Don't Hit the Snooze Bar

Have you ever wondered who invented the snooze bar on the alarm clock? The person must have struggled with awakening daily.  For many people this little protrusion on our clocks is a luxury as it adds just a little bit more sleep and we feel so much better. Or do we? Research has shown that the interrupted sleep by ways of the snooze bar actually does not benefit us as humans need longer periods of rest,  not those extra five minutes which sometimes double and triple for those who love to reach out and smack the bar down in order to gain some more rest.

Over the last week Jesus has admonished us in Luke's Gospel  not to sleep spiritually, but to awaken, persevere through persecutions, and clean house. John has revealed his interpretation of the end time in Revelations. It seems pretty clear that snoozing is not an option for us.  As humans it is natural to avoid any type of suffering, but we cannot delay what might come in the form of trials that we may have to endure.  Jesus warned the disciples not be taken by surprise like a trap (Lk) yesterday. That proverbial snooze button although convenient should not be a way of escape what faces us.

Darkness in itself brings on drowsiness and the same can be said of sinfulness.  It is quite easy to dismiss a sinful action as no big deal. Then comes another one and another. Soon the action is quite like that snooze bar, just push down on it and it will go away. Being trapped in sin is quite painful, just as awakening can be. However, Paul provides hope in his letter to the Romans in which he says, "Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light."  For the spiritual sleeper that can be tantamount to throwing off the sheets and let the sun come in.  Open those shades, the Lord of the light is here.

The readings of today and the past week are a spiritual alarm clock. Many warnings about snoozing and the consequences are quite clear. The events of the past year seem to reaffirm the message of doom and gloom. Despite these signs that are evident in our lives, it is the beginning of Advent, a new year in the Church that provides hope. As Isaiah says,  "In the days to come the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain." (Isa) From those words of hope let us aspire to not snooze, but to throw off those sheets, leap out of bed,  and prepare for the coming of our Savior by praying for the strength to carry out His holy will this Advent.

And finally I leave you with this from Catholic singer-songwriter Ike Ndolo, who penned the song "Awake, O Sleeper," which I feel is quite appropriate for this day. The lyrics are as follows:

In the darkest times of life

When our lights refuse to shine
You are there, you are there

When we live without hope
You are there, you are there
Don't let your hearts be troubled
Don't let your hearts be troubled
Awake o sleeper
Arise from slumber
Christ is calling your name
In the midst of life's decay
When our lives become like graves
Rescue us, Rescue us
Don't let your hearts be troubled
Don't let your hearts be troubled
Awake o sleeper
Arise from slumber
Christ is calling your name
Awake o sleeper
Arise from slumber
Christ is calling your name
Awake, Arise
And follow the light
Awake, Arise
And follow the light
Awake, Arise
And follow the light
Awake, Arise
Christ is calling your name
Awake o sleeper
Arise from slumber
Christ is calling your name
Awake o sleeper
Arise from slumber
Christ is calling your name

Ike Ndolo 2009

The Gospel Truth

For many years I was a typical church attendee who could be found in the pews every Sunday. I listened to the readings, went through the motions during the liturgy of the Eucharist, and then left without taking much home.  I was the example that Jesus stated in Matthew 13:5 in reference to the seed that fell on stony ground.  Enlightened, but only temporarily because I was not willing to fully give myself to God. By the grace of God through a variety of life changing events my eyes were opened as well as my ears and my deference to moral relativism was exposed. Over half of my adult life was spent hearing, but not listening, so I have a lot of ground to make up.

Throughout this week we are told about how to prepare ourselves for the future. Jesus warns his disciples about the times to come and that there will be suffering. The word suffering is a reoccurring theme. But we are told to have faith. The various Psalms invoke Gods presence and help for those who follow the Lord. Today as I read the Scripture passages, I am pierced by how the relevant the Word is today. Paul alludes to the persecution that those who follow Christ will endure. There are many who despise the teachings of the Church. Those who are true to the teachings are seen as foolish, out of touch. "The Church itself is a tyranny" or "those Catholics need to get with the times," I have heard. For me the challenge is to stand up to the truths of the Church. I am surrounded my many who know my beliefs, but I am in many cases not willing to speak out when people openly condemn the Church.   Am I afraid of suffering or losing friendships? Yes. 

The intercessions for today in the Magnificat challenge me to pray for courage when our faith is challenged and not fall in the temptation of compromising my beliefs.  It further challenges me not to allow those who profess their Christian beliefs to neglect their duties.  Similarly the intercessions for Saturday which just happen to be on the Feast of St Josephat, who himself worked tirelessly to unite the Eastern and Western churches until his violent death, ask us to pray for unity for the Churches of East and West as well pray for courage during times of discouragement. I believe that there is no coincidence in the Word of God as it applies to our times. We have been warned about what happens to a society when it turns from God by both  Saint John Paul II and by Pope Francis. 

The first reading from Malachi issues a stark warning as well. We are reassuringly told at the end of the reading  that the Lord will shine upon those who fear him. Today's Gospel passage brings on a further challenge in standing up for what we believe. Jesus reassures us that even after all the turmoil and persecution we will be given wisdom to stand for what is right. We shall not need to think about what to say and that through perseverance you will secure your lives.(Lk 21:5-19)  Frightening yes. I see much truth to these passages. 

As I confront all of the past weeks events and think about the future I can become discouraged, anxious and fearful. However, I harken back to the Reinhold Niebuhr prayer that I learned years ago, that has comforted me in times of trial and tribulation "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace; taking as He did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may reasonably in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next." 

A Struggling Catholic's Lament

If there has ever been a trying time in our nation's history it is now.  As a history teacher with a deep understanding of the trends, this particular time is ever so challenging.  However, above all is my faith in God. This weeks readings and especially today's are a reminder for me that there is only one God. Putting my total faith in leaders and in people only brings me turmoil, anxiety and resentment.

Am I disturbed by the events of this week? For sure as I view the protests and the continued hate that from people who are unable to accept the outcome. Conversely in dealing with people who are directly affected by the political rhetoric that permeated the campaign I am confronted with their anxieties about the future on a daily basis. So I ask myself where is God in all of this? What message is being sent? Where are we going as a nation? I am also being asked by those that I am surrounded by what is next? The weight of the uncertain future has now become a thought in most of my down time.

It seems to me that this is the time that I as a faith believing Catholic must turn to God when overcome with these challenges. John states in his second letter today, "let us love one another." One of Mother Teresa's greatest quotes is  " If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”  It is also one that I heard at least three to four times on the radio while driving to work this week.  In my human frailty I have found myself in the position  to judge on numerous occasions.  And yes I failed. Scared, angry, and broken.  


I am reassured when I read today's response in Psalm 119, "Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord" and again in Wednesday's Psalm 46, "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in distress." I am reassured when I find the time to sincerely pray that God's will be done and reflect on all that is good. I am reassured that no matter how trying this time the teaching of our faith will prevail and that from this time will rise those who seek reconciliation and peace. God Bless America on this Veteran's day. 

Pursuing the Resurrection

The idea of the Resurrection is confounding for some. Trying to visualize the concept in the human sense brings many questions and doubt. Living out life with the goal life after death is equally as challenging for in doing so become afflicted and we suffer, but with the understanding that we will join others in the Resurrection.

The challenges of our day may not compare to that of the brothers and mother in Maccabees in the way that we are executed to appease an unbelieving leader and his audience, but we are confronted with decisions to live out our Catholic faith by our actions daily whether at work, home, or even the ballot box. It is difficult to live out this faith driven life. Decisions on what to watch on television, what music to listen to, engaging in the banter that permeates social media, and stances on Church teachings are made with the conscious reflection on what is means to be Catholic.

Challenged by those who do not understand our faith and view it as backwards or out of  touch with the times are many.  We find that there are those in the secular world who resemble the Sadducees with their theoretical questions and tests of moral relativism.  All the more reason to become more familiar with the teachings of the Church which have withstood centuries of challenges from the secular world.  Pursuing the Resurrection does not come without adversity. However, as Paul writes in Thessalonians, " the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."
And it does seem like the evil one is everywhere.

Knowing that God is the god of the living should provide additional incentive to us as well. For some a keener sense of the word resurrection applies to their own life especially if they have overcome battles with addiction, disease, and personal hardship. With that new sense of life comes a realization that the resurrected Christ is indeed a part of them.  It is as stated in Deuteronomy 30 and I paraphrase "No longer must you pursue God in the sky or across the sea, but it is very near to you in your hearts and mouth, you must carry it out." With this in mind it is not for me to attempt to conjure up what the Resurrection will be like as in my limited capacity as human brings only futility. But what I can do is put my hope in the Risen Christ for life everlasting.

Climbing the tree of mercy

What can compare to God's mercy? As human beings it sometimes is difficult to comprehend. Today's Wisdom passage tells us that "Because you (God) has mercy on all,  because you can do all things. "  Again we are reminded in the Psalm response" The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." My struggle is accepting this.

As one who has fallen into the darkness of sin and will continue to fall how is it that God accepts me in my brokenness? In my lowest points of my life I was convinced that God did not care about my trials and tribulations.  What I failed to realize is that God always allows the freedom of choice and once I made the decision to follow Him that I would better understand the concept of mercy.  My journey to accepting God's mercy is comparable to that of Zacchaeus climbing the tree. Always feeling unworthy and short I was climbing a tree toward a better view of Jesus not knowing why I was climbing.  Sometimes I would slip and fall as the branches were weak and brittle. Downward I plunged but I always able to grasp another branch that prevented me from hitting a spiritual bottom. As it states again in Wisdom "But you spare all things, because they are your." Here was God's mercy, but yet I was unable to figure this out. Upward I climbed grabbing each branch until finally I was at the top of the tree where I could see clearly. Having a different insight, I allowed God into my being.  Yes, Jesus was going to stay at my house as well.

After many years the realization of God's infinite mercy is becoming more clear. I still question at times why He accepts me in my sinfulness. But through the workings of the Holy Spirit these faults are exposed which then allows me to bring them humbly before God in act of contrition.  My favorite prayer throughout the day continues to be the Jesus prayer.

However more challenging perhaps is why He allows the evil of others to prevail in our world.  I want to judge much like those in today's Gospel, but under different circumstances. Each of these people are climbing their own sycamore tree and as God allowed myself to make free choices, so then are they. Praying for them that they reach the proverbial top and find the gaze of God's mercy and as the psalmist states "The Lord lifts up those who are falling" can bring a sense of peace.

Persistence and Prayer in Turbulent Times

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy upon us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, not become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself, Amen.  This prayer from the Divine Chaplet of Mercy as prayed by Saint Faustina is quite appropriate today.  I remember some months ago,  a fellow Catholic Blogger member asking that we pray this for our nation in midst of the political turmoil and the contentious election season. Since I can't remember who it was, I want to thank you for this prompting,  for this prayer pamphlet had been sitting on my bedside table for years without use.

Today as I reflected on the Old Testament reading from Exodus, I visualized a tired Moses as he tried to keep his hands up in order to spur on Joshua's troops as they battled with Amalek. Persistent in his efforts, he still needed the assistance of Aaron and Hur in order for his people to be victorious.  Again we hear in the Gospel of the woman who unceasingly badgered the judge for a righteous decision against an adversary.  Paul urges us in his letter to Timothy to be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient and again in Philippians 4:5-7 to offer all in prayer to God without anxiety.

I am sure we all have moments in our life in which the effort to put into prayer our petitions seemed beyond reach. The feelings that God was not listening to us, that He did not care, or just general malaise about the events surrounding us. I have encountered some very dark moments in my own life where I just screamed at God, "take this feeling or thorn in my side away, " over and over again.  None of my prayers seemed to be heard or were they? For myself I was looking for the quick fix or answer, not willing to subscribe to the idea of persistence.

Our society is full of quick fixes, but this in itself is contrary to the will of God. If I were given quick answers I would have no need for God after a while. I would as I had experienced in my self-centered world,  that if an answer came quickly it was of my own doing thus I create the image of myself as a knowing God. Many years of brokenness and anger toward God prevailed. But for a merciful God, I have learned some prayer requests are not always answered in my time.  Perhaps this is the lesson I needed. I needed assistance in making my requests known much like Moses who needed to rely on the help of Aaron and Hur or support from fellow Christians who are on the eternal journey.  I also needed and still need to be persistent much like the woman in today's Gospel even when it is not convenient. To the dismay of many in our world today, the Truth is in the Word of God which is life. I face daily challenges in this for it is easier to shrink and not proclaim the Gospel for fear of not being accepted. Prayer and faith as we are told today are the only answer for me, even when I find each and every day as our nation becomes increasingly divided as we approach the November election.

I am healed, now what?

For anyone who has suffered from an affliction whether it be mental, physical, or emotional the longing for freedom from the agony of the tribulation when encountered is gratefully appreciated.
The chains are broken and a new life begins, or does it? Is that person truly changed or do they  revert to the ways of the past?  Gratitude is key here. Accepting that God's role in life is key and be willing to acknowledge it is vital.  As Paul states in his letter to Timothy today, " If we persevere, we shall reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us." This being said I always wonder what happened to the nine lepers who did not return to Jesus after being healed. Did they accept their healing dismissively and return to a faithless life?

For those who have a new found freedom from an affliction and accept it as God's will there is a call to proclaim the Good News. For those who overcome a physical affliction or disease the realization there is no longer anymore pain brings on a sense of relief. However, those who overcome emotional or mental conditions such as addictions, the realization is gradual much like the leper who seems to realize that he is healed and that it is part of process. In our society of instant gratification many seek the spontaneous healing, thus not becoming grateful or even realizing a healing moment as they then move onto life as lived before. This process becomes a constant bouncing from one remedy to the next without realizing that the only healer is God himself.

For those of us who accept God's healing power, a gradual transformation takes place.   Notice that Namaan, in today's first reading,  was instructed to go into the waters not once, but seven times. Thus we persevere in our suffering. Perhaps the better word is faith. We try and try again putting our hope in God that we will be healed. Finally after plunging into healing waters as Namaan, our skin becomes white like a child. The sores or wounds of the past have been washed away.

Another thing to consider is that in both the first reading and Gospel those that are healed are outsiders. In our society today we have tendency to ostracize or be indifferent to those who fit the outside label. However, Jesus in his infinite grace heals the Samaritan who by his very existence is shunned by Jews and Namaan being an Assyrian is also an avowed enemy of the Jews of the time. Both men even though they are outsiders make it a priority to give God thanks for infinite mercy and healing grace that is bestowed upon them.

The process is not finished. Being dismissed as faithful servants, we are to become living examples of the life of Christ, to carry the message of healing. The word of God is not chained as Paul states. Therefore it becomes incumbent upon those to proclaim the freedom to fellow sufferers or if you may lepers, which pretty much includes all of us.  There lies the challenge, to carry the message and more importantly having the attitude of gratitude that God's healing gift is upon us daily.