We heard in last weekend's Gospel what it means to follow in the way of Christ, our Lord. Today, the conditions for discipleship are spelled out in greater specifics. We must be willing to forgo whatever distracts us as we follow Him. In so following, we receive an inheritance that leads to Eternal Life. It is at work in us even now as we are set free from sin that we may live in His way of Love, in service to others.
The reading from Galatians presents some meaningful principles as we in the United States approach the Independence Day holiday. While we cherish freedom, it ultimately finds its meaning when we use it for the purposes of building a better society, a better world for all people.
This is a commitment that the Founding Fathers made. I couldn't help but think about this idea of commitment while watching 1776, a musical about the independence of the United States. Abigail Adams reminds John Adams about the importance of commitment, and then shortly thereafter in the movie, John signs about making a commitment, going forward and not looking back, burning the bridges behind him, even in the face of naysayers.
Commitment was on my mind when I attended Mass at St. Teresa's this past Sunday. I was called anew to a commitment to faith when I first came to St. Teresa's on the threshold of my freshman year at ValpU, entering a community that committed itself to serving God by supporting us students. Father Kevin celebrated his final weekend of Masses there today, with all the various unique marks of his sense of ministry. It was touching in his final remarks when we recognized and thanked the students and alumni present, because we are the driving force behind the ministry. I indeed remembering receiving such support, which spurred me on to be the best version of myself while committing myself to living this great gift of faith I had received.
Father Kevin demonstrates his commitment to his vocation, even in the sadness of leaving a wonderful community. He faces the demands of discipleship, that he may faithfully serve our God, as we are all called to do.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
June 19, 2016: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
On this Fathers' Day, we are given the opportunity to ponder what it means to be children of God.
By His death and resurrection, Christ has adopted us into God's family, cleansing us who are in sin, and giving us a share in His identity as the Son of God.
But sharing in this identity means that we share also in His sufferings, taking up our Cross to follow Him. We don't merely bear His identity through belief, but furthermore through actions of mercy, giving of ourselves as Christ has done. We live out this relationship, seeking after Him Who alone satisfies us because His identity is upon us.
By His death and resurrection, Christ has adopted us into God's family, cleansing us who are in sin, and giving us a share in His identity as the Son of God.
But sharing in this identity means that we share also in His sufferings, taking up our Cross to follow Him. We don't merely bear His identity through belief, but furthermore through actions of mercy, giving of ourselves as Christ has done. We live out this relationship, seeking after Him Who alone satisfies us because His identity is upon us.
Monday, June 13, 2016
June 12, 2016: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our God is a God who lavishes us with forgiveness, perhaps even beyond what we can comprehend.
It is a gift that is ours when we acknowledge our sins, realizing we have done wrong, so that we may receive such a sweet gift. It is not something we earn, but comes only through the merits of the Cross.
And then, as the priest said in his homily at the Philadelphia Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, as forgiven people, we have to extend the forgiveness, not continuing in condemning others. Indeed, this is a gift that overflows to all who will humbly acknowledge their sins and God's power to forgive them.
These readings make me think of something John Newton said as he neared the end of his life: "Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior." Truly, we are all sinners, all in need of God's mercy, which we can all receive freely and abundantly. No matter what we've done, God can work His mercy in us as we come to Him in repentance.
It is a gift that is ours when we acknowledge our sins, realizing we have done wrong, so that we may receive such a sweet gift. It is not something we earn, but comes only through the merits of the Cross.
And then, as the priest said in his homily at the Philadelphia Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, as forgiven people, we have to extend the forgiveness, not continuing in condemning others. Indeed, this is a gift that overflows to all who will humbly acknowledge their sins and God's power to forgive them.
These readings make me think of something John Newton said as he neared the end of his life: "Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior." Truly, we are all sinners, all in need of God's mercy, which we can all receive freely and abundantly. No matter what we've done, God can work His mercy in us as we come to Him in repentance.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
June 5, 2016: 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We've spent many of the past few weeks since Easter Sunday celebrating the real, living presence of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ.
And we continue to celebrate His Resurrection as we gather Sunday after Sunday, especially with the readings for this Sunday, in which we hear of God's power over death. There are two similar stories in about the dead being raised to life, sons of widowed mothers. God shows that He cares for His people by providing for them, in this case, bringing widows their sons back from the dead so they have their support system--beautifully, Elijah and Jesus both hand the revived sons back to their mothers.
Indeed, the newness of life is a sign of God having come to be with us. And so we cry out to God in faith to bring us newness of Life, and He responds to the faith we display before Him.
God constantly seeks to restore us to newness of life, we who were once dead in sin and alienated from God, like in the experience of St. Paul, which he in the 2nd reading. He revealed Himself to us, by His Very Word, calling us to abide in a new way of life, in which we proclaim the Gospel, even through extraordinary deeds of mercy and compassion.
And we continue to celebrate His Resurrection as we gather Sunday after Sunday, especially with the readings for this Sunday, in which we hear of God's power over death. There are two similar stories in about the dead being raised to life, sons of widowed mothers. God shows that He cares for His people by providing for them, in this case, bringing widows their sons back from the dead so they have their support system--beautifully, Elijah and Jesus both hand the revived sons back to their mothers.
Indeed, the newness of life is a sign of God having come to be with us. And so we cry out to God in faith to bring us newness of Life, and He responds to the faith we display before Him.
God constantly seeks to restore us to newness of life, we who were once dead in sin and alienated from God, like in the experience of St. Paul, which he in the 2nd reading. He revealed Himself to us, by His Very Word, calling us to abide in a new way of life, in which we proclaim the Gospel, even through extraordinary deeds of mercy and compassion.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
May 29, 2016: Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Continuing on in Ordinary Time, we celebrate that integral part of our faith, the Eucharist.
On the day before Memorial Day, when we in the United States remember the sacrifices of those in uniform, we as Roman Catholics remember the sacrifice of Christ, in keeping with the command He gave His Apostles, and us, at His Last Supper.
Christ gives of His own Body and Blood, which is God's way of providing for us that which satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. So by partaking of the Eucharist, we declare God alone fills us.
Sharing in this meal, we bless the God Who made us and redeemed us, Who gives us a foretaste of Heaven in this feast that we share now.
But we don't just partake of Christ in the Eucharist. We are compelled by this encounter with His very presence to share His presence with others, meeting the needs of others, having been showered with His mercy as we carry on our pilgrimage of this life.
On the day before Memorial Day, when we in the United States remember the sacrifices of those in uniform, we as Roman Catholics remember the sacrifice of Christ, in keeping with the command He gave His Apostles, and us, at His Last Supper.
Christ gives of His own Body and Blood, which is God's way of providing for us that which satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. So by partaking of the Eucharist, we declare God alone fills us.
Sharing in this meal, we bless the God Who made us and redeemed us, Who gives us a foretaste of Heaven in this feast that we share now.
But we don't just partake of Christ in the Eucharist. We are compelled by this encounter with His very presence to share His presence with others, meeting the needs of others, having been showered with His mercy as we carry on our pilgrimage of this life.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016: Most Holy Trinity Sunday
As Christians, we have been made stewards of a great mystery: One God Who is Three distinct Persons.
Though we can't fully understand the Trinity, we see the effects of this mystery around us. God has created us and our world marvelously, in great wisdom. Jesus Christ died to save us, as an expression of the Father's love. And the saving death and resurrection of Christ is made real in us through the Holy Spirit who continues to sanctify us as God's abiding presence within us.
Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the power of God alive in us, as He has been poured out by Jesus, Who has taken what He received from the Father and given it to us. The Three Persons of the Trinity are in a dynamic relationship, being relational by nature, and desires to draw us into relationships, living in and sharing the Love that the Godhead experiences. So each Person is distinct, but they are all One, as God desires to break down boundaries and to draw us together, to have in Love for one another.
So as we live out our Faith, especially by living that Love, the Trinity becomes reality.
Though we can't fully understand the Trinity, we see the effects of this mystery around us. God has created us and our world marvelously, in great wisdom. Jesus Christ died to save us, as an expression of the Father's love. And the saving death and resurrection of Christ is made real in us through the Holy Spirit who continues to sanctify us as God's abiding presence within us.
Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the power of God alive in us, as He has been poured out by Jesus, Who has taken what He received from the Father and given it to us. The Three Persons of the Trinity are in a dynamic relationship, being relational by nature, and desires to draw us into relationships, living in and sharing the Love that the Godhead experiences. So each Person is distinct, but they are all One, as God desires to break down boundaries and to draw us together, to have in Love for one another.
So as we live out our Faith, especially by living that Love, the Trinity becomes reality.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
May 15, 2016: Pentecost Sunday
We are once again at the great Feast of Pentecost, celebrating the birth of the Church with the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus brought us new Life by His Resurrection, and though He ascended to Heaven, He promised that He would be with us always.
Those promises of His abiding Presence is now fulfilled in the Holy Spirit, in the outpouring of the Love of the Father and the Son. The Spirit makes God present within us, which brings us alive, as Christ was raised to new Life. And we are transformed, and receive gifts that empower us to bring that Life to the Earth, by doing the work of God, fulfilling the commission He has given us. The Holy Spirit continues to guide us, teaching us and reminding of us of what Jesus Christ said, even as He makes Christ verily present within us.
And so where the Spirit is at work, there is new life. I was reminded of this when I attended Mass with the Confirmandi at my home parish on Saturday evening. As I looked out at all of them gathered, I sensed God doing something new as they prepare to experience an encounter with Jesus Christ in Confirmation that sends them forth.
Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Jesus brought us new Life by His Resurrection, and though He ascended to Heaven, He promised that He would be with us always.
Those promises of His abiding Presence is now fulfilled in the Holy Spirit, in the outpouring of the Love of the Father and the Son. The Spirit makes God present within us, which brings us alive, as Christ was raised to new Life. And we are transformed, and receive gifts that empower us to bring that Life to the Earth, by doing the work of God, fulfilling the commission He has given us. The Holy Spirit continues to guide us, teaching us and reminding of us of what Jesus Christ said, even as He makes Christ verily present within us.
And so where the Spirit is at work, there is new life. I was reminded of this when I attended Mass with the Confirmandi at my home parish on Saturday evening. As I looked out at all of them gathered, I sensed God doing something new as they prepare to experience an encounter with Jesus Christ in Confirmation that sends them forth.
Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)