Luke 14:12-14 Feeding Your Faith

Luke 14:12-14  Feeding Your Faith

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On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.  He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends… or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they invite you back and you have repayment.  Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.”

Reading books on prayer is not the same as praying.  Knowledge of God is not enough to fall in love with God.  We must experience God.  How?  It’s simple, extraordinarily simple. 

If I want to increase my faith, then I must take a leap of faith.  The best part about believing is the surprises that come from faith.   

Every morning I reflect on God’s Word:  His Son and Scripture.  I translate the Lord’s words into my words and the Lord’s actions into my actions.  This is my Morning Prayer and daily bread, and this is what I will give to my parishioners and students.  This is how I increase my faith.  This is how I take a leap of faith.

Recently, at a high school retreat, while the kids where in adoration, a student came up to me and asked for some advice regarding a friend.  I told her that she should go back to adoration, look for her friend and surprise her friend by giving her a hug.  She wasn't sure about my advice.  Well, as soon as she left I left. 

The next day, she came up to me and told me what happened.  As soon as she went back to adoration, her friend came up to her and gave her a hug.  She couldn't believe it.  She couldn't believe that the Lord had told her friend what I had told her. 

Her faith grew that day.  It became alive for the first time in a long time.  

When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.  The Lord loves to keep us on our toes, our tippy-toes.  He loves to keep us in suspense.  He loves to throw curve balls at us.  Just when we think we are getting the hang of this Christian stuff, the Lord encourages us, to go one step further, by challenging us.  He loves to challenge our pre-conceived notions by turning our world upside down.  He loves to challenge our love out of love for us.  He does so because, like He told Martha, He wants us to experience the better part; the part about trusting God above all our fears and tribulations and finding the surprise at the bottom of it.   

When was the last time you were surprised by your faith?  If it has been a while, then it means you’re going through the motions:  you're going to Church out of a debt to pay.  It means you're just praying out of an obligation or habit.  And if you're praying out of habit, then you're praying with your mind only and not with your whole body:  mind, heart and soul. 

The commandments are not so much an obligation as they are a prescription.

In today's Gospel, the Lord is not offering us a quick tip to holiness or some “techniques” to rise in stature and in respect.  He is encouraging us to make the most out of life; to learn from the blind, the poor and the crippled.  There is so much to learn outside of school.  There are so many friends to be made outside of my circle of friends.  There is so much more to this world than the places and things I can see, or walk to or buy.  There is so much more to love than my carnal desires. 

There are so many better things in my life than in whom or what I like.

Because of our lack of faith, we have this undesirable tendency to work with the undesirable to make ourselves more desirable.  In other words, we have a tendency to do things for ourselves even when we are doing things for others. 

The Lord is telling us that that is not Christian.

Kids struggle with their faith because they never get a chance to experiment with their faith.  Parents can help their children by encouraging their children to take a leap of faith.   For example, if your child wants to have a birthday party, then encourage him/her to not only invite their friends, but also to invite some people who would never imagine being invited by him/her.   See what happens next.  Try it.  Take a chance. 

If you think about it, the problem with most of our parents and kids today is that they resort to sinning rather than believing.  They are more than willing to take a chance at breaking the commandments (and getting what they want) than take a chance and living by the commandments (and get what God wants).  So they never really get a chance to experience God in their lives or know Him by heart or above all things because they are constantly placing themselves and their fears in His place.

If you want your children to experience God in their lives, then you must show them the Way.  It’s not enough to just teach them "the faith".  Rather, you have to inspire them to His words and actions by your decisions, inspirations, suggestions, mercy, compassion, understanding and unconditional love.  To achieve this, you must continue reflecting on your faith and feeding your faith on God’s word and God’s body.

Luke 14:1,7-11 Real Humility

Luke 14:1,7-11 Real Humility

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At the home of one of the leading Pharisees, Jesus told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table…When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.  A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man’, and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

I was worried this Halloween.  I was worried that I would run out of candy.  So on Wednesday afternoon, I went to Albertsons to buy a few more bags of candies just to be safe.  While I was driving, I was thinking to myself, “Let’s see…there are approximately four thousand parishioners here.  We have nearly nine hundred kids in our school…They all know me…I’m gonna need a lot of candy.” 

I bought nearly one hundred dollars worth of candy.  I bought the good stuff:  Kitkats, Reeses, Hersey bars, Hersey kisses, etc…  

I ripped open a few bags and put the chocolates in a large container.  I sat down and waited for the storm to hit. 

6:00 pm:  All quiet.  I thought to myself, “Well, it’s still early.  The kids are having dinner.”  7:00 pm:  Nothing.  I reasoned with myself, “They must be getting ready.”  8:00 pm:  Not a living soul.  I questioned myself, “What is going on?”  I checked the outdoor lights.  9:00 pm:  What the…!!!

Not a single kid showed up at my door.  This coming Monday, I will throw all my candy at them!

I thought I was popular.  I thought I was the only one.  I thought I would get inundated with little hands.  I thought there would be a line at my door.  Instead, I got nothing, no one, not a soul, not even an emergency call!

The Lord said, “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’  Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.’”

What a practical tip.  What a helpful hint.  But is it really that?  Is the Lord writing a self-help book full of “techniques” to help his followers to “appear” more humble?  Theoretically (or theatrically) , is it not possible that a very arrogant man could intentionally sit in the back only to be told to come up to the front?  Isn’t seeking attention part of the problem with humility?

The Lord is not offering us some practical tips or helpful hints to be more humble.  The Lord is offering us a humble way of life.  Humility is based on the truth.  And the truth is:  We are nothing without the Lord.

Doesn’t St. Paul sound a bit arrogant in his letters?  In one of them, he writes: “Be imitators of ME for I imitate Christ” (Eph 5:1).  Wow!  Is it humility to equate oneself to Christ?  It is!  But only if you are a saint; that is, if Christ lives and breathes and works through you.  In today’s reading, St. Paul writes:  “That I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.”  Wow!  Imagine for a moment if I went to your house and told you, “You should feel blessed to have me in your presence!”

Any sane person would throw me out the door.

The secret to humility is not found in any self-improvement book.  Rather, it is found in the person of Jesus Christ. 

The secret to humility is found in TOTAL obedience to God’s Will. 

When a humble man acts on a good decision and it doesn’t work out, he will not resort to breaking all the commandments to get what he wants.  Instead, he will trust that the Lord has an alternate plan for him.  He knows (and accepts) that God’s plan is always the better plan.

It’s not so much what we say or do, but how we live.  That’s what made Saul, Paul and Paul St. Paul.

Luke 13:18-21 Young and Humble

Luke 13:18-21  Young and Humble

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Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?  To what can I compare it?  IT is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.  When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

Yesterday, I received a card from a couple who have been trying hard and praying hard to have a baby for some time now.  It finally happened.  The card read:  “It’s a baby!”  At first it struck me as odd that it didn’t read “It’s a girl” or “It’s a boy.”  But after a while, I finally got it.  They could care less what sex their child was.  They were just happy to have a baby.

Babies are cute.  People love to be around them.  It doesn’t matter what they do in front of us or to us.  They can burp in our face.  They can poop in our arms.  They can throw up all over our shirt.  It doesn’t matter what they do.  Nothing they say or do could ever wipe away the joy in our heart or the smile from our face. 

But when babies grow up, they’re not so cute.  Why is that?  Why do kids become so ugly?  It has nothing to do with their physical size or physical appearance.  it has everything to do with their selfishness. 

When the Lord describes the Kingdom of God as being the size of a mustard seed, what he is describing is not so much its physical dimensions but rather its spiritual conditions.  The reason why the Kingdom of God is so small and so great is because God makes himself small so as to be great.  It is the reason why the Lord said:  If you wish to be great, you must make yourself small. 

Babies get everything they need and want and even more.  Why?  Because they ask for nothing.   I keep telling our school kids that if they want to get more from their parents they need to stop asking for more.

I know some parents who are very "concerned" about their kids because they never ask for anything.  So what do they do?  They keep giving them more and more.  Their kids know the secret.  One student never asked for a car and got a car.  One student never demanded more freedom and got more freedom. 

Interested? 

The rule is simple:  If you want to be loved, then start loving.  If you want to be great, then start serving.   If you want to receive, then stop asking and start giving.

If you think about it, the Lord does not demand much from us, except to love Him and to love our neighbor.  Oh, I forgot.  He also asks us to give Him our sins so that He can give us His love.

Be subordinate.  In his letter to the Ephesians (Eph 5:21-33), St. Paul challenges Church leaders to be “subordinate to Christ”.  He goes one step further and challenges members of the Church to be “subordinate to one another”.  He then demands wives take a leap of faith by being “subordinate to their husbands in everything.”  But like everything St. Paul writes, he demands that we do what we do just like Christ did for us.  It is not enough to love.  We need to love as Christ loves us.

The Church is a “sacrament” of the Body of Christ.  Christians are a “sacrament” of Christ’s continual presence in the world.  Husbands are a sacrament of Christ’s unconditional love and sacrifice for His bride (the Church). 

There is no demanding in any of these relationships, only giving of oneself and dying to self.  These are the conditions that make all relationships possible, powerful, beautiful, amazing and ever young and new… like a new born baby.

Like a child, the Kingdom of God will grow from a small mustard seed to a burning bush, but only if it remains forever young and humble of heart.

Luke 12:39-48 Entrusted With So Much

Luke 12:39-48  Entrusted With So Much

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Jesus said to his disciples:  “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Lord is speaking to YOU!  He has entrusted so much to YOU!  He is counting on YOU!  He wants YOU!

St. Paul writes to his friends, “You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation” (Eph 3:2-12). 

What exactly was revealed and made known to St. Paul?  That Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior!  Why him?  For two simple reasons:  for his benefit and the benefit of others; for his salvation and for the salvation of others.  This revelation was entrusted to him so that he could share the Good News with others.   

And he did. 

He took it and ran with it.  In fact, he ran as fast as he could, as hard as he could and as far as he could.  Actually, he ran all over Europe and Asia Minor with it, even up to the steps of Rome’s White House:  Caesar’s palace. 

And Rome would never be the same again.

Has this mystery not been revealed to you?  If you are reading this, then it has!  And just to let you know:  much that has been entrusted to you will be demanded of you.  This is not a threat.  This is a timely reminder.

Make no mistake about it:  you don’t need to have money; you don’t need to have talents; you don’t even have to have a tongue!  What you do need to have is a heartbeat and faith in God. 

Every single day of your life, the Lord will give you the opportunity to share Him with others.  In one way or another, the Lord will ask you to make him known to another.  Are you up to the task?  If I am, then I can assure you that you are too.

Yesterday, someone sent me a text message with the following prayer request:  “Good morning Father, would you please pray for a woman I know.  She used to be a nun, became an atheist, and is now trying to come back.  She has asked me to walk with her through this journey as she returns to the Catholic Church.  Pray for me as well.  God bless you!”

I wrote back, “I will.  How exciting!”

“Easy for you to say”, she wrote, “I don’t even know anything about atheism, so I don’t know what to expect.  We will be meeting.  She will have many questions and many fears.”

I wrote back, “You don’t need to worry about anything.  Just be faithful.  That’s what she needs.”

Just be faithful. 

I know.  It’s the easiest thing to say but the toughest thing to do.  But I know it is the best way to live life to the full!

At the end of our life, the only thing that will matter will be what we did for God and what we did for others; that is, what we did with the blessings and love we received.

Where much is given, much is expected.  Elections are coming up; maybe the most important elections of our life time.  And when I vote, I will do so based on what is true; what is sacred; what is fundamental; what is important. 

It will not be rooted in me.  It will be rooted in Jesus Christ.

I sometimes imagine that at the end of my life I will be handed a few lists outlining all the things I complained about; all the time I wasted; all the excuses I made, and all the things I considered to be very important.  I fear that moment may be a bit embarrassing - not so much for what is on my lists - but when I compare it to God’s immense love and mercy I received throughout my life.

Mk 10:35-45 Pride and Decline

Mk 10:35-45  Pride and Decline

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James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”  He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”  They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”  Jesus aid to them, “You do not know what you are asking…to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to you but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Most people love the underdog because most people hate their boss. 

It is truly a blessing to work for a boss who is both humble and effective.  Unfortunately, it is a rare thing.  Instead, most people work for someone who is either one or the other, or neither.  If your boss is neither, then chances are he/she is prideful and easily gets jealous. 

Pride is a horrible thing.  It’s debilitating.  It prevents growth.  It prohibits a person from being truly human, for if you have to be “perfect” all the time, then you can’t be human most of the time.  Pride is the source of many headaches.  It is the source of so much stress, of sleepless nights.  After all, if you have to be “right” all the time then it can keep you up all night long.

Jealousy is a horrible thing in the work force too.  It stunts individual growth.  It suffocates creativity in the work force.  It stifles growth for the company. If you do a better job than your boss then chances are you will suffer, and suffer greatly. 

Instead of receiving a pat on the back, you can expect a stab in the back. 

While I was a member of a religious community here in Dallas and worked for one of our schools, I would often seek permission to celebrate Mass at various parishes.  But I was often told that it wasn’t our “charism” to help parishes with Sunday masses.  I knew better.  I knew it would help build better relations with other (diocesan) priests.  I also knew I would meet a lot of wonderful families that might consider sending their kids to our fledgling school.  I was right.  It all came together and our school actually grew in numbers.

When Parkland Hospital asked me to be their chaplain, my religious superior recommended that I use my time in better ways.  I knew better.  I knew that I would meet highly motivated people (volunteers) in the most obvious but unlikeliest of places:  among the poor.  Again, it all worked out.  I met some incredible people and highly successful business men who were willing to help our school grow.  But in the end, jealousies got in the way of it all. In the end it all came to an end. 

The fact that man can be so intelligent, and yet so jealous and prideful, makes God ever more remarkable.  God is remarkable because He is so humble and efficient.  He gets the job done and he gives us all the benefits! 

I have never heard or seen a boss (or an atheist) say or do what God said and did:  “I did not come to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.”  I have only read these words from Jesus Christ and witnessed it lived out by those who followed Him. 

You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them.  Does the Lord “lord” over his people?  Does the Lord demand He be called “Master”?  He should…but he doesn’t.

I fear that most of us deep down believe that Christ was simply a dreamer; that His way of life is as beautiful as poetry and as impractical as living like a poet; that His way of thinking is great for classroom discussion but totally irrelevant on Wall Street.

 

I have been observing something for a while now.  Correct me if I am wrong.  I don’t want to sound racist, but I need to say something that I have observed for some time now.  I have noticed how Asian immigrants as a group tend to be more respectful towards others than others.  I have also noticed how African immigrants tend to be more cordial and joyful than others.  Finally, I have also noticed how many South Americans tend to work in harder places and in the most humble of places than others.  Now what do all three of these groups have in common?  They all tend to be more humble and capable than others; and as a result, they tend to be more religious than others.

I have noticed how pious Asians are, and it is beautiful.  I have noticed how Africans pray and sing, and it is beautiful.  I have also noticed how South Americans love their saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the crucifix. 

What I have also noticed is the opposite when it comes to Europeans and North Americans.  They tend to be less humble and much bossier.  I think it is because they are less faith-filled than others.  Do you see the connection? 

Our jealousy and pride is directly related to our faith life.  Our faith life is not dependent on God and what He does for us.  Rather, it is totally dependent on how we respond to God in our lives.  Faith is our humble response to God’s enormous gift of life, of redemption and of providence.  A strong prayer life is only possible (and logical) if we are not full of ourselves and can easily give credit where credit is due (share our successes with others).  If we have a hard time doing one or the other, then chances are we will not be able to be believers in Jesus Christ or even followers of His most humble teachings. 

History has shown that the mighty and powerful crumble and fall.  What historians typically write is that poor decisions led to their demise.  What they don’t write is that it was their pride that killed them and their empires. 

Pride in ourselves will be the cause of our decline.  Faith in Jesus Christ will be the cause of our resurrection. 

Luke 12:8-12 Acknowledging God

Luke 12:8-12  Acknowledging God(Click here for readings)

Jesus said to his disciples:  “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.”

Jake Finkbonner is the reason why Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native-American Indian who lived in the 17^th century, will be declared a saint by the Holy Father tomorrow morning in Rome.

In 2006, Jake Finkbonner was so close to death after flesh-eating bacteria infected him that his parents, Donny and Elsa Finkbonner, had last rites performed and were discussing with doctors donating the 5-year-old’s tiny organs. 

Fr. Sauer, who performed the last rites on Jake, four days after he cut his lip, said he immediately urged the family and the congregation back on the Indian reservation to pray to Blessed Kateri, thinking that maybe their shared faith and Native American heritage were relevant.

The Finkbonners are Native-American Indians and devout Roman Catholics.  Over the years they have felt a little ostracized by some on their reservation for being Christian.  [There’s a strong movement on most reservations for Indians to return to their ancestor’s spirituality.]  Regardless of it, the Finkbonners didn’t budge.

But every day the prognosis for little Jake got worse.  Donny Finkbonner recalled, “I remember the last day that we met with the whole group of doctors, my wife didn’t even want to hear what they had to say.  She just got behind me and was holding on.”  But rather than bad news, the doctors said the infection had suddenly stopped.  “It was like a volcano that was erupting, and they opened him up and it was gone.  It had stopped.  It was an amazing day.”

It took the Finkbonners several years to realize that the turning point had come a day after a friend of the family – a nun named after Kateri – had visited them in the hospital, prayed with them and placed a relic of the soon-to-be saint on Jake’s leg.

They went back to their calendar and noticed that the day the nun arrived and prayed with them was the day the infection stopped.

The similarities between Jake and Blessed Kateri are remarkable:  Just like the Finkbonners, Blessed Kateri was ostracized by her tribe for having held on to the Catholic faith.  She was badly scarred at the age of four during a smallpox epidemic.  Jake’s illness has left many physical scars as well.  

The doctor’s at Seattle Children’s Hospital told the family they should pray for a miracle.  They were the first to tell them they had no scientific explanation for their son’s healing.

To be a saint does not mean to live like Christ.  It means to live in Christ.  It means it is no longer I who live in me but Christ who lives in me.   I acknowledge the Lord in all the good I do because He lives and breathes and moves in me.  The goal of every Christian is to be another Christ:  a Saint.  Yes, we are sinners.  Yet sinners do become saints.  And history has proven that all saints are made from the same raw material:  sinners.

St. Kateri, pray for us.

Luke 12:1-7 Faith and Fries

Luke 12:1-7  Faith and Fries
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Jesus began to speak, “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.  I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more…”

A few Sunday’s ago, I went to a well known restaurant located in my neighborhood.  As soon as I walked in, I could see someone staring at me in a very weird way.  He looked shocked to see me.  [That’s not uncommon but it never feels normal.] 

He walked up to me and introduced himself to me.  He told me that his family owned the restaurant and that he was “The Manager”.  I congratulated him on his job and waited for him to explain why he was talking to me.  Finally, and with a little bit of nervousness, he said to me, “Father, grew up in the Catholic Church but have not attended Mass in a very long time.  Someone came in here a few minutes ago and asked me if I was saved.  He told me to seek God in my life.  That’s when you walked in.  I think God is giving me a sign.” 

Well, I was happy with that because it meant I would probably get a free meal.  [Just kidding.]

Definitely the Lord was inviting this young man, through a Christian, to reflect on his life and to come back to Him.

Contrary to current folklore, God is not a human invention.  He is a reality.  Man did not invent God.  God revealed himself to man.  We did not find Him.  He found most of us.  Some are still lost. 

God is not "something" you "added" to your life.  He is our life.  He is the beginning and the end of our life; He is the reason, purpose, and goal of our life.

Far too many people in this world (yes, even one person would be too many), continue to think that God is a crutch.  God is not a crutch.  God is our Creator.  Legs and lungs are not crutches.  If you want to walk, then you have to have legs.  If you want to breathe, then you have to have lungs.  If you want to live in this world, then you have to have God in your life.   

We tell people all the time what is good for them.  We tell complete strangers that they should think twice before eating this or that.  We hear it all the time:  watch out for carbs, watch your weight, and watch out for fat and steroids.  We have no fears telling our neighbor what their body needs.  But when it comes to our neighbor’s soul, we tend to remain silent, dead silent…unless we have a heresy we’d like to share.

Our faith was never meant to be concealed.  It was never meant to be locked up and whispered away.  It was meant to be proclaimed behind closed doors and in front of open doors.  To be more like Jesus Christ never hurt anyone.  If anything, it saved them. 

A few weeks ago, a stranger walked into this restaurant, ordered something and asked a complete stranger a simple question:  “Have you been saved?”   The question shocked him.  It surprised him.  It even scared him a little.  But what is more shocking and interesting is the fact that no friend or family member asked him or encouraged him to come back to Church; the Church he grew up in.  

It’s time we stop making our faith a private affair.  It’s time we stop worrying so much about what others may think and start helping others to think...and pray...and live.  It’s time we stop making excuses and saying, “Well, I just don’t want to offend anyone.”  If we can give our opinion on what food to eat, then we can give an invitation to the Lord’s feast.  No one will be offended that you invited them to Church or that you spoke to them with love and conviction (regarding the truth of Jesus Christ). 

Speak the truth and see what happens.  Invite others to come to church and see what happens.  You never know.  You may actually change someone’s life for good.

Let us share our faith, our hope and our love with others just like we share our fries; generously. 

Luke 11:42-46 Do Not Overlook The Obvious

Luke 11:42-46  Do Not Overlook The Obvious

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The Lord said:  “Woe to you Pharisees!  You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and love for God.  These you should have done, without overlooking the others.”

I finally had the chance to see a presidential debate.  What makes debates interesting, even exciting, is the fact that the American people demand that two individuals, rivals, who do not necessarily want to speak to each other or even be in the same room with each other, have to confront each other.  That’s a good thing. 

I think the build up and anticipation prior to the debate was very exciting.  Everyone was hoping that the President would come out swinging and the Governor would be more charming.   Personally, I was hoping that there would be a fight (verbal punches and knockouts), and there were times when it seemed like it would actually happen, but as soon as tempers flared and politicians became more human, the moderator quickly threw ice upon them and forced them back to their corner, instructing the next zombie to ask his/her question.  I have to tell you that I was disgusted with the “rules” and the “audience”.  No reactions were allowed.  No emotions were to be displayed.  Everyone was supposed to appear as if they had been neutered.  No wonder the audience seemed more interested in how they asked their question rather than in the answer they got. 

Although I was pleased with my candidate's performance, the Presidential debates are nothing compared to the debates that Christ went through.  If you think last night was a “boxing match”, then imagine for a moment the on-going debates that Jesus had with the Pharisees.  Wow!  What a match up!  “Woe to you Pharisees! ...You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Whereas most people do not like to be in the same room with those they do not like, the Lord continually sought out the sinner and confronted him.  He would actually go out of his way and search for him.  That is remarkable! 

But what makes the Lord even more remarkable is how well he knows us…and still loves us. 

We (and not just politicians) fear being “known” because we fear not being loved.  We fear exposing our defects and sins to others and covering ourselves is a result of it.  When man first sinned, his first reaction was to cover himself up and hide.  Since then, we hide our true selves from people:  our faults, failures and weaknesses from others.  If you only knew me, you would never love me.  So, I must hide who I really am.  I must cover up my scars and wrinkles.  If I do not, then no one will ever love me. 

What makes the Lord truly remarkable, what makes Him so unique, is His ability to know us and still love us.  We know Jesus loved his enemies because He continued to confront them.  He did not run from them nor did He attempt to avoid them. 

The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves.  And yet, He still loves us and loves us enough to want to help us.  Did the Pharisees hate Jesus?  They did, because they never knew Him.  Did the Lord hate the Pharisees? He did not, because He knew them.  And the fact that He knew them and never condemned them is remarkable!  He prayed that by knowing their heart, they would get to know His Heart.  Did the Lord love them just the way they were?  Of course, but even more…since He never gave up on them!

Politicians do not try to change their opponent’s mind.  They try to change the crowd’s mind.  They are not interested in converting their opponent.  They are interested in beating their opponent.  And because of it, they don’t expose themselves to risk.  They are instructed to be political; that is, deceivingly tolerant and decisively wimpy.  They take more time thinking about how to say something rather than what to say.  They examine poll numbers more than they examine their conscience.  Woe to you Politicians! …You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.      

Was Jesus intolerant or was He tolerant?  He was both.  He was a walking contradiction, Son of God and Son of Man.  He was very intolerant when it came to sin and very tolerant when it came to the sinner.  Although He appeared to be intolerant with the righteous and tolerant with the sinners He was not.  He loved both.  He was a walking contradiction because he loved us enough follow us and loved us enough to invite us to follow Him. 

Let’s never overlook the obvious.

Mk 10:17-30 Sell What You Have, Come Follow Me

Mk 10:17-30  Sell What You Have, Come Follow Me

(Click here for readings)

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  …Jesus answered him, “You know the commandments…”  He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing.  Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Not too long ago, I was speaking to someone at Toys R’ Us.  They were telling me that board games are becoming a thing of the past.  Very few kids buy them or even ask for them these days.  Instead, electronic counsels and games are hot sellers and cool items. 

But afterwards I asked myself if kids really thought electronic games were better than board games, or if they thought they were a better substitute to an unfortunate reality:  that they only play by themselves; that they never get a chance (or have the time) to play - just play - with their friends or family.       

Today, I spent a lot of time at our Autumn Fair.  I didn’t see a single electronic game or a single sad face among the children.  Why?  Because they were having a ton of fun!

I admit, there was a truck that had every single conceivable electronic game available in it for them.  But I am glad to report to you that while there was light, there was hardly anyone playing.  And I am so glad!   Because our kids, young and old, were having a great time being with their friends and family. 

The activities and food that were at the Fair were pretty much the same games and food I had when I was a child.  A Fair is a Fair and kids are kids who love to be kids as long as they are allowed to be with other kids.  It’s not "what-you-have" that matters, but "who-you-are-with" that counts.

I suspect the rich young man had everything he ever wanted, except for the things that money could never buy.  I wonder if over the years, he had allowed himself to substitute healthy and holy relationships for hard work and possessions.  Maybe he had allowed himself to be defined by others for what he had and what he did, and never for who he was.  And as the rich young man could never imagine for a moment gaining heaven (happy) by having less, neither could he imagine following the Lord by giving up his very own priorities, paradigms, thoughts, work, dreams and aspirations. 

From today’s Gospel passage, it’s clear to see that our possessions have a tendency to keep us away from a real relationship with the Lord, as well as with others. 

The Lord asked this “poor” man a conscience building or conscience busting question:  Do you want your possessions to define your relationship with me?  Do you want your thoughts, dreams and aspirations to define your will over me?  Or do you prefer to have a real relationship with me, based strictly on who I am and who you are?

We all need fellowship.  We were made for it as well as for the Lord.  A few nights ago, I watched a movie with a family.  It was called, “Pirates:  A Band of Misfits”.  I loved the movie for just one scene.  It was the scene in which Charles Darwin was describing his latest scientific discovery and writing it in his journal.  Suddenly, he stopped writing.  He looked up, looked sad, and proceeded to write, “I will never kiss a woman.”  I laughed!!!  Finally!  A movie screen writer wrote honestly about the very human Charles Darwin.

Man was created for fellowship.  He was not created to hold on to things or to study many things.  He was created to love and be loved.  And although the rich young man knew that something was missing in his life; unfortunately, he couldn’t remember exactly what it was.  He knew his possessions were not enough for eternal life (for God), but he was too afraid to lose them in order to find himself and God. 

Sell what you have, and come follow me.  Why must I sell what I have to follow the Lord?  What’s the connection?  It’s our fellowship in Christ’s life.

The Lord did not want this young man to follow Him and then be “known” or “defined” for his great wealth and possessions.  After all, that's not how the Lord is remembered at all.  Instead, the Lord wanted this young man to be known and defined for his great generosity towards the Father…just like Him; and for tremendous sacrifice for the Father…just like Him; and for giving everything away for heaven’s sake…just like Him. 

The Lord wanted the rich young man to become poor so as to become rich…just like Him.  He wanted him to be defined not by what he had or by what he did, but by how he loved.

So do not allow your possessions to define who you are! 

Summary:  May I never allow my possessions - whether material, psychological or sinful - to define who I am.  I will not allow my possessions to possess me!  I refuse to sell myself to follow others.  Instead, I will sell what I have to follow the Lord and love others. 

Luke 11:1-4 Is God A Reality?

Luke 11:1-4  Is God A Reality?

(Click here for readings)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”  He said to them, “When you pray, say:  Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

A few weeks ago, I went to a volleyball game at Bishop Lynch.  I was invited by a student at John Paul II High School that used to attend my old school and parish, St. Joseph.  While I was watching this awesome kid play against Bishop Lynch, a former student of mine, from St. Monica and who now attends Bishop Lynch, sat next to me and we began to talk.  [I hope you are not confused…as you can see, I’ve been around!]

At a certain point in our conversation I mentioned to my companion that John Paul II had a very good volleyball team.  This student looked over at me and said, “Now Father, is that school named after a Pope?” 

Now, I am not about to blame St. Monica for failing to teach this child the faith.  Nor am I about to blame any teacher for not having taught this child.  What I will say is the following:  no parent can expect a school to teach their child everything.  Parents must be the first educators of their children in what to believe, in how to live and in how to pray.  In fact, the Church proudly calls the family the domestic Church, the place where a child experiences the love and affection of God as Father, Mary as our Mother and Jesus as our brother.

Is this happening?  The data has been rolling in for years now and the results don’t look good at all.

Bishop Farrell, in a gathering of priests, mentioned that only 1% of college students attend Church.  The stats are no better for kids who attended Catholic High Schools.  That’s not good, and there is no excuse for such poor results.  The question is:  Why?

Recently, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, told a group of more than 260 cardinals, bishops and priests that “being tepid is the greatest danger of Christians.”  How fitting. 

Just yesterday, someone wrote a comment to me that I should give the benefit of the doubt to a young man that did not look me in the eyes or greet me as I walked by him.  [He was waiting for his school bus to take him to his Catholic school.]  So, instead of just walking by him, I decided to stop next to him (actually, I stood in front of him and pretended to “pray to him” - as if I were praying in front of a statue of a saint).  I thought that was a funny way to break the ice, and it kind of - sort of - did.

One commentator wrote, “Well, Father, maybe he is shy.  I was terribly shy when I was a child…Maybe he is scared of priests.  Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.”  Now, this writer made me think, and think hard about what I was writing. I thought, “Maybe he is shy.  Maybe he is afraid of priests.”  But then I asked myself, "Wait a second, would this have changed anything I did?"  No!  Not at all.  And that is the point of the Holy Father’s speech to cardinals, bishops and priests:  We cannot be tepid or timid in proclaiming the Good News to anyone.

We are so concerned about being wrong that we end up doing little-to-nothing that is holy or right or good.

Let's never give anyone the “benefit of the doubt” when it comes to knowing Jesus Christ.  Why?  Because I prefer to be wrong about someone’s shyness than to be shy about Jesus Christ. 

We cannot ignore the data that is coming in.  We cannot ignore the fact that High School students are a scarcity in our Masses. Why should I think that everyone belongs to the 1% when chances are they belong to the 99%? 

What is there to lose when we reach out?  Let’s say I was wrong and this child was very spiritual and loved Jesus and the Church but was shy.  What would have happened?  Nothing.  If he had lost his faith then he had no faith.  Most likely, he would have laughed and said, “Funny Father”.  But what would have happened if I was being ignored because he had little or no faith?  A lot!  And just maybe I would have wiped a tear, healed a bruise, and chipped away a piece of ice that was surrounding his faith.

“Being tepid is the greatest danger of Christians.” 

Often, I hear parents say, “Well, a lot of teenagers lose their faith in High School and College but most of them come back to it when they are older.”  Now that’s as reassuring as a doctor giving me the prognosis that only 9 out of 10 die from the disease I have. 

The fact that 99% of Catholic High School and College students do not attend Mass, or that most will come back to Church later in life is not at all reassuring to me.  It should not be to any Christian parent either.  As for me, I will not leave it to chance or give the benefit of the doubt to anyone.  I will go out and do whatever it takes to win souls for Jesus Christ.  And by the way, humor is a great way of breaking the ice.

Why are people so afraid to share the Good News with others?  Well Father, they aren’t ready to hear it.  No one is ever ready to hear it.  But we all need it.  The Holy Father asked his audience a question:  “Is God a reality or not?  Why is he silent?”

The answer he gave is the point of today’s meditation:  Because we have done everything possible to keep Him out!  We have made every possible excuse to be silent about Him.