May 1, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

Doubting Thomas

One of the most famous images of Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio

John 20: 19-31

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath,
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who know me,
Will I discover a soul saving love,
Or just the dirt above and below me,

I'm a doubting Thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith,

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face,
Then I beg to be spared 'cause I'm a coward,
If there's a master of death I'll bet he's holding his breath,
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,
I'm a doubting thomas,
I can't keep my promises,
'Cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth,
When I'm scared I'll find proof that its a lie,
Can I be lead down a trail dropping bread crumbs,
That prove I'm not ready to die,

Please give me time to decipher the signs,
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted,

I'm a doubting Thomas,
I'll take your promise,
Though I know nothin's safe,
Oh me of little faith

Pope John Paul II Week!

  

This Sunday the late Pope John Paul II will be identified as 'Blessed', that is, taking the next step within the Church's process of recognizing someone as a Saint. This process involves a tedious amount of discernment, paperwork and even intensive research into miracles that people assign to the intercession of the late Holy Father. As we enter into the hump-day of Pope week, check out more information on this internationally historic person and event!

Holy Week in 2 Minutes!

Easter Sunday Gospel Reflection: April 24th 2011

Alleluia!

St. Augustine (4th cent.) said that “we are an Easter people and our song is Alleluia”. There seems to be little value in re-telling or explaining the story. We know the story. Suffered. Died. Buried. Gone? Resurrection?! Alleluia!

The question that each of us are invited to reflect on is this: What difference does it make in my life? Jesus physically rose from the dead 2000 years ago (how? No one knows!) and we believe is still alive with the Father in heaven. So what effect does that have in our busy and important lives in 2011?

The Resurrection of Jesus gives us hope that His resurrection is our resurrection.

The Christian life is about finding room in our hearts for Jesus (sometimes this means getting rid of stuff-addictions, pride, bitterness, etc.-to fit Him in). In our lives we experience little deaths and little resurrections daily. When we live as Jesus lived, to allow him to dwell in us, we are able to make him present in our lives; this is most visibly true when we celebrate and receive the Eucharist at Mass. Jesus’ presence in us can bring us comfort and strength and allow us to bring others his healing and love. When we allow Jesus to live within us we have the chance to transform the world around us!

The cross doesn’t go away because we celebrate Easter and the Alleluia shouldn’t go away when we face struggles. May we be a people of hope who do not lose faith in a God who loves us or a Church that is guided by the Holy Spirit no matter what people (from without or within) do or say to the contrary! Love wins.

“O, death, where is your sting? O, hell, where is your victory? O Church, come stand in the light. Our God is not dead he’s alive. He’s alive!” (Christ is Risen, Matt Maher…see below)

Reflection/Discussion Questions:
-Do you believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead?
-What could be the difference in how a person lives their life if they believed that? (as opposed to a person who doesn’t)
-How can you create space for Jesus to dwell in you this week?
-What is one way you can bring God’s love to someone who is in need of love?

Bulletin 2.0

April 23rd, 2011: Gospel Reflection 1.5

In the Good Friday Liturgy we stand at the reading of the Gospel both to honor the Word and to to shout in unison “crucify Him”. We are presented with this uncomfortable truth at the end of this reading. The priest proclaims “the Gospel of the Lord”, and we soft-spokenly reply, “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!” We, the same people who sentenced him to crucifixion also rejoice to give thanks to the God who loves us.

A part of us feels almost anxious with this antinomy.
How could this have happened?
Was this really necessary?
What have I done?

The crucifixion is real. There is no homily, book, or reflection that makes sense of it. No, we did not physically condemn Jesus to death, but our consciences tighten around our hearts and whisper to us that we played a role.

All we can do as followers of Jesus is to be willing to meet Him in the garden and to walk with Him through his passion and death. As we walk with Him we are awakened to our need for forgiveness and the ways that the cross of Christ is present in our daily lives. As Jesus falls not, once, or twice, but three times, He looks to us to take up that cross and to carry it with Him today.

Thursday Inspiration: RCIA and Holy Thursday

Want to be inspired this Triduum?  Read the RCIA conversion stories posted on the US Catholic Bishop's Media Blog.  They serve to remind me that God is always at work in the world.

And in preparation for Holy Thursday:

Song Reflection for Holy Week

Jesus Went to the Garden  
Jesus went to the garden
And fell down on His kness
Jesus prayed in the garden
Of Gethsemane
Not my will but Yours be done
Father, not my will but Yours be done

Jesus went to the mountain
To bleed for you and me
Jesus died on the mountain
Called Calvary
Why have You forsaken me?
My God, why have You forsaken me?

Jesus rose on the third day
Triumphant over sin
Jesus spoke on the third day
To Mary Magdalene
Woman why are you crying?
He said, woman why are you crying?

Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Hallelujah, He is alive
Hallelujah our Savior is alive

Jesus entered the heavens
Christ alone be praised
Jesus entered the heavens
Christ alone be praised
I will be with you always

Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Hallelujah, He is alive
Hallelujah, He's coming back for us
Hallelujah, victorious
Lord of Heaven and earth
(Lord of all creation)
Lord of Heaven and eartyh

Jesus wnet to the garden
And fell down on His knees

How to Make a Palm (Sunday) Cross!

April 17th, 2011: Gospel Reflection II

Matthew 26:14-27:66

The most valuable reflection I can offer is to encourage you to re-read today’s Gospel, to really spend some quiet time putting yourself into the scene and asking what meaning this Palm Sunday has for your life. To help remind ourselves of the reality of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus it might also be helpful to watch The Passion of the Christ movie or a trailer for the movie (two versions below). What Jesus did is real…it is so easy for us to forget.

G-Rated:

More Realistic:

April 17th, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

Matthew 26:14-27:66 

Today’s Gospel retells the pinnacle of all human history; all creation is made new and brought to new life through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The most valuable reflection I can offer is to encourage you to re-read today’s Gospel, to really spend some quiet time putting yourself into the scene and asking what meaning this Palm Sunday has for your life. See some optional questions to guide that reflection below.

Judas betrays Jesus for 30 silver coins

-What are the ways that I ‘sell out’ Jesus by my actions or word to gain the ‘reward’ of pleasure, popularity, pride, convenience, etc.?

Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave thanks and said “This is my body…this is my blood”

-Do I believe that Jesus is made present in the Eucharist at Mass for us? Do I ask God to help me believe? When I struggle to believe who could I ask questions to or ask advice from?

Jesus asked his Disciples to stay and keep watch with Jesus while he prayed, but they fell asleep. Jesus says, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?”

-What are the times that I spend in conversation with God? Do I regularly spend enough time with God in prayer? How could I better keep holy Sunday as God’s day?

Jesus was scared and did not want to die, but said in prayer “not as I will, but as you will”

-Am I open to listening to what God wants from me? Do I have the courage to follow through with this even when I am asked to do something that I don’t want to do or am afraid of?

Jesus allowed himself to be condemned for something he did not do by Pontius Pilot

-Am I willing to be accused of something that I didn’t do? Do I always have to have the last word or have other people think that I am right? Is other people’s opinion of me one of the most important things to me?

Although it may be hard to do, put yourself in the perspective of Peter. He was so eager and confident that he would not betray Jesus yet he denied Jesus three times.

-What are the times that I deny my faith through what I do and say or what I fail to do and say?

What are the crosses I bear in my life? Am I willing to offer them up to God and to ask Him to help me carry them?

April 10th, 2011: Gospel Reflection II

The Raising of Lazarus

John 11:1-45

 Reflection/Discussion Questions:

-Who is someone you know who is suffering externally or internally, out loud or silently?

-How could you bring God’s healing love to them by walking with them?

-What is something in your life that you need to let die, to let go of so that God can be more alive in you?

-What would your response to God be if someone close to you died? (what was it if this has happened to you?)

-Does remembering God’s promise of eternal life change that response? Why or why not?

Van Gogh's depiction...a bit classier.

Friday Inspiration - Thank You

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

- Meister Eckhart

After visiting China a few years ago, there are only two phrases I remember: “hello” and “thank you.” They’re among the most significant phrases in any language because they express two important Christian values: hospitality and gratitude. How we greet people speaks to who we are individually and communally. When we greet someone joyfully and earnestly, we recognize the dignity of that person and they feel welcomed and loved. Ditto when we say “thank you.” “Thank you” represents genuine appreciation for who that person is and whatever they have done. “Thank you” recognizes the gift of hard work and dedication. A “thank you” says you matter to me and I appreciate your time. But within the context of our faith, a “thank you” means something more; it acknowledges the imitation of Christ’s self-giving, self-emptying love in the other.

Say thank you to someone you love and someone you don't know -- and really mean it!

April 10th, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

The Raising of Lazarus

John 11:1-45

   Today’s Gospel is surprisingly relatable to our lives and offers us a challenge.

   Jesus is moved to tears of sadness for love of his friend. His friend Lazarus is dying and he goes to visit him. Unfortunately, Lazarus had died before Jesus arrived and so Jesus comforts his family. Most of us can place ourselves in Jesus’ shoes: comforting those who are mourning (it’s one of the corporal works of mercy…if this is a new phrase to you it is worth googling!).

   Yet Jesus knows that death is not the end of life, it is entrance into everlasting life. We sometimes get stuck in end-oriented thinking and Jesus is trying to break that thinking: if death is not the end to life then we have to think differently about both death and how we live our life.

   Jesus’ intention is to:

      1. Bring healing and love to Lazarus and his family

      2. Show God’s power and love made present in Jesus

      3. Foreshadow his own resurrection

    He accomplishes all three by raising Lazarus from the dead.

   We are not called to raise people from the dead, but we are called to be agents of transformation through our interaction with others. We are called and commissioned to walk with others through the Paschal Mystery (the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus) that is made present in each of our lives. Each of us will encounter sufferings and deaths in our lives. The response of the Christian is to place our faith in God’s abundant love (like Martha and Mary in today’s Gospel), unite those sufferings and deaths to Jesus’ Paschal Mystery and to rise with Jesus, as Lazarus did, a new creation. Transformed.

   There is no resurrection without death, no transformation without suffering. To be a Christian is not to avoid suffering and death but to emerge risen and transformed. Sometimes this means taking a difficult look at our lives to see the parts that we need to let die or being heroic in walking with others through their sufferings without losing faith.

Van Gogh's depiction...a bit classier.

Soul Surfer: Mainstream Movie with a Message

I've heard good things...

Soul Surfer is based on the biography: Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. Both the book and the movie are about Bethany Hamilton, a 13-year-old girl who survived a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. Encouraged by the love of her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), and supported by her youth minister Sara (Carrie Underwood), Bethany refuses to give up and begins a daring return to the waters that almost killed her. (Full Review)

Is Jesus my role model?

Yesterday I came across a video asking a simple question: is Jesus my role model?  Take a look:

1 John 2:6: Whoever claims to abide in [Jesus] ought to live (just) as he lived.

I find this video very challenging, because as a 21st century American, my life doesn't naturally aim toward humility or servanthood.  Far too often, its a daily power struggle.  Even the little things like taking out the trash or loading the dishwasher become a bitter internal battle -- "It's not my turn.  I did it last time.  It will be okay if the trash isn't taken out today.  The dishes will be fine sitting there overnight."

My choice boils down to 1) do I serve my family as Jesus would, imitating his servanthood? or 2) do I become caught up in keeping score?

TODAY: One Day Without Shoes

Lent is about Solidarity-inward and outward.

One of the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Tradition is Solidarity...literally walking in someone else's shoes...or lack there of. 

Toms (shoe company) is embracing the principle of Solidarity with it's One Day Without Shoes program. Join in through practice and prayer.

This is Why I Love (and am Inspired) by this Guy

Actually, i'm talking about the one on the left...though the one on the right too..as a matter of fact, some recent big news about him!

Inspiring and informative writing from NY Archbishop Tim Dolan's blog (...internal dialogue..."What? Bishops have blogs?"...yea some do, and usually it's a sign that the Bishop is awesome)!



Archbishop Tim Dolan, the current Archbishop of NY, meeting with the late Pope John Paul II

April 3, 2011: Gospel Reflection II

Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

-Jesus rejects the Jewish teaching that the man was born blind because of his own sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus says that brokenness in the world (like the man being born blind) allows for God’s grace to shine through. 

What physical or emotional brokenness are you aware of in your life or the lives of others around you? How can you bring God’s healing love and grace through that brokenness?

-Jesus talks about blindness in this passage not as a physical blindness but a spiritual blindness. 

What are the things that can keep us from seeing God’s presence in the world and in others (pride, security, apathy, envy, contentment, etc.)?

April 3, 2011: Gospel Reflection I

Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41

Jesus used physical ‘stuff’ to communicate God’s grace even though he didn’t have to. He used mud in today’s Gospel, in other passages he uses water, bread and wine, the touch of his hand, his breath, etc. What is the reason that Jesus does this when he doesn’t have to?  By using physical stuff as agents of God’s grace Jesus allows us to imitate him through our rituals to help bring about the transformation of the world.

God created the world and enfolded within everything in creation the potential seed for that thing to help communicate God’s love and grace. God created in us that same seed but made us in His image and likeness so that we could be co-creators with God. We are called to not only let our own lives give glory to God but to help make all creation come alive to give God praise; we are called to transform the world!

In our Church, especially in our seven Sacraments, we use the physical objects or signs that Jesus himself used, like bread and wine. We do what Jesus did: break it, give thanks and eat. When we enter into this ritual we are joining with the millions of people who have done the same thing over and over again throughout history. God transcends space and time and his words and Presence is made present, re-membered (brought back together), through our ritual prayer. This is why we gather in our church, sit together, listen to the stories from our Christian family history, break bread, say the words (‘This is my Body…do this in remembrance of me’), eat the bread of sacrifice and go forth. When we enter into this ritual Jesus is made present as he was at the Las Supper. We physically receive Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist that it may transform us so that we may go out and transform the world. 

Friday Inspiration: Remember

"Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children." - Deuteronomy 4:9

In the Silver Chair, in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan (who represents Jesus) tells the two main characters, Jill and Eustace, to recite four signs every day, for signs will help them along their journey. Slowly they come to forget to recite these signs and eventually find themselves in a dark situation -- being cast under an enchantment by a witch in a cave deep inside the world. It takes a third character, a rugged soul, to break this spell by remembering that there is a better place elsewhere, that there is such a place as Narnia, and there is such a person as Aslan. As it turns out, had Jill and Eustace remembered these signs all along, they wouldn't have come so close to being ensnared in darkness.

Christianity requires remembering. Remembering that Jesus is our Lord and Savior in and through everything in life. Remembering that there is a heaven so that this life on earth isn't meant to be perfect. Remembering that we are sinners, so we need to reconcile ourselves with each other. Remembering that there are people in need and so we need to help them. Remembering that our faith is about love so we should love all we come in contact with. Remembering that Jesus didn't die just for me but for us, so in community we can find God. Remembering that everyone else in life is also struggling with something, so love one another.

What do you need to remember?  Who do you need to remember?