Thursday, March 28, 2019

Fourth Sunday of Lent - The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same_033119


Deacon Tom Writes,
“The More Things Change,
The More They Remain The Same”


There is much commentary today about the vanishing middle class, how they have been left behind in our new economy. Low paying jobs with no benefits, the persistent difficulty in finding full time employment, the lack of adequate training for the high skilled jobs demanded by the technological revolution of the last two decades and the high cost of living have combined to forced many mothers and fathers to work two, sometimes three jobs to provide for the basic need of their family. Stirred up by politicians and the media people have become angry that they haven’t been getting their “fair share” and, there is ample evidence to support this sentiment. There is a spirit of bitterness, resentment and even hatred festering in the hearts of many people. As I read today’s gospel in light of these realities I sense that old truism at work, “The more things change, the more things remain the same”. For, as we read today, the older brother felt that he too wasn’t getting his fair share either.

I sense these are the same emotional struggles the older brother in today’s gospel had to contend with when his younger brother up and left, perhaps to “find himself” in the big city of his day. This older brother had stayed at home; he worked the farm, probably having to take on additional responsibilities because of his brother’s sudden departure. He probably felt that his father was giving away what was rightfully his by his birthright when his younger brother flew the coup. He was resentful and had every right to be because his brother violated the social norms of the times and, upon his return, seems to suffer no ill consequence. Even more challenging, he seems to be rewarded for his bad behavior. Most of us today identify with this older brother and sympathize with him.

If we spend some time with this reading, however, our eyes may be opened to the beauty of this parable wherein we are able to see how God not only refuses to see our bad behavior but also readily welcomes us back when we come to our senses. For the younger son, it was his errant behavior, his disrespect for his father and brother, his selfishness and wanton behavior that God overlooks. The older brother, too, is in need of forgiveness for his failing to recognize his father’s need to stand by his son who made a mistake and was contrite enough to admit it. This parable ends, however, and leaves us wondering if the older son ever comes to his senses and joins the banquet with his merciful father, penitent brother and joyful guests.

This parable gives us insight into God’s very nature, i.e. one of  unconditional love”. God willingly overlooks all our faults and sins and welcomes us home with open arms when we return. For God does not “count our trespasses against us”.  

We are called to forgive “seventy times seven time” Jesus tells us according to St. Matthew (Mt 18:22). Perhaps, if we practiced to forgive this often, we would become good at it. How much our lives would improve for the better!

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Image Credit: Act Of Forgiveness, after Giotto 1450 reproduction

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Third Sunday of Lent -We’ve Got To Change Our Evil Ways_032419


Deacon Tom Writes,
“We’ve Got To Change Our Evil Ways!”


A tip of the hat to Carlos Santana who planted the melody in my head for today’s reflection You may notice, however, I have changed the “You’ve” to “We’ve” to make it applicable to us personally. In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he recalls the history of the Jewish people and their wandering in the desert”. He reminds his listeners that while their ancestors were in the desert they, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink”…” yet, they were “struck down in the desert” because their spiritual food did not change their evil desires”. Paul goes on to say that these words, “have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come”. As we listen to these words today, do they give us a better understanding of Eucharist as our “spiritual food and drink” to help us on our desert journey? Do Paul’s words lead us into a deeper awareness of Eucharist as a reality in which we experience Christ and, like the bread and wine, are permanently changed and transformed into the “Mystical Body of Christ”? 

To live in the “Kingdom of God” that Jesus reveals requires that we make some significant changes to the way we think, in how we live our lives and how we related and interact with one another. The process of making these changes is known by various names but they all produce the same results… “repentance”, “change of heart”, “metanoia”. These are the traditional words used to describe the interior work we must do to become productive members of the Kingdom of God that Jesus invites us to seek.  

The warning Paul gives us today is that we not become like the Israelites of antiquity who ate and drank the spiritual food provided them but to no avail”. We have the food of “Everlasting Life” in the Eucharist and it is indeed life sustaining and life giving…if, and only if… the food we eat encourages us, no, better yet, gives us the heartfelt desire to “change our evil ways” and live as the Children of God in whose image we have been made! In the Kingdom of God, if there is no transformation to becoming more Christ-like, there is no new life! And, if there is no new life, then our evil ways will have dire spiritual consequences.

Just as we read in the gospel, if there are no figs, of what use is the fig tree? If the Eucharist produces no new life in us, than really, we are no better off than our spiritual ancestors who, because they failed to change their evil ways, were struck down in the desert. 

On to the rest of the day, with Santana’s “Evil Ways” playing in my head!

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Second Sunday of Lent - The Enemy Within_031719




Deacon Tom Writes,
“The Enemy Within”


Today’s readings give us food for thought as we begin another Lenten season. Our first reading recalls the promise or covenant God made with Abram, that he would be the father of many nations and that his children would outnumber the stars…. Imagine that! You couldn’t blame Abram for holding back a little chuckle when God revealed his plan. Imagine if he was able to see the heavens through the eyes of the Hubble Telescope and realize how impossible it would be to count the number of stars in the heavens!!! God’s promise was simply beyond Abraham’s imagination. Lent is a time to reflect on the promises God has made and also fulfilled for our benefit. God made good on his promise to redeem the world from the darkness of sin and death through the sacrifice and obedience of his Son, Jesus, Son of God, and Son of Mary. If we understand in the slightest what God has done for us then we realize what a great gift we have received, for we have been given the gift of Eternal Life, the chance to live with him forever. This is the gift that Christ’s death and resurrection has secured for us.

Another theme flowing from our readings today to guide us on our Lenten journey is that of Jesus’ transformation. Peter, James, and John witness Jesus in the fullness of his glory and they are overwhelmed. This sneak preview of the Divine Jesus helps us realize that we too must be transformed into the mystical Body of Christ. St. Paul spoke directly about our need to experience this metamorphosis when he wrote to the Galatians… “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me”  (Gal 2:20). A mature Christian mindset is one that is always seeking to follow in Christ’s footsteps, that is, to conform our hearts and minds to that of Christ so that we too can pick up the our crosses and follow the rocky road of our lives. Not an easy thing to do, and so we take baby steps to learn to “let go and let God” so we can learn to surrender ourselves to God’s Will in the face of our trials and frustrations in life.

Finally, St. Paul gives us a dose of harsh reality, apparently something he witnessed among the early followers of Jesus. Believe it or not, some of those who called themselves Christians were, “…enemies of the cross of Christ”. Wow! Right from the beginning, people were professing to be followers of Jesus, when in fact they were living their old ways. Paul recognized this duplicity and confronts it directly. He admonishes the Philippians to, “join with others in being imitators of me”. What a powerful invitation into the life of Christ from a man who imitated Christ in every way. St. Paul is a model for us on our Lenten Journey. He knows very well how to subdue the enemy within – by constant prayer, fasting, and charitable works. Good activities to occupy us this Lenten season as we too try to quell our own “enemies within”.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Thursday, March 7, 2019

First Sunday of Lent - Be With Me Lord_031019



Deacon Tom Writes,
“Be With Me Lord”


Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble”. These words from Psalm 91 are found under the heading “Security Under God’s Protection”. That’s solid advice to get us started on the right foot this holy season. “Be with us, Lord” through the days and nights that lie ahead. “Be with us, Lord” to face the struggles that life has in store for us. Protect us from all our fears and anxieties… Keep us safe; watch over us; lead us; help us…to navigate the uncertainties and challenges that await us.  

Think about our own experiences when problems arise: we turn to God in our time of desperation. That’s not unusual. It’s a wise person that asks for help when the going gets tough. Jesus is a wise man and we see that he has a deep trust and confidence in God. He turns to God to support and sustain him during his ordeal in the desert as he confronts Satan. Luke hints at the source of Jesus’ confidence by telling us that Jesus did not go into the desert alone. Luke says he had a companion… that Jesus, “… was filled with the Holy Spirit” who reminded him that he was not alone during his temptation. Scripture informs us that the Holy Spirit remained with Jesus throughout his ministry as he revealed the Kingdom of God to the people of Israel and beyond. Jesus knew he could depend upon God to “Be with him” not only during his own troubles but also, as he taught his disciples, God is with us “always” in the good times and the impossible one too.

Lent is a very holy time to enrich our spiritual lives by deepening our relationship with God by spending time developing and strengthening that relationship, as Jesus did, so that we have the confidence to know that God is always present, always willing to help us during the hard and sorrowful times life throws at us. That God is really present, that he really cares for us…. loves us more than we love ourselves, is so often hard for us to believe. Yet, it is true!

During this Lenten Season may we experiences God’s presence as we pray,  Be with me, Lord”… now and forever.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom