September 25, 2016: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Concern for those in need is something embedded into God's character.  Psalm 146 praises God because He heeds those in dire situations.  And thus He speaks strongly against those who don't take any action to alleviate the plight of the poor in the reading from Amos and Jesus's parable in the Gospel of Luke.  As His disciples, we are called while in our walk now toward the Kingdom to meet the needs of those around us, and take heed to who is in need around us.

This is part of our striving toward Eternal Life, pursuing a life of righteousness and staying strong in the confession of faith, which ultimately gives glory to God.  It was an incredible moment to proclaim the words of the 2nd reading from 1 Timothy in front of the Confirmation students gathered at Mass on Sunday evening, in the midst of a retreat experience, calling them to this way of living that will be able to experience empowered by the Holy Spirit, even as I reflected on my own journey toward and forth from Confirmation and the ways the Holy Spirit has empowered me.

September 18, 2016: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our lives of faith are all about stewardship, kind of like the fourth thing of stewardship Father Hurlbert suggested in his State of the Parish homily this Sunday, beyond the usual time, talent, and treasure.  God has given us everything as a gift, especially the faith by which we have a relationship with Him.  By managing our resources well, we strive towards the Kingdom of God, even as we use worldly resources to accomplish Kingdom purposes.

While it's strange that Jesus would commend the dishonest steward, certainly the point is well taken that as disciples, we should be eager to strategize in advancing the Kingdom, especially as we use wealth to help those in need.  Stewardship of faith necessarily impels us to focus on relationships with others, caring for them and their needs, as we strive toward the Kingdom.

While attending St. Cornelius Parish's 90th Anniversary Mass on Sunday, Archbishop Cupich, the primary celebrant, insightfully shared in his homily how stewardship is about our coming together as a community to make an Eternal impact on one another, which influences how we build relationships now.

September 11, 2016: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Hurlbert said something very insightful at Mass on Sunday at Ascension: Often, when we think of sin and forgiveness, it's a matter of having committed a crime, and then making it up.  He offered a different idea:  the image of a person once being lost who has been found.  It's important for the person who is lost because of sin, and has drifted from the Father, to come to his/her senses and return, as the son does in the story in the Gospel of the Prodigal.  It's also what Paul speaks of so fervently from his own life's experience.

God by His nature is merciful, showering it upon us, Whom He has made His people, as Moses reminds God when He, in His anger, is about to smite the Hebrews Whom He delivered from Egypt.

God rejoices in showering His mercy on us when we turn back to Him.  Let us live rejoicing in the gift of mercy that God gives us, and that we share with others as we make His presence known.  On a sorrowful occasion of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, it is this mercy that truly heals us and makes our world whole, which is truly reason to feel joyful.

September 4, 2016: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

When we abide in the way of Christian discipleship, we must put our relationship with God above all else, which is why Jesus says we must renounce what we have, and hate those in our family--which doesn't mean "hate" so much as it means "loving less", according to Father Bob in his homily at Ascension Parish's Masses this past weekend.  We are reminded of this call as lived out by Christians throughout the world who are persecuted.

It is a difficult way, but beyond that, when we truly commit ourselves to to discipleship, we are transformed:  The course of our lives is now directed toward seeking to fulfill God's purposes in our lives, embracing others in the mercy of God as fellow brothers and sisters created and loved by God, that our work may prosper in Him who directs our course by the Holy Spirit.  We seek after God day by day, Who is our refuge throughout all time.