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!

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!

50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Consciousness!

“As the number of disciples continued to grow,... The word of God continued to spread...” (Acts 6: 1,7)

Today’s word: Consciousness!

The faith is alive and well, and many families in my area are CONSCIOUS of its presence in our midst. Today, my parish celebrated it’s First Communion with 121 2nd Graders! Sure they were cute, and they followed every direction we gave them... But most of all, they were filled with the presence of Jesus Christ for all to see! Because of the children, EVERYBODY in the Church was truly aware of the purpose of Church: We assemble as one community, singing God’s praises, fed by His Body and Blood.

If seeing is believing, then I saw Christ! If experience is everything, then I’ve seen it all! I’m CONSCIOUS today of Christ in my life, because I’ve seen Him in my midst. Try your best today to experience your faith in a way that makes God real. Look at the sky, listen to the birds, or even James Taylor... Just experience grace, and you will see!

That’s how this faith of ours grows... When the number of witnesses increases, the Word of God spreads! But that is only true if you share what you witness. Help people experience faith today in a CONSCIOUS way!

50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Church & Taxes!

“We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5: 32)

Today’s word: Church!

Today is TAX DAY in America, which is bringing forth all kinds of discussion on whether WE should pay, or what WE should get for our money that WE do pay. Should the government be allowed to spend OUR money, and who should WE allow to be in OUR group to benefit from those funds? Phrases like “Fair Tax”, and “Tea Parties”, and “Welfare”, and “Tax Cuts”, and “Tax Hikes” are being bantered around, all in the name of making sense of what it is that WE are called to do and be in our community!

Wherever you stand this day, and whether you get a “refund” or not, should never negate the fact that WE are called to live together, and SERVE one another as a community. Our journey through the Acts of the Apostles in this Easter Season reveals a group of folks that are trying to form a community of believers, “a more prefect union” perhaps. They are willing to suffer and sacrifice so the CHURCH can be what God calls it to be... A rock, a firm foundation, where all are welcome, and all are cared for, and all can celebrate the love of God! But in the spirit of TAX DAY, all also have a responsibility to participate and contribute to keep this CHURCH strong. WE witness to one another of its life changing ways; so to should WE share in the effort to keep it’s foundation firm. OUR living a good life, helps US all live good lives, and therefore WE as CHURCH should remain strong!

Now I think I’ll have a nice spot of tea, or two!