What powerful words it must have been for the Hebrews to hear, that God had "removed the reproach of Egypt from" them.
The curse of an oppressive past had been lifted, which surely must have added to their sense of celebration of reaching the Promised Land, and eating of its harvest as they celebrated the Passover, when God delivered them.
And what a grand celebration it must have been when the son who ran away returned home. The father's urge to celebrate started as soon as he caught the faintest glimpse of his son, running toward him to embrace him and welcome him so dearly.
God wants to remove the stain of sin from us to make us pure and holy as He created us to be, even sending His Son to reconcile us to Himself. He makes us a new creation, so that we can join the great celebration of being reconciled back to the God Who created us. (I think about Abby Johnson's story, depicted in the film Unplanned that opened in theaters recently, and how Abby came to her senses and completely changed the direction of her life.)
And we remember that His mercy is for all, and we should be open to sharing it, so that the celebration is truly ours, not removing ourselves from embracing it like the older son who thought he wasn't getting enough of what he deserved.
Indeed, God's mercy is reckless, immense, and abundant, because He is so eager to welcome us back when we repent of sin and turn back toward Him. And on this Laetare Sunday, just past reaching the midpoint of Lent, there is truly much reason to celebrate and rejoice.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Monday, March 25, 2019
March 25, 2019: Feast of the Annunciation
Like Pope Francis remarked during World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, Mary had an incredible influence on the world because she consented to the Word of God and let it be done in her.
She made way for the Son of God to enter our world and be our salvation.
Let us follow the example of Mary, the first disciple, and day by day offer up our "yes" to God so that His Word can be done in us, and His work can be done in our world through us. Just like Pope Francis told the crowds at World Youth Day, like Mary, we can be an influence on our world. And it starts with a "yes" to Him.
On a historical side note, how fitting that a colony with Mary's name on it was founded on this day in 1634, which would have an influence by planting the seeds for religious freedom and the thriving of Roman Catholics in what is now the USA.
She made way for the Son of God to enter our world and be our salvation.
Let us follow the example of Mary, the first disciple, and day by day offer up our "yes" to God so that His Word can be done in us, and His work can be done in our world through us. Just like Pope Francis told the crowds at World Youth Day, like Mary, we can be an influence on our world. And it starts with a "yes" to Him.
On a historical side note, how fitting that a colony with Mary's name on it was founded on this day in 1634, which would have an influence by planting the seeds for religious freedom and the thriving of Roman Catholics in what is now the USA.
March 24, 2019: Third Sunday of Lent
This day, I attended Mass at St. Augustine Mission church in Winnebago, NE, just like I did 6 years ago on the 3rd Sunday of Lent in Cycle C, when we heard proclaimed the reading from Exodus in which Moses encounters God in a burning bush. God commands Moses to remove the sandals from his feet, because he stands on holy ground.
St. Augustine was founded by St. Katharine Drexel--it's truly "holy ground" where a saint walked, just as all those who serve here, including those in my group that came here, have made it holy.
On holy ground, in the presence of God, we have the opportunity to ponder Who our God is, like Father Mark Beran talked about in his homily this day in 2019. He is Holy, Almighty, and Just, but He is also merciful and compassionate to all, even to the point of recklessly seeking after us when we keep sinning. He constantly desires for us to repent and be fruitful for His Glory.
As we ponder Who He is, we are led to respond to that invitation to repent from our wrongful ways, receive His mercy, and live righteously before Him.
St. Augustine was founded by St. Katharine Drexel--it's truly "holy ground" where a saint walked, just as all those who serve here, including those in my group that came here, have made it holy.
On holy ground, in the presence of God, we have the opportunity to ponder Who our God is, like Father Mark Beran talked about in his homily this day in 2019. He is Holy, Almighty, and Just, but He is also merciful and compassionate to all, even to the point of recklessly seeking after us when we keep sinning. He constantly desires for us to repent and be fruitful for His Glory.
As we ponder Who He is, we are led to respond to that invitation to repent from our wrongful ways, receive His mercy, and live righteously before Him.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
March 19, 2019: Feast of St. Joseph
God called Joseph to be the earthly father of His Son Jesus Christ.
Likewise, God calls us to be guardians and stewards of the great gift of salvation He grants us, so that it may be done to all the world.
How fitting to think of the Shepherds of our Church, who mark significant anniversaries on this Feast: 6 years since the installation Mass of Pope Francis, and 70 years since Cardinal Cupich was born.
May God continue to enrich them, and us, in be faithful to this call.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
March 17, 2019: Second Sunday of Lent
As we continue on our Lenten journey, we hear the story of the Transfiguration, which gives us a glimpse of where we're headed, an encounter with the fullness of the glory of God, which we encounter in the Resurrected Jesus.
But we don't merely see His glory: We're called to be transformed to reflect it ourselves, becuase God has brought us into a special relationship with Himself, starting all the way back with the promises He made to Abram. And now our citizenship is in Heaven. We no longer focus on earthly things, but focus above to where we're headed as we strive along the way.
We can count on seeing God's goodness as we devote our lives to God, acknowledging Him as our Light, for He is our Hope.
But we don't merely see His glory: We're called to be transformed to reflect it ourselves, becuase God has brought us into a special relationship with Himself, starting all the way back with the promises He made to Abram. And now our citizenship is in Heaven. We no longer focus on earthly things, but focus above to where we're headed as we strive along the way.
We can count on seeing God's goodness as we devote our lives to God, acknowledging Him as our Light, for He is our Hope.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019: First Sunday of Lent
In His response to temptations in the desert, Jesus honored God above all, with all we are, and all our actions.
That is in the same spirit of what God commanded of the people in Deuteronomy, in presenting the firstfruit offerings to God.
We offer our best to God beceause He saved us, which we believe by the Word that made known to us the message of salvation and which continues to work in us so we live out our belief.
That is in the same spirit of what God commanded of the people in Deuteronomy, in presenting the firstfruit offerings to God.
We offer our best to God beceause He saved us, which we believe by the Word that made known to us the message of salvation and which continues to work in us so we live out our belief.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019: Ash Wednesday
The time has come to call upon God on account of an awareness of our sins that leads us to plead for His mercy, knowing full well our God is so abundantly merciful. Indeed, He alone has the power to transform miserable sinners, such as us, and restore us to righteousness, for we have no power on our own.
God calls us to repent with our hearts, not only with outward signs. From the heart, God desires to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, and our actions should focus on purifying ourselves, as we focus on deepening our relationship with God.
As I was at Mass this evening, I thought about how at that very hour of the evening 6 years ago, I was in an aboriginal American sweat lodge ceremony, with a strong spiritual component that speaks to it as a purifying ritual, as we offered up our prayers to God. Indeed, Lent starts with a symbol, the product of a fire, and throughout this season, we have the opportunity to purify our hearts to be righteous before God in our way of living.
Now is the time to act, because today is the day of salvation, the day when we can enter more deeply into a relationship with our God Who saves and out of death, brings new Life, which we shall celebrate fully in the Triduum.
God calls us to repent with our hearts, not only with outward signs. From the heart, God desires to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, and our actions should focus on purifying ourselves, as we focus on deepening our relationship with God.
As I was at Mass this evening, I thought about how at that very hour of the evening 6 years ago, I was in an aboriginal American sweat lodge ceremony, with a strong spiritual component that speaks to it as a purifying ritual, as we offered up our prayers to God. Indeed, Lent starts with a symbol, the product of a fire, and throughout this season, we have the opportunity to purify our hearts to be righteous before God in our way of living.
Now is the time to act, because today is the day of salvation, the day when we can enter more deeply into a relationship with our God Who saves and out of death, brings new Life, which we shall celebrate fully in the Triduum.
Monday, March 4, 2019
March 3, 2019: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
As part of His call to live a radical lifestyle, Jesus says we should not be so focused on judging others' faults that we don't heed and take action to correct our own faults.
Let us hold to the Word of God, letting it stir us to rightness in mind and in action, as we follow the example of our teacher. May we remain sturdy in bearing good fruit, knowing our God, through Christ, has won the victory for us over sin and death so that we can be steadfast in bearing good fruit for the Lord.
I think about St. Mother Katharine Drexel, whose feast day is March 3. She founded many missions to serve impoverished African-Americans and aboriginal Americans, one of which is St. Augustine in northeast Nebraska, where I was present to celebrate her feast day 6 years ago during a service trip.
We had the opportunity during that week of service to put into action the spirit of charity that blazed within her, and that we are all called do exhibit as we bear the fruit of righteous by the power of God.
Let us hold to the Word of God, letting it stir us to rightness in mind and in action, as we follow the example of our teacher. May we remain sturdy in bearing good fruit, knowing our God, through Christ, has won the victory for us over sin and death so that we can be steadfast in bearing good fruit for the Lord.
I think about St. Mother Katharine Drexel, whose feast day is March 3. She founded many missions to serve impoverished African-Americans and aboriginal Americans, one of which is St. Augustine in northeast Nebraska, where I was present to celebrate her feast day 6 years ago during a service trip.
We had the opportunity during that week of service to put into action the spirit of charity that blazed within her, and that we are all called do exhibit as we bear the fruit of righteous by the power of God.
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