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!”

Sept. 1, 2019 Gratitude and Humility

September 1, 2019  Gratitude and Humility
 

Background photo by: Carl Attard 

Reading I:  Sirach 3:17-18, 28-29

Psalm:  68

Reading II: Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24a

Gospel: 
Luke 14:1, 7-14


When I first went to teach at Xavier University in New Orleans, a historically Black, Catholic University, founded by St. Katharine Drexel, Sr. Ivan took me to visit the rural areas from which some of the students came. I shall never forget my visit to Church Point, Louisiana.

Sister brought me to visit an elderly couple who lived in a small, modest house. I was so impressed with the joyous, grateful expressions of the couple as they praised and thanked God. It helped me understand better the beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Later on, I became a volunteer in the campus ministry program, and I participated in a student retreat. To my surprise during shared prayer, I heard students thanking God for waking them up in the morning. Not being a morning person, I had never even thought of thanking God for waking me up in the morning. Sometimes, students can teach their instructors.

There is a saying that our pride dies 10 minutes after we do. We humans beings tend to struggle with pride. If we work on becoming humble, there is the possibility that we will become “proud of being humble.” Then, what is the solution?

It is important that we look up to God and realize that all we are and have, are gifts from Him. Also, our brothers and sisters have gifts from God which we need to acknowledge and value. It is crucial that we take time to thank the Lord. If we do not do this, we can begin to attribute our success or goodness to ourselves.

The word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving.” “Eucharist” is another name for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. When we participate at Mass, we are thanking God for all his gifts and for the Lord's offering himself for our redemption. Sometimes we forget this. We hear people say they don’t get anything out of Mass, especially if the priest is not a good preacher. We go to Mass to give honor and worship to God and receive his strength to live holy lives. Whether the sermon is good or not, our participation is our gift back to God.

We can also thank God on a regular basis in our everyday circumstances. Some people have a Thank You Journal in which they record a comment about someone or something for which they are grateful each day. They try to write something different each day.

What is written in the journal usually begins with family, friends or other common things for which they are grateful. Gradually, the gratitude can become for the little things like seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset, hearing a meaningful song, feeling a cool breeze on a hot day, tasting a delicious piece of fruit or smelling a lovely flower.

The practice of being grateful not only helps us develop humility, but it also increases our happiness. With a positive, grateful attitude, we can better navigate the up’s and down’s in our own lives. In addition, we can better help our brothers and sisters in their circumstances.

 Reflection Question:   How can I develop an attitude of gratitude?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Gratitud y Humildad

Cuando fui a enseñar por primera vez a la Universidad Xavier en Nueva Orleans, una universidad católica históricamente negra, Sr. Ivan me llevó a visitar las áreas rurales de donde vinieron algunos de los estudiantes. Nunca olvidaré mi visita a Punto de la iglesia, Louisiana.

La hermana me llevó a visitar a una pareja de ancianos que vivía en una casa pequeña y modesta. Estaba tan impresionado con las expresiones alegres y agradecidas de la pareja mientras alababan y agradecían a Dios. Me ayudó a entender mejor la bienaventuranza “Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu”.

Más tarde, me hice voluntario en el programa de ministerio del campus y participé en un retiro estudiantil. Para mi sorpresa durante la oración compartida, escuché estudiantes agradeciendo a Dios por despertarlos en la mañana. Al no ser una persona madrugadora, nunca había pensado en agradecer a Dios por despertarme por la mañana. A veces, los estudiantes pueden enseñar a sus instructores.

There is a saying that our pride dies 10 minutes after we do. Los seres humanos tendemos a luchar con orgullo. Si trabajamos para volvernos humildes, existe la posibilidad de que nos volvamos “orgullosos de ser humildes”. Entonces, ¿cuál es la solución?

Es importante que admiremos a Dios y nos demos cuenta de que todo lo que somos y tenemos, son dones de Él. Además, nuestros hermanos y hermanas tienen dones de Dios que debemos reconocer y valorar. Es crucial que tomemos tiempo para agradecerle al Señor. Si no hacemos esto, podemos comenzar a atribuir nuestro éxito o bondad a nosotros mismos.

La palabra “Eucaristía significa “Acción de gracias”. “Eucaristía” es otro nombre para el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. Cuando participamos en la misa, estamos agradeciendo a Dios por todos sus dones y por el ofrecimiento del Señor por nuestra redención. A veces olvidamos esto. Escuchamos a personas decir que no obtienen nada de la misa, especialmente si el sacerdote no es un buen predicador. Vamos a misa para honrar y adorar a Dios y recibir su fuerza para vivir vidas santas. Si el sermón es bueno o no, nuestra participación es nuestro regalo de regreso a Dios.

También podemos agradecer a Dios regularmente en nuestras circunstancias cotidianas. Algunas personas tienen un diario de agradecimiento en el que registran un comentario sobre alguien o algo por lo que están agradecidos cada día. Intentan escribir algo diferente cada día.

Lo que está escrito en el diario generalmente comienza con familiares, amigos u otras cosas comunes por las que están agradecidos. Gradualmente, la gratitud puede convertirse en pequeñas cosas como ver un hermoso amanecer o atardecer, escuchar una canción significativa, sentir una brisa fresca en un día caluroso, probar una deliciosa fruta u oler una flor encantadora.

La práctica de ser agradecidos no solo nos ayuda a desarrollar la humildad, sino que también aumenta nuestra felicidad. Con una actitud positiva y agradecida, podemos navegar mejor los altibajos en nuestras propias vidas. Además, podemos ayudar mejor a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en sus circunstancias.

 Pregunta de Reflexión:    ¿Cómo puedo desarrollar una actitud de gratitud?

Comments:

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

If we are honest with ourselves, we know that all we have or enjoy is a gift from God. How, then, can we not be grateful for seeing nature’s beauty or the face of a friend? Even if we are having a “bad day,” there is usually something for which we can be grateful – a reassuring smile or a prayer from a friend. You may have heard the phrase, “glass half-full or glass half-empty.” If we can take a moment, we can visualize the glass as half-full of the day’s events and half-full of God’s loving, merciful presence.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

The foundation of my attitude of gratitude is based on reminding myself that God is ‘All in All’. It has been a maturation of faith process for me. I considered myself a grateful person – I would thank God for all those wonderful things in life: my children, my friends, morning coffee, the sunshine and flowers, my pet, my job, all those people and things that brought me security, comfort and joy. Then one day, I read an article about being grateful for the unpleasant moments, the difficult people in life, the failures and challenges. This perspective was a real game-changer for me. I never appreciated how sweating the hard stuff could lead to such spiritual growth. Once I was introduced to that principle, I started looking for validation of the truth it held. Henry Nouwen wrote, “As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for.” He went on to state that when we look back at everything that has brought us to where we are now we will see in it the “guiding hand of a loving God.”

I can honestly say that it has been the challenges that had me kicking and screaming that have contributed to my current level of spirituality. And this is the life-changer – that gratitude is, as Nouwen writes, “a discipline that involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint...The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort.”

I have experienced firsthand the movement of grace when we open ourselves to cooperation with God in challenging circumstances. Assuming the role of caregiver for my mother has been the most difficult life task to date for me. Our mother-daughter relationship since early on has been marked with boundaries, distancing and tensions. It has been 23 years and counting that she has depended on me for graduating levels of support and I have prayed my way through all these years – every visit, conversation and task. I was riddled with resentment and guilt and was never at peace. I prayed to be able to forgive so I could let go of the past and return to love. Today, I find myself giving thanks for healing and transformation. I am truly grateful at where I have arrived. I’m happy for mom’s plans to move to a new community and I’m enjoying getting her set up in her new apartment. It took 23 years of discipline to break through layers of perceived judgments. I am grateful for all those purifying obstacles along the journey.

I have tweaked my Morning Offering to thank God in advance for the graces and blessings my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of the day will bring. I’ve learned from experience that if I express gratitude every day, I will be amazed by the outcome.

Christmas Mass During the Night

December 25, 2018  ~  Christmas   

© www.LumoProject.com

Reading I: Isaiah 9: 1-6

Psalm:  96

Reading II:  Titus 2:11-14

Gospel:  Luke 2:1-14

I chose to focus on the Gospel of the Mass during the night because of the mention of Joseph. There are many qualities of Mary which Joseph also possesses. Joseph is dedicated to the Lord and willing to do whatever the Lord wants. This includes challenges and suffering.

It began when Mary told him that she was with child when they had not yet been married.  How upset and confused he must have been. In his time,  women who conceived outside marriage were expected to be stoned. How horrible this thought must have been for Joseph who loved Mary. How could he solve that dilemma? Finally, an angel spoke to him in a dream telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife and that it was by the Holy Spirit that she conceived. The son to be born of her would be called “Immanuel*,” Hebrew for “God is with us”  (* Emmanuel is the Roman translation).

Just at the time when the child is about to be born, Emperor Augustus orders a census and Joseph has to go back to his hometown of Bethlehem with his pregnant wife. Since the town is crowded, Joseph cannot find a suitable place for the baby to born. How sad he must have felt when he could only provide a cave which housed animals for Mary at this difficult time.

Then, an angel warns Joseph, the protector of Jesus and Mary, to escape to Egypt so that Jesus would not become a victim of Herod. Herod’s intense jealousy drives him to order that all baby boys under 2 years of age be killed. Herod believes that will prevent a rival from usurping his power. How difficult it must have been for Joseph to uproot Mary and the Infant and bring them to a foreign, desert place.

The last thing we hear of Joseph in the Gospels is the loss of Jesus at the Temple. The caravans traveling were divided into women and men. The younger children were with the women and the older with the men. Jesus was twelve. Mary and Joseph each thought he was with the other.  When they discovered differently, you can imagine their panic, until they go back to the Temple and find Jesus in deep discussion with the elders.

Like Mary, Joseph had a calling that required dedication, trust, and sacrifice. Joseph fully cooperated with the grace of God in a quiet, gentle, humble manner. We don’t hear words of praise for God as we did from Mary. However, Joseph’s actions reveal what is deep within his heart.

As we reflect on the picture of  Mary and Joseph, focusing lovingly on the Holy Infant, (above) it is a reminder of what we as Christians are called to do. To follow our own calling, we must keep our eyes on the self-effacing Son of God, Jesus, our Savior, and imitate the love and selflessness of His holy parents.

 Reflection Question:  How can I remember to focus on our Savior in the busyness of my daily life?

Let us pray for peace in our world!
May you and yours have a

very blessed Christmas!

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Misa de Navidad Durante la Noche

Elegí enfocarme en el Evangelio de la Misa durante la noche debido a la mención de José. Hay muchas cualidades de María que José también posee. José está dedicado al Señor y está dispuesto a hacer lo que el Señor quiera. Esto incluye desafíos y sufrimiento.

Comenzó cuando Mary le dijo que estaba embarazada cuando aún no se habían casado. Cuan molesto y confundido debió haber estado. En su época, se esperaba que las mujeres que concebían fuera del matrimonio fueran apedreadas. Qué horrible debe haber sido este pensamiento para José que amaba a María. ¿Cómo podría él resolver ese dilema? Finalmente, un ángel le habló en un sueño diciéndole que no tuviera miedo de tomar a María como su esposa y que fue por el Espíritu Santo que ella concibió. El hijo que nacería de ella se llamaría “Immanuel *,” en Hebreo porque “Dios está con nosotros” (* Emmanuel es la traducción romana).

Justo en el momento en que el niño está a punto de nacer, el emperador Augusto ordena un censo y José tiene que regresar a su ciudad natal de Belén con su esposa embarazada. Como la ciudad está llena de gente, José no puede encontrar un lugar adecuado para que nazca el bebé. Qué triste se debe haber sentido cuando solo pudo proporcionar una cueva que albergaba animales para Mary en este difícil momento.

Luego, un ángel le advierte a José, el protector de Jesús y María, que huya a Egipto para que Jesús no sea víctima de Herodes. Los celos intensos de Herodes lo llevan a ordenar que se mate a todos los bebés menores de 2 años. Herodes cree que eso evitará que un rival usurpe su poder. Qué difícil debió haber sido para José arrancar a María y al niño y llevarlos a un lugar extranjero y desértico.

Lo último que oímos de José en los Evangelios es la pérdida de Jesús en el Templo. Las caravanas que viajaban estaban divididas en mujeres y hombres. Los niños menores estaban con las mujeres y los mayores con los hombres. Jesús tenía doce años. María y José cada uno pensaron que él estaba con el otro. Cuando descubren lo contrario, puedes imaginar su pánico, hasta que regresen al Templo y encuentren a Jesús en una profunda discusión con los ancianos.

Como María, José tenía una vocación que requería dedicación, confianza y sacrificio. José cooperó plenamente con la gracia de Dios de una manera tranquila, suave y humilde. No escuchamos palabras de alabanza a Dios como lo hicimos desde María. Sin embargo, las acciones de José revelan lo que está en lo profundo de su corazón.

Al reflexionar sobre la imagen de María y José, enfocándonos con amor en el Santo Infante, (arriba) es un recordatorio de lo que los cristianos estamos llamados a hacer. Para seguir nuestro propio llamado, debemos mantener nuestros ojos en el egoísta Hijo de Dios, Jesús, nuestro Salvador, e imitar el amor y la abnegación de Sus santos padres.

  Pregunta de reflexión:    ¿Cómo puedo recordar enfocarme en nuestro Salvador en el ajetreo de mi vida diaria?

Nov. 5, 2017 - The Greatest is a Servant

The Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time A

Reading I:  Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

Psalm:  131

Reading II:  1Thessalonians 2:7b-9,13

Gospel:  Matthew 23:9b, 10b

As a child, I can recall my father calling someone “down to earth.” I had a sense that, that made a person likable, but I didn’t dwell on it.  In this week’s Gospel, it seems that St. Matthew is reinforcing the teaching of Jesus about humility when he insisted on washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.

Another common positive comment I recall is that a person has his/her “feet on the ground.”  In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees, mentioned in the Gospel, are looking for prestige, elevating themselves above others. They forget that they are children of the same heavenly Father as everyone else on the earth. They are his creatures with varied gifts for the sake of all.

Humility comes from the Latin word Humus which means “ground” or “earth.” When a person truly acknowledges that he/she is a creature of God, others are seen as brothers and sisters. Some, like St. Francis of Assisi, even called animals and other creatures their brothers and sisters. Being grounded doesn’t mean that we deny the gifts we have. We just know where they came from...our Heavenly Father. We just thank the Lord for the gifts and use them for the good of others as well as oneself.

Nevertheless, the temptations of pride are very strong. I recall the saying that our pride dies 10 minutes after we do. How do we deal with it then? Let us remember that all people are children of God and respect and treat them as we would like to be treated. I can recall, as a child, decorating one of the covers of my school notebook with the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If people followed the Golden Rule today, we would have peace within ourselves, our families, our country, and the world.

Another safeguard is not taking oneself too seriously. The ability to laugh at oneself is a very healthy sign. Some Native American tribes use humor to remind one another that they are just human and not to act as if one is superior to another.

Of course, the ability to ask the Lord for the grace to see oneself as one truly is — with strengths and weaknesses like all humans — is a wonderful gift. When vain thoughts or selfish desires assail us, we can just turn them over to the Lord and ask him to replace them with his spirit of humility.

 Reflection Question:   For me personally, what is the best way to conquer my pride?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

El Más Grande es un Sirviente

Cuando era niño, recuerdo que mi padre llamaba a alguien “con los pies en la tierra”. Tenía la sensación de que eso hacía que una persona fuera agradable, pero no insistí en ello. En el Evangelio de esta semana, parece que San Mateo está reforzando las enseñanzas de Jesús sobre la humildad cuando insistió en lavar los pies de sus discípulos en la Última Cena.

Otro comentario positivo común que recuerdo es que una persona tiene sus “pies en el suelo”. En contraste, los escribas y fariseos, mencionados en el Evangelio, buscan prestigio, elevándose a sí mismos por encima de los demás. Se olvidan de que son hijos del mismo Padre celestial que todos los demás en la tierra. Son sus criaturas con regalos variados por el bien de todos.

La humildad proviene de la palabra latina Humus, que significa “tierra” o “tierra”. Cuando una persona verdaderamente reconoce que es una criatura de Dios, otros son vistos como hermanos y hermanas. Algunos, como San Francisco de Asís, incluso llamaron a los animales y otras criaturas sus hermanos y hermanas. Ser castigado no significa que negamos los regalos que tenemos. Solo sabemos de dónde vienen ... nuestro Padre Celestial. Simplemente agradecemos al Señor por los regalos y los utilizamos para el bien de los demás y de uno mismo.

Sin embargo, las tentaciones del orgullo son muy fuertes. Recuerdo el dicho de que nuestro orgullo muere 10 minutos después de que lo hagamos. ¿Cómo lidiamos con eso entonces? Recordemos que todas las personas son hijos de Dios y respetémoslos y trátelos como nos gustaría que nos traten. Puedo recordar, cuando era niño, decorar una de las portadas de mi cuaderno escolar con la Regla de Oro: “Haz a los demás lo que quieras que te hagan a ti”. Si las personas siguieran hoy la Regla de Oro, tendríamos paz dentro de nosotros mismos. , nuestras familias, nuestro país y el mundo.

Otra salvaguardia es no tomarse demasiado en serio. La capacidad de reírse de uno mismo es un signo muy saludable. Algunas tribus nativas americanas usan el humor para recordarse mutuamente que son solo humanos y no para actuar como si uno fuera superior a otro.

Por supuesto, la capacidad de pedirle al Señor la gracia de verse a uno mismo como uno realmente es, con fortalezas y debilidades como todos los humanos, es un regalo maravilloso. Cuando los pensamientos vanos o los deseos egoístas nos asaltan, podemos simplemente entregarlos al Señor y pedirle que los reemplace con su espíritu de humildad.

 Pregunta de reflexión:   Para mí personalmente, ¿cuál es la mejor manera de conquistar mi orgullo?

August 28, 2016 - I Am Meek and Humble of Heart

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C    

 Reading I: Sirach 3 17-18, 20,28-29          Response: Psalm 68

 Reading II:  Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24a   Gospel: Luke 14: 1, 7-14

In our first reading from Sirach, we hear the advice: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the guest who has been invited to a wedding banquet. The guest chooses a place of honor and has to be told to move when a more distinguished person arrives.

In the introduction to the Gospel, we hear: “Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” [A yoke is a device used to enable two animals to share the weight of a burden they are pulling and to do it in unison.]  Jesus does not ask us to do anything by ourselves, but rather to walk side by side, in unison with him as we journey
through life.

I have heard it said that our pride dies 10 minutes after we die. Sometimes we are tempted to act humble, but it is just another way of camouflaging our pride. We find true humility very difficult. Eleanor Stump, a professor of philosophy at Saint Luis University, notes four types of pride:

• There is the childish kind of pride, of course, where you brag about your accomplishments while everybody else tries to be polite enough not to roll their eyes while you are talking.
    
• And then there is also the grown-up version of that childish pride.  A multi-millionaire who explains that he is a self- made man has this kind of pride.  He has failed to notice all the gifts he has been given that have helped him to get where he is. He thinks he himself is responsible for the good he has.
  
  
• A more complicated kind of pride can be found in a person who knows that all his good comes from the grace of God. But he is sure that God has given him such grace and not his neighbors, because God knew that he, unlike his stupid worldly neighbors, would make good use of God’s gifts.
  
  
• Finally, the worst and most sophisticated kind of pride is found in the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not like other men, especially not like that sinner, the publican. The Pharisee knew that every good in him was a gift from God. But he was glad that he had God's gifts and that the publican didn’t. 

The Pharisee liked looking down on the publican.Humility is simple truth. We acknowledge that all our virtue and talents come from God and that they are meant to be used for the good of others. We also acknowledge that God has gifted others and we appreciate and rejoice over those gifts.

For  twelve years I taught in Aquinas Junior College where most of the students were preparing to be secretaries, medical assistants, or early childhood educators. Some had poor self images when they came. We used to emphasize with them that God must have a special love for the ordinary people because he made so many of us. The world only needs a few opera singers, violinists, scientists, professional athletes, artists, mechanics, or other specially talented people. However,  it needs many, many people with the ordinary gifts of caring, kindness, helpfulness, and generosity.

I had a friend with serious eye problems. Her doctor was a genius who was often consulted by other doctors because of his expertise. However, he did not have a great personality. Nevertheless, he was smart enough to recognize that he needed the gifts a warm-hearted secretary to make his practice successful. The secretary he hired was a real people-person. She knew everyone's name and asked about their families. She would greet each patient as if he or she were the important person in the world. Yes, the doctor's gifts were important. but the secretary's gifts were no less important.

In our Early Childhood Education Department, we had some students who had found school difficult. However,  they had the personalities and patience needed to relate well to young children during their most  impressionable years. What comfort it brought to parents when they recognized those special gifts in the teachers of their precious children.

Each one of us is unique and gifted by God in a special way. We need to be grateful and share our gifts with others. It is pure foolishness for us to attribute our virtues or accomplishments only to ourselves. We need to keep our eyes on the humble Jesus who asks us to “learn to of him to be "meek and humble of heart.”

As a human and a devout Jew, Jesus was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures [Old Testament]. He followed well the instructions of the prophet Micah: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  He asks us to do the same.