We follow a God who can work through anyone, any place, any time.

 

The twenty sixth Sunday in OT B 2021

 

 

The Scriptures today remind us that God dwells within all people, from our earliest ancestors in faith, to all of us in this present day and age.  Moses came to the realization that God was deeply immersed in all of the chosen people, not just a few.   In the first reading from the book of Numbers, the biblical writer features the people encamped with Moses, and God bestowing upon them a share of the divine prophetic spirit that has been given to Moses.

 

God dwells in each of us.

 

In the Gospel, the disciples try to stop someone who was driving out demons just like them. They had to learn that their way was, in fact, a much narrower way than the Lord’s way, and that their narrow perspective was an obstacle to the Lord’s work getting done. Those they judged to be ‘not one of us’, Jesus regarded as ‘for us.’

 

One of the most difficult things for people of faith to acknowledge is that we can’t put limits on God.  It’s impossible to set boundaries in which God can work.

 

In contrast to his disciples, Jesus was able to recognize and encourage goodness wherever he found it. He knew that the Spirit blows where it wills. He was alert to the presence of the Spirit in anyone.

 

We follow a God who can work through anyone, any place, any time.

 

The main point is that we all have a role to play in recognizing and supporting the working of the Spirit in each other. Towards the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” (Thess 5:19) How do we quench the Holy Spirit in others?  There are several examples. We can become a stumbling block, an obstacle, to God’s working in their lives. We can quench the Spirit in others and hinder the good work that God is doing through them for a whole variety of very human reasons. We can be motivated by jealousy, as Moses suggests Joshua was in today’s first reading.

Like the disciples, we can refuse to acknowledge God’s good work in the lives of others because they are not ‘one of us’, because they belong to a different church or religion or ethnic group. We can also be dismissive of the good someone else is doing simply because it is not the way we would have done it, forgetting that the Holy Spirit works in many diverse ways in people’s lives.

 

So what message do we take home this Sunday?  The mark of a true disciple and steward of Jesus Christ is an attitude of encouragement, accompaniment, compassion and acceptance of the gifts of others.

 

This message is most appropriate for our generous support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal.  We are called to share our financial resources beyond the confines of our parish  to support people in need throughout our diocese.  The Spirit of God dwells in everyone, and they are much deserving of our support.  The CMA stands for what is good and worthwhile in our diocese reaching out to the poor beyond the confines of our parish boundaries.

 

From the perspective of the Gospel demand, we cannot not reach out beyond our comfort zone to serve the needs of our larger diocese.

 

In the second Scripture reading, James warns against being obsessed with earthly things that rust and corrosion will claim one day. The Letter of James provides a deeper understanding of how the prophetic spirit works.  James addresses the wealthy of the community.  All that they have gained through injustice will come to naught.  The wealth around which they have centered their lives will become worthless, and their lives will follow suit.  Justice will be served for those who have been treated unjustly.  Thus, acting in accord with the Spirit, James delivers a stinging message to the rich of his community whose wealth is ill-gotten.   James reminds his readers that our God numbers the most unlikely people among his “righteous.”

 

For those of us who have worked hard and fairly for the resources we have, there is no free pass from the Gospel challenge.  Plain and simple, we are to share the blessings that are ours.  What we have is meant to be shared with those in need.  This is the purpose of the Catholic Ministries Appeal.

 

Our goal is $ 224,136.  This is one of the highest goals in the diocese, although not the highest.  The goal is high, but the goal is not unreasonable.  The goal is high because God has blessed us in our parish with many, many blessings.  These are to be shared.  The Gospel leaves us no wiggle room.  We are to share our blessings with those in need.  I assure you I will personally be generous in contributing to the CMA and ask you to do the same.

 

My guarantee to you is that you will never regret your generosity to others.

 

My prayerful question for us is what do we consider our true treasures to be?  Our true wealth is to be found in our love and service of one another.  Love and hospitality live on in the giver and the receiver and do not fade away like temporary earthly treasures.

 

This Sunday’s readings invite us to ponder the ways of our God whose prophetic Spirit has been poured out freely upon all people, all creation.  Rather than quenching the Spirit in others and hindering the good work that God is doing through them, we are urged to recognize, encourage, affirm and share our blessings with others.

 

 May God give you peace and a spirit of generosity.

Peter was right but not right enough.

 Twenty Fourth Sunday in OT  B  2021

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked his disciples two questions.  The first was an information, polling question:  Who do people say that I am?  The second was a more personal spiritual question:  “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter responded:  “You are the Christ.”  Peter was right, but not right enough.  Peter has the right answer, but not the right meaning.  Peter had hoped that the long-awaited Messiah was to be regal, powerful, and a strong leader.   Peter did not understand the words of Jesus that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected and be killed and rise after three days.

Unaware, as yet, of the true nature of Jesus’ identity, Peter tried to set aside the unthinkable notion of a suffering Christ.  Jesus was explaining to his disciples his upcoming suffering, passion, death and resurrection.   For Jesus this is what the meaning of Messiah is, and this is the straight truth.

There is a crossroads in the journey of faith for many of us in our discipleship of the Lord Jesus.  We encounter that crossroads when we personally have to deal with suffering and struggle.  Sometimes that suffering is of our own doing -- dealing with the weaknesses and the demons within each of us – or sometimes the suffering comes from having to deal with realities we cannot control or manage -- as in illnesses or death of someone close to us.

In the face of dealing with life’s struggles, what happens to the piety and the prayerfulness of days gone by?  In speaking to the first disciples, Jesus is saying you indeed will experience rejection, the cross, and ultimately death.  This is the meaning of discipleship.  What is our understanding of our discipleship of the Lord Jesus?

The Scriptures today are inviting to reflect on the meaning of our discipleship of the Lord Jesus.  The Scriptures, in a sense, want us to restart our baptismal commitment, how we are to live as the disciples of Jesus?

Jesus asks us the same question he asked the first disciples:  Who do you say that I am?   Like Peter, it’s easy to give the right answer.  When we shortly profess the creed, we are giving the right answer for our discipleship of Jesus.  But as for Peter and so for us, it’s not enough to give the right answer in the words we speak.  How we live our lives validate the words we say in professing the creed.

 

 

The Scriptures today are teaching us about the meaning of discipleship.  In what situations of life are you willing to embrace suffering as a means of embracing the cross in your journey of discipleship?   In the big picture, denying yourself and taking the cross is far more than giving up candy during Lent.  It is a complete reordering of our principles and priorities in order to “restart “baptismal commitment.  Turning away from self-centeredness, we embrace other-centeredness and God-centeredness.

--There is no one we will not forgive.

--We are committed to share what we have in the service of others.

--We are simply going to be kind to each person we share life with today.

--Prayer, our relationship with the Lord, is going to be a daily part of our DNA.

 

May we restart our baptismal commitment by seeking to serve, rather than being served, and by our willingness to deny our self so that we can more fully embrace our discipleship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This weekend, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 9/11.  How does our discipleship of the Lord Jesus help us to pray and reflect on this 20th anniversary of 9/11?

 

Gracious God, our world changed with the 9/11 attacks.  We have seen how easily buildings fall and how quickly lives can end.  As we remember 9/11, may it remind us that you are our only true security.  Give us your strength to face the memory of this attack and the changes it made in our lives.  Give us your compassion to help each other and recognize need around the world.  Give us your hope as we face an uncertain future.  Give us your peace.

 

Gracious God, we lift to you in prayer all those who died in the Twin Towers, at the Pentagon, and on United Airlines flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

 

 

We entrust them to your loving care.  Console their families, friends, and all who mourn this loss in the hope that all who trust in you find peace and rest.

 

We pray for those who courageously responded to provide aid and comfort for the afflicted.  May their painful memories of that day be healed and transformed into strength and positive resolution.

 

We also pray for ourselves as we seek your strength and guidance.  We live in the aftermath of this tragedy and under the shadow of future acts of aggression.  We stand in need of your assistance.

 

Enable us, Dear God, to put an end to fear:

 

--By resolving to live lives that are based on respect for one another.

 

--By resolving to live with much peace in our hearts and never settle disagreements in our lives in a violent way;

 

--By resolving not to fall into the trap of blaming entire ethnic groups, races or religions in response to acts of hostility;

 

--By resolving that justice, not revenge, prevail in our world.

 

                                                                                                                                   

Let us resolve that in the face of hatred, we will show love; that in times of despair, we will be voices of hope and creators of new dreams; that in times of darkness, we will be sources of light.

 

Let us resolve that we will never regard forgiveness as weakness, but rather as a source of strength in our lives and in our world.

 

And let us honor the memory of nearly 3,000 individuals who died on September 11, 2001 by resolving, with your help Almighty God, to truly live this way so You may be glorified, and Your love made known to others through us.  Amen.

 

May God give your peace.

 

 

 

                

FAITH OVER FEAR.

 

TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN  OT  B  2021

 

Today’s Liturgy of the Word presents a compassionate God who unmistakably says that all lives matter.  God makes no distinctions between classes of people.  The Scriptures reveal a God who makes the poor rich in faith.

 

Today’s scriptures speak to one of our fundamental Gospel theme:  Love your neighbor, no exceptions.

 

In the first Scripture reading from the prophet Isaiah,  “Thus says the Lord:  Say to those whose hearts are frightened:  Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God, He comes to save you.”

Isaiah serves as God’s mouthpiece, encouraging the people to be stronger than their fears because God is coming to save.  What an important truth that is to mark our discipleship of the Lord Jesus.  We are to be stronger than our fears.

The fear the Israelites were told to avoid was the paralysis that comes from relying on self rather than on God; this is the type of fear that strangles faith and prevents growth.  Fear not, urged the ancient prophet.  Look instead at God, who comes to save.

How does it go with the fears of our lives?  Do you fear that this pandemic will change your life forever?  Do you have a fear that you don’t have the finances that you need?  Do you have a fear about a brokenness in a significant relationship?  Do you have a health fear for yourself or someone you love?  Do you have a fear that your addiction is getting the best of you?

The clear message is expressed in three words:  FAITH OVER FEAR.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Letter of James, the apostle is emphatic:  Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith.  It is our blessing to serve the needs of one and all regardless of how they are dressed or regardless of their social status.  God chooses the poor to enjoy the gift of faith and become heirs of the kingdom.

In the Gospel, the people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Jesus to lay his hand on him. 

 This deaf person had some beautiful soul friends.  Have we brought anyone to Jesus lately, physically and in prayer?  Is there anyone we should invite and pray for?  Do you have anyone you would recommend to participate in the parish RCIA? 

All of us are missioned to bring people to Jesus.  As a parent, you are missioned to bring your children to Jesus.  As a community of faith, we are missioned to help bring each other to the Lord.

A second sentence in the Gospel worth noting:  Then Jesus took the man with the speech impediment off by himself away from the crowd. 

Do you ever think that Jesus is eager to lead you off by yourself and away from the crowd?  If only we allow him.  There, in quiet intimacy, he invites us to show him our deepest wound, our greatest need, our most shameful sin.  When we dare to do so, we are met with no reproach, no condescension , no impatience.  On the contrary, we are welcomed with love, tended with prayer and patience and either healed or made stronger for the burden that is ours to bear.

In your prayer, allow yourself to be alone with Jesus.  Speak to him from your heart and allow God’s unconditional love to be showered upon you.

In the sacrament of his Baptism, the newly baptized is blessed on his ear so that he will always be able to hear the Word of God throughout his life.  What an awesome God!  As the community of the baptized, we have all received this blessing on our ears to hear God’s Word throughout our lives.

But like the deaf person in the Gospel account, we sometimes have a hearing failure.  And I don’t mean that it is a defect in our mike system – that occasionally

 

 

happens.  What I mean is that we can too easily have a spiritual hearing impediment that keeps from hearing the Word of God in our lives.

Hearing isn’t just a physical act.  We hear a lot of things and don’t really listen to the one who is speaking.  All of us received that blessing of our ears on the day of our baptism.  The journey of faith for all of us is to actualize more and more the grace given to us at our Baptism.  We are God’s beloved sons and daughters.  The love of God lies deep within our hearts.  The blessing on our ears to hear and respond to the Word of God is a lifelong process.

May all of us acknowledge the need to improve our spiritual hearing.  May all of us be thankful for the many ways that we do indeed hear and respond to the Word of God.  As always, we ask for the grace of openness to hear the Word of God that is spoken to us today.

Our smart phones are the way many of us communicate by text and email with one another, is it not.  Our phones are very, very smart.  How many of us email and text one another several times during the day?   Would that we have a spiritual smart phone in which we text and email Jesus several times during the day?  And yet, this is the meaning of prayer.  Our spiritual smart phone is located deep within us -- in our hearts.  May we rely on our spiritual smart phone of our prayer life as often as text and email our best friends.

As is spoken in the children’s classic The Little Prince, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The miracle of the cure of the deaf person serves as a call to all of us not to be deaf of the message of the Gospel.  In the Gospel, the first word that was heard to the one who was healed was:  “Ephphatha --  that is, be opened.”  That word is spoken to us as well today:  Ephphatha -- Be Opened.  Be open to hearing and listening to the Word of God.  How is the Lord speaking to me today and how is the Lord speaking to you today and how is the Lord speaking to us together today as a community of faith?  The grace we ask for today is the grace of Ephphatha.

As the psalmist tells us:  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

May God give you peace and the gift of spiritual listening.