Mt 18:1-14 Broken Saints

Mt 18:1-14  Broken Saints

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The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven…If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?”

There are some commonalities in life that are a bit confusing.  For example, those who are overwhelmed with joy often share something in common with those who are overwhelmed with grief.  They both shed tears.  Another, that has intrigued me for years, is related to today’s Gospel passage.  I have seen that those who are emptied by sin often share something in common with those who are filled by grace.  They both are broken.

I have to calm myself down when people tell me that there are many commonalities among the great world religions.  For example, that Aztecs had altars, just like Roman Catholics have alters.  But appearances, like so many things in this world, are not everything.  An SS officer may have a gun just like GI Joe, but what he does with it is an entirely different story. 

Although saints and sinners may both be broken, there is a tremendous difference between the brokenness caused by emptiness and the brokenness caused by holiness. 

Today, we celebrate the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe.  He was the only man that was sent to a Nazi concentration camp  who voluntarily gave his life up to save the life of a condemned prisoner.  He was a Roman Catholic priest. 

Sin breaks us apart.  It separates the heart from the mind; the body from the soul; the person from the community; the creature from the Creator.   The Nazis loved to separate individuals from their community and enjoyed watching them betray one another or turn against each other. 

But grace too breaks us apart; but in an entirely different way.  It releases us from our inner most fears.

It allows us to come out from under our hiding place.  Come out!  Come out!  Where ever you are!  When Maximilian Kolbe was not selected for death, he broke through the ranks of the saved and joined the list of condemned.  It was said that he came out from nowhere. 

Grace frees the “new man” from the old.  It breaks free the captive.  It liberates the restless heart from a very limited mind.  Grace allows something good to created from nothing.  From the emptiness of space came forth an explosion of love.  From the darkest corner of the planet (Auschwitz) came forth a ray of light.  Sacrifice breaks the back of despair.  It brings the dead back to life.  It is giving, rewarding, enriching.  But it leaves the human body twisted, broken and disfigured. 

On the night he was betrayed, he took the bread, broke it, gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this all of you and eat of it.  This is my body which will be given up for you…Do this in memory of me.”

The Lord allowed his body to be torn (broken) so that it could be distributed to others.  Do this in memory of me in an invitation to do what the Lord did.  Allow the Lord to take you, break you, and give you to others.  Do this in memory of me. 

A broken saint is not the same as a broken man.  The difference is one gave himself away while the other never gave himself away.

Although the man who left his sheep in search of the lost one may have appeared just as confused as his lost sheep, we must remember that appearances are not everything.  Do not be fooled.  The Savior may have looked just as dazed as the saved; just as bloodied as the condemned; just as confused as the victim; just as much of a man as the rest, but he is not.  He is God; who appeared like us in all things, except sin.

Broken bread is still bread.  A pierced heart is just a reminder of a loving heart.

Mt 16:13-23 Experiencing God

Mt 16:13-23  Experiencing God

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Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.  Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you.”  He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

This morning, while preparing for a Mass at a Carmelite monastery, I asked myself this question:  How does a Jewish woman, who later became an atheist, become a Carmelite nun, a martyr and a Saint?

Today is the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a Carmelite nun who, prior to entering the Carmelite order, was known in the world as Edith Stein.  Edith Stein, along with her sister Rosa Stein (a Third Order Carmelite), were gassed in Auschwitz and buried in a mass grave in 1942.

Edith Stein was the last of eleven children born in 1891 to Siegfried Stein and Auguste Courant.   Although her parents were observant Jews (and her mother remained loyal to her faith her entire life), by the age of fourteen, Edith made the conscious decision not to pray anymore.  She distanced herself from the Jewish faith and from God. 

How did she discover God?  Through philosophy.  Edith was a brilliant student, with an amazing craving for knowledge.  But how did someone so studious, so intelligent and so analytical become so spiritual? 

Edith obtained her doctorate (summa cum laude) in Philosophy in 1918 under the guidance of the world famous phenomenologist, Edmund Husserl.  There are four core disciplines in philosophy.  Ontology is the study of beings or their being – what is; Epistemology is the study of knowledge – how we know; Logic is the study of valid reasoning – how to reason; Ethics is the study of right and wrong – how we should act.  If we were to add Phenomenology to our list, then it would be the study of our experience – how we experience.

Edith Stein became a believer in phenomenology.  Her problem with God was simple:  If God exists, then how would we experience Him?

Her answer came one evening in March 1921.  While visiting the home of philosopher friends, the married couple Theodor and Hedwig Conrad-Martius, she came across the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila.  She read the entire book in a single night and found the answer to her question.

How do we experience God?  By dying to oneself.

“God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you.”  No wonder why Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s concern was so swift and so brutal!  “Get behind me Satan!”  The worst thing that anyone could ever pray for is to undo God’s Will!

How do we come to know God?  Yes, intellectual knowledge of God is important.  Reading about God is important.  But if we really want to come to know God then we must experience Him ourselves.  And the only way to know Him and love Him is to serve Him.  “If anyone wishes to follow me, then they must pick up their cross and follow me.” 

Saint Edith Stein, pray for us!

Mt 14:1-12 Angry Birds

Mt 14:1-12  Angry Birds

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Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.  He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

The best thing a despot could do is kill his enemies.  The worst thing a despot could do is create martyrs.  Herod was no dummy.  He knew that, but forgot it.  John’s death exposed Herod’s weakness.  The tetrarch was not as strong and powerful as he made himself out to be.  His arrogance brought about Christ’s emergence.

This man is John the Baptist.  He has been raised from the dead.   Herod was no superstitious guy.  He knew what he was saying.  He knowingly killed John and unknowingly raised a million more like him.  Even better, he raised, from obscurity to center stage, someone a million times more powerful than the Baptist who was ready to take it to the next level. 

Herod placed his hands over his head.  He knew he was through.  The Jews knew that.  Jesus knew that.  The end of an era was fast approaching.

Let us not forget what caused John to lose his head:  his unwavering support for the dignity of marriage.  How bizarre is history.  No matter how much we study it, we continue to forget it.

August 1^st, 2012.  What started off as an individual’s sincere acknowledgement of the dignity and sanctity of marriage ended with millions and millions of people across the country supporting religious liberty and freedom of speech.  Just two months ago, the supporters of gay marriage were riding high with unprecedented victories.  They had won the support of the President of the United States.  They had won recognition and support from the NAACP.  They were stronger than ever; more powerful than ever.  The only thing they did not need to do was turn their rainbow into a storm.  And they did. 

They gay community, once considered victims of discrimination, became ferocious abusers.   Many people in the country were shocked and outraged at their lack of understanding, charity and overall conduct towards American citizens of Christian belief.  Of course they would never dare attack American Muslims and their beliefs for they know that Muslims strike back… and hard.  Instead, they went after a soft spot, a scapegoat, and found a sleeping giant.

On August 1^st, 2012, millions of supporters of free speech and religious liberty (and marriage) turned out in record numbers to support Dan Cathy and his company, Chic-Fil-A.  This day (“Appreciation Day”) was organized in response to a gay community’s nationwide boycott of the fast food chain.  It was their attempt to bring a Christian organization and Christian individuals to submit or to fail.  If they had won, it would send a clear message to all Christian organizations. 

It failed, and failed miserably. 

But not only did it fail; it created a backlash that has galvanized millions of people.  It was the “shot heard round the world”; the spark that lit the world on fire. The question on the minds of millions was:  “Will this happen to me if I disagree???” 

August 1^st, 2012 was the most successful day in Chic-Fil-A’s history.  Last year the company made 4.1 billion dollars in sales, up 13% from the previous year; a company that closes its doors every Sunday.  On the other hand, the so-called “kiss-in” protest turned out to be an abysmal failure.  Not only did their manner of protesting disgust the general community, it also opened a window to the community at large at how the gay-community wishes to represent itself: in hyper-hysterical sexual postures.

How did the two communities react?  During the boycott, customers often saw Chic-Fil-A employees offering free water to gay protestors.  They continued, as always, to serve everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or preference.  But as gay marriage supporters continued to shoot themselves in the foot with bad publicity, they finally shot themselves in the head with a hate filled bigoted gay marriage supporter verbally assaulting and abusing a young employee at the drive-thru. 

By the end of the week, most supporters of gay-marriage had been silenced, embarrassed and set back.  “No comment” was their only way to save face.  In a single day, they managed to destroy whatever achievements they had made with the general population.  They thought they had found a chicken.  They never imagined creating an angry bird.

He has been raised from the dead.    Let us all learn from a chapter in the life of the Baptist.  The blood of the martyrs is seed for the Church.

Mt 13:10-17 No Scapechicken!

Mt 13:10-17  No Scapechicken!

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The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”  He said to them in reply, “…This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand…Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.”

A sociology professor asked his class if anybody was a racist.  Of course all the students shook their heads in denial.  “Are you sure?” the professor asked.  A few minutes later, he tested one student by asking him, “Tell me what you think about this statement:  If you want to make the world a better place, then you have to kill all the African-Americans, all the Jewish people and all the firemen.”   The student, looking confused, responded, “Why all the firemen?” 

The professor walked away with a smile on his face, satisfied that he had made his point. 

However, I think I would have objected to such a rash conclusion.  The student was not being a racist.  He was being a student.

We know, from our history, that African-Americans have been the object of discrimination and slavery by others.  We also know, from history, that the Jews have been slaughtered by the millions by others.  But the reaction of the student, regarding firemen, would have made me wonder:  Why are firemen the object of this man's fury?

The same question can be asked regarding Christians who support (traditional) marriage:  Why are they the object (or target) of so much fury? 

If I was a supporter of "gay marriage" and asked a Southern Baptist gentleman what he thought about "gay marriage”, I would hope he would be honest with me.  Then I would hope he would agree with me.  But if he didn't, I wouldn't be surprised.  In fact, I’d like to know why he didn't agree with me and I’d like to have the opportunity to share my point of view with him.  But since I asked him the question and hoped he would be honest with me, would it be right to be furious with him?  Did I ask him the question in order to set him up to be a scapegoat?

When I walk into a restaurant, I want to be served quickly and be treated with respect, with dignity and with good food.  I don’t expect the owner of the fast food chain or the waiter or even the cashier to agree with me on any other issues, especially political or social issues.  Just like the President of the United States, I want my food to taste great and be void of all diseases. 

But now, it appears as though the gay community wants all restaurant owners, all cashiers and all waiters to agree with them when it comes to accepting “gay marriage”.  BEWARE ALL CASHIERS, ALL WAITERS, ALL OWNERS, ALL PEOPLE!  Beware if anyone asks you a question regarding “gay marriage”.  Beware if you speak your mind and defend what has never had to be defended before.  Beware if you are honest.  Beware if you do not agree with them.  Watch out!

Why in the world is the gay community (and its hysterical supporters) shocked by a practicing Christian’s belief in scripture; in marriage; and in honesty?  And, at the same time, would serve anyone, regardless of their gender specific tendencies, a good meal? 

What did they expect this man to say?  Are they upset that he was honest?  Are they upset that he is a Christian?  Will they do the same to others as well; to Muslim owners?

The Boys Scouts of America (BSA) recently received over 300,000 signatures from individuals who oppose their policy regarding homosexuals serving as leaders.  But not one of those signatures proves a thing; namely, why the BSA’s stance is wrong.  After all, when millions of Germans voted for Hitler, did it mean they were right?

This Tuesday is Chick-fil-A appreciation day.  The gay community went after the wrong man.  They thought he only cared about money; they thought he only cared about chicken.   This scapechicken may very well turn out to be a lightning rod for Christians everywhere. 

Mt 9:18-26 What The Lord Can Do In Life And Death

Mt 9:18-26  What The Lord Can Do In Life And Death

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When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away!  The girl is not dead but sleeping.”  And they ridiculed him.  When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.  And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Her parents must have been shocked when they saw their baby girl rise from the dead.  We often think of miracles as medical cures.  We are right to think that way.  But what does the Lord think from his point of view.  What does He consider a miracle to be? 

Of course the Lord is interested in healing the body, but I would dare to say he is more interested in healing the soul. 

For Christ, a real miracle is an act of faith!

Chiara Petrillo dreamed of the day she would get married.  And when she did, she dreamed of the day she would have a child.  Chiara and Enrico conceived a baby girl.  But a few months into the pregnancy she was told that her baby would not survive.  She was severely deformed.  The medical team in Italy recommended that she terminate her pregnancy.  She refused.  She did well.  Who are we to determine who should live and who should die?  Let the medical team do their job.  Let the Lord do His.  The final decision must be His. 

Nine months later, Chiara gave birth on earth to a little treasure.  Thirty minutes later, the Creator gave birth in Heaven to a little treasure.  That’s what the couple said.  You see, throughout the entire time of her pregnancy, Chiara and Enrico’s faith in God only grew stronger and deeper.

They are a unique couple.  They were brought up going to Church every Sunday.  They are the John Paul II generation.  They are not afraid of anything!  They are the “Be not afraid!” generation. 

So, after a few months, the couple realized once again that they were pregnant.  Everything seemed to be going well.  But in the seventh month of her pregnancy, the doctors informed Chiara and Enrico that their second child, a boy, had no legs.  Near the end of the pregnancy, the doctors told the young couple that the child had developed life threatening abnormalities.  Again, the couple was encouraged to bail out.  Abort!  Abort!  They refused.  Soon after Davide was born, the child died.

One more funeral.  A few months after the loss of their second child, Chiara became pregnant. The pregnancy was going very well.  Chiara was going to give birth to a healthy baby boy.  But now, a new cross had arrived.  This time, there was something seriously wrong with Chiara.  A cancerous tumor was discovered on her tongue.  Without chemotherapy and radiation, her condition would only grow worse.  But the introduction of these strong chemicals could cause her to lose her baby.  Every Catholic knows (should know) there is no wrong in saving the life of a mother, even if it means the death of her child, since that is not her or anyone’s intention.

She does not need to go beyond the call of duty. 

But Chiara is not a soldier; she is a special ops soldier!  She is not a Christian; she is a radical Christian.  And radical Christians live (and die) like their founder:  "If you wish to follow me, then pick up your cross and follow."  Her faith is like that of St. Paul's: “Life is loss and death is gain.”   Chiara lives by a certain creed: “There is no greater love than this, to lay down your life for another.” 

She didn’t have to risk her life.  She didn’t even have to lay down her life.  But just like a Navy SEAL, she decided to use her body as a shield to save a life. 

Did she have a death wish?  Do soldiers want to die?  Of course not!  But they will not live at the expense of their buddies.

Chiara is not a soldier.  Chiara is a Saint!  And Saints are as beautiful as Jesus; as uncommon as valor; and as miraculous as faith and love!  They make believing look so easy!

P.S.  Did you notice the smile on her face?

Mt 5:13-16 You Are The Light!

Mt 5:13-16  You Are The Light!

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Jesus said to his disciples:  “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” 

If you want to be great, then make yourself small.  This is not only one of Christ’s great teachings; it’s also practical science 101: the closer you are to the ground, the bigger something appears. 

It’s hard to take seriously a 50ft statue of someone.  It’s easy to take their grave seriously.   We should love our humanity for what it is:  small.  We should love our God even more for making himself small. 

Christ is always preaching at the top of some mountain.  He makes himself small to make his Father great.  All honor and glory to the Father!  Whatever He does, He attributes to the Father.  Even near the end of His life, the Lord said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

All of us love to be praised.  We appreciate it and we value it.  But do we reciprocate it?  “The glory of man is God’s glory.”  Who I am and what I am is a reflection of God.  Do I realize that?  Do I accept that?  Do I take this seriously? 

Sometimes we ask the question, “What good deed can I do today?”  Imagine for a moment if you asked your boss, “Is there anything I can do for you today?”   Well, can’t we ask this question to the greatest Boss there is? 

You are the light of the world.    No I’m not.  I’m nobody.   That’s what a lot of us think.  That’s what all of us should think.  I am nothing…without the Lord.  I am nobody…without the grace of God.  I would be simply dust, a speck, an instant, a moment, a passing shadow…if it were not for the Lord.  But with the Lord, I can be great while small. 

Last night I went to the movies to see “For Greater Glory.”  I was pleasantly surprised to see on the big screen the life and martyrdom of Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio.  Back in 2005, I had the grace to be in Guadalajara to witness this young boy’s beatification.  The stadium was packed with over 50,000 people.  And yet, at that time, I thought to myself, “So many young people will never know what he did.”   Well, almost ten years later, and through this movie, millions of people (including hundreds of thousands of kids) throughout the world will know his name and all that he did out of love for God and at the young age of twelve. 

We can be better.  We just need to know better.  We can be inspired.  We just need to be inspired. 

You are the light of the world.  It seems to me that the only people inspiring these days are heretics.  They have a loud voice and a ready audience. 

It’s time we come out of the closet.    I want to tell everyone that I am a Christian. And to make matters worse, I want to tell everyone that I am an orthodox Christian.