Saturday, July 4, 2015

1 Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 13-16

13 Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, 16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.

In yesterday’s video Archbishop Sheen explained that suffering is an integral part of becoming a new person in Christ by the giving up the self and ego in sacrifice to the other.

On the marriage of my oldest son his little brother was asked to say something at the reception. Vincent got up (he is 6’6”) and while all eyes were on him stated, “First Chris called Kate and there was the telephone ring: then there was a bond establish and the trust ring began: then after some time came the engagement ring: and naturally followed the wedding ring: but Chris I have to warn you that after today there is one more ring; for now begins the suffer ring.

Christian suffering begins at home: for it is in the home the Lord develops the understanding heart when one discovers the imperfections of the other and makes sacrifices seeking the good of the other as other.

 

Friday, July 3, 2015

1 Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 5-6

5 For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands; 6 thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him “lord.” You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.

As Christians we are not wimps. We may at times to the untrained mind appear to because we do good for others and mirror the love of Christ; but we are not unadventurous. Christians cannot be bullied to act outside of their conscience. Peter here is reminding the first century Christians of this; especially women who for all intents or purposes were considered along the same lines as property.

Women Peter advices are to be subordinate to their husbands so as to win them over if they are not Christians by their love and their reverent and chaste behavior. Being sexy is the world’s view of beauty used in most of the popular songs of today but Peter advices us to rather show the hidden character of the heart in a gentle and calm disposition (NO DRAMA QUEENS). Husbands and wives are to show honor to each other because you are joint heirs of the gift of life. Marriage is not an arrangement for mutual benefits.

Marriage is a noble commandment from God to love another; even if it hurts. Each chooses to love and honor the other even when it’s rejected; but do not be intimidated Peter advises; give love and do not give up. In a marriage there should be an air of freedom; for real love is a choice of the will rather than just a feeling and to choose one must be free. Never stop praying for each other remembering that consideration is a prerequisite of effective prayer.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

1 Peter, Chapter 2, Verse 17

Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king.

We are to be good citizens but God’s citizens first. We are to love our community.

One recent change in the liturgy is in “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,” Catholics have said this for decades, but due to translation changes those words have been amended to, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” This expression of faith makes me think of all those who are under my roof and are under my protection but then I reflect further. I think of all those roofs I am under: the church, my work, my community and family. I am humbled and ask God to bless them all not just myself. We are not alone we are a community of love.

Yes it is true we have the freedom Christ gave us; but to be truly free we must serve and give reverence to God, esteem for everyone and committed love for our fellow Christians. We are to honor those who are under our roof and those whose roof we are under.

To honor someone means we give great attention to them and listen to them when they talk (put down the smart phone). If they make a request or suggestion we make every effort to do it. It means you give them respect and high esteem; you treat them as being special and of great worth. For indeed they are, did not our Lord die for them. Christ asks us to go the extra mile with them; to accommodate them: out of honor. This is the noble way we are to live.

In the movie Les Misérables (1998 film), Liam Neeson plays, Jean Valjean, a man who was arrested for stealing bread and after 19 years is released on parole. However, no one is willing to allow him, a convict, to stay the night. Except for Bishop Myriel, who kindly welcomes him into his home. Valjean explains to Myriel that sleeping in a real bed will make him a new man. In the night, Valjean, interrupted by Myriel while stealing his silverware, strikes him and flees. When the police arrest Valjean, Myriel tells them that the silverware was a gift and scolds Valjean for failing to take his candlesticks as well. Myriel then reminds Valjean that he is to become a new man.[1]

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(1998_film)

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse 6

Thus we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

The word “Thus” indicates that to not be afraid we must know the Lord is our helper and do as verses 1-5 indicate; which list step that tell us how to continue in mutual love. In fact the opposite of fear is not courage but love.

Paul indicates the following ways of living to be a person of love or charity.

•  In all that you do be an agent of hospitality. That is to be generous. Even the poor can be rich in their praise and love of others. Share not only your time, talent and treasure but truly give of yourself to others of your intellect, emotional support, and physical presence. A good guide is the spiritual works of mercy: instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort the afflicted; pray for the living and the dead.
• Do what you can to free others of their prisons whether these are self-imposed i.e. addictions or through ignorance. A good guide is the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; harbor the harbor-less; visit the sick; ransom the captive; bury the dead.
• Marriage is the physical reality of our souls marriage to God through the Holy Spirit; therefore. If married love and honor your wife; be chase in spirit whether married or single knowing that marriage is the physical sign of your union with God. Disdain any kind of defilement sexually.
• Avoid the love of money. Seek simplicity and contentment. Treat all the wealth you have as if it were Gods; on loan to you to build the Kingdom; which it is. You can do this if you know and trust God will never forsake you or abandon you.

Continuing in love means to seek the good of the other as other.  

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Matthew, Chapter 8, Verse 26

He (Christ) said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

In many respects I can identify with the apostles in this verse. I have been in the sea of tribulation for the last four years. I am terrified.

In the first reading of today; I feel much like Lot.  My livelihood has been taken from me and my wife’s love toward me has died; she has become a pillar of salt toward me just as Lots wife did when she looked back. My working years are behind me and I struggle for my daily bread.

 

Yet I know the Lord although sleeping, is in the boat with me. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. (Psalm 130:5)

Monday, June 29, 2015

Psalm 34, Verse 12

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you fear of the LORD.

Today is the Feast of Peter and Paul; let us listen to church they helped establish for Christ. Be at peace and in stillness listen to what the Lord is asking you to do for Him through His church.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Mark, Chapter 5, Verse 33

The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

The woman in the chapter had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years and was ritually unclean by Jewish laws.

An unclean person in general had to avoid that which was holy and take steps to return to a state of cleanness. Uncleanness placed a person in a "dangerous" condition under threat of divine retribution, even death, if the person approached the sanctuary. Uncleanness could lead to expulsion of the land's inhabitants and its peril lingered upon those who did not undergo purification. Bodily discharges (blood for women, semen for men) represented a temporary loss of strength and life and movement toward death. Because decaying corpses discharged, so natural bodily discharges were reminders of sin and death. Physical imperfections representing a movement from "life" toward "death" moved a person ritually away from God who was associated with life. Purification rituals symbolized movement from death toward life and accordingly involved blood, the color red, and spring (lit. "living") water, all symbols of life.[1]

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9). Christ also being clean took this woman uncleanliness and gave her his Holiness. Indeed she was filled with wonder and awe.

This day emulate our Lord by reflecting and living the prayer of St. Francis.

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

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[1] http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/clean-unclean.html.