November 17, 2019 Amid Trials, God Gives Strength

Nov. 17, 2019   Amid Trials, God Gives Strength   Year C

Reading I: 
Malachi 3:19-20a

Psalm:  98

Reading II: 
2 Thessalonians
3:7-12

Gospel: 
Luke 21:5-19

Pope John Paul II called the twentieth century the “century of martyrs.” Although persecution of Christians has been ongoing throughout our history, during the twentieth century, there were more Christians killed for their faith than in all the other centuries combined.

Even today, while in many parts of our world people die rather than deny their faith, we, in the United States, have been blessed to live in a country that supports freedom of religion. While we have not had to lay down our lives to defend our faith, we need to practice it, appreciate this gift, and take advantage of the help offered us to strengthen our faith. We need to listen attentively to St. Paul when he encourages his followers in his letter to the Romans 8:35-39:

      What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or
      distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the
      sword? As it is written:
            ‘For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked
             upon as sheep to be slaughtered.’
      No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him
      who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor
      angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor
      powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able
      to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These days, we may need to be ready to defend our faith from those who will ridicule our faithfulness at a time when the practice of religion is declining. As the scandals of Church leaders were revealed, many became disillusioned, especially young people who were abused by clergy or youth leaders.

As time has gone by, the abuses of many powerful people have come to light. This widespread problem is finally being addressed. However, the abuse by trusted clergy has had a devastating effect on young people. Even sons and daughters of very devout Christians have turned away from religious practices. Grandparents suffer greatly when their children do not have their grandchildren baptized or brought up with religious instruction.

While some grandparents take on the responsibility to share their faith with their grandchildren, others are not allowed to do that by the parents. All they can do is give a good example and pray for their loved ones. Perhaps later, the young ones will search on their own and find the Lord who will then be their Shepherd accompanying them on their life’s journey.

Sometimes, there are friends and coworkers who will challenge those who
continue to practice their faith, in spite of the failures of their clergy. These faithful understand that the purpose of prayer, Bible study, and attending Masses or religious services is to grow their relationship with God. The Lord is their anchor in the peaceful times and storms of life.

Although the types of suffering for the faith may vary, if offered to the Lord, He will give the strength to bear them. Psalm 62 line 2 is a great comfort:

           “He only is my rock and my salvation,
            My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

  Reflection Question:  If I have a friend or relative who has turned away from religion, what can I do?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Amid Trials, God Gives Strength

El Papa Juan Pablo II llamó al siglo XX el “siglo de los mártires”. Aunque la persecución de los cristianos ha estado en curso a lo largo de nuestra historia, durante el siglo XX, hubo más cristianos asesinados por su fe que en todos los otros siglos combinados.

Incluso hoy, mientras que en muchas partes de nuestro mundo la gente muere en lugar de negar su fe, nosotros, en los Estados Unidos, hemos sido bendecidos de vivir en un país que apoya la libertad de religión. Si bien no hemos tenido que dar nuestras vidas para defender nuestra fe, debemos practicarla, apreciar este regalo y aprovechar la ayuda que nos ofrecieron para fortalecer nuestra fe. Necesitamos escuchar con atención a San Pablo cuando anima a sus seguidores en su carta a los Romanos 8: 35-39:

      ¿Qué nos separará del amor de Cristo? Angustiará, o
      angustia, o persecución o hambre, o desnudez, o peligro, o el
      ¿espada? Como está escrito:

            ‘Por tu bien, estamos siendo asesinados todo el día; nos miran
             como ovejas para ser sacrificados’.
      No, en todas estas cosas conquistamos abrumadoramente a través de él.
      quien nos amó Porque estoy convencido de que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni
      ángeles, ni principados, ni cosas presentes, ni cosas futuras, ni
      poderes, ni altura, ni profundidad, ni ninguna otra criatura podrá
      para separarnos del amor de Dios en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor.

En estos días, es posible que necesitemos estar listos para defender nuestra fe de aquellos que ridiculizarán nuestra fidelidad en un momento en que la práctica de la religión está disminuyendo. Cuando se revelaron los escándalos de los líderes de la Iglesia, muchos se desilusionaron, especialmente los jóvenes que fueron abusados ​​por el clero o los líderes juveniles.

Con el paso del tiempo, los abusos de muchas personas poderosas han salido a la luz. Este problema generalizado finalmente se está abordando. Sin embargo, el abuso por parte del clero de confianza ha tenido un efecto devastador en los jóvenes. Incluso los hijos e hijas de cristianos muy devotos se han alejado de las prácticas religiosas. Los abuelos sufren mucho cuando sus hijos no bautizan o educan a sus nietos con instrucción religiosa.

Mientras que algunos abuelos asumen la responsabilidad de compartir su fe con los nietos, los padres no pueden hacerlo. Todo lo que pueden hacer es dar un buen ejemplo y rezar por sus seres queridos. Quizás más tarde, los jóvenes buscarán por su cuenta y encontrarán al Señor, que luego será su Pastor que los acompañará en el viaje de su vida.

A veces, hay amigos y compañeros de trabajo que desafiarán a aquellos que continúan practicando su fe, a pesar de los fracasos de su clero. Estos fieles entienden que el propósito de la oración, el estudio de la Biblia y asistir a misas o servicios religiosos es hacer crecer su relación con Dios. El Señor es su ancla en los tiempos pacíficos y las tormentas de la vida.

Aunque los tipos de sufrimiento por la fe pueden variar, si se le ofrecen al Señor, Él le dará la fuerza para soportarlos. Salmo 62 línea 2 es un gran consuelo:

           “Él solo es mi roca y mi salvación,

            Mi fortaleza No voy a ser muy sacudido”.


 Pregunta de Reflexíon:  Si tengo un amigo o pariente que se ha alejado de la religión, ¿qué puedo hacer?

Comments:

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

It makes me very sad when someone I care about announces they are leaving the church. Frequently, the reason given is that organized religion is merely a tactic of power and control, and a means of getting money. The clergy sex abuse scandals are often cited as cause of declining attendance at Mass.  The church may have done some things that would make a critical person want to leave it. However, it is this same Church that contains in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God’s healing love. Henri Nouwen asks, “Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life? Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant, grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken…God’s promise stands unshaken? To believe is to answer yes to these questions.”

I believe. Therefore, I pray that these restless hearts will remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Whenever the opportunity presents, I ask about their relationship with Jesus, encouraging them to keep their connection to God alive even though they chose to “turn away from religion” as stated in your reflection question.  I listen to their reasons for leaving without judging. I hold them in a space of love, not lecture. It is really important to listen prayerfully because while some individuals may express anger and point fingers about who and what they perceive to be at fault, others may be silently suffering, feeling betrayed by the behaviors and actions of religious leaders whom they respected and viewed as models of the faith. 

These conversations are opportunities for us to be the caring presence we were created to be to reflect the love of God to our wounded brothers and sisters in Christ. At risk is the loss of a precious soul. “Losing our soul means losing touch with our center, our true call in life, our mission, our spiritual task. Losing our soul means becoming so distracted by and preoccupied with all that is happening around us that we end up fragmented, confused, and erratic.” Speaking from personal experience, I am in total agreement with Nouwen’s words.  If one forsakes their relationship with God, they will lose their true sense of self. That is a terrible tragedy for the truth of our being is that we are the Beloved of God.

Allen Hunt’s recent Dynamic Catholic Daily Reflection addresses the importance of being concerned for one another’s spiritual wellbeing. I share it here because I feel it fits this dialogue. “We need a community to help us reach our goal. Faith is not an individual journey; it’s a team sport. We need each other. We are on this journey together.”

Let us remind one another of the stepping-stones on the path: forgiveness, acceptance
and love.

We need to forgive others when they fail to meet our expectations. We need to forgive ourselves for the times we fail to behave as followers of Christ.  We need to accept others in their brokenness while acknowledging our own woundedness. Lastly, we need to love as unconditionally as our Source loves us.

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

People have been leaving the Catholic Church for generations. It hurts when a friend or relative turns his or her back on the Church. Trying to talk to them about this change can result in being hurt yourself when they call you names or insult the Church. They may have valid reasons for not liking the structure, the hierarchy of the Church; some Church leaders have made serious mistakes. If I have a chance, I tell them they are still welcome. I pray for them and hope that they will someday return to the active practice of their Faith. The best I can do is to be a witness, to practice my Catholic Faith openly and sincerely, and hope that someday they will want to reconnect with God through the Catholic Church.

October 6, 2019 Lord, Increase Our Faith

October 6, 2019    The Gift of Faith

Reading I:  Habakkuk
1:2-3;2:2-4

Psalm:  95

Reading II: 
2 Timothy
1:6-8,13-14

Gospel: 
Luke 17:5-10

While it is important that we give thanks to the Lord for all that He has given us, gratitude for the gift of faith is especially important. Faith is the foundation on which one's life is lived. It is like an anchor in a sea which steadies the person during the calm and beautiful seasons and the turbulent storms of life.

This was brought home to me forcibly when I was a campus minister at Aquinas College, Newton, Massachusetts. One young woman who became involved in the campus ministry activities shared with me that she felt cheated because her parents had not introduced her to any religion. She went through her childhood and teens without the blessings of faith.

The situation was that her father was a nominal Catholic and her mother had been brought up Protestant. Since this student had no knowledge of either religion, the parents themselves probably did not attend church. It is no wonder that she felt cheated. As the student became more involved in the campus ministry program at the College, she took instructions and was received into the Catholic Church.

One of the best gifts we can share with another is our faith. That is true of parents who are called to prepare the child for life. We cannot be with our children to support them all their lives. Also, none of us are going to live forever. How grateful our children will be if we have introduced them to a loving Lord who will be with them forever.  

There are many adults who are seeking for meaning and purpose in their lives. By sharing Scripture, giving example of authentic Christian living, and reaching out to these seekers, we fulfill the call to each of us to spread the faith in our circumstances.

When I was in high school, I worked in a department store in the summer. The Franciscans had a chapel nearby and a Mass every day at noon. I used to go to Mass during my lunch break.  Another teenager who worked with me asked if she could come to Mass with me. 

After a while, my coworker decided that she wanted to be baptized. However, she knew that she would be evicted from her home if she attempted it at that time. I lost contact with her because I entered the convent after high school. However, I assume that when she was out on her own, she might have fulfilled her dream.

Sometimes, people are shy about inviting people to Church. A Sister, who was a convert, shared with me that when she wanted to attend a Mass in a Catholic Church. She waited and waited for an invitation to no avail. Finally, she invited herself. Eventually, she took instructions, was baptized and later became a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament. It is sad to know that she had to invite herself.

If we have the blessing of friendship with Jesus, introducing Him to others is the best gift we can give them. Let us be alert to opportunities to share the treasure of that relationship.

  Reflection Question:   Give an example in which you or others have led a person/people to Jesus.

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Señor, Aumenta Nuestra Fe

Si bien es importante que demos gracias al Señor por todo lo que nos ha dado, la gratitud por el don de la fe es especialmente importante. La fe es la base sobre la cual se vive la vida. Es como un ancla en un mar que estabiliza a la persona durante las estaciones tranquilas y hermosas y las tormentas turbulentas de la vida.

Esto me lo trajeron a la fuerza cuando era ministro del campus en Aquinas College, Newton, Massachusetts. Una joven que se involucró en las actividades del ministerio del campus compartió conmigo que se sintió engañada porque sus padres no le habían presentado ninguna religión. Ella pasó por su infancia y adolescencia sin las bendiciones de la fe.

La situación era que su padre era un católico nominal y su madre había sido criada como protestante. Como este estudiante no tenía conocimiento de ninguna de las religiones, los padres probablemente no asistieron a la iglesia. No es de extrañar que se sintiera engañada. A medida que la estudiante se involucró más en el programa de ministerio del campus en el Colegio, recibió instrucciones y fue recibida en la Iglesia Católica.

O Uno de los mejores regalos que podemos compartir con otros es nuestra fe. Eso es cierto para los padres que están llamados a preparar al niño para la vida. No podemos estar con nuestros hijos para mantenerlos toda su vida. Además, ninguno de nosotros va a vivir para siempre. Cuán agradecidos estarán nuestros hijos si les presentamos a un Señor amoroso que estará con ellos para siempre.

Hay muchos adultos que buscan significado y propósito en sus vidas. Al compartir las Escrituras, dar ejemplo de la auténtica vida cristiana y llegar a estos buscadores, cumplimos el llamado a cada uno de nosotros para difundir la fe en nuestras circunstancias.

Cuando estaba en la secundaria, trabajaba en una tienda por departamentos en el verano. Los franciscanos tenían una capilla cerca y una misa todos los días al mediodía. Solía ​​ir a misa durante el almuerzo. Otra adolescente que trabajó conmigo me preguntó si podía venir a misa conmigo.

Después de un tiempo, mi compañero de trabajo decidió que quería ser bautizada. Sin embargo, sabía que sería desalojada de su hogar si lo intentaba en ese momento. Perdí el contacto con ella porque entré al convento después de la secundaria. Sin embargo, supongo que cuando estaba sola, podría haber cumplido su sueño.

A veces, las personas son tímidas acerca de invitar personas a la Iglesia. Una hermana, que se había convertido, compartió conmigo cuando quería asistir a una misa en una iglesia católica. Ella esperó y esperó una invitación en vano. Finalmente, se invitó a sí misma. Finalmente, ella tomó instrucciones, fue bautizada y luego se convirtió en Hermana del Santísimo Sacramento. Es triste saber que tuvo que invitarse a sí misma.

Si tenemos la bendición de la amistad con Jesús, presentarle a los demás es el mejor regalo que podemos darles. Estemos atentos a las oportunidades para compartir el tesoro de esa relación.

  Pregunta de Reflexión:   Dé un ejemplo en el que usted u otras personas hayan llevado a una persona a Jesús.

Comments:

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

Habakkuk noted the cries of the people: “How long, O Lord? How long must we suffer?” Our Lord responded: “the vision still has its time.”  Mother Katharine noted that we should “Follow each day of the call – not ahead of it.” We can’t hold God’s plans to our stopwatch. We should try to be patient. God’s plan may not seem like an easy or quick one now, but it does lead to our salvation.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Rick Warren writes, “Faithful People Share their Faith.”

He bases that statement on the passage from Matthew’s Gospel in which the friends of a sick and paralyzed man, desiring his healing, brought him to Jesus by lowering him on his mat through an opening in the roof of a house where Jesus was staying.

Warren extends an astute invitation to all of us:

Warren draws attention to the wording in Matthew 9:2, “When Jesus saw their faith.” “It was not the paralyzed man’s faith that led to the healing—it was the faith of his friends.When Jesus saw that these friends cared enough to bring their paralyzed friend, he said, ‘Those guys have great faith. They’re not just asking; they expect me to heal their friend,’ and he did.” 

“You have friends who are spiritually paralyzed and can’t get to Jesus. They are paralyzed by fear, guilt, doubt, pain, or maybe even resentment over being hurt in some church in the past. They are paralyzed, and they can’t get to Jesus on their own.”

“God is watching to see if you will be faithful enough to bring them. And if you are, God will honor your faith. He’ll not only heal your friend; he’s also going to bless you. It’s a blessing of faith… as long as we keep bringing spiritually paralyzed people to Jesus, God will bless them and enrich our lives.”

I’m sure we would all like to be part of that win-win offer. For me, it means being open to opportunities to share my faith and releasing my fear of not knowing the right thing to say and of rejection. The Holy Spirit is working in and through my efforts so I really don’t have any reason not to extend an invitation to someone to join me in getting to know more abundantly the love of God.

August 18, 2019 Challenges of Jesus

August 18, 2019   Challenges of Jesus - Year C

Reading I: 
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Psalm:  40

Readings II:  Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel:  Luke 12:49-53

Are you ever surprised that sometimes when you look at a situation, yet another person sees the same thing, but interprets it very differently from you? Well, this is not something new.

Jesus, Himself, had that same experience. In the Gospel of John (7:41). Jesus was preaching to some people who were so impressed that they believed Him to be long-awaited Messiah. Others in the group did not believe that He could be the Christ because He came from Galilee, and they argued that He was supposed to come from Bethlehem.

When Jesus cured a blind man on the Sabbath (Jn 9:16), some claimed that if He wouldn’t observe the Sabbath, He couldn’t be from God. On the other hand, other people believed that He had to be of God to be able to perform the miracle. 

In spite of the fact that Jesus’ mission was to bring about a Kingdom of His Father, characterized by unity and love, He experienced discord. Jesus strove to be a unifier. His message was one of love. It must have been so painful for Him to have Himself, His preaching and compassion misunderstood. 

Jesus expressed His grief in the following words: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you. How often have I longed to gather your children as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings and you refused.” (Mt 3:37) When I had the privilege of sitting on a rock in the Garden of Gethsemane overlooking Jerusalem, those words came to me and touched me deeply.

Division can be very painful. Today, devout parents who brought up their children with faith grieve when those children turn away from their faith. The pain of seeing their beloved grandchildren deprived of what is so important for their long-term happiness is difficult to witness.

There is a normal tendency for teens and young adults to assert their independence in a variety of ways. I can recall when I was in high school that I decided that I would not be a Catholic just because my parents were. I read books on apologetics (defending the faith) which led me to embrace the faith personally. Of course, the Holy Spirit also was guiding me.

However, today there is also the disillusionment from scandals related to clergy misconduct and some peoples’ sense that they do not need God. Sometimes, they are brought back to faith when they mature and realize the weakness of human nature and/or they have hardships which make them turn back to God for help.

What can we do? In the meantime, we are to love them, pray for them, and give them the example of a truly faith-filled person. A favorite prayer of mine is “Lord, into your hands I commend __________’s spirit.”

 Reflection Question:  Is there someone who is struggling with faith issues for whom you can pray or offer help?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Desafíos de Jesús

¿Alguna vez te sorprende que a veces cuando miras una situación, otra persona ve lo mismo, pero lo interpreta de manera muy diferente a ti? Bueno, esto no es algo nuevo.

Jesús mismo tuvo esa misma experiencia. En el Evangelio de Juan (7:41). Jesús estaba predicando a algunas personas que estaban tan impresionadas que creían que era el Mesías tan esperado. Otros en el grupo no creían que Él podría ser el Cristo porque vino de Galilea y argumentaron que se suponía que debía venir de Belén.

Cuando Jesús curó a un ciego en sábado (Jn 9:16), algunos afirmaron que si no observaba el sábado, no podría ser de Dios. Por otro lado, otras personas creían que tenía que ser de Dios para poder realizar el milagro.

A pesar de que la misión de Jesús era lograr un Reino de su Padre, caracterizado por la unidad y el amor, experimentó discordia. Jesús se esforzó por ser unificador.  Su mensaje fue de amor. Debe haber sido tan doloroso para Él haberse entendido mal, su predicación y compasión.

Jesús expresó su dolor en las siguientes palabras: “Jerusalén, Jerusalén, tú que matas a los profetas y apedreas a los que te son enviados. “Cuántas veces he anhelado reunir a tus hijos cuando una gallina junta sus polluelos bajo sus alas y tú te niegas”. (Mt 3:37) Cuando tuve el privilegio de sentarme en una roca en el Jardín de Getsemaní con vista a Jerusalén, esas palabras me llegaron y me conmovieron profundamente.

La división puede ser muy dolorosa. Hoy, los padres devotos que criaron a sus hijos con fe se afligen cuando esos niños se alejan de su fe. Es difícil presenciar el dolor de ver a sus queridos nietos privados de lo que es tan importante para su felicidad a largo plazo.

Hay una tendencia normal para que los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes afirmen su independencia de varias maneras. Puedo recordar cuando estaba en la escuela secundaria que decidí que no sería católica solo porque mis padres lo eran. Leí libros sobre apologética (defender la fe) que me llevaron a abrazar la fe personalmente. Por supuesto, el Espíritu Santo también me estaba guiando.

Sin embargo, hoy también existe la desilusión de los escándalos relacionados con la mala conducta del clero y la sensación de algunas personas de que no necesitan a Dios. A veces, vuelven a la fe cuando maduran y se dan cuenta de la debilidad de la naturaleza humana y / o tienen dificultades que los hacen volver a Dios en busca de ayuda.

¿Qué podemos hacer? Mientras tanto, debemos amarlos, orar por ellos y darles el ejemplo de una persona verdaderamente llena de fe. Una de mis oraciones favoritas es “Señor, en tus manos encomiendo el espíritu de __________”.

 Pregunta de Reflexión:  ¿Hay alguien que está luchando con problemas de fe por los cuales puede orar u ofrecer ayuda?

Comments:

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

We can always pray for family and friends without giving God details of specific needs – He knows already. We just need to ask God to help them. We can assist those struggling with faith issues by being a good example of what a “faith-filled” person is/ does. Strengthen our own personal faith so that it shines like a lighthouse, radiating God’s love and mercy. If someone asks you a question about faith, listen to what and how they ask. Answer their question and guide them from what they know and feel to knowing God’s love and feeling God’s mercy.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

I really appreciate the prayer you shared with us. I am one of the grieving parents you mention whose children have turned away from the faith.  Thus, I will name each of my sons in commending their spirits to Our Lord. What I find uplifting about this prayer is that I release my control of the outcome, trusting that God will meet the unique needs of each person for whom I pray. I include my mother, knowing that God knows my concern for her health and ease of daily living. I name my estranged sister hoping for healing and connection.  It is a wonderful prayer to whisper for all those for whom I have promised to pray. I am finding this aspiration very freeing to recite when I am feeling aversion toward leaders who abuse their status and make decisions that put the lives of innocent victims at risk.  I experience greater inner peace when, instead of complaining about someone or getting worked up about an issue, I offer that person or cause in prayer to Our Lord who loves us all unconditionally. 

In his recent series entitled, “Black Women Mystics,” Richard Rohr highlighted the writings of Dr. Diana L. Hayes, the first African American woman to earn a Pontifical Doctorate in Theology. Dr. Hayes writes, “This is our calling as Christian faithful: to recognize the Christ in everyone. And to reach out a hand of hope, to speak a word of love, to sing a song of happiness, to share a tear of joy or pain, to speak a word of praise, to murmur a prayer, to stand together against those forces that would divide us, isolate us, and block our flow toward home.”

Dr. Hayes cites Micah 6:8 as the basis for her belief: 

       You have been told…what is good

       And what the Lord requires of you:

       Only to do the right and to love goodness,

       And to walk humbly with your God.

As I journey through life, troubled by the appearance of darkness, and dismayed at the incomprehensible acts we commit against one another, it is easy to get drawn into the negative energy that surrounds me. It is, therefore, good to recall the Scripture passage from Micah often, knowing my peace depends on my ability to keep my focus on Christ’s Light and Love. Centered in Christ’s love, I am able to resist the temptation to react to the ill behaviors of others and recognize within them the suffering Christ. From a place of compassion, I commend their Spirit to the Lord, our true Source of hope and healing.

Imagine how lovely the global landscape would be if all Christians embraced and embodied the call to “recognize the Christ in everyone.”

August 26,2018 - Decisions!!!

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

Reading I:  Joshua 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Psalm:  34

Reading II:  Ephesians 5:21-32

Gospel:   John 6:60-69


In last week’s Gospel, we
heard Jesus saying: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.  For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.”  In today’s Gospel, we hear some of the disciples saying, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

As human beings, it is sometimes difficult for us to understand and accept aspects of our faith and some of the tragedies we or others face during life. The followers of Jesus had no problem accepting the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish when the Lord supplied their physical needs.  However, when He attempted to care for their spiritual needs, some chose not to believe and left Him.

Yes, it would have been difficult for them to understand the Holy Eucharist. However,  Jesus had been showing them frequently his miraculous powers and His compassion. They just needed to apply what they had learned of Him to His claim that if they ate His flesh and drank His blood, He would give them eternal life. However, since we were given free will, love and faith have to be our choices.

Jesus allows those who do not want to make the leap of faith to go their way. It probably saddened Him greatly because He wanted so much to give them the wonderful gift of union with Him for eternity.  However, we note that Jesus did not call them back and explain away what He had said.  Instead, He turned to the twelve apostles and asked them if they, too, wanted to leave. Peter responded, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” 
That profession of faith must have been such a comfort to Jesus.

There are also tragedies and sufferings in life that sometimes cause us to question: Why???  Some of these are the result of humans using their free will for selfish or evil reasons. However, some just do not make sense to us. Nevertheless, we know that our God is good and a loving God, so we have to make a leap of faith and trust that the Lord knows what is best. 

During my years in the Navajo Nation, I was blessed to be able to observe Navajo women weaving on looms. This brought to life the poem “The Weaver” which reminds me that that Lord knows what He is doing.

 The Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow.

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

 The dark threads are as needful

 in the Weaver's skillful hand

  As the thread of gold and silver 

   In the pattern He has planned.

 Reflection Question:   What question/s do you want to ask the Lord when you are on the other side?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Decisiones!!!

En el Evangelio de la semana pasada, escuchamos a Jesús decir: “El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre tiene vida eterna, y yo lo resucitaré en el último día". Porque mi carne es verdadera comida y mi sangre es verdadera bebida”. En el Evangelio de hoy, escuchamos a algunos de los discípulos diciendo: “Este dicho es difícil; ¿Quién
puede aceptarlo”?

Como seres humanos, a veces es difícil para nosotros comprender y aceptar aspectos de nuestra fe y algunas de las tragedias que nosotros u otros enfrentamos durante la vida. Los seguidores de Jesús no tuvieron problemas para aceptar el milagro de la multiplicación de los panes y los peces cuando el Señor les suplió sus necesidades físicas. Sin embargo, cuando intentó cuidar de sus necesidades espirituales, algunos eligieron no creer y lo abandonaron.

Sí, les hubiera sido difícil entender la Sagrada Eucaristía. Sin embargo, Jesús les había estado mostrando con frecuencia sus poderes milagrosos y su compasión. Solo necesitaban aplicar lo que habían aprendido de Él a Su afirmación de que si comían Su carne y bebían Su sangre, Él les daría la vida eterna. Sin embargo, dado que nos dieron libre albedrío, el amor y la fe deben ser nuestras elecciones.

Jesús permite que aquellos que no quieren dar el salto de la fe sigan su camino. Probablemente lo entristeció mucho porque quería tanto darles el maravilloso regalo de la unión con Él por la eternidad. Sin embargo, notamos que Jesús no los devolvió y explicó lo que Él había dicho. En lugar de eso, se volvió hacia los doce apóstoles y les preguntó si ellos también querían irse. Pedro respondió:  “Maestro, ¿a quién iremos? Tu tienes las palabras de la vida eterna. Hemos llegado a creer y estamos convencidos de que usted es el Santo de Dios”.  Esa profesión de fe debe haber sido una gran consolación para Jesús.

También hay tragedias y sufrimientos en la vida que a veces nos hacen cuestionarnos: ¿Por qué? Algunos de estos son el resultado de que los humanos usen su libre albedrío por razones egoístas o malvadas. Sin embargo, algunos simplemente no tienen sentido para nosotros. Sin embargo, sabemos que nuestro Dios es bueno y un Dios amoroso, por lo que tenemos que dar un salto de fe y confiar en que el Señor sabe lo que es mejor.

Durante mis años en la Nación Navajo, tuve la bendición de poder observar a las mujeres Navajo tejiendo telares. Esto dio vida al poema "The Weaver" que me recuerda que el Señor sabe lo que está haciendo.

 El Tejedor

Mi vida no es más que un tejido
Entre mi Señor y yo
No puedo elegir los colores
Él trabaja constantemente.
A veces Él teje tristeza.
Y yo en el orgullo tonto
Olvida Él ve la parte superior
y yo la parte inferior.
No hasta que el telar esté en silencio
Y los transbordadores dejan de volar
¿Desenrollará Dios el lienzo?
Y explica la razón por qué.
Los hilos oscuros son tan necesarios
en la hábil mano del Tejedor
Como el hilo de oro y plata
En el patrón que Él ha planeado.

  Pregunta de reflexión:    ¿Qué preguntas quiere hacerle al Señor cuando está del otro lado?