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.

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.