"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
How seriously do we take this quote in the Catholic Church?
As I visit the churches here in Costa Rica I am struck by the contrast between the wide variety of persons at mass here and the homogenous freshly scrubbed look of the average American congregation. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I thank God for the incredible blessings he has bestowed on us. At the same time this gospel reminds us that we do not have to look far to see those who have no been the beneficiaries of these blessing: those who have yet to break free from poverty, alcohol, drugs, etc.
Our cities are replete with these people but do we really want them filling our pews on Sunday?
At times I fear that we would rather watch our churches grow old and empty and ultimately be closed than fill them with "the wrong kind of people."
Today's gospel reminds us that we are the Church of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, and as such we are called not simply to rail against sickness in our society but to actually do all in our power to cure every person in need of healing.
If Christ is the physician then every church building must be the hospital. The spiritual ER for the community.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Authority
...glorified God who had given such authority to men.
The final words of today's gospel.
Much has happened in recent years to undermine our confidence in human authorities both inside and outside the church. We can easily become disillusioned and cynical.
God did give authority to those who would lead his church so that they could carry out the mission given to them and their failures in life cannot diminish that authority any more than our failures can diminish the dignity God has given to us.
Let us pray especially for those who are called to be the leaders, our bishops that God will grant them the strength and wisdom to constantly imitate Christ in the exercise of that authority.
The final words of today's gospel.
Much has happened in recent years to undermine our confidence in human authorities both inside and outside the church. We can easily become disillusioned and cynical.
God did give authority to those who would lead his church so that they could carry out the mission given to them and their failures in life cannot diminish that authority any more than our failures can diminish the dignity God has given to us.
Let us pray especially for those who are called to be the leaders, our bishops that God will grant them the strength and wisdom to constantly imitate Christ in the exercise of that authority.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I"m back
After a long Hiatus, the blog is back. I have moved into the house at St. Patrick's and with the church just next door am already thinking about what we might be able to offer at the church for the neighborhood.
Friday, May 14, 2010
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
One of the challenges of our faith at present is that over the last few decades we seem to have reduced the Gospel to one idea, "love." While the commandment to love one another is at the center of the gospel, or ir's foundation, whichever metaphor suits you best, it is not the entire gospel.
In modern English the world love has been reduced to almost meaningless, we say we "love" our family members, dogs, food, sports and even TV shows.
Just demands more of us than just being "nice" and liking others, and there are more commandments in the bible than just the ten, specifically the ones given by Jesus. We overlook them because they are not in a list, they are scattered throughout the gospels.
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"- is an imperative
The dialogue in answer to the question "How many times must I forgive?" - is not a suggestion
Love in the gospel is not reduced to a feeling, but is manifest in concrete actions toward others which Jesus commands us to do.
Each time we hear the gospels read we should listen for the sometimes subtle but necessary commandments within.
In modern English the world love has been reduced to almost meaningless, we say we "love" our family members, dogs, food, sports and even TV shows.
Just demands more of us than just being "nice" and liking others, and there are more commandments in the bible than just the ten, specifically the ones given by Jesus. We overlook them because they are not in a list, they are scattered throughout the gospels.
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"- is an imperative
The dialogue in answer to the question "How many times must I forgive?" - is not a suggestion
Love in the gospel is not reduced to a feeling, but is manifest in concrete actions toward others which Jesus commands us to do.
Each time we hear the gospels read we should listen for the sometimes subtle but necessary commandments within.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Continued Expansion of the Church
British writer Charles Wentworth Dike once quipped, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
For the last few years we have seen in the press lots of statistics that would suggest that the Catholic Church in America is in decline: huge numbers of Catholics leaving the church, etc. A more careful analysis by CARA at Georgetown would point out that, our exit numbers are huge because we are huge. The good news, however, is that the Catholic Church's retention rate (the percentage of those who grew up Catholic who still self identify as adult Catholics) is higher than any religious groups but the Jews, and Mormons.
Does this mean we should abandon the New Evangelization? No! What it means is that there is a reason to remain filled with joy over what has been accomplished in the two millennia.
In the first reading we continue to hear how St. Paul expanded the church to include all peoples. Each of us must continue that mission in two ways: inviting those who have not truly heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, and reaching out to those are by virtue of their baptism truly members of our Church but have drifted (or sometimes run) away from the practice of that faith.
We are still the largest religious group in America. Let us hold on to the Matt 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
For the last few years we have seen in the press lots of statistics that would suggest that the Catholic Church in America is in decline: huge numbers of Catholics leaving the church, etc. A more careful analysis by CARA at Georgetown would point out that, our exit numbers are huge because we are huge. The good news, however, is that the Catholic Church's retention rate (the percentage of those who grew up Catholic who still self identify as adult Catholics) is higher than any religious groups but the Jews, and Mormons.
Does this mean we should abandon the New Evangelization? No! What it means is that there is a reason to remain filled with joy over what has been accomplished in the two millennia.
In the first reading we continue to hear how St. Paul expanded the church to include all peoples. Each of us must continue that mission in two ways: inviting those who have not truly heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, and reaching out to those are by virtue of their baptism truly members of our Church but have drifted (or sometimes run) away from the practice of that faith.
We are still the largest religious group in America. Let us hold on to the Matt 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Why don't we see more miracles?
In the first reading today we see what most readers of the Bible would call a miracle, a seismologist would call it an earthquake, others a coincidence.
As I talk to those who finding themselves doubting the Bible and their faith, often one of the things you here is "Why don't we see miracles like the ones in the Bible today?" I would argue that in fact we do, we simply often have the wrong concept of a miracle.
Most people when you say miracle think of some flashy violation of the laws of physics, like the parting of the Red Sea as depicted in the movies. What we need to realize is that, at its foundation, a miracle is a miracle because in the event someone has a profound experience of the presence of God. The account in the first reading today includes no "special effects" (lights, voices, etc.). It is a simple earthquake, but in the ordinary geological event, the apostle, the jailer, and who knows how many others, encounter God.
May each of us today, keep our eyes open for the miracles in our life.
As I talk to those who finding themselves doubting the Bible and their faith, often one of the things you here is "Why don't we see miracles like the ones in the Bible today?" I would argue that in fact we do, we simply often have the wrong concept of a miracle.
Most people when you say miracle think of some flashy violation of the laws of physics, like the parting of the Red Sea as depicted in the movies. What we need to realize is that, at its foundation, a miracle is a miracle because in the event someone has a profound experience of the presence of God. The account in the first reading today includes no "special effects" (lights, voices, etc.). It is a simple earthquake, but in the ordinary geological event, the apostle, the jailer, and who knows how many others, encounter God.
May each of us today, keep our eyes open for the miracles in our life.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The spirit of truth
In these last two weeks of Easter the readings turn our attention to the coming of the Holy Spirit. While many titles are given in the gospels, in today's gospel it is the Spirit of truth that seems worth reflection. In a world where anyone with a computer (and/or camera and microphone) can be a publisher or broadcaster and any of them can call themselves and their sites Catholic, what do we trust?
The simplest advice stick to the actual sources: vatican.va; USCCB.org;Richmonddiocese.org; and of course your local parish websites.
Don't believe everything you read or even everything that claims to be Catholic.
The simplest advice stick to the actual sources: vatican.va; USCCB.org;Richmonddiocese.org; and of course your local parish websites.
Don't believe everything you read or even everything that claims to be Catholic.
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