Good Shepherd Sunday, May 15, 2011, Cycle A

4th Sunday Easter Readings, Psalm, Gospel

I was blessed to live in Ireland during 2001.  It was not unusual when out for a country drive to see the scene depicted above.  Sheep in a road.  They actually have the right of way.  So occasionally you could come across a bit of a roadblock only to discover a flock of sheep being "shepherded" across the road by their lord.  Lord is a universal word for shepherd.

In our first Reading from Acts we hear about Peter who issues a challenge.  The formal Greek word for what he is doing is called Kerygma or proclamation.  He is laying it down, "Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who you have crucified.

How stunning it is that Peter, who denied the Lord three times in his presence, at the hour of Jesus' "trial" is now standing before all of Israel in the Temple and saying these words.  What is more startling is their effect: 3000 join the ranks and are baptized, most likely all who were present.

The Psalmody we sing is a familiar one: The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want, he leads me to verdant pasture....he leads me to His kingdom.  For Jesus is the awaited Lord of Israel, the one who Peter proclaims to all who would listen.

When living in Ireland you appreciate the art of shepherding.  For the shepherds communicate very clearly to their flock.  They may whistle or tap the ground with their "crooks", they may signal with their hands or control the lead sheep with their eyes.  It is an art and the sheep in some mysterious way understand they are safe when they are guided by a good shepherd.

In our first reading we heard about Peter in the Acts of the Apostles and now in our second reading we hear from Peter in his first letter.  He tells us that we have been called specifically as Christians to follow in the footsteps of Christ, THE GOOD SHEPHERD.  Remember God is good, good is God.  What is not of God is not good. Period.

So just what is it that we are called to?  And how is it that we must listen?  (When I was 9 or 10 I felt called to the priesthood; it took me 25 years to listen) We learn from watching sheep that there are signals the shepherd may give us.  And the Good Shepherd, Jesus,  gives us many like the tender of the flocks.

He gives us his Word, He gives us His Sacraments, He gives us His Church, his Bride. In this Gospel reading from Saint John, Jesus attempts to explain the way a shepherd leads his flock to the Pharisees.  The Pharisees, in general, are not good.  They are confused by His words.  So He speaks very plainly.

He says, "I am the gate for the sheep".  Jesus is saying I am the authentic Messiah, the one who leads Israel into the promised land, who opens himself like a door to the kingdom.  He left His Church for us, the Church is the voice of Him that leads us to that door.  The other voices and signals are false, they are from robbers and thieves who want to ruin us not unlike the evil one.

Today on Good Shepherd Sunday let us ask ourselves, when do we notice the voice, gestures and call of our Lord God, Jesus Christ?  When do we listen and respond and when do we pray to learn His will better?  Do we recognize what He is calling us to do?  His voice leads us to "an abundant life" as the Gospel writer John tells us.  This is why he came.  This is why he comes today for us here in the Eucharist.  When we "recieve" Him, we receive his grace, his joy his promise of everlasting life.

The only question we should ask ourselves is, how do we respond?

Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011 Cycle A

Today's Readings, Psalm and Gospel

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a holy day for our Church (special Solemnity) that was instituted by Pope Blessed John Paul II in the year 2000, when he canonized a polish nun, Saint Faustina.  She had received personal revelation’s from Our Lord Jesus Christ early in the 20^th Century and was told to spread the word that God wants his message of mercy to spread throughout the world so that there may be healing, forgiveness and  reconciliation.  This is called the Divine Mercy devotion.  We are all called to dwell in the love of God, despite our sinfulness.  Praying this devotion helps us to receive grace from Jesus Christ, the sole savior of humanity, universal for all.

By God’s providence today is the day that Pope John Paul II has become Blessed, one step away from sainthood.  In his first Mass as Pope, Blessed John Paul II said do not be afraid to open wide the doors of Christ.  This phrase was shortened to the catch phrase, Be not afraid, which he preached all around the globe.

In 1990 I visited the Vatican as a pilgrim.  I happened upon a general papal audience in October of that year, “backpacking” through Europe.  I received tickets by following simple instructions in a simple tourist guide book.  It was so very simple, it said at the appointed time on Monday, go into the apostolic palace and ask the papal master of ceremonies for tickets to that Wednesday audience.  So I did it and I received some.  I have to be honest, the day of the Wednesday audience was my last day in Rome, and I was conflicted.  I thought I might rather go to the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s famous frescoes.  However, the guidebook I encouraged attending so I went.

To my somewhat surprise, it was stunning.  I can remember that Blessed John Paul II spoke in at least 8 different languages, including Japanese.  He responded when pilgrims of different ethnicities sang to him, which seemed to happen about half a dozen times.

Two moments particularly stood out.

After the hour long service in the Pope Paul VI audience chamber, which is an indoor venue that holds about 5000 people, the Holy Father made his way around the chamber.  For the next 90 minutes he stopped to greet all the pilgrims.  It was near the end of this impromptu stroll that he was closest to me. 

About 5 feet away I snapped several photos which would be developed when I returned home weeks later.  I remember that night being moved as I made an entry into my travel journal.  While reflecting on the day, I remember writing how beautiful his eyes were.  They were “icy blue” and seemed if they could look right through you, very powerful.  I also remember that his speech was very pure, his clear deep voice beholding.  The last thing I remember writing was that I had a profound sense that the Pope had a deep spiritual relationship with God; that he knew God.

Here is Pope Benedict XVI’s homily for today, Divine Mercy Sunday, where he declared his predecessor as Blessed Pope  John Paul II.

 Pope Benedict XVI: Homily on Divine Mercy Sunday and Beatification of John Paul II

Divine Providence: What is it, and why is it important?

follow the link to my newest post on another blog, True Faith: Spiritual Nourishment for the Seeker...wisdom and insight for the Soul..........

LINK to entry

It is a bit lengthy, but I hope, well worth the read on an important theological concept to "master".  Enjoy!

s/d.a.s., diakonia.

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Resurrexit Sicut Dixit, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Link to today's Readings, Psalm and Gospel

Today, Easter Sunday is our high, Holy day.  I have to admit, that as an adult, this took some getting used to.  When we are younger we think about Christmas, and we as children understand the magnitude of the “Christ-mass”, the day God is born among us; we celebrate with many gifts.

So how could Easter, in effect trump Christmas, because make no mistake about it, Easter is OUR day!

For an answer we turn to scripture.  In today’s first reading, we hear St. Peter proclaim Christ raised from the dead.  This is profound in so many ways.

First, we must understand the terror of the Crucifixion.  I have heard it said that it was the electric chair of ancient Rome.  This is a bit off.  Actually this is not even close.  As terrible as death by electrocution must be, crucifixion was something much harsher.  Add to that what Jesus endured, being betrayed, abandoned, then mocked and spit on (by his own people) and then finally stripped, scourged, and mocked (again) as king of the Jews.  Finally he is nailed to the cross through his hands and feet.  He is placed in a position on the cross so that he would suffocate slowly to death, all the while enduring his other near fatal wounds.

How could a body so betrayed be raised?  How could it function after such torture?  Certainly this body could not gain new life.  We will return to this in a moment, but let us recall our Psalm from today, “The stone that the builder has rejected, has become the corner stone.”

Secondly, returning to how weighty Peter’s statement is, one must wonder how Peter went from hiding in the Cenacle to proclaiming Jesus in the Temple, the setting for today’s first reading.  All the Apostles, except St. John, hid once Jesus was captured.  And they remained in hiding for many days, perhaps weeks.  The first book following the Gospel, “The Acts of the Apostles” (from where we hear our first reading today) begins with Saints Peter and John preaching to the very people who condemned Jesus in the Temple. But how?

It is the RESURRECTION.   

It bears reapeating, IT IS THE RESURRECTION.

That is what differentiates us as Christians, and especially as Catholics.  We believe in life after death, everlasting life.  And we are called to eternal life in heaven, among all the angels and saints where we are called to be beyond joy.  We are called to be accepting of Christ and learning, learning to live His Gospel, his Way, imitating his life.

In today’s Gospel, we hear about those two favored Apostles again, Peter and John.  Saint Mary Magdalene calls them to see the empty tomb.  John arrives first (he is a bit younger) and waits for Peter.  Peter looks in and is confused.  In his mind he must be echoing the Magdala’s cry, “They have taken my Lord away and I do not know where they put him.”

Then John goes in and sees and he knows that Jesus has been resurrected from the dead.  The Son of God and the son of Mary has risen.

Imagine John’s delight knowing that it is all true.  Peter will also understand soon (and of course the Magdala). 

This is our faith.  This our faith, is on what we stake our claim on to the world.  We believe that God so loved the world he sent his only son to us, to you and to me.  Jesus is his son, flesh and bones like you and I but also, in this great mystery, the one true God.

The Christ came not for himself but for us, for our salvation to give us a share of his heavenly kingdom.  That is what Easter is about- that we are called out of this world to heaven...  That is why we are to recognize our earthly lives as a pilgrimage to heaven….  A place so fantastic that words cannot describe and as vivid as our imaginations are, they will always fall short.

We are called to eternity, heavenly bliss.  Not to a six figure job, not to that dream house, not to whatever we think will make us happy.  No, there are many good things but all of these things are misleading, they are false truths as compared to what we are truly called to.

We are called to live in Christ.  When we get this, and it is not easy, we have a profound sense of his love, God’s love for us and the world.  Once we receive this certain grace, then we are called to give it away to friends and yes, to strangers.  That is who God is, that is what truth is.  Truth is a person; he is Jesus Christ, who is God. 

Its not about material gifts, as fun and as important that Christmas is.  It is about something much greater: eternity.  Today, in the grace of this great feast we call Easter, we are called to accept this with our “eyes” of faith (like St. John), with our hearts (this is where our faith resides).  Faith is love, something that we cannot buy or sell.  Faith in God is love of God.  That is our great Easter mystery.  As the Psalmist says, let us rejoice and be glad.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, April 16, 2011

Link to Today's Scripture

Palm Sunday.  The penultimate event during these days (second to The Paschal Mystery).

He who Is.

I am who Am.


He returns to Jerusalem finally.  He is heralded in triumph as the anticipated KING.

What can we say.....the Readings are profound (read them again).  Paul's masterful work in Philippians is known as the "Kenosis", a Greek word meaning "emptying".

Though he was in the form of God he took being God as not something to be grasped, so He became a SLAVE (Ph 2:6).

A slave?

Yes a slave.  A slave for love.  A slave for us....

God so loved the world, that He gave the world His only Son, born of a Virgin, from a far off land, the carpenter's boy.  He gave us Himself, all of Himself, emptying out Himself, his blood (Eucharist) and His water (baptism).....so that all who believed in Him may have eternal life. 

(Jn 3:16)

I suggest we walk around with this verse during Holy week, our immediate preparation for the Triduum, the Passion and Death of our Lord (bow) Jesus Christ.

He who is the Way, the Truth and the Life....our lives.

Say yes to HIM.............

5th Sunday of Lent, April 10, 2011 (Cycle A)

Link to today's Readings, Psalmody and Gospel

{We will end our homily today with some contemplative thoughts that hopefully will carry us through the day and the week}

Today we will speak a bit about the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection from the dead.

But first, imagine you are surrounded by beautiful olive trees.  They are green, sturdy and thick.  The slope you are on is gentle and moving toward the valley below.  To the one side of the mount, there are thousands of gravesides, marked by their simplicity and their above ground tombs. On the other side of the valley is the ruins of a temple mount, its fortified wall still intact.  Within that wall is a glorious gate, once called the "Golden Gate" but now sealed up.

What are we speaking about?  The olive grove is in the Mount of Olives.  The valley below is the Kidron valley and the golden gate is the entranceway to the old city of Jerusalem.

 View of the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives.  Olive grove is in lower right (Gesthemane)  "Golden Gate" is walled up on other side of valley, in the top left portion of the picture.  The tombs are in the foreground.

At the end of time, the Messiah will walk down the hill through the valley and golden gate and walk into the "new" Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem.  This is essentially what we hear today from the prophet Ezekiel in our first reading (one of the great prophets of the Old Testament).  He says, "I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel."

We must remember an important tenet of O.T. prophecy, that God is speaking to us directly through his prophesized word, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit.  So because Jesus is God, and is not confined by time or space, Ezekiel is speaking of the expectant Messiah “Jesus” when he says I will open your graves and have you rise from them.

In our reading from Paul, who is arguably the greatest prophet of the New Testament, the Apostle tells us how we can be resurrected.  We must live in the Spirit.  "The Spirit will give life to your mortal bodies also, through the Spirit dwelling within you". What does this mean?

Firstly, we receive the Spirit in the Sacraments.  This Sunday I will have the privilege to Baptize 9 babies.  The babies will receive the Spirit of God in their Baptism, they will be marked forever by Christ, conformed to Him who is God.  This comes to them through the actions of the Holy Spirit, through the ministry of the priest or deacon.

We also receive the Spirit in all the other Sacraments.  Especially in Holy Communion, the sweetest and most sublime of all the Sacraments.  But let us discuss a few others.

In reconciliation, as difficult as this has become in a world that wants to marginalize religious practice, we receive the Spirit through the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ.  That is what absolution is and it can lead to profound grace, an indwelling of the Spirit for a prolonged period of time.  This can be very powerful and helpful, affirming our spiritual journey.

In Marriage, a man and a women offer their consent to each other, which is witnessed by God.  This promise is that they will no longer live for themselves but for the family they are about to create.  We do this in Church so as to receive the grace of the Sacrament, present before the living Lord in the Tabernacle (the Eucharistic Species).

So, you see, the Spirit is visibly present in the Sacraments, through the actions of the minister and then received by those who are recipients of these powerful gifts of Christ through His Church. 

In our Gospel today we hear the powerful story of Lazarus, the man who was dead who is risen by Jesus Christ, true God and true man.  It is a powerful story.  It is a story that is heard at many funerals, perhaps one that we may remember.

One of the reasons that we hear it so much is because we hear that Jesus weeps when he realize how frustrated are those at him because he allowed it to happen.  Our Lord is saddened and frustrated not by Lazarus' death and its emotional effects on the man's kin.  The Messiah is saddened and frustrated because his closest disciples do not yet realize that Jesus has come to destroy death forever, not just in the temporal sense.

Lazarus, surely, will die again after this episode.  If he didn't than certainly we would all be hearing about it on the news, that there is a 2000 something year old man roaming the earth.  No, our Lord lifts Lazarus so as to indicate that he himself will too rise on Easter morning.
Let us recapitulate or “re-cap” what we just have been hearing:

·        At the end of time, Jesus will raise the faithful from our graves and lead us into heaven.  We refer to this in scripture as the New Jerusalem.

·        The Spirit or Holy Spirit is present in the world from the beginning of time and has inspired prophets to speak the word of God.

·        The Spirit animates the Seven Sacraments of the Church.  We discussed Baptism, Eucharist briefly, Reconciliation and Marriage.

·        Our Lord raised Lazarus from the dead for a time, to prepare his disciples to understand Our Lord’s  bodily resurrection on Easter Sunday before his ascension into heaven.

In one weeks time we will celebrate Palm Sunday, that day 2000 years ago when our Lord enters Jerusalem through the Golden Gate.  Today, as we enter our last week of Lent….
we pray for the resurrection of the body and the Spirit that is coming on Easter....so let us:

• Return to the Spirit we hear so much about and contemplate the Third Person of the known Triune God (known through our human limitations)
• Let us dwelling in the Spirit, contemplate our lives........
• Let us rmember that at Mass, the Spirit will change the gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord.  The Real Presence of God through the body, blood, soul and divinity of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ our Lord.
• This precious Blessed Sacrament, the sweetest bread from heaven is administered through the Holy Ministry of Priesthood..............

4th Sunday of Lent, April 3 2011 (Cycle A)

Today's Readings, Psalm and Gospel passage
Everyone loves an underdog.  We are usually reminded of this at this time of year when the national collegiate basketball tournament is going on.  There are usually one or two teams that come "out of nowhere" to upset some of the more well known powerhouse teams, with their vintage recruiting classes and posessing popular acclaim.

Today we hear in our first reading about how David became king.  David a true underdog, who was the shepherd boy and the least of his brethren.  So much so that he was an afterthought of his own Father when Samuel came to anoint the new King of Israel.  "He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.  But, not as man sees does God see, the Lord looks into the heart."  The Lord knew that David was capable of being a heroic figure and at the core of his heart knew that his place was to live as a servant of the Lord.

Isn't it ironic, that 3500 years after David walked the earth, Michelangelo was staring at a piece of marble that was marked for discard because it was flawed.  Yet the great sculptor took the rock and found the beauty within it to create the famous statue, "The David".  As if God helped Michelangelo look past the flaws, the ones that the men see and into the heart of the precious stone.  Because of what Michelangelo did with its flaw critics universally acclaim its beauty and significance.  They say the statue signifies two things: David is poised and ready to strike yet passive and relaxed.

Today we hear about the miracle of the blind man given sight in John's Gospel.  The man who stood by and begged all these years and was ignored by the Pharisees because he was "unclean" and flawed.  

He is given the remedy by the true Messiah, who fashions his ointment out of the earth, reminding us of how man was created.  Jesus sends him then to a purification bath, honoring the established law.  But the Pharisees refuse to believe that this is a divine healing and then condemn it because it was done on the Sabbath.

Today's scripture reminds us that God works in unforeseen ways.  God's grace is overflowing as long as we use our eyes of faith to see.  The  blind man is healed and the Jewish leaders are caught up in his supposed sinfulness and then how the remedy violates the sabbath laws.

Today we are called to be open to faith and to see the things of God with new vision.  David is called and relies on God to give him the strength to be courageous and lead.  He remains faithful and mindfully humbles himself before God which is the true testament to his greatness.  How far have the Pharisees fallen when all they can do is look for the "technicality" to beat down the grace of the Messiah's work.

We are like the blind man who no longer is in the dark.  He and we are given the blessing to "see" the world in a different way.  Afterward, we are called to recognize the origin of the gift, the sacrificial Messiah; to give praise where praise is due.  Then we can realize that our faith is a gift, and if we are open to its graces, then it is no longer I who see, but Christ who sees through me.