Peace Prayer St Francis

On the vigil of the Feast of St Francis, I offer this prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi and one we are in much need of praying:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, let me sow pardon;
where there is doubt, let me sow faith;
where there is despair, let me sow hope;
where there is darkness, let me sow light;
where there is sadness, let me sow joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Painting: Giotto di Bondone (1270-1337)

Two Wolves

In 2007, 32 were killed at Virginia Tech. In 2012, 28 were killed, twenty children from 6-7 years of age at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In 2016, 49 were murdered and 58 injured at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando. As of this writing this morning, 59 have died and over 500 have been wounded in the Las Vegas shooting.

So many die violent deaths each day in our country and throughout our world. The common thread is this need not be so. How are we to respond? In the Gospel today Jesus sheds some light on the darkness that beleaguers not only our country but our world.

On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village (Lk 9:52-56).

Jesus rebukes the disciples for seeking to bring vengeance on those who wouldn’t  show him hospitality. Jesus also said “You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.’ and he would later state: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun to rise on the bad and the good…“ (cf Mt 5:38-48 ff). We need to follow Jesus’ lead and resist the temptation to lash out, to seek revenge, to perpetuate violence with violence. If we are to do anything, first and foremost, let us pray for those lives lost, injured, and affected in Las Vegas and all those who experience violence day in and day out, directly and indirectly.

Then we need to make an assessment of ourselves. Each thought we ponder and action we take ripples out from us and touches everyone. In what way do we contribute to the violence? Do we gossip, spread false reports knowingly about others only to degrade, do we pass dehumanizing images and accounts on social media, do we talk over or at people, do we impose our views and walk away not even willing to listen to another? The smallest act of indignity shown to another, whether it be a snide remark, a racial, ethnic, or sexist epithet, or any manner of disrespect contributes to violence.

My intent is not to pour salt on our open wounds. But to bring about change, we need to look at the darkness within ourselves, otherwise we are like the disciples who asked: “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” We need to allow Jesus to rebuke us, and come to a place of healing within. In so doing, we are better able to counter the dark clouds of polarization, hate, and violence, not by looking for someone to blame, but by looking for someone to forgive. We are called to shine a light in the darkness as Jesus did by looking at one another as human beings, brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God. We begin by treating those within our realm of influence with love and mercy. May we seek not to cause pain but to heal wounds, not to divide but to reconcile, and not to separate but to include. Darkness only wins if we embrace it and become the darkness, hate only wins if we feed the hate.

An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice.

“Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy to die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.”

He continued, “It is as if I there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside of me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?” 

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, “The one I feed.”

Both wolves are trying to dominate the spirit of our country, which one do you feed? Today let us pray for the people of Las Vegas, and continue to pray for those recovering in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Mexico, Texas, and Florida and to provide support and aid as we can.

“Grandfather Tells” or “Two Wolves Within” Cherokee Legend, this and another version can be found at:

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TwoWolves-Cherokee.html

Photo: The two wolves are Rasta the Dancing Bear and Wolfie. Two wolves I had the fortune of caring for and helping to spread wolf education for the Sharon Audubon Center in the 1980’s.

Today’s Mass readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100317.cfm

Accompanying One Another With Humility

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me” (Mt 18:4-5).

Children during the time of Jesus were seen, if at all, to have little worth, vulnerable, completely dependent on their parents, and little, if any, status in society. They were under the radar, nothings, nobodies. Jesus invites a child to be in their midst as a response to the disciples question as to who would be considered the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus taught his disciples and he teaches us that if we are to be great in the Kingdom of heaven we are to resist the cultural lures of power, prestige, honor, and fame. We are to reject the image that we are super men and women that need no one as we strive for complete autonomy and self sufficiency. Instead, like a child, we are to place our complete dependency and trust in God, to rely on him for everything.

Participating in the reign of God is not one of lordship over another, but assuming the humility to accompany and walk along another in their journey. We see this in the reality of Jesus, who as the Son of God entered into our human condition, conceived in the womb of Mary, developed through his period of gestation, and was born into our world, fully divine and fully human. As an infant and child he was completely dependent on Mary and Joseph and God his Father. As he continued to grow, he experienced the fullness of the human condition. He laughed, he cried, he got sick, he was tempted, he felt pain, he experienced heartache, and joy. Throughout his life, and especially through his ministry, he met people where they were and as they were, he accompanied them and loved them by willing their good and empowered them to actualize their potential.

We are to do the same. We are to resist putting our self interest first, but we are to instead lose our self in our service to one another. We need to recognize our dependence on God and others, as well as be willing to be present and accompany those in our midst as we journey together in this life. May we provide a shoulder to lean on, an ear to hear, a voice that speaks for the voiceless, and a soul open to pray with others. St Mother Teresa embodied discipleship when she picked up a dying man in the street. She did not ask his religion, was not concerned if he was of a different race or nationality, was not afraid to risk illness or injury by attending to him. She knelt down and was present to him in his time of dire need. May we follow Jesus and St Mother Teresa by placing our dependency in God’s hands and accompany others in doing little things with great love.

Photo: My brothers in humility and service: Deacon Gerry, Deacon Dennis, me, Deacon Henry, and Deacon Pete at our installation as lectors 2011 (Dn Gerry was already ordained).

Link for Mass readings today:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100217.cfm

Hearing and Saying Yes to God’s Word

“Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first” (Mt 21-31).

The first son followed his father’s request to go out into the vineyard and work after having first said no. Jesus does not elaborate on why the son denied the request but certainly emphasizes that what was important was that the son, in the end, did follow through on his father’s will. Another point that is clear in the parable is that both sons heard clearly the command of the Father. Would that we could hear the direction of God so clearly! God is family, our Father in heaven, and he has also invited us to work in his vineyard.

The challenge is discernment, being able to know what God is calling us to do. I can look back through my life, look back over my shoulder, and see the spiritual stepping stones that have been the foundational experiences of my path on my journey thus far. Sometimes with hindsight, God’s leadings are clearer now than they were at the time. Each of us has those moments of encounter in our life with God that we may or may not have recognized.

We each have different ways that help us to discern God’s will for our lives. God speaks to us through our dreams and desires as I had shared a few days ago. That means we need to take time to meditate in silence on them so as to be aware that they are even there. As St Mother Teresa has said, “God speaks in the silence of the heart.” He also speaks through his word proclaimed at Mass, our reading the Bible or spiritual writing, on our own through personal study, and prayer. Author, speaker, and founder of Dynamic Catholic, Matthew Kelly, suggests reading a minimum of five to ten minutes a day will make a huge difference in our coming to know God’s will. “Our lives change when our habits change,” God speaks to us in so many ways, through music, creation, our relationships, as well as all aspects of our lives. The key is placing ourselves in a posture of a heart and mind open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God reveals himself and his will to us through our intellect, through our senses, and through the depths of our soul.

Karl Rahner, in his Hearer of the Word, wrote: “As spirit we stand before the living, free God, the God who speaks or the God who keeps silent” (72,73). Once we do hear his word or his silence, we need to then be willing to take the risk to act upon his will. You may be thinking right now about something that has been coming to you and wondering if it is God’s will for you. Another key step is to speak to someone about your insights. Speak to those you know and trust, those with experience in the area where you may be feeling led, get information and continue your research. This is where spiritual direction can be very helpful. Continue to pray about the desire, then step out in faith. If you find you have made a mistake, you can change course, reassess, and learn from the process.

But we cannot be indifferent, we need to take the time to actively engage in discernment and once we are clear of God’s leading, act. There is much work to be done in the vineyard of the Lord, and we have a key part to play in the kingdom that is uniquely ours to do. God will inspire, lead, and provide the means for us to accomplish what he has called us to. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord!

Link for today’s Mass readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100117.cfm

Photo: Fr Ed O’Brien from CT and me during my first weekend of Masses after my ordination. Fr Ed played a key part in my journey. He led me through the RCIA program and to confirmation in my mid-twenties.

The Horizon of the Cross

The term horizon is often defined as where the earth and sky meet. This is actually an apparent horizon or sensible horizon because we see an apparent plane based on our observation point. If we are able to broaden our view and look beyond the present location we are standing on the earth, say from the space shuttle, we could then experience a rational or celestial horizon: where the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the center of the earth is parallel to the celestial horizon of a given position. Journeying deeper into space we could discuss event horizons, the boundaries marking the limits of black holes.

Before delving any deeper and getting lost in space, let’s return to earth and today’s Gospel where Jesus stated: “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men” (Lk 9:44). Jesus is presenting the horizon of the cross, the plane where heaven and earth meet, where the physical and the spiritual, where the finite and infinite meet. Many of Jesus’ followers were and still are confounded by the cross. As Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth: “For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 22-23).

Jesus presented in today’s Gospel his imminent fate, our ultimate horizon, death, and taught through his words and his death that to be free we need to be willing to lose our life to gain it. Our life is not lived until we give it away, until we love unconditionally, until we commit to willing the good of the other. There is so much we can experience and enjoy through experiencing the world around us, but if we only limit ourselves to the mere empirical, only to that which we can experience with our physical senses, we limit ourselves. We are transcendental beings. We have a rational soul which allows us to encounter and experience a different plane of existence and that is of the spiritual. What makes us fully human, alive, and fulfilled is an embrace of both the empirical and the spiritual, an embrace of both Scripture and Tradition, and an embrace of both faith and reason.  “For the foolishness of God is stronger than human strength” (I Cor 1:25).

Link for today’s readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/093017.cfm

 

On Earth as it is in Heaven

And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (Jn 1:51).

Jesus, in making this comment to Nathaniel, was referring to the incident where Jacob had a dream in which he saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder from heaven to earth. Jacob was in awe from the experience and believed that he was at “the gate of heaven” (cf. Genesis 28:12-17). Looking carefully at Jesus’ comment, we see again the image of the angels ascending and descending, as with Jacob, but the difference is that that ladder coming down from heaven is not seated upon the earth, but “on the Son of Man”. This is a title Jesus used for himself often.

Jesus is the gate from earth to heaven. Jesus will state later in John 14:6 that he is “the way and the truth and the life” and that no one comes to the Father except through him.  The glorious moment when the Son of God was incarnate, when at his conception he took on flesh, he became one with us. This was not just so that thirty years later he could lead, model, teach, and perform exorcisms and miracles for their own sake. It was as St Irenaeus taught, that Jesus became one with us so that we could become one with him and in doing so opened up heaven for us in the humanity he assumed.

Heaven and earth are joined in the presence of Jesus. This is a mystery of the glory and wonder that we can partake in at each celebration of the Mass! We do not attend just to take up space and fulfill an obligation, but to experience again in the sacrificial offering of Jesus “on earth as it is in heaven.” We share in the heavenly banquet. We participate in the divine communal dance of Love between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We pray for our needs and for others, we intercede for the salvation of the whole world. Filled from this glorious feast we are then sent forth to be Jesus’ hands and feet to the world. We are empowered by his own Body and Blood to minister to his broken and wounded Body in the midst of a fallen world.

I invite you to attend Mass this weekend. If you don’t have a parish home, have been away for awhile, there’s no time like the present to begin again.  If you are not Catholic, are curious, and seeking a place to worship, join us as well. Just introduce yourself when you come into the sanctuary at the front entrance and seek out our welcoming kiosk and our greeters will help to get someone to sit with you to accompany and guide you.Our pastor, Fr. Don, is in the midst of a new series, STEPS of being a better disciple. The last two homilies can be found on our website. For times, directions, and if you are unable to attend in person you may click on the picture link for our live online streaming of the Mass. Here is the address to our homepage: https://www.stpetercatholicchurch.com/ .

Come and experience angels ascending and descending on the Son of God!

Link for today’s Mass readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092917.cfm

St Peter Catholic Church Website:

https://www.stpetercatholicchurch.com/

Who is Jesus?

“‘Who then is this about whom I hear such things?'” And he kept trying to see him” (Lk 9:9).

Herod Antipas, ruler over Galilee and Perea, heard stories about Jesus. The range of his thoughts that Luke expressed are confusion to curiosity. Herod may have started to feel concern over the possibility of a growing revolt, some guilt for his execution of John the Baptist, or just curiosity to see what this man was all about and if he could accomplish even half of the things Herod had heard about him. The one question that did not seem to cross Herod’s mind was if he had any interest in changing his life and becoming a follower of Jesus.

Herod is not the only one in Luke’s Gospel who asks questions about who this man Jesus was. Nor did the asking of those questions die with Jesus on the cross. They continued after his resurrection and ascension, they continued into the first centuries of the Church leading to the calling of the first ecumenical councils which dealt directly with who Jesus was, and they continued in each following century and continue today. Even a new perspective has arisen. In some academic circles, the question is not so much who Jesus was or is, but whether Jesus even existed at all. Asking if Jesus existed or who is Jesus, is a question we must ask ourselves from time to time. The answer matters.

One could ask why does this question about Jesus persist? One answer is that we are finite beings seeking to understand an infinite Mystery. The full comprehension of the reality of Jesus existing as fully human and fully divine, dying on the cross, conquering death through his resurrection and ascending to the Father transcends even the wonderful intellect and ability to reason that we have been blessed with. Also, Jesus’ invitation is a universal but personal one. Jesus called the Twelve, Mary Magdalene, St. Irenaeus, St Thomas Aquinas, St Francis and Clare of Assisi, St Catherine of Siena, St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, St Ignatius, St Mother Teresa, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, and us to himself. He did not call us to a philosophy, an ethical way of life, or even a religion. Jesus called and calls us to be a part of his Body, the Mystical Body of Christ.

Who is Jesus? Jesus the Christ is the Son of God incarnate. He became one with us in our humanity so we could be one with him in his divinity. I have said yes to his invitation and have been walking along these stepping stones of our journey together, more consciously so, since I was about seventeen. Life hasn’t been perfect, and I have at times mumbled along with St Teresa of Avila, who stated after she was thrown from a carriage into a mud puddle, “If you treat your friends this way, it is no wonder you have so few.” But I have experienced more days of inexpressible joy, such moments of wonder and exhilaration, and felt so blessed to see how Jesus works through me to help others, that I can be nothing but grateful for this journey with Jesus and I continue to look forward to what lies ahead!

Link for today’s Mass readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092817.cfm

Painting: Fr. John Giuliani – Indigenous Jesus

God Knows what Fulfills and Gives us Joy!

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority” (Lk 9:1).

Jesus summons us as he did the Twelve and empowers us for ministry in his name. The expression of our service is unique to each of us. Many resist entering into a deeper commitment to their faith because they are anxious or afraid that God may call us to something that we would never want to do and that would make us miserable. Initially, there may be some trepidation if we are clear of the direction God wants us to move in, but that comes more from our hesitancy to change and move out from our comfort zone. Ultimately, God wants for us what we want for ourselves; to live a life of joy, meaning and fulfillment.

God knows clearly what will fulfill us, give us meaning, and bring us joy. The challenge for us is to come to know this for ourselves as well. The work of discipleship begins by accepting the invitation of God to walk with him and trusting that he knows what he is doing! As we journey along the path of discipleship, no matter what our age, we are never too young or old to begin or recommit to the journey. One good practice is to bring our dreams and desires to God in prayer and to imagine ourselves embracing what we desire. When I first joined the Franciscans to study for the priesthood in the early 90’s, I would imagine from time to time my ordination day. A puzzling result consistently arose. I did not imagine myself as feeling any excitement or joy. A year and a half into formation, I decided to take a leave of absence, and three years after I left, I realized why. I met JoAnn. Whenever I envisioned our marriage ceremony I felt, and as I write now, still feel the excitement and joy of our wedding day when we made a commitment to each other to share our journey together!

God has a plan for us, he knows what will fulfill us. We come to align ourselves with his will as we ponder our dreams and desires, and as we investigate, research, explore potential outcomes, and continue to pray with God and discern each step. He will continue to lead us and give us what we need to serve him. There will be fits and starts, mis-steps and gliding, doubts as well as confirmations, desolations and consolations. The key is to remain faithful, to continue to trust in Jesus who called us. He will continue to accompany us along the way, he will give us the resources and strength we need, and he will give us the power to transform our and other’s lives. We are never alone.

Photo credit: Jack McKee

Link for today’s Mass reading:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092717.cfm

Brothers and Sisters in Christ not Blood

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21).

There are many popular genetic testing kits that are advertised on TV and through the internet. People have asked me is it possible to be a blood relation to Jesus. Jesus’ reply today can help you to save some money. What is important is not blood relation, but “those who hear the word of God and act upon it.” We may experience a subtle shudder from this statement, but to those of Jesus’ time it would have been apoplectic. Family meant everything in the Ancient Near East.

Jesus is not making the point that we disregard family. But he is making the point that if we are to be authentically present to our family this will come about best by following the will of God. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus and put his teachings into action, we begin to bear the relational fruits of patience, understanding, kindness, love, joy, and peace. Would not our familial relationships be better if we were more patient, understanding, kind, loving, joyful, and peaceful with one another? Jesus taught and showed from his own life that the path to fulfilling and intimate relationships flourish when we put God first. For as we grow closer in relationship with him we also do so with those in our family.

Jesus’ point goes even deeper in that our “family” is to transcend bloodline, tribe, or nation. Any of “those who hear the word of God and act upon it” are spiritually akin to Christ. The point is not that we may have a genetic lineal relation with Jesus, but that when we live and act according to his Father’s will. In this way we are part of the universal familial line of God’s grace and mercy and our relationship with him and one another grows as we continue to bear the fruits of the spirit. Instead of talking and shouting at one another, let us seek to build bridges of a common accord with one another as brothers and sisters, seeking to be more understanding, to be more willing to walk and accompany one another. Let us love one another as Jesus has loved and loves us!

Link for today’s reading:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092617.cfm

Photo: My brother in Christ, Edwin, at his installation as Lector this past Sunday.

Our Faith in Action, Bearing Christ’s Light

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 8:16).

God blesses us freely without cost, he freely gives himself to us. He has done great things for us and he is the source of our joy! We do not earn nor is there anything that we can do to gain God’s grace. But we can lose the gift we have been given. This happens either by not receiving or refusing what has been offered, or once accepting and receiving not doing anything with our gift. If we are people of faith in name only, but not followed by action, we are concealing the light we have been given.

Since our Golden Retrievers have passed away, our last of three, Lexi, just a few months ago, the little exercise I did walking with them is now almost non existent. Premature aging of my heart, weight gain, lower back and body ache, as well as a series of pulled muscles, are all subtle hints that my lack of attention on exercise is exacting a cost on my health.

The same can be said for our faith. If we do not exercise our faith, we will receive signs of atrophy. Not to even acknowledge the presence of God in our life, the free gift of his invitation to be in relationship with him, our life will be limited at best. For whether we believe in God or not we hunger to be in communion with him and one another, so we will be looking for other apparent avenues of happiness that will fall short of fulfilling us. If we do accept that there is a God, yet don’t participate in worship, fellowship, service, and prayer, we are not much better off. I can believe that my car will get me to school in the morning, but if I do not put the key in the ignition, turn on the engine, put the car in drive, I will remain stationary and stay where I am.

If we claim to be people of faith, we need to put our faith in action. We need to daily: spend time in prayer, read Scripture, study our faith through spiritual reading, cd’s, dvd’s (I at first wrote cassettes and videotapes!) and/or podcasts. We need to consistently participate in worship, the sacraments, and serve one another. We need to see God in our everyday experience and see how we can collaborate with him in all we do. We must resist the tendency to privatize our faith, while at the same time resist getting in someone’s face. We are to be present, care, understand, support, and accompany one another, even others of no or different faith traditions.

May we be open to being conformed today and each day to the love and mercy of Jesus, most powerfully shown by his giving his life for us. Let us resist the darkness of our prejudice and fear. Let us instead seek to encounter one another, to realize how much more we have in common than not. May we seek in each interaction to bear the presence of Christ’s light, radiating such joy and hospitality in such a way that anytime we come together, God happens.

Link for today’s readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092517.cfm