Today's reading is about Martha, the cook and Mary the one listening. The balance of doing and being is a daily endeavor.
I am sure we all can identify with Martha, working hard to make a good meal while those who could help are chilling out or listening to someone talk. I am sure we can talk a break and chill out ourselves and join in the conversation. Sometimes I get so engrossed in the cooking I forget to just chill out and enjoy it. Jesus says just relax and learn to be there.
On the other hand learning to listen and just be there is a task as well. It takes discipline to be quiet and totally present to the other. Sometimes the cooking seems easier.
the adventure is to balance both.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Good Samaritan or for my good
Recently I have been reading the 1st encyclical letter by Pope Frances called LUMEN FIDEI or light of faith. In this writing he states christian faith is based on the belief in the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Christ's life, his way of knowing the Father and living in complete and constant relationship with him, opens up new and inviting vistas for human experience.
We believe and follow Jesus doing good because it was his way. We have the choice to do good so we can show we can do good and thereby do it for our own edification. Doing good works alone does not make one a follower of Christ.
Today we hear the story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a injured man beaten and lying on the wayside. He stopped not only to help but took him to be taken care of. The story says the priest, the Levi a church minister not only passed the man by but crossed the street.
We too have a choice to be followers of Jesus and help those in need as he would. Or we too can cross the street, take a different hallway, ignore on crying, not only not help at the warming shelter, or food program but choose to not want them in our neighborhood, make judgments against those who partake of these programs.
You can find the encyclical letter on line it is worth the read no matter what religious tradition you follow. This week be more aware of your choices are they of a good Samaritan or not?
We believe and follow Jesus doing good because it was his way. We have the choice to do good so we can show we can do good and thereby do it for our own edification. Doing good works alone does not make one a follower of Christ.
Today we hear the story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a injured man beaten and lying on the wayside. He stopped not only to help but took him to be taken care of. The story says the priest, the Levi a church minister not only passed the man by but crossed the street.
We too have a choice to be followers of Jesus and help those in need as he would. Or we too can cross the street, take a different hallway, ignore on crying, not only not help at the warming shelter, or food program but choose to not want them in our neighborhood, make judgments against those who partake of these programs.
You can find the encyclical letter on line it is worth the read no matter what religious tradition you follow. This week be more aware of your choices are they of a good Samaritan or not?
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Relax, contemplate, serve
Today the 4 Th of July Holiday weekend is over with many experiences of relaxation, some were camping, swimming, cooking out, meeting family. Some of us watched parades, family gathering, enjoyed sitting in gentle rain showers, and just plan relaxing in chair, iced coffee and zoned out.
Now refreshed to be sent out as Jesus sent out his followers in the reading this Sunday. They went out in Jesus name giving hope, curing sick, encouragement. We too are sent out tomorrow in Jesus name as baptized persons. We too will have the opportunity to bring hope, encouragement, helping those who are sick. Do all you do in Jesus name.
Avoid going out in your name, resist as our culture says we can do anything.
Now refreshed to be sent out as Jesus sent out his followers in the reading this Sunday. They went out in Jesus name giving hope, curing sick, encouragement. We too are sent out tomorrow in Jesus name as baptized persons. We too will have the opportunity to bring hope, encouragement, helping those who are sick. Do all you do in Jesus name.
Avoid going out in your name, resist as our culture says we can do anything.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
CHOICES
Today's scripture is about choices and discernment. Jesus gives the invitation to several to follow him, one needs to say goodbye to family, another bury the dead and so on.
It is only a example but often we are given invitations to follow Jesus in a special way to be bearers of the good news, but we too say oh can I visit my friend first, I need to do my laundry, I am too tired and so on.
This week may we be aware of the invitations to be Gospel people and accept the invite. Let us know how it went for you!
It is only a example but often we are given invitations to follow Jesus in a special way to be bearers of the good news, but we too say oh can I visit my friend first, I need to do my laundry, I am too tired and so on.
This week may we be aware of the invitations to be Gospel people and accept the invite. Let us know how it went for you!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
Today of course I think of my own dad. He was my buddy, friend, confidant, hero and most wonderful man I knew. As a child I sent most of my free time with him in the garden, fishing, planting,laughing and giving my mom a bad time. It was our things. I missed him when he passed. At some times he would come to me in my dreams and I would tell him my worries and he would always say it will be alright. Tell me I am crazy but it was a comfort to me.
As a Christian, Catholic I say the prayer Jesus taught. Our Father who are in heaven. Growing up I saw God my heavenly Father the same as my earthly father, loving, kind, could tell him anything, forgiving, and saying it will be alright.
Today we take special time to honor, respect and enjoy our father on earth and in heaven. I thank my father for being a big part of my faith foundation.
I pray for all fathers today and father figures as they too are part of the faith formation of those who depend on them as their father.
To all fathers THANK YOU
Sunday, June 9, 2013
COMPASSION
The reading for today was on Jesus meeting the widow mother on the way to bury her only son. He saw her and had compassion on her and stopped the burial and told her son to arise. He gave her son back to her.
In that time as in our day a widow is alone and depends on family to be there for her. In this case if her son was not there for her she would become a beggar and at the mercy of others. Later on we also hers that the Apostles appointed some of their group to reach out to the widows to be sure they were cared for.
Have times changed, I think not. In my daily rounds in the hospital I meet elderly persons who are sick and are being advised not to return to home. It is not safe for you to go home. But where will I go, who will care for me, I cant afford the facilities.
Perhaps we live next to such a person who needs only a little of our time and care. May we not be blind to those in need. Often they are the hidden folks in our community and sometimes it is our family members. We are busy with our own lives and need to look for some time for those who are needing our love and attention. May we pray this week for ears and eyes for those in need and the compassion to reach out to them
In that time as in our day a widow is alone and depends on family to be there for her. In this case if her son was not there for her she would become a beggar and at the mercy of others. Later on we also hers that the Apostles appointed some of their group to reach out to the widows to be sure they were cared for.
Have times changed, I think not. In my daily rounds in the hospital I meet elderly persons who are sick and are being advised not to return to home. It is not safe for you to go home. But where will I go, who will care for me, I cant afford the facilities.
Perhaps we live next to such a person who needs only a little of our time and care. May we not be blind to those in need. Often they are the hidden folks in our community and sometimes it is our family members. We are busy with our own lives and need to look for some time for those who are needing our love and attention. May we pray this week for ears and eyes for those in need and the compassion to reach out to them
Sunday, June 2, 2013
FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI-BODY OF CHRIST
Pope Francis has challenged Catholics to consider if they allow their lives to be transformed by Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
Speaking yesterday to a congregation of about 20,000 people, on the Feast of Corpus Christi outside the Basilica of St John Lateran, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to ask if the Eucharist is a “moment of true communion with the Lord, but also with my many brothers and sisters who share at this same altar?” and if when “adoring Christ truly present in the Eucharist, do I allow myself to be transformed by him.
We come to the church to be nourished or is it an obligation? Have you ever noticed the people there with you? Some dressed nicely and some old torn in jeans but all are there. Lady next to me says I cant see anything as I have macular degeneration. Yet she comes and prays her heart out. Greets me warmly with hand shake at kiss of peace.
Babies crying, does that bother you? Jesus said bring the children to me.
Jesus died for all of us, no matter our state in life, our salary, or accomplishments or lack of these. What I like is at communion we all come equally in need of nourishment. He also said do this in remembrance of me. Could that mean I also give my life for others that they may have life.
I don't think we need to look for them this week, if we are serious God will send them to us!!
Be ready
Speaking yesterday to a congregation of about 20,000 people, on the Feast of Corpus Christi outside the Basilica of St John Lateran, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to ask if the Eucharist is a “moment of true communion with the Lord, but also with my many brothers and sisters who share at this same altar?” and if when “adoring Christ truly present in the Eucharist, do I allow myself to be transformed by him.
We come to the church to be nourished or is it an obligation? Have you ever noticed the people there with you? Some dressed nicely and some old torn in jeans but all are there. Lady next to me says I cant see anything as I have macular degeneration. Yet she comes and prays her heart out. Greets me warmly with hand shake at kiss of peace.
Babies crying, does that bother you? Jesus said bring the children to me.
Jesus died for all of us, no matter our state in life, our salary, or accomplishments or lack of these. What I like is at communion we all come equally in need of nourishment. He also said do this in remembrance of me. Could that mean I also give my life for others that they may have life.
I don't think we need to look for them this week, if we are serious God will send them to us!!
Be ready
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