Left Standing

We have all been left standing speechless and in awe at one time or another in our lives.  As avid sports fan there are quite a few moments in my life where I have seen game ending shots, spectacular catches, monumental home runs, or indescribable goals.  Likewise we have snapshots of some world event that had left us speechless. What follows is usually a statement such as "Did you see that" or "I can't believe what I just saw." Imagine the disciples who had seen numerous miracles performed by Jesus and were foretold of his ascension to the Father? Stuck in moment in time, perhaps wanting to hold onto the moment for what they had experienced over the time they had been with Jesus was in itself was difficult to put into words.

What follows is the actions which are the beginning of the Church. The Advocate becomes real and no longer are the disciples still, but become men of action. Many of us have experienced the living Jesus in the form of our interactions with others and have carried the message of love, charity, and forgiveness to the ends of the earth. This is the Gospel message.

Likewise is the challenge. Being moved by the Spirit and taking action. Living in a secular society and talking of such experiences creates tension for those unfamiliar with the Gospel message.  I find this myself as I ponder how do I spread the Gospel? I have heard quite often the quote, "How does one know that you are Catholic?" Do my actions and or words mirror those of a person of God? Daily reflection indicates on some days yes and other days it seems the Spirit in me is quite absent as I am filled with resentment, anger and other defects of character.

Back to left standing. Many people have read or heard the quote attributed to St. Francis, "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words." Although these are not the exact words from the great saint, the quote is a reminder to me that I don't have to be overcome with the fear of actually preaching or quoting verses of the Bible (of which I am not proficient) in some teachable moment. It is my actions which can reveal the Holy Spirit alive in me. Actions of charity, compassion, forgiveness. Actions of a kind word to a suffering colleague, to a person in the pews at Mass on Sunday, or praying for a loved one that may have hurt me in some way.  No longer standing, but being moved by the Spirit. Blessings on this Ascension Day and Blessed Mother's Day for all those mothers who have moved us out of comfort zones by their examples of living out the Gospel message.

What is this peace thing?

I have often pondered over today's Gospel passage in which Jesus proclaims, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you." So what type of peace do we have in the world or better yet how does the world give us peace and how does that contrast with peace of Christ. If there is peace in the world it is hard to find amidst all the violence and vitriol that seems to flood the news cycle and social media circuit.

As my pastor said today "the peace that is proclaimed is not the absence of war." However, that is what we are lead to believe.  Perhaps that is why Jesus states, "not as the world gives us peace."
We are lead to believe that we can find peace in comfort and the transitory awards of  material things.  When we have these and financial security peace permeates our being or does it? Time and time again we see that people that "have it all" become emotional wrecks as they seek to fill themselves with the inescapable thirst for something fulfilling.  Many of us have had similar experiences as the drive to fulfill career and family responsibilities becomes all consuming. If we have this position we will be at peace or if we have this salary we will  no longer worry about financial insecurity.

On a global scale if one nation stops escalations does peace then exist?  Maybe between nations which in itself is good, but then action or words seems bring on tensions once again.  This peace is short lived. Treaties are signed, conflict arises, treaties are broken, war starts again. Differentiating between the Gospel version of peace and human peace is important.

So what does Jesus give us?  He promises us a place in his house where there are many rooms. In Revelations the new Jerusalem is radiating beyond any human description where God's people may rest.  Search on the web "To be at peace with oneself" and you will find any number of entries beginning with Buddhism, psychology, motivational websites and the list goes on to 189,000,000 more. If I can't be at peace with myself then knowing that Jesus is the only lasting peace that is reassuring. Going to Him with my troubles, anxieties, and tensions in prayer at any given time provides the inner peace.  Yes, it took many decades to figure this out, but I think I have the found the answer. May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you.

The Greatest Commandment and Most Difficult Commandment

"I give you a new commandment." For most of us this new commandment is the most difficult. "Love one another" resonates as I am driving on my daily commute enduring erratic driving and wanting to rage as I am frequently cut off by a speeding driver.  "Love on another" as a colleague takes an action that does not fit my expectations.  "Love one another" as I hear the constant barrage of acerbic comments in the current political season.  "Love one another" as I change the dial to listen to sports radio and the commentary is about the latest incident of a sports star.  "Love on another" as a family member makes a hurtful comment. "Love one another" as I hear the latest acts of violence globally and locally.

"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love." Quite challenging in this day and age. Living in a cave devoid of human contact might seem easier.  However, that is not our calling.  We are called to experience life on life's terms as difficult as it might seem.  Perhaps we are called to spread the Gospel in ways we have not yet realized.  One can never know how an action of love can make a difference.

I think of today's reading from Acts as Paul and Barnabas  ventured into unknown territories to preach the Gospel.  How many times did they encounter rejection and yet persevered under the most challenging circumstances. Love another they did. "Behold, I make all things new," are the words we hear in the Book of Revelation. Forgiving, a word that is shunned in our society, is where a call to love begins for many.

My call to love today begins with those whom I encounter. It is a call to make a radical change in my actions and thoughts.  That change begins with surrendering my self-centered expectations and consider the words of the psalmist "Lord make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths."

The Doubt and Mercy Connection

Years ago I remember a homily given on this day by the abbot of the monastery where I attended Mass.  He said that he fittingly was named Thomas and then proceeded to give a beautiful homily on about the only disciple who recognized Jesus as both Lord and God.  As I contemplated this sermon I wondered what it would be like to make the connection as Thomas did especially after stating his unbelief to the others when he was told of the Resurrection. But there is something else here in the passage that can be easily overlooked, mercy.

Doubt in God and his infinite grade is something that is quite human as well as something that I struggle with daily.  The various tests and pains that are very much are part of daily life can be questioned as if God is out to wreak havoc with our plans.  I can doubt God's existence when the landscape is littered with inhumane acts, vitriol, and hate. But what if Jesus presented himself to me just as he did with Thomas?  Would I readily accept the invitation to touch the wounds which were incurred so that I may have everlasting life? Quite daunting. I am ill prepared for such an experience or have I been blinded by my self-centered humanity.

What I fail to realize is that Jesus is present daily.  He is the homeless man or woman at the exit off the freeway.  He is the person at work who is dealing with tasking situation in caring for an elderly parent. He is person in our family who is difficult.  We do not see Thomas being condemned for his unbelief by his peers nor do we see Jesus rejecting him.  Instead Jesus extends his hands of mercy so that he may believe. I feel that we are being asked to do the same. In the last line of the today's Gospel we are exhorted to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. Doubt is overcome with faith through the Mercy of the Divine.

Encountering the Risen Christ

We read the Gospel passage of the women and later the two disciples coming to the tomb and not finding Jesus. Where is he, who took him? It is not the question we should ponder, but the answer.  He has risen. He is in everyone one of us. His presence transcends our limited human abilities to understand.  It is the mystery of faith.

Much like looking at someone who we see as empty and broken,  wrapped up in themselves, we don't always see the real picture.  Think of Jesus once crucified wrapped up in the linens. He was assumed dead, by many to not to be heard from again.  Can we find the same Jesus in those we don't want anything to do with? This is where we are challenged. Paul exhorts us to clear out the old yeast, to become a fresh batch of dough.  We can discard the old yeast of malice and wickedness as Paul states and become the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Encountering Christ is possible when the stone of our self-dependence is rolled away to find our own emptiness and the need for God. Let us find the risen Christ in all we encounter and all that we do.  Easter blessings to all my brothers and sisters.

Joining the Crowd

Over the last couple of weeks the word crowd in reference to the Jews of the time is prevalent in various scripture passages from John's Gospel passage reference to the Jesus instructing the lame man to take up his mat, his outburst in the temple to those who profess to know him, and finally today in the Passion.  What brings out the worst of the worst behavior of those in the crowd? What brings people to want bloodshed?

In the today's Magnificat meditation Caryll Houselander sheds a somewhat prophetic light on this behavior how those who might otherwise of sane actions take up cause that has been inspired by a human leader and lose their identity in their lust to share the power of the leader.  Oh,the desire to belong to something always tempts us. It is easy to join in a conversation that targets a particular person who is not liked for their behavior or actions that do not correspond to ours.  Or for that matter to join a movement that seems to address a particular injustice whether real or not.  Is this any different than the crowds who rose up against Jesus? We are challenged to take up the cross instead of standing on the sidelines and hurling insults.  The challenge not join in a condemning conversation of a colleague or the latest news-making personality is our cross. Do I have it within me to pray instead for those whose views do not reflect mine or those whose actions arouse anger and condemnation? Or is it easier to belong to the crowd that Caryll Houselander alludes to?

I harken back to last Sunday's Gospel reading in which Jesus says to the crowd waiting to to waiting to stone the adulteress, "Let those among you who is without sin throw the first stone." For me I am all to ready to throw the stone, condemnation, or insulting word at a sinner. I pray that for the next seven days of Holy Week, I can unite with body of Christ, my fellow humans of whom I belong and help take up their cross whatever it might be and be merciful. Lord Jesus Christ Son of everliving God, have mercy on me a sinner.

The Patience of the Gardener

Anyone familiar with fig trees knows that the seeds of the fruit can easily germinate in the ground after being blown in the wind or being carried off by hungry birds. The seedling appears in the oddest places in one's yard but once it is rooted well in decent soil it quickly shoots up in size. From today's Gospel passage the fig tree is the focal point as a conversation between a gardener and an orchard owner assess the usefulness of tree that does not bear fruit. For me the passage provides a striking example of God's mercy and patience with sinners. As a gardener, God allow provides the fertilizer of love and patience even in our darkest hours. Each granule of fertilizer is allowed to dissolve and provide sustenance even though it is no longer visible.

As a sinner I can  recall  all too easily the times where I as the fig tree was withered, practically dead and yet in his infinite mercy, the soil of my soul was cultivated, worked, and the weeds were removed so that I could further grown. The gardener replies to the frustrated owner that time should be allowed for work around the tree and if it then does not bear fruit it can be cut down. I would like to think that God never will give up on me.  However, I see myself as the owner in many cases with my interactions with others.  My patience as with the soil is exhausted.  Perhaps God has a plan that I as the impatient owner am not aware of.  If only I had the fortitude of the gardener, willing to spend some time working the soil and providing fertilizer so the fig tree could be fruitful. As a gardener myself,  I value the time working the soil, removing the weeds and clustered seedlings so that fruit can be prolific.  I pray that I have the same compassion and love towards others.

I can hope that I could be ready as Moses and recognize that God is present in the flaming bush as well and respond, "Here I am," then readily spread the fig seed so that it may sprout on the fertile soil of others. Likewise,  if I am to take today's Scripture passages seriously as Paul warn's us, I should never assume that I stand on solid ground of my own, but realize that the fig tree of life, the risen Christ is my foundation.