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.