MT 13:10-17

Today Jesus instructs the Apostles that his teaching lies open to them, unlike the crowds who are taught in Parables, because they have the eyes and ears to see, hear, and understand.  The more one has, Jesus explains to them, the more one will be given.  Though again and again Jesus will have to nudge the apostles along as they compete for the places of honor in the Kingdom.  But his teaching is for them and us that we might live with an openness to God.

A brother priest and myself had a conversation this past week reminiscing about some of our college classmates; especially those in the college seminary.  Our conversation centered on those who tried to imitate the externals of priesthood, or at least their perception of what priests do and think.  They came across as overly pious if not self-righteous.  But we observed that only a few of them actually went into major seminary, and of those none were ordained.  Our conclusion was that ministry was not what they pretended it to be.

Our faith journey has to be a time of listening and turning to the cross for inspiration and strength.  A large part of the reason it seems that people walk away from Church and faith, is that is does not meet up with their expectations.  The desire to have some sort of grand spiritual experience in the context of saintly men and women does not exist.  They are disappointed when Sin and Evil continues to grasp men and women - even in the Church.

I muse with folks that the reason I am a priest is not the reason I became a priest.  Over twenty-seven years it has evolved into a deeper and more complete way of doing Church.  Being with a family last weekend I watched two people respond to the moment by moment challenges of parenting, as they worked together, and in subtle ways supported and encouraged the other.

Being an instrument of Christ is this ongoing process of growth, renewal, and using the tools in our spiritual toolbox.  The cross cannot remain a piece of artwork, nor a theology to live by.  Their is an active desire to seek Christ first in all that we do, overcoming Sin and Evil, striving to do good.  Like John's disciples we have to go forward and declare all we have seen and heard.

The Kingdom of God is Like ...

 

 

In a particular passage of Luke's Gospel (chapter 9) Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem.  The disciples go on ahead to prepare for Jesus' passing through some of the various towns and villages.  One town refuses to receive Jesus, and throws the Disciples out of town.  The disciples are upset and suggest to Jesus that he call down from heaven fire and brimstone to destroy them.  Jesus does not justify the comment with even a response and moves on to other towns.  Such is the disposition of our God and Father in heaven.

In the middle of our hurt and pain we want to inflict injury upon those who have harmed us.  The love and mercy of God knows no limits or exceptions.  Throughout the Sacred Scripture, and best demonstrated by the Paschal Mystery, God continues to love and care for all peoples.  And as pointed out in Matthews Gospel in the demonstration of the Wheat and Weeds, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven story, God knows of our brokenness, but knows also we are good and sacred.  Most importantly we are all made worthy of God's love.

When we are told that we must love even our enemies, we immediately think of some '60s T.V. commercial whereas all are holding hands, swaying and singing together.   There is evil in the world and some men and women reject whatever is good, beautiful, and true.  But we cannot wish them harm or distress, or even more so support actions and activities that causes them hurt or distress.  Too often the news of the day is filled with the anguish and pain of a peoples who suffer from centuries old hurts and wounds.  Reconciliation and peace-making must be part of our life-response.

The story of the Prodigal Son is a powerful illustration of the love and mercy the Father holds out for us.  The younger son really desired that his father die, so that he might have the inheritance.  The father is shown to be faithful and full of love and compassion.  Even after the son's return, the father refuses to treat him as anything less than his son.  We are asked to have that same level of compassion and kindness towards each.  That we might respond in love rather than anger or hostility.  We pray that we might have the courage to forgive as we are forgiven.

The Kingdom of the Good Shepherd is certainly one of light, happiness, and peace.  Like true disciples, we are faithful stewards of the gifts and people God the Father has set before us.

Faith and Understanding

St. Anselm's adage "Faith seeking understanding," reminds us of our own journey of faith, as we are introduced to a life with God, and come to unfold its meaning and purpose throughout our lives.  While we want to know God in our heart, it is good to define and reflect upon the meaning and purpose of our life in Christ Jesus.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor in our Church.  Bonaventure lived during the 13th century a member of the Franciscans Minor.  A contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas, he was a theologian, philosopher, preacher, teacher, and regarded as a mystic.  His writings and preaching inspired many; drawing them away from mediocrity into a deep and vibrant faith.

In his text,  The Journey of the Mind of God, Bonaventure muses that Christ Jesus "... is both the way and the door.  Christ is the staircase and the vehicle ..."  Bonaventure asks that we direct our entire being to the cross and its meaning.  Persons who live in this mystery of faith can experience the fullness of wonder and joy as they meditate on the foundation of the faith we profess.  Like so many other of our saints and holy men and women, it is vital for us to have a solid cognitive knowledge of our faith, in addition to being in love with Christ.

It is good for us to understand the story of our faith, in addition to knowing the basic premise of what we believe in.  Sadly many in today's world have a very shallow understanding of their profession of faith, and the teachings of the Church.  St. Bonaventure is shown to be a gentle teacher who was full of Joy.  We are invited to make our journey of faith one in union with Christ, to know his Word among us, and to share it with joy.

Sowing Seed

As part of our missionary coop, it has been a delight to have a Carmelite Friar with us this weekend.  His homily was concise and to the point.  An educator himself, the most significant part of his message was a quote from St John Paul the Great.  St. John Paul challenged his listeners to understand that we are all missionaries.  Not all of us will go to far away lands, inner-cities, or hyper-rural areas; but we are all called to nurture and share the Word of God.

Sometimes folks will tell me that they are going to read the Bible, usually for Lent or spiritual reading.  But they get to the Book of Leviticus and decide to give up.  To be sure the Bible is not assembled as a novel or the latest non-fiction book.  It is a collection of stories which are gathered for our enlightenment and understanding.  The scriptures are the telling of men and women of faith who have come to know God and struggle to remain faithful to the covenant.  More so the scriptures tell the marvelous story of God's love and mercy; and in his compassion, the desire for our salvation.

It is so important for us to recognize this story of God's journey with us, our sinfulness, and the need for conversion.  When we can narrate that story from our hearts we are called to share that story with others.  We spend a lot of time and effort in religious education and catholic schools training children in the ways of the faith.  In addition we need to familiarize them with the stories of our faith, introducing them to men and women who continued to seek for goodness, beauty, and truth.

Because our scriptural tradition conveys to us that beyond our own sin and betrayals. In the end, as Julian of Norwich says, "all will be well, and all will be well, and every manner of being will be well."  This ongoing process of receiving, cultivating, and sharing, knowing and telling the story of salvation, bears a fruitfulness which endures.  The story of sacred scripture becomes our story too.

Take My Yoke Upon Your Shoulder

St. Thomas Aquinas propose that there are unique foundations, or transcendents, which tie our understanding of God and creation together.  These are Beauty, Goodness, and Truth.  Aquinas would ague that since all is created by God, everything exists with these basic intrinsic properties.  Further, our journey throughout our lives should center on discovering and building our response to life on these foundational elements.

The Gospels, and the teachings of the Church though, recognize that where there is Sin or Evil, men and women are seeking meaning and purpose in their lives from power, prestige, wealth, or even control over others.  In his ministry Jesus recognizes how people have moved away from a covenant relation with God and others, and are seeking to build up earthly treasuries.  To be sure our struggle to obtain stuff or position can hobble our ability to be true children of God.

The bottom line of the Gospel message is that our participation in the mission and ministry of Christ is to try to be servant leaders.  With the faith of a child we come to know that all good things come from the generosity and graciousness of God the Father.  The yoke that we wear cannot be about "worldly" desires and offerings.  Rather we are a counter-cultural people who seeks the values and virtues of the heavenly kingdom; in particular, Beauty, Goodness, and Truth.

In recent days our news has been filled with stories of those in authority who have followed righteousness rather than self-righteousness.  Of course they are dragged through the muck and gunk for doing what is right.  Many years ago my nephew related ho his classmates were antagonistic towards him for confronting a fellow classmate with an addiction problem.  In our faith we are to always stand in awe before the power, love, and mercy of God the Father. 

The burdens of the world do not lead us to new life.  The life of Jesus will reveal before us the face of the Father.  With a child-like faith we should be bust about rejecting whatever is evil, and learning to do what is right.  The process will always be countercultural, but it is the only way to recognize the light of truth.

St. Thomas - Apostle

For many of us, the phrase, "My Lord and My God," was an automatic response at Mass, at the elevation of the host and chalice.  This is the profound profession of faith by Thomas, his doubts giving way to the loving presence of Jesus Christ.  We might ponder Thomas as a weak apostle for having doubts.  Yet, throughout the centuries, we have encountered many holy men and women, mystics, and even the prophets, who wondered Where God was. 

But doubting can lead us to seek answers at a deeper level, to intensify our prayer-life, and even to motivate us to act on the very faith we profess.  Faith has many dimensions.  It affects our lives and our response to life in a variety of ways.  A faith life can lead us towards a communion unity with God and others.  Our faith life leads us to hope for a more perfect life thus encouraging us to move from Sin and Evil; learning to do good.

Faith is a dynamic gift and grace.  In the Office of Readings for today, St. Gregory the Great suggests that the "Disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other apostles.  As he touches Jesus he is won over to belief and every doubt is cast aside."  Thomas shows us that in times of doubt how important it is to seek out the Lord all the more.  Further, we see a community coming around its member who is questioning and experiencing difficulties in faith.

The Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus continues to encourage and strengthen the faithful.  The journey of faith taken by the apostles, and all holy people, becomes a source of courage and inspiration.  As we touch, receive, and consider the Body of Christ, hopefully we can have the same boldness of faith to pronounce, My Lord and My God.

Saints Peter and Paul

 

Whenever we consider the very beginning of our Church, its preaching, teaching, and evangelization, we cannot help but consider the two great Apostles - Peter and Paul.  Peter's profession as is found in Matthew's Gospel, "You are the Christ," and the extensive missionary activity of Paul, continues to inspire and encourage the Church today.  More so, it is evident of the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these two men, and in that early Church.

 

Again and again we come to recognize how God can and does do wonderful things using very basic instruments.  Peter at times could come off as self-righteous, seeming to know what was best for the mission and ministry of Jesus.  Peter's three fold denial brought him shame, especially after he adamantly pronounced that he would stand by him.  And Paul, so caught up in a limited vision of the word of God, could not imagine God unfolding a new chapter of salvation for His people.  He set out, with good intentions mind you, persecuting that early Christian community.

 

The words and works of these outstanding Apostles reminds us that doing Christianity is a daunting task.  Sometimes we act as 'nabobs,' and get it wrong.  At other times we end up standing against sin and evil, very much by ourselves.  As both Peter and Paul came to understand the cross plays a major facet in the Christian life.  In very real ways  the Apostles suffered while and in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

Discipleship requires that we continue to ask the very basic questions of our life.  Why did God create us?  Why are we here?  Who do we say Jesus is?  In pondering these inquiries with our hearts, we begin to draw close the one who has all of the answers.  When like Peter and Paul we allow the power of the Spirit and integrity of the Gospel to be our guide and guardian, we are made strong.  This of course does not mean we will not have pain and suffering; but we will have the courage to witness the mystery of faith.  Jesus calls to us, "Come follow me."