Ordinary 13

After looking at the cuase of sickness and death, we can move on to the remedy: Faith. After showing the broken relationships in Genesis, the story moves on to Abraham, our Father in Faith. Faith is shown as the antidote to sin.

Faith is the key to both responses in the Gospel. The Synagogue official is an external demonstration, he made his request publicly. The woman was an internal faith. Both are acceptable to Jesus, although he does bring the woman's faith to light publicly.

Ordinary 13

Genesis describes relationship of sin to death. As sin increases, life expectancy decreases. Faith is presented as the antidote. Genesis presents sin as damaging relationships: between God and man; between man and woman; between brothers; and between man and the world. The Gospel stories show the personal damage of sin. Faith is still the antidote.

The faith of the synagogue official and the woman are held up for our consideration. How do we apply faith to our situations?

Ordinary 13

Wisdom reminds us that God formed man for a higher purpose. It was the envy of the devil that brought death into our lives.

Paul extends the fruits of our excelling in faith, discourse, knowledge, etc into our charity. We should be generous in giving help to others because Jesus gave us an example to follow.

The Gospel has a miracle within a mircle. The woman with the hemorrhages is an interesting story. Many people are touching Jesus, she is the only one to be healed.

Some thoughts on theme: Touching Jesus in faith; God is the source of blessing and healing

Ordinary 12

Jesus calms the storm. Two episodes in Gospels with different details. Were they the retelling of the same story? Did Jesus calm two different storms at sea? The truth of the stories is that Jesus is there for us when things get rough. The details will always change because our lives are always changing. Sometimes we are with Jesus when things happen and sometimes we are away from him and he comes to us.

Ordinary 12

When a doctor says "we've found a tumor" the storm of a lifetime hits. Like the disciples in the boat, there doesn't seem to be anywhere to turn. The feeling is fear of the unknown, helplessness, anxiety about loved ones, anger, depression. and more. The feeling storm is overwhelming. "Why does God do this to me?"

In Job we find an answer that may satisfy our minds but leaves our hearts wondering. The answer is because of sin in the world good people suffer. To satisfy our hearts we must ask anaother question "Where is God?" The whole Bible answers that, God is with His people in their suffering. Just as Jesus calmed the storm threatening the disciples, He offers us peace when we turn to him.

Ordinary 12

Job is a great story for preaching. Things I like: God's confidence in Job; and, God's reminder to Job (where were you when I was creating the world?).

Written to dispel false theological notion that wealthy people prosper because God blesses them and poor people suffer because they've sinned. Possible consideration: Sin and happiness.

Where is God in the midst of our troubles? Why do good people suffer?

Ordinary 12

God speaks to Job out of the storm. Jesus calms the storm for his disciples. Storm is a good image. Life is full of storms. Where do we find peace in the midst of the storm?

Recent hurricanes have increased our awareness of the power of storms. Also, we see the devastation caused by them. There are stories of light and hope as well.

Corpus Christi

Judging a book by its cover. Isn't that how we make many decision about things. I want to read an exciting novel. I look at the cover and title and pick one. I want to go on a vacation. Ilook at an ad or brochure and make a decision that this looks good.

How many really good things do we overlook because they don't catch our eye? Hype is the thing. We expect hype. We expect NEW, SUPER, AWESOME, etc

God doesn't work that way. The Eucharist appears very plain but the Lord of the Universe is present. Sacrament look like signs but God is at work. Think of the miracles we miss because we are looking for something exciting.

Corpus Christi

Awesome. Let's consider what "awesome" really is. In TV and movies, we've seen recreations of trips to Mars, aliens, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. Some great special effects created by man. Our imaginations are certainly capable of wonderous things. Do these manmade marvels set the bar for what is "awesome"? To be awesome, does it have to have glamour, pizzaz, glitz, and special effects?

Is there room for God among all the special effects we are accustomed to?

Corpus Christi

Do we take the Real Presence for granted? The magnitude of the realization that Jesus is physically present, body, blood, soul and divinity in the Blessed Sacrament is mind boggling. It has to be inspired by God. No human mind would have constructed such a far out idea. The Reformation reaction is an example of human minds saying "no way". They would accept the idea of symbol but not what we believe.

Since the Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament, what do we do about it? Do we anticipate meeting Him? Do we reverently prepare to recieve Him into our hearts at communion? What about signs of reverence and respect such a genuflecting?

The fast before communion is intended to make us "hungry" for Him. Confession before communion prepares our souls for Him.

Corpus Christi

The first reading from Exodus recalls the sealing of the covenant with blood. The people swear a blood oath after hearing the terms of the covenant.

The responsorial psalm has us take up the cup of salvation, the Blood of Christ, and call on the name of the Lord. Vows made in the name of the Lord are sacred. This is a double sealing of a vow, the blood and the name.

The letter to the Hebrews tells us Christ sealed the covenant in His Blood. We should remember his faithfulness as we consider our response.

The Gospel recounts the Last Supper and Jesus' use of bread and wine to establish His Covenant with us. The bread and wine that become His Body and His Blood. Corpus Christi is a celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Trinity Sunday

Prayer is more than saying prayers. It is the lifeblood of our intimacy with God. If all we do is
"say prayers" how can we grow closer to God. That approach is acting as if God has be satisfied by the number of prayers we say.

"Saying Prayers" is the warm up, the practice that prepares us to really pray. Examine the psalms and see how others have prayed. Meditate over the prayers omposed by various saints and see how they expressed their intimacy with God. Sometimes what they said fully expresses where we are, but not always. We have to learn to open our heart to God.

We will not achieve true intimacy with God until we can sit with Him and listen. Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament teaches us how to do that. We learn to be comfortable with God, a vital part of intimacy.

God does not judge the quality of our prayers by the language we use but by our hearts. A mother does not reject the dandelion bouquet presented by one of her children, but cherishes the thought and love that it represents.

Trinity Sunday

Is God so hard to get close to because we don't experience real intimacy? Society understands that to mean sexual intimacy. People settle for that hoping to find more. The art of conversation is a thing of the past. Interesting, intercourse used to mean conversation.

What kind of conversations do you have with God? Do you listen or just talk at Him? Do you share what's happening in your life with Him? He is interested in the children, in the laundry issues, etc.

Trinity Sunday

Intimacy with God. Scott Hahn in several of his books speaks of the intimacy of the Trinity. The relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one of perfect intimacy. We are invited to share that in Heaven, but also can share in it here on earth. Where do we begin?

The Baltimore Catechism answered the question "why did God make us?" by teaching that God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to Serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him in eternal life. We will not serve someone we do not love. We will not love someone we do not know. It seems that "knowing" God is where we should begin.

To know God we read the Scriptures. St. Jerome once commented "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." Jesus tells us a lot about the loving Father. Get to know Him better.

Trinity Sunday

Readings: Deut 4:32-40; Rom 8:14-17; Matt 28:16-20

First thoughts on Trinity Sunday are always about the St. Augustine story. This great mind, a Doctor of the Church, pondering the mystery of the Trinity encounters a boy putting the ocean into a small hole on the beach. The boy (OK, an angel) reminds him of the vastness of the mystery of God. To be considered: The mystery of God and human perceptions.

First and second readings reflect a theme of intimacy. Moses asks "has any God been as close as the Lord has been to them"? Paul goes even further in reminding the Romans we are "children of God" and call God "Abba", our Father. To be considered: Intimacy with God

Introduction

Studying scripture should be a group activity. Several years ago I was part of a group that met on Sunday nights. I preached on the Sunday lectionary readings at Andrews Air Force Base. Several of them went to other neighboring Catholic parishes. Hearing the reviews on what different priests picked from the scriptures to reflect upon was fascinating. As a priest in a one priest parish, I don't get to hear what others say.

Perhaps this will go two ways: 1. we can start looking at the readings for the coming Sunday; and, 2. share thoughts about what we heard in those scriptures as they were proclaimed at Mass.