tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22983134491464793962024-03-05T19:54:50.457-08:00Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-41835403371366697802022-02-04T11:57:00.001-08:002022-02-04T11:57:20.062-08:00LIFE IN CHRIST<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaerT61AWto8So-eJUtPQnj5RHReuweJ49Tu9Ol_W-wilNQHJ3JFqByQMKARBMEpgobJIcjHzCt7I6p0zKYHWN3rjnmPAqdMb3qwQ3ULbYip7_DIsPA7J2fs4L5UCqhVSgHKC7Fbe6W46-qpKIptVZZtDomMpoTWYVCEuyx-ZcURS0xiEiJpt8odwU=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaerT61AWto8So-eJUtPQnj5RHReuweJ49Tu9Ol_W-wilNQHJ3JFqByQMKARBMEpgobJIcjHzCt7I6p0zKYHWN3rjnmPAqdMb3qwQ3ULbYip7_DIsPA7J2fs4L5UCqhVSgHKC7Fbe6W46-qpKIptVZZtDomMpoTWYVCEuyx-ZcURS0xiEiJpt8odwU=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Galatians 2:19b-20</span><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: #46210e; color: #333333; font-size: 1.5em;"><br /></span></span></b></div></div>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-43519571174238272262019-03-05T20:37:00.002-08:002019-03-05T20:37:23.209-08:00Private Loins: an Ash Wednesday Tale<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Black",sans-serif; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-family: "Segoe UI Black",sans-serif; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-family: "Segoe UI Black",sans-serif; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Private Loins</span></i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: magenta; color: black; font-size: large;">Not just another dating service, but much,
much more.</span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">The bright pink
billboard glared at Agnes through the windshield as she waited at the
stoplight:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<div align="center" style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px 60px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px;">“Spouse giving you the cold shoulder? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px 60px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px;">Call P-R-V-A-T-L-O-I-N-S. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px 60px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px;"><i>Not just another dating service, but much, much more!</i>”</span></b></div>
<br />
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<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Yeah, sure it is.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">The light turned green.
Agnes squeezed the steering wheel and accelerated. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">What the hell do marketing agents know about love? </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Less than an hour
earlier, Agnes had winced at the face in the mirror as she made herself ready
for work. Despite expensive creams, facials, and nutrition supplements, aging
was inevitable. Perimenopause was just the first faltering step down a dismal
road. She felt unattractive. Anxious. Uncertain. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Her husband, Tom, had
certainly noticed. No, he hadn’t said anything. But she could tell he had grown
tired of her. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She</i> was tired of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">herself. </i>She was<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>tired of what she had become in the years since high school and
those days when she made Tom’s heart throb mercilessly. Now, that throb wasn’t
even a faint pulse. Agnes clung desperately to memories of youth and romance,
and Tom was unsympathetic. Maybe that ridiculous advertisement was his idea.
Wouldn’t that just take the cake? </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes flipped on the
radio hoping to catch a traffic update. Instead, she heard a slick jingle and
giddy adult banter: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px 72px 13.33px 48px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px;">Make no mistake—love is for lovers. Let love and happiness happen
for you with Private Loins. Don’t live with regret. Put the bang back in your
love life! Call Private Loins today!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 9.33px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes arrived at the
bank and pulled into the employee lot. She took her cell phone from her purse
and punched the buttons impulsively.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Then, just as suddenly, she hit “cancel” and put the phone back in her
purse.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Not today. Ash Wednesday. Not exactly the way to begin the Lenten
Season. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">She
got out of her car and went inside. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes took an early
lunch break and drove to her parish church for Mass. The priest, an old,
cantankerous sort, preached on death and Hell. Exactly what Agnes didn’t want
to hear. She reached in her purse to make sure her phone was in silent mode.
Private Loins<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>came to mind. The
priest ranted on. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">After sucking the good
news out of the Gospel, the good Father descended the steps of the sanctuary to
distribute the ashes. Pale and unevenly shaven, he seemed in a hurry to get
through the ritual. When Agnes reached the front of the line and stepped
forward to receive the ashes, he made no eye contact. Instead, he stared into
the small brass bowl of soot, pressed his thumb firmly into the grit and lifted
it to her forehead. Agnes started to back up, but too late. She felt ashes
falling on her face and nose as the priest etched a cross on her forehead. His
breath reeked of garlic.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Remember, thou are
dust, and to dust thou shall return.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes hesitated. The
priest raised his eyes only to glance behind her as he motioned with a
blackened thumb for her to move on. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“That’s all there is,”
he said, not looking at her. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">She returned to her pew
feeling empty. The priest’s words stung: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s
all there is. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZTkXp03RxsBoVbplWJWTOB4at0zC_llvdByEATTX2B9jbTAjKL9yxQmMtGwenSxkHwxOgR8adHE9iFbrQN65xj-FjDRlKzla9djWxeKJ2fXTsemRonQ52Tggq0_1g53wr1hCOS1fPkw/s1600/ash_wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZTkXp03RxsBoVbplWJWTOB4at0zC_llvdByEATTX2B9jbTAjKL9yxQmMtGwenSxkHwxOgR8adHE9iFbrQN65xj-FjDRlKzla9djWxeKJ2fXTsemRonQ52Tggq0_1g53wr1hCOS1fPkw/s400/ash_wednesday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"> After the recitation of
the Our Father, Agnes checked her watch. She had enough time to grab a bite.
She knew she should stay for Communion. But today was different. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thou art dust and to dust thou shall
return . . .</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s
all there is</i>. The priest’s words confirmed her fears. Perhaps he was right.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if this is all there is? </i>She
picked up her purse and left the church.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes stopped at a
fast-food place a few blocks from the bank. As she got out of her car, she saw
another billboard for Private Loins. When she stepped inside the restaurant,
the familiar Private Loins radio ad was playing over the PA.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Agnes wasn’t superstitious, but this seemed
more than coincidental.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She scarfed down
a fried fish sandwich with slaw and sucked a diet cola dry. Then she hurried
back to her car.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She put the key in the
ignition and fastened her seatbelt. She reached for the shift but changed her
mind. She took her phone from her purse and dialed. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes knew this was
wrong. But she was thirsty for love. Her cycles of ovulation had become
irregular. Hormones were ruling her life.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Her gynecologist had warned her that surges of testosterone could cause
her libido to spike.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It even makes some
women in their forties want younger men—the cougar syndrome. Hell, it had
happened to her best friend. After getting a divorce, the woman installed an
exercise pole in her house. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exercise for
what?</i> It was the kind of thing one would expect to see in one of the local
strip clubs such as the Exotic Erotica—not in the living room of a brick
bi-level on a cul-de-sac. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Now
here was Agnes, the good Catholic girl from St. Dymphna's Parish, calling
Private Loins. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Thank you for calling Private Loins. Your call is very important.
Please stay on the line. An operator will be with you soon to make love happen
for you.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">”
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">A familiar Private Loins
radio ad played, with a man and woman finishing each other’s sentences. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes touched up her
lipstick and eyeliner in the rearview mirror. Damned crow’s feet. What else did
her future hold?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Tufts of facial hair?
Psoriasis? Osteoporosis, arthritis, incontinence? Adult diapers? Male pattern
baldness?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">The recording droned on,
and Agnes tuned it out. She heard another voice, a taunting voice from inside
herself. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Your husband doesn’t love you. You’re unattractive. No one hits on
you any more. No one even looks twice at you. Why should they? </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">All the feelings of
rejection that had pushed her to this point piled on. What was her purpose in
life?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Twenty-five years of career
dedication took her from the steno pool to the executive suite. But the corner
office meant nothing to her now. She was a failure. A jumbled mess of panic
attacks, hot flashes, and self-doubt. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">My eggs are dying! No wonder you sleep with a stuffed bear. A
stuffed bear! You get more comfort from a damned stuffed bear than you do from
your husband.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">She recalled the night
before, when she had gone to bed weeping.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What the hell’s wrong
with you?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Nothing, Tom. I just
need you to be more . . . more understanding.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Of what?” Tom mumbled
into his pillow. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You don’t get it, do
you?” Agnes whimpered. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“No, I guess I don’t,”
Tom sighed, fluffing his pillow. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes turned toward him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Won’t you just hold
me?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">He sighed again. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Tom, you only hold me
when you want to have sex.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I suppose so,” he said,
with a slight snicker.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You men are all the
same.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Do you want
to . . . ?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“No! Are you stupid?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I’m male, so I guess
the answer is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yes.</i>”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Can’t you see what’s
happening to me? I have no libido. And you only want me when I am ovulating.
You men must smell pheromones.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Yeah, maybe you’re
right. I saw something about that on TV.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Never mind my migraine
headaches, bloating, swollen breasts, food cravings, fatigue, and aching
joints.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I like your breasts.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“That does it.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">She turned and scooted
to the edge of the mattress. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Just leave me alone.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Did she really need to
tell him that? He hadn’t made love to her in so long . . . </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Thank you for waiting. A Private Loins operator will be with you
soon. Love will happen for you. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes wondered how much
longer she would have to wait.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No
matter. She was in this for good.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She
wouldn’t have to do this if Tom would only pay some attention to her. Why
doesn’t he? Maybe he has something going with someone else. That would explain
things. He’s probably getting his needs met elsewhere. Maybe from the women he
works with. Maybe that young one, Maria. Or maybe his sister-in-law’s cousins.
Twenty-something hotties. Yes. No wonder he’s been working late and having to
go out of town on business. It’s hanky-panky. Well, time for Tom to see who the
real hottie is. Time for him to get a taste of . . .</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Private Loins. Love is
on your way. This is Heather. Thank you for holding.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">The voice was young,
sweet, sexy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes tried to speak,
but she felt as if her mouth were frozen. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Hello, this is Private
Loins. May I help you?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Do you think I’m making
the right decision?” Agnes whispered. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Heather waited a moment
before answering. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You tell me.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“My husband isn’t—he
doesn’t seem interested in me anymore.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“When’s the last time
the two of you made love?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I really don’t
remember.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes was thinking about
an article she had read about the physical changes men and women go through and
how it can affect a relationship. For men, a drop in testosterone level can
lead to a crisis of identity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A guy may
go out and buy a sports car, quit his job, even leave his
family . . . all in an attempt to regain his manhood.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Ma’am, are you there?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Then it dawned on Agnes.
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">My God, Tom’s been at the advertising agency 20 years with no
promotion. He’s lost his creativity, he’s been denied recognition, and he’s
continually seeking his father’s approval.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Oh, it's him, not me,”
Agnes said as she took the phone away from her ear and ended the call. She felt
a sudden urge to talk to Tom and dialed his mobile number. It rang a dozen
times. No answer. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">It figures. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">When Agnes arrived at
home that evening, Tom was sitting in the family room, watching
television.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“I called your cell phone three times today,
but you didn’t answer. What’s up with that?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I lost my phone. I
think it might be at the office.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Uh huh. Did you go to
Mass?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes approached Tom’s
chair, but he had yet to look at her. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“No, I didn’t have
time,” he answered, focused on the TV. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I didn’t think so. I
don’t see any ashes on your forehead.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Oh, yeah, guess so.” He
looked at Agnes. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You have enough for the
both of us. Did he dump the bowl on your head?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“No, but for all I care,
he could have.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You okay?” Tom turned
his gaze back to the TV. “You look tired.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What do you care?”
Agnes raised her voice.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I’m watching the news
here. That damned war in Iraq was one big mistake.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Yeah, well, so was
marrying you,” Agnes snapped. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What in the hell does <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>mean?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Tom squeezed the TV
remote to mute the volume. He glared at Agnes. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You were working late
with that Maria chick,” Agnes said, with a lump in her throat.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What?” Tom laughed. He
turned his eyes back to the television. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You heard me. I’ve seen
how you ogle her sickly figure and I've heard that ridiculous little giggle of
hers. She laughs at all your jokes.” Agnes exhaled loudly through her nostrils.
“She’s infatuated with you, you know.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“That’s not true,” Tom
laughed.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Well, then, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re</i> infatuated with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“She’s twenty years
old!” Tom turned toward Agnes again. “And she’s engaged.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“So? She’s young and
sweet. It wouldn’t be the first time an engagement was broken.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What’s that supposed to
mean?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Tom pointed the remote
at the television and clicked it off. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You’re not implying—” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so </i>good.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What? </i>What are you saying?” Tom sat up straight in the recliner. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You tell me.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes’ hands were on her
hips at this point.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“What’d I do?” Tom
shrugged and raised his hands.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“You didn’t answer your
phone.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I told you, I’ve
misplaced it or lost it.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Then I guess you and
your mistress, Maria, were carrying on.” Agnes turned and walked to the
kitchen. She shuffled some mail on the kitchen counter.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Mistress?” Tom stood.
“One woman is enough!” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Well, I suppose it’s
Maria, isn’t it?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I remember those three
days she picked you up for work and brought you home. You were giddy as a
school boy.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Tom rolled his eyes. “My
car was in the shop and you needed the van to drive the kids. Remember?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Oh, that was all too
convenient, wasn’t it?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes leaned against the
counter and Tom shook his head.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Agnes, I have no idea
what the hell you are getting at.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Your car was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></i>in
the shop for three days. Just tell me the truth and get it over with.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Tell you what?” Tom
stepped towards her.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Why didn’t you answer
your cell phone?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“I told you. I misplaced
it. I had it this morning, but I couldn’t find it after lunch.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Well, just maybe, if I
call it, Maria will answer.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Very funny.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Just watch your TV,”
Agnes carped. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Tom turned the
television on again and sat. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes snatched the home
phone from its cradle on the kitchen counter and dialed Tom’s mobile number. It
rang three times. A woman answered. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Hello?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Hello,” Agnes replied,
narrowing her eyes as she glared at her husband. “Is this Tom?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“No, this is Tom’s
phone. Who is this?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“This is Agnes.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Tom’s wife.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Oh, hi, Agnes. I should
have recognized the number. This is Maria at the agency. Believe it or not, I
was about to call Tom to tell him I found his cell phone.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Well, how’s that for a
coincidence?” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Maria laughed.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Who is it?” Tom asked
from his easy chair. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“It’s Maria,” Agnes
sang, pulling the phone away from her face. “She has your phone.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Oh, good. See, I told
you I left it at work. Just ask Maria to leave it on my desk and I’ll get it in
the morning.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">“Here,” Agnes
harrumphed, handing the phone to him like it was a dead mouse. “You tell her
yourself. I have things to do.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: medium; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Tom took the phone.
“Maria, I'm sorry. My wife’s going through the change or something.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Agnes
climbed the stairs and walked to the bathroom at the end of the hall. She
wetted a washcloth and wiped the ashes from her face. The she went into the
bedroom, locked the door behind her, and took out her cell phone. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">P-R-V-A-T-L.
. . .</span></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-35717504175147320682018-07-04T12:33:00.003-07:002018-07-04T12:39:21.788-07:00<b><span style="font-size: large;">Independence Day! </span></b><br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Yet are we not, as believers, totally dependent upon God for our very existence? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When Christ called us to follow Him we agreed to a radical dependence! </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">A total reliance on God and one another, for he sends His disciples out two by two.</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />But I ask: Do we truly recognize our dependence upon God? Are we Americans first, then followers of the Gospel? Which messengers are we following? FOX, MSNBC, the National Enquirer, Cosmopolitan – or Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John?<br /><br />The world says that the more we have, then the better off we are! The world says to consume and use whatever we can to make a name for ourselves. If I can just get that new car or a bigger house or whatever it is, then I’ll be somebody! </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Advertisers spend billions of dollars every year telling us that we need their products to make us acceptable and help us achieve more! Right? Isn’t that right? <br /><br />But Jesus tells us today to live simply and not be weighed down with all that extra stuff and not allow our possessions to possess us! So maybe that’s the whole point of the gospel message – that we have become so independent-minded, that we are actually too dependent upon the wrong things and not dependent enough on God. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Christ commands us to live radically simple lives, relying less on things, and relying more on Him and one another; not asserting so much our independence as our interdependence upon one another. <br /><br />This means that we cannot live simply or only as Americans or citizens of the U.S., though that we are, but our worldview must be focused on the Cross of Christ! Christ’s worldview turns the world’s view upside down. <br /><br />So I ask are we Catholics first, then Americans, or have we allowed American values to dictate what parts of the gospel we like and discard what doesn’t seem to fit our political agenda?<br /><br />Christ calls all people to himself. And so has the United States in her history. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPYilxR8lyMF9DaDPDt9RbVxyHKhvxiLj8qkyOj9ixVRDg2p8hRkFC8iG_0OiGy0SlgmqxgbkfnHF046IRxU5Xa9w2u5MxYsob6hNmVnrlBHsVeTZgNAcYd5T2y9r4d2I1bVX-EPMHB0/s1600/statue-of-liberty-1f50bd7802cfdaef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPYilxR8lyMF9DaDPDt9RbVxyHKhvxiLj8qkyOj9ixVRDg2p8hRkFC8iG_0OiGy0SlgmqxgbkfnHF046IRxU5Xa9w2u5MxYsob6hNmVnrlBHsVeTZgNAcYd5T2y9r4d2I1bVX-EPMHB0/s320/statue-of-liberty-1f50bd7802cfdaef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Can we imagine what it would be to leave everything we know, leaving our native land and immigrating here with a different language? The people that made the journey to the United States often had little more than a dream in their heart and a hole in their pocket. Many were literally penniless, having sold all they had to simply purchase the ticket to sail on the boat, and with no real guarantee they would be granted entry or survive in the New World. And these exiles, arriving here tattered and torn, with a few words of English, set out to begin a new life. Many of these exiles had nothing to speak of, no money bag, no extra pair of shoes, but only the clothes on their backs. And for many the first sight they beheld upon arriving here was the Statue of liberty.<br /><br />The image that comes to mind for many of us on this Independence Day weekend is the Statue of Liberty, a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The bronze plaque on the Statue of Liberty’s giant pedestal calls her the Mother of Exiles. <br /><br />How many souls long to belong, long for welcome in this world of ours, and imagine all those who journeyed here to the U.S., whose first sight was the Mother of Exiles, Lady Liberty.<br /><br />The plaque reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free!<br /><br />Interestingly, the name "Mother of Exiles" was never taken up as the Statue of Liberty’s name, even though it is engraved in bronze. Yet as Catholics our Blessed Mother and Mother Church herself have both been called “Mother of Exiles”. And isn’t this the hope of all exiles, that they will find welcome and rest and a home? <br /><br />Yet in a way, as Catholics, we are exiles in this world. If we live by gospel values, we may well be exiled by our neighbors or even our friends. Some may say of us that we’ve gone too far with our faith in Jesus business, that we are unpatriotic to the point where we place gospel values above American values. It is certainly an interesting thought to imagine that the Statue of Liberty is calling us to be better Americans and in the process better Christian, better Catholics.<br /><br />So if we are marked by the sign of the cross, then we can expect suffering, rejections, and crucifixion. Not everyone can or will accept the gospel cross. We will be judged as fools for Christ. We will be going against the popular opinion. Yet we recognize that Only in God is our soul at rest; our true fulfillment will not be in any political party, except the party of Christ. Our independence day is celebrated on Good Friday. St. Paul encourages us to find our freedom in the cross of Christ.<br /><br />Finding rest in Christ, recognizing His Mother as our Mother, and knowing that the Church herself is the Mother of Exiles, is truly liberating! The irony of today is that our true independence is found in our dependence upon God, Christ, Mary, the Church, indeed our dependence upon one another.<br /><br />There is no such thing as a lone Christian. We are in this together. And just as Jesus instructed his disciples, he continues to instruct us that we must trust in God for our defense and depend upon the hospitality of others for our well being. And this is what we celebrate today: our Dependence upon God and dependence upon one another. God alone is enough. <br /><br />But if God alone is too much for our neighbors or family to handle, if believing in Christ and following the gospel somehow makes us less patriotic than other Americans, then let us repeat the words of Patrick Henry: “If this be treason, let us make the most of it!”</span></b></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-75840712694830642202017-08-21T20:06:00.002-07:002017-08-21T20:28:53.229-07:00A loved one of so many tears will not be forgotten-as long as we are at the feet of Jesus.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>20<sup>th</sup> Sunday Ordinary Time Year A <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>20 August 2017</b></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: small; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: small; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b>Deacon John William McMullen</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lord, help me. </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Gospel: Matthew 15.21-28</span></b><br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Jesus
continues to go head to head with the religious authorities, t</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">he scribes and Pharisees, who are insistent upon telling Jesus how
he has got to focus on who’s in and who’s out, who’s clean and who’s unclean in
God’s eyes. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So many voices shouting him
down when He calls for mercy and love.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So </span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Jesus took his disciples on a retreat of sorts, a pilgrimage to a
location where he could get away from all the arguing. (No Twitter or Facebook
and no 24 hour news cycle).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">He
leaves Jerusalem and goes north, through Samaria and Galilee and continues
north. </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">He leaves the comfort of his home in Galilee, and crosses
over the border into the territory of Tyre and Sidon! Greek Syro-Phoenicia. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus is not safe. He’s on the move.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The disciples did not want Jesus going
into the wrong neighborhoods or, God forbid, crossing any borders.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And that’s
when she showed up - A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a
demon."</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">A Canaanite woman? The Canaanites were the bane of Israel’s
existence! </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">But, wait. In Matthew’s gospel, J</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">esus’ own genealogy mentions several
Canaanite women. One was </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Ruth</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. She married the Hebrew man Boaz. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">She then became the mother of Jesse, and
Jesse was the father of King David. So king David’s grandmother was a Canaanite
woman! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ah ha. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The woman says, “Have mercy on ME, but the concern is for
her daughter who is tormented by a demon.” How many mothers have children who
are tormented by various demons?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Where is Jesus in her desperation? He is silent. This does
not mean he doesn’t hear her. He just doesn’t speak. He doesn’t act. Not yet at
least.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">* The disciples are annoyed by this woman’s prayer. “She’s
bothering us! Send her away! Dismiss her! She’s too loud! Just give her what
she wants to shut her up, then send her away! Was it because she was a
Canaanite woman? Racism? Sexism?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus knew what his disciples were saying and what they
were thinking.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
“She’s too much for us. She’s a mess. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Why can’t she be respectable and be a good woman and just be
quiet and keep in her place. “Know your place, woman.” We can hear it.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She is disturbing their peace. </span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But she is calling on Jesus, not them.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Why is it so difficult for some people to allow women or
minorities to say what they feel and think and be heard in their own their
voice, without their words being distorted or ignored, and their personhood dismissed
altogether? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Think of this woman’s courage. I wonder how many other people
wanted to call out to Jesus, but didn’t have the courage. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We can hear the voices shouting her down. She’s from a different
religious tradition. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Send her away! </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pretty soon all the gentiles will
want to follow you and have a share in the kingdom of God.”</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She’s a woman of color. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Where’s her husband anyway? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She’s got a demon possessed daughter.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Get her out of here! </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Throw her out!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She didn’t send her daughter to Catholic school. She’s not
in our women’s bible study. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Why, she isn’t in our parish directory, and she certainly doesn’t
have collection envelopes.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Don’t let her kind in here, or else there will be others
who will want to come in.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Imagine this woman’s desperation.
She will do anything for her daughter.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She casts herself upon the mercy
of the Lord only to hear nothing. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But Jesus’ silence and his
disciples’ efforts to silence her did not deter her from calling upon the Lord.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Send her away. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Dismiss her.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But Jesus answers: “I was
only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The woman then </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">throws
herself down at Jesus’ feet: “Lord, Help Me!”</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus answers: “It is not right to
throw the food (bread) of the children to the dogs.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The woman boldly replies: “Please, Lord, even the dogs eat
the scraps, the crumbs, that fall from the children’s table.”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">And Jesus proclaims, “Woman,
great is your faith!”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She is humble and admits,
“Yes, I am a dog. I confess my guilt. I come from nothing. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But a crumb of your goodness can change my
daughter’s life!</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">* I wonder if Jesus said, "It is not right to take
the food of the children and give it to the dogs" because that's what the
disciples were saying, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so Jesus allows
his disciples to hear what prejudice sounds like.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The woman uses the dog metaphor to her
advantage. "...being so bold as to become Jesus' teacher, or at
least the disciple’s teacher.” </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Did Jesus humble himself and allow her to
teach the disciples the nature of mercy?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Did Jesus think, “Well, I‘ve tried to
teach them. I’ll allow her to teach the boys a thing or two”? </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;">Regardless,
the apostles received a lesson that they would remember for they take the
gospel message to the ends of the earth.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;">“Woman,
great is your faith!”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;">Jesus is
challenging all of us who are tempted to cling to a fearful, stingy faith.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Meanwhile the Woman is at the feet
of Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She has cast all of her cares upon
the Lord.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“Woman, great is your
faith!”</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She reminds us of the Roman
soldier who came to Jesus and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should
enter under my roof, but only say the word and my son shall be healed” (Matthew
8.5-13; John 4.46-54). </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When Jesus heard this, he
was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in
Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and
the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the
kingdom of heaven…” And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have
believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was
healed (Matt. 8.10-11, 13).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So Matthew’s gospel is
showing us that Gentile dogs are invited into the kingdom.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Were all like dogs. Aren’t
we. We depend totally upon our Master for our daily bread. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Woof, woof!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;">The
woman is willing to humble herself, like a dog who eats the scraps, the crumbs
that fall from the Father’s table, but the crumbs of bread are bread. She desires
to be nourished with the same bread that the children of Abraham eat at the banquet
table of God, and these crumbs are a foreshadowing of the Eucharistic feast
that we will soon celebrate at this altar.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; margin: 0px;">
</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“Woman, great is your
faith!”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p7o0UhdTjbBUxgjk4v3beX5NS_fMTCaf7gNh-kqNfg99ZJsYTFtAvVU3j3ZqsL5cxvIJ_cpBRlEfYxnssO_5qxVWcMAQ-n3gbfcdER5TvM_F-0uk0WaxEAY-YmvlBgJ_oRl_SE60u0M/s1600/canaanite-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="481" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p7o0UhdTjbBUxgjk4v3beX5NS_fMTCaf7gNh-kqNfg99ZJsYTFtAvVU3j3ZqsL5cxvIJ_cpBRlEfYxnssO_5qxVWcMAQ-n3gbfcdER5TvM_F-0uk0WaxEAY-YmvlBgJ_oRl_SE60u0M/s400/canaanite-woman.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But let us reflect on the
silence that Jesus gave the woman’s request.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How do we deal with the silence of God?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But what of our own experience of silence when we pray?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Many of us know that anguish.
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Many of us know what it is to
pray and pray and pray and hear nothing. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">The silence of Jesus is
difficult. Many of us feel like Jesus does not hear us or at least is not
responding to us.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="background: white; border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">We pray: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord, help me!</i></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">And some still hear the words from certain disciples: “Send
her away!”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She stands weeping in the rain at the corner of Vann and
Covert waiting for the bus to go to a job interview.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She receives communion with tears in her eyes, but then
slips away at the end of Mass, feeling ashamed or less than the beautiful
parishioners.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She has worn out the beads of her rosary from her constant
praying, wearied from weeping in prayer for her child who is addicted to drugs.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She is exhausted from praying for her husband who is lost in
pornography or to alcohol – or both.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Others pray as they go through a separation or a divorce; </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">others are experiencing terminal illness or unemployment.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Still others may have lost a friend over philosophical or
political differences; </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">or a relative may have joined the Ku Klux Klan.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But take heart. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Keep praying.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A loved one of so many tears will not be forgotten </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">– as long as we are at the feet of Jesus. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Lord,
help me.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Notes:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">See the Collect for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time in the
previous Sacramentary that was in use from the 1970s until 2011 when it was
suppressed by the Promulgation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Almighty
God, ever-loving Father, your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and
nation to the hearts of all who live. May the wall, which prejudice raises
between us, crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.</span></i></div>
</div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-80987573884896617102017-07-02T10:22:00.003-07:002017-07-02T10:37:38.440-07:00Difficulty with the Cross of Christ <b><span style="background-color: white; color: #001000; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px;">"Whoever
does not take up his cross</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">and follow after me is not worthy of me.</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">Whoever finds his life will lose it,</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">and whoever loses his life for my sake will find
it."</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;">-</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;"> Matthew 10.38-39</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6c_1RazlKmSVSS9lIpLsoDTbMiFcFvRH87rYJCoiGACbYDg5EaXUErOzusiULR07OCTgEnLGBdnFRSRMf_-jdez0jDLwm2SnpSk_1aKQmsqBw9GRQxiYlEAYkDuu5JKeb5IpSVyXffg/s1600/cross-carrying-490x403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="490" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6c_1RazlKmSVSS9lIpLsoDTbMiFcFvRH87rYJCoiGACbYDg5EaXUErOzusiULR07OCTgEnLGBdnFRSRMf_-jdez0jDLwm2SnpSk_1aKQmsqBw9GRQxiYlEAYkDuu5JKeb5IpSVyXffg/s320/cross-carrying-490x403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">I once had a student tell me that Jesus frightened her. She didn’t like some aspects about Jesus.
She said the gospels made him sound scary because He drove out demons, calmed
storms, and walked on water. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCISIqMrx0-D-eC08uB_T7DNXCymQJAMeILJB9HozM028mSnKFbyLG6d9608Jva7MyikkPOGK37dRQyCHjRQb78RGIu8rvZBrba180ZkfEBaKKNT9zHjgA7SuV21KD6lI_pFXs3AnvKHM/s1600/Rembrandt_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Lake_of_Galilee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1287" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCISIqMrx0-D-eC08uB_T7DNXCymQJAMeILJB9HozM028mSnKFbyLG6d9608Jva7MyikkPOGK37dRQyCHjRQb78RGIu8rvZBrba180ZkfEBaKKNT9zHjgA7SuV21KD6lI_pFXs3AnvKHM/s640/Rembrandt_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Lake_of_Galilee.jpg" width="514" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">He also sounded like he thought he
was God when He said things like: “Come to me all of you who are weary and
heavily burdened and I will refresh you for I am meek and humble of heart.”</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">She
said a humble man could not say a thing like that. Only God could say such a
thing. And when he forgave people their sins, He acted as if he was the one who
had been sinned against. She understood what the Pharisees meant when they
said, “Only God can forgive sins!” She wasn’t too sure about this Jesus.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdwf74TwcuUEU9gLfF_PZNyYujPeuUNJmr60umjogT6f_Eu28FYKnA-CzgdnlMRvZcDRuvCRxCF2cY7zKLqHsJt2AC00CKn70ZrNMLQea6VSJSHLDrEoHIZdFPGdIVN_PZ9jrS4QeTIc/s1600/jesusCleansingTheTemple-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdwf74TwcuUEU9gLfF_PZNyYujPeuUNJmr60umjogT6f_Eu28FYKnA-CzgdnlMRvZcDRuvCRxCF2cY7zKLqHsJt2AC00CKn70ZrNMLQea6VSJSHLDrEoHIZdFPGdIVN_PZ9jrS4QeTIc/s640/jesusCleansingTheTemple-full.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></b>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">His brandishing a whip made of cords
and flipping tables over, spilling coins, and running the money changers out of the Temple – along with letting
the animals for sacrifice run free – was wrong. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The student was unsure whether she wanted
to put her faith in this man Jesus because of what he said and did. That would
be too exclusive. It would mean that she was placing Christ above Moses,
Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Muhammad, among others. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">By claiming that Christianity was
true, she feared that this would offend other religions. She said, “If I say
Jesus is Lord, then that means I would have to believe it. Believe in Him, and
live like I believed in Him. That would be hard." </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“You mean it would be a cross to
bear,” I said. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">She replied, “Yeah, that’s it."</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Her willingness to ponder the call of Christ and wrestle with the hard questions was the beginning of faith. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D9JPZQiWQ0slb7PYFDPpWTHixHjiLsZ-uD-uCIJ_YbcSaJ92bjR1hVw_dfl1pOczyg8W6wKGj_ODhKTrz6IQQJ9PB7N1lu-fNOuVsR_D-ETbFtX15m4Km2tbCYACcvdWYsapw2RjTBM/s1600/grunewaldcrucif1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="640" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D9JPZQiWQ0slb7PYFDPpWTHixHjiLsZ-uD-uCIJ_YbcSaJ92bjR1hVw_dfl1pOczyg8W6wKGj_ODhKTrz6IQQJ9PB7N1lu-fNOuVsR_D-ETbFtX15m4Km2tbCYACcvdWYsapw2RjTBM/s400/grunewaldcrucif1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-15829739437496246762016-03-31T18:39:00.000-07:002016-04-07T20:45:48.348-07:00Second Sunday of Easter <div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5409880407445441758" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;">
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - 3 APRIL 2016</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Readings for the Day: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040316.cfm">http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040316.cfm</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first Easter Sunday was a day of confusion; the disciples were perplexed in the face of the empty tomb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The disciples were gathered in the upper room with the doors locked.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What happened to him could happen to us.”</span></b><b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the Risen Jesus broke through their fears and guilt and locked doors declaring: “Peace.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Note well that Christ does not shame them.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He forgives.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He extends mercy.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus needed the disciples to be faith-filled. “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” Then he breathed the Holy Spirit upon them…for the forgiveness of sins…calling them to be Church…forming them into disciples for the world.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He transforms frightened and confused individuals into a community of disciples gathered together in love – called to become His very presence in the world and to continue together the mission the Father gave Him – to reveal the mercy of God and to give life, eternal life.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we are locked behind closed doors and unable to reach out to others, he comes to us with his message of love and peace.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Some of us have deep wounds, deep hurts, fears, Yet Jesus forgives us for He is wounded as well. He still bears the marks of the nails and spear.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 17.71px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">BUT Thomas was not with them that first Easter night!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So when the others tell him the good news, Thomas is caught in doubt. He will hear nothing of it. He has to experience it himself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thomas ONLY expected death. And when it happened, which he expected, he was still so heartbroken that he had to be alone and suffer and grieve alone, away from the community….</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The resurrection story was too good to be true.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Where was Thomas? Why did he not join the others on that Sunday?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He may have needed to distance himself from all the disciples, and from all that reminded him of Jesus and anything associated with him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thomas may have even been angry that Jesus had failed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">He may have even been regretting his decision that he had ever followed the preacher from Nazareth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A</span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">nd now some women claim that Christ is risen! He can’t believe that Jesus would appear first to WOMEN!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maybe Thomas said to himself: “No, he didn't die…Well, yes, he did die, so there is no way he is alive. And He couldn't have appeared to Mary Magdalene!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Happy endings just don’t happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thomas is focused on death and all that is negative. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thomas would not believe Jesus has been resurrected unless he could physically verify it for himself, even though he was a witness to the raising of Lazarus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many people tend to withdraw in difficult situations, at just the time when they need community the most (a symptom of depression)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">This closes us off of God’s grace. In spite of our sorrow or disappointment, we should seek out the community of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We can all be like Thomas. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We all</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">resist</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">God's action in our lives and get mad at Him and fail to trust Him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We can be like Thomas and live in the past and stew over things in regret…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We can hide in the upper room; we can be like the others and stare into the tomb, we can sit there and obsess over our losses, lamenting what was!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">And all the while we miss the joy!!! We fail to witness to the new life that is all about us!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Imagine that we were oblivious to the budding trees all around us, the plants and the flowers, and all the color of new life exploding all around us!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">In our hearts, we could still be back in the darkest and coldest days of January and February, our hearts cold, still lamenting and mourning how cold that winter was and how cold and how much snow and ice…and how inconvenient it all was and all the misery and problems it caused.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">BUT SPRING has sprung!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">We have but to lift up our heads and open our eyes!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">And we have but only to turn to today’s First Reading to see the transforming power of God upon the church community! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke writes of the early church: (</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">ACTS 2:42-47)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><u>They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.</u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><u>Awe came upon everyone…All who believed were together and had all things in common</u>….<u>And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.</u></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Gospels, we see the early Church's commitment to the celebration of the Eucharist and hearing the Word of God – the teaching of the apostles and the breaking of the bread! and the importance of community fellowship, regular church attendance and attentiveness the needs of each member of the community.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Church is called to joy! Faith and generosity should be contagious! We as Church should be attractive, causing others to want to join!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">And there is new life budding forth here! The Lord is adding new members to the Church here! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">In less than a month several visitors have spoken with me, introducing themselves as either new members or they have been so moved by the hospitality among the people and the reverence in the Liturgies that they have decided to join our parish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I witnessed a new member who invited her entire family to Easter Sunday Mass! What a witness!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">There is new life here!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The tomb is empty! Alleluia!</span></b><b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have a great treasure. And it is ours to share!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, there will be trials, as Peter reminds us in the second reading. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">When we follow Christ, we will experience pain, sorrow, and even death. But life, not death, will have the last word.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="53008035" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">As St. Paul wrote: “</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8.35, 37-39).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Despite the locked doors of our hearts, Jesus will break in and stand in our midst and bring us his Peace and Mercy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">May we, when we are confronted with sorrow, pain, and death, be like St. Thomas, and fall at the feet of our Lord Jesus and cry out: “My Lord and My God!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-58464421403229064272015-10-18T20:06:00.003-07:002015-10-18T20:22:55.232-07:00Jesus Shatters our Worldview<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 18</span> October 2015<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Deacon John McMullen</span></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">He replied, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?”<br /><br />They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”<br /><br />Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"We can,” they answered.</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus Shatters His Disciples Worldview</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The disciples just don’t get
it, do they? </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jesus
has repeatedly taught the disciples – and us – that the Son of Man</span></b><b><sup><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></sup></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">must suffer, be rejected and be killed, and rise after three
days.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">But the disciples didn’t understand him.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus shattered their
worldview.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And for the past weeks we have also
witnessed ambition and jealousy among the disciples <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">while Christ keeps </i></span></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">explaining how they
must die to selfishness and take up their cross.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Peter rebukes Jesus for mentioning
suffering as a pathway of discipleship;</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> Peter
wanted Jesus to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">military messiah</i>
that would rout the Romans. But Jesus says no. It’s about the Cross. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus shattered Peter’s
worldview.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Peter James, and John witness
Jesus in his Transfigured glory. They likely felt as if they had a privileged
place among Jesus’ followers. </span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The disciples are discouraged
when they are unable to perform an exorcism. And then they become upset that
other followers of Jesus who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i>
drive out demons. </span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The twelve become jealous and begin to pout
and tell Jesus to stop the other disciples from performing good works.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Imagine their envy. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They admit that they are jealous because
those disciples of Jesus are not following <u>them</u>; </i>they try and cloak
their envy by saying that these others do not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">follow them. But the truth is out.</i></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The
nameless disciples were following Jesus and that is what gave them the
authority to drive out the demons! That had to blow a hole in the twelve
disciples’ egos. </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">But the twelve argue among
themselves which of them was the greatest. They want to be seen! The boys have
it all wrong about leadership in the kingdom of God. And these men are the
first bishops in our church. [Just sayin’.] The Twelve have issues. They were
so focused on themselves, their own importance, their own AUTHORITY! </span></b><br />
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And Jesus shatters their
worldview.</span></b><br />
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The disciples fell for the
temptations of the devil. They wanted to preserve everything they had, they
wanted positions of power and wanted to be popular. They wanted glory, but they
did not want the Cross.</span></b><br />
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Just last week we heard about
the rich young man was possessed by his possessions and wealth and couldn’t let
go of them in order to follow Christ. Then Jesus’ twelve disciples become
worried about what they’re going to get out of following Jesus.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This sounds way too familiar. What’s in
this for me? What about me!! Me, me, me! Me, myself, and I – the unholy trinity
of selfishness.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Well,
today’s gospel is another example of just how dull-edged the disciples were.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Believe it or not, James and John </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">approach
Jesus with a request. "Teacher, grant that in your glory we may sit at
your right and left."</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">You read Mark’s gospel and see the stupidity jump
off the pages. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Was their request coming
from selfish motives or a sense of self-importance? Or both?</i> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">James
and John did not understand the cross, so they wanted to ignore it and go for
the glory instead. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the other ten disciples heard this, they
became angry at James and John. Ah, there’s nothing like pride, envy, greed,
lust for power, and jealous anger</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said: “You HAVE NO IDEA WHAT you
are asking.” </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus shatters their worldview.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Some of you might say the same of
marriage or a particular profession or vocation in life you have chosen. If I
knew then what I know now….</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Trust me, I had no idea what I was
getting myself into when I allowed myself to be ordained as a deacon. If I knew
then what I know now…. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">James and John and the others may have
been feeling that tension in their own lives. I can see Jesus shaking his head.
He loved them, don’t get me wrong, but they weren’t the brightest pumpkins in
the patch. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Some of them, like Peter, James and
John may have been a little soft in the gourd, if you know what I mean. But the
Lord still worked great miracles through them.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">That’s great news. But he can only do
that if we humble ourselves. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those in authority sometimes lord it over others.
But it cannot be that way with us. Rather, whoever wishes to be first will be
the last.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus shatters our worldview.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In the U.S., the idea of success is often based on
the need to prove that “I am better than you.” Sometime relationships are based
on competition and the need to win fights or arguments [or debates], and
dominate others through arguing or violence. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The idea of being last in order to win
is an absurd idea according to our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jesus bore our pains and sorrows, endured our
sufferings; was pierced through, nailed to the cross, yet by his wounds we are
healed.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">So Jesus’ vision for us as a community
is one where the rich, powerful, and privileged reach down to help the poor,
powerless, and unfortunate. Jesus calls us to be His Church, Members of His
Body, where the weak support the strong, and the strong support the weak! </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">To be first and the greatest according
to Christ is to serve the needs of others. Jesus’ challenge is a call for us to
“servant leadership”. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus reassembles our worldview.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Leadership in the kingdom is not about
power, it’s not about possessions, it’s not about popularity. It’s about
emptying ourselves so we can serve others in love. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As I look out, I see devoted, faithful
parishioners who so often just show up to do the work necessary for our many minstries; the ladies who quilt, the lectors,
the cantors, the servers, the members of who provide meals
for those mourning the loss of a loved one and visit the sick and homebound,
the many volunteers who assist in the RCIA, the St Vincent
de Paul, the parish pastoral Council members, the choir, musicians, and many other
volunteers, and the list goes on and on. </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">But our ministry can sometimes seem
invisible. And we don’t always want to be invisible, do we? We want to be seen
and heard.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">But isn’t that what Jesus meant when he
called us to be salt for the earth and the light of the world? Salt disappears
once we put it on our food and it serves to bring out the best flavors. So we
are called to bring out the best in others as we disappear, so to speak.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus also called us to be the light of
the world. Yet light is also invisible; light itself is that which illuminates
all things; light enables us to see things, but we don’t actually see light
itself. So, again, we get to be invisible as we help others shine.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In many ways you are the invisible
members of the church that make this parish work. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">So when we quit focusing only on
ourselves, and take up our cross, then we will view the world through the eyes
of Jesus Christ. He will reassemble our worldview. And we will realize that
Jesus has become our worldview. We will only see Jesus</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And in taking up the cross and becoming
a servant, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>then</u></i> we will
receive glory.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And then we won’t be arguing about who
is the greatest, or who is number one or number two, or at the right or the
left.… instead we will seek to embrace the stranger, and love our neighbor as
ourselves, being the light of Christ, willing to disappear from view so that
others may shine. And therein lies the mystery and the glory of the cross.</span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-82020451510263906542015-08-29T13:58:00.003-07:002015-08-29T14:16:03.161-07:00Be Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only, For One Who Does Justice Will Live in the Presence of the Lord.<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reflection upon the Scripture readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B</span></span><br />
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be doers of the word </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>and not hearers only, </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>for o</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ne who does justice </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>will live in the presence of the Lord.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: 700 !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: 700 !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px !important; padding: 0px; width: 475px;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today's Psalm is worth pondering in full.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Psalm 15:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><u></u><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and dwell on your holy mountain?<br /><br />2 He who walks without fault;<br />he who acts with justice<br />and speaks the truth from his heart;<br />3 he who does not slander with his tongue;<br /><br />He who does no wrong to his brother,<br />who casts no slur on his neighbor,<br />4 who holds the godless in disdain,<br />but honors those who fear the Lord;<br /><br />he who keeps his pledge, come what may;<br />5 who takes no interest on a loan<br />and accepts no bribes against the innocent.<br />Such a man will stand firm forever.</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14f7282ce0b69f5f_15" style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></a></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here we see that if we truly dwell with God, we will be changed and will be holy as Christ is Holy.</span></b></div>
<div>
<u></u><br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14f7282ce0b69f5f_15" style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"></a><br />
<div style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px !important; padding: 0px; width: 475px;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px !important; padding: 0px; width: 475px;">
<div>
<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be doers of the word </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>and not hearers only, </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>for o</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ne who does justice </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>will live in the presence of the Lord.</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Second Reading from James is clear: <i>"He willed to give us</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i></i><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>birth by the word of truth </i></span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>that we may be a kind of firstfruits </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i></i><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>of his creatures. </i></span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Humbly </i></span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>welcome the word that has been </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i></i><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>planted in you </i></span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Word and not hearers only." </i></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Jas 1:17-27</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">)</span></b><br />
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be doers of the word </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>and not hearers only, </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>for o</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ne who does justice </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>will live in the presence of the Lord.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This shows that the grace of God comes to dwell within us, not simply to hover above us, or make us "appear" righteous, but truly transforms us, refashioning us into the image of Jesus Christ.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be doers of the word </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>a</b></span></span></span></span><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>nd not hearers only, </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>for o</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ne who does justice </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border-image: none; border: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>will live in the presence of the Lord.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the <br />Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their <br />affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world." <br /><br />(Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27)<br /><br />This is an important line as well. <br /><br />TOO MANY well-meaning Christians claim that they are NOT religious, but only spiritual. <br /><br />Well, religion is mentioned in scripture here and it is a </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>good thing, especially in how we treat the most vulnerable. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How orphaned can one be when he or she is unwanted in the womb of his or her own mother?! <br /><br />The same goes for widows and widowers, the elderly, and indeed all persons.<br /><br />Be doers of the word<br /> and not hearers only,<br />for one who does justice<br />will live in the presence of the Lord.<br /><br />Finally, the Gospel of Mark shows that "Nothing that </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>enters one from outside can defile that person; but the <br />things that come out from within are what defile." <br /><br />Mark 7:1-23<br /><br />In other words, it is not the outward appearance that <br />transforms the person, but rather the inward conversion, <br />the inner transformation, propelled by the Grace of God,<br />the Love of Christ, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />Be doers of the word <br />and not hearers only,<br />for one who does justice <br />will live in the presence of the Lord.<br /><br />Deacon John William McMullen<br />29 August 2015<br /><br />* I welcome comments. <br /><br />If you use my material in your own homilies or other writings or blogs, kindly reference my work.</b></span></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-78651971571656405652015-08-23T12:58:00.000-07:002015-08-23T13:14:13.320-07:00Lord, to whom else shall we go?Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B 23 August 2015<br />
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Here are the Scripture readings for the day <br />
<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082315.cfm" target="_blank">Twenty-First Sunday readings Year B</a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“For this reason a man shall
leave his father and his mother</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh….”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It would seem
that these are some of the oldest words of wisdom in all of human literature.
Who among us has not been affected by a son or daughter or sibling leaving the
homestead and moving on to start a new life in marriage?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And yes, there
will be sorrow when either we choose to follow the Lord where he calls or those
we love choose to follow the Lord where he calls them: </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“The LORD is close to the
brokenhearted;</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">those whose spirit is
crushed He will save.”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This leaving
forth will require us to say to those around us: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“As for me and my household, we
will serve the LORD.”</i></b> It is countercultural to follow the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And, yes, it is
countercultural and sometimes even counter intuitive to follow the Lord into the
depths of marriage, even the difficult days of desperation and heartache. Yet St.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is clear:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ…. …So also husbands should love their wives
as their own bodies…..</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This teaching of Christ, dying to self, is particularly felt
and experienced in marriage. Even Paul himself refers to it as a mystery,
indeed as the mystery of our faith, the dying to self</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> as the two become one flesh. Let’s face it:
marriage is hard work, and so is parenting. It is so often a series of dyings
and risings.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Paul said “this
is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In our world
today, with the tragedy of Tinder, Ashley Madison, hook-up culture, and rampant
pornography, is it any wonder why marriage is so threatened? (* see links below)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">St. Paul’s teaching
on the holiness of Matrimony in his day was as countercultural as it is today.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And Jesus’
teaching today on the necessity of receiving his Body and Blood is just difficult,
as is evidenced by the crowd’s response:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This saying is hard; who can accept it?” </i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Since Jesus knew that his
disciples were murmuring about this,</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">he said to them, “Does this
shock you?”….</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jesus words in
today’s gospel challenge and shock us today just as they did his first century
hearers.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In our times, too
many people have compromised on the meaning of both Holy Matrimony and the Holy
Eucharist.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">For too many
“Christians” marriage can mean whatever we decide it means, such as a symbol of
a union between two persons, but one than can easily be dissolved, and one
where children are considered either an option or simply one more consumer good
among others.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And as for the
Eucharist, many Catholics no longer believe that the Bread and wine are
transformed into the very Body and Blood our Christ, but is merely a symbol, a
nice token of a bygone era. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jesus said: <b><i>“Amen,
amen, I say to you, </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>and drink his
blood, you do not have life within you. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>Whoever eats my flesh and drinks
my blood has eternal life, </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>and I will raise him on the last day. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>For my
flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>remains in me and I in him”</i></b> (John 6:53-56).</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By the way,
Jesus did not change the meaning of his words on the Eucharist. He did not say,
“Come back, I was speaking symbolically.” He asked "Does this shock you?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As a result of Jesus’
teaching [on the Eucharist], many of his disciples returned to their former way
of life and no longer accompanied him.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jesus then said to the
Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” </span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Simon Peter answered him,
“Master, to whom shall we go? You
have the words of eternal life. We
have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” </span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When Christ asks
each of us today: </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Does this shock you? </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">D</i></b></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">o you also </i></b></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want to leave?” </i></b></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">How will we respond?</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Constantia",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">[see the hook-up culture </span><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/tinder-hook-up-culture-end-of-dating" target="_blank">tinder-hook-up-culture-end-of-dating </a> and </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Russell Brand (yes) on the destructiveness of pornography <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kvzamjQW9M" target="_blank">Russell Brand on the effects of Pornography (short version) </a> or the longer version: *caution, scenes from Fifty Shades of Grey, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6GdEnINhtQ" target="_blank">longer version</a> ]</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Amazingly, both Vanity Fair and Russell Brand are truly insightful on their critique of contemporary culture. Fascinating.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-33147390116209190232015-08-02T12:50:00.004-07:002015-08-02T12:54:16.092-07:00Is God Real?<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">God is real. </span></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What does that mean? "...in Him we live and move and have our being," the Greek poet Aratus wrote.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Aristotle pointed out that since all things are alive and in motion, then there had to be a first source of life and a first mover, the unmoved mover, the uncaused cause. Though there were many Greek gods, Aristotle argued that there has to truly only be one prime mover who is unmoved, who is the the source of all motion and life. Nothing can bring it</span></strong></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">self into being; all things are contingent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, there had to be Something before all other things came into existence. The Big Bang theory would indicate that at one time (for the lack of a phrase) there was no time, yet from the moment when everything came into being, that is the beginning of time. Granted, this is a deistic stance that admits of God, but not necessarily that God (or the gods) care anything for the human race, or any of the created order. That would have to be revealed by this unknown God, the great unmoved mover.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> So much for Athens.</span></span></strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.31px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, in the land of Canaan about 1925 BCE there was a man named Abraham who believed there could only be one God. His story and the story of his ancestors reveal that this One God began to reveal Himself to their people. For the People of Israel, this God was very real for He continued to save them and care for them. One of the poets of Israel wrote: "O Lord... it was you who created my being, knit me together in my mother's womb...you knew my soul, my body held no secret from you when I was being fashioned in secret and molded in the depths..." (Psalm 139.13-16) and elsewhere: "O Lord, when I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged, what is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him? (Psalm 8.4-5) [to be continued...]</span></strong></span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-32552830438904335942015-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:002015-07-02T12:24:41.621-07:00Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">14<sup>th</sup> Sunday
in Ordinary Time Year B 5 July 2015 Deacon John McMullen</span></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">JESUS
WAS AMAZED</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vsie0Or_5OLz8XePeD7Mrw0Z3otwfCqNO6oWn5XTJYgpxavn6MpaadZEsWJcDOSvMx2WU2IzJO7NlRNchqwE9UzO3njtD1Cbe7bv2bxdWV08e7SK4b2MDA_Ne1-v7PX7TJmY9bq_NtM/s1600/christ+el+greco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vsie0Or_5OLz8XePeD7Mrw0Z3otwfCqNO6oWn5XTJYgpxavn6MpaadZEsWJcDOSvMx2WU2IzJO7NlRNchqwE9UzO3njtD1Cbe7bv2bxdWV08e7SK4b2MDA_Ne1-v7PX7TJmY9bq_NtM/s400/christ+el+greco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus was amazed at their lack of
faith. </span></i></b><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></em></strong></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
we know some people, who cannot see the obvious? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">H</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">ow
many of us know people who can only see the negative?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">A few months ago areas of Indiana got several inches of rain, but with the gift
of rain came strong winds and electrical power was cut off to many people for
nearly twelve hours. A few people could only complain that it took the power
company several hours to restore power, but they never rejoiced in the fact
that it rained!</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">In
Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables, the main character Jean valJean, a paroled
prisoner encounters a holy priest and has a life changing experience. However,
because Jean violated his parole, the police chief, Inspector Javert, can never
accept the fact that Jean valJean had become a new man. </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, Javert cannot
imagine living in the same world with Jean valJean, so Javert kills himself. He
could not accept the fact that God’s grace could work in a the criminal’s life,
so he rejected the God of love and mercy and rejected his own gift of life
because the god of law and order turned out to be a God of mercy and justice.
</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">(2)</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">In
today’s gospel, Jesus the prophet is too much for hometown to handle. The main
role of a prophet was not to predict the future, but to interpret current
events in light of God’s Word, and to help the people see things from God’s
point of view. Many people refused the prophet’s vision.</span></b><br />
<strong><br /></strong></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">But
the prophet is not called to success, but to faithfulness to God. The prophet
will often find himself in a face-off with hard-faced, stiff-necked people who
reject the reality of the good news of God’s grace. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">St.
Paul encountered opposition in his ministry.
What exactly was the “thorn in Paul’s flesh”? No one is sure, but
whatever it was, it kept him humble. And as a result Paul had great empathy for
others because he knew what it was like to suffer. Three times – over and over
and over again he begged the Lord to remove this suffering, but it remained. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
we all have something like this? Some kind of an addiction or difficulty or
illness in our lives that just won’t go away? So when we can name that thorn,
offer it back to God, but entrust yourself to Christ and his cross. We might be
reaching our perfection because OF the thorns.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s
power is made perfect in our weakness. Oftentimes when we are humbled, we
become open to God’s power and grace. This is the mystery of faith: “It is when
we are weakest that we are strongest.”</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Ezekiel was content to proclaim the Word of
God whether people believed him or not; he was faithful to his mission because
the Holy Spirit was within him. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">St.
Paul was content with all kinds of suffering because he knew that Christ was
with him.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus
was content with rejection and even death because he knew that He was the
beloved Son of the Father and filled with the Spirit. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Because
of our suffering we can become great saints!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">We
are called to be content and finding God’s peace in the midst of our suffering.
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">As the Psalmist prayed: We </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">must keep our eyes fixed on the
Lord, and pray for mercy. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Either
we drop our egos and attitudes as did the prophets and the saints and see
things as Christ sees things or else we will end up in a staring contest with
Jesus, waiting to see who will blink first. [Good luck with that].</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">No
one in Nazareth, or anywhere, ever denied any of Jesus’ miracles. What the
people did deny was the power that his miracles had upon their lives. They
denied the love and grace that Jesus offered to them. And this is likely the
saddest rejection of all: apathy.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus
really didn’t mean anything to them. They knew his mother and cousins and,
besides, he was a common man, a carpenter and stone cutter. He was no one
special – even though they could see with their own eyes that he was much, much
more.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">And
because the people of Nazareth could not place any faith in him, the people
refused to allow Jesus to impact their lives, to affect their mindset, to
influence their actions, or to change their minds. </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">And because of their lack of
faith, he could work no mighty miracle there, apart from curing a few sick
people.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus
was amazed at the lack of faith in Nazareth.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet
Jesus takes us by surprise, ready or not, for the kingdom of God is at hand.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">What is Jesus amazed with in your community?</span></b>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-2344663690844450732015-06-02T19:55:00.001-07:002015-06-02T20:22:31.966-07:00Does Everything Really Happen for a Reason?<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Over
the years the phrase: “Everything happens for a reason,” has been tossed around
as if it is a scriptural truth. It is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it is not sound Christian theology. It smacks of predestination and
a belief in fate. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
the face of a tragic death I have heard people say: “God needed another angel
in heaven.” (By the way, people do not become angels) “It was God’s will.” “It
was her time to go.” “God is trying to teach us something.” “Everything happens
for a reason.” </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">None of these are scriptural or theologically sound. And most
people experiencing grief or going through a difficult time DO NOT find those
words consoling or helpful. In fact they can be very hurtful and infuriating. I
realize people are intending to comfort or help someone find a meaning to the
suffering, but in reality these statements will not work.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We
want easy answers to life’s difficulties. People often say these things when
they have absolutely no idea what someone is experiencing. Or else they simply
say them because they have not thought them through to the logical conclusion
that it implies that God is not a God of love, but a bizarre god who is so unpredictable
that he will kill and maim but all in the name of being good to us. (Think it
through). This completely removes God’s grace and love from the picture of
faith, and certainly leaves us without hope.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
a man is murdered, if someone says to the widow, "Everything
happens for a reason,” she may well reply, yes, the man pulled the trigger and
killed my husband. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God did not will
evil. God does not will evil.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Or
what about my friend who committed suicide? Please do NOT tell me
that God planned that, or that it happened for a reason or that it was supposed
to happen. If you do say that, then either you do not believe in free will or
you believe in fate. Unfortunately what it seems to imply is that you do not
believe in the goodness of God.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
an Evansville man killed a man in a drunk-driving accident, no one dared tell
the widow and the fatherless children that the death of the husband and father
was supposed to happen. It would have been hopelessly insensitive and cruel.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
the terrorists attacked on September 11<sup>th</sup> 2001, we heard people say,
“everything happens for a reason.” Seriously? This is sadistic to suggest that
God somehow helped mastermind and plan this event where over 3000 people died. No
one would say that to the survivors of 9/11.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Or
in the face of a Tsunami or a tragic earthquake, it would be best if people did not try and explain how God had a hand in disaster and instead simply pray for the victims and help whenever and wherever they can.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Christians
who do not reflect on this simplistic answer – “everything happens for a
reason” are saying, in essence, that “somehow, someway this is the best plan
for you, God did this to you, but it is for your own good.” </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now
many theologians, not simply me, point out that this is a short cut to faith. But,
in fact, this whole notion destroys faith and hope, and ultimately charity.
(For if everything happens for a reason, then why should I try and help the
poor? Help the sick? It’s all God’s will. Right? Who am I to interfere with
their destiny? Using this line then enables us to excuse ourselves from helping
anyone). </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
am in no way saying that good things cannot happen or that by God’s grace we may
be in a certain place at a certain time, but that is a gift of Providence.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What
I want to prevent is anyone thinking that we are pawns on God’s chessboard. We
are not. We are not puppets on a string. We are not marionettes in God’s magic
playhouse. We are not mere robots for God’s amusement. We are creatures with an
intellect and a free-will and a soul. We are capable of choosing good or evil. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet
we still hear people say “God took him” or “God took her.” Or what about those
thousands and thousands of Japanese who died in the earthquake and
subsequent tsunami? I have heard people say: “Everything happens for a reason,”
or “God’s trying to teach us a lesson about how fragile life is.” or what about
this one: “God punished Japan for attacking Pearl Harbor.” This is clearly
ignorance unparalleled. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How in the world could we have gotten so far away from
the truth? God never wills an evil. God does not inspire someone to murder or
get drunk and kill someone for some greater purpose. God does not mastermind an
earthquake.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’
answer to the question why do bad things happen is NOT because God zaps people.
It is because good people and bad people get hurt; we live in a fallen world.
People do bad things. Storms do what storms do. Hurricanes do what hurricanes
do. Tectonic plates move and cause earthquakes. Bad things happen. Good things
happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Are you saying
that God kills people? Of course not. But if we go around saying “Everything
happens for a reason” then God must be responsible for every evil act as well
as every good effect.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hopefully by now
you can see the reason why I have taken the time to passionately write about
this “everything happens for a reason” idea because it is “bad” theology, if we
can even call it theology.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Good things CAN
come out of the bad things that happen in our life. And God gives us the
opportunity to respond in a positive way. But if everything happens for a
reason is God’s reason, then that means that God is a terrible God who is
seeking to destroy our lives, this god is an unpredictable monster. The god
Moloch had to be appeased with human sacrifice. If we go on believing that
everything happens for a reason, then eventually we would have to say we have
no free will but are mere puppets of God in some celestial toy theatre.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But we believe God
IS with us. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Immanuel </i>means God is
with us. God will redeem our suffering, just like Jesus’ death was transformed
into the Resurrection. God can turn our pain and sorrow to joy. This is the
heart of the Paschal Mystery!</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Saint Paul
wrote: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are
called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nowhere in
scripture does it ever say that God is behind everything that happens. If this
were so, then humans would not have free-will.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Evil is evil.
Bad is bad. But we know that if we are in Christ, then even the worst suffering
cannot keep us from God; nothing can separate us from the love of God. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Again, Saint
Paul wrote: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? … 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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans 8: 35-39).</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is what we
need to say: “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus,”
rather than “everything happens for a reason.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Some of you
might think of the man born blind man in John’s gospel chapter 9. The disciples
ask “Whose sin caused his blindness? Was it his sin or his parents’ sin?” But
Jesus replied: <span style="color: black;">“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it
is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Blindness is not
good. Jesus says that the man was simply born blind. But God’s glory can be
revealed in the blind man. But God did not make this man blind so that Jesus could one
day happen along and give him eyesight.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We believe that even the worst
suffering imaginable CAN bring forth abundant life. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Resurrection of Christ followed Jesus’
Crucifixion and Death on the Cross. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We believe that New Life CAN spring forth from
suffering of any kind. </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We believe that Goodness CAN come forth from
suffering, death, and destruction</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God’s Grace is given to us when we suffer and when
we grieve in a spirit of faith.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Regarding human violence we know that God has given humans a free will. It is a sin when one uses his free will to do harm. Evil is a lack of good.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thomas Aquinas commented on The Problem of Evil.
Since God is entirely good, He permits evil in his creatures because he is good
and he may even bring forth good from evil. It is due to the infinite goodness
of God that he permits evil; yet from evil he can bring forth good. God never
wills evil as a means or an end, but can use it as a means to the end for good </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why does evil exist? To this question… no quick
answer will suffice. Only Christian faith as a whole constitutes the answer to
this question: the goodness of creation, sin, and the patient love of God…the
Incarnation of his Son, his gift of the Spirit, his gathering of the Church,
the power of the sacraments, and his call to a blessed life. As the Catechism assures us: <i>There is not a
single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the
question of evil.</i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">God in his almighty providence can bring a good from
the consequences of an evil, even a moral evil, caused by his creatures…</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From the
greatest moral evil ever committed—the rejection and murder of God's only Son, God, by his grace that "abounded all the
more," brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our
redemption. But for all that, evil never becomes a good.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<strong>In the final analysis, things may not happen for a reason, but we can find a reason to go forth in faith when bad things happen.</strong></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<strong>"For we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).</strong></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-14331159045807173062015-05-07T08:25:00.003-07:002015-05-07T08:25:20.103-07:00A Motherly Love
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">A Motherly Love</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sixth Sunday of Easter </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 May 2015</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OaFYxCl05ESNFRamjRVNLSGY0ynHRFEYKJByapjRIrkcpWo45FxuZp0Xx2V1-8NZqwFIXqKbTNNg2A5Tlhn2IXpy3tEvUTHUuY6IIe8V6KmxqoS2k9eglPNSjJUxP9SIj1lvjvDJbAY/s320/mother_child_79.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Some of you may recall the tornado
that destroyed Henryville, Indiana. Stephanie Decker, a mother of two, was at
home when her husband texted her that a tornado was bearing down on their
neighbor-hood. Stephanie took her 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter and
huddled in the basement.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<b>She covered them with a comforter and then shielded her children with her
own body to prevent debris from landing on them when the twister hit the house.
As the house disintegrated, wreckage broke seven of her ribs and two steel
beams severed her legs. She couldn’t move. The storm continued to ravage her
home until the tornado collapsed the house around her and her children. Her
actions saved her children, but when she was taken to the hospital, both of her
legs had to be amputated – one just below the knee, the other just above
it. </b><br />
<br />
<b>There is no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's
friends. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Today in America, we celebrate Mother’s Day. And May is the Month of
the Blessed Mother Mary, for whom all Christians can call Mother.</b><br />
<br />
<b>But Mother’s Day can be a painful time too, especially for the childless and
mothers who have lost a child by miscarriage or in childbirth, and those
mothers who have grieved the death of one of their children, God comforts you,
for He knows the depths of your loss and grief, and be assured of our prayer
and love. </b><br />
<br />
<b>For most of us here we are thankful for our mothers, and other women and
mothers in our lives: grandmothers, aunts, co-workers, or neighbors who have
been mothers-figures, or adoptive mothers or step-mothers. And what of
the women of faith and courage who inspire us, our “faith-mothers”, or any of
the many religious sisters and faithful Christian women who have influenced us
and loved us and served us for so long almost with no thanks. There is no
greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.</b><br />
<br />
<b>One mother told me, “The love that a mother feels for her children
can't be defined by words. Few mothers give their lives for their children by
dying for them, but most mothers do daily die to themselves in order to give so
much.” Another mother said: “A mother’s love is like that of God’s
love, for we give our love willingly and abundantly without expecting anything
in return… In fact we give in hope that our children will realize that love is
unconditional.” There is no greater love. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Jesus reminds us that God loves us unconditionally just like mothers who
love their children despite their faults. Mothers often say they never thought
they could love another person as they love their child. And yet with each new
child, they feel their love expand.</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yet nothing can compare with
the love of God; in fact it is almost impossible to comprehend. Yet this is the
love we called to participate in. Just as God sent his only Son into the
world so that we might have life through him, when a woman gives birth or
nurtures another person, she is giving new life to the world. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<b>Jesus even compared his deep love for his people to that of mother bird; “As
a mother hen longs to gather her chicks under her wings, so I long to gather
you to myself” (Luke 13.34). Elsewhere He says, "The Kingdom of God is like a Woman in search of a lost coin" (Luke 15.8-9). </b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Jesus knows the depths of love and the pain that often
accompanies a mother’s love. There is no greater love than this than to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends. </b><br />
<br />
<b>And though we call God “Father”, we may take the mystery of God for granted,
and forget that God cares tenderly for his children like a mother. The
Scriptures reveal God’s tenderness and strength in images of motherhood.</b><br />
<br />
<b>“In the Psalms God is compared to a nursing mother, God forms men and women
in the womb, God carries the Chosen People like a mother carrying her children
in her womb, giving birth to them in the Land of Promise.”</b><br />
<br />
<b>And just as mothers carry their children in their womb and nourish them with
their own body and blood, and after giving birth, the mother’s breast feed
their children, St. Julian of Norwich wrote: “Jesus, [our beloved Mother] feeds
us with himself…” (Julian of Norwich, 14<sup>th</sup> century).</b><br />
<br />
<b>There is no greater love than this. </b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2204/2445373456_537cc7ae04.jpg" height="300" 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" v:shapes="il_fi" width="400" /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
<b>St. Thomas Aquinas employed the image of the pelican for Christ in his hymn <i>Adoro
te</i>. The Pelican was seen as a figure of Christ’s motherly love in the
Eucharist. Centuries ago, people believed that the mother pelican fed her
own flesh to her offspring. That is why on the top of some very elaborate altar
pieces, such as St. Boniface in Evansville or the Old Cathedral in Vincennes,
there is a pelican with a bleeding heart, feeding its offspring. Now, even
though science has shown that this is a myth, the image of the mother pelican
still reminds Catholics of Jesus feeding us with his Flesh and Blood in the
Eucharist so that we might have life. In the gift of the Holy Eucharist we
encounter the self-emptying and self-giving of Christ, like a loving mother.</b><br />
<br />
<b>There is no greater love than this.</b><br />
<br />
<b>The Catechism of the Catholic Church attest to the beauty of the
this metaphor of God as Mother: God's parental tenderness can also be
expressed by the image of motherhood. But we know that human parents can
disfigure both the face of fatherhood and motherhood. We ought therefore to
recall that God is GOD…[but] no one is father as God is Father (CCC 239). </b><br />
<br />
<b>God is love. And God gives love freely. It is a love that can completely
transform us. For love is patient, love is kind, it believes, it hopes, it
protects, it trusts, it perseveres and endures! God is love and God shows
no partiality! </b><br />
<br />
<b>If we live in God, then God will live in us; and since God is love, then
love will dwell within us. And we who are Christian and have been baptized
INTO Christ, share in the divine nature, and because of that we can live out
the divine love as God does and as Christ did and continues to do so.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Jesus said: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in
my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love. I have told
you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.” There is
no greater love. [So may we rejoice in his love and joy this day and every
day]. </b><br />
<br />
<b>But Jesus doesn’t let us off easy. We are to share his love and mercy and
joy with one another, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Remember
what He said: “This I command you: love one another." We pray for the
grace and the strength to love one another as he has loved each of us.</b><br />
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<b>There is no greater love than this.</b></span></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-29830683119287694662015-04-22T18:22:00.002-07:002015-04-22T18:34:13.835-07:00Go, humble flock and reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before! Fourth Sunday of Easter 26 April 2015<div class="post-header">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Go, humble flock and reach where </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">the brave Shepherd has gone before!</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMVIQlnLZP5VK8YMuIlM456sMtOQxj_ogxYPtR-uZ4bmxEyvWlfXERXb8O2AjQQVSp2KbS3ngdQz4fIhgEWofgMP_9SMk0YaTzlf671eyibO6LlkmcI87JUQTtv8xJ8-KJn5zKCUsAk/s1600/good+shepherd+face+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMVIQlnLZP5VK8YMuIlM456sMtOQxj_ogxYPtR-uZ4bmxEyvWlfXERXb8O2AjQQVSp2KbS3ngdQz4fIhgEWofgMP_9SMk0YaTzlf671eyibO6LlkmcI87JUQTtv8xJ8-KJn5zKCUsAk/s320/good+shepherd+face+2.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Good Shepherd window at the Old Cathedral in Vincennes, Indiana. Photo by John William McMullen</span>.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B) 2014 </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Today’s first reading finds Saints Peter and John in big trouble for performing a good deed, indeed a miracle, in the Name of Jesus on a Sabbath. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Peter and John saw a beggar in need and in the Name above all Names, the Name of Jesus, they healed him and told him to “rise and walk”. How dare them do such a thing without consulting all the proper religious authorities – and to do such a thing on a Sabbath! </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Human beings were created to observe the Sabbath, the authorities said to Jesus. But Jesus said the Sabbath was created for human beings! So Jesus knows what that rejection is like. He was forever in trouble with the religious leaders for healing on the Sabbath.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Peter and John are now in the same trouble as was Jesus the good shepherd. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">What is so amazing is not so much the miracle as the hard-heartedness and narrow-mindedness of those who are angry that the crippled man can now walk! </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Just like the original shepherd, the shepherds Peter and John, are in trouble for living the gospel message. The church is often criticized for its work with the poor and marginalized.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Some people often only regard the church as the pope and bishops. But we know that the church is far greater than simply the men in who called to be our shepherds. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Yes, the pope and bishops are to shepherd us, and have Jesus as the Good Shepherd as their model to follow, and we are obliged to hear their voice and follow their example. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">The good shepherd is one who knows his sheep, protects them, defends them, cares for them, and is willing to lay down his life for them. This is the kind of shepherd the faithful recognize as a servant-leader. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Christ formed the Church as His Living Body on earth and the Soul of the Body of the Church is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit urges us on to love as Christ loves! Our faith is about authentic relationship with God and with one another. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Our faith in Christ is far more than following a list of rules and knowing what NOT to do. As one of my students said of a fellow teacher: “She is really good at telling me what I cannot to do, but why doesn’t she focus on what I can do? Or let me know when I am doing well?” </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">We all long for authentic Christian lives as examples to follow. But when we see some Christians more concerned with outward appearances than with the gospel, more concerned about rules than about love and mercy, more concerned with law than about justice, I can see why some people have become disillusioned with the Church or religion.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">If a church community ceases to be the living presence of Jesus to a weary world, then it can become an obstacle to faith in Jesus. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">So when we gather as church, as the body of Christ, the church as the visible presence of Jesus in the world.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">And if we are living that reality, then the Church must be like her Lord, human and vulnerable as was Jesus the Good Shepherd when he humbled himself to share in our humanity. Jesus was rejected and cast away, crucified as a common criminal. In fact he laid down his life in death so that you and I might live!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Yet today we are called to allow ourselves to be shepherded by the Good Shepherd who was rejected. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">But most people in Jesus’ day would say that there was no such thing as a good shepherd. They smelled bad, many were thieves, and would run off at the first sign of a wolf or predator, leaving their sheep vulnerable to attack. In other words, they were the outcasts of all outcasts in society.</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">But recall that the angels first appeared to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, he who would be the Lamb of God, so it is an appropriate metaphor, and therefore we cannot so easily dismiss the shepherd image. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Jesus was cast off, but he insists: “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.”</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Perhaps we think it beneath our dignity to be called sheep, yet Jesus himself humbled himself to share in our humanity and is called the Lamb of God. The last time I checked, a lamb is a sheep. And now he is the Good Shepherd. We are in good hands as His sheep.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">We stand for human life. We stand for the underdog. We stand with the vulnerable. We stand for the powerless, the voiceless, the downtrodden, and, yes, we even stand with those who get themselves into terrible situations, for Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">There are no disposable stray sheep for the Good Shepherd and so it must be that way for the Church! If we are God's children, and we know that we shall be like him, then each of us must be prepared to shepherd souls into the pasture of God’s Kingdom.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">There are no prodigal sons or daughters so far gone that we write them off as losses, there are no lost sheep that we can write off as losses for tax purposes! Christ died and rose for each and every member of the human family!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">I know how easy it is to drive around town and see people who look so haggard, so ragged; their face is blemished and they are missing teeth and we say “there’s another meth-head” or “there’s trouble.”</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">But Christ the Good Shepherd would have us say, “There is one of my least ones. There is one of my children, created in my image and likeness! Ah, he may look like a lump of coal, but he is a diamond in the rough. It is for you to go find him, not judge him. Go, humble flock and reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Or “There is one of my lost daughters of Eve. I know she looks like a slimy oyster, but within is a pearl of great price. Go seek the pearl, and do not judge. Go, humble flock and reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">God our Father, we are the sheep of your pasture, the sheep you have redeemed by your Precious Blood of the Lamb, of God, the True Lamb who has taken away the sins of our world; The Lamb, once slain, who lives forever, your Son Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd of our souls!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Lead us, Lord – no, compel us, Lord – to take your message of mercy to where no one else wants to go; to go out in search of the sheep who think they have no shepherd, the sheep who have lost their way; to the sheep who are in places and situations where they can no longer hear the Shepherd’s voice, and let them know that there is a Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for them, a good shepherd who wishes for them to come home to His pasture where He can tend to them and nourish them.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Go, humble flock and reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before!</span></b></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-92140704570860745672015-03-24T08:19:00.001-07:002015-03-24T08:19:40.733-07:00<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fifth Sunday of Lent<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Year B<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>22 March 2015</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="ReadingComponents"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="CP_JUMP_3684"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Unless the Grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies </span></u></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">it remains just a grain of wheat</span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Today Jesus declares: “Now is the Hour for the Son of Man to be glorified.” </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he says, “</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies it remains just a grain of wheat.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A grain of wheat is no good if it is simply kept safe and dry on a shelf. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Only when seeds die and break open do the seeds give way to a transfigured life and live again! </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you imagine hoarding a harvest? It would become infested with bugs and mice and begin to rot. Seeds were meant to die in order to give life – by being baked as bread or by being planted in order to produce fruit for another harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">We cannot hoard our lives or our time, talents, or treasure. We know that we will die. We also know that we have to let go of our security, but we want to hold on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">When we clutch at our wealth or possessions, it p</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">revents us from living an abundant life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Sure, we may stay safe and avoid the cross, and we may exist and live to a ripe old age, but we will never truly live!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Only by our willingness to let go of one way of life can there be hope for another way of life. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Falling to earth and dying is what gives and brings life!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">So how do we die to self?</span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It might be as simple as helping your spouse or mom or dad clean the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and doing the laundry. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Others of you have the difficult task of caring for a spouse or loved one who is dependent upon you for assistance. This is certainly a dying to self. Or what about those who have lost their independence and control over their lives? They have the burden of being dependent upon others to help them through their days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">One of my classmates from St. Meinrad School of Theology, Fr. Joe Wiegman from Toledo, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three months before his ordination to the priesthood. When he was first diagnosed with MS, one of the monks at St. Meinrad told him: ‘Joe, you don’t get to choose whether or not you have MS. But you do get to choose what you’re going to do about it.’ <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">When Joe began walking with a cane he said, “Okay, God, I can handle this, but no more.” And each time the disease weakened his body he would say, “Okay, God, I can handle this, but no more.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">And then with the crutches, “Okay, God, I can handle this, but no more” and then “Okay, God, I can handle the electric scooter, but no more.” Yet each time He found God’s grace strengthened him to go forth.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">But let’s be honest; Fr. Joe did not readily accept his cross. At first he was in denial that he was even ill. Then he bargained with God, then he accepted his illness for a while, but then when it got worse, he got angry and depressed. He tells me that he prayed, “Father, take this cup of suffering from me.” <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Joe says, “I didn’t surrender to the Father’s will as readily as did Jesus. But I knew that God had not abandoned me. I clung to the hope that with God all things are possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fr. Joe now lives in a nursing home at the age of 50. He is still coming to terms with not being able to drive or live independently. He writes: “My fellow residents are dealing with the same issues of loss. Loss of control, loss of independence, loss of many simple joys of life. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Fr. Joe wrote: “I have finally chosen to embrace my cross.” </strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><br /></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Like Jesus, his soul was troubled, but he trusts in God to strengthen him. </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><strong> </strong></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Only by our willingness to let go of one way of life can there be hope for another way of life. </span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God awaits <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> choice—we can step out in faith or remain as we are. It is not an easy choice. Many of us live life with a fearful grasping for control. Jesus had a choice to be delivered from his Passion and Death or to go through with it. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">His Hour had come! And even though he knew it would come, and he had often spoke of it, he speaks of his soul being troubled as he considers what his Hour means. He is in agony, and yet this is his mission! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But a cross is a cross. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus agrees to conquer death through the Cross. Jesus humbly obeys out of love for the Father and love for each one of us, and prepares to cast out the devil, the ruler of this world, and crucify all disobedience, deceit, lies, and cruelty. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus chooses to embrace His Hour and go forth with his mission. He isn’t focused on wealth, power, pleasure, or fame – He is focused on the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hour of Jesus’ Passion has begun. He is in agony, but he surrenders to the will of the Father. Jesus accepts His Cross and is at peace to be lifted up, for by being lifted up he will lift all of us up. His Hour becomes our Hour when we too can rise to new life!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His death will reveal God’s glory and victory. His Cross will </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";">defeat of the Evil one and draw together Jesus' community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Satan does not want us to have life, but Christ will drive out the prince of this world! Believers can claim the defeat of Satan at the cross, and they can break free of his hold through union with Christ and as members of his holy Church.</span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Greeks said, <i>“We would like to see Jesus.”</i> Seeing Jesus comes at a cost. We must die to our selfish ways. And it may even cost us our lives. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We come to see Jesus and his glorious kingdom as we walk his path, a journey that ends not at the Cross, but in the glory of being lifted up in resurrection.</span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we be like a humble grain of wheat, dropped in the earth, allowing ourselves to die, shedding our outer shell so as to give way to a new way of life, where we will see Jesus!</span></b><br />
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-3423302658919736662015-03-15T12:12:00.000-07:002015-03-15T12:41:57.686-07:00Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God - 4th Sunday of Lent<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong>In Luke’s gospel (Luke 13.4-5), Jesus reminds the crowd about a </strong></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">recent tragedy in the village of Siloam – a water tower had collapsed, crushing eighteen men to death.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The people of Jesus' day had an easy explanation for the horrific deaths of the Galileans and the eighteen men under the tower: they were "worse sinners" and "more guilty" than those who were not killed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This idea of God smiting humans for their sins was popular theology in Jesus’ day, so it was plausible for the crowd and the disciples to think that God had smote the Galileans and the villagers of Siloam.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This was a harsh teaching that Jesus rejected. We know that some of the greatest saints have suffered and human experience shows us that bad things can happen and do happen to good people; Jesus is the greatest example.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesus is challenging his hearers to think about their image of God. His words challenge us to think of our image of God as well.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">I recall after the deadly tornado 6 November 2005, there were some Christians who claimed it was God’s punishment upon the States of Indiana and Kentucky for allowing everything from casino gambling and horse-racing to homosexuality and abortion. In some ways it may be tempting to believe such things.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">And there are still Christians who think that God is angry at us and even say that God cursed the poor people of Haiti with an earthquake. This philosophy of believing that human suffering is always caused by sin is a dangerous theology.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">On the problem of evil, Thomas Aquinas wrote, [God does not directly will evil, but] "God allows or permits evil” and can draw forth some greater good out of suffering and death.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">But often tragedy, earthquake, disaster, illness, and disease can cause us to question our faith in God’s mercy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">* * * * *</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In John’s gospel when Jesus met the man blind from birth, the disciples ask Jesus: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents? That he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. (John 9:2).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In Luke’s gospel James and John were upset that a particular group of Samaritans had not accepted Jesus’ message, so James and John ask Jesus if they can call fire down from heaven to consume those Samaritans (which would have undoubtedly killed them), but Jesus turns and reprimands the disciples for even having such intentions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesus does not wish for us to talk or think this way. If we do we are in the wrong state of mind; we are living in the state of sin and the kingdom of fear, not the kingdom of God.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">God’s love is not the kind that says “I’ll love you if you’re good”; or “I’ll love you if you prove what a great person you are”; or “I’ll love you as long as you don’t disappoint me.”</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This image of God is based on dread and fear that God is more apt to curse than forgive. Yet we know that true love casts out all fear!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">For our God is NOT in heaven at his computer screen ready to delete us with the first sign of disobedience. We know that Christ came to forgive us and call us to act with mercy, compassion, love, and service. This was Jesus’ Mission, his Message, His Person.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In his death upon the cross Christ puts an end to all human sacrifice. He does not demand a pound of flesh for our sins! Christ is the final sacrifice that saves us from sin! His task was to save the world, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son….”</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Nothing we can do can make God love us! He already loves us! That is why God sent His son! And God is so madly in love with each one of us that he longs for us to share that love with whomsoever we meet! And all our works, our prayers, our acts of love and charity are all done in response to God’s gracious love and mercy!! So we rejoice in the mercy of our God! Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! Jesus is our Mercy!</span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS!!! We can never repeat it enough!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">* * * * *</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Yet many of us do have fears of failure or rejection, fears of violence or not meeting other peoples’ expectations of us, fears of being used or taken advantage of, or even fear of natural disasters or war.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Perhaps our fear is not of anything specific – just an overall dread, a feeling that life could fall apart on us at any moment and we wouldn’t be able to cope.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">But the good news is that we can respond to our fears with a deepened trust in the love of God – whether it is a fear of violence or a tragic accident such as the stories in today’s gospel.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Saint Paul wrote that we, as children of God, “did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,” but that we are “joint heirs with Christ,” and if we unite our sufferings with His we will “also be glorified with him.” For the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” (Rom 8.14-18).</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The example of Jesus shows us that when we do suffer we can suffer redemptively; suffering can be transformed into new life. And the foundation of our Christian hope is our belief in the Resurrection of Christ!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Then as we who grow closer to Christ, we come to trust God more deeply over time. Little by little the fears that grip our hearts lose their power over us. We can let go of fear because we know that God is with us – in and through suffering, death, and destruction, and that despite it all, new Life CAN come forth - for not even suffering and death can crush us completely or destroy God’s love for us!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></strong></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Again, Saint Paul wrote: “If God is for us, who can be against us? What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish or distress or persecution or disaster? No!” he says, “[f]or I am convinced that neither death, nor life… 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” (Rom 8:31, 35-38).</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">God will raise us up, turning our “little crucifixions”, rejections, failures, and losses into new life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<strong>...for if God is for us, who can be against us?</strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Then, whenever the time of our physical death comes, we will not be caught by surprise or locked in the grip of fear, but we will be living the Kingdom message; </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">God will give us new life, life in union with Him, a life beyond anything we could ever dream of or ever imagine, where He will wipe away every tear – and every</span> fear </strong></span></span></strong></span></span></span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-7267471786691403162015-03-14T08:44:00.003-07:002015-03-15T12:17:24.915-07:00The God of Mercy? 4th Sunday of Lent<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong>In Luke’s gospel (Luke 13.4-5), Jesus reminds the crowd about a </strong></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">recent tragedy in the village of Siloam – a water tower had collapsed, crushing eighteen men to death.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The people of Jesus' day had an easy explanation for the horrific deaths of the Galileans and the eighteen men under the tower: they were "worse sinners" and "more guilty" than those who were not killed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This idea of God smiting humans for their sins was popular theology in Jesus’ day, so it was plausible for the crowd and the disciples to think that God had smote the Galileans and the villagers of Siloam.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This was a harsh teaching that Jesus rejected. We know that some of the greatest saints have suffered and human experience shows us that bad things can happen and do happen to good people; Jesus is the greatest example.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesus is challenging his hearers to think about their image of God. His words challenge us to think of our image of God as well.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">I recall after the deadly tornado 6 November 2005, there were some Christians who claimed it was God’s punishment upon the States of Indiana and Kentucky for allowing everything from casino gambling and horse-racing to homosexuality and abortion. In some ways it may be tempting to believe such things.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">And there are still Christians who think that God is angry at us and even say that God cursed the poor people of Haiti with an earthquake. This philosophy of believing that human suffering is always caused by sin is a dangerous theology.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">On the problem of evil, Thomas Aquinas wrote, [God does not directly will evil, but] "God allows or permits evil” and can draw forth some greater good out of suffering and death.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">But often tragedy, earthquake, disaster, illness, and disease can cause us to question our faith in God’s mercy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">* * * * *</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In John’s gospel when Jesus met the man blind from birth, the disciples ask Jesus: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents? That he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. (John 9:2).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In Luke’s gospel James and John were upset that a particular group of Samaritans had not accepted Jesus’ message, so James and John ask Jesus if they can call fire down from heaven to consume those Samaritans (which would have undoubtedly killed them), but Jesus turns and reprimands the disciples for even having such intentions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesus does not wish for us to talk or think this way. If we do we are in the wrong state of mind; we are living in the state of sin and the kingdom of fear, not the kingdom of God.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">God’s love is not the kind that says “I’ll love you if you’re good”; or “I’ll love you if you prove what a great person you are”; or “I’ll love you as long as you don’t disappoint me.”</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This image of God is based on dread and fear that God is more apt to curse than forgive. Yet we know that true love casts out all fear!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">For our God is NOT in heaven at his computer screen ready to delete us with the first sign of disobedience. We know that Christ came to forgive us and call us to act with mercy, compassion, love, and service. This was Jesus’ Mission, his Message, His Person.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">In his death upon the cross Christ puts an end to all human sacrifice. He does not demand a pound of flesh for our sins! Christ is the final sacrifice that saves us from sin! His task was to save the world, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son….”</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Nothing we can do can make God love us! He already loves us! That is why God sent His son! And God is so madly in love with each one of us that he longs for us to share that love with whomsoever we meet! And all our works, our prayers, our acts of love and charity are all done in response to God’s gracious love and mercy!! So we rejoice in the mercy of our God! Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! Jesus is our Mercy!</span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS!!! We can never repeat it enough!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">* * * * *</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Yet many of us do have fears of failure or rejection, fears of violence or not meeting other peoples’ expectations of us, fears of being used or taken advantage of, or even fear of natural disasters or war.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Perhaps our fear is not of anything specific – just an overall dread, a feeling that life could fall apart on us at any moment and we wouldn’t be able to cope.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">But the good news is that we can respond to our fears with a deepened trust in the love of God – whether it is a fear of violence or a tragic accident such as the stories in today’s gospel.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Saint Paul wrote that we, as children of God, “did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,” but that we are “joint heirs with Christ,” and if we unite our sufferings with His we will “also be glorified with him.” For the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” (Rom 8.14-18).</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The example of Jesus shows us that when we do suffer we can suffer redemptively; suffering can be transformed into new life. And the foundation of our Christian hope is our belief in the Resurrection of Christ!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Then as we who grow closer to Christ, we come to trust God more deeply over time. Little by little the fears that grip our hearts lose their power over us. We can let go of fear because we know that God is with us – in and through suffering, death, and destruction, and that despite it all, new Life CAN come forth - for not even suffering and death can crush us completely or destroy God’s love for us!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Again, Saint Paul wrote: “If God is for us, who can be against us? What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish or distress or persecution or disaster? No!” he says, “[f]or I am convinced that neither death, nor life… 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” (Rom 8:31, 35-38).</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">God will raise us up, turning our “little crucifixions”, rejections, failures, and losses into new life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.79px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Then, whenever the time of our physical death comes, we will not be caught by surprise or locked in the grip of fear, but we will be living the Kingdom message; </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/20.79px Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">God will give us new life, life in union with Him, a life beyond anything we could ever dream of or ever imagine, where He will wipe away every tear – and every</span> fear !</strong></span></span></strong></span></span></span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-33789039359455302512015-03-04T13:05:00.002-08:002015-03-04T13:51:15.093-08:00Third Sunday of Lent Year B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus cleanses the Temple</span></b></span><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bc/scriptures/nt/matt/21/images/051-051-JesusCleansingTheTemple-full.jpg" width="259" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We typically do not see holy cards, paintings, statues, or
stained glass windows depicting Jesus armed with a whip of cords, flipping over
tables, and releasing sheep and oxen while cleansing the temple. In fact, the
whole scene makes some people very uncomfortable. We have this image in our
minds that religion must be nice and polite, that Jesus must never offend
anyone and be sweet and well-mannered.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/El_Greco_016.jpg" height="260" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many Christians certainly can’t allow for Jesus to
experience any human emotion. But this is not true to the gospel, is it? Jesus
was fully human. He knew love, joy, anger, sadness, and even betrayal and the
pain of death. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet when it comes to religion, or more
properly, the exercise of our Christian call –making real our baptismal
promises and living our faith in Jesus - well, now, for some, that’s a bit
much. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, there is something dreadfully
jarring about the gospel – we are called to reach out to the loveless and to
confront hypocrisy. Jesus jolts us out of our complacency and calls us to pray
for our enemies and do good to those who hate us. His Word compels us to
disturb the status quo that allows the least among us to barely survive. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is something aggressive about
Lent. We fast, we give alms, we pray more fervently. We are called to live more
simply as we reflect on the reality that many others simply live from day to
day. The Lenten fast is often a battle, indeed a struggle – and we know that
Lent began with Jesus being tempted by Satan in the dry wilderness of the Desert. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is something terribly excessive,
surprising, startling about Jesus. His words of "Do not think I have come
to bring peace" and "Your enemies will be those in your own
household." </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Passion and death of Jesus are
violent. His arrest, his scourging, the crowning with thorns, his carrying the
cross, his falling under the weight of the cross, his crucifixion, being nailed
through his hands and his feet, and being pierced through his heart are all
very violent acts. Yet in this startling violence is our peace. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As St. Paul wrote: “Christ crucified,
is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” A crucifix is a
startling image. Jesus states: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny
himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What
profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit
himself? </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we allow the words of Christ to
change our lives, that might render a holy, but violent upheaval in our lives.
When Jesus cleansed the Temple somewhere someone began sawing the lumber for
his cross. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What tables of hypocrisy or
self-righteousness might we overturn if we seek to include the outsiders? Or
what trouble might we “whip up” if we dare to love our enemies? What release
will we provide for the poor and downtrodden if we proclaim and live the
message that the “least among us are the greatest.” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus built a church based on the faith
of His disciples. He promises to Simon Peter that “The gates of the hell shall
not prevail against it.” We as Christians, living the kingdom of God, should be
pounding down the gates of hell’s demonic kingdom with our prayers, our
sacrifices, our alms. We must be on the offense – again called to a holy
fervor. We cannot sit idly by while Satan does his business. We are called to
be a people of justice. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the book of Revelation, Jesus
condemns those who are lukewarm. Just as the violent in our world commit
violence with great fervor and sometimes glee, we must pursue justice and act
with mercy mightily with the same amount of vigor and enthusiasm for
good. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And how might we flip the cultural
tables and clean the secular temples of our society today? Try following the
Ten Commandments. Wow! Talk about messing with a system! </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Honoring one God? Not multiple idols?
Keeping God’s name and Jesus’ name Holy?! Honoring and keeping Sunday Holy?
Committing to at least weekly community prayer? Some non-Catholic churches have
even canceled Christmas and Easter services because many people are too busy to
come to church on that day. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thou shall not kill? We are called to
respect all of human life? Consider the unborn human persons? Consider the
elderly worthy of respect? Care for the poor and less fortunate? Comfort those
in prison? Those in hospitals or those with terminal illnesses? </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Honor the gift of human sexuality?
Cherish marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman? Welcome the
gift of children lovingly? And not regard children as mere products or pieces
of property considered a right for anyone to have or own? </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No stealing? Lying? Swearing falsely?
No coveting others and coveting others successes or belongings? </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People may think that the truth of
orthodoxy is either completely wrong or completely safe. But it is neither
wrong nor safe. One may call the truth politically incorrect or call it
dangerous, but don’t call it safe or boring. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There never was anything so dangerous
or exciting as the truth of orthodoxy. To say that the Eucharist is the body of
Christ is too much for the world, yet Jesus said: “Unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man you will have no life within you.” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Church has never taken the lame
course of saying or doing the popular. The church, for instance, is not going
to change its teaching on what makes Christian marriage or suddenly change its
stance on the dignity of all human life – born and unborn. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In fact, being a disciple of Jesus is
not respectable in our culture. Oh, being a Christian on the side is okay. The
acceptable kind of Christianity that some embrace is one that never allows
Jesus’ teaching to actually change his or her lifestyle or behavior. There are
Christian churches today that bribe their people to come to church with pizza,
games, prizes. How pathetic. They even teach a personal Jesus that does not
claim anything as true – only what is true for each believer is true. How
convenient. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s always easy to go along with the
crowd, to just give in to the cry of the mob. Today there are those who reject
sound doctrine for teachings that “tickle their ears,” in St. Paul’s words.
Today we can imagine those who want to redefine marriage or even redefine what
a human being is or debate when a human being becomes a human person. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet Jesus calls us to a sacrificial
lifestyle that gives God the glory. We must abandon our own ideas that excuse
our sinful behaviors or attitudes. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet today many Christians only come to
church to worship – if they will even call it that – if it is convenient or if
it makes them feel good or if they get something out of it. What they call
worship is often cheap entertainment. One must agree that’s a lot easier than
actually committing oneself to the lifelong task of continual conversion and
growing into the image of Christ. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As an example, we can recall that
slavery was once fashionable throughout the world. So was the idea that certain
groups of human persons were inferior and had a duty to the rest of humanity to
stop having children. And just sixty years ago many Germans systematically set
out to eliminate the entire Jewish population. In our own time, there have been
certain tribes in Africa that have slaughtered their neighbors simply because
they spoke a different language and had different facial features. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One day – I pray – future generations
will look back on our own time and judge us harshly for the way that the unborn
are considered nothing – even though medical science proves beyond a shadow of
a doubt that human life – human personhood – begins at the moment of
conception. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The difficult thing is to be true to
the orthodox teachings of Christ. And we might have to upturn a few tables of
the self-righteous or worldly-wise. We may be called to clear out the
disastrous thinking of those who want to tone down the teachings of Christ or
render the Ten Commandments merely the ten suggestions and call them multiple
choice, or worse, making the teachings of the church optional, nothing more
than a cafeteria offering of a little of this and that. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we allow Christ Jesus access into
our hearts, into our lives, into our temples. May he cleanse us from our sins,
release us from all distractions, whip our rebellious attitudes, and run out
the tempters and temptations that lead us away from the Cross of Christ; for we
know that the Cross is the way to the Resurrection and Life. Amen.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><br />
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-27520207828698063432015-03-04T12:32:00.003-08:002015-03-04T13:13:19.672-08:00HOMILY FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B <div style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0in;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUAbAJcfirweJFlcjtRpGhM7jCAsazDBHQbNq_UEWGRHrW_OB9U2-lPKbAR4PoRl7xsbv1rXIHRgxzVq3bDI0mqQY2sEYylnNLzfbBUudYeA9Wb1oLLNTOTmJTCMyC4nILysZ10iovDM/s320/Ga+2,13-22+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus cleanses the Temple</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We typically do not see holy cards, paintings, statues, or
stained glass windows depicting Jesus armed with a whip of cords, flipping over
tables, and releasing sheep and oxen while cleansing the temple. In fact, the
whole scene makes some people very uncomfortable. We have this image in our
minds that religion must be nice and polite, that Jesus must never offend
anyone and be sweet and well-mannered.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many Christians certainly can’t allow for
Jesus to experience any human emotion. But this is not true to the gospel, is
it? Jesus was fully human. He knew love, joy, anger, sadness, and even betrayal
and the pain of death. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet when it comes to
religion, or more properly, the exercise of our Christian call –making real our
baptismal promises and living our faith in Jesus - well, now, for some, that’s
a bit much. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, there is something
dreadfully jarring about the gospel – we are called to reach out to the
loveless and to confront hypocrisy. Jesus jolts us out of our complacency and
calls us to pray for our enemies and do good to those who hate us. His Word
compels us to disturb the status quo that allows the least among us to barely
survive. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is something
aggressive about Lent. We fast, we give alms, we pray more fervently. We are
called to live more simply as we reflect on the reality that many others simply
live from day to day. The Lenten fast is often a battle, indeed a struggle –
and we know that Lent began with Jesus being tempted by Satan in the dry
wilderness of the Desert. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is something
terribly excessive, surprising, startling about Jesus. His words of "Do
not think I have come to bring peace" and "Your enemies will be those
in your own household." </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Passion and death of
Jesus are violent. His arrest, his scourging, the crowning with thorns, his
carrying the cross, his falling under the weight of the cross, his crucifixion,
being nailed through his hands and his feet, and being pierced through his
heart are all very violent acts. Yet in this startling violence is our
peace. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As St. Paul wrote:
“Christ crucified, is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” A
crucifix is a startling image. Jesus states: Whoever wishes to come after me
must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wishes
to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find
it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit
himself? </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we allow the words of
Christ to change our lives, that might render a holy, but violent upheaval in
our lives. When Jesus cleansed the Temple somewhere someone began sawing the
lumber for his cross. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What tables of hypocrisy
or self-righteousness might we overturn if we seek to include the outsiders? Or
what trouble might we “whip up” if we dare to love our enemies? What release
will we provide for the poor and downtrodden if we proclaim and live the
message that the “least among us are the greatest.” </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus built a church
based on the faith of His disciples. He promises to Simon Peter that “The gates
of the hell shall not prevail against it.” We as Christians, living the kingdom
of God, should be pounding down the gates of hell’s demonic kingdom with our
prayers, our sacrifices, our alms. We must be on the offense – again called to
a holy fervor. We cannot sit idly by while Satan does his business. We are
called to be a people of justice. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the book of
Revelation, Jesus condemns those who are lukewarm. Just as the violent in our
world commit violence with great fervor and sometimes glee, we must pursue
justice and act with mercy mightily with the same amount of vigor and
enthusiasm for good. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And how might we flip the
cultural tables and clean the secular temples of our society today? Try
following the Ten Commandments. Wow! Talk about messing with a system! </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Honoring one God? Not
multiple idols? Keeping God’s name and Jesus’ name Holy?! Honoring and keeping
Sunday Holy? Committing to at least weekly community prayer? Some non-Catholic
churches have even canceled Christmas and Easter services because many people
are too busy to come to church on that day. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thou shall not kill? We
are called to respect all of human life? Consider the unborn human persons?
Consider the elderly worthy of respect? Care for the poor and less fortunate?
Comfort those in prison? Those in hospitals or those with terminal
illnesses? </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Honor the gift of human
sexuality? Cherish marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman?
Welcome the gift of children lovingly? And not regard children as mere products
or pieces of property considered a right for anyone to have or own? </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No stealing? Lying?
Swearing falsely? No coveting others and coveting others successes or belongings? </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People may think that the
truth of orthodoxy is either completely wrong or completely safe. But it is
neither wrong nor safe. One may call the truth politically incorrect or call it
dangerous, but don’t call it safe or boring. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There never was anything
so dangerous or exciting as the truth of orthodoxy. To say that the Eucharist
is the body of Christ is too much for the world, yet Jesus said: “Unless you
eat the flesh of the Son of Man you will have no life within you.” </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Church has never
taken the lame course of saying or doing the popular. The church, for instance,
is not going to change its teaching on what makes Christian marriage or
suddenly change its stance on the dignity of all human life – born and
unborn. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In fact, being a disciple
of Jesus is not respectable in our culture. Oh, being a Christian on the side
is okay. The acceptable kind of Christianity that some embrace is one that
never allows Jesus’ teaching to actually change his or her lifestyle or
behavior. There are Christian churches today that bribe their people to come to
church with pizza, games, prizes. How pathetic. They even teach a personal
Jesus that does not claim anything as true – only what is true for each
believer is true. How convenient. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s always easy to go
along with the crowd, to just give in to the cry of the mob. Today there are
those who reject sound doctrine for teachings that “tickle their ears,” in St.
Paul’s words. Today we can imagine those who want to redefine marriage or even
redefine what a human being is or debate when a human being becomes a human
person. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet Jesus calls us to a
sacrificial lifestyle that gives God the glory. We must abandon our own ideas
that excuse our sinful behaviors or attitudes. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet today many Christians
only come to church to worship – if they will even call it that – if it is
convenient or if it makes them feel good or if they get something out of it.
What they call worship is often cheap entertainment. One must agree that’s a
lot easier than actually committing oneself to the lifelong task of continual
conversion and growing into the image of Christ. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As an example, we can
recall that slavery was once fashionable throughout the world. So was the idea
that certain groups of human persons were inferior and had a duty to the rest
of humanity to stop having children. And just sixty years ago many Germans
systematically set out to eliminate the entire Jewish population. In our own
time, there have been certain tribes in Africa that have slaughtered their
neighbors simply because they spoke a different language and had different
facial features. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One day – I pray – future
generations will look back on our own time and judge us harshly for the way
that the unborn are considered nothing – even though medical science proves
beyond a shadow of a doubt that human life – human personhood – begins at the
moment of conception. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The difficult thing is to
be true to the orthodox teachings of Christ. And we might have to upturn a few
tables of the self-righteous or worldly-wise. We may be called to clear out the
disastrous thinking of those who want to tone down the teachings of Christ or
render the Ten Commandments merely the ten suggestions and call them multiple
choice, or worse, making the teachings of the church optional, nothing more
than a cafeteria offering of a little of this and that. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we allow Christ Jesus
access into our hearts, into our lives, into our temples. May he cleanse us
from our sins, release us from all distractions, whip our rebellious attitudes,
and run out the tempters and temptations that lead us away from the Cross of
Christ; for we know that the Cross is the way to the Resurrection and Life.
Amen.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.55pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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</span></span><br /></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-91715430732823316822014-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:002014-08-30T20:22:16.019-07:00ALWAYS THE CROSS<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ALWAYS THE CROSS</span></u></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
22nd Sunday of the Year </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdbSJoDZ-AjsaHIx_jUZKTc4H1Z3fjPdQAwrzfQoE2gl7RcOjvmGcjcg-lIZJZ5CfHICn9yWhlFjGJzN-lSZpvSwlfmP22gXRQGRvDqOJ8lEYuEL2R_haLnhiGVG6MLYOpkxm2ER-6hs/s1600/grunewaldcrucif1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdbSJoDZ-AjsaHIx_jUZKTc4H1Z3fjPdQAwrzfQoE2gl7RcOjvmGcjcg-lIZJZ5CfHICn9yWhlFjGJzN-lSZpvSwlfmP22gXRQGRvDqOJ8lEYuEL2R_haLnhiGVG6MLYOpkxm2ER-6hs/s1600/grunewaldcrucif1.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://usccb.org/bible/readings/083114.cfm" target="_blank">Here are the readings for this Sunday</a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ALWAYS THE CROSS</span></u></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"You
know, there's a lot they didn't tell me when I signed up for this gig." </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It
seems that’s what the prophet Jeremiah was saying in the first reading tonight/today.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In
his lifetime, Jeremiah watched the people of Jerusalem and Judea fall from
bright promise into moral and social decay. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">God
called Jeremiah warned his fellow believers of their sins, declaring that their
crimes and sins against one another were ultimately against God.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As he
spoke the truth to the evils of his day, he was laughed at for the Word of God
had alienated him from everyone.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeremiah,
feeling overwhelmed as a prophet declared: "Lord, you duped me!" This
is not what I hoped for.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So
Jeremiah seeks to abandon his vocation as a prophet and an announced: "I
will no longer speak his words!" </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
of us here might have that same feeling in our own vocations as husbands,
wives, parents, employees or employers. We may feel overwhelmed in our
discipleship with the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may want
to just give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Our faith is
certainly being tested these days, isn't it?</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But
after Jeremiah tries to keep God's Word to himself, it becomes like a consuming
fire within him and he realizes he must continue in his ministry, preaching and
proclaiming the truth, and bearing the personal consequences for speaking the
truth. </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeremiah
had to tell the truth that the people of God were going to destroy themselves
and their nation if they did not turn from their sins. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
as a result of the people’s disobedience and failure to respond to God's Word, the
Babylonians were able to sweep into Jerusalem with cruel devastation in 587
B.C. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Temple was destroyed, and
Jerusalem was leveled to the ground, and what people were not killed were sent
off in exile. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As
for Jeremiah, he was stoned to death by his own people.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not
exactly the happy ending people like to hear, is it?</span></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>
</i></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Saint Paul didn't realize what he had signed up for either. Paul's words
to the Romans are as truthful and timely today as when they were first written.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul's message today
reads: "</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…" </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul meant for us to offer our whole selves to God, entrusting him with
our hearts, minds, bodies, and soul. This involves a sacrifice. We are called
to be transformed and offered to God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
that involves the Cross. </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
St. Paul wrote: "</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" he was being serious! St.
Paul Wrote elsewhere: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of
the Holy Spirit...and that you are not your own? You were bought with a
price," (namely the Blood of Christ); therefore glorify God in your
body" (1 Cor 6.19-20).</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So what
would Jeremiah or St. Paul say to our culture today? </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Let us consider how our world regards the </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">gift of human life and human sexuality
today.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Let's face
it,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The gift of human life</i> has been
cheapened. Workers are underpaid and underemployed, often used as mere cogs in the
economic machine, and worldwide peoples are impoverished and starving in the shadow
of a fast-food world of endless buffets.</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And as we
are sorely aware, people around the world are being hounded into exile by
radical regimes and murderous violence; barbarically martyred because of their
faith or bombed because of their ethnicity.</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And it is sad that some American companies profit from selling weapons and armaments to warring factions - to the point where Americans are now being killed by U.S. made weapons in the hands of former so-called allies.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The gift of human sexuality</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> has been reduced to the level of entertainment, and
human persons are degraded as things, a means to someone else's profit or pleasure
; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and irresponsible, casual sex and
pornography have become mainstream, and many now defend it. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In
fact, romance is rejected outright and conjugal love has even been reduced to
violence and domination, as is evidenced in the increase in domestic violence as
well as being portrayed as sexy in popular novels and film.</span></b>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Much of
advertising edges on the verge of pornography, as the human body - often the female
body - is routinely used to sell consumer products, beer or hamburgers, and
even children themselves - the gift of human life - the fruit of marital love -
are regarded as undesirable and treated as disposable - unless someone thinks they
should harvest their organs.</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And,
regretfully, it isn’t simply the secular world that has bought into these
cultural lies, of so-called freedom. Many of our Catholic and Christian brothers
and sisters have done so as well.</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">[But true freedom
is not having the right to do whatever we want; Freedom is having the right to
do what we ought to do, (St. John Paul II)].</span></i></b><br />
<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 14.95pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I realize
it is difficult to hear, and having said all that, now we may have a better idea
why they killed the prophets, but the prophets were called to critique the culture
in light of God's Word. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Again,
the Cross looms. </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">St.
Paul further reminds us in today's reading: "Do not conform yourselves to
this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So how
do we do that? </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus'
words bring us back to reality: "Deny yourself, take up your Cross and
follow me." </span></b>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">That is
the one reality that we cannot avoid: The Cross of Christ.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Many of
us here have endured or are enduring our own share in the Cross of Christ.</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And we
may even be questioning our faith. We may even have our doubts in the face of
family illness, tragedy, and senseless, untimely death. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Like
Jeremiah, we may feel duped! </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, we
know the Cross - splinters - nails - a crown of thorns - and all. </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But we
often desire to avoid the Cross in our lives. Who doesn't?</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In
the Gospel, Peter does not want Jesus to suffer the Cross, so he says to Jesus,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter
meant well. He didn't want Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nailed</i>
to a cross.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet,
in response to Peter, Jesus turned and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an
obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And so
Christ takes up the Cross.</span></b></span> </span> </span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs6uDRhG0J51PYjGgrMviVuZZ7tnPrMqLl2MtRoXG-XsNQGJaEcgd5ZFMr2Q9uoNojO2VG17ot1DZxTgZfgsMTf929AATWtXW3_7TgpUAdJakwATqYBfDsi-C8TK3BhQbjor7O2pMBWo/s1600/a+history+of+catholicism+in+Evansville+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs6uDRhG0J51PYjGgrMviVuZZ7tnPrMqLl2MtRoXG-XsNQGJaEcgd5ZFMr2Q9uoNojO2VG17ot1DZxTgZfgsMTf929AATWtXW3_7TgpUAdJakwATqYBfDsi-C8TK3BhQbjor7O2pMBWo/s1600/a+history+of+catholicism+in+Evansville+2.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ
is always on the way to the Cross. (And so are we if we are following him).</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"For
the Cross is the only ladder by which we may go to heaven." (<span style="background: rgb(254, 253, 250);">St. Rose of Lima</span>)</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Though nowadays there
is a cultural Jesus - a Cross-less Christ, a Cross-free Jesus, - that has been
fabricated by a narcissistic society that wants Jesus to approve every cultural
lie and to allow us to live without the Cross.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The world was always
telling Jesus what to do. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And the world is
always telling the Church what to do: </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Constantia;"></span></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Avoid suffering and
death. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Avoid the Cross.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today we hear the critics say: "What does the Church
know about <u>sexuality</u>, economics, <u>or justice</u>?"</span></i></b>
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We hear people say that Jesus never said anything about
sexual purity or the dignity of marriage or the lives of children - born or unborn.</span></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We hear people say that Jesus never criticized those who put
profit above people or that he never challenged racist attitudes or questioned a
nationalistic superiority complex. </span></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
</span></span></span><div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">These are lies. </span></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">From Satan. </span></i></b><br />
<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Shortcuts away from the Cross.</span></i></b><br />
<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus tells Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan." Do not tell me what to do. Don't tell God how
to be God. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 7.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If all we do is want
to avoid suffering and pain, we will likely never experience true joy.</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So today we cannot afford to simply claim a sort of
ethnic Catholicism, as if being a Catholic in name only is enough, and that's all there is to discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">St.
Paul reminds us: "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We must </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">consciously,
intentionally</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> entrust ourselves to Jesus Christ,</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> in a </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">personal, life-giving
relationship</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, nourished through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sacred Scripture and t</i></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">he Sacramental life of the Church</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And, yes, that comes complete with the Cross. </span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything less is counterfeit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So by the grace of Christ and the Holy Spirit, we
will put on the mind of Christ and begin to think as God thinks, not merely as
human beings.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And when we each can become a living sacrifice of
praise, we can pray, as did St. Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but
Christ Jesus who lives in me. (Galatians 2.20).</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">However,
in following Christ, we may be ignored like the prophets, we may become excluded
as were the apostles....</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We may
experience the same fate as the prophet Jeremiah….</span></b><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; background: white; line-height: 14.95pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter
was crucified….</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbHWsIPQ-KxSrviTAt7gKDlmeLNLwhsSB5-oC8XbeuWBab2wY1rb9zTHtchjHP3a6g8tmv7NRQw8O-cTPlkNOXjcuqeOjpfgkD-koSGaWVpNSmj-1HNbB7RKuBft3u-S2-xghj0VQ0mw/s1600/peter+michaelangelo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbHWsIPQ-KxSrviTAt7gKDlmeLNLwhsSB5-oC8XbeuWBab2wY1rb9zTHtchjHP3a6g8tmv7NRQw8O-cTPlkNOXjcuqeOjpfgkD-koSGaWVpNSmj-1HNbB7RKuBft3u-S2-xghj0VQ0mw/s1600/peter+michaelangelo.jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Paul
was beheaded....</span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now we
may not be killed for our faith in Christ – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">though
I cannot promise any of us that</i> – but we may lose some of our human
friendships, no longer being invited to certain social soi<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>rees,
for we will no longer share the same values and interests of the world. </span></b>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">St. Peter said to the followers of Christ, "You are
a peculiar people, a people of His own," for we were not meant<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to fit in; we were born to stand out as lights
of truth in a darkened world full of lies.</span></b></div>
</span> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In the words of [the Catholic author] Flannery O'Connor: </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You shall know the<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">truth</span></i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span>and
the<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">truth</span></i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span>shall
make you<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">odd</span></i>.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But
so be it. </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For
we are following Christ. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />
</span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-68810121665976707122014-08-06T10:23:00.002-07:002014-08-09T21:48:08.169-07:00A Desperate Mother's Love Without Borders: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 17th, 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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Gospel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="book" href="http://wherehavewebeenandwherearewegoing.blogspot.com/2011/09/mothers-love-without-borders.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mt 15:21-28</a> </h4>
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At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.<br />And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon."</h4>
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But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.</h4>
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Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."<br />He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."</h4>
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But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."</h4>
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He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."</h4>
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She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."<br />Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.</h4>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">A Desperate Love Without Borders</span></u></i></b></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: #fff9ee;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">Did I just hear what I read? Jesus ignores a desperate woman with a demon possessed child and then he says, “It is not right give the children’s food to the dogs.” At first glance, this story might seem demeaning to women; she was ignored, pushed away, and was considered no more than a dog. Jesus disturbs us with his actions and his words today.</span></span></span></strong></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">Jesus continues on his journey north until he is at the border near Tyre and Sidon surrounded by Gentiles. The disciples likely had no idea where he was going or why he was heading north into Gentile territory. I’m sure they thought Jesus was out of bounds!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">The Canaanite woman approaches Jesus as he moves along the border. One can imagine the hostility between the Jews and the Canaanites; it was like the rancor between Jews and Palestinians or some Texans (or "Ameircans") and Mexicans today. As Jesus walks along the border near Tyre and Sidon, the woman calls him Lord and Son of David.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">But Jesus represented all that the Canaanites despised. One can almost see a showdown Jesus and his disciples are on one side of the border while the Canaanites are on the other side – with the poor woman and her possessed daughter caught up in the ugly war of political and theological differences, trapped between two worlds, likely cast away by her own people because of her possessed daughter, hence her reason for dwelling at the border of her country.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">Jesus was her last great hope. Yet Jesus ignores her cries. Jesus’ silence must have been deafening! Then Jesus’ disciples add insult to injury; they are desperate to get rid of her! “Send her away! She’s embarrassing us. You can’t have riff-raff following you around. You have a godly reputation to keep. Pretty soon all the gentiles will want to follow you and have a share in the kingdom of God.”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">She couldn’t win, she was despised by everyone. She was completely abandoned. She had thrown herself upon the mercy of the Lord God only to hear nothing. But Jesus’ silence and his disciples’ ugliness did not deter her from calling upon the Lord!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Imagine this woman’s desperation. We do not have a lot of information about her, but sorrow filled her life. Her daughter had gone to the dark side of demonic possession. One also wonders where her husband was in all of this. Perhaps he had abandoned her as a result of the nuisance of a troublesome daughter and all the difficulty she caused their marriage. Or maybe the woman was a widow and had no one to rely on. Her life and that of her daughter must have been as desperate as we can imagine! Lack of financial means, emotional pain, fear and exhaustion! And now spiritual abandonment! The worst thing imaginable.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> And yet in this woman’s desperation she keeps getting pushed away! She is longing to belong, she is longing for happiness, and is will do anything for her daughter – even seek the God of Israel. She throws herself on the ground in front of Jesus and begs for mercy, but he tells her he is on a mission to the lost sheep of Israel.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Certainly one of the disciples should have been troubled by the way Jesus was treating this woman. Or was he trying to get their attention by acting like them?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Jesus then says, “It is not right to throw the food of the children to the dogs.” So now she is reduced to a dog.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Maybe it was a common cliché tossed around like “It is not right to take the wealth of the rich and throw it to the poor” or “The poor are poor because they lack morals,” or “America is for Americans.”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">It is clear that the disciples did not want Jesus crossing into any unfriendly territories, or going into the wrong neighborhoods or, God forbid, crossing any borders.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Yet Jesus’ mere presence along the border of Tyre and Sidon is teaching his disciples that all territories and lands are the Lord’s and all peoples are called into the Kingdom of God. It is the good news that never grows old.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Yet there are borders that we put up between ourselves and the Lord. We may think we know we have all the answers, we think that certain people are not good enough, we may consider certain attitudes tolerable or acceptable, or we may be guilty of placing ourselves first when others are clearly in more need. Or we may have preconceived notions of who God is or believe that one can only be a real Christian if one has a particular socio-political or theological view. Or what I see so much of today is the idea that one has to be perfect before one can be a Catholic or a Christian. How sad! Christ came to call the unworthy – and that includes all of us!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> A closer look at this wonderful Canaanite woman reveals to us an example of a Mother’s love for her children. A love that protects at all cost, even to the point of ridicule. “Lord, even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> The woman was not distracted from her mission: saving her daughter from the demon. This Gentile woman fulfilled her mission, because of her boldness in faith, love for her child, and trust in a merciful God. And she was willing to even accept the scraps from the table of the master, all for the love of another human being.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> The woman’s persistence shows that Jesus is accessible to all people–even those along the borders, on the fringes of society, the marginalized. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">There are still Canaanites in our midst: outsiders who some people would rather ignore and send away, and women and men who are bearing great family burdens, and those who have suffered great losses, yet still come to church, kneel in the pew and remain faithful to the Lord, despite their doubts and questions, they still cling to their faith.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> Jesus dared cross established borders that his disciples wanted to keep, and ministered to the one who called upon him in faith. And the woman found acceptance across the forbidden border.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;"> We are called to be like Christ.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">Jesus allowed this woman to enter his world.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">This one act changed everything.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">Jesus is changed by the encounter with this woman of faith.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">And so are his disciples.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">And so are we.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">All are welcome to enter the House of the Lord! All are invited to His table!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">This woman turns Jesus' ministry to the gentiles, the non-Jews. She not only wants to enter the House of Israel, but she wants to sit at the table of the Lord, and is willing to accept the lowest place in the house – even if it is as a desperate dog.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">The woman only wanted a crumb of bread from the Master’s table.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">She was desperate to belong.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">She was desperate for the Lord.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66px;">How desperate are we?</span></b></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-71996944105042994802014-08-02T13:41:00.002-07:002014-08-02T13:44:24.502-07:00A Tale of Two Banquets<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A</h4>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080314.cfm" target="_blank">THE SCRIPTURAL READINGS FOR THE DAY</a></em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";">Like Charles' Dickens' novel, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, today's scriptures reveal to us a tale of two banquets.</span></b></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The gospel begins immediately after the first
banquet, which was held by King Herod to celebrate his birthday.</span></b></span></span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But Herod's banquet was all about the invited
guests</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and their desire for
power, food, drink, and pleasure only for themselves</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">- and it ended with a dancing girl requesting
the head of John the Baptist</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">on
a silver platter.</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is where our gospel story begins today.
"When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat
to a deserted place" <i>in sorrow and grief. </i></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet when Jesus disembarks the vessel, he sees
the vast crowd and his heart is moved with pity and he cures their sick.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the beginning of the second banquet.
A</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">vast crowd following Christ longing for life.</span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But Jesus wanted to be alone. He was grieving
the death of his cousin. Jesus had come to find peace and quiet, but instead he
found needy and hungry people who were longing for life and were heavily burdened.
</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In our limited human minds and frigid hearts
we want to draw boundary lines, as if there is a fenced off area that says:
"Mercy stops here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When the disciples realize the only food to
be found for the hungry crowd was five barley loaves and two skinny fish, they</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">tell
Jesus, "Send the people away." <i>Scatter the crowd. Dismiss these
people. Send them packing. Let them fend for themselves, Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a very real temptation for all of us
to look elsewhere in the hope that the poor and needy and hungry will solve
their own problems or that someone else will help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dismissing others is so much easier than
having to deal with their needs or problems.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet when he saw the crowds, he did <i>NOT</i>
say: "Go away! Be quiet and don't bother me: I'm praying." And send
those women and children away! They're sick and poor and hungry. It's their
problem, not mine."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus sets
aside his own personal feelings and needs for those of the crowd, for there are
no borders or boundaries with Jesus. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus sets an example for his disciples and
the Church and </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">says:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"No."</span> </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He dismisses the disciples' fear with faith. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus challenges his disciples - and us - <i>"There
is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” </i></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We are often tempted to want to do things our
own way and fail to pay attention to the needs of others. </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So can we imagine the disciples' reactions
when Jesus told them to give the people something to eat themselves?!</span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"But Lord, five loaves and two fish for
5000 men – not including all the women and children?! How are you ever going to
break that bread into such small pieces? And the fish – well, forget that!</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus said, “Bring them here to
me." So Jesus says, no, we must stay together. And care for one another,
no matter how different or needy we are, or how hungry we are.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><strong><span id="goog_174534534"><br /></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If we truly believe that God cares for and
loves everyone, then each of us who claim to be Christ's disciples - his
ambassadors - must care for and love the ones that Christ cares for and loves.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is tempting to find other people a
nuisance or a problem. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet Jesus is teaching us that what we
consider distractions and inconveniences may well be our true callings, our
vocations. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If we are merely content to keep our faith
confined to this church building and we are merely content to go to Mass, but
not concern ourselves with the needs of others and issues of justice, then we
are missing the full gospel message of Christ.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Through the prophet Isaiah, God had called
his people to the banquet: "Come, eat! You shall delight in rich
fare."</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So Jesus then took the five loaves and the
two fish, said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds. </span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was a repeat of manna in the wilderness
with Moses. The people of Jesus' day would not have missed this. The Jews also
believed that manna would return with the coming of the Messiah. And this
event foreshadows the Eucharist when the disciples reclined at table.</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Note that Jesus gives the loaves to his
disciples - who then in turn distribute the food to the people. Jesus uses
intermediaries, human agents, the members of His Church, to convey God's
grace. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Those who received the morsel of bread were
strengthened for their journey. It was the miracle of Christ's presence.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And just as the Lord feeds us in the
Eucharist, we feed each other in our community. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus calls us to be united, even in our
suffering and difficulty, to stay together in the communal life. For if we are
the body of Christ, if we are the Church, then we have a responsibility for
each other, and the world.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The example of the disciples giving Jesus the
five loaves and two fish</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">has great significance for us: If we give
Christ our faith, our love, our gifts, and our compassion, no matter how
insignificant we may think they are, our gifts will be multiplied beyond our
belief.</span> </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ calls each us to share what little we
have and promises us that there will be enough - and more than enough -
leftovers! Little is always much in the hands of the Lord.</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Will we have the courage to realize that our
weakness can be taken, blessed, broken and shared?!</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We often expect the dramatic, a large
banquet, but we are nourished by simple food, the ordinariness of daily life: a
visit with a neighbor - a former student or co-worker lets you know that you
influenced his or her life with your commitment and kindness. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The simple sharing of a meal, a cool
refreshing cup of cold water, an unexpected call, an unexpected visit, or a
kind word over coffee can be transformed into a banquet of love to those we
meet. </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ Jesus can take our small gifts of five
loaves and two fish and transform them, bless them, and multiply them beyond
our imaginings - if we move from fear to faith. And in faith he will feed us
and then we in turn can</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">feed one another.</span></span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Come,
then, let us hasten to the Eucharistic banquet of the Lord!</span></b></span></span></div>
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John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-87534358305079614912014-07-27T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-27T00:00:00.804-07:00The Pearl of Great Price<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A Deacon John McMullen</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072714.cfm" target="_blank">THE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Solomon's request for
an understanding heart show what seeking true happiness should be about. we all
too often seem happiness in dry wells, in empty fields, in muddy waters, and in
our fast and furious gropings, happiness eludes us. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hawthorne wrote:
"Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your
grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the gospel note
that the hidden treasure is discovered unexpectedly. the poor laborer is now
wealthy beyond compare and his life is forever changed, so he sells all he has
to buy that field. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWneJIMyUKOJxhY1V9hyphenhyphenK54Sk4efi7QTH8da8I-toEHw6Xog2_VR1j-FImcdryjW1SxOmSBDMQFTeDZ8Sv3wAjkmxsyfA_uoeiq_qctQOtT6e5CVzI9hcUbegcYejbBXEXNXpCINOzyE/s1600/Treasure-in-a-Field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWneJIMyUKOJxhY1V9hyphenhyphenK54Sk4efi7QTH8da8I-toEHw6Xog2_VR1j-FImcdryjW1SxOmSBDMQFTeDZ8Sv3wAjkmxsyfA_uoeiq_qctQOtT6e5CVzI9hcUbegcYejbBXEXNXpCINOzyE/s1600/Treasure-in-a-Field.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why did he buy the field?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Note that he does not
gamble the money away; he makes an investment.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The second man is a
wealthy merchant, seeking more treasure. And he discovers the pearl of great price.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2QaCMuraKuPg0Ih3Nj6Bj6mkLObqzPAR02RGRG_MZ4NQltCZmr0wvQwqRnGUTU0mWVMXRepJzFkRneWlWVlB8dxYnY0FeqgtHsysM7qYU8ZCacVdTotWrng_1T5FPDipMWYZc6f2t9A/s1600/Pearl-of-great-Price.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2QaCMuraKuPg0Ih3Nj6Bj6mkLObqzPAR02RGRG_MZ4NQltCZmr0wvQwqRnGUTU0mWVMXRepJzFkRneWlWVlB8dxYnY0FeqgtHsysM7qYU8ZCacVdTotWrng_1T5FPDipMWYZc6f2t9A/s1600/Pearl-of-great-Price.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both men are called to
the kingdom. poor and rich alike.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The third image is
that of a net that captures everything, good and bad. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Note that the net
contains righteous and sinners alike. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is God's business to do the sorting
out.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeduqHi6xw5ltJoaNl-MwQm74oya9Rq_D4UarPnByQeh7nvMeb0Efc4M89PVPV9eceB3-dOrXtxrva4FxYgQ04kkMDyiQaC0Ja8ZC5it4631Ta6Tu4G8ymBN48hL4hnUcuLUpPkB3TvoQ/s1600/kingdom+net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeduqHi6xw5ltJoaNl-MwQm74oya9Rq_D4UarPnByQeh7nvMeb0Efc4M89PVPV9eceB3-dOrXtxrva4FxYgQ04kkMDyiQaC0Ja8ZC5it4631Ta6Tu4G8ymBN48hL4hnUcuLUpPkB3TvoQ/s1600/kingdom+net.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is great joy
here. the joy removes our desire to hoard, and compels us to give of our
essence.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The kingdom cannot be
bought or sold. It is a gift, a free gift, often surprising those who were not
even looking for it. Yet the kingdom, though free, it costs us everything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are surprised by
love. such love that gives and forgives.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In another way, it is
Christ who has sold all he has to buy us back, to ransom us, we are the
treasure buried in the field; He is the merchant in search of the pearl of
great price; and he is the fisherman who hauls us ashore, good and bad junk in
the nets of our lives.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The net is like the
church too, full of good and bad fish and assorted stuff.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We, like Solomon, need
to seek that which is holy, for wealth passes away.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wisdom is forever,
like the kingdom, which is Christ Himself. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He is the prize above
all things.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we seek Him in all
things.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-85747542011002255652014-06-29T12:30:00.000-07:002014-07-21T12:45:38.760-07:00Peter and Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saints Peter & Paul June 29 </b></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a beautiful June 29th in the summer of 1986 and I
rode my bike to early morning Mass. It was the feast day of Saints Peter and
Paul. The martyrs' scarlet red altar cloths and priestly vestments were quite a
contrast to the olive green of ordinary time. I often went to daily Mass, but
something about the celebration of Peter and Paul remained with me.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> I have met many saints in
the liturgy - both those officially canonized and those in the pews around me.
Daily Mass can be a great blessing in our lives.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saints Peter and Paul, </span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the two saints that
we celebrate today, are the two pillars of the Church. Peter and Paul were both
martyred in the city of Rome, executed during Nero’s persecution between 64 and
67 A.D. Peter first and then Paul.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Let's take a look at the
scripture to witness their faith, beginning with Simon-Peter. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus had left his hometown of Nazareth and was living in
Capernaum, a port city on the Sea of Galilee, home to many fishermen. Jesus may
well have lived a few doors down from Simon-Peter.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One day after teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum,
(Lk. 4.38-41), Jesus<span style="color: #333333;"> </span>"entered the house
of Simon.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus cured Simon-Peter's
mother-in-law.<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> (I wonder if Peter thought that was a good thing?) Anyway, at
sunset, many of the sick with various diseases were brought to Jesus. He laid
his hands on each of them and cured them. He also performed many exorcisms. All
at Peter's house</span></span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Then a few days later, after
Simon-Peter had been fishing all night long and had caught nothing, he was
cleaning his nets and looking forward to going home to sleep, when Jesus happened
along. The Lord asked Simon-Peter if he could stand in his boat to teach the
crowd gathered on the shoreline. <span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">When he
finished speaking,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he</span> asked Simon
to take the boat out again: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"<span style="background: white;">Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a
catch.”</span></i></span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Simon-Peter
said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught
nothing....But at your command - at your word - I will lower the nets!" </span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">[L<span class="bcv">uke 5.6-11] W</span>hen he did so, his nets were so full of fish they
were nearly tearing...but Simon-Peter knelt before Jesus and said, “Depart from
me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” </span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Note that once Simon says to Jesus, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">“Depart from me, Lord - leave me - for I am a
sinful man,"</span></i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> that it is
then that the Lord can work in Simon-Peter's life. </span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Once Simon-Peter recognized that he was a sinner
and Jesus was the Lord and Savior, Jesus could then utilize him because in his
humility and recognition of his need for a savior, Jesus was then able to work
through his life. </span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Yes, there is a risk in being Jesus' neighbor, allowing
Christ to enter your home, your boat, your workplace. He will change our life
if we let him in.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
how many of us still recall Jesus' question that echoes throughout history:
"Who do you say that I am?"</span></i></b></div>
<b>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And Peter confesses his faith: "You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God." </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus declares: "Blessed are you, Simon...And so I say to you, you are
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of
heaven...." (Matthew 16:17b-19). </span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the Resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times:
"Do you love me?" Do you love me more than the fish?</span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We must know Christ in order to love him. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
are we to love Christ if we do not know Him? </span></i></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
how are we to know Him if we do not love him?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And when Jesus was arrested, Simon-Peter even denied that
he knew Jesus, but even after the crucifixion, the disciples still recognized him
as the chief apostle.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">From the day of Jesus' Resurrection onward, and in the Acts of the Apostles,
Peter is recognized as the head of the church community, and later became the
"papa" of the Jewish-Christians and converts to Christianity in Rome,
This was rooted in Jesus' decision to call Peter the rock, the chief apostle,
and to give him the keys of the kingdom, which symbolize the authority of the
Church. Hence the title papa, or "pope" is associated with this first
bishop of Rome and all subsequent bishops of Rome.</span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia; mso-highlight: white;">Let us
now turn to Saul of Tarsus, Saint Paul. Saul was a strident Pharisee, and as a
Jewish theologian he was a staunch defender of Judaism against the followers of
Jesus of Nazareth - even to the point where he oversaw the death by stoning
execution of Saint Stephen.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Yet this ardent enemy of Christ, on the road
to Damascus to arrest members of the Church, was blinded by the light of the
Risen Christ Jesus and his life was changed foverer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">That event was the impetus that made him one
of the most passionate and courageous ambassadors of Christ in Church history,
making him the Apostle to the Gentiles. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Persecution, humiliation, and weakness became
his daily cross thereafter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Paul went through much
for Our Lord. "...i</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">mprisonments, ...beatings,
and numerous brushes with death. Five times he received forty
lashes minus one. (40 was considered lethal); Three times
he beaten with rods, once he was stoned and left for dead, three times he was
shipwrecked, he passed a night and a day adrift on the open sea; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in dangers..from
robbers...dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers
among false brothers</span></b><span style="mso-bookmark: 55011026;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">...." (2 Cor. 11.
23-26). </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But Paul assures us:
"</span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">The sufferings of the present are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18-21) and </span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>declares in Galatians 2.20 . "I have been
crucified with Christ, for it is no longer <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">I who live, but Christ Jesus who lives in me...the Son of
God who has loved me and given himself up for me."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Like both Peter and Paul, once Christ encounters us, and calls us each by
name, we are wounded with mercy, our hearts are seared with his love, and our
minds with his truth ; this is why we will desire to keep His Commandments and
follow Church Teaching....</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">and when we taste His goodness, experience his love, and his mercy, we long
for more....for we are wounded by His love. This longing for the beautiful, for
the good, the true, all that is holy, is what Saints Peter and Paul
experienced.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">They abandoned everything to follow Christ - Peter was crucified upside
down and Paul was beheaded - as enemies of the state, the decadent Roman world.
They were witnesses to the Truth of Christ and took up the Cross, and it was as
difficult then as it is now where the only truth is that nothing is true. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipuygOQUFfa3ppYabYIlFNJD4yZMXkJR6t1n44rWtun32TS59E8m-4GMSBhqwIzSqlChLqOPhzsx-_9sA_TY3cWv6gH4-TFfDLxSlIjNN3n4vTa_RAd1s0lyS27mPzLl9mVMr0cnxUIE/s1600/peter+michaelangelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipuygOQUFfa3ppYabYIlFNJD4yZMXkJR6t1n44rWtun32TS59E8m-4GMSBhqwIzSqlChLqOPhzsx-_9sA_TY3cWv6gH4-TFfDLxSlIjNN3n4vTa_RAd1s0lyS27mPzLl9mVMr0cnxUIE/s1600/peter+michaelangelo.jpg" height="593" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVlFKw86UkuBw4GRRrK0RlGSxn1TSO0Oy7sya0XUyP2zohekLANDgbcIV598wEu0VgbUhDCy-FeQ0UdkAXr9Ihr_-khrU4QDn2F_PX8M1YFJHRle3RMvr4qFSzsxVs96hYF8_MZb4B-U/s1600/beheading+of+st+paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVlFKw86UkuBw4GRRrK0RlGSxn1TSO0Oy7sya0XUyP2zohekLANDgbcIV598wEu0VgbUhDCy-FeQ0UdkAXr9Ihr_-khrU4QDn2F_PX8M1YFJHRle3RMvr4qFSzsxVs96hYF8_MZb4B-U/s1600/beheading+of+st+paul.jpg" height="401" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Yes, both Peter and Paul embraced Christ because <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He</span></i> had embraced <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">them</span></i>;
He had called them as disciples and taken possession of them, and sent them
forth as Apostles. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter
and Paul certainly knew the Mercy of Christ for they were shown great mercy. We
too are called to allow Christ to possess us and in turn we are to share the
same mercy with those we encounter today and every day.<u><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"></span></u></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Like Peter,
once we recognize our need for mercy, Jesus can then step into our boats, enter
our homes, work through our broken lives. Like Paul, no one is beyond the scope
of God's mercy - not even the enemies to the faith. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
two men underwent extreme change and yet kept their eyes on Christ. And in the
midst of their radical changes, in following Christ, they didn't focus on
themselves, or worry and say: "What's in this for me?" </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They didn't wait around to
see how this whole Christian thing turned out. They couldn't. They were right
in the middle of the maelstrom...they didn't have the luxury of sitting back
and watching while others worked to make Christianity happen. </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They were what was happening.
and they gave their last ounce of courage, their last drop of
blood...literally.</span></i></b>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Their willingness to follow Christ required a total
commitment in faith and hope.<i> </i></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">After Christ taught about the Eucharist,
thousands of disciples left him. Jesus turned to the twelve and asked:
"Will you also go away."</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Simon-Peter answered: "Lord, to whom else
shall we go? You alone have the word of everlasting life." </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">(pause)</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Where is our faith unless we are willing to
risk something? </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">Everything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">As we celebrate these two very different men,
is it a coincidence that we are here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mission of our new parish will not require a recognition of our
limits, but awareness of God's abundance. God will provide!</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At
the Transfiguration, Simon-Peter declared: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"It
is good for us to be here!" </i></span></b></div>
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<br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">It is good that we are here at Christ the King
and Holy Spirit Parishes, as we unite this week into the merged Parish of the
Annunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">May we, like Peter and Paul, respond to the Lord when He calls each of us
by name, and persevere in faith - even amid our sinfulness and doubts and
denials and fears - knowing that if the Lord can work through the fallible and
complicated characters of Peter and Paul, then certainly He can work through
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;">And at the end of our journey, we can pray, as did Saint Paul</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> "I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"
(2Tim. 4:7-8).</i></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Constantia\, serif";">Yes, I am so glad I rode my bike to early morning Mass
back on June 29th 1986. And I hope the celebration of the Eucharist - the
fervent prayer of the Church - continues to transform you and me, just as it
did Saints Peter and Paul.</span></i></b></div>
</span>John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2298313449146479396.post-81866927822352801842014-06-05T17:40:00.001-07:002014-06-05T17:55:05.437-07:00The Feast of the Ascension - Where Do We Go From Here?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn_I-aW8JcHnYByJqe04Swj7BLf6k6JBCmblOYTjC46WFLxLQRftVceIUNzaOC5pk9N6w7bPALwHIYiDG3mOig9tMUmpbMpqjirasst9FR-tnIfdCQiB2D1RYBoYykHFGpiraYk-NDzY/s1600/DSC_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn_I-aW8JcHnYByJqe04Swj7BLf6k6JBCmblOYTjC46WFLxLQRftVceIUNzaOC5pk9N6w7bPALwHIYiDG3mOig9tMUmpbMpqjirasst9FR-tnIfdCQiB2D1RYBoYykHFGpiraYk-NDzY/s1600/DSC_1038.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;"><span id="goog_704464623"></span><span id="goog_704464624"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Over the past few
weeks I have been doing some long-overdue spring cleaning. Going through
literally 30 years of papers, notebooks, photos, books and CDs. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">All of the memories
can be a bit overwhelming.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">It's hard to let go
of the past.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">One wonders if this
is what plagues those who cannot throw anything away, they cannot part with
their possessions: old papers, pictures, matchbooks; ticket stubs, paper clips,
old shoes, worn-out clothes - an overflowing, unimaginable heap, a veritable
mountain of memories.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">We often want to keep
everything as it is - preserve life as it was.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Maybe this is why
hoarders cannot let go. It's just too hard to go through all of their things and
get rid of the old.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">If we don't rid of
the old, we won't have room for the new.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Yet human nature is
weak. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">For "there is
comfort in the familiar even when the familiar is uncomfortable."</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">The disciples of our
Lord knew this temptation. They didn't want Jesus to go because they wanted to
cling to what was, what was familiar, what they knew. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">We, too, do not go
gently into that dark night of faith.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">But enter we must. </span></u></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">I wonder - if - in a way - this was what the disciples
were experiencing as Jesus led them out to Bethany (according to Luke's account of the Ascension - Luke 24.50-51)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">* He led them out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as far as Bethany</i>. This little detail is easily passed over, but let
us see why Christ did this. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">The village of Bethany is about 2 miles east of Jerusalem
on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives; the home of Lazarus and his
sisters Martha and Mary.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">By taking leave of the disciples outside of Jerusalem,
this meant that they passed through the garden of Gethsemane where he suffered,
past the hill of crucifixion, Golgotha, and past the garden where an empty tomb
confounded the world.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">He then raised his
hands which bore the marks of the nails and blessed them</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">. *Adapted from Fulton Sheen's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life of Christ</i>, chapter 61, The
Ascension).</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">In this simple act,
Christ calls the disciples to relive the passion, the Paschal Mystery, so as to
enter into the joy of the risen savior and prepare them to receive the Holy
Spirit.</span></b></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Yet After Christ
ascends to heaven, the disciples remain staring into the sky. The disciples are
confused. They don't understand.</span></b><br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">The two men in white
robes ask them: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">S</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">eriously, how often
are we just as confused as they were - if not more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe
that’s where we are right now: Looking up into heaven unsure about what to do
next.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">But the message seems
to be: get your heads out of the clouds, and go do what he told you to do. Be
His witnesses throughout the world, get to work, you are sent forth, you have a
mission!</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Be not afraid. Go!</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;"></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Admittedly, there is
something melancholy about the Ascension of Christ even though he has promised
them the Holy Spirit and is sending them forth on a mission.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">The disciples know
that Jesus is not going to be with them in the same way as before, as he had
been.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">There is a sense that
something so good has come to an end. They want to hold on to Christ in the
same way as before, but He invites them to a deeper faith.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">We all likely know
that feeling of transition in life where a loved one moves on. I have seen it
here: the children grow up quickly and graduate from 8<sup>th</sup> grade; they
get confirmed; they graduate from high school; they leave for college or the
military; they move away; get married; and begin their own families.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">We also
experience this loss in death or separation. A beloved friend or child, a
brother or sister or spouse is separated from us. Or becomes ill or dies
unexpectedly. We feel abandoned.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">There
are those who wish they could have walked and talked with Jesus when he lived
on earth, but we cannot get lost in this kind of thinking. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">His Ascension does
not mean he was jettisoned somewhere into deep space past Alpha Centuri or is somewhere
lost in the cosmos. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">No, on the contrary,
He is present now, here, but in a new way. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Christ has gone to
heaven to prepare a place for us. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Though Christ is
seated the Father’s Right Hand, He is accessible, there is a real presence. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">He comes to us today
in His Word and, as Pope St. Leo the great reminds us: "In His Ascension our
Redeemer's visible presence has passed into the sacraments."</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">So in Christ's Ascension
He is still present, but in a new way.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">He intercedes for us at
the Father's Right Hand. And when He comes again at the end of time he will
take us to Himself. This is our hope. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">But,
let’s face it, coming down the mountain after experiencing Christ’s Ascension
was hard work for the disciples; And living the faith, day in, day out, is
going to be difficult for us as well.</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Perhaps
that is why some misguided Christians skip over the gospels and obsess over the
book of Revelation, staring into the sky with their apocalyptic calendars,
trying to predict the times and seasons of Christ's return - thus doing the
very thing the Lord has told us NOT to do!</span></b><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus’ words: “It is
not for you to know the times or seasons” seem to have been ignored or
dismissed by the end-time preachers and those groups that attempt to calculate
the exact day and time of Christ’s return and preach an invisible coming of
Christ where he will rapture the saved, snatching away true believers, leaving
the rest of us behind while the world is destroyed. The idea of a rapture is
not even found in scripture. It may sound biblical, but it is not. “The bible
does not provide a predictive screenplay for [a rapture of only true believers
and] worldwide violence and disaster” (Barbara Rossling).</span></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">So like those first
disciples, we cannot remain staring into the sky. We cannot remain staring into
the sky waiting for Christ to get us out of here. No. That’s the tough part.
You and I have work to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">And it’s not just the
priest’s job; it’s not simply the deacons’ responsibility. It's not the RCIA
team's job or the ushers' task. It cannot be someone else's vocation. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Each of
us must set out to follow Christ intentionally, purposefully, as disciples;
living our lives on purpose, for a purpose, with a purpose.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">We are all called to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bear witness to Christ’s resurrection, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teaching others what Christ taught! Making
disciples! Every single one of us is commissioned with this task! </i></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">The Ascension of Christ changed things for the disciples,
and changes things for each of us.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We often want to cling to what was, to
what we had in the past, cling to all that was comfortable, but Christ calls us
to something new, a new way of living -- </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">and for
us, even a new way of being a parish.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet if we fail to trust, and allow
Christ to be the Glorified Lord, we won’t be able to receive the Holy
Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He calls us to let go of the old so
that the new can enter in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christ’s ascending to heaven is not a
death…it is part of the Paschal Mystery… and when we enter into that mystery, yes,
we will die to sin and death so that new life can enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
cannot cling to old hurts, old agendas, failed expectations. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">So after Christ ascended to heaven, the
two men ask: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why are you standing here?
Go! New things are about to happen! You will not be alone. The Holy Spirit will
guide you. Go make disciples and teach all that Christ commanded.</i> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">And as Saint Paul tells us: "May the father
of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we might see how
great is the hope to which we are called." May we see the new way Jesus Christ is present to us, to the surprising ways
the Holy Spirit can work, even amidst difficulty and pain. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">For in His Ascension,
Christ raises our human nature to the joy 0f heaven.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Christ assures us: </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Behold, I am with you.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">Always.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 15pt;">To the end of time.</span></i></b></div>
John William McMullenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07894473566410682127noreply@blogger.com0