It's a daily-thing - Sunday's reading reflection

So we have Jesus and his disciples in a secluded place.

He asks the question, "But who do you say that I am?"  They give their answers.  It's a more important question than the first, "Who do the crowds say that I am?”  This is a question he asks of each of us.  Who do YOU say that I am?

Like good Catholics we reply as Peter did, "The Messiah of God."  Or, "the Christ".  That's how we've been brought up.  Good.  

What happens at the foot of the cross, however, neither Peter, nor James, nor Judas, nor Matthew, nor any of the other Apostles (save the "beloved disciple") would know.  They had to hear it second hand.  Sad.  Disturbing.  Within me it generates anger.  They who witnessed his miracles, worked miracles themselves in his name, heard him preach, teach and pray- yes, these disciples who proclaim him Messiah... have to hear about the moment of redemption, secondhand.  Talk about missing out.  Pitiful.

What's the message?  Be gentle with yourself because he was gentle with them.  "Peace," he said to them after the Resurrection.  

You may proclaim Jesus is Lord but that doesn't mean you're going to be a perfect disciple.  As Jesus says, it's a daily-thing.  Some days Peter did better than others.  The scattered disciples of the cruxifiction remind us that we are not God.  And in doing so they remind us that we need God.  And if you need God that means you're not perfect and can't be.  So, be gentle with yourself and do the best you can.  Basta.  Enough.

Where's your treasure box - Tomorrow's reading reflection

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal."

Lessons learned from college these days are directly opposed to Jesus' words in the Gospel today.  They are an anti-gospel, so-to-speak.  When one looks closely at those who have many possession, many "treasures on earth," one sees how much time and money they spend trying to safeguard those treasures that "moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal."  Sad.

Maybe you've heard this story but it's worth repeating at least once/year.  

The businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while.

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos; I have a full and busy life, señor."

The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." "But what then, señor?" The businessman laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions." "Millions, señor? Then what?" The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"

-Author Unknown

Store "up treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."

2nd miracle approved for BJPII

Soon we'll be saying, St. John Paul, pray for us.  Our friends at CNA report that the theologians from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have approved a second miracle.  What's left?  "Before Blessed John Paul II can be canonized, the Congregation must formally approve the miracle and present it to Pope Francis. Pope Francis would then promulgate and celebrate the canonization."  In other words, just a little paperwork, a date and a Mass.

The rumors have long been in circulation, according to CNA and common chatter, that the celebration will take place on October 20, 2014.  That's just four months away.  And only eight years since his death.  As they say, "Make it happen".  

Click here to read the full story from CNA.

Click here to read, then- Pope John Paul II's encouragement to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for peace in the Jubilee Year of 2000 A.D.

Do not be like them -Tomorrow's reading reflection

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them."  

I am reminded of the story of Elijah and the 450 false prophets of Baal who ended up slashing themselves so that the blood ran freely just so their "god" would hear them.  He never did.  Elijah prayed simply and God did more for him than even he prayed for.

I am reminded of the people, ministers included, who scream out prayers to God in public and carry on expressing every thought they are having and calling it prayer.

I am reminded of St. Therese of Lisieux who said,  “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven....” 

I am reminded of Jesus, who said, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them."  Why? Because "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Who says you can't bargain with God - Tomorrow's reading reflection

They say you can't bargain with God.  Maybe not.  But after reading the readings today I can tell you this. When we pray, fast and give alms for the right reasons, God the Father listens a little more closely.  How do I know?  Jesus said so, three times.  "And your Father who sees in secret will repay you."  It sure doesn't hurt to try.

Cardinal Dolan praying a rosary
in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
(photo: Bob Mullen/The Catholic Photographer/
NY Daily News)

Sigh of relief for traditional marriage proponents

Getting all worked up about the news media, government, Church and marriage topics?  Here is a little sigh of relief for those faithful to the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Where can we find words to express all the excellence and happiness of a Christian marriage? The church draws up the contract, the Eucharistic offering confirms it, the blessing sets its seal on it, the angels, who are its witnesses, register it and our heavenly Father ratifies it. What union is sweeter or more holy than that of two of the faithful who bear the same yoke (Matthew 11:29), joined together in the same hope, the same desire, the same discipline, the same service! Both are children of the same Father, servants of the same Lord…, forming but one flesh (Matthew 19:5), one spirit. They pray together, worship together, fast together, each teaching the other, encouraging the other, both bearing with one another.

You will find them together at church and together at the holy feast. In the same way they share both poverty and abundance, persecution or consolation. One has no secrets from the other, no subterfuge, but inviolable trust, mutual earnestness, no occasion for pain. They don't have to hide themselves from each other in their visits to the sick, their assistance of the homeless; there almsgiving is without argument, their sacrifices without scruple, there observance of their daily duties without hindrance. Where they are concerned there are no furtively made signs of the cross, anxious greetings, silent thanksgivings. From their mouths, which are as free as their hearts, hymns and canticles burst forth; their only rivalry concerns who will best celebrate the Lord's praises. Christ is made happy by this union and to such married couples as these He sends His peace. "There where two are gathered together" He is also present (Matthew 18:20); and there where He is present the enemy of our salvation has no place.

(Tertullian (c. 155-220), theologian)

Give your enemies what?! - Tomorrow's reading reflection

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Perfectionists can breathe a sigh of relief.  (Please do.)  "Perfect", in first century Aramaic means "complete" or "whole".  Be complete or whole just as your heavenly Father is complete or whole.  

How can that be possible if we're not God?  (Breathe perfectionists.)  Well, you can read/hear all sorts of pious things about the Cross of Christ.  You can hear solid theology about the power of God to do in us what we cannot do in ourselves through grace.  All good stuff.

But let's be honest.  We're not God.  Therefore we're not complete.  And the majority of us find that no matter how often we try or pray or make use of the Sacraments, we still find some places in our hearts where bitterness remains,  anger smolders and hatred grows.

So how is it that I can love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me so I can be whole as my heavenly Father is whole?  Well, I can try the standard ways that Catholic spirituality offers.  And I should.  But if you, like me, find that sometimes it's just not enough, then I'll give you my little secret.

My secret is not such a secret among 12-steppers.  Many, who are not Catholic and know nothing of Catholic spirituality, find themselves following Jesus' command above- even if they don't believe in Jesus.  They pray for their enemies indeed and do so right where they're at because God wants truth and not posturing.  What is their prayer?  "God, give that son of ____ what they deserve." 

It's not very pious but it gets the job done.  What does each of us deserve as sinners before a perfect God?  Grace and mercy.  Forgiveness and love.  But when 12-steppers acknowledge that they cannot do it in/of themselves, they call on God to do it for them.  

Give them what they deserve.  Mercy.  And so they are set free and God decides how/when he gives them the mercy they deserve.

Unconventional but effective.

(Disclaimer: Tekton Ministries and Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land neither officially endorse nor oppose this prayer, nor does any of the 12 Step programs.)