Yesterday, I listened to a speaker quoting Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and referencing what is referred to as "The Great Awakening."
This morning a wake up to our reading from the first letter to the Hebrews in which the the God of whom Moses said,"I am terrified and trembling" is contrasted with
...the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant..
You could slip into your child's room and scream into his/her ear at the top of your lungs, and it is true that it would awaken them. But would it be the truly Christian approach?
Yesterday the reading spoke to us of a parent's need to discipline. Today we are reminded of what is new about the new covenant. That with the new covenant God alters the relationship between God and human being.
One of the unforgettable days of my life was standing in St. Peter's Square in 2000 on the Day of Forgiveness when the Pope and others including the then Cardinal-Prefect apologized for among other things, the errors made by individuals within the Church in a misguided attempt to defend the faith.
In every religion and every generation, there have been and always will be misguided individuals, and groups. If one wants to attack the faith, you can always find examples to point to. It is for this reason that I thank God for the fact that when he established the Church, he put in place a structure to guard the deposit of faith and to right the ship.
Today's reading reminds us that God does not want us to fear him, he wants us to love him, to be a part of his very body. The proverb may be right that "Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom", but it certainly is not the end.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Everyone ?
As we come to the end of our reading of the letter to the Hebrews, Today we received two commandments.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
In the words they are so simple:
Strive for peace with everyone
Strive of holiness without which no one will see the Lord
The word for peace used here includes the concepts of quiet, tranquility,and concord. The word for holiness also can be translated as purity.
The more closely you look, it is not the command that is the challenge, it is the specifiers.
-with everyone
-without which no one will see the Lord
These seem impossible until you realize it is really very simple. All we have to do is deal with life one person at a time, and one choice at a time, and allow God to be part of every decision. It's not that it's all that difficult, but it does require discipline and practice.
As we are moving through the day interacting with one person after another, we must truly see and hear the one who is right in front of us at the moment. As the options about what we will say or do at any given moment present themselves, always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is right there with you in the choice.
Change may not happen overnight but with practice it will happen.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
In the words they are so simple:
Strive for peace with everyone
Strive of holiness without which no one will see the Lord
The word for peace used here includes the concepts of quiet, tranquility,and concord. The word for holiness also can be translated as purity.
The more closely you look, it is not the command that is the challenge, it is the specifiers.
-with everyone
-without which no one will see the Lord
These seem impossible until you realize it is really very simple. All we have to do is deal with life one person at a time, and one choice at a time, and allow God to be part of every decision. It's not that it's all that difficult, but it does require discipline and practice.
As we are moving through the day interacting with one person after another, we must truly see and hear the one who is right in front of us at the moment. As the options about what we will say or do at any given moment present themselves, always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is right there with you in the choice.
Change may not happen overnight but with practice it will happen.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Saint Agatha
Today we remember a third century martyr. It is easy for these stories to seem so far removed and different from anything we experience that we feel no real connection. One more stature —One more painting
For 2013 the estimates in the US are:
* About 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
* About 64,640 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
*About 39,620 deaths from breast cancer (women)
Imagine the worldwide numbers.
St. Agatha is the patron saint for all these women because of the many tortures she endured, the one that was not only the most physically, but also emotionally damaging was having her breasts cut off. Even as I write this I know that as a man I cannot fully understand impact having breasts removed has on a woman.
While our treatments have vastly improved, it is still traumatic, and there are far to many places where treatments, and supports are unavailable to the women in need
Today we turn to St. Agatha for her intercession for all the survivors, those struggling, and those who have yet to be diagnosed with breast cancer, may she be their constant support.
For 2013 the estimates in the US are:
* About 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
* About 64,640 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
*About 39,620 deaths from breast cancer (women)
Imagine the worldwide numbers.
St. Agatha is the patron saint for all these women because of the many tortures she endured, the one that was not only the most physically, but also emotionally damaging was having her breasts cut off. Even as I write this I know that as a man I cannot fully understand impact having breasts removed has on a woman.
While our treatments have vastly improved, it is still traumatic, and there are far to many places where treatments, and supports are unavailable to the women in need
Today we turn to St. Agatha for her intercession for all the survivors, those struggling, and those who have yet to be diagnosed with breast cancer, may she be their constant support.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Mental Illness and Exorcism
Today's gospel, the healing of the man among the tombs, touches one of the most difficult topics we deal with as people of faith. Once more we find that what our church actually teaches is the middle point between the tow extremes.
In the time of Jesus most mental and some physically illnesses such as epilepsy were understood solely as signs of demonic possession. Jesus did not step into that world and introduce 20th century psychologically, but responded in the idiom of the people.
Jump to the late 20th century, and we get the other extreme, those who want to reduce every problem to some form of mental illness or medical condition. Witness our own story from VA Beach of the young man whose suicide has brought the over diagnosis of ADHD and the drugs associated with it into the national consciousness. A pill is not the answer for every problem.
Both extremes, as extremism usually does, lead to the false dilemma. The first century was wrong, and much of the 21st century is wrong.
The Catholic Church in dealing with the human person recognizes that there are three aspects to every person: body, mind, and soul. Like most good scientists, the Church would have us look to the simplest answer first.
Do we still have a rite of major exorcism? Yes. But, it is only to be used by those priests, specifically chosen and trained for this ministry. Additionally, the Church teaches that before it is employed, medical and psychological avenues should first be explored to explain the situation in question. Your first thought, when someone is experiencing auditory hallucinations, should not be "The devil did it."
There are those situations where we do believe that we can dealing with what might be call spiritual illness. If we accept that the human being has a soul how can we reasonably dismiss that aspect of the person in dealing with their overall well-being. In this I would argue the Church takes the most liberal, broad-minded position, and those who would accept only the medical or psychological are the narrow minded.
As always it is a matter of balance.
In the time of Jesus most mental and some physically illnesses such as epilepsy were understood solely as signs of demonic possession. Jesus did not step into that world and introduce 20th century psychologically, but responded in the idiom of the people.
Jump to the late 20th century, and we get the other extreme, those who want to reduce every problem to some form of mental illness or medical condition. Witness our own story from VA Beach of the young man whose suicide has brought the over diagnosis of ADHD and the drugs associated with it into the national consciousness. A pill is not the answer for every problem.
Both extremes, as extremism usually does, lead to the false dilemma. The first century was wrong, and much of the 21st century is wrong.
The Catholic Church in dealing with the human person recognizes that there are three aspects to every person: body, mind, and soul. Like most good scientists, the Church would have us look to the simplest answer first.
Do we still have a rite of major exorcism? Yes. But, it is only to be used by those priests, specifically chosen and trained for this ministry. Additionally, the Church teaches that before it is employed, medical and psychological avenues should first be explored to explain the situation in question. Your first thought, when someone is experiencing auditory hallucinations, should not be "The devil did it."
There are those situations where we do believe that we can dealing with what might be call spiritual illness. If we accept that the human being has a soul how can we reasonably dismiss that aspect of the person in dealing with their overall well-being. In this I would argue the Church takes the most liberal, broad-minded position, and those who would accept only the medical or psychological are the narrow minded.
As always it is a matter of balance.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
World Day of Consecrated Life
Today the Church throughout the world celebrates those who have consecrated their life to Christ. These are the men and women whom we refer to as "religious." What sets them apart from other Christians, is the total donation of self which is manifested in the three vows known as "evangelical counsels":poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Poverty- surrender of material possessions, total dependence
Chastity- Married couples are also called to chastity, single-hearted fidelity.
Obedience- total surrender to the will of God.
By embracing this unique form of life they seek the perfection of charity, love of God and love of neighbor.
There are a variety of forms of religious or consecrated life. While some religious are clergy, most are not and the vows they embrace are different from the promises made by a deacon, priest, or bishop upon ordination. Some religious men and women live in monasteries, but again, most do not. Some live in community, others are consecrated virgins or hermits.
Today the church draws our attention to unique contributions that they make. The unique charisms of the communities founded by the likes of St. Benedict, St. Dominic, St. Francis, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, and St Ignatius, just to name a few that are represented in our own diocese. Perhaps this week would be a good time to contact of the religious communities near you and offer your prayers and support.
Poverty- surrender of material possessions, total dependence
Chastity- Married couples are also called to chastity, single-hearted fidelity.
Obedience- total surrender to the will of God.
By embracing this unique form of life they seek the perfection of charity, love of God and love of neighbor.
There are a variety of forms of religious or consecrated life. While some religious are clergy, most are not and the vows they embrace are different from the promises made by a deacon, priest, or bishop upon ordination. Some religious men and women live in monasteries, but again, most do not. Some live in community, others are consecrated virgins or hermits.
Today the church draws our attention to unique contributions that they make. The unique charisms of the communities founded by the likes of St. Benedict, St. Dominic, St. Francis, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, and St Ignatius, just to name a few that are represented in our own diocese. Perhaps this week would be a good time to contact of the religious communities near you and offer your prayers and support.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Growing like Jesus
Καὶ Ἰησοῦς προέκοπτεν [ἐν τῇ] σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις.
This last verse from Today's gospel, for the Feast of the Presentation, may be among the most difficult from some Christians to grasp. Those first three words,"And Jesus grew", run contrary to the heretical notion still common among some that Jesus was born, because of his divinity, with all knowledge. Since the beginning of Christianity there have been those who wanted to play down his humanity.
St. Luke tells us he had to grow in three ways. The simplest and most easily acceptable helikia- size or stature, however tall he may have ended up being.
The other two are more of a challenge for some to accept:
Sophia - wisdom, and
Charis - favor, it goes on to say before God and men.
Could he have chosen to come into the world as some imagine? yes, but he did not. And the second reading explains why.
Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
We worship a God who loved one creature, the human being, so much that he chose to empty himself and experience every aspect of human life from conception to death.
You say what about sin? I would respond that Jesus experienced temptation but not sin, reminding us that sin is not part of what it means to be human. God did not create sin, we did. It was a misuse of human free will that brought sin into the world.
Sin is not an essential part of what it means to be human. Jesus showed us what it truly means to be human as God intended it, and thought his death and ressurection gave us the means to that life.
Today we bless candles, and celebrate Jesus as the light of the world. Let us, with the help of grace, walk always as children of the light and may we grow like Jesus in wisdom, and stature, and favor before God and men.
This last verse from Today's gospel, for the Feast of the Presentation, may be among the most difficult from some Christians to grasp. Those first three words,"And Jesus grew", run contrary to the heretical notion still common among some that Jesus was born, because of his divinity, with all knowledge. Since the beginning of Christianity there have been those who wanted to play down his humanity.
St. Luke tells us he had to grow in three ways. The simplest and most easily acceptable helikia- size or stature, however tall he may have ended up being.
The other two are more of a challenge for some to accept:
Sophia - wisdom, and
Charis - favor, it goes on to say before God and men.
Could he have chosen to come into the world as some imagine? yes, but he did not. And the second reading explains why.
Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
We worship a God who loved one creature, the human being, so much that he chose to empty himself and experience every aspect of human life from conception to death.
You say what about sin? I would respond that Jesus experienced temptation but not sin, reminding us that sin is not part of what it means to be human. God did not create sin, we did. It was a misuse of human free will that brought sin into the world.
Sin is not an essential part of what it means to be human. Jesus showed us what it truly means to be human as God intended it, and thought his death and ressurection gave us the means to that life.
Today we bless candles, and celebrate Jesus as the light of the world. Let us, with the help of grace, walk always as children of the light and may we grow like Jesus in wisdom, and stature, and favor before God and men.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Fortitude
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
The Greek noun translated here as simply endurance is often translated as "cheerful endurance." This is not a teeth gritting endurance but a peaceful passing through with firm hope and trust that on the other side of the painful experience there is light.
In our world of immediacy, it is worthwhile to stop and remember the cardinal virtue of fortitude.
As the Catechism says:
Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song." "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
From the small daily bumps in the road, to the large crises, he answer is the same. We keep our eyes fixed on the loving face of God, and walk forward through life one step at a time.
The Greek noun translated here as simply endurance is often translated as "cheerful endurance." This is not a teeth gritting endurance but a peaceful passing through with firm hope and trust that on the other side of the painful experience there is light.
In our world of immediacy, it is worthwhile to stop and remember the cardinal virtue of fortitude.
As the Catechism says:
Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song." "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
From the small daily bumps in the road, to the large crises, he answer is the same. We keep our eyes fixed on the loving face of God, and walk forward through life one step at a time.
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