Mark 12: 18-27 He is not God of the Dead, but the Living

It is easy to get caught-up in today's Gospel in the passage about the woman and her multiple husbands who die leaving her childless, and the Sadducees asking, whose wife is she?  Perhaps we have all wondered about heaven and the way it is portrayed, wondering the same thing.

Jesus cautions us to not become misled: that we know the scriptures and we know the power of God.  "Our God is not God of the Dead, but the Living."  May we take comfort in that.  Wherever we go and have breath, our God is with us.  Jesus tells us elsewhere, "I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die." 

If we live in Christ, in the Way, which is the path to eternal life, we shall never have to die.  How difficult is it?  When we focus on the temporal world, like wondering whose wife the woman will be when she gets to heaven, that is focusing on the world around us.  We are given St. Paul as an example to us to live in Christ, to be fully alive and focused on the next world.  This does not mean that he lived in the next world only, no, but that he was grounded in the next and it helped him get through the tough times in this world when he was persecuted, had to travel, worked long days, had to give talks in front of strangers, had to mediate in disagreements between friends, had disagreements with the administration of the church, etc.  He kept his focus on our living God, encouraging us all to do the same.  He wrote:

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God."

"He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the Gospel.."(2 Tim 1:6-12)

Mark 10:32-45 The Son of Man Came to Serve

In our low points in life we may be tempted to ask ourselves what the point of life is--we are born, get old and die.  So, we may be temped to ask ourselves, why do anything?  On the other hand, he may also be tempted to throw ourselves into work and focus on that to provide for our families, as we should, but are sometimes tempted to prefer spending more time at work when given the opportunity, away from those we love.  Presented are two extremes: hopelessness and love of busy work. 

St. Peter today tells us in our first reading (1 Pt 1:18-25) that Jesus has come to ransom us from our "futile works."  As humans we get so caught up in what we are doing and our routines, bad ways of thinking, and we miss the bigger picture.  James and John in today's Gospel enjoy what they do with and for the Lord.  They are caught-up in it.  They want to be rewarded for it, so they ask Jesus, the Son of Man, if they can sit at his right and left when he comes into his Kingdom.  They still don't get that Jesus is King of the Eternal Kingdom, not some temporal realm.  They were missing the big picture.  They were just like us. 

Jesus gently admonishes them.  The key to seeing the bigger picture, for holding the Kingdom in our vision and not this temporal world, is by focusing our attention on loving those in need, serving those who need to be served. 

John 8: 51-59 Vocation to Follow into Life

Religious leaders are important to the faithful no matter what faith people are.  As Catholics we look toward the Pope, our Archbishops, Bishops and Priests.  What is the first step in being a religious leader?  It is the vocation, that calling forth by God the Father for this particular mission.  It emerges from deep introspection and discernment.  If that calling, that vocation isn’t there, then it is empty.  Many of us know people who thought they were called to the vocation of priesthood, but it was not meant to be.  Whereas we all know those whose vocations were solid and bear good fruit as our Priests and Bishops.  As Jesus said regarding them in their vocations as our religious leaders, and to us in the paths that God has lead us on, “It is not you who have chosen me, but I who have chosen you.” (Jn15:16)

In our first reading today we see clearly that God has called Abraham to be a father of all nations, to shepherd of his people, and to lead them in the path of righteousness as God’s chosen people.  As God tells Abraham, I will be “your God, and the God of your descendants after you...”  God so loves us and knows what is right for us, that he guides us into the right paths as a loving merciful Father. 

Similarly the in the Gospel today we run into the religious leaders, men called by God to lead the people,  discoursing with Jesus regarding Abraham; the leaders saying that Abraham, their father, was dead, but Jesus talking of eternal life.  The Jews do not believe what Jesus tells them.  They are convinced that life is finite, that “Abraham died, as did the prophets.” They ask Jesus if he is greater than Abraham and the prophets since he, Jesus, is telling them, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.”  They are filled with doubts and suspicion.  It is like something is missing from their spirituality.  Yet, here is the Good Shepherd, Our Lord, instructing and calling them and us in a Way that offers hope and life.

Pope Francis in a discussion on death reminds us, “God always gives life. He gives it to you here and he will give it to you in the next.  He is God of life, not of death…In our faith death is a consequence of human freedom.  We were by our own sins, those who opted for death, which entered into the world because we made room for disobedience to the plan of God.  Sin entered as pride before God’s plan and with it, death.” (On Heaven and Earth ch 10, p77; by Bergoglio and Skorka. Image/Random House 2013) At the same time God calls us to be closer to him and for this purpose sent his only Son for the salvation of humankind, that we might have life restored to us through him.  We are called to proclaim the wonders our God has done.  God the Father is fulfilling the covenant that he set with his people.  We are called to fulfill our covenant with him by following Christ in the Way, so that we might know the Truth when Jesus says, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.”  Christ Jesus was God for he tells us, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 

 

Mark 6:53-56 Crossing the Waters

Marriage is a reflection of the relationship that we have with God, and the Church's relationship with Christ.  For those reasons it is very sacred. Two of the sets of relationships that we are given in today's Gospel are the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Apostles after they have been called, and that between Christ and the people whom he loves and has great compassion for. 

A Jesuit taught me once that for better understanding of the Gospel sometimes it is helpful to put yourself into the story.  I imagined myself as one of the Apostles.  It was almost overwhelming until I realized that it is how we are called to service even now in our personal lives.  Then I imagined myself as one of the people waiting for the Lord, and recognizing him.  How I realized that this was my true Spouse, the one from the Song of Songs, whom I would recognize as a lover and want to be with always: the one whose gentle touch could free me from everything around me, pulling me out of troubled thoughts, and make me forget everything around me as we joined thoughts and are healed in that communion. It reminded me of the prayer of St. Ignatius: "Lord receive my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my will...give me only your love and grace, and that is enough for me." 

But there is another entity entirely missed within the story: the Sea of Gennesaret.  The beautiful sea created by God himself and animated with the movement of the Spirit.  Upon its surface the light is reflected.  The sea is molded and shaped by the Master continuously. From within it comes forth life.  Yet when others and perhaps even the sea itself seems barren, the Lord commands the nets be lowered into its deepest parts, which brings forth abundant life, like the Lord himself living within the deepest parts of us just waiting for us to need him enough to be seen and heard from those quiet recesses within.  We are more than that too.  We are the sea which becomes that vessel carrying Christ and his teaching to others; we are the living water bringing a quenching drink to the thirsty and food to the hungry through His generosity when we share his Way, his Truth, and his Life.  The people we read about today are healed by the mere touching of the Lord's tassel.  Are we that that vessel of his love too? 

Every day I pray this prayer, and today it finds new meaning. I share it here with you.

 "Lord, temper my heart with the fire of your mercy

so that I may be a worthy vessel for your love. Amen. "

~ H. Hurley

Mark 4:21-25 Invisible Becomes Visible

(From my reflections)

In my childhood church there were large stained glass windows lining the walls of our vaulted church ceiling.  As students we were encouraged by our school principal to attend daily mass since the church was right next door.  I remember the early morning sunlight streaming through the images of saints down to all of us sitting in the pews.  I used to sit and wonder about the saints pictured in the glass like St. Vincent de Paul holding a child and helping the poor, St. John Vianney preaching to the children, St. Claire distributing food to the poor.  I only knew them from what they did in the images.  Some I didn’t even know their names.  They taught me what it was to be a saint.  In reflection a saint is a person whom God’s light shines through.  Today’s reading reminds me of that.  Our God has given us his light and there is no way to hide that.  Jesus asks us, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”  The light shines through us in what we do, how we treat others, and in what we say.

Imagine that God’s love is so great.  In today's Gospel we are told, “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.”  There is a universal understanding of the idea, “The more you give the more you will receive.”  It is the law of cause and effect.  We begin to learn this when we are young.  When a child shares with their sibling, aren’t they often rewarded to encourage them to share?  It continues throughout life.  Children usually expect the material, it is easily understood and tangible.  As we mature, we begin to understand that the teaching is applied to those things that we cannot see, they apply to the spiritual realm.  How many of us when we were younger did good things because we thought it would help us get to heaven some day?  In that hope of trading good deeds for a chance at heaven, there is still a part of us that remains selfish.  It is as if we are holding our love ransom.  But Jesus calls us deeper into a more intimate relationship, and calls us to be vessels of heavenly light that we may bear the Light before all nations.  God’s grace is so abundant in these who love Him that His light shines through us.  We are to be placed on a lampstand where the life of grace shines forth from within us. 

To paraphrase St. Thomas Aquinas tells us, Christ in the present gives us the gift of grace reserving for immeasurable glory in the life to come.  We read in John (10:10) “I have come, so that they may have life,” this is the present life of grace.  We are a just people who lives from faith, which allows us to live in God's grace more deeply, so that we may also receive as His children a life of glory in the future through love. “We know that we are transferred from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters, so let us live through good works.” (1John 3:14)

We are called to be like the saints in the stained glass windows, allowing God’s light to shine through us in our thoughts, words, and deeds.  For, “Light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. (St. Paul to the Ephesians 5:9)

Mark 1:40-45 Cleansing of the Leper

In today’s Gospel reading we hear of a leper being healed by Jesus.  There were so many rabbis at that time in Israel.  It they couldn’t cure this man, why could Jesus, he was just another rabbi, right?  Even though he has begun his ministry at Cana, he is still unknown to his disciples.  This man who has leprosy approaches Jesus and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”  These words are filled with faith.  They are like the faith filled words that we use during mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, say the word and I shall be healed.” 

Jesus heals the leper.  He frees him from the hell in which he has been living.  He frees him from both the physical marks of leprosy that plague his body, but he also heals the man’s spirit.  We can imagine this man filled with abundant joy and it is contagious as he goes to the priests.  He is a witness to the power of Christ.  God himself has touched him, forgiven him, and restored life to him by raising him from the death of sin.  Jesus in a sense is teaching us a lesson about heaven and hell, about mercy, about how to be happy.  We are to come to the Lord and in him with the light of faith we will find happiness.  How did Jesus do this?

St. Hilary of Poitiers reminds us, “For He (Jesus) took upon Him the flesh in which we have sinned that by wearing our flesh He might forgive sins; a flesh which He shares with us by wearing it, not by sinning in it. He blotted out through death the sentence of death, that by a new creation of our race in Himself He might sweep away the penalty appointed by the former Law. He let them nail Him to the cross that He might nail to the curse of the cross and abolish all the curses to which the world is condemned.”

John 1: 19-28

In  today's Gospel John the Baptist is directly asked who he is.  He has no pretense.  He knew they were asking if he was the Christ.  He was born to be a witness to the Truth.  "I am not the Christ."  But he was the one crying out, pointing to the light who was amongst their midst, that they could not see.  He was a focal point to show them the way to the Light.  He knew that he, like us, was unfit to tie the boot strap of the Just One, Christ the Lord, who was present to take away the sins of the world through his ocean of Mercy.

We are not gods, but mere mortals.  How tempting it is with technology and power at our fingertips to think that we can do anything we want.  How tempting it is to look past those in need, those who hunger, those who thirst for justice, those who need mercy and compassion.  I am reminded of Father Kolbe.  He was a Franciscan priest in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Germany during World War II.  He followed his vocation to the priesthood.  He followed Our Lady's direction in dedicating himself to the Lord.  He taught the multitudes to love the Truth and Life and spread the Kingdom of God throughout the lands.  Then when it was his time to receive the crown of martyrdom, he gave his life for Christ to save another "for greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for their brother" Jn 15:13.  Carnage was a daily part of life in that evil camp and his example almost went unnoticed, and yet through God's grace it didn't.  His courage and witness for the Truth planted that rich seed of hope and faith in those who watched and kept the experience of watching the events of Father Kolbe's life play out.  Through them echo his and their witness to the Mercy of God  shown through Father Kolbe.   Although not in the same way, we are each called to be witness to Christ through our love and compassion for each other.  We are called to do this by sharing time with each other, forgiving each other, and brining peace to others.  We are not worthy to tie the boot straps of the One who was sent, but we are called to obedience. 

John 1:1-18 Light of the World

In John's Gospel we hear a new creation story through the revelation that has given to us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him and without him nothing came to be.  What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." 

Christ is our light.  John the Baptist pointed to him as our light and testified to the Light so that others like us might recognize the Savior.  We are born into that light.  We received the Light of Christ at our baptisms, at our confirmations, at every sacrament the Light of Christ is present.  As Catholics we walk our journey through life with the Light that God has given us, knowing that God is there with us.  He is our light and life that animates us with us in his strength, fortitude, compassion and mercy. We are the Lord’s children by his will for John tells us, “To those who accepted him (meaning Christ Jesus) he gave the power to become children of God.”  Through Christ we have come to know Truth and the fullness of grace. 

Christ is the Light of the World.  We are his disciples.  St. Augustine wrote, “We have not only been made Christians, we have been made Christ.”  What does this mean?  There was once a man riding his bicycle along my road.  I watched him from the upstairs window. As he passed in front of my home, he hunched over forward on his bicycle and collapsed with the bike.  I grabbed my telephone and raced outside to him.  As he opened his eyes he saw me looking down at him, and asked, “Are you my angel?”    I couldn’t help but laugh for I have so many flaws.  But for that moment, I was Bryan’s angel.   

None of us is perfect.  We are all flawed human beings.  However, we are instilled with the Light entrusted to us by God.  Remember that children’s song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”?  It means that people will come into our lives, and need that light to show them the way in the dark, and it is through our love, compassion and mercy for others that the light spreads and brings life to others.  There are so many Bryans in the world, and sometimes I may be in need, and maybe you.  God will provide the opportunities, but we must be willing to share the light and life which has been given to us through Christ.  In giving of ourselves like this, we are like John the Baptist testifying to the Light so that others may believe and have the light of life.  Remember what John tells us in regard to Christ, "What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race." 

We are the face of God to each other.  We are His hands and feet.  Let us strive to act as children of the Light showing mercy and compassion to others through our actions and words.  We ask this in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(From my reflections)

Luke 1-26:38 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today's Gospel reading is the same as those from Tuesday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  A beloved deacon I knew used to tell me that whenever I saw a reading twice in the same week, pay attention! 

In the story of the Annunciation we are given only two phrases that Mary speaks herself, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" and, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to  your word."  What should impress us most is that these words contain no fear.  In one she asks a question relating to a fact that she knows to be true.  In the second she fully commits herself with courage and faith to God's plan.  It indicates that she knew that she had a choice.  She could have said 'no'.  She could have been apathetic, which is also a choice.  Instead she chooses to live out God's will through her. 

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We honor Our Lady and remember the story as she appeared to St. Juan Diego calling him to serve God, similar to the way that the Angel Gabriel appeared to her calling her to serve God. Through her, Juan Diego was led closer to her son, Jesus Christ. Through following God's will, so many more would come to follow the Son and know the Way, the Truth and the Life that leads to the eternal kingdom.  Because of her eternal love, watchfulness and protection that leads to Christ, we honor our Lady who bore the Christ Child.  Indeed as she appeared to Juan Diego, Christ radiated from within her. 

Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe from St. Juan Diego's tilma

 

Luke 1:26-38 Feast of the Immaculate Conception

St. Luke knew Mary, Jesus' mother. Today's Gospel reading is an intimate look backward at her life.  Through God's Divine Mercy the Angel Gabriel came to Mary.  "Don't be afraid," he says,  "Hail, full of grace!"  Her soul was spotless and not stained by original sin at her immaculate conception, because the Grace of God was with her, purifying her, allowing her to become the future Theotokos. She is the new Eve, foretold in Genesis 3:15.  Unlike Eve, Mary is greater, for she is holy through her participation in God's plan of salvation for mankind. 

The Angel Gabriel explains that she will have a son "called holy."  We are all adopted sons and daughters of God like Adam and Eve.  Just as Mary is the new Eve, Jesus is the new Adam. Mary's child, is different and set apart because he is holy. He is the "Son of God."  The Angel offers her a sign that he is telling the truth.  He tells her that Elizabeth, her cousin, is expecting a baby, so she can check the veracity of his statements as a sign from God.  (Infant mortality was high and so people didn't celebrate the birth of a child, instead they threw an enormous party when the child turned one-year-old.  Mary wouldn't know that Elizabeth was expecting and specifically in her sixth month.)  Mary is obedient and gives praise to God.  We are called to do the same this Advent season as we prepare the coming of the Lord, Our Savior, in this Year of Divine Mercy.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Today's Gospel surprises us a little because it is a warning that if we do not heed Christ Jesus' words, we will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are those who will cry out to him but do not follow him, and those who listen but do not obey. 

It seems really harsh in our current era of political correctness we want everyone to be equal and have a "fair share."  That isn't what Jesus is telling us though.  Jesus is reminding us to be vigilant and build within ourselves that firm foundation in Him, in the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Faith is always accompanied by good works.  Upon what does our faith rest?  It rests upon the word of God.  It is his will that we put before our own in faith.  To love God is to desire sincerely to love him.  Because we love him, we wish to be instruments of his love and peace for others in doing his will and spreading the Good News.  In this end, our faith will save us. 

Matthew 15:29-37

In today's reading Jesus goes up the mountain where those who are poor in spirit, those who are outcasts such as the blind, the lame, mute, etc. have come for healing.  Jesus is touched and says, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry."  Jesus then takes seven loaves and five fish, blesses them and the feed the crowds with seven baskets left over. 

Jesus first goes to the mountain.  Mountains have been used as a meeting place with God throughout history.  Jesus is man yes, but also the Christ, the door keeper who ushers us through the door to God, so we find it appropriate that he is gathered with those who are humbled, meek, and the poor in spirit.  He consoles them, he forgives them their sins, and heals them.  Are they just healed in body?  No, Christ heals the soul, the spirit, too.  As we read today's Gospel we are called to that mountain too, to be healed and made whole, to be purified and ready to meet God. 

Ask yourself, What do I need healing in my life?  Is there something physically wrong with me, or does it mask a deeper pain?  Is there something that I can find healing through in an Anointing of the Sick or through the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  In both there is great healing if we are open to it.  Perhaps this can be part of our Advent journey?

Matthew 4:18-22

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. 

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.

 

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.