Mk 6:53-56 Begging For God

Mk 6:53-56 Begging For God

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Just a couple of days ago I mentioned that we long to see God; that is, we long to have his presence in our daily lives. We need him in this heart breaking world we live in and contribute to. I am sure that all of us would settle even for the scraps that fall from the Master’s table. For this reason, we can see why Christ’s tassel is so important. Why were the people satisfied just to touch his cloak? Are the evangelists, such as Mark, exaggerating the people’s reaction to Jesus? Hardly. It is clear that everything the Lord touches is blessed; is made holy; is made good again.

“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was as formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.” (Gen 1:1)

Due to a severe drought, the people of the world will begin to witness the horror of an agonizing death upon the people of eastern Africa, particularly Somalia. All the resources in the world appear to be impotent in stopping the drought of love or healing the scars of terrorism and war in this part of the world. This deadly drought is totally man made. It is not a result of global warming or because of a shortage in water or resources (over-population), but because man continues to use man as a pawn and continues to use food as a weapon. This part of the world has been without a central government for years! And the world refuses to do anything about it.

The world was not created in such a way. It was created out of love. It was created with order. In the Old Testament, whatever is last is great. Jesus said, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” The creation of man came last, for he is God’s greatest creation. A world without man would be a beautiful waste. A world without God is a world that is formless, a wasteland, where darkness and winds sweep away all that gives life! We do not want to go back to a world without God! We need God. We need to start begging for Him!

But I am afraid that as long as we have false idols in the world, we will not beg for the One and only One. Worshipping the Lord does not mean bowing down to pressure; or sounding “unenlightened”, or praying out of fear. It means giving glory to the One who desires all the glory. It means giving glory to the one who reached out and wanted to be touched!

Recently, I saw some old clips of Elvis Presley in concert. Before the King dropped dead, and in one of his last performances, he was seen throwing towels, wrapped around his neck and dripping in his sweat, to fans that were reaching out to him. The crowd went wild; young ladies were crying. These counterfeits will all turn to mold. However, the relics of the Saints, their bones, hair or what they wore and used remain fresh, clean and alive.

When the Lord touches us, and he allows us to touch him, we are no longer the same. Blessings, beauty and goodness flow from him and into all of us. Let us never settle for less, until we can settle with Him. After all, that is the reason for the blessing of his presence.

Mt 5:13-16 Be A Hero!

Mt 5:13-16 Be A Hero!

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“You are the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.”

Am I a bored Christian? If so, then my light is hidden under a bushel basket. A bored Christian is equivalent to a selfish Christian, which is equivalent to a Christian whose light is spent.

St. Paul is one of my heroes. The City of Corinth represented the furthest point of expansion of the Church. In the year 146 B.C. it was destroyed by the Romans and re-founded a century later by Julius Cesar. It became a very cosmopolitan city with a very lurid reputation. St. Paul worked there, initially only on the Sabbath. But when funds arrived, he no longer dedicated his time to tent making but rather to full-time evangelization. His work was successful and he shaved his head in obedience to a vow he had made. St. Paul is my hero, but I won’t shave my head just yet.

This morning I woke up and did my normal routine and went for the cereal. I bought this new type of cereal called Flax Plus Granola by Nature’s Path. I think they will be going out of business pretty soon. It tastes horrible, like eating sticks and stones. But what made me really dislike this cereal is what they wrote on the back of it. They ask the question, “What is a Hero?” The company writes, “The dictionary says [which dictionary?] a hero is a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.”

First of all, I think we all learned that you should never use the word you’re trying to define in your definition. Secondly, “in the opinion of others?”…does a hero actually care what others think of him? I don’t think that should be important at all. Thirdly, what does heroic qualities actually mean? What are they?

Anyways, they use this definition to congratulate two farmers, organic farmers, who are heroes in their eyes because they don’t use synthetic pesticides; don’t use synthetic herbicides; they use no artificial preservatives or additives; no genetically engineered seeds. And because they use less ground water pollution and improved farm biodiversity. All these things are good things. But is this what defines a hero?

What’s a hero? Here is my definition. A hero is someone who gives himself to others in an extraordinary or uncommon manner without concern for his own person and without concern for personal compensation, but strictly for the Glory of God. That is, they do what is right, good and beautiful.

This is the life of Christ. This is the life of His Apostles. This is the life that we have received. Here are the marching orders from Christ himself: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

To be a hero means to stand up for God, to be orthodox in your faith – to care more about what God thinks of you rather than what others think of you. To be labeled an orthodox Christian means to be labeled by politicians, pundits and polls as an intolerant, right-wing, bigoted Christian. Although they will never admit to it; in the eyes of the world, a welcomed hero is a heretic! For example, does it really take a hero today to ridicule the Catholic Church or to stand by it? Does it take a hero to fight for abortion rights or to stand up for the sanctity of life? Would John the Baptist today be labeled as a herald of God for upholding the sanctity of marriage or would he be heralded as a fascist, medieval crusader of intolerance? Me thinks the later! Fox Sports recently announced that they would not allow an ad to appear during the Super Bowl because it openly promoted adultery. To seem balanced and fair, they decided not to run an ad from a Christian group either. If they only knew that the lack of one promotes the other, and to the detriment of society, family and children. To be a hero does not mean to be fair and balanced, it means to be right!

“The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.” (Ps. 112:4a) Be a hero. Be an Apostle for Christ. Let your light shine. Nothing, absolutely nothing can stop this light from shining. No mountains, no walls, no barriers, not even death. What is death for the Christian, but a welcomed return home; a confirmation of a commission; an honorable discharge; a sign of wonder, of a mission well done.

Mk 6:30-34 Let It Snow!

Mk 6:30-34 Let It Snow!

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I wasn’t sure what to name my meditation today. It was between two: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow or Come away and rest. I guess I didn’t choose the conservative and holier one.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps 23:1)

Yes!!! The Lord leads me in verdant pastures he gives me repose. I needed a break, desperately. But I couldn’t do it for myself. I didn’t know how to. I do not want to sound dramatic. I would not even be telling you this, but I need to because I see it as a miracle. The Lord gave me a break. This week was a packed week: Masses, confessions, retreats, talks, dinners, marriage preps, marriage counseling, appointments and spiritual directions. It was even Catholic School’s Week and I was all by myself. And all of a sudden, the rain fell and turned to ice. Last night, the snow fell and gave to many of us a well deserved break! I am still working, but I have been able to do a lot of other things like rest, eat, jog and most importantly, pray and meditate. How I love to pray, read and meditate. I turned these past 5 days into Ignation Spiritual Exercises – five days of near silence. I love it! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Lord! And whoever was praying for ice and snow, you can stop now!!!

Yesterday I spoke to a priest who is a missionary in Atlanta and he told me that he experienced the same thing a few weeks ago: this tremendous need for time alone. Lo and behold, they canceled school for 10 days! That was a blessing in disguise for him. The Lord knows what we need. He is willing to level mountains and raise valleys so that the path - my path, my journey - may refresh my soul.

The Apostles returned from their mission and they must have been exhausted. The first thing our Lord tells them to do is to go to a deserted place and rest. Deserts are useless to man but very much useful to God. It is the place to forget oneself and to contemplate on the fruitfulness of God. He made the barren bear fruit! It is He who accomplishes all things. We are simply workers in the vineyard. Let us pray that we may always be useful to Him – always!

This is the only way to live life. There is no other way. With the decay of authentic values and a world that is heartbroken – full of empty promises, troubles, hardships and threats, our hearts swell ever more to be reunited to the King of peace. There is such a strong desire within us to live in peace and love with our God and neighbor, but our failings and failures and our neighbors’ threats and fallacies won’t leave us alone! All our efforts seem to fail. What we experience is similar to what the Lord experienced: Rejection. What is the solution? Do what the Lord did. The anonymous author writes in The Cloud of Unknowing

1^st: If the memories of past sins or the temptations to new one should plague your mind, forming an obstacle between you and God, CRUSH THEM! 2^nd: As often as they rise up, you must put them down. 3^rd: When distracting thoughts annoy you, pretend that you do not even notice them. 4^th: Look over your shoulder as if you are looking for something else. Look beyond all these things because God is hidden beyond the cloud of unknowing. 5^th: Do this and I am sure you will be relieved of anxiety because you are really yearning for God, you have a longing to see him as much as possible in this life and a desire like this is actually love, which always brings peace.

St. Ephrem the Syrian wrote, “Jesus, in that hour when darkness like a cloak shall spread over all things, may your grace shine on us in place of the earthy sun.”

Come away and rest a while with the Lord.

Mk 6:14-29 Behind the Scenes

Mk 6:14-29 Behind the Scenes

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“The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (Heb 13:7)

In today’s reading we take leave of John the Baptist and go behind the scenes to witness the circumstances that led to his murder. Here is a man who grew strong and courageous. He preached repentance and baptism - renewal. He lived between this world and the other. He was the herald who announced the coming of the Lord. He worked among his people and suffered as they did. He sacrificed for them in spirit and in flesh. He lived a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. He was executed by those who lived a life of pride, vanity and sensuality that translated into filth, perversion, gluttony, immaturity, immorality, possessiveness, obsessive-ness, weakness, cowardice and disorder. Such men rule(d) the world! How they achieved power and position only gives credibility to the “Ruiner of the World.”

This is the time, place and life of the Baptist. He is remembered while all others are forgotten. He is in Heaven; all others are orphans. God loves a humble heart. God will love us if the Baptist and his ways would be preached and lived by us today. How the world needs men and women of his holiness!

If you think about it, the Law of Marriage is what did him in. The defense of this holy bond is what does us in today. The Love of God demands justice to his creation, his laws, and his people. Many still lose their heads in defending the same institution as John did. But as the psalmist puts it so brilliantly, “God’s way is unerring, the promise of the Lord is tried and true; he is a shield to all…The Lord lives! And blessed be my Rock!” (Ps 18) There is no greater guarantee of life everlasting!

Although the circumstances of the death of John are well known, we must never forget who is truly behind the scenes. The devil wishes for us to stumble and fall. He knows that his greatest threat to creating havoc is holiness – personal holiness. John is not great because he stood up for what was right, good and holy. John is great because he was a holy man and that is why he stood so tall.

This morning I did some house cleaning. In Dallas we are ill-equipped for snow and ice. All my appointments have been cancelled and that is one of the reasons why I have been able to get my meditations out so quickly! While I was cleaning the rectory, I stumbled upon a small gift box given to me for Christmas. I had already removed the pen from inside but I wanted to open the box up again. Why? I have no idea. When I did, I noticed that I had not removed a “gold” book mark that was inside. What was written on it struck me, “You serve the Lord our God so faithfully” (Dt 15:10). The experts say that first reactions are usually the correct ones. Well, I immediately thought to myself, “If they only knew.”

I wish I could say that I serve the Lord faithfully. But I prefer to say that I need your prayers! We all need each other’s prayers. What got John the Baptist through the dark nights in the cold, damp, filthy and lonely cell that became his daily scenery were the events that were going on behind the scenes: the prayers of many faithful men and women who carried him through another day and into eternal life.

Mk 6:7-13 Summoned, Sent and Surprised!

Mk 6:7-13 Summoned, Sent and Surprised!

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“The glory of God is a man fully alive.” (St. Irenaeus of Lyons)

The Lord knew his Apostles; he loved them; he sent them. The mission of the Church began long before Christ died. The sending of the Twelve represents that which is still the most important aspect of the Church: Evangelization. The Church is missionary in mind, spirit, heart and soul.

Christ is alive and all who live and work through Him are most alive!

GOD KNOWS ME. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” That God knows me means that I can truly know myself. I belong to Him. I come from Him. I am His. My life has meaning because it comes from the One who created me, molded me and breathed in me his image and likeness. Every time I take a breath, it is like saying his holy name – YHWH.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” – Know it makes sense! For in my neighbor I see my reflection, like it or not. What he/she does I have done, for better or for worse, and I can love it or hate it, but in the end – I recognize it, I have seen it before, it is near to me - loud and clear.

HE LOVES ME. I know He wants me to be happy. I want to be happy too. Am I on the same roller coaster ride as He is? The cost and the ride are high. Alex Jones, the former Pentecostal preacher turned Catholic, would remind us all, No price too high. Christ suffered and died on the cross so that I could be happy. Was that not enough? Was there anything else he should have done? Is there anything else I need? “Take nothing with you for the journey except your mind, body, heart and soul – take my soul…and remember, I am with you always, till the end of time.” No purchases are necessary.

Every time I went on missions to the Philippines, I bought a ton of food and stuff for the seven days. It was always a waste of money and space since the people were so kind and generous to us. None of us went begging! In the end, we ended up leaving it behind or giving it away as souvenirs!

Here is the million dollar question: If the Lord wants me to be happy, then why does the Lord make me suffer? This is my answer: I am more than convinced that my suffering makes others happy. Am I above the Lord? Am I above the Master? No. Not in anything. I must pick up my cross and follow Him, just as He did. And for this journey of faith, I need nothing else. I have all that I need – I have His love, his example. I travel light so that I may receive His love.

HE SENT ME. God sent me to love, to heal, to cure and to serve. “They went off and preached repentance.” We all want to confess our sins. Just recently a teenager admitted to me that she was extremely selfish. I told her to give away what she had. She immediately replied, “No way Father!” I then asked her to give me her cool looking ring – it was an interesting ring, nothing super expensive, but definitely very stylish. I could tell by the look on her face she couldn’t believe what I was asking for! Finally, after much hesitation, she gradually pulled the ring off her finger and placed it in the palm of my hand. I told her, “Whoever gives, receives.” Then I immediately placed the ring in the palm of her hand. She was overjoyed! Not only because she received her ring back, but because she received something more surprising: JOY! Then it dawned on me, whenever you give something to the Lord, you receive much more than you gave, a surprise: UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS!

He sent me and I am thrilled to death for it. There is much joy for me to give every single day of my life!

Lk 2:22-40 Be Positive! Praise the Lord!

Lk 2:22-40 Be Positive! Praise the Lord!

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Today is the feast of the presentation of the Lord; that is, the day our Lord made his very first public appearance in the Temple. He was a simple baby, but what a baby! Although the Word could not speak a word, his appearance in the Holy Temple will be repeated again - a repeat performance, starting twelve years later, when he is found, to the surprise of his mother and father, alone and preaching the Good News to the doctors of the Law.

There is hope. Yes. The Psalmist asks, “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord” (Ps 24:8). He is our hope. When all seems lost and dark and gloomy, there is hope. Hope is better served when the going gets tough. Hope has an everlasting affect when all appears lost and victory can only be imagined. We hope in many people and in many things. For this reason, our faith in hope is poor. We hope in the wrong things and in the wrong people. We, like Simeon, must trust in the Lord. “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.”

Here he is: the child of God, the Son of the Most High, the Light of the World - the Savior of all. Here I am: a child of God, a son and daughter of the Most High, a light to the World – a magnet to all. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that good enough? Now, let yourself go! Lord, let your servant go in peace, in love and in confidence. Allow me to be an instrument, a vessel, a mighty staff in your hands. Send your messenger; send me to prepare your Way; the way of the Lord! Allow me to see sin as an opportunity to bring those around me around you. May I never think that I am in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that with you by my side, I must go to Jerusalem and rise to the occasion.

Everything – everything that happens, praise the Lord! When I am bullied at school – praise the Lord for I imitate the suffering the Lord experienced at the hands of the most egregious of bullies, and allow others to come and carry me home. It is a vivid reminder to the world that sin will never disappear with education, but with holiness. When I am mocked and scorned at work for my faith, may I praise the Lord in imitating the scorn and suffering he endured for being true to himself! Then I will know that I am in the right place and time so as to bear witness to the on-going mocking and humiliation of our Lord!

Be positive today! Place a smile on your face! For the Lord did not sacrifice his life with sadness but with joy! The Lord did not grudgingly go about his business dragging his feet; but hastened for the day he could show his perfect love for all sinners. He got knocked down; he got back up. Not out of drunkenness, as his accusers would say, or because of the tainted wine offered to him on the cross, but because he knew who he was and he would not trade it in for single slap, punch, kick or thorn in his face. However, he did offer it up for me.

Mk 5:21-43 Change of Plans

Mk 5:21-43 Change of Plans

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Are you suffering? Is there a war that is waging inside of you? The writer of Hebrews reminds us of how the Lord suffered and endured the cross, despising its shame, and taking his seat at the right of the throne of God. Now, “consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” (Heb 12:4)

Strong words! You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. I had forgotten this small but astonishing truth. I struggle. God knows I struggle. I wish to be holy and yet I continue to fall into the same old, mundane and routine sins! How little I have changed! What good is it to continue to try? But the sacred writer wishes to remind me of something I tend to forget: You haven’t resisted to the point of shedding blood. This is the comfort I give to teenagers and adults who continue to struggle with the same sins over and over and over again. I tell them, “Relax. The good news is that you have yet to do everything to end this sin once and for all!” It seems to work because it is true.

Jairus was a man who was willing to give up everything for his daughter. He was a respected official; the entire town had come out to see Jesus; they also saw their leader, falling at the Lord’s feet. I can only guess how many of his close associates and friends must have told him not to come out, to get someone else to do it for him, or to greet the prophet like his equal. They definitely did not encourage him to fall at his feet!

From the Gospel passage, we can only imagine to what extent a man would keep his reputation at its highest level. But today we know what he would do to keep his daughter alive!

There was a woman who had suffered for twelve years with an incurable illness and a little girl of twelve who was in bed near the point of death. In both cases we see some striking similarities: the indiscriminate ravages of sin, the fear in their eyes, the suffering they must have endured, the need for immediate attention, and the number twelve.

The Lord must choose. To whom shall I go? To whom shall I send to the twelve tribes of Israel? Jesus must choose his Apostles, twelve of them, to preach and to heal in his name: Alleluia! Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. Now, I must do the same thing!

What must I do? Go the extra mile like the Lord. He was walking. He was about to preach. But Jairus got there first. He came up to him. Change of plans. The woman who was suffering touched him. What did the Lord do? He stopped and talked to her. Change of plans! He let her go and gave her health of body, peace of mind and unquestionable love. He sacrificed himself everyday so that, eventually, He could sacrifice himself at the supreme level of love - No greater Love. Change of plans!

What am I supposed to do? Change your plans! Because, “whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.” This is one important way to carry our cross. This is how we spill our blood.