Sunday, September 16 ~ Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 15: 1-32


Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.



Personal Reflection

Today, this Gospel reading reminds me of my sin and my children, interesting combination! I am so relieved when I read this passage and remember God's joy in the repentance of one sinner. How many times do I find myself sinning and beg God for forgiveness? I wish I were more like the saints who (in my imagination, at least) rarely sin, but then, I suppose, in some odd way, I would not give God as much joy. I know with confidence that my regret over my sin and my attempts at reform are God's way of molding me, leading me toward Him.

How often do I reflect on God's mercy? Do I lament over repeated sins or do I find ways to embrace the personal change the Lord demands of me? Am I doubtful of approaching Him for forgiveness, or can I visualize His open arms waiting for my return?

My children can be challenging each in their own ways, as all children can, but I have a spirited (a.k.a. strong-willed) child who challenges me in unique ways. Recently, there are moments where she does something that amazes me or says something that leaves me speechless. As a mother, those moments are so powerful and so long-lasting that the challenges are bearable overall! What a gift God has given me to see through His eyes with my child's disobedience or disrespect. These "sins" (depending on the child's age) fade away with the joy of a special success or the sound of laughter; a celebration of goodness overrides any faults.

Am I forgiving with my children as God forgives me? Are my arms outstretched, no matter what they have done, to welcome them back again? Or do I tend to hold a grudge, even if for an afternoon or a day? Am I teaching my children the art of apology and praying for their sincerity? Do I seek them out constantly when they stray from the fold, trying to bring them back?

God reveals Himself in many ways to us as mothers. Ask Him to reveal His mercy for you and in you, so your family might grow in holiness, one forgiven sin at a time.

Sunday, September 9 ~ Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14:25-33


Now great multitudes accompanied him; and he turned and said to them, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.


Personal Reflection


I believe I started my faith journey without truly counting the cost. Part of me feels this was designed naivete by God, for if I knew what I had to give up, maybe I wouldn't have fallen for Him so hard. But, here, Jesus says we should be prepared for anything. Rather, we should be ready to lose everything for Him.


As I ride the roller coaster of hope and despair in my faith life, I know God is next to me, strapped in the seat with me. Intellectually, I have confidence the Lord is suffering with me, as I face life's trials with my children, my husband, my parents, my siblings, my friends, and random strangers. In my heart, though, I wonder. I doubt. Do I really have to sacrifice so much to be holy? Can't I just be a "good person?"


Jesus says no. He tells us to leave everything behind, and we just heard this message several weeks ago, as well. He comes to bring division. We must say goodbye to our families. We must give up our riches. What must I let go of to deepen my relationship with Christ? What are the things I am gripping tightly in my fists, not allowing the Lord to take and make holy, regardless of the cost?

Do I worry about the results of following God's commands? Am I anxious about sacrificing "too much?" Do I feel there is a wall I must cross before truly embracing a path of holiness? How thick is that wall? How can I find the courage to scale it? Must I have ultimate control over certain people? relationships? personal goals?

Long ago, when my faith journey was just beginning, I knew sacrifice was necessary. I knew I had to lay things at the foot of the cross and release the control I hold so dear. I can't remember whether this idea was from a person or the Holy Spirit, but when I am holding on too tightly, I remember every detail.

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Find quiet. Close your eyes. Imagine the altar that is most meaningful to you. Picture every detail. Now, although this all happens in your mind, imagine it as a physical activity. Pull off of your shoulders each of your individual burdens, one at a time, and lay them on that altar. Picture some object or person as you do this: your strong-willed child, your checkbook, your planner, your husband, your file on that church group you lead. Do it gently, deliberately, with care. Leave it there and pause to feel the weight removed before pulling off another. Once all the burdens from your shoulders are on the altar before you, begin to pull out of your mind all of the fears and doubts: your inadequacy, the future, God's love, God's judgment, being alone. Then, pull out of your heart all of the hurt and despair: a family fight, lack of hope, loss of a loved one. Grab each sin from your soul and set it there, not to desecrate the holy altar but to make holy the sin, to find its opposite virtue: pride turns to humility, anger turns to forgiveness, greed turns to charity. One at a time, place each "thing" on that sacrificial altar and let go of it. Give it to the Lord. After your entire sacrifice is done, when you have emptied your entire self, picture yourself walking away and leaving those things there on that altar. When you leave that church in your mind's eye, imagine those things still sitting there. You cannot take them with you. Walking away might be a challenge, a bit painful. Then, open your eyes; praise God for taking those burdens; and be at peace.

Whenever you find yourself holding on to one of those things again, find quiet, close your eyes, and imagine the altar... Now, I will speculate on one final sacrifice. Once you have done this exercise and can truly walk away empty handed, it's time to sacrifice your very self. Go back in and put on that altar each part of who you are - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Show the Lord that you heard His Gospel today, and you ARE counting the cost of faith. Tell Him you do want to be truly holy, no matter what it takes. Demonstrate you are walking the path to holiness, not just a journey of faith. Someday, soon I hope, maybe I can do the same.

Sunday, September 2 ~ Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14: 1, 7-14

One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. ... Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Personal Reflection

My five-year-old daughter regularly tries to attract the attention of grocery store clerks and random strangers. She puts on her best display of silliness and tries to take center stage. When I try to explain that God does not like show-offs, she gives me a confused look. I can hear in her mind, 'But, Jesus wants us to be joyful and bring joy to others.' The lesson her young mind cannot quite grasp is that of this week's Sunday Gospel. We are supposed to demonstrate the source of our joy is Jesus Christ.

Humility does not come naturally to me. We live in a culture saturated with "look at me" phenomenons, including my daughter. It is more natural to want to draw attention to oneself to feel smarter, prettier, sexier, kinder, etc... But, the Lord demands that we take the last seat at the table. How can we do this in our self-centered world?

Do I unnecessarily draw attention to my abilities and accomplishments? Do I brag about myself or my children? When I do draw attention to myself, do I quickly redirect the glory to God? How can I do this better? The Lord wants us to share our joy, yes, but He wants us to do it with humility, remembering He is the source of all.

On the other hand, do I never remark about my family's blessings to avoid drawing attention to myself? Am I "humble" so that people will leave me alone? This is a false humility needing reform. Do I take advantage of opportunities to show how God has worked in my life? These moments can be evangelistic if we let them. How can I declare God's glory without bragging or belittling others?

Do I serve others? As mothers, this answer is inevitably yes, but do I do it with a spirit of humility? Do I change the diapers as part of my day or because it is lowering myself for the sake of my child(ren)? Do I scrub the floors because it is my job or because the Lord, too, washed the feet of his apostles? How can I grow in true humility through my daily duties?

Sunday, August 26, 2007 ~ Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 13: 22-30

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, `I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, `We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, `I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!' There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Personal Reflection

We don't talk about Hell much anymore, but I believe it is a real place. My pastor on Sunday commented on how we usually say, when people die, that they are in a better place. We don't know that. Many of the saints assure us that the vast majority of us are going to Purgatory, because of God's endless mercy; but, in reality, it's not a nice place.

When my grandmother passed away in the spring, we told my daughter she was "on her way to see Jesus, and we don't know when she'll get there." My grandmother was a devout, holy woman in my opinion, but I don't know the depths of her soul. So, I felt confident saying she was "on her way to Heaven" although that allows for a stop in Purgatory of any length to cleanse her impurities before meeting the Lord face to face.

Do I live my life like it is very possible I could be going to Hell? This Gospel speaks of the narrow door of Heaven. Do I have a realistic view of the afterlife, or do I see it all through rose-colored glasses? How often do I reflect on Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory? Do I think I have a basic understanding of each one? Do I pray for the grace of a happy death and a journey towards Heaven?

I was once taught that the most terrible punishment of Hell is to be separated from God, that the weeping and gnashing of teeth will just be our natural reaction to knowing we have cut ourselves completely from Him. While Scripture says there will be other consequences, as well, I think there is some truth to what I was taught. How do I feel about being separated from God? When we sin, we separate ourselves from Him. Do I weep and gnash my teeth (and head to Confession) or do I shrug off my sin without a second thought?

And, how do I describe the dead? It would be nice to imagine them all in Heaven, but in case they're not there yet, they need our prayers. Do I pray for the deceased in my family and the Holy Souls in Purgatory? Does my family pray for the dearly departed? How can I add this to our day if it is not already a part of it (many families add this prayer to their dinner grace or use it after their meals)?

Sunday, August 19, 2007 ~ Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12: 49-53

"I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Personal Reflection

Following Christ is not easy. It is not supposed to be easy. If it were easy, we would not grow, and Christ desires nothing more than for us to grow in holiness. And, that kind of growth often hurts.

But, we are promised eternal rewards for the quest. So, the peace we must seek is not external; it is an internal peace, filled with the hope of Heaven.

What struggles am I facing today? in my family? in my home? Do I call on the Holy Spirit to fill me with hope? Do I have faith-filled women in my life who I can call on when I need to see past the struggle? When I go to bed each night, do I rest in the Lord?