"Religion causes war and hatred. We should just get rid of it altogether. Ban it, outlaw it, make it illegal." This is what I often hear from people who blame religion for wars. Isn't it true though that there are other reasons like money, control of oil pipelines, trade routes, overpopulation, need for food, etc.?
"How stupid can you be? You're just being brainwashed. These things that you're believing aren't true. Who says there is a god? Some guy who died thousands of years ago...and the joke is on you." This is an example of something said by one co-worker to another, who was actually trying to keep her religion a secret until the instigator asked everyone in the office what religions they practiced.
Persecutions happen every day, everywhere, to everyone. Religious persecutions are sometimes the worst. Even today there are groups who would deny the Holocaust. More recently John Kerry, representing the US State Department (on March 17, 2016), condemned the genocide of Christians and other religious entities (Yazidis and Shi'a Muslims, etc.) by Daesch in Syria and other places. The work force can also contain its own form of religious persecutions, even if the religious faithful is not outward about their faith, it is still felt.
Our faith no matter what religion we are is a part of us as unique individuals. It colors our world. It is our hope in our faith that drives us to God, and the life of the world to come. Our world religious have coexisted for a very long time together. Listening to each other we find that collectively they promote a moral way of life, a path to peace, a path to heaven. We are reminded in the Gospel today:
"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you."
No matter how terrible the news on tv or the internet, let us try to remember we are ambassadors of Christ. May we pray for our enemies, and be slow to anger. May our gaze be always cast to our hearts to that divine tabernacle of our souls where God beckons us to sit at his knee during our persecutions, and let his love and compassion be our comfort. Let us also take our persecutions and offer them as a sacrifice for those in need so that we may better imitate Christ. (Lk 14:27 & 1Peter 2:19-22)
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Thursday, December 3, 2015
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
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?
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?
Monday, November 30, 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.
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