Mk 12:28-34 You Are Not Far

Mk 12:28-34  You Are Not Far

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“One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”  Jesus replied, “The first is this:  Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is Lord alone!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.  You are right…”  …When Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Jesus said to the scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of heaven.”  Indeed, he is very close to the kingdom of heaven.  In fact, it is standing right in front of him.   

Jesus is the kingdom of heaven.  Where God is, there is heaven.  Where God is not, there is hell.

Is it possible to love God and hurt Him at the same time?  Yes.  Absolutely.  I experience it all the time and I see it all around me.  A few days ago, a couple asked me to bless their home.  It turned out that the husband and wife were not husband and wife; they were actually boyfriend and girlfriend.  Now, I know they love God.  I saw plenty of crucifixes in their home and images of our Lady of Guadalupe.  But their love for God and for each other is killing Him.  Our sins crucified the Lord.  Remember?

I know a lot of people who love me.  They bake cakes and cookies for me all the time. So they would never imagine in a million years that think their love was actually killing me.  [Just kidding, but you know what I mean.]

The scribe could not have agreed more with Jesus’ response.  He even said to him,  “Well said, teacher.  You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’  And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

It’s so nice to see that they both agreed!  But did you notice how the scribe called Jesus, “teacher”?

The scribe knew the law.  He knew it like the back of his hand.  But he did not apply it well.  For standing in front of him was God, pure love.  Yes, standing in front of Him was the One and only One:  God; standing in front of Him was the best neighbor in the world:  the Messiah, the Savior of the World.  Again, for this reason, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” 

Love God above all things.  How can you love someone you do not know?  Answer:  You don’t.  Instead, what ends up happening, is that you love someone you think you know.  And chances are that someone ends up being you.  The person you say you love but do not know will always be you or the “you” you would like that person to be.  Get it?

“Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him.”  Let’s never forget the mind boggling journey the Lord made from heaven to earth to stand in front of this man. Now, all he needed to do was to reach out and follow Him.   Would he?  Did he?  I fear he never did since St. Mark never mentions his name. 

How is it possible that someone, so familiar with the law, could not recognize the Lord?  Is this a rare incident?  Hardly.  Unfortunately, this scribe reminds me of a home schooler.  How is it possible that a child who knows his faith inside out doesn’t know God?  [That is, has never experienced God?]

It takes more than just knowing the Lord to love Him.  We start with the Book.  But we can’t end there.  If we do, we will never get near Him. 

Love God above all things, especially your fears.  I have never met an evil person in my life.  Never.  Not yet, at least.  On the other hand, I have met plenty of people, almost all of them Christians, who know the Lord, say they love Him, but live in sin.  Why this internal confusion?  Is it a lack of knowledge or a lack of understanding?  No.  The problem is fear. 

We sin because we are afraid.  We’re afraid of never being loved, and so we settle for less.  We’re afraid of people seeing our mistakes and so we lie.  We’re afraid of getting hurt and so we strike first.  We’re afraid of confronting the brutal truth and so we drink. 

Fear is that one thing we place above God (nearly) all the time.  

Yes, to love God means I must know Him.  But in order to know Him, I must throw myself at Him.  I must set aside my fears and place my life in Him.  How?  By following His commandments!  It takes a leap of faith to follow the Lord’s commandments, especially the two great commandments.  But only then will I experience Him as He truly is:  my Lord and my God, and as an image and likeness of me and my neighbor.   

Then, and only then, will I not be far from Him.

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. 

Mk 10:17-30 Money and Happiness

Mk 10:17-30  Money and Happiness

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Peter began to say to [Jesus], “We have given up everything and followed you.”  Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…”

 “Money does not make people happy.”   I agree.  But I know what you are thinking:  “Father, that’s easy for you to say since you don’t have much money.”  Okay.  I admit it.  But don’t take my word for it; take the word of those who had money and gave it all away. 

Millionaire gives away fortune that made him miserable.  That’s the newspaper title.  Mr. Rabeder, 49, an Austrian businessman, is more than just ready to give his money away.  He’s actually doing it, and doing it quickly.  What made him decide to do it; to give it all and rid himself of all his material wealth and luxuries?   

“For a long time I believed that more wealth and luxury automatically meant more happiness.  I came from a very poor family where the rules were to work more to achieve more material things, and I applied this for many years.  But more and more I heard the words:  ‘Stop what you are doing now – all this luxury and consumerism – and start your real life.’  I had the feeling that I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish for or need.” 

The tipping point came while he was on a three-week holiday with his wife to Hawaii.

“It was the biggest shock in my life, when I realized how horrible, soulless and without feeling the five star lifestyle is”, he said.  “In those three weeks, we spent all the money you could possibly spend.  But in all that time, we had the feeling we hadn’t met a single real person – that we were all just actors.  The staff played the role of being friendly and the guests played the role of being important and nobody was real.”

If you think he’s nuts, then I have another one for you.

“Kwik Save” tycoon gives up riches in “pact with God”.  Here’s another headline from a United Kingdom newspaper.  As a young boy, Albert Gubay, was a penniless orphan.  One day, he prayed to God saying, “Make me a millionaire and you can have half of my money.”  A devout Roman Catholic, Gubay became a multi-millionaire.  Just recently, he decided to fulfill his vow to God, but not exactly.  Instead of giving just half of it away, He has decided to give all his money to the Catholic Church.  In fact, he is only holding on to ten million dollars for him and his wife. 

Are they all nuts?  No.  They are not.  They are prudent.  They know a better deal when they see it.  They know the truth.  We should know it too by now.  Money does not make you happy.  Giving it away does!

How do I want people to remember me?  Do I want them to remember me for what I had or what I did?  Or do I want them to remember me for how I loved?  That is the million dollar question.  Actually, this is the rich young man’s question.  The Lord answers his question with an invitation:  Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Do you want people to treat you well because you have money?  Do you want people to love you because of what you have?  Or do you want to be loved for who you are and how you love?

Thank you very much!  Do you know the song, “Thank you very much!  Thank you very much!  That’s the nicest thing that anyone’s ever done for me.”  Do you remember what musical it comes from?  From Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”, and it is sung by a man who owed Ebenezer Scrooge a lot of money.  He was thanking poor Ebenezer…for dying!

Price of Privilege.  I recently finished a book entitled, “The Price of Privilege” by Dr. Madeleine Levine, PhD.  Although I disagree with her on some of her recommendations, I cannot disagree with her on the statistical data and the clinical facts related to the problems she has seen. 

Many of Dr. Madeleine’s patients are teenagers from affluent households with excellent grades in school, extracurricular involvement and an appearance of thriving in their environment.  But they are suffering from debilitating neuroses, such as anxiety, depression, drug addiction, anorexia and self-harm.  In many affluent communities, external accomplishments such as prestige, power, and money for adults, or grades, clothes and electronics for kids, become more important than happiness.  Children in such communities are more likely to suffer from psychological problems then those who do not.

But money is not the problem; it's the problems that it creates.  And the problem is achievement pressures and emotional isolation from parents. 

Dr. Levine reports that a mother’s own happiness is the key to raising healthy kids, and found that there is an unexpectedly high rate of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, loneliness, and overall unhappiness among mothers of affluent households!  This is damaging to the children as well as to the mother.

How do I want my children to remember me?  For my drinking and drug-related problems? For how I "entertained" them and guests? For what I accomplished or had?  For how flawless I appeared before others? Or for how I loved them?   

The Lord invited the rich young man to follow him and to be happy.  Instead, the poor man decided to walk away sad…“for he had many possessions.”

How many of you feel as though people like you just because of the influence you have or for what you have?  I am sure the rich young man was surrounded by people who were looking to get something out of him:  special favors, privileges, acknowledgments, positions, money, etc. But unlike the people surrounding him, the Lord was not looking to get something from him.  In fact, He didn't want anything from him.  He just wanted him.   

The same goes for us as well.

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

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

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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. 

Mk 9:38-48 On a Limb

Mk 9:38-48  Out on a Limb

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Jesus said, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut if off.  It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna…And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna...  Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna.” 

If I had to lose a limb for every sin, then I am sure I would end up with just my earlobe! 

I am not kidding.  And I am not alone.

As we continue to believe that it takes little to no effort to get into heaven, the Lord, in a very dramatic way, reminds us that we do have “a part to give" in our salvation. 

As we continue to “lower the bar” in order to appease everyone, the Lord continues to raise His bar up, ever so forcefully, so that we never take our salvation or His sacrifices for granted.

When I was meditating again on today’s Gospel passage, I asked myself why the Lord exaggerated so much.  But then, I realized he wasn’t exaggerating.  He was being sarcastic.

I will do whatever it takes!  Christ knows us.  He knows us well.  He knows to what lengths we will go to get what we want.  Take for example the young football player who is more than willing to take steroids to get on the team.  “I will do whatever it takes to get on this team!”    And take the not-so-young football player who will take steroids to stay on the team.  “I will do whatever it takes to stay on the team!”    Why do you think the Olympic committee banned performance enhancing drugs?  Because athletes would do whatever it took to win the gold medal! 

We all know young teens will starve themselves to death to get the perfect body!  “I don’t care!  It’s worth it!”  We are just know learning that College students will take ADHD medication or even Alzheimer drugs to stay focused, get the competitive edge and get an A+.  “It’s all worth it…for my career.”  And there are parents (not doctors) who are doing it  for them.

We will do whatever it takes to be successful, competitive and comfortable.  Even a single mom may end her pregnancy to further her education, reputation and make life just a little less complicated.  "You murdered the one who offers you no resistance" (cf. James 5:6).

Can we blame the Lord for saying what he said?  If you are willing to do all these things for yourself, then why not cut off your hand and foot to get into heaven?  Why not?  Unless…it’s not worth it to you.

What is Heaven worth to you?  Is it worth more than a career, an education, extra playing time, your body? 

The Lord is not against sacrifice.  And He knows we are more than capable of making sacrifices.  His problem is not that we sacrifice; His problem is with why we sacrifice.  When I say “It’s worth it!”, am I not really saying: “I’m worth it?” 

Do I sacrifice out of selfishness or do I sacrifice out of selflessness?

Am I willing to sacrifice my morals, my values, my faith for titles, privileges, and greater fame and fortune?  If so, then the Lord tells us that it is better to lose your hands and feet!

After all, He did. 

Better to lose a hand…lose a foot.  The Lord was not only being sarcastic; He was being prophetic.  He chose His words very carefully.  This morning, when I looked at my crucifix, I noticed how the Lord lost his hands and feet.  On the cross, He is saying, “It’s worth it”, but what He's really saying to me is: “YOU are worth it!”

It’s time to cut ourselves away from our pride, vanity and sensuality.  It’s time to lose the chains of sin. 

If we are willing to do whatever it takes to extend our career; to get noticed; to be successful, then why not do whatever it takes to obtain eternal life?

Better to lose a limb, then to lose a soul.  Better to sacrifice your life than to take a life.  Better to love unconditionally than to live unconditionally.

Mk 9:30-37 Incomprehensible

Mk 9:30-37 Incomprehensible

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Jesus and his disciples began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.  He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”  But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.” 

What did the disciples not understand?  When the Lord told them that he would be handed over to men and killed, what did they not understand?  Was it the obvious?  No.  It was the incomprehensible. 

You see, atheists say that there is a lack of evidence of God.  Isn’t it obvious that there isn’t?  Isn’t it obvious that there isn’t a lack of evidence of God but rather a lack of reflection by man? 

For example, let’s say I went to my computer and typed the following:  UR2GR82B4GO10.   At first glance, you might say that these letters and numbers were randomly put together.  But upon further reflection, you might actually figure out that these letters and numbers are actually in a certain order that express a certain sentiment.  In fact, they may actually be a teenager's way of writing “You are too great to be forgotten”. 

The Apostles understood the obvious.  They understood what Jesus was telling them; that is, that He would be arrested and handed over and killed by men.  The Apostles understood that.  But what they did not understand is what it meant.  Why?  Why would the Son of God allow himself to be arrested and put to death?  Why would He do that?  Why not just run away? 

What was the Lord communicating to His Apostles by telling them that He would die for them? 

My dear friends, this is so important.  Understanding this is like opening a treasure.  If someone is willing to die for you, what are they telling you?  Isn’t it obvious?  Isn’t it obvious what God is telling you, that YOU ARE WORTH IT! 

You are worth all the pain, all the fear, all the hurt, and all the suffering.  You are worth my life!

Today at Mass, I asked all the fifteen-year-olds to raise their hands.  There were six out of seven hundred.  Most people in the congregation could not believe it.  I did!  I didn’t have a hard time believing that at all!!!  Why?  Because I just finished giving a retreat to a bunch of fifteen year olds.  At a certain point in the retreat, I asked them to write down on a piece of paper what they were thinking.  This is what they wrote.

1.        I feel like I don’t have any friends.  Why do fifteen-year-olds feel like they have no friends?  Answer:  Because they don’t know Jesus Christ.  Jesus said to his disciples, “I call you friends” (Jn 15:15).  Why are our kids committing suicide?  Because they don’t know Jesus Christ; they don't know the magnitude of their worth! 

2.       I feel worthless.  St. John wrote, “For God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save the world” (Jn 3:16).  With God all things are possible (cf. Jn 15:5).  We are dependent on Jesus for life, but we are also dependent on Jesus for our lives to matter.  Why do our kids feel worthless?  Because they don’t know Jesus Christ.

3.       I feel totally alone.  Jesus said, “I will be with you till the end of time” (Mt 28:20).  Why do our kids feel alone or abandoned?  Because they don’t know Jesus Christ. 

4.       I feel like I will never live up to my parent’s expectations.  Jesus said, “Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).  To know Christ Jesus is to be perfect.  To believe Him, to love Him, and to imitate Him is the Father’s idea of perfection. 

5.       I don’t know who I am.  St. Paul felt the same way, but when he changed his life he found his life and said, “It is no longer I who live in me, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

The Apostles found the Lord “incomprehensible” because they were thinking not as God thinks but as men think.  As they were journeying to Galilee, they were arguing along the way as to who was the greatest.  The Lord sat them down and told them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 

The Lord will remain hidden to me as long as my life remains hidden to me.  The Lord’s words and actions will remain “incomprehensible” to me as long as I remain arrogant and obnoxious and belligerent to Him.  No wonder the Lord took a child in his hands and said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” 

To be a believer in the Lord requires more than just having feet.  It requires humility.  Eyes that see miracles and ears that hear amazing words may be enough to acknowledge and recognize someone, but it is generally not enough to understand them and love them.  At least it wasn’t enough for the Apostles.  They needed more, much more.  They needed to witness for themselves how great God’s love for them is.  And they got what they needed.  They witnessed it in such an intense way that it took them years to fully comprehend it.  But they did.  And they continued to transmit that intense love not only by their words and sacrifices but by their own death’s as well. 

To be a Christian means to be like the Son of God, who loved the world so much that He came into the world to show us for himself how much we are worth. 

Incomprehensible!

Mk 8:27-35 Crucifixes and Christians

Mk 8:27-35 Crucifixes and Christians

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Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”  They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”  And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ.”  Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him…He summoned the crowd and with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

A lesson learned is a lesson well taught.  If we have not learned our lessons well, then it’s because we have not been taught well. 

In the past three days, I’ve been meditating and reflecting on the cross.  As I mentioned before, the cross is only half a symbol of Christianity, for it is missing a very key component of Christianity:  Christ. 

It should be obvious to all that Christ is not the cross, for Christ was nailed to the Cross.  Rather, the cross is a symbol of the sinner; that is, it is a symbol of me.  Therefore, the real symbol of Christianity is not the cross; it is the crucifix.  This is the true symbol of Christianity for it is the fullness of Christ’s ministry.  Christ nailed himself to us, and He refuses to be separated from us.  He is forever near to me, next to me, nailed to me.  And that is very, very reassuring.  Christ will never depart from me.  He’s got my back FOREVER!

But with the loss in the meaning of the Cross, comes the loss in the meaning of the Christian.  Let us never forget what the Christian does best:  He follows the Lord, everywhere.  Where He goes I must go.  Where He leads I must lead.  “If you wish to follow me, then pick up your cross and follow me.”  Christ did not die for us so that we would have nothing to do for Him.  He died for us so that we could die like Him, for our neighbor.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  …So also faith of itself, it is does not have works, is dead.  Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.”  Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.”  (James 2:14-18)

Many Christians have not learned their catechism well!  They think that an easy life is a blessed life.  If you are one of the many who think that, then I invite you to think again.  After all, there is no denying that the Lord lived a blessed life and a very difficult life almost all his life. 

Is being a millionaire a sign of being blessed?  Think again.  I do not know of a single Saint that became a millionaire.  I do, however, know of many Saints who were millionaires and gave their millions to enter a convent or a seminary.  So, why do we think that in order to be blessed, we have to be filled with cash? Or, in order to be blessed we have to have a lot of free time.

If I have nothing to do, then chances are I will do nothing in my life.  But if I have a ton of things to do, then chances are I will accomplish something in my life. 

Take a good look at your life.  Take a look at the decisions you’ve made.  Now, take a good look at Christ’s life.  Take a look at the decisions He made and the words He said.  Analyze Him alongside yourself.  Do you notice any differences in focus, interests, discipline, direction and decisions?  If so, then bridge the gap!  Bring yourself closer to Christ.  If you do so, I guarantee you an immediate improvement in the quality of your life. 

I think that most of us know by now that a life filled with pleasure often led to a life full of regrets and emptiness.  Whereas (and most surprising of all), a life filled with struggles, pain, difficulties, and trials often led to a more meaningful, more romantic, more grateful and more powerful and purpose-filled life. 

Tell me if you think I am wrong.  But I have seen both cases far too often to doubt it anymore.

Christ nailed to the Cross teaches us four important life lessons:  (1) there is no Christ without a Cross. (2) There is no Savior without a sinner.  (3)  There is no love without sacrifice.  (4)  There is no resurrection without crucifixion.  Therefore, let us do as the Lord would do.  Do not shrink from pain, difficulties or trials.  Face them!  Face them head on!  Nail yourself to your cross.  Or as St. Paul puts it:  “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.”    

Every time I nail my triumph with Christ, I nail my future with His glory.  Every time I nail my sin into Christ, I nail my faith, hope and love in His mercy and compassion.  Every time I give God the last word, I turn my tragedy into triumph.  Every time I die to myself, I rise with the Lord. 

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”   

Mk 7:31-37 Be Open!

Mk  7:31-37  Be Open! 

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People brought to [Jesus] a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.  He took him off by himself away from the crowd…He looked up to heaven and groaned, “Be open!” -- And immediately the man’s ears were opened.

The problem with the world today is that there are too many narrow-minded people!

I know what you are thinking…Now that’s an interesting statement, especially coming from a priest who writes an opinion on just about everything!  But I am not afraid to say it and, more importantly, defend it.  In fact, I will even say that I consider myself a very open-minded individual and for the best of reasons.

I have no problem conversing with “tolerant” people; even though they are the least tolerant of all the people I know.  I have no problem being in the presence of scientists, even though I am a priest.  And I have no problem making friends with the dead, even though I live well into the present.

I mention these three companions because there is much narrow-mindedness (or single-mindedness) when it comes to those who oppose science as art, dogma as honesty and our past as reoccurring.  Or, for the sake of clarity, let me say the following:  Far too many narrow-minded individuals can be found among scientists, relativists and progressivists.    

Scientists.  Now, there were many times in my life when I was “narrow-minded”.    For example, when I was an engineer I used to be very narrow-minded; that is, I would only read and breathe scientific journals.  But then one day, in fact, while I was studying the planets, I had an epiphany that has lasted to this day.  For the very first time in my life I realized that everything I was reading and studying was a human attempt at understanding all that already existed, and that we had no part in creating. What I was reading and studying was more like an art critic’s review of someone’s art, but the Artist was never mentioned.   

Now it’s easier to be a critic than it is to be an artist.  At least, that’s how it used to be.

It gradually dawned on me that most everything we do is a cheap imitation of everything He did.  Take, for example, the incredible descent of the Mars Rover, Curiosity.  Wasn’t it spectacular?  I stayed up all night watching it.  But the next morning I saw something even more amazing:  a single leaf gracefully falling to the ground.  Actually, it was zigzagging towards the ground.  What Curiosity will do on the surface of Mars does not even begin to compare with what that leaf will do on the surface of the earth.

Or let’s analyze for a brief moment a simple apple falling to the ground.  Not only will that apple land on the ground, but it will roll next to its “mother”, whose shade will ensure its chances of survival.  And like a placenta, the fruit surrounding the seed will fertilize the ground in which it lies.  Now, to think all this as less remarkable than a Rover Landing on Mars is to think narrow-mindedly.  But as a priest and engineer, I have learned to appreciate both.  That’s not narrow-mindedness.  That’s open-mindedness!

Relativists.  So many people pride themselves in being Darwinists.  But in all honesty, they have never read a single page of Charles Darwin or Ernst Haeckel.  The same goes for atheists.  Most have never read an entire book by Friedrich Nietzsche or Jean Paul Sartre.  Instead, most have pleased themselves with newspaper headlines and comical acts produced and directed by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.  

These professors, and their adherents, are not the product of the Dark Ages.  Ironically, these morbid writers consider themselves the grandchildren of the Enlightenment.  What they really are, are the grandfathers of the Establishment. Recently, it was revealed that a vast majority of college professors will reject tenure to a colleague if they are deemed to be too conservative.  Most academics, like most colleges today, consider themselves open-minded.  But in reality, they have never been anything but very closed-minded. 

Let’s cut to the chase.  The real difference between open-minded and narrow-minded individuals should be obvious by now.  It’s the difference between intellectual honesty and ideology.  Relativists tend to study little and speak wildly.  Dogmatists tend to study a great deal and speak reservedly.  In essence, narrow-minded individuals tend to study little and only pretend to accept everything; whereas open-minded individuals tend to study greatly and only cautiously accept anything.

Progressivists.  There exists in today’s culture a very narrow-mindedness with regards to the past.  It begins with a great deal of angst with the possibility of history repeating itself.  It should not, declare the progressivists, for there is nothing good to learn from our ancestors or our past.  But when we consider what’s new in today’s subculture, we begin to see that it is actually quite old from long ago days.  For example: The three-generational home.   The only sector of housing construction that appears to be booming is the three-generational home.  Wow!  How exciting!  How avant garde!  But is this something new?  Not really.  In fact, it is something very old.  And millions of Americans are returning to it in order to save their lives, their families and their livelihood.  But you would never know it by the limited news it is receiving.  After all, it is a dramatic push back to modernity’s push towards the “New Normal” family.     Only a courageous few dare to mention this modest return to the wisdom of our ancestors.  How narrow-minded!  And once again, the reason for this negligence is not ignorance but rather ideology.  Out with the old, in with the new is an important ideological tweet in our free-market economy and culture.  But it isn’t a reliable fact in a flesh and bone humanity or a safe bet in a free-falling economy.  To think what is new is always better is not narrow-mindedness, but plain and simple foolishness. 

What is new isn’t always better.  But being better will always be something new! 

This is something worth repeating to our kids, from one generation to another.  Was the Occupy Wall Street movement something new and exciting?  Or was it a failed attempt to repeat the performance of July 14^th, 1789 (Bastille Day)?  Is the European Union something new?  Or is it a union as old as the Holy Roman Empire?  You tell me. 

I consider myself very open-minded every time I connect the past with the present, and predict the future based on the past and present.            

Conclusion:  Here are just a few of the areas of life in which I find people to be very narrow-minded.  There are many more.  But unlike space, a blogspot is very limited.  In conclusion, a narrow-minded individual tends to see the past as a thing of the past; religion as something that should be swept under the carpet; and creation as an accident rather than a God-given model.   

Let’s be what the Lord said this day to be:  “Be Open!” 

The Lord had a tremendous ability to interact with just about anyone.  But he didn’t live like everyone. 

Authentically open-minded people tend to become authentically narrow-minded people.  They are open-minded to learning, and narrow-minded in accepting only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.