Sept. 22, 2019 Choose your Master

September 22, 2019   Choose Your Master    Year C

Reading I: 
Amos 8:4-7

Psalm: 113

Reading II:  1 Timothy: 2:1-8

Gospel: 
Luke 16:1-13
or 10-13

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” (Luke 16:13)

Jesus does not say that money is bad in itself. It is needed for life and survival. However, one needs to know what is enough and not focus on amassing a large fortune.

If we consciously choose our Master, we have a clear path by following the example and teachings of Jesus. While we make use of money for the good of our families and ourselves, we should also refrain from hoarding it or spending it on unnecessary, expensive items. In addition, we should be aware of and generous to, others who do not have enough.

Our Master taught us to love God, our neighbors and ourselves. What we share is not limited to our money and possessions. We also have the gifts of time and talents to share.  

The are many lonely people who do not have enough human interaction because of age, health, or incarceration. Taking some free time to spend with an elder who has lost most of his or her family and friends, can cheer them up. Also, helping with shopping or something he or she can no longer do is a real blessing.

Visiting the sick or taking the time to send a card or a helpful item, can lift a person’s spirit. This is especially true when a person is young and facing many years of missing out on the things that young people typically enjoy doing.

Visiting the imprisoned is an affirmation of their humanity. When I had the experience of teaching English to some women in prison, I was struck by the fact that the women had made scrapbooks with the poetry they had received. Before this experience, I had never met anyone who had been in prison. Through this experience, I learned to see the prisoners as people with feelings and needs like my own.

Besides the gift of time, there is also the sharing of talents with others. While teaching at Aquinas College, I had a drama club which put on a humorous play. After the performance, The mother of one of the students came to me to tell me that she had, had a difficult year. She shared that enjoying the play with her son performing was a great blessing.

Hairdressers, who go out of their way to share that talent with those who are homeless or shut-ins, are examples of sharing one’s talents. Listening to their customers sharing their joys and problems is also a gift they have to offer.

People with computer expertise who take the time to help those who are still learning are also sharing both their time and talent. Sometimes, it also requires the gift of patience.

Let us persevere in our choice to live with open hearts and hands, like our Master Jesus. In that way, we will avoid the temptations to make money our master.
  
 Reflection Question:  Ask the Lord, your Master, how he would like you to share this week.

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Elige tu Maestro

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús les dice a sus discípulos:  “Ningún siervo puede servir a dos señores. Odiará a uno y amará al otro, o se dedicará a uno y despreciará al otro. No se puede servir a Dios y a Mammón”. (Luke 16:13)

Jesús no dice que el dinero es malo en sí mismo. Es necesario para la vida y la supervivencia. Sin embargo, uno necesita saber qué es suficiente y no centrarse en acumular una gran fortuna.

Si elegimos conscientemente a nuestro Maestro, tenemos un camino claro al seguir el ejemplo y las enseñanzas de Jesús. Si bien utilizamos el dinero para el bien de nuestras familias y de nosotros mismos, también debemos abstenernos de acumularlo o gastarlo en artículos innecesarios y caros. Además, debemos ser conscientes y generosos con otros que no tienen suficiente.

Nuestro Maestro nos enseñó a amar a Dios, a nuestro prójimo y a nosotros mismos. Lo que compartimos no se limita a nuestro dinero y posesiones. También tenemos los dones de tiempo y talentos para compartir.  

Hay muchas personas solitarias que no tienen suficiente interacción humana debido a la edad, la salud o el encarcelamiento. Tomar tiempo libre para pasar con un anciano que ha perdido a la mayoría de su familia y amigos puede animarlos. Además, ayudar con las compras o algo que ya no puede hacer es una verdadera bendición.

Visitar a los enfermos o tomarse el tiempo para enviar una tarjeta o un artículo útil puede elevar el espíritu de una persona. Esto es especialmente cierto cuando una persona es joven y enfrenta muchos años de perderse las cosas que a los jóvenes generalmente les gusta hacer.

Visitar a los presos es una afirmación de su humanidad. Cuando tuve la experiencia de enseñar inglés a algunas mujeres en prisión, me sorprendió el hecho de que las mujeres habían hecho álbumes de recortes con la poesía que habían recibido. Antes de esta experiencia, nunca había conocido a nadie que hubiera estado en prisión. A través de esta experiencia, aprendí a ver a los prisioneros como personas con sentimientos y necesidades como la mía.

Además del don del tiempo, también se comparten talentos con otros. Mientras enseñaba en el Aquinas College, tenía un club de teatro que hacía una obra de humor. Después de la presentación, la madre de uno de los estudiantes vino a decirme que había tenido un año difícil. Ella compartió que disfrutar de la obra con su hijo fue una gran bendición.

Los peluqueros, que se esfuerzan por compartir ese talento con aquellos que no tienen hogar o están encerrados, son ejemplos de compartir los talentos de uno. Escuchar a sus clientes compartiendo sus alegrías y problemas también es un regalo que tienen para ofrecer.

Las personas con experiencia en informática que se toman el tiempo para ayudar a quienes todavía están aprendiendo también comparten su tiempo y talento. A veces, también requiere el don de la paciencia.

Perseveremos en nuestra elección de vivir con los corazones y las manos abiertas, como nuestro Maestro Jesús. De esa manera, evitaremos las tentaciones de hacer del dinero nuestro maestro.

  

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:   Pregúntale al Señor, tu Maestro, cómo le gustaría que compartas esta semana.

Comments:

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

We can be open to any opportunity that God sends us to share our God-given talents with others. Mother Katharine noted that “There is nothing little in what is done for God.” A smile, a phone call, a meal, a drive or mailing a card may seem little but could bring great joy to the recipient. We can always pray for someone; a few minutes’ meditation or plea to God could be a great source of grace.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

After a long day of working in the apartment, mom, her neighbor, Dave, and I were looking forward to sitting down for dinner in the main dining room to just relax and enjoy a meal. We were seated at a table that accommodates four people and we were happy to have the extra space that the empty seat provided. As we began to order, a server tapped me on the shoulder and asked if it would be okay if she sat a resident at the empty place. My response was, “of course,” in spite of the desire to remain a threesome.

We welcomed Sara, a stylishly dressed woman, who was probably in her mid to late eighties. After introductions, we began chatting and it quickly became apparent that Sara had some level of dementia. After turning down the server’s offer of a piece of bread, she questioned why the attendant did not give her bread like the rest of us. Ordering from the menu was a challenge for her but the kind server guided Sara through the selections. Sara was unable to remember any conversation, asking the same questions repeatedly only moments apart. She shared with us a story of how, just a few days ago, she woke up and could not find her husband. She looked all through her apartment and up and down the hallways. Finally she found a staff member and expressed her concern for her missing spouse. Her husband had died seven years ago. She said she felt embarrassed but that it felt so real. We assured her that her reaction was probably natural given the long decades that she was married. We genuinely enjoyed our meal and our company and so did Sara.

We chuckled a bit about the repetitive questions and I teased Dave about how Sara was flirting with him, but there existed an unspoken sense that each of us received a gift to dwell on. I believe that the Lord intended for Sara to join us that evening to give us the opportunity to extend friendship and encouragement to her and for us to individually receive a unique lesson through her innocent presence.

I gained a broader insight into Jesus’ instruction to release our attachments to things. Status and possessions lose their significance in the “autumn season” of life, yet we spend so much of our life seeking recognition and accumulating material items. I also realized that, in spite of confusion and forgetfulness, one’s life continues to bear fruit. Life is precious at any stage, any age. Acceptance, patience, and humor are valuable virtues to cultivate to sustain human connections.  Most importantly, open hearts and gentle hugs can love away one’s feeling of diminished worth, while reinforcing one’s value. 

Considering the amount of time I will be spending at the retirement community where my mother will soon move, I believe that the Lord is grooming me to share His Love and compassion with the residents whom I’ll have the opportunity to converse with.

August 4, 2019 _ Treasures in Heaven

August 4, 2019  Treasures in Heaven  - Year C

Reading I:   Ecclesiastes
1:2, 2:21-23

Psalm:  90

Reading II:  Colossians 3:
1-5, 9-11

Gospel: 
Luke 12:13-21

In today’s Gospel of Luke, we hear Jesus teaching his followers about the foolishness of being greedy. He tells a parable (a story to teach a lesson) about a rich farmer who is doing well and has barns totally filled. He decides to tear down his barns and build larger ones to hold more grain and other possessions. 

Then he says to himself: “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”  However, God says to him, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”

What are some other reasons that focus on making large amounts of money, hoarding things, or seeking after fame or popularity is foolish? First, our life here is short. If we spend our time and energies on such things, we will miss out on the important things asked of us by our Creator: to love Him, our neighbor, and ourselves.

Today, it seems as if we are being encouraged to focus on worldly things. In particular, I recall the TV program called ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.’ That came into my mind one day as I was walking through a park with a little girl who looked up at me and asked: “Would you like to be rich and famous?” When I responded that I was not interested in that, she remained quiet. That response probably surprised her since wealth and prestige seemed to be what people desire.

In Matthew’s Gospel, he lists the teachings of Jesus in a meaningful way. Regarding the pursuit of riches, he says:

       

       Do not store up riches for yourselves where on earth, where 

       moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. 

       Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths 

       and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and 

       steal.  For your heart will always be where your riches are.                                                                                              — Matthew 6:19

Matthew vividly describes the Final Judgment. Jesus is pictured as a King on his throne. People of all nations are gathered before Him. He separates them into two groups. On His right, He puts the righteous and says: “Come you are blessed by my Father!  Come and possess the Kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you cared for me; in prison and you visited me.’

The righteous will respond by asking when they came to the aid of the King.  His reply will be: ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Away from me, you that are under God’s curse! Away to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels!  I was hungry, but you would not feed me, thirsty…, I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’ These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.”   
                                       — Matthew 25:34-46

 Reflection Question:   Which work of mercy to you feel called to perform this coming week?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Tesoros en el Cielo

Jesús enseñando a sus seguidores acerca de la insensatez de ser codicioso. Él cuenta una parábola (una historia para enseñar una lección) sobre un granjero rico que está bien y tiene graneros totalmente llenos. Decide derribar sus graneros y construir otros más grandes para contener más granos y otras posesiones.

Entonces se dice a sí mismo: “Ahora, en cuanto a ti, tienes muchas cosas buenas almacenadas durante muchos años, descansa, come, bebe, ¡sé feliz!”  Sin embargo, Dios le dice:“Tonto, esta noche tu vida te será exigida; y las cosas que has preparado, ¿a quién van a pertenecer?”

¿Cuáles son algunas otras razones que se centran en hacer grandes cantidades de dinero, acaparar cosas o buscar fama o popularidad es una tontería? Primero, nuestra vida aquí es corta. Si dedicamos nuestro tiempo y energía a tales cosas, perderemos las cosas importantes que nos pide nuestro Creador: amarlo a Él, a nuestro prójimo y a nosotros mismos.

Hoy en día, parece que estamos siendo alentados a enfocarnos en cosas mundanas. En particular, recuerdo el programa de televisión llamado ‘Estilos de vida de los ricos y famosos’. Eso me vino a la mente un día mientras caminaba por un parque con una niña que me miró y me preguntó: “¿Te gustaría ser rico y famoso?” Cuando respondí que no estaba interesada en eso, ella se quedó callada. Esa respuesta probablemente la sorprendió ya que la riqueza y el prestigio parecían ser lo que la gente deseaba.

En el Evangelio de Mateo, él enumera las enseñanzas de Jesús de una manera significativa. Respecto a la búsqueda de riquezas, dice:

       No se acumulen riquezas para ustedes mismos donde en la tierra, donde
       las polillas y el óxido destruyen, y los ladrones entran y roban.
       En su lugar, acumule riquezas para ustedes en el cielo, donde las polillas
       y el óxido no puede destruir, y los ladrones no pueden entrar y

       robar. Porque tu corazón siempre estará donde están tus riquezas.                                                                                            — Mateo 6:19

Mateo describe vívidamente el Juicio Final. Jesús es representado como un rey en su trono. La gente de todas las naciones están reunidas delante de él. Los separa en dos grupos. A su derecha, Él pone a los justos y dice: “¡Ven, eres bendecido por mi Padre! Ven y posee el Reino que ha sido preparado para ti desde la creación del mundo. Tuve hambre y me alimentaste, sed y me diste de beber; Fui forastero y me recibiste en tus casas, desnudo y me vestiste; Yo estaba enferma, y ​​tu cuidaste de mi; En la cárcel y tú me visitaste’.

Los justos responderán preguntando cuándo acudieron en ayuda del rey. Su respuesta será: ‘Te digo, siempre que hiciste esto por uno de los menos importantes de estos hermanos míos, ¡lo hiciste por mí!’

Entonces dirá a los de su izquierda: “¡Fuera de mí, tú que estás bajo la maldición de Dios! ¡Fuera el fuego eterno que ha sido preparado para el diablo y sus ángeles! Tenía hambre, pero no me darías de comer, sed ... te digo que siempre que te niegues a ayudar a uno de los menos importantes, me niegas a ayudarme. "Estos, entonces, serán enviados al castigo eterno, pero los justos irán a la vida eterna”.
                                       — Mateo 25:34-46

 Pregunta de Reflexión:   ¿Qué trabajo de misericordia te sientes llamado a realizar esta próxima semana?

Comments:

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

Mother Katharine said that “There is nothing little in what is done for God.” An “act of mercy” can be something as small as calling or sending a cheery card to an elderly or infirm neighbor. Returning a shopping cart to the store or to the nearest “cart lot” for a woman who has just placed her child and her groceries in her car is a simple act of mercy.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Last Sunday my mother, her neighbor, and I went to brunch at the retirement community into which she will soon be moving. A resident named Betsy joined us at the table. After I got mom’s food plated, I headed to the buffet table to select my food. I saw Betsy struggling to balance plates on the seat of her Rollator, and I asked if I could help her. She gratefully accepted. Once we settled in at our table, I asked Betsy to tell us something about herself. Her response was a real fork dropper as she replied, “I am a Holocaust Survivor.” She certainly had our attention. Betsy’s story is one of pain, abuse, starvation, loss and triumph.

The Nazis invaded Amsterdam when Betsy was four years old. She spent the next 5 years in hiding and in encampments, gaining freedom when she was ten years old. She “missed out” on childhood, and up to that time, she had never been to school.  Betsy knew excruciating hunger. Death and devastation were etched in her mind, heart, and soul. In spite of all that horror, she made the decision to greet each day with thanks and the wonder of being alive.  Her entire family was executed in Auschwitz.  Betsy related details of atrocities that tore at my heart. 

A network of farmers hid Betsy and her family, shared their meager food rations and offered moral support.  As she spoke, I thought of how those brave individuals, who were primarily Christians, fulfilled the works of mercy and were Good Samaritans to their Jewish brethren.  The Nazis threatened to burn down their farms if the farmers were harboring Jews.  Yet, the network remained active. The farmers were willing to lay down their lives and their livelihoods to protect their neighbors.

Betsy’s story reminded me of Anne Frank’s story. Anne and her family were hidden for two years before being discovered and transported to death camps.  I also thought of Corrie ten Boom who hid hundreds of Jews in her family home to protect them from arrest by the Nazis. When their activities were discovered, the entire ten Boom family was deported to concentration camps. The ten Boom’s were ardent Christians; their faith inspired them to serve their community, and while imprisoned Corrie and her sister, Betsy, spent evenings in the concentration camp sharing Scripture stories with their fellow Jewish inmates.  Corrie was the only family member to survive.  Her family paid the ultimate price to shelter and nourish Christ’s brothers and sisters.

As for Betsy, when the war ended, she was placed in a United States sponsored shelter where she received her grade school education. She excelled in her studies and was, likewise, sponsored for high school. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree in teaching. She enjoyed a career as a college professor, engaging students and professors alike as she shared personal experiences of the Holocaust. She pledged to keep her story alive so that no one forgets the consequences of hate. As we were getting ready to go, Betsy grasped my hand and shared with me that she was feeling great sadness. Her husband had suffered a stroke twelve days prior and was not making much progress. There were days when he did not even recognize her.  I promised to pray for his recovery. She thanked me. The connection that results from such an exchange is nothing short of divine.

Betsy’s story stays with me. I can only hope that fear would not prevent me from acting in a Christ-like manner. The work of mercy I feel called to do this week is to recognize the suffering Christ in all those who call out for help and to take appropriate steps to alleviate their pain. I yearn to hear the words of Jesus, “Come possess the Kingdom.”