S&F-Give Up 99 for 1

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes:

"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them

would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert

and go after the lost one until he finds it?"

-Luke 15

I think I might have written about this bible passage in the past, but I heard I take that I don't think I ever thought of before.

This is a very familiar passage to me, and for as long as I have heard it I have struggled with it.  Why would anyone leave 99 sheep, risking losing them, just to go after one?  That's bad risk analysis.  The shepherd should monitor the 99 and protect them from getting lost and the other hazards they may run into from other shepherds trying to lead them astray or wolves trying to outright take them for their own.  It really makes no sense.

I always though I was part of the 99.  But this week I put myself in the role of the lost sheep.  I would be afraid out there on my own, looking for my master.  Hoping beyond all hope that he won't give up on me.  Looking for his love and protection.

I think I am the one lost sheep.  Jesus is out there with the fence open calling me.  I am trying to find my way home.  I hope I am heading the right way.  It is through a journey of hope, faith, repentance and most especially the Eucharist that I am looking for my master.  Someday I hope he will welcome me home, opening the gate and we can be together in Heaven.

S&F-The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today we celebrate the presence of the body and blood in the Eucharist at every mass.  

I talk a lot about the reunification of the Christian churches under the Church that Jesus started.  I don't pretend to be an expert on the protestant schism, but I know that one of the things that separates us is the belief that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Jesus and not just a symbol.  More concerning, there was a survey several years ago that Catholics in levels up to 70% don't believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  Catholics thinking the Eucharist is a just symbol is misunderstanding one of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith.

Why do we believe in transubstantiation and the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?  I have heard of many proofs of this but the one I keep coming back to is part of the "Bread of Life" discourse in John 6.  Jesus said:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you."

Jesus's followers questioned this.  They asked “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?”  Some left him, not being able to accept this teaching.

Seeing his followers leaving, if the Eucharist was just supposed to be a symbol and not the actual Body and Blood of Christ Jesus would have said so here.  But instead he doubled down, repeating that we need to truly consume the Body and Blood of Christ to get eternal life.

Jesus asked the followers who remained:

   “Do you also want to leave?”

If I was asked that I would hopefully reply as Peter did.  "“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

I love the fact that I get to become one with Jesus every week at the mass in the Eucharist, the true Body and Blood of Christ. 

S&F-Prayer of the Week: The Sign of the Cross

This past Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.  So it only seems fitting to concentrate of the prayer proclaiming the Trinity:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The simplest of all prayers is one of the most important.  We say it all the time, both as part of other prayers and on its own.  It is the first prayer most children learn.

It draws attention to the first mystery of the church, a single God in three forms.  This is difficult for us to accept as humans.  And that's the beauty of it.  Having faith while not understanding is what shows God is worth our worship.  Is a God that could be explained really worth our worship?

I sometimes think when I pray who should I be praying to?  God-the Father, God-the Son, or God-The Holy Spirit?  But this short little prayer tells me it doesn't matter which part of the Trinity I address my prayers to.  Whether as the Father, Son or the Holy Spirit-God is listening.

S&F-I'm Listening

Over the past year there have been many times where I wonder why I got sick.  I believe that God doesn't do things without reason, so why am I fighting cancer?  Last afternoon was one of those times when I found myself thinking, "Why me?"

One of the things I have found over the past couple of years as I have become closer to God is that sometimes he tells me what I need to hear.  This week's second reading is one of those times where I feel like God was talking to me.

 "...We even boast of our afflictions,

knowing that affliction produces endurance,

and endurance, proven character,

and proven character, hope,

and hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."

-Romans 5

Paul reminds me we can be proud of our afflictions because they can make us stronger.  Through strength, we improve character and be given hope-and this is all because of the love of God given to us through the Holy Spirit.

In my case, there were many time over the course of my life where I think I was being called to God and my response was always something like, "It's not the right time," or "Maybe next year."  I think God was sick of waiting for me and that's why he allowed me to get cancer.

When I was a kid I saw the altar servers every week.  Part of me felt the calling to become one of them, but I was a shy public school kid and never followed through.

When I was a teenager, God called me to the mystery of the Eucharist when preparing for Confirmation.  That could have been a signal that God had a mission for me in his Church.  But I wasn't ready to listen.

In the Navy God put me in a situation that I was responsible for the weekly Catholic services and the distribution of the Eucharist when we were at sea.  Obviously God was trying to get my attention for some increase in my vocation, but I wasn't ready to hear him.

I remember before I left the Navy I ran into a Religious Program Specialist.  Was God showing me I could still represent my Country and spread his word?  Maybe, but at that moment I really just wanted to move on with my life and do what I thought was best for my family.

God took my Dad before his time.  I was always proud of his conversion to the Catholic Church.  One of the first tings I committed to was to take his spot as a Eucharistic Minister as soon as I was able.  Was God calling be back again for something bigger?

Over the past 20 years I have continued to hear his call to become more involved in the Church.  I have heard him call me to join organizations in our parish.  Maybe next year.  I have even been been drawn to finding out if I could become a Deacon and be able to proudly preach with the Priest.  But I was not confident enough in myself to ever follow through and find out more about it.  Still not listening.

My life had become a series of calls from God.  Calls that I felt I wasn't ready for or wasn't worthy of.

Then I got cancer.  I feel, through my affliction, stronger.  Cancer has shown me my true character as a member of God's family.  I hope He calls me to whatever vocation or path he has for me.  Because, finally, I am ready to listen.

S&F-Prayer of the Week: The Hail Mary

 The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

This week I am focusing on one of the most beautiful of our prayers, The Hail Mary.  The words were taken from the Gospel of Luke, combining the words of the Angel Gabriel with the tribute that Elizabeth said to Mary during the Visitation.

This prayer, both honors and venerates Mary, the Mother of God.

I wish we used this prayer more.  The part that really stands out to me when I say it daily as part of the Rosary is the last two lines.

I can think of no other time in life that is full of unknown than the last hours of our life before death.  No one knows what is next.  It must have a sense of fear.  And in this time I think we are vulnerable to the influence of Satan.  So who better to ask to bring us comfort and guidance to the next step in everlasting life than our Spiritual Mother, Mary.  

I will continue to pray to Mary.  I will hope she is there at the final moment of my earthly life.  I hope she is with you as well.

S&F-Happy Birthday to the Church

Today is Pentecost Sunday.  This is the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming down on the Disciples, giving them the power to start the Church.

In the 2000 years since then the Church has grown from a few hundred people to 1.4 billion.

In the early days of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles this is addressed.  One of the Jewish Leaders, a wise and respected member of the Sanhedrin, Gameliel, cautioned the Jewish leaders how they should treat the followers of Jesus.  He said that if Jesus's teachings were of a human origin, his followers will go away and it will destroy itself.  However, if this movement was from God, it cannot be stopped and the Jewish leaders might find themselves fighting against God.

Gameliel was truly wise.  The Catholic Church has grown.  Its membership has exploded all over the world.  If it was not God's Church that wouldn't have happened.  The Catholic Church is the true Church, started today with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit of 11 men, a Baptism we 1.4 million Catholics share.   

 

S&F-Prayer of the Week: The Our Father

 

I'm going to start spending my Wednesday posts focusing on a particular prayer and what it means to me.  There is no better prayer to start with than the prayer that when asked in Luke 11 to teach them to pray Jesus told them.

The Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass

against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

There is so much in this prayer.  In its simplicity it contains all we need to do to be close to God.  It seems like every time I reflect on it I see something I didn't before.

Today I am focusing on the line asking for God's forgiveness, while we will try to forgive those who have wronged us.  

Even the best of us on Earth are sinners.   St. Mother Theresa and Pope St. John Paul II realized they needed to ask for God's forgiveness often.  Dare I say none of us are as Holy as them.  We all have wronged God and need his grace.

But we also need to realize that part of getting God's grace is to give others grace.  Sometimes we need to turn the other cheek to whose who wrong us.  We have been asked by Jesus to love our neighbor as yourself.  And you can't have love without forgiveness.

I know I struggle daily living these statements.  But by accepting my faults and receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation I will try to receive his grace for my shortcomings and by giving my life to Jesus's will he will help me pass that grace onto others.

S&F-Visitation and Ascension

This weekend is a dichotomy in the Catholic Church.  We get to celebrate two feast days.  Today is the feast of the Visitation and tomorrow we get to celebrate the Ascension.

In the Visitation we see the first time Jesus was recognized even though he was still in Mary's womb.  On Mary's arrival to see her cousin Elizabeth, she is celebrated as the Mother of the Lord.  Elizabeth's own unborn child "Leaps for joy" in the presence of the forthcoming savior.  It is the first time Jesus was recognized on Earth.

Although the actual feast is on Thursday, in order to allow everyone to celebrate, we observe the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven on Sunday.  In the presence of his followers Jesus was taken to be with the Father.  This was the last time he was recognized on Earth.

I think this weekend is like the bookends of Jesus's time as a man.  In his 33 years on Earth as a man he was able to change the world.  His time here continues to effect us 2000 years later.  He did have the advantage of being both divine and man, but who says we can't have an effect to the world as we know it today.

To quote Jesus himself:

"Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;

I am with you always, until the end of the world." -Mt 28

None of us is going to have the influence of Jesus, but we are called to proclaim the Gospel.  I think if we do with confidence Jesus will take care of the rest.

S&F-Be Proud to be Chosen by God

I have always tried to keep my faith close to my heart.  I may write these "Shephard and Friend" posts, but even in them I try to tone it down and not push my beliefs on others.  I silently pray the Rosary sometimes at work or quietly thank God over my lunch.  I tone down my beliefs in order to not make others uncomfortable.

We have a new Pope.  I have discovered that part of having a new Pope is to learn what might be different in the way the new Pope will deal with situations and what he might concentrate on from the last Pope.

I heard a story this week about how Pope Francis and Pope Leo handled their initial meeting with the press.  After meeting with the press Pope Francis did not bless the people in attendance. Instead he choose to tell them because some of them were not Christian he wanted to respect and allow for different beliefs so he would not bless them, but he would pray for them.   On the other hand, Pope Leo chose to stick to tradition and ended this meeting with a blessing for all in attendance.

Both methods of dealing with the press have their pluses and minuses.  I think it is important to be respectful of people and their beliefs, but not at the expense of holding your personal feelings inside.  Pope Leo made sure that everyone knew he was going to evangelize during his Papacy.  Afterall, the only true way to the Kingdom of God is through Jesus and his Church.  So why should the Church's leader not proclaim that fact by blessing everyone?

I think I need to be proud of my faith.  I think I need to not be afraid to offend someone by making the Sign of the Cross over my lunch.  I think I need to not worry about making someone uncomfortable if they hear me praying the rosary.

Jesus has chose me.  Just like Jesus choose Pope Leo.  I am as much a Catholic as him.  I should use him as an example, and proudly proclaim my love and faith in Jesus and God.

S&F-Breaking the Seal of Confession

There is plenty to be frustrated about in the Government today.  Just spend 10 minutes on any social network site and you will be infiltrated by posts against the Government for doing something or not doing enough.  Personally I don't engage in these discussions, as I believe doing so only leads to more hate and discontent.  Those posts do not lead to any personal growth.

I have talked about my frustration with the secular world today and its feeling that it is okay to attack the Catholic Church without worry about people's feelings or beliefs (see my post on the Olympic Opening Ceremony). But now the State of  Washington has taken it to a new level.

In the last couple of weeks Washington has passed a law requiring Catholic Priests to report sexual abuse to the authorities if they are confessed during confession.

While I do feel for victims of sexual abuse or neglect, The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom.  That was put into the 1st Amendment of the Constitution in the Free Enterprise Clause, guaranteeing the ability to practice religion without government interference.

Among the most important pillars of the Catholic Church is the feeling that what is said in the confessional is confessed directly to Jesus via the Priest acting in Persona Christi (the person of Christ).  What is said in there, regardless of the how severe or heinous, is locked under the seal of the confessional.  If a Priest breaks that seal he faces excommunication from the Church.

To force a Priest to break this fundamental belief as Washington State is shows a lack of understanding in how sacred this is to us as Catholics and the Priests in particular.  I believe Priests will go to jail before they break the seal of confession.  And, even though I try to not get involved in political issues, I would be among those protesting and fighting for his release.

If this law is allowed to be enforced it creates a slippery slope.  Why only confessions of abuse and neglect?  Why not other violent crimes?  Eventually can a Priest be forced to testify in crimes of theft?  Will Priests be called to testify in divorce court about adultery?  I don't think I am exaggerating here.

Right now this is focused specifically on the Catholic Church.  If we allow the government to impede on the religious rights in this instance, do we open up the door to removing other religious freedoms from other faiths as well?

If this law is enforced can the state eventually remove other privileged conversations as well?  What about attorney-client privilege?  Doctor-patient confidentially?  Maybe, but I think that if they did remove those protections there would be an uprising against it.  Or is it only ok to attack the Church's protections?

My hope is that this Washington State Law will be fought and struck down as Unconstitutional.  My hope is that it is never enforced.

We were settled by people looking for religious freedom.  We were founded on the idea of separation of church and state.  My hope is that we can get back to the respect to all religions, one of the things that makes this country great.  

S&F-Apostolic Succession

In my opinion, one of the things that makes the Catholic Church special is the way we can trace our history back to its founder, Jesus Christ.  We can actually create a family tree through the bishops to the original Apostles and to Peter, the first Pope chosen by Jesus himself.  Every one of our Priests can trace their heritage back to someone close to Jesus himself.

Today the doors will be locked and we wait for the 267th Pope to be chosen.  Anyone who claims to know what happens behind those doors lies.  Of the College of Cardinals few have even been electors in a conclave before.  All Cardinals are sworn to secrecy under penalty of excommunication to not discuss any of the proceedings.

What we do know is that the Holy Spirit works through the electors to pick the Pope that Jesus choses to be the leader of his Church.  Just as 2000 years ago when He told a fishman named Simon he would be called Cephas (translated to Peter in Greek), meaning rock.  The rock on which he would build his Church.  And to him he would give the keys to his kingdom.  Whatever he was to bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

So in the next few days near the tomb where the remains of St. Peter rests, again Jesus will choose a man to lead the church.  On him he will bestow a new name, as he did to Simon.  This marks the end of this man's life as an individual and the start of his life as Peter's successor, the leader of the Church Jesus created.

S&F-Peter: The Imperfect Apostle

I think the best way to understand what I need to do to get to receive eternal life in Heaven is to look at the people who came before and are already there.  Who better to look to than the ones that Jesus himself choose, his Apostles.  If we can figure out what Jesus saw in them then maybe, we too, can figure out what to do so Jesus will choose us as well.

Who better to look towards than the one that Jesus choose to lead his Church, Simon Peter.  Afterall, if Jesus choose him to be the rock to build the Church on he must be the perfect example.

A lot is written about him in the Bible, so we do know much about him.  The surprising thing is he was far from perfect.

Peter was one of the Apostles with a family.  I'm sure there were times when he was torn between his responsibilities to his family as to Jesus.  I assume that his wife, whom we know little about, must have known and understood the importance of Jesus to allow Peter to continue in his ministry.  Afterall, behind every great man is an ever greater woman.

The thing I like most about the stories of Peter is his constant struggle with his belief.  You would think that the first Pope was immediately 100% faithful and always ready to defend Jesus.  Based on the bible this was not the case.  Peter was constantly confused by Christ's teaching.  He tried to show his faith, only to fail and to be brought beck by Jesus.  Remember, not only Jesus walked on water but Peter did as well, only to lose his faith and sink into the stormy waters.  Jesus tried to show the duty of his followers was to be a servant by washing his feet at the last supper only to have Peter misunderstand feeling he was unworthy to that treatment from the Christ.  He wanted to be next to Jesus at the Crucifixion, only to deny him 3 times.  Peter was not the perfect follower of Jesus, but he tried.

In the Acts of the Apostles something changed in Peter.  After receiving the Holy Spirit, he, along with the rest of the Apostles became proud of their faith, practicing it in the open.  They, led by Peter, healed countless people in Jesus's name.  And when they were questioned or even persecuted, they were no longer cowered in fear but confident in their convictions, delighted to share in a little of what Jesus suffered.

In Peter's case, he eventually went to Rome.  He was martyred by crucifixion, but feeling unworthy of suffering like Christ he was hung upside down.  His remains are at the foundation of the Vatican, truly the foundation rock of the Church he built in Jesus's name.

What do we learn from Peter?  The thing I get is that Peter was far from perfect.  He tried to understand Jesus, only to miss the point a lot.  He tried to show his faith, only to falter.  I have these same problems.  I don't understand the teachings of Jesus, my faith wavers at times.  But Jesus kept pulling Peter back, giving him another chance.  Jesus allowed Peter to fail, knowing this would make his faith stronger.  Jesus keeps pulling me back as well.  I just hope that eventually, with the intercession of the Holy Spirit, I can confidently proclaim my faith like Peter and the early leaders of the Church.

St. Peter, keeper of the keys to Heaven, rock of the Church, our first Pope-Pray for us.

S&F-Waiting for Healing

 

Today is the Feast of James the Lesser, and he is my inspiration for this post.

In my year with cancer, I have prayed harder and tried to become closer to Jesus and the Church.  I have read the Bible and know of numerous cases where Jesus cured the sick and even raised people from the dead.  Even after he rose to Heaven Jesus, through his followers, continued to heal the sick and lame.  There are stories of miraculous healings to this day from all sorts of ailments.

So why does Jesus, not heal me?  I'm a good guy.  At least I think I am.

Over the last several years I have become engrossed in the series "The Chosen."  It is the story of the life of Jesus and his Apostles during Jesus's ministry and eventually his death.  Admittingly, this is not a retelling of the Gospels, for the sake of the story they have taken some liberties by adding some characters backstories.  They don't refute the Gospel itself, but some of these stories are not in the Bible.  I make an effort to figure out which stories are Biblically accurate and which ones are Hollywood stories.  I do believe that the stories they add do meet the spirit of what Jesus would have done, so I'm ok with those fictional liberties.

One of the people who I really like in the show is the character of James the Lesser (played by Jordan Walker Ross).  He was one of Jesus's original 12 Apostles.  The bible doesn't say much about him other then he was called "The Lesser" to differentiate him from James, the brother of John.  The Chosen made him have a limp (mostly because the actor playing him is disabled).

In one of the season 3 episodes James askes Jesus why he heals everyone but allows him to suffer with his limp.  Jesus (Johnathan Roumie) tells him that he is seen and appreciated by God as he is.  Jesus tells him that having his disability can actually magnify God's goodness in the world's eyes.  It shows God is good even when he doesn't heal us.

Biblically little is known about the life of James.  Tradition tells us he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, and was the author of the Epistle of James.  He was at the Council of Jerusalem about conversion of Gentiles.  As a witness to the Resurrection he is a pillar of the Church that Paul consulted about the Gospel.  AS Bishop of Jerusalem he was revered for his deep faith and prayer.  He was so respected that his followers took to calling him James the Just.  For fear of his influence he was thrown from the Pinnacle of the temple after refusing to deny Christ.  He miraculously survived only to be stoned and clubbed to death.

I, like James in the show, wish for healing every day.  But I understand that God has a purpose for me and maybe that doesn't include healing.  Maybe it is by my suffering that I can better get his better out.  I don't think my future includes stoning, but I can use him as an example of embracing what Jesus has in store for me.

Little James-pray for me.

S&F-What if I disagree with the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church has said that the death penalty should be outlawed.  Basically, as I understand it, we on Earth should never sit in judgement on someone's life regardless of what they might have done.

I have to admit I struggle with this.  As I see it if someone chooses to take a life in anger they should give up their right lo live themselves.

And that's hard for me.  I really try to follow the guidelines of the Church.  While I would never take a life and I'm not sure if I could vote to put someone to death if I was ever on a jury and had the power to do so, I have a hard time with allowing a murder to live after they ended the life of another.

So what do I do?  If this was 500 years ago, I might just look to leave the church and form my own religion.  In some way I'd find myself in the same situation as Henry VIII who broke away from the Catholic Church because they wouldn't allow him to divorce.  The founded the Anglican Church.  Or I could see myself as Martin Luther who broke away from the Church founding Lutheran Church because he had issues with indulgences the Church was giving.  These are oversimplifications of the situations, but they are examples of times that people were unhappy with the Church so they looked to reform the Church by separating themselves from it.  There are more examples of schisms in the church, but that's not what I want to reflect on.

So what do I do when my personal feeling disagree with the Catholic Church.  There have been many times over the past few years as I investigated my faith where I either didn't understand the views of the Church or even flat out disagreed.  But I choose to dig deeper into my faith and understand why the Church makes the declarations as they do.  Sometimes I still don't agree.  But then I pray and reflect.  I look to the foundations of my faith and realize that I can live with the difficulties of dealing with some of the things I might not necessarily agree with.  I can do this because I believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  That's what's really important.

And that's what I pray for.  I have heard there are 30,000 sects of Christianity.  That's a lot.  This allows people to shop around for a church that they like.  Or the best singing.  Or one that has the best coffee bar in the foyer as they enter (ok, maybe if being facetious with that one).  These churches talk negatively on each other trying to be become the biggest and best church.  Some focus on going after the Catholic Church's adoration of Mary or transubstantiation of the Eucharist as evidence of heresies in their view.

I pray that someday all Christians can look at their similarities rather than their differences.  We are all united in our faith that Jesus was our savior and gave his life for us.  That's what the word Christian means.  The ship has probably long since sailed to unify us under one Church (although I'd love for that to happen), but there is no reason we cannot be united in the foundations of our faith and figure out a way to live together.  God willing we will all be together in Christ someday in heaven.  We just need to figure out a way to get along here on Earth.

S&F-"Sede Vacante"

My Latin lesson for the day. "Sede Vacante" means "The seat is empty."  Specifically, this week that seat refers to The Chair of St. Peter.  It means we have no Pope.

It has been almost a week since Pope Francis died.  I have used this week to reflect on my feelings during this time when we have no Pope.

My first feeling when I heard the Pope had died was to pray for him and his soul.  I assume that Popes get to use an express lane to get to the Gates of Heaven for their judgment but even though Pope Francis was a loving and humble man he can still use our prayers as he faces his final judgement.  I hope that when my time comes I also get those prayers.

Unfortunately, it wasn't too long before my thoughts turned to the future of The Church.  To be honest I struggled with Pope Francis.  I found some of the things he said confusing.  He seemed afraid to make a statement that might hurt some people's feelings even if The Church's teachings have been clear on some facts for 2000 years.  I would never go as far to call Pope Francis heretical, but some of his writings seemed contrary to The church's traditions.  I believe his legacy is one of confusion and unclarity.

So this week, a week I should have been thinking of the Pope's soul, I found myself looking forward to the possibility of a different type of Pope.

This is wrong for two reasons.  Not only should I have been reflecting on the soul of Pope Francis, but I need to remember that the Roman Catholic Church is not a political entity.  We complain about our political leaders.  But the Church is led not by men, but by Christ.  How can I, as a lowly human, ever question the direction of the Pope who is leading the Church on Earth as the Holy Spirit guides him?

That is my pride coming out.  One of the seven deadly sins.  I need to realize that I don't know more than the Lord.  I may not like the Pope, but I do need to love him.  And I need to have the humility to accept that whoever the Pope is, he was chosen by the Holy Spirit, through the Cardinals, as the Pope the Church needs at the time.

I look forward to, what I think, is one of the two best things that I as a Catholic, experience.  Along with the physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we have the gift of Reconciliation in confession.  I realize my guilt in my feelings this week about the Pope's passing.  I feel bad about my hubris and pride in thinking I know what is best for the Church.  But in confession, I will be forgiven for that and any of my other sins.  And in this I can be closer to Christ.

If you are Catholic, I encourage you to get to confession.  It might have been years since you last confessed your sins.  I know it's not easy to go to confession.  I used to feel this way.  I didn't know what to say.  I didn't know the prayers.  It's hard to be vulnerable enough to tell someone else what you did that was wrong.  But, rest assured, the Priest will help you through it.  And, most importantly, with God's grace you will feel better afterwards.

Finally, I do want to say a final prayer for Pope Francis as he was laid in his tomb early this morning.  The Basilica of Mary Major of may be the final resting place for his physical body, but I know that his soul rests in the bosom of heaven with all who went before him.  He gave his life to God and the Church, served faithfully and practiced humility.  He should be an example of how we should all lead our lives.  I don't say good bye to our Spiritual Father, Pope Francis, but I say see you someday when I too, will be at Heaven's Gates.  May I live the rest of my life with Pope Francis as a guide so I can join him, eternally one with Christ.

S&F-Easter and the Holy Land

One of the things I did during Lent is following the daily reflections in the Hollow App.  This week they concluded it with what they called "Holy Week in the Holy Land."  Where Jeff Cavins and Johnathan Roumie visited some of the most holy places on earth as they followed the path of Jesus during his last days.

It reminds me of my visit to Israel and Jerusalem when I was in the Navy 25 years ago.  I visited those same locations that they showed in their videos.  I walked those same steps, the steps that Jesus took 2000 years ago.

When I was there it was a dangerous place to visit.  We were not allowed to visit Bethlehem to see the Naivety.  We were not supposed to walk freely around the old city of Jerusalem.  I took a tour that took us to the Church of All Nations, built on the area where Jesus prayed and was arrested.  We walked a the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took with his Cross.  Our tour ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the Crucifixion and Jesus's burial took place.  Being able to touch the spot where the Cross once was is one of the most fulfilling moments in my life.

One other thing that I remember as I reflect on my journey to the Holy Land is the fact that in one view I could see the some of most important places in three religions.  Walking distance from each other are the location of the Crucifixion (Christianity), the Temple Wall (Judaism) and the Dome of the Rock (Islam).  These 3 religions are able to coexist together and have for hundreds of years there.  I find it strange that they cannot find the same common ground in the world.

I wish I could go back to the Holy Land.  I think I would definitely appreciate it more today than I ever did so long ago.  Unfortunately, visiting that area of the world today is one that is not done without risk.  It was dangerous 25 years ago, and things are defiantly worse now.

I'm not going to delve into the politics and current events, as this is not the forum for that talk.  I will pray this Easter Sunday for peace throughout the world and especially in the Holy Land.  Making that pilgrimage safe for all people no matter their religious views should be something we should all hope for.

So, please join me in a prayer for peace in all the world, and particularly in the Holy Land on this most Holy of all days.
  

S&F-Silence and Joy

 

Today is a strange day in the church year.  For the day we reflect on a day without Jesus.  He was placed in the tomb.  His Apostles, probably afraid they would suffer a similar fate, were in hiding.  This is a pivotal date in the beginning of the Church.

We spend the day reflecting on Jesus's descent into Hell to reclaim the souls of those suffering there, including those guilty of original sin Adam and Eve.  This is both a sad and happy day where we have lost Jesus but are finally able to be together with Jesus in heaven.

The pinnacle of the day is the Easter Vigil Mass.  It begins in the darkness, lit only by candles.  We listen to a series of readings chronicling the salvation story.  The lights finally are lit as we proclaim the presence of Jesus and celebrate his resurrection.

One of the things that Mass features is the initiation of new people in our faith.  They are welcomed by receiving baptism, receipt of the Holy Spirit and Holy Communion.  Honestly, I used to have issues in this process.  It always seemed like bundling the Sacraments all together doesn't give the proper attention to each of the Sacraments.  It seemed like, to me, it would be better to separate receiving the Sacraments separately would be better in featuring each of them and their importance.

That changed last year.  I was sitting in my normal seat in the church and saw a young woman who was going through the initiation rites.  The smile on her face was one of pure joy.  She was almost glowing in her glee knowing that she was about to be unified with Christ.

Seeing her changed my opinion on bundling the initiation rites.  If someone is ready to be part of Christ's family, why make them wait to experience that joy that I saw in that young woman? 

S&F: It is Finished

There are some differences in the Gospels when you look at for Jesus's last words.  The last words of Jesus according to John are "It is finished."  Since John was present at the foot of the Cross, I tend to think that is the true last words.  After all, if you were there, wouldn't you remember his last words?

The way we, as Catholics, celebrate the days from Holy Thursday to Easter is by treating them as one single event.  Holy Thursday mass just ends.  There is a procession of the Eucharist but there is never a real ending to the mass.  Everyone just leaves the Church in silence.

Good Friday is the only day during the year that we as Catholics do not have a mass.  We do have a service to venerate the Cross.  We might pray over the Stations of the Cross, remembering the path Jesus took to his crucifixion and the sacrifice he made to redeem the world from our sins.  But since we are focusing on the death of our savior we don't have a reason to celebrate.

Saturday night the triduum finally concludes with the Easter Vigil Mass. We read the story of salvation, culminating with the celebration of the Resurrection.  We welcome new members to our church by celebrating the sacraments.  Finally, our three day service ends with a blessing to go out and proclaim our faith.

So, today I think its best to focus on the cross.  Jesus wasn't carrying his cross.  The cross represents all of our sins.  That's why its so heavy.  So heavy he needed Simon of Cyrene to help bear its weight.

We should all look to our own personal cross.  It might be heavy as well, and we probably could use help carrying it.  We just need to look to Jesus for help in prayer.

"Jesus my cross is heavy, and I'm so tired.  Please help me."

Jesus invites us to follow him.  If we are tired and weary in him we can find rest, because his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

S&F: Dinnertime

Today begins the most important part of the year to Catholics, the Easter Tridium.  Our service tonight is a special one focusing first on the humility of Jesus by washing the feet of his disciples.  The service then moves onto the centerpiece of our faith, the gift of the body and the blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

I don't know if all Christians hold the Last Supper in such high regard as Catholics, but I would assume that part of being a Christian and following the bible means that they too hold some sort of reverence to the events of Holy Thursday.

We, as Christians, should be unified in the events that happened over the next 3 days and their importance regardless of the differences in some of our dogmatic beliefs.

This is the first Holy Thursday, where we celebrate the Last Supper, since the ridiculing of the Leonardo DaVinci painting at the Olympics opening ceremonies.  I know that the painting is just a depiction of DaVinci's view of the events in the upper room, but in that moment the organizers thought it was ok to make fun of the beliefs of billions of people in the world.

Why is it ok to make fun of and ridicule Christians but not other religions?  What would have been the reaction if there was mockery of social issues like LGBT or racial discrimination?  I dare say the Olympics may have been shut down.

I was disappointed on the response from Rome and the Pope following the Olympic opening ceremony controversy.  I didn't hear any outcry from other Christian churches as well.  Its time we, as believers in Christ, notice the presence of evil in the world today.  It's our job to call it out and evangelize for the saving of people involved in the sin ridiculing God.  We should be calling out the hypocrisy of those people who support and allow the mocking of our beliefs. 

I pray for the unification of all Christians against modern contempt of our consolidated faith.  It is time for us to stop being pushovers, afraid to proclaim and defend our faith.  We need to stop being afraid to push back when we are mocked.  We have many biblical examples in church history of people risking their lives to defend Jesus.  Some of them lost their life.  In most cases we will never have to defend our faith over risk of our life.  But we shouldn't be afraid to defend our beliefs in the Lord because someone might cancel us. 

S&F: The Tale of 2 Disciples Part 2-The Cock Crows

Peter was given the keys to Heaven.  He was the rock on which Jesus would build his Church.  He was the first Pope.

In reading the Gospels over Lent I have learned the Peter was far from perfect.  In fact, none of the Apostles were.  There were many situations that Jesus was frustrated with them because they didn't understand Jesus's teachings or bickered amongst themselves about who was the greatest, wanting to be on Jesus's right and left in the kingdom.

But Peter was the chosen one, so he should be the most faithful, right?  Afterall, he did walk on water with Jesus (for a short time).  He was the one who, when asked knew that Jesus was the "...The Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

So what happened after Jesus's  arrest?  Peter stood next to his Master and proclaimed his faith for him?  Nope he denied him.  Not once but 3 times.  Then the cock crowed to remind Peter that Jesus had foretold exactly what had just happened.

So what did Peter do?  Did he go off and punish himself like Judas did?

No.  He wept, for he had denied the Lord, but this only made his faith stronger.  If you read the Gospels and the Act of the Apostles it becomes obvious that at that moment a change came to Peter.  He realized that his denial was a moment of weakness, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, he became the person Jesus knew he could be.  Proclaiming the resurrection, and leading the Church, showing the Way to God.

It took a moment, actually 3 moments, of weakness for Peter to realize his mission.  If we just listen hopefully we can find out what our mission for God is as well.  Not all of us are destined to lead a Church, but we are all destined to proclaim Jesus's love for all.  That is the Way for us to become one in Christ for eternity.