Speak without Fear

In our day speaking your mind especially on social media seems to in vogue. Politicians have taken speaking their mind to another level inciting anger among various groups.  Recently I have read some threads on the internet on fairly benign topics that turn into a rant of vulgarities within two to three comments. Quite disturbing. Yet none of this incidents is reflective of what is preached in today's readings.  Psalm 34 implores us to "keep our tongues from evil and lips from speaking deceit."  Saint Paul in Romans 12 states "bless those that persecute you" and again "live at peace with all."  We like the prophet Jeremiah are asked to speak up without fear, but surely not how the world might speak.  It is quite simple to lash out against an institution that has views that offend us or quietly spread unkind words in the workplace, but this is our challenge. I find myself quiet on controversial topics that involve Church teachings, yet quite opinionated on politics, sports, and other issues. 

"They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you." Reassuring words in Jeremiah us, but still very much a challenge.  What is it that keeps me quiet. Fear, fear and fear. Fear of being judged, fear of losing friends, and a host of other fears. Jesus when speaking in the synagogue in the Gospel reading from Luke, spoke fearlessly to an audience he knew would rise up against him.  Perhaps reflecting more on the psalmist words from Psalm 71 "in you, O Lord I take refuge; let me never be put to shame." Can I take from Paul's teachings in Corinthians on love and not seek my own interest, be rude and pompous, and rejoice over wrong? My prayer today is "Grant me O Lord the courage to speak up, not on my own interests but always of Yours. Let my actions be reflection of Your desire, not mine. Grant me the courage to take this to You one temptation, one test, at a time. 

Assembled as Whole

As a child I was fortunate to have my parents buy my brothers and myself Legos and Lincoln Logs.  Many hours were spent constructing buildings, fortresses, ships and vehicles with the Legos and of course the log cabin and fort with the Lincoln Logs. Each individual part was integral in the construction of the unit.  With the Lincoln Logs it was more apparent if a part was out of place because there would be a crumbling of the cabin or fort.  With the Legos pieces just would not fit and there would be no way in which to continue the construction until the right piece fit. Once the goal was achieved and the unit was finished to our perfection we would celebrate in a manner of speaking with our accomplishment.

Much like Legos and Lincoln Logs in our readings today we see people assembled, unified as one to hear the word. Ezra's reading from on high and later proclamation to the people: "Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!" Paul's focus on the body as one but made up of many parts each with its own respective role reflects the Church as a whole.  Yes, we are called upon to recognize our strengths and become an active part of the whole no matter how insignificant we sometimes might believe that part is. We are called upon to assists those who are suffering and comfort them. This is reflected in the various ministries of our parishes.

Again in the Gospel we see the assembly in the synagogue united in in their praise of God, but given a new revelation as Jesus reads from Isaiah. Likewise we are the new revelation. We are called individually by the message to bring glad tidings to the poor and assist those who are captive to various afflictions. We are called to assist those who might be blinded by worldly concerns and the moral relativism. We are called to free those oppressed by the stifling effects of poverty whether spiritual or economic. As we carry out a role we are the Lego or Lincoln Log piece with our brothers and sisters, constructing the Church as a whole so that in the end we can say faithfully, "The Scripture passage is fulfilled."

Today's Key Word is "Why?"

It is quite apparent over the last week in the various Gospel passages that people are constantly questioning Jesus. "Why do your disciples not fast?" or "Why does he eat with sinners?",  we hear over the last two days. "What is this a new teaching?" some proclaim in Mark's Gospel.

We are full of questions as well.  I hearken to my profession of teaching.  I always instruct my students to ask why about events and actions of people in history.  "Do not take what you read or hear for the absolute truth," I commonly instruct them in order to build their critical thinking skills.
As children and adults we question events especially if they are tragic. "Why did this happen to them or to me," we ask. Sometimes we don't want the real answer and other times we are questioning God.

So what if Jesus turned the tables and asked us why?  Why do you follow me? Why do you go church? What do you see in me? Is it faith that draws us to the unseen, is it the idea that a new order that can restore us from the insanity of our secular world, or maybe we are not sure at all.  For those of us who have experienced a new life in Christ it is not easily explained.

Perhaps if someone asked us why we are Catholic there could be a response, "I was brought up Catholic." However, in this day and age as Catholics we are asked why does the Catholic Church belief this or why do they celebrate that.  If we are true to our faith and at the same time realize we don't have all the answers then we look to our one constant, Jesus. In him we will find answers, some quickly, others over time.

The Spirits Overflow

Reflecting on Jesus' first recorded miracle at the wedding at Cana in the Gospel of John, one cannot overlook the deeply embedded symbolism of the passage. Ancient Jewish weddings were not just a one day feast, but a series of rituals ensuring the sanctity of the act and only when these acts were completed did the public celebration take place. A coming out in today's terms would be accurate. Isaiah makes it clear in today's reading that, "For Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn." It is also here where Jesus divinity is also revealed turning water into wine. Not without notice is our own Eucharistic celebration which can be easily taken as just another part of our sacred Mass going without much reflection. Each act of bringing the water to the altar, mixing the water and wine, the raising of the chalice, challenges us to unite ourselves with not only with Jesus, but with the whole community in celebration.

Paul in his message to the Corinthians confirms the many type of spiritual gifts, but the same Lord and same Spirit.  Aren't we in our ordinariness much like water, but blessed with a variety of talents become one in spirit like the ingredients that make the wine? Moreover, once partaking in the Eucharistic wine and becoming inebriated by the true Spirit we are called to pour out our own gifts.

If we think of the headwaiters comment to the groom about the quality of wine, we again can think of our own spiritual maturity.  The idea that wine is aged and becomes stronger over time can apply to our own spiritual journey.  Our path is can be fraught with the impurities of life and we are weakened. However, once we find that ingredient that creates a strong spiritual path we become like the wine served at the feast. We like Jesus and the couple at the feast begin our new life, and thus the spirit overflows.

Healing Power

Throughout the Gospel reading this week we see the healing power of Jesus as takes his ministerial travels in the Holy Land. Many are amazed at his ability to instantly gives new life to lepers, paralytics,  and the demonically possessed.  Then there are those who question his ability and authority to do so.  "Under whose authority" they ask or "Why does he eat with sinners" as posited in today's Gospel. One would assume that people would rejoice when some of the aforementioned people were provided with new life.  However, our sinful human condition constantly attempts to elevate us above those who might be afflicted.

I catch myself often condemning those in the news who have been brought down by their own actions.  Judgement comes quite easily in our society which gravitates to  social media postings that reveal the latest scandal or inflammatory comment.  The Gospel provides a message that is contrarian to these actions.  First Jesus says to Levi, " Follow me." A simple but life changing moment for one who is considered an outcast in society at that time. However, for me Jesus' retort to the scribes and Pharisees who question his eating with sinners and tax collectors is quite poignant. "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I do not come to call the righteous, but sinners." In my brokenness I sometimes forget that I need to join at the table with Levi and other sinners at the table. I require healing and the sustenance from the Great Healer. The choice is mine, take actions like the righteous who cast disparaging stones at those afflicted, or unite with my fellow sinners regardless of their condition.

The Lesson of the Wise Men

Growing up as a child my family looked forward to  the Epiphany which we traditionally he celebrated on January 6th.  For us children it was the chance to move the wise men figurines which we modeled from clay to the nativity scene. But more importantly we were able to open the remainder of the gifts from the Christmas season.  Symbolically we gravitated towards the scene with excitement as each of us found our remaining present much like the wise men were led to Bethlehem. The childlike enthusiasm of opening gifts still exists today, but for many the message of the Epiphany is lost.

Our journey towards the Savior resembles that of wise men.  Some us have ventured off the beaten path and were lost in a godless society full of moral relativism. Others have had to overcome personal tragedies and loss.  Sounds familiar. The wise men overcame the fears and trepidations of travel through foreign lands, leaving their familiar surroundings to seek a new guiding light. Our common bond with these three men is our faith.  No matter what difficulty we encounter on the road to discovering the author of our existence and our shelter we can rest assured that our faith we guide us as we navigate our own road to Jesus. I am sure people mocked the three men as they left their respective homelands. After all who would go out and seek something or someone they don't know much about or even see. As we also leave the comforts of our own existence we are mocked by a society that can at times insult people of faith.  "Why do you think like that?" we are challenged by those who see Catholicism as old fashioned and out of touch with the present.  Yes our journey is full of obstacles.

The last words of today's Gospel "they departed for their country by another way" leave an indelible mark on what our own map should resemble.  We must travel another route now that we have found Jesus.  It may be unfamiliar, but the knowing that we have found the King and we will be protected we venture on. Happy Epiphany.