Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Personal Reflection
I am generally a persistent person, but I am also pretty good at the whole Catholic guilt thing. So, while in worldly things, I can be persistent to a fault, I always feel guilty asking God for things, especially repeatedly. In fact, I have gone through periods in my spiritual life where I think, Why bother to ask for anything specific at all? God knows what is best for me, and I want His will. How can I presume to know for what to ask?
My beloved pastor, who by the way is undergoing treatment for some unidentified mass on his lung - please say a prayer for him, spoke to our Mom's Group last spring, however, about this very dilemma. He said that St. Thomas Aquinas said that there are three types of prayer requests. There are those God will grant whether we ask for them or not. There are those God will only grant if we ask Him. And, there are those God will not grant us, because he has something better in store.
So, like the persistent widow in the Gospel story, we must ask God for what we want. He wants us to trust our desires to Him. That act, in itself, is such an act of faith and hope, that He will often pour out graces upon us from His heart of compassion. He thirsts to hear the cries of our souls, because those prayers prove an undying devotion to His will.
Do I ask God for specific things I want? Do I ask for the healing of family members or friends? Do I ask for a parking spot not too far away? Do I ask for the conversion of people I know? Do I ask for enough money to last the month? Do I ask for a move or job opportunity? Do I ask to find a lost book? Do I ask for only the big things, or do I entrust the details to God, as well?
Do I repeatedly ask God for the same things, or do I give up after only a few tries? Do I pour out my whole soul and heart in supplication for my simplest desires? Do I kiss the feet of Jesus, submitting to His perfect will? Do I feel guilty asking God for things? If so, do I consider how that makes God feel?
Today, make a list of some things you want, some desires of your heart, some big, some little, and put it away for a few months. Then, take it out again and see what God has done for you!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Sunday, October 14 ~ Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Personal Reflection
I am an ungrateful child most of the time. At least, I imagine that is how God must look upon me when I fuss and lament over what I want and what I need. It seems to be a natural result of concupiscence, though, because without express instruction on how to be grateful, my daughter falls into the same tendencies, no real surprise there. So, how do we teach our children to be grateful? The answer is we must be grateful first.
Jesus is not concerned with how we do this. He just wants us to thank Him and praise Him. That's all. We must make a conscious decision each day to thank Him and praise Him for even the mundane...even the suffering we endure. The leper in this Gospel has to take a moment to leave the crowds of amazed people around the temple, leave his friends and their rejoicing, leave the self-gratifying joy and find true joy in thanksgiving by going to Jesus first.
This isn't easy. We overlook so much in our daily lives, and the majority of us, are quite spoiled with good things and great people. Most of us, hopefully, return to God when the big blessings come, but how often do we stop and turn to Him for the little blessings? For example...
Lord, I thank you for the computer on which I type. If not for this outlet, I would feel isolated and much of the ministry I hope to accomplish would be impossible. Even when it bogs down or sends me incomprehensible error messages, Lord, I know that it is a gift not all have.
The ability to email my friends and family who are thousands of miles away, the beauty of sharing conversations about faith with strangers, the opportunity to use the information available on the Internet to deepen my spiritual life and help me be a better wife and mother are all invaluable to me. A large part of my life would be lost without it. Often I think life would be much simpler; it would be forced to be so, but still I am grateful for this gift as long as it lasts.
Now, you try. What is something for which I don't ordinarily thank God? Peaceful moments while ironing? My children's need for guidance and discipline, resulting in my own personal growth? The noise than signals to all visitors (and sometimes neighbors) that joyful children live in my home? The joy they take in smearing jelly or glue or whatever all over the table, floor, walls, themselves, and yelling, "Look, Mom!"? The friend who, it seems, is in constant need of my love and attention? The condition that requires continuing medical attention and reminds me of my own mortality?
Am I the one leper who returns to Jesus after his healing and praises Him? When good things happen, do I rejoice with God or just with my family and friends? Do I acknowledge the Lord's hand in my life, in my existence? Do I note that if He chose, I could simply stop being?
We are in God's hands, whether we acknowledge it or not. He gives us countless opportunities on a daily basis to grow closer to Him. Do we take those moments to praise Him, to return to Him after every moment of healing or blessing?
Today, I will praise God for the unexpected, the character-building, and the silly, childlike moments in my day!
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Personal Reflection
I am an ungrateful child most of the time. At least, I imagine that is how God must look upon me when I fuss and lament over what I want and what I need. It seems to be a natural result of concupiscence, though, because without express instruction on how to be grateful, my daughter falls into the same tendencies, no real surprise there. So, how do we teach our children to be grateful? The answer is we must be grateful first.
Jesus is not concerned with how we do this. He just wants us to thank Him and praise Him. That's all. We must make a conscious decision each day to thank Him and praise Him for even the mundane...even the suffering we endure. The leper in this Gospel has to take a moment to leave the crowds of amazed people around the temple, leave his friends and their rejoicing, leave the self-gratifying joy and find true joy in thanksgiving by going to Jesus first.
This isn't easy. We overlook so much in our daily lives, and the majority of us, are quite spoiled with good things and great people. Most of us, hopefully, return to God when the big blessings come, but how often do we stop and turn to Him for the little blessings? For example...
Lord, I thank you for the computer on which I type. If not for this outlet, I would feel isolated and much of the ministry I hope to accomplish would be impossible. Even when it bogs down or sends me incomprehensible error messages, Lord, I know that it is a gift not all have.
The ability to email my friends and family who are thousands of miles away, the beauty of sharing conversations about faith with strangers, the opportunity to use the information available on the Internet to deepen my spiritual life and help me be a better wife and mother are all invaluable to me. A large part of my life would be lost without it. Often I think life would be much simpler; it would be forced to be so, but still I am grateful for this gift as long as it lasts.
Now, you try. What is something for which I don't ordinarily thank God? Peaceful moments while ironing? My children's need for guidance and discipline, resulting in my own personal growth? The noise than signals to all visitors (and sometimes neighbors) that joyful children live in my home? The joy they take in smearing jelly or glue or whatever all over the table, floor, walls, themselves, and yelling, "Look, Mom!"? The friend who, it seems, is in constant need of my love and attention? The condition that requires continuing medical attention and reminds me of my own mortality?
Am I the one leper who returns to Jesus after his healing and praises Him? When good things happen, do I rejoice with God or just with my family and friends? Do I acknowledge the Lord's hand in my life, in my existence? Do I note that if He chose, I could simply stop being?
We are in God's hands, whether we acknowledge it or not. He gives us countless opportunities on a daily basis to grow closer to Him. Do we take those moments to praise Him, to return to Him after every moment of healing or blessing?
Today, I will praise God for the unexpected, the character-building, and the silly, childlike moments in my day!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Sunday, October 7 ~ Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 17: 5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Personal Reflection
We all wish to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We are called to be saints, but do we really believe that? Sometimes saints seem so holy that the status is unattainable, but we are each truly called to sainthood. How does one become a saint? We do what is expected of us. Like the servant in the Gospel above, we do what is expected, and we are not expected to perform miracles.
True, the Church has chosen to recognize those saints whose holiness has been exceptional in some way in the canonization process, but all that means is that the Church is certain the person is in Heaven. Holy Mother Church blesses us by choosing verifiable saints to set as examples for our lives today. Some are exceptional, but those are the ones we remember the most. If you really look closely, most are pretty normal, like us. If we get to Heaven, we will be saints, regardless of whether or not the Church canonizes us.
So, let us go back to the Gospel. How do we please God? We do our duty. What is my duty? Do I embrace my daily tasks as conduits of holiness? Or do I wish my life was different in some way, so I could be holier? How do I fulfill my obligations in a way that glorifies God? Do I need to reevaluate my attitude towards my call to holiness? Do I view sainthood as unattainable? Can I imagine growing holier as my life continues? How?
Is my faith at least as large as a mustard seed? Do I berate myself when my faith is not stronger? How can I trust simply in the Lord and be satisfied with my faithfulness? Do I truly believe I can "move mountains" with my meager faith? Or am I stuck in our culture's obsession that it might not be quite good enough? When will it ever be enough? How can I recognize my faith for the simple gift from God that it is and be content to merely uproot sycamine trees and replant them in the ocean?
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Personal Reflection
We all wish to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We are called to be saints, but do we really believe that? Sometimes saints seem so holy that the status is unattainable, but we are each truly called to sainthood. How does one become a saint? We do what is expected of us. Like the servant in the Gospel above, we do what is expected, and we are not expected to perform miracles.
True, the Church has chosen to recognize those saints whose holiness has been exceptional in some way in the canonization process, but all that means is that the Church is certain the person is in Heaven. Holy Mother Church blesses us by choosing verifiable saints to set as examples for our lives today. Some are exceptional, but those are the ones we remember the most. If you really look closely, most are pretty normal, like us. If we get to Heaven, we will be saints, regardless of whether or not the Church canonizes us.
So, let us go back to the Gospel. How do we please God? We do our duty. What is my duty? Do I embrace my daily tasks as conduits of holiness? Or do I wish my life was different in some way, so I could be holier? How do I fulfill my obligations in a way that glorifies God? Do I need to reevaluate my attitude towards my call to holiness? Do I view sainthood as unattainable? Can I imagine growing holier as my life continues? How?
Is my faith at least as large as a mustard seed? Do I berate myself when my faith is not stronger? How can I trust simply in the Lord and be satisfied with my faithfulness? Do I truly believe I can "move mountains" with my meager faith? Or am I stuck in our culture's obsession that it might not be quite good enough? When will it ever be enough? How can I recognize my faith for the simple gift from God that it is and be content to merely uproot sycamine trees and replant them in the ocean?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007 ~ Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 16: 19-31
"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
Personal Reflection
The part about this Gospel that amazes me the most is Abraham's insistence that miracles are not necessary for people to believe. Often I find myself begging God for some sign or obvious guidance to confirm or refute a decision I have made or must make. My husband and I have joked, on occasion, that we need God to hit us over the head with a 2x4 for us to know what to do. It is said in good humor, but there is a lot of truth to the point that it is difficult for me to discern God's will in my life when choosing between two or more good things.
I wish for a sign, but what I should do instead is hope to hear the Lord's voice more clearly. When big decisions are looming in my future, I feel as if I am stabbing in the dark at an answer. The real answer is to work on my relationship with Christ, so I can discern His voice. Since He is my shepherd, I should be able to distinguish His voice amidst the chaos of indecision, just as a flock of sheep follow the voice of their protector and no other.
How much do I hope for signs of God's love? existence? mercy? etc? Do I know people who receive such signs? Instead, how can I learn to better recognize the loving voice of my Creator? Do I depend on Christ's guidance? Do I hear His voice clearly? When in my life have I heard His voice most clearly? What was my spiritual life like to enable such intimacy? How can I gain that intimacy today?
Are there people in my life, family or friends, who are not believers? Would a miraculous sign really change their mind? What can I do to help them hear the voice of God without such a sign? What is my obligation in bringing Christ to others and leading them towards Heaven and away from eternal torments?
"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
Personal Reflection
The part about this Gospel that amazes me the most is Abraham's insistence that miracles are not necessary for people to believe. Often I find myself begging God for some sign or obvious guidance to confirm or refute a decision I have made or must make. My husband and I have joked, on occasion, that we need God to hit us over the head with a 2x4 for us to know what to do. It is said in good humor, but there is a lot of truth to the point that it is difficult for me to discern God's will in my life when choosing between two or more good things.
I wish for a sign, but what I should do instead is hope to hear the Lord's voice more clearly. When big decisions are looming in my future, I feel as if I am stabbing in the dark at an answer. The real answer is to work on my relationship with Christ, so I can discern His voice. Since He is my shepherd, I should be able to distinguish His voice amidst the chaos of indecision, just as a flock of sheep follow the voice of their protector and no other.
How much do I hope for signs of God's love? existence? mercy? etc? Do I know people who receive such signs? Instead, how can I learn to better recognize the loving voice of my Creator? Do I depend on Christ's guidance? Do I hear His voice clearly? When in my life have I heard His voice most clearly? What was my spiritual life like to enable such intimacy? How can I gain that intimacy today?
Are there people in my life, family or friends, who are not believers? Would a miraculous sign really change their mind? What can I do to help them hear the voice of God without such a sign? What is my obligation in bringing Christ to others and leading them towards Heaven and away from eternal torments?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007 ~ Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 16:1-13
He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him and said to him, `What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' And the steward said to himself, `What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, `How much do you owe my master?' He said, `A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, `Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, `And how much do you owe?' He said, `A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, `Take your bill, and write eighty.' The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations. "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Personal Reflection
Who would have come up with such a story? More proof, to me, that the Gospels are Truth. For Jesus does not teach the easy way. He implores us to do the right thing, to be faithful in the little things. What little things require my faithfulness? How am I doing on a daily basis with these little things?
Am I faithful to the commandments? To the precepts of the Church? Do I obey my superiors? Do I obey the laws of the land? Am I compliant with God's will or do I fuss about the inconveniences to serving God alone?
For, as Christ insists, we cannot serve both God and mammon. This world will pass, but the Kingdom of God is eternal. What do I serve? Myself? My family? God first? I find sometimes that my service of my family can overtake my service of God. Do you? It's not my actions in this regard that are in error but my intentions. I limit my service as to my family and don't offer it as service to God. Thus, it seems empty and often pointless.
God has blessed us. Even many saints throughout history with lives full of challenges and horrors we could never dream of have been able to see the goodness of God in their lives. Do I see the generosity of God? Am I a good steward?
He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him and said to him, `What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' And the steward said to himself, `What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, `How much do you owe my master?' He said, `A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, `Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, `And how much do you owe?' He said, `A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, `Take your bill, and write eighty.' The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations. "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Personal Reflection
Who would have come up with such a story? More proof, to me, that the Gospels are Truth. For Jesus does not teach the easy way. He implores us to do the right thing, to be faithful in the little things. What little things require my faithfulness? How am I doing on a daily basis with these little things?
Am I faithful to the commandments? To the precepts of the Church? Do I obey my superiors? Do I obey the laws of the land? Am I compliant with God's will or do I fuss about the inconveniences to serving God alone?
For, as Christ insists, we cannot serve both God and mammon. This world will pass, but the Kingdom of God is eternal. What do I serve? Myself? My family? God first? I find sometimes that my service of my family can overtake my service of God. Do you? It's not my actions in this regard that are in error but my intentions. I limit my service as to my family and don't offer it as service to God. Thus, it seems empty and often pointless.
God has blessed us. Even many saints throughout history with lives full of challenges and horrors we could never dream of have been able to see the goodness of God in their lives. Do I see the generosity of God? Am I a good steward?
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