Readings
I am constantly amazed by Jesus' desire to serve and to love the poor. He never wavers from his vision and from his mission. It is a constant appeal to care for, love and look after the marginalized. Whats amazing is that this message was so radical and threatening that he was killed. Its the same message that was delivered to the poor in El Salvador. Jesus desires such a radical sense of love. It is a love that is beyond our comprehension but it is also a love that really challenges us to look past our short comings and the short comings of others and to see the presence of the body within. This is really hard to do with people that challenge our vision or grate against our own understanding of love and relationship. And yet we must see past the lies and deceit and see the image of God in which they were created. This is my challenge for the week.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Fr. Lucas shared the key theme in these readings today is reconciliation and especially that our God is merciful and patient -- I would add, even with our less than fertile choices and sometimes barren stupidities. This is blatantly clear with the parable of the fig tree that has yet to bare fruit after 3 years and is taking up garden soil and precious nutrients. The owner tells the gardener to cut it down but he begs for one more year -- God's patience with us in our barren lives.
I think we can take this parable one step further because the gardener says that he will take special care to nurture and fertilize the tree during that coming year. Maybe it is a wild twist, but I believe we are truly called to nurture each other. Out goal is not to simply do good and to get ourselves to heaven. I believe we are all in this together. We are the Body of Christ and we must fertilize, prune and support each other so that the Body of Christ flourishes and we can all reach our heavenly goal. It has been said that a spouse' goal is to get his/her spouse to heaven -- or it takes an entire village to raise a child. It does and our church is only as strong as the weakest link. We need to seek out the weak link and strengthen it, build it up with encouragement and education (yeah!). So maybe this parable is also about community -- it only takes 2 to form a small community -- the gardner and his fig tree. Maybe he should try singing to it, or more importantly get that fig tree a mate!
I think we can take this parable one step further because the gardener says that he will take special care to nurture and fertilize the tree during that coming year. Maybe it is a wild twist, but I believe we are truly called to nurture each other. Out goal is not to simply do good and to get ourselves to heaven. I believe we are all in this together. We are the Body of Christ and we must fertilize, prune and support each other so that the Body of Christ flourishes and we can all reach our heavenly goal. It has been said that a spouse' goal is to get his/her spouse to heaven -- or it takes an entire village to raise a child. It does and our church is only as strong as the weakest link. We need to seek out the weak link and strengthen it, build it up with encouragement and education (yeah!). So maybe this parable is also about community -- it only takes 2 to form a small community -- the gardner and his fig tree. Maybe he should try singing to it, or more importantly get that fig tree a mate!
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Oh, the Prodigal Son . . . Having been raised with a special needs sibling, I can so identify with the elder son. It seemed the focus was always on MJ, her struggles and every little achievement. I never had the grace and gift of being the baby. Big Sister is so overrated! I struggle to this day with feelings of jealousy when I judge someone or something else is garnering more than their fair share of attention. It has been easier to learn and to accept that nothing I do can overcome the sorrow that MJ's disability caused my mom, even though mom tried so hard to present it as a 'joy' and gift to our family.
With distance and time (and the gift of maturity and Tom's love!) I have come to understand that this gospel is about Redemption. God loves us all as equals. In His eyes I can be the baby, I can be loved as the jealous sister and I don't have to make up for everything that MJ could not do to be acceptable. That mindset does not come naturally, though. I have to mentally work through it every time I hear this gospel. I have to remind myself that God loves me and rejoices every time I turn to Him.
Mom
With distance and time (and the gift of maturity and Tom's love!) I have come to understand that this gospel is about Redemption. God loves us all as equals. In His eyes I can be the baby, I can be loved as the jealous sister and I don't have to make up for everything that MJ could not do to be acceptable. That mindset does not come naturally, though. I have to mentally work through it every time I hear this gospel. I have to remind myself that God loves me and rejoices every time I turn to Him.
Mom
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Friday February 26th (Day 16)
Readings
I am struggling a little with these readings for today. This has been an incredibly difficult week, its one that I wish would just go away. I have found it hard to focus on anything positive or life giving. The ironic part is that I have been teaching Gandhi so one would think that I would feel surrounded by positive sentiments and emotions. Yet I have just felt helpless and frustrated. While I like the final message of the Gospel, the violence that occurs before we reach it does not sit well with me. One could almost interpret the message as if though violence and death are justified in the face of injustice or within the threat of injustice. These people are worthy of the kingdom because they produce the fruit, but how are they any better than the scribes and Pharisees? Even if Jesus was trying to make a point, is violence ever justified? I get that the violence intentional and unintentional that society has laid upon the laboring class by far out scales the violent actions of these workers, and yet I find myself not desiring either image. I just which we could live in a world were violence in not the most sought out option.
I am struggling a little with these readings for today. This has been an incredibly difficult week, its one that I wish would just go away. I have found it hard to focus on anything positive or life giving. The ironic part is that I have been teaching Gandhi so one would think that I would feel surrounded by positive sentiments and emotions. Yet I have just felt helpless and frustrated. While I like the final message of the Gospel, the violence that occurs before we reach it does not sit well with me. One could almost interpret the message as if though violence and death are justified in the face of injustice or within the threat of injustice. These people are worthy of the kingdom because they produce the fruit, but how are they any better than the scribes and Pharisees? Even if Jesus was trying to make a point, is violence ever justified? I get that the violence intentional and unintentional that society has laid upon the laboring class by far out scales the violent actions of these workers, and yet I find myself not desiring either image. I just which we could live in a world were violence in not the most sought out option.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Tuesday February 23rd (Day 13)
Readings
"Practice what you preach." I believe this to not only be the message of these readings but the underlying message at the root of Christianity. I am using Gandhi right now in my classes for content. This is the first time I have ever used his speeches and I am working alongside the social studies teachers who are teaching the kiddos about India at the moment. I have to admit I am having a lot of fun. The kids are absolutely blown away by his message and they can't believe that he actually practiced what he preached. Unfortunately I don't believe a lot of leaders in today society have the kind of courage and tenacity of Gandhi. I do however feel that Pope Francis is attempting to model just that and I believe that is why people love and admire him. Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. I also believe that is why people dislike him and look to find reasons to distrust him and the Church. I think we have to constantly model kindness, love, generosity, acceptance, and positivity. I know I am ahead of the curve than most of my peers only because I had such incredible exemplars growing up. I am forever amazed at how much love mom and dad poor into their medical practice, how medicne is a calling and vocation rather than a paycheck and how the paycheck comes in many forms other than money for the sake of the patients needs. The community is lucky to have this kind of example to follow and I don't think I am the only one to notice!
"Practice what you preach." I believe this to not only be the message of these readings but the underlying message at the root of Christianity. I am using Gandhi right now in my classes for content. This is the first time I have ever used his speeches and I am working alongside the social studies teachers who are teaching the kiddos about India at the moment. I have to admit I am having a lot of fun. The kids are absolutely blown away by his message and they can't believe that he actually practiced what he preached. Unfortunately I don't believe a lot of leaders in today society have the kind of courage and tenacity of Gandhi. I do however feel that Pope Francis is attempting to model just that and I believe that is why people love and admire him. Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. I also believe that is why people dislike him and look to find reasons to distrust him and the Church. I think we have to constantly model kindness, love, generosity, acceptance, and positivity. I know I am ahead of the curve than most of my peers only because I had such incredible exemplars growing up. I am forever amazed at how much love mom and dad poor into their medical practice, how medicne is a calling and vocation rather than a paycheck and how the paycheck comes in many forms other than money for the sake of the patients needs. The community is lucky to have this kind of example to follow and I don't think I am the only one to notice!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Thursday, February 18th (Day 8)
Readings:
EST C:12, 14-16, 23-26
PS 138
MT 7: 7-12
The message that is singing out loud and clear to me is: "ask for help, and you will receive." This is something that has never been easy for me. I feel like when I am asking for help I am admitting that I can't do something on my own and that would mean that I am weak. This has been a huge struggle this year as I have undertaken. Somedays I feel like I am hard wired for failure because I would rather fall on my face than admit I can't do something on my own, like I have something to prove. This kind of mentality is so messed up and in the end everyone loses. I think the message here is that asking for help is a strength. Its an opportunity empower others. A community is so much stronger when all talents are being embraced. Its the humility piece that I need to accept and embrace. I have to trust that when I step aside and let someone else take the reigns, that better results will come forward. This is not an easy piece of pie for me to swallow.
EST C:12, 14-16, 23-26
PS 138
MT 7: 7-12
The message that is singing out loud and clear to me is: "ask for help, and you will receive." This is something that has never been easy for me. I feel like when I am asking for help I am admitting that I can't do something on my own and that would mean that I am weak. This has been a huge struggle this year as I have undertaken. Somedays I feel like I am hard wired for failure because I would rather fall on my face than admit I can't do something on my own, like I have something to prove. This kind of mentality is so messed up and in the end everyone loses. I think the message here is that asking for help is a strength. Its an opportunity empower others. A community is so much stronger when all talents are being embraced. Its the humility piece that I need to accept and embrace. I have to trust that when I step aside and let someone else take the reigns, that better results will come forward. This is not an easy piece of pie for me to swallow.
Wednesday February 17th (day 7)
Readings
JON 3: 1-10
PS 51
LK 11: 29-32
Well I have to admit, these readings don't quite give me the "warm and fuzzies" the way many have at this point in the Lenten journey. But I think that's okay and kind of the point. There are so many things that happen in this world because of humanities short comings. So much pain and suffering, caused by greed, anger, and power. I wonder what Jesus would say now, with the violence that has enveloped our culture? What can we do to resurrect the love and the vision of the Gospels when so much hatred and violence is done in the name of religion? I think we have to take things one small step at a time. Focus on making a positive impact of human connection each day and hope that the impact will spread. Put out the fire of hatred and violence with love and solidarity. In this case I think God's presence in the people of God is best represented through our actions rather than our words. We can make it our mission to make our lives and the lives of those that surround us positive, knowing and trusting that if we do, then we leave this world leaving a positive impact rather than a negative.
JON 3: 1-10
PS 51
LK 11: 29-32
Well I have to admit, these readings don't quite give me the "warm and fuzzies" the way many have at this point in the Lenten journey. But I think that's okay and kind of the point. There are so many things that happen in this world because of humanities short comings. So much pain and suffering, caused by greed, anger, and power. I wonder what Jesus would say now, with the violence that has enveloped our culture? What can we do to resurrect the love and the vision of the Gospels when so much hatred and violence is done in the name of religion? I think we have to take things one small step at a time. Focus on making a positive impact of human connection each day and hope that the impact will spread. Put out the fire of hatred and violence with love and solidarity. In this case I think God's presence in the people of God is best represented through our actions rather than our words. We can make it our mission to make our lives and the lives of those that surround us positive, knowing and trusting that if we do, then we leave this world leaving a positive impact rather than a negative.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)