Humility and Quality

In reflecting on the text from Luke in today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary, I wonder if the exalting of the humble is not so much our concern as the humbling of the exalted. Perhaps a focus on the humble would be informative. Humble may be a hiding place for another not easily understood attitude. Is there a “false virtue “of excusing the attitude of not striving for excellence or high quality because that would demonstrate a lack of humility? I suggest that humility is better served when the quality and excellence is pursued, but the demonstration of the good work is reserved and attribution of credit is downplayed. Being our best does not mean we are exalting our ego. I recall the “Grand Howl” of the Cub Scout Organization. We will “Do Our Best Do Our Best” (DOB, DOB, DOB). In Scouting, as in life, “our best” is in service to others. Jesus suggests that the “The Left Hand need not Know what the Right Hand is doing in this service.” The ‘humble service’ should be quality service so that it delivers to the served all we are capable of.

Transformed Transform

To what can we attribute the overwhelming confidence of Paul expressed in the text from Romans in today's Roman Catholic Lectionary that absolutely nothing can separate us from the Love of God. Richard Rohr in “The Naked Now" expresses the thought that the transformed people transform others. Certainly, Paul is the transformed person who has in 2000 years assisted in the transformation of many. His transformation is His confidence in the Love of God.

Presence in Prayer

In the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Luke tells of the selection of the Apostles. ” Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them” (Luke 6:12). I am currently reading “The Naked Now” by Richard Rohr. He questions how we so easily fall into public liturgical prayer which may be positioning ourselves like the Pharisees and lawyers that Jesus referred to as hypocrites. Rohr offers Jesus as the model of prayer, which is being aware of Presence, an as Luke tells us is on the mountain in the “naked now”!

Imagine a growing relationship

In the Roman Catholic Lectionary today we are offered texts with unfamiliar metaphors.
We may not appreciate the difference between the size of the seed and the size of the plant in the case of the mustard seed. The image of streams in the Negeb is difficult for people who live in a land of much moisture. The stream in the desert is Life. We hear the great hope of the Apostle Paul for the unleashing of the fruits of the Spirit in Creation. These images are an invitation for our imagination to investigate what is within these representations of the Divine Presence in Life. All encompassing, growing from a speck and Life itself springing up in response come to mind. We hear Hope for the promised relationship of child to the Divine.

Rules for Sabbath; Rules for ?

The Roman Catholic Lectionary takes us to Jesus confrontation with the authorities concerning the rules of the Sabbath. We are very comfortable with rule based action. It is my job. It is not my job. What are the rules? The relationships with which life has meaning are not rule based. How our rules have held us down!

Seachange or See Change

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today contains Scripture passages which speak of the Joy of being reunited with God. Mark’s Gospel is the story of the healing of the Blind Bartimaeus. After this beggar has his sight returned, he unites himself with Jesus. He has responded to Jesus call. The story begins for Bartimaeus when he hears Jesus and His entourage approaching. He is moved to cry out for mercy. The blind and the unfortunate, in Jesus time, were often thought to be punished for sin in their sorry state. Jesus asks him “What do you want me to for you?” How do we answer this question from Jesus? Certainly when we have sought mercy, forgiveness or consolation Jesus has heard our cry. I suspect that Bartimaeus had thought about the answer for a long time. His answer is simple, expected and profound. The success of his request would mean change. He literally would see things in a different light. Change is threatening. We may be reluctant to present our request to Jesus. The fear we have is that He might grant it. Our change would be compelled by our new sight and our new Life. A relationship with the Divine is Joy and Challenge. Praise God

Paradoxically...

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers thought ranging from the justice in cutting down the barren tree to Paul’s proclamation of there being no condemnation for those in the Spirit. Mystery, paradox and tension the Divine is about such as this!

Settling with Your Opponent

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today deals with sin and Settling with Your Opponent what can we say about the vote on the NSCC FAPS tentative agreement?

Decision and Division NSTU and NSCC

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today presents decision to people. The psalmist suggests there are two ways. Paul in addressing the Romans offers sin and death or the Free Gift and life. NSTU members are considering a decision too. If the tentative agreement is accepted, it brings “life” to the College, the Students and the NDP. Rejection means that the retirees and the those who plan long service at the College may have another chance to reduce the “missed” revenue as it compounds over the years from this settlement. Does this settlement set a precedent for the NDP? For the NSTU? Is it a healthy precedent?

Gifts that may Enslave

Today, in the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer some reflection on the responsibility of the gifted and the knowledgeable or the favoured. It seems natural that much should be expected of those who have much. This is easily tied to the idea that responsibility comes with privilege, authority and giftedness. We know too that we yield to the temptation to abuse our gifts and authority. We are probably masters at justifying our actions. Today's question is how our potential for freedom with gifts to exercise for all is turned into slavery to our own passions desires and self aggrandizement? It is the paradox of the Christian Life in the Spirit without laws, that Paul addresses today, that freedom turned inward becomes slavery.

Watchful Slaves and NSCC FAPS

Luke 12:35 ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; This is the exhortation in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. In some way, I think the Faculty and Professional Support at NSCC were prepared for action today. Fortunately, a tentative agreement was reached. A spiritual and motivational question remains in my mind. What is the best path to healing the damage? Is it necessary to determine how we ended up prepared to strike even though, as the NSTU ads suggest, we were part of the last cycle of negotiation that did not complete. Did it not complete because we were overlooked or taken for granted? If that might be the case, are we ready to find out why it happened so the path of reconciliation can truly contain the promise of it never happening again?

Is the NDP building idea barns in NS?

Today, in the Roman Catholic Lectionary, Luke presents an episode in Jesus ministry when He comments on the folly of the accumulation of riches. This is a folly in which most of us participate. The temporal concerns are often given priority over the infinite matters. In the current dispute between NSCC and the Faculty and Professional Support, something more than money appears to be sought by both sides. The folly of the rich man would not be less if he were accumulating pride, prestige or reputation. All of these are pursuits which lead to fleeting reward and endanger the development of ourselves as givers and servants. An idea or an ideal can also be unworthy of our headlong pursuit. In many ways it can block our movement toward others and the Divine. In the NSCC, NSTU and NDP scenario ideas are blocking progress. What is fair? What is equitable? What ‘principle’ are we standing on? It is wise to consider the finite effect of holding ground compared to the infinite implications of pride and arrogance. In the time frame between finite and infinite, now, we see much damage to goodwill has already been done. A heart for reconciliation is needed now and even more so if our desire to be like the Rich Fool continues.

NDP Mystery in Nova Scotia Continued

Here are two political leaders with similar challenges. One is really a Liberal but used to talk like a social democrat. One talks like a social democrat but is really?

The Request of James and John

The desire to be “first” is well ingrained in our culture. Perhaps, like James and John in the Gospel from today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary, we desire to be in the company of the “winner”. We naturally want to be part of the entourage which is celebrating an accomplishment. It is not surprising that we find Jesus reversing this human desire. He calls James and John to consider more deeply what they are requesting. He welcomes them to share His anointing and the life that the Father has willed for Him. It will not be a life of personal aggrandizement. The Life will allow His followers, then and now, to reduce their egos and serve. The fruit of the spirit of the servant is the discovery of our infinite identity as child of the Father.
As servants we will have our egos, our agendas, our persons and bodies purified through frustrations, failures and real sufferings. In this world, the good will be confronted with opposition. The servant will be suspected, rejected and in many cases, silenced. Can I drink the “cup” of my baptismal identity? The more I allow Jesus to serve me in His many ways, the more likely I will live because I have drunk that “cup” of who He has said I am.
(Gillick, 2009)

Bibliography
Gillick, L. S. (2009, Oct 18). Daily Reflection. Retrieved Oct 18, 2009, from Creighton University's Online Ministries: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101809.html

The NDP in Nova Scotia mystery

On the Grand Lake Road, which is part of the highway between Sydney and Glace Bay, near Victoria Junction, is a set of traffic lights which allow traffic to come and go to Grand Lake Road from a few large parking lots. When I stand in the closest of these parking lots to the highway, my mind recalls a great Cape Breton and Nova Scotia mystery which has remained unsolved for at least four decades. Who are the voting constituency for the NDP in Nova Scotia? I grew up in Glace Bay and Sydney. Close to my backyard in Glace Bay were six operating coal mines. My grandparents lived in Sydney where on 3 shifts a day members of my family made steel. The United Mine Workers and the Steel Workers Union were strong healthy voices for hard working labour in Industrial Cape Breton. The Sterling district of Glace Bay was home of the “red” barn. These people who worked so hard in back breaking labour and rallied with their unions for better wages and conditions most often returned Liberal and Progressive Conservative members to the Legislature in Halifax. Today, this parking lot separates the Cape Breton University Campus from the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. This past week, two events involving teachers at these institutions raised the question of the NDP mystery again. The Faculty Association at Cape Breton University ratified a contract giving them an increase 2.9% a year for 4 years. The Faculty and Professional Support staff at the NSCC Marconi Campus prepare to strike because the NDP government will not allow the NSCC to even discuss a 2.9% in one year contract. I am confused. On which Campus are the constituents who support the NDP? Perhaps it is the CBU Campus where the NDP finds support. Thirty years ago, when I was taking a course in political science at Dalhousie, I was thrilled that the professor was a member of the executive of the NDP. As my political interest matured I came to understand the great division between academic socialists and workers struggling for fair wages and decent safe working conditions. I hope that the solution to “my NDP mystery” is not that they are “academic socialists”. The evidence from the voters of Cape Breton, with some exceptions, may favour a conclusion that socialist ideas and rhetoric may make a political party but not a party for fairness and equity in the workplace.

Catholic Bishop and God’s Promise Realized through Faith

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who lived and was a martyr in the early 2nd century CE is remember for impassioned letters he wrote on the way to Rome to be fed to the lions in the amphitheatre. His final appeals are to faith in Jesus, upon which rests all other activity, and loyalty to the Bishop. In the apostolic tradition of the Church, the Bishop traces his call to be Shepherd to the Apostles. Faith to the followers of Christ, as proclaimed by Saint Ignatius, in today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary, is the path to the realization of the Promise of God. That Promise is the free gift, to people today of all races, creeds and genders, of the realization of the indwelling of the Divine. Abraham knew this gift and became the “Father of many nations’. (The people of the Book, Jew Christian and Muslim know Abraham as “father”) Sometimes it is an act of faith to seek and accept the gracious of God comes to us in “earthen vessels” about which Paul has commented “all have sinned” and “all have fallen short”. It is to the sinners that Jesus comes as Shepherd.

A Warning against Hypocrisy

The Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, takes us to Luke 12:1-7 for a “Warning against Hypocrisy”. The evangelist warns “2Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known”. I reflect on these texts while, at the same time, I find my thoughts being brought to the mystery of the imminent collision of College and Faculty over the failure of contract negotiations. The juxtaposition of the advice from Luke and the disturbing sense that the real problem of this labour dispute is rooted in errors made in early negotiations while the P-12 contract was “on the table” is very curious. Perhaps today’s reading also presents a path to reconciliation for the parties. We are exhorted to “Fearless Confession” from which the Psalmist praises the “The Joy of Forgiveness” which we will know. Forgiveness will need to be part of the solution of this dispute, at some time. Those who have much to forgive will know much joy. I wonder if we are not wise to consider the “The Example of Abraham” as presented by the Apostle Paul and move into an area which will require faith beyond reason that is Confession of fault and the beginning of reconciliation?

Oh My! The Righteous Judgement of God

The Word in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today brings us into contact with thoughts of judgement of our actions by God. Paul implores us not to judge others. He advises that the good deeds of people will be recognized by God. The evil done will also be addressed by a righteous God. Luke reminds us of Jesus dismay at the hypocrisy of the leaders of His time. He identifies the actions of Pharisee’s and Lawyer to load people with unimportant burdens under the Law while ignoring the concerns of the same people.
The take away insight today may be in reflection on our actions and tasking of others. The ego so often demands control and control is too often exercised by holding people captive by truly unnecessary tasks and trivial undertakings.

Who are the Pharisees and Lawyers today?

The gospel from Luke in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today declares that the one who made the outside made the inside also. Creation is the witness to God that Paul, in his letter to the Romans, claims is ignored by humankind. This debate about the evidence of a Creator in the Creation around us is alive today. One aspect is the on going discussion over “intelligent design” apparent in the greatest and smallest parts of the observable universe. One lively look at the impact of the “Ten Commandments” on human civilization was recorded at the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition (ROM) by CBC Tapestry. It focuses on observance of law as a means to a ‘better life’. Of course, Paul and Jesus would suggest that faith trumps law in the search for a meaningful relationship with the Divine. The evil and unclean, which many believers and non believers alike strive to avoid, is rooted in the heart of humans. The great evidence for the transformative nature of life with God is the change of heart of those who have worked on “making the inside clean”. The Good News is the creation of a new universe daily for the believer.

PAUL TO the followers of the Way on Thanksgiving

Today, in the Roman Catholic Lectionary, the beginning of the Letter of Paul to the Romans implores the followers of the Way to “belong to Christ”. The Evangelist, Luke, recalls Jesus comparison of His mission to the works of Solomon and Jonah. The proclamation and wisdom of Jesus is greater than the earlier figures. The Thanksgiving for the Christian is to be involved in the journey, today, to belong to Christ and to be the witness to the great proclamation of love which is the sign of a relationship with the Divine of infinite significance catching the attention of Solomon and Jonah. The psalmist invites us to “break forth into joyous song and sing praises”. This is the attitude of gratitude which should infuse Thanksgiving as the people and events of our lives are recalled and “Thanks” is expressed.

Thanksgiving and the Rich Man

Today’s Scripture texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary deal with the true richness of Wisdom or Prudence in comparison to the wealth, health and status richness which seem to be the goal of the struggle in our lives. Solomon is the traditional example of a wise man. The text today leads us to consider the wealth of Solomon in a different light. (Solomon’s Respect for Wisdom). The important thing in Jesus encounter with the rich young man is the love with which Jesus addresses his question. He perhaps was seeking a different answer. Gillick mentions the sense of the Hebrew culture, of the time, that wealth, health and large families were signs of blessing from God. This weekend, Canadians will pause to be thankful for our blessings. We will include wealth, health and family in our Thanksgiving. Perhaps the Judeo-Christian and Islamic faiths still celebrate God’s Blessing to us in this way. The caution is that our possessions do not block our journey to the Divine.
Often, with Jesus, it is the question about the importance of what we have in hand versus having our hands open to receive what is promised in the unknown-to-come. (Larry Gillick, 2009)
Like Peter and the disciples may we hear Jesus invitation to abandon that which hold us back and follow Him to a celebration of Infinite Thanks!
Bibliography
Larry Gillick, S. (2009, October 11). Daily Reflection October 11th, 2009. Retrieved Oct 11, 2009, from Creighton University's Online Ministries: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101109.html

A Call to Repentance and Prayer

The Roman Catholic lectionary, today, points us to repentance, prayer and the driving out of unclean spirits. The NSTU is offering binding arbitration to NSCC to resolve contract issues before an announced strike date of Oct 27. These themes can be related. The impasse between College and NSTU is rooted in “dropping the ball”. After the contract had expired for almost a year, “serious” negotiation was undertaken. This came to a successful conclusion for the 10,000 P-12 teachers in the province. Shift some of the players at the table present the agreed details to the 900 College members and we are done. The precedent of previous negotiation is maintained and everyone continues to do their valuable work without non productive interruption. The ball dropped. To paraphrase St. Paul “All have sinned”. We now seek repentance. We don’t want to suspend normal operations. (any of us). Some damage has been done. If we manage to purge the “unclean spirit” of job action, we need to avoid a vacuum of no plan to “recover from the fumble”. Lack of repentance will result in the “The Return of the Unclean Spirit”. Let us pray that ego, pride, stubbornness do not prevent the acceptance of the “spirit of binding arbitration”

leadership among the people of God is not about power, it is about caring

This has been a very hard time for Anthony Mancini, Archbishop of Halifax. On Sunday October 4, he released a letter to the faithful of Nova Scotia. This letter allowed the faithful to appreciate the deep personal suffering of the Archbishop over the criminal charges to Bishop Lahey. This suffering was also apparent in the clergy of the dioceses in Nova Scotia. One of the ideas in the Archbishop's letter is that "leadership among the people of God is not about power, it is about caring". This is a truth and unfortunately a goal for the leadership at all levels in the Church. The vocation to the priesthood and the ordained life is a call to serve in the model of the "servant of all", Christ. This abandonment of self serving motives is the call to hoiness that all the faithful are responding to on the spiritual journey. May the public anguish of the Church and its faithful be the impetus to be the servant leaders suggested by the Archbishop.