We rarely like to think Jesus as distinguishing those who are suitable or fit for the Kingdom of God, and those who are not. We would much rather sing another verse of All are Welcome. It makes us feel better.
Today's gospel smacks us right in the face with an unexpected line that separates those who are fit and those who are not. The unfit he speaks of here are not murderers thieves or adulterers. They, after all, can be washed clean, their sins forgiven.
The unfit in today's gospel is the "one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind." Like Lot's wife in Genesis, or Elisha in the first reading, our natural tendency is to try and move forward while simultaneously holding on to the past. Today's gospel reminds us that we must pick ONE.
People will often describe mass celebrated using the older form as mass "where the priest had his back to the people." (Once again we're so vain we think its about us, the people) In reality, churches like St. Patrick's were built on an east-west axis, and the symbolism was that everyone including the priest faced one direction, east, the direction of the rising sun.
Should we learn from our mistakes? Of course, but that is different from holding on to them, ruminating on them. To be fit for the kingdom of God we must be people who move in only one direction, forward. We follow Jesus toward the Kingdom.
It is difficult. But the truth is that the past is gone, never to be recovered. When we look backward what do we actually see? Nothing but our imperfect memories, our selective imperfect constantly changing memories.
The Latin word for the state we hope for is beatus. It can be translated blessed or happy. If we are to be happy we must make the break.
In the first reading today we are told that Elisha took
the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
On this last day of June can we do this? Whatever it is that we keep looking back at, pile it up and set fire to it, turn towards the Risen Son and walk forward. Then we will be fit for the Kingdom of God.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
More signs of shepherding
This morning the Pope conferred on 40+ archbishops, the Pallium. The vestment in its current form the a wool circle three fingers wide, with a small strip that hangs down in back and front, marked by 6 crosses.
Each year on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, those who have been named Archbishop in the last year gather for Mass at St. Peter's to receive this, the sign of their role as the archbishop of a province. For example, St. Patrick's Parish, is in the Diocese of Richmond which is part of the Province of Baltimore. As a matter of fact ourArchbishop William Lori received his pallium this morning.
Traditionally on the Feast of St. Agnes (Jan 21) the lambs whose wool will be used are blessed. The pallia are them placed overnight (last night) in a silver box in the confessio ( the area under the altar closest to the tomb of St. Peter). The wool pallium has a variety of meanings. Among them the wool, like the bishop's crozier is a constant reminder that the heart of the ministry is always pastoral, shepherding the people of God, tending. This morning Pope Francis focused them on confirming: confirming in faith, confirming in love, confirming in unity.
Ultimately he called the new archbishops and in a sense all of us :
To confess the Lord by letting oneself be taught by God; to be consumed by love for Christ and his Gospel; to be servants of unity.
Each year on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, those who have been named Archbishop in the last year gather for Mass at St. Peter's to receive this, the sign of their role as the archbishop of a province. For example, St. Patrick's Parish, is in the Diocese of Richmond which is part of the Province of Baltimore. As a matter of fact ourArchbishop William Lori received his pallium this morning.
Traditionally on the Feast of St. Agnes (Jan 21) the lambs whose wool will be used are blessed. The pallia are them placed overnight (last night) in a silver box in the confessio ( the area under the altar closest to the tomb of St. Peter). The wool pallium has a variety of meanings. Among them the wool, like the bishop's crozier is a constant reminder that the heart of the ministry is always pastoral, shepherding the people of God, tending. This morning Pope Francis focused them on confirming: confirming in faith, confirming in love, confirming in unity.
Ultimately he called the new archbishops and in a sense all of us :
To confess the Lord by letting oneself be taught by God; to be consumed by love for Christ and his Gospel; to be servants of unity.
Friday, June 28, 2013
How God really works
While they are some well intended Christians who will try and make it seem as if God in the New Testament is kinder and gentler than God in the Old Testament, today's reading reminds us the God of both testaments is one.
Despite all that Sarai did, today we hear God proclaim her Sarah, marking her role in the Covenant with Abram who will be Abraham. God did not revoke the promise or strike out at her. God keeps the promise through Sarah. Then additional God transformed Sarai's sin into a source of blessing for Hagar and her son Ismael (the name that means God has listened). In the end it is a win-win. Both women become the mothers of great nations.
And before you bring up the fight between the child remember how at the end of the story of Abraham, the sons came together
Gn 25
Then he breathed his last, dying at a ripe old age, grown old after a full life; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite, which faces Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; there he was buried next to his wife Sarah.
Despite all that Sarai did, today we hear God proclaim her Sarah, marking her role in the Covenant with Abram who will be Abraham. God did not revoke the promise or strike out at her. God keeps the promise through Sarah. Then additional God transformed Sarai's sin into a source of blessing for Hagar and her son Ismael (the name that means God has listened). In the end it is a win-win. Both women become the mothers of great nations.
And before you bring up the fight between the child remember how at the end of the story of Abraham, the sons came together
Gn 25
Then he breathed his last, dying at a ripe old age, grown old after a full life; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite, which faces Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; there he was buried next to his wife Sarah.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Blaming others
The idea of blaming others for our mistakes is not new, as the first reading today reminds us, it is as old as history. Sarai (not yet Sarah) could not be patient and trust God to fulfill his promise. She encourages Abram to sleep with Hagar and then after Ismael is born, she takes out her anger and jealousy on the mother and child. Imagine how different the story might have been if Sarai had trusted God and waited or even after her first mistake, been willing to accept the consequences and respected Hagar and Ismael.
It is all to human when we make mistakes to feel embarrassment. Rather than getting defensive and angry how about we just name this mistake as soon as possible own responsibility and move forward.
Some people found the new translation of the confiteor "excessive" with "through my fault through my fault through my most grievous fault." I think more than ever we need to say those words.
On TV we hear a lot of people talking about the need to take responsibility but they always seems to be talking about someone or some group other than themselves. Rather than looking outward how about we each look inward. I think we will find plenty to occupy our time.
It is all to human when we make mistakes to feel embarrassment. Rather than getting defensive and angry how about we just name this mistake as soon as possible own responsibility and move forward.
Some people found the new translation of the confiteor "excessive" with "through my fault through my fault through my most grievous fault." I think more than ever we need to say those words.
On TV we hear a lot of people talking about the need to take responsibility but they always seems to be talking about someone or some group other than themselves. Rather than looking outward how about we each look inward. I think we will find plenty to occupy our time.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Be careful
In yesterday's readings we had Lot as the example of how we should not judge by appearance. In today's gospel we are instructed that the best way to judge is the metaphor of the fruit tree. We are judge by the fruit that the tree bears, either good or bad.
But there is a caution here. Anyone familiar with fruit trees knows that even the best tree from time to time bears a bad piece of fruit. It doesn't mean you cut the whole tree down.
Remember Luke 13
And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. [So] cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”
We are all too ready to cut down the tree. George Will recently quipped that the largest growth industry in the US was "the manufacture of synthetic indignation." One mistake, one sin, one error in judgement and we are ready to reduce a person's entire life to one bad decision, and cut down the tree. We fly into fits of feigned shock and synthetic indignation.
I think of a man like Gen. David Patreus, a man who committed what has always been considered one of the worst mortal sins, adultery. But he also lived a life dedicated to the service of his country, and as best I know was a man of faith and convictions. How should we judge him?
Let the one among you without sin cast the first stone.
Yes we are to judge a tree by the fruit it bears, but we must look at the totality. If we cut down ever tree in the orchard that ever produces a bad apple we are going to end up with not an orchard but an empty field. Only two sinless people ever walked this earth Jesus and Mary. The rest of us depend on God's to help us do good, and God's forgiveness when we sin.
But there is a caution here. Anyone familiar with fruit trees knows that even the best tree from time to time bears a bad piece of fruit. It doesn't mean you cut the whole tree down.
Remember Luke 13
And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. [So] cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”
We are all too ready to cut down the tree. George Will recently quipped that the largest growth industry in the US was "the manufacture of synthetic indignation." One mistake, one sin, one error in judgement and we are ready to reduce a person's entire life to one bad decision, and cut down the tree. We fly into fits of feigned shock and synthetic indignation.
I think of a man like Gen. David Patreus, a man who committed what has always been considered one of the worst mortal sins, adultery. But he also lived a life dedicated to the service of his country, and as best I know was a man of faith and convictions. How should we judge him?
Let the one among you without sin cast the first stone.
Yes we are to judge a tree by the fruit it bears, but we must look at the totality. If we cut down ever tree in the orchard that ever produces a bad apple we are going to end up with not an orchard but an empty field. Only two sinless people ever walked this earth Jesus and Mary. The rest of us depend on God's to help us do good, and God's forgiveness when we sin.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
What comes first
This week we jump back to the book of Genesis and we pick up at the point where Abram (Not yet Abraham) and Lot separate. Abram gives the choice to Lot, and judging by first impression and appearance picks what looks best. Abram take what's left and moves his tents to Hebron, to the terebinth of Mamre.
We could say much about the process of choosing but it is another detail that the Spirit drew me to today, the end. When Abram gets to his new home, what did he do? He built an altar to The Lord.
It used to be a standard part of tradition for Catholics to have their houses blessed and to decorate their homes with some religious articles, and it was not unusual to see, often on the chest of drawers in the bedroom a kind of altar.
This practice served several purposes. The objects in various rooms reminded us of the constant presence of God, and served as a constant call to prayer. The blessing of the house reminded us that a house is not just a house or home, it is "the domestic church." It also served as a way of thanking God for the simple gift of having a home. How many homeless do we have right here in the USA.
Today look around your living space. It tells you a lot about a person's priorities. Where does God fit in?
We could say much about the process of choosing but it is another detail that the Spirit drew me to today, the end. When Abram gets to his new home, what did he do? He built an altar to The Lord.
It used to be a standard part of tradition for Catholics to have their houses blessed and to decorate their homes with some religious articles, and it was not unusual to see, often on the chest of drawers in the bedroom a kind of altar.
This practice served several purposes. The objects in various rooms reminded us of the constant presence of God, and served as a constant call to prayer. The blessing of the house reminded us that a house is not just a house or home, it is "the domestic church." It also served as a way of thanking God for the simple gift of having a home. How many homeless do we have right here in the USA.
Today look around your living space. It tells you a lot about a person's priorities. Where does God fit in?
Monday, June 24, 2013
12-9+3 almost
Today we celebrate the nativity of John the Baptist. We celebrate it on this day because we celebrate Christmas Dec 25. We count back 9 months and celebrate the annunciation on Mar 25. And since the angel told Mary that Elizabeth was in her six month we count forward 3 months minus one day.
It al seems rather complex but it reminds us that the plan of God is not moment by moment, but extends across all time. How often do we get frustrated because we simply can't see how God can possibly make something good out of our present situation. We want signs. We want immediacy. When we read Romans 8 "We know that all things work for good for those who love God...." We can forget that when it says all it means all, the entire universe.
Only God can see all the moving pieces across all time and space, and therefore is the only one who knows precisely the moment when his intervention is needed in our lives for the good to result. We for our part pray, and more importantly trust.
Like John whose birth we celebrate today, each of us exists for a reason. Our lives have purpose, multiple purposes. Many we may never know in this life.
Today and every day we take what we are given, and strive one day at a time to discern God's will, and do it. The rest of it we simply have to trust God with.
It al seems rather complex but it reminds us that the plan of God is not moment by moment, but extends across all time. How often do we get frustrated because we simply can't see how God can possibly make something good out of our present situation. We want signs. We want immediacy. When we read Romans 8 "We know that all things work for good for those who love God...." We can forget that when it says all it means all, the entire universe.
Only God can see all the moving pieces across all time and space, and therefore is the only one who knows precisely the moment when his intervention is needed in our lives for the good to result. We for our part pray, and more importantly trust.
Like John whose birth we celebrate today, each of us exists for a reason. Our lives have purpose, multiple purposes. Many we may never know in this life.
Today and every day we take what we are given, and strive one day at a time to discern God's will, and do it. The rest of it we simply have to trust God with.
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