"The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal." Lk 11:38
Ritual washing was important in the Judaism of Jesus' day, especially before a meal. Jesus would have known this and the reader wonders if he refused to wash his hands to make a point with the Pharisees who were often trying to trip him up.
Jesus is clearly concerned that the Pharisees while careful about the rituals of Judaism were failing to live the law's intent, and Jesus makes this clear when he tells his host to give alms and everything will be clean. Catholics must also be careful in this regard. It is not enough to go to mass each Sunday, fast and abstain during Lent, and vote as if we have no obligation to the poor or to people around the world.
While it is important to practice our faith each day with prayer and reflection, it is also necessary to let our faith guide us in the bigger questions that face as believers each day.
How we budget our money both to live simply and generously, and how we mentor younger members to have reverence for all creation are everyday ways of practicing our faith that mark us as disciples eager to proclaim the good news with our lives.
Today, give alms without letting your right hand know what your left is doing.
What do you think are the most important practices of faith?
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor
“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
St Teresa of Avila
The bookmark of St. Teresa is fascinating. We wonder if she read it everyday. Tradition suggests it was written in her own hand and was a reminder to live in peace with Christ despite the struggles she would experience throughout her life.
Committed to the reform of the Carmelites in a Catholic world threatened by the Protestant Reformation, her life was difficult. Accused by some friends that her "visions" were diabolical, she also suffered deeply when the Carmelites forced her to retire to one of their monasteries for years before finally allowing her the freedom to spread her renewal to other convents and monasteries. In all, she founded 17 monasteries of reformed or discalced Carmelites and wrote treatises on the spiritual life that remain classics in the Christian west.
Whether Teresa reflected on her prayer and plea each day matters little. On her feast, we can read and pray it with care hoping to interiorize her desire to let nothing disturb or frighten us, but to remain patient with ourselves and God in all matters of the spirit.
Today, pray for patience.
What most impresses or moves you about St. Teresa's prayer?
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Come Follow Me
"Go sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Mk 10:21
Readers naturally wonder about Jesus' tone when responding to the rich young man. Was he hard edged, knowing how difficult his challenge was? Was he gentle and inviting, hoping the young man would not be intimidated or afraid. Although Jesus was inviting him to wonder and awe, few of us would realize this on first reading this Marcan text.
Getting rid of what we have can be powerfully freeing, if only we listen deeply and realize what a marvelous invitation Jesus is offering us. Not really concerned with what we have but how attached we are to it, Jesus knows that following him as a pilgrim demands that nothing get in the way of our speaking and living the good news. If people see us as wealthy and deeply secure in the world, they might follow us for a while, but as soon as the demands of the gospel become apparent they will fall away. Jesus is asking the rich young not to let this happen to him, and his warning to us is no different. Unless we depend on the Lord for life and security, the gospel will not be heard.
Today, think not about what you have, but what you can become if you stop clinging to things.
How do you feel about "selling" everything to follow Christ
Readers naturally wonder about Jesus' tone when responding to the rich young man. Was he hard edged, knowing how difficult his challenge was? Was he gentle and inviting, hoping the young man would not be intimidated or afraid. Although Jesus was inviting him to wonder and awe, few of us would realize this on first reading this Marcan text.
Getting rid of what we have can be powerfully freeing, if only we listen deeply and realize what a marvelous invitation Jesus is offering us. Not really concerned with what we have but how attached we are to it, Jesus knows that following him as a pilgrim demands that nothing get in the way of our speaking and living the good news. If people see us as wealthy and deeply secure in the world, they might follow us for a while, but as soon as the demands of the gospel become apparent they will fall away. Jesus is asking the rich young not to let this happen to him, and his warning to us is no different. Unless we depend on the Lord for life and security, the gospel will not be heard.
Today, think not about what you have, but what you can become if you stop clinging to things.
How do you feel about "selling" everything to follow Christ
Friday, October 12, 2012
Unity in Christ
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal 3:28
What promotes the kind of unity that Paul trumpets in his letter to the Galatians? The answer is simple and direct. We must let go of our prejudices and narrow thinking, and become totally vulnerable to one another. When this happens, each of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, looks not to differences between and among us, but what similarities bind us as believers.
Of course, letting go of narrow thinking is never easy, especially when we are not even conscious of it. Most of us are guilty of this from time to time, especially culturally.
Many years ago I was at a conference in Italy when a friar offered what I thought was a wonderful invitation to our brothers in the developing world to work together for justice. Inadvertently, his speech was interpreted by many as patronizing, as wanting to create something for those living in the developing world without first asking their input. Initially I was defensive, but after reflection I realized that I would not want anyone making suggestions for our country without an in depth conversation with those of us who live here.
Unity is hard work, but in faith, Paul insists, when we see ourselves in Christ, we will surely move towards living the prayer of Jesus that all become one.
Today, listen without having to respond to someone who thinks differently than you.
How do you envision overcoming the artificial divisions within our faith community?
What promotes the kind of unity that Paul trumpets in his letter to the Galatians? The answer is simple and direct. We must let go of our prejudices and narrow thinking, and become totally vulnerable to one another. When this happens, each of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, looks not to differences between and among us, but what similarities bind us as believers.
Of course, letting go of narrow thinking is never easy, especially when we are not even conscious of it. Most of us are guilty of this from time to time, especially culturally.
Many years ago I was at a conference in Italy when a friar offered what I thought was a wonderful invitation to our brothers in the developing world to work together for justice. Inadvertently, his speech was interpreted by many as patronizing, as wanting to create something for those living in the developing world without first asking their input. Initially I was defensive, but after reflection I realized that I would not want anyone making suggestions for our country without an in depth conversation with those of us who live here.
Unity is hard work, but in faith, Paul insists, when we see ourselves in Christ, we will surely move towards living the prayer of Jesus that all become one.
Today, listen without having to respond to someone who thinks differently than you.
How do you envision overcoming the artificial divisions within our faith community?
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