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Solemnity of the Assumption – Ordinary Time Cycle C

14 August 2010

Comments (11)

Reflecting on Luke 1: 39-56

Today’s Gospel, the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, tells us that Mary, a woman alone and with child, made a fifty-mile journey from Galilee to Ein Karem, in the hill country of Judea. Today a Catholic church stands at that site. Its many paintings depict Elizabeth and Mary, and other women of their time, as they went about the sacred business of keeping alive their religious traditions. It is surely the most “feminine” church in Christendom.

Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel

When Mary, now the ark of the covenant, the carrier of the Savior, arrives at her cousin’s home, she sings her Magnificat. What seems to be most on her mind, curiously, is not the news of her astonishing pregnancy, or even that of her old cousin. Instead, she wants to talk about God’s power to lift up the lowly and to fill the hungry with good things.

It makes you wonder what she saw on that road as she traveled. Did she see widows and orphans crying for food, cast far away from the safety nets of husbands and fathers? Did she see the executed Jews, whom the Romans crucified along well-traveled paths as reminders of the “Pax Romana”? When she arrived at her cousin’s, the unborn John sensed the presence of the true and only Prince of Peace. That six-month-old fetus was the first to recognize the Incarnation, traveling in the womb of his mother Mary. That should end any question of when life begins.

As the lovely Medical Missionaries’ hymn, The Visit, sings, There leaped a little child in the ancient womb. And there leaped a little hope in every ancient tomb.

Sharing God’s Word at Home

What do you think the young Mary was thinking about as she traveled to see her cousin?

What would YOU like to say about this question, or today’s readings, or any of the columns from the past year? The sacred conversations are setting a Pentecost fire! Register here today and join the conversation.

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

11 Comments to “Solemnity of the Assumption – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

brebis galeuseAugust 14, 2010 at 2:23 pm

This is a great question, Kathy. My thought is that Mary was pondering the reality of her situation — how on earth was she going to explain this pregnancy to her cousin? When John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, Mary’s problem was solved. Elizabeth’s response, “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” gave way to Mary’s praise of God. Would that every pregnant woman could see the miracle of life and praise God unceasingly!
defensorAugust 14, 2010 at 8:47 pm

I have always wondered about that, I think that her trust in God, was so deep, that she accepted His will in everything. I think that She knew, that there was something special about all these. Her whole Life, she lived with full confindence in the trust of God. Something we all work at daily.Her sole was intrusted in God from the begining. but she still had to be human, an experience life as we all do, except her faith was so deep. Something we all work hard to accomplish, everyday.
beckyAugust 14, 2010 at 10:48 pm

This is may be my favorite reading. This is the strength of woman in faith, love and charity. Mary’s Obedience is what we ought to strive for. I think that the girls from that area grow up and marry as young as they did then. So her youth and innocence isn’t the only heroic act that we usually focus on, It’s the pure faith and obeience she shows through the whole life of Jesus that makes me ponder her goodness. I think as she walked that journey to see Elizabeth, she was thinking okay now what do I do, I’m suppose to marry Joseph and how will mom and dad take the news. And just how do you raise a God? The usual thoughts that a new mother to be think about in her shoes. She knew that it would work out, but how would it develope, who would believe her and so on. Then with a few spiri filled moments it was clear as water. The two babies knew each other and Elizabeth knew that her own miracle child was in the presence of the Promised One. And Mary and Jesus had thier first believers.
DonnaAugust 16, 2010 at 3:07 pm

Good question! I think Mary must have still been filled with awe, so much had happened. I think she prayed on her journey, as she pondered and trusted that God would lead her every step.
I remember a talk I heard about Mary and how she was foreshadowed in Scripture as the Burning Bush, the Ark of the Covenant, the seat of Wisdom and then Crowned as the Queen of heaven and Earth. What beautiful images!
How our God loves us!
Donna
Gen215August 16, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Great reflection, Kathy. I love that we get the Magnificat when we are thinking about the Assumption too. It fills the Magnificat with whole new meaning!

In the Assumption we celebrate a God who literally lifted up his humble handmaid to her exalted throne in the heavens! Truly Mother Mary, the Almighty has done great things for you! Do you think she prayed the Magnificat again during the Assumption? I also take great comfort that she continually prays for the anawim, the little ones, still on earth who need “lifting up” and reminds us that we are to make the Magnificat a reality in our love for the poor.
brebis galeuseAugust 16, 2010 at 7:39 pm

Do we think that Mary is the only one for whom God has done great things? If that’s the case, why are we still here? What would attract us to a God who quit after Mary’s Magnificat? Shouldn’t we all be writing a Magnificat of our own for all the great things God has done for us? Isn’t it all about praise and gratitude? If you had to write a Magnificat (and why don’t you — that is all of you) what “great things that God has done for you” would you include?
adminkAugust 16, 2010 at 8:18 pm

I LOVE THIS! Thanks, brebis galeuse, for this great question for all of us. Here’s mine:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God who is mighty has known me in my mother’s womb and kept me safe there, brought me to birth and given me breath every day of my life, held me up from the water’s reach, lifted me from the cavernous deep, sent me the Body of Christ to comfort and heal me.

God has given me more love than I can bear, more joy than my heart can possibly hold, more hope and strength and comfort than I need for today, but perhaps just enough for tomorrow.

OTHER (holy) is God’s name, and because God is OTHER I rejoice that God has looked on me in my lowliness and blessed me with an awareness of God’s presence, not always, but sometimes, and that grace has been enough for me so far. AMEN.

Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to see Gen215 in this week’s conversation. Thanks, Thomas, for your insightful connections.

Becky, I love the last sentence of your comments this week; at the Visitation Mary and Jesus had their first believers! I’d never thought of that. Perfect!

Donna and Defensor, you seem to sense a deep faith and love in Mary that I suspect has been operative in your own lives as well?

Thanks for the conversation, everyone!

Kathy
mikeandbetsyAugust 18, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Mary and Elizabeth’s joy when greeting each other does seem to be about more than their own personal miracles of their pregnancies, as Kathy said. From this discussion and going back to think about the passages again, Mary and Elizabeth become for me not only models for all mothers and all women, but for all people of faith. Because their joy seems to come from GOD’S MERCY TO THEIRS AND ALL PEOPLE, manifesting through them.
Deep down they must not have been unaware, in fact the process was already beginning, of knowing their children were to be a gift for all humanity, not for them as parents alone. So that being human, their motherhood would include pain and sacrifice few could imagine. But still their joy in what God could do for their people through them overpowered any concern for themselves.

Because I am a worrier, I always have to ask God to help me break through preoccupation with myself and my own personal world. If I could more easily let things go, I could know deeper joy in the Lord.

My soul hopes to magnify the Lord,
and my spirit will rejoice in God my savior.
How grateful I am that lovingly he looks upon his handmaid’s lowliness.
The MIghty One has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
His mercy is from age to age
For even those like me who forget Him.
He lifts us up and fills our hunger with good things,
according to his steadfast promise.
May the Lord bring His mercy to others through me forever.
Amen

All people are gifts to the world. Recognizing that about our children is a sacred task of motherhood; to back off from an ownership mentality and realize what that God intended for Mary and Elizabeth as mothers, he intended for us all, in a way: to give them to the world with love and
mikeandbetsyAugust 18, 2010 at 7:06 pm

Woops, I didn’t edit my comment completely. I meant to leave off that last paragraph; that’s why the last sentence was not finished. It’s great to comment on this web site; as you start to write, your thoughts about the topic evolve, and in my case today, pared down and got simpler. Sorry for not erasing the part I started out writing about and decided not to go into. Yet it is true about motherhood. I still don’t know what the last word would be. It’s hard to find a word that would emulate Mary and Elizabeth as mothers.
brebis galeuseAugust 18, 2010 at 8:31 pm

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
He blessed me with two sons to love and cherish,
and he gave me strength to cope with the loss of each of them.
He has taught me to be grateful for my blessings and not to dwell on my losses.
Through chronic illness, he has given me compassion and graces.
He offered me his gift of faith in the face of a dysfunctional family,
and he rejoiced when I accepted that gift.
He has been merciful through my failures and joyful through my successes.
Holy is his name.
BobbieAugust 20, 2010 at 12:24 am

When I was a child I thought that Mary making haste to Elizabeth’s house meant that she just took off after saying farewell to her parents. And then, when I was on pilgrimage in Israel, I realized that would have been a very difficult, treacherous journey for a young, pregnant teenager alone. It is desert country and would have been a place for outlaws to hide and take advantage of the unaware. There’s the scorching heat during the day and bitter cold at night. Wind and blasts of sand can be blinding and the lack of water dangerous.
If I understand the culture of first century Palestine, for safety’s sake and because she was a woman, Mary would have travelled with a group of people. Perhaps she had some quiet time, but then again, perhaps her fellow journeyers included some very chatty women. How does one hold such a secret as Mary carried in her womb? And yet, it wouldn’t be the stuff of conversation with acquaintances. Her good news had to be treasured.
As much as I think about how wonderful it is to have contemplative time to really enjoy what is happening in my soul, life is all around me as it must have been for Mary—setting up camp, preparing food, sitting around a fire, wondering are we there yet?
So what was Mary thinking about as she moved not only toward Ein Karem, but also deeper into the stillness of who she was and what was happening to her? She was probably praying for a safe journey. Perhaps she was asking God why she was chosen, what made her the one to be mother to the Messiah. As she walked on, I do believe the poor and the burdened, the weak and the innocent were all around her, and as Kathy mentioned, the “signs of Rome’s peace.” What an awful sight! Perhaps her thoughts and longings went to how their lives could be transformed. Jesus was named “Savior.” Was her prayer like any other mother’s just saying his name that she heard the angel whisper to her? Would Jesus be able to overcome all this pain that was part of the people and situations she met along the way?
They still show up in newspapers and on the internet every day. How does one hold in contradiction the peace that God offers when war abounds? How does one embrace forgiveness in one hand and sentence an inmate to death? In the 21st century how does a woman in the Middle East get sentenced to 99 lashes for talking with a man or 200 lashes for being raped? How do we forget the story of the Annunciation, Visitation and Nativity?
Someplace during the journey Mary recognized hope, possibility and God’s Divine Imagination at work. When she met Elizabeth, it could not be contained and poured out of her in praise. The journey of about fifty miles and maybe two weeks brought her to such an awareness of God in the now, that there could only be the power of God at work. Both women knew God’s presence. John leapt in his mother’s womb. I have to wonder if we wouldn’t dance a lot more if we were more aware of God-with-us, Emmanuel. But perhaps before we are surprised enough to take a leap, we have to set off on a journey, one that moves us from a relatively safe place, into the desert with strangers, where it’s dangerous to our ideas, our thought patterns, our very lives. Then we can cross over into the kind of expectation that Mary had and the truth that she discovered.

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Nineteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

7 August 2010

Comments (9)

Reflecting on Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Imagine this: Abraham and Sarah had no idea where they were going when God sent them out to a land they’d never seen. In a dangerous world they set out to travel hundreds of miles in order to take possession of a land about which they’d never heard.

Abraham went out, not knowing where he was supposed to go

Why? Because they were convinced that God had instructed them to do that. After they completed that huge marathon of trust it must have become easier to believe all the other promises God had given them, even though it was impossible to imagine how any of them could ever be fulfilled.

Faith is like a muscle. You have to work at it to make it strong enough to lift you up. The author of the letter to the Hebrews was flexing the muscles of the early Christian believers by reminding them that the same God who was faithful to Abraham and Sarah will be faithful to them too.

My great friend Sr. Macrina Scott, O.S.F. reminds me that, in times of anxiety or fear, I should just remember that the same God who was faithful in the past will of course be faithful in the future. That’s easy to recall during these long, luscious summer days of peaches and corn on the cob. When the November winds blow a few months from now we’ll need to remember, once again, that faith is the evidence of things not seen.

Sharing God’s Word at Home

In what ways does remembering God’s faithfulness give you strength?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

9 Comments to “Nineteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

brebis galeuseAugust 7, 2010 at 3:15 pm

Every time I think that our culture is doomed to the self-absorption and “anything goes” attitude of what seems to be the majority these days, I remember that Christ said that he would be with us to the end of time. The morality of our Church will not be overcome by any of those who wish to destroy a decent society by allowing all kinds of immoral behavior and self-absorbed attitudes. God is faithful and will not leave us to destroy ourselves. I am sometimes discouraged by Catholics who don’t seem to understand church teaching, but then I realize that God will save us even if there are only ten innocent people left. (Genesis 18:32) I trust God’s faithfulness to His Church.
beckyAugust 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm

The only things I have of any true value are #1 my faith and #2 my word. These are really all any of us have any true control over, “now there is a sobering thought.” I use to wonder how we are made in God’s image? And a thought came to me one day that God never lies, and never makes any promises He won’t keep. Then I looked at my own conduct and thought this is the great difference, I’ve promised so many things and I may even intend to keep what I have promised, but I many times I may forget or I am unabled to keep the promises I make. Then in a time when I was greatly depressed another thought came to me, God is always there and always true, people may let us down but He never does. My faith may be only the size of a mustard seed, but these things show me His great desire to have me in heaven, He knows all the things of our hearts and loves us anyway. Jesus tells us to be vigilant to the Masters coming, but I tend to forget, He is coming or I am going, either way we will meet face to face, and I really don’t want my face to be too red when we do.
CrisAugust 9, 2010 at 11:49 am

Abraham too this trip “blind” in faith yet interiorly assured. Guia and I took this trip in 1972 when we fled the martial law of Dictator Marcos and got uprooted from families, friends, food, language, culture, etc… – Cris
Jen RadosevichAugust 9, 2010 at 7:01 pm

What struck me most about the readings this weekend was this line from Hebrews, “he thought that the one who had made the promise was
trustworthy.” It seems to echo so many discussions I’ve had about the root of sin and the root of the reasons I worry. The question I have to remind myself of is, “Do I believe that God is trustworthy?” If I do (and I SAY I do), then why do I often doubt him?

Eve doubted God’s trustworthiness too. She though she new better, thought that by withholding the fruit that God was withholding goodness. So she “grabbed” instead of opening her hands to “receive.”

It is hard, especially in the modern world, to trust that we will receive the good things God has for us. Every earthly relationship we have has had some breach of trust, so it makes sense that trusting is hard to do. How foolish am I, though, that I would trust my own judgement more than God’s! Thank good ness for second, third, and . . . seventy times seven chances!
sandyeroybalAugust 10, 2010 at 2:44 am

Oh you of little faith. So why do I doubt my Lord? I became a widow many years ago when my husband was killed in a car accident. We had three small sons. We had just moved to relatives for a short time. I had to find a job and a place to live. I found a job in the schools only 3 blocks from our home. Now the amazing thing is I found a three bedroom home for rent. My sons and I moved in. Our landlord was a wonderful man, because he never raised my rent in 10 years. I payed the same amount for 10 years, WOW!! Kathy your question is wonderful., I needed to remember how faithful our Lord can be. Do I believe our God is trustworthy? I say I do!
ChrisAugust 10, 2010 at 3:10 am

Hebrews 11 is simply one of my most favorite readings in the entire Bible.

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.” Heb 11, 1-3

The rest of Ch 11 is there to provide examples that support this point. How important this MUST be for the author to spend so much time support 3 sentences. OUR faith is a gift from God that we have hoped for and OUR faithful obedience is the evidance of our Christianity.
ClaudiaAugust 12, 2010 at 12:49 am

Cris and Sandy, thank you for sharing your stories of courage and strength. To have endured such great losses…yet to speak with such love and faith; you truly lead by example!!

Blessings.
ErinAugust 12, 2010 at 2:28 pm

What strikes me here is that faith is a muscle that you have to exercise.
Most of the time it’s easy for me to bring to mind all the things that God has done for me. I regret to say this, but sometimes I approach God with an attitude of: What have you done lately? This happens especially at those times when it seems that everyone I know is struck by some tragedy and bad news is everywhere.
One afternoon, years ago, when I was feeling that God was distant, I went to a nearby church to pray. After complaining a bit, I decided that it would be polite to mention what I was grateful for. I thought there would only be a couple of things (I was not in a good mood, I’m sorry to say.) Very quickly, I found myself naming a very long list of all the things that God had done for me, and done for me lately.
Sometimes I just have to remind myself to remember to do that.
BobbieAugust 13, 2010 at 9:40 pm

Before I learned that there really is no answer to the question “why,” I found myself asking it through a lot of life’s situations. Not only WHY is this happening to me, but also WHY is this happening TO ME? When the light bulb finally went on, the question became “how?” How do I live through this life experience? How do I grow despite the fact that I feel like I’m at a standstill? How do I live after losing someone I love? How do I gracefully move into another career? How do I continue to trust the God whom I’ve know since I was a child, especially when the God of my childhood seems so different to the adult that I am?
Perhaps this is where I find a piece of an answer to the question about remembering God’s faithfulness giving me strength. Yes, because God was there when my father died, I knew that God would be there when I faced the grief of my mother’s death. Because God was present in sudden bouts of illness, I knew God’s healing presence when I moved through breast cancer. God was always making memory present, alive and active. Even more, God was saying, “Discover who I am in this situation. Know me as I reveal myself to you in these circumstances.”
God’s faithfulness to me lets me know who God has been. The gift allows me to experience God in a new ways beyond what I dream is possible. It gives me strength because I stop putting God “into a box” where I limit what God can do. Instead, I wait upon the wild imagination of a God who takes me to new places of faith, just like Abraham and Sarah, who left their homeland and traveled to a place unknown. Throughout Scripture, God has been faithful, even when the chosen ones have turned away. The God I know cannot be unfaithful. Believing in this God is about being in relationship, and because of our friendship, I stand in a place of strength.

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Eighteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

31 July 2010

Comments (13)

Reflecting on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23

Of all the Old Testament writers, I think I feel sorriest for the guy who wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. He has a symbolic name―Qoheleth, “ Preacher”―because his actual name and position in the 3^rd century B.C. community is unknown. He’s lived a long life, tried on every one of the theologies available to him from the Scriptures, and has come to this conclusion: life’s a drag, and then you die.

Poor Qoheleth

My heart breaks for Qoheleth because if he had only been born just 250 years later he might have known Jesus. I’ll bet he would have been a disciple, or maybe even one of the Twelve. He was a seeker, a true lover of the Word in his youth, but as he aged he experienced that most radical challenge to Hebrew theology: bad things happen to really good people. And because he never knew Jesus he didn’t have any place to put that in his head. He had no understanding of an afterlife, no theology of meaning in suffering. Hence his conclusion: Vanity of vanities, life is just a chase against the wind.

The foolish landowner in today’s Gospel thinks to himself: I can’t take it with me, so I might as well eat, drink and be merry. But Jesus says we do take it with us ―every bin of grain that is opened up and poured out for those who are poor goes with us when we go to God. And, by the way, we have no idea when that day may come.

Sharing God’s Word at Home

What is the hardest part of your wealth for you to share?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

13 Comments to “Eighteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

ClaudiaJuly 31, 2010 at 4:45 pm

What a great question! I have no financial wealth. This is painful to me because there is such a huge need for so many and my resources are very limited. I have two family members living with me; and, a baby on the way! A bit more financial stability for them would be great; but, we work with what we have. Knowing that material wealth has never been my advantage…or disadvantage; I believe that the wealth I have accumulated over time is myself. In reality, it is all that I truly have. No matter where I go; I am always with me! Other than the clothes on my person; each day that I leave my home, and all that I own, I am all that I have. What part of “me” is hard to share is trust. I can be trusted and I know that this is one of my “assets”. It is trusting others…turning myself over to trust. We are all teachers in our lifetime…through example, through interaction, through observation, through intimacy. Sometimes our “teachers” are unkind, selfish, manipulating.
Maybe through happenstance, or poor judgment; I have had too many UNtrustworthy people in my life. I want to choose, in a more discerning manner, to open this part of my life;
share in the “wealth” of two-way trust.

Blessings to everyone…be safe this coming week. Thank you, Kathy!
becky wolfeJuly 31, 2010 at 11:32 pm

As I have said before I was very active in a Denver parish many years ago, The priest who was a good friend gave me a small job there on Saturdays. He and the other staff members knew the stuggles I and my family had. I won’t drop names, but there was a certain person who would send me money about once a month, I think that I was supposed to buy a coat with it, but usually the shortage of food came about the same time this secret helper’s money arrived. I always opt to buy food, my mom was ill and on medications and food was important to help the meds work. I’m sure this secret helper wondered why won’t this girl buy herself a coat? Please don’t get me wrong I’m not that saintly, not at all. But I try to weigh out the most important issue at hand and deal with it and then go to the next. I just don’t think I could ever be happy thinking of myself when there are so many greater needs in this world. I’ve been told “you can’t save the world,” that is true enough, but God gave a small corner of it to be aware of and as a Christian when my eye are opened to a need at hand I feel there is where He wants to work through me. I don’t want to save the world that’s for Jesus, I just want to pick up whatever cross is mine and may be carry someone elses for a short distance. So to all those secret helper in my live that carried my cross for a few feet I may not of said thank you enough but I want you to know that you did warm me with your care and support.
defensorAugust 2, 2010 at 12:44 am

I was in San Francisco two weeks ago, we went with another couple, as we were walking down fishersman wharf, there was an older man asking for money, so I took 10.00 dollars and gave it to him. the couple that we’re with us, ask me why did you give him some money? he is just going to buy liquor, my response was, it didn’t matter what he bought with it.I thought to myself, it takes somebody asking for money some humility. and besides, I don’t need anything, the good Lord has given me everything I have including the 10.00 dollars I gave to beggar.
CrisAugust 2, 2010 at 4:58 pm

Last Friday, we spent about 7 hours at the homeless shelter cleaning the chicken, cooking, serving, etc. After we’re done and were about to leave, we saw in the parking lot this awesome Tesla sports car, a totally electric car that goes 200 miles to one charge. When the owner came out, we were surprised to see it was one of the volunteers. None of us imagined the “Vanity of vanities” condemnation applying to her because this young woman has been one of the most reliable servants of this outreach ministry.
I thought to myself: perhaps the Qoheleth warning applies to the infection caused by material goods on people’s relationship and not on the goods themselves? – – Cris
adminkAugust 2, 2010 at 9:07 pm

Hi everyone,

What beautiful, insightful and RICH input from all of you on this tricky question of wealth, what to do with it when you’ve got it, when you don’t have it, and when it is given to you from someone else’s overflowing bin. The diversity and wisdom of this circle is just exactly what I had hoped for when dreaming of this site.

I asked Michael to post a reflection that he gave at his family reunion on Sunday. It’s longer than the usual postings, but, like all of your writings, so, so beautiful.

Peace and richest blessings,

Kathy
ChrisAugust 3, 2010 at 3:31 am

I enjoyed your reflection and Qoheleth may well have had _more_ to say had he known Jesus. But, we should not forget either that Qoheleth was right! That most of our toil and anxiety of heart is vanity. We get too wrapped up in our daily lives of worldly concerns. Jesus taught us not to worry. But it’s not easy. He is my only hope of staying the on the path.

Chris
ErinAugust 3, 2010 at 4:19 pm

It is so inspiring to read these comments!
I don’t think of myself as a person who spends money on frivolous things, or lots of money on anything. But whenever I’ve moved and have been forced to look at the amount of accumulated stuff, it’s amazing to see the things I thought were important or essential. It’s a humbling experience.
Thinking about Kathy’s question, it occurred to me that the wealth I don’t think about is the time, the number of days, of minutes, given to me. I’m not sure how wisely I spend that either.
Kathy, thank you for this wonderful site.
DonnaAugust 3, 2010 at 4:34 pm

What a great question, it made me think about many things!
Thank you all for your insights, I was so touched!
My material possessions are not many. My wealth is my faith and my family.
How do I share my faith? This was hard for me because I am not a great speaker or a teacher by profession. I have been blessed by having had wonderful teachers!
Sometimes I find myself speaking from my heart and life experiences and the Holy Spirit blesses me and I forget about everything else.
Sometimes God uses us when we least expect it, in ways we could have never imagined.
God Bless you all!
MichaelCarlosAugust 3, 2010 at 11:21 pm

At Kathy’s request, I’m sharing the post-Communion reflection I wrote for my family’s reunion this weekend. I have been inspired by the example of the community of contributors on this site who write so beautifully of your own experiences connecting the Story to your daily lives.

********************

It’s no accident that today’s readings are concerned with the question of inheritance, prosperity, and even a little sibling controversy.

I love how in Luke’s gospel, Jesus often answers direct questions by telling a story. But the parables are tricky, mostly because they’re so familiar to us. The whole point of a parable is that our expectations should be overthrown when we get to the end of the story. Parables are supposed to challenge our assumptions and make us think in a different way, opening our hearts to new understanding.

Today’s parable is framed in a question about a disputed inheritance. We don’t know any of the background about this brother’s claim, and we aren’t told the outcome. Instead, we hear a story about a man who gets an unexpected windfall and makes some pretty reasonable plans to store it for his future enjoyment. The surprise, of course is that he doesn’t HAVE a future. And in that unexpected ending, Jesus directs our attention to the definition of true treasure: “rich in what matters to God.”

We gather today from across the city and across the country because two people came together more than a hundred years ago, two people truly rich in what matters to God: love, generosity, faithfulness, hospitality, patience, and forgiveness. Mama and Daddy Lopez created a home where those virtues lived. So our story began not with an ambitious plan for wealth and prosperity, but with a promise to be faithful to each other and to welcome children joyfully as blessings from God. It began with a hope for OUR future. WE are their legacy; we are the rich harvest they hoped and worked for.

I doubt they could have imagined that from their little green house in the Valley would grow this thriving dynasty, but I hope they would be proud of us, and I am certain they are happy to see us together today.

Being a family is not always easy. Patience and forgiveness are not easy. But the gifts are real. The bonds that join us are deep and lasting.

So we take time this weekend to remember, to re-tell the stories that anchor us to our past and to each other. To cry a little in remembrance of all the precious ones we have lost through the years, but to laugh a LOT as only we can do. To create new stories together and to share in the hope for all our future generations.

To be rich in what matters to God. To be a family.
brebis galeuseAugust 4, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Thanks, Michael Carlos, for your reflection. Parts of it gave me goose bumps. I think it’s important, especially for those of us who come from dysfunctional families, to remember that we are all members of God’s family. It is impossible to change our past, but we are responsible for making the future better. Those from whom we come may not have faith, but faith is a grace from God offered to everyone. I am grateful that God touched my life early on and invited me to His family. I don’t know how I would have faced the challenges of my life without His grace.
beckyAugust 4, 2010 at 4:03 pm

How very BLESSED we have been this week with everyone’s sharing. All week I have found something that just brings me back to this site and read the different ways we are touched by what (or may be the Way) that Jesus speaks to us in this reading. Thank You Everyone for blessing me.
BobbieAugust 9, 2010 at 8:52 pm

It’s taken me a week to think about this question. Just what part of my wealth am I willing to share, to give up? I slowly make my way around the house and box up things for charity. I haven’t used this glass fruit bowl in years. I don’t need this set of sheets that doesn’t really fit the bed right. I could give away this plant hanger that I bought a long time ago and is still in its original package. Why did I buy it in the first place?
I stare at all the books I’ve purchased. I’m not yet ready to part with them though I haven’t dusted them in a while. Then there are the pieces of tissue paper that I think I will use to wrap up some of the fragile things I’m going to give to charity. I look at the bag and think what clutter, but if I toss them I will need them. What a dilemma! Of course, this time of year, there are always such great sales on those big plastic storage bins. Throughout the years, every time I’ve bought one to transfer “my treasures” from paper boxes into plastic, I rationalize with how much cleaner the “stuff” will be, how plastic is less likely to be invaded by a mouse family or even how it will reduce the possibility of fire. And then the gospel asks me if I really need the bin because tomorrow…. Why is it that I just don’t part with the “stuff?”
And then there’s the fact that I’m currently unemployed and because of previously working at a church, cannot collect unemployment. Whoever thought of that rule? So, I pinch pennies. A high school football player comes to my door and asks, “Will you support our team by purchasing a discount card?” How do I say no? What will I have to give up by saying yes? And yet, generosity needs to win sometimes, like the widow and her two pennies. Meanwhile, some very gracious individuals connect with me and invite me to lunch. I let them be generous and give up my pride. I recognize I have a wealth of pride that could certainly be “sacrificed.” Working on my resume and tweaking it over and over, I find that I have a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities. So in the midst of looking for a paid job, I share my wealth by volunteering at a hospital. If time is money, then I am putting my wealth out into the universe.
And then there is the richness that comes to each of us because we pray. I have more time to pray, even though it sometimes feels like mumbling and grumbling about my unemployment. But God continues to ask me to let go of what I hold so tightly to myself even in this. Momentarily, I let go of my anxiety, worry and fear and soak in the realization that God will continue to provide. So, if you are reading this, then know that I have prayed for you within the richness of God. This is the promise of connection and the abundance of God.
ClaudiaAugust 12, 2010 at 1:04 am

I am so behind with my reading. Bobbie and Michael…WOW!!!
“You make my heart soar like a hawk”!!!

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Seventeenth Sunday – Ordinary Times Cycle C

24 July 2010

Comments (16)

Reflecting on Luke 11:1-13

There is an elephant in the room, and maybe we should acknowledge it and bring it out into the light. Here it is: we have asked and not received, sought and not found, knocked and heard the door locking from the inside. Haven’t we? And so today we hear Jesus commanding us to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and we find hope again. We believe again. We ask again.

We try to bargain with God like Abraham did. But Jesus has promised us that God wants to give us more than we even know how to ask for. And sometimes it turns out that we were actually asking for a stone, and God gave us fish instead.

Suffering. It’s probably the greatest barrier for us in our search for God. Where was God when my dad died last year? We prayed so hard for my sister to be cured, but God didn’t listen. God could have saved all those kids from that car accident, but just didn’t.

The search for meaning in our suffering is the elephant in the room. But the Holy Spirit is in the room too, the great and lasting Comforter whom Jesus promises is the reward for all who pray. Keep praying, and watch the Holy Spirit work. Keep seeking, and find the Holy Spirit waiting for you in those dark corners.

I will keep knocking until the day the Holy Spirit opens the door to eternity, where every tear will be undone and Jesus, my all-loving Savior, returns to me a hundredfold all the loves I thought I’d lost.

Sharing God’s Word at Home

Do you feel the Holy Spirit helping you to overcome disappointment and grief?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

16 Comments to “Seventeenth Sunday – Ordinary Times Cycle C”

becky wolfeJuly 24, 2010 at 9:07 pm

You are so right Kathy, and that elephant’s name is Faith. My priest has said many times that the great irony is that even the Satanist believe in God. They fail in trusting that God The Father Of All, will hear and answer our prayers, and they can’t understand that sometimes the answers are “no.” We do not have His vision, we don’t know what the future holds, and sometimes “no” is the merciful answer. We however need never fear going to Him with whatever burdens our hearts. And guess what, no matter how awful it may seem, He is the One Who can understand it all. The Lord’s Prayer was the first prayer I said over and over again, as I was coming back to this Faith. I even got it on a poster and framed it, to remind me to say it and think about what it means. I like the different wording from “lead not us into temptation” to “put us not to the test.” I guess if we knock at the Lord’s door and ask Him for the tools we need to face the test of daily life, we can face about anything. I have learned that God doesn’t need me to pray to strenghten Himself, He asks me to pray to strenghten myself. It’s funny how we get things backwards, we think God depends on us for worship, Like He would disappear if no one prayed, All the things He asks us to do or not do, are not for His benefit but for our’s. I wonder how many other people have thought that way? Our power is in the faith we have in God, His Power is Eternal and dependent on no one and nothing. He is Father!
mamidecincoJuly 25, 2010 at 4:29 am

Dearest Kathy,
The Holy Spirit is at work in your reflection this week. Without knowing, you have written exactly what I needed to hear.

You see, this week has been a struggle of faith for me. On Monday we learned that a Christian pastor and his brother, also a Christian, with whom we were working with in Pakistan to begin an orphanage for Christian children was martryed on the steps of a court house in Faislabad, Pakistan after they had been found innocent of blasphemy charges. From the time of their arrest 2 weeks earlier, the suffering in the city for Christians there has been increasing with more rioting and calls for killing Christians played over mosque loud speakers. Horrifying really.

Just days before his arrest, Pastor Rashid had been refused a visa for a planned visit to the USA for a church conference. He wrote, “I do not understand why they have refused my visa. I believe that God must have more important work for me to do here in Pakistan.” 16 days later he laid dead on the steps of the court house.

Since Monday, I have struggled greatly with the “whys”, with trying to understand the meaning of the suffering and death. With the loss of someone who was living the Gospel where it simply isn’t safe to do so. And here..here are your words reflecting on the very Scripture that I needed to hear.

So God’s answer is that I need to keep on keepin’ on. Sometimes when we struggle with the meaning in the suffering, the point is to know that He is right there with us. So I’ll continue to pray, to ask, to knock and always to seek Him first…through the tears, the doubt, and the anger. As Becky wrote…I will continue to trust that God is hearing all that I am sharing with Him (and he continues to love me despite the struggle).

Thank you for sharing your reflection. It’s touched me deeper than you can know.
brebis galeuseJuly 25, 2010 at 8:26 pm

Becky wrote that sometimes the answer to prayer is “no.” I believe that sometimes the answer we hear is “no,” but it is really “yes,” which is another version of Becky’s perspective. The year after I graduated from the CBS, my prayer partner died of cancer. She had been to Lourdes a few months after we graduated, and God granted her prayer for healing in the best way possible — He healed her with the ultimate healing for which we all hope. God graced me to see this, and when my son died two-and-a-half years later, I was able to see the eternal blessing he had been granted. Only God knows what his life here would have been like had he survived the radiation and chemotherapy required for his bone marrow transplant, which was not successful after all. I am grateful for the gift of faith, because without it, I would not have been able to to on, either.
DonnaJuly 26, 2010 at 6:24 pm

I agree with everyone, that God does answer all our prayers, sometimes it is not what we prayed for. How do we reconcile our heartbreak and our prayer life?
Within the last two years I lost two people whom I loved dearly, my father and my brother. I prayed for a peaceful death for my father. I prayed that my brother would be cured of his cancer. My father did have a peaceful death. My brother also passed away. I know that God was with me during both of those hearbreaking moments. My faith tells me that we are not meant for this world. I know that my family members are experiencing eternal joy and peace.
I pray for them and ask them to pray for me. Their time here on earth is over,they both taught me how to live and how to die, they are alive in my heart.

I think about our Blessed Mother, who watched her son suffer and die, he who was without sin. Her heart was truly pierced with a sword.

My faith tells me that God does answer our prayers.
God Bless you all!
Donna
mikeandbetsyJuly 26, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Kathy, I agree with “mamidecinco”; the Holy Spirit is especially present and at work in your words this week. How hopeful and full of faith yours and everyone’s comments are so far. The losses expressed are beyond my imagination, but the faith is so alive right along with them. Thanks to everyone who has shared so far for that encouragement.
I lose focus with my prayers. It’s not that I give up; it’s that I’m scattered and forget to keep asking. Sometimes before I know it discouragement sets in.
But I think that to keep asking, and not to expect an answer the way we want it, is a way of loving God. He loves us so much; here is an opportunity to do something loving for God. If I ask a friend whom I love for something, and the friend has to take time to answer me, how could I pout around and turn away from my friend? I think just to KNOW God is there, no matter how He answers, strengthens my connection with Him.
I love all the comments here.
The Holy Spirit is with us. I pray for the ongoing healing for those who shared their losses. I ask for your prayers too, because my grief is for a son who suffers due to earlier choices he made, and for myself as a Mom who thought I could “make it all better.”
Thanks for a place to make these readings more alive in our lives.
ChrisJuly 27, 2010 at 3:43 am

It is warming to my heart and soul to see the Holy Spirit so alive in the writings here. I may only echo some of what has been said, but here is my brief thought.

It is easy for us to read what _we_ want into scripture … from Luke, “seek and you will find;
… For everyone who asks, receives” God does make the promise that we will receive, but He does _not_ promise that we will receive what we ask for. God gives us what He knows we need, as the good Father that he is to us.

Thank you all for your willingness to share. It touches me deeply.
MichaelCarlosJuly 27, 2010 at 5:28 am

How inspiring – and how comforting – it is to read Kathy’s reflection and everyone’s beautiful comments on the site this week. The witness of your faith is overwhelming, the courage to face suffering in the sure knowledge that God is there.

My deepest pain is born from the struggle to find a home in the church in which I was formed, to embrace a path that nourishes my great love of the church’s liturgy and theology. I don’t have that now for a lot of reasons, but I will not stop asking God for that grace.

I believe this site is part of God’s answer to my prayer. To know that the weekly readings can bear such fruit in people of faith who hear the Word and let it grow within them gives me hope, and assures me that the Spirit is present in the words that are written here. So thank you for sharing, for letting the words from your heart be a witness and an encouragement. For making a home where I can belong.
CrisJuly 27, 2010 at 2:41 pm

A friend of mine died 3 days ago at age 59. He left for the Tennis court the same day his wife left for an out of town trip to be with the daughter who was to go shopping for a bridal gown. While playing under the hotter than normal sun, he collapsed, struck by a massive heart attack. Wife had to be paged throughout the department store by a doctor who broke the news gently.
Sunday, when she got back, instead of drowning her with spiritual platitudes, I just hugged her and allowed God’s own touch to reach her. The silent sacrament of God. – – Cris
becky wolfeJuly 27, 2010 at 7:39 pm

Reading “all” of our reactions to this week’s Gospel reading, reminds me of God’s power to reach everyone on their personal leavel. We have read about grieving,reclaiming faith and daily search for answers and more. The reality of His omnipresence comes into focus in
His written word and in the way His children receive it. I use to worry that so many different interpretations, would diminish the true meaning to Scripture and would be somewhat sacrilegious. After reviewing my journey and the sharing in these last few weeks I don’t feel that way anymore. Thanks again my Dear Kathy for this chance to learn, hear and share the many gifts of our Lord. Love You!!
Jen RadosevichJuly 27, 2010 at 8:06 pm

Wow–my comments seem to pale in comparison to some I’ve read. The depth of feeling and vulnerability in these posts is truly a gift.

Two thoughts after reading Kathy’s initial reflection.
1. Sometimes we ask for “good” things and God says no because He wants to give us “great” things. For years, I prayer for a husband, and in some ways it was a very lonely time. Aren’t I lovable? Why can’t this man love me that way I want to be loved? And God’s answer, now, is so clear–that men I may have dated in the past were good, good men, He wouldn’t let me settle for good, when “great” was waiting for me in Paul.

I know the vocabulary might need to be tweaked when we think about a faithful man martyred in a far away country with more headlines than we care to read–maybe that was the “great” that God had planned for his life. Cris’ “silent sacrament of God” in ministering to his widowed friend, was the “great” act of love. The continuing search provides blessings in ways that a definite answer might not.

2. There is a contemporary Christian song by Scott Krippayne that I love. The lyrics to the refrain are:
“Sometimes He calms the storm with the whisper, ‘Peace be still,’
He can settle any sea, but it doesn’t mean He will. Sometimes He holds us close and lets the wind and waves go wild.
Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child.”

Maybe the promise of finding, being answered, and having the door opened, is really just the promise that when the waves get bigger, the arms of our Savior will be there to hold us.
JimJuly 28, 2010 at 12:32 am

I have nothing I wanted to add today other than letting you know that I visited.
ClaudiaJuly 28, 2010 at 1:41 am

When Christ said to go into a closet to pray; not to make a great show of speaking to God…I think this is because there is no more intimate connection in a relationship than being alone and speaking of all that is in one’s heart. Prayer has taken many forms for me. As a child, prayer was about asking for something. As a young adult, prayer was about asking for something! I was harnessed to the idea that something magical would occur and what I was asking for was really going to materialize. In a frenzy of “why isn’t God giving me what I’m asking for?”, I was told by two of my Southern Baptist friends, “you are not saying the right prayers.” Years went by…wondering what particular words I needed to say so that God would rescue me. I began to read some books about Buddhism. I love the book that combined the efforts of Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh and Father Thomas Merton…LIVING BUDDHA, LIVING CHRIST. I explored more books by this wonderful monk, who keeps ideas simple and direct. The RELIEF that I began to feel,knowing that God is not micro-managing my life; that God is not doling out or withholding “things” based upon “how” I pray. The sense of freedom that I began to have…. understanding that I am blessed with LIFE! I am capable of making decisions. Prayer, for me, is rather like going to a very close friend…someone to open my heart to; and, often from whom I don’t require a response….just to know that I am heard. As I share my thoughts, sometimes my fears, doubts, heartache, with God; I am inspired to be myself! I am safe to talk things out; to know that I’ve been heard; to know that somewhere, somehow I really will have the courage and strength to get through another day. When I pray for others; I ask for peace of mind, courage, strength. I cannot presume to ask for more. HOW do I know that I have been heard, and that I am heard. As I step away from myself to reflect on the past and even the events of this day…I am in AWE of so many things that I survived both physically and mentally;of the joy that unexpectedly fills my heart and yet has no feasible explanation. I know that I am not “walking” alone.

MichaelCarlos….blessings on you as you search for what your heart needs and requires.
mollieJuly 28, 2010 at 3:36 am

What a gift this website is! It allows the stories to breathe long after we’ve left the church. I am going to tell everybody about this site because I want to see what happens when the sacred conversations take place around the country and around the world.
brebis galeuseJuly 28, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Becky Wolfe wrote, “I use to worry that so many different interpretations, would diminish the true meaning to Scripture and would be somewhat sacrilegious.” I think the Church has worried about that in the past, but anyone who understands classic literature knows that it touches people in their particular circumstances. That’s what makes it CLASSIC literature!
sandyeroybalJuly 29, 2010 at 4:55 pm

I am reading all your comments and I am crying. The Holy Spirit is so alive in all your stories. Our Lord tells us to trust in Him. I love all your comments. I am struggling with my son who has no job. But all your stories give me hope! I know Jesus loves me and you. Kathy, I love this web site what a blessing it is. Jesus we trust in you. Love you all.
BobbieAugust 2, 2010 at 10:51 pm

Over and over, I’ve wondered about why Abraham stopped at 10 people. I love the way the text says that his visitors walked on but the LORD remained standing before Abraham. The LORD must have noticed that Abraham had something on his mind. There’s a very confidential tete-a-tete or heart –to-heart going on because Abraham “drew nearer” to God. Abraham seems to be buttering God up “far be it from you to do such a thing….” Maybe he’s just telling God that he knows who God is and has experienced God’s mercy. There’s that Eastern flavor of bargaining going on in the conversation, Abraham saying things like, “Let not my LORD grow impatient …” or “Since I have thus dared to speak to my LORD…” and even “Please, let not my LORD grow angry if I speak up this last.” No matter how many times I read the text, I don’t get a sense that God is growing impatient or angry. (I guess you had to be there.) God just says the same thing over in different ways. “For the sake of …I won’t destroy…”
But there’s that question of why stop at ten? I am reminded that in the process of prayer, dialoguing with God or simply sitting in the stillness where the Holy Spirit speaks, I find that sometimes my prayer changes. I come to a place of knowing that what I have prayed for is not going to happen the way that I want. When my dad was dying of esophageal cancer, I prayed for a miracle and healing of all kinds. I reached out in ways that I never prayed before. The signs were all there. He was not going to get better. Then I prayed for his peaceful death and my being able to let go.
So where was the Holy Spirit in all that? Probably leading me to the prayer of letting go and surrender, a prayer that I did not want to pray in the beginning. It was a time of recognizing that God was in control and that I could not manipulate God or make this pain go away. I guess both Abraham and I yielded, put down our arms and shields of thinking that we knew what was best. Even though Abraham stopped at 10 and I began to pray differently, I think the most important thing that happened was the relationship, the conversation with God, the boldness that tells God, “This is what I need…want…” and the willingness to let the Spirit’s promptings move me to another prayer.

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Sixteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

17 July 2010

Comments (19)

Reflecting on Genesis 18:1-10, Luke 10:38-42

Christ in the house of Martha and Mary by Jan Vermeer

There is so much to notice in this story, but my eye keeps going back to Abraham, sitting in the entrance of that hot tent in the heat of the day. And here is what keeps catching my eye: Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.

He was sitting, looking out at the endless, silent desert. He must have been able to see miles ahead, and the approach of three strangers could have been observed for hours before they arrived outside his tent. But, no, he looked up and saw them. No camels kicking up telltale dust three hours earlier. No neighboring Bedouins calling out that strangers were coming. He looked up, and there they were.

Is it possible that those three “men”―the angels posted with God to announce the birth of Isaac―had been standing at the entrance to Abraham’s tent from the beginning of time? What great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, waiting for us to look up and see? What miracles hover near us, waiting for us to notice?

Which brings us back to the Gospel today. Mary looked up and saw Jesus in her home, and she never took her eyes off of him. She showed the greatest hospitality by making room for him in her soul and spirit― by truly seeing who it was who was sent to her, and never leaving his side. She teaches us the meaning of the mystic’s sense of prayer:

Prayer is gazing at God, who is gazing at you.

Sharing God’s Word at Home

Do you think you have ever encountered an angel?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

19 Comments to “Sixteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

becky wolfeJuly 17, 2010 at 5:55 pm

The story of Martha and Mary is dear to my heart. and it brings me many questions as well. About to year ago a nephew of mine was teasing me about something, I think it was something offensive about my faith, if I remember right, and my reply was “I’ll let you know after I have talked it over with God!” he really got mad and said to me “God ain’t everything Auntie!” Little did he realize that for me God is everything, and yet may be he did. If I could just be sitting at The Lord’d feet, taking His goodness all in, I would be about the happiest person alive on earth or in Heaven. I spent so many years running away from Him, that now I crave a deeper closeness to Him. There isn’t anyone or anything more important Now the question I alway ask is the when the Bible says prayer without works is empty, wasn’t Martha working and serving the Lord, she was reaching out for a little help as we all do from time to time, and the Lord said Mary had pick the better (worship over service) this mixes me up which way is it, sever and aid our brothers and sisters for the service and love of our Lord or worship and let the work go? So many time I have been like the Martha’s of this live and stressed when I’ve saw so much to do and no help in sight. That if Jesus had said this to me I would have felt hurt and angery. I can remember a few times when I would be cleaning house and my sibs would be messing up right behind me, and my feeling was you ungreatful brats. So yeah, my heart goes out to Martha the worker.
JimJuly 18, 2010 at 7:42 pm

I had the privilege of first meeting you at a retreat at IMH. Seeing you again today reminded me that I wanted to do something about hearing more from you. You have a way of resonating with me, so I registered.

Jim
MichaelCarlosJuly 19, 2010 at 3:43 am

The gospels in the last few weeks are filled with lessons on discipleship. Hearing/reading them from the safe vantage of our long familiarity with the passages makes it easy to miss how radical and difficult the challenges are. We heard Christ’s instruction to “let the dead bury the dead” in the same week I was sharing the pain of my good friend who was spending the last precious moments with her father; he died days later. What a terrible sacrifice Jesus’ demand becomes in the face of real family devotion and grief and the need to support each other.

And what of the story of the Samaritan? It’s easy to say, “Yes, of course everyone is my neighbor” but if we look with honesty at ourselves, we find that in the very act of identifying with any community – faith, nation, family, neighborhood, Facebook networks even – we create a boundary that makes everyone else “other” in our minds and heart. In that act lies the dangerous seed of justifying different treatment to anyone who falls outside of these circles of identity. Transcending that temptation is surely one of the most radical of all calls to conversion and discipleship, and one of the most difficult.

And now today’s readings, which are a mess of contradiction at first glance. First we see Abraham as a positive example of hospitality, and it seems like he too was busy about so many things (mostly lighting a fire under a bunch of other people, to tell the truth). But when poor Martha does the same and has the audacity to complain about her sister, she gets the holy slap down. Again, our reflex is to say that of course listening at Jesus’ feet is the better part, but who else was going to prepare the meal and care for the followers who surely accompanied our Lord into the home of Martha and Mary? Perhaps the challenge is to know that attentive listening to the Teacher can and must lead to service and action after we make the time to really hear his Word. We know how the story continues for both of these women, models of faith and discipleship, so I like to believe the next words from Jesus to Martha were something like: “Come, sit with me to hear the good news! Rest from your toils on my behalf!”
Jen RadosevichJuly 19, 2010 at 3:05 pm

I am always a little nervous when I hear this Gospel reading (can you tell that I tend to identify with Martha a bit?) because I think that sometimes it is too easy to draw a black and white line saying that she is “wrong” and Mary is “right.” Surely we realize, that there must be workers. Christ himself calls for laborers to send into the fields. I was so excited to share part of the homily that our deacon gave on this site . . .it was perfect and so inline with what I think this site aims to do.

Deacon George talked about the need for the “story!” Martha’s serving wasn’t bad, but she was rushing about trying to prepare the perfect meal when the real “Meal” was sitting in her midst. The people who were there, didn’t need a meal at that point because they were sitting with the Bread of Life. What they needed, what Martha needed and was neglecting, was the STORY.

Abraham too, rushes about to prepare a meal and show hospitality to his guests–he is working–but when the preparation is done, he has the wisdom to sit and listen to the story that they have to offer about his future.

This homily resonated so strongly with me, especially as I listen to the news and see the incredible need in our world. We need workers for the Gospel in a BIG way. There is so much to be done for human rights, for human dignity . . . that we can’t possibly think we need ONLY to sit at Jesus feet and worship. But if we rush about working, good as our intentions may be, but forget WHY we work, forget WHOM we serve, forget the STORY, we work in vain. We need to be be Mary and Martha. How much more powerful would our work be if we spent an hour in adoration before our endeavors–just listening to the Bread of Life remind us of our story? The end of the story is beautiful–we know the ending–we just need to help write the chapters in between!
Jen RadosevichJuly 19, 2010 at 3:07 pm

PS–For all you other Martha’s out there, there is a great book by Joanna Weaver called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life.” It is funny, tender, practical. I loved it!
ClaudiaJuly 19, 2010 at 5:50 pm

What wonderful “letters”!! I learn so much from reading the thoughts and interpretations of others.

Yesterday morning I attended 7:30 Mass. A first for me. I
had a friend request that I attend this Mass and then come to her home to have breakfast with her and some friends. As
we all arrived…almost at the same time…along with our hostess; there was a great deal of scurrying around to get
all the food set out and coffee brewing. Amid all the apologies for “I’m so sorry that everything is not ready”;
I reflected last night…what a GREAT time we were having
in preparation. I remembered: My aunts, grandparents, my mom’s kitchens were the hub of all good things. I thought back to when my children were growing up…up to my wrists in mashed potatoes! laughter…”just a bite, mom”..tall tales being told…inclusive of me…”don’t you dare put your finger in that!” “no, you cannot have any…have to
wait until the meal is served”; “mom, this needs more…more
something! Dear Lord…the quandry of “WHAT?”..and more and more sampling. And, at the table…when everything was finally prepared,”Mom, you’re not eating much.” How could I
eat…I’d sampled my way through every dish to find the missing “more of something”!! Why am I sitting here with tears? My family is pretty much gone; my children are all grown. The kitchen…where in the preparing of food; sometimes love is at its best; wounded spirits are forgotten;and thankfulness ,however brief, abides. As I reflect on my past; I kinda wish that maybe Jesus and Mary might have gone into the kitchen to be with Martha…good food, good conversation, the intimacy of friendship…all shared in the heart of any home…the kitchen.
KarenJuly 19, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I love these readings because they really do teach us the importance of hospitality and of Presence…both are necessary for us to know God and to be God to one another. Thank you Jen for the reminder to pay attention to those times when we are “with the Bread of Life” and when we are called to be “Bread for the world.” These are liflelong lessons, finding that balance between “doing” and “being”… Sometimes we do it well, other times we are gently reminded to lift up our heads and “look up” as Kathy said… Through the abundance of God’s love and presence we are always given another opportunity to pay better attention ~ Thank you God!
DiannaJuly 20, 2010 at 12:51 am

My dearest Kathy,

It was a joy and an honor to see you yesterday at 6PM mass at IHM. You are an inspiration to me and I pray that I will get to heaven so I can spend more time with you! Please give my deepest regards to Ben and let him know that you both have left a big imprint on my heart. I know I have seen an angel-you Kathy!

All my love and many hugs,
Dianna de Cordoba
adminkJuly 20, 2010 at 2:22 pm

Dearest friends,

Can you imagine what a thrill it is for me to log on to this site and see your insightful, rich reflections? This is EXACTLY what I had hoped would happen here, in fact you have surpassed my dreams.

Don’t you find that as you write about the stories—as Jen said, as we are reminded of the Story—the Story catches fire and starts to come up more and more in your spirit and daily prayer throughout the week? This bond of friendship and sacred conversation that we are building here will without doubt become a roaring fire that spreads around the world. I absolutely believe that.

So thank you, all of you beloved. Be sure to read all the comments that have been posted here this week. They are so wise and beautiful and rich.

I wish I could respond to each individual comment, but Becky, and Jim, and Michael, and Jen, and Claudia, and Karen, and Dianna, and all who will respond later this week, please accept my deepest gratitude for making this site the most eloquent and insightful sacred conversation on the Web.

So go out and be busy about many things. It’s clear that you’ve mastered the art of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Always, always—

Kathy
roeverdocJuly 21, 2010 at 3:53 am

This has always been a favorite story for me since we daily try to find the balance between contemplation and action. I think the Jesuits have a good take on this when they aspire to be “Contemplatives in Action”. Perhaps the key is to make sure our actions are coming from the discernment of God’s will and not for our own glory. You might want to check out Fr. Mark Thibodeux’s book “Armchair Mystic” for further reflection on this story.

Thanks for the wonderful thoughts!

Chad Roeber
Carbondale, CO
ClaudiaJuly 21, 2010 at 5:13 pm

I’m sitting here waiting for the phone to ring….my employer called early this morning and asked for a stay of a few hours before I go over to his home to work.

I decided to check out emails and found Kathy’s note. I want to take this moment to thank MichaelCarlos…who has the most beautiful name! for his comments to one of my writings,interpretations…several writings ago. I wanted to thank you at that very reading, Michael; but, being so new to this site, I wasn’t certain how to conduct myself.I wasn’t certain about whether we could engage in “conversation” with one another…..Your thoughts do not go into a “hole” or void. You write so well and seem to have wonderful insight into the verses that Kathy shares each week. I have been taken aback by EVERYONE’S insight into the weekly scriptures…so many deep and meaningful thoughts. I do not want to be remiss in saying that I read everything and appreciate all of you who take the time to write. I’m still learning. I may have misinterpreted HOW to respond to the scriptures. I think that I took the title, THE STORY AND YOU…quite literal…the YOU…and imposed that, within my own thinking, to mean how I reflect in a personal way to the readings and then add my own intepretation. I don’t seem to be as literate and knowledgeable as most all of you. But, then, maybe this is the beauty of interpretation….that it is personal.

I HOPE that this comes out LOOKING decent. I’m rather aghast when everything seems to have such conformity when I’m writing and the “final copy” is strewn all over the place!!

Let me never take anything or anyone for granted! Be patient with my writings; and, thank you for yours.

Kathy…just not suficient words for you. In this confusing world, you offer solace. Thank you.
Rita NiblackJuly 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm

The Gospel reading for this Sunday always leaves me feeling divided and a little resentful of the idea that Martha is somehow wrong in serving rather than sitting at the feet of Jesus. I can’t imagine serving and sitting as opposites, but in some way, paradoxically I imagine them to be the same.

I am an oldest child and it is pretty evident that Martha is too. She serves while her little sister, and I imagine her brother Lazarus sit with Jesus. Who is the sister that seems to be in charge when Lazarus has died? It is obviously Martha. We oldest children have been given the role of care taking for the younger ones. It is inbred for us.

But I find that when I serve homeless seniors dinner, or pack a lunch for my daughter, or listen to one of my students, that I am serving the Lord Jesus. I hear him speak, as my daughter chats away, or one as my friends at the Senior Center tells me about his current struggles. Serving IS sitting at the feet of Jesus. Serving is attention to the Lord.
ClaudiaJuly 22, 2010 at 3:12 am

Rita, thank you!
adminkJuly 22, 2010 at 4:02 am

Okay, so it looks like we have LOTS of older children wanting to defend Martha this week. Thank God for the older siblings in families who make things work. Thanks, too, for Chad and Jen’s book suggestions on action and contemplation.

I’ve often fantasized about the following scenario: Jesus tells Martha she’s busy about many things, Martha puts down her potato peeler and enjoys a fascinating and prayerful hour at the feet of Jesus. Around 6pm Jesus turns to her and says, “By the way, what’s for dinner?” and she looks around as if he must be addressing someone else in the room, shrugs and says, “Beats me”.

That’s the end that I like imagining, but Richard Rohr says that then all four of them (I’m talking to you, Lazarus)went into the kitchen and chopped up the veggies for dinner.

After all, even getting dinner started at 6pm couldn’t have taken as long as it took to get that big steer in the oven for Abraham’s guests.

Thanks, everyone, for listening to each other so prayerfully. And for not giving anyone, as Michael says, the “holy slapdown.” Hate when that happens.
mikeandbetsyJuly 22, 2010 at 5:26 pm

I only have a little revelation to share from Martha and Mary. This time of reading it has brought home something again that God has been trying to show me for a long time. This is what I saw this time about me: It’s not that I felt that everything Martha was doing didn’t SEEM necessary and important. But she was missing the forest for the trees. And I do it too. But God wants me to slow down and listen for His presence always. Then hopefuly, I will learn in tme where He leads. I have to learn to trust that what appears to be the right thing to do may not be where God is. It’s tricky…

When my husband and I are taking care of my grandson for a weekend, often I feel like there is so much that has to be done; cooking. laundry, straightening up, etc. Later my husband will say, “He REALLY loves it when you play with him…” It’s true; there is something, well, special and unique that transpires when we play…moments that will never be repeated.

Our minds can ask, if Martha hadn’t done all that work, who would have fed Jesus? But as in the story of the Loaves and Fish, God always has a plan.

God wants me to listen for His presence, not just in prayer, but all the time, so I’ll know where He truly is calling me at any given moment.

I wonder how Martha remembers Jesus’ words to her at her home after he died…did she wish he would walk in to her home again as an unexpected guest, so that she could savor his presence?
DonnaJuly 22, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Thank you everyone for your insights! I learn so much hearing from other people.
People for years have been discussing the Gospel story of Martha & Mary. Some people wonder is Jesus favoring the comtemplative life vs. service?
I think that Jesus was saying to Martha, put away the anxiety of this world. (don’t worry) Trust me everything is going to be ok.
I think of this often, especially @ the Easter Vigil when I am worried about the catechmens arriving on time, remembering what they are supposed to do etc. I hear Jesus saying to me “why are you anxious, trust me”

Reading the beautiful story of the Good Samaritan, I am reminded again that I have to trust that salvation is coming down the road, I have no control over who God will send. I, like the beaten man, am rescued in a way that I never anticipated (or maybe don’t even want)
Jesus keeps saying “Trust Me” then I say like Thomas, My Lord, and my God”.

Donna
Denver, Co
becky wolfeJuly 22, 2010 at 9:14 pm

You know, after reading all the way we feel about this reading, it appears that was our Lord’s way of reminding us there is an importance in balance. It is like when Jesus said THE Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. We do forget to balance our lives and make room for all God’s gifts. Many years ago I was very active in a Denver Parish, I was so active I forgot why I was being active. I made myself busy with being a part of everything. everything but worship. And I fell away and lost my faith my life was not balanced. If we listen very close to the reading we can hear Him say “Martha it okay to take a break and keep me company. And some we will eat and finish the tasks. The roof will not fall in if dinner is late and the floors arent swept.” See I am the Martha as I said earlier this week, I want to work for Heaven, we sometimes think Heaven is has the price of sweat and toil. But without worship it is empty. I want to thank everyone who reminded me of the Martha I was all work and no faith.
BobbieJuly 22, 2010 at 10:50 pm

I’ve been thinking about those angels and wondering if maybe they came just to tell “good news,” without expecting a feast. I know that it was part of desert hospitality to supply food and drink, to take care of the needs of travelers. Abraham does exactly that. He is described as a most gracious host. I’ve been there, done that. Here’s the question: was the announcement of a son a reward or was it the purpose of the angels’ visit? Would God have promised Sarah’s pregnancy just because God wanted to give and assure the fulfillment of the covenant made long before?
God’s messengers were about to speak of a miracle. Like Martha, Abraham had to do something. It gives me pause and causes me to ask myself if there are times when I interrupt the proclamation of “good news” because I have to do something first. As if I were in charge, I have to set the stage, create the environment, offer the first gift, out do God. What if I could just listen (like Mary) to the Word God speaks and then respond? Would standing in awe and marveling at the blessing that has come my way be enough? Or would I still have to rush around and make something happen?
Just in case, I’ve decided to take a moment before I act and see if there’s an angel standing in front of me ready to speak “good news.”
tmiozzoJuly 23, 2010 at 8:33 pm

What wonderful comments, I have always had an issue with this, the time and place that this took place hospitality was very important, I think it still is to some extent in this area. How could Martha not be doing the “right thing” Jesus was in her house, she was the eldest and it wouldn’t be right not to serve him? I deal with this everytime we hear this Gospel. Do you think that Jesus was telling Martha that it would be OK if she took time to pray and listen to him and that dinner would be served a little late, or that after he finished both Martha and Mary could finish and get on with the meal (maybe even with a little help from the men!)? It is hard for all of us to take the time and sit at Jesus’ feet and listen, after all there is so much that needs to get done, but when we do we are all the better for it. I have even been know to say to myself “oh my gosh, I forgot to pray” and run to my special spot and have some “quiet time” as my husband calls it. Good idea, I think I’ll do that now.

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Fifteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

10 July 2010

Comments (9)

Reflecting on Luke 10:25-37

The trouble with Luke’s magnificent story of love of neighbor is that you can’t take it too literally. After all, serial killers like Ted Bundy have found their victims by pretending to be crippled and in need of help to their car. Roadside warnings near detention centers send a chill up the spine: do not pick up hitchhikers.

Vincent van Gogh, The Good Samaritan --- May 1890

But one scorching summer day in the Utah desert 30 years ago, some travelers driving by spotted a very thin young man resting on the ground next to his bike. Something wasn’t right. He looked gaunt and weak. They circled back and asked out the window Are you okay? But he was too weak to answer. And this dad and mom, with their two children in tow, leapt from their car, wiped his face with cool water, placed him and his bike in the car, carefully gave him food and water, and drove him to the rectory of the first Catholic Church they found.

The Spanish-speaking housekeeper cried Oh Dios! and directed them to take him into the cool back bedroom. She cared for him for several days until he recovered from his extreme heat stroke and dehydration.

Where are they now, that observant family that noticed that something didn’t seem quite right and took the time to circle back? Where are the tender housekeeper and kind priest who gave him shelter and comfort?

Because, as my 22^nd wedding anniversary approaches, I want to be able to thank them for saving the life of the young man who, years later, would save mine.

Have you ever experienced life-saving help from a stranger?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

9 Comments to “Fifteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

TeresaJuly 10, 2010 at 3:20 pm

What an amazing story Kathy! I never expected the ending and it gave me chills.

All the life-saving examples that come to my mind, were strangers, but it was their job to save lives. This certainly doesn’t dimish the incredible gift it was to our family. These people were drawn to a profession that would give them countless opportunities to save. I’m so thankful for all these miraculous moments of healing.

I can’t hardly consider my life without these grand life saving moments. I also can’t imagine my life without the little kindnesses I receive every day. Sometimes I might be having a bad day and a stranger kindly lets me have the right of way while driving or tells me I’ve left the trunk open. These random acts of kindness save me from my self-imposed gloom and I’m reminded to focus on the abundance of good in the world. Yes, so much good.
becky wolfeJuly 11, 2010 at 7:09 am

The thing I learned at a really young age is there are different types of love, and when I hear in a reading the LOVE OF GOD, I think of Father Corapi on EWTN. though I can’t for the life of me remember the word he uses that means the Love of God in Greek, yet it made a impression on me that set the wheels that started turning toward my reconversion to the Catholic Faith,after a twenty year lapse into a dark and distant journey of Godlessness. When at the end of that journey I realized that everything I had always wanted was within the Catholic Faith. True understanding, true love and hope, were in the Lord’s loving arms waiting for me. I have always been loved by Him though I have not always been loving toward Him or His childern. My priest has spent many hours since my return trying to teach me the difference between loving and caring from enabling , this I at a young age. I alway thought that to see a negative situation in the actions and values of others, was being judgemental, and the Lord warned us about judging others. Father has taught me that being Prudent is important also. There’s acts of caring like Kathy spoke of in her sharing this week where a family gave help and saved a life, and then there are the ruthless people who take advantage of the Good Samaritans in life. I guess I have learned that I love the the saint and the sinner,I just don’t do the usual thing for me, I don’t allow the the sinner to use me to sin. And I pray for their conversion just like I’m sure that many people prayed for me to come home to this amazing Faith. Sometimes prayer is the kindest act of loving we can offer. Isn’t it
pinnnkieJuly 11, 2010 at 10:48 pm

YOUR STORY WAS AN AMAZING AND TOUCHING STORY
Gloria A. VarelaJuly 11, 2010 at 11:59 pm

Forty years ago I had a flat tire driving on a busy street. I had been on my way to pick up medicine to keep from miscarrying my five month old baby in utero. I pulled the spare out to the side of the car, and waited, hoping that someone would stop to help me. I was obviously pregnant. It was 10:00pm, and nobody stopped. I was pulling the jack out when someone walked up behind me. He was a worn looking Mexican man. He said that he had seen me from a phone booth two blocks away, and had walked over to see if he could help. I offered to pay him when he finished. He smiled and said, “No,no,no,que Dios la bendiga.”
I did purchase the medicine, my child was born, and has been the greatest blessing to me and to many.
clm1127July 12, 2010 at 12:14 am

I, too, have a policy of not picking up hitchhikers. How surprised I was, then, to attempt to drive past a man on the side of the road and have him jump in front of me. Western Nebraska is another desolate part of the country, and apparently many had driven past him. As it turns out, he was a missionary, with a flat tire, trying to get to his next stop. What courage he had, to jump in front of me to get me to stop so I would take him and his flat tire to the next town for repair.
ClaudiaJuly 12, 2010 at 1:12 am

Perhaps it just takes years of living and life experiences; or, maybe I’m just terribly slow to reflect; or, maybe I’ve been too long in survival mode….moving at a great pace, semi-conscious of all the goodness that has come my way. I think…I want to believe…that I’ve never taken the occurrences in my life for granted. But, as I think about the MANY blessings that have come to me throughout my life; I think, ” I could not have survived all these many years had it not been for the hundreds of kindnesses that have been given to me throughout my life.” Some incidents that might be considered so small…hardly noteworthy…yet loom in my mind as huge events because they were gifts of mercy. I loved what Father Pat had to say this morning about the difference in forgiveness and mercy. I am quite certain that I’ve not always been loveable. In my younger years…I think that my “unsureness” might have come across as being flip or arrogant. Yet there were many…some faces and names now gone from memory….who reached out to me; who didn’t bother with whether I was living according to “their” rules; or attempting to figure out whether I was suitable to be helped; but, those who showed mercy and kindness. Each hand, each smile, each word of encouragement
helped me in my journey to becoming a better, more whole human being. Thank you to those in my past and to those in my present who accept me, care for me…. because of and in spite of my many flaws. The gift of kindness…the gift of mercy….thank goodness! I am not burdened with “forgiveness”!!
Rita NiblackJuly 13, 2010 at 4:02 pm

When I was in college the older brother of one of my friends picked up a hitchhiker, and was murdered. I had sometimes picked up hitchhikers and the story gave me pause. However, I can’t forget the words of our drawing teacher, Sister Ann, in regards to the murder. She said, the kindness of this young man was what should be remembered. She said that being kind is a risk, and she believed that fear should not prevent us for reaching out to help others. Otherwise the world is a very cold and isolating place.

Reaching out to others IS a risk. We can look foolish, it might cost us some money or time. Yes we need to be aware of dangers. I myself am better for the witness of that young man so long ago.
JgfelsJuly 14, 2010 at 7:12 am

What a beautiful story and poignant reminder that when we are blinded from our neighborly unity, the only true stranger is us. Going through each and every day aspiring to meet/treat all beings as though they were long-term friends never fails to throw the ego on its side. Thank you, all my “neighbor friends,” for thus being teachers of Love and challenging me to see beyond the suffering of my ignorance.
BobbieJuly 19, 2010 at 10:51 pm

How many stories there are of lost opportunities for me….
About 8 years ago I worked with an emancipated teenage girl who came back from lunch and asked, “Guess what I did during lunch today.” My imagination was stuck and I found myself thinking of things like “bought a new pair of jeans, walked in the park?” I don’t know why I was surprised when she said, “I took a homeless man to lunch.” What a challenge…what a gift to me. I was intrigued by her daring and her charity, by her willingness to see beyond the appearance of the man on the street.
Six years later I drove past a man whose cardboard sign asked for money. There are always questions that run around in my mind about what will happen to the money that I pass on, though I must admit, once given away is no longer my responsibility. I circled around thinking about how it would be a great opportunity to invite him to lunch. Then the excuses surfaced. “Does your budget let you buy two lunches this week? You have plenty of food in the fridge. Do you want it to go to waste? Do you have time to stop and chat? Would it be safe?” Sad to say, I drove past him. My conscience nagged at me because this was opportunity knocking. So I decided on a compromise. I circled around and stopped to buy him a steak burrito and a cold drink. I took the same route to lead me where he stood, opened the car window and with a smile, handed him the meal. He graciously thanked me, sending me off with a lot of blessings. I went home to eat my leftovers alone and of course, I was safe. I never saw the man again and I often wonder what the encounter would have taught me if I were willing to actually sit with him and listen to his story. Sometimes buying two lunches might mean discovering something new about what it means to be human and created in God’s image. Sometimes being safe means losing out.

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Fourteenth Sunday – Ordinary Times Cycle C

3 July 2010

Comments (10)

Reflecting on Galatians 6:14-18

It’s a beautiful summer holiday weekend in Colorado, and we have friends visiting from Iowa. They’ve spent every possible moment up in the mountains, hiking, rafting, and gawking at the bicyclists riding up Mount Evans.

Amber waves of Nebraska grain

I brag that America the Beautiful was written here. I look to the west and see the purple mountain majesties that have brought me to prayer every morning of my life.

It’s hard to live in a constant state of gratitude and awe. My sister is the best you’ve ever seen. We’ll be driving along the San Diego harbor―she lives in that spectacular city―and she’ll stop the car to make sure we are all thanking God for the water, and the ships, and the seagulls. And it turns out we are.

This land is our land, from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters. Oh, God, forgive us our trespasses against Your Gulf Stream waters.

Paul bore the marks of Jesus on his body. America bears scars on her body too. Our rivers, our forests, our seas and our skies bear the wounds of our selfish decisions, our appalling deficit of dreams. We know better now, and we’ll do better.

It’s nice that the holiday lands right on Sunday this year. It gives us the collective opportunity to ask forgiveness for what we have done, and what we have failed to do. And then, in our Sunday sanctuary of time, we will bless and thank our Creator for the endless gifts of America the Beautiful.

Sharing God’s Word at Home:

Where is your favorite place to pray in your home state?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

10 Comments to “Fourteenth Sunday – Ordinary Times Cycle C”

TeresaJuly 3, 2010 at 4:40 pm

It all started about a month ago. The whole family was on a nature hike. My boys wanted to pick up every remotely interesting rock and take it home. They were pretty sure they were all some type of fossil.
Pockets were getting full, so I decided we needed to stop. My 6-year old was so sad to leave any beautiful creation behind. He wanted to possess them because he loved each one so much. He was worried about leaving them and them getting hurt.
I told him about St. Francis of Assisi and how much he loved animals and nature. That seemed to interest him so I suggested that we say a blessing over the rocks that we were leaving. It was sweet and tender and made it easier for my son to leave nature the way we found it.
Now whenever there is something special in the outdoors that catches his eye, he wants to say a blessing over it. In this journey with my son, I too learned that I don’t have to have or possess everything that I find beautiful or want. God’s creation is wonderful to behold and we can’t just always take what we want for our own use without thoughtful consideration for what is best for all.
My favorite place to pray is wherever and whenever my kids ask. Awesome!
becky wolfeJuly 3, 2010 at 6:22 pm

It is good to be thankful for this great Country we are living in. But we are a spoiled people and forget the blessing of being here. We litter the roadways and waste our resources. We fear sharing it with the less privileged. We fear that it will cost us something, when in true they have so much to offer us in spirit and truth. God opened the gate to His home by the Sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross, He welcomes the once sinnful with open arms. He in His wisdom show us that there is always room for love and sharing. When we giving Thanks on these “holidays” do we remember the wonderful hospitality once shown us by the American Natives? Or the reason our people fled to America in the first place, Religious Persecution. So as a people of faith I hope that for at least a few seconds this 4th of July we set down the beer bottle, look at our plates of plenty and silence fire crackers for just a nice prayer to Thank the Father for what we have and ask Him to forgive us or belly aching about what we think we ought to have and dont. With much Love Becky
susieJuly 4, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Ms. McGovern: I suggest that you read what is said when our flag is folded – it is in the Magnificat and it is beautiful – so appropriate for this 4th of July. I am so tired of the criticisms and complaints – even on her birthday cheap shots are taken – we are not perfect but we are not selfish-isn’t it enough that our own President won’t defend us? Give me the name of any other country where dreams come true like they do here – your point of view is so typical of now – “our appalling deficit of dreams” oh please. I am not ashamed to say that our country is the best in this whole world – right or wrong – I will defend her. I feel so blessed to be born here. God Bless America
ClaudiaJuly 5, 2010 at 5:05 am

I truly awaken each day and realize how very fortunate I am.
To wake up to the sound of my coffee maker brewing coffee;
to get up in the middle of the night and know that I have
water; to have work. However, this weekend has weighed heavily upon my heart. It’s not that this is the only time that I’ve had these thoughts; but, perhaps everything has
culminated in a sense of crushing reality because I was not
working…not being busy. I took my German Shepherd for a
very early walk down at River Pointe…along the river. Birds were in “conversation” with one another; ducks were bobbing on the water; tiny flowers were as brilliant and beautiful as their larger neighboring flowers; the leaves
rustled with the wind; the air was sweet and perfumed with
grasses, flowers, water. I couldn’t stop the tears. My heart had such an ache, such pain. I have two friends…one in PA. and one in Watkins, CO. Both live in
beautiful, quiet areas. Places where you feel God present in every sound, every movement of nature. In Watkins, there are many scattered homes; simple dwellings; horses grazing; sometimes one can catch a glimpse of a small herd of deer. Both of these families are facing oil drilling being done near their properties. The “fracking” will ruin their water. They are fearful and hearts are breaking. As I walked this morning, watching Kelly sniffing out myriad scents…I understand all the sorrow we cause this good earth; the heartlessness of a nine year war. I know that we don’t “learn lessons”. We are arrogant and mindless. My tears were for the sorrow of loss…past and continued; and, for the absolute beauty that I experienced this morning. God was with me and Kelly this morning….in the wind, the river, the trees; and, I was grateful and appreciative for the time. Thank you for allowing me to speak MY truth as experienced through my heart.
BobbieJuly 5, 2010 at 10:59 pm

Yesterday, Independence Day, I visited a friend and sat with her on her front porch, lazily sipping iced tea. It was wonderful to be in Sabbath time, resting in the cool shade, leisurely listening to the wind move through the bushes and trees, anticipating the storm that was gathering as clouds changed shape and color. The foothills stood majestically to the west. Across the street, kids bounced gleefully on a trampoline. We could see their heads pop over the fence and hear them giggle. It was God’s time, with “important things” being set aside for what was more important, i.e., the recognition of the Beloved in all that is.
At the Mass of anticipation on Saturday, for recessional we sang “America the Beautiful” and I found myself in that place of wonder, happy to live in Colorado. The song always makes my misty-eyed. Having grown up on the east coast and enjoyed the ocean for over 40 years of my life, I ache for what is happening to the waters because of the oil spill and the carelessness with which we treat the seas, as if it were a place to deposit trash. A few weeks back I saw the film Oceans by Disney. It’s about the life that is deep withing the waters. A glorious film and a beautiful meditation. The mystery of sea life takes us into the mystery of God if we let it. If one has never been touched by the ocean, it can be too far removed to become a source of wonder. Let us take the time from this moment on, to pray blessing over the sea and all that it contains because the psalmist so long ago led us to pray, “Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.”
Betsy LillisJuly 6, 2010 at 1:23 am

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts and let the word of Christ dwell in your richly.
PASS IT ON –Be a missionary where you live and work!
ClaudiaJuly 6, 2010 at 4:44 am

For me,because I can speak for no one else; this site that
Kathy is providing is a testing ground for me. Emailing is
so safe; so impersonal. I don’t have to look into the eyes of another individual. I can make assumptions about the
“voice” of another person. I can analyze and intuit thoughts and feelings behind words without ever inquiring
as to “why” or “how” a person came to the place in their
life where they currently “stand”. This will be a test for
me because ego always wants to shove aside feelings of the
heart and show how smart I might be; or, THINK I might be!
“Let me spar with another intellectually and see who comes
out on top” is so home grown within me!! MY test is to speak
from the heart and spirit of myself. This is the part of myself that I don’t get to share too often. I think that it is the better part of who I am; and, the part of me that needs the most exposure. I’m so appreciative and grateful
to be sharing with others; and, for their sharing with me…
through their writing.
brebis galeuseJuly 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm

I guess I missed the point of the liturgy totally — I didn’t realize that there was an ecological message in any of the three readings. I thought they were about the abundance of God’s love for all humankind and the fact that eternal life is open to everyone — circumcised (Jews) and uncircumcised (Gentiles) alike. Luke writes that we are to rejoice because our names are written in heaven — we are wanted there. It may be time for me to go back to the Catholic Biblical School to learn to see beyond what is written.
Gloria A. VarelaJuly 7, 2010 at 3:30 am

I live in colorful Colorado, and my favorite place to pray is in my basement! A friend suggested that I might be “running away” by retreating to the total quiet of my basement office/studio/gallery/laundry/storage area. In my basement I am 10 feet underground, in total quiet, (when my dryer is not drying that is, and then it is sweet background noise, reminding me that I don’t have to hang clothes on the line). Seeds and bulbs all over the world need the quiet of their underground spaces to sprout. In the quiet of my basement I feel the creative presence of my God within,…perhaps sprouting the life I am being called to share above.
MichaelCarlosJuly 9, 2010 at 8:23 pm

Since this site is about having a conversation, I want to thank Claudia for her follow up message about the vulnerability/risk this forum offers. That challenge is a real one for many of us, and I thank you and everyone who shares on this site. We may not all agree on every point, but that is the genius of the Spirit: each of us hears the message our heart is meant to learn in the weekly scriptures. The Word has such power!

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Thirteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

26 June 2010

Comments (6)

Reflecting On Luke 9:51-62

I’ve got good news. Those dusty archaeologists (bless them) who spend their lives digging in the scorching Mediterranean sun have given us a very plausible (and comforting) explanation of that MOST unsettling command in today’s Gospel: let the dead bury their dead. It’s simply this: the burial time for the dead in Jesus’ day was an entire year. After burying the dead immediately (as we saw in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ own death) the sons “sit shi’va” for seven days. (So the disciple who asks to bury his father before following Jesus wouldn’t even have been around if the death had happened within that week—he would have been at home fulfilling this responsibility.)

Ancient tomb in the Mount of Olives

But then the corpse is left in the tomb for eleven months, after which the relatives re-bury the decomposed body by taking the bones and placing them in a burial box, an ossuary, and placing it back in the tomb, along with all the other family dead who are in various stages of burial. The tomb continues to fill with the other dead from the family, buried for the first time and then again a year later.

So…what a great relief to consider that Jesus was thinking of all those dead, buried with the other dead, whose death demands kept the sons in endless burial cycles. Let the dead bury their dead. Be at peace. My heavenly Father knows where all the bodies are buried. In just a short time you will see for yourselves what God has planned for My tomb, and yours, and theirs too. Be at peace.

So be at peace.

Sharing God’s Word at Home:

What are the burial customs in your family?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

6 Comments to “Thirteenth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

brebis galeuseJune 26, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I always thought “let the dead bury their dead” meant to let go of the past and look to the future. Jesus replaced the Old Covenant with the New and gave us the great commandment to love God and one another. If we love God and one another, we won’t violate any of the Ten Commandments, because acting lovingly will put us in complete compliance with all of the commandments.
becky wolfeJune 28, 2010 at 6:32 pm

I thought that meant, that those who died without knowing the the word of Christ were dead in spirit and those more cocerned with eathly matter were dead in spirit. those who chose to follow Jesus at any cost were saved and would be alive eternaly. We are told through this reading that God provides us with the means we need to live now and in eternity. For instants when we go into debt to bury someone in a costly funeral we are really doing it for show. many of our Popes have been buried in pine boxes. we put a great price on showmanship and forget that the living need help with their daily needs like food and shelter, or a place to worship and talk to God about the burdens of their hearts. why bury our mony and more so our souls in everyday trivia.
Carol SullivanJune 29, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Since mass, my husband and I have debated “let the dead bury their dead,” which he insists has never been adequately explained by the church. I reply that the words of Christ are, like many of his remarks, paradoxical. He retorts with a pun: “Paroxical is simply a pair of docs.” So now comes this wonderful discussion initiated by Kathy McGovern. Ah, this statement can be taken literally as well as metaphorically…we must not engage in “endless burial cycles” if they impede us from following Christ. Nor must we grieve endlessly. The interpretations above also add a richness to the scripture. Yes, we must “let go of the past.” And yes, we “need to live now and in eternity” His words resound: “be at peace.”
BobbieJune 30, 2010 at 12:38 am

The concept of the resurrection of the dead has always fascinated me. It takes not only faith but also religious imagination to think how we will come back in a glorious state after having been buried. Though I don’t plan on using it for a long while, I purchased my little box to house my remains after being cremated. I want to avoid the expense of a coffin. Thinking that God knows where every ash is as well as every bone is even more amazing to me. It brings me back to a sense of everyday life and to the realization that the God I believe in knows not only the sparrows and me, but every fiber of who I am. And then, when there is nothing left of my body God still knows my soul and can “knit me together” forming me once again as God “formed me in my mother’s womb.”
Jen RadosevichJune 30, 2010 at 4:45 am

I just saw a NOVA on this! How cool that even NOVA follows the Church calendar (or maybe I DVRed it!) Either way, the Holy Spirit lined it up!

I knew that Jewish tradition asked for family to morn for a year but I didn’t realize that the bones were reburied in communal family ossuaries. This gives us all kinds of things to think about . . . Elijah’s “dry bones,” Lazarus, Mary, even Jacob’s bones coming out of Egypt. We were so focused on death and the ritual of it that Jesus knew we needed to change our focus to life and the living of it!
GloriaJuly 2, 2010 at 2:31 pm

It’s wonderful to read the thoughts on this difficult reading. Thankfully we have God’s plan and, even though it’s hard, if we follow Him and act with love we will be at peace!

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Twelfth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

19 June 2010

Comments (8)

Reflecting on Luke 9:18-24

Kathleen, you wouldn’t care so much what people think of you if you knew how seldom they do. That was my Irish father talking, telling his self-absorbed adolescent daughter one of the hardest facts of life: people aren’t really paying any attention to you. Oh. Good to know.

But it turns out that Jesus cares what other people think of him too, and asks out loud, who do the crowds say I am? Is he John the Baptist, somehow come back from the dead? Or maybe Elijah, who went to the heavens in a chariot of fire and hasn’t been seen since? Their answers reveal the kind of Mediterranean chatter and interest in the outsider that now seems to belong only in the past.

But Jesus (the Christ) wants us to think about him, to pay attention to him, to have an opinion about him, to gossip with our friends about him. He knows that the more attention we pay to someone the more space in our lives that person will take.

Let’s revive the lost art of spiritual chatter. Let’s gossip with the whole Church about this Jesus, and who we say he is. Let’s breathe on the smoldering wicks of the Scriptures and see if we can start some fires. One billion Christians heard this Gospel today. What’s the buzz?

Let’s get talking, Church. Because, as five-year-old Elliott said to God, I think of you sometimes even when I’m not praying.

Sharing God’s Word at Home:

Who do you say he is?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

8 Comments to “Twelfth Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

brebis galeuseJune 19, 2010 at 8:26 pm

He is the best role model for life! In trying to be “other-absorbed,” the Gospels provide the best manual for living a counter-cultural life. Our society is so self-absorbed that we are quickly losing our way. A culture in which individuals look inward for their own good rather than looking outward for the good of the entire people will self-destruct in a short period of time. We lose our moral compass, and we are done. Only following Jesus’ way will keep us from ruining ourselves. The last verse of the Gospel reading today says it all:

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
TeresaJune 20, 2010 at 4:31 am

Love your suggestion to get talking about the scriptures, Jesus, spiritual things. My kids, like most I’m sure, ask so many questions about faith. They think about these things more often than I would have ever imagined children would. Some questions are deep and require a lot of reflection on my part and some are funny – but all of them good. I suppose this faith isn’t easy – not always easy to understand, not easy to live, not easy to talk about…but I’ve got to give it so much more effort than I do.

Thank you “The Story and You” for helping me on the way!
Betsy LillisJune 21, 2010 at 3:23 am

Time and time again, when I gaze upon a Crucifix, I think — “But, who do you say that I am?” I see you God, in the person of Jesus, and how much You love me. Although I see the nails in your hands and feet, they are actually my sins and the sins of the whole world which hold You to the cross. Each thorn in the crown of thorns represents a sin. Yet, You asked the Father to forgive all of us. As the Host is raised during the consecration at Mass, these words come to my mind, “But, who do you say that I am?” and I utter to myself, “My Lord and my God!”
A Prayer — My Jesus, Son of the Every-Living God, You are our refuge and our rock of courage. Never let us be afraid or hesitate to proclaim who You are. Let us see You in the poor, the hungry and the lonely. And, give us the strength to continue to be Your hands, and Your feet. Let us love as You love, forgive as You forgive, and offer help to all in need. We dedicate every breath in adoration to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen
Carol SullivanJune 21, 2010 at 4:26 am

Jesus is with us in our sorrows and in the deepest, darkest pits, and in the oil spills, the summer solstice, and both the fears and hopes that we cannot even name. Today let us rejoice in the spirit of the Lord. And yes, let us chatter, gossip, and pay attention to the living Christ.
BobbieJune 23, 2010 at 1:16 am

Lately my prayer has been, “reveal yourself to me.” Reveal yourself to me in the everyday moments of joy and frustration. Reveal yourself in my struggle to find employment. Reveal yourself in my community of faith, in the breaking of bread. As you reveal yourself, I will know you more deeply.
Today I looked through an office window upon a still pond which beautifully reflected stately green leafed trees. It was one of those “reveal yourself to me” moments. Looking at the pond, I could see an image of what is. I knew that if the sun weren’t shining just so, and if the pond weren’t so quiet, there would be no picture on which to gaze. i wanted to linger but had only a few minutes so I carried the image home with me.
In my own stillness and pondering, I know that sometimes I have to create the conditions for Jesus to show me who he is. I have to be willing to hang out with him, to be listen to what he says and gaze with new eyes at what he does. This way I can discover something new about him and about the God to whom he leads me. When he asks me who he is today, I can say, “You are the God who speaks to me in lingering stillness, in trees that reach toward the heavens and in the depths of my soul.” –Bobbie Bonk
ChrisJune 23, 2010 at 3:48 am

Great reflection. Great reminder that we need to communicate. I’m reminded of St. Francis of Assisi.

“Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words.”
vivianJune 23, 2010 at 4:55 am

When I got married all those years ago, my Aunt Donna gave me a pair of wall plaques she had purchased in Mexico on one of her many visits, they are clay, painted, of Mary and Jesus. I had taken them down to clean them, my granddaughter, Marisabel saw them on my dresser and she asked, why is His head bleeding? I told her it was Jesus and that He had died. She asked why, I told her because he died for all of us because He loves us so very, very much. She asked if I think of Him, and I said yes, she asked does he think of me too? Absolutely I told her, He thinks of each and every one of us because He loves us so much, she was happy with my answers…
JohnnyJune 24, 2010 at 2:57 am

Crowds all over the world are certainly saying lots of things about who Jesus is. And depending on the crowd you’re hanging out with will determine what you will hear concerning who Jesus is. I used to say that Jesus was this and that much more than I do now. I had more opinions about Jesus earlier in life. Now, it the fellowship and journey of discovering and experiencing Jesus in all things, in all persons and in all situations that leaves me speachless. It’s the discovery and fellowship of being in Jesus and the miracle of life that continually manifests the Love of God that captures my attention beyond words.

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Eleventh Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C

12 June 2010

Comments (6)

Reflecting on Luke 7:36-8:3

Only a person who has messed up as many times as I have can really remember the great love that washes over the person who is forgiven. Here’s a story that kind of makes me shudder every time I think of it:

One bitter January afternoon I was rushing to leave for a weekend retreat seventy miles away. Of course I was late, and of course I locked all my retreat materials in the trunk of the car and threw the car keys in for good measure.

ARGH!! It was getting later and darker and colder. I drove our second car to the nearby Safeway where my husband worked. Quick!! Give me your keys!! I don’t have time to explain! And as I was rushing out I sort of heard him say, Don’t lock me out!!

And it wasn’t until hours later, as I was settling into my cozy bed at the retreat house, that I realized that I had done exactly that. I had left Ben’s keys in the house and used mine to lock the doors. And of course neither of us had a cell phone.

So out of bed I flew, into the dark night and dark roads of the Colorado mountains. I pictured Ben shivering in the garage or sleeping on the neighbor’s couch. And here’s the moment of forgiveness: I walked up to our front porch and opened the (unlocked) door. A cozy warm fire was burning in the fireplace. A sleepy voice called to me from the bedroom. I knew you’d be back.

Thank God for hide-a-keys. And all the opportunities a lifetime provides us to grow in the kind of love and gratitude that only comes from being let off the hook.

Sharing God’s Word at Home:

What stories can you remember about being forgiven much?

I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).

6 Comments to “Eleventh Sunday – Ordinary Time Cycle C”

BobbieJune 12, 2010 at 9:48 pm

What a wonderful story of forgiveness and the love that reached out for it.
brebis galeuseJune 14, 2010 at 4:47 am

I was raised nominally Methodist and converted to Catholicism as an adult. When I was about eleven years old and in the sixth grade at Columbine Elementary School in Boulder, I made an unkind comment about one of the sixth grade teachers — not my teacher. I began to feel so guilty about the comment. (I truly don’t remember what it was now, but I do know that it was unkind). Nobody told me to do it, but I clearly remember going into the teacher’s room before school one morning and apologizing. She was shocked, I think, but she forgave me. When I walked out of her classroom, I felt so relieved of the burden, and I promised myself that I would never say anything about anyone behind their back that I hadn’t already said to them, or that I wouldn’t be willing to say to their face.

I now believe that the Holy Spirit prompted that little Protestant girl to do the right thing. The teacher must have been similarly prompted. This is my first recollection of a reconciliation process. I think it says something about how powerful is forgiveness when I can remember the feeling 50 years later but have long forgotten the unkind comment!
thelionandthelambJune 15, 2010 at 12:13 am

I immediately thought about a true story in our life. My husband was a senior in medical school. We had three children and graduation was approaching. We went out on a limb and bought a second car, brand new, for him. One night I was driving to a women’s group meeting and I was alone in the new car. I hit a curb very hard and flattened the TWO tires on the driver’s side. I came to a stop in the street and a truck came over the crest of the hill and hit the rear of the car. I was uninjured but devastated. His new car was now an old car. My husband arrived to rescue me with three little ones in tow and a bouquet of roses in his hands. He said, “I’m so glad you weren’t hurt.” To this day he has never made an issue over that incident. To me that was true forgiveness.
Gloria A. VarelaJune 16, 2010 at 4:52 am

(What a wonderful site)
Talk about needing forgiveness! I think the worst thing I have ever done was when I vowed, at 15, not to show any emotion. Needless to say, I effectively buried myself when I buried my truth. I hadn’t been able to love God, or my neighbor, as I hadn’t been able to love myself in that emotionally dead state. It has taken a lifetime to allow God to resurrect her. The truth has indeed set me free. So often we are blind to God’s faithfullness to forgive us our foibles, and to the miracles God wants to work in us. Praise be to God!
ChrisJune 16, 2010 at 4:53 am

The thing our priest reminded us of this weekend is the Grace that is given to the one who forgives as much as the one who was forgiven.
TeresaJune 17, 2010 at 10:04 pm

I love your story Kathy!

I can think of so many times when I have lamented over not receiving forgiveness from another and later realizing I was the one witholding grace. More grace freely given!

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