Mk 16:9-15 Demons Away!

Mk 16:9-15 Demons Away!

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When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

Yesterday, a comment was left on a Catholic blog site that made reference to a Pro-Life victory. It read, “The week ended on a very good note when another important pro-life bill to keep abortion providers and promoters out of public and charter schools was signed by Governor Brewer (Arizona). The bill was initiated by the Arizona Catholic Conference in an effort to continue Arizona’s longstanding policy of favoring childbirth over abortion.”

Imagine for a moment an abortion provider speaking to a large number of middle school or high school students and indoctrinating them in the benefits of fetal disposal. Would it be too unimaginable if a child stood up and spoke out, saying something to the effect: “My mom was having doubts about not having me. Someone like you would have encouraged her not to. You have no place here. As you can see, we all made it through your web, but too many of our peers did not.”

Yesterday, the documentary “Bully” went into general release. Ellen Ratner, a Fox news contributor, wrote an opinion regarding it. She states that this film is a reminder that it is time to restore our humanity. Is that the solution to our problem??? If so, it ain’t working! What exactly does it mean “to restore our humanity”? After all, only humans (or the human race) bully, discriminate, engage in global war, and commit crimes and atrocities on one another. I think it’s time that we stop hiding our human weaknesses with some sort of wishy-washy generic call to “humanity!” It’s also time to stop blaming animals for our weaknesses.

During Lent, while I was praying the Stations of the Cross with the kids from St. Monica, I reflected on a written meditation by some expert at one of the stations. It went something like this: “Sometimes people can act like animals. They can say mean things about someone because of the color of their skin. They can treat others unkindly.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I had to say something. I told the kids, “Do animals treat others differently because of the color of their skin? No. Do they make fun of others because they are short or tall or have a big nose or four eyes? No. So, why in the world are we saying that people can ‘act like animals’???” I know why. And the answer is sickening. It’s so we can keep Christ out of the world. It’s so we can deny Christianity its pivotal place in society. Christians do not act like animals nor do they act like human. They are to act like Jesus Christ. And if a Christian does not act like Jesus Christ, then it means that they are a “bad” Christian. And if you ever run into a “humanist” that acts like Jesus Christ, then he is acting like a Christian. But there are plenty of humanists that would consider Christianity as weakness and cowardice. After all, did not the great god of Mother Nature consider “survival-of-the-fittest” something to be proud of? Does it not make our race purer, healthier, and stronger?

Being more human will never solve problems such as intolerance or indifference; but being more Christian will! The day will come when we become more tolerant of the Risen Lord and on that day we will see the fall of all forms of injustice. This day the Lord has already made, in the life of His Son and in the lives of His Saints! We can all look forward to this day, when another’s life is more valuable than one’s very own; when we exchange seven very human qualities: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride for seven very heavenly qualities: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness and humility. Of course we can blame these things on the devil (and we should), but the devil did not find a welcoming home among the animals. He found it among the humans. But when it came to the child Jesus, I do not need to remind anyone that there was no place for Him. The day of Christ’s resurrection is the day the Lord has made. The day of his crucifixion is the day we have made. Both days are good for we now have a clear understanding of who the Lord is and who we are.

Let’s make some space. The Apostles did. They understood that they must be obedient to God rather than to men (cf. Acts 4:20-21).

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

Jn 21:1-14 Revealing Christ

Jn 21:1-14 Revealing Christ

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Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

It’s just a normal sea. It’s just a quiet evening. It’s just another day. Some Apostles went fishing. The results were the same like always: they caught nothing. By dawn, they noticed a man sitting near a fire. He called out to them. They realized it was the Lord. Jesus was in their midst. No drum roll. No fanfare. No lights, no camera, but tons of morning action.

The Lord loves to reveal himself in the most common of ways and moments. He wished to have breakfast with his friends. He prepared the fire, helped with the catch and prepared the meal.

The Lord loves to take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. He loves to take human acts and transform them into Christian acts. How? With his presence. Jesus said to his disciples, “Come and eat with me….” That’s it. And it was very special.

How can I take today and make it special? What can I do today to make a difference (small or large) in someone’s life? Ask these questions. It’s important that you do before it is too late. Think of ways that you can turn someone’s mourning into morning. That’s what the Lord did. And he did it by revealing himself to others.

Christians are chosen people; called by name to reveal the Son. The world is our stage; our story is never ending. History is Acts One, Two, etc. We are the main actors regardless of whether or not we act. If we act we can make a difference. If we do not act, we make a difference. If we speak we can make a difference. If we fail to speak, we will make a difference. Our history is filled with grace and sin; success and failure. We are writing history as we live! Sitting back and doing nothing is a part played out by many. Going out and making a difference may appear to be reserved to just the powerful and the mighty. But that is not true. As in the case of Jesus Christ we know that one man can make a difference. In the case of the Apostles, we know that a few good men can make a difference. Our entry into the Universe of being (of existing) is a clear sign that I am significant. Even the photograph of a dying child in Africa makes a difference in the hearts and minds of thousands of people. And most likely, this child did not even know it.

Think Small. Most of us think that we have to do something BIG. But the Lord’s birth took place in a tiny village. He grew up in a small town. He traveled in a very small area of the world. His followers were a small band of brothers. He performed miracles one person at a time. He died only once. He died on one cross. He rose from one tomb. And till, He made a difference by making his presence felt.

“The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone” (Ps 118). This Easter I made a simple but special resolution. I will convert my human acts into Christian acts. The simple will become special. The ordinary will be extraordinary. The common will become elegant. In everything I do, I will invite Christ to reveal himself; to make his presence known. Why not? It’s not that hard and my experience in doing so has been wonderful! Therefore; when I write, Christ has to be revealed. His name, his life, his words and his actions have to be mixed in with my heart, my words and my actions. Otherwise, it is temporary at best, worthless at worst. The Lord deserves to be in my visits, in my messages, in my actions. This way, I can offer up my day and my life, all I say and all I do to the Lord. Does the Lord not provide everything for me? Of course he does. He gives everything: the stage, the people, the circumstances, the inspiration and grace. Who am I to leave him out??? He is the cornerstone.

Lk 24:35-48 Startled and Terrified

Lk 24:35-48 Startled and Terrified

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The disciples were still speaking when Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

In today’s Gospel, we read that the Lord ate a piece of baked fish and all his disciples were “incredulous for joy and were amazed”? You’ve got to be kidding me! How can eating a piece of baked fish be so meaningful? Was this the first time they had seen Jesus eat? Of course not! So what is the big deal? It’s simple and profound. The Lord wanted to prove to his disciples that he was not a figment of their imagination; that he was not the result of some bad fish; or that he was the result of some sort of collective psychological stress. He wanted to let his men know that he was back with them: literally, physically and objectively. And he did it with the most mundane of acts of humans: he ate in front of them.

I love to startle people. Actually, I love to surprise them. I love to turn human acts into Christian acts. I don’t know why but I occasionally get these weird thoughts in my head and then I find myself in the perfect location to act on them. For example, this morning I went to a bank teller to withdraw some money. I was in my uniform. As I was walking towards the exit, a Muslim woman was walking slightly in front of me. As we were both nearing the door to leave, I told her, “I go first.” She suddenly stopped. She looked me up and down with her eyes nearly out of their socket. I had definitely taken her aback and in a state of shock she asked, “Why???” I replied, “How else can I open the door for you?” A great big smile appeared on her face and she quietly said, “Thank you.” There you have it! A simple and/or mundane act of humans (walking) transformed into a startling and terrifying supernatural Christian act (if you wish to be the first, then you must serve) that produced a burst of love in the name of Jesus Christ.

This is what we do. This is how we live. Get used to it.

The Lord told his disciples, “The Christ must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

I was struck by the simple fact that the Lord immediately commanded his brothers and sisters to go and preach repentance; that is, the forgiveness of sins, and to start doing so in the city of Jerusalem. In Jerusalem! Out of all the places to start, Jerusalem? Yes! Jerusalem: the place where Jesus was crucified; the city where everyone was breathing murderous threats against them; the city where the majority of inhabitants were Jewish; the city where they were locked in out of fear. Isn’t this the ground zero for Christians? Yes. And yet, this is the place where the Lord wanted to rebuild his kingdom, where his disciples were to begin preaching.

And what were they to preach? Revenge? No. They were to preach forgiveness. You got to be kidding me! Forgiveness? Yes. Forgiveness of sins. And to do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who had been betrayed, denied, tortured and put to death. How more startling and terrifying can you get?

Forgiving someone's sins can be like opening the door for them, which can be like opening the tomb for them. The Lord did promise that we would do what he did, and even more.

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth (Ps 8:2ab).

Lk 24:13-35 Open Road

Lk 24:13-35 Open Road

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The two disciples of Jesus’ sent out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Each morning it is a joy for me to see the faces of the many people attending daily Mass; regardless of how early it is! This week I’ve been celebrating the two daily Masses (the 6:45 am and the 8:00 am) over here at St. Monica. Many faces are familiar; some are new. They start their day the best way possible, not with “Today” or “Morning Joe”; not with “Fox and Friends” or “Good Morning America”. Rather, they start their day “In the morning with the Eucharist”; in the morning with the Lord.

What a way to start your day! What a way to live your days. What a way to end all your days.

These friends of mine know they need the Lord. They know that daggers and dangers lurk just around the corner. Did not the lives of the disciples turn upside down over night; and then right-side up, overnight? Did they not go from sudden death to sudden life; from “my life has no meaning” to “my life in Christ”? What a difference a few days make! Am I prepared for midnight?

I look and see a world that was created out of love. I know that it was created out of love because it is full of life; and life is truly remarkable, especially when I look up and see a Universe that is dark and lifeless; a real hazard to my health. What separates all of us from the love of God? Answer: a very thin atmosphere. This is all that separates us from the immense darkness and coldness of space; from immediate death. Does not the same hold true for me? I know I am loved because here am I! I’ve made it. So what could possibly separate me from the love of God? What dark hole is eating away at me? What sin is consuming me? Will it be a bad day that eventually does me in?

The Lord, like life, has competition. He knows our enemies. While some enemies reside from afar, others, more dangerous ones, reside from within.

Our battle begins on a road that leads to Emmaus. There, we find two ex-disciples apparently fleeing Jerusalem because of the wrath of the chief priests and the rulers. But in reality, they are fleeing because of some preconceived notions. I like to think of preconceived notions as the Black Holes of the soul. They consume everything that is living. Nothing can stop them, except the end of time. Preconceived notions lead to fear and doubt; the killers of faith and hope. These two men think they know what happened to Jesus, but what they really think is that they know Jesus. They think they know all the facts, but they know only what they have seen and heard. And facts are more than that. They say they saw all the events that dreadful day with their very own eyes; which means, they saw nothing through the eyes of Christ. No wonder why they asked the stranger, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place?” And no wonder why the Lord said, “What sort of things?”

The fleeing disciples painstakingly explain to their "ignorant" guest all the “things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene”. They did so without once mentioning the words sin, grace, sacrifice, suffering, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, love and Lord. How sad! It would be like promoting or advocating “social justice” without once ever mentioning the name of Jesus Christ.

Preconceived notions can blind us from The Light, stifle us on The Way, hinder us from The Truth, and drive us away from The Life.

Let’s leave the road open to the Risen Lord.

P.S. During his trip to Cuba, Pope Benedict asked Fidel Castro if he could declare Good Friday a national holiday. The former communist ruler did not reply until after the Holy Father left the island. On Holy Thursday, and for the very first time, Cuban authorities declared Good Friday a national holiday.

John 20:11-18 Why Are You Weeping?

John 20:11-18 Why Are You Weeping?

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Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

Even before the movie “The Passion of Christ” came out, the director, Mel Gibson, got a lot of grief for it. Some of it came from a former priest. In a TV interview, this ex-priest said the movie did not reflect the life of Jesus Christ. It was too bloody, too graphic, and way too much of it focused on the physical pain Jesus endured. He said something like, “Well, if an alien were to come down to earth and see this movie, he would wonder why they were killing this man!” I thought Mel Gibson’s response to the good old ex-priest was ingenious. He said in reply, “Yes… if you were an alien.”

I am a strong believer in the passion of our Lord. This part of our story must be told over and over again. Why? Because persecution and pain, betrayal and denial, suffering and death are a major part of human life. They suck years (if not life) out of us! But what (really “who”) is the solution to all these ills? Jesus Christ.

If it were not for the resurrection we would still be searching for an answer. If Christ had not risen from the tomb, we would still be looking for our Savior! We would be like Mary, crippled and fearful. We would be like the Apostles, hidden away or locked out forever.

Yesterday, I saw the movie, “The Hunger Games”. I wanted to see it because so many kids have seen it. One kid asked me afterwards, “What did you think?” I told him the truth. I told him that I thought it was great. He looked surprised. I told him, “Don’t be surprised. I love a good story and this is a good story because this is our story.” The names may change but the story never changes.

The Hunger Games will always be a good book and a good movie, today, tomorrow and forever because the story is full of Christian principles. And don’t be fooled. Christian principles still influence a significant part of the world. Do you think that books and movies like this exist in other parts of the world? Do your research and find out for yourself. The answer may surprise you. In fact, you may find that some books, television cartoons and movies in many parts of the world teach (and glamorize) children to hate their enemies; to kill them; cost whatever it costs.

This movie could have been written shortly after the Lord’s resurrection. ‘The Capitol’ (like the ancient capital of Rome) consisted of perverted and twisted people. Vice ruled. Selfishness ruled. Utilitarianism and narcissism ruled. But in ' District 12' (in the small town of Bethlehem) you find the Messiah, the Liberator who blows away all of our paradigms. This person is hard to define for they are both mysterious and unassuming; strong and meek; humble and tenacious; loving and bare-knuckled; peaceful and wild; beautiful and forceful.

At a certain moment in the movie I began to laugh hysterically. It was when a member of the ‘Capitol’ (‘Effie’) accused the protagonist (‘Katniss’), for the third time, of not possessing ‘good-manners’. I finally got it! I understood why the author put that line in the book and/or movie. She was making a point, the same point the Gospel writers made over and over again. The Jews and Romans accused Jesus of being a threat to society; of being evil, of not possessing good manners because he cured on the Sabbath! But in reality, when did crucifixions ever become good manners? When did murdering innocent people (the ‘hunger games’) become mercy and sport? Again, we should not be surprised. In fact, criticism will always be leveled at Christians from those who participate in a twisted society, where virtues and vices are turned upside down; where authentic priorities are replaced by superficial ones. Is that not the case in our own twisted society where careers take precedence over children; where animals are treated better than humans; where the ‘right-to-die’ is valued above and beyond the ‘right-to-life’? Of course ‘Effie’ will be offended by the honesty of ‘Katniss’, especially when lies are valued over truth; outwardly appearance trumps authenticity; and where beauty is not skin deep but one layer above the skin!

I loved the costumes, make-up, and hair styles of all the ‘freaks’ in the ‘Capitol’. I think this is the first time I ever saw our society parodied for what it truly is: insecure.

Katniss (like Mary Magdalene) was a strong woman, but there was one moment when she wept; and wept uncontrollably, and that was at the death of a good and holy simple little child. She wept at the death of a friend. This is where our two stories slightly diverge . Would she never see her friend again? Would the death of her friend mean the death of all hope? Is evil more powerful than love? Is death more powerful than love? These questions will always be the most important questions! And again, Jesus Christ answers all our questions. The answer come straight from Him: “Why are you weeping? Why do you seek the living among the dead? Mary!”

Now, let us do what the Lord told us to do. Let us go tell our brothers and sisters! Let us tell them what Christ told his followers: “Go tell by brothers and sisters, I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” This is the greatest news ever: The Father is my Father and my God too!

Now why are you still weeping?

Mt 28:8-15 Let’s Make A Deal

Mt 28:8-15 Let’s Make A Deal

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The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

After three long days in the upper room; after having gone through every possible emotion imaginable, the Apostles are readying themselves to conquer the world for Christ. The world too is preparing itself for battle. Who will win we already know. But who will be saved is an open question.

“You are to say” The soldiers received their marching orders: “You are to say…you are not to think. Now get out of here and spread this news!” What class of men were these soldiers? Were these the highly skilled professional soldiers of the Roman Empire? Were these men the stuff of legends; of honor and valor? No. They were not. They were despised men. Somehow, some way, they had fallen into disgrace with their commanders. It may have been their deceitful tongue or their Mafioso tactics. But no Roman soldier ever volunteered to serve in Israel. To be sent there was a career ender, and these two soldiers, like all the rest of them, tried to make the best of it. They tried to make money from it. Men like these were considered more like bounty hunters, mercenaries, ruthless and worthless; not soldiers. It was easy for them to be bribed. “The elders gave a large sum of money to the soldiers.” Who knows, the elders may very well have given these guys the same thirty pieces of silver that Judas returned. This “blood money” may have passed through multiple hands in a very short period of time. But no matter what people say, a lie, in order to be believed, must be lived. That is what makes a lie so very hard to believe. In fact, it is next to impossible to live a lie for a long period of time. Sooner or later, either the person will crack or the lie will be cracked.

Think about it for a moment. The elders and the soldiers had the upper hand? Didn’t they have the more logical and the more plausible story? And yet, it was not easily believed. Why? How is it possible that the Christian story has become the more plausible, the more believable and the more remarkable story ever told? The secret is in the truth. The secret is in the honesty of the people telling it. People do not believe in stories. People believe stories because they believe the people telling the story. And the Apostles were highly believable. They had much more to lose than to gain. They had much more to gain by going back to their former way of life then to gain by moving forward! People will lie for a large sum of money, but they will not lie for a large cross to carry! All the disciples of the Lord carried a large cross with them wherever they went and for the rest of their lives. Some of them were even nailed to it!

“You are to say” While the soldiers were receiving their marching orders from the elders, two holy (and problematic) women were receiving theirs as well; from the Lord. “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Unbelievable! The Apostles were now being instructed by two women! Two thousand years ago it would have been unheard of. Today, it is more believable than ever! Two thousand years ago the testimony of women would be considered worthless. Today, it is considered precious.

The Christian story is remarkable not only because it stands the test of time, but because it gets stronger and stronger has time goes by.

In fact, we are told, in the Gospel according to Matthew, this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day. Is Matthew referring to the story of the apostles removing the body of Jesus or is Matthew referring to the story that the elders (and soldiers) sold their souls for a large sum of money. Was that the untold story that was being shared by all? How ironic! That appears to be the more plausible one today!

The story brought to you by the elders and the criminal soldiers may make more sense and be much more logical and reasonable than the Christian story. But the problem with their story is the people telling it. They were not very believable, nor were they very charitable back then.

The Lord reminded his followers: “[People] will know you belong to me by the way you love one another.” The same is true with our story: [People] will know you are telling the truth by the way you love one another.

Only if I follow the Lord will I find the Lord. And when I find the Lord, I will find the tomb empty!

Mk 16:1-7 Holy Easter

Mk 16:1-7 Holy Easter

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Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us…?”

How does it go? “What goes up…must come down.” And so it is…but not today. Not today.

Today, the laws of physics, of biology, of earth science, of logic: courtesy. That’s right; they bow their heads and bend their knees to the Supreme Law Giver and to the Supreme Law of Unconditional Love. And they are not ashamed to do so. They are not embarrassed one bit. For their laws were all written by God; and God is Love.

What is greater than knowledge? Love. What is superior to justice? Love. What outranks and outflanks evil? Love. What drives enemies insane? “See how they love one another.”

Today, we recall the very first time in the history of the world that love conquered death. Death does not have the last word or the last laugh; neither does gravity. When it comes to gravity, I can quickly suspend it with my simple hand. When it comes to poverty, I can quickly get rid of it with my generosity. When it comes to war, I can immediately annihilate it by tying everybody’s hands together in prayer. I can stretch out my arms and catch someone from hitting rock bottom as easily as I can stop an object from falling to the ground. I can suspend the law of "survival of the fittest" by taking care of the abandoned, the elderly and the homeless. I can deny evil a breeding ground with my love and sacrifice. I can suspend most laws with my law; like a Governor or a doctor suspends a death sentence. I can do this and so much more. Take for example the Holy Father, Pope Benedict. Just recently he traveled to Mexico. During his brief stay there not a single drug cartel related murder took place. And this is a country that experiences on average fifty-seven murders a day (almost 20,000 murders last year alone)! Did he stop the killing spree with the laws of physics? No. He suspended the killings with the Law of Love; with Christ's Law. And it worked. It's too bad he had to leave.

Christ destroyed death – not sentimentally, or emotionally or psychologically or philosophically. Christ literally- really and physically - destroyed death. He destroyed it permanently. This was not some sort of philosophical or psychological victory. It wasn’t even a scientific victory. It was His victory. And His victory is our victory! Love is more powerful than death! It was love that synergized life. It was love that gave Adam his atoms. Christ’s resurrection was a once in a timeless event; like the Big Bang; it only needed to happen once. And it took…and the rest is history.

How did God do it? How did Christ destroy death? By himself. The God of love can conquer all things, including death.

“Who will roll back the stone for us?” The holy ladies that appeared at Christ’s tomb, early in the morning, were worried. They were worried that they could not roll back the stone. The Apostles in the upper room were worried that the guards searching for them would open up the doors. Both were worried for no reason.

Do I worry that the sky will fall? Do I fear that the night will last forever? Do I get worried sick about getting sick? Worries will consume my every step if I do not have faith in the God of love. The best way to get rid of all fears is to do what the Lord commands us to do. “Go and tell the others…He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.”

I will see the Lord not only in Galilee but in every city, in every person, in every situation, in every friend and family, in everything I do if whatever I do, I do it for him! If I go where I should never go; do what I should never do; and be who I should never be; then I will not see him or find him.

The miracle of the resurrection is that it is so obvious: no bones, no body and an empty tomb. The miracle of a dead man coming back to life is witnessed by His Apostles. They touched him, ate with him and spoke with him. But when we die, we will not be able to do this. We will not be able to roam the earth and spook our neighbors. The Apostles witnessed the risen Lord physically on earth. But it was never meant to be like that for us. He came back for only one reason: to strengthen his brethren.

And he did. He rolled back the stone from a world that would love to hide him. He went through the Walls in the Upper Room that held his friends hostage. The tomb, like the upper room, was locked. The Lord and his Apostles were locked in and locked out. Only the Lord could break through both.

We don’t need to be God; we just need to trust in Him as we are walking to see Him; as we are waiting to see him; as we are living to see him.

Happy Easter!