3rd Sunday 2017 - Struggle For Unity

As you are aware, as of this date, we are in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It began Wed. 18th and continues through to Wed. 25th. Theme this year: Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us. (2 Corinthians 5:14-20). I’m sure you are all familiar with ancient saying, “United we stand – divided we fall.” - often used in a political context to emphasize the importance and need to build strong alliances; realizing that our enemies are applying its antithesis, “Divide and concur!”  As important as it is in a political sense, it is no less true in a religious and spiritual sense as well. Clearly, our religious life is not immune to this destructive behavour. In the book of Sirach,  - "My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal." (chapter 2: 1-18) Ever since Cain killed his brother Able, this original sin has been locked into our very D&A, as it were; evidenced by our long, long history of human conflicts, both political and religious.  Our religious/spiritual life is a work unfolding in the midst of a spiritual warfare. We have an enemy intent on our destruction. The weapon of choice against us is “disunity”, separating us from God and one another. Our enemy drives wedges of doubt, confusion, half truths and lies between us and God. Once separated from God’s truth and his divine plan for us, we are easily lead down a path of self destruction and death. That is why we see Jesus preparing for his ministry by going into the wilderness to engage the Great Deceiver in spiritual warfare, warfare that will end with Jesus victory on the Cross. St. Paul, in our second reading, is crystal clear in his understanding of this reality. He sees evidence of this divisiveness already infiltrating the fledgling Christian Church in Corinth, so he is warning them.   I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. But sadly, throughout the history of the Church, divisions have afflicted the Church from within. But from the time of the Second Vatican Council, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a powerful movement to heal these wounds of division has been at work, an ecumenical movement. In an article on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Fr. Thomas Rosica describes this period this way. "So much has been achieved in joint efforts for Christian unity over the past 50 years. Separated Christians no longer consider one another as strangers, competitors or even enemies, but as brothers and sisters. We have largely removed the former lack of understanding, misunderstanding, prejudice, and indifference; we pray together, together we give witness to our common faith; in many fields we work together. We have experienced that “what unites us is much greater than what divides us.” (Part Two) But he goes on to caution: "Yet after the first rather euphoric phase of the ecumenical movement that followed the Second Vatican Council, the last decades have seen us experiencing signs of tiredness, disillusionment and stagnation. Some go so far as to speak even of a crisis, and many Christians no longer understand the differences on which the churches are arguing with each other."  (Part Two) St. Paul’s direction to the church in Corinth and now to us is to Focus on Jesus, person to person. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the Gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom so that the Cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.For the message about the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Second Reading (1Corinthians 1.10-13, 17-18) This exhortation is the same for us today. The names have changed but the condition of loss of focus is the same. Before the theological issues, before the political issues are addressed, our deep, personal and spiritual union with Jesus must come first. Then as Pope Francis is directing us: "Go forth to build bridges to unite us with our brothers and sisters, now separated, who are likewise focused. +*+*+*+*+ Links to Fr. Rosica's three part series, quoted above. The Decree on Ecumenism: 50 Years Later. Part One ..... link. Part Two ..... link. Part Three ..... link. Link to a previous VOICES Post: Link ...... ->

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Liturgical Seasons

Some Thoughts On Ordinary Time and the Liturgical Year First, the word ordinary as it is used here, does not mean plain. The name comes from the Latin word, “ordinalis” meaning "showing order, denoting an order of succession.” It is used in this sense to refer to the order of the counted weeks. That is to say, it is a season of counted weeks in the Liturgical Year; Week One, Week Two ………….etc. Ordinary Time is divided into two main parts. The first begins on the Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and continues through to Shrove Tuesday, the eve of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. This first part focuses on the early life and childhood of Christ, and then on His public ministry.  The liturgical color of Ordinary Time is green; however, as in all seasons, other appropriate colors are worn on particular feast days. (For example, white is typically worn for Marian feast days, except in some Spanish countries where blue is an approved liturgical color.) The second period of Ordinary Time is the longest liturgical season. It resumes after Pentecost and runs until the final Saturday before Advent. This period of Ordinary Time focuses on Christ’s reign as King of kings, and on the age of the Church. This is the age we live in now, which is the time between the age of the Apostles and the age of Christ’s second and final coming for which we are ever preparing. The final Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Feast of Christ the King; the Saturday after this feast is the final day of Ordinary time. Again, the liturgical color of Ordinary Time is green; however, as in all seasons, other appropriate colors are worn on particular feast days. So why this ordering of the seasons of the liturgy in this way? It is done this way so that as we worship in the liturgy, we also are taught our Faith. The method of teaching here is by experience. As we progress through each liturgy, a new lesson is taught to us in person. The gospel readings tell the story chapter by chapter; and as the Church's document on the liturgy tells us: when the gospels are read in the liturgy, it is Christ himself who is speaking to us. Now, having been taught by Jesus in the liturgy of the Word, we are ready to encounter him in a deep, personal communion in the Eucharist. Remember how Luke begins his gospel account:   Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. This is the reasons why the church wants us to come weekly to the Sunday Liturgy. It is so that the bond that ties us to Jesus deepens and grows ever stronger, week after week. Our religious life is not a hobby or something to do to feel good on special occasions. It is a person-to-person relationship that requires loving attention if it is to mature and bloom into a fruitful and bountiful communion of love. It is visibly evident that the number of empty pews in our churches each week is growing. Many will say that they do not need to go to church to be a good person; that they still believe in God. But, remember the words of St. James, in chapter 2 of his letter: "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." (New Living translation)  Perhaps the best way to grasp the importance of maintaining this communion with Jesus is to recall Jesus' word to us in chapter 15, of John's gospel. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

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Epiphany

I always enjoyed watching the little children visiting the Nativity scene in the church each Christmas. Their attention to the details and their innocent commentary on what they were seeing was both delightful and interesting. Yet do we not remember this verse in Luke’s gospel: At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Lk 10:21 The word “epiphany”, means a manifestation, a showing forth, something seen and recognized, the beginning of understanding; we say, “ah, now I see, now I understand!” And what is being made manifest here is nothing less than God, our God made visible. Recall Jesus’ words to Philip: “… anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jo.14:9. In John’s gospel, we are actually given three epiphanies, three manifestations to ponder. The first epiphany is the birth of Jesus, with the three Wise men representing all nations and peoples coming to see. The second, the proclamation from heaven at Jesus baptism by John. The third manifestation seen is the first miracle of Jesus, the changing of water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. The church takes us back to these first three epiphanies to get us started in a new year of grace. But now it is for us to have our own epiphanies. This starts when we start, when we too go in search of him. This “searching is non-other than our personal prayer life. Without this practice of prayer, we will remain in the dark; simply guessing about God. Recall again Jesus’ words to Philip:  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Lk 10:22 The Christmas season in the Church is not simple meant to be a sentimental trip down memory lane. It is a serious time, of highest importance. It is a new gift of the Lord’s presence, a new gift of time and opportunity to become ever more attached to Jesus, to join with those who follow, and prepare for what the future holds for us.  *.*.*.*.* You may also wish to go to the side panel, to "Labels" and klick on "Epiphany" to look at past Posts on the Epiphany.

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Season of Christmas Voices

Some task can be difficult and frustrating, seemingly impossible in some cases. That's when we look for help from someone to help us.  In the Old Testament we see man's struggle to build a relationship with God; so often a mirror of our own struggle.   And so he came to help us to gain that relationship we are unable to achieve on our own.  Now with Christ "presence" comes the "opportunity" to know personally our God and who we really are as God knows us. Personal prayer, prayer as we have explored here, is where we begin - to seize this wondrous gift of TIME & PRESENCE & OPPORTUNITY.

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