October 27, 2019 Humility and Truth

October 27, 2019   Humility and Truth   Year C

Reading I:  Sirach
35: 12-14, 16-18

Psalm: 34

Reading II:  2 Timothy
46-8, 16-18

Gospel: 
Luke 18:9-14

The parable of “The Pharisee and the Publican” brings to my mind a common saying: "There is always some good in the worst of us and always some bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest
of us."

Of course, Jesus knows us intimately, even better than we know ourselves. However, we can be blind to our own shortcomings and magnify those of others. In fact, often the weaknesses that annoy us in others are within ourselves also.

The Pharisees were well-meaning. They hoped to preserve the original Jewish faith and protect it from contamination by outside forces. They focused on the Torah, the written law as given to Moses, as well as the oral law, the interpretations passed down to them.

The strict observance of the Law was characteristic of the Pharisees, especially regarding the observance of the Sabbath. Even plucking an ear of corn on the Sabbath was condemned. Jesus, Himself, had to teach His Jewish disciples to go by the spirit of the law instead of the letter when they were hungry and needed sustenance on the Sabbath.

In the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) we meet some generous Pharisees. For example, we hear of Joseph of Arimathaea, who requested the body of Jesus to place it in a tomb. Also, we learn of Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Finally, we know of St. Paul who brought the same zeal he had as a Pharisee to his ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews), once he was converted.

Most likely the publican (tax collector) also had some good qualities, so what was the point of comparing them? The words they spoke gave us a picture of their inner attitudes. The Pharisee bragged about all the good he did. He looked down upon others as inferior to himself. He believed that he was self-sufficient. He wouldn’t face the truth. With mind and heart closed, only a miracle of God’s grace could enable him to develop an intimate relationship with God, e.g. Saul becoming St. Paul.

On the other hand, the tax collector acknowledges his sinfulness. He knows he needed God’s help. He does not judge others. He faces the truth and thus is humble. Since he does not block out reality, he has an open heart, one that is receptive and able to develop a deep relationship with his Maker.

What causes people to be unable to face their humanity? Sometimes I believe that well-meaning parents and/or people in authority put expectations of perfection on others and thus they cannot acknowledge their weaknesses or wrongdoings.

This brings to mind an experience I had as a young Sister teaching the 6th grade in a small parish school. There was a boy in the 5th grade that had a reputation for lying. I knew he would be in my class the next year, so I was concerned about how to help him. In a magazine, I read that the reason children lie is basically fear.

I am going to call the student John, which is not his real name. Sure enough, John became my student the next year. Someone had written on the walls of the boys’ bathroom and John was accused of doing it.
 

I kept him after school and was sitting at my desk correcting papers. When I looked up, I saw that John was crying at his desk. Therefore, I called him up to my desk and asked him why he was crying. He told me that he really didn’t write on the wall, but that no one would believe him.  My response was that he had lied so much in the past that he now had a reputation for lying. The only way he could change that was to begin to tell the truth.

There was an unsolved mystery of another event which I mentioned to him. He acknowledged that he had been the culprit that time. Then I told him to go to the principal, tell her that he had committed the first offense, but he had not written on the wall that day. I also told him from now on not to respond quickly when questioned, rather to remember the importance of telling the truth before he answered.

At the end of the year, I was promoted to the 7th grade with my class. One girl who was cleaning the classroom after school casually mentioned to me that John no longer was lying.  Of course, this surprised me. I had no idea why she was telling me about this. Maybe John had shared my conversation with her? Nonetheless, I was delighted to learn this. Perhaps by my accepting John as he was, he could then acknowledge the truth.

 Reflection Question:   Let us ask the Lord to help us become humble by accepting ourselves and others with all our virtues and imperfections.

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Humildad y Verdad

Por supuesto, Jesús nos conoce íntimamente, incluso mejor que nosotros mismos. Sin embargo, podemos ser ciegos a nuestras propias deficiencias y magnificar las de los demás. De hecho, a menudo las debilidades que nos molestan en los demás también están dentro de nosotros mismos.

Los fariseos tenían buenas intenciones. Esperaban preservar la fe judía original y protegerla de la contaminación por fuerzas externas. Se centraron en la Torá, la ley escrita dada a Moisés, así como la ley oral, las interpretaciones transmitidas a ellos.

La estricta observancia de la Ley era característica de los fariseos, especialmente con respecto a la observancia del sábado. Incluso condenar una mazorca de maíz en sábado fue condenado. Jesús mismo tuvo que enseñar a sus discípulos judíos a seguir el espíritu de la ley en lugar de la letra cuando tenían hambre y necesitaban sustento en sábado.

En las Escrituras Cristianas (Nuevo Testamento) nos encontramos con unos fariseos generosos. Por ejemplo, escuchamos de José de Arimatea, quien le pidió al cuerpo de Jesús que lo colocara en una tumba. Además, nos enteramos de Nicodemo, que trajo una mezcla de mirra y áloe para preparar el cuerpo de Jesús para el entierro. Finalmente, sabemos de San Pablo que trajo el mismo celo que tenía como fariseo a su ministerio a los gentiles (no judíos), una vez que se convirtió.

Lo más probable es que el publicano (recaudador de impuestos) también tuviera algunas buenas cualidades, entonces, ¿cuál era el punto de compararlos? Las palabras que pronunciaron nos dieron una imagen de sus actitudes internas. El fariseo se jactaba de todo lo bueno que hacía. Miró a los demás como inferiores a sí mismo. Él creía que era autosuficiente. No enfrentaría la verdad. Con la mente y el corazón cerrados, solo un milagro de la gracia de Dios podría permitirle desarrollar una relación íntima con Dios, p. Saúl convirtiéndose en San Pablo.

Por otro lado, el recaudador de impuestos reconoce su pecaminosidad. Él sabe que necesitaba la ayuda de Dios. Él no juzga a los demás. Se enfrenta a la verdad y, por lo tanto, es humilde. Como no bloquea la realidad, tiene un corazón abierto, receptivo y capaz de desarrollar una relación profunda con su Hacedor.

¿Qué hace que las personas sean incapaces de enfrentar su humanidad? A veces creo que los padres bien intencionados y / o las personas con autoridad ponen expectativas de perfección en los demás y, por lo tanto, no pueden reconocer sus debilidades o fechorías.

Esto me recuerda una experiencia que tuve cuando era una joven Hermana enseñando el sexto grado en una pequeña escuela parroquial. Había un niño en quinto grado que tenía fama de mentir. Sabía que estaría en mi clase el próximo año, así que me preocupaba cómo ayudarlo. En una revista, leí que la razón por la cual los niños mienten es básicamente el miedo.

Voy a llamar al estudiante John, que no es su nombre real. Efectivamente, John se convirtió en mi alumno al año siguiente. Alguien había escrito en las paredes del baño de los niños y John fue acusado de hacerlo.

Lo guardé después de la escuela y estaba sentado en mi escritorio corrigiendo papeles. Cuando levanté la vista, vi que John estaba llorando en su escritorio. Por lo tanto, lo llamé a mi escritorio y le pregunté por qué estaba llorando. Me dijo que realmente no escribía en la pared, pero que nadie le creería. Mi respuesta fue que había mentido tanto en el pasado que ahora tenía fama de mentir. La única forma en que podía cambiar eso era comenzar a decir la verdad.

Había un misterio sin resolver de otro evento que le mencioné. Reconoció que había sido el culpable esa vez. Luego le dije que fuera al director y le dijera que había cometido la primera ofensa, pero que no había escrito en la pared ese día. También le dije a partir de ahora que no respondiera rápidamente cuando se le preguntara, sino que recordara la importancia de decir la verdad antes de responder.

Al final del año, fui promovido al séptimo grado con mi clase. Una chica que estaba limpiando el aula después de la escuela me dijo casualmente que John ya no mentía. Por supuesto, esto me sorprendió. No tenía idea de por qué me estaba contando sobre esto. ¿Quizás John había compartido mi conversación con ella? Sin embargo, me encantó saber esto. Quizás al aceptar a John tal como era, él podría reconocer la verdad.

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:  Pidamos al Señor que nos ayude a ser humildes al aceptarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás con todas nuestras virtudes e imperfecciones.

Comments:

Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita

Mother Katharine reminds us to walk always in the presence of God. If we truly believe that we are constantly in the presence of our Creator, our Redeemer, the Savior who was cruelly murdered for our sakes, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, how can we honestly be anything but humble? We have this Wonderful Presence with us, within us; how can we ignore Him by thinking of our own glory first? Mother Katharine also wrote that we should “Quietly, tranquility, let the grace of God work in you.” If we can do this, then the grace of God will help us to accept ourselves as we truly are and to accept others as God sees them.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Your question, “What causes people to be unable to face their humanity?” is a powerful reflective inquiry when we ask it of ourselves in the first person, “What causes me to be unable to face my humanity?” Fear-based thoughts come to mind, such as not wanting to see all the suffering going on around me, not wanting to assume responsibility for others, unwillingness to go beyond the surface, feelings of powerlessness. For me, these thoughts reflect a mindset of separateness – them /me.  As Christians, of course, we should hold the space of oneness, of solidarity and unity. Regardless of the perceived differences: gender, race, culture age, intelligence, we are called to see other people as God sees them.

Richard Rohr posted an article in which he shares the words of his friend, Tim Shriver, Chair of Special Olympics, who works with many people whom our culture excludes or disregards. Through their eyes he has come to see God’s presence in every human being. Rohr suggests that as we read Tim’s words, imagine how we might stand in solidarity with someone “on the edge,” someone who has been excluded, and see that individual through God’s eyes.

“You cannot believe in or practice unitive consciousness as long as you exclude and marginalize others—whether it is women or people of different sexual orientations or people of religious or ethnic minorities or, in my experience, people with intellectual disabilities. My work is largely with and in support of people who have significant vulnerabilities because of intellectual disability. In many cultures these people are excluded and oppressed, though often unconsciously, even more so than other marginalized groups. . . . They are thought to be hopeless. Mostly they are ignored and forgotten.

For twenty years I have been mentored by these same people. Some might not be the best-spoken, the most articulate writers, the most celebrated thinkers, the fastest runners. And yet, despite all of that, I have met person after person who emanates a kind of radiant light. After a while, even the densest of us may have our eyes opened to that something which transcends all superficial distractions of disability: the unimaginable beauty of every person. That beauty is ours for the seeing if only we have the eyes to see, if only we pay attention.

I try to maintain those eyes as I engage in this work. At times I will pull myself out of whatever I’m doing and try to remember that I’m united with all that is. I give myself license to step away and reconnect. I fail mostly, but once in a while I succeed, and when I do, I feel like I am touching a “sweet spot” of wonder and peace. It enables me to be present to people in a way that I can communicate to them that I love them unconditionally. There are no conditions to our unity, to our oneness.

Many times I’ve watched, for instance, as a person with Down syndrome stands with a gold medal around her neck, arms raised high to a cheering crowd. I can’t look at that child, at that human being, without slipping out of dualistic thinking. Those moments are a kind of sacrament of unitive consciousness. They are “both-and” moments where shadow and light coexist in the same experience. . . . Divine energy shoots vertically through me like a force, and says, “See! Look! Pay attention to what is right in front of you! That is all you need to know!”

Parable of Two Sons - Oct. 1, 2017

The Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary
Time -  A

Reading I: 
Ezechiel 18:25

Psalm:  25

Reading II: 
Philippians:2:1-11

Gospel:
Matthew 21:28-32  

                                                    

A child might illustrate the parable of the two sons with the above stark simplicity!! Yet as adults, we know that things are so much more complicated.


I immediately think of Saints Peter and Paul when I read this parable. At the Last Supper, Peter refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, not really understanding the significance. However, when Jesus tells Peter that unless he allows Him to wash his feet, he will no longer be His disciple, Peter begs Jesus to wash his hands and his head also.

Later, Peter impetuosity tells Jesus that he is ready to die for him. Sadly, Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him. However, after his conversion and many years of preaching the risen Jesus, Peter has grown spiritually to a point that indeed he became willing to die for Jesus. He even requested being crucified upside down since he did not feel worthy to die as Jesus did.
  
St. Paul (originally referred to as Saul) in his younger years zealously persecuted the Christians. However, one day on his way to Damascus, he had a vision of the resurrected Jesus who said to him: “Saul, Saul, why thou persecutest me?” Saul responded: “Who art thou, Lord?” Then, Jesus revealed, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest....”

After his conversion, Saul (then called Paul) just as zealously traveled the Mediterranean Sea area proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. He spent his time totally bringing the “Good News” to the Gentiles (non-Jews).  

Paul endured much persecution. He faced many hardships, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and he ultimately experienced martyrdom. It is believed that Paul was beheaded under the reign of Nero.

What is the message in the parable for us? I believe that God is super patient with us if we are
sincere like Sts. Peter and Paul. However, if we just give lip service, we will pay the price. Let us ask the Lord to help us to be truly honest with ourselves and learn to “Walk the Talk.”


 Reflection Question:   How can I help myself to be faithful to my commitments to the Lord and His people? 

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Parábola de Dos Hijos

¡Un niño puede ilustrar la parábola de los dos hijos con la simplicidad de arriba! Sin embargo, como adultos, sabemos que las cosas son mucho más complicadas.

Pienso inmediatamente en los Santos Pedro y Pablo cuando leo esta parábola. En la Última Cena, Pedro se niega a dejar que Jesús se lave los pies, sin comprender realmente el significado. Sin embargo, cuando Jesús le dice a Pedro que si no le permite lavar sus pies, ya no será su discípulo, Pedro pide a Jesús que lave también sus manos y su cabeza.

Más tarde, Pedro impetuosidad le dice a Jesús que está dispuesto a morir por él. Tristemente, Jesús predice que Pedro le negará. Sin embargo, después de su conversión y de muchos años de predicar al Jesús resucitado, Pedro ha crecido espiritualmente hasta un punto en el que de hecho él estaba dispuesto a morir por Jesús. Incluso pidió ser crucificado boca abajo ya que no se sentía digno de morir como Jesús lo hizo.

  

San Pablo (originalmente llamado Saúl) en sus años más jóvenes perseguía celosamente a los cristianos. Sin embargo, un día de camino a Damasco, tuvo una visión del Jesús resucitado que le dijo: “Saúl, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?” Saulo respondió: “¿Quién eres tú, Señor?” Entonces Jesús “Yo soy Jesús a quien persigues ...”

Después de su conversión, Saúl (entonces llamado Pablo) viajó celosamente por la zona del Mar Mediterráneo proclamando que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios. Pasó su tiempo trayendo las “Buenas Nuevas” a los Gentiles (no judíos).

Pablo sufrió mucha persecución. Se enfrentó a muchas dificultades, naufragios, encarcelamientos, y finalmente experimentó el martirio. Se cree que Pablo fue decapitado bajo el reinado de Nerón.

¿Cuál es el mensaje en la parábola para nosotros? Creo que Dios es super paciente con nosotros si somos sincero como Sts. Pedro y Pablo. Sin embargo, si acabamos de dar un saludo, vamos a pagar el precio. Pidamos al Señor que nos ayude a ser verdaderamente honestos con nosotros mismos y aprendamos a “Caminar la Conversación”.

  Pregunta de reflexión:     ¿Cómo puedo ayudarme a ser fiel a mis compromisos con el Señor y Su pueblo?

Great is thy Faith - August 20, 2017

The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time  A


Reading I:  Is. 56: 1, 6-7

Psalm: 67

Reading II: Rom. 11:33-36

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

In this Sunday’s readings, The main theme is the universality of God’s love and mercy. While Jesus’ original mission was to the Lost Tribes of Israel, it soon expanded to include the Gentiles (non Jews). This is well illustrated in today’s Gospel.

The heart of Jesus goes out to the Canaanite woman who had traveled from afar to seek healing for her daughter. Although Jesus explains to her that His mission is to the Jewish people, she senses the love and mercy in His heart. The woman then persists in her pleading on behalf of her daughter. The strong faith she exhibited, drew from Jesus the touching comment: “O Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

This is not the only example of Jesus’ openness to all people.
He cures the centurion’s servant, and he offers “living water” to a Samaritan woman. He even paints a Samaritan as a hero in his parable about the man attacked by robbers. When others walked by the severely injured man, a Samaritan stopped, bound up his wounds, took him to an inn and paid for his care. 

In this way, Jesus shows us that while it is important to care for our families, friends, and relatives, it is also important to reach out to others in an inclusive way. How is the Lord calling us to respond to the needs of others? It may be by simply being open to those who differ from us in some way: religion, race, nationality, philosophy, sexual preferences, temperament, or personality. To view us all as beloved children of God makes us accepting of all even when we disagree
with them.

On the other hand,  the Lord may be calling us to help someone different from ourselves, according to our specific resources,
gifts and talents. Pope Francis has encouraged Christians to follow the example of St. Katharine Drexel who reached out with her assistance to those who were of a different social status than she was. Taking the example of her wealthy parents, she assisted the poor with their material needs, education, and spirituality. She built many schools and churches for the needy.

In particular St. Katharine reached out to two oppressed groups of her time: African-Americans and Native Americans. The African Americans had just been released from slavery, but were not well educated. They had a difficult time finding employment and sometimes even went back to work for their former masters. 

Having seen the Reservations on which Native Americans were placed after their lands were taken from them, St. Katharine built schools and churches to improve their lives. She reached out to all people, no matter what their faith, or lack of faith.  

Also, St. Katharine founded a Religious Community, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to assist her in all her ministries. Today, in addition to the Sisters, there is a lay branch of the Community called the Associates of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. These men and women, comprised of married and single individuals, also continue to carry on the ministries.

 Reflection:   Is there someone or a group whom you could help with your unique resources, gifts, or talents? Let us open our eyes and hearts and listen for the whisper of the Lord who embraced all. 

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Grande es tu fe

En las lecturas de este domingo, el tema principal es la universalidad del amor y la misericordia de Dios. Mientras que la misión original de Jesús fue a las tribus perdidas de Israel, pronto se expandió para incluir a Los Gentiles (no judíos). Esto está bien ilustrado en el Evangelio de hoy.

El corazón de Jesús sale a la mujer cananea que había viajado desde lejos para buscar sanidad para su hija. Aunque Jesús le explica que Su misión es para el pueblo judío, ella siente el amor y la misericordia en Su corazón. La mujer entonces persiste en su súplica en nombre de su hija. La fe fuerte que ella exhibió, sacó de Jesús el conmovedor comentario: “¡Mujer, grande es tu fe! Que se haga por ti como quieras”.

Este no es el único ejemplo de la apertura de Jesús a todas las personas. Cura al siervo del centurión, y ofrece “agua viva” a una mujer samaritana. Incluso pinta a un samaritano como un héroe en su parábola sobre el hombre atacado por ladrones. Cuando otros caminaban por el hombre gravemente herido, un samaritano se detuvo, ató sus heridas, lo llevó a una posada y pagó por su cuidado.

De esta manera, Jesús nos muestra que si bien es importante cuidar a nuestras familias, amigos y parientes, también es importante llegar a los demás de una manera inclusiva. ¿Cómo nos llama el Señor a responder a las necesidades de los demás? Puede ser simplemente abriéndose a aquellos que difieren de nosotros de alguna manera: religión, raza, nacionalidad, filosofía, preferencias sexuales, temperamento o personalidad. Vernos a todos como hijos amados de Dios nos hace aceptar de todos, incluso cuando no estamos de acuerdo con ellos.

Por otra parte, el Señor puede estar llamándonos a ayudar a alguien diferente de nosotros mismos, de acuerdo con nuestros recursos específicos, Regalos y talentos. El Papa Francisco ha alentado a los cristianos a seguir el ejemplo de Santa Katharine Drexel, que se acercó con su ayuda a los que eran de un estatus social diferente que ella. Tomando el ejemplo de sus ricos padres, ayudó a los pobres con sus necesidades materiales, educación y espiritualidad. Ella construyó muchas escuelas e iglesias para los necesitados.

En particular, St. Katharine llegó a dos grupos oprimidos de su tiempo: los afroamericanos y los nativos americanos. Los afroamericanos acababan de ser liberados de la esclavitud, pero no estaban bien educados. Tuvieron dificultades para encontrar trabajo ya veces incluso volvieron a trabajar para sus antiguos maestros.

Habiendo visto las Reservas sobre las cuales los Nativos Americanos fueron colocados después de que sus tierras les fueron quitados, St. Katharine construyó escuelas e iglesias para mejorar sus vidas. Ella extendió la mano a toda la gente, sin importar su fe, o su falta de fe.

Además, St. Katharine fundó una comunidad religiosa, las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento, para ayudarla en todos sus ministerios. Hoy, además de las Hermanas, hay una rama laica de la Comunidad llamada Asociados de las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento. Estos hombres y mujeres, compuestos de individuos casados y solteros, también continúan llevando a cabo los ministerios.

 Reflexión:   ¿Hay alguien o un grupo al que podría ayudar con sus recursos únicos, regalos o talentos? Abramos nuestros ojos y corazones y escuchemos el susurro del Señor que abrazó a todos.