July 24, 2016 - Lord, Teach Us to Pray

The Seventeenth Sunday in 
   Ordinary Time - Year C


First Reading: Genesis 18: 20-32

Response: Psalm 138

Second Reading: Col.  2:12-14

Gospel: Luke 11: 1-13

In the face if recent tragic events in our world and in our Nation, we often feel helpless. Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI, presents a remedy in his article The Power of prayer and Ritual Inside Our Helplessness. He refers to a movie based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, Sense and Sensibility. A young woman is lying close to death from pneumonia while a young man who loves her is pacing back and forth frustrated by the fact that he is helpless in the situation. He asks her mother what he can do to help the sick woman. Heart-broken he cannot accept the response that there is nothing they can do. He then cries out: “Give me some task to do, or I shall go mad!”

Many of us experience these feelings in events of our personal lives, as well as in the other times of crisis. There are two helpful ways of dealing with them: prayer and action. I remember the many times that I was called to Maristhill Nursing Home where my father was residing. I would be told that there was a possibility that he might be nearing death. Usually, one of the Sisters would drive me. Instinctively, I would reach for my rosary and finger it on the way. Then, when my mother died, I wanted to pass on the love and wisdom that my mother had given to me. Having no children of my own, I joined the Big Sister Association and mentored two young girls. That action helped not only the children, but also helped me to deal with the loss of my mother.

We often see good evolve from tragedy. Maybe that is why the Lord allows these difficult and heart-wrenching events. In times when people realize things are out of their control, they often turn to God. How many people after a divorce, a health crisis, the death of a loved one, a devastating weather catastrophe, or in the midst of the terrors of war, turn to their Creator in prayer? How many acts of kindness, tributes, memorials, support groups, fundraisers, scholarships and philanthropic foundations, result from the need to do something positive on the heels of a tragedy?

A current example of this is being initiated by the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) which is responding to the terrible epidemic of violence in our Nation and throughout the world in the following manner:

Baltimore, 13 July 2016: The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) joins the nation in mourning over the tragedies in Baton Rouge, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, and Dallas last week. As we commend to the Lord those who have died, we pray for the consolation of all who are grieving.

It is important for Black Catholics to contribute to the ongoing national conversation about the underlying issues which have existed for too long. These issues include racism, inequality, poverty, and violence. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we must be signs of God’s love which promotes justice. Justice promotes right relationships, which includes upholding the dignity of human life.

The NBCC invites Black Catholics and all people of good will to join in a time of prayer and action. We believe in the power of prayer. We also believe that we must cooperate with how God will answer our prayers. HENCE, THE NBCC ASKS YOU TO JOIN US IN OFFERING THIS PRAYER FROM MONDAY, JULY 18TH TO MONDAY, AUGUST 15TH:

       

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples and willed to gather from them one family for yourself, fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good
things which you richly bestow upon all each human person may be brought to perfection, every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.                              

Collect - Votive Mass for the Progress of Peoples from the Roman Missal

In addition, Friday is a day of penance for Catholics throughout the year. During this same period, we invite Black Catholics [and others] to make a sacrifice of your choosing on Fridays to accompany our prayers for justice with acts of reparation.  What positive action do you think the Lord may be asking of you?

July 17, 2016 - Martha and Mary, Friends of Jesus

The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Year C

                     

First Reading:  Gen. 18: 1-10

Response:  Psalm 15

Second Reading: Col. 1:24-28

Gospel:  Luke 10: 28-42

I just love the intimacy reflected in this picture of Jesus and his close friends. Martha appears exhausted as she shares the frustration that she has been running around providing hospitality while her sister Mary simply sits in adoration at the feet of Jesus. Martha is able to tell Jesus exactly how she is feeling. Probably, Jesus detects some jealousy as she complains about her sister.

Martha most likely expects to have Jesus come to her aid by telling Mary to go to the kitchen to assist her sister. While Jesus had obviously listened to Martha with compassion, he gently admonishes her by saying that she has indeed been "busy about many things." However, he tells her that Mary's decision to remain in his presence and to simply listen to him is the better "part." 

Being "part" implies that it is not the whole. The hospitality is important also. Both
prayer and action routed in the prayer are important in the life of a follower of  Jesus. The challenge for me is often finding the balance. 

However, I do not believe I am alone in my struggle. Ironically, back in the 70's when I was teaching college English, we were told that the time was coming that people would only work four days a week and needed to learn positive ways of using their leisure. Obviously, the prediction did not turn out to be correct. For many different reasons, most people today work more than ever. Finding time for for even the necessary things can be difficult, let alone leisure time.

Balancing prayer, work, family, community, civic responsibilities, church activities, social life, and self-care is challenging. Each of us must find his/her own way, with the help of the Lord, who knows and understands us completely. 

Perhaps, by expressing all of our innermost feelings like Martha and listening attentively like Mary, we will be able to find the correct balance for ourselves. We all have our own unique personalities, talents, limitations, and circumstances. Since the Lord knows and loves us better than we know or love ourselves, he can guide us. On our part, we need to seek his help, open our hearts, listen deeply, and follow his inspirations.