"Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Lk 17:17
Recent days in the New York City area, following Hurricane Sandy, have caused all of us to think about basic needs and services. Not only have most of us been without electricity for a week or more, thousands of homes have been destroyed and many other homes will not be habitable again for months, if ever. The south shore of Long Island and the New Jersey coast have been so battered and bruised that the people who live there are still in shock.
Unfortunately, for most of us, it takes a storm like this to make us think about what we so often taken for granted. Being without electricity and heat for days, and being unable to find gasoline for our cars makes us realize how dependent we are on the services which most of the time time we can find anywhere, and forces us to pause in gratitude.
Jesus reminds us of this same reality. It was a foreigner, someone without a voice or a home, who returns after being healed to thank him. The clear call of the Gospel is to be thankful each day not only for the simple gifts of food, water and heat, but for life itself.
Today, thank someone who provides you with a basic service.
How do you avoid taking life's necessities for granted?
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
St Frances Xavier Cabrini
"We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” Lk 17:10
Frances Xavier Cabrini's parents read to her about the great missionaries of the 19th century, stirring the young girls imagination and filling her with dreams. Clearly, the influence of parents and grandparents is radically important in the faith formation of children, and although it is clear in the ritual of baptism that parents must be the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of faith too many today leave education, both secular and sacred, to experts, and we are all the less for it..
Hearing the heroic stories of missionaries in her own home caused Frances Xavier to dream about becoming a missionary, and her concerns for Italian immigrants led her to cross the Atlantic ocean dozens of times and establish 67 different schools, orphanages and hospitals. From her youthful dream emerged a woman and a religious community that was determined to make a difference in the United States and beyond and her life story makes us wonder who will excite the imaginations of the children of the 21st century?
Frances Xavier Cabrini's parents read to her about the great missionaries of the 19th century, stirring the young girls imagination and filling her with dreams. Clearly, the influence of parents and grandparents is radically important in the faith formation of children, and although it is clear in the ritual of baptism that parents must be the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of faith too many today leave education, both secular and sacred, to experts, and we are all the less for it..
Hearing the heroic stories of missionaries in her own home caused Frances Xavier to dream about becoming a missionary, and her concerns for Italian immigrants led her to cross the Atlantic ocean dozens of times and establish 67 different schools, orphanages and hospitals. From her youthful dream emerged a woman and a religious community that was determined to make a difference in the United States and beyond and her life story makes us wonder who will excite the imaginations of the children of the 21st century?
Today, dream about a world transformed by the gospel?
Who has excited you with a gospel dream?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
St Josaphat
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin." Lk 17:2
Sometimes it is an early event in our lives that causes us to pause and wonder about God and where God is taking us. St. Josaphat told a friend that as a boy when he was looking at an icon of the crucified Christ, a ray of light from the icon penetrated his own heart, an event he never forgot and which became the foundation of his spiritual life.
Today, Josaphat is honored not only for his martyrdom but as the patron of reunion between what the Second Vatican Council called our separated brethren and the Roman Catholic church. The word brethren is worthy of our reflection. When we look at all people as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters, our attitude changes. Though we may differ deeply with some of our brothers and sisters, we never denigrate them as persons. Rather, we hold up what is good and exemplary in their lives.
Most of us learned this lesson from our parents. Never wanting to separate from their children, parents insist on seeing the good in their children, even when their children separate from them politically and religiously.
That is what Josphat did, especially in his final hours. As a mob threatened his community, he asked: "Why are attacking my servants? Take your anger out on me,"St Josaphat and they did. Beaten, shot and beheaded, he died as any good father would in defense of his faith and his "children."
Today, pray for reunion among Christians.
Have you had an experience of Christ's love that continues to sustain you??
Sometimes it is an early event in our lives that causes us to pause and wonder about God and where God is taking us. St. Josaphat told a friend that as a boy when he was looking at an icon of the crucified Christ, a ray of light from the icon penetrated his own heart, an event he never forgot and which became the foundation of his spiritual life.
Today, Josaphat is honored not only for his martyrdom but as the patron of reunion between what the Second Vatican Council called our separated brethren and the Roman Catholic church. The word brethren is worthy of our reflection. When we look at all people as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters, our attitude changes. Though we may differ deeply with some of our brothers and sisters, we never denigrate them as persons. Rather, we hold up what is good and exemplary in their lives.
Most of us learned this lesson from our parents. Never wanting to separate from their children, parents insist on seeing the good in their children, even when their children separate from them politically and religiously.
That is what Josphat did, especially in his final hours. As a mob threatened his community, he asked: "Why are attacking my servants? Take your anger out on me,"St Josaphat and they did. Beaten, shot and beheaded, he died as any good father would in defense of his faith and his "children."
Today, pray for reunion among Christians.
Have you had an experience of Christ's love that continues to sustain you??
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Widow's Mite
"This poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury." Mk 12:43
It is easy to forget that there were no supermarkets in the ancient world, no place to shop and buy supplies for a week or more. The people of Jesus' day would have used whatever they had on hand to prepare a simple meal and may have gone to a small, local shop for barley, oil and the like. All of this to say that the poor widow is most probably giving the money she would use for an evening meal into the temple baskets, preferring to honor God and support the priests and temple personnel rather than eat herself. Her sacrifice is deep, and makes a lasting impression on everyone who reads about her.
Two matters emerge for us in the modern world. While it is rare in the United States that people have nothing to eat on a daily basis, there are very hungry people here. More than 50 million Americans do not have adequate food each day, and most of them are children and seniors.
Just as important, more than 2 billion people in the world do not eat enough nutrient food each day and even worse, they have what scientists call, "food insecurity." They may eat today but are not sure they have the resources to eat tomorrow or next week. The stress this kind of living creates can be overwhelming.
Nevertheless, despite their own hunger, the poor are often generous and giving. More, they have faith that moves mountains. Unlike some of us who blame God for every difficult turn our life takes, the hungry continue to pray, worship and offer service to those more needy than themselves, and in this they are examples for the rest of us.
Today give from your substance.
Who has most impressed you because of their generosity?
It is easy to forget that there were no supermarkets in the ancient world, no place to shop and buy supplies for a week or more. The people of Jesus' day would have used whatever they had on hand to prepare a simple meal and may have gone to a small, local shop for barley, oil and the like. All of this to say that the poor widow is most probably giving the money she would use for an evening meal into the temple baskets, preferring to honor God and support the priests and temple personnel rather than eat herself. Her sacrifice is deep, and makes a lasting impression on everyone who reads about her.
Two matters emerge for us in the modern world. While it is rare in the United States that people have nothing to eat on a daily basis, there are very hungry people here. More than 50 million Americans do not have adequate food each day, and most of them are children and seniors.
Just as important, more than 2 billion people in the world do not eat enough nutrient food each day and even worse, they have what scientists call, "food insecurity." They may eat today but are not sure they have the resources to eat tomorrow or next week. The stress this kind of living creates can be overwhelming.
Nevertheless, despite their own hunger, the poor are often generous and giving. More, they have faith that moves mountains. Unlike some of us who blame God for every difficult turn our life takes, the hungry continue to pray, worship and offer service to those more needy than themselves, and in this they are examples for the rest of us.
Today give from your substance.
Who has most impressed you because of their generosity?
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