November 24, 2019 - Feast of Christ the King

November 24, 2019    The Feast of Christ the King

Reading I:  2 Samuel 5:1-3

Psalm:  122

Reading II:  Colossians 1:12-20

Gospel:  Luke 23:35-43

As we celebrate the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, we focus on Jesus, our King and that of the whole Universe. How blessed are we to have such a loving and compassionate King!  How awesome that this King not only became one of us, but also was willing to die an ignominious death to redeem us sinners!!!

It is noteworthy that the Feast of Christ the King is celebrated close to our Thanksgiving Day each year.  In addition to our usual expressions of gratitude for our many blessings, it is also a reminder to thank our God for the gift of Jesus, our Savior and our heavenly King.

I can recall a time when praying the “Our Father,” I would feel frustrated as I said: “Thy Kingdom come.” While I wanted to help to bring about the Kingdom of the Lord, I was very aware of the enormity of the task and my own limitations.

The Good Shepherd led me by small steps. First, He let me know that I could make him king of my heart.  This simply meant choosing to do His will rather than my own. This was not always easy, but with His help it was possible.

Then, I realized that I could teach others about Jesus in both formal and informal ways. I taught children, teens and adults in religion classes, CCD, theology courses, and campus ministry. Informally, as a teenager in my first job
in a Jordan Marsh Department Store, my participation in the midday Mass at the Franciscan Shrine in Boston, caused a fellow worker to ask to join me and begin her study of the Catholic faith.

As I became more aware of needs outside my familiar world, the Lord led me to share the faith in cities and Indian Reservations. There I also deepened my own understanding of Jesus by being introduced to new cultures and their ways of worship. This greatly enriched my faith also.

Finally, now that I am physically limited there are more ways to share about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Besides praying for the Kingdom of God to come, each time we say the “Our Father,” we have the opportunity to share about Jesus. through the Internet. Today, this blog Companions on a Faith Journey, brings reflections on the Lord and comments by others to people all over the world.  Praise the Lord for giving some people the intelligence to make this a reality for us. What an awesome God we have!!!

As we take the time to thank the Lord for all his gifts, especially our King and Savior, Jesus, let us also be alert to the many opportunities available to us to bring about his Kingdom in our world today.  As we read in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus before he ascends into heaven, says to the disciples:
   
       I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go 
       then to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples:
       baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
       Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded
       you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age. 
                                                                             (Matt. 28:18-20)

 Reflection Question:   How can I make Jesus known formally and/or informally?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Fiesta de Cristo Rey

Mientras celebramos el último domingo del año litúrgico, nos enfocamos en Jesús, nuestro Rey y el de todo el Universo. ¡Cuán bendecidos somos de tener un Rey tan amoroso y compasivo! ¡Qué asombroso que este Rey no solo se convirtiera en uno de nosotros, sino que también estuviera dispuesto a morir una muerte ignominiosa para redimirnos de los pecadores!

Es de destacar que la Fiesta de Cristo Rey se celebra cerca de nuestro Día de Acción de Gracias cada año. Además de nuestras expresiones habituales de gratitud por nuestras muchas bendiciones, también es un recordatorio de agradecer a nuestro Dios por el regalo de Jesús, nuestro Salvador y nuestro Rey celestial.

Puedo recordar un momento cuando rezaba el “Nuestro Padre”, Me sentiría frustrado cuando dije: “Venga tu reino”. Si bien quería ayudar a lograr el Reino del Señor, estaba muy consciente de la magnitud de la tarea y mis propias limitaciones.

El Buen Pastor me guió por pequeños pasos. Primero, me hizo saber que podía hacerlo rey de mi corazón. Esto simplemente significaba elegir hacer su voluntad en lugar de la mía. Esto no siempre fue fácil, pero con su ayuda fue posible.

Entonces, me di cuenta de que podía enseñar a otros acerca de Jesús de manera formal e informal. Enseñé a niños, adolescentes y adultos en clases de religión, CCD, cursos de teología y ministerio universitario. Informalmente, cuando era adolescente en mi primer trabajo en una tienda departamental Jordan Marsh, mi participación en la misa del mediodía en el santuario franciscano de Boston hizo que un compañero de trabajo pidiera unirse a mí y comenzar su estudio de la fe católica.

A medida que fui más consciente de las necesidades fuera de mi mundo familiar, el Señor me llevó a compartir la fe en las ciudades y las reservas indias. Allí también profundicé mi propia comprensión de Jesús al presentarme a nuevas culturas y sus formas de adoración. Esto enriqueció enormemente mi fe también.

Finalmente, ahora que estoy físicamente limitado, hay más formas de compartir sobre Jesús y el Reino de Dios. Además de orar para que venga el Reino de Dios, cada vez que decimos el  “Padre Nuestro”, tenemos la oportunidad de compartir acerca de Jesús. a través de Internet. Hoy, este blog Compañeros en un Viaje de Fe, trae reflexiones sobre el Señor y comentarios de otros a personas de todo el mundo. Alabado sea el Señor
por dar a algunas personas la inteligencia para hacer esto realidad para
nosotros. ¡Qué Dios tan asombroso tenemos!

Mientras nos tomamos el tiempo para agradecerle al Señor por todos sus hijos, especialmente a nuestro Rey y Salvador, Jesús, también estemos atentos a las muchas oportunidades que tenemos disponibles para lograr su Reino en nuestro mundo hoy. Como leemos en el Evangelio de Mateo, Jesús antes de ascender al cielo, les dice a los discípulos:
 
       Se me ha dado toda la autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra. Ir
       entonces a todos los pueblos de todas partes y hazlos mis discípulos:
       bautízalos en el nombre del Padre, el Hijo y el Santo
       Espíritu, y enséñales a obedecer todo lo que he mandado
       tú. Y estaré contigo siempre, hasta el fin de los tiempos.
                                                                             (Mateo 28: 18-20

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:   ¿Cómo puedo hacer que Jesús sea conocido formalmente o informalmente?


Comments:

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

Making Jesus known “formally” might involve actively speaking or writing about Jesus and our Catholic faith. This can be a big challenge to introverts. Making Jesus known “informally” might be as simple as being Christ-like. Would Christ use the same words we do when we are angry or suddenly hurt? How would Christ or the Blessed Mother respond when meeting a friend or acquaintance who was in pain? Jesus is with us always and the Holy Spirit is also present to provide us with the special words that might comfort or support the friend in pain. Mother Katharine said all our good thoughts come from God. So don’t worry about what you might say; let Jesus speak through you with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Regrettably, I am not much of an evangelizer. However, as a result of participating in your weekly Scripture Sharing gathering over the years, I have grown comfortable with witnessing to God’s abundant blessings and Spirit’s undeniable guidance in my life. Bible study has enhanced and expanded my understanding of Jesus’ teachings. It has also lead me to a greater appreciation of God’s word.

Typically, those who take part in these groups are at varied levels of knowledge, experience and lifestyle, providing much to share.

Additionally, for those readers who, like myself, are uncomfortable with actively preaching the Gospel and talking openly about Jesus, I share the quote – attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Most of us have daily contact of some sort with others. Our words, behaviors and actions speak loudly. When we express patience, kindness and caring we share Jesus’ message of God’s love to those we encounter. 

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.

Nov. 10, 2019 God of the Living

November 10, 2019   God of the Living   Year C

Reading I:   2 Maccabees 
7:1-2, 9-14

Psalm: 17

Reading II:  2 Thessalonians
2:16-3:5

Gospel:  Luke 20:27-38

In today’s Gospel, we find the Sadducees challenging Jesus. The Sadducees were Jews who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, in an effort to discredit Jesus’ teachings, they posed a question to Him.

The Sadducees presented a situation about a widow whose husband had died leaving her childless.  They then referred to Moses’ instruction that if a man were left without an heir, one of his brothers was to marry his wife and raise up descendants for his deceased brother.

In the widower’s family there were seven brothers. Each time one of the brothers married this woman they would die leaving the widow childless. The big question that they asked of Jesus was “At the Resurrection, whose wife will that woman be? ...for all seven had been married to her.”

Jesus responded, “The children of this age marry and remarry: but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise, even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and He is  not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” (Luke 20:37-38)

As fall begins, we see the leaves on many trees dying. In fact, the bare trees give the impression of being dead. However, in the spring we see new life as flowers and leaves bud forth. It is during the spring that we celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus and His promise that we too will be raised up to new life.

I recall that when I taught sixth-graders and talked about heaven, some thought heaven would be boring. Perhaps, they thought that they would be singing “Glory to God in the Highest” all the time like the angels at Christmas time.

I did a questioning exercise with them to dispel their assumptions. First, I asked them what would make a baby happy. Some answers were a rattle or playing Peek-a-Boo. Then I asked what would make a five-year-old happy? Some responses were a doll or a truck. Then I moved up to a twelve-year-old. A bicycle and a basketball were mentioned. (When I was a young teacher, video games, etc. had not yet been invented.) The children got the point that at different times in our lives, the things that make us happy change.

Finally, I explained that when we die there will be new things that will make us happy. Scripture says: “What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 9)

Often times, I have noted that some people have very difficult lives here on earth. It gives me consolation to know that they have the afterlife with the Lord to anticipate.

In the first reading, we hear of the seven brothers and their mother who were tortured in order to force them to eat pork, which was against the law of God at that time. At the point of death, one brother said, “You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever.”

 Reflection Question:  Is the belief in an afterlife a consolation to you?  If so, why?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Dios de la vida

En el Evangelio de hoy, encontramos a los saduceos desafiando a Jesús. Los saduceos eran judíos que no creían en la resurrección de los muertos. Por lo tanto, en un esfuerzo por desacreditar las enseñanzas de Jesús, le hicieron una pregunta.

Los saduceos presentaron una situación sobre una viuda cuyo esposo había muerto dejándola sin hijos. Luego se refirieron a las instrucciones de Moisés de que si un hombre se quedaba sin heredero, uno de sus hermanos debía casarse con su esposa y criar descendientes para su hermano fallecido.

En la familia del viudo había siete hermanos. Cada vez que uno de los hermanos se casaba con esta mujer, moría dejando a la viuda sin hijos. La gran pregunta que le hicieron a Jesús fue “En la resurrección, ¿de quién será esa mujer esa esposa? ... porque los siete se habían casado con ella”.

Jesús respondió: Los hijos de esta edad se casan y se vuelven a casar: pero los que se consideran dignos de alcanzar para la edad venidera y para la resurrección de los muertos no se casan ni se dan en matrimonio. Ya no pueden morir, porque son como ángeles; y ellos son los hijos de Dios porque ellos son los que resucitarán. Que los muertos resucitarán, incluso Moisés dio a conocer en el pasaje sobre la zarza, cuando llamó al ‘Señor’, el Dios de Abraham, el Dios de Isaac y el Dios de Jacob; y no es Dios de los muertos, sino de los vivos, porque para él todos están vivos”. (Lucas 20:37-38)

Cuando comienza el otoño, vemos morir las hojas de muchos árboles. De hecho, los árboles desnudos dan la impresión de estar muertos. Sin embargo, en la primavera vemos una nueva vida a medida que brotan las flores y las hojas. Es durante la primavera que celebramos la Pascua, la resurrección de Jesús y su promesa de que nosotros también seremos resucitados a una nueva vida.

Recuerdo que cuando enseñé a alumnos de sexto grado y hablé sobre el cielo, algunos pensaron que el cielo sería aburrido. Tal vez, pensaron que estarían cantando “Gloria a Dios en las alturas” todo el tiempo como los ángeles en Navidad.

Hice un ejercicio de preguntas con ellos para disipar sus suposiciones. Primero, les pregunté qué haría feliz a un bebé. Algunas respuestas fueron un sonajero o jugar Peek-a-Boo. Luego pregunté qué haría feliz a un niño de cinco años. Algunas respuestas fueron una muñeca o un camión. Luego me mudé a un niño de doce años. Se mencionaron una bicicleta y una pelota de baloncesto.  (Cuando era un joven maestro, los videojuegos, etc., aún no se habían inventado). Los niños entendieron que en diferentes momentos de nuestras vidas, las cosas que nos hacen felices cambian.

Finalmente, le expliqué que cuando muramos habrá cosas nuevas que nos harán felices. La escritura dice: “Lo que nadie vio ni escuchó, lo que nadie pensó que podría suceder, es lo que Dios preparó para aquellos que lo aman”. (1 Corintios 9)

Muchas veces, he notado que algunas personas tienen vidas muy difíciles aquí en la tierra. Me consuela saber que tienen una vida futura con el Señor para anticipar.

En la primera lectura, escuchamos de los siete hermanos y su madre que fueron torturados para obligarlos a comer carne de cerdo, lo que estaba en contra de la ley de Dios en ese momento. En el momento de la muerte, un hermano dijo: “Maldito demonio, nos estás privando de esta vida presente, pero el Rey del mundo nos resucitará para vivir de nuevo para siempre”.

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:  ¿Es la creencia en una vida futura un consuelo para ti? Si es así, ¿por qué?

Comments:

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

As a child, did you ever tell your mother: “The teacher wasn’t fair – she punished the entire class for something one kid did”?  And did your mother then say: “The world isn’t fair”? Pilate found Jesus “innocent,” yet Jesus was scourged, crowned with thorns and cruelly crucified. That hardly seemed “fair.” But we, with the eyes of faith, see that Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary open the gates of heaven to all.  Mother Katharine noted that “Heaven is our home, we were made for it.” Whatever happens to us here on earth is insignificant; what matters is how we use every minute of our earthly life to prepare us for our return home, to heaven.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Annually, the season of Autumn invites me to explore the myriad of feelings that stir within me every time I witness the exquisite colors of the leaves, and subsequently watch them fall from their life source to the ground where they dry and wither. I’ve yet to delve deep enough to reflect on the richness of the interior awareness resulting from observing the breathtaking hues of red and orange leaves leading to the barrenness of the tree on which they once thrived. I notice the change in light and the increasing prevalence of darkness, which tends to dull my senses. At one level, these changes address my vulnerability to the forces of nature as I progress from being actively engaged in many areas of life, to slowing down physically, and enter into the autumn years of the life cycle. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul writes, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” There is a grace, a sacredness of sorts, which permeates the crisp autumnal air.

The feasts of All Saints and All Souls remind me that there is more to ponder. What are my thoughts about life after death…am I anticipating eternal life?  What does that mean to me? How should my beliefs influence how I choose to live out my autumn years?

For six decades, I have been affirming a belief in life everlasting with every recitation of the Apostles Creed. The Bible has multiple references to eternal life. My most cherished one is from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  The lives of the Saints all point to a belief in life after death.

One perspective I am very at ease with is that of Father Joseph Boyle who states, “I expect death to be a transition. I think it is a movement into a space that is not limited by our body and our senses that are quite limited now. I like the phrase in St. Paul, that we will ‘see God face to face’ [1 Corinthians 13:12] and we’ll relate to people and the beauty of who they are without the ego-agendas we have right now.

I see [life after death] as infinite love, as if the whole atmosphere of heaven is filled with God…I think that we are going to see and know each other in God…It strikes me as a homecoming, us returning home to where we come from…and all of our brothers and sisters are coming home as well…I certainly have a very deep hope that it is a transition into an incredible related life.”

People who have had near death experiences report being in the presence of a brilliant light, from which they felt tremendous warmth, peace and love surrounding them. Many report seeing loved ones. 

My faith, prayers, Scripture studies, and the lives of the saints, provide enough support for me to believe that God will deliver on his promise of eternal life. Therefore, I live each day in anticipation of eternity.  I once heard the suggestion that we should live each day as if it were our last day of life. I think that’s good advice for those of us with the goal of living in eternity.

November 3, 2019 Jesus Calls Sinners

November 3, 2019    Jesus Calls Sinners  - Year C

Image © LUMO Project

Reading I: 
Wisdom 11:
22-12:2

Psalm:  145

Reading II:  2 Thessalonians 1:
11-2:2

Gospel: 
Luke 19: 1-10

In Luke’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ befriending a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus. The people in the area considered such tax collectors to be serious sinners since they became wealthy because of the portion they took out of the duties charged on exports and imports. They were deeply resented by their neighbors.

Zacchaeus heard that Jesus would be passing by and wanted to see Him. Being short of stature, he knew he would not be able to see Jesus above the crowd. However, he was determined to view this preacher and miracle worker. Therefore, he chose to climb a Sycamore tree to see Jesus, even though he would be disdained and possibly ridiculed by the crowd.

Knowing the attitude of the people, why did Jesus choose to request to dine with Zacchaeus in the sinner’s own home? Jesus came to save sinners so He accepted him as he was. Also, Jesus saw the potential in him to change. He knew that Zacchaeus had a basically good heart. Jesus was going to touch that heart in a special way.

How shocked many in the crowd must have been when they heard Jesus ask to dine in Zacchaeus’ house! How honored Zacchaeus must have felt to have this holy man visit in his home!

Jesus’ visit was about to bring a drastic change in the life of Zacchaeus. This tax collector exclaimed: “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over.” Jesus warmly responds: “Today salvation has come to this house because this man, too, is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

God calls some of us to make serious changes in our lives through special life events. We are all familiar with Saints like St. Francis and St. Theresa of Calcutta. However, on a smaller scale this happens to ordinary people, too.

As a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston, I had enjoyed my Community living and serving as an instructor and campus minister at Aquinas Junior College (later Aquinas College), in Newton, Massachusetts. I had been there for about 10 years when an experience at an English Teacher’s Convention began a change in
my life.

The guest speaker recited speeches of some prominent Native American orators. The speech by Chief Joseph in which he laments the fact that he had not been able to fulfill a promise to his father when he was dying pierced my heart. He had assured his father that he would never sell the land in which his bones were buried. Nevertheless, the Government had taken over the land, and Chief Joseph had not been able to prevent it. I was convinced that more educated Native lawyers might be able to prevent such actions in the future.

Being an only child, caring for my father at the time, I did what I could and began incorporating Native American Literature into my English Classes in order to raise their awareness of injustices.  I also subscribed to some Native newspapers.

On the front page of one newspaper, was an article about an educated Native woman who went to a clinic for a health issue and was told that she needed a hysterectomy.  She knew that was not correct, so she called for an investigation which revealed that any woman of child-bearing age who went to that clinic was told that she needed a hysterectomy. In other words, the clinic was involved in genocide. That made me very angry and convinced me that quality education for Native people could be a solution.

When my father went home to God, I asked to go West, first to the Cheyenne Reservation in South Dakota, where I had a serious injury to my leg and foot. I was recalled to Boston
because of concern that I would not receive good medical care on the Reservation.

After receiving excellent care at Bethany Healthcare Center, I returned West, this time to St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe New Mexico. Living with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and impressed by their spirituality and ministries, I felt the call to transfer to the SBS Community.  During the transition period, I gained experience in both the African American and Native American ministries. With the approval of both Communities, I was able to make the transfer of vows.

Looking back over the experiences which led me to make a change that I never even would have imagined, I recognize that the Lord was leading me on a journey that he had in his plan for me.

 Reflection Question:   When you look back on your life, what experience(s) do you recognize as part of God’s plan in your life journey?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Jesús Llama Pescadores

En el Evangelio de Lucas, somos testigos de la amistad de Jesús con un recaudador de impuestos, Zaqueo. Las personas en el área consideraban que tales recaudadores de impuestos eran pecadores serios desde que se hicieron ricos debido a la porción que sacaron de los aranceles cobrados a las exportaciones e importaciones. Estaban profundamente resentidos por sus vecinos.

Zaqueo escuchó que Jesús pasaría y quiso verlo. Al ser de baja estatura, sabía que no sería capaz de ver a Jesús por encima de la multitud. Sin embargo, estaba decidido a ver a este predicador y hacedor de milagros. Por lo tanto, decidió escalar un árbol de sicómoro para ver a Jesús, a pesar de que la multitud lo despreciaría y posiblemente lo ridiculizaría.

Conociendo la actitud de la gente, ¿por qué Jesús eligió pedir cenar con Zaqueo en la propia casa del pecador? Jesús vino a salvar a los pecadores, así que lo aceptó tal como era. Además, Jesús vio el potencial en él para cambiar. Sabía que Zaqueo tenía un corazón básicamente bueno. Jesús iba a tocar ese corazón de una manera especial.

¡Qué conmocionados debieron haber estado muchos en la multitud cuando escucharon a Jesús pedir cenar en la casa de Zaqueo! ¡Cuán honrado debe haberse sentido Zaqueo al recibir a este hombre santo en su hogar!

La visita de Jesús estaba a punto de traer un cambio drástico en la vida de Zaqueo. Este recaudador de impuestos exclamó: “He aquí, la mitad de mis posesiones, Señor, se las daré a los pobres, y si le he extorsionado a alguien, se lo devolveré cuatro veces”.  Jesús responde calurosamente: “Hoy ha llegado la salvación a esta casa porque este hombre También es descendiente de Abraham. Porque el Hijo del Hombre ha venido a buscar y salvar lo que se perdió”.

Dios nos llama a algunos de nosotros a hacer cambios serios en nuestras vidas a través de eventos especiales de la vida. Todos estamos familiarizados con santos como San Francisco y Santa Teresa de Calcuta. Sin embargo, a menor escala esto también le sucede a la gente común.

Como Hermana de San José de Boston, disfruté de mi comunidad viviendo y sirviendo como instructora y ministra del campus en Aquinas Junior College (luego Aquinas College), en Newton, Massachusetts. Había estado allí durante unos 10 años cuando una experiencia en una Convención de profesores de inglés comenzó un cambio en mi vida.

El orador invitado recitó discursos de algunos prominentes oradores nativos americanos. El discurso del jefe Joseph en el que lamenta el hecho de que no había podido cumplir una promesa a su padre cuando se estaba muriendo me atravesó el corazón. Le había asegurado a su padre que nunca vendería la tierra en la que estaban enterrados sus huesos. Sin embargo, el gobierno se había apoderado de la tierra y el jefe Joseph no había podido evitarlo. Estaba convencido de que los abogados nativos más educados podrían prevenir tales acciones en el futuro.

Siendo hijo único, cuidando a mi padre en ese momento, hice lo que pude y comencé a incorporar literatura nativa americana en mis clases de inglés para aumentar su conciencia de las injusticias. También me suscribí a algunos periódicos nativos.

En la primera plana de un periódico, había un artículo sobre una mujer nativa educada que fue a una clínica por un problema de salud y le dijeron que necesitaba una histerectomía. Sabía que eso no era correcto, por lo que solicitó una investigación que revelara que a cualquier mujer en edad fértil que fuera a esa clínica le dijeron que necesitaba una histerectomía. En otras palabras, la clínica estuvo involucrada en genocidio. Eso me enojó mucho y me convenció de que una educación de calidad para los nativos podría ser una solución.

Cuando mi padre se fue a casa con Dios, pedí ir al oeste, primero a la Reserva Cheyenne en Dakota del Sur, donde tuve una lesión grave en la pierna y el pie. Fui llamado a Boston por preocupación de que no recibiría buena atención médica en la Reserva.

Después de recibir una atención excelente en Bethany Healthcare Center, regresé al oeste, esta vez a la escuela de indios St. Catherine en Santa Fe, Nuevo México. Viviendo con las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento e impresionado por su espiritualidad y ministerios, sentí el llamado a transferirme a la Comunidad SBS. Durante el período de transición, gané experiencia en los ministerios afroamericanos y nativos americanos. Con la aprobación de ambas Comunidades, pude hacer la transferencia de votos.

Mirando hacia atrás a las experiencias que me llevaron a hacer un cambio que nunca hubiera imaginado, reconozco que el Señor me estaba guiando en un viaje que tenía en su plan para mí.

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:   Cuando miras hacia atrás en tu vida, ¿qué experiencia(s) reconoces como parte del plan de Dios en el viaje de tu vida?

Comments:

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

Several times God changed the direction of my life.  One job seemed the “ideal” job but ended within a year. While working at that full-time job, I had heard about a part-time job. I dismissed it because I had the job I thought I wanted. The part-time job was still open so I applied and was hired. That position became special to me. I met the archivist of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament during professional meetings. Six years later the job ended. I looked into the SBS and was hired, at first part-time and later full-time. Working during the Canonization of St. Katharine Drexel in 2000 was a remarkable experience. Like Zacchaeus, I have learned to be open to the plan of God in unexpected events that enter my life.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Your statement, “God calls some of us (ordinary folks) to make serious changes in our lives through special events,” resonates with me strongly. Increasing demands of caretaking developed quickly and I found myself emerged into caring and making decisions for my mother – simultaneously working full-time and running my own household. It wasn’t until I read an essay in a Guidepost booklet for caregivers that I understood that Jesus was calling me to a new lifestyle, much like he did with Zacchaeus. The insight from that article changed my perspective and opened me to receive the accompanying love of the Lord that has come to be my lifeline to accepting and managing my new routines. 

I treasured time as deeply as Zacchaeus cherished wealth. The changes Jesus asks of us often require us to sacrifice our valued “possessions.” However, the amazing thing is that the “cost of the loss” lessens the closer we step toward the Lord. I often reflect on the seasons of life that Ecclesiastes 3:11 speaks of: ”…A time to turn away, a time to embrace; A time to tear and a time to mend.” Sometimes, the life changes we are drawn to, or thrust into, offer opportunities for growth that we never envisioned. I am the one in need of healing. My wholeness and holiness will be brought forth through the daily ministering to my mother’s needs. 

Rick Warren states that “Every time you’re generous, a change takes place in you. Every time you give, your heart moves another tweak up the dial toward God. You become more loving every time you give. You become more like Jesus.” The path to my salvation is being custom-designed by the Master. I just need to take baby steps every day to get a little further along the path. 

Sometimes the Lord sends us down a path consisting of a life-changing diagnosis, heart-wrenching parenting challenges, or of unimagined traumas. These situations lead us directly into His arms and into the awareness of our total dependence on Him. While not a journey we would volunteer to take, we evolve into a stronger, more compassionate version of ourselves seeking to support others being called down a similar route.

Sometimes the Lord’s challenge is nothing short of miraculous. I recently read a synopsis of the story of Mitch Albom, author, journalist and radio and television broadcaster. He headed the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage/Mission in Port-au-Prince and his life was forever changed with one phone call informing him of a very sick child who needed care beyond what was available in Haiti. He and his wife were a childless couple in their 50’s at the time. They quickly became “parents” to little Chika who they bought to the United States to live with them while she received the best medical care available.  Chika, endeared as their “little angel” had a rare aggressive brain tumor. They fell in love with this child and dedicated their time and resources to her survival. Unfortunately, a cure was not to be had. Their hearts and souls were enlivened by this precious sick little girl. Mitch writes, “the parenting process never felt like a burden. It was more like a new purpose we had suddenly tumbled into…Incomparable journey…Endless memories…Limitless Love. 

The Father wants nothing less for us. If we trust His ways and open to the possibilities, we will indeed look back on our lives and see the hand of God leading us on an incredible journey.