Luke 8:16-18 You Never Know

Luke 8:16-18  You Never Know

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Jesus said to the crowd:  “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”

Early this morning I received a phone call from the emergency line.  It was someone asking what time morning Mass was.  I couldn’t believe it!  This person was calling me on the emergency line for that? “What did you say?” I said.  But before they could repeat the question, I looked at the time on my cell phone.  Now I really couldn’t believe it!  It was 6:20 am and I was still in bed!

On any given day I would have been pretty upset about that phone call.  But this morning, I was extremely grateful.  Why?  Because it woke me up.  I arrived just in the nick of time to celebrate the 6:45 morning Mass.  I couldn’t believe it.

You never know the good you can do.  Take for example the person who called me this morning.  I am convinced they have a lot of faith in priests.  After all, would you call a priest early in the morning on the emergency line just to find out what time Mass is?  I wouldn’t!  I know what kind of person would do something like that:  a humble – very humble – person; a person with a tremendously thick skin and rich faith.

We should all be like that, for you never know just how your faith and goodwill could “save” someone today. 

At the conclusion of today’s Mass, someone came up to me and said, “Father, thank you for being here.  Your homily was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.  Thank you!”  Little did they know how close I was to not being there at all.

You never know the good you can do.  That got me thinking again.  We have been conditioned, one could even say “brainwashed” into thinking that faith is something that should be reserved and privately observed.  What nonsense!

This morning’s call was a wake-up call for me in more than one way.  It reminded me that I am here to feed my sheep, and not to worry so much about feeding anger in the wolves that surround me.

Today’s first reading is from the Old Testament.  It is a classic example of the Old Law:  “Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim…Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one who lives in peace with you…Quarrel not with a man without cause…with one who has done you no harm.”

The Old Law was all about justice.  “Refuse no one the good…HE HAS A CLAIM TO.”  “Plot no evil against your neighbor…THE ONE WHO LIVES IN PEACE WITH YOU.”  Do you see something wrong with this?  Do you see something wrong with being nice to those who are nice to you, and good to those who are good to you?  If you do, then you know the difference between the Old Law of justice and the New Law of love.

Christians are not lambs that live on the safe side.  Christians are lambs that cross to the other side.  They live among the wolves; among their distant relatives.  And this can be very annoying, irritating and considered arrogant by those who live on the other side!  It’s true!  But if one lamb can save one wolf before being devoured by an entire pack of wolves, then it was well worth it.  We know this by our history.  Good always triumphs over evil.  One ray of light is all it takes to break the darkness of the night. 

Far too often we are reluctant to share our faith because we are concerned about “offending” others.  And we feel this way even while the “others” are offending us and gaining ground. 

But the truth of the matter is made clear in Christ’s words and actions.  We are no longer called to have the faith of our Jewish brothers and sisters.  We are no longer restricted by the Law which is found in the Old Testament or in today’s first reading.  We have been set free by the Lord to cross to the other side and visit with sinners, converse with them and save them.

The Law that now governs us is found written in the heart of Jesus Christ.  It is the Law of Love and Light.  The Lord commanded his followers to shine everywhere.  He invited them to be a BIG TARGET; to let people know where you are, where you stand, what you believe in!  And even though the vast majority of people will do whatever it takes to take you out - to blow you out - so be it.  It is still important that you keep the light burning where it can be seen by all and for as long as you can.   

And don’t forget:  like the empty tomb, even a blown out candle can be an eloquent witness to the lasting power of Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:11-17 Whatever!

Luke 7:11-17  Whatever!

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Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.  As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow…When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  He stepped forward and touched the coffin and said, “Young man.  I tell you, arise!”  The dead man sat up…and Jesus gave to him his mother.

One of the toughest assignments for a priest (for anyone) is to tell a family that their loved one has passed away.  It is always a difficult assignment, but it is even tougher when you know the family. 

This Friday will mark the one year anniversary of the unexpected and sudden death of a father of four small children.  I will never forget that day. 

After a normal day of school, the children were brought to their grandparent’s home.  As I looked out the window, I could see they were excited because they had noticed my car parked out front.  They ran up to the door and opened it.  With the biggest smiles on their faces, they greeted me and were wondering why I was visiting.  Little did they know the sad reason for my unexpected visit. 

“Your daddy went to heaven today.”  Their mom, grandma and grandpa were there to comfort them.  But as the news sunk in, the color in their fair skin went away.  It was the direct result of a broken heart.  They could not be consoled.    

Why did the Lord raise this young man from the dead?  Why did He bring him back to life?  After all, his resurrection would only temporary, not final.  One day, he would return to the grave.  So, why did the Lord perform this miracle?  Was it for him?  Maybe.  Was it for her?  Could be.  But most likely, I think it was for both of them.  Most likely, it was an answer to one final wish and prayer:  “Oh Lord, if I only had the chance to tell him/her, one last time, how much I loved him/her…”

They may have had some unfinished business to attend to.  After living together for years, they may have gotten too comfortable, too used, to each other.  Maybe she had said some things to him that she regretted.  Maybe he had wished she would go away.  Or maybe they had taken the other for granted too often and for far too long. 

Thank God for death!  Thank God!  Otherwise, I fear we would never appreciate anyone in our life.  Thank God for difficulties.  Thank God.  Otherwise we would take everything for granted.  What do people call children that take everyone and everything for granted?  We call them spoiled.  And you can see a spoiled child from a mile away.  They never smile.   The one word on their lips is:  “WHATE-V-E-R!!!”

I really try never to take anyone or anything for granted.  I’ve learned that as a priest.  Yes, there are plenty of things to cry about, but there are really plenty more things to smile at and to laugh about. 

A few weeks ago, a mom told me that her daughter was struggling.  It turned out that last year she had not been invited to a single birthday party.  Yes, she’s a little shy.  Yes, she’s a little reserved.  But no one, absolutely no one from her class, had invited her to a birthday party. 

Now I know that many moms invite just their children’s best friends in order to throw an over-the-top birthday party.  I know that it can be very expensive.  But why not try something different.  Why not try to invite everyone from the class and make it a less than over-the-top party?  Why not keep our priorities in place:  First the lessons, then the party; first the kids, then the presents; first love, then friends.

This past Friday was a tough day for me.  I had a ton of things to do and then I remembered that I had Mass at Ursuline.  Although it was still morning, I felt like I was running on fumes.  I was exhausted and upset about something.  As we all sat down to hear the first reading, one young student got up and said: “A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippines.” 

Did I just hear what I thought I heard?  I looked up and glanced over at the nun.  She was smiling.  Then I looked at the youth Minister and she was giggling.  That was it.  I then burst laughing.  I couldn’t even contain myself while I was reading the Gospel. 

Although life is full of disappointments and pain, there are plenty of things to smile and laugh about as well.  It is so much easier to laugh than it is to cry.  And even when you cry, it could mean you are laughing!

May the Lord give us the grace NEVER to take our life, our family, our friends, our gifts and talents, our difficulties and trials for granted.  Of course it is not an easy thing to do, but it is the better thing to do. 

Live today as if it were your last.  One day you will be right.

Luke 7:1-10 For Whatever Reason

Luke 7:1-10  For Whatever Reason

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A centurion had a slave who was ill and about to die…When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave.  They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”  And Jesus went with them.

He deserves to have you do this for him.  The elders approached Jesus and strongly urged him to help this man out.  But why?  Why were they so insistent on a centurion getting help?  St. Luke leaves no room for doubt.  It is clear:  The elders sought the Lord’s help because the centurion had helped them out.  He had built their synagogue; he had power; he had money; he had authority; he had friends in high places.

But none of these reasons account for the reason why the Lord helped his man out (let alone the elders).  He helped them out for the same exact reason why he helps us out:  For no reason.

Do I have to have a reason for being kind to someone?  Do I have to have a reason for loving someone?  Do I have to have a reason to stay in touch with someone?  Do I have to have a reason to help someone?

Woe to you, hypocrite…if you help someone for selfish or prideful reasons!  Woe to you, you pagan…if you only help those who help you.  Woe to you, you Pharisee, if you only speak to those who agree with you!  It is better for you to have no reason at all than all the reasons in the world! 

In today’s Gospel, I can see how reason can get in the way of faith; how it can set-up a road block, a  barrier or a wall that separates me from another.  If I must always have a reason to show my love, give my time and my attention, then I allow my heart to be conquered by my brain.  But my love was never meant to be held hostage by what is physical; nor was it ever meant to be limited by another.  Love was created to be an extension of His hands, His works, His words, His heart, His mission!  Love was never created to be chained to a reason; it was created to be unlimited as well as unconditional.  The world was not created out of necessity.  It was created out of no necessity.  I was not given life because I was necessary.  I was given life out of no necessity.  Love is to be given freely.  Cost whatever it costs.  Love was given without charge to be given away without cost. 

Love overflows.  This explains why the Lord reacted the way He always did.  His reaction explains the reason why we should always get involved:  for no reason at all.  The beauty of Christian love lies in the power it has to push wide open the doors of our reason and allow each and every one of us to penetrate the mystery of faith. 

Just say the word and my servant shall be healed.   The centurion’s response to Christ’s love created a challenge (or problem) for all of us.  Do I have the faith that he had?  Do I appreciate and esteem God’s authority?  Do I demand that God meet me half-way?  Do I need to have a say in everything?

We love to be the one in charge.  We love to be the one who has all the authority.  We want to be the ones who set the rules.  We want to able to define the rules whenever we want.  We like things done our way.  We want people to bend over backwards for us.  But the centurion understands authority very well.  He knows he commands one hundred men.  But he also knows he’s not God.   He knows and respects that he is under the Lord’s authority. 

This truth may be difficult for us, but it should be obvious to all of us.  To walk I must roll out of bed, stand on my feet and move one foot in front of the other.  There’s no way around it.  It is what it is. 

The same holds true for being a Christian.  If you wish to be blessed, then you must pick up your cross, carry your cross and follow the Lord in his footsteps.  There’s no way around it.  It is what it is. 

And in this case, it is what it is for a very good reason!         

Mt 20:1-16 Feeling Cheated?

Mt 20:1-16  Feeling Cheated?

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Jesus told his disciples this parable:  “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with them for the usual daily wages, he sent them into his vineyard…He went out again…at five o’clock…he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard’….When it was evening the owner of the vineyard gave them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.  So when the first came, they thought they would receive more…”    

The Lord directed this parable to his disciples.  Interesting…  They must have been having a hard time with something…or maybe with some people. Maybe they were having a hard time dealing with those the Lord was dealing with.  Maybe they didn’t like the people the Lord was making friends with. 

Well, based on the audience the Lord addressed this parable to: his disciples, and based on the theme (envy and generosity) of this parable, I get the impression the disciples had forgotten what type of men they once were. 

Just a few days ago, we read how Peter spoke out about giving up everything to follow the Lord.  You can tell just by reading it how frustrated he must have been.  But with whom?  With what?  Was it the hard work?  Was it the long hours?  Was it the fast pace?  Was it the poverty, chastity and obedience?  Probably.  And most likely it was all of the above!  After all, it’s hard to be holy and to be surrounded by holiness!  It’s hard to put on a smile when you’re not happy!  It’s hard not to get mad when you are sad or when everybody is as happy as can be! 

The disciples passed through many towns and visited many families.  They must have seen towns that reminded them of home and families that reminded them of their own.  Every town, every family, every day was a reminder of a way of life that was gone for good.

Gone for good!  This phrase has more than one meaning.  Typically, we think of it as meaning something is lost forever.  But it can also mean that something is sacrificed for the sake of goodness (righteousness).  I have a feeling, a gut instinct from personal experience, that the Lord may have spoken this parable because His disciples had some deep seated jealousy issues.    When Peter asked the Lord what he and the others would get for following Him, I can’t believe he was not pleased with the Lord’s answer.  But then they must have gotten a little annoyed when they noticed sinners getting the same promises (and treatment) as well!  Hey, what’s going on?  We’ve slaved for you the entire day, and now you are telling sinners, who come to you - out of the blue - for a quick minute, that their sins are forgiven???  There’s way too much lovey-dovey going on here!!!   

At times, I have questioned myself with a very envious question.  “Must I always be good?  After all: if long-time sinners, who repent at the last moment of their life, will get what I will receive, then why must I always be good? 

I don’t think I am the only one who suffers from this type of envy.  Typically, you see it manifest itself in “holy” people who are kind of “mean” people.  They can’t stand the new parishioner (Who do they think they are?) being treated with just as much relevance as the longtime parishioner (We’ve been here since the parish began!).  Or the new pastor coming in and changing just about everything.

Anyways…the answer to my envy is found in my sinfulness and in my ridiculousness.  “Must I always be good?”  is a ridiculous question.  It’s like asking “Must I always be blessed?”  Oh my goodness!  Take it!  Take all that you can!  Don’t ask any questions!   

Sin is not worth the time spent.  In fact, it is a waste of time and of a life.  Ignore what the media says and listen to those who have lived in sin.  They are the first to admit this truth.  And this is my personal experience as well.  We are the first to realize that neither lust nor one night stands can compare to the thrill of love and marriage.  We are the first to regret the bad habits acquired so quickly and the life-time required battling them. 

Feeling cheated?  Don’t.  When it comes to Christ’s blessings, stop comparing yourself with others.  Stop valuing yourself by asking what others received.  We are all unworthy workers.  The question will never be if the Lord cheated me; the question really is why am I so blessed? 

I don’t question a teacher who questions me.  I question a teacher who never questions me.  If the Lord does not give me what I deserve, then it’s because He has given me much more than I deserve; starting with the last reasons to give to me (my sins) and ending with the first reasons to give to me(His grace).

Being upset and cross is really just about my sins and His Cross! 

The Lord’s giving outweighs our worth across the spectrum.  May we be the first to be content with His generous heart.  Let’s give Him the benefit of our doubts.  Let’s be the first to love Him and the last to sin against Him. 

Mt 19:16-22 Come Follow Me

Mt 19:16-22  Come Follow Me

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A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” 

“What do you have to do to get to heaven?”    I know…it’s kind of a trick question. But I would often ask it to my students when I taught theology, and undoubtedly they would answer:  Be good.  I would then remind them that if that were the case, then why did Jesus have to die for us?  Couldn’t he have just preached to us?

Keep the commandments.  The young man’s question is not initially answered by the Lord.  He tells the young man, “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”  Notice the Lord did not tell him, “If you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments?”  He went on to say: Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your mother and father; love your neighbor as yourself.    

But wait…isn’t something missing?  Aren’t the first three commandments missing? 

No!  Not if you want to be “good”.

If you ask people what they must do to be “good”, then most will tell you:  be kind, be nice, be considerate, be tolerant, be respectful, be honest, be yourself.    

But being good is not enough. If you wish to enter into heaven, then you must believe in the one the Father sent.  Remember:  “No one comes to the Father except through the Son” (cf. Jn 14:6).  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we are saved” (Acts 4:12).    

Being good is good, but being better than good is the best.

If you wish to be perfect, go, give to the poor what you have and follow me.  To believe in the Lord means to follow the Lord…with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength.  To follow the Lord leaves hardly any room to follow anything or anyone else, including myself.  To love the Lord above all things is the greatest commandment.  It means to sell what is most precious to me in order to inherit something that is priceless. 

What does the Lord want me to give away?  Well, what possession do I possess is most precious to me?  Maybe my most precious possessions are not something physical, but rather something immaterial, like opinions, my opinions. 

Opinions are not hard to come by.  They readily flow from our mouths.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with an opinion as long as it corresponds to God’s Will.  But if it doesn’t, then maybe that is something worth forfeiting to inherit the faith of priceless value.

We, Americans, are very good at being philanthropic.  We are good at giving our money.  We are also very good at attaching our opinions to our giving.  The Gates comes to mind.  They are very generous with their excess money, but only when it comes to causes they believe in.  This sounds reasonable unless one’s beliefs are unreasonable.

What are my opinions if they are not attached to the Will of God?  Simply put:  they are a tear in God’s (and humanity’s) eyes.  What are my opinions and my giving if they are not attached to the Will of God?  Simply put:  they are an extension of my possessions and the illusion of generosity. 

Follow me means exactly what is says; in every imaginable way; in every sense of the word.