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

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.