Lent - 2020

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”  Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Mk 10:35-38 This lent I would like to offer some reflections for those who are striving after a deeper understanding of what it means to have a true and dynamic spiritual life. In the text above, James and John have an ambition for a deeper union with Jesus. Indeed, they want the highest possible union with Jesus. Jesus does not want to diminish their ambition; Jesus would like that we all have this same ambition but desiring it is only the first step.  Those great saints and teachers of the Spiritual Life like St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Ignatius of Loyola knew well that such a deep union with Jesus like James and John were seeking would require that many stages of formation and purification would be required to achieve it. St. Ignatius was particularly insightful into the reality that there was Enemy who would fiercely oppose this desire for union at every step and stage along the way. This is laid out so profoundly in his Rule for Discernment  of Spirits. By asking James and John if they are able to drink from His Cup Jesus is preparing them for what awaits them.  Lent is meant to be a time for any who desire such a deeper union with Jesus to take on the challenges that war against holiness and to drink deeply of Jesus Cup of Victory.

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Seventh Sunday 2020 - Looking to Lent

Lent, An Invitation to Join Him

I like to think of Lent as beginning with an invitation from the Lord to join him on "His" journey into the wilderness. Thinking of it in this way indicates that the agenda for Lent will be the Lord's and not ours. If we accept, then we should begin by asking the Lord what we will need to bring with us. The wilderness is to be a place of prayer. Here is a list that very well my be the same list the Lord gives to you. The first thing you must bring is a generous portion of your time. You cannot be in two places at the same time. Notice that the wilderness is an empty place, without the distractions of the secular world surrounding you. Try to find such a place in your day where you can be alone - only you and the Lord. Arranging a time and place is most important. Remember, the Lord has invited you to come and be with him. Be assured, he will be there. You might offer a prayerful word of thanks for such an unimaginable privilege. Next you will need a way to listen to the Lord's voice. Our world is a stadium full of people, all speaking at the same time - can any sense be made of it. The scriptures, especially the gospels reduces the voices down to one, the Lord's. It takes some practice on your part, what with the ringing in your ears from that stadium we live in. "Speak Lord, I am listening". You too can speak. The Lord wants you to understand, but we are a little slow and our thinking has been shaped by that world we have just left, or misshapen by it. Your seeking understanding becomes your prayer. "How can this be Lord?" "Yes Lord, with you all things are possible". Takes notes as they say. When you go back to that stadium of confusing voices, you will need a good way to remember what the Lord has taught you. It will need perseverance, it is a desert after all. Do not give up.

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In this video, Dr. Pitre gives insight into the Biblical foundation for Ash Wednesday, as well as the rationale and purpose of the season of Lent.  He addresses questions such as: Why do you we use ashes? Why are we asked of the Church to increase our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving during Lent? Is Lent just about abstaining from a favorite food, or is there something more to it? <<< LINK >>>

Sixth Sunday - 2020

Today’s Gospel Reading comes from that rich and powerful Chapter 5 in Matthew’s gospel and it has a lot for us to take in. For my remarks here today, I will focus just on the first antithesis that are listed in this passage. Jesus begins with these words: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. Jesus is saying that the directives and teachings of the ancient Law and Prophets were only the beginning of what God wanted for His people. Their holiness was to go much higher than just not killing one another. So Jesus says:  “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that the one who is angry with their brother or sister, will be liable to judgment; and whoever insults their brother or sister, will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to the hell of fire."  Now I am not going to ask you to raise your hand, but have any of you ever be “angry” with someone? So what is Jesus saying – not being angry is impossible? It’s interesting to look into the background of the words “insult” and “fool”. The ancient word for Insult was “Raca”, an Aramaic word meaning “brainless” – “worthless” – “idiot”. And the word translated here as “fool” was the Greek word “mōre” from which we derive the word “moron”. Have you ever heard someone calling another person an idiot or a moron? Maybe even you? Jesus is not saying that having the emotion of anger rise up in you is a sin. Emotions are part of our human nature. It is what you do with your emotion that Jesus is concerned with. If we do not deal appropriately with our anger, we could end up harming another and harming ourselves. As you look around at all the division and conflict dividing our society today unbridled anger is its driving force. Was Jesus ever angry? Indeed, he was. In Mark 10 we read: “Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry (or often translated indigent) and said, “Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God." Mark 10:13 Here it is the disciple’s wrongdoing that is the focus of Jesus’ anger and his passion to have them change what they are doing. “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift”. God wants us to be passionate about the way we live our lives – passionate about all that is good, passionate about overcoming evil with good. The reason God starts us off in this world is so that we can be transformed into the image and likeness of God – to become the children of God. We are here to become saints. This chapter ends with Jesus teaching us how to channel our anger and resolve our disputes. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Mtt. 5:45

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Fifth Sunday - 2020

Recently I was reading an article entitled How to Respond to the “New Atheism”. It was published on the Catholic Answers website. The author is Trent Horn. He points out that the “Old Atheism” championed by Communism was not doing as well as atheist were hoping. Quoting Trent Horn, “Beginning in the 1970s, the philosopher Paul Kurtz promoted what he called “secular humanism,” which focused on promoting human well-being without religion rather than converting people to atheism”. Some atheist view religion as having some good to offer society, but the more militant sees it as the cause of today’s world disorders. Quoting Trent Horn again, “In 2004 American atheist Sam Harris, after reflecting on the September 11 terrorist attacks, published The End of Faith. In the book, Harris argued that religion is a form of mental illness and not part of a rational worldview”. How common it is today to see governments separating religious signs and symbols from public life, sighting that we now live in a “secular” society. Religion at best is a private matter. I mention all this as a way for us to connect in our time to Jesus' words in today’s gospel. Atheism and Secular Humanism are trying to extinguish the Light of religious faith. By claiming secular humanism as normal and rational and religion as superstition; and by discrediting religion whenever it has problems the New Atheist are at war with the “Children of Light”. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before human beings, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” So what is it that makes us the Light of the World? It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, with His gifts and graces – beginning with our baptism. Consider the oil lamp. It has two main components – the base which is a reservoir to be filled with fuel – and for its top a globe which is transparent to all that surrounds it. When it is filled with oil and the wick is lighted a brilliant light fills the room. Just so with us – filled with the Holy Spirit with many charisms and graces, with wisdom and truth taught to us by Jesus – when set alight by His inspiration we become a true light, dispelling the darkness of ignorance of God’s truth around us. And the lampstand – it is our place in the world wherever that may be – there and then the truth of our faith is always to be with us shining for all to see and hear. We come here to Mass each week to have the light of the Holy Spirit replenished in our minds and hearts so that going forth our light will shine brightly. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ never let the New Atheism smother your light under its bushels of falsehoods. Here is the link to the article How to Respond to the “New Atheism”

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Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Lk. 2:22 Points for Consideration & Meditation [...... their purification according to the law of Moses ......] ·         While we see our faith as a deeply personal matter, it belongs to a greater reality, part of a family of believers to which we belong, in who's company our portion of the faith was awakened. [...... had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit ......] ·         Consider how much we appreciate the guidance of another as we delve into new and hidden things about our lives. In our faith journey, that One is the Holy Spirit. Talk to the Spirit - invite the Spirit into each and every prayer time you begin - "Spirit show me, what should I see, what are you teaching me?" [.....the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.....] ·         To have prejudged what we think the Spirit has in store for us is likened to one covering their ears, lest they hear. Be amazed. "Eye has not seen, ear heard, or we ever imaged, what God has in store for those who love Him." (1Cor. 2:9)

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For more on the scriptures for today's feast go to >>> CATHOLIC PRODUCTIONS

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