New Song in New Year with ancient Truth

The Way or the World

The commentary from the USCCB on the text from the first letter of John in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today states that “Love of the world and love of God are thus mutually exclusive”. We often equivocate when it comes to identifying the worldly temptations and attractions which take our focus away from Love of and in God. Mike Cherney summarizes the themes of the texts today as he shares the problem of needing to have control rather than trust in God. The Gospel from Luke tells of the devout life of Anna and how as she sees her hope for the consolation of Israel being fulfilled in Jesus. Don Schwager reflects on how our hope in the faithfulness of God to His promises can be developed as we age. Discernment, through life experience of charity, clarifies the Truth of the Way which we trust, in faith, will bring about our hope for deep Love in God which excludes the lifestyle focused on self gratification.

Hope that we leave the enticements of the world.

Joy and Sorrow in a full Life

New Year and New Song

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our mindset at the end of a calendar year in at least two ways. We recall the past year as we focus on marking it’s end. We contemplate how the experiences of the past year might be the seed for some change or positive development in our lives. The first letter of John looks at how some members of the community have left and how they are teaching heretical concepts which are in conflict with the Truth revealed in Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of John begins with the proclamation of the Word which is flesh among us. This Incarnation is the both the motive for Christmas celebration and the daily source of Life for the believer. The Logos spoken of by John is a development of philosophical thought in the ancient world as experienced by the disciple who was called to Jesus community early and who lived the longest with Christians after the Resurrection. Don Schwager notes that when this Gospel was written the vast majority of Christians were no longer converts from Jewish communities, but people who lived in a world dominated by the culture, thought, and worldview of Greece and Rome. John appealed to their powers of reason and reflection to consider who Jesus claimed to be. Reason and reflection around the deeply profound question of God who is transcendent and immanent is the subject of Greek and Roman philosophers. The Council of Nicea wrote the Christian creed on the action of God becoming flesh among us. Barbara Dilly asks how we should respond to this daily opportunity to live through the gift of grace upon grace in communion with the Word made flesh?. We need to contemplate the question for next year: “What is the new song the Lord wants from us?”

 

Devotion with respect and humility

Invitation to a beloved relationship

The feast of Stephen underlines a difficult message for some

The Timeless is with us

Simple surprise gift

The events of life are opportunities to name Wonder

Praise for hope which is born from humility and patience

Discern choose and surrender in the Mystery

Yes and everything changes

Gracious Gift as answer to prayer

Prayer and patience to obey the Plan

Salvation history is a story of symbols

Rebellious self interested may hear the invitation

Cleverness and curses reveal the promise

Tradition tells us that Jubilee Joy is ours to bring today

Joy from Jubilee to Incarnation

The Roman Catholic Lectionary brings texts for rejoicing on Gaudete Sunday or “rejoicing Sunday” The passage from Trito-Isaiah, which Scripture scholars date to after the Babylonian exile is tied to the Jewish Jubilee tradition which provided a restart for agriculture and freedom for slaves. Jesus proclaims the joy of Isaiah in Luke 4.18 at the beginning of His public ministry. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the joy shown in the restoration of the earth as Nature responds to the time of Jubilee. Tradition informs much of our action during Advent and the Christmas season. The tradition of a paraenesis or last minute instruction is used by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians to exhort us to strive for holiness in rejoicing and prayer. Our prayerful reflection in Advent, as Friar Jude notes, is also traditionally addressed to the “end times”. This is in harmony with Nature in the Northern Hemisphere as the length of sun time during the day shortens.Rev. Dr. J. Carl Gregg invites us to really hear the Canticle (as Responsorial Psalm) known as the Magnificat which is  Mary’s enthusiastic song in response to Jesus’ impending birth. He invites us to consider What Christianity would look like if the focus were more on the situation in society today. Maureen McCann Waldron invites us to recognize Jesus in our presence, and feel him healing us in our most unlovable places; encouraging us to offer hope to the downtrodden, and holding us close, wrapped in a cloak of his gentle love. When the Levites came to John the Baptist, as described in the Gospel from John today, they encounter the voice crying in the wilderness who the Evangelist writes is to called give witness to the person of Jesus. The text uses the of untying the sandal in the Levirate marriage law to symbolically indicate that not John the Baptist, but Jesus is to be the Bride of Israel and raise up children as a consequence of Israel treating Yahweh as if dead. The deep tradition which surrounds our preparation to celebrate the Incarnation is rooted in the call for believers to bring the Jubilee joy to all the nations.

Loving Service and Unity from a Surprise Source

The "yes" of the vulnerable to the will of God

The Less and the blessed

We are less thank God

A theme of the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today is difficult for modern ears to hear. We are less. The passage from Deutero Isaiah is one wherein Jacob is addressed as a worm and Israel as a maggot. Friar Jude Winkler develops the theme of a redeemer for the lowly exiles in Babylon by using the term goel, a special person to whom rabbinic tradition gives important roles to release family from slavery and distress. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as being among the least who have not yet seen the fulfillment of the Kingdom. The message of the intimacy that God desires to have with seemingly insignificant people is expressed in Isaiah by the use of the first person pronoun, as noted by Friar Jude, and by George Butterfield in the image of God grasping us by the hand. John Piper argues that the modern “gospel of self-esteem” is robbing us of understanding of our true position as worms. From the position of least we can know the working of the hand of God in our lives. Conversion is experienced by those who come to know how little they contribute to the joy in their lives and how much is sourced in the “Amazing Grace” of God.

Our humble yes brings eagle's wings

Humble and Eternally Happy

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents a deep paradox in texts from Matthew and Isaiah. The meek and humble of heart will soar with eagle’s wings. The passage from Deutero-Isaiah is written to the exiles in Babylon who may have become discouraged. Friar Jude Winkler explains the disappointment of the exiles in the apparent lack of action from God to restore them to freedom. The exiles are told to expect that their weariness will be replaced with the energy and freedom of the eagle. The passage about rest in the Gospel from Matthew uses Hebrew language which, according to Friar Jude, refers to the the Sabbath rest or the Eternal rest. Some who live humble lives appear to have accepted a difficult yoke and we rejoice that they do find eagle’s wings in eternity. Friar Jude invites a deeper reflection based on the tradition that the yoke of Jesus time was skillfully crafted to be a perfect fit for the animal. Nancy Shirley resonates with Friar Jude in declaring that this new way of living, yoked to Jesus, is a perfect fit to our gifts and weaknesses. In the double yoke with Jesus, our humble and meek movements will be as natural and free as the graceful and energetic flight of the eagle. Our Sabbath rest is coincident with our action in Jesus, our Eternal rest is part of a continuous path which begins with a humble “yes”.

Our humble proclamation of a Shepherd for all

Proclaim and Pray

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge disciples to act so as to bring attention to the intimate focus of God on loving each human being. The author of the passage from Deutero-Isaiah exhorts us to proclaim the holiness of God and His Lordship over history. Friar Jude Winkler comments how this text portrays the fatherhood and motherhood of God as Shepherd. The Gospel from Matthew declares that the shepherd will leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray. This action is contrary to our cultural sense of cutting our losses. Friar Jude suggests that we are responsible to reflect about our actions toward the lost sheep so as we can give them what they need now. Our faith is that God always provides the most loving response and our limited vision is too often blinded by our own limited expectations and selfish concerns. Susan Tinley is comforted by the intimate eternal knowledge God has about us. Our prayer is to be open and humbly seek guidance from God to align our action with His Will to Love the anawim.

Fear is defeated by the "yes"

Sandals for the Bridegroom who is coming

Mark time for the Marriage

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Second Sunday in Advent carries a theme of preparation for significant change. The passage from Deutro-Isaiah is addressed to exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. The path of return to home is through unexpected geography where God leads and gathers His scattered flock. Carol Zuegner reflects on how journeys along winding roads can help us prepare for what’s ahead. The second letter of Peter deals with transformation of a society which is drifting away from focus on righteousness and justice and in denial about the return of Jesus. The Gospel from Mark begins with a description of John the Baptist and his ministry which is a prelude to the mission of Jesus. Exegesis at Our Lady of Wisdom Church explores a book by prominent Spanish scripture scholar Luis Alonso-Schokel which begins by noticing 5 similar texts from the New Testament all dealing with St. John the Baptist. The article summarizes the role of John to prepare Israel the Bride for her nuptial with Christ her bridegroom. Travis Meier explains "the way" in the Gospel of Mark is attached to title Lord. He identifies counter imperial claims by Mark who is associating the life and ministry of Jesus with a new way of life counter to the way of the empire. Our experience of meditation on a long road trip and the story we have of living in an intimate personal relationship with spouse or friend is to be the essence of the change we hope will be evident in our lives and in the restoration of mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion to our society.

Teacher is face to face in service

Teacher and Servant

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary resonate with the need in our society for some instruction in ways to free ourselves from violent and self serving acts. We are invited to meditate on the source and delivery of teaching messages which might provide some light in our darkness. The text from the Prophet Isaiah uses images of light of sun and moon as it delivers a prophetic message of a Teacher who we will know intimately on a face to face basis. Keith Kozak finds that the Teacher speaks with the voice of his Papa suggesting that the “busy life” may be interfering with the loving life. A cross reference guide to the role of teacher in the bible gives an overview of this theme in Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Psalms and the Christian Testament. The Gospel from Matthew today identifies Jesus personal distress about our state of being without a Shepherd. He commissions the Twelve to go in His Name with His authority to bring the Kingdom to others through acts of loving service. When we encounter the other face to face in service, two Teachers are inviting us to learn. Our commission to bring love and healing to the other meets the message in the voice of the other from Him which guides us through the darkness.

Faith to see the Divine Plan

The eyes of faith

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary remind us that we put a great deal of faith in the cliche that seeing is believing. The Prophet Isaiah paints images of the way in which God’s plan for the Israelites will change what they see in the world around them. Daniel Patrick O'Reilly recounts his experience with a threat to his sight through which he reflects on the nature of faith through the difficulties of life. The Gospel from Matthew highlights Jesus action of giving sight to the blind as both a healing event of Divine mercy and a spiritual invitation which Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros understands as part of the synergy of our lives in Christ wherein we shy from seeing Him face to face. Don Schwager sees the deep meaning of knowing God to be mercy. The vision of the plan and action of God is clearer to the humble, courageous, childlike and just mentioned by the psalmist as those who see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. We approach Jesus blind and ask for the gift of faith to improve our vision.

Trust and do

Food for the spirit and Providence

Humble and simple trust to see the Kingdom

Advent of Shalom

A Vision of Shalom

The Roman Catholic Lectionary uses texts today which focus on the hope for peace which will be a theme for Advent. The passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is used in the Christian Prayer known as the Liturgy of the Hours. The mountain of the Lord is where the authority of God will end all dispute between peoples who will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Friar Jude Winkler discusses the hymn which Isaiah and Micah share about the profound shalom which brings peace to all nature. The image from the Gospel of Matthew of Jesus and the Roman Centurion together as an agent of the pagan occupying authority asks a favour of the Jewish rabbi and is praised for faith which will put him in the company of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is truly a source of hope that we have the ability to see that God is present and works in those we place on the outside. Pope Francis has returned to Rome from a visit to Istanbul where he gave witness to the deep desire for profound peace by pausing to face Mecca while in the Blue Mosque and by bowing to seek the prayers and blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. The shalom of Isaiah comes when authority bows to service and the Will of God invites us to reconcile and begin to make pruning hooks from our spears.

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.

Hope in eternal love starting now

Listen for the Love message

The letter of Paul to the Philippians in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary is full of the love which the Apostle to the Gentiles has toward these people. Friar Jude Winkler comments that in this authentic letter Paul is writing from prison where he is uncertain about whether he will soon be executed. The focus of Paul on reunion in the afterlife with this community is resonant with our own experience of hope in the eternal nature of Love. The Gospel from Luke contains a second discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees about acting in love for the other on the Sabbath. The image of ox and ass is used a second time by Luke to remind us that our concern for our work animals, or perhaps today our work itself, can be more important to us than care of the people around us. Andy Alexander, S.J. is very aware of how the Synod on the Family speakers recently have urged us to become more attentive to accompanying people in their struggles rather than focus on rules which exclude and separate us from those we love. The challenge for us is to seek the growth in love and knowledge Paul hopes for the Philippians so that we might act, in this time, to show deeper compassion for our beloved who struggle in exclusion by our laws.

The Battle against evil is engaged in prayer

Evil battled in prayer

The spiritual powers of evil are described as gathering in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. We need only glance into the media to be able to come up with a list of evil events in our world. We name our enemy as ebola, ISIS or terrorist. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us that the spiritual battle within against the passions which take us away from acting as people living in Christ are to be engaged first by seeking virtue through prayer. Prayer in the Spirit is described by Tom Purcell as our way of realizing how the gifts that God has given to us will be brought to action today. That action which will involve us with the other is love. Love will motivate the best response to the external evils. The Gospel from Luke emphasizes, according to Julian Kinkaid, the prayer life of Jesus. In walking in the Spirit, Jesus proclaims His destiny to be as the Prophets of His heritage and to be rejected by the people of the Holy City, Jerusalem. Unfortunately today, this place which is sacred to Jew, Muslim and Christian continues to do external battle against zealots who seem unable to find the armour of virtue in the action of love when they listen, internally, to the Spirit of God.

Too many questions for pragmatist

More than pragmatism

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our modern need for answers and rules for success. The household instructions which are presented to the Ephesians today are directed to obligations within families and in the organization of work under slavery. Friar Jude Winkler alludes to the importance of mutual obligation in Stoic thinking of this time. The author of Ephesians goes beyond the pragmatic philosophy to encourage us to love others and treat them as Jesus would. Contemporary writers argue not only that Christianity contains Stoic thought but that this philosophy is very appropriate for Western society today which may find itself in similar political situations to Greece and Rome at the time of Jesus. The mystery of God and the disappointment we experience in not being able to get a straight answer from God are reflections of Diane Jorgensen from the Gospel of Luke today. Our pragmatic approach too often settles for less. Living with the love, compassion, charity and forgiveness of Jesus, which has no limit, is living in faith that the journey is not measured in accomplishments and quantity of good deeds but in the daily decisions to follow Him.

The Plan to hold the heritage of Love in the community

An community planned for holiness

The plan of God for building a community of believers is theme from the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The Church commemorates the apostles Saints Simon and Jude today. The calling of the Twelve from the Gospel of Luke is a link to those followers of Jesus who lived with Him. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Luke emphasizes the Plan of God which will be executed. Stoic thought, with which Luke was acquainted, promoted obedience to the Divine Plan which may have seemed illogical in the type of persons chosen through prayer to be so close to Jesus. The letter to the Ephesians invites them to accept Christ’s invitation that they be built into a Temple of God’s people. The unity under Christ of Jews and Gentiles is our heritage which Friar Jude reminds is entrusted to the care of the present day Church. The reflection of Edward Morse that he belongs to something bigger than himself is a foundational experience through which we can address the great enemy of Christian community, our selfishness. The grin and bear it philosophy of the Stoics, which is mentioned by  Fr. George W. Rutler, was at home with obedience and discipline. The Life with Christ brings inclusion and joy as we praise God for the invitation to walk toward holiness singing with the psalmist as we bring the message of Life to all the earth.

Hearing how we look

See light in children

The words from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today may be best absorbed from the point of view of children. The passage from the Letter to the Ephesians directs us to be imitators of God and children of light. A Sunday School lesson on this text makes the point that we need to know what are some of the actions which witness to our membership in the family of Christ and some life choices which will convey the opposite message to people. The reflection of Jan Schnack which describes walking in solitude where we have the opportunity to listen to God may be an opportunity to have the Spirit indicate to us the areas in which our life journey could radiate more of the Light of Christ. Friar Jude Winkler reinforces the theme of how actions speak loudly of what we really believe. The Gospel from Luke tells of Jesus decision to act now to relieve the burden of the crippled woman instead of arranging a less confrontational action where the cure would be offered in private or after the Sabbath. The impetuous response of our childhood to receive and give love and affection is often replaced with caution and reticence as we dwell on the bruises and scars of our personal journey. Our healing from the crippling attitudes and actions of 18 or 80 years is offered to us now.

Present in our love for the alien

Vertical Horizontal moral responsibility

This Sunday’s readings offer a great opportunity to appreciate Jesus’ commitment to the moral vision of the Hebrew Bible. This is a comment made by Dennis Hamm, S.J., Professor Emeritus in the Department of Theology at Creighton University. The PONTIFICAL BIBLICAL COMMISSION has produced a document on the Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct which looks at the search of every person for happiness and meaning and how Holy Scripture aids in understanding contemporary questions of morality. Friar Jude Winkler describes the development of the horizontal and vertical aspects of our faith as we need our relationship with God to support our relationship with each other. Pope Francis speaking on the World Day for Migrants and Refugees declares the role of the Church to love the poorest and most abandoned. This love takes the form of the particular care for the least powerful expressed in the passage from Exodus. Friar Jude and Dennis Hamm S.J. remind us of the gift of meeting God in the Presence of those to whom we offer our service. The model which Paul preaches to the Thessalonians is to imitate Christ. Our understanding of Jesus is enhanced as we realize that He taught and spoke in the manner of Jewish teachers of His time. Friar Jude reminds us that the Jewish exaggeration of Paul is a technique which flags for us superlatives in behaviour and morality. The experience of being aliens in our salvation history is that of the Israelites in Egypt and of the Holy Family who fled after Jesus birth to the same region for safety. Our moral heritage points to our responsibility to open our lives to help the aliens and refugees today.

Building faith and building the Church

Faith to fruit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today provide some nourishment as we consider what fruit may be produced from our faith. The letter to the Ephesians directs our attention to the gifts we have received from God. Chas Kestermeier, S.J. challenges us to find our particular role in the Church. The maturity which Friar Jude Winkler comments we are called to develop with the charisms given us by the Spirit is one which takes us deeper than the speech of modern spiritual gurus to participation in building a community which is resonant with the experience of thousands of years of living with attention to the revelation of the Holy Spirit. In the time when the Gospel of Luke was written, the end time marked by Jesus return was thought to be close. Anxiety about the truth in the Gospel today that our personal end time on earth can come unexpectedly is balance with the parable Jesus tells of the decision of the landowner to allow the gardener to fertilize and cultivate the barren fig tree so that it may produce the fruit required in the next year. Our gifts will produce the fruit as we open ourselves to being fertilized and cultivated in our faith.

Faith reconciliation and communion

Surrender and ascend

The people who long to see the face of God are described by the psalmist in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The people who ascend the mountain of the Lord are sinless, with clean hearts and they desire not what is vain. In the Gospel from Luke today Jesus calls us to awareness that we need to choose, as Friar Jude Winkler comments, to make our peace with God or not as the day of judgement is as forecastable as a change in the weather. The letter to the Ephesians gives us direction about the qualities in our lives which are the evidence of our surrender to the Love offered by God. Tom Stegman, S.J. sees in the texts today a call in the present time to practice humility, gentleness and patience. Accepting reconciliation with God through our surrender in faith to the One Lord is our decision to be an active agent in bringing the Kingdom of God to the present time as we grow in replacing our self interest with interest in the needs of others. In living the communion of Body and Spirit described to the Ephesians, we are ascending the mountain of the Lord in praise and thanksgiving with the psalmist.

The fullness of Love is a difficult Kingdom for some

Four dimensions and conflict

The psalmist proclaims that the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord and the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today address some of the conflict which arises from this belief. The prayer of Paul as recorded by the author of the Letter to the Ephesians is that we become open to the Divine Plan of salvation which immerses us in Love through Christ and the indwelling Spirit. Friar Jude Winkler tells of how this message strikes out against the Gnostic heretics who understood fullness in a very different way. The Gospel from Luke states clearly that the acceptance of Jesus proclamation of the Kingdom of God will refine and purify His followers. Friar Jude explains that the consequence of acting in the Spirit of the goodness of the Lord in our daily life will bring crosses which will even come from family members who misunderstand our work in the vineyard as trivial, misdirected, being taken advantage of, deluded, not realistic, too passive and inappropriate in a world where there are winners and losers.

Live with faith and love eternally

The Household listens for the Master

In the Household listening for the Master

The ideals of peaceful communion and life lived well are set before us from the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The letter to the Ephesians proclaims that the Gentiles, who did not know the salvation history of the Jews, are called by Jesus to join the communion which sets aside the differences between peoples. Friar Jude Winkler describes the Household of God wherein we no longer seek God in the Temple but we encounter the Spirit in ourselves and others. The reality of our finite time in our earthly existence is brought to our attention by the Gospel from Luke. Friar Jude describes the peaceful anticipation of the final judgement through living daily with the goal of leaving nothing unsaid or nothing undone. This is a tall order. We are not alone as we journey in our transformation to deeper intimacy with God. Craig Zimmer encourages us to listen and we may hear the echo of the master’s footsteps, in the here and now.

Living with excess... giving with grace

Our greed is our life

Our choices about what we carry from this life to the next are a topic of reflection from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The letter to the Ephesians reminds us of death like existence of being slaves to our passions with our transgressions dominating our concern. The text points to the free gift of salvation which manifests itself, as Friar Jude comments, in a life of vitality in Christ which will transition to the next life by falling asleep in the Lord. The Gospel from Luke challenges the degree of our complete dependence upon God when greed seems to be our strong motivator. Don Schwager meditates on the reality that our treasure is the thing upon which we most set our hearts. The parable from Luke encourages Jay Carney to remind us that a typically northern and western desire to choreograph our lives may take us away from the living our fundamental dependency on God and each other. The social message which we fail to hear is that our excess is gift from God and that gift is to be shared with those who have less.

On a mission acting with faith, hope and love