Join Him in waiting for Him

Invitation to know the potter

The nearness of Divine Presence in our daily journey is a theme from the texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a lament based on recall of past days knowing the closeness of God and a realization among the returned exiles from Babylon after 539 BCE that they had drifted away from a daily communion with God. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the need for our hearts to be converted by an intervention of God because we realize that we cannot do it on our own. Our impatience may contribute to our inability to see that, as Don Schwager puts it, we not only watch for Christ but we watch with Christ. Dr Helen Hunt finds the gift from God in the freedom to be as children in the things which matter most. Paul gives thanksgiving for the life of the community of Corinth as he reminds them of the living testimony of service, preaching and instruction through which he prepared them to await the coming of Christ. The spark that we need to convert lament to joy, impatience to patience, concern to peace, fear to Love and selfishness to service is around us as many prepare to celebrate Incarnation, God with us, through Advent prayer, song and worship. Our desire, like the Psalmist to hear His voice and see His face may be in that invitation to join in the Advent preparations by people close to us.

Vigilant and victorious

The Fig, the New Jerusalem, and Love

Living in the Time

The texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary as we approach the end of the liturgical year may invite us to consider what is the purpose or meaning of it all? The images in the Book of Revelation which portray the defeat of Satan and the opening of the books at the final judgement should be considered with the image of the new heaven and the new earth which begins in Chapter 21. Friar Jude Winkler expresses the Roman Catholic view that the 1000 years of this apocalyptic passage is the very long period from Jesus resurrection until the final judgement. The agricultural image of the fig tree is used by Evangelists Luke and Matthew and Mark as a familiar reminder of the local custom of predicting the coming harvest by the state of development of this important food plant. Our living with Jesus by picking up our cross daily will prepare us to choose to remain in the Book of Life where Friar Jude notes our names were written at Creation. The fruit we will bear is described by Don Schwager as we live trusting in God’s Word. When we recall the people who have shaped our spiritual growth we experience, even though they may have died, their influence continues to bring warmth and guidance in our lives. Rev. Richard Gabuzda understands that “what’s done for Christ” actually survives this life gives us great confidence in the living of our daily life.

Tribulation Times

Persevere with Praise

End Times reminder to work for peace and order

A contribution to deepen our trust in actions which make a difference

King who is Present fills our service

We serve as the Shepherd King

The Roman Catholic Lectionary presents texts today to celebrate Christ the King. Our modern understanding of King may be similar to our misunderstanding that righteousness is a matter of following rules of a religious authority. The passage from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel will clarify the role of king at the time of the exile to Babylon. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the historic situation faced by Ezekiel as he uses the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians to remind us of our spiritual heritage as participants in the sin of Adam who are shepherded by Jesus, according to the will of the Father, to be subject to the Will, with Jesus, wherein we find our purpose. This passage is an expression of a religious doctrine of salvation which is one of the grandest themes in Scripture. The Final Judgement passage from the Gospel of Matthew, as noted by Friar Jude, redefines righteousness as compassion, walking with, the other. The Psalmist proclaims the Lord is My Shepherd as we come to understand, through Jesus, that we serve the Will of the Father as we serve others. How can the Real Presence for which Kyle Lierk has reverence be the source today of our service for the hungry, thirsty, abandoned, marginalized, imprisoned, distraught, depressed, war ravaged, desperate, radicalized, rejected, scorned, abused, and vilified? Perhaps if we take the choice of Joseph, from the comments of Friar Jude, to serve our beloved as our surrender to the Will of God, the righteousness which we seek to be sheep instead of goats will grow to the vision of service to all the sheep in the flock of the Heavenly Father.

Telling the Truth and Temporary Tribulation

Sweet and Sour Growth as disciples

Jerusalem where the Lamb seeks to bring peace

Vision of God inviting us to discern mercy, justice and Love

Risk the visit to our house today

Seek and Save

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present challenge and great reward. The visionary who writes the Book of Revelation focuses on the geography and reputation of the cities of the Churches to which the letter is addressed. Frair Jude Winkler notes that the people of Sardis need watchfulness and the Church in Laodicea needs to decide for Christ or not. The message that the invitation comes from Jesus to where we live is expressed in verse 20 of Chapter 3. The Gospel from Luke shows Jesus mission is to seek and save what is lost. Zacchaeus risked humiliation, scorn and rejection as he was drawn to Jesus to fill his need for acceptance and love. The circumstances of our environment speak to us about how we are challenged to watchful attention, compassion for others and belonging with those who live. We need risk change and receive Jesus at our house today.

Call out to see the Way

Change our habit of aversion to risk

Choosing to avoid the risk of judgement

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary alert us to some habits which may be holding us back from being praised like the wife in Proverbs and the good and faithful servant in the Gospel from Matthew. The husband in the passage from Proverbs is identified as having achieved it all. The idea that the woman is praised for the good she can bring to her husband and household may strike us as in contrast to modern practice of being praised for our own qualities without regard to the service they provide to others. The letter to the Thessalonians reminds us  that we continue to live as children of light in the time between the resurrection and the second coming. Friar Jude Winkler explains why Paul’s audience is expecting Jesus imminent return. The “fear” of many about sudden and final judgement should not be experienced by followers of Christ who strive to live always in communion with Him. The Gospel from Matthew describes how good and faithful use of the gifts given us by God is participation, here and now, in the Kingdom of God. Tom Stegman, S.J. identifies the awe and reverence which overcomes us as we experience thanksgiving to God for our lives and the gracious gifts of Providence we know. This Biblical “fear” of the Lord which is awe and reverence is the blessing praised by the psalmist for believers who see the riches of their family, children, grandchildren and friends before their eyes. Unfortunately, like the third servant, we are “risk averse” in our life habits. We choose the safe path and avoid risking our reputation, social standing, financial security, pride, position, comfort and so on. Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt shares a story of overcoming the fear of judgement as she notes how the third servant was probably very aware of being in a dark place before the master returned.

Hospitable and faithful to the truth through prayer

Truth, Love and Tradition

Truth and Love is a Mystery

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn us to be careful of moving beyond the truth and Love experience expressed by the Evangelists to some reorganization of spirituality which is more human than Divinely inspired.

The very short second letter of John is a warning about the Gnostic philosophy which attempts to restate Jesus reality. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the this denial of some preachers to the community of Jesus Incarnation and death. The striking phrase from the Gospel of Luke about vultures gathering over the dead body introduces another extension of spirituality into a phenomena known as the rapture. In the here and now, Amy Hoover sees the need for vigilance in these verses. Don Schwager addresses the meaning in this passage by focusing on an end time which comes for all of us. Paul Thigpen expresses the Good News of the final days through reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Christian Tradition is dealing with the Mystery. Our position in spiritual matters should be informed by study of those believers who have struggled with truth and Love in our history.

See the people in the lens of Love

See through Love lens

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today on the memorial of Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron of immigrants invite us to change the lens with which we assess the people in our lives. Paul writes to Philemon to encourage him to view his runaway slave Onesimus in a different light as he has become a Christian and brother to Paul. Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul reminds the reader about his own conversion to faith in Christ as a consequence of his encounter with Paul. Marty Kalkowski is inspired to seek a new lens for the day to day relationships in his family. The saint of the day is credited with enormous work on behalf of Italian immigrants to America who were not always seen by the people of their adopted home with open and generous hearts. Our struggle with the dominant culture will bring difficulty and rejection. Jesus is aware in the Gospel from Luke that His teaching and acts of gracious Love will bring severe consequences at the hands of those who cannot change the lens with which they view the world. People then and now seem to seek to prepare to pass the test of the second coming by knowing the day in advance and maybe cramming goodness on the day before. Jesus advises that looking through the lens of Love will reveal how we can experience our brother and sisterhood with Jesus and the people in our lives today.

Thankful for the gift of healing and inclusion

Leaders and Lepers

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer lifestyle instructions to those in the assembly of Christians and remind those inside of the Grace which brought them from being foreign to experience of Love in Jesus. The Letter to Titus encourages the audience, in the words of Friar Jude Winkler, to be good citizens. The author of the letter reminds them of their previous slavery to desires and pleasures which has been replaced by freedom through the free gift of the Holy Spirit. The saint commemorated today, John Kunsevich (who took the name Josaphat in religious life), worked in the 16th century to restore the union of the Ruthenians with Catholicism. The moral state of some Ruthenian Church leaders had experienced serious decline and reunion with Rome was seen as a way to heal lifestyle practices which were discrediting the Church. The Gospel from Luke is described by Larry Gillick, S.J. as a proclamation from Luke of Jesus gentleness, kindness and attention to the outsider in His healing. Father Larry and Friar Jude recommend the thanksgiving offered by the Samaritan outsider as a daily practice for those inside Christianity. The Psalm today (Psalm 23) is 6 lines which can begin our daily recall of how we have been led and fed by the Lord as our Shepherd. In this thanksgiving, we are opened to the other and anxious for all to know the Love for which we give thanks

Love brings service and is rewarded by opportunity to serve

Forgiveness enables our witness

Presence in Living Stones

The Living Stones

Christians gather in buildings called Churches. The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome challenge us to seek the grace which flows from our gathering for worship. The passage from the Prophet Ezekiel is a message to the Jews in exile that God will restore them to better times. Friar Jude Winkler notes that Ezekiel was a priest and Temple worship was very important to him to initiate the water of life which flows out of the Temple in this text. Friar Jude comments on the spiritual dimension of our gathering to worship which cannot be measured. Benedict XVI teaches the how the Table of the Word and the Table of the Eucharist build us up as the living stones which Paul describes in the letter to the Corinthians today. Perhaps there are some practices in our gathering in Church which have gotten out of hand as the Friar Jude describes the cleansing of the Temple by Jesus in the Gospel from John. Dick Hauser, S.J. reminds us that we have the dignity of being temples of God. We come together to witness the Presence in our Eucharist, Word and ourselves. In this Divine Light we are disposed to continue our transformation to living in Christ.

Generosity is life giving

Clever generosity in counter cultural life style

Shrew lovers

The daily life of followers of Jesus is a theme in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. Paul addresses the people of Philippi, who he loves deeply, encouraging them to be on guard from influences to live for self gratification. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul is tying our citizenship in heaven to the need for us to give consistent authentic witness to others in our daily lives. The Gospel from Luke is the parable of the dishonest steward. Commentators have struggled to deal with the praise given by the master to the steward. Friar Jude recommends looking for one teaching Jesus was making about cleverness and how we fail to use it it spiritual matters. Don Schwager comments that Jesus is concerned about the exercise of our faith and foresight. Mike Cherney is inspired to share his being uncomfortable in the role of the receiver. Our citizenship in heaven and the gift of Life in Christ offer us the invitation to witness to others a counter cultural lifestyle where our shrewdness is shown in generosity, forgiveness, inclusion and being a grateful recipient of Grace.

Surprise! The search is on to find us.

Not what we expect

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary underline the theme of how God builds relationship with us in a manner that is not what we would expect.

Paul describes to the Philippians the advantages of his birth and heritage which we would expect would offer him a good life of power and prestige in the Jewish community. Friar Jude Winkler explains how Paul surrendered all this to live in the Way of Christ. The Scribes and Pharisees with whom Jesus is in dialog in the Gospel from Luke expect that people on a journey to holiness would avoid association with sinners, as Friar Jude comments. The surprise which Carol Zuegner finds in the Gospel is gratitude for the continuous desire of God to welcome us home from being lost. Don Schwager reflects on the common theme in this chapter of Luke about a Seeker in search of the lost. The psalmist today praises those who rejoice in their search for God. The desire for people to fill the God shaped void in their lives is evidenced in our action to find explanations and practices to help relieve our sense of wandering aimlessly from situation to situation in lives with too much uncertainty. The unexpected truth is that God is searching for us. The unexpected encounter with people who we may have ignored in the past may place us in the centre of God’s rejoicing when we are returned to the fold.

Joy in the Divine Love we see in family and friends

Love is the top priority

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary allow us to consider the response we have to the experience of Divine Love. Paul expresses his desire that the Love within the Philippians be visible to all through the example of lives lived in a blameless and generous way.Friar Jude Winkler comments on the fulfillment Paul expresses in being a witness to the growth of those he loves in Philippi. When we first hear the language of the Gospel from Luke, we may need to reconcile the strong language of Jesus in the light of two truths we have experienced. Divine Love is fulness of life. Jesus exhorts us to be prepared to put this mission above all others. Nate Roman S. J. understands that to embrace the joys and graces of the world and the freedom to let go when necessary requires trust solely in God, our Light and our Salvation. Our deepest joy, like the Apostle Paul is to see the Love of God in our family and friends.

Life is the gift most glorious to the humble

Humble holy life

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer us the opportunity to consider the centrality of humility to our journey to holiness. The letter of Paul to the Philippians contains a Christian hymn of the time which celebrates the emptying of Christ as He takes on full humanity and full divinity as His life expresses the nature of God to humanity. Friar Jude Winkler places the full expression of what it is to God in the exaltation of Jesus in death on the cross. The Gospel from Luke points to the Kingdom of God using the imagery of a banquet. Friar Jude reminds us that this image should invoke great attention to how we celebrate the Eucharistic liturgy as well as how we live the daily meals with others. Humility is the pattern of Jesus kenosis. Richard Rohr discusses this gift in his book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life St. Charles Borromeo, remembered as the saint of the day, is usually represented in art in his cardinal's robes, barefoot, carrying the cross as archbishop; a rope round his neck, one hand raised in blessing, thus recalling his work during the plague. Marcia Cusic is reminded by the first reading today of our need to be humble. The doors to the great banquet are opened wide to the humble who do not put their self centered concerns ahead of their relationship with God and people. Praise God with the psalmist in the assembly of the people for the gift of humility which opens our life to love and service.

Generosity is God like

Prayer, love, service and eternal life

All Saints following the Lamb as Beatitude people

The gift is holiness for the journey

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Solemnity of All Saints are rich in content about the nature of Christian Love. Robert Heaney looks at the nature of Christian saints who are called to journey to holiness. The vivid images in the visions presented in the passage from the Book of Revelation graphically proclaim the sanctity of those who have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Frair Jude Winkler describes the deep links from the liturgy today to the Hebrew Testament and how we get so much more from these words in the light of the traditions in which they were crafted. Our path to become poor in spirit, meek, peacemakers, clean of thought and merciful will involve mourning and persecution which Friar Jude and Robert Heaney remind us is the experience of the children of God who share the cross of Christ. In our present reality, we experience Love. The ambiguity, mercilessness, hatred and turmoil of life are the obstacles which Love overcomes. Christians understand that all Love is Divine and when we are following Love we are on the journey are being washed in the Blood of the Lamb.