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.
Monday, July 20, 2009
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
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