Category: Uncategorized

***

Gospel: Luke 12: 45-59

Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Technology is amazing. You can Google almost any question and find out the answer immediately.

For example, can dogs eat bananas?… Why do cats purr?…  How many gallons of water are in the Atlantic Ocean?

***

But there are other questions – deeper, more existential questions – that Google cannot answer. Questions, which even the people in Jesus’ time should’ve asked, such as:

What’s the meaning of life?… Why am I here?… Who is this Jesus? Is he really who he says he is?… What difference does God make in my life?

***

God gives each of us a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a conscience to discern his will for our lives. But sometimes we rise to the surface – and not in a good sense. We can be content with just material things or going through the motions – the busyness – of life.

It’s this type of shallowness which Jesus addresses in today’s Gospel. The crowds think of simple things like weather patterns, but they never wonder what – or Who – is beyond the skies. 

“You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky,” he says. “Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” 

Jesus was calling them into discipleship, yet they had no idea.

***

I’m sure our minds will be filled with dozens – if not hundreds – of questions today, like,  why do cats purr?

But take the time to contemplate the bigger questions, too, including, why does my faith matter to me? And, what does God want for my life?

Then do something about it.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Stormirror.com (2) Gibbard Financial Group (3) Purrs of Wisdom with Ingrid King

***

Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father, 
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

What is this “fire” that Jesus is referring to? 

***

The divine “fire” of his red-hot love. 

***

If you are in a good place spiritually, then that love feels like a “fire” in the best sense of the word – God’s love warms you and illumines your path.

As the Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp for my path and a light – a ‘fire’ – for my steps.” 

God’s love can also fill your heart with fiery passion. As the prophet Jeremiah says, “Your WORD is like a fire in my bones; woe to me if I do not preach it!” 

We also see this divine fire at work in the lives of the Saints, who put God first in their lives.

***

But, if you’re not in a good place spiritually, then that same divine “fire” can be painful as it purifies the heart.

For example, the first day of sobriety can feel like fire to an addict. But what is God doing? Burning away an addiction that once held them captive.

Telling the truth can feel like fire to someone caught in a lie. But God is burning away dishonesty in a relationship.

Forgiving a deep-seated wound can feel like fire to someone who’s been nursing a grudge. But God is burning the anger out of their heart.

An act of humility can feel like fire to our ego. But humility is always superior to pride.

Honesty, self-control, forgiveness, and humility … these are all good things! They’re necessary for spiritual growth and healthy relationships. But sometimes they burn; that’s the purifying hand of God at work in our lives.

***

Where in my heart does that divine fire soothe? Where does it burn? 

***

“I have come to set the earth on fire!” the Lord says. He has come to purify. May it begin with me.

***

***

Image credits: (1) The Pilgrims’ Center, Facebook (2) Names of Jesus (3) Ursuline Sisters Mission

***

Gospel: Luke 12: 39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly. 
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Saint Augustine once said, “I am terrified by what I am for you, but given comfort by what I am with you. For you, I am a bishop, but with you I am a Christian.”

***

As bishop of the local church in Hippo, or what is modern-day Algeria, Augustine was entrusted by God with the responsibility of caring for the spiritual welfare of his flock. 

This included preaching the Gospel, teaching against heresy, administering the Sacraments, visiting the sick, burying the dead, managing finances, and so on.

This was a heavy yoke placed upon his shoulders, and he understood the enormity of the task. As Jesus says plainly in today’s Gospel, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

In addition to the weight of his flock, Augustine was also a towering intellect, a prolific writer, and the most influential theologian of his age, if not ever. 

“I am terrified by what I am for you,” he says.

Had he misused his gifts – or led his flock into scandal – then the Lord would’ve held him accountable. This is partly why the pope and the local bishop are prayed for by name at each Mass; we ask God to grant them the grace to lead us honestly and courageously.

***

Augustine’s consolation was not in his office as bishop, but in his identity as a baptized member of the Body of Christ. “I am given comfort by what I am with you,” he says.

***

Fortunately, none of us has been given the enormous task of leading an entire diocese, or helping to shape Catholic theology as profoundly as Augustine did.

But we are all called to lead in various ways – I as pastor of this parish; you as protector of your family; all of us as Christians in this world. This responsibility should spark a holy fear – a type of awe – in our hearts.

We have been entrusted with much.

But with every layer of responsibility comes an equal – or greater – amount of grace. As Saint Paul reminds us, “We can do all things well through Christ who strengthens us.”

***

***

Image credits: (1) Redbubble (2) FCE-Probitas (3) Seasonal Preaching