Roman Missal Presentation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9GIIQ8zfD4

The Generosity of God

Often times when people have been in a difficult time in their life they have asked for my prayers.  Of course it is always my privilege to pray for someone, especially in difficult times.  On occasion though I have asked them to pray for someone else who may be going through something similar or worse than they.  Inevitably they have returned saying that praying for another has lightened their burden.

I am certain there are numerous people who have used this phrase but I remember having it impact my life at a very important time when I heard, “GOD WILL NOT BE OUTDONE IN GENEROSITY.”  I have found this to be true in my own life so I trust in it and believe in it and so act accordingly in giving of my time, talent and treasure.

Many people are hurting these days.  Many are struggling to make ends meet.  Unemployment is extremely high.  We feel the effects each day as the requests pour in to help people meet their monthly, weekly and daily bills. I know some will think I’m crazy when in difficult times I would recommend we give more, but not sharing our daily bread is giving into despair...and what is needed is faith, trust in a God who will not abandon us nor be outdone in His generosity!  Therefore, the more we do for others, the more we can expect to receive.

I know for a fact that there are those reading this that are extremely skeptical.  I don’t blame you.  I have been there myself.  But looking at today’s gospel Jesus wants us to trust in how much He wants to do for us.  Perhaps you’re not able to believe this truth.  Perhaps your fear is too overwhelming.  OK.  Then this challenge is for you.  TRY IT!  Live as if you are want to out-do God’s generosity.  Seeing is believing.  Give that extra $5 or $10 or $20.  Watch what happens.  Trust!  Your life will never be the same!  Your life will never be better!

9/11

I am proud to be a native of Colorado.  Born in Denver and a citizen of the United States of America, I am grateful for the freedom that I have to practice my faith and seek to live  the values of the gospel.  It is unfortunate that we have yet to learn that these values given to us by Jesus Christ enable us to live lives of great peace and joy.  

How profound is the gospel message today.  For the last decade the end of the Summer has meant recalling the memory of 9/11 and the overwhelming shock, pain, mistrust and fear that has aggressively changed our lives and which has ended the world as we knew it.

I remember back on September 11, 2001, watching the television and hearing that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York.  I knew at that very moment this was not an accident.  Our pilots know better.  As I watched in horror, I knew this was the end of things as I knew them.  When the second plane hit the second tower of the World Trade Center, my suspicions were confirmed.

Our lives have been changed because many innocent lives were lost, our trust has diminished and our fear increased.  Anger, hatred, fear, judgement are negative hurtful things that can grow to such an enormous extent that great harm can be done when they are out of control.

Today’s gospel reminds us of the values we hold as a people of faith.  They may not be in line with the worlds values.  But remembering this great tragedy should only convict us more in the values of our faith, recalling that mercy, forgiveness, compassion are the very foundation by which we should live and how we treat others.  Jesus suffered and died on the cross, giving His entire self, for the forgiveness of our sins.  That is mercy and forgiveness at its ultimate best.

Shortly after 9/11 The Fantastiks closed in New York.  One of the longest running plays,  it was famous for the song, “Try To Remember,” with its first line stating, “Try to remember that kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow.”  

Let this be a time for us to remember back to those days of innocence and find our way to the heart of Jesus so that fear, anger, judgement and misguided aggressive behavior may not rule our hearts.  Rather let our hearts we ruled by compassion and mercy.  May we never hold a grudge so long as to cause the weight of destruction in our world.  Let us not stand in judgement of another...at least until we can “walk on water.”

In the end...or the new beginning

And when your earthly life comes to an end, will anyone remember your indifference, your indecision, your inabilities, your meekness? No. Rather, to be remembered is to live boldly, intentionally, precisely, with passion and readiness to change the world and make an impression on those you have left behind. Then they shall say, because I knew this man, my life was changed for the better and so was our world. Be your faith! Be your intention. Be like our God.

"Great Is Your Faith!"

Two weeks ago we hear the gospel passage where the disciples are in a boat which is being tossed about in the water.  Jesus comes towards them walking on the water and they are very much afraid.  Peter cries out, "If it's you Lord, tell me to come to you."  Jesus replies "Come."  As Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water, the wind picks up and he begins to sink and cry out "Save me Lord."  Jesus rescues him and then questions why he faltered and lost faith.

In contrast, this passed Sunday we heard the gospel of the Canaanite woman shouting out after Jesus to heal her daughter who is possessed by a demon.  Jesus' response is far from charitable.   (It appears that Jesus too, may once in a great while, have “one of those days,” and is annoyed by one more request). 

Jesus begins to argue with this woman saying that His ministry is not for foreigners but for the people of Israel.  However, the woman is so desperate because her daughters life is at stake, she persists and argues that whatever He can give, “even the leftovers,” will be enough.  This persistence seems to awaken in Jesus a more merciful response; “O woman, great is your faith.”

When putting these two gospel passages side by side, there were a few things that were revealed to me.  First, Peter would be considered one of those Israelites Jesus came to save.  Yet we realize in comparison, Peter’s faith was not as great as this Canaanite woman.  Though I must admit, Jesus would not compare us one to another, it is important for us to make the comparison for our own growth and well-being.

Secondly, although Jesus appears to be less than pastoral in His approach, I think, like all things Jesus does, He is very intentional about what He is doing and the way He is responding.  After all, the disciples are telling Him to get rid of this woman who is bothering them.  They recognize she is a foreigner and they want nothing to do with her.  So it's as if Jesus takes upon Himself the attitude of the disciples.  Yet it is the woman's persistence and faith in Jesus that gains her the response from Jesus who points out, in front of His disciples, the greatness of her faith.

Matthew, the evangelist of the Gospel wants to make a very important point.  God’s love and mercy is for everyone who believes in Him and puts their faith in Him.  It's not just for a select few.  Moreover, whatever God has to give, however great or small, (even the scraps) are enough for us to receive whatever we need in our life for healing, mercy and most especially, salvation.

We too, like Jesus, must be INTENTIONAL about our faith and the way we seek to bring others to Jesus.  We cannot falter nor can we put another down because they are not like us or their blessings and or challenges are different from ours.  Faith, great faith in Christ alone, brings all things to peace and unity in Christ.

“Trust in HIM at all times,” and He will say to you,  “O my dear one, great is your faith.”

Before the Eucharist

"It is invaluable to converse with Christ, and leaning against Jesus' breast like his beloved disciple, we can feel the infinite love of his Heart. We learn to know more deeply the One who gave Himself totally, in the different mysteries of his divine and human life, so that we may become disciples and in turn enter into this great act of giving, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. Through adoration, the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the Gospel. Anyone who prays to the Savior draws the whole world with him and raises it to God. Those who stand before the Lord are therefore fulfilling an eminent service. They are presenting to Christ all those who do not know him or are far from him; they keep watch in his presence on their behalf."

-Bl. John Paul the Great

Falling In Love

Quote of the Day

“Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.”

--Pedro Arrupe SJ (1907-91)
28th Superior General of the Society of Jesu