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?
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007 ~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 12:32-48
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.
Personal Reflection
The Lord has harsh words for us. It is all too often that we become lazy in our spiritual lives. We have faith and are "good people," but we lose the passion for living every day in and for Christ. Am I lukewarm in the practice of my faith? If so, how can I become more fervent? If not, how can I keep fanning the flame and remain alive in Christ?
I believe we are experiencing the new springtime in the world that our beloved John Paul II prophesied. There are so many good things happening in corners of the world that we must focus on building His kingdom here on earth...now. It can be to easy to become discouraged in our culture of death, but there is reason to hope. God is present. What am I doing to participate in the new springtime? How do I keep my focus on hope and not fall into despair?
I think it was Dante who said that the hottest places of hell are reserved for those in the face of a crucible do nothing. Am I actively seeking God's will in my life? Do I embrace the challenging expectations He has of me? Much is demanded of us. How do I persevere and not whine about my sufferings?
We must be ready. For every day, we should live as if God might judge us that night. I know this is not on my mind as often as it should be. Is it on yours? Do I consistently examine my conscience every day and make resolutions for the following day? Do I make excuses for my shortcomings or do I ask the Lord for His divine assistance in healing my broken soul? What am I doing on a daily basis to grow closer to God, closer to my Heavenly reward?
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.
Personal Reflection
The Lord has harsh words for us. It is all too often that we become lazy in our spiritual lives. We have faith and are "good people," but we lose the passion for living every day in and for Christ. Am I lukewarm in the practice of my faith? If so, how can I become more fervent? If not, how can I keep fanning the flame and remain alive in Christ?
I believe we are experiencing the new springtime in the world that our beloved John Paul II prophesied. There are so many good things happening in corners of the world that we must focus on building His kingdom here on earth...now. It can be to easy to become discouraged in our culture of death, but there is reason to hope. God is present. What am I doing to participate in the new springtime? How do I keep my focus on hope and not fall into despair?
I think it was Dante who said that the hottest places of hell are reserved for those in the face of a crucible do nothing. Am I actively seeking God's will in my life? Do I embrace the challenging expectations He has of me? Much is demanded of us. How do I persevere and not whine about my sufferings?
We must be ready. For every day, we should live as if God might judge us that night. I know this is not on my mind as often as it should be. Is it on yours? Do I consistently examine my conscience every day and make resolutions for the following day? Do I make excuses for my shortcomings or do I ask the Lord for His divine assistance in healing my broken soul? What am I doing on a daily basis to grow closer to God, closer to my Heavenly reward?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Sunday, August 5 ~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 12: 13-21
One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Personal Reflection
The sins of our culture are many, but one of the biggest and probably the easiest to penetrate even the holiest of households is materialism. Coveting our neighbors goods is a sin. Our appearance-driven society leads us into daily temptation. How do I hold up? Do I look through my Pottery Barn catalog with an eye to serve God? Do I watch HDTV to be a good steward of my daily bread? Or, are these instances of temptation for me?
Much has been written throughout Church history on how to simplify our lives. Jesus reminds us "the abundance of [our] possessions" will not make us happy. All of us know someone who is unhappy and tries to fill his/her life with material goods or earthly successes. Most of the saints, however, practice poverty, austerity, some even drastically cutting themselves off from material things in order to avoid such temptations. What makes me happy?
Occasionally, I have the morbid thought that it would be nice if my house and all of my possessions were destroyed and insurance would cover their value. Then, if I had the chance to completely start over, would I have the strength to live as simply as my inner heart desires? I enjoy moving to a new home, because it is an opportunity to get rid of stuff. What things do I have that are unnecessary? What things do I have that are a result of giving into the temptation of trying to keep up with the Joneses? Can I part with them?
God reminds us that we know not the hour when our soul will stand before Him. Most of us do put a focus on those treasures that God values - our families, our faith, our virtues. But, all of us have room to grow. How can I be "[richer] toward God?" Can I reduce my material possessions to benefit others and grow closer to the Lord? Do I have a right attitude toward the material possessions I have and want, regardless of their quantity? It is not necessarily wrong to have; attitude counts.
We all know this life is passing. How often do I think of that fact on a daily basis? When is the last time I purged my closets? the kids' toys? my clothes? my shoes? etc? Is it time for me to let go of any items which I keep with unhealthy adoration? What objects would I be hesitant to give up? Are those with good reason?
I was brainwashed as a child by our culture to want more...more...more. I struggle with this on a daily basis, as we struggle to pay our bills. How can I break free of this constant tendency for covetousness? How can I break the cycle for my children and teach them to be grateful for what they have?
One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Personal Reflection
The sins of our culture are many, but one of the biggest and probably the easiest to penetrate even the holiest of households is materialism. Coveting our neighbors goods is a sin. Our appearance-driven society leads us into daily temptation. How do I hold up? Do I look through my Pottery Barn catalog with an eye to serve God? Do I watch HDTV to be a good steward of my daily bread? Or, are these instances of temptation for me?
Much has been written throughout Church history on how to simplify our lives. Jesus reminds us "the abundance of [our] possessions" will not make us happy. All of us know someone who is unhappy and tries to fill his/her life with material goods or earthly successes. Most of the saints, however, practice poverty, austerity, some even drastically cutting themselves off from material things in order to avoid such temptations. What makes me happy?
Occasionally, I have the morbid thought that it would be nice if my house and all of my possessions were destroyed and insurance would cover their value. Then, if I had the chance to completely start over, would I have the strength to live as simply as my inner heart desires? I enjoy moving to a new home, because it is an opportunity to get rid of stuff. What things do I have that are unnecessary? What things do I have that are a result of giving into the temptation of trying to keep up with the Joneses? Can I part with them?
God reminds us that we know not the hour when our soul will stand before Him. Most of us do put a focus on those treasures that God values - our families, our faith, our virtues. But, all of us have room to grow. How can I be "[richer] toward God?" Can I reduce my material possessions to benefit others and grow closer to the Lord? Do I have a right attitude toward the material possessions I have and want, regardless of their quantity? It is not necessarily wrong to have; attitude counts.
We all know this life is passing. How often do I think of that fact on a daily basis? When is the last time I purged my closets? the kids' toys? my clothes? my shoes? etc? Is it time for me to let go of any items which I keep with unhealthy adoration? What objects would I be hesitant to give up? Are those with good reason?
I was brainwashed as a child by our culture to want more...more...more. I struggle with this on a daily basis, as we struggle to pay our bills. How can I break free of this constant tendency for covetousness? How can I break the cycle for my children and teach them to be grateful for what they have?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Sunday, July 29 ~ Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 11: 1-13
He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Personal Reflection
These words speak volumes to me. Who better to teach us to pray than the Son Himself? When I say the Our Father, do I truly reflect on the words? Do I embrace their meaning? Do I truly want God's kingdom here on earth and believe it will come to pass? Do I trust He will provide for my needs today, even if I don't see from where tomorrow's bread will come? Do I examine myself daily and repent of my sins? The closer I am to God, the better I will know our sins. How close am I?
And, personally, I struggle with the story of the woman seeking bread. How about you? I find myself thinking, How can I, a miserable sinner, influence God? Well, my pastor explained it well to me not too long ago. I believe this is from St. Thomas Aquinas. There are blessings God will grant us whether we ask Him for them or not. There are blessings we will never receive whether we ask for them or not. Then, there are those blessings that God will bestow upon us ONLY if we ask Him for them, thus demonstrating our faith that they will come to pass. How do I see each of these qualifiers in my life?
Finally, I am always touched by this story about the fish and the snake. It is a reminder to me that our God is not a vengeful God. He is merciful and loves us. A dear friend just reminded me that the Church is a hospital for sinners not a haven for the holy. Again, the closer we get to God, the clearer we can see our sins, and the more culpable we are for them. Do I really believe God is my loving Father? Do I ask Him as a child would ask his/her Daddy?
How do I pray? The act of praying alone will bring us closer to God, whether the prayer is answered our way or not. Isn't that amazing? It means that no matter what gibberish we spout in prayer (excepting blasphemy, perhaps), it will have positive results for our soul. Is my prayer life where it should be? How can I dedicate myself anew to prayer and pour my heart into the time I set aside for it on a daily basis?
He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Personal Reflection
These words speak volumes to me. Who better to teach us to pray than the Son Himself? When I say the Our Father, do I truly reflect on the words? Do I embrace their meaning? Do I truly want God's kingdom here on earth and believe it will come to pass? Do I trust He will provide for my needs today, even if I don't see from where tomorrow's bread will come? Do I examine myself daily and repent of my sins? The closer I am to God, the better I will know our sins. How close am I?
And, personally, I struggle with the story of the woman seeking bread. How about you? I find myself thinking, How can I, a miserable sinner, influence God? Well, my pastor explained it well to me not too long ago. I believe this is from St. Thomas Aquinas. There are blessings God will grant us whether we ask Him for them or not. There are blessings we will never receive whether we ask for them or not. Then, there are those blessings that God will bestow upon us ONLY if we ask Him for them, thus demonstrating our faith that they will come to pass. How do I see each of these qualifiers in my life?
Finally, I am always touched by this story about the fish and the snake. It is a reminder to me that our God is not a vengeful God. He is merciful and loves us. A dear friend just reminded me that the Church is a hospital for sinners not a haven for the holy. Again, the closer we get to God, the clearer we can see our sins, and the more culpable we are for them. Do I really believe God is my loving Father? Do I ask Him as a child would ask his/her Daddy?
How do I pray? The act of praying alone will bring us closer to God, whether the prayer is answered our way or not. Isn't that amazing? It means that no matter what gibberish we spout in prayer (excepting blasphemy, perhaps), it will have positive results for our soul. Is my prayer life where it should be? How can I dedicate myself anew to prayer and pour my heart into the time I set aside for it on a daily basis?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Sunday, July 22 ~ Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."
Personal Reflection
I am SO Martha!!! Making me sit down to pray for even five minutes can sometimes be like pulling teeth. I have TOO many things to do. As a wife and mother, there is always something else I can be doing besides stop and pray, but intellectually, I know it is like starving myself. If I don't stop and sit, the whole household suffers.
I understand two kinds of prayer that the Lord calls us to enjoy as mothers. The hardest one for me is "still" prayer. Scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God." If we don't take time out of our day to stop everything and focus on the Lord, we will lose Him. There must be time in our day where we stop everything and focus only on God. Our children can be taught to respect that time, especially when we keep a regular routine about it. In fact, if we neglect our "still" prayer, we can't enjoy "moving" prayer.
To me, "moving" prayer are the events of our day spent with Jesus. He is beside us as we care for our children and wash our dishes. Hopefully, He is here as I move my fingers to type these words for you. It is noble to offer our work for the Lord, so that in all things He is present. Martha was not wrong by doing her work; she was wrong by being distracted and choosing to work without first being still! Our focus, whether we are still or moving should be God.
Mary's better part is that when the Lord needed her undivided attention, she was still and listened to Him. We know the Lord didn't need a grand meal prepared for Him; He made a banquet out of five loaves and three fish. Martha was just trying to be hospitable, to show her love through acts of service, a valid course. Martha's busy work, however, was not directed as prayer. It was neither "still" prayer nor "moving" prayer, and at that moment, Jesus needed her to be "still" and listen to Him first, before being able to turn her work into a prayer.
So, am I Martha, or have I learned Mary's way? Do I put my "still" prayer time first in my day? If it is not practical to do first in the morning, is it at least first in priority? Is the rest of my day spent in "moving" prayer, or do I neglect the opportunity to spend my time of work with God? If Jesus walked into my home today, would He chastise me as He did Martha? What about yesterday?
As women, many times this passage is read, and we become defensive like Martha. "If I sit with Jesus all day, nothing will get done!" True, but I don't believe Jesus asks us to sit with Him all day. I think He asks us to work with Him all day and sit when He is trying to tell us something. It is a rare occasion, but it does happen, where prayer consumes a person so much, that he or she neglects his or her duties in life. Maybe you are one of these people and need to scale back your "still" prayer to serve your family with "moving" prayer. Reflect on these things, but refrain from becoming defensive. Jesus Christ is the best teacher there ever was or ever will be; hear Him.
Lord, please help me to be still, sit at your feet, and listen attentively to your every word, so that I may keep you near to me throughout my day as I offer my work as a moving prayer through service to my family and neighbor.
Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."
Personal Reflection
I am SO Martha!!! Making me sit down to pray for even five minutes can sometimes be like pulling teeth. I have TOO many things to do. As a wife and mother, there is always something else I can be doing besides stop and pray, but intellectually, I know it is like starving myself. If I don't stop and sit, the whole household suffers.
I understand two kinds of prayer that the Lord calls us to enjoy as mothers. The hardest one for me is "still" prayer. Scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God." If we don't take time out of our day to stop everything and focus on the Lord, we will lose Him. There must be time in our day where we stop everything and focus only on God. Our children can be taught to respect that time, especially when we keep a regular routine about it. In fact, if we neglect our "still" prayer, we can't enjoy "moving" prayer.
To me, "moving" prayer are the events of our day spent with Jesus. He is beside us as we care for our children and wash our dishes. Hopefully, He is here as I move my fingers to type these words for you. It is noble to offer our work for the Lord, so that in all things He is present. Martha was not wrong by doing her work; she was wrong by being distracted and choosing to work without first being still! Our focus, whether we are still or moving should be God.
Mary's better part is that when the Lord needed her undivided attention, she was still and listened to Him. We know the Lord didn't need a grand meal prepared for Him; He made a banquet out of five loaves and three fish. Martha was just trying to be hospitable, to show her love through acts of service, a valid course. Martha's busy work, however, was not directed as prayer. It was neither "still" prayer nor "moving" prayer, and at that moment, Jesus needed her to be "still" and listen to Him first, before being able to turn her work into a prayer.
So, am I Martha, or have I learned Mary's way? Do I put my "still" prayer time first in my day? If it is not practical to do first in the morning, is it at least first in priority? Is the rest of my day spent in "moving" prayer, or do I neglect the opportunity to spend my time of work with God? If Jesus walked into my home today, would He chastise me as He did Martha? What about yesterday?
As women, many times this passage is read, and we become defensive like Martha. "If I sit with Jesus all day, nothing will get done!" True, but I don't believe Jesus asks us to sit with Him all day. I think He asks us to work with Him all day and sit when He is trying to tell us something. It is a rare occasion, but it does happen, where prayer consumes a person so much, that he or she neglects his or her duties in life. Maybe you are one of these people and need to scale back your "still" prayer to serve your family with "moving" prayer. Reflect on these things, but refrain from becoming defensive. Jesus Christ is the best teacher there ever was or ever will be; hear Him.
Lord, please help me to be still, sit at your feet, and listen attentively to your every word, so that I may keep you near to me throughout my day as I offer my work as a moving prayer through service to my family and neighbor.
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