Go Ahead Lord, You Know What You're Doing

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.-- Sirach 27:30-28:2


Sometimes it is difficult to understand that the Lord knows what he is doing.  And yet on today, we can see from the Readings that Lord has our hearts in mind and knows our ways.  As we commemorate that terrible events that have marked our history with a seemingly perpetual taste of sadness, anger, vengeance and many other emotions, we must pause today and open our hearts to let the Lord speak to us and to show us what it is that we are to do.  Though we stand as a wounded people, broken from many wounds inflicted over the generations, we are still a redeemed people.  Though the scars of war continue to plague many peoples around the world (and in a special way we remember our Soldiers in harm's way), we must trust that the mercy and kindness of the Lord have a place in this world and remember that the Holy Spirit does work in our lives and salvation has been made to all of us.  The tragic loss of life and the violence of September 11, 2001 must become a page in a history book and an anecdotal story and no longer a source of hatred and animosity.  The Lord tells us today that these are what the sinner holds tight, so as this is the Lord's word, we must learn how to get past the things that lead us to sin.  The fruit of confession is learning how to turn away from our occasions of sin so that we may move forward on our walk with Christ and live virtuously.  Living virtuously is completely incongruous with hatred and vengeance.  I am not remiss to say that these stories are a source of grief and pain because the losses are still very real in our lives.  Everybody needs forgiveness and everybody needs compassion and for this, everybody needs a Savior.  We are so blessed that ours has already come.  Jesus has already taken our sins and won for us salvation.  Christ came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.  We have to look within ourselves and see the Christ who has imprinted his creative touch upon our souls and show that to the world.  The mercy and grace of the Lord is in our ability to forgive and be forgiven.  


"Lord, hear our prayer and in your mercy answer us.  Grant this day be a day of your joy and peace in you.  Give us hearts that do not call for vengeance but for love.  Turn our eyes from the sadness of the history of this day but let us gaze upon you who are the source of a light and all good things.  Grant to us the love and joy you want for this world and make us one in you so that we can know what it truly means to be held and loved.  Forgive us our trespasses and give us the strength to forgive those who trespass against us.  Make us a virtuous people with overwhelming faith, hope and love.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen"

And Revealed Truth Will Set You Free... Or At Least Give You Another Dogma...

“I trust in the mercy of God forever,”  Psalm 52:10

Having finished the Luis Rocha novel, The Last Pope, which underscores a brilliant conspiracy theory regarding the circumstances of the death Albino Luciani, who chose to be called John Paul I; I find that I am even more interested in Church history.  The book is a thrilling read as it was gripping from the very first pages.  It is the Da Vinci Code with much more turns in a shorter span.  While I praise the creativity and captivation of this novel, I must also note where its fiction separates from fact.  The book has its many accuracies and creative view of the facts but it also takes liberties to assume that the Holy Father before his death would have changed some doctrines within the Church.  The story assumes some current day trends would have been normalized by a liberal Pontiff.  As such, I digress into full support of the teachings of the Church and guidance of the Holy Spirit in that the will of God and the trust that the teachings of the Church would have always been safeguarded by the Magisterium. 

While the Chair of Saint Peter has been occupied by men with questionable intents, we believe that the will of God for his Church is done.  Even more so we trust in the mercy of God as the Church is led by fallible men and all too often, the concept of papal infallibility is misunderstood, misinterpreted or outright mistaken.  The aforementioned novel also misunderstands infallibility.  The novel supposes a conversation between a senior, corrupt, cardinal and the Holy Father where the Holy Father suggests that infallibility should not have a place for the pontiff and the cardinal makes a remark about how the Successor of Peter is protected and this leads to Humanae Vitae being brought up as being inaccurate though the cardinal argues for its infallibility.  The key understanding the truth to this is that papal infallibility has been invoked only once in the history of the Church and that was in the document, Munificentissimus Deus, promulaged by Pope Pius XII in 1950, and that was regarding the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Pope is subject to fallibility, however, when in accordance with the College of Bishops under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father can proclaim a teaching as infallible.  A note:  The Holy Father does not need the accordance of the College of Bishops to make an infallible statement, he need only 1) speak ex cathedra, 2) on a matter of faith or doctrine, and make a pronouncement of dogma.  Given that this has only happened once in 2000 years, we can see that it is a very rare phenomenon.  The process itself is rather interesting. 

When the Holy Father makes an infallible statement, he goes to his cathedra (chair) to speak ex cathedra.  The Holy Father’s chair is not in St Peter’s Basilica, though many believe it is, but rather is in the Archbasilica of Saint John  Lateran in Rome.  The Holy Father during the ceremony will sit at his cathedra and pronounce “"By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma..” 

What happens next is that all (and it is ALL) the ordinaries (bishops and archbishops of all dioceses, archdioceses and ordinariates) will go to their respective cathedras and pronounce the very same proclamation as the Holy Father. 

What Goes Up May Not Necessarily Come Down....

"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid"-Matthew 14:27

The Gospel writer takes great pains during the discourse where this quote to be as visually descriptive as possible while staying true to the Christological and theological value of the story.  *(Christology is more or less the study of Jesus' divinity)*  The writer makes note that after the feeding of the five the apostles are told to precede him to the other side of the lake (a very, very large lake).  The notable part is that the apostles are a few miles out when the story indicates it is the fourth watch of night.  There is a windstorm according to Matthew and the boat is not winning.  By now the apostles have probably been awake for close to 24 hours.  Have you ever not had full faculties while exhausted?  The apostles were human and probably were suffering a bit at this point.  Jesus tells us that his sheep know him by name and they recognize his voice.  Well, Jesus tells the disciples to "do not be afraid" even though he is approaching them in the storm, while walking on water... They first take him as a ghost but Peter speaks up and says "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."  What does Jesus say?  "Come".  Faith like a mustard seed is what we are asked to have.  We can move mountains, heal the sick, walk on water.  These are not extraordinary things.  We have been trained to understand and obey these laws of physics but quickly forget that the laws of physics were written by God for us.  And God certainly does not hesitate to show us that these laws are subject to him.  Our faith is what we need to overcome all things, including physics.  I am not saying that these do not have value, but rather they are here to complement creation.  Today let us take a leap, feel gravity and understand that God one day may call us to jump... and not come back down...

Light the Torch and Set it on fire...

"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing"- Luke 13:49

Have you ever gone to an event that you thought should have been the most exciting time in the world but as it turned out, people were just so-so about it?  It was like that toward the end of the dynasty of the Atlanta Braves.  It was cool for the first 5 or so division titles, and then at 10 it became routine and after that it became very difficult to sell postseason tickets.  When it comes to our faith life we should always look at our life as if we were in the postseason race.  God has given us a "game" to play here on earth and he has even gone so far as to show us how to win.  Through his word and sacraments, he continues to coach us on the path to righteousness.  How he loves us is shown through his determination and dedication to our success in our lives.  We face many trials through life and we can find that we may be stuck in a rut that seems like it will never end.  We may feel as if the day is too hard and we cannot wait for it to end.  But when all things are for the glory of God, we will find joy in the difficulties of every day.  Our hope in the Lord should encourage us to put on the Christ who already lives with us in our hearts and deliver this same God to a world that is desperate to hear his word and receive his healing.  I have always marvelled at the hate filled comments on most news articles that speak to matters of faith and the Church.  They are always the same, God is a myth, religion is a fairy tale and the Church is the most corrupt corporation that ever existed.  And through all these overt challenges to my faith, I have found in Christ a hope that sustains me through it all.  This scripture for this passage speaks to what Christ is looking to do in our hearts and through us in this world.  God calls upon us to live like there is no tomorrow.  We are supposed to run with reckless abandon to our heavenly Father.  Our lives should show that we burn with the fire and hearts should glow with the passion of the Holy Spirit. 

"God our Father, we hold in our hearts the desire to serve you.  We ask you to kindle within our hearts a fire and passion to serve the world through you. Grant us the peace to do what you ask and the strength to deny ourselves.  Be with us as we take up our crosses and guide our steps as we draw closer to you."

Should I command you to get up or put you on your feet...

"Why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at us as if we made him walk by our power or piety?" Acts 3:12

Peter is probably one of my favorite people in the bible.  Not only was he the first pope but he was probably one of the most hard-headed Christians too.  I chose this scripture to reflect upon today because if Peter were around today, he would have been just a little bit older than I am now so I can totally picture him going "Duh, Jesus..." instead of this great statement to the people.  The context of this quote is they were passing a cripple in Jerusalem and Peter looks over at him and picks him up and sets him on his feet and he is immediately able to walk.  The people are all amazed at what he has done and I imagine him today saying "Duh, Jesus..."  This goes back to the heart of the Christian walk.  How many of the poor and lame do we walk by everyday without so much as giving them a second glance or even a prayer.  The need for to reach out to the poor is becoming even more great as the wealth gap in the United States is growing ever more day by day.  The American financial crisis is only a financial crisis to the poor.  The rich won't see any real hiccup in their day-to-day lives.  Christ calls us to live as he did.  The Apostles got it.  The Church gets it.  Do we get it?

"God, our Father, help us today to see your children as you do.  Open our eyes and our hearts to see and love like you do.  Give us the strength, courage and love to do unto others as we would want you do unto us.  Let us be your miracle to the poor and let us be content with your will and obediently follow you wherever you take us.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen."

Forgiveness to the 77th Power

"Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."- Matthew 18:21-22

One of the many afflictions of being a human is that we are often prone to misunderstanding.  At work, I am expected to be the specialist in my field and guide the office management team and their staff in working in accordance with regulation.  Over the past week, I have made two distinct clarifications for the staff and management team but my intention was not received the way I thought it should have been.  Misunderstanding may very well be the root of many arguments and fights in many relationships.  These disagreements often escalate many situations.  Usually at this point feelings are hurt and communication comes to a halt.  When communication stops we lose the Christian identity of our relationships.  To bring that into focus it would be easier to think that when communication stops, communion stops.  When we lose that communion with each other, we take away from the unity and community that we share in the body of Christ, the Church.  The prayer of St Francis offers a quick solution to many of these disagreements as he put that we should no so much seek to be pardoned as to pardon.  We survive in such a disenchanted state that it is sincerely amazing to me that some people live at all.  We are called to live a holy life but sometimes the definition of holiness is misunderstood.  Do we sometimes pray and not hear the voice of God calling to us?  Is there so much going on around us that we are constantly distracted?   Is God working through the people around us?  One of my favorite worship songs has the line "You sing all around but I never hear the sound..."  Lord, today let me hear that sound...

"Jesus, my everything, I am so tired and weary.  This road I travel is too steep, too narrow.  Guide me to the way holiness, guide me to the way back to you.  Help me to see that you have always been with me through it all and give me the courage to let you carry me home.  In a special way we pray for the little ones of Norway who have been tragically deprived of their lives.  May you who live and reign forever with with Father and Spirit hold them and keep them with you for all eternity. This we ask in your name. Amen."

Lord Help Your Children

"We strive to create healing sanctuaries that carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ."--www.mercydurango.org

The Catholic teaching that every person has the right to life from conception to natural death is not a slogan nor is it a token statement found in a fortune cookie.  The right to life is God's gift to all people so that we can come to know, love and serve the Lord in the fullness of life.  Because this basic human right is extended to everyone and is a fundamental part of our Christian lives, the Church teaches that our faith communion is dependent on faithful adhering to these beliefs.  Clerics who propose or teach heresy must not be allowed to do so in the name of Church.  This should also be true for employees of affiliated Catholic insitutions.  The Durango Herald and many others sources are pressing allegations of scandal at the Catholic affiliated Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, CO.  Dr. Richard Grossman is a practicing OB/GYN physician at Mercy General.  He is also allegedly an abortion provider in the Durango region.  In his own reflection in the Durango Herald, he does not condemn abortion and he overtly recommends contraception.  He makes a comparison between the United States and France when it comes sexuality.  His views and practices are contrary to the teachings of the Church.  This anomalous relationship should not be endorsed by Mercy Regional Medical Center.  This doctor is intentionally leading people into immoral and gravely sin behavior and activities.  The leadership of the hospital should review his situation and judicious consider his future with their hospital. 

A cursory glance at the Planned Parenthood website has some alarming statements posted.  The first statement I glanced at was a factoid that claimed 1 in 3 American women have had an abortion by age 48.  This statistic implies that 50 million unborn children have been killed by abortion.  Another claim that was disturbing is that 'almost all' abortions are successful.  What horror awaits a child born after an unsuccessful abortion attempt?  Especially considering the two major abortion procedures are 'vacuum aspiration' and 'Dilation and Evacuation,' these two procedures are very violent to the child.  The last alarming post on the Planned Parenthood website is instructions for a woman to BYPASS the parental notification statute.  Parental notification is a statute that is in place to help young women make better decisions.  The final post I will reference from the Planned Parenthood website is the claim that "only you can decide what is best for you."  Studies have proven that the brain does not reach full maturity until the age of 24-26 whereas 52% of abortions in America are to women under the age of 25.  Even more shocking is the fact that 22% of those abortions are done to teenagers.  These statistics come from the Alan Guttmacher Institute and I will reference one more stat from their research.  93% of abortions are for social reasons such as unwanted pregnancy or incovenience.  We can reasonably assume that 43 million abortions have taken place in the United States the AGI study estimates that 83% of abortions worldwide occur in developing nations.  We must pray and seek God's intervention to this pandemic.  Abortion is a pandemic.  More children are killed from abortion that people who lost their life during conflicts in the past century.  Lord help us all.