Recognizing Jesus in the Ordinary

On this bonus Leap Year day, we reflect on the admonition Jesus gives to the people of Nazareth:  "Amen I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place."  (Lk 4:24).  It seems we are blinded by our expectation of seeing someone or something spectacular, but when there is no glitter, just something plain and ordinary, we refuse to accept or listen to it. People refused to listen to Elijah, and even the foreigner from Syria, Naaman, at first refused Elisha's simple suggestion to wash in the Jordan to cure his leprosy.  It was too simple a solution, he protested. But when followed, it worked.
In the currently playing film, RISEN, again we witness skepticism, and as in the cases above, we see the compelling power of God in the simple presence of  the God-man Jesus very at home in the ordinary, allowing his genuine warmth, his personal interest, his kindness, his acceptance of people as they are, overcoming and melting a battle-hardened heart.  This is how Jesus works, this is what he does; we need to pray that our eyes be opened to see him in the ordinary. And,  it is through the ordinary that we in turn will touch and heal others.
Bro. Rene

A Wake Up Call

Already the third Sunday of Lent; we are nearing the halfway point.  Not to panic, but do the harsh words of Jesus, "But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!" (Lk 13:5).  apply to me? Jesus is referring to a tragedy that killed 18 people when the tower at Siloam fell on them, something like the big crane that fell in Manhattan.  Both are stark reminders that repentance is not to be taken lightly.  This being a "day of rest", might we not make some extra sacrifice, spend a bit more time (at least) in preparing for Mass,  reading, reflecting, or just sitting silently with Jesus, who loves us so much?  Can we take some time to look into the roots of the behaviors we dislike so much in ourselves, and yank them up once and for all?  If we really want to change, we can't simply talk about it or think about it, we must DO something about it.  We begin where we are and with what we have.  With God's grace, nothing is impossible!
Bro .Rene

Our Merciful Father

In our first reading for today's liturgy, the prophet Micah asks:  "Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;/ Who does not persist in anger forever,/ but delights rather in clemency and will again have compassion on us....?"  (Mic 7:18). Jesus answers the question with the parable of the Prodigal Son, or more accurately, "The Merciful Father."
The father's love brings him to the highways day after day awaiting his son's hoped-for return.  And when that moment comes, he hugs, he kisses, he forgives, he assures that his pardon is real and calls for a feast which includes the killing of the fatted calf, a new wardrobe and a ring.  How much more could he show his  love and forgiveness?  This is the Father we approach each time we ask for pardon:  at the end of the day, in the act of contrition or in the sacrament of Reconciliation.  How much more inviting can Jesus present the truth of the clemency that is ours for the asking?
The light is on in every parish during Lent on Wednesdays in the Archdiocese of Boston, and, I presume in many others, inviting us to come, confess and receive the merciful, and measureless love and forgiveness of our merciful Father.   What's holding us back?
Bro. Rene

Contacting God

Note: On the first anniversary of the death of the revered Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, long-time president of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, national and world figure, I thought it would be fitting to offer his thoughts on "contacting God", a goal we might especially be pursuing this Lent.

"Just this week one of our students asked me a very difficult question: “How do you know God, how do you perceive him, contact him, relate to him?” I told him that God, for me, was Christ incarnate, fully God, fully man, joining in his person God and man, the hopes, the desires, the hungers of man with the transcendence of God. And when Christ left us, he promised us the Holy Spirit to abide with us, to guide us, to give us what we find as the recurring theme of St. John’s Gospel: life and light—light to guide us and life to live divinely. Nothing less is needed to find our way out of the labyrinth of human problems today—with the light of divine guidance.

 

"I pray every day to the Holy Spirit, as my friend, to give me the light and strength to do the right thing. And the Holy Spirit has never failed to show me the way, and to give me the strength of purpose to struggle on in the face of all kinds of adversity.

"The Holy Spirit is the light and strength of my life, for which I am eternally grateful. My best daily prayer, apart from the Mass and breviary, continues to be simply, 'Come, Holy Spirit.' No better prayer, no better results: much light and much strength."  --Fr. Ted Hesburgh

 

Bro. Rene

A Sacred Time

In the second Preface for Lent, we read the phrase, "a sacred time", a time given to us to renew and purify our hearts, to allow God to free us from disordered affections, and realize the distinction between the things of this passing world and the things that endure eternally.  Jeremiah presents the image of a barren bush in the desert, "that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth."  (Jer 17:6).  This is the person who "trusts in human things, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord" (cf. Jer 17:5) ; who has cast his or her lot with the "things of this passing world."  In contrast, the person whose trust and hope is in the Lord, "is like a tree planted beside the waters, that stretches out is roots to the stream.  It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green." (Jer 17: 8).  Our hearts, which are "more tortuous than all else" (Jer 17: 9), are given the opportunity during this "sacred time" to make the choice between the bush and the fertile tree. Unlike Dives in the Gospel passage for today,  (Lk 16: 19-31),  may we not choose what appears to be the fertile tree, but in reality is the barren bush.  May our prayers, reflection and fasting help us distinguish  between the two and choose the one that gives us life.
Bro. Rene

A Ransom for Many

How often when we are overwhelmed with requests or we feel we are being stretched beyond our limits do we remember this telling description of the Jesus's role, and ours too:  "...the Son of Man did not come to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mt 20: 28)?  Jesus gladly gave of himself...to the last drop of his blood... as the ransom for our redemption.  He did not count the cost nor hold back, but looked with love at US, found us worthy and just kept paying the ransom. Likewise, following in his footsteps, we join in this ransom payment by plowing ahead through our daily routine as well as through the unexpected events that seem to require more than we can give.  Keeping our eyes on him, remembering his love, and the love he has for those who "impose" on us, can we do any less than he did?  Serving him through serving others brings joy to us as well as to them.  Indeed, if we saw the face of Jesus on those who ask and ask and ask, would we be able to refuse?
Bro. Rene

Teamwork

Jesus speaks to us of  "servant leadership" in today's selection from St. Matthew's Gospel:  "The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Mt 23: 12).   A successful leader, captain of a ship, or head surgeon in OR sets the tone of respect for one another and collaboration making it clear that the task or mission will not be accomplished by ONE person, but by the many who work together in harmony.
Competing with one another, or setting oneself above others merely because of a title does not insure success.  St. Paul gives a striking description of a good team: 
By the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has appointed.
Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.  Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.  (Rm 12: 3, 10, 16).
Let's digest this and put it into practice today and in the days ahead.
Bro. Rene