Jesus the Good Buddy?

Back from vacation. We had fun.

I was reading the obituaries this morning, I like to see if I have a funeral coming up, and I had noticed that a few of the obituaries refer to a celebration of the persons life. Having sat through eulogies which highlight the persons love of fishing, or knitting abilities, I have to wonder where the hope is in these peoples lives. To be sure these were good people, essentially we all are, but these celebrations of life seem so very empty. The eulogy giver will allude to heaven. "Uncle Ottis is looking down from heaven right now."

Jesus and the Paschal Mystery become relegated to the niceties of an elderly uncle. Jesus is not the source of salvation as much as he is a good buddy who give us a few bucks for coffee, and is always ready with a compliment. It is good to take a step back and to remind ourselves that Jesus is the Son of the living God, who brings us salvation and peace, by his dying and rising.

This week we are continuing our reading of the Book of Exodus. This is the story of the Covenant that is made between God and us. At Passover Jewish families retell this story as they celebrate the Seder Meal. When we hear about the Pharisees and Sadducees we think of them as being these very rigid religious types. For them the covenant is the foundation of their faith and religious lives.

As Christians, and especially as catholics, we celebrate the new covenant with God, which was ratified in the Paschal Mystery. So that Jesus dies and rises brings us unity and oneness with God the Father. Jeremiah the Prophet tells us that God has carved us on the palm of his hand. That is the intimacy and communion we have with God. We rejoice in this relationship but we are also challenged. This new Covenant necessitates that we are living holy lives.

God pronounces to our fore bearers "I will be your God and you will be my people." So to be sure God will watch over us, but then we live in the way that our God has shown us. The Beatitudes and the last judgement scene are not just nice narratives. They are there to imply what is means to live a life of the covenant. God is just and merciful, so how do we respond to the good things that our God has given to us.

Certainly at funerals we remember of deceased family and friends. But this is a time to be attentive that we belong to God. Just like God raises his Son up from suffering and death, we who risk living out the covenant have the hope of rising again. The larger celebration is that the Paschal Mystery is part of our lives because Jesus loves us. So we give praise and thanks to the Father who keeps watch over us, and embraces us with salvation.

I am on vacation

I am vacationing in northwest Illinois this week. We rent a condo, go play in the outdoors, visit other priests we do not get to see often, and relax. I am also only two hours away from the mother ship (the parish)

At one time in our Church life this was the area that the Diocese (Chicago first then Rockford) would send some of the problems priests. Like most of society human brokenness was responded to by sending people away. In my home county and even in DeKalb, the county retirement homes were originally out in the country. Illinois once had a huge institution for the developmentally disabled way out in Dixon. Anyway, in the matter of parishes the places out here were once upon a time considered second tier in the larger sphere of parishes.

Of course today 'pastoring' a parish is much like running a small business. A 24/7 business mind you. Many a pastor would love to be out here in the so called hinter-lands. When I first became a pastor many of the older priests would tell me to, "just love the people." Love implies that we give the people the very best that we have to offer. I do get a little embarrassed when people thank me for visiting a spouse, parent, or child who is sick or troubled. Because this is what I do for a living. And I enjoy doing it.

I am often reminded of Matthew's gospel, er, chapter 5 I believe. Jesus we are told went up to the mountain, looked out and saw the crowds coming to him with a variety of needs and concerns. We are told that his heart was stirred with compassion for the people. I am conscious of that gospel each time I do mass and look out at the people gathered together. I know that the best thing that I can do is to share Christ with them.

Both the of the Church documents, on priestly formation, and on priestly life, reiterate the priest as the image of Christ. Healing, forgiveness and compassion were the mainstays of Jesus' ministry. A child once asked me what parish I want to be at ultimately, and I responded that I was already here. Jesus ministered in the moment, in the big cities and amongst the country-folk. We are all in need of salvation and peace. To be sure this is the challenge of priesthood, and all of us as baptized believers.

We are really called to be the hands and hearts of Jesus to all of God's people. There are no cookie cutter parishes, but places where we gather to hear God's Word, and be fed with the bread of life.

Deos Verbum

The Parable of the Sower and the Seed is a familiar one, and one in which we automatically believe we know its meaning. And yet that is the point of the parable, that we might not fully hear or understand the fullness of the mystery conveyed to us. The mystery in which Jesus speaks to us about today takes careful listening skills, understanding, and contemplation.

This past year there was a Pew Study on religiosity in our culture. Almost three out of four young people identify with no religion. Now there is a lot that goes into that conclusion. They may have not been raised in a religion, may have been baptized and not much else, or they have rejected religion for themselves. A survey done by the Pastoral Life Center some years ago found that most young people identify themselves as religious but not spiritual. To be sure in the post-modern era most young people are looking for some sort of immediate, and instant fulfillment. Joy and happiness at the end of life does not appeal to many people in the world today.

The Parable today has us understand that the Word of God is spread broadly and generously. The seed that is spread is good. But the soil needs to be properly prepared and readied for the reception of the soil. The seed then has to make sense to those who receive it. If the soil is too base or acidic then the seed cannot mature and produce much fruit.

Are our communities, catechesis, and evangelization, instruments of unity and communion or do they detract from the very message they are supposed to deliver. It is difficult for our teens to understand the Eucharist as a sacrifice and as a meal, but when they are given a chance to serve the poor, visit the elderly, discuss issues of justice and peace, they begin to see the dynamics of the self-giving conveyed in the Eucharist. Certainly we do not mean for Church to become a social service agency, but if we can help connect the dots the Word of God begins to take root in the hearts and lives of all people.

The Word of God took flesh and dwelt among us. For this we are eternally thankful.

Don't know that we don't know

I caught part of a stranger movie last night centered on demons, hell, and sin. Of course the main characters were catholic priests. It is always amusing how the catholic rituals are portrayed. Put a robe on someone, make up some Latin, and there you have a catholic priest. Place bread and wine before them, use the Lord's prayer, and you have the Mass. Religious woman have long habits and full veils. And in this movie the Church is the problem and not the solution. This is Hollywood's portrayal of the Catholic Church. Movies and T.V. are about twenty-five years behind the Church in real life.

I say this in this post-modern time as we try to convey the relevance of sacraments and morals. Our culture views much of what the Church offers as quaint. Baptisms and first communions are great Kodak moments, but it is hard to understand what more there is in relationship to real life. But yet if we are serious about what it is that we are doing, we are drawn into a counter-cultural response by the very premise of what we profess. Baptism broadens our vision of the world around us and challenges to takes responsibility for the faith that we profess. Eucharist and Confirmation are a sign and symbol of our living the paschal mystery - not in the safety of our homes but in the world in which we live.

A priest friend mentioned how years ago his students wondered why the Church forbade to read the Gospel of Thomas. They had picked up that bit of misinformation from a popular movie. But rather than worry about a Gnostic Gospel, we need to fulfill the precepts of the Gospels we hear week after week. Forgiveness, healing, justice, the respect of human dignity, are all part of our tradition, but we maintain a Hollywood mentality of secret archives, demons, and singing Irish priests. The crux of the Gospels is conversion and discipleship. But it is easier to live at the surface of our faith.

There was a T.V. show years ago that came close to portraying real parish life. One where peoples lives did not always have a happy ending. It lasted less than a season. I guess there was not enough sex and violence. Our faith is a powerful relationship that connects us to God and one another. We are on a journey which transcends this life, and yet is all too down to earth. The motif of our life is the cross, and the challenge it contains.

Jesus is green too

In a parish long ago, far far away, our youth group became involved in Heifer International. Now Heifer is an organization which provides livestock to people in poor and under-developed nations and regions. The livestock provides food and a livelihood for many. It is a solid organization that sort of takes on the adage of teaching on to fish, so as to thrive for a lifetime. Anyway, at this particular parish in order to collect monies for the calf we were going to purchase, we had a fundraiser in which we served black cows. It was loads of fun for the youth, the parishioners enjoyed it, and we got to male a mess. Most importantly we raised most of the money for our bovine.

It was a great lesson for the children on the economy, the various needs of peoples, and even culture. The youth also began to understand the inter-connectedness of other nations economies, and politics and public policies can affect large amounts of people. And while the notion was not as popular yet, our use of resources does make a difference in the lives of people a half of a globe away.

As to the latter there was a news story on one of the catholic news services which spoke about environmental studies on catholic campus' The author of the article said that this is not a topic in the philosophy of religious studies areas. While I do not know whether we want a whole course on this, it is an area of stewardship. Discipleship would challenge us to understand that our use, or misuse, of natural resources can profoundly effect others. Most of us remember that as children we were told to finish our meals; with the reminder that there are starving people in the world.

I cringe often times when we use Styrofoam at parish functions, or purchase cases of bottled water for retreats and workshops. As good stewards we want to be aware of what is happening in nations that we might not ever have heard of. Because we really are our brother's keeper. The environment, politics, the economy, and even cultural concerns become the concerns of us as well. While black cows make it fun, we will always have those teachable moments in order to catechize and reflect on our faith response.

I don't think the article meant to make us tree huggers, we might recycle more often, be careful with our purchases, by local produce, and read the paper more. Make more of a spiritual impact as opposed to an environmental one.

Come to Me All You who are Weary

At the Evening Hour, in the Liturgy of the Hours, we pray the Magnificat, as part of this daily prayer. From Luke's Gospel, Mary muses on the wonders of God. From one generation to the next God feed the hungry and lifts up the lowly. This reflection of the faithfulness of our God is a response to the question of why someones would declare an unconditional 'Yes' to God, as well as sets the stage for many other's faithful response to God. In a seemingly foolish manner, God continues to pour out love and mercy upon His creation.

But when we compare the goodness of God to the often empty promises of those in power and authority, we can begin to see the wisdom in placing our hope in God. "Come to me all who are weary," is about the compassion and love God holds out to us, but it also asks us to understand that the life of discipleship leads to healing and wholeness. While standing for justice and truth, or reconciling in most difficult situations, might not have readily observable results, but is advances a virtuous and holy lifestyle. The very gentle and humble Mother Teresa, or the very holy Padre Pio, would probably bristle at the thought of their saintliness. Today we see them as models of faith and strive to imitate them the best we can.

The ways or better the yoke, of Jesus Christ is by far the more perfect way. Now it is not the easy way, but it does lead one to the intimacy of that Father-Son relationship we read about in Matthews Gospel today. What declares itself as a value so often today is more like cotton candy. It never really fills us up or manages to satisfy us. Jesus' way brings us salvation and peace.

Mathew today will begin to present the lifestyle of the Christian. To follow Christ means that we entertain a particular way or vision throughout our life. In this beautiful reading today we are asked to proclaim the greatness of the Lord by a lifestyle based in truth and virtue.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Christian tradition, June is the month that the Church dedicates to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, even if due to Easter's late occurrence this year, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart falls at the beginning of July. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has specified that his general prayer intention for the month of June to be "that priests, united to the Heart of Christ, may always be true witnesses of the caring and merciful love of God". Certainly, priests are called to such union with the Heart of Christ so that they might serve as leaders and models for all Christian believers to do the same, those who share in the common priesthood of the Faithful as emphasized in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council (cf. Lumen Gentium 10).

In my homily today I reflected on how dads and moms will lift up their children to see whatever is occurring beyond the sea of adult legs. We place our little children on our shoulders so that they can have a better view. It seems that Jesus does that as well. His loving heart raises us up above hatred, anger, animosity, jealousy, pride, and all of our other favorite sins. By isn't that what he teaches us to do as well? Like Jesus, through the strength and courage of hi loving heart we follow his example and raise one another up.

Some of the more 'humorous' scripture passages are where we find the apostles becoming indignant with one another. Very much like us today we want to be liked the best. And we especially want Jesus to like us the best. Sometimes to get there we knock one another over. Maybe not literally, but you know what I mean. Jesus speaks to us about the Kingdom. Our own lives, and the life of the Church, somehow offers a vision of the Kingdom of God. Our ministry is about lifting each other up, as Christ Jesus raises us up.

When I was here before as a 'puppy priest,' we had a young man who lived down the street, who was developmentally disabled. He spent a lot of time around the church. The pastor would mention occasionally, perhaps when I may have been firmer than I should have been, that he needs love like everyone else. There is a real truth and a real challenge there. We are to be Christ to all God's people, and perhaps even moreso the ones who might be harder to love.

The heart of Jesus is our source of mercy and love. We pray that the power of this heart may give us the courage and direction to meet all of the challenges of life, and raise us up out of our lowliness.