I Want It Now | September 28, 2016

September 28, 2016

There is a character in the movie Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory named Veruca Salt. She is a spoiled brat and has her dad wrapped around her miserable finger. What gets her voted off the island is her incessant demand, “Daddy, I want it and I want it now!” She was relentless, annoying, persistent, and because of her impatience and self entitled attitude she sits on the Good Egg/Bad Egg scale and is of course sent down into the depths of Wonka world, forever a bad egg. While Veruca Salt did NOT deserve to have it and to have it now, today’s gospel gives us some food for thought about the concept of choosing Christ right now, without hesitation, and without delay.

One of the people hanging out with Jesus and his entourage opens up the scene by saying, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Have you ever made a promise that you immediately regretted making, like uh oh, what did I just get myself into? I’m sure Jesus chuckled at this bold and ignorant statement. Oh really? Anywhere I go? Because I’m about to go touch some lepers, and hang out with a Samaritan woman at a well, or stand in front of an adulterer that is about to be stoned to death, or one lash for you and one lash for me at the scourging. Since Jesus has way more couth than I, he cleverly said, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” In other words, BAM, you are now homeless with me! (but in a much more poetic sounding way, of course).

So Jesus does a little poll of his own and starts pointing at individuals saying, “follow me.” Each one had some sort of excuse as to why they couldn’t do it right that minute. In my opinion, these were pretty legit excuses too: I have to bury my dead dad and I need to say goodbye to my wife and kids first. Raise your hand if you have ever made an excuse to delay an important decision. Jesus’ response is not to be taken as him being insensitive or rude, but rather that there is no time to spare in choosing to change your life and give it all to God. Now is the only option in uniting our hearts with Christ’s heart. HE WANTS US NOW. I totally get the sense of immediacy especially when I have an important prayer request. Yesterday, my doctor called to tell me that the pathology on the mass they removed from my nose was cancer free. I said why didn’t you just tell me tomorrow at my follow up appointment, and he said I thought you’d want to know sooner than later and I know you’ve been waiting for this news. Immediacy places higher value on something and following Christ is the most urgent commitment of all.

So make a decision right now to follow him wherever he goes, don’t look back because the past can be like quicksand that slowly engulfs us, don’t make excuses because Jesus wants us now.

Yesterday was my brother’s birthday and I gave him a sign that says, “Life is cray cray, but Jesus is the way way.” That sums it up, doesn’t it? Have a blessed day.

Reading 1 JB 9:1-12, 14-16

Job answered his friends and said:

I know well that it is so;
but how can a man be justified before God?
Should one wish to contend with him,
he could not answer him once in a thousand times.
God is wise in heart and mighty in strength;
who has withstood him and remained unscathed?

He removes the mountains before they know it;
he overturns them in his anger.
He shakes the earth out of its place,
and the pillars beneath it tremble.
He commands the sun, and it rises not;
he seals up the stars.

He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads upon the crests of the sea.
He made the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south;
He does great things past finding out,
marvelous things beyond reckoning.

Should he come near me, I see him not;
should he pass by, I am not aware of him;
Should he seize me forcibly, who can say him nay?
Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

How much less shall I give him any answer,
or choose out arguments against him!
Even though I were right, I could not answer him,
but should rather beg for what was due me.
If I appealed to him and he answered my call,
I could not believe that he would hearken to my words.

Responsorial Psalm PS 88:10BC-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (3) Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
Daily I call upon you, O LORD;
to you I stretch out my hands.
Will you work wonders for the dead?
Will the shades arise to give you thanks?
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
Do they declare your mercy in the grave,
your faithfulness among those who have perished?
Are your wonders made known in the darkness,
or your justice in the land of oblivion?
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
But I, O LORD, cry out to you;
with my morning prayer I wait upon you.
Why, O LORD, do you reject me;
why hide from me your face?
R. Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Alleluia PHIL 3:8-9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Flying With Fireworks | September 26, 2016

September 26, 2016

I once flew into Burlington, Vermont on the 4^th of July (honestly, flying on the 4^th of July took about $100 off the price of my plane ticket). Our descent was through thick clouds that left me feeling disoriented and I could hardly tell which end was up.  Until we emerged through the muck to a polka dotted skyline of city lights yes, but even better than that, fireworks; fireworks everywhere I looked. The plane was small and intimate leaving everyone’s whispered conversation available for all to hear.  And if whispers could be heard, so too could the squeals of delight from every child on that plane. For some reason there were many children on this particular flight, which made this experience even more amazing than a bunch of grown-ups, could ever attempt.  As the clouds of doom lifted above us, a blaze of glory broke out below us. Vermont has countless bodies of water and those bodies of water were teeming with explosions of wonder.  I had a window seat because I love seeing the world from a distance.  It forces me to meditate on the smallness of man and the bigness of God.  This was the best window seat view of my life. 

Children were the first to see the rockets great glare.  They shouted their discovery to the entire cabin and each and every one of us followed their cries of glory.  Off in the distance, silent pulses of Pentecostal surprise, everywhere you looked; a lacey pattern of red, white, and blue heartbeats in the sky, stirring enchantment in each soul.  The site enraptured me but I was even more captured by the children’s unabashed enthusiasm for this magic.  One boy exclaimed, “This is the best way to watch fireworks!” and another, “ Most people see fireworks from underneath, but we get to be on top!”

Today’s gospel challenges us to be like these children seeing fireworks from an airplane. We need to squeal with delight at wonderful things, shout our discoveries of enchantment for all to hear, recognize glory from the depths of our souls, and celebrate loveliness. Adults seldomly squeal, or shout for joy, or become enchanted, or celebrate loveliness, and Jesus is calling us to push aside our adult-ness and step into the wonderings of a child. Pureness of heart is hard to come by, but all things are possible when we ask the Lord for grace. Have a blessed and enchanting day.

Reading 1 JB 1:6-22

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” 
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan,
“Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”

In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

Alleluia MK 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest. 
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply, 
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name 
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him, 
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Stop, Look, Listen | September 25, 2016

September 25, 2016

Today’s gospel reminds us to stop, look, and listen. The rich man was blessed with wealth and material abundance, and Lazarus was wealthy with sores all over his body, and street dogs licking his wounds. The rich man passed by Lazarus every day and never once stopped to acknowledge him, never even let a scrap of food fall from his table. So while the dogs feasted on Lazarus, Lazarus was ignored and unseen by people. To whom much is given, much is expected and so the rich man was expected to share his life with Lazarus. Sharing life begins with a smile or eye contact or acknowledgment that the other person exists and is a human being. This is how Mother Teresa began her saintly calling. Once we stop and look at one another, then we might hear each other’s hearts, beating in time with ours, or crying out in pain or loneliness, or expressing love and joy, or needing a hug or a visit, or just someone saying your name.

The rich man behaved even less than the dogs for at least the dogs, while they were licking Lazarus’ sores, were providing some sort of comfort to him. I picture Lazarus having the dogs named and that he pet each one of them as they were cleaning his wounds. Notice how Lazarus has a name in this story and the rich man does not? I want God to know my name and that requires that I spend quality time with Him. It’s very easy to ignore things that make us uncomfortable. But, the outcome of the gospel gives us a very chilling reality: Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man did not. Only when the rich man was in hell did he even take the time to acknowledge Lazarus, he even knew his name. Abraham tells him, sorry dude, it’s too late. You knew what was expected of you from Moses and the Prophets and you chose to ignore those things.

God’s mercy is free and is for everyone. The unfortunate thing is that we have the free will to deny His mercy, to block His grace, and to not receive His love. We have the words of eternal life and we need to stop, look, and listen to them. Here are a couple morsels to begin with:

1.     Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
2.     Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40
3.     I desire mercy not sacrifice. Matthew 9:13
4.     How many times must I forgive my neighbor? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:22
5.     ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

If you are rich in anything such as money, talent, wisdom, words, joy, light, music, humor, teaching, comfort, etc. share those abundances with those that lack such things. Stop and acknowledge others, look at them with love, and listen with your heart. Have a blessed day.

Reading 1 AM 6:1A, 4-7

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:
Woe to the complacent in Zion!
Lying upon beds of ivory,
stretched comfortably on their couches,
they eat lambs taken from the flock,
and calves from the stall!
Improvising to the music of the harp,
like David, they devise their own accompaniment.
They drink wine from bowls
and anoint themselves with the best oils;
yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!
Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,
and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

Responsorial Psalm PS 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed he who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 1 TM 6:11-16

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness,
devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 
Compete well for the faith. 
Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called
when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things,
and before Christ Jesus,
who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,
to keep the commandment without stain or reproach
until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ
that the blessed and only ruler
will make manifest at the proper time,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light,
and whom no human being has seen or can see. 
To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Alleluia CF. 2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. 
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. 
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime 
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, 
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”