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 10:1-12 Laborers

Luke 10:1-12  Laborers

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Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.  He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.  Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves…cure the sick…” 

He said, “I was tired of it.”  I couldn’t believe it.  I asked him how he could be tired of being a priest?  He said, “It no longer interests me…same old…same old thing.” 

I don't want to sound harsh, but to me, that was the lamest excuse I had ever heard.   For sure, being a priest is not an easy thing.  The vows are not easy to live at all.  But to say “it was no longer interesting to me…same old...same old thing???”  I’m sorry, but no way!  “I was tired of it” is not believable.  Better to say, “It tired me out!”   

Every morning I look forward to spending one hour in meditation with the Lord.  I love it.  It has become a part of my daily life.  To share my meditation with others is just the icing on the cake.  Daily prayer is the most enriching moment of my day.  It is never the same old thing.  How can inching closer to the Lord ever be the same old thing?

To celebrate the morning Mass for the children is always a personal thrill for me.  I love to see their glowing faces, the wild look in their eyes, and, when asked a question, to see their little hands go up as fast as possible and as high as possible, and stay there as if they were holding the world up with their own hand.  And if that were not enough, then to see the confused and bewildered look on their eyes when they are called upon to answer and they respond, “Uh…I don’t know…” 

How can anyone be tired of this?

From there off to High School; to relive the drama and the issues that never seemed to change.   But this time, I know some of the answers and I can help.  I can share experiences and insight that maybe have not been shared before.  I can relate the Gospel to what they are living at this very moment.  And I know it makes a difference in their lives.  I know because I see it and hear it from them.  He was tired of this?

Then I sit to hear Confessions in a tiny corner in the Universe where the human heart can find plenty of comfort, peace and healing.  Where else can someone dare to open their most inner feelings and thoughts; the shameful acts of their past and present?  Must it be tucked away forever?  Can it not be released for good?  Yes.  And when the penitent feels such freedom, they can finally rejoice in tears.  Was he tired of this too?   

The visits to the hospital are, for me, the most challenging and the most rewarding.  I never thought I would be visiting the hospital so often.  It is not an easy thing to do.  The emergency call breaks up your day; catches you at an inconvenient moment.  But it is the one thing that the sick remember and most appreciate you for.  The sick no longer find solace with a doctor, or nurse, or even a family member.  They find solace with a priest praying over them, anointing them and holding their hand.  One visit is often not enough.  They want to see you more and more, which can be a big challenge.  A priest may go to the same hospital over and over again, but it is never the same thing over and over again. 

There is so much more I could say.  But in general, what Christians do must be what the disciples did.  The disciples visited the people that Jesus intended to visit.  He sent them to the poor, the sick, the sinners and the needy before He arrived.  This is the work of a priest and for every single Christian.  We are sent to prepare the way…before the Lord arrives. 

I’m not sure how anyone could ever be tired of this. 

Mk 6:30-34 Get Out of Here!

Mk 6:30-34  Get Out of Here!

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The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.  He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

“So, what did you do today?”  That’s a simple and very common question spouses, friends and neighbors ask one another.  But what you don’t very often hear is:  “So, how did you rest today?”   

Come away by yourselves.  Americans are known for their worth ethic.  We work harder than most others in the western world.  We don’t have 30 hour weeks; we have 40 hour weeks that are more like 50 hour weeks!    We don’t stop until we drop; we stop until we drop dead.  Most Americans tend to fear retirement because they don’t know what they will do. 

But it seems we are not as productive as we once were.  Even with all the technology in the world, we don’t seem to get much done.  Why?  Because our body, mind and soul are craving for rest, real rest.  Most of us have reached the breaking or turning point; that is, the more time we spend working, the less (or worse) the results are.  I really think that if we want to produce more (or get better) results, then we need more rest.  It may seem funny and bizarre to you, but isn’t funny and bizarre a reaction to something unknown or not understood, like rest? 

Looking back at my meditations, I realize how often I challenge people to get involved in this or start doing that.  We, Christians, are known throughout the world for starting up schools, churches, missions, orphanages, etc…  We have a long standing tradition for being sacrificial with our time, energy, money and lives.  We have a reputation to “kill ourselves” for others.  Pope Benedict sacrificed his retirement for the Church.  John Paul II offered up his life to Mary.  Mother Teresa sacrificed her body for the sick.  There is nothing wrong with “killing ourselves” for others.  But if we don’t rest, we will end up killing others for ourselves! 

Come away by yourselves.  The Apostles had just finished their first real mission trip.  They were back:  excited and exhausted. The Lord knew when he looked into their eyes that they needed a break.  He sent them away.    What happened next is often misunderstood.  What happened next is a great lesson for all of us. 

When the Apostles could do no more, the Lord took over.

Christ sent His Apostles to a deserted place to rest.  When He saw the crowd following them, he did not send them away, nor did He ask His disciples to get back to work.  Instead, the Lord himself dealt with them directly.  He taught them:  “He began to teach them many things.” 

It’s wrong to think we need to save the world.  It is terribly wrong to think we are the Savior of the world.  What we need to do is what the Lord instructed His followers:  “My sheep hear my voice.  I know them and they follow me.”  BINGO!  Rest is a “Come to Jesus moment.”  

We can’t do it all nor can we do it all the time.  We work for the Lord.  We don’t move hearts to conversion.  We direct hearts to Christ.  We propose; we invite.  The Lord converts. 

“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”   

Moms and dads:  Spend some time alone and in prayer so that you can rest and enjoy your time together.   You will be a better spouse and a better parent if you do.  The same goes for priests and religious:  Spend some time alone and with the Lord so that you can give yourself wholeheartedly and joyfully.

Sometimes our mission is to rest.

Get out of here!  If the Lord’s Apostles needed time to rest, who do you think you are?  

Mt 11:20-24 Comfortably Numb

Mt 11:20-24  Comfortably Numb

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I remember as a teenager listening to Pink Floyd but never really understanding it.  Today, it reminds me of children watching a cartoon with their parents and wondering why their parents are laughing at a certain comment.  Cartoons, like Pink Floyd’s music, were created for adults, not for kids.

If you don’t stand for something you will fall for everything.  Now I know where that saying comes from:  today’s first reading.  The Lord told Isaiah, “Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail before these two stumps of smoldering brands…They shall not stand, it shall not be!  But within sixty years and five, Ephraim shall be crushed, no longer a nation.  Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!”

Two smoldering stumps.  When did we go wrong?  How did we get so far lost?  It all began when we started believing the scientists and activists more than the religious; when we decided to heed human advice rather than Godly advice.

Remember how computers were supposed to make life easier?  Remember how they were supposed to eliminate paper?  Remember how they were supposed to save us time?  Hahahahaha! 

Life has not become easier or less wasteful, life has become less personable: comfortably numb. 

“Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail you!”  We don’t always have to run away from difficulties.  We don’t always have to curse them out!  Trials and tribulations can make us stronger and much more responsible! 

Over the years I have grown numb.  From my seminary days of cold showers and no heat, I have grown comfortably numb.  The reason for my numbness is due to my comfortness.  When I was in the seminary, if you wanted some Q-tips you would have to write a note to the superior and the superior would deliver them to your room.  He would usually leave just two Q-tips for the week.  I learned to use them at the right time and in the most efficient way.  Nothing was wasted!  Nothing.

Today, I have a confession to make.  I have a tendency to be very wasteful.  Why?  Because I live in a home that does not belong to me; I do not have to pay for my electricity, water or maintenance.  In the morning, when I leave my home and notice the front light still on, I don’t get of my car, I don’t even fret for a moment.  Instead, I tell myself, “Oh well, I’ll turn it off later.”  The next morning, when I notice it’s still on, because I forgot to turn it off, I promise myself I will take care of it as soon as I return.  Again, I forget to do anything about it.  Why?  Because I don’t pay for it.   I’m comfortably numb.

Yesterday, I got on an online debate with a group of people who were supporting Melinda Gates' billion dollar campaign to provide over 100 million women in Africa with free contraceptives.  I read all the same stale arguments over and over again:  "The Catholic Church hates women; the Church knows nothing about family struggles or about the problems in Africa!"  I screamed, “The Church hates women?  The Church knows nothing about Africa or families???”  That was it!  I couldn’t take it anymore!


Before anyone's great-grandmother was born, the Catholic Church had missionaries, priests and nuns working with poor families in Africa.  We know a lot about Africa and the struggles that families face.  We know more about Africa than anyone's personal experience or anyone's personal advisors.

But what do American's know about families?  When did America suddenly become the expert in raising kids and protecting families???  When did we become the role model of the world?  If ten million African girls are starving to death, why are ten million American girls starving themselves to death?  What do we know about families?  What do we think we can teach others about raising children?  I’ll tell you what we can teach them:  the mistakes we have made.

Why do we want to export to other nations and other cultures our programs and policies that never worked their wonders?  Why do we want to share with others our failed ideas?

Let’s take a good look at family life in America.  1-out-of-2 marriages fail, far more than any third world nation; more of our kids take drugs than any third world country (including those that supply them); more of our kids are committing suicide than any third world nation.  We spend more money on secondary education than any third world nation and yet most of our doctors, professors, and engineers went to a secondary school in a third world country.   Why do our test scores lag behind most of the industrial world?  I will tell you why:  because we don’t honor, support and protect the family like other nations do, especially third world nations, neighborhoods and families.

We have connected contraceptives with ending poverty, ending abuse, stronger families, success, job opportunities, responsibility, and higher "living" standards. These are all BAD CONNECTIONS.

Instead, we should connect contraceptives with the reality of infidelity, male invincibility, the hyper-sexualization of woman and the obsession towards the ideal body, irresponsible behavior and an increase in STD’s, abortion, suicide and lower standards of living in all categories except material.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux once said, “Hell is full of good wishes and desires.”  Today, we say “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”.  The roads to home may change, but the roads to heaven and hell will never change.   

We say we honor and value families.  If so, then why do we only encourage poor families to limit the number of children they have, but never encourage rich families to have more?  Why is that, if we honor and value the family?  Why do most rich families have just one or two kids?  Can they not afford to send their children to the best schools around?  Can they not provide each one their personal menu and show horse?

Do we really honor and value our families or is it that we care about something else?  

I don’t think we honor and value families like the rest of the world.  Instead, I think we honor and value personal choice; more specifically, choices that make us feel comfortable…“comfortably numb.”  And to not feel guilty about it, we would like to share our numbness with the rest of the world!

Mt 10:16-23 To know and To Know

Mt 10:16-23  To know and To Know

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Jesus said to his Apostles:  “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves…Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you…and you will be led before governors and kings…Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child…You will be hated by all because of my name.”

“I am sending you like sheep…”  It’s simply radical!  Amazing!  Refreshing!  The Lord’s honesty is simply out of this world.  How unique he is and in so many ways!  He is telling his men the truth and more than just the truth.  He is telling them the brutal truth and is not sugar coating it.  If He errs, he errs on the side of being too ‘negative’.  He really wants them to know what they are getting themselves into before it happens.  How refreshing!  How confident!  How trusting!

“Can you help me?  It will take five minutes.”  That’s what people say when they want your help.  I usually respond with a nod and a “surrre”.  The person asking knows perfectly well it won’t take five minutes.  Even I know it won’t take five minutes!  But my all time favorite is this one:  “Father, do you have one minute?”  That’s a very good one! 

“You will be handed over…”  Why in the world did the Apostles agree to say after hearing such dire predictions?  Why didn’t they pick up their things and leave…for good?  Simon Peter was not starving to death as a fisherman.  He would have been just fine where he was.  Paul was very intelligent.  He had a bright future!  He would have been successful in anything he put his mind into.  Luke was a medical doctor.  All doctors do well!!!

The reason is simple.  Christ is gain.  He will never be loss.  The greatest loss is to have never known the greatest Good.  To live a life devoid of Christ is like living a life without a heart.  It is impossible!  And those who try end up either ripping their heart out or ripping the heart out of others!  They live like Jack the Ripper!  Not nice.

The Apostles did not fear moving forward in their spiritual life, even if it meant persecution and great suffering.  But they did fear the thought of turning back.  Why?  Why is this so hard for us to understand?  Could it be because we have yet to test it out on ourselves?  Let’s do it!  Let’s try it out for ourselves.

I know a group of kids that just did.  They came from Ursuline Academy, Jesuit Prep, Bishop Lynch, Bishop Dunne and John Paul II High School.  They went to Honduras to do missions.  The weather was awful, the sweating was unbearable, the mosquitoes were humongous, the people were dirty, the food was disgusting, the work was nearly illegal (for children), the language was unspeakable, the timing couldn’t have been worse:  during Summer!  I warned them at the start of their mission preparation.  “Oh the beatings and scourging you will have!!!”  But I also told them about all the excitement and adventure and love they will experience.

So, how did it go?  All the kids had an amazing time!

I heard that at the University of Creighton, medical students are advised not to go on mission trips.  Why?  Because over half of the students that do go end up leaving medical school for social service careers!    Talk about shocking your parents!

Did you ever notice something about the Lord, how different He was from all the Jewish rabbis?  Most rabbis taught their pupils the faith indoors, between four walls.  Students would spend hours and hours studying sacred writings.  Not the Lord and not his Apostles.  They learned scripture on the road.  I am not saying that scripture was not important.  Of course it was.  But what I am saying is that the Lord taught them the faith in the wheat fields, on the road, in the villages, in the street corners, in his interactions with the crippled, the lepers, the criminals and the sinners. 

This is how the Lord taught His very own.  This is how we need to teach our very own. 

We all need to strive for a personal experience and relationship with the Lord, not just an intellectual relationship with the Lord.  To know Jesus Christ intellectually is a very good place to start, and it should continue for a lifetime.  But to know Jesus Christ, personally, is how we will cross the finish line.

English is not a very accommodating language.  It is somewhat limited in its verbs, especially in the verb to know.  We use only one verb to communicate to others that we know someone or something.  That’s not good.  “I know you” will never have the same depth or meaning as “I know math”.  It’s simply not the same as well as truth.  Most of the world knows this.  That’s why most romantic languages have two verbs.  In Spanish the verbs are saber and conoscer.   The Spanish speaker would say, “Te conozco” (I know you) and “se matematicas” (I know math).    They get it.  They get the difference.

To know the Lord is one thing, but to know him personally is another matter. 

Follow the Lord in all that he says and does and see what happens next.  Do it.  Try it.   And not only will you know the Lord, but you will have a very personal experience with Him. 

Mt 9:32-38 When Much Is Given

Mt 9:32-38  When Much Is Given

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Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were…like sheep without a shepherd.

Sometimes I wish I wasn’t Catholic or a priest!  God can be so hard on me!

While reading today’s first reading, I noticed how God is constantly reminding the Jews to be loyal and faithful to Him.   He’s tough with them; all the time!  And it’s not just in today’s reading; it’s a constant theme in every reading!  Why doesn’t the Lord pick on the Assyrians?  Why doesn’t he harp on the Egyptians?  Why does he leave them alone and not his own?

The same is true of Jesus.  He is constantly criticizing the Pharisees, the scribes, the elders and the chief priests.  Why?  Why doesn’t he pick on someone His own size?  Why doesn’t He go after the Romans?  Why doesn’t he say something to them?  “Hey Caesar, did you ever try being gentler with your enemies?  Pilate, did you know there’s a better way to deal with criminals than to just crucify them?”  Nope.  The Lord remains quite silent with them.  In fact, he doesn’t like to deal with them, unless they need His help.  Instead, the Lord prefers to pounce on his own.  He is constantly going after his own.  Why is that?

Where much is given, much is expected!  I would never expect an elderly man to help me carry boxes.  I would expect a young man to carry an elderly man’s boxes.  I would never expect a crippled man to help me move things into my home.  I would expect a healthy man to help a crippled man move his things into his home.  To whom much is given, much is expected.  I would not expect a young man to have all the right answers.  I would expect an older man to ask all the right questions. 

We are Catholics.  Much is expected.  Very much is expected.  It’s not an easy life.  It’s a lot of work!  It’s not as easy to lead as it is to be led.  It’s not as fun to be the Shepherd as it is to be the sheep (unless it’s being led to the slaughter; and even in that case, we, the Shepherds, would have to go first!!!).  We just don't seem to ever get a break! 

Just once, wouldn’t it be nice to lie like the rest and let your conscience get away with it?  I’m not talking about a little lie…Nooooo!  I’m talking about a BIG TIME LIE! Just once, wouldn’t you like to think of yourself first?  Wouldn’t it be great to serve just yourself, just once?  Wouldn’t it be great to abandon all your responsibilities, justify all your crimes and punch out an eye or a tooth? Oh, how wonderful it would be to kill your enemy, destroy their reputation, and knock out the lights!  Wouldn’t it be great to get away with murder?     

But this is not for us.  Our God talks…and hears and sees.  “Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does.  Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men.  They have mouths but speak not; they have eyes but see not; they have ears but hear not…”

Well then, what about God?  Shouldn’t we expect more from Him???  Shouldn’t we expect peace on earth?  Why not?  After all, to whom much is given, much is expected!   What does the Lord have to say about that?  Like I said before, our God speaks…loud and clear:  If you desire peace then forgive those who offend you; love those who hurt you.  If you offer a drink of water, you offer it to me.  If you do this, then good will triumph over evil. 

But you need to do this first, if you want to see what happens next.

Idols don’t speak, but their makers do.   And what they say is hardly new.  In fact, they keep refurbishing the same old arguments that keep repeating the same old conflicts.  You would think by now we would have learned our lessons.  You would think by now we would change our allegiance.  You would think by now we would all look for a new and unique leader!

Plenty of sheep, few shepherds to follow.  The Lord has given us plenty:  plenty of opportunities, plenty of graces, plenty of sheep.  Let’s break from the crowd and start leading today.

Mk 12:35-37 Jesus Is Lord

Mk 12:35-37  Jesus Is Lord

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As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?  David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said:  The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’  David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?”  The great crowd heard this with delight.

Throughout the entire week, we have read how the Pharisees, scribes, chief priests, elders and Herodians were attempting to trip Jesus up.  They never succeeded.  They never arrested his ideas.  They only succeeded in arresting him, and only temporarily. 

Christ taught the crowd and the crowd was delighted.  Finally, they thought, someone who speaks to us from the heart.  Someone who not only believes but witnesses to the truth they preach. 

But what is even more impressive, more impressive than a heart-filled preacher or a person who lives what they preach, is a person who can relate the truth of the Word of God and the Word made flesh with the confusing words coming from the crowd.   That is an achievement!

I recently read from the Public Research Institute that 62% of millennial Catholics (born between 1988 and 1994) say “present-day Christianity is judgmental”.  I have a few problems with this.  It is one thing to say to someone “You’re so judgmental”, but it’s actually a much smarter thing to be able to recognize how judgmental that statement you made is. 

I don’t have a problem calling some of our youth very judgmental because I’m judgmental too.  It takes one to know one.  And I know plenty of them.  I know how quick they are to judge their mom or their dad or their teacher or their friends.  So, I don’t find it surprising in the least that they would be so judgmental to their Church?  It’s who they are!  So let them!  Let them learn from their mistakes, unless it kills them.

I know enough to know they love their parents when they let them get what they want.  I know enough of them to know they hate their parents when they don’t get what they want.  Why would the Church, Holy Mother Church, not suffer the same growing pains parents suffer from?  

I know our youth are happy with their Church when the Church judges something to be good and right that they think it’s good and right.  I think the problem begins when their Church declares something to be bad or wrong when they think it’s good for them and it’s their right.  That’s when the Church becomes “judgmental”!  But it’s actually the moment the Body of Christ (or Holy Mother Church), invites them to be meek and humble of heart rather than scornful, threatening or insulting.  Only you Lord have the words of eternal life!   

But my biggest concern with this survey is the very low percentage (62%) of Catholics who think Christianity is judgmental.  I would have hoped and prayed that 100% of our youth would have agreed that Present day Christianity is judgmental.  [Notice, they don’t say that “Christians” are judgmental; they say “Christianity” is judgmental].  That’s important because we judge issues, not people!  We tell it the way it is, just like Christ.  If anything, Christians are far nicer than our “present-day” youth who judge issues poorly and people harshly!  Did you ever hear the Holy Father call someone a jerk or stupid?  Did the Holy Father ever use an expletive before the word “gay” or “atheist” or “socialist” or “communist”?   Did the Holy Father ever speak directly or harshly about a President or Dictator or Puppet?

We are only judge issues and forgive the mistakes that people make.  Unlike many of our present day youth, we do not insult or use vulgarities or throw punches or stones or bricks or even pies at our elderly, our parents or friends or teachers or politicians or “enemies” because they take a stand that we oppose. 

To never pass judgment on anything would be like never saying anything is right or wrong.  It’s like saying to our ancestors: “We have nothing to learn from you!  Go back to your dead!”  It’s like saying to our history professors, “Who cares if we repeat history!”  It’s like saying to our professional Shrink, “I ain’t got nottin to learn from my past mistakes!”  God forbid we would be so naïve to think this way. 

How funny it is that 38% of our Catholic youth say that Present-day Christianity is not judgmental?  How sad it is that more than 25% of our Catholic youth leave the Church by the age of 24.  Do they think it is different from ‘Ancient-day’ Christianity? 

Here it is!  Here is the biggest problem facing our youth:  no one dares teach them right from wrong, good from evil, holy from unholy.  Today it’s all about diversity!  It’s the key word!  A local Catholic school prides itself by saying, “We are a ‘diverse’ school.”  We are proud of our “diversity”.  That’s right!  Actually…that’s neither right nor wrong.  No one is wrong.  No one is right.  Nothing is bad.  Nothing is good.  If we were only talking about a child’s height or race I wouldn’t have a problem with it.  I wouldn’t have a problem with it because it isn’t a problem.  But that’s not the problem.  It’s not a child’s height or race we are discussing.  It’s a Catholic child’s faith.  And a child’s faith will determine the important decisions they make and the serious consequences they take.  Their faith will determine how well they live the rest of their life:  for better, for worse, in sickness or health, death or eternal life.

Our present-day Catholic youth that come from our Catholic Universities appear to never get more than a scratch from the sword that is the Word.  Although many of our youth participate in “Social Justice” missions almost none participate in Gospel missions:  Go throughout the whole world and preach the Good News.   As a result, our Social Justice has become their Peace Corp.  It’s all about doing some good and feeling some good about oneself without ever experiencing the pain that Christ experienced:  rejection.  It’s become a safe way to win the approval of the crowds while never getting the opportunity to have stones thrown at you for preaching the Good News.  There is nothing wrong with the Peace Corp.  But there is something even greater to offer in His Corp while in His Church and School. 

To bring clean water to poor areas is great.  To bring people to baptism is even greater.  There is nothing wrong with sharing some of our bread and wine.  But our Lord would love to share his Body and Blood.  There is nothing wrong with fundraising to remove a sadistic leader as the head of a child army.  But don’t we have kids with guns here?  Don’t we have kids here with all the clean water in the world but no clear idea of who Jesus Christ is? 

Jesus is not a social worker.  He is much more.  Jesus is not a revolutionary.  He is much, much more.  Jesus is not a protest marcher or a liberal or a conservative.  He is much, much more.  JESUS is LORD.  He is the same, yesterday, present-day, forever.  Our Catholic youth need to know that NOW.