12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time:

1. Job 38: 2, 8-11
2. Psalms 107: 23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31
3. 2nd Corinthians 5: 14-17
4. Mark 4: 35-41

1. Learning from Creation
• How active do you think God was in creation?
• Did He just set everything up, all the laws of Physics, the constants (like Newton's gravitational constant) and then let it run?
• Do you think that He's still involved in the unfolding of creation?
• What role might we have in that ongoing unfolding of creation?
2. God's rescue
• Think of a time when you can say that God rescued you in some way.
• Is there any way to predict what God will save us from and what He might allow?
• What does that tell you about God?
3. New Purpose
• How can the average person live for God, and yet do practical things like put a roof over their family's heads, put food on the table, clothes on their backs?
• What then does it really mean for someone to live for God?
• How would you be able to tell such a person from the outside?
4. What were we supposed to do?
• What do you think Jesus expected the disciples to do in the boat rather than interrupt His nap?
• How would you distinguish between faith and trust?
• Does faith lead to trust, or the other way around?
• Is your faith and/or trust increasing over the years?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. When was the last time that I asked God where He was calling me?
2. Do I pray to find my place in God's creation, or do I pray for things to turn out my way?
3. What difference does it make that I've given my life to Jesus?
4. How has God been forming me through my life experiences of late?

That sinking feeling

Sometimes, I feel pulled in so many directions at once,
That it's hard to tell where life is taking me,
Or whether there's any real direction at all.

And I wonder just when it was that life became so cluttered,
And I realize that I've added all of these things,
One at a time, until the aggregate was just too much.

I wonder whether there was a magic moment,
When, like a box entirely full,
I would have taken something out before putting something new in.

Or whether there is some organizing principal,
Some lodestone to guide where I put my energies,
To show what requires my energy and no one else's.

Lord,
Give me the strength and wisdom to say "no"
With care and consideration.

That, bit by bit, I carve for myself
A ministry out of the myriad opportunities
Clamoring for my attention.
Shalom!

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for 11 Sunday in Ordinary  Time:

1. Ezekiel 17: 22-24
2. Psalms 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16
3. 2 Corinthains 5: 6-10
4. Mark 4: 26-34

1. Helping God help you
• "The Lord helps those who help themselves" is a quote that gets bandied about from time to time.  What do you think that means?
• Do you think that someone who lives by that motto would be humble?
• How can we orient/dispose ourselves to be more sensitive to God's provision for us?
2. Vigor in old age
• When asked what they wanted to hear about them at their own funeral, one participant offered just three words: "look, he's moving!".  But that's not likely to be how it goes for us.
• How do you see yourself being fruitful, making a contribution, following God's call in your life in old age?
• How is that different from what you are doing today?
• How are you preparing for that old age?
3. Being pleasing
• Think of some things that you've done lately that really pleased someone else, anyone else.
• What was it about that act that really touched them?  Was it particularly thoughtful, well timed, met an urgent need on their part, whatever?
• Do you think that the same sort of behavior can please God?
• How would you tell?
4. Harvest home
• When I was growing up, we emphasized bringing new souls to Christ when we thought of "harvest".  What are some other types of harvest that a good life can bring in?
• Certainly in agriculture, there are seasons.  Do you think that our lives have seasons, perhaps epochs when we are predominantly sowing seeds and other chapters in which we are reaping the harvest, or is that all sort of stirred together?
• What are you harvesting in your life today?
• What seeds are you sowing for tomorrow?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Have there been blessings that God has offered me this week that I was too proud to accept?
2. What of this last week will I look back on in the years ahead and be glad of?
3. How am I showing God that I care about Him/Her?
4. Am I reaping the harvest that God really wants for me at this stage in my life?

Someone put Petunias in my Rose Garden

I honestly don't remember where I got this idea,
But I distinctly remember thinking from my earliest days,
That retirement would be dignified.

There I'd be, surrounded by trusted colleagues, valued peers,
Holding a celebratory glass of Diet Pepsi,
And thinking to myself that I had arrived.

That "arrival" was supposed to include:
Recognition, success, acclaim
For hard work, and worthy accomplishments.

Instead, what I've found is a legacy of friendships.
Bonds to men and women that I've labored with,
People that have depended on me and I on them.

They are going to miss me,
Not so much that I accomplished all my tasks on time,
But that along the way, I was a good support.

I've learned that it's more important
To prove that you care, than you are smart,
And loyalty is the best barometer of success.

And I'm going to miss them,
Because these fellow pilgrims along the way
Have taught me how to find and share what's worthwhile.

So while I thought I was planting seeds of success along the way
It turns out that that's exactly what I did.
Just different sorts of seeds, a different sort of success.
Shalom!

Corpus Christi

Our readings for Corpus Christ Sunday are:

1. Exodus 24: 3-8
2. Psalms 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18
3. Hebrews 9: 11-15
4. Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

1. One before the altar
• We claim that we are one body, but what does that really mean?
• How can we make that oneness go deeper?
• What are some of the fruits of that oneness?
2. Sometimes "thank you" is all you have
• Have you ever felt so generously gifted by someone that you had no idea how to express your gratitude?
• Did you express that gratitude with some sort of gift in return?
• Were you trying to "get even" so that you didn't owe them anything, or was it something deeper?
• What does that tell you about thanking God for what He gives us?
3. Offering
• Thinking in the most general terms possible, how would you define the role of a priest?
• What is accomplished by offering sacrifice?
• Do you think that if you sacrifice more, God will treat you better?
• Why do you think that we have the offertory before Communion?
4. Be our guest
• Why do you think that Eucharist was based on a meal?
• What does that tell us about sharing a meal, any meal with loved ones?
• At family dinners that you've been to, is there anything present that is not part of the food itself?
• Is that "special ingrediant at all present in the Mass?
• Why not?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Do I have the vision to see all of God's people united?
2. When was the last time that I thanked God out lout?
3. Have I been priestly to those around me this week?
4. Is there love at my dinner table?

Table Talk

Blessed are you Lord God of all the earth,
Through your bounty and the work of many human hands,
We have this bread to eat, this wine to share.

So Robby, did you tell your friend here
About how we kick off the dinner conversation?
I don't want anyone to feel left out.

I sure did Dad, and he said that he'll give it a try.
I'd like to start, to sort of show him how.
Well then, you go right on ahead son.

Well, the think that I'm most grateful for history.
Our teacher has started showing us letters,
Newspapers and such from that time and place.

It helps me really feel like I'm there.
Somehow, I feel as though I know why they felt the way that they did,
And more importantly, why they did what they did.

Robbie, think you're up for this?
I'm most grateful for this time with all of you
Because everyone here treats each other like they're special.

Robbie, what are you least grateful for?
I'm least grateful that Buddy, my dog, isn't feeling well.
The vet says there's nothing that we can do for him.

I want to know what kind of a God lets dogs suffer,
Or not show us how to help them,
And yet make them so lovable.  It's a setup!

Robbie, why do you think God put dogs here?
I dunno, maybe to show us how to care for others,
How to forget about ouselves once in awhile.

But it hurts when I see him limping.
I know son, you're probably right on both counts.
Please pass the peas before they get cold.

Shalom!

Trinity Sunday

Our readings for Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday are:

1. Deuteronomy 4: 32-34, 39-40
2. Psalms 33: 4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
3. Romans 8: 14-17
4. Matthew 28: 16-20

1. Chosen
• In the course of any given day, what is it that you find yourself thinking and talking about most often?
• Would you say that concern is the most important thing in your life?
• How did that come to be the case?
• What does that say about your priorities?
• What does that say about your faith?
2. You're being watched
• As Catholics we have a strong tradition of Eucharistic adoration as a time to gaze upon the physical presence of Christ in our midst.  Do you think about the fact that He's looking back?
• Have you ever seen two lovers, their eyes gently resting on and in the gaze of the other, and wondered what was transpiring between them, how that moment, however short, was changing each of them?
• Do you think that it's possible for us to have those moments with Jesus?
• What difference does it make?
3. Suffering sucotash
• Suffering in this world seems to be a portal, a path to the intimacy of the Trinity.  Isn't there some other way?
• If suffering is so good for us, why take Tylenol?
• Is there anything wrong with "taking the edge off" with a few beers?
• Is there anything wrong with unplugging from life, ceasing to care, ceasing to hurt?
4. Go, you are sent
• Do you think that there is evangelization needed among those in the pews on Sunday?
• How would you tell a true disciple of Jesus if you saw one?
• Do you think that this discipleship thing is something that can be done by degrees?  Maybe if you're a 4th degree disciple you get to wear ostritch feathers (but only for ceremonial occasions)?
• How would we start such an evangelization?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. If I were to ask a close friend what was most important in my life, what would they say?
2. Am I willing to just rest in the presence of God?
3. Can I believe God for being there with and through suffering?
4. Am I willing to suffer that others may come to know Christ?

Holy Hour

Here I am Jesus.
Not entirely sure what's supposed to happen,
But I'm up for anything at this point.

You sound worn out,
Sad,
Tired.  Talk to me.

Oh, nothing a good night's sleep won't cure.
I just can't seem to turn it off.
All this stuff swirling around all the time.

You call it "stuff"
Like it's debris left over from building something worthwhile,
As though all that's left now is bits of scrap lumber, broken masonry, things to clean up.

O no, nothing like that.  You see my work, it's so demanding.
The end of the day never really comes,
I bring my work home with me in ways that keep me all knoted up.

Frustrated?
Unable to do what you long to?
Unable to be who you long to?  Shackled?

Well, that's just the cost of this sort of work.
Everyone else on the team just bears down, takes the burdens, soldiers on.
Maybe I'm getting too old for this.

You were born too old for this.
I loved you into being that your work might be a celebration.
I breathed life into you that you might breathe it into others.

Yeah, well, that doesn't pay the rent,
It's not what I'm trained for,
This makes no sense.

Let me invite you into another sense of sense.
I see in you so much potential, for so much joy.
Do you think that you can just rest in that gaze awhile?

Yeah, I guess so.  We're running out of time you know.
12 minutes left on this hour, but sure,
I feel as though I'm willing to try just about anything at this point.

God, you still there?  I'm not hearing anything!
Shh.  I'm loving you.
Ooooooh ...

Shalom!

Pentecost

Our readings for Pentecost Sunday:

1. Acts 2: 1-11
2. Psalms 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
3. Galatians 5: 16-25 (two options here)
4. John 20: 19-23 (two options here)

1. Now is the time
• Have you ever had to wait for unseen/unknown events, attitudes, your own heart to mature before you moved on something?
• How did you know that the time was ripe to make a change?
• How can we learn to tell such opportunities better?
2. Breath in all
• Do you think that the Spirit is present in all of creation?
• How does that Presence manifest itself?
• How does that Presence benefit us?
• How can we honor that Presence?
3. Bearing fruit
• If there existed an authoritative catalog of every known sin, would you read it?
• What would be your reaction if you found a sin or two in there that surprised you?
• Failing that, how do you develop your conscience, and draw closer to God?
4. We have nothing to fear but fear itself
• Do you think that the arrival of the Spirit removed all fear for those early disciples?
• Think of people in your life who exhibited real courage.  What was that courage founded on?  Was it the sure expectation that everything would turn out the way that they expected, or something deeper?
• How would you define bravery?
• Do we need to be brave?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How am I intentionally listening for God's direction in my life?
2. What am I doing to achieve gladness in the Lord?
3. What are some things in my life that tend to separate me from the love of God?  What am I doing about those?
4. When was the last time that I visited my Confirmation and consciously appropriated those graces?

Brave Heart

The true cause of burnout is not overwork,
Nor chronic stress,
But rather, lack of passion.

Passion is not something that we can "whip up"
As if it comes as the reward for hard work.
Rather passion comes from alignment.

A gentle settling in to who we really are,
Like a goose, after waddling toward the shore,
Floats in its welcome element, and finds peace there.

The gifts of the Spirit are not so much talents,
As they are names by which we call callings.
And it is our calling to find our calling.

Humans are the only creatures
Who can get confused regarding their identity.

Come Holy Spirit come
Show me the way to be Your Presence

Help me to find peace in your service
And passion in your embrace.

Shalom!

7th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter are:

1. Acts 1: 15-17, 20a, 20c-26
2. Psalms 103: 1-2,11-12, 19-20
3. 1 John 4: 11-16
4. John 17: 11b-19

1. Communal discernment
• We have seen people come and go in various roles within the parish, but outside of small conversations in various contexts, we never talk about their passing, or how to respond.  Do you think that could be improved upon?
• What sort of forum would be best for having that sort of discussion?
• Do you think a group discernment - seeking God's will for the community as a community is even possible?
• How would that get started?
2. Removal of sins
• We all know that sin in our lives has an impact on our relationship with God, those around us, the creation that we inhabit.  When our sins are forgiven, how is all that damage mended?
• Do you think that it would help us to lead better lives if we were more aware of the impact of our sins?
• How do you think we might gain that awareness between now and judgment day?
3. Love hurts
• In the film Bruce Almighty, Jim Carey gets a taste of what it's like to be God (artfully played by Morgan Freeman, one of my favorite actors).  Part of the deal is that he hears all of the prayers from everyone from a few square blocks in East Manhattan.  The avalanche of prayers that hits him threatens to overwhelm him, and he tries several ways to deal with them en masse with no success.  We don't have God's powers of generosity, so how is it that we are to love those that God calls us to love, and trust Him to somehow deal with the rest?
• Have you ever had to balance competing calls upon your life, and both of those demands were good?
• How did you make that decision?
• How did it turn out?
4. Somehow, I don't feel all that protected
• What gives you joy in life?
• Would that joy persist in the face of hatred and privation?
• So just what good is it that Jesus is protecting us?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How is my life a witness to the resurrection?
2. When was the last time that I took inventory of my thoughts words and actions to see whether they were pleasing to God?
3. How would I know if I strayed from God's love?
4. What about my life truly takes a stand that others might object to?

Gone Without a Trace

Years ago there was a family in the parish beloved and appreciated by all.
They were model parishioners, active, generous, always ready to help.
They even started their own booth at our annual community fest.

One day, they announced that they were relocating to a new home.
Someone organized a farewell party for them in the parish hall,
Turnout was generous, the grief and well wishes mixed in equal portions.

They passed their community fest booth on to us, and we're still at it.
A living legacy of their commitment and dedication, that few remain to remember.
And yet, they are the lucky ones.

So many others have come, poured their lives into this place, our hearts,
And then, for one reason or many, they have passed from our midst
Without comment, without reflection, no wake to mark their passing.

And I wonder if it's just that we're too busy to pause and reflect,
Or the loss is too painful to share,
Or we don't even know that we need healing that only we can give.

From this day forward, I want to be more intentional,
To truly feel the loss, both personally and as part of the community,
That I might get past my own abandonment to their pain in parting.

Somehow, hospitality is not very real,
When we don't do a good job of mourning those who leave.
I choose to love more deeply, and yes mourn more painfully.

I will share their stories with anyone who will listen.
Try to learn from those who make their departure.
And not shift blame or anger to someone else.

Shalom!

6th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter are:

1. Act2 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48
2. Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4
3. 1 John 4: 7-10
4. John 15: 9-17

1. Thinking outside the box
• It's easy enough to say that there are no bounds to God's love.  What are some practical ways that you see God demonstrating that day by day?
• What are some circumstances in which your ability to love where challenged?
• What is it that you fear most about extending love to another?
• Do you think Jesus has the same fears for you in your life?
• How do you think that the two of you can deal with those fears?
2. Rejoice with me
• Who is the first person that you go to with really good news?
• When you tell that person about really good things happening in your life, does the conversation turn to thanking God?
• What do you think would happen if you turned the conversation to thanking God the next time that someone had something wonderful to share with you?
3. Love me, love my maker
• If we get to know God by loving, then does it follow that truly knowing God will foster love in our hearts?
• When you get to know someone else, you learn their tasts in music, where they grew up, what sort of family they have.  What sort of small talk do you make with God?
• How do we get to know God?
• How do we know that we're not just talking to ourselves?
4. Joy, unleashed
• What gives you joy?
• If that is gone, is the joy gone as well?
• How would you distinguish that sort of joy from the joy of the Lord?
• How joyful are you?
• What are you doing about that?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How much like me does someone have to be before I can be hospitable to them?
2. How thankful am I to God for the good things that He gives me?
3. What have I done lately to be better at loving others?
4. What am I doing to build my trust in God?

The Sacred Other

The challenge in relating to somone else, is to let them be else to you.
Not assume that they are just like you, see things your way.
Instead, let them open up to you, show you what's important to them,
What their dreams are, their hopes, their sorrows, what gets them out of bed.

When we fail to listen to that other, they will eventually know.
They will see that you are relating to a caricature of them,
An image of yourself, cast in their likeness, but not their substance,
And, if you are lucky, they will get your attention, and tell you that you're not listening.

There is no one like God, no other other as distinct as He is.
The hard part of prayer is to be open to that otherness, that distinctness
And build a relationship to that other, always ready for surprises.
And learning to respect those surprises however they come.

I'm starting with "come again?"
The next time that I think I've gotten something in prayer
That I cannot process, I'll just ask God "come again?"
Not to win time, but to take accountability for truly under standing.

Shalom!