August 30, 2020: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings emphasize that living a life devoted to God is challenging.  It often leads to struggle as we suffer because the world opposes us for living according to God's purposes for us.

Yet, like the prophet Jeremiah, we realize that deep within us, this life is worth living more than anything else.

I certainly came to a greater awareness of how living by faith is worth it during my college years through being part of the St. Teresa's community. I was back with them this day attending Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert McClory of the Diocese of Gary.  While I acknowledged the gravity of the challenge posed by the readings, Bishop McClory put such a positive, uplifting spin on it.  He shared that when we refuse to be conformed to the world and instead seek out God's will, we enter into a life with great meaning and purpose.

While we could fill our lives with worldly pleasures, they won't satisfy us nearly as much as when we decline what the world offers and give of ourselves, thereby fortifying our souls for the Eternal Life God promises to those who strive faithfully in this life.  And that's one prize worth gaining above even the whole world.

August 23, 2020: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the 2nd reading, St. Paul marvels at our Mighty God, Who is so beyond what any of us can fathom, because He is the source of all.

We can certainly marvel that God has chosen us, mere humans He has created, to be part of His purposes.

Jesus acknowledged that Simon's proclamation of Him as the Christ came from the Heavenly Father.  He then gives him a new name, Peter, and signifies he will be the rock upon which the church will be built.  Much like God grants to Eliakim, a worthy servant, Jesus gives Peter authority to advance the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth as the Church is built, which we see is through the teaching and advancement of God's Truths.

We continue to see that authority passed down through the ages to the leadership of the Church today.  I saw this authority represented in a special way 5 years ago today when Cardinal Vigano invested then-Archbishop Cupich with the pallium, which represents his role as Shepherd in the office of the Archbishop of Chicago.

Our leaders derive their authority from that which Christ granted to St. Peter and the Apostles, who were succeeded by the Pope and the bishops, and so through them, we can sense a connection to the Apostles, who were so close to Christ.

In a world that is swayed by relativism and even various ideas about who Jesus is, we can confidently acclaim that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God", as we, like living stones that St. Peter writes about in 1 Peter, can be built on the unshakable foundation of Christ.

That is a reality I embraced in a whole new way 11 years ago when my sense of faith was powerfully enlivened when, as the threshold of my college years, I attended Mass for the first time at St. Teresa of Avila (Roman) Catholic Student Center.

Back there to celebrate the anniversary today, Father Chris shared in his homily that even when our faith wavers, we can still count on the Church to support us, because Christ is present in it, and supporting it as the unbreakable foundation.

Thanks be to God that He gives us such a foundation in Christ, and empowers us to live the faith that declares Him for Who He is.

August 22, 2020: Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary went to be with her Son at the end of her earthly life.

She is now close to Him in Heaven, and offers up intercession.

She seeks after her Son, who she bore into the world.  Now He reigns in Heaven on High, and He continues to work in our world.

August 16, 2020: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God desires to bring all people to Himself.  He chose the Hebrews specially, but, as the reading from the prophet Isaiah describes, He also wants to bring others to Himself, like the Gentiles.  In the context of Isaiah's time, and Jesus's time, too, the Hebrews were hesitant to let others be part of God's Chosen People.

Yet God makes clear that what counts is faith that earnestll seeks Him, and is pleasing to Him.

St. Paul reflects on His ministry to the Gentiles in the 2nd reading, which he focused on after the Jews rejected His message.  Many Gentiles came to faith as a result of St. Paul's turning focus toward them, and St. Paul hopes that faith among the Gentiles will turn the Jews to faith, too.

And then there's the Canaanite woman in the Gospel reading, which is one of my favorite stories.  This woman pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter, and is not deterred when Jesus doesn't give a favorable response, first ignoring her, then stating He came only for Israel, and then likening her to a dog.  I really like the comeback line she gives to that final statement from Jesus, because she plays upon His metaphor, and thus demonstrates her deep faith:  She believes that Jesus was sent as Savior to Israel, a reality that will benefit people of all other nations.

Let us be filled with the same earnest faith as this woman, and keep seeking after God.  Let's persevere in relationship with Him, even if our prayers don't bring the answers that we desire.  May our prayers draw us closer into relationship with God, knowing He will answer, acknowledging and affirming us for faith that seeks to be well-pleasing to Him.  And may our hearts, like God's heart, be open to accepting all others who demonstrate that same faith, as we join together to be truly one united people of God.

August 15, 2020: Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Since Christ has risen from the dead, the Anointed One Who died and rose again.  Our gaze now goes upward.

We follow in the way of Mary, the first disciple, who experienced the bodily resurrection we shall all one day experience.

We magnify the Lord with her, because He has made way for us to attain the Resurrection of the dead, and even feel the power of new Life now.

August 9, 2020: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

While God has often manifested Himself in great displays of power, He also reveals Himself in quiet stillness.

Elijah immediately recognizes His presence on Horeb in the quiet after tumultuous displays of nature's force.

In the midst of a raging storm, the disciples see Jesus, and are frightened by His presence as He walks on water, which is so beyond human experience.  But then they embrace the reality of Him there when He reaches out to them.  And St. Peter even is so bold as to respond with a request to have share in that extra-human power to walk on water.

Let us reach out to the Savior Who has arisen from the covenants and promises of old, so that we may know God's presence.

Let us embrace the presence of God even in the midst of the world being stirred around us: Even in storms or difficulties, He still comes to make God known in a gentle, touching way, reassuring us of how He is always with us, especially when we reach out.

August 6, 2020: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

In the spirit of the vision from Daniel, Jesus leads three of the Apostles up a high mountain, and He reveals to them a vision of His Glory.

They see Him for Who He is, not only in dazzling splendor, but understanding how it is part of His purpose for coming to this world.  He fulfills the plan of God, in which Moses and Elijah took part, as He fulfills the Law and speaks the Truth of God.

Since God has so revealed Himself, let us continue to live in the light of that vision, and embrace Who we are as created by God, as we are transformed to conform more closely to His glorious image, and so change the world.

August 2, 2020: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God knows that we are in great need, a comforting reality even in this abnormal time.

And God meets our needs, not in the bare minimum, but in great abundance.

Although Jesus needed to get away, when the crowds appeared, He still ministered to them out of compassion, and then fed them so much there was lots leftover.

He has such great love for us in working to meet the needs of our whole person, even beyond physical needs like hunger.

So we can declare with the Psalmist that the hand of the Lord truly feeds us and answers all our needs.

Furthermore, despite all the harsh realities that might come against us, we can acclaim boldly with St. Paul, nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus, Who has demonstrated it to be so powerful.

It is so powerful that it draws us in, and, just like the disciples, we can offer up what we have and God will multiply it abundantly so we can feed others, meeting their needs.