In Luke's Gospel, we hear: "That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred" including the death and reported resurrection of Jesus. As they walk, the risen Lord joins them, but they do not recognize him. Later on, after Jesus breaks bread with them, they exclaim: "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
I love that line. What a realization!
It seems to me that we are all on the road to Emmaus, thinking about our goals, while worried about many things including the economy, terrorism, and the price of gas. Concerned by material things, we don't notice the presence of our Lord, always walking with us, present on every step of life's journey.
Is this God's way? Perhaps God likes to come to us in disguise. Maybe, throughout our lives, God comes to us through others. Like our mothers, for example.
My mother, Ramona, raised six children. She fed us, cleaned us, dressed us, and took care of us when we were sick. She loved us to the end. I can still remember her laughter, as well as her tears. When my mother cried, my heart burned within me.
Fr. Richard Rohr has written: "... the mother is the one who parts the veil for us. She gives us that experience of grounding, of intimacy, of tenderness, of safety that most of us associate with our image of God. Whoever God is, God is profoundly and essentially what it means to be male and female. We have to find and to trust the feminine face of God and the masculine face of God. Both are true and both are necessary for a full relationship with God."
Just as God gave birth to all of creation, mothers gave birth to us. Though God is referred to as the Father, a very strong case can be made that God is the Mother as well.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Be the Blessing
This year is our Jubilee anniversary at St. Matthias. We are renewing our commitment to stewardship as a parish right now. Each weekend, we have heard from diverse speakers who spoke about the many aspects of being a faithful steward and active disciple.
Recently, in a video from Rob Bell, the message touched on Tikkun Olam, a Jewish concept that refers to repairing (or restoring) the world. Essentially, it's up to us to restore the world. How? By doing good deeds (called 'mitzvot' in Jewish culture), deeds that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, put a roof over the homeless, and destroy injustice. This way, we perfect ourselves and we repair the world.
This concept is not far at all from what we learned in catechism about the Corporal Works of Mercy:
- To feed the hungry
- To give drink to the thirsty.
- To shelter the homeless.
- To clothe the naked.
- To visit and ransom the captive, and those in prison.
- To visit the sick.
In our faith sharing process called LIFT (Living In Faith Together), one of the reflection questions asked, In what ways are you Eucharist to others? One way that we can be Eucharist to others is to follow Tikkun Olam, or the Corporal Works of Mercy, or just to live your daily life more mindfully that you are a faithful follower of Jesus. Ask yourself, What would Jesus do? And: What would Jesus want me to do?
I was reminded of a saying that Canada-based consultant Jan Yuill often mentions:
~ "Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place."
That sums up the steward's role nicely.
As Christians, being good stewards means that it's up to us to Be the Blessing.
Recently, in a video from Rob Bell, the message touched on Tikkun Olam, a Jewish concept that refers to repairing (or restoring) the world. Essentially, it's up to us to restore the world. How? By doing good deeds (called 'mitzvot' in Jewish culture), deeds that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, put a roof over the homeless, and destroy injustice. This way, we perfect ourselves and we repair the world.
This concept is not far at all from what we learned in catechism about the Corporal Works of Mercy:
- To feed the hungry
- To give drink to the thirsty.
- To shelter the homeless.
- To clothe the naked.
- To visit and ransom the captive, and those in prison.
- To visit the sick.
In our faith sharing process called LIFT (Living In Faith Together), one of the reflection questions asked, In what ways are you Eucharist to others? One way that we can be Eucharist to others is to follow Tikkun Olam, or the Corporal Works of Mercy, or just to live your daily life more mindfully that you are a faithful follower of Jesus. Ask yourself, What would Jesus do? And: What would Jesus want me to do?
I was reminded of a saying that Canada-based consultant Jan Yuill often mentions:
~ "Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place."
That sums up the steward's role nicely.
As Christians, being good stewards means that it's up to us to Be the Blessing.
The 5 S Method for Lent
Did you get your ashes yesterday? Don't stop there. Lent is a great opportunity to work on "cleaning out your closet," spiritually speaking.
In the business world, there is a method for organizing spaces such as closets, drawers, storerooms, offices, and work benches. It's called The 5 S method.
Sort: Stuff has a way of accumulating in our spaces. See what's in there. Pull it all out. Make three piles: What you will Keep; What you will give to Good Will; and What you will Toss.
Set Back in Order: Put the Keepers back into the closet in an order that feels right to you.
Shine: Spruce up the area so that you can breathe freely when you stand up to look at your work.
Standardize: Take note of the changes you are making and make a vow to yourself to keep your closet in this new order.
Sustain: Remember this about our human nature: Even after we make a change, we often gradually slip back into old habits. If you aren't careful --and mindfull-- the stuff will start to accumulate again. Ask yourself: What will help to sustain me in my intention to do better?
Lent can be a fresh chance to come clean. A "cleaning out of the closets of our hearts," as someone once said.
This Lent, stop and take a look at your inner closet. This is a good time to find what's useful, get rid of the junk, and give away something to those in need.
In the business world, there is a method for organizing spaces such as closets, drawers, storerooms, offices, and work benches. It's called The 5 S method.
Sort: Stuff has a way of accumulating in our spaces. See what's in there. Pull it all out. Make three piles: What you will Keep; What you will give to Good Will; and What you will Toss.
Set Back in Order: Put the Keepers back into the closet in an order that feels right to you.
Shine: Spruce up the area so that you can breathe freely when you stand up to look at your work.
Standardize: Take note of the changes you are making and make a vow to yourself to keep your closet in this new order.
Sustain: Remember this about our human nature: Even after we make a change, we often gradually slip back into old habits. If you aren't careful --and mindfull-- the stuff will start to accumulate again. Ask yourself: What will help to sustain me in my intention to do better?
Lent can be a fresh chance to come clean. A "cleaning out of the closets of our hearts," as someone once said.
This Lent, stop and take a look at your inner closet. This is a good time to find what's useful, get rid of the junk, and give away something to those in need.
"See, I am doing something new"
As we move into Lent, we are about to cross a spiritual threshold, a doorway of opportunity. What will you do? Most of us were taught to "give something up" for Lent. Are there other options?
In today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, we heard: "Thus says the Lord: See, I am doing something new. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers." A bit further in this reading from Isaiah, the Lord says: “It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”
God is taking care of creation, of the land and of His people. God is renewing the covenant, restoring the Earth, and repairing the relationship with His people.
In essence, God is putting things right. God is showing us the way that we are to live if we desire to be His people.
So, as you cross the threshold into this Lent, stay mindful of the fact this year is our jubilee year. Jubilee is the year of releasing captives, freeing of slaves, cancelling debts, returning land to its original owner, and "letting the land lie fallow."
In Luke's gospel, Jesus proclaimed jubilee when he said: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Ask yourself, Is there "something new" that you are called to do? What "good works" can you perform? What can you do, during the 40 days of Lent, that will help to "put things right" in your relationships with others, with the Earth, and with God?
In today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, we heard: "Thus says the Lord: See, I am doing something new. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers." A bit further in this reading from Isaiah, the Lord says: “It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”
God is taking care of creation, of the land and of His people. God is renewing the covenant, restoring the Earth, and repairing the relationship with His people.
In essence, God is putting things right. God is showing us the way that we are to live if we desire to be His people.
So, as you cross the threshold into this Lent, stay mindful of the fact this year is our jubilee year. Jubilee is the year of releasing captives, freeing of slaves, cancelling debts, returning land to its original owner, and "letting the land lie fallow."
In Luke's gospel, Jesus proclaimed jubilee when he said: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Ask yourself, Is there "something new" that you are called to do? What "good works" can you perform? What can you do, during the 40 days of Lent, that will help to "put things right" in your relationships with others, with the Earth, and with God?
Thanks For The Invitation!
Invitation is critical. It's a key component in building the kingdom.
For some years now, I've been active at St. Matthias in such ministries as pastoral council, lectoring, employment ministry and others. We have often had discussions about how to engage the members of the congregation. How to encourage them to respond to their baptismal call to be disciples and put their talents to good use in our community.
Often the response is, "Put an announcement in the weekly bulletin." The theory is, people will read the bulletin, see that there is a need, and they will sign up. The trouble is, that theory seldom matches the reality. Don't get me wrong about the bulletin. I read it! But it's not enough to really engage people.
What we have found --that really works!-- is to personally invite someone. To approach them one-to-one and ask if them if they would consider stepping up to a greater level of involvement in the life of the parish.
The Music Ministry uses this approach all the time. I remember how Eileen Casazza would hear someone singing in the congregation. She would approach them and say, "Have you ever thought of joining the choir?" Many choir members were found just like that! My wife Joan and her team still use this method.
I remember when I was "called" to join the Pastoral Council. Several council members asked me personally if I would consider it. I'm glad they did because it lit a flame in me that still burns to this day.
This is the invitation approach. We have seen it work time after time. It's the key to making genuine connections in faith.
When you invite someone to a deeper level of involvement in their Catholic faith, it can have wonderful results.
For some years now, I've been active at St. Matthias in such ministries as pastoral council, lectoring, employment ministry and others. We have often had discussions about how to engage the members of the congregation. How to encourage them to respond to their baptismal call to be disciples and put their talents to good use in our community.
Often the response is, "Put an announcement in the weekly bulletin." The theory is, people will read the bulletin, see that there is a need, and they will sign up. The trouble is, that theory seldom matches the reality. Don't get me wrong about the bulletin. I read it! But it's not enough to really engage people.
What we have found --that really works!-- is to personally invite someone. To approach them one-to-one and ask if them if they would consider stepping up to a greater level of involvement in the life of the parish.
The Music Ministry uses this approach all the time. I remember how Eileen Casazza would hear someone singing in the congregation. She would approach them and say, "Have you ever thought of joining the choir?" Many choir members were found just like that! My wife Joan and her team still use this method.
I remember when I was "called" to join the Pastoral Council. Several council members asked me personally if I would consider it. I'm glad they did because it lit a flame in me that still burns to this day.
This is the invitation approach. We have seen it work time after time. It's the key to making genuine connections in faith.
When you invite someone to a deeper level of involvement in their Catholic faith, it can have wonderful results.
On The Way
Last year, my wife Joan and I saw the movie "The Way" starring Martin Sheen, directed and written by his son Emilio Estevez. Can a movie be both incredibly gorgeous and spiritual at the same time? Apparently it can. Director Estevez has proved it with this inspiring road movie.
El Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James, is an ancient route from the Pyrenees in southern France, across northern Spain, through Galicia to the Atlantic Ocean. For over 1000 years, pilgrims have followed The Way, a route that passes through such places as Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon. The Way 'ends' at the tomb of the Apostle St. James the Greater located inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Field of Stars).
Martin Sheen plays a Dad whose son dies in the mountains while starting The Way. As Sheen's character decides to make the pilgrimage his son had begun, he meets others along the way. Each is searching for an answer to a dilemma. One wants to quit smoking. One wants to lose weight. One has writer's block. As we learn more about each person, we find that there are much deeper wounds and needs at work.
In Estevez' script, one of the characters says he is not much interested in religion. Another says in reply, "Religion has nothing to do with this. Nothing at all."
That was the 'moment of truth' for me in this wonderful movie. The Way is not religion. It's about waking up and finding out who we are. It's about living our lives mindfully, joyfully, and in the community of others.
St Francis of Assisi once said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."
Perhaps this is the real message of this film about love. It's not transformation. It's transcendence. It's realizing that we mean so much more than we realize.
I love that The Way brings you to The Field of Stars. What a destination.
Talk about poetry in motion.
El Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James, is an ancient route from the Pyrenees in southern France, across northern Spain, through Galicia to the Atlantic Ocean. For over 1000 years, pilgrims have followed The Way, a route that passes through such places as Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon. The Way 'ends' at the tomb of the Apostle St. James the Greater located inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Field of Stars).
Martin Sheen plays a Dad whose son dies in the mountains while starting The Way. As Sheen's character decides to make the pilgrimage his son had begun, he meets others along the way. Each is searching for an answer to a dilemma. One wants to quit smoking. One wants to lose weight. One has writer's block. As we learn more about each person, we find that there are much deeper wounds and needs at work.
In Estevez' script, one of the characters says he is not much interested in religion. Another says in reply, "Religion has nothing to do with this. Nothing at all."
That was the 'moment of truth' for me in this wonderful movie. The Way is not religion. It's about waking up and finding out who we are. It's about living our lives mindfully, joyfully, and in the community of others.
St Francis of Assisi once said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."
Perhaps this is the real message of this film about love. It's not transformation. It's transcendence. It's realizing that we mean so much more than we realize.
I love that The Way brings you to The Field of Stars. What a destination.
Talk about poetry in motion.
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