Jesus is not a hired shepherd because, when he sees a wolf coming, he does not abandon the sheep. In fact, he lays down his life for the sheep by allowing the wolf (sin and Satan) to kill him rather than the sheep. And he allows the wolf to kill him, so he might defeat the wolf in the resurrection.
Our Savior loves us, his sheep, more than we will ever know. Let us follow him unreservedly by listening to his voice through the Church, the Scriptures, the witness and advice of godly people, and the still, small voice within the depths of our hearts.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Reflection on Finding Peace from God in Creatures
Imagine this scenario: A guy comes home from work and is mentally exhausted and feeling a little low, so he pours himself a small glass of wine and sits on the deck for a pick-me-up.
Is what this man did okay? Or should he have tried to pick himself up in the Lord? Would it have been okay if he asked the Lord to revive him through the glass of wine and relaxation on the deck? Or would this have not been okay, because he would not have engaged in a more "spiritual" practice like the Rosary or meditation on a passage of Scripture?
Please let me know what you think in the comments below. This is something with which I have struggled for a while, and while I think I have come to a resolution on it, I would like to hear your insights. Let us discuss faith.
Is what this man did okay? Or should he have tried to pick himself up in the Lord? Would it have been okay if he asked the Lord to revive him through the glass of wine and relaxation on the deck? Or would this have not been okay, because he would not have engaged in a more "spiritual" practice like the Rosary or meditation on a passage of Scripture?
Please let me know what you think in the comments below. This is something with which I have struggled for a while, and while I think I have come to a resolution on it, I would like to hear your insights. Let us discuss faith.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Reflection for Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042812.cfm
In today's first reading, it says that Tabitha "was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving". Here was a woman who had been touched by the love of the Savior and was now living her life in the Spirit.
In today's first reading, it says that Tabitha "was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving". Here was a woman who had been touched by the love of the Savior and was now living her life in the Spirit.
Every day, we have many opportunities to extend deeds of love to others. In fact, we should look for opportunities to serve those around us: spouses, children, extended family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors. In addition, we can give alms to the poor by putting some money in the poor box every Sunday.
Like Tabitha, we have been touched by the love of Christ. Let us, then, show our gratitude to him by being "completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving".
Friday, April 27, 2012
Reflection on Dryness in Prayer
There are times when we pray, and we are filled with happiness and peace. There are other times when we pray, and we experience no positive emotions at all. This lack of emotion in prayer is called dryness.
There are three reasons why we may experience dryness in prayer. First, it may be due to unconfessed sin. Second, it may be due to physical and/or mental exhaustion or illness. Third, it may be due to the fact that God does not want us to experience positive emotions in prayer for a period of time.
There are a few things we can do to try to eliminate dryness. We can examine our consciences and deal with any unconfessed sin. We can take a sacramental like a rosary or crucifix and hold it close to us for a few minutes. We can meditate before a crucifix or image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the unfathomable love of God for us. We can take a nap or go to bed early if we are physically spent. If none of these remove the dryness, then we need to gently and patiently accept it as God's will, and continue to pray and move towards God in sincerity. God is using the "fire" of dryness to purify us and draw us to a deeper intimacy with himself.
In times of dryness, may God give us the grace not to despise them but to patiently endure them, so he can accomplish the good work he intends to do in us.
There are three reasons why we may experience dryness in prayer. First, it may be due to unconfessed sin. Second, it may be due to physical and/or mental exhaustion or illness. Third, it may be due to the fact that God does not want us to experience positive emotions in prayer for a period of time.
There are a few things we can do to try to eliminate dryness. We can examine our consciences and deal with any unconfessed sin. We can take a sacramental like a rosary or crucifix and hold it close to us for a few minutes. We can meditate before a crucifix or image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the unfathomable love of God for us. We can take a nap or go to bed early if we are physically spent. If none of these remove the dryness, then we need to gently and patiently accept it as God's will, and continue to pray and move towards God in sincerity. God is using the "fire" of dryness to purify us and draw us to a deeper intimacy with himself.
In times of dryness, may God give us the grace not to despise them but to patiently endure them, so he can accomplish the good work he intends to do in us.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Reflection on Superstition
One thing that is true of many athletes is they are superstitious. If they do well in a game, they will attribute their success to a pair of socks they wore. In fact, in future games, they will wear the same pair of socks in hope it will bring them good luck.
Without assigning culpability to those who engage in superstitious practices, it needs to be asked whether this sort of thing is harmless fun or something sinful.
One thing I have observed is that superstitious people take these practices seriously. They treat them as more than just entertainment. They believe in them on some level.
Consider this: Does a pair of socks, which is an inanimate thing, have the power to bring about positive things in our lives? Of course not. Then is it not a little silly, to say the least, for us to put our faith in it? And when we do trust in it, are we not transferring the faith we should have in the imminent, all powerful, and loving God to a lifeless object that does not even know that it is a pair of socks? When viewed in this light, we can see why superstition is evil. It causes the faith that is fitting for God alone to die in our hearts and to be given to a creature that has absolutely no power whatsoever.
May God strengthen us to trust in him alone with ultimate faith, for only he deserves it.
Without assigning culpability to those who engage in superstitious practices, it needs to be asked whether this sort of thing is harmless fun or something sinful.
One thing I have observed is that superstitious people take these practices seriously. They treat them as more than just entertainment. They believe in them on some level.
Consider this: Does a pair of socks, which is an inanimate thing, have the power to bring about positive things in our lives? Of course not. Then is it not a little silly, to say the least, for us to put our faith in it? And when we do trust in it, are we not transferring the faith we should have in the imminent, all powerful, and loving God to a lifeless object that does not even know that it is a pair of socks? When viewed in this light, we can see why superstition is evil. It causes the faith that is fitting for God alone to die in our hearts and to be given to a creature that has absolutely no power whatsoever.
May God strengthen us to trust in him alone with ultimate faith, for only he deserves it.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Reflection on Making Ourselves Ancillaries
At the end of the Annunciation, Mary gives her consent to be the Mother of God: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)."
As you may know, the original language of the New Testament is Koine Greek. In the late fourth century, St. Jerome translated the New Testament from Greek into Latin. This Latin translation is called the Vulgate. In the Greek, the word for "handmaid" is "doule", which means female servant. St. Jerome translated this Greek noun with the Latin noun "ancilla", which also means female servant. From the Latin word ancilla is derived the English word ancillary, which refers to something or someone that functions in a secondary or supportive role.
As you may know, the original language of the New Testament is Koine Greek. In the late fourth century, St. Jerome translated the New Testament from Greek into Latin. This Latin translation is called the Vulgate. In the Greek, the word for "handmaid" is "doule", which means female servant. St. Jerome translated this Greek noun with the Latin noun "ancilla", which also means female servant. From the Latin word ancilla is derived the English word ancillary, which refers to something or someone that functions in a secondary or supportive role.
At the Annunciation (and for her entire life), Mary saw herself in an ancillary or supportive role to what her Son was doing through the Kingdom of God. She knew God loved her and the world; and she wanted to be a subordinate partner with Christ in bringing his love and goodness to the world.
With Mary, may we taste and see the goodness of the Lord, so we can make ourselves ancillaries in bringing the Kingdom of God to others.
With Mary, may we taste and see the goodness of the Lord, so we can make ourselves ancillaries in bringing the Kingdom of God to others.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Reflection on Refreshing Ourselves in God's Love
There are times when the stresses of life and our sins weigh us down and take us from God. In these times, we can feel like God and us are miles apart. For refreshment, we should spend some time meditating on Psalm 36:6: "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens". Is it not incredibly refreshing to know that God's love for us is eternally bigger than the stresses and sins in our life? Does this thought not stir us up to get back on track with the Lord? We may have drifted from him, but he never drifts from us.
What love! What a great God! Let us renew our baptismal promises to him now.
What love! What a great God! Let us renew our baptismal promises to him now.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Reflection for Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042312.cfm
This past Saturday, the Yankees played their arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park in Boston. When the top of the sixth inning began, the Yankees were losing 9-0. When the game ended in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Yankees won 15-9. As a diehard Yankees' fan, I was happy with this amazing come from behind win. However, the happiness I experienced was short-lived, because the next day there was a new game where everything started over.
The fleeting happiness I felt from the Yankees' game is an example of what Jesus means in today's Gospel when he tells us not to "work for the food that perishes". Whenever we seek happiness in a creature, which is anything that is not the Creator, we will always, without exception, experience a happiness that perishes. This is because God has wired us for himself, and nothing can be a substitute for him.
Keeping in mind that God has made us to know his love, let us follow our Lord's exhortation to "work for the food that endures to eternal life".
This past Saturday, the Yankees played their arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park in Boston. When the top of the sixth inning began, the Yankees were losing 9-0. When the game ended in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Yankees won 15-9. As a diehard Yankees' fan, I was happy with this amazing come from behind win. However, the happiness I experienced was short-lived, because the next day there was a new game where everything started over.
The fleeting happiness I felt from the Yankees' game is an example of what Jesus means in today's Gospel when he tells us not to "work for the food that perishes". Whenever we seek happiness in a creature, which is anything that is not the Creator, we will always, without exception, experience a happiness that perishes. This is because God has wired us for himself, and nothing can be a substitute for him.
Keeping in mind that God has made us to know his love, let us follow our Lord's exhortation to "work for the food that endures to eternal life".
Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042212.cfm
A theme (if not the theme) of today's readings is repentance/forgiveness, which comes to us because of Christ's resurrection.
I think it is a good idea for us to examine our consciences every day, preferably in the evening, but before we are too tired to do it effectively. When we examine our consciences, I think it is spiritually helpful if we do it in the following order. First, we should spend some time, either before an actual crucifix, or before one we imagine in our minds, thinking about the mercy of God that is infinitely greater than our sins. We should consider that God really wants to grant us forgiveness; otherwise, he would not have sent his Son to die such a painful death. Second, we should call to mind any sins we have committed during the day and confess them to the Lord. Third, we should return to the crucifix, think on God's mercy again, thank him for his gift of forgiveness, and ask him to keep us from sin in the future.
Our sins are like a drop in the ocean of God's love and mercy. May God give us the faith to believe this, so we can be honest about our sins and truly repent of them.
A theme (if not the theme) of today's readings is repentance/forgiveness, which comes to us because of Christ's resurrection.
I think it is a good idea for us to examine our consciences every day, preferably in the evening, but before we are too tired to do it effectively. When we examine our consciences, I think it is spiritually helpful if we do it in the following order. First, we should spend some time, either before an actual crucifix, or before one we imagine in our minds, thinking about the mercy of God that is infinitely greater than our sins. We should consider that God really wants to grant us forgiveness; otherwise, he would not have sent his Son to die such a painful death. Second, we should call to mind any sins we have committed during the day and confess them to the Lord. Third, we should return to the crucifix, think on God's mercy again, thank him for his gift of forgiveness, and ask him to keep us from sin in the future.
Our sins are like a drop in the ocean of God's love and mercy. May God give us the faith to believe this, so we can be honest about our sins and truly repent of them.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Reflection for Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042112.cfm
Our Lord teaches us in today's Gospel that when the storms of life come upon us, he is there in the midst of them saying to us, "I AM. Do not be afraid." "I AM" means that he is God; therefore, he loves us and is greater than the storms.
When we suffer, may God give us the grace not to withdrawal from him because we think he does not care for us, but to draw near to him who is I AM.
Our Lord teaches us in today's Gospel that when the storms of life come upon us, he is there in the midst of them saying to us, "I AM. Do not be afraid." "I AM" means that he is God; therefore, he loves us and is greater than the storms.
When we suffer, may God give us the grace not to withdrawal from him because we think he does not care for us, but to draw near to him who is I AM.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Reflection for Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042012.cfm
The human heart hungers, and in the end, it hungers for God's love. It may not always realize it hungers for God, but it does.
In today's Gospel, Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes, an act which prefigures the multiplication of his body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. God knows he made our hearts for him, so he offers us himself in the Eucharist; and he offers himself abundantly. When God gives us himself, he gives us all of himself, which is more than we can contain. Our inability to totally take God in is what draws us to, and deepens our love for, him.
May God help us either to back off, or to lay aside, anything to which we look to meet the deepest need in our heart, and that keeps us from fully embracing his loving presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
The human heart hungers, and in the end, it hungers for God's love. It may not always realize it hungers for God, but it does.
In today's Gospel, Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes, an act which prefigures the multiplication of his body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. God knows he made our hearts for him, so he offers us himself in the Eucharist; and he offers himself abundantly. When God gives us himself, he gives us all of himself, which is more than we can contain. Our inability to totally take God in is what draws us to, and deepens our love for, him.
May God help us either to back off, or to lay aside, anything to which we look to meet the deepest need in our heart, and that keeps us from fully embracing his loving presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Reflection for Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041912.cfm
In today's first reading, the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court; and the hight priest accuses them of bringing Christ's blood upon them. The truth is, the Jewish religious leaders were guilty of Christ's death. The apostles were not wrong in mentioning this in their sermons. But guilt was not the only thing about which the apostles preached. They also preached that God had raised Jesus from the dead so that forgiveness of sins could be granted in his name. In other words, the Jewish religious leaders' guilt could be forgiven through faith in Christ. They did not see this.
We, too, are guilty of Christ's death; for in some way, our sins have crucified him. We need to be honest about this. However, we also need to be honest about the fact that God raised Christ from the dead, so that he could offer us forgiveness through faith in Christ's name. God wants us to see our sins, but only so we will flee to Christ for forgiveness.
Let us not, like the Jewish religious leaders, see only our guilt and not see the means of escape through Christ. Our God loves us, and does not want to condemn us but to forgive us.
In today's first reading, the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court; and the hight priest accuses them of bringing Christ's blood upon them. The truth is, the Jewish religious leaders were guilty of Christ's death. The apostles were not wrong in mentioning this in their sermons. But guilt was not the only thing about which the apostles preached. They also preached that God had raised Jesus from the dead so that forgiveness of sins could be granted in his name. In other words, the Jewish religious leaders' guilt could be forgiven through faith in Christ. They did not see this.
We, too, are guilty of Christ's death; for in some way, our sins have crucified him. We need to be honest about this. However, we also need to be honest about the fact that God raised Christ from the dead, so that he could offer us forgiveness through faith in Christ's name. God wants us to see our sins, but only so we will flee to Christ for forgiveness.
Let us not, like the Jewish religious leaders, see only our guilt and not see the means of escape through Christ. Our God loves us, and does not want to condemn us but to forgive us.
Reflection for Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041812.cfm
In today's first reading, the angel of the Lord freed the apostles from prison and told them to "tell the people everything about this life."
This is how it is when we have experienced God's love for us, and have begun to love him in return. This new life cannot be "imprisoned"; it has to be shared with those around us, because it meets the deepest needs of our hearts. We have found the One for whom our hearts have been searching, and we have to share his goodness with others; we cannot keep it in.
Today's Gospel begins with John 3:16, the most oft-quoted verse in the entire Bible: "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." Through Christ, our God has loved us. Let us, then, enjoy his company, so that we can share his goodness with others.
In today's first reading, the angel of the Lord freed the apostles from prison and told them to "tell the people everything about this life."
This is how it is when we have experienced God's love for us, and have begun to love him in return. This new life cannot be "imprisoned"; it has to be shared with those around us, because it meets the deepest needs of our hearts. We have found the One for whom our hearts have been searching, and we have to share his goodness with others; we cannot keep it in.
Today's Gospel begins with John 3:16, the most oft-quoted verse in the entire Bible: "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." Through Christ, our God has loved us. Let us, then, enjoy his company, so that we can share his goodness with others.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Reflection on Other People's Sins and Our Own
Over the past 11 years, I have had a few conversations with my students that have left me disgusted and angry with where some of them are spiritually, and with how some of them seem to be proud of their sins. After these conversations, I have found that, while I am annoyed with my students, I am also annoyed with myself because of my failure to see the sins in my own life.
I think there is a place for us who want to be holy to be angered by the sins of others. But I think we need to be careful that our anger does not come from a self-righteousness that fails to see that we probably, in some measure, do the things that annoy us about others. In the end, we are all in the same boat as sinners; so we need to have some understanding, and cut each other a little bit of slack.
Our Lord, who knew no sin, is far more patient with us than we, who do know sin, are with others. Let us soak in his love and compassion for us, so we can extend them to others.
I think there is a place for us who want to be holy to be angered by the sins of others. But I think we need to be careful that our anger does not come from a self-righteousness that fails to see that we probably, in some measure, do the things that annoy us about others. In the end, we are all in the same boat as sinners; so we need to have some understanding, and cut each other a little bit of slack.
Our Lord, who knew no sin, is far more patient with us than we, who do know sin, are with others. Let us soak in his love and compassion for us, so we can extend them to others.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Reflection for Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041612.cfm
We all want God to work "signs and wonders" through us, not miracles per se; but the "signs and wonders" of sanctification, holiness, and love. We want God to be glorified through the way we live, and a life lived in love is no less miraculous than healing somebody from a physical illness or raising someone from the dead.
In today's first reading, the apostles were given the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit to perform signs and wonders through Christ's name as a result of prayer. As they laid their burden of persecution on the Lord, they were empowered to faithfully carry out the mission that had been assigned to them by the Lord himself.
As we involve the Lord in every facet of our lives, we, too, will be given the power of the Holy Spirit, by which we can live the lives through which God will be glorified. Let us, then, continually cast all our cares on the Lord, for he cares for us.
We all want God to work "signs and wonders" through us, not miracles per se; but the "signs and wonders" of sanctification, holiness, and love. We want God to be glorified through the way we live, and a life lived in love is no less miraculous than healing somebody from a physical illness or raising someone from the dead.
In today's first reading, the apostles were given the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit to perform signs and wonders through Christ's name as a result of prayer. As they laid their burden of persecution on the Lord, they were empowered to faithfully carry out the mission that had been assigned to them by the Lord himself.
As we involve the Lord in every facet of our lives, we, too, will be given the power of the Holy Spirit, by which we can live the lives through which God will be glorified. Let us, then, continually cast all our cares on the Lord, for he cares for us.
Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041512.cfm
At the end of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the priest prays the words of absolution, which are, in part, "God, the Father of mercies....sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins...." This fact of the Holy Spirit's role in bringing about reconciliation has its basis in today's Gospel when the resurrected Christ breathes on the disciples, tells them to receive the Holy Spirit, and gives them the authority to be ministers of his peace by bringing forgiveness to people's sins.
Peace, in the biblical sense, is not only the forgiveness of sins, but is also the fullness of life that flows from our union with our loving Lord, a fulness which keeps us from sin. In other words, peace is not just about healing after we have sinned, but is also about preventing us from sinning in the future.
Our Lord, on that first Easter night, gave us the wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation by which we are cleansed of our sins and strengthened to resist sin in the future. This Easter Season, and beyond, let us avail ourselves of this sacrament as often as possible, knowing that our Lord, in the person of the priest, his minister, meets us there to bring us the forgiveness he won for us through his death and resurrection.
At the end of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the priest prays the words of absolution, which are, in part, "God, the Father of mercies....sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins...." This fact of the Holy Spirit's role in bringing about reconciliation has its basis in today's Gospel when the resurrected Christ breathes on the disciples, tells them to receive the Holy Spirit, and gives them the authority to be ministers of his peace by bringing forgiveness to people's sins.
Peace, in the biblical sense, is not only the forgiveness of sins, but is also the fullness of life that flows from our union with our loving Lord, a fulness which keeps us from sin. In other words, peace is not just about healing after we have sinned, but is also about preventing us from sinning in the future.
Our Lord, on that first Easter night, gave us the wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation by which we are cleansed of our sins and strengthened to resist sin in the future. This Easter Season, and beyond, let us avail ourselves of this sacrament as often as possible, knowing that our Lord, in the person of the priest, his minister, meets us there to bring us the forgiveness he won for us through his death and resurrection.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Reflection for Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041412.cfm
In the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, there is a line that says, "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved". Most of us have many fears, with death being the greatest of them all.
In today's first reading, it says the apostles had "boldness". This courage, or lack of fear, came from the love they received from companionship with the resurrected Christ. As in Amazing Grace, the grace, or love of Christ, relieved the apostles' fears.
The same will happen for us. As we grow in our knowledge and experience of the love of Christ for us, we will find our many fears lessening and disappearing altogether.
May God strengthen us never to doubt that, though we are sinners, he loves us unconditionally in Christ; and may we find that this love relieves all our fears.
In the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, there is a line that says, "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved". Most of us have many fears, with death being the greatest of them all.
In today's first reading, it says the apostles had "boldness". This courage, or lack of fear, came from the love they received from companionship with the resurrected Christ. As in Amazing Grace, the grace, or love of Christ, relieved the apostles' fears.
The same will happen for us. As we grow in our knowledge and experience of the love of Christ for us, we will find our many fears lessening and disappearing altogether.
May God strengthen us never to doubt that, though we are sinners, he loves us unconditionally in Christ; and may we find that this love relieves all our fears.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Reflection for Friday within the Octave of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041312.cfm
Every morning (and constantly throughout the day) our resurrected Lord comes to us and says, "Come, have breakfast". As we know, this is not an invitation to eat physical food (though our Lord does richly provide for our physical needs), but is an invitation to loving prayer with him, which is food for the soul, and reaches its apex in the Holy Eucharist.
I think it is important for us to set some time aside every morning for prayer with the Lord, to have "breakfast" with him. It does not have to be long, but it should be sincere and heartfelt. Let us keep in mind that our Lord wants to converse with us more than we will ever want to converse with him. Any genuine prayer we share with him is always a response to his loving call to us. We never take the initiative with Christ; we are always responders.
Let us keep before us our Lord's love that is stronger than death and dine with him, beginning in the morning and continuing throughout the day.
Every morning (and constantly throughout the day) our resurrected Lord comes to us and says, "Come, have breakfast". As we know, this is not an invitation to eat physical food (though our Lord does richly provide for our physical needs), but is an invitation to loving prayer with him, which is food for the soul, and reaches its apex in the Holy Eucharist.
I think it is important for us to set some time aside every morning for prayer with the Lord, to have "breakfast" with him. It does not have to be long, but it should be sincere and heartfelt. Let us keep in mind that our Lord wants to converse with us more than we will ever want to converse with him. Any genuine prayer we share with him is always a response to his loving call to us. We never take the initiative with Christ; we are always responders.
Let us keep before us our Lord's love that is stronger than death and dine with him, beginning in the morning and continuing throughout the day.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Reflection for Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041212.cfm
When our sins overwhelm us and cause us to shrink away from God's presence, our resurrected Lord comes to us and says what he said to the disciples in today's Gospel: "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself."
He shows us his hands and feet to remind us that he died for the very sins that have overwhelmed us; but he also reminds us that he rose again as the victor over sin and death, which means it is God's will to pardon and cleanse rather than condemn.
Since we have such a great high priest who loves us to the end and who has defeated sin and death, let us come confidently to him to receive the grace and mercy we need for timely help.
When our sins overwhelm us and cause us to shrink away from God's presence, our resurrected Lord comes to us and says what he said to the disciples in today's Gospel: "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself."
He shows us his hands and feet to remind us that he died for the very sins that have overwhelmed us; but he also reminds us that he rose again as the victor over sin and death, which means it is God's will to pardon and cleanse rather than condemn.
Since we have such a great high priest who loves us to the end and who has defeated sin and death, let us come confidently to him to receive the grace and mercy we need for timely help.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Reflection for Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041112.cfm
Ever since the Ascension, our Lord's visible presence has been removed from us; however, he is still with us; and according to today's Gospel, he is present in the two parts of the Mass, that is, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
I think, for some of us Catholics, the Liturgy of the Word is something we have to endure on our way to the good stuff: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. However, the hearts of the two disciples "burned within them" as the resurrected Christ opened the Scriptures for them. This same burning or happiness will occur within us when we, attentively, listen to the Scripture readings and homily at Mass; for through the Liturgy of the Word, the resurrected Christ is present to his people.
The two disciples recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread. At Mass, do we recognize the resurrected Christ in the person of the priest and hear his voice as the priest prays the Eucharistic prayers? Do we truly believe the resurrected Christ is present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine?
In love, our resurrected Lord comes to us in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Let us renew the New Covenant with him by having our hearts and minds open to his presence.
Ever since the Ascension, our Lord's visible presence has been removed from us; however, he is still with us; and according to today's Gospel, he is present in the two parts of the Mass, that is, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
I think, for some of us Catholics, the Liturgy of the Word is something we have to endure on our way to the good stuff: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. However, the hearts of the two disciples "burned within them" as the resurrected Christ opened the Scriptures for them. This same burning or happiness will occur within us when we, attentively, listen to the Scripture readings and homily at Mass; for through the Liturgy of the Word, the resurrected Christ is present to his people.
The two disciples recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread. At Mass, do we recognize the resurrected Christ in the person of the priest and hear his voice as the priest prays the Eucharistic prayers? Do we truly believe the resurrected Christ is present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine?
In love, our resurrected Lord comes to us in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Let us renew the New Covenant with him by having our hearts and minds open to his presence.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Reflection for Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
In yesterday's Gospel, the guards who watched Jesus' tomb were paid off by the Jewish religious leaders, and told to say that the body of Jesus was stolen by the disciples. However, given the state of fear in which the disciples were at the time, it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that they could muster the courage needed to pull off such a stunt. They were hiding in the upper room in fear that the Jews would arrest and kill them since they were followers of Jesus. With this kind of crippling fear, there is no way they could have stolen Jesus' body.
In addition, according to the Gospels, it was the disciples' repeated encounters with the resurrected Christ that, gradually, turned their fear into hope and courage. Something has to account for this emotional change in the disciples, and the Resurrection (as well as the reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost) is it.
God has given us some solid reasons to believe in the resurrection of Christ. Let us trust that it occurred, and put off the old life of sin and selfishness, and put on the new life of love and holiness.
In addition, according to the Gospels, it was the disciples' repeated encounters with the resurrected Christ that, gradually, turned their fear into hope and courage. Something has to account for this emotional change in the disciples, and the Resurrection (as well as the reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost) is it.
God has given us some solid reasons to believe in the resurrection of Christ. Let us trust that it occurred, and put off the old life of sin and selfishness, and put on the new life of love and holiness.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Reflection for Monday within the Octave of Easter
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040912.cfm
"God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses."
We do not have any proof of the resurrection of Christ. In other words, we have not personally seen the resurrected Christ, because he has not revealed himself to us. So if our faith in the resurrection is not grounded in proof, then in what is it grounded? It is grounded in the preaching of the apostles, who did have proof because Christ appeared to them many times after he rose from the dead. This is why St. Peter and the apostles would often say in their sermons that they were "witnesses" of the resurrected Christ.
The question for us is: how much do we believe the apostles' testimony that God raised Jesus from the dead? Do we find them to be credible sources of information about this miraculous event?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Reflection for the Resurrection of the Lord
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040812.cfm
Because of the Resurrection, sin and death do not have the final word; rather, love and life do. This means that at the end of time, Christ will remove sin and its consequences; and perfect love will rule. However, this process of removing sin and replacing it with love is to be occurring now on earth in us who are united to Christ by faith and love. In other words, through our union with Christ's resurrection, we who are living our earthly lives now have the power to live lives of love. And the life of love is one of self-denial; so, in order for us to live a resurrection life, we have to die. We have been raised with Christ in baptism so that we might die to ourselves. Isn't that a paradox?
This Easter season, may God strengthen us, with the resurrection power of Christ, to put off sin and selfishness and to put on righteousness and self-giving.
Because of the Resurrection, sin and death do not have the final word; rather, love and life do. This means that at the end of time, Christ will remove sin and its consequences; and perfect love will rule. However, this process of removing sin and replacing it with love is to be occurring now on earth in us who are united to Christ by faith and love. In other words, through our union with Christ's resurrection, we who are living our earthly lives now have the power to live lives of love. And the life of love is one of self-denial; so, in order for us to live a resurrection life, we have to die. We have been raised with Christ in baptism so that we might die to ourselves. Isn't that a paradox?
This Easter season, may God strengthen us, with the resurrection power of Christ, to put off sin and selfishness and to put on righteousness and self-giving.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Reflection for Holy Saturday
Jesus Christ is a divine person (i.e., the second Person of the Blessed Trinity) with a divine and human nature. Since he is fully human, he has a soul and body. So, where did Jesus' human soul go when it was separated from his body in death? The Catechism of the Catholic Church answers:
"The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was 'raised from the dead' presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection. This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ's descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there (no. 632)."
"Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, 'hell' - Sheol in Hebrew or Hades in Greek - because those who are there are deprived of the vision of God. Such is the case for all the dead, whether the evil or righteous, while they await the redeemer: which does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus who was received into 'Abraham's bosom': It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abrahams bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell. Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the just who had gone before him (no. 633)."
"Christ went down into the depths of death so that 'the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.' Jesus, 'the Author of Life,' by dying destroyed 'him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.' Henceforth, the risen Christ holds 'the keys of Death and Hades,' so that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth' (no. 635)."In closing, Pope Benedict XVI offers a pastoral explanation of Holy Saturday:
"Holy Saturday is the day of the 'death of God,' the day which expresses the unparalleled experience of our age, anticipating the fact that God is simply absent, that the grave hides him, that he no longer awakes, no longer speaks, so that one no longer needs to gainsay him but can simply overlook him....Christ strode through the gate of our final loneliness; in his Passion he went down into the abyss of our abandonment. Where no voice can reach us any longer, there he is. Hell is thereby overcome, or, to be more accurate, death, which was previously hell, is no hell no longer. Neither is the same any longer because there is life in the midst of death, because love dwells in it (emphasis mine)."
Friday, April 6, 2012
Reflection for Good Friday
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040612.cf
"The Jews answered, 'We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God.'"
The sin with which the Jewish people charged Jesus was blasphemy because, to them, he, a mere man, revealed that he was equal to God. According to the law of Moses, blasphemy was a capital offense. Every other thing Jesus did that angered the Jews (e.g., "violating" the Sabbath, removing the kosher laws, eating with sinners, etc.) stemmed from his claim to be God in the flesh.
The problem for the Jews was that Jesus' claim to be the Son of God did not fit their expectations of the Messiah. They believed the Messiah would be sent from God, but they did not expect the Messiah to be equal to God. Once Jesus, in various ways, revealed himself to be Emmanuel, that is, God with us, the Jews felt they needed to get him out of the way.
We Gentiles, that is, those who are not Jewish, have a different expectation of Christ. We have no problems with the Incarnation or the Resurrection, but the cross seems foolish. It is ugly, humiliating, and painful; and we do not expect one who is the Almighty God to be defeated like that; and we certainly do not expect him to expect us to unite ourselves to his crucifixion every day of our lives.
Through his death on the cross, Jesus, out of his love for us, shows us that we are wrong. He shows us that to be God-like, we have to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Why? Because God is love, and love puts itself aside for the good of the beloved. This is what God did for us on the cross, and it is what we have to do for love of God and neighbor.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Reflection for Holy Thursday
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040512-evening-mass.cfm
On that first Holy Thursday, the Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, and established an example of service by washing the disciples' feet. Of the three things, the Eucharist is the source from which the other two flow: the priesthood is based on the Eucharist, and the highest example of loving service is found in Christ's crucifixion, which is sacramentally made present in the Holy Eucharist.
Our Lord made it clear, by word and example, that true greatness and love are found in service to others. Let us draw strength from frequent and worthy reception of the Eucharist, so we can lay down our lives for God and others, as our Lord did for us.
On that first Holy Thursday, the Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, and established an example of service by washing the disciples' feet. Of the three things, the Eucharist is the source from which the other two flow: the priesthood is based on the Eucharist, and the highest example of loving service is found in Christ's crucifixion, which is sacramentally made present in the Holy Eucharist.
Our Lord made it clear, by word and example, that true greatness and love are found in service to others. Let us draw strength from frequent and worthy reception of the Eucharist, so we can lay down our lives for God and others, as our Lord did for us.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Reflection for Wednesday of Holy Week
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040412.cfm
"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might
know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."
Isaiah 50:4
In her diary, St. Faustina Kowalska writes how Jesus revealed to her that our lack of trust in his inexhaustible love for us tears him apart. Jesus complained to St. Faustina that even his death on the cross is not enough to convince us of his love.
Let us face it, there are times when we do not believe what God has revealed to us in the Bible and the Church concerning his great love for us in Christ. We really think God's love is too good to be true; therefore, it cannot be true.
In the verse above, Christ says that he knows how to speak a word that will rouse the weary; and this word is his death on the cross. In other words, through his death on the cross, Christ is saying, as loudly and clearly as he can, that God really loves us. If this message does not rouse us from the sleep of unbelief, then nothing will.
May God open our hearts to his unconditional love for us in Christ, so that the chains of our unbelief will be broken, and our hearts will soar with love for Christ.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Reflection for Tuesday of Holy Week
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040312.cfm
It was through betrayal and denial that our Lord was crucified. No doubt, these things added to his sufferings.
All too often, we have rejected Christ out of fear of persecution, which is a form of suffering. In light of Christ's redeeming love for us, I think we need to take a stand for him, regardless of the outcome. If we learn to embrace suffering as a friend, not for the pain itself, but for what God can do with the pain for our growth in charity, then we should not be afraid to "take it on the chin" for Jesus. We certainly do not want to add insult to injury by denying him. After all, we have been rejected at some point in our lives, so we know how it feels. Let us not, then, cause our Lord this pain.
We must be careful, though, not to be overconfident, like St. Peter, that we will remain loyal to Christ in a moment of persecution; otherwise, we might find ourselves denying him in no time. It is easy to say we will be true to our Lord when we are not facing persecution; it is much more difficult when we are.
May God give us the strength to remain faithful to him, regardless of the consequences.
It was through betrayal and denial that our Lord was crucified. No doubt, these things added to his sufferings.
All too often, we have rejected Christ out of fear of persecution, which is a form of suffering. In light of Christ's redeeming love for us, I think we need to take a stand for him, regardless of the outcome. If we learn to embrace suffering as a friend, not for the pain itself, but for what God can do with the pain for our growth in charity, then we should not be afraid to "take it on the chin" for Jesus. We certainly do not want to add insult to injury by denying him. After all, we have been rejected at some point in our lives, so we know how it feels. Let us not, then, cause our Lord this pain.
We must be careful, though, not to be overconfident, like St. Peter, that we will remain loyal to Christ in a moment of persecution; otherwise, we might find ourselves denying him in no time. It is easy to say we will be true to our Lord when we are not facing persecution; it is much more difficult when we are.
May God give us the strength to remain faithful to him, regardless of the consequences.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:17
This momentary light affliction is producing for us
an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
2 Corinthians 4:17
If we look at the course of a typical day, we would have to say that there are a lot of little ways we suffer. The sources of our suffering are people and circumstances. To be sure, suffering is not the only thing that characterizes our day; but it certainly is part of it.
In the verse above, St. Paul says that if, by the grace of God, we endure these little forms of suffering with patience, then they will contribute to our entrance into eternal life. How is this possible? Because when we cooperate with God's grace and endure suffering patiently, then God uses the suffering to increase the gift of love he placed within us in baptism; and this love merits heaven. Suffering, patiently endured, increases our love for God and neighbor.
In this Holy Week, let us seek God's strength to suffer patiently for our Lord as he did for us.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Reflection for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040112.cfm
In the Gospel at the procession with palms, the people joyfully proclaimed Christ as king as he triumphantly entered Jerusalem. However, Christ did not turn out to be the triumphant king they expected, so in less than a week, they would clamor for his crucifixion.
We are guilty of a similar thing from time to time. We expect Jesus to enter our lives and triumphantly destroy our enemies of sin, death, and negative situations. When he does not do this quickly and easily, we become disillusioned.
Christ wants us to see that, just as he reigned from the throne of the cross, so we will reign with him through the cross of self-denial. This is not as glamorous as the triumphant king image, but it does reveal the heart of love.
May the Lord,who revealed the true meaning of kingship and love from the cross, strengthen us to reign with him by putting ourselves aside today for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.
In the Gospel at the procession with palms, the people joyfully proclaimed Christ as king as he triumphantly entered Jerusalem. However, Christ did not turn out to be the triumphant king they expected, so in less than a week, they would clamor for his crucifixion.
We are guilty of a similar thing from time to time. We expect Jesus to enter our lives and triumphantly destroy our enemies of sin, death, and negative situations. When he does not do this quickly and easily, we become disillusioned.
Christ wants us to see that, just as he reigned from the throne of the cross, so we will reign with him through the cross of self-denial. This is not as glamorous as the triumphant king image, but it does reveal the heart of love.
May the Lord,who revealed the true meaning of kingship and love from the cross, strengthen us to reign with him by putting ourselves aside today for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.
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