Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle
In this Gospel reading we hear the calling forth of Andrew and his brother Simon, called Peter, by Jesus. They were fishermen along the Sea of Galilee. Jesus promises that they will be "fishers of men." After they are called, Jesus calls James and John.
We are each called to follow Jesus too in the ways that lead to the Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are his flock. By living in his Way, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are to be known as Christians by our love.
We are called not once, but repeatedly to follow in the ways of Christ. Each time we say 'yes' that is a conversion where not only are our thoughts refocused on the Lord, but also our actions and words. Every time we go through a conversion experience, we come that much closer to the Lord. As we continue through Advent, let us take listen closer to the Lord's call, so that our hearts my be turned much more towards that Enduring Light.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Today celebrates the first week of Advent and the lighting the first candle. The candle represents our hope as we await the Light of Christ at Christmas.
In the readings today we are met with cosmic wonders, unsettling images, and the idea that "people will die of fright at the anticipation of what is coming upon the world." Yes, these images were intended to scare the hearer. They were also intended to bring hope. We shouldn't take each day for granted. We should live each day to the best of our ability to do what we know is right and loving. Daily life can take its toll and make us numb to what is important. We should aspire to keep our eye on God always and remember that we are merely journeying through this life to the next. We should be prepared to stand before God.
Carpe Diem means "Seize the Day." The phrase encompasses the meaning of today's message. Don't waste the day, prepare, stay alert. Take care though. For many in the early 20th Century fraught with war and economic depression and for later decades including ours, the phrase takes on a more modern morally relativistic meaning with people who use it to justify lascivious lifestyles, addictions to drugs/alcohol, and the self-centered/'me first" mentality.
We are a people in darkness awaiting our Savior, the Son of Man, for whom we prepare for as the Christ Child at Christmas, and also the one who will come to judge the world at the end of time. Be alert. Look to the Light. He is the response to our hope.
In the readings today we are met with cosmic wonders, unsettling images, and the idea that "people will die of fright at the anticipation of what is coming upon the world." Yes, these images were intended to scare the hearer. They were also intended to bring hope. We shouldn't take each day for granted. We should live each day to the best of our ability to do what we know is right and loving. Daily life can take its toll and make us numb to what is important. We should aspire to keep our eye on God always and remember that we are merely journeying through this life to the next. We should be prepared to stand before God.
Carpe Diem means "Seize the Day." The phrase encompasses the meaning of today's message. Don't waste the day, prepare, stay alert. Take care though. For many in the early 20th Century fraught with war and economic depression and for later decades including ours, the phrase takes on a more modern morally relativistic meaning with people who use it to justify lascivious lifestyles, addictions to drugs/alcohol, and the self-centered/'me first" mentality.
We are a people in darkness awaiting our Savior, the Son of Man, for whom we prepare for as the Christ Child at Christmas, and also the one who will come to judge the world at the end of time. Be alert. Look to the Light. He is the response to our hope.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Luke 21:34-36
Today's reading is very short and very important, so much so that it will be repeated on Sunday. What is the message? "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap...Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man," Jesus says to us.
Be aware of the anxieties of daily life. It is so easy to get caught up in work, taking care of kids or elderly parents, of planning for the future, of worrying about little things. These are small tribulations. We are being told to be aware, get a new perspective, the Lord should come first in our lives; we should be aware that we will stand before the Son of Man in our judgement. Will we be found worthy? This is why we should pay attention to what we do and why we them. Prepare yourself by doing those things that you know to be right and just.
Be aware of the anxieties of daily life. It is so easy to get caught up in work, taking care of kids or elderly parents, of planning for the future, of worrying about little things. These are small tribulations. We are being told to be aware, get a new perspective, the Lord should come first in our lives; we should be aware that we will stand before the Son of Man in our judgement. Will we be found worthy? This is why we should pay attention to what we do and why we them. Prepare yourself by doing those things that you know to be right and just.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Luke 21:29-33
In today's Gospel reading we have the parable of the fig tree in relation to the Kingdom of God. The fig tree is special because it grows fruit twice a year, once in the early spring (tends to be bitter) and once in late summer (with sweet fruit). If the coming summer is recognized by the fruit of the tree, so God's kingdom is recognized by the destruction of the world. Another way to look at it is the fruit of the world is destruction. Yet, as the summer of God's kingdom approaches we are bathed in the glorious warmth and love of our Lord in his eternal sunshine. It is a wonderful thing to think of and the message is one of hope and also reflection. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will not pass away." God is forever. In His graciousness through His Son, we have an invitation to live in that eternal sunshine with Him forever.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Luke 17:11-19
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Gospel of Luke today presents us of a story of thanksgiving. There were ten lepers and one, the Samaritan, returns to Jesus to thank him for healing him after showing the Temple priests are required by Jesus. The man's faith had saved him.
What a curious thing though. Where were the others? They were Jewish like Jesus. Yet, they did not return to acknowledge the great thing that he had done for them, namely restoring their lives to them. Lepers were considered the walking dead, no one wanted to have anything to do with them. We are healed in big and small ways each day and we look for the gift of everlasting life which God alone can grant us. Let us be thankful to Him today.
The Gospel of Luke today presents us of a story of thanksgiving. There were ten lepers and one, the Samaritan, returns to Jesus to thank him for healing him after showing the Temple priests are required by Jesus. The man's faith had saved him.
What a curious thing though. Where were the others? They were Jewish like Jesus. Yet, they did not return to acknowledge the great thing that he had done for them, namely restoring their lives to them. Lepers were considered the walking dead, no one wanted to have anything to do with them. We are healed in big and small ways each day and we look for the gift of everlasting life which God alone can grant us. Let us be thankful to Him today.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Luke 21:12-19
Luke 21:12-19
How do you read the above? The above refers to a reading from the Bible. The work, Luke, sometimes abbreviated to 'Lk' tells you the book name. The number 21 means chapter twenty-one of that particular book. The numbers after the colon refer to the verse numbers 12 to 19. In this case, the reference is to the Gospel (or book) of Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twelve to nineteen.
The Gospels are books that directly refer to the life of Jesus and his direct teachings to his Apostles, who were specially chosen from all his students or disciples to learn directly from him.
This blog is not to argue or debate, but rather to teach from a Catholic perspective. All are welcome. The scripture readings are based on the USCCB readings for the liturgical year.
In today's Gospel reading Jesus essentially is telling his followers that they will be hated and persecuted because of him. However, he promises that not a hair on our head will be destroyed. How can this be? It is because we believe that although the world is filled with evils, to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, God will show his mercy and love; through Jesus we will receive everlasting life.
How do you read the above? The above refers to a reading from the Bible. The work, Luke, sometimes abbreviated to 'Lk' tells you the book name. The number 21 means chapter twenty-one of that particular book. The numbers after the colon refer to the verse numbers 12 to 19. In this case, the reference is to the Gospel (or book) of Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twelve to nineteen.
The Gospels are books that directly refer to the life of Jesus and his direct teachings to his Apostles, who were specially chosen from all his students or disciples to learn directly from him.
This blog is not to argue or debate, but rather to teach from a Catholic perspective. All are welcome. The scripture readings are based on the USCCB readings for the liturgical year.
In today's Gospel reading Jesus essentially is telling his followers that they will be hated and persecuted because of him. However, he promises that not a hair on our head will be destroyed. How can this be? It is because we believe that although the world is filled with evils, to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, God will show his mercy and love; through Jesus we will receive everlasting life.
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