Sunday, February 21, 2010 - First Sunday of Lent

We recite the "Creed" at every Mass, and most of us know it, or at least parts of it by heart. In the first reading of our Lenten Sunday series, we read the creed of the Ancient Israelite, and we see that it connects the ability to give an offering with the past salvation, by God, of the Hebrews from slavery. This is the Tradition (with a capital "T") that gives the believer a rootedness in the earth and hope for tomorrow. In the second reading, St. Paul lets the Gentiles know that they, too, are beneficiaries of this freeing God. And in the Gospel of the Temptations of Jesus, we see the Tradition guides us to be men and women of depth who bring freedom and dignity to the earth—it's NOT just "about us." It isn't just "what I want"—be that more wealth or power or security or fame. The Tradition lays a claim on our lives. What is it asking of you, today?

Scripture Reflection for February 14, 2010: 6th Sunday in O.T., year C

“Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings!” says Jeremiah on one of his bluer days. But, he wasn’t far from wrong, was he? We all know how often people let us down, and how often we have let others down. Sometimes, it’s not “bad will,” it’s just impossible for us to follow through. My best friend in Kansas City died three days before this past Christmas, and if you remember, we had Christmas on Thursday night and Friday, then Saturday night and Sunday were our regular worship days. I couldn’t get away to do his funeral. It wasn’t “bad will,” I simply couldn’t do it. That’s that nature of humanity. We are bound by time and space, and we are limited. Jeremiah knew this, and pointed out that it is a far more intelligent thing to commit our cares to God and to trust Him to carry us through them. That’s what Christ is getting at in the Lukan rendition of the Beatitudes. The rich often trust their money and their connections…but those can so easily evaporate. So, let’s all commit ourselves and our cares to the One Who is Faithful.

Scripture Reflection for February 7, 2010: 5th Sunday in O.T., year C

Different memories of Jesus’ call are recorded in different Gospels. Luke remembers Matthew deciding to follow Jesus after the experience of the quais-miraculous catch of fish. In the first reading the call of Isaiah to be a prophet is recorded as having been a vision. Now, each of us is “called” by God—called into being, if nothing else! At least, we are all here! The readings today point out that the “how” of the call isn’t really important—in fact, it’s “forgettable” enough that no two Gospels remember the exact same details. The important thing about a “call” is the awareness that GOD—the Center of the Universe, and the Author of all existence—is addressing YOU. When that awareness comes—however it comes—your life is different. You become a “disciple.” Our Christian life is merely a daily living out of discipleship. What are you doing to live out YOUR discipleship? What are you doing to DEEPEN your discipleship?