Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Luke 7:36-50 To Dream A Dream

Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time
(Click here for readings)

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.  Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.  Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears.

Have you ever seen someone physically and emotionally collapse in front of you?  I have.

The first time I experienced this I was in the middle of a homily.  I saw a man in the back of the Church fall to his knees and begin to crawl towards me.  At first I thought his face was completely covered in sweat.  I soon realized it was completely covered in tears.  Though his mouth was wide open, he produced no sound.   His demeanor resembled that of a child in excruciating pain. 

I took his hand, picked him up and hugged him.  He had lost everything:  wife, children, home.  Relatives and friends refused to speak to him.  He had not had a meal in four days.  He had hit the lowest point in his life.  Somehow he had lost control of his life.  He was desperate and afraid.

She stood behind him and bathed his feet.  This sinful woman must have been going through a similar situation.  Her "business" was no longer going well.  Family and friends wanted nothing to do with her.  How did I get to this point in my life? 

Like so many others, her dream was not what she had dreamed. 

She no longer had control of anything, not even her own life.  What can I do?  What must I do?  In desperation she stood up and with the little strength she had left in her, picked herself up and went running to the Lord. 

She took a dangerous leap of faith and found her Savior.  Her faith had saved her.

This morning I celebrated Mass for approximately two hundred Freshmen.  What a sight for sore eyes!  They are all so young, so full of life and so innocent.  Their at an age where their bodies - new bodies - are still a surprise to them, almost foreign to them.  Their minds are full of wonder and in constant flux, filled with one dream after another.  They think they are ready to conquer the world, but they must remain vigilant, careful, for dreams can easily turn into nightmares. 

There was a time when men were kind,
And their voices were soft,
And their words inviting.
There was a time when love was blind,
And the world was a song,
And the song was exciting...

 There was a time when it all went wrong...

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living,
So different now from what it seemed...
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed...
(Les Miserables, I dreamed a dream)

Young Freshmen, listen carefully to the word of the Lord:  "Beloved:  Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity" (cf. Tim 4:12).

Pain Free Salvation.  Wouldn't it be great if we could be more proactive and not so reactive; if we could trust in the Lord as our brother and not always as our Savior?  Wouldn't it be great if we went to the Lord not as a last resort but as a first choice?

I do not believe that salvation has to be painful, so personally painful, all the time.  I actually believe it can be rather delightful most of the time.  How? By allowing God to lead, rather than follow.  

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it" (Ps 111:10).   Trust in the Lord and allow Him to lead you around the deep and deadly pits of life, not pull you out of them! 
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Thank you Father. You are a Good Shepherd. We love you.

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  2. UnknownSeptember 20, 2013 at 3:48 AM

    Be blessed Father forever and ever. A true and the only way out 4 we who are pressured by this current generation. We are even supposed to trust Him more than a brother. His control over us can't be related with anything or anyone whenever we surrender all to him.


    Oh! how I wish this homily was instilled in the heart of all who are searching 4 a way out of their pressured life. May the merciful Lord instil in them by His miraculous ways.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jennifer B.September 20, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    Amen! :)

    This week I've been thinking how I can be more proactive and less reactive in life situations. Seems like when things are going well it's easier for me to pray, to reflect, and to think of Our Lord as my best friend! But then when a cross or two appears I get in such a foul state that I push God away. Mostly it's out of shame and guilt. I get so upset with myself for not remaining self-controlled. I think, "Once again my personality faults have emerged. I can't handle this stress. God is probably very upset with me right now. I try so hard to please him yet I fail over and over again. Why can't I have a peaceful and calm outlook when little things wear me down? Why can't I be more like Jesus!"

    -Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2013 at 7:38 PM

      Maybe try an ACTS retreat. St. Elizabeth, St. Michael, St. Francis, St. Joseph are all coming up. You can get details at www.actsmission.org. Sounds like we have some of the same challenges. ACTS truly taught me ways to navigate life, forgive myself, and more importantly forgive others. I am going to St. Michael's on the 4th.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2013 at 9:55 AM

      Hi Jennifer,

      When the "cross or two appears", asking Him to guide us is what we need to try to do instead of feeling that we have to do it alone, we "failed" and/or He is "upset" with us. This life is about learning and growing how to be more like Jesus. The "cross or two" that appears, is another opportunity for us to practice. At least this is how I try to approach those situations. And we know, practice makes us better. :)

      As Father Alfonse stated, we need to let God lead us. As the more we try to "control", the more things, even our emotions, will be out of control.

      Rosa E.

      Delete
  4. UnknownSeptember 20, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    Beautiful meditation Father Alfonse. We have been thinking to attend one of the Mass at All Saints -

    the kids miss you :) I always miss you Father LOL!

    Well maybe this weekend

    God bless my darling Father ! :)

    ReplyDelete

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