the Gospel of Mark, Jesus keeps repeating Himself. He tells the disiples several times that they have to trust God like He does in order to be a disciple. They may not have gotten the message, but He kept on issuing the invitation to them. The same is the Good News for you and me. Daily God calls us to let go more, to trust more, to know God's forgiveness, mercy, and compassion more, to grow deeper into the life of His Kingdom and abandon the foolishness of selfish living. God keeps on offering opportunities. He never quits. Whether we totally ignore Him, or begin to trust just a little, God gives us more chances to squeeze in. Let's look for something to let go of today.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
I do not consider myself a wealthy person. In the eyes of our culture I am comfortable but not rich by any stretch. Compared to some of the Third World countries that I've seen, or even parts of our own state or the inner cities of our country, I am extremely wealthy. However, I consider some other "possessions" as detrimental to my being able to be the disciple Jesus would have me be. I know that I possess some pride in my insistence on being "correct". I also possess some false judgement in the ways that I classify people. I possess laziness and apathy in my failure to want to change some "bad" habits. I possess fear when I am confronted with an opportunity to change and be a better person. The list could take up several pages of blogs if I wanted to list all of my possessions. So I'll just leave it here with the ones that I'm comfortable to declare. But just like the young man in the Gospel, I have chosen to cling to these possessions rather than give them away in order to help others and be a better disciple.
Jesus gives a rather funny image to talk about us rich people. He says it would be easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God's Kingdom. I think He meant this to be a funny image for His disciples to help them jettison some of their baggage in order to be a part of God's way of living. If you read the Gospel of Mark, Jesus keeps repeating Himself. He tells the disiples several times that they have to trust God like He does in order to be a disciple. They may not have gotten the message, but He kept on issuing the invitation to them. The same is the Good News for you and me. Daily God calls us to let go more, to trust more, to know God's forgiveness, mercy, and compassion more, to grow deeper into the life of His Kingdom and abandon the foolishness of selfish living. God keeps on offering opportunities. He never quits. Whether we totally ignore Him, or begin to trust just a little, God gives us more chances to squeeze in. Let's look for something to let go of today.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, September 28, 2009
I DO! (sort of)
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
What if God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone, or the
woman either. I will make an abundance of sex partners for them to experiment with, as often as they get in the mood to do so. They will hook up briefly with little emotional depth, remaining completely separate persons, no commitment required.’??
Today's first reading from the second creation story of Genesis and the passage from the tenth chapter of Mark's Gospel address the issue of marriage permanence. Actually they are about more than whether divorce is allowed. In fact Jesus changes an exception to the law in the Jewish tradition. In the male dominated culture of Palestine in Jesus' day, a man could receive a divorce if his wife was unfaithful. Jesus tells them that God's intention from Creation was that a commitment is a commitment, always and forever. He even goes so far as to say that neither men nor women can ask for a divorce. (In Jesus' world women could never ask for a divorce, since they had no clout.) So Jesus stretches the minds of the law making Pharisees. He tells them that women and men are both equal in the eyes of God, but both are required to live up to their commitments.
Today divorce is a plague. I believe this stems from our insistence on individualism in our culture. We all know what the rules are and what the ideal is. But we also believe that we each have circumstances that cause us to be the exception to the rule. I figure that State Troopers are lenient, so I put my cruise control on "76" rather than "70". I make excuses for friends who fall "in love" and leave the priesthood. I've consoled my aunts and uncles when they tell me of family members choosing divorce over counselling and forgiveness. Don't get me wrong. There are definitely life threatening and unhealthy occasions where the best thing that can happen to a couple is that they divorce. But too many times divorce is chosen as a first option, or at least it is chosen way to quickly.
Jesus' statement on divorce happens in the chapter following where he twice told His disciples what His commitment to them was. He told them twice and again later that He would suffer, die, and rise for them. He asks them to do the same as His followers. Commitment is important in all of the Gospels, but especially in the Gospel of Mark. Today he tells the Pharisees and us that commitment is important in marriage as well. That is the way God intended it from the beginning. God hasn't changed.
peace and blessings,
Fr. Chuck
What if God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone, or the
woman either. I will make an abundance of sex partners for them to experiment with, as often as they get in the mood to do so. They will hook up briefly with little emotional depth, remaining completely separate persons, no commitment required.’??
Today's first reading from the second creation story of Genesis and the passage from the tenth chapter of Mark's Gospel address the issue of marriage permanence. Actually they are about more than whether divorce is allowed. In fact Jesus changes an exception to the law in the Jewish tradition. In the male dominated culture of Palestine in Jesus' day, a man could receive a divorce if his wife was unfaithful. Jesus tells them that God's intention from Creation was that a commitment is a commitment, always and forever. He even goes so far as to say that neither men nor women can ask for a divorce. (In Jesus' world women could never ask for a divorce, since they had no clout.) So Jesus stretches the minds of the law making Pharisees. He tells them that women and men are both equal in the eyes of God, but both are required to live up to their commitments.
Today divorce is a plague. I believe this stems from our insistence on individualism in our culture. We all know what the rules are and what the ideal is. But we also believe that we each have circumstances that cause us to be the exception to the rule. I figure that State Troopers are lenient, so I put my cruise control on "76" rather than "70". I make excuses for friends who fall "in love" and leave the priesthood. I've consoled my aunts and uncles when they tell me of family members choosing divorce over counselling and forgiveness. Don't get me wrong. There are definitely life threatening and unhealthy occasions where the best thing that can happen to a couple is that they divorce. But too many times divorce is chosen as a first option, or at least it is chosen way to quickly.
Jesus' statement on divorce happens in the chapter following where he twice told His disciples what His commitment to them was. He told them twice and again later that He would suffer, die, and rise for them. He asks them to do the same as His followers. Commitment is important in all of the Gospels, but especially in the Gospel of Mark. Today he tells the Pharisees and us that commitment is important in marriage as well. That is the way God intended it from the beginning. God hasn't changed.
peace and blessings,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, September 21, 2009
Is Sin Contagious?
When I was a kid, our family would take trips together. Sometimes it was just the seven miles from Loretto to my Grandmother's home in St. Mary's, KY. But at other times it was a vacation trip to Clearwater or St. Pete Beach, FL. My sister, brother, and I would sit in the backseat of our Ford Galaxie, or LTD. Dad would drive the whole way with Mom in the "shotgun" seat. (She also doubled as the trip disciplinarian!!!) Since I was the oldest and most mischievous I was the one who usually started the trouble that caused Mom to put on her disciplinarian hat and dole out punishments for our (MY) misbehavior. It didn't take much to get my brother in trouble. He was the youngest and thus had the smallest bladder. So I would just start suggesting watery things like swimming, rain, water hoses, and he would start to get the urge. Then I'd step it up a little bit and start talking about flushing toilets and bath rooms, and then he'd start whining about needing to use the toilet. This would cause Dad to get mad (because we had just stopped a few miles back, and besides going to the rest room, Stephen had used some of his vacation money to buy him another Dr. Pepper). When Dad got irritated, Mom was called upon to settle us down. By this time Stephen was crying and begging to stop at the first big bush. I was smirking because my mission was accomplished. My sister Kathy was tougher to get going. She had the patience of a mountain. I'd tease her and call her a "girl" and she'd remain un-flustered. I'd make fun of her dolls that she played with, and still was undaunted. Finally, I'd resort to holding my finger one inch from her ear and whisper the mantra, "I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you!" That would eventually get her to start slapping at me and yelling at me. That in turn got Dad upset, which got Mom in gear, which got her to pull me into the middle of the front seat (to separate us), which is where I wanted to sit all along.
The readings for this Sunday tell me that sin is a virus. The Letter of James (5:1-6) and the Gospel of Mark (9:38 & following) say that how we treat others has an effect on how they behave. James accuses the rich and the high and mighty in society of having the most effect on folks. But because God sees the way that they treat the poor and little ones of the earth, then they will have "HELL" to pay later. Jesus gives His disciples an ominous warning too. If we cause folks to sin then our sins will be punished.
The good news is that we can influence people positively too. We usually don't notice that our small acts of kindness and virtue also have a ripple effect on others. They do! Sin and virtue are always personal choices. I choose to do good or bad. But my choices and behaviors always effect others. I choose to make a snide remark about my boss, or the president, or a family member. That may cause a shadow of doubt and negativity to be formed in the mind or heart of another. I show kindness to someone who may have a bad reputation, or someone who is low on the social totem pole. That may cause someone else to have second thoughts about how "bad" that person might be. If someone sees me picking up a piece of litter on the sidewalk, it may make them hesitate the next time they're tempted to drop a candy wrapper on the ground.
We're in this world and in the Kingdom of God together. Everything we do has an influence on our planet and the rest of the Body of Christ. Let us pray for the strength and the grace to act virtuously, so that that God's will may be done and not thwarted.
peace,
Fr. Chuck Walker
The readings for this Sunday tell me that sin is a virus. The Letter of James (5:1-6) and the Gospel of Mark (9:38 & following) say that how we treat others has an effect on how they behave. James accuses the rich and the high and mighty in society of having the most effect on folks. But because God sees the way that they treat the poor and little ones of the earth, then they will have "HELL" to pay later. Jesus gives His disciples an ominous warning too. If we cause folks to sin then our sins will be punished.
The good news is that we can influence people positively too. We usually don't notice that our small acts of kindness and virtue also have a ripple effect on others. They do! Sin and virtue are always personal choices. I choose to do good or bad. But my choices and behaviors always effect others. I choose to make a snide remark about my boss, or the president, or a family member. That may cause a shadow of doubt and negativity to be formed in the mind or heart of another. I show kindness to someone who may have a bad reputation, or someone who is low on the social totem pole. That may cause someone else to have second thoughts about how "bad" that person might be. If someone sees me picking up a piece of litter on the sidewalk, it may make them hesitate the next time they're tempted to drop a candy wrapper on the ground.
We're in this world and in the Kingdom of God together. Everything we do has an influence on our planet and the rest of the Body of Christ. Let us pray for the strength and the grace to act virtuously, so that that God's will may be done and not thwarted.
peace,
Fr. Chuck Walker
Monday, September 14, 2009
Last But Not A Loser!!!
I am in some football pools this fall, as I have been for the past several years. One of these involves $1 a week. The others are bragging rights pools. When I see the NCAA or NFL games that I need to choose from each week I go to the different polls, blogs, and Internet sites that rank teams from top to bottom in relationship to the team they are playing each week. I factor in which team is the home team and if I have some prejudice for or against a team. (i.e. I'll never pick UK or the Cowboys and I'll always pick UofL and the Packers.)(Don't hate me. I'm just being honest!!) I do put a lot of credence in the ways that the different gurus rank the teams though. They are professional sports writers, coaches, and analysts, so I respect what they have to say. Their rankings are important to my decisions.
Jesus tells us in the ninth chapter of Mark's Gospel that if we want to be first in God's rankings, then we have to place ourselves last and servant or slave to God and others. This may be the hardest lesson that Jesus teaches us. This is a tough thought for our American minds to get around. We are very big into building ourselves up, keeping up with the Jones', being the best, or at least being better than the next guy or gal. I do not think we are selfish people when we dig below the surface, but I think we are trained to make sure we take care of ourselves financially, educationally, physically, militarily, and about every other "ly" we can consider. Jesus and the Gospel fly in the face of any thing remotely selfish. Jesus' life and teaching make us constantly question our tendencies to take care of our self and to live for God and others first.
The good news is that our efforts at living and trusting in God can be and are acceptable if they are even incremental. One step at a time and one day at a time is fine with God. God is Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness. So He accepts our minute human efforts in living in His image as baby steps toward the goal of fully imitating Him in our next life.
May your prayer and your efforts at living for God's Will and God's Kingdom increase in being selfless. May your actions and thoughts today be steps toward be first later and last now.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Jesus tells us in the ninth chapter of Mark's Gospel that if we want to be first in God's rankings, then we have to place ourselves last and servant or slave to God and others. This may be the hardest lesson that Jesus teaches us. This is a tough thought for our American minds to get around. We are very big into building ourselves up, keeping up with the Jones', being the best, or at least being better than the next guy or gal. I do not think we are selfish people when we dig below the surface, but I think we are trained to make sure we take care of ourselves financially, educationally, physically, militarily, and about every other "ly" we can consider. Jesus and the Gospel fly in the face of any thing remotely selfish. Jesus' life and teaching make us constantly question our tendencies to take care of our self and to live for God and others first.
The good news is that our efforts at living and trusting in God can be and are acceptable if they are even incremental. One step at a time and one day at a time is fine with God. God is Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness. So He accepts our minute human efforts in living in His image as baby steps toward the goal of fully imitating Him in our next life.
May your prayer and your efforts at living for God's Will and God's Kingdom increase in being selfless. May your actions and thoughts today be steps toward be first later and last now.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Come On And Do It!
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words."
This quote is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. While St. Francis wrote a lot of songs, prayers, and letters, he is most known for his acts of faith. He started an order of religious men and women based on living the Gospel as simply as possible. His rule (IE. set of standards) ,for the religious order to follow in order to be part of his order, was himself. He led them in living simply. He led them in making the scriptures an integrated part of his life. He led them in trying to imitate Jesus' love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. He did this because he got a message from God to "rebuild My Church." When he heard God calling him to rebuild, he changed his life. He went from a rich kid living off of his father's wealth, to a man determined to rebuild the Church spiritually by simple and holy living. In doing that he found that the only wealth that mattered was the love that God had for him and the reward he got for being poor and serving the poor.
Jesus in today's Gospel says, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me." Living a holy life has little to do with talking about a holy life. Living discipleship means preaching the Gospel without words.
What steps can you and I take to put our faith into action a little more each day? How can we prayerfully and practically show our love of God through the ways we treat others? How can we simplify our lives and embrace the only way to real happiness now? How are you being called to preach the Gospel at all times??
peace,
Fr. Chuck
This quote is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. While St. Francis wrote a lot of songs, prayers, and letters, he is most known for his acts of faith. He started an order of religious men and women based on living the Gospel as simply as possible. His rule (IE. set of standards) ,for the religious order to follow in order to be part of his order, was himself. He led them in living simply. He led them in making the scriptures an integrated part of his life. He led them in trying to imitate Jesus' love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. He did this because he got a message from God to "rebuild My Church." When he heard God calling him to rebuild, he changed his life. He went from a rich kid living off of his father's wealth, to a man determined to rebuild the Church spiritually by simple and holy living. In doing that he found that the only wealth that mattered was the love that God had for him and the reward he got for being poor and serving the poor.
Jesus in today's Gospel says, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me." Living a holy life has little to do with talking about a holy life. Living discipleship means preaching the Gospel without words.
What steps can you and I take to put our faith into action a little more each day? How can we prayerfully and practically show our love of God through the ways we treat others? How can we simplify our lives and embrace the only way to real happiness now? How are you being called to preach the Gospel at all times??
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, August 31, 2009
Can You Hear Me Now???
A story is told of a father and his young daughter who had had a very strained relationship for some time. Returning from a trip, the father did something that was very unusual for him. As he entered into the room he presented his daughter with a necklace that he had bought her. Completely overcome with joy by this unexpected act of giving, the young girl inadvertently dropped the necklace and went running from the room with tears in her eyes. She returned shortly only to find as she walked into the room that her new necklace was now around the neck of her infant baby sister. "Oh," said the father. "I went on and gave it to her. You didn't like it anyway." He wasn't listening. Apparently he didn't know how to listen to his daughter.
Jesus heals a deaf and mute man in this Sunday's Gospel (Mark 7:31-37). Friends brought the man to Jesus and He heals him on the spot. They are so flabbergasted at Jesus' healing that they all start spreading the Word about how great Jesus is despite Him asking them to keep it quiet. When the deaf man with the speech impediment was healed, both he and all of his companions start proclaiming the goodness of God. So, in the eyes of Jesus, more than one man was healed from deafness and the inability to speak that day. Another thing to note about this healing is that Jesus did it for a foreigner in a foreign country. So hopefully some of His Jewish disciples and other followers got the message that God's graces and benefits are bigger than just one group of people or just one localized corner of the world.
Listening is an art or skill that needs constant attention. We've all heard that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we could listen at least twice as much as we speek. It is a truly disciplined person who can listen well. Most of the time when I listen I am already building up my argument or my reply to what the person is saying before they stop speaking. That is not listing. It's debating. Most folks just want to be listened to when they come to me. They just want to know that they have been heard. After they know they are heard then they want to hear a little advice. But until they are listened to, they'll not be open to my two cents.
I think God likes to (and needs to) be listened to. That to is a skill and an art. I spend an inordinate time talking to God in my prayer. I know that contemplation and meditation are the purest forms of prayer. And I try to spend time during each of my sessions of prayer listening for God. But when God doesn't talk on my schedule, I start filling the silent void with my requests and my idle thoughts. It is a real discipline to sit and truly listen to God. It may not even happen every time we pray, but it truly worth the wait. When the peace, assurance, encouragement, forgiveness, challenge, or compassion comes from God, there is no doubt that God has communicated with us. And then we are folk like the ones in today's Gospel story. Once God has open us we have to share it and live it.
I hope that these meanderings of mine are helpful. I enjoy writing them. It is a prayerful practice for me. If you wish please send me a reply or your reflection upon what you've read.
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
Jesus heals a deaf and mute man in this Sunday's Gospel (Mark 7:31-37). Friends brought the man to Jesus and He heals him on the spot. They are so flabbergasted at Jesus' healing that they all start spreading the Word about how great Jesus is despite Him asking them to keep it quiet. When the deaf man with the speech impediment was healed, both he and all of his companions start proclaiming the goodness of God. So, in the eyes of Jesus, more than one man was healed from deafness and the inability to speak that day. Another thing to note about this healing is that Jesus did it for a foreigner in a foreign country. So hopefully some of His Jewish disciples and other followers got the message that God's graces and benefits are bigger than just one group of people or just one localized corner of the world.
Listening is an art or skill that needs constant attention. We've all heard that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we could listen at least twice as much as we speek. It is a truly disciplined person who can listen well. Most of the time when I listen I am already building up my argument or my reply to what the person is saying before they stop speaking. That is not listing. It's debating. Most folks just want to be listened to when they come to me. They just want to know that they have been heard. After they know they are heard then they want to hear a little advice. But until they are listened to, they'll not be open to my two cents.
I think God likes to (and needs to) be listened to. That to is a skill and an art. I spend an inordinate time talking to God in my prayer. I know that contemplation and meditation are the purest forms of prayer. And I try to spend time during each of my sessions of prayer listening for God. But when God doesn't talk on my schedule, I start filling the silent void with my requests and my idle thoughts. It is a real discipline to sit and truly listen to God. It may not even happen every time we pray, but it truly worth the wait. When the peace, assurance, encouragement, forgiveness, challenge, or compassion comes from God, there is no doubt that God has communicated with us. And then we are folk like the ones in today's Gospel story. Once God has open us we have to share it and live it.
I hope that these meanderings of mine are helpful. I enjoy writing them. It is a prayerful practice for me. If you wish please send me a reply or your reflection upon what you've read.
Paz,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, August 24, 2009
Jesus Rulz!!!
When I was about 11 my Dad and I were building a new dog house for my new dog, "Rags". As I threw my hammer accross the yard, Dad said, "DeWayne, it's not the hammer's fault that you hit your thumb." He also made me go find the hammer and apologize to it for taking my frustration out on it. It was a point well made. In the seventh chapter of Mark's Gospel Jesus tells the Pharisees that it is not what goes into a person that causes evil; it is what is inside a person that makes evil things occur. Jesus' point is similar.
The Pharisees were very big on making sure people obeyed the very literal interpretation of the Jewish purity rituals. Some of those had to do with washing your hands and feet as you entered someone's house, or before you ate something. This what not just a matter of personal hygiene but a religious prescription. In other words not to wash made you ritually impure and therefore sinful, and not able to enter the temple, synagogue, or another Jew's home. These rules were very strict already and the Pharisees wanted them to be enforced even stricter. Jesus and His disciples were good Jews but not much concerned about human interpretation of God's law.
Jesus and the Pharisees seemed to bump heads a lot. Sometimes it looks like Jesus would heal people, or get His followers to disobey a Jewish law just to make the Pharisees, scribes, Levites, and other strict observers ticked off. His point is always to get the disciples and the nay sayers to understand that good rules are there to help us follow God more closely, not to seperate us from God more. His point on this occasion is to get the disciples and 'religious' folks to see where sinfulness begins. Our minds, hearts, and souls are what choose sin. Our minds, hearts, and souls are also what choose grace and virtue.
It is the same will that chooses to lie or decieve as it is that chooses to express thanks, forgiveness, and love. This a hard and very human lesson to learn. We have God's Word, God's law, God's Spirit, and God's Son to guide our choices. But we get to choose. Prayer, scripture reading, Mass attendance, and developing good and virtuous habits help us make good choices. But we cannot blame the devil, or God, or another person, or our car, or anything else for a choice we've made.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
The Pharisees were very big on making sure people obeyed the very literal interpretation of the Jewish purity rituals. Some of those had to do with washing your hands and feet as you entered someone's house, or before you ate something. This what not just a matter of personal hygiene but a religious prescription. In other words not to wash made you ritually impure and therefore sinful, and not able to enter the temple, synagogue, or another Jew's home. These rules were very strict already and the Pharisees wanted them to be enforced even stricter. Jesus and His disciples were good Jews but not much concerned about human interpretation of God's law.
Jesus and the Pharisees seemed to bump heads a lot. Sometimes it looks like Jesus would heal people, or get His followers to disobey a Jewish law just to make the Pharisees, scribes, Levites, and other strict observers ticked off. His point is always to get the disciples and the nay sayers to understand that good rules are there to help us follow God more closely, not to seperate us from God more. His point on this occasion is to get the disciples and 'religious' folks to see where sinfulness begins. Our minds, hearts, and souls are what choose sin. Our minds, hearts, and souls are also what choose grace and virtue.
It is the same will that chooses to lie or decieve as it is that chooses to express thanks, forgiveness, and love. This a hard and very human lesson to learn. We have God's Word, God's law, God's Spirit, and God's Son to guide our choices. But we get to choose. Prayer, scripture reading, Mass attendance, and developing good and virtuous habits help us make good choices. But we cannot blame the devil, or God, or another person, or our car, or anything else for a choice we've made.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Choose Life!
When is the last time you swam against the current? While everyone else seemed to be going with the flow, doing the reasonable and expected thing, have you ever chosen to do the thing least expected?
In this weekend's readings, both Joshua and Jesus ask there folks to take and unpopular stand, and follow them. Remember the Israelites had been meandering in the desert for forty years. They had to be tired of wrong turns, wrong decisions, fighting enemy tribes and one another, sleeping in tents, and being homeless. When they are about ready to finally enter the Promised Land of Canaan, they question Joshua's leadership again. He says to them that he and his family are going to choose the prospect of a new life in the Promised Land; and he asks the rest to follow him and his prospects for new life. I'm sure that some turned away because they saw this as another pipe dream or scheme. But the faithful followed.
Jesus has been talking scary talk to the thousands that He fed with the loaves and fish. He tells them that unless they eat of His Flesh and drink His Blood, they have no life in them. He told them that only by eating and drinking Him could they have eternal life. The Gospel today says that many started turning away from Him because of His scary speech. He asks His twelve most devoted followers if they want to leave also. St. Peter responds, "Lord, to whom else would we go. We've come to believe that you have the wards of Eternal Life." For once St. Peter does not stick his foot in his mouth. He responds correctly to Jesus.
God asks us to follow today too. No matter what our vocation is, we are called to follow God's call. If we take that call seriously, following the Godly way will always take us the unpopular and hard way. Going the way of God leads to life with God forever, but it is a daily up hill path.
Are you willing to make the tough choice?
paz,
Fr. Chuck
In this weekend's readings, both Joshua and Jesus ask there folks to take and unpopular stand, and follow them. Remember the Israelites had been meandering in the desert for forty years. They had to be tired of wrong turns, wrong decisions, fighting enemy tribes and one another, sleeping in tents, and being homeless. When they are about ready to finally enter the Promised Land of Canaan, they question Joshua's leadership again. He says to them that he and his family are going to choose the prospect of a new life in the Promised Land; and he asks the rest to follow him and his prospects for new life. I'm sure that some turned away because they saw this as another pipe dream or scheme. But the faithful followed.
Jesus has been talking scary talk to the thousands that He fed with the loaves and fish. He tells them that unless they eat of His Flesh and drink His Blood, they have no life in them. He told them that only by eating and drinking Him could they have eternal life. The Gospel today says that many started turning away from Him because of His scary speech. He asks His twelve most devoted followers if they want to leave also. St. Peter responds, "Lord, to whom else would we go. We've come to believe that you have the wards of Eternal Life." For once St. Peter does not stick his foot in his mouth. He responds correctly to Jesus.
God asks us to follow today too. No matter what our vocation is, we are called to follow God's call. If we take that call seriously, following the Godly way will always take us the unpopular and hard way. Going the way of God leads to life with God forever, but it is a daily up hill path.
Are you willing to make the tough choice?
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Everybody's Got a Hungry Heart!
I get to hear a lot of life stories from a lot of people. I enjoy my job. It is quite a privilege to have someone to share their life with me. Most of the time people tell me about their lives because they need a little help figuring things out, and they want to hear my perspective or advice (they think).
I have a couple of responses to this. First of all, usually the situation that folks come to talk to me about is only the tip of the iceberg of something else going on with them that needs to be looked at. I'm not just talking about psycho-social stuff here. When someone engages me in talking about their life, we find out together that there is usually a deeper hunger that needs to be fed than the one that they think they need to talk about. Invariably a relationship that has gone sour with a spouse, a parent, a child, or someone else who is significant, leads to us looking into our soul at a relationship with God which needs some attention.
Secondly, it usually turns out that my role is minimal in these conversations. I am a mediator at the very best, but usually I'm even more passive than that. Numerous people have come back to me after spiritual counselling times with me to thank me for my help. When they describe the help that I was to them, I normally know that I didn't say anything like what they give me credit for, or I know that what I said to them was the exact opposite than what they received while we were together.
My point is that God knows our real hungers and needs. God is also able to feed us where we need it, rather than where we think we want it.
These gospel reading over the past few weeks have all been about Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus is talking to the disciples, the Jewish leaders, and the crowd about the food they really need, not just about fish sandwiches (which they think they're looking for). Some want fish sandwiches still, and they can't accept the offer that Jesus is giving them. He is offering them Himself as their food for eternal life with God. They're not buying the offer. They are either short-sighted, close-minded, or too dense to comprehend what Jesus' offer is.
This Gospel makes me look at my heart and soul to see how open I am to Jesus' invitation and challenge to a deeper, more faithfilled, and eternal life. What's keeping me from accepting Jesus' invitation to Full Communion with Him and His Father?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
PS Please feel to respond add your own two cents onto anything that I've written that touches you. I enjoy reading your comments.
I have a couple of responses to this. First of all, usually the situation that folks come to talk to me about is only the tip of the iceberg of something else going on with them that needs to be looked at. I'm not just talking about psycho-social stuff here. When someone engages me in talking about their life, we find out together that there is usually a deeper hunger that needs to be fed than the one that they think they need to talk about. Invariably a relationship that has gone sour with a spouse, a parent, a child, or someone else who is significant, leads to us looking into our soul at a relationship with God which needs some attention.
Secondly, it usually turns out that my role is minimal in these conversations. I am a mediator at the very best, but usually I'm even more passive than that. Numerous people have come back to me after spiritual counselling times with me to thank me for my help. When they describe the help that I was to them, I normally know that I didn't say anything like what they give me credit for, or I know that what I said to them was the exact opposite than what they received while we were together.
My point is that God knows our real hungers and needs. God is also able to feed us where we need it, rather than where we think we want it.
These gospel reading over the past few weeks have all been about Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus is talking to the disciples, the Jewish leaders, and the crowd about the food they really need, not just about fish sandwiches (which they think they're looking for). Some want fish sandwiches still, and they can't accept the offer that Jesus is giving them. He is offering them Himself as their food for eternal life with God. They're not buying the offer. They are either short-sighted, close-minded, or too dense to comprehend what Jesus' offer is.
This Gospel makes me look at my heart and soul to see how open I am to Jesus' invitation and challenge to a deeper, more faithfilled, and eternal life. What's keeping me from accepting Jesus' invitation to Full Communion with Him and His Father?
peace,
Fr. Chuck
PS Please feel to respond add your own two cents onto anything that I've written that touches you. I enjoy reading your comments.
Monday, July 20, 2009
FEED ME!!!!
Why would the president of the U.S. want to talk with the Pope? Obama just did. Bush went to meet John Paul II before him. Many presidents have met with and received counsel from Popes throughout our history as a nation. Is that blurring the separation between church and state? Are they just being diplomatic or do you think they really understand who the Pope represents? And do they really care about what the Pope might have to say about the problems and issues that we face as a world and as a nation?
Hopefully our president(s) pay(s) attention to the counsel, the wisdom, and the truth that our Pope holds. Hopefully also leaders of state throughout the world recognize that our Pope speaks from a faithful position that is more than just another opinion or a political agenda. From the time of Christ, our Popes have been the compassion, truth, forgiveness, and voice of Jesus is this world. Our Pope doesn't just spout off another slant on an issue. He takes into consideration the words of the Scriptures, and the faithful teachings and interpretations of God's Word through the centuries since Jesus Christ.
Are Popes human? Of course they are. Have Popes made mistakes? Yes they have. But they have also asked forgiveness for the sins of our Church. Also, throughout history our Church has been the moral compass for the World thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Over the next few Sundays the Church gives us readings about Jesus being the Bread of Life (John 6). This weekend we hear the story of Jesus feeding thousands of people with a few volunteered loaves and fish. The people were coming to Him because they were physically and spiritually hungry. He took care of their hunger pangs first and then fed them with what they really needed. This whole chapter from the Gospel of John is about the Eucharist and what we really need to satisfy us.
In a World where people are starving and malnourished physically, morally, and spiritually maybe each of us need to realizes that there is only One who really feeds us.
Please feel free to comment as you like on these thoughts of mine.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
P.S. I'll be gone next week and may not be home until past the deadline for the following week too. So this may be my last update until around August 10th. Thanks for all of the feedback that you have given me so far. Even if you are reading this and not "following" or commenting on it, I'm glad to provide a little spiritual encouragement.
Hopefully our president(s) pay(s) attention to the counsel, the wisdom, and the truth that our Pope holds. Hopefully also leaders of state throughout the world recognize that our Pope speaks from a faithful position that is more than just another opinion or a political agenda. From the time of Christ, our Popes have been the compassion, truth, forgiveness, and voice of Jesus is this world. Our Pope doesn't just spout off another slant on an issue. He takes into consideration the words of the Scriptures, and the faithful teachings and interpretations of God's Word through the centuries since Jesus Christ.
Are Popes human? Of course they are. Have Popes made mistakes? Yes they have. But they have also asked forgiveness for the sins of our Church. Also, throughout history our Church has been the moral compass for the World thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Over the next few Sundays the Church gives us readings about Jesus being the Bread of Life (John 6). This weekend we hear the story of Jesus feeding thousands of people with a few volunteered loaves and fish. The people were coming to Him because they were physically and spiritually hungry. He took care of their hunger pangs first and then fed them with what they really needed. This whole chapter from the Gospel of John is about the Eucharist and what we really need to satisfy us.
In a World where people are starving and malnourished physically, morally, and spiritually maybe each of us need to realizes that there is only One who really feeds us.
Please feel free to comment as you like on these thoughts of mine.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
P.S. I'll be gone next week and may not be home until past the deadline for the following week too. So this may be my last update until around August 10th. Thanks for all of the feedback that you have given me so far. Even if you are reading this and not "following" or commenting on it, I'm glad to provide a little spiritual encouragement.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Baaaaa!!!!
Two Saturdays ago we celebrated "Independence Day". We Americans are founded on the principals and ideals of national and personal "Freedom". It may be our highest and most sacred value as a nation. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are all part of our national genetics. Denying another person their "right" to freedom is not only against the law, it is a reprehensible sin in our country. All of our legislators, and all of our court room judges and benches make decisions daily, based on the principals of personal, civil, and legal freedom.
Besides, we like being "independent". We think it is great to be able to go where we want, say what we want, and do what we want. We sincerely believe that any child in America can grow up to be anything they dream to be (even president), if they apply themselves to that dream.
On the other side of this is that we do not like to be dependent on anyone for anything at any time. We think that having to rely on others is a sign of weakness. If we can't do the job by ourselves, then we're doing an inadequate job (or worse we are inadequate). We may have to team up with others to be successful (in our sports, or work, or families, or communites, or even as a nation). But then we as a team, or family, or work force, or nation have accomplished the task together as a team (by ourselves).
Then we face the Scriptures. Mighty King (and successful military general) David had to admit that, "The Lord is my Shepherd...". He had to face the fact that even with his wealth, power and military might he had to rely on God. Jesus in the gospel today looked at a needy throng of people and likened them to "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:30-34). Although we do not like to be compared to weak and needy sheep, we have to admit that for most of the important things in life we are dependent on God and others. We may be able to wake up, and survive living by ourselves in a day, but when we ask ourselves the hard question of why doo we have any of the stuff, any of the talent, any of the time, or any of the relationships that matter to us in this life; the answer is that only by the goodness of God do we have anything at all.
Questions for your reflection this week:
What area of your life do you need to let God shepherd?
How has God led you through life thus far? (Or, can you see how God is leading you through life?)
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Besides, we like being "independent". We think it is great to be able to go where we want, say what we want, and do what we want. We sincerely believe that any child in America can grow up to be anything they dream to be (even president), if they apply themselves to that dream.
On the other side of this is that we do not like to be dependent on anyone for anything at any time. We think that having to rely on others is a sign of weakness. If we can't do the job by ourselves, then we're doing an inadequate job (or worse we are inadequate). We may have to team up with others to be successful (in our sports, or work, or families, or communites, or even as a nation). But then we as a team, or family, or work force, or nation have accomplished the task together as a team (by ourselves).
Then we face the Scriptures. Mighty King (and successful military general) David had to admit that, "The Lord is my Shepherd...". He had to face the fact that even with his wealth, power and military might he had to rely on God. Jesus in the gospel today looked at a needy throng of people and likened them to "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:30-34). Although we do not like to be compared to weak and needy sheep, we have to admit that for most of the important things in life we are dependent on God and others. We may be able to wake up, and survive living by ourselves in a day, but when we ask ourselves the hard question of why doo we have any of the stuff, any of the talent, any of the time, or any of the relationships that matter to us in this life; the answer is that only by the goodness of God do we have anything at all.
Questions for your reflection this week:
What area of your life do you need to let God shepherd?
How has God led you through life thus far? (Or, can you see how God is leading you through life?)
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Monday, July 6, 2009
Who Me???
Hello! I'm enjoying this more than I thought I would. By writing this blog and by writing on Monday the letter that is going to appear in our bulletin on Sunday, I'm able to keep the weekend readings alive in my head and my heart before I actually put my thoughts together and write a homily on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Also your comments are helping me get a larger perspective for putting my thoughts together.
This week the prophet Amos tells the priest Amaziah, that he didn't plan on being a prophet, but God had other plans (Amos 7:12-15). Amos was trying to tell the Jewish religious and political leaders that he had a vision of the walls of the Temple being tilted and about ready to fall. The religious and political leaders (represented by the priest, Amaziah) took this personally, and told Amos thanks for the advice but, "GO HOME!" Amos politely apologizes. He tells Amaziah that he is not really a prophet; that by trade he is a shepherd and a tree surgeon. But God gave Amos these visions and insights, and God's Spirit compelled him to let the king and the priests know what God's vision was.
In the Gospel (Mark 6:7-13) Jesus sends His disciples out two by two to do the work of the Kingdom of God. These folks were not schooled in seminaries or even synagoues. They were fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and perhaps a few people whom Jesus healed or excorcised. I've heard them and us referred to as God's "rag tag army". If any of the first disciples thought that they were going to be called to be anything other than ordinary, I would be completely surprised. Yet they were sent to be missionaries for God. After Jesus' death and Ressurection these same folks would be sent again to all of the nations to heal, forgive, and Baptize. In other words God's "rag tag army" has been responsible for growing the Church since Jesus ascended back into Heaven.
Do you consider yourself part of God's "rag tag army"? How are you accepting God's mission for you? Do you have a God-given vision that you'd like to share? Is there something holding you back from living your discipleship?
Please feel free to comment.
Peace,
Fr. Chuck Walker
This week the prophet Amos tells the priest Amaziah, that he didn't plan on being a prophet, but God had other plans (Amos 7:12-15). Amos was trying to tell the Jewish religious and political leaders that he had a vision of the walls of the Temple being tilted and about ready to fall. The religious and political leaders (represented by the priest, Amaziah) took this personally, and told Amos thanks for the advice but, "GO HOME!" Amos politely apologizes. He tells Amaziah that he is not really a prophet; that by trade he is a shepherd and a tree surgeon. But God gave Amos these visions and insights, and God's Spirit compelled him to let the king and the priests know what God's vision was.
In the Gospel (Mark 6:7-13) Jesus sends His disciples out two by two to do the work of the Kingdom of God. These folks were not schooled in seminaries or even synagoues. They were fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and perhaps a few people whom Jesus healed or excorcised. I've heard them and us referred to as God's "rag tag army". If any of the first disciples thought that they were going to be called to be anything other than ordinary, I would be completely surprised. Yet they were sent to be missionaries for God. After Jesus' death and Ressurection these same folks would be sent again to all of the nations to heal, forgive, and Baptize. In other words God's "rag tag army" has been responsible for growing the Church since Jesus ascended back into Heaven.
Do you consider yourself part of God's "rag tag army"? How are you accepting God's mission for you? Do you have a God-given vision that you'd like to share? Is there something holding you back from living your discipleship?
Please feel free to comment.
Peace,
Fr. Chuck Walker
Monday, June 29, 2009
There's No Place Like Home
One of the first movies I remember watching was "The Wizard of Oz". I was only four or five. Our neighbors had a new TV. Our two families watched it together. The thing I remember most is getting freaked out by the flying monkeys. I was so scared that I did not sleep the night in fear of those darned monkeys. I continued to have nightmares for months afterwards thinking that those winged primates were coming after me! I was so frightened that I didn't care (or I didn't know) that Dorothy and Toto got to go home to Auntie Em in the end.
Jesus goes home to Nazareth in today's Gospel story from Mark (Mark 6:1-6a). He goes to the synagogue to preach and gets criticism instead of compliments. His old hometown neighbors talk behind His back, bad mouth Him, and tell Him that He's not "all that". This is very odd for this part of the Gospel of Mark. In this first half of the Gospel, everything that Jesus does is wonderful, never seen before, healing, powerful, compassionate, forgiving, and most of all successful. Everywhere He goes He is able to heal, forgive, exorcise, or do whatever it takes to care for peoples' needs. Everyone is praising Him and are in awe of God because of Him. But not in Nazareth. It may have been a case of His former neighbors and relatives being too familiar with Him. Perhaps they remembered the little snotty nosed Jesus, and couldn't get passed the fact that He had grown up physically and spiritually. After His Baptism He was on a mission from God. His homeboys and girls could not get their minds around the change that had occurred in the boy they knew as Mary and Joseph's son.
I have two things for us to think about this week (and two things for you to comment on, if you wish). First, are there individuals or even groups of people that we have failed to let grow in our minds, hearts, and lives? Are there family members, friends, co-workers, classmates, or others that we treat like we did when we first met them? Secondly, is our relationship with God that way too? Do we pray to God in the same way we did when we were ten, or when we were on that retreat? Have we let our relationship with God grow up as we have?
Please feel free to comment or just mull over my comments. I'm hoping you are finding this useful for you. I'm enjoying tring this. If you'd like for me to improve what I'm doing somehow, please feel free to let me know. Also, if there's someone who you would like to share this with, please pass it on.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Jesus goes home to Nazareth in today's Gospel story from Mark (Mark 6:1-6a). He goes to the synagogue to preach and gets criticism instead of compliments. His old hometown neighbors talk behind His back, bad mouth Him, and tell Him that He's not "all that". This is very odd for this part of the Gospel of Mark. In this first half of the Gospel, everything that Jesus does is wonderful, never seen before, healing, powerful, compassionate, forgiving, and most of all successful. Everywhere He goes He is able to heal, forgive, exorcise, or do whatever it takes to care for peoples' needs. Everyone is praising Him and are in awe of God because of Him. But not in Nazareth. It may have been a case of His former neighbors and relatives being too familiar with Him. Perhaps they remembered the little snotty nosed Jesus, and couldn't get passed the fact that He had grown up physically and spiritually. After His Baptism He was on a mission from God. His homeboys and girls could not get their minds around the change that had occurred in the boy they knew as Mary and Joseph's son.
I have two things for us to think about this week (and two things for you to comment on, if you wish). First, are there individuals or even groups of people that we have failed to let grow in our minds, hearts, and lives? Are there family members, friends, co-workers, classmates, or others that we treat like we did when we first met them? Secondly, is our relationship with God that way too? Do we pray to God in the same way we did when we were ten, or when we were on that retreat? Have we let our relationship with God grow up as we have?
Please feel free to comment or just mull over my comments. I'm hoping you are finding this useful for you. I'm enjoying tring this. If you'd like for me to improve what I'm doing somehow, please feel free to let me know. Also, if there's someone who you would like to share this with, please pass it on.
paz,
Fr. Chuck
Sunday, June 21, 2009
He did what?!?!?!?!?
What would your reaction be if someone with oozing sores & bloody skin came up to you & hugged you? My guess is that you'd want to jump in the shower or hose off as soon as you could.
In next weekends gospel Jesus is touched by a bleeding lady & then he goes to a synagogue official's house & touches his dead daughter. Both of these actions would have made Jesus ritually impure. In Jesus' culture & in His Jewish law being impure meant you were now an outcast from the synagogue & from polite society. Yet Jesus allowed himself to be made dirty & an outcast in order to show that God & His compassion is bigger than religious norms & social conventions. Jesus, showing the empathy of His Father, healed the hemmoriaging woman & raised the dead girl to life.
I want to read your comments on this reading this week from Mark 5:21-43. If you could focus your comments on one or both of these two sets of questions:
1. If Jesus is willing to risk His health, religious stature, & social standing to show God's compassion, then what boundary, phobia, politically correct behavior, or social wall would you be willing to ignore in order to imitate His compassion?
2. We all have some thing dead, sick, or dirty in us. Are you willing to bring the digusting part of yourself to God in order to given His new life, healing, & forgiveness?
Thanks for the comments, support, & suggestions from last week. Let me know if you can think of ways to make this blog more helpful.
peace,
Fr. Chuck Walker
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Jesus stills the storm(s)
This is my first attempt at this. What I'd like to do is post a blog each week, say on Sunday night or Monday morning. My plan is to usually give my first thoughts on the upcoming weekend's Catholic lectionary readings, or on whatever the upcoming weekend's Church feast is. I may also use this spot for letting you all know either what's going on in this warped mind of mine or what may be going on in our Church or parish. Why I'm doing this is because I want to know what you think about what I'm thinking and vice versa. Here's to trying any way.
The Gospel for next weekend is about Jesus being asleep in the boat with his disciples while a storm is whipping up the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus wakes up and tells the storm and the waves to sit down and shut up, and they obey him. The disciples get upset with Jesus because He didn't move fast enough for them. Then Jesus questions their faith.
How do you deal with storms or crisis in your life? Sometimes I'm better at it than at other times. I like to think that I'm a pretty cool and calm operator. I like to think I don't get rattled very easily. But I fake it a bunch too. I don't like surprises, crisis, changes of plans, conflict, etc. any more than anyone else. Sometimes it takes me a while to realize and remember what I know and believe, i.e. God's in control ultimately and God is going to love me in whatever the storm is. God does not disappoint. Even if the answer is not the one I wanted or chose, God's answer is best. I may not fully understand God's solution to a crisis or a tragedy in this life, but I trust that God never stops loving (EVER).
Please comment on my post. I want to read what you have to say. Give me examples of storms in your own life, or how you saw God calming a storm that you experienced.
The Gospel for next weekend is about Jesus being asleep in the boat with his disciples while a storm is whipping up the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus wakes up and tells the storm and the waves to sit down and shut up, and they obey him. The disciples get upset with Jesus because He didn't move fast enough for them. Then Jesus questions their faith.
How do you deal with storms or crisis in your life? Sometimes I'm better at it than at other times. I like to think that I'm a pretty cool and calm operator. I like to think I don't get rattled very easily. But I fake it a bunch too. I don't like surprises, crisis, changes of plans, conflict, etc. any more than anyone else. Sometimes it takes me a while to realize and remember what I know and believe, i.e. God's in control ultimately and God is going to love me in whatever the storm is. God does not disappoint. Even if the answer is not the one I wanted or chose, God's answer is best. I may not fully understand God's solution to a crisis or a tragedy in this life, but I trust that God never stops loving (EVER).
Please comment on my post. I want to read what you have to say. Give me examples of storms in your own life, or how you saw God calming a storm that you experienced.
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