Resurrection is Life

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents texts which mark the memorial of Justin who was a martyr in the 1st century in Rome. Some observations about our trip to Rome may seem obvious. There are a lot of clerics in Rome. Many of them study here today as Justin did in his time. The text from Tobit tells of action in which Tobit values the maintenance of his relationship with God more highly than obedience to the civil authorities. Our visit to the parish in Rome where our Franciscan of Halifax hosts live near the Church was an opportunity to see a new church building which is very busy with Sunday liturgy and celebration and which attracts many young people to parish worship and activity. The desire of too many to silence the message of Jesus presented in the witness in parish life like this shows that today there are still tenants in the vineyard who mistakenly depend on theft and murder to aquire material wealth. In the afternoon we were very fortunate to visit the catacombs under the tomb of St Agnes who was martyred in the 1st century. The decision of a friend of Agnes to visit her burial site in the catacombs resulted in her murder as a Christian. She is buried in the tomb with Agnes. The deep faith of the 1st century Christians in the Resurrection of the dead is evident in the inscriptions in the underground memorial. Amy Hoover comments on the faith of present day Christian martyrs who find themselves faced with execution as they are found working in the vineyard to bring the fruit of life in relationship with Jesus. The dedication of parish workers and students in Rome is evidence that Christianity is alive in this ancient city and it still challenges those who would seek self agrandizement in power, privilege and personal wealth.

Frances shows how to action the Great Commission

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Sunday is used to celebrate The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity . The title of the celebration may lead us to anticipate great theological detail about the understanding of the nature of God in Christian creed. After our visit to Assisi yesterday where we were hosted by the Minister General of the Conventual Fransciscans in the geography of Saint Frances and Saint Claire we see how the order in which the directions of the Great Commission, from the Gospel of Matthew, is very important. The disciples are told to baptize them and then teach them. Baptism is Christian initiation. This Sacramental act of the senses awakens the recipient to being the child of God invited to address the Divine as Abba or Daddy in the freedom given through the resonace of our spirit with the Spirit of God. Our tour of the Sacred Convent where Frances is buried was preceded and followed by great hospitality from our hosts. Frances and Clair made decisions in the 13th Century to abandon wealth and teach love through action and prayer. The beauty of the landscape around Assisi and the actions of Franciscans today to see the beauty in community with each other and those they encounter is a setting in which the freedom to Love can be the fruit of Baptism. When we share our Love, time and treasure first we follow the plan of the the Great Commission and Abba and the Spirit will see that we have some theology to discuss too.

Vatican beauty and influence in the world

The journey to holiness and living in resonance with the Spirit of God comes to mind in the text from the Roman Catholic Lectionary . Sirach encounters Wisdom as a personification of God. The scribes and the Pharisees in the Gospel from Mark are concerned about the authority by which Jesus acts. He redirects them to John the Baptist who is being considered a Prophet by many in his time. Acknowledging John the Baptist as Prophet would open the door for a new possibility in the lives of the people of Israel. Yesterday we toured the Vatican including the gardens, St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. If we were to ask under what authority the 20,000 daily visitors exercise their choice to take in these sites we may find many answers. Checking off the tourist list and curiosity may be two options. Mark Latta comments on the challenges experienced by Jesus in proclaiming the Good News to the people of His time which involved as it does today the struggle between being of the world and in the world. In addition to associating wisdom and authority with God, we should consider the role of beauty in our understanding of the Divine. The works of human hands to convey beauty in art, architecture and environment is recognized by most people and it may be at the core of the attractiveness of the Vatican tour. The Vatican also stands today as evidence of the struggle of the Church over the centuries to render unto Caesar that which is of the world and to glorify God and introduce His Presence by being in the world in many ways including as a focal point for inspired beauty and a tradition of working with those seeking to administer world affairs according to paths which give glory to God and act to unify diverse peoples and political systems through contact with practice in service of the Authority.

Surprises in the our journey

The opening lines from the Book of Sirach in the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer praise for the godly men in the history of Israel. Edward Morse comments on the Gospel from Mark with a suggestion that Jesus surveyed the situation around the Temple on first encountering it and returned the next day to make the difficult and strong decision to expel the buyers and sellers from the holy place of prayer. In our prayer, Jesus calls us to forgiveness of others. The day ended yesterday in Rome in two Churches in the vicinity of Santa Marie Maggiore. The major basilica itself and Basilica di Santa Prassede nearby where Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, minister to the poor and reformer from the Council of Trent was Cardinal and Priest. Our visit to Santa Marie Maggiore was planned to conclude with Mass in one of the side chapels but we were forced to leave the Major Basilica by security guards because the Vatican Secretary of State was using the Church for an important gathering. This set back brought us to the minor basilica nearby where our Mass in one of the side chapels contained a table from Milan which Charles Borromeo had used to feed the poor. This minor basilica contains mosaic from the 4th Century which visually draws us back to the images of Jesus and the Holy Family which offered contemplation and education in a simple and sincere way. The contrasts and conflicts of Church history are metaphors for the challenges we face with our own self agrandizement and lack of fruit for others. Jesus directs us to forgiveness as we approach prayer. We consider how forgiveness changes the disappointments of life into moments to treasure

The Empires of Power and Service

In texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary Sirach and Jesus tell us about the nature of God. Sirach seeks new signs and wonders as evidence that God of Israel is God of the universe and is the protector and builder of Israel. The kingdom which Jesus describes to His disciples is not one that they expect. The usual assertion of power and authority over subjects will be replaced by service . Susan Tinley comments on the patience and forgiveness with which Jesus treats the Apostles who seek to have places of power in the regime Jesus will establish in Jerusalem. As we walked yesterday from the San Giovanni area of Rome to the Colloseum and the Roman Forum and on to Venezia and the Fountain of Trevia, the contrast and similarity between the structures of the Roman Empire meant to be that god like power over the people and the Churches of Rome which are islands of rest and patient presentation of a timeless truth was physically evident. We had a personal tour of the Church of the Apostles where the curia of the Fransciscans presents the history of seven centuries of the service which Jesus presnts for us in the Gospel from Mark. This history, like our personal stories, is not without times of decisions, like that of James and John to seek great glory in the manner of the princes of the earth yet when we literally descend beneath the surface of these Churches we need to see the centrality of these places for faith building in the architecture and art to draw people toward visions of lives lived in the service of the Gospel.

Material Spiritual and Gospel of Wealth

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today brings the question of our relationship with wealth and possessions to mind. We are beginning today in the excellent apartment we have rented in the area of the Archbasilica of St John Lateran on the feast day of Saint Philip Neri patron of Rome. This 16th century saint was known for using physical action to teach humility. One challenge of living with wealth is to avoid the assessment that wealth is equated with being a better person or one more favoured by God. The text from Sirah today and some parts of American spiritual history may indicate our expectation that God will return wealth to us in exchange for our giving to Him. The Gospel today from Mark may have that same impact on us if we do not search out how the brothers, sisters and homes promised by Jesus actually come to us through the communities to which we are drawn. Mike Cherney identifies how we are too often distracted by acquisition and maintenance of material wealth. My reaction yesterday upon entry to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran was one of being completely overwhelmed. My breath was taken away by the physical presence of the interior of the church which is the seat of the Bishop of Rome. The celebration of the glory of God through the centuries and the gifts and consequent recognition of princes of the world and the Church has build many structures which serve both purposes extremely well. The actions of Philip Neri to change direction in the lives of people he encountered also resonates with the themes in these magnificent churchs. Salvation history in art and archetecture speaks to those who do not have access to texts. It illuminates understanding of God for those who relate the images to the texts. Human nature in relationship to God is shown in the depth of personal prayerful action given to the creation of these masterpieces and the desire of those who give their time treasure and talent to receive something in return.

The Convent and the Eye of the Needle

The role of riches and wealth in our society is a theme which comes from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. As we tour through southern Italy, Campania and Apulia, we see evidence of the effect of the Monasticism in Western Medieval Europe as outlined in an essay by Jean Sorabella. From the first century many spiritual movements have sought to live in a manner which resonates with Jesus word and example and the practice of Church fathers beginning with the Apostles by addessing the relationship of wealth and encumberment in the journey to holiness. The Hebrew text from Sirach assures us that God is welcoming our return to Him. The rich man who petitions Jesus in the Gospel from Mark apparently finds that even the loving acceptance that Jesus offers is difficult to receive. Rev Richard Gabuzda invites us to reflect on what gets in the way of our receiving the look of love from Jesus. The decision to join with others and live in a monastry has since the time of Benedict at Monte Cassino in the 5th Century been a choice to develop our response to the invitation of Jesus. The tour of these places in Italy has revealed the art and architecture designed to make these inspiritual enviroments.The modern western mind sees the effect that wealth, privilege and power played in the daily lives of the brothers and sisters. The advice of Jesus to free ourselves from these attachments applies universally through time and space.

Shrines Spirit and moving in time and space

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers texts for the feast of Pentecost. This celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit is an opportunity to reflect on the gifts of the Spirit which guide the Church both as individuals and as the Body of Christ. The salvation history which the texts reveal today show the ability of the Spirit to involve us in the transcendent process passing through time and space. Jeanne Schuler ties the unity of the Apostles in their grief and fear as the step they took to be open to the transcendent appearance of Jesus who breathed peace and courage on them in the infusion of the Holy Spirit. Luke records the reversal of the curse of Babel as the language barrier disappears under the influence of the Spirit. In the acceptance of the gifts of the Spirit, the person is able to replace the self centered desires of the ego with the virtues which support Love and service to others. Italy is made of twenty administrative regions. In Apulia, on the Adriatic Sea we visited two sites of pilgrimage. Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano and the shrine of Padre Pio. The altar, by tradition, consecrated in the 1st century by the Archangel Michael is site where the faithful are moved to worship, prayer and thanksgiving as they are transported through time and space not only to the historic events of over two thousands years ago but to the experience of the Body of Christ in the people who have tread the ancient stones to this holy site throghout time. The site which is the shaine of Padre Pio is one of modern construction which enables the ten of thousands of modern visitors to gather in the physical place where this newest of Italian saints struggled in his mission guiemded by the same Holy Spirit. As Paul reminds us and the Galatians, it is the same Spirit acting today in our lives inviting us to struggle in peace and greater understanding of the Love which moves the Body of Christ through time and space.

The journey in sculpture and saints

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today offers some reflection on ending of planned events and continung to grow and learn from them. The Gospel of John, as noted by
Larry Gillick SJ , presents a question from Peter to Jesus about the Beloved Disciple. The interpretation of this text may be advice from Jesus that we all have our own path to follow as we discern and act on the invitation to follow Him. What happens to other believers in their faith walk is not our immediate concern unless we are in the situation where the trust and faith of the community is being distorted by concern over individuals.The death of the apostolic generation before the second coming of Christ may be addressed in these closing lines of the Gospel of John. In the Acts of the Apostles , Luke expresses the successful conclusion of the mission of Paul as he is able to openly preach and speak of Jesus in Rome the centre of the Empire thus fullfilling the prophesy of Isaiah that God would extend His people to the ends of the earth. The message has moved from the spiritual centre, Jerusalem, to the political centre of Rome. Our visit to Italy centered todate in Montella in the Naples region has been an opportunity to experience a journey in human endeavour from the first Greek city of 300 BCE through the Roman times seen in Pompei and the response of the faithful through the art, architecture, convents, shrines and monastries to changing enviroments. The marvelleous presentation of Christ and the saints in art and sculpture is a presentation of that desire to see through the veil surrounding Christ glorified in suffering We continue towards Rome after our look at some 19th and 20th century saints who made Christ visible in healing action for the people. Giuseppe Moscati was an Italian physician. and Franciscan mystic Padre Pio of Pietrelcina have shaped the faith journey of Italians in our time

Friend of Jesus who gather sheep Rome ignored

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today tells of journeys of Peter and Paul. King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea and are presented with the case of a prisoner, Paul, being held because of a religious dispute. Our visit to Pompeii is still fresh in my mind and the image of a Roman colony as a location wherein people not very different than others lived very well in a style which supported arts, drama, philosopy and temples which recognized arole for the impact of God on their lives. The society of the Roman colony was sustained by tens of thousands of non recognized slaves and non citizens who are those sheep which  Paul is sent by Jesus to gather into one fold. The mission which Paul undertakes involves declaring to those of his religious heritage, the Jews, that Jesus is Messiah who includes the unclean Gentile in an eternal relationship which begins with their acceptance of the Spirit of Love as their life rule. This concept has the power to upset the apple cart or the chariot for sure. Peter is shown today in the Gospel of John as the very human person who God chose to lead this community of Lovers to the centre of the great sign of human powerfor conquest of others through force the Roman Empire. The impact of Peter who is reconcilled in a deep personal way today with Jesus, and Paul when they personally confront Rome is evidenced in the history of faith communities and art, architecture and faith to which the cathedrals and convents of southern Italy stand as testimony. Roman colonies which are five thousand years old and a record of faith which begins to impact on the status quo in Ceasera and throughout the Empire are coming to a collision, in history and in faith as we begin to prepare for Rome next week inn our trip

Visit to Ancient Cathedral and home of faithful today

The text today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary tells of Jesus priest prayer to the Father as He entrusts the future of the Church to God. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke tells of the departure of Paul from Ephesus. In this passage the community is commended to God and the elders are extolled to act in the Spirit to guide the Church. Our Italy trip yesterday took us to the Amalfi where we visited a cathedral which is over a thousand years old. It sits in a rugged and strategic coast with influences from the Mediterranean Empires and conquering armies for centuries BCE. The articles of faith and the salvation history depicted in the icons and art of the building show the protection of the Church under Divine care as Jesus promised.Our last visit of the day to a Fransciscan convent in Revello which was the third established by Francis brought us an encounter with a nun and a Padded w ho radiated the Love which Paul shared with the Ephesians which is the Divine gift to the Church as the Body of Christ continues to bring His Way guided by the Spirit to people encounter in our lives

A Gift in His Absence

The Day of the Ascension is celebrated in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary  For Luke, the Ascension marks a transition Friar Jude Winkler comments on this passage as an index to the second volume of the writing of the Evangelist. He notes that the description of the Ascension is part of a resume of events which occured after Jesus resurrection. The Who, Where, When and Why of the Ascension is probed by Alyce McKenzie as she describes two images of Jesus from her childhood. Carl Gregg begins a discussion with the statement of this day as just another Thursday and he ends with some thoughts from Thomas Merton on the spititual experience of Ascension.The need to conclude the narrative of Jesus physical Presence among us with symbolic references or the deisre to refute heresey of the spirtiual being superior to the material are elements of Ascension. The gift identified by Friar Jude of Jesus absence is behind the description of our mission described by  Kiel Lierk wherein the actions of the followers of Jesus Way are evidence of the gift of the Spirit to us to be the physical Presence of Jesus

Experience Love as context for the texts

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter have a theme of instruction and clarification. In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells of how Apollos comes from Alexandria and is instructed by Aquila and Priscilla in the Way. Friar Jude Winkler  comments on the possibility that Apollos is the unknown author of the Letter to the Hebrews. The Society to Search and Record Christian History writes of the authorship of Hebrews. Tamora Whitney uses the familiar problem of teachers who need to prepare fresh appraoches to their material to encourage us to be open to learning more about the nature of our relationship with Jesus. The Gospel from John indicates that the disciples come to understand Jesus as speaking to them more clearly about His relationship with the Father and our invitation to participate in that relationship. The text of Sacred Scripture is rich material to prepare us, as Apollos illustrates, for intelligent discussion of the ancient search for our place with God. Experience in relationship with Jesus through the lives of believers puts the difficulties with texts and interpretations in a place where they can be approached from the certainty that we abide in the Love of God.

Transition from Grief to Joy

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer reflection on the situation of suffering for our faith. The passage from the Book of Acts tells of conflict in Corinth which resulted in Paul needing to leave for Ephesus.
Friar Jude Winkler  comments on the expulsion of Jews and Christians from Rome in 49 CE. Luis Rodriguez, S.J. reflects on the how Jesus instructions to His disciples in the Gospel from John tells them and us that accepting our cross will be a matter of grief which leads to joy. This invitation to reflect our our experience of the transition from grief to joy through our relationship with Jesus is the inspiration to continue to seek to do in His Name that which the Father desires.

Trust as friends that the Spirit guides

The texts today from the  Roman Catholic Lectionary are those for the areas of North America where the Acension is celebrated next Sunday. The Acts of the Apostles tells of the process used by the eleven remaining Apostles to select a successor. Luke writes that this was a process of drawing lots. We note that the Apostles prayed for the guidance of the Spirit before they began their seemingly random selection. John Shea, S.J., understands that this action is a sign of trusting the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions. He notes that people tend to make elaborate plans and are prepard to measure twice and cut once. As we satisfy our human insecurities we may adopt a prayerful attitude which will open our eyes to the detail we need to consider before we come to the role of decision by the Spirit. Peter had set out conditions of a long standing personal relationship with Jesus before the selection of Matthais. In the Gospel from John, between the parenthesis of the dual commands of Jesus to love one another we are addressed by Jesus as friends. Scripture scholars note that this title was given only to Abraham in the Hebrew Testament. Our personal relationship with Jesus is built on our experience of His Love. In Jesus Love our service as friend requires trust that the roles we are invited to play in His mission is the fruit of inspiration by the Holy Spirit.

We search for the Divine and we start where we are

Time brings change which is an opportunity to resonate with the Spirit

Seeking is witness to a call from the Spirit

He invites me to Love and Friendship

Lead by the Spirit to choose Love

Spirit between the lines invites us to friendship

Joy by deciding to continue the abiding relationship

The community of disciples abides

Led by the Spirit to joy and peace in struggle

Life is our opportunity for deep relationship with God

The journey will require pruning for which we give thanks

Light to the Gentiles today

Divine GPS from yesterday for today and tomorrow