Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
When children are very young, say around two or three years of age, their entire world exists within the walls of their home. And all that they are, all they believe, comes from their parents. In fact, in those young eyes, their parents are perfect; they believe everything Mom and Dad tell them is the truth, and they will do anything they ask (usually!). But as they grow older, and the world outside of those walls grows louder, the perfections of Mom and Dad seem to begin to falter. They are looked at through doubtful eyes, their wisdom challenged at nearly every turn. Often it is not until years later that we realize they were the same wise parents all along.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time before his crucifixion, he cried. Not for his fate, but because those around him did not realize of their impending salvation. In today's Gospel, Jesus has returned to Nazareth to teach in the synagogue, yet his own people doubt his truth, remembering him as a boy and as the son of a carpenter. He remarks that prophets such as him are always scorned by those who know them best, the people of their hometown.
As children, our innocent faith and belief in God is unwavering. As we grow older, we sometimes question our beliefs and put aside our faith, rather than grow even closer to Christ. This is because "Faith seeks understanding" (CCC 158). Everything else in this world is explained visually through tangible facts; only faith can come from our hearts. Perhaps Jesus cried not only for those who saw his miracles yet did not believe, but also for us who did not see. Our challenge is to be as children in our faith, unwavering, open and believing with all our hearts.
Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sometimes, it feels as if we live in a world of contradictions. Take traveling for example; the Boy Scout in us tells us to be prepared. This means packing for nearly every imaginable weather scenario from blizzards to sandstorms. But the practical person within us knows that the lighter we travel, the easier a time we will have of it. This is especially true if we're flying; between extra costs for extra bags and long lines at baggage pickup, we're better off with just a small carry-on containing the bare essentials. And really, don't we only need the essentials?
In today's Gospel, Jesus has gathered his Twelve Apostles together and is preparing to send them out to heal those afflicted with unclean spirits. He instructs them to carry nothing, only a walking stick, their sandals and a single tunic. He assures them their needs will be satisfied. Those who listen to their preaching will help them; but should their preaching be ignored, they can quickly and efficiently move on to the next person. In this lesson, we learn to rid ourselves of the excess baggage in our lives, freeing us to seek a closer relationship with God.
Jesus did not instruct his disciples to preach to any one type of person, he only gave them the power to cleanse the spirit. In other words, he sent them out to free the people of the burdens of sin and make them able to accept the many and diverse gifts of God (CCC 814). Each day, we are given a wonderful opportunity to cast off the burdens and the excesses of every day life-shake the dust from our sandals-to make room for the gifts of God. And with these gifts, we are also given the responsibility of sharing their beauty with all those who would listen.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Many self-help books have been written over the years in which the author highly advocates the use of "to-do lists" in order to help us gain control over our lives. Generally, they say we will feel encouraged as we strike off the different things on our lists as we accomplish them. But what I have never seen any of these so-called experts advocate is creating a "done list" in which we take time each day to quietly reflect on all that we have achieved, no matter how small. When we cross things off a to-do list, we tend to say, "Thank God that's done." But when we look at a done list, we might be more tempted to say, "Thanks, God, for your help."
Jesus was trying to give his disciples a rest and a time for reflection and prayer in today's Gospel reading from Mark. They had returned from teaching throughout the area and were excited to tell him all they had accomplished, but at the same time Jesus felt they needed solitude to reflect and give thanks in prayer for all they had done. Still, the many people of the area searching for peace in their lives kept coming to them, the lost sheep of God's flock.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often draws away from his disciples to pray in silence and solitude. And when he does, he includes each and every one of us in his prayers. He became flesh and blood to give himself in sacrifice for us; he experienced our pain and suffering in order to free us from that pain (CCC 2602). Few of us can remember much of any self-help book we've ever read, and rarely if ever do we go back to them. Yet the word of God remains, ready to be reflected upon again and again. Doing so prayerfully is to give thanks.
Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
There is a certain fast-food company that sells hamburgers. In their advertising, they claim that their product has the ability to satisfy our cravings. In fact, several television ads depict their hamburger calling people up on the phone, ostensibly getting them to stop whatever it is they are doing to satisfy their craving. Nothing can resist them! Is this company creative? Perhaps; but a better question might be, is their product fulfilling? For a brief period our hunger is satisfied, but as with all urges and cravings, they soon return.
Today's Gospel reading is the only miracle story told in all four Gospels, the feeding of the five thousand. It is theorized by some that one aspect of the miracle was Jesus' belief in our ability to share. As the baskets of fish and bread were passed, the people took what they needed but shared some of what they had, as well. But the greater symbolism to take away from today's reading is that Jesus Christ, the bread of life, removes all hunger and all needs and continues to nourish us forever. All that we crave truly resides in the loving arms of the Son of God.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2002), God has placed in all of us a longing for truth and goodness that only he can satisfy. "God immediately touches and directly moves the heart of man." The five thousand people had finally arrived at their destination, seeking to have their souls fed through the teachings of Jesus. And just as he instructed them to lie down in the grass, rest and be fed, so too are we to take this and every Sunday as an opportunity to rest, reflect, and be nourished by the Word of God.
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