A Believer's Blueprint

Sunday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 20:27-38


Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given to marriage.  They can no longer die, for they are angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise....."


I love this quote written by Paul Claudel featured in today's "Magnificat" meditation :  The sinful flesh is at the mercy of decay, but we carry within us the sublime blueprint of our immortality.  

What will the resurrection be like?  The Lord makes it clear to the Sadducees the resurrection of the dead will be nothing like what we experience on earth.  We can't  take along our spouses, children, dogs, cats, and material possessions.  We will be judged on how well we loved others; how much we cared for others; how much good we did during our lifetimes.  Only those who have died before us know the answer to the mystery of what lies beyond the resurrection realm.  We should not worry about dying but worry about living.  Living with love, faith, hope, and charity.  Living a virtuous life so when the right time comes Christ will raise us up as angels with golden wings!

Are we deemed worthy?  Do we love our friends and neighbors?  Do we help the poor and the indigent?  Are we respectful and kind?  Do we regularly practice the sacraments?  Are we open to dialog with other Christians and non-Christians?  Are our lives reflective of God's holy image?  We should examine our conscience to identify if we are acting in accordance with Godly principles or worldly ones.

A Believer's Blueprint  God created each of us with unique sequences of DNA.  Our genetics, natural temperaments, and environmental conditions mold us, forming us according to a specially-designed blueprint. A true believer's blueprint will contain several dimensions of  love and faith.  Love that is enduring and long-lasting.  Faith that soothes our burdens and sufferings.  A believer's blueprint is hand-written by God himself as he drafts his path for us.  He is the master architect and designer.  He can make changes to his blueprint at anytime; that is, if we are open to change.  The believer's blueprint is a work-in-progress:  A life long construction project .  Does our blueprint reflect Christ's image or our own self-made image?

What will the resurrection be like?  It will be out of this world! Something that radiates love that is well worth the sacrifice and the wait.

-J.

Temper in the Temple: Don't Commercialize God's Holy Place!

Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Gospel of John 2:13-22

He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."

When I read this gospel passage, the first thing that comes to mind is the  Protestant or Non-Denominational Mega Church.  These stadium-sized venues seat thousands of worshippers.  Some even feature an in-house McDonalds, Starbucks, or a Christian bookstore all within the walking distance of a state-of-the-art auditorium with premium sound system and projection televisions.  Hmmm....

 If Our Lord lived in modern times, would he think that a fast food restaurant and bookstore  is the equivalent of turning his house into a marketplace?

People can argue the McDonald's proceeds are donated to church collections but still the principle bothers me.  For so many Protestants who take the bible literally I don't see how "church commercialization" is ok.  Is this a new form of marketing Christianity?  Draw people into church to listen to God's word by offering Skinny Lattes & Chicken McNuggets?!!

Last year my own parish cracked down on the sell of items in the narthex facing the sanctuary.  Our pastor thought it was distracting and took the focus away from the Mass.  All parish ministry fundraisers are now held either in our forum area or hallways outside of the Church.  This goes along exactly with God's wish that we not turn his house of worship into a commercialization haven.  At first it was a little odd not to see tables of "stuff" in the narthex; however, I think our pastor made a wise decision.  The narthex isn't cluttered, and I don't feel guilty if I don't wish to buy a raffle ticket or purchase a Christmas angel.

One thing I noticed is how angry the Lord is. Jesus always seems so peaceful and kind.  But, in this instance he is deeply upset..... Can you imagine being a money changer and Jesus swirling a corded whip around your head?  How shocking and unbelievable to see The Messiah overturning tables!! This Christ Character is a Crazy Man! Jesus lost his temper in the temple for a good reason.  The holy temple was being desecrated and used for unholy purposes.  (Just the foul stink from sheep, oxen and dove dung would deter  me from entering the temple. Yuck!) Why did these people turn the temple into a Biblical Times Shopping Mall?  What on earth were they thinking?  Profit over prudence! Turning something sacred into a zoo!  Jesus was justifiably angry!

The Church is a holy and sacred place.  It should be respected and secured.  It shouldn't be turned into a marketplace, vandalized, or cheapened.  It should be a welcoming place open to all.  As Christians, we have a responsibility to keep our churches inviting, sanctifying, and glorifying.

-J.

Practice Prudence

Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 16:1-8


"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of the light."

Wikipedia defines prudence as "the ability and govern oneself for the sake of reason." Prudence is often associated with cautiousness.  It's considered one of the cardinal virtues of the Catholic Church.

Most of time in society today we hear the word "prude" to describe someone who is sexually frigid.  A person who doesn't sleep around on a whim.  Also, this is seen as a negative trait in a person who spends their money frugally. 

Prudence is something we should all strive for regardless of the negative connotation associated with it.  In the case of the parable of the steward, the young man realizes his mistake and comes up with the "idea" to  issue promissory notes to the merchant's creditors.  Not only did he help the merchant retrieve back some of the money he reduced the amount of the debt of those owing it.

 I don't know of many employees who'd act like the clever steward, especially after being fired!  I imagine modern-day employee comments: "Oh, I can't stand that jerk!  I was great for this company and he decided to give me the pink slip.  I think I might just sue this company!"  "What am I going to do?  I have a wife and children with no savings.  I must be a worthless human being that is unemployable!" "Uh, this is the 3rd job I've been fired from.  Man am I a loser."

Why not turn around the thinking and reverse course.  Recognize your own mistakes.  Prudently decide that you will make changes to your life so that you will be a better person.  Help others who may be struggling with the same situation you're in.  Make recompense for the harm you have done to others whether it's cheating, laziness, or apathy. 

Saint Catherine of Siena describes prudence as the remedy for apathy. 

Wake up and rouse yourselves from the slumber of apathy! And once you've washed, be sure you put on the white of purity and the color of blazing charity, both of which you find in the blood of the Lamb.

Amen!  Let's show a little prudence today!

The Missing Puzzle Piece

Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 15:1-10

"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?.....I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous people who have no need for repentance."

I've always enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles.  After I first moved into my home, I bought an amazing 1500 piece half-mooned shaped puzzle featuring a beautiful Japanese garden and young Geisha girls.  I was half way through with the puzzle when I noticed a middle piece missing.  I looked all over the table, in the carpet, and  in the original box.  I feared my dog ate the puzzle piece! Or worse that the maker of the puzzle forgot to add all of the pieces to the box. After some heavy scouring, and cursing under my breath,  I discovered the piece right next to a leg of the card table.  It was turned upside down so the cardboard backing blended with the beige carpet.  Finding it required the aid of a flashlight.  I was ecstatic!  I finished the puzzle which took me over a month to complete.

I persevered and worked many hours putting that puzzle together.  I was determined to finish it and felt this huge disappointment when I thought I'd "lost" that piece forever.  How awful to spend so much time putting together an incomplete puzzle.  In the end, Perseverance won!  I don't think I would've appreciated  the entire completed puzzle as much if it was NOT for the missing piece.

How rewarding finding something lost.  It may be a lost set of keys, loose change, a $20 bill stuffed in a winter jacket, or even our lost pet. We experience the joy of recovering the lost just like the "joy in heaven over one sinner who repents."

Many times in our lives we do not have the strength or will power to search for what we have lost.  I think of when children distance themselves away from their parents.  They do not try to reconcile or return to the family.  Their sins prevent them from seeking familial comfort and love.  Then there's the instance of the "cradle Catholic" who becomes "lost" in secular college culture.  He or she stops going to Mass and becomes involved in drinking, drugs, and promiscuity.  Sometimes these young fallen away Catholics never return.

Why do we seek to find lost things of material value but forget about the lost things that will make us holy? 

Reception of the sacraments like communion and confession can help us repent for our transgressions and open our hearts to Christ's loving grace.  He wants to find all of his lost children. It's up to us not to remain hidden and afraid.


-J.

Carry Your Cross

Wednesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and He turned and addressed them:  "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Our Lord is giving a stern message to his followers.  Does he literally mean we should hate our father and mother?  Isn't this a contradiction to the Commandment "Thou shall honor thy Father and thy Mother?"  Of course not!  Jesus wants us to sacrifice our own lives, and our relationships with others, in order to follow his example.  Such sacrifice involves patience, self-control, humility, faith and love in all of our relationships.  Our crosses are meant to help us grow and mature.   Crosses enhance our ability to minister to others as a disciple of Christ.  With  empathy, we can understand the burdens of others because we experience similar burdens ourselves....

When I carry my own cross, I quietly say to Jesus, "I believe and trust in you!  With your help I will be able to overcome my burdens and struggles.  I want to learn from my mistakes.  I desire to help others not make the same mistakes.  Sometimes I don't know if I can handle  this heavy cross anymore.  My burdens, insecurities, and fears weigh me down. I truly want to be your disciple even if it's difficult task!"

I Carry My Cross (Original Poem)

I carry my cross for you, Oh Lord;
As the disciple you call me to be;
I don't know if I can take this burden;
Life seems rough, wish I was free.
Free to do whatever I choose;
Without guilt, conscience or shame.
Greed, lust, jealousy, and gluttony;
With a desire for fortune and fame;
Our culture promises fun without Christ;
Why take up a cross?  Why does it matter?
Earthly pleasures can fix everything;
No need to believe in religious chatter.

Fight the temptations that lure us away;
The Devil likes to play a mind game;
Making us think our cross too heavy;
Our lives wretched, our families to blame.
Don't believe the lies of deceit;
But believe in the words of encouragement;
Our Lord's infinite love and mercy;
Can lighten our cross with spiritual nourishment.
I carry my cross for you, Oh Lord!


-J.

Dinner Party With Jesus

Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God"



I can't imagine inviting people to a dinner party at my home and then one by one each guest makes an excuse and will not come.  Yes, maybe one person may cancel at the last minute due to an illness.  Most likely an invited guest wouldn't RSVP to begin with.  I'd be upset if I spent a lot of money on food, wine, and decorations and not a single soul showed up.  It would be like purchasing $100 worth of Halloween candy and not one Trick or Treater rings the front door bell!  What a waste. What an aggravation!

Jesus every day invites us as Catholic Christians to dine with him through the reception of the Eucharist.  He sends out the invitations, lights the candles, prepares the linen clothes, pours the wine and breaks the unleavened bread.  He has everything prepared.  He just waits patiently for us to arrive with a sincere desire in our hearts to receive His Body and His Blood.  How can we push away nourishment for our soul?  Jesus invites all of his children - wealthy, poor, crippled, lame, blind, mentally ill, etc. etc - to the dinner party.  It's up to us to accept the invitation.

In my imagination, I've thought of some excuses as to why people would not arrive at a dinner party hosted by Jesus Christ.....

 "I do not believe in your god or any gods.  I will only dine with others who think the same way!"
-The Atheist

"If you are going to invite poor homeless people to the party, I will not show up.  I refuse to be around smelly, unclean, foul human beings."
-The Elitist

"Uh, Sorry but I will not attend since my kind are not the majority invited."
-The Racist

"Sorry, I can't come, Mr. Jesus.  I have a very important business venture to wrap up.  It's such a lucrative deal!"
-The Opportunist

"Oh, sorry, Christ.  I have plans to get high with my friends tonight.  We have some terrific coke and meth.  Pricey stuff I can't let go to waste."
-The Drug Addict

"Oh Jesus Christ...How are yaaa doin'??  Ah, wow, I'd like to come to the P-A-R-T-Y but Bud Light and I have a date tonight!  Plan to get toasted while watching some porno flicks!"
-The Drunk & Porn Addict

"Sorry, Jesus, I'm bidding on a nice purse for sell on EBay.  Auction ends tonight!!  The item is a real bargain. Can't miss it!"
-The Internet Shopping Junkie

The list can go on and on....  I would jump at the chance to dine with Jesus if he was still alive in the flesh!  How interesting to talk with him and ask him questions.  (Of course, he'd only answer them with another question!)  So many people reject religion in their lives.  They are missing the tremendous love Christ always brings to his children.  He wants his Church filled...overflowing with people who come to worship and adore.  Not mock and runaway.  Let's all accept the invitation to dine with Jesus!

-J.

Resurrection of the Righteous

Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Feast Day of Saint Charles Borromeo

Gospel of Luke 14:12-14

"....When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;  blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.  For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."


I absolutely adore Pope Francis.  I thank God every day for such a wonderful pontiff in the Holy See.  Pope Francis is now well known for is his ministry to the poor.  Over the summer, Pope Francis invited 200 homeless people to dine at the Vatican .  The delicious meal was held inside the Circle of Peter surrounded by music.  I can  imagine the homeless people appreciated the hospitality even if only for a few hours.

As Catholic Christians, we are all called to perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  Some people volunteer at homeless shelters.  Others run food pantries for the poor.  Still others will collect used clothing, shoes, and even eye glasses for poor children in foreign countries.  However, there are other Christians who choose to do nothing for the poor.  I can hear the excuses:

"Oh I don't have enough money to give." "I'm too busy to give up valuable time to help."  "Why help that person?  He's lazy and won't get a job!"  "That woman is just abusing the system! She carries around a cell phone.  She doesn't deserve a handout."  "That man smells awful and he's drunk!  I don't want to be near him!"

Just think:  Jesus Christ lovingly ministered to the lepers, the mentally ill, and the destitute much fouler than any person in modern time.  No toilets, no running water, limited hygiene in Biblical times.  These men and women carried diseases much more infectious than what is seen in the American homeless person standing on the street corner.  Ministry to the poor was not an easy task; however, our Lord didn't ignore  poverty. Yes, poverty smells bad.  It wreaks and it destroys.  It's not beautiful.  It's a horrible state in life that none of us choose to be in.

What if one of us suddenly became homeless without food or shelter?  Wouldn't we want someone to help us instead of looking the other way?

Physical poverty consists of a lack of basic needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter we want to avoid. We desire to live comfortable and fruitful lives.  Why not allow Christ Jesus in as a stabilizing rock?

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there is such thing as a spiritual poverty that can actually enhance our lives.  Bishop Massimo Camisaca describes it beautifully:

 So you see that poverty is freedom from things, the awareness that it is God who fulfills our desires.  If I place the hope of my fulfillment in possessing a certain thing, I am no longer hoping in Christ, but in that thing.  If, however, I hope in Christ who gives me that thing, then I am free of it.

How refreshing!  Poverty as freedom from material things in order to receive Christ's blessings! This is a positive reminder that when we give ourselves to the poor, the needy, and the homeless we are fulfilling God's desire to help our fellow men. He promises that we will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

This holiday season let's not forget the disabled, the homeless, the blind, the lame, the poor, the sick, and the hungry!  Let's minister to their needs just like Jesus.

-J.

Please, Climb Down from the Sycamore Tree!

Sunday of the Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel of Luke 19:1-10


At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.  Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus who was about to pass that way.  We he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must stay at your house."  And he came down quickly and received him with joy.


When I was a child, I remember singing the childhood hymn:

Zaccheaus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he....

 I thought of Zaccheaus as a sad tax collector.  He was a cheater, a swindler, and took money out of honest people's hands. The fact he was willing to climb a tall tree to see Jesus showed determination.

What made Zaccheaus interested in Our Lord?  What prompted him to view Jesus from a distance?  Did Zacchaeus listen to Jesus preach at one time and felt a transformation take place in his heart?

Zaccheaus climbed the sycamore tree since he was short in stature.  This may have been the reasoning, but I think it goes much deeper:  Zaccheaus was fearful!  He knew he was a sinner.  He knew he was a cheater and thief.  He was pulled toward Christ.  He wanted to change. It took Christ's invitation to come down quickly to encourage the change.  Zaccheaus later remarks:   Behold, half my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall replay it four times over."

How many of us desire to change for the better?  Unfortunately, our first instinct is to make ourselves invisible.  Some people may hide behind the "comforts" of alcohol, drugs, and pornography.  Others  may be emotionally and physically abusive toward loved ones in the privacy of the home.  Still many people suffer from crippling mental illnesses and feel ashamed.  Viewing the good and the holy from afar protects us.  Our Lord knows our hearts and desires.  If we only make ourselves visible and climb down from the trees of life can Jesus heal us and truly transform us.

Zacchaeus was a courageous wee little man.  I think if Jesus planned to stay in my home overnight I'd be joyful, too  (I pull out my best fish recipe and a good bottle of wine to celebrate!)  Even though Jesus is no longer alive, I know he is with me in Spirit.  He encourages me to continually seek positive change and growth.  My life isn't static.  It's meant to evolve as I mature and grow wiser with age.  I don't need to hide up on top of a tree to see Jesus.  He's standing right beside me holding my hand telling me to no longer be afraid!

-J.

All The Faithful Departed

Feast of All Souls Day
Gospel of John 6:37-40

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

Today is All Souls Day, a special feast day when the Church remembers the souls of departed loved ones, friends, and acquaintances.  It's a special day of prayer especially for the souls being cleansed & healed in the state of purgatory.

Pope Benedict XVI says in his beautiful definition of purgatory:

Purgatory basically means that God can put the pieces back together again.  That he can cleanse us in such a way that we are able to be with him and can stand their in the fullness of life.  Purgatory strips off from one person what is unbearable and from another the inability to bear certain things, so that each of them a pure heart is revealed, and we can see that we all belong together in one enormous symphony of being.

When I was Protestant, I never understood the idea of purgatory.   I thought if I was a good person and followed the Commandments I'd go straight to heaven.  I didn't realize the importance of praying for the souls of the departed who may be "stuck" between earth and heaven.  Purgatory is certainly not a bad place to be.  Honestly, I find it comforting that God selects a special place of cleansing and purification before arriving at the gates of heaven.  (I definitely want to be beautiful and clean when I meet Jesus!)  I know when I pass my inadequacies and weaknesses will require clean-up.  I think, with the exception of the Saints, most of us will spend an allotted time in purgatory.  Hopefully purgatory's cleansing routine will be only for a brief period!

An All Souls Day Original Poem:

Pray for the souls of the faithful departed;
Who may be in a state of purgatory;
God is cleansing and purging them;
In preparation for eternity.
Cherubims and Seraphims welcome the chosen;
Our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances;
Yes, they made it to heaven;
But only with the Lord's purifying graces.
A purified heart is what God yearns for;
In his departed souls;
And those who pray for them;
 He blesses forever more.
Always remember the souls who died this year and the next;
They will be missed but always at eternal rest.

Amen!

-J.

When the Saints Go Marching In

Friday of the a Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of All Saints

Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12a


Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.            

On this Feast Day of All Saints, the classic hymn "When the Saints Go Marching In" sings-along in my head:

We are traveling in the footsteps 
Of those who've gone before 
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited) 
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)......

Some say this world of trouble 
Is the only one we need 
But I'm waiting for that morning 
When the new world is revealed 

When people think of a Saint, Saint Francis of Assisi or Saint Jude spring to mind.  They instinctively think these "godly people" somehow were perfect in the eyes of God as well as the Church.  The Saints were far from perfect.  They sinned like all of us! They battled temptations, weaknesses, illness, and tragedy.  Yet, they persevered and sacrificed all of their humanity for the  love of Christ divine.

How can I be a saint? My weaknesses and inadequacy overwhelm!  I feel powerless to change my sinful ways.  I desire a great reward in heaven, but I just don't know how to get it!  What does it take to live a life deserving of sainthood?

The Saints can serve as wonderful role models for navigating through the waters of live.  My confirmation patroness Saint Mary Magdalene  keeps me well grounded in my Catholic faith.  I pray to her during those times of spiritual dryness when I'm tempted to take a break away from the Mass.  I become frustrated with my pastor or another parishioner.  I think to myself, "Maybe I should go visit the Episcopalian Church. Or better yet, become Protestant again!"  Amazingly enough I always turn my thinking around.  I contribute this to not only Mary Magdalene but the entourage of other Saints who seem to redirect me back on the narrow path.

Besides Mary Magdalene, here is a list of some of the Saints I've found spiritually comforting:

• Saint Francis of Assisi - I always know he's protecting my precious little dachshund from harm.

• Saint Cayetano - I prayed a 9 day novena to him after I became unemployed and it helped me land a new job very quickly.  I just celebrated my 2 year work anniversary last month!

• Saint Catherine of Siena - Her writing style is beautiful and so full of wisdom.  I love the imagery she uses in The Dialogue.  I've thought of creating artistic renditions of her work through poetry, sketches and short stories.  She really brings out my creativity.  I think she is one of my strongest influences when it comes to maintaining this blog consistently.

• Saint Paul - His writings may be challenging to read but once I got an idea of what he spoke about the wisdom he projects amazes and inspires.  I like the fact that he chose to never marry and advocates such a choice in his ministry.  

• Saint Ignatius of Loyola - His Spiritual Exercises can be easily adapted to my every day life.  So inspiring!

These are just a few of the wonderful Saints who enrich my life.  If I continue to follow their Christ-like example, hopefully I will meet them alongside Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Happy All Saints Day!

-J.