God places a high value on doing what is right.
As written by Ezekiel, the one who turns from righteousness to wickedness does not have life. The one who turns from wickedness has life, by leaving sin. Sin does not bring us life, and that's the reality of God's way, which may seem unfair, but, like mentioned last week, are not our ways.
In the same spirit, Jesus tells the story of the two sons who were commanded by their father to work, and the religious people agree that the son who refused, but then changed his mind is the one who did his father's will.
The life of Christian faith is about doing what is right, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, selflessly serving one another, to bring alive that faith, day by day.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
September 21, 2014: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The reading from Isaiah declares that God's ways are so far above our ways, and the Gospel sheds further light on how incomprehensible His ways are. In the parable, as the landowner, He gives everyone who works in His fields the same payment of a day's wages, whether they worked one hour, or all day.
It really doesn't make any sense, but God doesn't abide by our business mentality--reflecting words from Father Bart's homily at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, WI. His grace issues forth upon us in great abundance. It is a gift that can't be measured because it is so priceless, with a value above all else, for it brings us life, and draws us into the work of His plan for this world. He is earnestly seeking for us to come to Him to experience it, calling us to come to Him, because He is near--right here among us. And His grace meets our need for abundant Life.
It really doesn't make any sense, but God doesn't abide by our business mentality--reflecting words from Father Bart's homily at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, WI. His grace issues forth upon us in great abundance. It is a gift that can't be measured because it is so priceless, with a value above all else, for it brings us life, and draws us into the work of His plan for this world. He is earnestly seeking for us to come to Him to experience it, calling us to come to Him, because He is near--right here among us. And His grace meets our need for abundant Life.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
September 14, 2014: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14 is not only the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, but this year, it marks the 200th Anniversary of the composition of "The Star-Spangled Banner". The song was written about a triumph of a symbol of the United States, the flag, after a battle.
On this Feast, we celebrate the exaltation of the Cross, the instrument of our salvation.
On this Feast, we celebrate the exaltation of the Cross, the instrument of our salvation.
Prefiguring the Cross, the bronze serpent Moses constructed and lifted up provided healing to the Israelites who pleaded for forgiveness when poisonous snakes bit them in punishment for their quarreling. It didn't take away the snakes per se, but provided healing for the Israelites.
Just so, in a world stricken by sin, Christ was raised up on the Cross, and we who look to Him by faith live. And we continue turning to the Cross as the source of our life, dying to ourselves, so we may fully embrace the life it gives us. And we honor and glorify Christ, whom God has exalted for His self-emptying and submission to death on the Cross that has brought us alive.
Monday, September 8, 2014
September 7, 2014: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
As people of God, we have the responsibility to take a stand and correct the wrongs we encounter in our lives. We do so aware of how God works to correct our wrongs, with love and compassion, having saved us from sin. In that spirit, we live in the spirit of Love toward one another--Love, which is the fulfillment of the Law, because it is the ultimate expression of righteousness.
We keep ourselves open to God, who directs our ways, and so that we stand for right in this world on our earthly pilgrimage. We gather together as His Church to do this work, remembering that Christ is truly present among us.
We keep ourselves open to God, who directs our ways, and so that we stand for right in this world on our earthly pilgrimage. We gather together as His Church to do this work, remembering that Christ is truly present among us.
Monday, September 1, 2014
August 31, 2014: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
As Jeremiah learns from his experience as a prophet, God's call is demanding, even taxing. But it is so compelling that he cannot easily rid himself of it.
Jesus understands the demanding nature of God's call, telling His disciples He must go the way of the Cross, which Peter has trouble comprehending in light of his acclamation of Christ as the Messiah, and Son of God.
When Peter seeks to downplay Jesus's sufferings, He rebukes him, and then gives a teaching on what discipleship is: We must take up our Crosses, wholly committing ourselves to following God's will for us.
As St. Paul writes, we must offer up ourselves and all in our lives as a living sacrifice to God, looking past worldly concerns unto Him.
Jesus understands the demanding nature of God's call, telling His disciples He must go the way of the Cross, which Peter has trouble comprehending in light of his acclamation of Christ as the Messiah, and Son of God.
When Peter seeks to downplay Jesus's sufferings, He rebukes him, and then gives a teaching on what discipleship is: We must take up our Crosses, wholly committing ourselves to following God's will for us.
As St. Paul writes, we must offer up ourselves and all in our lives as a living sacrifice to God, looking past worldly concerns unto Him.
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