19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. 1 Kings 19: 4-8
2. Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. Ephesians 4:30-5:2
4. John 6: 41-51

1. If this is how you treat your friends ...
• It would be nice if, when bad things befall us, we could point to some stand that we took, some tough decision that we made that put us on a course that led to a tough outcome.
• In that circumstance, we could blame God for getting us into this position.
• We would be bummed by the circumstances (like Elijah getting threatened by the Jezebel and the priests of Baal), but at least feel virtuous.
• But I think sometimes, we follow God, don't do anything manifestly heroic, and still end up getting layed off, having a loved one die, taking a hit in the stock market.
• Does that sort of suffering have to mean anything?
• How can we share that suffering with others, without inflicting it on them?
2. Trust in God
• Have you ever had a time in life when you had to trust in God to get you through?
• How did that work out for you?  Did everything turn out well?
• Sometimes, we only see God's hand when looking back at something from a distance of time.  How long does that take?  Do we see God's providence all at once?
• Is there any guarantee that we'll always see God's hand in our lives ever?
3. Putting away my God-given right to be upset with you ...
• In a perfect world, everyone would be as reasonable as I am and see things my way.  What do we do in the meantime?
• Somehow, when I tell someone else that I forgive them for being wrong about something, the conversation never ends well.  Why is that?
• Disagreements within the Body of Christ are bound to come up, sometimes they can last a long time.  How do we deal with that in a healthy way?
4. Buddy, can you spare some Jesus?
• This is is the climax of the "bread of life" discourse in John.  Jesus started by feeding the 5000, and has steadily (relentlessly?) shifted their focus from the food that He just gave them to the bread of life.  So, what was the purpose of feeding them in the first place?
• If we believe that everything that we receive is from God, what then is the meaning of our contribution, our work (some would say toil) towards providing for ourselves and our loved ones?
• Is everything that we receive from God like the loaves and fishes, that is, is it the purpose of that provision to turn our hearts towards God, or is His provision for us more practical?
• When we feed the homeless, do they need to be preached to, or do our actions nourish them better than our words might?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Have I "backed off" a difficult position or stance because I was afraid of what others would think or do?
2. When was the last time I spoke of my gratitude to God for something in my life?
3. Is my prayer life healthy enough that I can tell when I've grieved the Holy Spirit?
4. When I've been confused or doubtful, have I talked that out with anyone, or just murmured?

Waste of a Good Lunch

Jesus is so unpredictable.
One minute he's encouraging us (particularly the poor)
Then we get fed out of nowhere,
Then suddenly, bam, He starts in with this bread of life spiel.

Frankly, now that I think on it,
If I had stayed home I could have gotten wheat bread
Not as course,
Nothing sticking between my teeth.

And, I would not have had,
To try and figure out what all this talk
Is about Jesus being the bread of life.
There's a lesson here -

There's no free lunch.

Shalom!

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15
2. Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
3. Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
4. John 6: 24-35

1. What is it?
• In the Exodus passage 16: 5-11 we read that the Israelites were not to store up any manna from one day to the next, that the manna was literally to be "their daily bread".  Do you think that God gave that to them daily because no one had invented 401K plans yet?
• These days, we have so many ways to hedge ourselves financially with various sorts of insurance.  Some would argue that insurance is intrinsically just gambling dressed up.  What do you think?
• Is there any limit to the trust that we are to put in God?
• How is that trust expressed?
2. Why is it?
• Did God send the Israelites manna in the desert because He was afraid for his servant Moses?
• Maybe it was to teach the Israelites to trust (too bad that everyone who ate the manna in the desert died out there)?
• He didn't want them distracted from the lessons that He wanted to teach them by their want.
• God's just naturally generous.
• What do you think?
3. Renewal
• A renewal is a re founding, a returning to something lost.  Often, that return is not to the same state that had been left behind, but a case of finding new expression for something old and forgotten.  What would you like to renew about your faith personally?
• Do you feel that your family could use some renewal?
• How about our parish?
• Where do we start?
4. The work of God
• One definition of work is "generative activity that builds, constructs, creates new things by combining existing ingredients in new ways for a stated purpose."  What are you working on these days?
• I'm sure I've used this story before, but here goes: "A visitor to Rome once noticed a building under construction.  Being new to the city, he walked up to one of the workers and asked them what they were doing.  The worker proudly said that he was chiseling fine granite blocks that would fit together perfectly to form the walls.  Informed, but unsatisfied, the visitor saw another worker, with drawings spread out in front of him.  This person was directing workers and was obviously in a position of authority.  The visitor put the same question to him.  The worker said that he was a foreman, directing the construction of an building that would stand for centuries, and be a silent witness to the genius of the architect, and the hard work of the builders.  More informed, and more frustrated, the visitor was just about to leave when he saw an old woman sweeping up the scraps of stone left over from the chiseling, and clearing away the dust from the construction.  He asked her what she was doing, and she slowly straightened up from her labors, got a far off look in her haggard face, and said 'I am building a cathedral.'"  Which of them knew best what they were working on?
• Some occupations are easy to see the hand of God in - certainly priests and religious, social workers, teachers, what about your profession?
• How did you get into the work that you're doing today?
• Is that a good enough reason to stay?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I grumbling about today?
2. How has God provided for me in the past?
3. How do I keep my desires into their proper place, prevent them from becoming disordered?
4. Am I willing to receive abundance from God on God's terms, or mine?

This is no Picnic for me Either

Lord, me again.
Pretty much everything is done for the day.
The flocks have been brought in, camp is pitched, everyone is in their tent.
I thought it would be good for you and me to have a talk.

When I said that I wanted to help your children,
I don't remember getting any say in how that was going to pan out.
If you had bothered to ask, I might have told you that I'm a really good accountant.
There in Pharaoh's court they taught me how to keep track of resources, coming and going.

Instead, you asked me to get out of my comfort zone,
Get out in front of the mighty Pharaoh
And then, lead this cranky group of whiners through the desert,
To what?  My GPS is shot out here, I have no idea where we're going.

Just once,
I'd like to walk into a situation and feel as though I'm bringing something to the table.
Some part of my past, my makeup that will actually be of use.
Instead, you keep putting me into situations where I feel lost and adrift.

If this is some sort of punishment, I have to say you're being really thorough.
How will I know when you're done?
On the other hand, if you're trying to form me into someone else,
Would you mind telling me what that new Moses will look like, so I recognize him?

Thanks for the breeze just now, that is refreshing.
The stars look so close I feel as though I could touch them.
And, every once in awhile, I see families helping each other
As we make our way through this wasteland.

Help me to be more grateful,
Give me greater trust,
Help me to see everything that you give us, large and small,
And help me find fulfillment in this crazy job that you've given me.

Goodnight God.  Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, I can feel it.

Shalom!

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. 2nd Kings 4: 42-44
2. Psalms 145: 10-11, 15-16, 17-18
3. Ephesians 4: 1-6
4. John 6: 1-15

1. God cares about the small stuff too
• In John 2: 1-11 Jesus turns the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana.  You have to smile when you think about the Son of God worrying over something that homey.  Of course, he might have just needed a drop or two himself, and was in a generous mood ...
• What of our needs do you think God really cares about?
• How do you distinguish between a need and a mere want?
• How do you find your deepest needs?
2. God's hand in our midst
• During his long journey to eternity, my father got to a place where he didn't speak but rarely.  We never knew if it was that he just didn't think that much needed to be said, or if his mental process was not capable of forming words and sentences by that point, or what the change in his behavior really indicated.  But one day, as his care giver and my mother were tending to him, he smiled and observed "I'm well taken care of."
• Do you feel that God is providing for you well?
• Has that sense of being well provided for been a sure thing in your life, or have there been rocky patches in the past?
• What do those rocky patches tell you about:
• The times that seemed more abundant
• What your future might hold
• God Himself
3. The secret of living together
• Living in community is not for sissies.  Most of us look our best from a distance.  What are some communities that you have lived in?
• What are some of the dimensions of the unity that you shared?  Were you all about the same age, from similar circumstances, with common goals, common beliefs ...?
• What did you do to nurture that community, strengthen that unity?
• Do you think that such techniques would scale to the parish level, or even world wide?
• How would that transform our world?
4. Delegation
• Do you ever wonder if Jesus wasn't being a bit unfair with the disciples?
• At a recent catechetical formation session I was in, they told us not to be talked out of recruiting someone to catechetical ministry because that other person doesn't feel that they have the background or skills, that a calling will emerge as we give of ourselves, and if we make a mistake, it will become evident and we simply move on to another ministry.
• Do you think that the Church can afford to have ministers that are not truly called to what they are doing?
• How do you think that the average person can reliably discern their calling?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Do I trust God?
2. Am I able to see God's provision for me, even if that provision isn't what I expected?
3. Am I generous to those around me who are closest?  Do I give them the benefit of the doubt?  Am I willing to be vulnerable to them, again?
4. Am I willing to unlock miracles in my life?

You Raise Me Up

The danger of mere survival is that it's so seductive.
The threat of outright extinction galvanizes, even energizes the weary,
Knowing that their next move is all in, make or break, do or die.
The threat staring you in the face, fanning you with its hot breath.

But survival, that clever siren beckons with mere adequacy,
Promising more energy, more life tomorrow,
Or at the very least the next day.
Always just one day away from true living.

Hope trumpets a clear battle cry
Cutting through the fog and forest
Even if it is at great distance,
Calling us to rise, confront, conquer.

Hope reminds of our true nature,
Speaks to our true destiny,
Reminding us of where we hail from,
And how we got here.

Be still my heart, hearken to the still small voice,
Find your passion, unleash your potential,
Give generously, even if it's just a few barley loaves,
Because you never know how many will get fed today.

Shalom!

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Jeremiah 23: 1-6
2. Psalms 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
3. Ephesians 2: 13-18
4. Mark 6: 30-34

1. The sheep have been fleeced
• I'm taking a catechetical formation class which has quite a diversity of ages amongst the students.  One 16 year old told me that he looked to me as a spiritual grandfather after the class had been meeting for a few weeks.  Do you think that you might be a leader/shepherd to someone and not even know it?
• If so, how are we responsible to such people?
• To what extent do they need to know our inner struggles so that they know the "real us"?
• How would we even convey that transparency to a community that we're not even aware of?
• Do you think Jesus might be a blogger if He were alive today?
2. What about this is verdant?
• Do you feel that you have needs that are not getting met?
• Does that mean that maybe God isn't your shepherd, or there are parts of your life that are not as well shepherded as others?
• Or, does that speak to the nature of your needs?
• How do you tell what you really need at a given moment anyway?
3. You've been named in the will
• One retreat exercise that I participated in with the Confirmation kids was that we had a prayer table with candles on it, and everyone was asked to sit in the room close to the prayer table if you felt that you were pretty close to Jesus, and out at the fringes of the room if you felt that your relationship with Jesus was distant in some way or another.  What they didn't tell us was to ignore where everyone else was sitting.
• Do you think that getting close to Jesus automatically means getting closer to everyone else who's close to Jesus?
• What does it mean if two people, both ostensibly ardent disciples of Christ, disagree on some point, maybe how to handle a social injustice, what color to paint the inside of the church, or how to respond to the recent supreme court ruling on gay marriage?
4. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him you have plans
• I'm always fascinated by this passage because, for all the world, it looks as though Jesus was caught by surprise.  You can almost hear Him say to his assistant "Uh oh, looks like we're going to have to cancel that spa appointment for today, too many needy people on the horizon."
• How important is your prayer life to your overall well-being and balance?
• There's literally no end to people in need, no matter where you go, so how do you know when to let someone else take over?
• Do you think that there is a work/life balance needed in our spiritual lives?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I willing to hold the shepherds, at whatever level, accountable for the way that they lead us?
2. How strong is my trust in Jesus to meet my needs?
3. Am I a peacemaker?
4. How flexible am I with regards to how I serve God day to day?

I don't know my hands anymore

Watching the Master lay His hands on others was always awe inspiring.
He always knew just what to say, when to say it, what to do.
People always left Him better than they were before,
Sometimes better in ways they had never anticipated.

We always wondered how He did it, and in the backs of our minds,
We wondered what was going to happen when He inevitably left us,
And we had to carry on without Him.  But that was a long ways off.
Or so we kept telling ourselves.

Once, I tried to imagine what that would be like,
All of us trying to remember.  It might sound something like:
Andrew, you're not doing it right,
I'm sure that He always healed with his right hand.

Or, maybe each of us would have a particular specialty,
One of us would handle the demoniac, another the lame,
Someone else would specialize in those with wounded hearts,
After all, only God can do everything that Jesus did.

But then He sent us out, just two of us together,
And we had to handle all of the needs that shambled toward us.
I look at my hands, and see the roughened flesh
From hauling lines, and mending nets,

I used to know what I was capable of, what my calling was,
It was written large in these familiar hands of mine.
But now I stare at them as a strangers,
And I no longer know what I'm capable of.

Shalom!

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Amos 7: 12-15
2. Psalms 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14
3. Ephesians 1: 3-14
4. Mark 6: 7-13

1. I yam what I yam
• Have you ever felt called to a position, role, ministry, only to be told "no"?
• How did you respond to that?
• Did that refusal make you doubt your initial calling?
• How did you work through that?
2. Justice and Peace
• Pope John Paul II was quoted once saying "if you want peace, pray for justice."  Do you think that's reasonable?
• Given the disparity between the resources consumed in the developed world versus the developing world, do we have anything to fear from justice?
• Where do you think more justice is needed close at hand?
• What can we do about that?
3. Passing the baton
• How well do you think that we're doing at forming the next generation of disciples in our families/parishes/as a Church?
• Does that say more about the message, the messengers, or the audience?
• What can we do about that?
• How responsible are we for the ultimate success of the spread of the Gospel?
4. Ite, missa est
• Do you think that our function as individuals in spreading the Gospel changes over time?
• How would you know when such a time of change has come?
• What might be some symptoms of someone who missed God's call into a new/different ministry?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How much am I willing to stake so that I can do God's will in my life?
2. How sensitive am I to violence and injustice in all of their forms?
3. When was the last time that I made a decision based on God's destiny for me?
4. How is my life "good news" to anyone?

Self Esteem Issues

Wow, that last town was a tough crowd.
We really need a better advance team.
Someone who will book us where,
Somewhere we'll be appreciated.

It's just so frustrating to work so hard in a a sleepy village,
Pour your heart and soul into the community,
Only to meet growing resistance, even anger,
Until finally they tell you you'd better leave before "something happens".

Jesus completely changed my life.
Gave me purpose where there was none,
Helped me see my whole life
Whole, in a whole new way.

I know I'm no spellbinding orator, no inspiring preacher,
But we put it all on the line back there, no holding back,
Totally honest, from deep within our hearts,
And and they were afraid of us.  That anger was fear.

But at least that was better,
Better by far than indifference.
The yawns, the indulgent smiles,
As if to say "I've heard it all before."

Win, lose, or draw, it must be important that we've been here,
Or the Master would not have sent us.
But I struggle to see what we've left behind besides a cloud of dust
That is quickly going to settle and be gone.

Shalom!

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

1. Ezekiel 2: 2-5
2. Psalms 123: 1-2, 2, 3-4
3. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
4. Mark 6: 1-6

1. Missioned
• Some years back, when I would do interviews, there was one fellow on the panel who would ask the interviewee "give three words that describe you."  If someone asked that of you in a Catholic context what would those words be?
• Do you think that "prophet" might be one of them?
• Why or why not?
• Do you think that we can have too many authentic prophets?
2. Looking for mercy
• How would you measure success in general?
• How do you measure up to that definition of success?
• Do you think that true humility can help a person become successful?
• Why or why not?
3. Strength in humility
• How would you define humility?
• How do you think that we go about learning that?
• How does a humble heart help us in our ministry?
• How might it help us at home?
4. Might might not be where you expect it
• Who are some of the ones who have taught you the most?
• What made it possible for you to learn from them?
• Do you feel that you are at all a teacher/coach/mentor for others in their faith?
• How might you be better at that?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Is false humility keeping me from sharing my God-given gifts?
2. Am I willing to be seen as a failure in most people's eyes if that's what it takes for me to follow Jesus' call in my life?
3. Do I expect Jesus to protect me from the bumps and potholes in the road of life, or am I content knowing that He'll be there with me, no matter how dire things get?
4. Am I willing to let Jesus be true to His nature, His purpose, even if that conflicts with my expectations on him?

Not Now, I'm Praying

Lord, I want to be successful.
Nothing grand or glorious,
I'd just like something to turn out the way I want it to from time to time.




Hello, I'm praying, I'm listening,
I thought we had an understanding here,
That you'd be there for me.

Oh, sorry, you're talking to me?
Just what were you looking for by way of an answer?
What role do you think I might have in your success?

Well, some guidance in how to make that happen,
Maybe some direction in how I should go,
Where to put my effort.

What were you looking for, stock tips,
Perhaps some suggestions on which MBA program
Would best suit your idea of your future?

Well, it sounds sort of trivial when you put it that way.
Look, I'm not very clear on the big picture here.
I'm just trying to take this one step at a time.

Now you're talking.
Put your trust in me,
Learn indifference to all that you have, 

Wait, wait, trust, yeah, I get that.
But indifference, aren't you the one
Who supplied me with all this?

And you need to put all of that
In it's proper place, even
Your understanding of what success is.

But if I do that, what's going to be left?
What can I count on going forward?
What can I hang on to for security and continuity?

I'll never leave you nor forsake you,
Come back when that's enough for you.
And then we can talk some more.

Lord, have mercy
I always have
This is so hard
It always has been
I'll be back
I'm counting on it.

I love you more than you'll ever know.
I gaze at you every moment of every day.
I am here for you no matter what.

Shalom!

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

1. Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2: 23-24
2. Psalms 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
3. 2 Corinthians 8: 7, 9,13-15
4. Mark 5: 21-43

1. Death be not proud
• Thank God for the Internet.  I found John Donne's poem Death, be not proud in a matter of minutes.  Back in the old days, well, it would have taken longer.
• My father-in-law, bless his heart, comforts himself with the sentiment that God must have needed Jean more than we did.
• At bottom, what does that sort of statement say about God?
• What does it say about us?
• Can you think of some other meaning for death?
2. Rescue station
• Do you think that God rescues us from circumstances that we've created?
• How specific are you when you pray?  Do you leave the field wide open for God to step in, or do you give him some hints as to what He needs to do?
• How much of a partner do you think God would like us to be when He intervenes?
3. Together in Mission
• What do you think our obligations are to our sister parishes?
• Do you think that those obligations should be met at the local or Diocesan level?
• How do you think that we should decide on how much to give?
4. Don't bother me, I'm doing God's work
• I love this Gospel because it makes me think of multi-tasking.
• Do you think that Jesus ever felt frustrated that He could not be in more than one place at a time?
• Do you think that He knew that it was going to end up "OK" in the end if He stopped along the way to Jairus' house?
• Have you ever missed an opportunity to do good because you were too busy doing good?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What do I blame God for?
2. Do I appreciate the things that God has rescued me from?
3. Do I look for opportunities to be generous, or do I look for ways to give "just enough".
4. Am I willing to have God break into my service to God?

The Impertinence of it All

I could hardly believe our good fortune,
A noted synagogue official approaching the Master, asking for a healing.
Surely, if Jesus is able to help this man, Jesus' notoriety will soar,
Everyone will see how wonderful He and His ministry are.

Time was of the essence.
Her life hung in the balance.
We needed to show that we cared.
And above all, get to her in time.

The crowds were like dense herds of sheep.
Milling around without apparent purpose.
Having no effect but to slow the Master's progress,
Not to mention kicking up a good deal of dust.

We finally seemed to be making some progress,
And all of a sudden Jesus stopped dead in His tracks.
It almost seemed as though the press of bodies became even tighter
When the last of our forward momentum died.

I had hoped to get him moving again,
By appealing to reason.  But no.
He had to encounter whoever it was that had touched Him.
This had "long afternoon" written all over it.

Then I saw who it was, heard the whispers.
This woman had a flow of blood, she was unfit to enter the Temple.
And now she had made Jesus unfit as well by touching Him,
Just before He is to attend a synagogue official.

And then, I saw the mercy in His eyes,
And saw her, not as an obstruction, but a door
Letting me out of my self absorption
Into wider spaces of self-donation.

Soon enough, we picked where we left off.
But the journey had been transustantiated
And the distinction between what we did in service to others,
And what we did to make that service possible, melted away.

Shalom!