Archive for February, 2008

Our Love for God

theophilus February 29th, 2008

We men love a lot of things – cars, sports teams, supermodels, our jobs and hopefully, our wives and children.

But, how well do we love God?  How deep is our devotion to him?  Where in our lives do we place him?

In today’s gospel, Christ is asked about the greatest of the commandments.  In response, he quotes a passage from Deuteronomy spoken by Moses and instructs us that:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

Love doesn’t get any deeper than this - all of our heart – all of our soul – all of our mind - all of our strength.  What’s left to offer?

The point in this teaching is that God needs to be the center and focus of our lives.  Nothing else can take priority.  And we will show how much we love him by our actions on a day-by-day basis.  Every choice we make is a reflection of the level of our love for God.

So, let’s ask ourselves – do we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind & strength?  Do we love him with some of all of heart, soul, mind & strength?  Or do we love him with none of it – and by doing so, show that we really don’t love him at all.

Love can be a difficult concept to grasp for us guys.  But, we have to able to grasp the level of our love for God.  Our life on earth and our eternal life depend upon it.
 

Listen to the VOICE

theophilus February 28th, 2008

We all hear THE VOICE.  It’s that little voice inside of us that each and every day tells us what we should do – what is right, what is wrong, what is the truth.  It’s the voice spoken through our spouse, our children, our pastor, our friend.  It’s the voice that guides us through our day – if we listen to it.

Today’s first reading has Jeremiah listening to God, who is telling him to tell the Israelites to “[l]isten to my voice.”  The responsorial song has us proclaiming from Psalm 95 “oh, that today you would hear his voice.”

It’s THE VOICE – the voice of God.  And it’s telling us what God expects of us in matters great and small.  It’s telling us the path we should take.  It is telling us what is truth.

I have a hard time listening to this voice.  I’m a Type A who can be hyperactive.  I simply have a hard time sitting still or being silent – not with my wife, not with my kids, not with God.  But it’s in the silence of inactivity that leads us to the place in our inner soul where we can truly listen to God and those he has placed in our lives.  It’s the place where we can grow closer, take instruction and have our soul fortified for the road ahead.

Occasionally, I can settle myself down enough to sit in silence and let my prayer intertwine with where God wants to lead my thoughts.  And I do find that I am more focused, peaceful and resolute.  I find that I am more prepared to do his will for me.  And I am able to better truly focus on my wife and kids and their needs – and this focus makes them and me much happier and more fulfilled people. 

And maybe that’s the challenge for our society.  We are so fast-paced with so many distractions and demands on our time.  We simply forget to listen – to each other, to our spouses, to our children, to our Father.  We go through life at a breakneck pace and forget to listen and embrace the silent inactivity – to appreciate those times when God chooses to slow us down so he can speak with his us as his children.

Let us not be afraid to truly listen and hear the voice inside of us.  Let us slow down enough for God to catch up with us so he can have a word with us.  Today, let us hear his voice.

Pew – Good or Bad News??

theophilus February 27th, 2008

As most everyone probably knows by now, Pew just came out with a survey of 35,000 Americans detailing their religious practices.  I was especially struck by the statistic that 10% of all Americans consider themselves ex-Catholics.

I am a political junkie and often like to dive into the particulars of a poll or survey to determine the reliability of the questions asked and the population surveyed.  Usually, the poll/survey is slanted to the cause or point of view of the entity doing the poll/survey.

So, I decided to look at the particulars of this survey.  And then I stopped myself.

I decided to take the survey at face value – assuming for the moment that the questions were objective and the population representative of all Americans.

I decided to do so, because it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things if the survey was slanted towards a subjective point of view.

Whether you consider yourself Catholic or not is dependent upon certain beliefs.  Others have made this point and I think it is the crux of the issue.  You either believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist or you do not.  You either believe in the power of Confession and the glory of the apostolic succession or you do not.  You either believe in the Queenship, virginity, and Assumption of Mary or you do not.  You either believe that the sanctity of life is non-negotiabable or you do not. 

If you believe these things, you will be a practicing, devout Catholic – regardless of the real and perceived faults of the humans currently serving the Church.  If you do not believe these things, you will probably not ”get” the Mass, the Sacraments, and the traditions, and will find yourself seeking something else, somewhere else.

All I know is that Mass attendance is outstanding at my parish - which is equaled by an intense dedication by the laity to join in the ministry of the parish.  We are also welcoming a score of RCIA candidates this Easter – all of whom are going through a discernment and educational process that ensures Catholicism is where they want to be.  I have no doubt that twenty and thirtysomethings will find a home again in the Church as they realize there is real meat to dig into when one considers the Real Presence, Mary, the communion of saints, the apostolic succession, the healing powers of reconciliation and the other incredible mysteries that continue to be revealed by the one, universal, Catholic Church.

We have work to do – but we will get it done.  The Church has gone through so much in its 2,000 years – suffered through periods where the Holy See was in danger of being relegated to the forgotten head of a lost civilization.  But our Church has survived.  Some of our brethern may have fallen away because of modern-day secularism, abuse, neglect, arrogance and apathy, but the Church has come through much worse.   

I happen to believe that our Church is thriving today.  We just need to continue to have faith – to live our lives in the way Christ intends for us - and to be a perfect example to those who have fallen away or are looking for something more for their lives.

Christ has each of us on our own journey to him.  We just need to make sure we are walking his path for us and helping others walk his path for them. 

Where is God’s Majesty in February?

theophilus February 26th, 2008

Friday, January 25th – it was a beautiful sunny day here in Cincinnati.  If I’d known then that I would spend 30 of the next 32 days suffering through a black, white and grey landscape, I probably would have enjoyed that Friday a heck of a lot more than I did.  (And I know it’s been 30 of 32 days because www.wunderground.com has a wonderful ”History” page on their site which let’s you see the last time you saw the sun.)

I can’t stand February in Cincinnati because of the weather.  At some point during the month, I’ve had enough.  I’ve reached that point for this winter – having suffered through our tenth straight day of some sort of precipitation.

And when I’ve reached the point, I have a hard time praying, worshipping and being otherwise joyful.  I want to see the glory and the majesty of God’s creation – not the stark, lifeless, bleakness outside of my window.  

But, I guess we all go through phases throughout the year where we have to look extra hard for God’s work in our lives.  It doesn’t come easy all of the time.

And I know that March is around the corner and the Reds do play their first spring training game tomorrow.

And I know that the clouds will part and the sun will shine again.

I just need to remember where I put my sunglasses.

The Thirsty Israelites & The Woman at the Well

theophilus February 24th, 2008

We are on a long journey – we all know it.  Our lives are a path.  Sometimes we will  be able to see miles ahead of us.  Other times – most times – we will only be able to see a few feet down the road. 

And it is in these times of limited visibility when we need to have hope that God is leading us along his path - that our life has meaning.

In today’s readings, one gets it – another has no clue.  In today’s first reading, the Israelites have been wandering in the desert with a promise of getting to the “land of milk and honey.”  But, they are thirsty and wanting.  They become unsure of themselves and where God is leading them.  They rebel and exclaim “[w]hy did you ever make us leave Egypt?  Was it just to have us die here of thirst . . . Is the LORD in our midst or not?”
God responds by having Moses provide water from a rock – but he is not happy with the Israelites’ lack of hope.

To the contrary, today’s Gospel has the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.  Now, she gets it.  She knows she is speaking with Christ.  ”I can see that you are a prophet.”   “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” 

And then, she tells her fellow townsmen and they respond likewise.

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him . . . [m]any more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

So, where the Israelites didn’t believe, the Samaritans did.  Instead of receiving God’s stern disapproval, the Samaritans receive the majesty of Christ.

So, who are we?  Are we the Israelites or the Samaritans?  Do we believe in God’s plan for us, even if we can’t see in front of us or do we doubt and rebel against God?  Do we exclaim with our impoverished and thirsty spirit - ”[i]s the LORD within our midst or not?”

That’s a good challenge for the next three weeks of Lent – having the faith and the hope to truly believe God is in our midst, guiding us along his path.

St. Paul, as usual, sums it up perfectly in the second reading, which is from the Letter to the Romans. 

We boast in hope of the glory of God.  And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts . . .

Let’s have the hope of St. Paul and the Samaritans.  Let us hope in the Lord’s plan – even if we can’t see the path we are on.

We may be thirsty – just like the Israelites and the Samaritans.  But let us truly believe what Jesus says in today’s Gospel -

[W]hoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Drinking of the water of Christ will help us stay on the path and remain hopeful in where God is leading us.
 

The Other Son

theophilus February 23rd, 2008

Beham - Prodigal SonToday’s gospel is the story of the prodigal son.  We all know the moral of the story – no matter what we have done in our life, no matter how bad, we can always return to our Father in heaven and he will take us back.  In this season of Lent, these are the most comforting words we can hear – that no matter how far away from home we may feel, we can always go home.

But have we ever thought about the other son – the one who stayed home?  We give so much attention to repentence that sometimes we forget that many are doing it relatively right.  There are those among us who are leading good lives – following Christ’s path.  How do they feel when they look at the rest of us?  We’re the one’s screwing up all of the time, yet we receive most of the attention.  Most teachings are directed at us in an attempt to get us on the straight and narrow.

There are those in my life who I look at with admiration and awe.  They always seem to do and say the right things.  I don’t see vices in them.  They never seem to take the easy road.  I know they aren’t perfect – none of us are – but they still seem to have it together, whereas the rest of us can’t get our acts straight.

Someday, I hope to be able to say I’m the son who stayed home.  For now, I’m just the poor sap of a son who is pining for home while wallowing in the pig slop trying to chase down the sow slipping out of my grasp.

But unlike the prodigal son, I know that my Father in heaven knows where I am, is waiting for me to come home, and is lighting the path for me to follow.  It’s just up to me to get on the road.

Image: “The Prodigal Son Tending the Swine” – (Hans) Sebald Beham (1500-1550)

The Book on Loving Our Neighbor

theophilus February 18th, 2008

Sometimes, we just make things too difficult in our relationships with others.  We either try too hard or not hard enough in loving our neighbor.  Relationships are strained, people suffer, and we are left empty and frustrated.

It shouldn’t be that hard.  We shouldn’t need an entire section of Borders dedicated to “Love & Relationships.”  As children of God, this love thing should come naturally to us.  But, it doesn’t.

And that is why we should read and re-read today’s Gospel from Luke 6.  Jesus instructs us to:

  1. “Be merciful”
  2. “Stop judging”
  3. “Stop condemning”
  4. “Forgive”
  5. “Give”

There we have the essence of every good and life-affirming relationship – MERCY – FORGIVENESS – GENEROSITY. 

And not only with those we love, but with all with whom we come into contact with during the course of our day – on the road, at the store, in the workplace.

We need to stop judging and condemning others – especially if we are blissfully unaware of their circumstances.  We need to show mercy for them and forgive them for whatever trespasses they may have committed against us.  We need to be generous with our time, our gifts, our attention and our resources.

And for those who ask, “what will I get in return if I do all of these things.”  Well, Christ has that answer for us as well in Luke 6.  We will:

  1. “not be judged”
  2. “not be condemned”
  3. “be forgiven”
  4. “gifts will be given to you”

“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

The more we give to others in terms of our relationship with them, the more we receive from God in terms of our relationship with him.  For in showing true love in our relationship with others, we are showing true love to our Father and joining in the love of his son.

And that is why relationships shouldn’t be so difficult and loving our neighbor and our loved ones should be easy – because in loving them we are loving God.

The Church Up North

theophilus February 15th, 2008

I love to learn about the Church in other parts of the world – especially in underdeveloped countries.  What our brethern have to go through in order to live and practice our faith.  Knowing the challenges they face make me a better observant and helps me ignore the thousands of excuses that flood my brain when I need to be praying, or going to Mass, confession or devotion.

Usually, I’m reading about the Church in Asia or Africa.  But, the other day I received a fundraising appeal in the mail concerning a mission church right here in the good ole’ U.S.A. – the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska.

How about the following statistics:

  • 409,849 square miles
  • 14,500 Catholics (out of a population of 161,000)
  • 5 urban parishes; 4 rural non-road parishes; 37 non-road mission parishes
  • 1 radio station (oldest in the U.S.)
  • 1 high school
  • 1 elementary school
  • 1,390 children under religious instruction
  • 2 native ministry training centers
  • Served by 1 bishop (Bishop Kettler), 2 brothers, 25 priests (20 are active), 15 sisters, 27 ordained deacons, 1 seminarian
  • 8 parishes are financially self-sustaining; 38 parishes are mission parishes.
  • 3 parishes date from the 19th Century.

Geographically, take a line across Alaska just north of Anchorage and go north – through the Artic Circle, all the way to Barrow, Prudhoe Bay and Russia – and you have the Diocese of Fairbanks.  It is the largest in the U.S. in geographic terms and is the only diocese to be part of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples, the missionary arm of the Church.

Everyone knows that Alaska is a land of extreme weather conditions and a high cost of living.  Yet, a large part of the population lives modestly or in poverty.

As there is only one priest for every 20,000 square miles, some parishoners may go two months without seeing a priest.

It’s not the best environment to either worship or minister to the faithful – yet, the ministry is vibrant and very much alive.  Alaskans tend not to make excuses – sub-zero temperatures and vast distances tend to beat weakness out of you.  So Alaskan Catholics find a way to worship and practice their faith.  For those in roadless parishes, they do not take for granted the divine gift of the Eucharist or the saving power of the confessional.  They know how to sustain their faith in times of difficulty.

And, we should take a lesson from them.  Some Alaskans can go two months without a full Mass – yet we have many to choose from each and every day.  They may go two months without confession or eucharistic adoration, yet those of us who live in urban areas can always find a confessional or a church having adoration.  Alaskans can get to Church despite feet of snow, bitter cold and miles to travel.  We may only have to go down the road.  Even in Ohio, we only face single-digit temperatures and a couple of inches of snow on the ground.  So what’s our excuse?

Let’s stop making excuses for not practicing our faith.  Let’s not let life get in our way of showing God that we love him.  The Alaskans don’t – we shouldn’t either.

As a side note, on Wednesday, the Diocese of Fairbanks announced that it is filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11.  The Diocese is facing 150 lawsuits from sexual abuse cases from the ’50s to the ’80s.  They are trying to help the victims and carry on their apostolic mission.  So, we should keep all involved in our prayers.

Babbling

theophilus February 12th, 2008

An ironic passage from the day’s liturgy.  The Ohio Valley is blanketed with ice and snow and today’s reading (Isaiah 55) tells us “[j]ust as from the heavens the rain and snow come down . . . “.  God certainly has a sense of humor.

More importantly, today’s gospel (Matthew 6) has Jesus telling us “[i]n praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them.  Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

In other words, let’s keep our prayers simple and to the point.  Let’s tell God exactly what we want to relay to him.  He’ll do the rest. 

Matthew 25 – “When did we . . .”

theophilus February 11th, 2008

Today’s Gospel entails the “When did we’s”. 

“When did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?”

And the response is – “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” 

And there we have it.

We see Christ’s face all around us.  His presence permeates every moment of our lives.  He is not only in those who help us, but in those who need us to help them.

And how many times do we just pass them on by?  The hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill, the imprisoned?

I have seen Christ’s face throughout my life in those who have helped me and those who have needed my help – and it is a beautiful face.  His is a face that sears into my soul and raises me to be a better person – the person he calls me to be.  And, yet there are still times I fail to see his face.  When I turn from those who can help me or those who need my help.  Sometimes I know I am consciously turning away and times when I don’t realize it until it’s much too late.

We need to be always aware of when Christ sends someone into our lives that can either help us or who needs our help.  We must always respond to the call.

When we become involved in someone’s life or allow someone to become involved in our life, we are serving Christ himself.  We are interacting with him in the most intimate of ways.  We are building his kingdom on earth.

Don’t turn away.  Don’t be afraid to get involved.  Don’t pass Christ by.  For we are called to so much more. 

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