When Peter saw [the disciple beloved of the Lord], he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”-- John 21:21-22 (NAB)
I've been realizing lately that I share a character trait with St. Peter, and unfortunately, it's not one of his virtues. :-/ Both St. Peter and I tend to get distracted by what's going on around us.
Everyone knows how, when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, he started to sink (cf Mt. 14:28-31). But he wasn't distracted only by the circumstances around him. He was also distracted by what the Lord had in store for other people. After Jesus told him in veiled terms the manner of death that he would die, Peter asks, "What about John?" Jesus in essence tells him, "Mind your own business!" (cf Jn. 21:18-23)
Peter was also distracted by what people would think of him, as evidenced by his denial of Jesus at the questioning of the bystanders during the trial, one of the few details of the Passion that is reported in all four Gospels. His tendency to be distracted because of what other people think was a weakness even after Pentecost. As St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Before certain men came from James, he [Cephas, or Peter] ate with the Gentiles; but
when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the
circumcision party." (Gal. 2:12) It took a public rebuke from Paul to get Peter back on track.
I find some comfort in knowing that Peter struggled with this weakness even after Pentecost, because I, too, after years of following the Lord in the power of the Spirit, still get distracted by circumstances, by people's opinions, by what's going on with others, and a host of other things. I know, though, that ultimately, Peter overcame his weaknesses through God's grace and his own humble perseverance and laid down his life in witness to the One he loved. I can turn to Peter for prayer support when I get distracted in so many ways, knowing that he understands.
Dear St. Peter, thank you for persevering in spite of your weaknesses in following Our Lord. When my eyes wander, please help me by your prayers to keep them fixed on Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Divine self-effacement
"Behold, the Lamb of God. ... He must increase; I must decrease." -- John 1:36; 3:30
St. John the Baptist, in his great humility, didn't draw attention to himself, but always pointed to the Lamb of God, Jesus. This aspect of St. John the Baptist reminds me of this passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Dear Lord Jesus, St. John the Baptist shared deeply in the "divine self-effacement" of the Holy Spirit. May all of us present-day Elijahs be, like St. John the Baptist, people of the Holy Spirit, pointing always to Jesus. Amen.
St. John the Baptist, in his great humility, didn't draw attention to himself, but always pointed to the Lamb of God, Jesus. This aspect of St. John the Baptist reminds me of this passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"Now God's Spirit, who reveals God, makes known to us Christ, his Word, his living Utterance, but the Spirit does not speak of himself. The Spirit who 'has spoken through the prophets' makes us hear the Father's Word, but we do not hear the Spirit himself. We know him only in the movement by which he reveals the Word to us and disposes us to welcome him in faith. The Spirit of truth who 'unveils' Christ to us 'will not speak on his own.' [Jn 16:13] Such properly divine self-effacement explains why 'the world cannot receive [him], because it neither sees him nor knows him,' while those who believe in Christ know the Spirit because he dwells with them. [Jn 14:17]" (CCC 687)
Dear Lord Jesus, St. John the Baptist shared deeply in the "divine self-effacement" of the Holy Spirit. May all of us present-day Elijahs be, like St. John the Baptist, people of the Holy Spirit, pointing always to Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Elijah-John the Baptist, Elisha-Jesus
"Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist ... And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come." -- Mt. 11:11, 14 (NAB)
Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the one whom Jesus Himself called Elijah. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm returning to the Elijah-Elisha theme. (Perhaps the only surprise is that I'm blogging for the third time this month! :-))
St. Francis de Sales, in one of his Advent sermons, wrote that St. John the Baptist's "humility, it seems to me, is the most excellent and the most perfect that has ever been, after that of Our Lord and the most sacred Virgin." (The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales for Advent and Christmas, Rockford, IL: TAN Books, 1984, p. 22) The people of Judea are all abuzz over the possibility that he might be the Messiah. The priests and Levites even came out to him to ask if he's the Messiah. He could easily have yielded to the temptation to claim for his own the title.
But his commitment to the truth is too great. He will not claim to himself that which is not rightly his. In fact, as St. Francis points out, he doesn't even claim that title -- Elijah -- which rightly was his. As St. Francis puts it, "Admirable humility!"
Father, thank You for the wonderful example of St. John the Baptist, especially his amazing humility. Please help us in the Elijah generation especially to imitate his commitment to truth which allows this grace of humility to flow through our lives and into the lives of others. Amen.
Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the one whom Jesus Himself called Elijah. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm returning to the Elijah-Elisha theme. (Perhaps the only surprise is that I'm blogging for the third time this month! :-))
St. Francis de Sales, in one of his Advent sermons, wrote that St. John the Baptist's "humility, it seems to me, is the most excellent and the most perfect that has ever been, after that of Our Lord and the most sacred Virgin." (The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales for Advent and Christmas, Rockford, IL: TAN Books, 1984, p. 22) The people of Judea are all abuzz over the possibility that he might be the Messiah. The priests and Levites even came out to him to ask if he's the Messiah. He could easily have yielded to the temptation to claim for his own the title.
But his commitment to the truth is too great. He will not claim to himself that which is not rightly his. In fact, as St. Francis points out, he doesn't even claim that title -- Elijah -- which rightly was his. As St. Francis puts it, "Admirable humility!"
Father, thank You for the wonderful example of St. John the Baptist, especially his amazing humility. Please help us in the Elijah generation especially to imitate his commitment to truth which allows this grace of humility to flow through our lives and into the lives of others. Amen.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Something new
"See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"--Isaiah 43:19b
Today is the 9th anniversary of the death of a wonderful lady in our parish named Maxine. At least, that's what her holy card says. But June 13 was simply the day that her good friend Ann found her body, sitting in her chair with her feet propped up, facing the TV which was tuned to EWTN, just as she had been when she had her heart attack. All the evidence, though, points to her really dying on Pentecost evening, June 8.
Maxine was a wonderful woman, filled with the joy of the Lord and His Spirit. She had spent many years as a medical missionary nurse in Africa. In fact, one of the Ugandan priests in our area was born at a hospital where she was serving in the maternity ward. He was amazed to learn that because, as he later told us, he had always had a feeling that he knew her from somewhere. :)
By the time I got to know her, she was already retired, but remained very active in her retirement, serving in various ways. She was also active in our Carmelite group. In fact, she and I made our definitive promises on the same day.
But what I'll always remember most about Maxine is what happened that last Pentecost weekend. We were offering several opportunities for people to be prayed with that weekend. On Friday night, Maxine came to my partner and I for prayer. She said that the Lord had told her that He was getting ready to do "something new" with her, and she was so excited that God had something new for her! She couldn't wait to see what this new thing of God would be. So we prayed with her for this "something new" coming in her life, whatever it might be. On Pentecost Sunday morning, she stopped by the prayer ministers for prayer again, and I got to pray with her a second time.
Imagine my shock a few days later when I learned that she had died! But in the days and months and years since then, I have often reflected on what the Lord had said to her. From the Lord's perspective, the death of His faithful ones is simply "something new," a new phase in their eternal relationship of love with Him. Maxine didn't need to know exactly what the new thing was. It was enough to know that it was coming from the hand of her loving Father, and like a trusting little child, she looked forward to it with great excitement and joy.
Dear Father, thank You for Maxine and for allowing me the opportunity to get a glimpse through her into Your perspective on death. Whenever my time comes to approach death, help me to remember that it is simply "something new" in our relationship and to approach it with the same trust, excitement, and joy that she did. Amen.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Son of Encouragement
"When he arrived and saw the grace of God, [Barnabas] rejoiced
and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of
heart, for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith."--Acts 11:23-24a (NAB)
Yesterday, June 11, we celebrated the feast of St. Barnabas. I just love St. Barnabas. There's a group of saints that just warm my heart, and Barnabas is one of them. In fact, he's probably one of my favorite saints in Scripture.
St. Luke tells us that Barnabas was actually his nickname, given him by the apostles. It tells you a lot when the leaders name you "Son of Encouragement"! It was a name that suited him so well that he's known to the Church by his nickname, not his given name of Joseph.
Barnabas as we see him in Acts consistently lives out his name. He generously sells a piece of land he owns and gives all the proceeds to the apostles. When no one in the early Church trusted the newly converted Saul, he takes him under his wing and introduces him to the apostles. When the apostles are looking for someone to check out the situation in Antioch, who do they send? Barnabas. And when he sees evidence of God's grace at work, he rejoices, encourages it, and then goes and finds Saul, recognizing that he has gifts that will serve this fledgling work of God.
Early in their work in Antioch and the first mission trip, Luke lists them as "Barnabas and Saul." But it isn't too long into their mission trip before the roles switch. Saul, now Paul, is the chief speaker, the one who is listed first when they are mentioned on mission. But do you get any sense that Barnabas has a problem with this? I can almost hear him say, echoing John the Baptist, "He must increase and I must decrease."
Even the cause of the disagreement that separated Paul and Barnabas is so consistent with his character. Barnabas wanted to take Mark along on their return journey to the communities they founded in Asia Minor. Yes, he knew that Mark had deserted them the first time, but he wanted to give him another chance. That is so typical of Barnabas! And when Paul would have none of it, rather than give in to Paul, he stands on his principles and takes Mark along with him to Cyprus.
We never hear him mentioned again in the Acts of the Apostles, but we owe so much to St. Barnabas! Would we even have a St. Paul if Barnabas had not taken him under his wing and introduced him to the apostles, and later sought him out in Tarsus? And, of course, St. Luke was a friend and disciple of St. Paul, so if there hadn't been a St. Paul, there wouldn't have been a St. Luke, either. Would we have a St. Mark if Barnabas had not given the young man another chance to prove himself, launching him onto his life of service to Peter and Paul? In one sense, we owe a large part of the New Testament writings to the love and encouragement of St. Barnabas!
Dear St. Barnabas, thank you so much for your faithful love and encouragement of God's people, a quiet ministry that has impacted the Church throughout all the ages. Pray for me, that I, too, may be one who encourages the Lord's people, recognizing the work of His Spirit and blessing it wherever it is found. Amen.
St. Luke tells us that Barnabas was actually his nickname, given him by the apostles. It tells you a lot when the leaders name you "Son of Encouragement"! It was a name that suited him so well that he's known to the Church by his nickname, not his given name of Joseph.
Barnabas as we see him in Acts consistently lives out his name. He generously sells a piece of land he owns and gives all the proceeds to the apostles. When no one in the early Church trusted the newly converted Saul, he takes him under his wing and introduces him to the apostles. When the apostles are looking for someone to check out the situation in Antioch, who do they send? Barnabas. And when he sees evidence of God's grace at work, he rejoices, encourages it, and then goes and finds Saul, recognizing that he has gifts that will serve this fledgling work of God.
Early in their work in Antioch and the first mission trip, Luke lists them as "Barnabas and Saul." But it isn't too long into their mission trip before the roles switch. Saul, now Paul, is the chief speaker, the one who is listed first when they are mentioned on mission. But do you get any sense that Barnabas has a problem with this? I can almost hear him say, echoing John the Baptist, "He must increase and I must decrease."
Even the cause of the disagreement that separated Paul and Barnabas is so consistent with his character. Barnabas wanted to take Mark along on their return journey to the communities they founded in Asia Minor. Yes, he knew that Mark had deserted them the first time, but he wanted to give him another chance. That is so typical of Barnabas! And when Paul would have none of it, rather than give in to Paul, he stands on his principles and takes Mark along with him to Cyprus.
We never hear him mentioned again in the Acts of the Apostles, but we owe so much to St. Barnabas! Would we even have a St. Paul if Barnabas had not taken him under his wing and introduced him to the apostles, and later sought him out in Tarsus? And, of course, St. Luke was a friend and disciple of St. Paul, so if there hadn't been a St. Paul, there wouldn't have been a St. Luke, either. Would we have a St. Mark if Barnabas had not given the young man another chance to prove himself, launching him onto his life of service to Peter and Paul? In one sense, we owe a large part of the New Testament writings to the love and encouragement of St. Barnabas!
Dear St. Barnabas, thank you so much for your faithful love and encouragement of God's people, a quiet ministry that has impacted the Church throughout all the ages. Pray for me, that I, too, may be one who encourages the Lord's people, recognizing the work of His Spirit and blessing it wherever it is found. Amen.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Pre-Blessing Blitz
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."--Rom. 8:18 (RSV)
My pastor often talks about the "pre-blessing blitz." It's the increase in various types of spiritual warfare that occurs before a time of blessing and is often directly proportional to the greatness of the blessing that is coming.
The last week to 10 days leading up to today's glorious celebration of Easter were pocked with a variety of hassles at work. The month before our parish's church was dedicated was marked by all kinds of problems, topped by the fact that the marble altar that was being shipped from Italy got lost in transit. (You may ask, How do you lose two tons of marble? I don't know, but it happened!)
The saints were very familiar with the pre-blessing blitz, though they may not have called it that. St. Teresa of Jesus (a.k.a. of Avila) noted in The Interior Castle that a time of great blessing from the Lord is often preceded by a time of great trial. St. John Vianney, who often encountered spiritual warfare in a very direct way as a confessor, learned over time that an increase in spiritual warfare often indicated that a great sinner was about to repent, or, as he put it, he was about to "catch a big fish." :-)
St. John Vianney developed a great perspective to the pre-blessing blitz, one that very much reflects the truth expressed by St. Paul in the verse given above. It's said that one night he heard a great commotion down in his parlor. He went downstairs and found the evil one in anger throwing furniture around the room. He said, "Oh, it's only you," and went back to bed!
On Holy Thursday as I was reflecting on the latest Holy Week blitz and the increasing persecution of Catholics and Christians in our nation, all in light of the Passion and death of Jesus, it occurred to me that life is a pre-blessing blitz. The intensity of the spiritual warfare is not constant; the Lord knows that we are but dust, and in His mercy He gives us breaks in the battle. But the ebbs and flows that we experience do not change the fact that we are always in the midst of a battle. And this should not surprise us, for the blessing to which we are heading is the greatest blessing of all: eternal life on high with Christ Jesus!
Lord Jesus, help me to always remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed to us. Help me to take on the mindset of St. John Vianney and the other saints, seeing things through the perspective of eternity and remembering always that "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world." Amen.
My pastor often talks about the "pre-blessing blitz." It's the increase in various types of spiritual warfare that occurs before a time of blessing and is often directly proportional to the greatness of the blessing that is coming.
The last week to 10 days leading up to today's glorious celebration of Easter were pocked with a variety of hassles at work. The month before our parish's church was dedicated was marked by all kinds of problems, topped by the fact that the marble altar that was being shipped from Italy got lost in transit. (You may ask, How do you lose two tons of marble? I don't know, but it happened!)
The saints were very familiar with the pre-blessing blitz, though they may not have called it that. St. Teresa of Jesus (a.k.a. of Avila) noted in The Interior Castle that a time of great blessing from the Lord is often preceded by a time of great trial. St. John Vianney, who often encountered spiritual warfare in a very direct way as a confessor, learned over time that an increase in spiritual warfare often indicated that a great sinner was about to repent, or, as he put it, he was about to "catch a big fish." :-)
St. John Vianney developed a great perspective to the pre-blessing blitz, one that very much reflects the truth expressed by St. Paul in the verse given above. It's said that one night he heard a great commotion down in his parlor. He went downstairs and found the evil one in anger throwing furniture around the room. He said, "Oh, it's only you," and went back to bed!
On Holy Thursday as I was reflecting on the latest Holy Week blitz and the increasing persecution of Catholics and Christians in our nation, all in light of the Passion and death of Jesus, it occurred to me that life is a pre-blessing blitz. The intensity of the spiritual warfare is not constant; the Lord knows that we are but dust, and in His mercy He gives us breaks in the battle. But the ebbs and flows that we experience do not change the fact that we are always in the midst of a battle. And this should not surprise us, for the blessing to which we are heading is the greatest blessing of all: eternal life on high with Christ Jesus!
Lord Jesus, help me to always remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed to us. Help me to take on the mindset of St. John Vianney and the other saints, seeing things through the perspective of eternity and remembering always that "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world." Amen.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Eleazar: Giving a noble example to the young
"...by bravely giving up life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws." -- 2 Macc. 6:27-28 (NAB)
The Second Book of the Maccabees records several inspiring stories of Jews of the second century before Christ who refused to violate the law of God, even at the cost of their lives. One that is especially relevant for seniors is the story of the scribe Eleazar, described as "a man advanced in age and of noble appearance."
As part of the persecutions, Jews were being forced to eat pork that had been offered in sacrifice. When Eleazar refused, some of his old friends took him aside and tried to offer him a way out. They suggested that he pretend to eat the pork, but bring some of his own food that he could lawfully eat and eat that instead.
How many times are we offered a way out of violating our consciences that might at first seem to meet the requirements of the laws of God, but which we know, in our heart of hearts, leaves something to be desired? Eleazar recognized that there was something else he needed to be concerned about than just technically meeting the requirements of the Law; namely, the scandal he would give to those who heard of it.
Scandal is a term that has lost a lot of its theological meaning in modern society. We think of scandalous behavior as that which is shocking or disgraceful, and there is that element. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides us with the full meaning of "scandal":
"Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense." (para. 2284)
Eleazar clearly understood the full, scandalous impact of his actions, especially on the young, if he accepted the offer to pretend to eat pork. He replied,
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many of the young would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. If I dissemble to gain a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring defilement and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid human punishment, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hand of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely giving up life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”(2 Macc. 6:24-28)
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to remember that we are never acting alone or in secret, but that every action of our lives affects those around us. Please give us the wisdom to recognize the hidden dangers in what might, at first, seem to be legitimate compromises. Grant us the grace not to give scandal and lead others astray by our actions, but to be faithful to You by the power of Your Spirit to the end, whatever that end may be. Amen.
The Second Book of the Maccabees records several inspiring stories of Jews of the second century before Christ who refused to violate the law of God, even at the cost of their lives. One that is especially relevant for seniors is the story of the scribe Eleazar, described as "a man advanced in age and of noble appearance."
As part of the persecutions, Jews were being forced to eat pork that had been offered in sacrifice. When Eleazar refused, some of his old friends took him aside and tried to offer him a way out. They suggested that he pretend to eat the pork, but bring some of his own food that he could lawfully eat and eat that instead.
How many times are we offered a way out of violating our consciences that might at first seem to meet the requirements of the laws of God, but which we know, in our heart of hearts, leaves something to be desired? Eleazar recognized that there was something else he needed to be concerned about than just technically meeting the requirements of the Law; namely, the scandal he would give to those who heard of it.
Scandal is a term that has lost a lot of its theological meaning in modern society. We think of scandalous behavior as that which is shocking or disgraceful, and there is that element. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides us with the full meaning of "scandal":
"Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense." (para. 2284)
Eleazar clearly understood the full, scandalous impact of his actions, especially on the young, if he accepted the offer to pretend to eat pork. He replied,
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many of the young would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. If I dissemble to gain a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring defilement and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid human punishment, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hand of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely giving up life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”(2 Macc. 6:24-28)
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to remember that we are never acting alone or in secret, but that every action of our lives affects those around us. Please give us the wisdom to recognize the hidden dangers in what might, at first, seem to be legitimate compromises. Grant us the grace not to give scandal and lead others astray by our actions, but to be faithful to You by the power of Your Spirit to the end, whatever that end may be. Amen.
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