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Gospel Reflection 20070624

Salvation means that we are given the power to overcome sinful divisions and be reconciled with one another and with God.
Sin is more than breaking a religious law. Sin is whatever keeps human beings, collectively and individually, from being whole, from being fully alive. Sin is anything that drives a wedge between God and people, or between people and other people, and thus it includes the social structures of sin like racism, sexism and political oppression.
Jesus said: You shall love God with your whole self and care for other people as much as you care for yourself. (Matthew 22:37-38). Sin is whatever violates this great commandment. Healing and wholeness are God's gift to us for the asking.

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What´s in a Name
June 24, 2007

Nativity of John the Baptist

Gospel
Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.


As we hear Luke’s description of the chain of events leading up to the birth of John the Baptist almost 2000 years ago, we may listen with a bit of skepticism and wonder if it really happened that way. It is as if it could happen then but not today. We may think the individuals were “play-acting” and it was just a story. However, that’s not the case. These were real people, living their lives as we live ours. Zechariah had to be confused. Why would he be struck dumb ...why would an angel tell him to name his son John? Has any father here been told by an angel what name you should give your son? You might get a lot of suggestions but not from an angel! But this is exactly what happened to Zechariah. God had a purpose and there was a reason for John being born at this particular time in history to this particular family.
If it happened today, historians would refer to John as the first super star of Christianity. He became the first martyr. He was a close associate of Jesus, Himself, and baptized Him. We know from Christ’s comments that He considered John a friend and also seemed to admire him tremendously. But at the time this event occurred these were ordinary people just like we are.
Because they were like we are there is one quality they possessed that we should study carefully. They believed in God, Yahweh, and they obeyed His commands. When asked for the name of the newborn child, everyone assumed he would be named Zechariah. However, Zechariah had been commanded by Yahweh to name the boy John. When asked what name the child would be named, he wrote out the word “John” even though there was no one else in the family who had that name. So, as we read the history of the lives of those who were to be associated with Jesus, we begin to understand there was a purpose in everything that took place. However, we seldom apply that same analysis to our individual lives. We might say, “Well, God never had any plans for me. He didn’t single out my life to be something special.” But that’s a mistake. God has a plan for each of our lives but we must recognize this fact and live accordingly.
Zechariah had doubted God and was struck mute. Then he publicly accepts God´s plan and allows his newborn son to take the name John. Only when Zechariah gives his assent to God´s plan does he regain his speech. We too might have a bit of Zechariah in us. We resist God, only to hit a dead end. Bad friendships, habits of serious sin, rising despair -- all start to eat away at us. Yet, repentance is slow to come. Why? "We think that evil is basically good," said Pope Benedict XVI (Dec. 8, 2005). "We think that we need it, at least a little, in order to experience the fullness of being. … If we look, however, at the world that surrounds us we can see that this is not so; in other words, that evil is always poisonous, does not uplift human beings, but degrades and humiliates them." Am I resisting God´s plans?
Zechariah was obedient to Yahweh. One part of God’s plan for each of us is that we also obey His commandments. Whether we be 10 years old or 80 years old we know He wants us to be obedient... we know he wants us to follow John’s example by spending time in prayer and fasting ... we know He wants us to give an example, as John did, so that others might be attracted to follow Jesus Christ. Our immediate response might be, “Who, me?” Yes ... us! Our destiny may not be as important as that of John the Baptist but we have the same responsibilities as he did. Here are a few examples. Both Zechariah and John made difficult decisions. We know there will be times in our lives when we will have to make decisions as to whether or not we will have the courage to publicly profess our faith to those around us. You young people here today will be tempted. Others you know will encourage you to become involved in drugs, sex and alcohol and to ignore the advice to follow God’s commandments. That can force you to make difficult decisions, one that might affect your popularity but it will not be as difficult as the one John made. He would not renounce God or Jesus and, for that reason, he lost his life. That’s a pretty big penalty to pay for the decision to obey God. However, I believe everyone here would agree that it was the right decision and that by making that decision, John not only assumed a place in history but also in Heaven.
His example is important to all of us.... to businessmen or women who are asked to use unethical tactics in the course of their careers ... to millions of expectant mothers who are tempted to terminate a pregnancy ... to all of us who may not be as committed to prayer, fasting and spreading the Word of God as was John the Baptist.

God is speaking to us just as He spoke to Zechariah. He is asking us to show our friends and associates HIS glory by the way we live our lives and how we follow His example. We hear His words each Sunday as we gather here and we determine, young and old, whether we will follow the example of Zechariah and John the Baptist and listen to His words and act as He has commanded us or if we freely decide to ignore His invitation. What we read today is not ancient history. It’s not as if what God said 2000 years ago has stopped applying to us in the 21st century. That’s why we come to here to Church each Sunday. Some may say, “But I don’t get anything out of the homily.” While it may be an important part of the ceremony, we don’t come to hear the homily. We come to worship God and to hear the words He has directed the prophets and the evangelists to pass on to us for our benefit.
Understand that God promises to us the same glory He promised to John. Let’s be realistic. I feel sure we won’t have to make decisions on which our very lives will depend but we must make decisions that will have an effect on something much more important ... decisions that are correct, even when they are difficult, that will have an effect on our spiritual and eternal lives. Zechariah was asked to make a decision and he responded affirmatively. John was asked to make a decision and he responded affirmatively and it cost him his life. God asks that we make decisions that will have an effect on our lives today and for all eternity.

WHAT WILL BE OUR ANSWER TO HIM?

HOW WILL WE RESPOND?
Today’s gospel has for us a model of discipleship. We often hear the phrase, faith hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. But, which is listed first? Faith, that elusive God given gift, the one that is hard to put a finger on. Faith is more than belief; faith is like love, it is an action word.
Today’s model of faith is found in both Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Zechariah surrendered to what God allowed in their personal lives together. Their choices were not based on personal motivation, but on a way of life, surrender, a life built around, organized around surrender to God.
Since Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of God, were cousins, do you suppose that Elizabeth and Zechariah were models for Jesus in his early years? Models that reminded Jesus of his need to surrender to the will of his heavenly Father?
We live in a world, a time and a culture that constantly gives us choices. Even the least of us gets to choose among four and six channels to watch on television. Even the least of us gets to choose whom we vote for, even the least of us get to decide whom we love and don’t love. We are blessed and cursed to live at this time, in this space. Cursed because the abundance of choices lull us into thinking that is the way it is with everything, including our number one relationship -- our relationship with God when we are in need.
When our relationship with God becomes one of surrender it is then that we have real choices -- real freedom.
The distant stares in the eyes of so many, the impersonal relationship with our neighbors, and the stampede of greed to get the most toys are all based on personal choice without the foundation of surrender to God. If we want personal, even family and community happiness then we must surrender to our God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Our choices must be based not on our feelings or our need for power or control or autonomy. Our choices should be based on what is morally right, what others need, what will bring us all closer to God, together. Our conviction must be based less on personal need, Democratic or Republican ideals, or company policy, and more and more on needs of others. It should be based on the morals that the body of Christ on earth, the church, teaches us and what God speaks to us in our hearts. We need to tune in and listen. We need to become students of God’s will for us; we need to surrender to our God.
Have you ever gone on a vacation that was long enough for you to really begin to forget what was going on at home, at work? This vacation didn’t have to be one in a tropical paradise, or one in which you where spending a lot of money, but just one where you got away to a different space and finally began to lay down the everyday worries and cares. It may have taken a day or two or maybe a week or more before you finally began to recognize and rediscover the world around you. In this relaxed condition you started to recognize the many gifts and the beauty that surrounded you. Perhaps a peace comes over you as you enjoyed the relationships with those you love and care for. Maybe you even wanted to move to that place because of what it began to symbolize to you.
When we surrender to God we begin to get those same kinds of rewards. Slowly but surely we recognize his peace, even when the world around us picks up speed and buffets us with all kinds of potentially fearful things. When we surrender, our loved ones become more dear to us, our community friendlier, our direction more sure, internally it can be as if we have been on vacation long enough to finally be enjoying life.
The model of discipleship of Zechariah and Elizabeth is based on surrender and patience. John the Baptist is not conceived until very late in their life. The humanity of both is quite evident and thus encouraging to us. Elizabeth is portrayed as typical Jewish mother, even by today’s standards. A son, she gave birth to a son and everyone rejoiced in the Lord’s great mercy toward her. She obviously held in her heart and shared with whom ever would listen the desire to bear a son.
Zechariah is even amusing in his probable stubbornness and maybe continual need to talk. As we know, in order to help him hear God’s will for him his ability to speak is temporarily suspended!
In God’s mercy and not in God’s justice the happy couple get the opportunity to surrender in faith by naming the child, John. They also get the chance to grow in hope that God really is in charge and love by surrendering even their only son, for as the scripture concludes today it says that John grew strong in spirit, not in their place of worship, but in the desert.
These two people were not perfect, but they reached a high level of holiness and satisfaction in this life by surrendering themselves to God.
How about you and me, have we had enough of our way?
Are we ready to surrender more of ourselves this day, this week to our God?
Faith, hope and love, the greatest is love, but the foundation is a faith built on surrender.
Run up the white flag to your God!

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What Really Is Beautiful Anyway?
8:36am Monday, Jun 18


Ephesians 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Right now I just want to deal with the first part of that verse Eph. 13:14a. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is mostly for girls. (Guys you can read it too, but girls have more issues with this than guys do). Girls are constantly thinking about what to wear and what will make them look good. We are always thinking about how the outside is looking, how our hair is, what makeup looks better, if this shirt or pants make us look fat...blah, blah, blah. Some days, though, I get up and I don't feel like messing around and putting thought into what I wear so I'll just decide on jeans, t-shirt, and maybe a hat. (I know it's not too fashionable, but I DON'T CARE) Guys get up and don't even give dressing themselves a second thought. They always look good in just jeans and a t-shirt. It's so not fair. Girls put a lot of thought into what they will wear that day. When a girl has a date, forget about it! We will spend maybe 30 min. trying on every single outfit. I know that I have done that many times. It may not have even been for a date. Its' just that I don't like anything that I have tried on. Ever heard the saying, "I have nothing to wear"? It's funny though, we say we have nothing to wear, but our closet it FILLED with clothes. My sister drives me nuts sometimes. Her closet is completely over-flowing with clothes and yet she still steels my clothes whose closet is only holding about 5 outfits.

The Bible tells us what to wear...the LORD JESUS CHRIST! He is our garment or fine linen. His spirit clothes us with joy and peace and strength. It is nice to look beautiful and dress up sometimes, but our main concern should be our inside...our gentle and quiet spirit.

This is what true beauty is: 1 Peter 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

I think this is a beautiful picture of how a girl or woman should dress. It's all about our spirit. Has anyone ever told you that you were beautiful? I'm sure they have. But have you ever actually FELT beautiful? I'm not just talking about feeling beautiful about the outside, but knowing inside that you are truly beautiful. There's a kinda confidence that comes from a godly girl that radiates from the inside out. It's her gentle spirit and fear and love for Her Savior. (Here's a tip: Girls, my ex-boyfriend once told me that he doesn't like girls that dress to impress, if you know what I mean. He told me that He looks at her heart.) I was at my best friends wedding this past weekend. Her sister, Breezy, is a beautiful woman. She is 19 years old and absolutely gorgeous on the outside, but so much more beautiful on the inside. Her gentle spirit overflowed from her love for the Lord. Her heart for the Lord and for missions is a contagious joy. She has put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives beauty because He is beautiful. My mom always told me this whenever I spent a long time getting ready just to go to the grocery store, "Beauty comes from the inside, Jen". Its true, mom. I know girls have big issues with how they look. It's so hard with all those stupid magazines out there with Paris Hilton and all the anorexic girls looking like they do. We want to keep up with them. It makes us feel better. But what we need to remember is that looks fade. They will wash away. But like 1 Peter says, the person of the heart is an IMPERISHABLE quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. Imperishable means it won't wash away at end the end of the day like your makeup washes away in the water. It never dies. What we need to be concerned about is our spirit and heart and relationship with the Lord first. I challenge you, tape this verse up on your mirror. (Guys, you can do this too, if you want) Let it remind yourself everyday that it doesn't matter how you look on the outside. A person wants to see your heart. Let your love for the Lord shine through and you will be so beautiful inside and out. It doesn't matter how you look on the outside. Man looks on the outward appearance, BUT the LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART! All He sees in you is His son! You were washed with the Blood of the Lamb and that makes you all the more beautiful. He knows your heart and He thinks that you are breathtaking. Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

P.S. Praise God for who you are! You are so precious in God's sight. He thinks you are the ultimate image of Beauty. After all, He made you from His image. Genesis 1:27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

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St. Anthony of Padua


(1195-1231)




The gospel call to leave everything and follow Christ was the rule of Anthony's life. Over and over again God called him to something new in his plan. Every time Anthony responded with renewed zeal and self-sacrificing to serve his Lord Jesus more completely.
His journey as the servant of God began as a very young man when he decided to join the Augustinians, giving up a future of wealth and power to be a servant of God. Later, when the bodies of the first Franciscan martyrs went through the Portuguese city where he was stationed, he was again filled with an intense longing to be one of those closest to Jesus himself: those who die for the Good News.

So Anthony entered the Franciscan Order and set out to preach to the Moors. But an illness prevented him from achieving that goal. He went to Italy and was stationed in a small hermitage where he spent most of his time praying, reading the Scriptures and doing menial tasks.

The call of God came again at an ordination where no one was prepared to speak. The humble and obedient Anthony hesitantly accepted the task. The years of searching for Jesus in prayer, of reading sacred Scripture and of serving him in poverty, chastity and obedience had prepared Anthony to allow the Spirit to use his talents. Anthony's sermon was astounding to those who expected an unprepared speech and knew not the Spirit's power to give people words.

Recognized as a great man of prayer and a great Scripture and theology scholar, Anthony became the first friar to teach theology to the other friars. Soon he was called from that post to preach to the heretics, to use his profound knowledge of Scripture and theology to convert and reassure those who had been misled.

Comment:

Anthony should be the patron of those who find their lives completely uprooted and set in a new and unexpected direction. Like all saints, he is a perfect example of turning one's life completely over to Christ. God did with Anthony as God pleased—and what God pleased was a life of spiritual power and brilliance that still attracts admiration today. He whom popular devotion has nominated as finder of lost objects found himself by losing himself totally to the providence of God.

Quote:
In his Sermons, Anthony says: "The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

posted by Mike Young @ 10:27 AM