Things Are Gonna Get Dicey!

Today's Readings

"So [they] said to him, 'You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.' So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. - John 8: 57-59

I am not a Scripture Scholar, and I don't play one on TV, but taking a quick glance at the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John, I can say with some sense of surety that one could entitle this chapter, "And Christ Did Push Their Button!"

There are four distinct sections or moments in this chapter, "The Woman Caught in Adultery", "The Light of the World", "Jesus, the Father's Ambassador", and "Jesus and Abraham".  Three of the four sections end with "THEM" wanting to STOP him from being Jesus, if you know what I mean.  

I AM CALLING YOU OUT!  "The Woman Caught in Adultery": The story of the woman ends with Christ telling "THEM" to go ahead and own up to their own sinfulness. (v. 11)  They departed the grounds outside the Temple with a grumble. (John 8: 1-11)  

WE'RE CALLING THE COPS!  "The Light of the World": Christ then visits the treasury area in the temple area, and reminds us of his place in the world as being light to dispel the darkness. (v. 12)  You can almost hear "THEM" saying, "Wait a second!  Are you telling us that this area is the "darkness" that you are dispelling?"  Needless to say, THEY weren't happy.  He wasn't arrested, but it sure sounds as if someone had the phone in THEIR hand ready to call "the cops"! (John 8: 12-20)

WHERE DID YOU GO TO DIPLOMAT SCHOOL?  "Jesus, the Father's Ambassador":  Christ's opening line as "Ambassador" would not gain him a degree in most of today's Schools of Diplomacy.  He opened with, “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin.  Where I am going you cannot come.”  Ouch!  But of the four sections, this third interaction with "THEM" had a somewhat nice ending in that "many [of THEM] came to believe in him."  This is a chance to highlight the reality that all Jesus was trying to do was talk straight to THEM, letting the world know that he was truly sent by the Father, to do the Father's will, making him the  "I AM" (v. 28) that THEY all have been seeking since the days of Abraham.  (John 8: 21-30)

I AM!  "Jesus and Abraham":  This final section continues his conversation with "those who believed in him", with Jesus affirming that they have been "set free", (v. 31-32) but THEY seemed to resent being called SLAVES.  They probed, and Jesus answered back, probing even deeper!  The idea that Christ could come to THEM and proclaim himself "I AM" was getting too much to handle.  One more time, Jesus tries to connect the reality that he has come from God, the Father who sent him, but then notices that THEY just can't understand, prompting one of the harshest responses that most "diplomats" learn never to use:  "You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies." (v. 44)  Can you hear THEM?  THEY yelled back, “Now we are sure that you are possessed." (v. 52)  Jesus tried to continue his line of Truth, but the logic was just too much, "so they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area." (v. 59) (John 8: 31-59)

Things are gonna get a little dicey this coming week!  Jerusalem, New York, Hong Kong, Toronto, Moscow, Brisbane, Buenos Aries, Birmingham, L.A., London, Afghanistan, Rome, Siagon, and ... Look out "WORLD", here he comes!

Happy St. Joseph's Day!

Today's Readings

"He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. " - Romans 4:18

Today's GregBlog is just like Greg... Short, sweet and happy to be a Dad!

It's the Feast of St. Joseph, a decendant of King David, a child of Abraham, the earthly father of Christ, and devoted husband of the Blessed Mother Mary, and by all accounts the "greatest Italian to ever live." LOL

If fathers give life to their children, they also pass on ways to live those lives.  My Dad gave me Lionel Hampton, and a great "why not" view of living.  Abraham gave life to his children, and passed on an attitude of unfailing hope in God's divine plan.  King David gave his children a renewed kingdom of strength in the faith that God would lead them into the future.  Joseph, inherited the life of Christ, chosen by God to accompany the Holy Spirit and a Blessed Mother in the proclaimation of the reality of everlasting life, one day at a time, raising Jesus in the ways of the faith, and the values of a productive day's work.

Abraham "hoped against hope", and God prevailed!

David promised to share a kingdom, amd God prevailed!

Joseph protected his family, and God prevailed!

Mr. Ed shared his love with Greg, and God prevailed!

Greg sits here with his beautiful wife Karen, and his amazing kids Michelle and Megan, knowing that... You guessed it... God will prevail!  Today's celebration is the feast of a father's love for his family, and maybe that's why today's feast is truly a FEAST!  So breakout the pasta and meatballs, the fruit and the pastries, and toast your family with a nice glass of Chianti... St. Joseph, pray for us!

+AMDG+

Today's Readings

Welcome again to Pope Francis!

I must admit that I too was wrapped up in the coverage of this major step in the history of OUR Faith.  He's the Pope of firsts, the first Francis, the first from the Americas, and the first outside Europe (in modern times - Thanks Renee!).  He's the Pope of prayer, as he stepped out of the norm and asked us to pray for him before giving his first Papal blessing on us!  He's a Pope for the Poor, as he brings a history of ministry that focuses on those thirsting for God's love and society's acceptance.  He has lived his faith for all to see, a simple man, with basic values, in a simple existence.  You know he's got the world's attention when the news focuses on the fact that he lived in an apartment and not a chancery, and made his way to work each day on a bus, and without a chauffeur.

In choosing his name, Pope Francis seems to have chosen to follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi.  One CNN article identifies St. Francis as "A great, great Saint", quoting Pope Pius XI when he said that "there has never been anyone in whom the image of Jesus Christ and the evangelical manner of life shone forth more lifelike and strikingly than in St. Francis.". (See the CNN full article)  In St. Francis's own vision, he was called by Christ to "go and repair my church in ruin", so he gave up everything and followed his faith, "preaching the Gospel, and only using words when necessary."  (Read about St. Francis)  

Other's are joyful because Pope Francis is a Jesuit!  Time Magazine notes that he is "an accomplished intellectual [playing a] “leading role during the Argentine economic crisis” as a “potent symbol of the costs globalization can impose on the world’s poor."   My little understanding of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, would say that Pope Francis would encourage all of us to see God in His creation, especially the poor.  Work for God's Mission as a true and authentic disciple for Christ.  Know that Christ gave himself, and God gave His son to show us LOVE, and call us to a meaningful conversion!  "The three phrases instilled in every Jesuit child — Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (“For the Greater Glory of God”), Cura Personalis (“Care of the Whole Person”) and “Finding God in All Things” — are three of the conclusions reached after the [Ignatian] Spiritual Exercises." (See the full TIME article)

Pope Francis also has ties to St. Francis Xavier.  "One of the 16th-century founders of the Jesuit order, Francis Xavier was a legendary missionary who spread the faith as far as India and Japan — giving the new Pope's name further resonance in an age when the Church is struggling to maintain its numbers." (ZeeNews.India)  I couldn't help but focus in on the Pope's comment that his fellow cardinals went "to the other end of the world" to find a Pope!

Finally, it wouldn't be a GregBlog if I didn't try to make a connection with Today's Readings.  On the surface, the message today cries that we need to get back to Lent!  But there seems to be a connection today as God calls on Moses to recognize that His people are a "stiff neck" group, unwilling to follow His ways.  Similar to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, God is ready to pack up and go home.  "Let me alone," God said, "that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them." (Exodus 32:10)  But Moses "implored the Lord", and asked for another chance for His people.  The Lord agreed, and down the mountain Moses went with the Law in hand, ready to REFORM God's people.

Pope Francis is not Moses, nor is he Francis of Assisi, or Xavier... He is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, of Argentina by way of Italian immigrant parents.  He seems to love serving the poor among us!  With his Jesuit education, he is NOT a push over, as I am sure he knows his faith, and the strong tradition of the Church.  He has come with the Law in his hands, and he will simply ask that we IMPROVE our ways, as we continue to do what we do for the greater glory of God, caring for ALL His people, finding Him in all things!

+AMDG+

The JOYS of Lent

Today's Readings

"Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people." Isaiah 65: 18-19

The Spirit of Laetare: We are in the fourth week of Lent, and passed the midway point of our Lenten journey, so there's room for rejoicing!  The week begins with Laetare Sunday, and the rejoicing of the Father upon the return of his wayward son (Luke 15: 11-32), and continues this week with Isaiah's joyful tone in Isaiah 65: 17-21 (quoted above), and the healing of a royal official's son in John 4: 43-54.  We celebrate Ezeiel's vision, and the water of life flowing from the Temple to fortify the land so as to bear much fruit (Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12), and the healing of yet another in John 5: 1-16 (but this time on the Sabbath to make things interesting).  And finally, we join the Psalmist as we acclaim that "the Lord is good to all!" (Psalm 145: 8-9)

While Lent is not meant to be a season of JOY, it does have its joyful tone, now and then, to remind us that all of this journeying is worth it!  We can all come home and "rejoice with our Father!  We are all healed in the loving presence of our Lord!  We can all be fortified by the living water of our God, so as to bear much fruit to a world that desperately needs its nourishment.  And we can all do our part, working for the good of others, so as to affirm that the Lord is kind and merciful!

PS: Another Reason to Rejoice... Laetare Sunday also marked the 18th birthday of my eldest kid Michelle.  Her sister, Megan decorated the house, and my wife broke out the family manicotti recipe made with my Mom's amazing sauce, and we  had a good 'ol family feast... It truly was a great day!

You've Almost Got It Figured Out!

Today's Readings

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34

A little quirk of mine is that I always notice when the clock says 12:34.  Why?  Cause it's 1-2-3-4.  I don't know if this is really that important in the understanding of all the cosmos, but its just another part of who I am.  Now take a look at the quote from the Gospel of Mark above... It's from Mark, Chapter 12, verse 34... MK 12:34... 1-2-3-4!  Cool, eh?  Not only does my eye gravitate to the simple notation of "1-2-3-4", but today this verse reassures me that I'm close to the end of this Lenten journey of mine.  I can see the "city lights" on the hill of the distant horizon, and I know that something amazing is in store for little ol' me!

Looking a little closer at the Gospel today, the people ask Jesus the relatively common question, "Which is the greatest commandment?"  This question was common because many theological discussions between rabbis, pharisees and the like, would begin with this inquiry so as to help define where the person was coming from, or their way of prioritizing the Law.  Jesus' answer simply repeated back a summary of that Law, and the traditional way that all were called to live it.  Every good Hebrew (which is at the core of our own Christian existence) should recite the Schema, from Deuteronomy 6: 4-5 every day.  This was and still is the "coupe de grace" of Morning Prayers.  To speak this prayer each morning is to recognize that "the Lord our God is Lord alone, [and that] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (DT 6: 4-5)  It's as simple as 1-2-3-4!  

Jesus goes on to add a practical importance to living the Law, quoting Leviticus 19:18 saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (LV 19:18)  Those gathered with Jesus, asking the questions are those who study these things, and Leviticus is the "coupe de grace" of lists when it comes to living the Law.  The Law of loving thy neighbor is about as basic as it gets.  "One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself." (The Golden Rule)  Again, it's as simple as 1-2-3-4!

So, if you're living your life simply, like 1-2-3-4, giving God the credit each day for making things wonderful, loving all that He has given, and helping your neighbor on top of that... I'd say you've almost got it figured out!

The Crowds Will Be Amazed!

Today's Readings

"Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech." - Jeremiah 7:28

I promise not to go on and on about the evils of the world, and its inability to allow God to coexist with its "reasoned" thoughts, but I am very entertained by a connection made in today's readings. If you're new to the GregBlog, I have made it my goal to begin each day with Morning Prayer and some reflection on the day's Mass readings as outlined by the Lectionary of the Church.

Today's connection begins with the Prophet Jeremiah dealing with the very same reality that I believe is prevalent in our society today. We have relegated God to stay within the four walls of Churches, not allowing Him to be part of the collective dialogue of life. We're very uncomfortable when someone tries to sneak Him into a conversation. Many would prefer to have "the word itself banished from their speech" (Jer. 7:28) The Psalm celebrated today, is what some would call common for the season of Lent, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (cf. Psalm 95: 8-9) This, of course, is built on the assumption that God is always speaking to us, and that when He does speak, we should try to listen.  Now for the fun part... Today's Gospel reading begins with the verse, "Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed." (Luke 11:14)  It's another one of Jesus' healings, and it offers us some motivation.  The best way to ensure that God is part of our world, is to talk about it!  The Prophet predicted the dilemma well, and God continues to be removed from the day to day discussion of life, but the Psalmist offers the no-brainer solution:  Allow God to be God, as He will speak when He darn well pleases.  Our task is to simply listen, and then share!

Yesterday, I offered four areas that relate to our role as disciples: Proclamation, Witness, Dialogue, and Liberation.  (These come from a DVD lecture entitled Discipleship from NowYouKnowMedia.com, presented by Fr. Anthony Gittins, C.S.Sp., M.A., Ph.D.)  Notice that three of the four could involve speaking, with the fourth (liberation) serving as a positive outcome to allowing the "speech" to be made.  I would like to offer that in light of today's readings, we commit ourselves (believers or not) to allowing God to BE, and be part of the discussion of life... That's all.  Just let Him be a part of the conversation.  If you're a believer in God's Mission, and in Jesus' ability to evangelize the Good News, then you know that all shall be well.  God's plan is one of patience and persistence.  When it is part of the dialogue, "the crowds [will be] amazed." (LK 11:14)  If God threatens your comfort zone, just by the mere presence of His name, try and relax... There's no hidden agenda; in fact, it's actually quite public!  

One final note:  At the risk of trying to sound like a mini-prophet, woe to you who use God, and His holy name to justify sin, or make people feel uncomfortable about their place in this world.  In your proclamation, witness and dialogue, give them peace, faith, hope, and love.  Allow God to do the liberating!

And Now Back to the Show...

Today's Readings

“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” - Deuteronomy 4:9

My routine is back in place, and as I sit here on a Wednesday morning, with a snow flurry or two squeezing out of the cold grey clouds above (literally one or two flurries), I am reminded of all that we already know... 

The Law of God is not just some list of things to do, its that inner voice that guides us to do the right things at the right time.  Listening to that voice takes time, energy, practice and patience, but it is something that is always with us!  As Christians, Christ fulfills and confirms our ability to follow this Law as it is written on our hearts. (cf. MT 5: 17-19)  Our job as his disciples is to proclaim that Truth, witness to it, dialogue about it, and ultimately liberate the world with it on our lips and through our actions!  (This comes from a DVD lecture entitled Discipleship from NowYouKnowMedia.com, presented by Fr. Anthony Gittins, C.S.Sp., M.A., Ph.D.)

So to coin the phrase from the 80's band Simple Minds, and stretch it towards applying to today's reflection, our Lord is simply saying, "Don't You Forget About Me", or the Law I rode in on!

The Ultimate Commitment

Today's Readings

So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. And now we follow you with our whole heart..." - Daniel 3: 40-41

I have been on a quick trip to visit with a great group of young leaders serving the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS). These students from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Kentucky have all committed their young hearts to witnessing the Good News, guiding their peers in ways of faith, study, athletics, and various other areas that will ultimately call on entire student bodies to do the same.

Tonight, as I traveled out of Atlanta, the last leg of my trip home, I witnessed another level of commitment that too many of our nation's young men and women have to make... The body of a fallen soldier in a flag-draped casket was respectfully loaded into the cargo bay of the plane with full military honors. The passengers all witnessed this amazing moment of honor and sorrow, as we all gazed out of the right side of the plane. The picture above was taken with my cell, so its a tad dark. When we arrived home, his family and an honor guard were on the tarmac to greet the plane and reverently move the fallen soldier closer to his final resting place. Again, the plane sat silently, and watched this soldier's last journey come to an end.

So the nature of "commitment" can be measured in various ways, and my time with the students of XBSS rejuvenated my spirit and my hope for a generation who will make things better for our community. But witnessing this solemn moment, and the example of the ultimate commitment and sacrifice on the part of this soldier added something poignant to this trip.

My dear friends of the GregBlog... We share these things with one another, so we can know just how amazing God's people can be. The young leaders of XBSS, and all around our church, country, and world seize opportunities to lead by example all of the time. We depend on these witnesses of God's grace! But with this post, I also want offer my condolences to the family of this soldier who I only know from witnessing his last great statement to his home... He made a commitment to serve our country, and he stuck by that promise to the very end!

I will forever remember this night, and these witnesses of God's amazing presence in our world!

From Pretender to Surrender....

Today's Readings

The GregCast was out on the road March 4th in West Hartford, CT serving the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School's XBSS Retreat!  This video, and blogpost was used for the presentation.  Things went well and we got some good video from the evening's presentation that I hope to share on an upcoming GregCast over on YouTube.  Pray for me, as I am praying for you!

Dave Grohl, former Nirvana drummer, and founder of the Foo Fighters, once wrote this lyric to a song called "The Pretender": "To keep you in the dark, you know they all pretend!"

This world of ours cares, but only to a point. They love, but only if things go their way. They give, but only what's been budgeted. They try, but only until it starts to hurt just a little. They allow their hearts to be moved, but then harden quickly in the face of challenges and change. In other words, this world of ours has gotten good at wanting to maintain control over their own image, and our life's actions and outcomes as well. The world would rather us stay in the dark as, Mr. Grohl put it, "just another soul for sale."

I would like to offer that God wants us to be free... Free to smile, free to choose, free scream, free to retire, and free to live! My friends, "what if I said, I'm not like the others? What if I said Im not just another one of your plays?" I am free to be determined! I am free to survive the struggle! I am free to never surrender to the darkness of sin and death! Like Mr. Grohl, "I'm finished making sense by pleading ignorance"... I'm echoing the voice inside your head that you refuse to hear! I'm the face that you have to face, mirroring yourself!

 Memo to the world: "You're the pretender... And what if I said, I will never surrender?"

The Cardinals of the Church will gather this week, and they are called to open their hearts to the will of the Holy Spirit, and the purpose of God's mission, to allow for His Church to continue to grow as evangelizer of the Good News, empowering us all to become the disciples that they we were born to be!

It's time to consider that being in the light of Christ is a better place to be. It's time to come out from under that bushel basket that wants to hide you. It's time to respond to God's love, and fall in love with His service. And even though it sounds like a contradiction, its time to promise that you'll never surrender to sin and death, so that you can truly live and surrender yourself to God's will.

Reflect...

• Who are you, and who do you follow?
• What are the hopes and dreams that will help you truly live?
• Will you trust the Spirit, and waters of your creation to make yourself a vulnerable witness?
• Will you cross the boundaries and allow for faith and forgiveness?
• Can you commit to sharing God with everyone you meet?
• Can you handle following The Way, The Truth, and the Light?

When you fall...

• Will you allow our Lord to catch you? 
• Will you get back up? 
• Will you?

A Practice Homily: That We Might Change for the Good

This "Practice Homily" Series is offered in conjunction with my journey towards becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church. While I still have a little less than a year to go, our formation program has called us to begin writing homilies, or reflections on specific Sunday readings.

Today's Readings

We have approached the half way point in our Lenten journey together. The challenges that have come from God’s Word thus far, call on us to be open to change, and work with a sense of purpose. We began on a Wednesday with ashes, and the overall challenge to “repent from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel”. The first Sunday of Lent offered us an example of determination and purpose, as seen in the confidence of Jesus Christ’s confrontation with Satan. We too must identify the temptations of the world, and confront them directly, without fear. Last week, our Gospel celebrated the Transfiguration of Christ, almost to offer us a glimpse of the “finish line”. Like Abraham, Moses and the Prophets, we must enter into a covenant with God. We must accept Jesus Christ. We must work for Him. And we must be open to the reality that we too might change for the good!

So welcome to the midway point of Lent. How are you doing so far? Have you maintained your Lenten sacrifice, and your Friday fast? Have you made some plans to do something more in your faith life, like daily prayer, Scripture Study, or the weekly Stations of the Cross? Have you been participating in almsgiving, offering some support to your parish family and organized efforts like the Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl project? No matter the answer, always keep in mind that with change, comes work; with work, comes purpose; and with purpose, we are called to live!

Today we are reminded that it is God that supports us! While He has always known us, ever since before we came to be; today we are re-introduced to Him by name! All of creation began by knowing God in the wind, or through his breath, that is, the Hebrew “Ruah”! That same creation knew God in the flood of His wrath, and the compassionate covenant of His rainbow shared with Noah. Abraham and Sarah knew God in the sky, and in the land promised to their children, and their descendants. But today, we recall the first time we knew God by His holy name.

While tending his flock, Moses was led to the mountain of God. There he saw something amazing and mysterious... The Burning Bush. A living tree, never to be consumed by fire. This was holy ground, and God was ready for his people to get to work! The task was to attain true freedom! Freedom from fear, freedom from slavery, and freedom from sin. So on behalf of His people, Moses was chosen to speak on behalf of God. In today’s first reading, Moses said to God, “But when I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers us this perspective: “By revealing his name, God at the same time reveals his faithfulness which is from everlasting to everlasting, valid for the past [as he reminds us that] ("I am the God of your father"), [and valid] for the future [as He says,] ("I will be with you"). God, who reveals his name as "I AM", reveals himself as the God who is always there, [and] present to his people in order to save them.” (CCC #207) The Catechism continues: “The divine name, "I Am" or "He Is", expresses God's faithfulness! Despite the faithlessness of [His people], he keeps, “steadfast love for thousands". By going so far as to give up his own Son for us, God reveals that he is [in the spirit of today’s Psalm] "rich in mercy.” (CCC #211) So from that unquenchable fire of the Burning Bush, we are now blessed by a God who has allowed us to know Him on a “first name basis”! That wind and fire that created us all, is the same Spirit that now calls us by name to live, work and be free forever! But let us not lose sight of the original challenge of Lent: Repent and be faithful to the Gospel! Face the challenge of temptation head on! And get ready to change!

In its references to the destructiveness of sin, and the imagery of a gardener tending to a fig tree, today’s Gospel offers us all a reassuring welcome to the very same holy place where Moses stood. But Jesus warns us that we are all called to repent! Citing tragic events in Galilee and the falling of the tower of Siloam, Jesus rejects the ancient notion that only those who fall victim to injustice and tragedy are the sinners; that is, bad things only happen to bad people. In our times, is it fair to say that those persecuted in Syria, or other war-torn regions are the only sinners? Is it fair to say that the victims of 9/11 are the guilty ones, while we remain free of sin? Absolutely not! Our world, and ALL OF ITS PEOPLE are called to repent for their own sinfulness. We can ALL fall prey to the devil, and the evil that the world has to offer. St. Paul also warns us in today’s second reading that, “whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)

Finally, is it fair to say, that the more our society victimizes one another, and the more we fall into acts of immoral behavior, and the more death and destruction we cause one another... Is it fair to say that we’re finished? Again, absolutely not! Our world and ALL OF ITS PEOPLE are called to work for a better place; to live together in a spirit of peace! Like a gardener knows and nurtures his garden, God knows and promises to nurture His people, no matter how flawed we are, and no matter how bad the prognosis is for ourselves or our community. We are ALL worth saving! We are ALL worth the effort! We are ALL nurtured for a purpose. And we are ALL called to bear much fruit! So let us do the work of our faith. Let us do our part, in repenting, and make the necessary change for the good. God deserves our effort, and our commitment to doing our part of the covenant.

Now, don’t let this motivation overlook the important reality that, YES, there are consequences for our sin, and there are negative outcomes that follow our apathy. But we know our God by name, and we can approach Him in all of His glory, as the One who loves us, and tends to us with great care. “Luke’s Jesus clearly asserts that God desires repentance and conversion, yet God is ever gracious, giving us the time that we need to respond in trust and mutual love to God and others. The Lord is indeed kind and merciful.” (Foundations... LTP, 32)

God the Lawyer... A Slob Like One of Us?

Today's Readings

"Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD." - Isaiah 1: 17-18

What if God were one of us? Just a lawyer like one of us.

 While that's not quite the lyric from the awesome Joan Osborne song "One of Us", I've been dying to reference this tune for a while. The excerpt from Isaiah offers us a glimpse of God who wants to negotiate a plea or a deal with us. Like one of us, He just wants a fair agreement. If you follow the Truth, and do the best you can to help those in need, He'll "set things right."

The actual lyric from the Osborne song is "What if God was one of us? Just a slob, like one of us. Just a stranger on the bus, trying to make his way home." If justice is the goal, then lets defend the ones who need the help! The wronged, the orphan, and the widow... Society's forgotten ones. While they're not necessarily slobs, they do fit the intent of the song...

God IS one of us, as He is present in the lives of the needy,
He IS the stranger on the bus, trying to LEAD US ALL HOME!

Joan Osborne - One of us by Jo_Bidjoba

A GregBolt of Lightning

Today's Readings

"Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55: 10-11

This week, my parish is hosting it's Lenten Mission, with our special guest Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, a Vincentian Priest and director of the Catholic Home Study Service, from Perryville, Missouri.  He has a pretty decent series of books, and this week he is concentrating on prayer, based on his book We Pray. (See books from Fr. Luke)  Like a faithful Missourian, Fr. Luke shared a quote last night from Mark Twain: "It's amazing what God lets man get away with, when lightning is so cheap." Aside from the usual, and very genuine laughter that follows the utterance of any Twain quotation, this one made me say out loud, "That's fantastic!"

In a spirit of understanding the nature of prayer, my God has given us many examples to follow in this life of ours.  Christ himself, offered us his own prayer, calling on "Our Father", praising His name, and thanking him for our "daily bread", asking Him for strength in the face of temptation, and "deliverance from evil", showing us that God desires to be in relationship with His people.  

The Prophet Isaiah, offers the reason why Twain's God has no plan for striking us down with a low cost lightning bolt.  Just as the rain has a purpose for watering the earth, helping things grow, so to does God's Word seek to help us.  It's place and purpose allows us to know of His love, and get good at recognizing the goodness that comes from BEING, and being loved.  It gives us a vehicle for building a meaningful relationship, founded in trust and honesty.  It allows us to celebrate, and even complain without the fear of retribution.  Prayer is a lifelong conversation that seeks to guide us to the God who simply wants us to live, and love, and be loved forever and ever... Amen!

One Post Script on the Subject of Cheap Lightning: I'm sure that this picture taken just hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced his unique retirement from the Papacy was God's way of having a little fun, with Mark Twain at his side... Peace!

"Uh Oh!" :)

Hunger Games: All for a Children's Crusade

A thought is brewing in my head over "The Hunger Games", and even though I've not read the book, nor have tickets for this weekend's premiere... I've been getting the gist from some as to the story line and some of the real world connections...

So even though the story per se is fictional for sure, there are places in our world where the kids have to do battle, so that society can prosper… Think about it!  How old were the soldiers who fought in previous wars… How old are the soldiers today?  One song I love, is entitled Children’s Crusade by Sting… Listen to the song (via YouTube or other means) and read these lyrics:

Young men, soldiers, nineteen fourteen

Marching through countries they'd never seen

Virgins with rifles, a game of charades

All for a children's crusade

Pawns in the game are not victims of chance

Strewn on the fields of Belgium and France

Poppies for young men, death's bitter trade

All of these young lives betrayed

The children of England would never be slaves

They're trapped on the wire and dying in waves

The flower of England face down in the mud

And stained in the blood of a whole generation

Corpulent generals safe behind lines

History's lessons drowned in red wine

Poppies for young men, death's bitter trade

All of those young lives betrayed

All for a children's crusade

The children of England would never be slaves

They're trapped on the wire and dying in waves

The flower of England face down in the mud

And stained in the blood of a whole generation

Midnight in Soho nineteen eighty four

Fixing in doorways, opium slaves

Poppies for young men, such bitter trade

All of those young lives betrayed

All for a children's crusade

Twelve for '12... Happy New Year!

Twelve for '12!

With a little more than twelve hours left in the "Old Year", I thought I'd offer my Twelve Most Random Thoughts for Making 2012 The Best Year Ever!

12.  Gumbo!  I'm making a pot of Chicken and Sausage Gumbo today, and I'm thinking that while life may be "like a box of chocolates", our New Year can be like a pot of Gumbo.  Make the best of everything you got, use it all and throw it into a pot... Let it simmer and take its own sweet time, for the combination and the spice will make the joy all thine!

11.  Planning!  One always has to set goals, and make a run for achieving each and everyone of them!  Make your list on New Year's Day, and call them promises, or plans or resolutions... My hope it that we all promise to play the game and try to achieve a level of greatness that we didn't reach during the year before!

10.  Coffee Break!  While the caffeine isn't always considered good for you, it's the break that I am touting!  Let's take more time to "break", and put more time into being productive when we work... Breaks should not be procrastination, but rather relaxation!

9.  Sunshine!  I hope the New Year greets you with a little warmth and light.  New light bulb standards take effect this year, and light will cost more for the bulb, and supposedly less on the "light bill".  Get outside and enjoy the free stuff whenever you can... That big huge warm ball of gas in the sky can offer some amazing warmth, even on the coldest day!  Sounds like a good analogy for another source of light.  I won't preach, just point... God is good, all the time!

8.  Fire!  Like it or not Apple, the Kindle Fire made its mark this Christmas!  Many will read more in 2012, and we all have to promise to get out of the habit of communicating just throughout the "Status Update"  Let's read more, and write more... You know, multiple paragraphs and pages!  Let's formulate and communicate thoughts and ideas, and not just feelings!

7.  Water!  In my Catholic Christian tradition, a simple reminder, every now and then, of my "Baptismal Promise" is in order... I am called to be "Priest, Prophet and King!"  That is, I pray that we all can be a priestly people, offering a caring and compassionate hand to those in need.  I pray that we can proclaim a Truth in life to all who can hear and see and experience, so that our actions will offer hope to a world that needs a kick in the pants every now and then!  Finally, I pray that we all experience this existence of ours as one of great promise and expectation!  We are ALL children of God, and a special people at that!

6.  Mission Possible!  OK... It's a tad hokey, but WE CAN DO THIS THING!  Having a good year is knowing what's ahead of us, but also being prepared to adapt to the surprises!  No, I'm not Tom Cruise, and I'm not sure I want to be, but we all have to use those tricks that we have up our sleeves for the good!  OK, that was hokey.. I'll stop now!

5.  Gold Rings!  You've heard the sappy phrase that maybe it can be Christmas all year round.  Actually, and never forget, that New Year's always happens during the Twelve Days of Christmas!  If you count, I think its day 8, but no matter the day or the symbol, Christmas is a process that begins with the birth of hope (Christmas Day), calls us to plan how we can live out that hope (New Year's Resolutions), and challenges us to leave what we have in the hands of the one who will lead us, trusting in His promise, guiding us "home by another way". (Epiphany: January 6th)

4.  Square!  In 2012, lets think think ahead even more, and plan to lay a foundation for an amazing life ahead.  Four points can make a square, and three dimensions makes it a block... Let's construct a firm foundation with "blocks" that our sturdy and strong!

3.  Ideas!  I'm a big fan of TED, and their motto, "Ideas Worth Spreading", is good rule for all of us to follow.  Let's come up with three "ideas worth spreading" this year!

2.  You and I!  I'm not necessarily a "Little Monster", but one of my highlights from 2011 was watching Lady Ga Ga on Thanksgiving night challenge an entire world (or at least those watching) to be OK with who they are.  I watched a grown up, and kinda weird entertainer, speak a Truth that was loud and clear to an audience of "little monsters", reassuring us that we are loved no matter what!  I know its a stretch, people are moving on to the next "super star", but Ga Ga took us on a ride that culminated with the reality that it is about "You and I"!  Notice the order... YOU then I... If Lady Ga Ga can match the Gospel call of making sure that the other guy is good, before worrying about the self, then I think us "monsters" can do the same!

1.  Confession!  I recently posted a link to a USA Today article on "Confession" entitled "In New Year, Be Honest With Yourself".  It's not necessarily about the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it is about something equally important... Internalizing forgiveness, humility, and self confession into your everyday life!  (See a sample of the article below)

I'll wrap up this Twelve for 12 by simply wishing you a Happy New Year, and a lot of gumbo, great plans, coffee breaks, sunshine, fire, water, missions, continued days of Christmas, firm foundations, awesome ideas, "little monsters", and humble heart!

God Bless,
Greg

Here's an excerpt for the article based on the Paul Wilkes' book "The Art of Confession":


Each night before you go to bed (I recommend kneeling; it puts us in the right state of mind: thoughtfully humble), simply review the day. Let your mind meander back through it. As you do you may be surprised that you skip right over what seemed to be the major events of the day and find yourself instead pondering the seemingly inconsequential. Take detours; that is exactly the purpose of this exercise.


If you find yourself making connections between something that happened today and something in the past, all the better. Most of us are creatures of habit. Our objective is to find and reinforce those habits that enrich our well-being and find and eventually put aside those that are not in alignment with who we really are.


Some possible questions:
• What did I do that made me happiest?
• Where did I feel ashamed of myself?
• What action would I do over again and how?
• What moved me to act the way I did?
• What habits or tendencies worked for or against me?
• When did I feel most in alignment with what is best in me?


Try this simple form of self-reflection tonight. And you will be practicing the art of confession, confession in its purest sense: self-confession. Just zero in on one thing that showed you at your best and resolve to be that person tomorrow. Think about one thing that you didn't like about yourself and try not to repeat it.

It's Just Too Soon... Why Can't You Just Wait?

This is Miles.  He was killed today in a car accident.  Miles was a great kid with a wonderfully confident attitude.  He was a student at my Parish School several years ago, and our local Catholic High School for a few years... Miles moved on to another school, and I would see him during Cross Country Season running in local meets (my daughter runs).

Miles always said, "Hey Mr. Thompson!"  And I would say, "howz it going Miles?"  His answer would always include telling me about some great achievement, like a fast time or an accomplishment of some sort, followed by one of his amazing plans for his future.  I'm not kidding!  Every time I talked to him he would share his smile, some great news, and some big dreams!

The news of his death saddens me, 'cause its just too soon to lose this kid.  He had too much to give, and too many dreams.  Lord, sometimes I just don't get it... Why can't you just wait?

While it doesn't make anything easier, God knows what I don't, and God continues to love Miles very much.  It's my task to search and to find things like answers and meaning... Miles now enjoys everything, and all is now his.  God bless you Miles... Pray for me!

Make Straight the Path

St. John the Baptist

Advent 2011: Make Straight the Path

It's always been a mathematical truth that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  If Advent is a journey, the it's fair to assume that this journey has a starting and an end point.  The starting point is usually relative to the person making this journey.  It can be from the lowest of the low points, where "life sucks", or it could begin from a very comfortable place where life isn't really that bad at all.  But with respect to Advent, the end point is always the coming of Christ, sent by God into a world that needs His love.  


The Prophet Isaiah promised that one would come to "make straight the crooked path" (Isaiah 11: 1-10) , and that promise would be fulfilled in Christ, the Son of the living God.  By applying the above principle of mathematics, that straight line, fulfilled in knowing Christ, becomes the shortest distance between us and God.


With that said, a disciple of Christ (the student of the Teacher) should always try to learn from, and BE as Christ IS for the world, hence becoming a "straight line", reducing the distance between the world and Christ.


I hope to be that "straight line" for all I meet, and I hope this Advent, you'd consider one or both of the options above by allowing Christ to shorten the distance between you and God, and you committing your life to shortening the distance between those you meet and Christ, who then will take of the rest!

The NEW Missal Makes a Direct Hit

This past weekend, the New Roman Missal made a direct hit on english-speaking parishes around the world. A new and what is thought to be a more vibrant and formal translation of the Mass landed in a pew near you. I am sure that some of my initial observations in my own parish are very similar to what greeted the Church around the world...

A LITTLE CONFUSION, BUT CERTAINLY NOT CHAOS:  Like most parishes, ours has a new hymnal with everything you need to follow along.  We've even added the follow along,  "red letter marks the changed language" script and the Mass Music Assembly Booklet.  Its all there, and its probably a tad too much to navigate, but it seemed to have taken only a small portion of the hour for folks to figure out where to look and what to follow.  The fun part was watching the faces of many, many well intended people simply fall back into the routine... "The Lord be with you"... And also with y--, oh.. um... your... And with your spirit!" :)

EVERY BIT OF THE PREPARATION WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND:  I'm sure many parishes within the Church worked very hard for many, many months to prepare for the weekend debut of the New Missal.  Some chose to begin practicing months ago, and others have been studying the reasons behind the changes for a year.  Our parish, like many others, worked throughout the last year praying and deciding on what to do, but began the using the new translation only within the past few weeks, focusing on the Gloria, the Confiteor, and the Nicene Creed.  We made the decision not to debut any new music until this past weekend as well.  I believe that like us, the parishes who waited until the official start time of this past weekend to "do the new Mass" were treated to the value of what comes with that newness and how it compliments the season of Advent.

"WHAT ABOUT THOSE BELLS?"  There a certainly a few nay-sayers in the pews, and some people that just aren't happy with the changes in the New Roman Missal.  Our parish has maintained a relatively "middle of the road" approach when it comes to celebrating the Mass.  The ringing of the bells has not been a usual practice at my parish.  While the use of the bells is certainly NOT part of the change of the Roman Missal, in other words, it is not a required element within the liturgy; adding the ringing of the bells at the two "elevations" of the Eucharistic Prayer came as a little bit of a shock to many in our congregation.  I would say that 85%-90% were pleasantly shocked, and enjoyed or could live with their return.  But like the usual "Bell Curve" (no pun intended), 10% just couldn't believe it.  When confronted by the unhappy, I was challenged to have to defend their re-placement within the liturgy because frankly I don't lose too much sleep over such things, but this is a great example of just how much we have to respect the 10%.  No, this isn't some "Occupy Rally", it's just a simple fact.  Many of our faithful, truly thought through, and have owned their style of worship.  No amount of training or prep classes in understanding the "New Stuff" was gonna make things any easier for these folks.  Their Mass was giving way to a new Mass!  One of our staff members put it quite nicely.  "I am now feeling what some of the older folks must have felt when I was younger, and those changes in the Missal "turned everything around".

So, I'll end by saying that while change is difficult, it is a part of growth, and that is exactly what's happening here... We, the living Body of Christ continues to grow!  We seek to perfect our worship because that's what is asked of us... Not by the Vatican, but by God.  We were created to love and worship Him.  He who fashioned us from the dust, and gave us the breath of life, has given us a chance to express our faith in the best way we know how... And that is what we'll do!

Actually, Friday Was Quite Bright!

I get the reason why it's called "Black Friday"... It's an economic thing, right? They, the company, ate trying to turn a profit ("In the Black"), while we spend the money, and go into debt ("In the red"). We started "Black Friday" a few hours early, and hit Wal-Mart at 10pm Thanksgiving Night. Frankly, it was more fun than I thought it would be! I shopped with my a,axing wife, and my two beautiful gals, and about three-million others who were running around buying stuff just because they could. I saw carts with boxes, upon boxes of Rubbermaid storage containers... Everybody seemed to be required to purchase at least one box for $6.88. There were folks with not one, or a couple, but 30 DVD movies. Everyone seemed to need a TV, and we're quite happy standing in a line in the frozen food section to get it. But as is the order of the universe, only 200 were privaledged to be given the right to spend the $298 on the 32" flat screen. I hope they're not disappointed when they plug her in. A 32" TV is actually kinda small. I talked to a guy in the checkout line who wanted me to think he was a genius for having spent $999 on a 55".

We needed a printer, and just before midnight, a few gentlemen rolled out a pallet of boxes containing hundreds of them. I giggled when my wife broke in one direction, and I in another to claim a spot near the stack of valuable, and yet cheap printers. For a guy my size, I was doing pretty well to muscle in on the prize, but Karen actually had her hands on one first. Again, in the order of the universe, we had to wait there next to the pallet until the stroke of midnight, when things magically become cheap! The girls and I headed for the checkout line to reserve our spot. When we got there it was actually very calm, with no line in sight, forcing us to wait on Karen and the printer to reunite with us. We sat next to cooler with the Red Bull in it and waited for her arrival. Then without warning, and I'm not exaggerating, hundreds of people with printers in their hands came rushing for the checkout. We sprang to our feet, and as Karen and our precious little printer arrived, we were at the end of the line. Yep, I failed in my only duty of the evening. We had to wait for another 30 mins. I saw a couple of old students from the high school I used to work at, and I had to endure the advice of that "expert" who went on to tell me that, not only did he buy the 55" TV, but he bought a 32" as well. Yes, he was one of the 200! BTW, he had two printers! Speaking of the 32" TV, actually said, "I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with it!". GENIUS!

Well, that's another Black Friday perspective... It was actually not back at all. We're a tad in the red, and it was actually a lot of fun... A real bright spot in my Thanksgiving of 2011! Post Script: can you believe that girls brought me home around 1am, picked up my Mom, went out for another round at a different store, brought her home a little before 3am, then went back out to find shoes! They're still sleeping. Oh, the printer works great! I'll complain about the evils of capitalism on another day! :)

To Be Thankful, and then Sleep!

I am sitting in the midst of the preparation for our family Thanksgiving meal. My job is to simply to simply stay out of the way, yet keep the glasses the full. So far so good! The Turkey has been rubbed, stuffed, and is roasting ever so slowly, and the kitchen (like yours) smells marvelous! We are all so blessed and, dare I say, should all be very thankful for the stuff (and stuffing) we have this day. When we sit down and eat our abundant meal, know that God and his beautiful nature have built in the ingredient to make it all perfect. TRYPTOPHAN! Tryptophan is, as defined in the British Dictionary, which is appropriate on this truly unique American holiday :), "an amino acid that is a constituent of most proteins. It is an essential nutrient in the diet of vertebrates." I'm sure that it is essential for many reasons, but one ting I know is that anything to help this country relax is certainly essential! Later, we will drift off to sleep knowing that our bellies are full, life is great, and all shall be well! Is Tryptophan a drug? No, not really! Do we need it to relax? No, not really! But it sure is a welcome gift this day, and yet another reason to be thankful! "To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub..." - Hamlet

Hope: The Goal and Desire That Gets Results!

This is gonna sound funny, but I just had a ministry moment at my Parish Finance Council Meeting. When I sit at meetings like this, believe it or not, I have nothing to say. Let's just say that I'm a tad outta my league, and am very happy to let this part of the think tank do all the thinking. Tonight was no different, but in my listening I heard one member offer a statement that brought a concept of our faith into clear view. The word "goal" was used in a statement, as in looking ahead and setting goals for the future. One of the members stated that they preferred the term "desired result" instead of "goals". This prompted another member to add that maybe "hope" was the better term. But the person who likes "desired results" thought that the term "hope" might not have enough "umph" to it, or measurability. This got me thinking about the Gospel, and the whole WWJD thing. What would Jesus prefer? With respect to our faith, should we have goals or desired results? I would argue that both terms would be fine in planning one's journey of faith, but another term might be "more better!" :) The term is HOPE! I would say that a GOAL involves a victory that comes after much effort and hard work! This process seems to involve research and dreaming, but the key word is "victory". I would say that achieving a DESIRED RESULT also comes with much effort and hard work, but the term seems to imply that the outcome was understood from the beginning, and the culmination of the process is simply a measured and understood result. I'm not 100% sure, but I would maintain that nowhere in the Scripture do the terms "goal" or "desired result" appear. The term HOPE, however, appears quite frequently. It's most popular appearance is of course it's listing as one of the big three of FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE in St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. HOPE seems to involve the similar elements that "goals" and "desired results" have, but it is unique in that it involves trusting a promise. St. Paul promises that with Christ one can have a new life. Christ promises that in living this new life, one can have life everlasting! With those kind of promises, one can live with HOPE, and it is in that hope that one becomes motivated to work hard and give supreme effort. So let me offer my thanks to tonight's Parish Finance Council Meeting for giving me some great stuff to pray about. I would say that I prefer the term HOPE, for it is HOPE that gives us the purpose to dream dreams, set goals, and work for desired results. It is also HOPE that gives us the courage to keep trying, especially when we falls short of the victory of achieving goals, or being able to relish in results. It is HOPE that breeds goals and desires that will some day get the ultimate result. Because of the promise made by our Father in heaven, HOPE will always keep us alive!