How did Jesus want to share the Good News with the people? Did he create a Facebook page? Did he create an Youtube channel? Did he create a blog? As Christians we must remember that we have been summoned by God. We each have a special purpose, some special task which God asks us to do. We each will struggle with our task from time to time. We all need to pray to God. We are reminded to praise and give thanks to God. We also are asked to look inside ourselves, to search for and then to share all of our goodness, holiness, kindness, and love. Our daily existence does have significance. Our daily actions, how we choose to live our lives can be a silent sermon of hope, social justice, love, fairness. When we live with truth, kindness, and mercy in our souls we can preach without saying a word for God can be seen in each movement, God can be felt, faith inspired. We must choose to live our lives with that special purpose of love, unconditional and universal. We must choose to think of pleasing God with all of our decisions. We must remember that we are all asked to do something in the name of God. We must listen for the request. We must have patience. We must pray. Prayer is essential for the spiritual growth of all Christians. The more we pray and listen to God, the closer our bond will be with God, the closer our relationship will become. By Baptism we are appointed. We must decide whether we are going to take the challenge and follow the footsteps of God. With patience, humility, and prayer we can achieve all types of good works in God's name. We all are asked to try. How did Jesus want to share the Good News with the people? Did he create a Facebook page? Did he create an Youtube channel? Did he create a blog? Jesus did it simply by living his life, obeying the Ten Commandments, and treating everyone with fairness, social justice, love, and understanding. The miracles may have motivated people to seek him out but the miracles were done with love. Christianity is not just reserved for the churches and cathedrals. Christianity must be nurtured, must be allowed and encouraged to grow in the coffee shops, subway platforms, street corners, gin joints. Christianity must be everywhere that each Christian goes.
The image of Jesus on the mountain suggests that he took time to reflect on what was happening and that he took time to pray. He gave himself time to breathe, time to organize his thoughts as he decided upon the Apostles and summoned each one of them to join his ministry.
How wonderful it would have been to hear Jesus speak, to hear him speak Aramaic. How wonderful it is to hear that he renamed Simon. How amusing it is to hear that he renamed James and John Boanerges which translates as sons of thunder. Even as the Apostles are being organized to preach and given the authority to drive out demons Jesus provided a glimpse of his humanity, of the humanity he hopes that each Christian will continue to share.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Reflection on Luke 19
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10
Today’s Gospel reading is filled with great emotion. There is much sadness. There is a prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. The temple is important in this passage. Jesus throws the money changers out of the temple. Jesus teaches in the temple. Also, in the temple the chief priests and other leaders of the people plot how to kill Jesus. How busy that temple was. The temple was the center of life.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem he cried. Peace was hidden from Jerusalem. The city was busy, consumed with its daily activities. Life was not stopping. People were living their lives, behaving as their culture allowed them. The Jewish people were busy with their daily routines. Some of the Jews knew that Jesus was in Jerusalem. Some went to hear him speak. Some went to have him save them. Some stayed away from him. Some of the Jewish leaders in the temple, quietly, secretly plotted Jesus’ death. The conspirators are anonymous in this Gospel as they watch Jesus teaching in the temple.
In this Gospel, Jesus wept, Jesus drove the money changers from the temple, Jesus taught in the temple. Jesus wanted the temple to be a house of prayer, a place of worship and ministry. He did not want it to be a den of thieves, a place of commerce. The temple was God’s house.
Although there is despair and melancholy in this passage there also is hope. Jesus is not passive in this Gospel. He is very active, very aware of his world. It was important for him to teach in the temple. It was important for him to rid the temple of the den of thieves. It was important for the temple to be a house of God, a house of prayer. He did not have to go the temple. He did not have to confront the money changers. He did not have to teach in the temple. Each one of these actions his simple decision. He was simply doing what he had to do. People were listening to Jesus. People were learning from Jesus. He was simply being obedient, doing his duty, showing his fidelity and love to God.
Within the temple some men were plotting his death as he preached about salvation, loving your neighbor. This knowledge did not deter him from his mission. He had a job to do. He came to save mankind. He reached out to all who would listen. He offered love, hope, eternal life to all he believed and obeyed God’s commandments and laws.
Today’s Gospel reading is filled with great emotion. There is much sadness. There is a prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. The temple is important in this passage. Jesus throws the money changers out of the temple. Jesus teaches in the temple. Also, in the temple the chief priests and other leaders of the people plot how to kill Jesus. How busy that temple was. The temple was the center of life.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem he cried. Peace was hidden from Jerusalem. The city was busy, consumed with its daily activities. Life was not stopping. People were living their lives, behaving as their culture allowed them. The Jewish people were busy with their daily routines. Some of the Jews knew that Jesus was in Jerusalem. Some went to hear him speak. Some went to have him save them. Some stayed away from him. Some of the Jewish leaders in the temple, quietly, secretly plotted Jesus’ death. The conspirators are anonymous in this Gospel as they watch Jesus teaching in the temple.
In this Gospel, Jesus wept, Jesus drove the money changers from the temple, Jesus taught in the temple. Jesus wanted the temple to be a house of prayer, a place of worship and ministry. He did not want it to be a den of thieves, a place of commerce. The temple was God’s house.
Although there is despair and melancholy in this passage there also is hope. Jesus is not passive in this Gospel. He is very active, very aware of his world. It was important for him to teach in the temple. It was important for him to rid the temple of the den of thieves. It was important for the temple to be a house of God, a house of prayer. He did not have to go the temple. He did not have to confront the money changers. He did not have to teach in the temple. Each one of these actions his simple decision. He was simply doing what he had to do. People were listening to Jesus. People were learning from Jesus. He was simply being obedient, doing his duty, showing his fidelity and love to God.
Within the temple some men were plotting his death as he preached about salvation, loving your neighbor. This knowledge did not deter him from his mission. He had a job to do. He came to save mankind. He reached out to all who would listen. He offered love, hope, eternal life to all he believed and obeyed God’s commandments and laws.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Spirit
How interesting this conversation between the Pharisee named Nicodemus and Jesus was! How simply did Jesus describe the sacrament of baptism. How beautifully did Jesus describe the call, the desire for conversion which we hear throughout our lives, leading us toward God! It is easy for us to forget this today! We always are searching for evidence. We always are seeking new solutions to old problems. We always are listening to all types of theories and assumptions about ourselves, our lives, our future. If we stop for a minute, and instead of talking to our friends about the things which concern and trouble us, we would pick of the Bible and read it, and concentrate on what we have read, then if our hearts and souls are pure and sincere, real answers, loving answers would appear before us. The Spirit is always around us but we must each individually nourish it, allow ourselves to listen to it, remember to greet the Spirit with reverence. For all that we do, we must offer it to God, for the Spirit leads us to God; allow the Spirit to teach you how to give thanks and praise to God; allow the Spirit to teach you how to be a loving, humble servant of God; allow the Spirit to teach you how to pray. The Spirit is there to help with your continuing education of humility, charity, obedience, forgiveness, mercy, and love. As Christians we must remember and acknowledge the importance of the Spirit in our lives.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
We are all trying to get to heaven. This journey provides our lives with meaning. All are actions, all our prayers, all our good deeds are done for us to one day gain admittance to heaven. We cannot go there in the flesh with our Botox injections, Prada shoes, or credit cards. We can only go there with the hope, love, faith that governs and guides us toward goodness, toward holiness. We can only go there when our spirit is sincere, pure, reverent. We can only go to heaven when God is pleased with our service during our lifetime. Each thought, each action is important. What we keep in our hearts hidden away is important. As Christians please all love to flourish and nourish your mind, heart, and soul. Avoid all worldly temptations, all worldly desires. Remember that temptations and desires are temporal. Think of God, think of ways to love your neighbor. When we think of God with love and reverence in our hearts and souls, the Spirit expands, provides answers, displays goodness and holiness which often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
Each day we must thank God for the wonderful gift of our Baptism. Each day we must we must thank God for the wonderful gift of the Spirit.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
We are all trying to get to heaven. This journey provides our lives with meaning. All are actions, all our prayers, all our good deeds are done for us to one day gain admittance to heaven. We cannot go there in the flesh with our Botox injections, Prada shoes, or credit cards. We can only go there with the hope, love, faith that governs and guides us toward goodness, toward holiness. We can only go there when our spirit is sincere, pure, reverent. We can only go to heaven when God is pleased with our service during our lifetime. Each thought, each action is important. What we keep in our hearts hidden away is important. As Christians please all love to flourish and nourish your mind, heart, and soul. Avoid all worldly temptations, all worldly desires. Remember that temptations and desires are temporal. Think of God, think of ways to love your neighbor. When we think of God with love and reverence in our hearts and souls, the Spirit expands, provides answers, displays goodness and holiness which often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
Each day we must thank God for the wonderful gift of our Baptism. Each day we must we must thank God for the wonderful gift of the Spirit.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Goodness
Once upon I knew how to make people feel comfortable, wanted. With a certain type of cinematic inspired charm, I could with diligence and patience disarm anyone.
Goodness does not begin with a smile. Goodness does not worry about comfort. Goodness asks for effort and perseverance. We may not immediately recognize goodness when it arrives for there will be much activity, much change, much resistance.
As Christians we must always be conscious where we are currently, where we are going. Our lives present us with many opportunities to bear witness to God’s love, God’s forgiveness. We must learn how to proclaim this. We must learn how to praise God without fear or shame.
Our lives gain meaning when we live them according to God’s commandments, when we offer each moment of our daily existence to the glory and for the praise of God. When we are able to keep our minds focused on God, being God’s humble loving servants, we are freed from many temptations.
Our lives gain purpose when we are able to show others compassion, empathy, and love without any desire or expectation for any reciprocation.
Being Christian is at times exhausting work. The triumph of Christian Life is both the enthusiasm of our love and devotion to God and the teachings of Christ and the strong mature emotions which direct us toward fairness, social justice as taught by Jesus, and a continual examination of conscience. Being Christian is accepting our limitations, accepting our sins, repenting for our sins, resisting temptation.
There are many metaphysical and philosophical conceits regarding being Christian, being Catholic.
Let our lives and our good deeds provide evidence of our reverence and fidelity to God. Do not worry about the assumptions or conjecture of others. Live each day only to serve and to love God. Live each day only to praise and give God thanks.
God is not abstract; God is not hypothetical. God is concrete. God is relevant.
Allow yourself time to study the Holy Scriptures. Allow yourself time to pray.
Christians are always active, always in motion, always serving God, always moving toward God. Christians will suffer, will sacrifice, will feel pain. We must always remember that God is always with us, we must always remember to offer the entirety of our lives good and bad, dark and light to God.
Goodness does not begin with a smile. Goodness does not worry about comfort. Goodness asks for effort and perseverance. We may not immediately recognize goodness when it arrives for there will be much activity, much change, much resistance.
As Christians we must always be conscious where we are currently, where we are going. Our lives present us with many opportunities to bear witness to God’s love, God’s forgiveness. We must learn how to proclaim this. We must learn how to praise God without fear or shame.
Our lives gain meaning when we live them according to God’s commandments, when we offer each moment of our daily existence to the glory and for the praise of God. When we are able to keep our minds focused on God, being God’s humble loving servants, we are freed from many temptations.
Our lives gain purpose when we are able to show others compassion, empathy, and love without any desire or expectation for any reciprocation.
Being Christian is at times exhausting work. The triumph of Christian Life is both the enthusiasm of our love and devotion to God and the teachings of Christ and the strong mature emotions which direct us toward fairness, social justice as taught by Jesus, and a continual examination of conscience. Being Christian is accepting our limitations, accepting our sins, repenting for our sins, resisting temptation.
There are many metaphysical and philosophical conceits regarding being Christian, being Catholic.
Let our lives and our good deeds provide evidence of our reverence and fidelity to God. Do not worry about the assumptions or conjecture of others. Live each day only to serve and to love God. Live each day only to praise and give God thanks.
God is not abstract; God is not hypothetical. God is concrete. God is relevant.
Allow yourself time to study the Holy Scriptures. Allow yourself time to pray.
Christians are always active, always in motion, always serving God, always moving toward God. Christians will suffer, will sacrifice, will feel pain. We must always remember that God is always with us, we must always remember to offer the entirety of our lives good and bad, dark and light to God.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What A Reference
“If you want fresh air, don’t look for it in this town.” The Asphalt Jungle
Our lives are filled with so many movie quotes and literary references. Our lives overflow with metafiction, all types of trivia and stuff continually percolating within our hearts, minds, souls. We hear or see and then retain so much slang, jargon, catchphrases, cliches, bits of poetry, political speeches, movie and television dialogue, and prayers. All of this and more is constantly being churned, being turned into our thoughts, being churned into our conversation. We should look within ourselves, search for those secret words which describe us, those lines of dialogue which govern and influence our lives. Whether we like it or not, want to accept the reality that the media can and does have an impact on our lives, both directly and indirectly. We must look within ourselves and discover what words and ideas truly govern us, give us comfort, give us hope.
As Christians our minds need to be nourished with love and hope and freedom and justice. As Christians our minds need to be directed toward God and being humble, loving servants.
How wonderful our lives would be if all our conversations mentioned the Eternal Word. If our minds contained the majesty of the Psalms or the justice of the Beatitudes. Within the Holy Scriptures God reaches out to us; God speaks to each one of us when we take the time to read the Bible. Everything in this world, in our lives speak about God; our ears may not understand the language or accept the words. Saying our prayers is a start. With patience and hope and reverence allow God this Beginning, this conversation with our hearts and souls. Listen, contemplate, silence your tongue. Jesus wanted us to be governed by love, wanted us to share love. Our responsibility, our obligation as Christians is to learn how to incorporate this love into our lives. In time we will gain understanding; in time we will learn how to judge ourselves and each other with fairness and compassion. The Word is our guide, our protector, our teacher. As we learn how to better love ourselves and each other, we learn how to better love God. As we learn how steadfast of spirit Jesus was, we will try and fail with our own attempts at being steadfast of spirit. Look to your failures for inspiration, encouragement. Allow your failures to lead you closer to God. Please do not allow any failure to detour you or lead you away from your journey to God. Remember to follow the path that Jesus Christ made for us. Remember that God is the Truth, God is the Word. Ask God for mercy, love, forgiveness. Protect your soul, your heart, your mind; our world is often bothersome, worrisome. Desire only humility, charity, and obedience. They are the foundation of goodness. Remember to leave the chaos and confusion of this world. Create a private secret silent place for yourself and God. Allow for God to gently speak to you in private.
Our lives are filled with so many movie quotes and literary references. Our lives overflow with metafiction, all types of trivia and stuff continually percolating within our hearts, minds, souls. We hear or see and then retain so much slang, jargon, catchphrases, cliches, bits of poetry, political speeches, movie and television dialogue, and prayers. All of this and more is constantly being churned, being turned into our thoughts, being churned into our conversation. We should look within ourselves, search for those secret words which describe us, those lines of dialogue which govern and influence our lives. Whether we like it or not, want to accept the reality that the media can and does have an impact on our lives, both directly and indirectly. We must look within ourselves and discover what words and ideas truly govern us, give us comfort, give us hope.
As Christians our minds need to be nourished with love and hope and freedom and justice. As Christians our minds need to be directed toward God and being humble, loving servants.
How wonderful our lives would be if all our conversations mentioned the Eternal Word. If our minds contained the majesty of the Psalms or the justice of the Beatitudes. Within the Holy Scriptures God reaches out to us; God speaks to each one of us when we take the time to read the Bible. Everything in this world, in our lives speak about God; our ears may not understand the language or accept the words. Saying our prayers is a start. With patience and hope and reverence allow God this Beginning, this conversation with our hearts and souls. Listen, contemplate, silence your tongue. Jesus wanted us to be governed by love, wanted us to share love. Our responsibility, our obligation as Christians is to learn how to incorporate this love into our lives. In time we will gain understanding; in time we will learn how to judge ourselves and each other with fairness and compassion. The Word is our guide, our protector, our teacher. As we learn how to better love ourselves and each other, we learn how to better love God. As we learn how steadfast of spirit Jesus was, we will try and fail with our own attempts at being steadfast of spirit. Look to your failures for inspiration, encouragement. Allow your failures to lead you closer to God. Please do not allow any failure to detour you or lead you away from your journey to God. Remember to follow the path that Jesus Christ made for us. Remember that God is the Truth, God is the Word. Ask God for mercy, love, forgiveness. Protect your soul, your heart, your mind; our world is often bothersome, worrisome. Desire only humility, charity, and obedience. They are the foundation of goodness. Remember to leave the chaos and confusion of this world. Create a private secret silent place for yourself and God. Allow for God to gently speak to you in private.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wisdom
The Church provides many opportunities for us to learn about ourselves and our religion. In fact being Christian is in reality being a professional student without the chance of parole or commencement ceremony. As Christians we are expected to learn about the virtues and then apply them to our lives. As Christians we are expected to learn about how to avoid sin, and then apply that to our lives. As Christians we are expected to always be seeking the Wisdom of God. We must read and reflect upon the Word.
As Christians we must nurture and encourage an enthusiasm for the Wisdom of God. Our lives should reflect our belief that everything in our lives is related to the Wisdom of the Creator.
In our own private ways we should try to help others discover the honest, loving, compassionate face of God. The more we learn and share, the deeper our own faith can become.
Erudition is needed as we journey toward God. We must learn and understand the true meaning of the Nativity, Jesus’ teachings, Jesus’ preaching, and the Crucifixion. Our faith asks us to be passionate believers of God, to champion social justice and peace, and to bear witness of the goodness of God.
As Christians we must nurture and encourage an enthusiasm for the Wisdom of God. Our lives should reflect our belief that everything in our lives is related to the Wisdom of the Creator.
In our own private ways we should try to help others discover the honest, loving, compassionate face of God. The more we learn and share, the deeper our own faith can become.
Erudition is needed as we journey toward God. We must learn and understand the true meaning of the Nativity, Jesus’ teachings, Jesus’ preaching, and the Crucifixion. Our faith asks us to be passionate believers of God, to champion social justice and peace, and to bear witness of the goodness of God.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Somewhere in Prayer
Everyone who believes in God possesses a private, unique and beautiful story. The Bible contains many examples of these stories.
Often it is from the simple repetitions in life and faith that resonance is gained.
The most inspiring thing about faith is the reality that at any moment in our lives we can receive God’s call. Anyone can receive it; the courageous will respond.
As with any choice, anxiety, angst, and even fear may tease or cloud judgement with questions or assumptions. The stronger a man’s sense of faith, the stronger is his resolve and ability to accept God’s request and live his life in God’s service.
The call can fill a man with hope, love, mercy, and compassion. Goodness may briefly opens a man’s eyes to the grandeur and beauty of God’s love. This introduction may lead to both virtuous thoughts and virtuous living. God offers a calming optimism as long as we can remain patient and allow ourselves to believe.
I like the stories which feature Peter. He is approachable because he is so naturally, human. Peter does not instantly become a paragon of virtue. Instead, he remains a human being who loved God but who made mistakes. It through his mistakes and his perseverance in his faith after his mistakes that many lessons can be learned.
Matthew 14 contains the archetypal encounter between Peter and Jesus which could easily be used to describe the divine call within each of us. That this is a dialogue must be accepted and understood. God begins the conversation.
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Man replies and complies to God’s request. Faith is stronger at the beginning.
“Lord, save me!” At some point if the request becomes to difficult or to heavy, man might stumble or become afraid of falling. Then, he either stops or retreats or gives up and then asks for God’s assistance.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” God is always there to help. Man must allow himself to believe.
The actual story in Matthew with Peter on the boat is very beautiful in its simplicity. In those verses we see a man eager to follow God and then something happens. A stray thought or something interrupts Peter’s devotion for an instance and God saves him.
Often it is from the simple repetitions in life and faith that resonance is gained.
The most inspiring thing about faith is the reality that at any moment in our lives we can receive God’s call. Anyone can receive it; the courageous will respond.
As with any choice, anxiety, angst, and even fear may tease or cloud judgement with questions or assumptions. The stronger a man’s sense of faith, the stronger is his resolve and ability to accept God’s request and live his life in God’s service.
The call can fill a man with hope, love, mercy, and compassion. Goodness may briefly opens a man’s eyes to the grandeur and beauty of God’s love. This introduction may lead to both virtuous thoughts and virtuous living. God offers a calming optimism as long as we can remain patient and allow ourselves to believe.
I like the stories which feature Peter. He is approachable because he is so naturally, human. Peter does not instantly become a paragon of virtue. Instead, he remains a human being who loved God but who made mistakes. It through his mistakes and his perseverance in his faith after his mistakes that many lessons can be learned.
Matthew 14 contains the archetypal encounter between Peter and Jesus which could easily be used to describe the divine call within each of us. That this is a dialogue must be accepted and understood. God begins the conversation.
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Man replies and complies to God’s request. Faith is stronger at the beginning.
“Lord, save me!” At some point if the request becomes to difficult or to heavy, man might stumble or become afraid of falling. Then, he either stops or retreats or gives up and then asks for God’s assistance.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” God is always there to help. Man must allow himself to believe.
The actual story in Matthew with Peter on the boat is very beautiful in its simplicity. In those verses we see a man eager to follow God and then something happens. A stray thought or something interrupts Peter’s devotion for an instance and God saves him.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Pugilistic Hope
Young hearts want to believe.
Algebraic symbols are good for certain types of modern discourse, especially for the lower forms of monologues which can be heard in bars, restaurants, parks, grocery stores. It is apparent that many people were never encouraged to stumble into a library, look at books, listen to the music.
Walk down any street and you will hear the adopted jargon of the mass media and see the anxiety which is incessantly encouraged. Distrust rules, reason hides.
Thinking about modern life is easy. Writing about it is challenging yet pleasant.
Different things capture our attention, capture our imagination. We live for sensation and interaction. The sky at twilight is beautiful, words can not adequately describe the calm, the sense of serenity that passes through my mind as my eyes glance upward to the moon surrounded by clouds, slowly disappearing. Words can not express the majesty of the sun, a round orb reclining against a cushion of clouds in a bouquet of muted colors.
Looking at the cityscape as a gentle breeze touches my body, a sense of peace moves through my mind.
In the distance, almost on the horizon, dark smoke rises up, without a zoom camera lens the dark, black smoke appears to rise just in front of the dark green treetops. With a lens, the smoke is further away, actually behind the trees.
One of the best things about the Catholic Church is its pugilistic attitude. The Catholic Church continues to argue for social justice, for fairness, for peace, for life. The Catholic Church never takes a holiday, opens its doors everyday to those in need. The Catholic Church asks us to think before we act. Is that how Jesus would have behaved? Are our lives reflections of Jesus' life? How do we love unconditionally and universally?
The church offers hope and a voice for those unable or afraid to speak.
Young hearts need faith.
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