Do These Jeans Make Me Look Fat? | February 28, 2017

February 28, 2017

I’m sure we have all either asked the question or have had to answer the dreaded question, “Do these jeans make me look fat?” Today’s gospel is a great set up for Lent and some Fat Tuesday food for thought. Peter points out to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you." Raise your hand if you have ever made significant sacrifices (cut the fat) for someone you love; perhaps moved to another state for your spouse, given up annual vacations to send your kids to Catholic school, taken in your ailing parent(s), etc. We have all probably experienced great sacrifice and in the depth of those sacrifices resides the level of intimacy of our love for the other. Peter’s statement, “We have given up everything and followed you” gives us a portrait into the souls of these followers and how intimate their love for Jesus was. They did indeed give up their fat happy lives, their businesses, their livelihood, their family time, and much more to be with Jesus. Little did Peter know that this sentence was also a foreshadowing of when they would also give up their very lives for Christ.

These disciples truly loved Jesus deep down in the core of their being and giving up everything for him was a no brainer. Think of one person in your life that you would without hesitation give ALL for, take a bullet for, do anything to spare their life or make them happy. Jesus wants to be that person AND Jesus is that person for you. Lent is a time when we choose to detach from the things that get in the way of us giving everything to follow Jesus. Lent is a time to “cut the fat” and to live healthier spiritual lives. I encourage each one of us to really pray about our Lenten sacrifice so as to make these next 6 weeks an expression of the depth of our love and intimacy for the one who loves us the most.

Fat Tuesday focuses on all the excess in our lives so that we can trim the fat as an exercise of love. I pray that when we look in the mirror today, our jeans DO make us look fat so that tomorrow we can embark on a new lifestyle of leaving everything to follow Jesus. Have a blessed and super fat day.

Reading 1 SIR 35:1-12

To keep the law is a great oblation,
and he who observes the 
commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
In works of charity one offers fine flour,
and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.
To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,
and to avoid injustice is an atonement.
Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
The just one's offering enriches the altar
and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.
The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing,
nor will it ever be forgotten.
In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,
be not sparing of freewill gifts.
With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays,
and he will give back to you sevenfold.
But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!
Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.
For he is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 AND 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus,
'We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Soccer Moms And Jesus | February 25, 2017

February 25, 2017

I once visited a friend who was your quintessential “soccer mom.” I knew this because there was a huge basket in the entry way of her house filled to the brim with those large buttons with each of her kid’s pictures in their soccer uniforms from every year/soccer season of their entire lives. It seemed like there were 100’s of buttons in that basket, proudly greeting every guest with unabashed mommy fandom. I know “soccer moms” have a love/hate reputation like wearing the buttons with your child’s picture on it is sweet and touching, but running onto the soccer field wielding a spit covered thumb to wipe the dirt off her baby’s face and/or yelling insults at the ref or fist fighting another mom in the stands is just too much. Moms have forever wanted the best for their children and will do whatever it takes to make sure that they get it. These mamma bear instincts are alive and well in today’s gospel.

“People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them.” Insert the word “Moms were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them.” In the Middle East, moms were responsible for teaching the faith to children up to a certain age. Moms, therefore, knew the Jewish faith very well and obviously this Jesus character made a deep and lasting impression on them, so much so that they were willing to forego the social norm of not comingling with men just so that their baby could receive the blessings or one touch from Jesus.  Moms are fierce when it comes to protecting their children. They recognized that Jesus would totally wear a button with their baby’s face on it if he could and they knew that little Johnny and Susie needed whatever this man was giving out.

The Apostles were just responding to the social standards of their day by rebuking the women, not the children. Children in the Middle East were essentially allowed to roam around anywhere, as they were the ones sent to the market for daily rations or to give messages to dad, etc. The Apostles were rebuking the women who brought them there and Jesus makes a statement today do not inhibit the ones that recognize me as Messiah because they are the ones teaching the faith to these children. They have studied me in the Scriptures and they see me now as the one. Again, Jesus tells us that ALL are welcome. “Let the children come to me,” (at the promptings of their moms) “do not prevent them,” (moms and children) “for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (moms and children) Accepting the Kingdom of God like a child means moving toward Jesus at the gentle nudging of those that recognize Jesus as Messiah. Once we reach him, he will embrace us, bless us, and perhaps there is a giant basket at the gates of heaven with all of our faces on a button proclaiming how proud he is of each and every one of his children. Have a blessed day.

Reading 1 SIR 17:1-15

God from the earth created man,
and in his own image he made him.
He makes man return to earth again,
and endows him with a strength of his own.
Limited days of life he gives him,
with power over all things else on earth.
He puts the fear of him in all flesh,
and gives him rule over beasts and birds.
He created for them counsel, and a tongue and eyes and ears, 
and an inventive heart,
and filled them with the discipline of understanding.
He created in them knowledge of the spirit;
With wisdom he fills their heart;
good and evil he shows them.
He put the fear of himself upon their hearts,
and showed them his mighty works,
That they might glory in the wonder of his deeds
and praise his holy name.
He has set before them knowledge,
a law of life as their inheritance;
An everlasting covenant he has made with them,
his justice and his judgments he has revealed to them.
His majestic glory their eyes beheld,
his glorious voice their ears heard.
He says to them, "Avoid all evil";
each of them he gives precepts about his fellow men.
Their ways are ever known to him,
they cannot be hidden from his eyes.
Over every nation he places a ruler,
but God's own portion is Israel.
All their actions are clear as the sun to him,
his eyes are ever upon their ways.

Responsorial Psalm PS 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18

R. (see 17) The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Man's days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.

A Faithful Friend Is Beyond Price | February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017

At first I was slightly bummed that the gospel for my birthday was the one about divorce. As a divorced person, this gospel tends to poke at my shame and make me feel like an epic failure of disgrace even though I know that at the heart of this reading, Jesus really is just reminding us that love is a verb and it requires a daily choosing to give of ourselves to another. That mutual self-sacrifice is the imitation of God’s covenant with us and nothing can separate us from that. Then, I read the first reading from Sirach and received it as a lovely and beautiful birthday gift about friendship.

Rather than writing my own take on today’s scripture, I will let this wonderfully composed piece speak for itself. I find it so very true and compelling and it melts my heart just thinking about all the people that have come and gone in my life as acquaintances, friends, confidants, and ohana. I have been changed for good by it all: the good, the bad, the ugly, the wonderful, the inspiring, the hilarious, the amazing, the difficult, the sad, the powerful, and the adventure. May I never take for granted each and every opportunity that allows me to see God working in the world. Thank you for being my sturdy shelter, my treasure, and my life-saving remedy. Now, please read Sirach and have a blessed day.

Reading 1 SIR 6:5-17

A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,
and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
Let your acquaintances be many,
but one in a thousand your confidant.
When you gain a friend, first test him,
and be not too ready to trust him.
For one sort is a friend when it suits him,
but he will not be with you in time of distress.
Another is a friend who becomes an enemy,
and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
Another is a friend, a boon companion,
who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
When things go well, he is your other self,
and lords it over your servants;
But if you are brought low, he turns against you
and avoids meeting you.
Keep away from your enemies;
be on your guard with your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly,
and his friend will be like himself.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Alleluia JN 17:17B, 17A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."