"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." Mt 8:20
Jesus' answer to the scribe who assures Jesus that he will follow him anywhere is telling. Following Jesus is demanding. There is no way around it. His promises are not attractive to most. "I will be with you always," is a strong commitment, but contains no magic bullet. Jesus does not promise us success or renown. Neither does he promise us a fine home or a large family. Rather, he reminds the scribe and us that the only wealth he has to share with us is his relationship with his Father.
The question before us all, of course, is whether this is enough. Are we satisfied to be a part of his body, to be members of a community of faith that, though broken, is of God and for God? The prophet Amos assures us that God will not abandon us even though "son and father go to the same prostitute," (Amos 2:7) but again the question remains: Is this enough? Will this sustain us on our pilgrimage of faith?
Today, ask for an increase of faith.
What aspect of Gospel life do you find most demanding?
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
A Healing Faith
"If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
There is a wonderful story about the Chafetz Chaim, a renowned 19th century rabbi, who welcomed people from all over the world to his home in Poland. Many who came felt no urgency to speak with him since they encountered the transforming power of God simply by being in his presence.
One rich young fellow, however, expecting the Rabbi's home to have lovely furniture, was startled by the simplicity he encountered and blurted out, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?" Whether the Rabbi smiled or was annoyed we do not know, but he responded, "Where is yours?" "I'm only a visitor," the young man answered. "So am I," said the Rabbi. There should be little doubt, when we hear this story, that the young man was healed in a way he could never have anticipated.
The woman in today's gospel, who had spent everything on doctors seeking a cure for her hemoorhaging, came to Rabbi Jesus with a very different perspective and attitude. Hiding among the crowds, but believing that Jesus was powerful, she touched the hem of his garment, hoping that even this simple gesture would cure her. Realizing she was healed, and no doubt wanting to slip away quietly, she hears Jesus wonder aloud about who touched him. Full of fear, she acknowledges her "unclean" act only to find the Lord's compassion more powerful than her "sin." "Daughter," he says, "Your faith has saved you."
The lesson is clean and clear. Healing comes when we tell the truth.
Today, acknowledge your need and ask for the Lord's help.
Have you been healed by telling the truth?
There is a wonderful story about the Chafetz Chaim, a renowned 19th century rabbi, who welcomed people from all over the world to his home in Poland. Many who came felt no urgency to speak with him since they encountered the transforming power of God simply by being in his presence.
One rich young fellow, however, expecting the Rabbi's home to have lovely furniture, was startled by the simplicity he encountered and blurted out, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?" Whether the Rabbi smiled or was annoyed we do not know, but he responded, "Where is yours?" "I'm only a visitor," the young man answered. "So am I," said the Rabbi. There should be little doubt, when we hear this story, that the young man was healed in a way he could never have anticipated.
The woman in today's gospel, who had spent everything on doctors seeking a cure for her hemoorhaging, came to Rabbi Jesus with a very different perspective and attitude. Hiding among the crowds, but believing that Jesus was powerful, she touched the hem of his garment, hoping that even this simple gesture would cure her. Realizing she was healed, and no doubt wanting to slip away quietly, she hears Jesus wonder aloud about who touched him. Full of fear, she acknowledges her "unclean" act only to find the Lord's compassion more powerful than her "sin." "Daughter," he says, "Your faith has saved you."
The lesson is clean and clear. Healing comes when we tell the truth.
Today, acknowledge your need and ask for the Lord's help.
Have you been healed by telling the truth?
Saturday, June 30, 2012
First Martyrs of the Church of Rome
"Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord." Lam 2:19
Grieving is a necessary and very painful dimension of every life. Whether it is the loss of a friend or the death of a child, we all know the awful pain of letting go into faith without condition. No matter how much we want to hold onto that which brings us peace and joy, we cannot. We must submit ourselves in faith to what life brings us.
This was surely true for the first martyrs of the the church of Rome. Only a generation after the death of Jesus, Nero blamed Christians for a fire that destroyed half of Rome and put them to death. What must have been these first martyrs thoughts as they became the target of the emperor's wrath? No matter how peaceful their cause, it did not matter to Nero who needed a scapegoat for his own failures.
Unfortunately, this pattern continues in our day as we grieve all those Christians who, like Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan and Oscar Romero continue to stand as witnesses in lands where their desire to live faith filled lives of compassion and justice expose them to ridicule and violence.
Today, gently mourn all those who have been lost to violence.
How have you learned to grieve deeply in faith?
Grieving is a necessary and very painful dimension of every life. Whether it is the loss of a friend or the death of a child, we all know the awful pain of letting go into faith without condition. No matter how much we want to hold onto that which brings us peace and joy, we cannot. We must submit ourselves in faith to what life brings us.
This was surely true for the first martyrs of the the church of Rome. Only a generation after the death of Jesus, Nero blamed Christians for a fire that destroyed half of Rome and put them to death. What must have been these first martyrs thoughts as they became the target of the emperor's wrath? No matter how peaceful their cause, it did not matter to Nero who needed a scapegoat for his own failures.
Unfortunately, this pattern continues in our day as we grieve all those Christians who, like Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan and Oscar Romero continue to stand as witnesses in lands where their desire to live faith filled lives of compassion and justice expose them to ridicule and violence.
Today, gently mourn all those who have been lost to violence.
How have you learned to grieve deeply in faith?
Friday, June 29, 2012
Sts Peter and Paul
"All should regard us as servants of Christ...As I see it, God has put us apostles at the end of the line, like men doomed to die in the arena....We are the weak ones, you the strong." 1 Cor 4: 1, 8
Service of others is one of the most fundamental postures that Christians, and especially those called to leadership, must assume, even though this vocation is counter intuitive for most. While it is important that some among us make decisions for the good of all, leaders should never forget, while exercising authority, that the choices they make must both build up our communal bonds and extend the gospel to all nations.
Peter and Paul realized this, and today we celebrate Peter's call to remind us that we have a tradition to uphold, a message to proclaim that is Christ's not ours. Paul, on the other hand, takes this same message to the gentile world, never forgetting that he is a servant of the gospel and that his own word, no matter how eloquent in its written form, is empty without Christ as its foundation.
Whether we realize it or not, all of us are called to be leaders. All have been commissioned at baptism to witness to Christ who was priest, prophet and king, and when we remember our vocation to be servants of the gospel, the fears that come with any responsibility fade in the light of Christ's power.
Today, be counter cultural. Lead by example.
What do you think are the essential characteristics of a Christian leader?
Service of others is one of the most fundamental postures that Christians, and especially those called to leadership, must assume, even though this vocation is counter intuitive for most. While it is important that some among us make decisions for the good of all, leaders should never forget, while exercising authority, that the choices they make must both build up our communal bonds and extend the gospel to all nations.
Peter and Paul realized this, and today we celebrate Peter's call to remind us that we have a tradition to uphold, a message to proclaim that is Christ's not ours. Paul, on the other hand, takes this same message to the gentile world, never forgetting that he is a servant of the gospel and that his own word, no matter how eloquent in its written form, is empty without Christ as its foundation.
Whether we realize it or not, all of us are called to be leaders. All have been commissioned at baptism to witness to Christ who was priest, prophet and king, and when we remember our vocation to be servants of the gospel, the fears that come with any responsibility fade in the light of Christ's power.
Today, be counter cultural. Lead by example.
What do you think are the essential characteristics of a Christian leader?
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