Mk 7:1-13 Lip Service

Mk 7:1-13 Lip Service

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The Pharisees and the scribes questioned Jesus, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”

It seems as though the more controversial I get (or the madder I get), the more readers I get. Yesterday’s meditation scored big with almost 900 readers! So much for the positive power of negative advertizing! But believe me when I tell you that I am not trying to score big on readers. What I am trying to do is my meditations – faithfully, constantly and holy.

In today’s Gospel, the Lord throws into doubt an entire religious party that was established for the sole purpose of preserving and protecting the Law, the customs and traditions of the Chosen People of God. This was their sole purpose in life and Jesus was throwing cold water on them.

What is so great about the Catholic Church? What distinguishes her from all the other religions, institutions, organizations? What does she do so well? The answer is simple: She can dwell on earth. “There is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below” (1Kgs 8:23).

Like Jesus, the Church can be my friend and my foe at the same time. She has the uncanny ability to be loved and hated; admired and scorned; loved and feared all at the same time. She can be as gentle as a lamb and as ferocious as a lion! “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together and a little child will lead them” (Is 11:6). I mention this only because there is a disturbing trend among too many Christians that the lions of the Church must be absorbed into lambs, or the lambs must be eaten by the lions! No. Let them be! Both are necessary. Both are essential. Both are Christian! Christ was a doormat and far from being a doormat! He is THE DOOR. Christ is a pacifist and a warrior. Christ is the Lamb of Mercy and the Lion of Judgment!

The awesomeness (and mystery) of the Church is that it is like no other institution on earth: It is a paradox, a sign of contradiction. “There is no other God like you in heaven above and on earth below.” She can punish the faithful son and reward the prodigal son. She can be a stream and a storm, majestic and pomp and downright street smart and ghetto. Mother Teresa was street smart and majestic. John Paul II was ghetto and full of majesty! Both were as tough as nails and as gentle as wool. The Saints know how to maneuver in and out of this world without losing their identity, their holiness, their purpose. Christ knew how to dine with sinners and live as a Saint. The Church knows how to pardon sins in secret and veraciously condemn them in public. She will treat the most hideous of criminals as Peter and Paul, and treat those who would condemn them as Judas Iscariot.

And it all makes perfect sense!

I have friends who have had abortions and use contraceptives; friends who are homosexual; friends who cut themselves, starve themselves, hurt themselves. I have friends who are the most vocal critics of Catholicism, Christianity, and religion in general. I have heard the confessions of inmates, classmates, teammates and have forgiven them like I would have forgiven the Holy Father (if he had called upon me for confession).

Of course it is not always easy. But like Christ, the Church is not in it for easy but for eternity.

Mk 6:53-56 Come On Now!

Mk 6:53-56 Come On Now!

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Whatever villages or towns or countryside Jesus entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

When I was younger, I was very much turned off by the old people in my church. Actually, I was turned off by the way they showed their devotion to God. I didn’t particularly like it when I saw the old ladies rubbing the feet or touching the hands of the beautiful statutes in our Church. Did they think they were going to get something out of it? I thought it was downright silly and ignorant. I didn’t like it at all when people told me that they had a relic of such and such saint in their home or went to visit such and such relic at this or that Church. Finally, I was always embarrassed when Protestants and atheists would point this fact out to me. I would respond by telling them that these people simply didn’t know the Catholic faith or scripture.

Now I know that I was being silly and ignorant of the Catholic faith and of scripture.

Protestants love to point out our strange devotions. But there is nothing strange about them, for they are very natural, supernatural and scriptural. As the crowds were pushing and shoving, waving and cheering to see and to touch Jesus of Nazareth, who was both God and man, they did the same exact thing when it came to his Apostles. In Acts, the ill were hoping beyond reason to be healed by Peter’s shadow (cf. Acts 5:15), and we know the Lord gave extraordinary gifts of healing to Paul. In fact, it is specifically mentioned that Paul’s handkerchief and apron were often brought to the sick and they were healed (cf. Acts 19:11).

So the question really isn’t whether or not to have devotion to the saints or to their images or to their relics. The question is why atheists and Protestants won’t do this for God but will do it for Madonna and country?

If you watched yesterday’s Super Bowl then you saw for yourself how the crowds were going wild as they were cheering and waving at Madonna. Funny isn’t it? But woe to us if we wave and cheer or go wild (in a holy manner J) when the Holy Father walks by! It seems very ridiculous especially when you consider how much the Holy Father has done for humanity and how much Madonna has done for her vanity! I would surely bow down and reach for the tassel of Christ’s Vicar than reach for something hideous that belongs to her. I would proudly wave my hands and scream my guts out for the crippled and elderly but Blessed John Paul II than watch a fifty-three year old woman nearly stumble on stage as she tries to revive her short and almost forgotten career. I would gladly do it over and over again. I would gladly salute the Pope as he waved at me than stand like a dummy as a celebrity waved his middle finger at me!

Come on now! What exactly do atheists and secularists offer me? The lowest form of humanity! Why in the world would I kill myself for a seasonal prize when I could die to myself for an eternal prize!

I would gladly bow down and lay my life down for a shy and humble Saint than for a very public and the of best of best of candidates, celebrities, artists, rationalists, secularists, atheists, humanists, animalists, environmentalists, psychologists, or philanthropists this world could ever produce!

Mk 1:29-39 Start Looking For Trouble

Mk 1:29-39 Start Looking For Trouble

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Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Life is drudgery (cf. Job 7:1)! That’s what good old Job says in the Bible and I couldn’t agree with him more! Life is horrible, if you don’t give your life away. A Christian lives his life in a very unique and exciting way. What does it mean to live life like a Christian? Let me give you an example.

All living creatures eat, right? But only human beings put a little bit of salt and spices on their food. Only romantics dim the lights, light the candles and put some soft music on. What do the Christians do? They set the table, prepare the meal, take a few bites here and there, dim the lights, light the candles, put on some music and when everything is perfect…they leave so that others can enjoy it.

Are you a teenager that feels lost, confused and lonely? Are you an adult that is going through a mid-life crisis?

Just a few days ago I went to Ursuline Academy to celebrate a special Mass for all their sophomores. The academy is blessed with great enrollment, great kids and great teachers. Ursuline Sophomores distinguish themselves by their service towards others, and for this reason a special evening Mass, known as Serviam (Latin for “I will serve”), is celebrated once a year. This year, the Mass fell on February 2^nd. This date is well known by all Ursuline grads. On February 2^nd, 1874, six nuns left Galveston, Texas and moved to Dallas, Texas to begin teaching and educating young women.

These nuns were looking for trouble and found it...and made a huge difference in the lives of countless women and families.

This is going to sound a little crazy. But I think that the reason why so many of our young kids today feel lost, confused and uncertain about their lives is because they keep hearing from their parents to stop looking for trouble!

Now mom and dad, I know what you actually mean. What you are really saying is, “Don’t get in trouble!” But when parents say to their children (and to the church) “No!” to mission trips, “No!” to church charity activities and “No!” to lending a hand, then somehow or another, there message to their kids sounds more like, “Keep your hands to yourself! Stop thinking about others!”

Why do kids cut themselves? Why do kids have eating disorders? Why do kids feel bad about themselves? Why do kids worry so much about what their friends think? I really think it’s because they have time to think about these things.” I think that a good chuck of our kids problems are related to the amount of selfish time they have for themselves. They have way too much time to worry about increasing and not enough time to think about decreasing. They never have worry about who will take care of them, where their next meal will come from, if the cancer will go away or if they will have a place to stay. And what I have noticed is that, in general, simple kids don’t seem to have such complex problems!

So what can they (and we) do? What did the Lord do? He served, and kept serving it up. And when he began to feel a little too comfortable in one town or one neighborhood, what did he do? He moved. And moved again if he had to! Our Lord kept moving and kept looking for trouble(s). Our kids need to do the same thing. They need to spend more time in nursing homes, day-care centers, soup kitchens, door-to-door mission trips. They need to spend more time with disabled Americans, special needs children, cancer patients, and the elderly so that they can feel what they feel, and imagine what they live. This is what St. Paul did. “I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too many have a share in it.” (1Cor 9:22-23)

That’s it! He’s got it!

Do you feel lost, confused and uncertain about yourself? Chances are you haven’t given yourself to others! Who has time to feel this way when life is tough and hard and unfair?

What am I? Who am I? What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go? Why am I here? Well, if I don’t let go of myself, then I will never find myself! That’s what Christ said and did, and I agree with him. These questions can only be answered by one: Jesus Christ. These answers can only be found when you begin to serve.

Go, and start looking for some trouble!

P.S. Don't forget today's responsorial psalm. Those who help heal the brokenhearted end up healing and strengthening their own.

Mk 6:30-34 Sheep Without A Shepherd

Mk 6:30-34 Sheep Without A Shepherd

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When Jesus disembarked and saw a vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

While I was studying in Rome, I would often travel with a priest who was in charge of working with college students. I was amazed at his zeal, energy, enthusiasm, and work ethic. He was what many would consider a “work-alcoholic”, giving countless talks and hearing countless number of confessions. He was and still is a holy man and continues to work non-stop in building a culture of love and life among young people.

On one occasion, a group of kids asked me to give them a talk. I was surprised. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know what to say. I asked the priest if he would give it for me and he gladly said yes. Afterwards, while we were driving back home, he said to me, “You know…you should never decline an invitation to speak to people.” “Well”, I said in reply, “they never told me ahead of time. And I didn’t feel prepared.” He was not in the least impressed with my response. “You have been in the seminary now for five years. You have read the bible over and over again, heard countless sermons, talks and have read a ton of spiritual books. Do you really want me to believe that?” And then he let me have it. “I have never said no to someone who asked me to speak to their group. Never! You should make that a rule in your life.”

I did. And only later, did I realize that this priest was following the example of the Lord. There is always something that can be said. There is always something that can be done. There is always someone who needs some direction and protection. “The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

Direction. There are many who point the way, but there is only one who is The Way. He is the Star, the Sun, the Road, and the Path. He is my All. The Lord is my Shepherd. He doesn’t just point me in the right direction, he leads me. He goes before me. He removes all the obstacles in front of me. The Lord, and only the Lord, is worthy of all my love and all my trust. I have given this Shepherd full authority over my life. I have said the most powerful prayer you could possibly ever say: “Do whatever you want with me, Lord.” I have given to him all that I could possibly give. And I still have more to give to him! Many call, but there is only one who deserves an answer.

Protection. The Lord provides and protects me in so many ways: physically, with his body and blood; spiritually, with his word; psychologically, with purpose and meaning; intellectually with his way of life; emotionally with his passion and resurrection. There is only one Good Shepherd, ready to lay down his life for his sheep. I have grown to love the only one who has laid down his life for me!

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them and they follow me.

Regarding life, I have noticed something very exciting among our rich youth: far too many of them are disillusioned with it. They find it boring, meaningless and pitiful. What they don't realize is that the Lord has opened a great door of opportunity for them, if only they would step through it! I know a young person who recently commented to me that "life sucks". I said in reply, "It does!" if you're not willing to take the giant leap necessary to do something for Him. Follow Him!

Have I made it a point to be a Shepherd of souls to others? Have I heard His voice when others call on me? Have I kept myself simple and humble, like a Shepherd who lives among his sheep? Do I know my sheep – those entrusted to my care? Have I loved them with an unconditional love? How will I know? The answer is simple: Only if they follow Him and not necessarily you!

Mk 6:14-29 Losing Your Head!

Mk 6:14-29 Losing Your Head!

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King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

While meditating on today’s Gospel, I think I have finally come to understand the personalities of the “Herods”.

King Herod the Great and his son, Herod Antipas, came from a long chain of weak men with bigger than life egos! Filled with jealousy and envy, these men were constantly seeking the approval of the masses and would do anything to get it. If you ever want to know if someone is jealous of you, then take a good look and see how they behave in front of you.

Jealous people have a tendency to act crazy. Their moods or reactions (laughter, sadness, anger, fear) are larger than life. And when they are both rich and jealous, it means they can do even crazier things. They have to! How else will they turn heads and get people’s attention? Wealth is nothing new. Bizarre behavior is nothing new. They are a symptom of something very old. That’s why John the Baptist and Jesus are something very new.

John the Baptist rubbed Herod Antipas the wrong way! The saints know fallen human nature very well, and know how to point out someone’s defects. St. Mark tells us that Herod Antipas “heard” about John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth, and how their “fame” quickly became widespread. Oh, oh. Watch out! This isn’t good for someone who tends to get easily jealous! And yet, with all the King’s wealth and power, he remained speechless and powerless against these meek and humble men. All the might, power and money in the world could not buy the love, respect and prestige he desired. He would go without them throughout his life. So, he resorted to brutality, just like his father. But unlike his father, he managed to execute John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. This is his lasting legacy. You would think that we would learn by now what makes people happy and sad, fulfilled and empty, successful and a failure.

I think that rich people are the most blessed people in the world, for they seem to be the first in failing to find happiness in all the world’s courts. They have all that it takes to figure it out before any of us do, and that is a great blessing! They can truly be the first to testify before heaven and earth that the world’s lies are truly that: LIES.

What are these lies? 1^st big lie: The more you have, the wealthier you are. 2^nd big lie: The bigger the home, the happier the family. 3^rd big lie: The more stylish you are, the more attractive you are. 4^th big lie: The more successful you are, the more friends you have. 5^th big lie: The more you party, the more fulfilled you become.

How will I live my life? Will I be jealous of those who have or will I be jealous of those who give? King Herod got John’s head by losing his own. And in the end, he lost it all.

“Blessed are those who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance!”

Lk 2:22-40 Ignio

Lk 2:22-40 Ignio

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Simeon said, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

Today is the feast of the presentation of the Lord. It is also a day to bless candles.

For the Jewish people, candles have always played a significant role in their worship of God. It was King Solomon who placed ten golden lampstands before the inner sanctuary of the great temple. Five candles pointing south and five pointing north. The menorah would eventually become the universal sign of the Jewish people.

While our group was touring the Holy Land, we stopped at Cana to visit the recently discovered ruins of an ancient synagogue. The city of Cana is near Capharnaum and on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It is almost certain that Jesus preached at this synagogue. Among the ruins, the archeologists discovered an ancient stone table used to read the scrolls. Chiseled in the stone is a replica of the temple in Jerusalem with an image of the menorah.

In his commentary on Leviticus, Baruch Levine wrote: “Christian worship in the form of the traditional mass affords the devout an experience of sacrifice, of communion, and proclaims that God is present. The Christian church, then, is a temple.”

The temple is the Church, and the Church is the Body of Christ, and the Body of Christ is made up of each and every one of us. The body is the temple of God’s glory. And as the temple was lit with candles, so our temple must be lit with the light of Christ. We are, after all, made in the image and likeness of God!

This little light of mine. Jesus referred to himself in terms of light, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The lamp, therefore, is a symbol of Christ’s presence. But it is also a symbol of Christ’s presence among his followers. The Lord called John the Baptist “a burning and shining lamp” (Jn 5:35). He told his followers, “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14).

Whenever the Gospel is read, the candles are lit. Whenever Mass is celebrated, the candles are lit. Whenever a person prays before an image of a Saint, a candle is lit. Whoever lives like Jesus enlightens the hearts and minds of those who live around him. We have been called, like Simeon, to be a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

Last November, a group of Catholic men and women, created an iphone application for Catholics called Ignio (latin for Ignite). I won’t tell you all about it, but I would invite all Christians, of all ages, to download this free app and help break the spell of darkness that engulfs this world!

Our lives were not meant to be wasted or burned out. No! In fact, our lives were meant to bathe in His light and share it with others.

Now go, and set the world on fire!

Mk 6:1-6 The 99%

Mk 6:1-6 The 99%

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Jesus came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. Many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? And they took offense at him.

The people were amazed at the Lord’s wisdom. They were stunned by His humble background. They were shocked by his mighty deeds. And they were deeply offended at Him.

Oh, how jealousy can quickly turn into contempt!

Every morning I briefly scan the national and local headlines. I was appalled to read that a group of demonstrators, representing the Occupy movement, infiltrated a Pro-Life rally and threw condoms at Catholic school girls. We all know that a group that cannot win over supporters with sound logic will typically resort to violence. The Occupy movement has resorted to violence in almost all of its demonstrations, and although it claims to represent the 99%, it doesn’t; not yet at least. Our nation may be a violent nation, but it has not reached the 99 percentile!

Gay folks, lefties, tree huggers, and human & animal equality movements all pride themselves on being tolerant. It’s all true, as long as you are on their side. Rick Santorum, the GOP presidential candidate personally knows how tolerant these folks really are. At almost every political event he attends, he is routinely showered by pink and purple glitter by gay rights activists. Why? Because he belongs to the 99%.

The ACLU prides itself on being tolerant on the intolerant. They defend all types of groups (the Klu Klux Klan, Planned Parenthood, NAMBLA, etc…) and all types of rights (gay rights, abortion rights, atheist’s rights, etc…). But when it comes to Christians and their religious rights, that’s where they draw the line. They prefer to side with the 1%.

Last year, when our courageous Bishops voiced their opposition to the current Administration’s health care plan, the president of all Catholic hospitals, a nun, vigorously attacked the Bishops! Now, she has seen the light, for the President’s Administration has demanded, for the first time ever, that the first Amendment, that guarantees the free exercise of religion, be restricted. Catholic institutions, such as hospitals and schools, are now required to go against their conscious and pay for sterilizations, contraceptives and the morning after pill to all of their employees. This is an outrageous demand that should be met with outrage! The only good news is that the Obama Administration has done what no other president has ever done: they have united Americans of different faiths. That should include 99% of Americans!

But let us not fool ourselves.

When the Lord came into the world, he represented less than 1% of the world. Yes, there was no one else like him. No one ever forgave like he did, gave like he did, and loved like he did. He was truly one of a kind. And the 99% were offended by him!

May we never forget the words of our King: “I tell you the truth, no slave is greater than his master. If they hated me, they will hate you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 13:16).

Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we will ever be popular. We won’t! But neither will we give up!

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done! (Ps. 32:5c) “You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.”