In recent weeks, I have preached about the importance of quiet time to hear the voice of God, the need to trust that God desires us to hear His Word, and the need for us to surrender daily our will and lives into God’s care and to follow His Word.
When I speak or write it, it sounds easy. Yet I know that some days it can be difficult to practice it. What do we do on the difficult days? I can share from my own experiences.
Firstly, I admit to God, to another, and to myself that it is difficult on a particular day to be silent, to listen, or to surrender. There is no sense in pretending that it is otherwise. Admitting it helps one to realize the need to ask for the grace to practice silence, listening, and surrendering. The difficulty can stem from external circumstances that grab our attention as well as internal distractions that draw us out of the present moment.
Secondly, I remind myself that it is foolish for me to put on God my timeline for Him to “fix”, resolve, or remove my difficulties before I pray. How easy it is for any one of us to forget that we are the created ones. One’s difficulties can be the very “stuff” of our prayer to discover God’s voice. It can also be a moment for us to grow deeper in trust that God knows us and will give to us all that we need for that day.
Finally, I just do it; I strive to practice silence, listening, and surrendering. For me, on the difficult days, it confronts my ego to do things perfectly. Yet this is the time when I need to trust that my human efforts are about progress. Perfection will need to wait another day.
Our life as followers of Jesus, as Christians, is a daily journey that we make together. It is true that some days appear easier than others to listen to the voice of God and to surrender our will and lives. However, what does not change is God’s willingness and desire to stand with us regardless of ease or difficulties. As Scripture reminds us we are God’s People, and He is our God.
And what a gift it is to belong to the Christian community. For it is here that we are nourished with the Bread of Life, strengthened by the witness of others, and grow closer into the image and likeness of our God.
I pray that all of us have a peaceful week of silence, listening, and surrendering.
Fr. John
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Ascension Thursday
Yesterday, the people who work at the various parishes in the diocese gathered for our annual "Ministerium Day." The theme was What on Earth is Discipleship? The speaker was a priest from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. His talk was very good, and reminded us that our mission as disciples comes from God. God's mission for us is to be followers of Christ who strive to reach our fullest potential. Christ came to enhance our basic human capacity.
In the process of striving to live out God's mission our ego might take over; "I know what God wants me to do!" And we move ahead without checking with God to make sure this is what he is calling us to do. A good reminder that we need to always stay connected with God even when the temptation is there to move the mission in our own direction.
Sometimes, we limit ourselves in the way we live out our call to be a part of God's mission. The speaker yesterday shared with us a Prayer of Sir Francis Drake titled Disturb Us, Lord:
Disturb us, Lord, when We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
Our Lord had to ascend to heaven to return to God so that the Holy Spirit could come and move us more deeply into the mission that Christ began here on earth. We are called to be witnesses to that mission, to be faithful to our call as mission-ers of the Good News. We are reminded that we are limited in our vision and must turn to God to move us beyond the ways that we limit ourselves and others. God has the wider vision, not us. We need to be disturbed by God so that we don't become complacent, hard-hearted, hopeless.
May the ascension of our Lord make room in our hearts for a wider and deeper love for God and others that moves us into a future filled with hope, life and love. May we always strive, with the help of God, to live our lives to our fullest potential!
Fr. Mark
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Goals for the Parish
It was an exciting conversation. I sensed the dedication, interest, and concern of the participants. Each shared respectfully their thoughts. They listened intently to one another. At the end of the meeting they appeared, and rightfully so, pleased with the fruit of their long hours of work that brought them to the conversation.
I am referring to this past week’s Parish Council meeting. For the last few months the members having been studying, digesting, and summarizing the survey results from our parish-wide survey conducted when I first arrived. Three goals appear to have emerged:
- Strengthening our Sense of Belonging
- Finding Ways to Share our Faith with New Members
- Looking to our Future with Hope and Excitement
With each goal the Council members have begun to enumerate steps to accomplish them.
I admire the Parish Council members’ commitment to our parish to deepen our rich history of being a vibrant faith community. In the near future the Council will being sharing their work with the Community to involve even greater input as to the ways we can live faithfully our mission.
In the meantime, if you have input/opinions regarding the above goals, please respond to this blog with your feedback. I’d be happy to read your comments.
Peace,
Fr. John
I am referring to this past week’s Parish Council meeting. For the last few months the members having been studying, digesting, and summarizing the survey results from our parish-wide survey conducted when I first arrived. Three goals appear to have emerged:
- Strengthening our Sense of Belonging
- Finding Ways to Share our Faith with New Members
- Looking to our Future with Hope and Excitement
With each goal the Council members have begun to enumerate steps to accomplish them.
I admire the Parish Council members’ commitment to our parish to deepen our rich history of being a vibrant faith community. In the near future the Council will being sharing their work with the Community to involve even greater input as to the ways we can live faithfully our mission.
In the meantime, if you have input/opinions regarding the above goals, please respond to this blog with your feedback. I’d be happy to read your comments.
Peace,
Fr. John
Monday, April 5, 2010
An Easter Revolution
Recently, I watched a show on TV called "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." The show has an interesting premise. Jamie goes into a town and brings to light the eating habits of the people and how we should be eating healthier.
Do you know what the word "revolution" means? It means "an instance of great change in affairs." To be revolutionized is "to change a thing completely and fundamentally." As Easter people, we have been revolutionized by Christ's resurrection from the dead! We have been changed forever!
Yet, how often do we go back to our old eating habits? In Jamie Oliver's show, he did a demonstration with a group of 6 years old. He showed them the parts of a chicken that we eat, and then took the carcass and put it in a food processor to show them how chicken nuggets are made. It was quite disgusting! Yet, when asked if they wanted chicken nuggets, all the children raised their hands!
Do we find that we continue to feed on old nuggets of death and destruction that cannot give us anything of value? In fact, they are bad for our spiritual health. The old nuggets of sinfulness, despair, anger, hopelessness only lead us to an unhealthy way of living in Christ.
We have been revolutionized by Christ. We have been given healthy, wholesome, life-giving food in the very Body and Blood of Christ. There's a diet we can all feed on that will make us healthy! Feed on this food, not old nuggets. It's time for us, in this season of Easter, to stop feeding on over-processed nuggets and start feeding on the very life and love of God through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. May we be revolutionized this Easter! Alleluia!
Fr. Mark
Do you know what the word "revolution" means? It means "an instance of great change in affairs." To be revolutionized is "to change a thing completely and fundamentally." As Easter people, we have been revolutionized by Christ's resurrection from the dead! We have been changed forever!
Yet, how often do we go back to our old eating habits? In Jamie Oliver's show, he did a demonstration with a group of 6 years old. He showed them the parts of a chicken that we eat, and then took the carcass and put it in a food processor to show them how chicken nuggets are made. It was quite disgusting! Yet, when asked if they wanted chicken nuggets, all the children raised their hands!
Do we find that we continue to feed on old nuggets of death and destruction that cannot give us anything of value? In fact, they are bad for our spiritual health. The old nuggets of sinfulness, despair, anger, hopelessness only lead us to an unhealthy way of living in Christ.
We have been revolutionized by Christ. We have been given healthy, wholesome, life-giving food in the very Body and Blood of Christ. There's a diet we can all feed on that will make us healthy! Feed on this food, not old nuggets. It's time for us, in this season of Easter, to stop feeding on over-processed nuggets and start feeding on the very life and love of God through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. May we be revolutionized this Easter! Alleluia!
Fr. Mark
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Alleluia! Jesus Christ is Risen!
As Followers of the Way, we are a people who rejoice in new life won by Jesus Christ. In reality we are an Easter People. As we gather this Easter Sunday in prayer and celebration, our hearts joyfully shout Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! We are the stewards of the Easter Alleluia.
As earthen vessels, we hold the precious treasures of new life and faith. The new life in Jesus Christ has been given to us through the living waters of baptism; and faith that offers our lives meaning and purpose. Both are gifts from God who did not spare His only Son to show us the depth of His commitment and love for us.
As we celebrate these gifts during this Easter Season we are called to be messengers of God’s peace, forgiveness, and hope. Each day we have opportunities to carry this message to others in our homes, work places, schools, and neighborhoods. We can rely on God to give us the courage and strength to persevere in this mission. Together, as God’s people, we can also encourage and nurture one another by our acts of love and acts of service.
On behalf of our entire staff, I wish all the people of our faith community a Blessed Easter. I pray that our Risen Lord will continue to touch your hearts with peace, joy, and love. Celebrate well. Rejoice heartily. Be faithful stewards of the Easter Alleluia!
Father John
As earthen vessels, we hold the precious treasures of new life and faith. The new life in Jesus Christ has been given to us through the living waters of baptism; and faith that offers our lives meaning and purpose. Both are gifts from God who did not spare His only Son to show us the depth of His commitment and love for us.
As we celebrate these gifts during this Easter Season we are called to be messengers of God’s peace, forgiveness, and hope. Each day we have opportunities to carry this message to others in our homes, work places, schools, and neighborhoods. We can rely on God to give us the courage and strength to persevere in this mission. Together, as God’s people, we can also encourage and nurture one another by our acts of love and acts of service.
On behalf of our entire staff, I wish all the people of our faith community a Blessed Easter. I pray that our Risen Lord will continue to touch your hearts with peace, joy, and love. Celebrate well. Rejoice heartily. Be faithful stewards of the Easter Alleluia!
Father John
Monday, March 29, 2010
Extravagant Love
Wow! Where has Lent gone? Here we are....already in Holy Week. We've entered into Jerusalem with Palm Sunday, and today we find Jesus with his friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. He is with his friends having a meal. In the gospel reading today we see Jesus being anointed by Mary with a costly perfumed oil that Judas takes exception with. Mary anoints his feet and dries them with her hair. What an intimate moment. What an extravagant love!
How many of us would be so extravagant with a loved one? How about with someone we like? How about with someone we don't even know? Love does not nicely calculate the cost. Love gives its all, and its only regret is that it still has not more to give.
It is quite fitting that we remember on this Monday of Holy Week the love of God given to us through the sacrifice of his son. It is extravagant! It goes beyond the comprehension of human understanding, beyond reason. God's love for us goes to great depths and humility to lift us up beyond our sinfulness and limitations.
The gospel reminds us as well that the "house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." Do you smell the fragrance of God's sacrificial love poured over you this week? That fragrance should remind us how far God is willing to go to find us, to redeem us and to love us. May the fragrance of God's eternal and unconditional love permeate your entire being during this Holy Week.
Fr. Mark
How many of us would be so extravagant with a loved one? How about with someone we like? How about with someone we don't even know? Love does not nicely calculate the cost. Love gives its all, and its only regret is that it still has not more to give.
It is quite fitting that we remember on this Monday of Holy Week the love of God given to us through the sacrifice of his son. It is extravagant! It goes beyond the comprehension of human understanding, beyond reason. God's love for us goes to great depths and humility to lift us up beyond our sinfulness and limitations.
The gospel reminds us as well that the "house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." Do you smell the fragrance of God's sacrificial love poured over you this week? That fragrance should remind us how far God is willing to go to find us, to redeem us and to love us. May the fragrance of God's eternal and unconditional love permeate your entire being during this Holy Week.
Fr. Mark
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Learn to Listen. Listen to Learn.
Learn to listen. Listen to learn. When I first heard this saying it caused me to reflect, for several days, on my own practice of listening. Here is what I continue to learn about listening.
1). Listening is different than mere hearing. Listening requires that I am present to the person that I am hearing. It means that as I strive to focus on the person speaking, I refrain from jumping to conclusions, fast-tracking their thoughts, and formulating my response before they are finished speaking. A good rule of thumb for me to check on my being present to another is to be attentive to the urge to interrupt others as they speak.
2). Listening is a practice of patience. It challenges me to slow down, and to keep my own agenda in right-size proportion. Each person has her/his perspective on life from their own experiences. To listen to them is a chance to deepen my own understanding and learning about the mystery of life. It reminds me that I don’t have the final say on life. Patient listening doesn’t always mean that I agree with what I hear yet I am called to offer respect to the person. As I remind myself to practice patient listening it also helps me to be respectful.
3). Listening requires perseverance. The skill of listening takes time, practice, and commitment. I wish I could say that I have mastered it. Yet I know that I am better than I was at it and still need to keep learning. Each person that speaks to me is an occasion to listen with attentiveness, patience, and respect.
This is the posture that Scripture presents of Jesus and his interactions with others. In his listening others had a sense that they were heard and respected. Jesus also spoke the Truth in this same spirit of listening. As we know, some only heard His words while others listened to them. Those who listened were filled with the Spirit and Truth.
As we move towards the closing days of Lent I encourage us to reflect on our listening skills. Am I merely hearing words or am I listening with attentiveness, patience, and perseverance? To my family? To my friends? To my inner self? To my God?
Father John
1). Listening is different than mere hearing. Listening requires that I am present to the person that I am hearing. It means that as I strive to focus on the person speaking, I refrain from jumping to conclusions, fast-tracking their thoughts, and formulating my response before they are finished speaking. A good rule of thumb for me to check on my being present to another is to be attentive to the urge to interrupt others as they speak.
2). Listening is a practice of patience. It challenges me to slow down, and to keep my own agenda in right-size proportion. Each person has her/his perspective on life from their own experiences. To listen to them is a chance to deepen my own understanding and learning about the mystery of life. It reminds me that I don’t have the final say on life. Patient listening doesn’t always mean that I agree with what I hear yet I am called to offer respect to the person. As I remind myself to practice patient listening it also helps me to be respectful.
3). Listening requires perseverance. The skill of listening takes time, practice, and commitment. I wish I could say that I have mastered it. Yet I know that I am better than I was at it and still need to keep learning. Each person that speaks to me is an occasion to listen with attentiveness, patience, and respect.
This is the posture that Scripture presents of Jesus and his interactions with others. In his listening others had a sense that they were heard and respected. Jesus also spoke the Truth in this same spirit of listening. As we know, some only heard His words while others listened to them. Those who listened were filled with the Spirit and Truth.
As we move towards the closing days of Lent I encourage us to reflect on our listening skills. Am I merely hearing words or am I listening with attentiveness, patience, and perseverance? To my family? To my friends? To my inner self? To my God?
Father John
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