Shepherds Represent Us

Every manger scene has some shepherds.  They were the first visitors invited to come and see Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us, our Savior.  They are our representatives at the stable.

The shepherds in our mangers appear to be docile and kindly, with at least one of them always carrying a lamb on his shoulders. So we see the shepherds in a positive light. 

But shepherds were seen in a less flattering way during Jesus’ time. They had reputations as rowdy characters who caused a stir when they came to town. They were also thought to dishonest. Local people hid their valuables when the shepherds were around.     

And religious leaders saw them as sinners.  They rarely entered synagogues or the Temple. To be fair, shepherds’ lives didn’t allow much time for religious activity. And it seems that their work left them ‘unclean’ for worship without ritual cleansing. 

So why were the shepherds picked to be the first visitors at the manger? 

Precisely because they were sinners…just like you and me. C. S. Lewis says that “Christmas has no message for people who think they have no sin.  The true message of Christmas comes across when we admit that we are sinners and that we need a Savior.”

                                          Mary Our Model  

 

On this eve of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I remember Mary as our role model. She is a model Steward, Prophetess, Cross-carrier, Disciple and  Ponderer.

 

Mary, as a model Steward, holds nothing back from God.  She gives her entire self without condition. “I am the handmaid of the Lord…let it be done unto me according to your word.”

Mary is a model Prophetess.  She speaks truth to power. She says: "The Lord has cast the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.”

Mary is a model Cross-Carrier. Mary faces the doubts of people who suspect her of unfaithfulness. And later she faces the double tragedy of losing her husband and then her son.

Mary is a model Disciple. She remains faithful to her son even when she doesn’t understand Him and His mission. She stands at the foot of the cross. 

Mary is a model Ponderer. She reflects on all that happens and trusts that God is working in everything.  Mary our model, pray for us. 

                                             Vesper Time – A Book Review

Vesper Time is a short book, packed with insights into 5 key areas around the issue of aging. The first chapter deals with memories.  It’s not so much about losing memories as it is to identify the key memories which have led us to become the people we are.

Chapter two raises the subject of Intimacy.  What kind of intimacy really helps us as we age?  How do we maintain relationships that sustain us and keep us connected as we face the future? And, of course, facing it with others is more life-giving than facing it alone.

The third chapter treats the huge issue of diminishment.  What things can’t we do as well as we used to? Can we admit that?  And are there some things that we can actually do better now, in spite of the physical and mental changes we are experiencing? 

And the last 2 chapters deal with acceptance and gratitude. They help us age with hope. They encourage us to see aging not only as a challenge but also as a gift.  The goal is to become loving and grateful people and to avoid the grumpy old men or women syndrome!

I’ve read four or five other books about aging and this one is my favorite.  It’s written by Frank Cunningham and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll New York.

                                       

                                                            Leading with a Towel

On last Sunday’s feast of Christ the King, Pontius Pilate and Jesus are discussing Kings and Kingdoms.  The kind of Kingdom Pilate has in mind is the King of the Roman Empire.  His throne is the seat of power and his army controls the borders, his weapons include horses, lances, bows and arrows, and his riches provide a luxurious life-style.

And Jesus’ notion of a king is a Servant King. His throne is the cross.  His army are His disciples.  His riches are the poor, the leprous, the marginalized, the prostitutes and sinners.  And He leads with a towel.  It’s the towel of a servant King who washes feet.  And that Servant King asks His followers to lead with towels too. 

Our Servant King is in charge of the final judgment. He will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep will enter the Kingdom because they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, welcomed the homeless, visited the sick and imprisoned. And our Servant King says: "What you did for my least brother or sister…you did for me."

Question: How are you leading with a towel this week?   

                                                              Gratitude

I’m trying to broaden the scope of my gratitude.  And I invite you to do the same.

Who have been your best teachers in school or in life?

What’s the tastiest meal you’ve had?  With whom did you eat it?

What’s the most interesting place you ever visited?

Who are people behind the scenes of your life who really help you?

List the beautiful things in our natural world that you relish and enjoy.

Think of a piece of music or a work of art that has touched your soul.

Remember a time when you laughed so hard that you cried. 

When did you feel closest to God in the last week or two?

Who loves you most?  Why do you think that person loves you so much?

                                        Happy Thanksgiving.  F Ron

                                          I Will Praise You…For I Am Wonderfully Made

                                                                       (Psalm 139:14)

How wonderfully made are you? There’s something a little unnatural for me (and probably for many of us) to describe ourselves as wonderfully made.  It sounds like we are bragging.  But God really has made us wonderfully.

 

In my morning prayer I almost always say: “Thank you Lord for loving the total package that I am.”  And that includes my sins, foibles, idiosyncrasies, etc. But it also includes the gifts that God has given me.  Can you name 5 gifts that God has given you?

The way I see it is that I am a child of God.  And just like I take after my parents in some ways, I also believe that I have some qualities that God has passed on to me too.  It’s what I call my Spiritual DNA. 

Take time today to identify your DNA markers that are God-like.  And then think about the people closest to you.  Can you see how wonderfully made and God-like they are too?

                                                            God-Sent Moments

Last weekend I was struck by Mark’s placement of the story about the scribe who approved Jesus’ insight into the 2 great commandments.  In Mark’s Gospel, that story occurs on the Tuesday of Holy Week…a time when opposition to Jesus was growing rapidly. 

The previous day Mark described Jesus’ visit to the temple when He turned the tables upside down and used a whip to get the money-changers out of there.  Many Jewish leaders saw that as proof that Jesus had to be killed. 

So on Tuesday each opposition group sent people to confront Jesus.  It was a horrible day until the Scribe came.  He asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest.  And when Jesus described the two commandments of love, the scribe genuinely affirmed Jesus.  That was a God-sent moment that helped Jesus face the agony that was coming soon.  

Sometimes God-sent moments come directly from God, but most of the time they come from people that God puts into our lives.  Who was a recent instrument of a God-sent moment in your life?  And how were you recently an instrument of a God-sent moment for someone else?

                                          Blind Man Sees Better than James and John

In the Gospel two weekends ago, Jesus asked James and John what they wanted Him to do for them.  And they told Jesus that they wanted to sit on His left and His right when He came into His Kingdom.  What a brash self-interested request! 

“What do you want me to do for you?” is the same question Jesus asks the blind beggar in last Sunday’s Gospel. And the beggar, Bartimeous, says “I want to see.” And Jesus responds “Go your way, your faith has saved you.” And not only are his eyes opened but he also sees with eyes of faith. The story ends saying that that “Bartimeous followed Him on the way.”

‘Following Jesus on the way’ is code language implying that Bartimeous became Jesus' committed follower. So guess where Jesus stops next on the way? It was Jerusalem when Jesus arranged the ‘Palm Sunday' entrance into the Holy City. So Bartimeous follows Jesus to His dying and rising. What a commitment! (Read Mk 10:51-11:1-2)

How would you respond if Jesus asked you “What do you want me to do for you?” And what is the hardest thing for you to do as you follow Jesus 'on the way'?

                                                          

                                                      Do You Listen to God? 

Last weekend we heard the aftermath of Jesus’ 3^rd prediction of His suffering, dying and rising. (Mark 10:33-45)  And right after that, James and John ask Jesus if they can sit on His right and left sides when He comes into His kingdom. 

After the 1^st prediction of His suffering and dying, Peter ‘rebukes’ Jesus for saying such a thing. To which Jesus responds: “Get behind me Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33)

And in the light of the 2nd prediction, Jesus discovers that while He was talking, the disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. (Mark 9:30-34)

You might ask: What’s wrong with these Disciples?

I think they simply didn’t ‘hear’ what Jesus said, because they were too focused on their own issues. If they really heard Him, wouldn’t they have shown some shock or compassion?

   

Do we listen to what Jesus wants to tell us?  Or are we so preoccupied with our own issues that we don’t even ask Him what He might want to say to us?

Honestly…that happens to me almost all the time!

    

So my new-found daily remedy is to ask Jesus to tell me what He wants me to hear.  And then I shut up for 10 minutes and try to listen to Him. It seems to work. Give it a try.   

   

                                                        Do You Listen to God? 

Last weekend we heard the aftermath of Jesus’ 3^rd prediction of His suffering, dying and rising. (Mark 10:33-45)  And right after that, James and John ask Jesus if they can sit on His right and left sides when He comes into His kingdom. 

After the 1^st prediction of His suffering and dying, Peter ‘rebukes’ Jesus for saying such a thing. To which Jesus responds: “Get behind me Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33)

And in the light of the 2nd prediction, Jesus discovers that while He was talking, the disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. (Mark 9:30-34)

You might ask: What’s wrong with these Disciples?

I think they simply didn’t ‘hear’ what Jesus said, because they were too focused on their own issues. If they really heard Him, wouldn’t they have shown some shock or compassion?

   

Do we listen to what Jesus wants to tell us?  Or are we so preoccupied with our own issues that we don’t even ask Him what He might want to say to us?

 

Honestly…that happens to me almost all the time!

    

So my new-found daily remedy is to ask Jesus to tell me what He wants me to hear.  And then I shut up for 10 minutes and try to listen to Him. It seems to work. Give it a try.    

                                               The Rich Man Who Walked Away Sad

A rich man asked Jesus what he had to do to gain eternal life.  Jesus told him to keep the commandments. And the rich man said that he had done that since his birth.  So Jesus said: “There is one thing more you need to do…sell all you have and give it to the poor. Then come and follow me.“ And the rich man went away sad because he had many possessions.

                                            Questions to think about:

       1. As the rich man got older do you think he regretted walking away from Jesus?
  
       2. If Jesus asked you to the same thing as that rich man, what would you do?

 3. If  you asked Jesus what you personally need to do to attain eternal life, what do you think Jesus would specifically ask of you? 

 4. What do you think happened to the rich man when he died?  

       5. What cost would you be willing to pay this week for an ‘Eternal Life Insurance Policy’?

In the next day or two, make it a point to tell someone the story of the rich man and what that story means to you.   

                                                                       Muslims

                                                         (Morocco Reflection no. 3)

Morocco is more than 99% Muslim.  Until this trip, I’ve never really talked to a Muslim.  But the following conversation changed that. 

We were in an ancient building getting info from a local guide. 10 days into our trip, I was tired of looking at buildings. So when the guide invited us to walk around the site, all I wanted to do was find a place to sit down.  I spotted a bench where one man sat.

Unsure of his language, I hesitantly asked if I could sit down. He said: “Yes…please join me.”  I complemented his English. He said: “I have to speak it well. I’m a tour guide.” We both smiled.

He asked what I did and I said: “I’m a Catholic Priest.” It was as if he was waiting for a moment like this. He quickly replied: “The problem with religion is that we have too many extremists. We need more normal people with moderate voices.” “Yes”, I clearly agreed. 

Then I told him the one thing I knew about the Koran: “It has more verses about Jesus’ mother Mary than the Bible does.”  He smiled and said:  “Yes, and Miriam (Mary) is the most common name for Muslim women.” What an interesting connection!

His tour group gathered round us.  We stood, hugged, and exchanged names. We agreed to pray for each other. He’s the only Muslim on my prayer list.  I won’t forget him.    

Think about a conversation you’ve had with someone that you’ll never forget.

                                                             Gate-Keepers

                                                      (Morocco Reflection 2.)

Morocco is ruled by King Mohammed VI.  Besides being very powerful, our guide pointed out that the king has more than 30 palaces.  We saw palaces in every city we visited.  But we only saw walls surrounding them and their main entrance gates.  At each gate there were military officers and other officials, who monitored those who wanted to enter.      

Seeing those gate-keepers reminded me of Pam Cremer and Mary Ann Huser who served as ‘gate-keepers’ for me when I was Pastor of St. Richard Parish.  They did a great job of fending off salesmen on the one hand, and making sure that I talked to or got messages from parishioners on the other hand. Thanks Pam and Mary Ann!

Is there someone in your life who is like a gate-keeper?  Someone who speaks for you when you need to rest or when you’re just not up to dealing with someone or some issue? 

In John’s Gospel we are reminded that Jesus is not only our good Shepherd, but He’s also the gate and the gate-keeper. (John 10:7-9)  We enter the heavenly sheepfold by going thru Him. The good news is that He’s a compassionate gate-keeper and a merciful judge. 

What do you think Jesus will say to you when it’s your turn to enter that gate?    

                                              The Man Who Wore Yellow Slippers

                                                          (Morocco Reflection 1.)

I visited Morocco for 12 days, returning this past Saturday night.  I’d like to write some blogs that relate to a few experiences there.

Our tour guide led us thru a number of “Kasbahs” in different cities.  Kasbahs are fortified neighborhoods or towns where tribal families live. Some Kasbahs date back to the 1200’s.  Their passageways are narrow and it is easy to get lost.

  

One day our guide led us thru a Kasbah in Marrakech.  Some members of our group noticed that there was a man in yellow slippers following us.  They were uneasy about this strange guy and mentioned it to our guide, who smiled when he heard their concern. 

It turns out that the man in yellow slippers was hired by our guide to follow our group. His job was to make sure that no one got lost in the maze of so many passageways. 

The yellow-slippered guy had a God-like job…making sure no one was lost.

Name a few times that you were lost…in different ways.  Name someone who helps you find your way or watches out for you.  My friends Carlos, Javier and Antony watch out for me.  I’m so grateful for their friendship.  And then, of course, there’s Jesus too. 

Make it a point today to thank someone who helps you navigate the maze of your life.

                                         …Disciples Returned to Their Former Way of Life

                                                                         (John 6:66b)

Five weeks ago we started reading chapter 6 of John’s Gospel.  The whole chapter is dedicated to Jesus’ description of Himself as the ‘Bread of Life’.  The chapter begins with the Feeding of the 5,000.  But by the end of the chapter nearly all 5,000 people have walked away from Jesus.  Only some committed disciples and the 12 apostles remained.

But then, even the committed disciples became disillusioned with Jesus when He claimed that anyone who ate His flesh and drank His blood would have eternal life.  As a result of that, verse 66 says that “many of His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.” 

What strikes me about that sentence is that following Jesus meant that people had to adopt a ‘new way of life'. What do you think that means?

How does being a disciple affect your way of life?

Being a disciple affects my priorities.  It helps me make better choices.  It forces me to be honest with myself.  And, people on the margins are more visible to me.       

If you returned to your former way of life, what would that mean?

If I returned to my former way of life, I think I’d be a mess!     

                                                             Soul Food

This not a blog about African-American cuisine.  It’s a blog about food for our souls. Ron Rolheiser calls our souls the ‘fire inside us that give us life and energy, and the glue that holds us together’.  And he says that, just like our bodies need to be nourished, so do our souls. 

What has been food for your soul in the last couple of days?

Yesterday I found a prayer that I’d lost years ago.  It's food for my soul and maybe it'll be that for you too. “O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world lies hushed, and the fever of life is over and our work is done.  Then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at last.”

Today food for my soul is the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe.  Aug. 14 is his feast day.  He was a prisoner in Auschwitz. In retaliation for an escaped prisoner, the commandant chose 10 men to be killed.  One of them wept because he wouldn’t see his children again. Maximilian took his place. And that fellow was present at St. Maximilian’s canonization.

What has been food for your soul in the last couple of days?    

                                                             Beetle Poop!

God gave manna to the Jews on their journey to the Promised Land. It came from the excretion of desert beetles which formed cocoons. The morning dew weighed them down and they fell off the bushes to which they were attached. They gathered the cocoons and pounded them into a flour that made very nutritious bread.  Not bad for beetle poop!

Last weekend I mentioned beetle poop in my homily. Afterwards a couple friends told me about a conversation they had about that.  And they were drawn to the idea that sometimes God also works thru the crap in our lives. 

   

I like that idea.  And I know the truth of it from my own experiences.  Can you think of any examples of that in your life? 

For many years I struggled with the issue of not loving myself.  But little by little that’s changing with God’s help. The result is that I’m gaining a healthier picture of who I am. And an even better result is that now I can even help others deal with similar issues. 

If you can see how God has helped you deal with something crappy in your life, make it a point to tell someone about it.  Maybe God (and you) can help them too. 

                                             Come…and Rest a While (Mk 6:31a)

This is a blog about taking naps. God did it on the 7^th day of creation.  Jesus did it quite frequently when He went away by Himself for to pray and rest.  Pope Francis does it almost every afternoon when he goes to his chapel after lunch and spends 10-15 minutes praying and then another 10-15 minutes taking a little nap.   And he says St. Therese did it too. 

I do it almost every Saturday morning when the pressure is on to pull together the threads of a weekend homily.  By that point I have too many ideas. And I’m at wit’s end to edit, discard, add, coordinate or start over.  So I settle into my recliner and I bring the mess of ideas forward and take a little nap. About  10 minutes. 

Almost always when I wake up, things have gelled.  It may not result in a good homily, but I’ve narrowed the options and have a clearer focus. It settles me. I call it a ‘holy nap’.

So, with my expertise in ‘napping’, I’ve written up a document called: “Directions for Taking a Holy Nap”.  That document is also attached to today’s new post message.  If you try taking a ‘Holy Nap’, let me know. 

                                                                      Baggage

A backpack filled with a bunch of books.  Another backpack filled with clothes.  A plastic bag with toiletries and an extra pair of shoes. My computer.  A small plastic bag with snacks for the journey.  This is a list of baggage I stuffed into my car for a recent trip to Ann Arbor Michigan where I met my sister for a 3 day vacation.

‘Embarrassed’ is the best word to describe my reaction to a sentence in last Sunday’s Gospel. (Mk 6:7-13)  “Jesus summoned the twelve and sent them out two by two”…”He instructed them to take nothing on their journey except a walking stick – no food” (I think that means no snacks) “no traveling bag” (I think that means no backpacks or computer case)…”Do not bring a second tunic.” I think that means that 4 shirts were too many!!!

Why did I take so much luggage?  Do you take too much baggage too? Why?

And then, of course, there’s more to the story about my baggage.  My baggage also includes my dispositions, my moods, my prejudices, my anxieties, my insecurities, etc.

If I traveled this week I’d take less stuff and less personal baggage too.  Make a list of ‘stuff’ and ‘personal baggage’ that you’d leave behind on your next journey.

                                      He Could Work No Mighty Deed There…

Last weekend’s Gospel (Mk 6:1-6) told the story of Jesus’ first visit to Nazareth after His ministry began so successfully in Capernaum. It was in Capernaum that Jesus cast out demons and healed many sick people. And the people of that town recognized Jesus as someone who taught with authority.

But His hometown folks treated Him badly.  They insulted Him.  They misjudged Him.  They didn’t give Him a chance to be the person that the Father called “His Beloved Son” at His Baptism.  They jumped to rash unflattering conclusions.  In the face of all that, “He could work no mighty deed there.” What a sad story!

It was a rejection of Jesus by a community.  It wasn’t some personal misunderstanding.  It was a judgment by the people He had grown up with…people whom He loved. That hurt.

One insult was particularly ugly.  It was the remark that He was ‘the son of Mary’. Mary Healy in her book The Gospel of Mark suggests that those words might be “a veiled slur, alluding to the fact that Mary was not yet married at the time of Jesus’ conception.” How do you think Jesus would have felt about that?    

The antidote to misjudging people is to try to see people the way that God sees them.

                                                      Healing Souls    

Last Sunday’s Gospel contained a story about a woman who had hemorrhages for 12 years. She’d heard of Jesus and trusted that she’d be healed if she just touched His garment. And, when she did that, she was physically healed. (Mk 5:25-34)

But think about her soul over those 12 years.  Depression, dashed hopes from doctors who made matters worse, living outside the community because she was considered ‘unclean’…like a leper.  Her spirit was numbed.  Her soul needed healing too.

When Jesus asked the crowd who touched Him, she was afraid to come forward.  But, falling down before Him ‘with fear and trembling’, Jesus comforted her by calling her ‘Daughter’. Because of her faith, Jesus saw her as part of his family. And that tender response healed her soul.    

What is your soul? How would you define it?

How can we help heal someone’s soul? 

When has your soul needed healing? Who/what helped heal your soul?

                                             What Can We Do about the Migrant Issue?

Fr. James Martin recently wrote an article for America online services in which he outlined five things we can do to support our Catholic position on current migrant issues at our borders. Here is a summary of the article.

1.      

      Call your legislators.  This is something I’ve never done…until now.  Here are their numbers.  Congressman Paul Ryan represents Wisconsin’s 1^st Congressional District in which most readers of this blog reside.  His number is 202-225-3031.  Senator Ron Johnson can be reached at 202-224-5323 and Senator Tammy Baldwin at 202-224-5653. Messages for President Trump can be left at the switchboard at 202-456-1414.

2.      

      Inform yourself of the facts.  Go online to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration and Refugee Services for information.

3.      Help organizations, financially, which are assisting migrants now.  Catholic Charities/USA is very reputable.

4.      Advocate for migrants with your friends and family.  Fr. Martin says: “The voiceless need our voices.”

5.       Pray for migrants especially the children and parents who have been separated.

                                               Monarch Butterflies and Migration

What an interesting story!  Monarch butterflies are the only insects that migrate.  They move from Canada and the US in the late summer to central Mexico for their winter hibernation. The distance between their summer and winter homes is 2,000-3,000 miles!   

Monarchs have a life expectancy of 5-7 weeks, which means that the first ones flying north for the summer will not reach their ultimate destination.  On their flight they seek milkweed plants on which to lay some eggs. The eggs hatch and become caterpillars. In a few weeks the caterpillars become butterflies. It takes 2 or 3 generations of Monarchs to reach their northern home.   

Monarch migration is written into their DNA. 

Human migration shows up in our DNA too.  All of us, including Native Americans, have come from someplace else long, long ago.  Our ancestors sought safety, security, food, freedom, and happiness for as long as human beings have dwelt on this earth. 

Lest we forget, our Statue of Liberty testifies to this truth about our homeland in the words of Emma Lazarus: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” What's  happening to our welcome mat?

                                                            The Suicides

Two notable Americans committed suicide last week: Kate Spade, a fashion designer and Anthony Bourdain, a famous chef and world traveler.  Spade suffered from depression for many years. So her decision wasn’t completely surprising. But Bourdain’s decision left people stunned.

    

Suicide is on the rise. I’ve also read that the incidence of suicide often increases after the suicides of famous people. I hope that doesn’t happen now. 

     

One commentator on Spade’s decision said “many people carry secrets around with them, things they simply don’t share.  On their faces we don’t see their heavy hearts.”  The deadly serious conclusion of that commentator was:  “Be kind.” That’s always good advice.

Almost 30 years ago I sought a Spiritual Director.  Like most people, I had struggles and memories that I held within.  I never really considered suicide.  But I knew I had to talk to someone who could help me sort things out, so I could become spiritually and emotionally healthier.

There is a spiritual side of every person God has made.

       

I can’t help but think that people who are suicidal might benefit from looking at the spiritual side of themselves with someone who can guide them. Who helps you be spiritually and emotionally healthy?       

                                                                    WOW

Fr. Jack Kern tells the story of a 6 year old, whose older brother was 8 and had recently received his First Communion.  The brothers looked alike.  So when the 6 year old held out his hand for communion one day, Fr. Jack gave it to him.  Only moments later Fr. Jack realized that it was the 6 year old who had just received his unplanned First Communion!

    

He talked to the boy afterwards to help him understand something about Communion. So he asked the child if he knew why Jesus gave Himself to us in this holy bread.  The child said “no”.  So Fr. Jack said: “Jesus gives himself to you in this bread because He wants to be your best friend.”  And the child’s spontaneous response was: “WOW!”

I like that explanation about communion.  And the child’s “WOW!” touches me.

What does it mean that Jesus wants to be my best friend? 

It means I can tell Him my secrets and He’ll love me no matter what. And it means that He’s always with me on my journey.  And it also means that He’s my biggest fan! 

What does it mean to you that Jesus wants to be your best friend?    

                                                            A Relational Trinity

My friend, Javier, recently told me that “people tend to become like the ‘God’ they worship”. For example, when people believed in ‘warrior’ gods, they tended to become warriors themselves.  So, what kind of God do we worship? Our God is a ‘relational God’… Father, Son and Holy Spirit existing in a Trinity of relationships.

Think about this.  In the Genesis story, God creates human beings like Himself…relational.  Not only does God want a relationship with Adam and Eve.  He also wants Adam and Eve to have a relationship with each other and with everything else that He made. 

Take 3 minutes to remember some key moments in your life.  Would those moments be so wonderful if you had no one with whom to share them? 

Can afterlife be anything but relational as well? It was also created by our relational God.

I want to see my loved ones on the other side of life.  But I also hope to relate with people I’ve never met, but have admired for a long time. For example, I would love to meet Dorothy Day, Pope John XXIII, and Damien of Molokai.

Who would you like to meet in your afterlife?  I’d love to hear your answers.

                                                           Cell-Phone Baskets

Last year a Grandparent told me about a new rule in her house when grandchildren come to visit.  They have to put their cell-phones in a basket near the front door.  They get them back when they leave.

 

The point is that grandparents want to talk to their grandchildren. After the initial shock of having to do this, the grandchildren apparently comply without too much fuss. 

It turns out that this rule can have a positive mental health effect on the grandchildren. 

The General Social Survey has discovered that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985.  Loneliness is on the rise.  And technology, cell-phones and internet use is a contributing factor to loneliness.  And, amazingly, it is generation Z (18-22 years of age) who comprise the loneliest generation of adults.

Technology is good for many things.  But it can’t replace person-to-person or face-to-face conversations with people we love.  Most Facebook friends don’t cut the mustard!

Do you ever look at texts or check messages in the middle of conversations with people you love? I confess that sometimes I do.   I think I have to change that. 

                       

                                              Pro-Life…A Seamless Garment

Being Pro-life is being against abortion and much more.

Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness says: "Our defense of the innocent unborn, needs to be clear, firm, and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.  Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and underprivileged…the victims of human trafficking, etc.”    

In that same letter he says: "We often hear it said that…the situation of migrants, for example, is a lesser issue.  Some Catholics consider it a secondary issue compared with "grave" bioethical questions.  That a politician, looking for votes, might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian, for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children..."

20 years ago Cardinal Bernadin called for 'a consistent ethic of life' which he named ‘a seamless garment’.  Question: What does it mean for you to be Pro-Life? 

*The quotes from Pope Francis are from Paragraphs 101 and 102 of his letter on Holiness.

                                                      “I Call You Friends” - 2

                                                                (John 15:15)

 

Most Fridays Fr. Javier Guativa and I bounce ideas off each other for our weekend homily. We start by looking for a common theme.  Last week we found it in Jesus’ calling us ‘friends’.  So we developed a list of characteristics of good friendships. Here are some of them.    

Good friends want the best for us.  Good friends enjoy each other’s company. They are people we can count on.  Good friends accept us as we are and forgive our mistakes.  They also bring us joy.  Good friends laugh a lot and good-naturedly tease each other.

Most of those descriptions apply to our friendships with Jesus, except the one about laughing and good-natured teasing. But…maybe that should fit too.     

So I tested it out.  The next day in an imaginative contemplation, I asked Jesus what He sees in me that makes Him laugh or smile.  In about 3 seconds I knew the answer. He laughs every time I give a Culver’s card away at mass for the right answer to a homily question!  It makes me smile just thinking about it.  And that adds a new dimension to our friendship.

So I’ll make it a regular part of my prayer…realizing that every day I probably do or say something that makes Jesus smile or laugh.

Take 5 minutes and ask Jesus what he sees in you that makes Him laugh or smile!

                                             I Call You Friends (John 15:15) 

Jesus calls His disciples ‘friends’ in the middle of His speech at the last supper.  They included Peter, Thomas, Judas and the Beloved disciple. And Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, Martha, and unnamed others were probably there too.  And some of them betrayed Jesus and ran away when He needed friends the most. 

But Jesus didn’t pressure them.  He even washed all their feet.

Their acts of abandonment and betrayal surely hurt Jesus.  But He understood loved them.  He knew about human nature and our tendencies and lapses in being the people God wants us to be.

What His disciples didn’t understand was that Jesus would love them no matter what.  He’d always offer them second chances.  That’s a real friend!

Name one of your closest friends.  Recall the history of that friendship.  What do you treasure most about him/her?  Have you needed some second chances?

How long have you seen Jesus as your friend? Name some stages in the growth of that friendship. Think of the last time you needed a second chance from Him.    

                                                       Are You Holy?

If someone asked me that question, I’d roll my eyes and say “Not really”.

Recently Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness.  It is a 34 page letter which is both readable and down-to-earth.  Check it out.  A basic message is that holiness does not imply perfection.

Two weekends ago I started the homily by asking people to raise their hands if they think they are holy. At the 1st mass 1 person raised a hand.  At the 2^nd mass no one raised a hand. But at the 3^rd mass, 14 people raised their hands. I was delighted.

Two families raised their hands.  Both families have 3 children…some younger ones and some teenagers. And every member of each family ‘tentatively’ raised their hands. (Their hands were up but not real high.) I liked that. They see that they’re on the way.

Pope Francis says: “Holiness is present in parents who raise their children with love; in men and women who work hard to support their families; in the sick and elderly who never lose their smiles; and in next-door neighbors and those living in our midst.”

Two concrete actions: 1. Answer the question for yourself: Are you holy?  2. Name a holy person you know. Talk to him/her about that.          

                                                                 Spiritual DNA

Last year I received a gift certificate to do a DNA search through Ancestry.com.  I assumed my DNA would show my strong German background…having 3 German grandparents. To my surprise it was my Polish grandfather’s DNA that dominated my profile. In hindsight that makes sense to me.  I look very much like him.  And our personalities are similar too.       

Recently I chose the text of 1 John 3:1-2 as a reading for a funeral.  That text begins with this sentence: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.”  And that got me thinking about something I’d call spiritual ‘DNA’. 

What qualities have we inherited from God our creator? How are we God-like?

In the instance of that funeral homily, I mentioned the deceased’s 'tender heart', 'playful spirit' and 'love for the natural world' as his God-like qualities.  

Take a few minutes to think about God-like qualities that are embedded in your spiritual DNA.  What qualities have you inherited from God?  Think of a person you love.  What God-like qualities do you see in him or her?  Tell that person what you see of God in him or her.     

                                         Repent and Believe the Gospel

On Ash Wednesday, when the ashes are put on our foreheads, the minister of the ashes can say: “Repent and believe the Gospel”.  These words are part of Jesus’ mission statement in the Gospel of Mark. (Mk 1:15)     

The Greek word ‘metanoia’ is translated ‘repent’.  It means that we are called to face our sinfulness and to change our minds and our hearts.    And the Greek word ‘evangelion’ is translated ‘Gospel’. And it means ‘good news’.  And, for my part, the best ‘good news’ is that God continually gives us second chances.

I’ve received ashes on my forehead since I was a baby.  And I’m 70 years old now.  That means that God has given me 70 Lents to get things right.  And I try.  But I always fail.  So next year, if I’m still alive, I trust that He will give me my 71^st chance to get it right. Maybe the 71^st chance will be the charmer…but I doubt it!  

How many times have you received ashes on your forehead? 

Blessed are we to have a God who is so loving and forgiving!

                                       What’s Your Favorite Name?

In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Cephas, which is translated Peter and means ‘the rock’.  Although Peter wasn’t immediately a ‘rock’, he became a rock over time. And I bet ‘rock’ became his favorite name. 

Peter had other names too. For example, He was called ‘son-in-law’ by his mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed. And since Peter brought Jesus to her home, maybe he was her ‘favorite son-in-law’!   He was also called Apostle and Disciple.

By what names are you known?

Besides being called ‘Ron’, I’m also called Father. That name was awkward for me in the beginning.  But I’ve grown into it and now I’m comfortable being ‘Father’. Are there some names you’ve grown into? 

Ok. There’s one other name I guess I should mention. Some friends call me ‘Old Fart’… but don’t tell anybody! And, yes, I’ve become that too.J

In the end, I think my favorite name is: ‘----- -- ---.’ Can you guess what that is?  If you’re right, you could win a prize.  What’s your favorite name? 

                            National Migration Week – Jan. 7-13, 2018

For nearly 50 years the US Catholic Church has celebrated National Migration Week.  This year’s theme is: “Many Journeys, One Family”. It reminds us that each family has a migration story.  And it calls us to live in solidarity with one another.

Take a few minutes and remember your family’s migration story. 

Immigrants look for safety or better lives for their families.  They face challenges, rejections, and warm welcomes too.    

Are there immigrants in your neighborhood?  Have you met them?

Last fall our Bishops urged Congress ‘to find a durable and permanent solution on behalf of DACA youth’.  Read about it online: USCCB statement on DACA.

In the past our Bishops offered these 4 principles to guide immigration policies:

1.      People have a right to find opportunities in their homelands…

2.      People have a right to migrate to sustain their lives…

3.      A country has the right to regulate its borders and control immigration…

4.      A country should regulate its borders with justice and mercy.

A longstanding Catholic moral teaching calls us to work for the common good of everyone. How hard is it for you/me to fully embrace that teaching?   

                                                         

                                        Points to Ponder as We Start a New Year

What were the 2 or 3 biggest blessings you received last year?

Last year, what brought you the most joy? 

What was the biggest mistake you made over the past year?

 On an average day last year, how much time did you take to pray?

What spiritual resolution will you set for yourself this coming year?

Name a particular sin that you want to face and stop in the New Year.

In this first week of the the New Year, name one thing that you’d like to do to make you life a little holier.

Celebrate the New Year by naming 3 things that God has always loved about you.

(Sorry I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the '8.' below this line.  Lord, have mercy on my computer in 2018!)