A little girl asked her Grandfather ...

A little girl was sitting on the lap of her grandfather. For the first time, the child was really giving her grandfather the once-over. She examined his wrinkled skin, and his gray hair. "Grandfather," she asked him, "did God make you?" "Sure, sweetheart." Then she looked at herself. Smooth skin. Blonde hair. "Grandfather, did God make me?" "Absolutely!" he answered." There was a moment of silence while she thought about the differences between the two of them. "Grandfather," she asked, "don't you think God's doing a better job than He used to?"

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's gospel reading from Mark has a lesson as important today as it was when Jesus was instructing his disciples.  In the Gospel, the disciples went to Jesus and told him they found someone driving out demons in his name.  Further, they tried to stop him because “he does not follow us.”  In other words, he wasn’t part of the in-crowd.   As Jesus so often did, he used the experience of the disciples to teach them, to expand their thinking and widen their hearts.  “Do not prevent him.  There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.”  Jesus was giving the disciples a lesson in tolerance.

Perhaps He also was telling them to be careful not to limit God’s spirit.  The Spirit and mission of God were not to be claimed exclusively by the Twelve, but would be shared with many.  “Whoever is not against us is for us.”  The Lord is at work in every human heart, and who are we to make judgments that may obstruct the mysterious purposes of God?

Jesus went on to say: "If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward."  The key word in this sentence is "anyone."  A simple act done by "anyone" in a spirit of love and compassion is a truly Christ-like act; and is to be recognized as such by us.  Certainly, Jesus says he will recognize it.

There are some words of warning in this scripture.  They are primarily for us, the baptized, although they are addressed again to "anyone."  "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."  Jesus is saying that it is an absolutely terrible thing to be the cause of a person being led astray and away from Christ and the Gospel.

He refers particularly to the "little ones."  These are not just children but also the weakest members of the community: weak perhaps because of their young age, or their lack of learning, or their being new converts not yet matured in the Christian way of living.

In the last part of the Gospel Jesus warns us to be aware of how we can become a stumbling block to ourselves: our hands - what we touch and how we touch, in lust or greed or violence, our feet - the places they lead us, our eyes - what they look at or refuse to look at.  All can be agents to lead us astray.

Using some exaggeration for effect, Jesus says it would be better to be without these organs and limbs rather than become separated from the Lord's way.  But better still is to integrate them into our following of Christ so that our hands becomes agents of compassion and healing and comfort, that our feet help us to bring the Gospel to the world, that our eyes learn to see the truth, goodness and beauty that is all around us.

God our Father,
pour out on us and on all people
the life-giving Spirit of your Son.
Let him open our minds,
that we may see your beauty and truth
in an ever-new light.
Let him open our hearts
that we may receive a fresh provision of courage.

from him every day
Let him pour out in all people
a love that is respectful and tolerant.
All this we dare to ask you
in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Amen.

God is Watching

We are often told that "God is watching us" as an ominous warning to behave ourselves. The truth is that God does watch us. However, God looks at us through the eyes of infinite love. If you've ever been in love, you know that you become so fascinated by the object of your love, that it's sometimes hard to look away. You are captivated. That's how it is with God. God loves us so much and we are so unique and fascinating to God that He can't take His eyes off of us! That's how love is!

Three Trees

There were three young trees growing together in the forest, each one healthy and ambitious. As they compared their dreams, one wanted to be built into a castle or a palace, and so play a part in the lives of the high and mighty of society. The second wanted to become the mast in one of the tall ships, sailing around the world with a great sense of adventure. The third hoped to end up as part of some public monument, where the public would stop, admire, and take photographs.

Years passed by, and all three were cut down. The first was chopped up, and parts of it were put together to form a manger for a stable in Bethlehem. The second was cut down, and the trunk was scooped out to form a boat, which was launched on the Sea of Galilee. The third was cut into sections, two of them nailed together to form a cross on Calvary. Each had a unique and special part to play in the one great story of redemption.

The Golden Rule

When we honor others by following the golden rule, we honor ourselves too.

All over the world, there exists a simple precept that, when followed, has the power to end conflict and banish strife. It is the Golden Rule, a key concept in many philosophies and spiritualities that admonishes us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Its meaning is clear: treat others only in ways that you would want to be treated. However, the golden rule is not always easy to follow. It can be a challenge to honor others as we wish to be honored. Yet, when we do so, we bestow a gift of loving kindness on our fellow human beings. And, in honoring others, we honor ourselves.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are three occasions in St. Mark's Gospel when Jesus predicts his passion.  We heard the first prediction last week in Mark 8:31-33.  We hear the second prediction today in Mark 9:  30 - 32 and the third prediction is in Mark 10:32-34.  Jesus explicitly tried to warn the disciples about what was going to happen to him, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise” (Mark 9:31).  However, they "did not understand [what he was] saying" (Mark 9: 32).  Not only did they fail to understand, "they were afraid to question him"; which is understandable given how Jesus publically rebuked Peter when he got it wrong.

Like St. Peter in the gospel last week, the disciples were "thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Mark 8:33).  They were overwhelmed by the knowledge Jesus was giving them and so they focused on their petty ambitions, arguing about "who was the greatest" (Mark 9:34).   At this point, Jesus gives them and us a lesson about the topsy-turvy hierarchy of the kingdom.  In the kingdom “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).  There is no place in the kingdom where status or prestige is valued.  And there certainly is no place for jealousy or ambition. 

In today's, second reading from James 3:16 - 4:13, we are warned that jealousy and selfish ambition are earthly and unspiritual, bringing about disorder.  Our goal is to seek wisdom from above that is "pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity" (James 3:17).  If we can put our egos aside, and take on a gentle attitude of mercy and peace, then there is hope that we can, following the example of Jesus, bring the kingdom a little closer to Peachtree City. 

O God,
protector of the poor and defender of the just,
in your kingdom the last become first,
and the lowly are exalted.
Give us wisdom,
that we may find in Jesus the pattern of true discipleship
and the grace to follow him,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

 AMEN

When Luck Isn't Luck

A little boy wanted a taste of molasses from the large barrel by the door of an old-fashioned country store. He slid a box beside the barrel, stepped up on it and leaned over the rim as far as possible, stretching out his finger toward the sweet goo below. He stretched and strained and toppled headfirst into the barrel.

Dripping with molasses, he stood up, lifted his eyes heavenward and was heard to utter, “Lord, help me to make the most of this fantastic opportunity!”

Most of us will never fall into a barrel of opportunity. We won't be awarded a great sum of money (though I am never sure that is in our best interest), we won't be offered a “dream job,” we won't have all of our needs suddenly provided for. We can spend years waiting for opportunity to knock only to find that we wasted precious time wishing for something to happen that never was to be.

Yet some people seem to luck into these things, don't they?  It's as if they were in the right place at the right time and they just fell into it.

But that is not the way it happens. Those people who seize opportunities others seem to miss, find them for one specific reason: they have trained themselves. People who seem more fortunate than the rest of us are those who have taught themselves to look for possibilities in every circumstance and every obstacle.

I think David Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, is such a man. Years ago, Boren learned from professional pollsters that he would most likely lose his state gubernatorial race, and lose it big. The professional polling agency he hired reported his strength to be only about two percent of the population.

Many people would quit the moment they receive such news. And in truth, that was his first reaction. Could anything good come out of such a bleak situation?  But he had trained himself to look for opportunities, even when confronting great obstacles. He stayed in the race and approached his campaign in a different way. He told his listeners, “I had a professional poll taken and it shows I’ve got great potential for increasing my support!”

That may sound a good deal better than it is. But he didn't give up and people began to listen to what he had to say. Boren eventually won the election and served as governor of the US state of Oklahoma.

People who spot opportunities may simply be people who have trained themselves to look for the best possible outcome in every situation and act on it. It takes a different way of thinking.

To everyone else it may just look like you're lucky. But you will know better.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Those of us who were born in most “Western” countries have never experienced suffering, rejection, persecution or the threat of death for our faith. And most of us have never experienced exile or occupation, repressive governments and despotic leaders.  So it might be difficult for us to grasp the full impact that Jesus’ announcement in today’s gospel from Mark 8:27-35 had on his disciples.  In this reading Peter makes his astounding profession of faith.  He declares his belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.  This is the apex of Mark’s gospel.  But then Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone.  Why?

Although Peter initially got it right, within about five minutes he got it wrong.  Peter, the other disciples and the Jewish people of that time believed that the Messiah was to be a superhero.  He would gather a great army to destroy the wicked gentiles, restore Jerusalem to its glory, make Palestine the center of the world and then establish a time of peace and prosperity.  There was no room for suffering, rejection and death in the Messianic Kingdom.   For Peter and the other disciples this concept was incomprehensible.  The way of the Cross could not be the way of the Messiah.  But as we know now it was and it is.  The disciples were not ready to accept the reality of following Jesus the Christ.  And if they weren’t, neither was the rest of the world.   It was only after the Crucifixion and Resurrection that they could grasp the truth.

What about us? We live in the safety and security of Peachtree City.  We are not persecuted. We can believe whatever we want.  We can disagree with politicians.  We are free to come and go as we please.  Can we comprehend the message of Jesus in Mark’s gospel?  Are we prepared to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus?   Let’s pray that we are not put to the test.

 Many Christians in our world are persecuted.  They are exiled.  They suffer rejection and are killed for their faith.   Christians in China, India, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Syria and Vietnam are persecuted every day.  They are confronted with the hard reality of the Way of the Cross and yet they continue to follow Jesus knowing and accepting that they will suffer as a result.  These heroic Christians are an inspiration to me.  They are our contemporary martyrs.  If you want to know more about our persecuted brothers and sisters I recommend that you subscribe to dailynews@ucanews.com an independent Catholic newsletter that covers Asia especially and other parts of the world.  And, as you freely drive around Peachtree City, please say a prayer for people who are persecuted for their faith, no matter where they live.

Lord God, our hope and trust,
you have made us for happiness. 
When we seek it in glorious dreams
of prosperity, success, and freedom from pain
help us to face the truth of real life.
Help us accept the uncertain darkness
of suffering and self-effacement
as the price to pay for light and joy.
Teach us the way of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died of his own free will,
so that we might live and be happy.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

“Be aware of wonder.” -Robert Fulghum

Where's the Ocean?

There’s a story about a little fish swimming around the ocean and asks a wise old fish, “Where’s the ocean?” 

The big fish replies, “Well look around you, Little One; you’re in the ocean.” 

“No. No!” says the little fish. “This is just the water. I want to find the ocean.”

Of course the wise old fish goes on to explain that the water is the ocean – everything around the little fish is the ocean. “Little One, the water is the ocean. It brings us life carries us through life; and brings us the oxygen we breathe through our gills; it brings us the nourishment to live. Everything is the ocean!”

The same is true for our faith in God. Everything is the ocean - or in our case, everything is spiritual. We don’t have to go look for it. It’s already here. We don’t have to ask about or talk about the “spiritual part” of our faith. It’s all spiritual. Everything is spiritual

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's first reading from Isaiah 35:4-7a, God, speaking though Isaiah, proclaims that He is coming to save us.  And, Isaiah tells us, when God does come extraordinary things will happen, "then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing" (Isaiah 35:5-6).  This is fantastic news.  The event will be so phenomenal that "the desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom" (Isaiah 35:1).

So it is ironic that when Jesus arrives in our world and when he performs healing miracles, he often tells people not to talk about it.  In today's gospel, Mark 7: 31 - 37, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment.  He touches the man's ears and tongue and says "’Ephphatha!'  — that is, 'Be opened!'  — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly" (Mark 7:34-35).  Jesus ordered everyone present "not to tell anyone.  But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it" (Mark 7:36).

It seems to me that it would be impossible for the healed man and his friends not to talk about what happened.  Not only did Jesus give the man the gifts of hearing and speech, he gave him the gift of community, he freed the man from isolation, he gave him a new life and he gave him the opportunity to be an active participant in the Kingdom of God.  This is staggering.  If I was that man, I would be shouting from the rooftops, "Look at what Jesus has done for me!"   

God our Father,
you wait for us to be open to you, to people,
and to all that is true, beautiful and good.
Let your Spirit open our ears
to the liberating Word of your Son.
Let him open our hearts and hands
to everyone who needs us.
Let him open our lips,
that we may proclaim everywhere
the marvels you do for us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen!

Make Your Plans

The story is told of Morris, a Russian man, who saved his rubles for twenty years to buy a new car. After choosing the model and options he wants, he's not the least bit surprised or even concerned to learn that it will take two years for the new car to be delivered. He thanks the salesman and starts to leave, but as he reaches the door he pauses and turns back to the salesman. "Do you know which week two years from now the new car will arrive?"

The salesman checks his notes and tells the man that it will be two years to the exact week. The man thanks the salesman and starts out again, but upon reaching the door, he turns back again.

"Could you possibly tell me what day of the week two years from now the car will arrive?"

The salesman, mildly annoyed, checks his notes again and says that it will be exactly two years from this week, on Thursday.

Morris thanks the salesman and once again starts to leave. Halfway though the door, he hesitates, turns back, and walks up to the salesman.

"I'm sorry to be so much trouble, but do you know if that will be two years from now on Thursday in the morning, or in the afternoon?"

Visibly irritated, the salesman flips through his papers yet another time and says sharply that it will be in the afternoon, two years from now on Thursday.

"That's a relief!" says Morris. "The plumber is coming that morning!"

We often have to make plans far in advance so as to avoid any conflicts. Before making any commitments -- you know the routine -- we have to pull out the date book (or the iPhone). "The kids have got a soccer game that night at 7pm, but the next night is free." Planning ahead isn't wrong; in fact, it's a scriptural principle. What makes it wrong, though, is planning ahead without any thought of God.

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' " (James 4:13-15)

Go ahead! Make your plans! Fill in that date book!

Just make sure that God hasn't been left out.

Never Forget

During the 19th century, Ireland was stricken by a potato famine. During this time, many of the Irish people emigrated to America. A young Irish boy stowed away on an America-bound ship. At seas, the ship struck an iceberg and began to sink. As people scrambled frantically for the lifeboats, the captain supervised the activity and was the last to leave the sinking vessel.

When he looked back at the ship, he saw the young stowaway coming out of hiding.  The brave captain ordered his lifeboat back to the sinking ship. He climbed aboard and rescued the boy, putting him in the seat the captain had vacated - the only available place in the lifeboat. As the lifeboat slowly pulled away from the sinking ship, the captain yelled out to the boy, "Son, never forget what has been done for you today!"

And don’t forget what Jesus did for us: Matthew 27:45-54