Twenty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time_A -Following the Rules: Easier Said Than Done_090124

Photo Credit: Newseum, Washington, D.C.

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Following the Rules: Easier Said Than Done”

 

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Question. How many laws are necessary to help us lead dignified, well ordered, and morally responsible lives?

Answer. Not many!

In today’s first reading we hear Moses instruct the Israelites to follow the laws and statutes that God has given to them. According to Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars, there were 613 mitzvot (commandments). Of these commandments 248 were positive – thou shall commandments and 365 were negative – thou shall not. These commandments stated the obvious in some cases such as: #1- to know that G-d exists (Ex20:2); #10 - to imitate His good and upright ways (Deut 28:9); #27 - not to stand idly by when a human life is in danger (Lev 19:16). There were also some interesting commandments such as: #159 - not to slaughter an animal and its young on the same day (Lev 22:28), or #364 - not to work with beasts of different species, yoked together (Deut 22:10). There were commandments for every facet of daily life and they were intended to help the people live together in peace and harmony. But that ideal was never realized.

By the time Jesus comes along, we can understand his compassion for those who were suffering from the burden of so many unnecessary “statutes and decrees”. In the hours he spent in prayer Jesus must have been amazed that so many "additions" to the law had been place upon the people’s shoulders. And so, as he performed his ministry, Jesus teaches his disciples the sure-fire way to live fully in the context of the Mosaic Law without getting caught up in all the nitty-gritty. It follows along the lines of the “Keep it Simple Principle and it sums up the teaching ministry of Jesus: "Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength; and, love your neighbor as yourself”.

So, when Jesus is challenged by some Pharisees about washing his hands before eating, he calls them what they are, “hypocrites”. Jesus knows that this notion of ritualistic purity is a diversion from doing the real work that God calls us to do. In fact, a lot of the work God calls us to do is pretty dirty, if not totally ritualistically unclean. Working with the homeless or in prison or with the people who frequent our soup kitchens, the lepers of our day, may get your hands dirty but such activity is sure to open your eyes to a level of poverty and personal degradation many poor men, women, and children experience each and every day. There is a large contingency of our brothers and sisters today for whom eating off of dirty plates is the least of their problems. Newsflash… Jesus is not worried about us eating from dirty dishes! The filth Jesus wants to alert and cleans us from is that which comes from within – our hard heartedness, our deafness to the needs and concerns of others, our self-centeredness, our out-of-control desires, our lusting for what’s not ours. So again, how many commandments do we need to save us from ourselves? Ten? Seventeen? Do we decide which number is right for us – just like the Serta sleep bed, or are we going to listen to what the teacher has to say…and take up our cross and follow him by loving God and placing ourselves in the service of one another?

God didn’t bring us into creation to have us get caught up in the minutia. Nor did Jesus die on the cross to defend any prevailing legalistic way of life. We do need rules to guide us and govern our lives. For that reason, Jesus gave us some simple ones to live by. If we want to live happy and fulfilling lives, we must see in ourselves and in each other the dignity that God has given to us. We must come to recognize that the Divine Presence is in each and every one of us. And, we must realize that we come to know, love, and serve Him by knowing, loving, and serving one another. We don’t need a lot of rules to live a good life. Rather we must, in the words of St. James, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” following Jesus’ example by Loving God and each other.

Last Sunday we heard that many of Jesus disciples departed from him because his teaching was too difficult. The truth is that ALL Jesus's teachings are difficult. It is difficult for us to be doers of the word. Now, perhaps more than ever before, it's time to put our faith into practice and show our love for God and one another by putting aside our biases and judgements and act like the Children of God that we are.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold, those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Dating God - Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis by Fr Dan Horan O.F.M. It may seem shocking to compare our relationship with God with the notion of "dating." But this book does. With fresh insight and a deep personal spirituality, Horan points out that the desire, uncertainty, and love we experience in relationship with God resembles our earthly relationships. In our human relationships, we set aside time for the people who are most important to us. Horan reminds us that St. Francis of Assisi understood and even described his relationship with God in a similar way. Drawing from the Franciscan tradition, Dating God encourages us to see St. Francis's spirituality in a new light, challenging us to reexamine our own spirituality, prayer, and relationships, and inviting us into a more intimate relationship with our Creator.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: The Name of God is Relationship a presentation by Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M. Fr. Dan attempts to enlighten us on several of those lingering questions we may have from time to time such as: What we can know about God?; What we can’t know about God; What is God’s Name?. Listen in on his presentation at the Center for Christian Spirituality Lecture at the University of San Diego.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - Loyalty Check_082524

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Loyalty Check”

 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

 

“If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.”

 (Jos 24:15). Joshua poses this demanding question to all the Israelites gathered at Shechem many years after they had entered the Promised Land. The people responded, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and will listen to his voice.” (Jos 24:24) Today as we listen to this scripture passage, we are asked the same question, "Who do we serve?” It is an essential question of our faith.

 

No generation has had an easy time answering this question. Life has always been hard. Remaining faithful to God in the midst of all that life presents challenges all of us and eludes even those who strive to do so. Who is God? What is my relationship with God? What is my purpose in life? What does the Almighty ask of me so that I can answer this question honestly and with resolve? These thoughtful questions are ones people have been asking throughout the ages; questions, perhaps, we have been asking ourselves too over the course of our spiritual journey.

 

I find it helpful to reflect on a passage from St. John’s gospel to get a better understanding on “how to” serve God in the way that God desires. It is the passage where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and when he has finished, he asked them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?” Not certain how they, the apostles, should respond, Jesus continues… “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do”. (John 13:15)

 

Jesus, ever the teacher, gives us throughout his ministry a very simple example of how we are to serve the Lord, Our God… by placing ourselves at the service of one another. That’s the true measure of our loyalty to God ways. St. Paul gives us some further guidance when he instructs the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”. (1COR 11:1) Imitation is a powerful human motivator. We grow up wanting to be like the athlete or musician we admire or even imitate the behavior of someone we have put on a pedestal. We even decorate our homes according to the latest episode of HGTV. Our physical lives are very much influenced by those around us. The point Paul makes is that there is a spiritual side of this reality also that is Christocentric.

 

This question about deciding whom we should serve is so very important today. Jesus asks that of his disciples today over the issues of his Body and Blood being “real food” ...”

Do you also want to leave?” There are many activities competing for our time, our attention, money, and loyalty. We seem to be on a merry-go-round that never ends... busy from morning to night...fully engaged in a world of technological advances that fill every waking hour of the day that leaves very little time for crucial activities such as spending quality family time together, engaging in meaningful reflection, finding time for solitude and reflection…and uncovering the deeper meaning of our lives as God intended. We have choices to make! Scripture asks us today to decide, “Whom we will serve”. May God’s grace direct our lives so that we may live them to the fullest under his watchful eye.

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of joining our Catholic Community ofr walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Paul, A Biography by N.T. Wright. In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N. T. Wright offers a radical look at the apostle Paul, illuminating the humanity and remarkable achievements of this intellectual who invented Christian theology—transforming a faith and changing the world.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Lecture - N.T. Wright - How Paul Invented Christian Theology. N. T. Wright approaches the Apostle Paul as the world's first, and greatest, Christian theologian. Much of his lifetime study has had Paul, his life and writings, as the focus. He has offered detailed insights into Paul's life and times for over 30 years, beginning with his dissertation on Pauline Theology and Romans and continuing through his recently released, two-volume Paul and the Faithfulness of God. In between those writings, Wright has produced over 60 books, many of which have dealt with Paul, and another one is soon to be released, Paul and His Recent Interpreters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - A Word to the Wise_081824

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“A Word to the Wise.”

 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

 

Not surprisingly, the Wisdom passage we read today gives us good, sound advice, a “word to the wise”, you might say. It tells us, “to forsake foolishness that you may live” and “to advance in the way of understanding”. Surely this is practical advice, yet easier said than done! St. Paul carries this theme even further in his letter to the Ephesians telling them, “to watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons, but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil”.

 

Scripture often portrays this theme that there are two very different approaches to life. On one hand, we have the way of the wise and virtuous person who chooses to do what is right and just. The other is the way of the fool, whose life is anything but virtuous. The author of this wisdom passage encourages us to choose wisely and make the most of the opportunity we have been given.

 

Wisdom, we are told, enables us to grow in understanding so that we make the most of every opportunity. What a thought! Any decision that we make will have consequences, results that have either good or bad outcomes. In other words, Wisdom holds the secret to the quality of our life. Good decisions lead to good outcomes which leads to good lives. Bad choices... we know too well, from our own experiences, perhaps, where that path leads, don’t we?

 

Many today complain that our world is troubled and they fear that it will get worse. After all, what St. Paul says to the Ephesians remains true for us today, “the days are evil”. We have problems, to be sure, that approach the diabolical. But fear and worry will do little to change that. On the other hand, Wisdom invites us today to embrace her and follow her advice to make most of the opportunity that we have been given. What opportunity? The opportunity, “to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received”. (Eph 4:1) Yes, we live in troubled times; yes, there are plenty of problems, so much divisiveness, and the lack of civility. How are we to respond? By relying on Wisdom to lead us through these troubled waters and direct our efforts so we can help make this world a better place and advance the Kingdom of God on earth.

 

Scripture proclaims a “word to the wise” today. May God give us the grace and the wisdom to listen.

 

Enjoy the day!

 Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: No Man Is An Island by Thomas Merton. "Without a life of the spirit, our whole existence becomes unsubstantial and illusory. The life of the spirit, by integrating us in the real order established by God, puts us in the fullest possible contact with reality — not as we imagine it, but as it really is."

 

Recommended YouTube Video: The Lifelong Journey of Discovering God and Ourselves: Thomas Merton and the True Self. Fr. Dan Horan O. F. M leads us into Merton’s foundational work on discovering our true identity as we seek to answer the two questions: Who am I and Who is God. Good listening here with another of the contemporary Franciscan Friars, Fr. Dan Horan.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - Taste and See_081124

 Image Credit:  https://myocn.net/made-known-in-the-breaking-of-the-bread/

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Taste and See”

 

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Today’s Responsorial Psalm encourages us to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”. Is this just a nice little expression, or is the psalmist serious? Can we really “taste and see” God’s goodness? I’m willing to bet that if you are reading this blog, you probably have a number of such experiences where God’s presence is so real you can sense it. As we listen to John’s gospel about the multiplication of the loaves and the bread of life discourse over a number of weeks this summer, we Catholics have this quintessential teaching that Christ makes himself present to us in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul and divinity. This is what we mean when we say “the Real Presence”. We really can taste and see God’s presence and experience him within our being. How remarkable is this! Yet, sadly, I fear that our minds are on other matters as we come forward to receive Christ fully present in the Eucharist. It’s understandable... I get it! People are busy; they have their minds cluttered with things to do, places to go; they have problems at work, a home, with the in-laws, with their kids. O Lord, we are so distracted!!!

 

I recall one of the early lessons in my life, one about problem solving. It goes like this, “The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that you have one”. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? And, you’re right; it is, at first glance. Yet, it is clear that many people we know (or ourselves, perhaps) aren’t dealing with their problems because they refuse to recognize them. And a likely reason is because they don’t know where to turn; they are clueless as to where to find help.

 

The psalmist today tells us where we can find help for the difficulties we face. Here at the table of the Lord is where we find the solution to many of life’s challenges and difficulties. For if we are able to center our lives around this physically, emotionally, and spiritually complete meal, we will have the strength, courage, and mindset that will allow us to face our problems and find solutions to them.

 

The reason for this is simple: once we get our relationship with the Son of God on proper footing, we will then in turn be able to get all of our relationships on a solid basis also. Once the Eucharist becomes our staple meal, and the indwelling of the Spirit is effectuated in us, we are able to confront our problems with a new strength and awareness that leads us to new solutions; enables us, “to be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ” as we hear in today’s second reading from Ephesians.

 

These few words from today’s readings provide immense insight into God’s overwhelming love for us. His desire is for our complete happiness and for our fulfilling our destiny of being one with him forever. The Eucharist truly allows us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. With our eyes wide open by this sacred meal we are able to see God’s goodness in the many kind acts we see around us…in the beauty of the next flower you see or the next full moon. Look into the eyes of a child or a young woman planning her wedding. Look in the mirror! The psalmist tells us to stop for a moment and take in the goodness of the Lord that surrounds us…. Don’t miss out on it! If we do, it’s because, like Martha perhaps, our hearts and minds are in the wrong place and so we miss out on God’s presence in everything and everyone around us.

 

What does God’s goodness taste like? It tastes like the feeling you get when someone says “I love you” or “your forgiven” or when you wake up energized and refreshed from a good night’s sleep and are greeted by the sunrise. God’s goodness lingers within us and moves us in a way that only grace can or like that special person in your life who can get your spirit to soar. 

 

We taste and see the goodness of the Lord most clearly, of course, in the Eucharist and in the community that gathers to receive him, food for the hungry and a sight for sore eyes. 

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or walking away from the Church.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: American Catholics: A History of the Roman Catholic Community in the United States by James Hennesey, S.J. Written by one of the foremost historians of American Catholicism, this book presents a comprehensive history of the Roman Catholic Church in America from colonial times to the present. Hennesey examines, in particular, minority Catholics and developments in the western part of the United States, a region often overlooked in religious histories.

 

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Catholics in America by Ryan Reeves Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Here he gives a brief summary of the Catholic experience in the early days of America.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - Will Work for Food_080424

Ender’s Island, CT - dahlias by Tom Casey

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Will Work for Food”

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

 

We are all too familiar with someone holding a sign that says, “WILL WORK FOR FOOD”. Perhaps some are scam artists but others are sincere and will do whatever they can to earn some money to buy food for the day. When you are hungry enough, you get desperate. Today in our first reading, the Israelites are desperate. They complain to Moses because they didn’t have enough to eat and longed to be back in Egypt where they had enough food. Imagine trading your freedom for a slice of bread!

 

God hears the cries of his people, which is a major theme of the Old Testament, and gives them their “daily portion” of bread from heaven in the form of manna to sustain them. It’s interesting to see that they received only a daily portion and that God tested them to see if they followed his instruction. You see, the manna only lasted one day. If you gathered up more than your daily portion, “it became wormy and rotten”. (Ex 16:20)

 

This story from Exodus is a prelude to the Eucharistic banquet Jesus would institute at the Last Supper and that we have been called to share today. The bread from heaven given to the Jews in the desert was meant to nourish them for that day and that day only. They were not allowed to store it up for the future. No, they needed to experience the mystery of God’s presence and caring for them each and every day. And…. so do we! 

 

This idea that we need a daily encounter with the divine is “food” for thought. Unfortunately, most of us are not able to get to Mass on a daily basis to receive Holy Communion. In that case, we can always turn to Sacred Scripture for our daily bread. For that too is the source of the spiritual nourishment we need to cope with the challenges and difficulties we face in this life. In Scripture we can also find real food, food that will last and give us the strength and courage to live each day as it comes. For Christ’s presence in our lives is all that we hunger for, all that we need to fulfill every desire and longing of our hearts. 

 

I have found Fr. Mike Schmitz, "Bible in a Year" Podcast an excellent vehicle for reading the entire Bible. You can find it on Apple or Spotify and perhaps other media. Not only will you read the Bible in a year, you will also get some fine commentary on the readings from Fr. Mike. I hope you will look into this for it is a wonderful way to up our game when it comes to knowledge of Scripture. 

 

Enjoy the day!

 Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacons engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or walking away from the Church.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Explore the treasures of Catholic Social Teachings in this great word - Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching: Living as a Disciple of Christ. “No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone,” wrote Pope Benedict XVI, whose words resonate with today’s teens (all the young at heart  ) particularly because the prevalence of social media allows them to better see how their lives are interwoven with those around them.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: What is the Catholic Social Teaching? You've heard it mentioned - but what is it? Here we introduce the tradition of thought called "Catholic social teaching", starting from its biblical foundations and its seven so-called "pillars," then reviewing some historical milestones since its beginnings in 1891 with the promulgation of Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum. We conclude by considering a series of brief passages from Msgr. Martin Schlage's edited volume, The Handbook of Catholic Social Teaching.