Mt 5:1-12a All Saints

Mt 5:1-12a  All Saints

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When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them saying:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted…”

These words have become so common that they have nearly lost their significance.  But they are the nine steps to holiness.

Why am I here?  To be a saint.  Everything else - all other goals - is a waste of time.  Really!  What else could possibly be worth living (and dying) for?  What does it mean to be a saint?  It means to love God above all other things and to love your neighbor as yourself.   It means to say what Christ said, do what Christ did, and live like Christ lived.  A saint is another Christ. 

The saints were normal people that did something about it.  Yes, they were regular people, but they never settled for that. And although they came in different shapes and sizes and from just about every imaginable background, they all shared one thing in common:  they were all sinners.  And here lies the difference between us and them:  they did something about that.  They worked hard not to be more like us, but to be more like Christ.  They desired not to melt in but to stand up. 

St. Paul was a sinner, and arguably the worst of sinners.  St. Angela Merici was a sinner.  So was St. Dominic Savio.  Even Maria Goretti was a sinner.  But they all did something about it.  They really tried to love God above all things and to love their neighbors in an uncommon way.

Someone once told me that if St. Angela were alive today, she would have been a great business woman.  I told them that if St. Angela were alive today, she would have been a holy nun and a great business woman.  Let’s not fool ourselves.  Her vocation, her life mission, her goal in life, her dreams and her drive all came from a love for God.  Yes, she did amazing work for young girls, but she loved God above all other things, even the girls she educated.  Thank God!  Because she loved God, she saw a problem and made it smaller, not bigger.  You see, it’s not enough just to love your neighbor.  It’s not enough to see a problem and want to solve it.   Without God, you may actually end up harming your neighbor and making a problem much worse.  Some of our best intentions have made our lives more dangerous and our problems much worse.  Some of our best intentions have killed our children!

The best ways to solve the worst problems start by loving God above all things; seeing things from His perspective, and solving the problem with His help.

Life is hard.  Life is incredibly hard.  As I wrote yesterday, “we are not as strong as we think we are.”  Everyone faces tough choices in life.  Everyone faces hardships and difficulties.  Most marriages are hard to keep.  Most children are hard to rise.  Most promises are easy to break.  The difference between the saints and the sinners is not the hardships they faced but how they responded to them.

“Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?  …My Lord, you are the one who knows.”  He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress…”  (Rev. 7:13-14).

A few days ago I spoke to a family I know who live in New York City.  They told me they had prayed to God that He protect them from the storm.  Their home and their lives were spared.  I asked them if they had prayed that God protect the others as well.  They were silent.  Imagine for a moment if their house was the only house standing?  I wonder how they would feel about that?

Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble).  Blessed are they who mourn (those who do not take anything or anyone for granted).  Blessed are the meek.  Blessed are the merciful.  Blessed are the clean of heart.  Blessed are the peacemakers.  Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness.  Blessed are they who are insulted because of the Lord.

Nine steps to holiness.  Nine bridges that lead to God.  Take one each day.

Yesterday, I spoke to a couple that went around the world in 30 days.  It was a very expensive trip.  They were part of a group of nearly fifty people.  They went all over the world.  You would think they would have mentioned the sites they saw.  Instead, the first thing they mentioned to me was an elderly woman who was drunk every day and night.  They told me she made them late, she made them sick, she embarrassed them, she harassed them, she delayed them and she made the trip unbearable.  At a certain moment, the organizers of the trip warned her that if she were late again, then they would leave her behind.

I asked the couple if anyone helped her.  They were confused.  So, I asked again:  “Did anyone try to help her?  Did anyone talk to her or ask her if she was going through some tough times?”  No. 

Yes.  It’s easy to be a bystander.  It's tough be an "upstander"; to stand up.   It’s easy to judge.  It's easy to condemn.  It's a different story to love:  it's called a love story.  That’s the difference between the saints and the sinners.  They wanted to be part of a love story. 

They didn’t know everything.  But they did know when to help.  They didn't go blind when someone was going through hell. 

The Saints understood that God’s great and amazing plans (for them) always include lost souls, even when they're on vacation.

Oh Lord, may we never be content with just being who we are, but strive to be more like who you are.  We ask this in your Holy name.  Amen.
 

Luke 13:10-17 A time and place For Faith

Luke 13:10-17 A time and place For Faith

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Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath.  And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.  When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity”.  …But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done.  Come on those days to be cured, not on the Sabbath.”

I really enjoy watching our students compete in the various competitions throughout the school year, especially the sporting events.  I really do!  And I try to make it to as many of them as possible.  Right now we are nearing the end of the volleyball and football season.  Due to the fact that our volleyball games are on Saturday and our football games are on Sunday, you can understand that, as a priest, it’s not always possible to attend.  In fact, it takes a great deal of sacrifice.  After all, I too enjoy a little break – some quiet time or alone time – as well.

So it took me by surprise, a few Saturday’s ago, that as I was walking towards the gym to watch a volleyball game, a parent kindly came up to me to tell me that this one particular coach didn’t appreciate my presence at “her” games.  As you can imagine, I was shocked.  I asked why?  I was told that I was a distraction to the kids.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  I know the kids want me at their games because they always ask me to be there.  I told the parent, “But I think I’m actually helping them!”  Well, I walked in and made my presence known and felt by cheering and stomping on the bleachers (only at the appropriate times).  The kids loved it and, I guess, “most importantly”, they won.

As a priest, I have attended a lot of catholic school games: basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, even lacrosse!  I have to admit though, this was not the first time in twenty years that a coach did not welcome my presence or cheering; but it was the first time that it came from my own school!

You see, the parents and coaches of the opposing teams consider my presence as "an unfair advantage".  And often, they come up to me afterwards and say something like:  “It was nice to see you at the game, Father.  I wish our priest could do the same thing for our kids.” 

There are some people in this world that simply don’t get it.  They think so much about the “now” that they forget the “later”.  What will our kids remember most?  They won’t remember the victories as much as they remember the support, the love, the sacrifices, and the commitment that was made for them.  Yes, they will never forget the faith we had in them.

The Lord cured the sick on the Sabbath.  He healed those who were scared and suffering.  He made sure that wherever He went His presence would be felt - regardless of whether or not He was in the synagogue or in the market squares. 

There are some people in this world that would love to limit our love, our cheer, our presence, and, of course, our faith.  The Lord made it clear:  every moment of every day is a God-given moment.  We are called to make the most of it. 

“Blessed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent…He is like a tree…that yields fruit in due season” (Psalm 1). 

The love of God and of our faith is a fruit that is never out of season.  Every day and every place is a time and place for faith and love.

Luke 12:54-59 You Should Know By Now

Luke 12:54-59  You Should Know By Now

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Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain – and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot – and so it is.  You hypocrites!  You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

Discovery Channel has a program known as Animal Planet.  How fitting.  But what is even more fitting is its subtitle:  surprisingly human.

In today’s first readings, St. Paul urges us “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” (Eph 4:1).  You would think by now we would be getting closer to the Kingdom of God.  Instead, it seems like we’re moving ever closer to the Animal Kingdom.

This phenomenon might be due to the fact that we’ve gotten bad at predicting the weather.  That’s the only explanation I have in how bad we’ve become in predicting human behavior.

When you go outside in Texas, and there’s a strong cold wind that greets you, you know it’s coming from the North.  When you feel a blazing heat, you know it’s coming from the South. 

Yesterday, I was speaking to a young student who told me that their best friend had recently become their worst enemy.  They began to share with me all the awful things this “friend” had done.  I asked this young person what they thought the problem might be.  They didn’t have a clue.  When they finished, I said: “It sounds like she’s having family problems.”  There was a look of confusion.  I asked, “Do you know her mother?”  The student replied, “Well, her mother is in rehab.”  I asked about her father.  They replied, “Her father left them.  She’s being raised by her grandparents.”

Oh, I get it.  Do you? 

Is it so hard to see?  Is it so hard to judge things?  “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” 

What are these mysteries?  Maybe we can address them with maxims: 

·         If you try smashing the commandments, you won’t succeed.  But you will end up breaking apart.

·         If you try to crucify the Lord, you'll end up crucifying yourself.

·         The further away you get from Christ, the greater the chance you’ll get lost. 

·         Major problems always start off small.

Is this so hard to see?  Is this all a mystery to you?  What about these maxims:

·         An absent father and mother leads to a child seeking affection in all the wrong ways and places.

·         The smaller the family, the more expensive the problems.

·         Immodesty is a reflection of insecurity.

·         Promiscuity leads to poor self-esteem.

·         Spoiled kids tend to manipulate their parents.

Sure, there are exceptions to every rule.  But, who wants to live with the odds always being against you? 

Even in this political year, some things should be clear:

·         When someone attacks who, it means they’ve given up on solving the problems. 

·         When someone belittles you, it means they have little confidence in their abilities.

·         When someone resorts to foul language, it means they are desperate.

The Lord asks the crowd: “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”  

The world has been collecting a lot of data for some time now.  We have data in just about everything!  We know what works and what does not work.  So why are we still so confused?  It might be because what works doesn’t necessarily sell as well as what does not work as well.  There’s a lot of money to be made in false hopes and false ideas.  There’s a lot of pressure to keep the public as stupid as possible. 

At the last Presidential debate, Mitt Romney commented that we had “fewer ships today than in 1917”.  The President of the United States responded by saying, “Yes, and we have fewer horses as well.”  I have to admit:  I laughed very hard!  I laughed because of how cheap the President’s response was and how expensive the problem is.  I wish I could have responded.  I would have said, “Mr. President, you must have forgotten how a $150,000 Humvee is blown up by a $100 IED.  You must have forgotten that we have been forced to replace each Humvee with a $250,000 JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle).  Did you forget how the USS Cole was destroyed buy a raft?  Don’t you think we need quality as well as quantity, for we never know what the enemy will throw at us?”

You should know this by now.

Luke 12:8-12 Acknowledging God

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Kateri, pray for us.

Luke 12:1-7 Faith and Fries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luke 10:1-9 Clearing The Way

Luke 10:1-9  Clearing The Way

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The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two 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.”

He was driving home from a football game.  His team had lost (like always) and he was in a bad mood.  Instead of taking the normal (safe) route home, he decided to take a different route.  It was late at night when he noticed a woman on side of the road.  She was waiting.  She was a prostitute. 

This young man, a senior in high school, lived under very strict rules at home.  Although he never complained, he was a bit resentful of his life.  As he was speaking to me, he reminded me of the eldest son in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Yes, he was a solid Christian man.  He went to church on Sunday.  He prayed before meals.  He was respectful to his elders.  He kept his virginity.  But he wasn’t happy.  He felt like his family was keeping him from the best things in life!

He decided to turn into an abandoned lot.  He stopped the car.  She walked up to it.  He rolled down the window.  He looked at her.  She looked at him.  But when she looked at him, he felt as though she looked right through him.  She smiled at him, shook her head and said to him, “No.  You shouldn’t be here.  This is not for you.  Go home.”

He took off, ashamed of himself and crying as he had never cried before.  A prostitute had saved his soul.

Maybe she was an undercover cop.  Maybe she was a real-life prostitute.  But no matter what, this young man will never forget what happened to him that night. 

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom (cf. Psalm 145:12).  Paradoxically, morals, values and principles are black and white.  People are not.  What is right or wrong is clear.  That people are good or bad is not. 

Of course, much of who we are is connected to what we do.  But instead of focusing on what we do, the Lord focused on who we are.  This is why the Lord was so successful in converting the sinner.  He was able to look beyond the sin and see the broken heart behind every “Sinner”.  By healing the heart, he eliminated the bleeding, the sinning. 

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last.  No matter what state of life I am in, I can give glory to God.  No matter what I have done, I can give glory to God.  No matter what work I do, I can give glory to God.  No matter what I have or where I am, I can give glory to God.  No matter how sinful I am, I can give glory to God.  For God chose the weak to make the strong look weak. 

He chose us (the weak) to carry his work along.    

So what do you work for?  Who do you work for? Who’s your boss?  Do you work for heaven and earth or just for earth?  Do you work for God and man or just for man?  When was the last time you invited someone to go to Church with you?  Never??? 

“Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.”  Leave behind your pride (money = security), your vanity (sandals = image), and your sensuality (greetings = seeking approval).

What I must do is pretty clear.  Who I am is not so clear.  Let’s make it all a lot clearer by clearing the Way of the Lord. 

Luke 11:42-46 Do Not Overlook The Obvious

Luke 11:42-46  Do Not Overlook The Obvious

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s never overlook the obvious.

Luke 11:37-41 The Things That Matter Most

Luke 11:37-41  The Things That Matter Most

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After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.  He entered and reclined at table to eat.  The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.  The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!  Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil….Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?”

God loves us just the way we are.  Although I may disagree with most people who love to say this, I have to admit I disagree with them not because of what they say but because they “know not what they are saying.”  Yes, the Lord loves us “just the way we are”.  But if this is true, then why did the Lord admonish his host?  Why not just ignore him?  If I can’t say a kind word, then I shouldn’t say anything, correct?  And besides, the poor Pharisee didn’t even express his astonishment to Jesus.  Why all the fuss? 

Yes, I agree, the Lord loves us “just the way we are”.  In fact, He loves us enough to die for us.  But that does not mean He doesn’t expect much more from us, especially after He died for us. 

Jesus loves the Pharisee enough not only to die for Him but to correct him as well.  Love is not blind to error or sin.  It does not ignore one’s faults or even one’s sins.  The Lover is allowed to correct the beloved, and leaves room to be corrected himself.    

It is not wrong for a mother and father to say to their child, “I will always love you no matter what you do.”  But it would be seriously wrong for a mom and dad to never teach their child right from wrong.

Today, applauses, ribbons, certificates and trophies are given out like assorted candy.  Everyone gets one, regardless of how well they did or how much effort they put in.  Every time we congratulate a student on their poor performance we’re not only lying to them but teaching them how to lie. 

Yes, parents and teachers should love their children and students just the way they are, but that doesn’t mean they have to lie to them.  It takes faith, not lies, to love someone.  “Faith working through love” is what matters most (cf. Gal. 5:6).

My country right or wrong.  Americans were not the first to use this slogan during the Vietnam War.  The British were, sometime in the 19^th century, and during a war.  It is not an easily understood slogan.  It can easily turn the patriot into a real traitor.  After all, if someone loves their country enough to allow it to go down the wrong path, then (sorry) he is not a patriot, he is a traitor.  I love my country very much, enough to warn it or stop it from going down the wrong path!

Not too long ago, I got into an argument with a very holy woman who happens to be a Democrat and a very good friend (at least I think so).  She was trying to convince me that the Republicans were politicizing the tragic death of our Ambassador and three other Americans in Libya.  For her, this tragic incident was becoming a political issue, and the main reason for all the conservative media’s attention. 

My perspective is very different.  I told her that this tragedy will not go away not because Republicans keep bringing it up but because terrorists keep bringing it on, especially every 9/11.  Aren’t the terrorists constantly reminding us where there is a lack of security?  Aren’t they reminding us that the war on terrorism is far from over?  The Islamic world, especially in the Middle East, does not join us in mourning the loss of life on 9/11.  Instead, they continue to pick at our wound or open up a new one every 9/11.  The war on terrorism is far from being over.  And there is fear in admitting this.  It will take at least a century for this war to end because we refuse to attack the source of the problem:  Radical Islamic preaching.

I love my country, right or wrong, but love doesn't hide the issues, it brings them out, into the light. 

Everyone who loves life, their country, their family and their neighbor must speak up about what matters most.  It takes a lot of courage to love everyone just the way they are.  It takes a great deal of faith to love them even more. 

Luke 11:29-32 The Power of Faith

Luke 11:29-32  The Power of Faith

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While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah…”

Last night I had dinner with a wonderful family.  I was happy to see the oldest daughter who was home for fall break.  She’s a freshman in college and loves every minute of it.  I noticed immediately that she was happy, very happy.  So, I asked her if she had a boyfriend.  And with the biggest smile on her face she said “YES!!!!”

I still remember the conversation I had with her right before she left for college.  I told her that she would never have a problem finding a boyfriend.  I’m not sure if she really believed me.  Most kids never believe me.  Actually, most kids never listen to me!  But anyways, I can understand her hesitation.  You see, she graduated from High School without ever having had a “boyfriend”.  She may not have been happy about that, but I sure was.  I know who she is.  She is a treasure - a very beautiful, intelligent and just all-around awesome young lady.  And personally, I was amazed that she got through High School without getting noticed.  I truly believe it was a miracle.

Fortunately, she never changed.  She remained steadfast.  Unfortunately, most girls end up changing, not for better but for worse.   They disavow their morals, values and dignity thinking they will get what they are looking for, but all they end up doing is dying (whenever you give up your morals, values and dignity, you end up losing your true idenitity, you end of dying).  Many kids fall into this trap because they lack faith not only in themselves but in God.

Why do we lack faith in God?  Because most people settle with having an emotional affair with God.  They love God just because they can feel Him.    But that’s not a good enough reason to love anyone, especially God.  If someone gets married based purely on emotions (or due to an emotional affair), then chances are you’ll get divorced squarely on cold facts. 

Faith is not an “emotional affair” with God.  Faith is based on cold facts.  When Jesus told his disciples, “If you wish to follow me, pick up your cross and follow me.”  That means, “If you remain faithful to me, then you will suffer greatly.”  That’s faith!  And that’s the hard cold fact of our faith.   I can accept it or reject it.  If I stay close to God (keep their morals, values and dignity), I will go through Hell.  But in the end, I will be rehabilitated and resurrected.  People will admire me forever!  God will love me forever. 

Give us signs.  I do not follow God based on feelings.  I follow him based on solid evidence.  Sin destroys lives!  Just like the Lord said it would.  Forgiveness re-creates lives.   Yep!  Just like the Lord did.  “If the world hated me, then it will hate you.”    How true it is!  I don’t believe I am hated because I defend marriage, life and morals.  I know it!  And you should too.

Do I realize that my sins – my actions or omissions - can contribute to the collapse of my marriage, the downfall of my family, my church, my friends, my neighborhood, my relationships, my city, my country, my world?  Do I realize the power of just one person and one wrong decision?  Do I realize that my sins destroy my lives and the lives of others?  Does the absent father realize how he is damaging his children?  Does the attention-seeking-mom realize how damaging she is to her children? 

But do I realize that there is something greater here?  As much as my actions can destroy lives, so also my love and God’s truth can rebuild them?

In order for the city of Nineveh to be saved, the inhabitants had to unite behind one man, a foreigner:  Jonah.   Today, Christians are foreigners. 

Evil generations.  Why are we trying so hard to mask sin?  Why are we trying to redefine marriage?  Why did our parents not fight against the legalization of abortion?  Why are we allowing a “culture of death” to overtake a “culture of life”?

Voting should not an "emotional affair".  Voting should be done in good faith.   

Next month, four states will be holding referendums to decide whether or not to protect marriage or redefine it.  All referendums are unfair just as all voting is unfair.  They are unfair because our ancestor will not be voting, and they deserve to vote, for many of them voted before and believed in God, family and country, and sacrificed so much for their state and nation.  It is also unfair because future generations will not be allowed to vote either, but will be forced to live with our disastrous decisions. 

The founding fathers had a chance to rid our nation of slavery, once and for all.  Instead, they voted for less and left it to another President and generation to solve the problem. They should have let us vote for it was a ghastly mistake.  And it cost much more than any of them could ever have imagined.    

Our great grandfathers were so happy when we created the first atomic bomb.  But if they knew then what we would fear today –getting in the hands of terrorists – then maybe they would have considered things differently and considered fighting on.

No one seems to be concerned about an atomic Iran, just like no one back in 1979 thought Iran would be the threat it is today?  Definitely President Carter didn’t.  But if we could have voted back then, then maybe Carter and his staff would have taken a tougher stand when our embassy and staff were held hostage for over a year?  Are we not doing the same with Libya?  Or with the possibility of a nuclear Iran?  Are we not deliberately buying time for ourselves so that others, who can’t vote now, will have to fight later?

Today, no one seems to be concerned about the national debt.  Maybe it’s because those who will pay for it aren’t alive to vote on it. 

The power of faith.  The one who has faith does not live for today.  They live for eternity.  They don’t vote for today.  They vote for their children and tomorrow.  They do not sacrifice their children.  They sacrifice themselves.  Respect God.  Respect Life.  That’s the power of faith.