May 26, 2019 - The Final Message

Sixth Sunday of Easter C

Reading I:  Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29

Psalm:  67

Reading II: 
Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

Gospel:  John 14:23-29

The last words of someone about to die have great power.  I had an uncle who was an alcoholic and was asked to give up his addiction and join AA, by his older brother, who was dying. Having made the promise to his brother on his deathbed, he kept the promise and became a faithful member of AA, helping many others during
his lifetime.

Jesus, aware of the power His final words would have, gathers his disciples attempting to prepare them for His leaving. He shares tender, loving words and telling them that they will not be left alone. 
Jesus reassures them that He and the Father will send them an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will teach them what they need to know and remind them of what He has told them. An Advocate is like a lawyer who would stand beside someone in need and speak in his or her defense.

Then Jesus says He is leaving them “His Peace,” which is not the kind that the world gives. This is a deep inner peace in spite of the turmoil that might be happening on the surface.

Jesus encourages the disciples to rejoice with Him because He is returning to His Father. However, He is aware of how lost they will feel without His presence to guide and support them. By promising to send the Holy Spirit, He provides the guidance and support that the disciples will need.

That same support and guidance are available to us, too. When important decisions need to be made, we can ask assistance from the Holy Spirit. We have an ever-present helper. He is present also when we have other needs.

Come, Holy Spirit - Prayer

                Come, Holy Spirit, Come!                 

And from your celestial home

   Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!

Come, source of all our store!

    Come within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;

You, the soul's most welcome guest;

     Sweet refreshment here below.

In our labor, rest most sweet;

Grateful coolness in the heat;

     Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,

Shine within these hearts of yours,

     And our inmost being fill!

 Reflection Question:  We cannot see the air keeping us alive unless it moves in the form of wind to cool us. At other times, we can see its strength in a storm. Likewise, we cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we have Jesus’ word that he is with us.  Sometimes, we feel his action in our lives.  Have you ever felt the help of the Spirit?  When?  How?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

El Mensaje Final

Las últimas palabras de alguien a punto de morir tienen un gran poder. Tenía un tío que era alcohólico y su hermano mayor, quien se estaba muriendo, me pidió que abandonara su adicción y se uniera a AA. Habiendo hecho la promesa a su hermano en su lecho de muerte, cumplió la promesa y se convirtió en un miembro fiel de AA, ayudando a muchos otros durante su vida.


Jesús, consciente del poder que tendrían sus últimas palabras, reúne a sus discípulos tratando de prepararlos para su partida. Él comparte palabras tiernas y amorosas y les dice que no se quedarán solos. Jesús les asegura que Él y el Padre les enviarán un Defensor, el Espíritu Santo, que les enseñará lo que necesitan saber y les recordará lo que Él les ha dicho. Un defensor es como un abogado que estaría al lado de alguien que lo necesita y hablaría en su defensa.

Entonces Jesús dice que los está dejando “su paz”, que no es la clase que el mundo da. Esta es una profunda paz interior a pesar de la agitación que podría estar ocurriendo en la superficie.

Jesús anima a los discípulos a regocijarse con Él porque está regresando a su Padre. Sin embargo, Él es consciente de cuán perdidos se sentirán sin Su presencia para guiarlos y apoyarlos. Al prometer enviar el Espíritu Santo, Él proporciona la guía y el apoyo que los discípulos necesitarán.

Ese mismo apoyo y guía están disponibles para nosotros, también. Cuando es necesario tomar decisiones importantes, podemos pedir ayuda al Espíritu Santo. Tenemos un ayudante siempre presente. Él está presente también cuando tenemos otras necesidades.

Ven, Espíritu Santo - Oración

                

               ¡Ven, Espíritu Santo, ven!                

Y desde tu hogar celestial.
Arroja un rayo de luz divina!
¡Ven, padre de los pobres!
¡Ven, fuente de toda nuestra tienda!
Ven dentro de nuestros senos brillarás.
Tú, de los consoladores, los mejores;
Tú, el invitado más bienvenido del alma;
 Dulce refresco aquí abajo.
En nuestro trabajo, descansa lo más dulce;
Frialdad agradecida en el calor;
 Solace en medio del dolor.
Oh, divina Luz divina,
Brilla en estos corazones tuyos,
Y nuestro más íntimo ser lleno!

  Pregunta de reflexión:   No podemos ver el aire manteniéndonos vivos a menos que se mueva en forma de viento para refrescarnos. En otras ocasiones, podemos ver su fuerza en una tormenta. Del mismo modo, no podemos ver al Espíritu Santo, pero tenemos la palabra de Jesús de que él está con nosotros. A veces, sentimos su acción en nuestras vidas. ¿Alguna vez has sentido la ayuda del Espíritu? ¿Cuando? ¿Cómo?

Comments:

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

There is a story of a seminary professor who told his students that they had to be “on time” for the next class for there was to be a test. The next day the seminarians hurried to the classroom, passing several people in the hallway including an older man. All were early for the class. The professor then announced that they are all failed. They had failed to greet the older man in the hallway and ask if he needed anything.

We can meet the Spirit without warning or being aware of the Spirit’s presence. I have often had occasions when I was annoyed with myself for being later than I wanted for something. Along the way to my destination, I might meet a friend I had not seen in a long time or be able to assist someone needing information. “Being later than I wanted” was being just when and where the Spirit wanted me to be.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

For almost a year now, my mother has entertained the idea of selling her home and moving into a retirement community. Mom will celebrate her 89th birthday in July. My sister and I have attempted to help her downsize during this time, and we have encountered several roadblocks, the most notable being mom’s attachment to her belongings. Frequent misunderstandings resulted in a rift between mom and my sister. My sister decided to cease her assistance. Our goal, however, was to step-up the pace to gather as many items as possible to participate in the Community Yard Sale being held on May 18th.

With my sister out of the picture, Mom’s strategy was to reach out to her nieces and nephews, many of whom she has not spoken with for decades. She persuaded the wives of two nephews to assist with the yard sale. I have never met either Louise or Sarah. However, it turns out that my sister frequently connects via Facebook with Sarah. Within hours of my mother talking with Sarah, my sister learned of the call and was very angry about mom’s recruitment of Sarah. She sent me a rambling email about how my mother pressured Sarah into helping. She said that Sarah has back problems and does not want to help but felt obligated to do so. You get the picture!

Wearied from all the bickering, I decided to simply pause and pray. I received a response with such clarity that I knew it was the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. When I sat down to type my response to my sister, it was as though I was taking dictation from a Source of Infinite Wisdom. My finished note was clear, non-judgmental and caring. I stated that it is perfectly fine if Sarah does not want to help, but it is her responsibility to contact mom and tell her so. I was not willing to speak for someone I did not even know and contribute to even more misunderstandings.

Why do I believe that the Holy Spirit was instrumental in this situation? I was in perfect peace with the message. When I hit the “send” button, I was transmitting gifts of understanding, acceptance and freedom to my sister as well as for Sarah. I felt tenderness and love toward both woman and toward myself also. I am most grateful to the Holy Spirit for His Presence, guidance and support.

Sarah did call my mother. She was not able to help at the yard sale, but she offered to spend a couple of hours the day before organizing items into groups for ease of pricing. Those few hours were an enormous help. Turns out Spirit is a Mover and a Shaker! I am most grateful for His behind the scenes Divine Grace.

May 19, 2019 A New Commandment

5th Sunday of Easter C

Reading I: 
Acts 14:21-27

Psalm:  145

Reading II: 
Revelation 21:1-5a

Gospel: 
John 13:31-33a,
34-35

When Jesus tells us in the Gospel that he is giving us a “New Commandment” to love God, our neighbors and ourselves, we wonder what he means. After all, our Jewish ancestors in the faith already learned the importance of loving God in the Book of Deuteronomy when they read that they should “love Yahweh their God with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their strength.” (Deut 6:4-5).

From the Book of Leviticus, they learned that they are to love their neighbors as themselves (Lev 19:18). As a result, we observe that many of our Jewish brothers and sisters work in the helping professions like the many areas of the medical field and in the legal fields, etc.

Then, what is Jesus adding to make this a New Commandment?  He wants
us to love as he has loved us (John 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus shows by example what he means by kneeling before the disciples and washing their feet.

Since most went barefoot or wore open sandals, their feet were usually dirty and smelly, this was a welcomed service. Therefore, Jesus wants us to serve the needs of one another, even the most menial tasks.

Jesus also teaches the disciples: “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).  Jesus later willingly gives up his life for all of us. Many of His followers also give up their lives because they refuse to deny that they are Christians or they attempt to spread the “Good News.”

Jesus’ love is completely inclusive because he sees each of us as precious. He loves even his enemies and forgives those who persecute him. His love extends to people of all races, nationalities, religions, sexual preferences, etc. That is what he expects of his followers also.

Jesus shows us an example of bringing justice when he came to the rescue of the woman being stoned for adultery. Where was the man who partnered with her? Who in the crowd was without sin? Jesus stands up for the woman so that those who are about to stone her, walk away. He just asks her to sin no more.

The whole aspect of justice is an important part of Jesus’ way of loving. The goods of this world are meant to be shared so that all have what they need. This was practiced well by the early Christian Communities. This is a great need today when we see some living in luxury while others are homeless and starving.
If we are to love as Jesus loved, our love of neighbor needs to include working toward justice for all.

Finally, to love like Jesus involves sacrifice. It may mean giving up our lives for another. However, it may mean simply putting aside one’s plans to meet the need of another. It may mean to accept the inconveniences that are required to help another. It may mean going the extra mile when one is already exhausted.

The New Commandment really means the Total Gift of Self.

Lamb of God, have mercy on us

Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, grant us peace!

  Reflection Question:   Ask the Lord, “What aspect of the New Commandment that He would like you to focus on at this time?”

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

La Resurrección de Lázaro

Cuando Jesús nos dice en el Evangelio que nos está dando un “Nuevo Mandamiento” para amar a Dios, a nuestros vecinos y a nosotros mismos, nos preguntamos qué quiere decir. Después de todo, nuestros antepasados judíos en la fe ya aprendieron la importancia de amar a Dios en el Libro de Deuteronomio cuando leen eso deberían “ama a Jehová su Dios con todo su corazón, con toda su alma, con toda su fuerza.” (Deut 6:4­5).

Del Libro de Levítico, aprendieron que deben amar a sus vecinos como a sí mismos (Lev 19:18). Como resultado, observamos que muchos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas judíos trabajan en profesiones de ayuda, como las muchas áreas del campo médico y en los campos legales, etc.

Entonces, ¿qué está agregando Jesús para hacer de este un Nuevo Mandamiento?  Quiere que amemos como nos ha amado (Juan 13:34). En la última cena, Jesús muestra con el ejemplo lo que quiere decir al arrodillarse ante los discípulos y lavarse los pies.

Como la mayoría andaba descalzo o usaba sandalias abiertas, sus pies usualmente estaban sucios y olían mal, este era un servicio bien recibido. Por lo tanto, Jesús quiere que sirvamos las necesidades de los demás, incluso las tareas más serviles.

Jesús también enseña a los discípulos: “Un hombre no puede tener más amor que dar su vida por sus amigos”. (Juan 15:13). Jesús más tarde renuncia voluntariamente a su vida por todos nosotros. Muchos de sus seguidores también renuncian a sus vidas porque se niegan a negar que son cristianos o intentan difundir la “Buena Nueva”.

El amor de Jesús es completamente inclusivo porque nos ve a cada uno de nosotros como algo precioso. Él ama incluso a sus enemigos y perdona a los que lo persiguen. Su amor se extiende a personas de todas las razas, nacionalidades, religiones, preferencias sexuales, etc. Eso es lo que él espera de sus seguidores también.

Jesús nos muestra un ejemplo de cómo llevar la justicia cuando rescató a la mujer que estaba siendo apedreada por adulterio. ¿Dónde estaba el hombre que se asoció con ella? ¿Quién en la multitud estaba sin pecado? Jesús defiende a la mujer para que aquellos que están a punto de apedrearla, se vayan. Él solo le pide a ella que no vuelva a pecar.

Todo el aspecto de la justicia es una parte importante de la manera de amar de Jesús. Los bienes de este mundo deben compartirse para que todos tengan lo que necesitan. Esto fue practicado bien por las primeras comunidades cristianas. Esta es una gran necesidad hoy en día, cuando vemos que algunos viven en el lujo mientras otros no tienen hogar y se mueren de hambre. Si debemos amar como Jesús amó, nuestro amor al prójimo debe incluir trabajar por la justicia para todos.

Finalmente, amar como Jesús implica sacrificio. Puede significar renunciar a nuestras vidas por otra. Sin embargo, puede significar simplemente dejar de lado los planes de uno para satisfacer la necesidad de otro. Puede significar aceptar los inconvenientes que se requieren para ayudar a otro. Puede significar hacer un esfuerzo adicional cuando uno ya está agotado.

El Nuevo Mandamiento realmente significa el Don Total del Ser.

Cordero de Dios, ten piedad de nosotros.
Cordero de Dios, ten piedad de nosotros.
Cordero de Dios, danos la paz!

  Pregunta de Reflexión:    Pregúntele al Señor: “¿En qué aspecto del Nuevo Mandamiento en el que Él desea que se concentre en este momento?”

Comments:

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

When the Drexel family visited the Alps in 1886, Kate observed that man’s life was like the passing of a cloud over the unchanging mountains. “I felt as if standing at the Day of Judgement.  How have you passed you life?”  Reading St. Francis Xavier, Kate noted the importance of knowing yourself. “Self-knowledge is the nurse of confidence in God.” Confidence in God should reassure us that we can speak with Him honestly, as to a loving Father.  We can talk with the Lord, telling Him our moments of weakness.  Recognizing these moments is a way to identify the areas in which we do not completely follow the New Commandment.  These would be the aspects of the New Commandment on which the Lord would like us to focus.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

The frontpage story of our local newspaper told of tension erupting between white residents and members of the Chinese community at a Civic Association meeting held in my neighborhood. Startled, I continued to read that Chinese residents feel they are treated with discrimination and disrespect. I was trembling. How can this be? That is not representative of the dynamics I witness in the neighborhood. The Chinese people who attend my church are welcomed and respected by the established white parishioners. I brooded over the newspaper article and continued to ask myself questions about the members of our growing Chinese population, which has tripled over the last several years. 

The issue to be discussed at the public meeting was whether a newly built restaurant/bar should be permitted to build a deck on the roof. The concerns should have been neutral and universal: parking, noise, congestion and disorderly behavior of the patrons. The paper reported that it was a “contentious gathering from the outset, and a police officer was stationed at the entrance to the gym throughout the proceedings.” In my opinion, if we set the stage for discord, it will certainly play out as such. Perhaps local clergy members and community outreach representatives could have greeted attendees at the door. A more peaceful presence might have established a more hospitable energy where issues could be considered for the common good. Nothing was resolved at that meeting, but deeper hostility was certainly planted.

The invitation to focus on one aspect of the New Commandment is very opportune for me. I intend to pray for, and work towards, promoting inclusivity amongst the various cultures that comprise my community, with special emphasis on the Chinese members. Your comment that “Jesus’ love is completely inclusive because he sees each of us as precious,” will be my canticle, with the addition of, “and that is why we are to love one another.” 

It grieves me that our neighborhood Asian newcomers feel unwelcomed and disrespected. Ours is a community of multiple faiths and cultures, yet I consider us to be tolerant. However, I see that we need to move beyond mere tolerance to acceptance and valuing diversity. It seems we have lost the awareness that we are all one in God’s eyes; created by Love for love. 

Since reading that article, I see my neighborhood through a more attentive lens. I see beauty, abundance and freedom for which we should be so grateful. If we, as a community, don’t transform these toxic thoughts of fear and separation, we stand to lose these gifts to acts of violence. Yet, there is boundless potential to be born of our multi-cultural neighborhood. Hopefully, we will grow to acknowledge our commonalities and celebrate our unique and glorious talents, gifts, garb, music, food, and so much more.

Please join me in praying for healing for my local community and all communities going through the growing pains of unprecedented demographic changes. There will always be tensions to overcome However, the more we reawaken to our spiritual connection and acknowledge the dignity of each person, the more we will reap the highest good for ourselves and our brothers and sisters.

To end on a more uplifting note, I received a ‘thought for the day’ from Life Coach, Susan Gregg who draws a parallel between pineapples and a happy life. She cites that the pineapple is a “very odd fruit - very spiny on the outside, but if they are ripe they are very sweet and juicy on the inside. Not at all what you'd expect looking at one.

Kind of like life. If we react to what we think we see, we miss out on all the good stuff on the inside. When we explore just a little bit deeper we can begin to see all the love and the similarities just below the surface.”

By embracing inclusion we can savor sweetness we might otherwise miss out on experiencing!

May 12, 2019 - The Voice of the Good Shepherd

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Images by David Hadfield

Reading I: 
Acts 13:14, 43-52

Psalm:  100

Reading II:  Revelations
7:9, 14b-17

Gospel: 
John 10: 27-30

At the Last Supper, when Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departing from them, he tells them not be worried or upset because He is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He further explains that He will return and take them to Himself, so that  they will be where He is. Then He tells them: “You know the way that leads to the place where I am going.” (John 14:4).

Thomas responds, “Lord we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?”  Jesus answers him: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).

If Jesus is the “Way,” we are to follow Him, by living as He did. It is noticeable that Jesus sometimes quotes or refers to passages from the Hebrew Scriptures. From childhood, He has been listening so deeply to the words of Scripture that He quotes or makes connections to them at special times in His life.

This is evident in some of the words of Jesus during his Passion, but also I can see the influence of  the words of the Prophet Ezekiel who quotes Yahweh (the Lord) referring to Himself in saying:

    As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view, when he stands up in the middle
    of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view... I myself will
    pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest — it is the Lord
    Yahweh who speaks — I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray,
    bandage the wounded and make the weak strong.  I shall watch over the
    fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them. (Ezek 34:12, 15, 16).

In today’s Gospel we find Jesus describing his loving and caring relationship to His sheep also:
   
     Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me,
     I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them
     out of my hand.  My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all,
     and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are
     one.”  (John 10:27-30)

As we try to follow Jesus, it is important that we study the prophecies and the wisdom in the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as the life and example of  Jesus and His followers in the Christian Scriptures. In moments of silent prayer, if we listen for what the Lord is saying to us through the Sacred Scriptures, we will find our path to heaven by following Jesus, the “Way”.  How blessed are we to have such a loving and caring God!!!

             

Psalm 23 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

   He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

   He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

   for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

   I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff,

   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me 

   in the presence of my enemies;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   forever.                                                     
 

  Reflection Question:    Some hear the voice of the Lord clearly in the Holy Bible. Others hear the voice of the Lord more clearly in Nature. Some hear him in the circumstances of their lives. Others hear him in music or art. Where and when do you hear the voice of the Lord most clearly?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

La Voz del Buen Pastor

En la Última Cena, cuando Jesús está preparando a los discípulos para que se aparten de ellos, les dice que no se preocupen ni se molesten porque les va a preparar un lugar en la casa de su Padre. Además, explica que regresará y se los llevará a sí mismo, para que estén donde está. Luego les dice: “Ya sabes el camino que lleva al lugar donde voy”. (Juan 14:4).

Thomas responde, “Señor, no sabemos a dónde vas; Entonces, ¿cómo podemos saber el camino para llegar allí?”  Jesús le responde: “Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida”. (Juan 14:6).

Si Jesus es el “Camino,” debemos seguirlo, viviendo como él lo hizo. Es notable que Jesús a veces cita o se refiere a pasajes de las Escrituras hebreas. Desde la niñez, Él ha estado escuchando tan profundamente las palabras de las Escrituras que Él cita o hace conexiones con ellas en momentos especiales de Su vida.

Esto es evidente en algunas de las palabras de Jesús durante su Pasión, pero también puedo ver la influencia de las palabras del profeta Ezequiel que cita Yahvé (El Señor) refiriéndose a sí mismo al decir:

    Como un pastor mantiene todo su rebaño a la vista, cuando se para en
    el medio de sus ovejas dispersas, así mantendré mis ovejas a la vista ...
    yo mismo pastaré
    Mis ovejas, yo mismo les mostraré dónde descansar: es el Señor.
    Yahvé que habla: Buscaré al perdido, traeré de vuelta el camino perdido.
    Venda a los heridos y haga fuertes a los débiles. Velaré por la grasa
    y saludable. Seré un verdadero pastor para ellos. (Ezek 34:12, 15, 16).

En el Evangelio de hoy encontramos a Jesús describiendo su relación amorosa y afectuosa con Sus ovejas también:
 
     Jesus dijo: “Mis ovejas oyen mi voz; Yo las conozco y ellas me siguen,
     Yo les doy vida eterna, y nunca perecerán. Nadie puede tomarlos
     fuera de mi mano Mi Padre que me las dio, es mayor que todos.
     y nadie puede sacarlos de la mano del Padre. El Padre y yo somos uno”.
    (Juan 10:27-30)

Al tratar de seguir a Jesús, es importante que estudiemos las profecías y la sabiduría en las Escrituras hebreas, así como la vida y el ejemplo de Jesús y sus seguidores en las Escrituras cristianas. En momentos de oración silenciosa, si escuchamos lo que el Señor nos está diciendo a través de las Sagradas Escrituras, encontraremos nuestro camino al cielo siguiendo a Jesús, el  “Camino”. ¡Cuán bendecidos somos de tener un Dios tan amoroso y amoroso!

             

Salmo 23  Versión Estándar en Inglés (ESV)

El Señor es Mi Pastor

Un Salmo de David

El señor es mi pastor; Nada me faltará.

   Me hace recostar en verdes prados.

Me lleva junto a aguas tranquilas.

   Él restaura mi alma.

Me guía por sendas de justicia

   por el bien de su nombre.

Aunque ande por el valle de la sombra de la muerte,

   No temeré ningún mal,

porque tú estás conmigo;

   tu vara y tu vara,

   me consuelan

Tu preparas una mesa delante de mi

   en presencia de mis enemigos;

mi copa se desborda

Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán.

   todos los días de mi vida,

y habitaré en la casa de Jehová.
   Siempre. 

  Pregunta de reflexión:   

Algunos escuchan la voz del Señor claramente en la Santa Biblia. Otros escuchan más claramente la voz del Señor en la Naturaleza. Algunos lo escuchan en las circunstancias de sus vidas. Otros lo escuchan en la música o en el arte. ¿Dónde y cuándo escuchas más claramente la voz del Señor?