He Used To Be the Pope pt. 2

Today's Readings

"I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. - Jeremiah 17:10"

Today's post on the GregBlog is one to simply mark a moment in history, for today is the day that someone on this planet will fall asleep knowing that he used to be Pope.  I'm intrigued by the notion, and moved by the event.  Pope Benedict XVI leaves the Chair of St. Peter with a dedication in his heart to lead in a different way, through the way of prayer!

For the first time in nearly six centuries, and only if he reads a paper or watches a TV, a human being will be able to listen as people argue whether he was a good Pope or not.  He might wonder if the New Roman Missal will make a difference, or his series of books called Jesus of Nazereth will help the world understand the true Christ, or could he have done more to stop the evil of abuse in our Church.  He might wonder if he will be able to face the realities of aging and the continuing daily loss of physical ability.  Dare I say, for the first time in 600 years, a person who used to be Pope will have to grapple with the question, "Was it worth it?"

I have no doubt that the Lord and the Pope know it was!

Pope Benedict XVI will be measured like the rest of us, "according to his ways, [and] the merit of his deeds". (Jer. 17:10)  As we watch him exit the world stage , let us also review our life and purpose to this point.  Have we done enough to make a difference?  Have we helped the world understand the true Christ?  Could we do more to help stop evil?  Are we able to face the challenges of our lives?  Don't be like "the rich man" in Luke's Gospel, who waits until its too late to find out that poor Lazarus chose the better portion.  Do what you can do NOW to make this a better place!

God's speed Pope Benedict XVI... PRAY FOR US!

Thank You Pope Benedict!

The New & Improved "Eye for an Eye"

Today's Readings

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” - Luke 6: 36-38

If Gandhi said that the philosophy of an "eye for an eye" would make the whole world blind, then what would happen if the philosophy of "forgive and be forgiven" began sweeping the nations? The answer to that is obvious, and quite pleasing. Jesus' teaching, challenging us to be merciful, as God is merciful, is the precursor to the many peaceful, and somewhat "pie in the sky" philosophies that simply ask, "Can't we all just get along?" (R.I.P. Rodney King)

Be Merciful (Stop Judging): The simplistic notion that we can always be nice, is one that we all learn early in life. Sure it becomes more and more difficult as we grow, as advice is always easy to give, but rarely easy to follow. But Christ offered a new way of thinking, as he looked at these concepts from a beneficiary's perspective. If God does is merciful to you, then...

Forgive (Stop Condemning): Mercy in action is forgiveness, and its especially difficult when that forgiveness is not deserved! In the logic offered here, we forgive because we are forgiven. Condemnation takes a lot of negative energy, and an ongoing commitment towards feeding itself, that is you can never let it go. Forgiveness, on the other hand, also takes a lot of commitment, but it allows you to be free, letting go the burden of carrying the negative energy.

Give: If you can take on the attitude of living your life in the merciful way that God lives with you, and you can practice it by "letting go", moving forward in a spirit of forgiveness, then the challenge shared by Jesus, Gandhi, and now the GregCast, is to GIVE of yourself, so that others (and you) may receive this precious gift of God's love!  The 80's group Missing Persons offers us this "pie in the sky" notion of the value of giving in a song appropriately named "Give":

When's the last time you really touched someone
How did it feel
Did it surprise you when you found yourself unselfish
Did it seem unreal
The pressure's everywhere-everywhere around you
Beckon you to turn the other way
But I say the results are superficial
There's only one way to play
Give-when you have anything at all to give
You have everything to live for
(Give all you've got to give)
After you've given all you can
Give again, give again, give again

Measure:  The imagery of "good measure" used by Jesus is crucial, because (back in the day) when a person would go to buy flour, they were wise to be sure that the measure was "packed together and shaken down", otherwise they would not receive the full amount that was purchased.  Jesus was eluding to the old, and dishonest practice of tipping the scale in the favor of the dealer.  Our God, not only made sure to measure out our just portion, He also offers it to us "overflowing", painting the image of His abundant love coming to us in excess!  The conclusion?  "Give again, give again, give again!", and give some more, for the promise is that if you live as God loves, then you will receive even more in return!

An Evolving Equation:  I was leading a Confirmation Retreat for the youth at St. Aloysius Parish in Birmingham, Alabama this past Saturday, and this equation came off the dry erase marker on to the white board:

      (4)
L + G + D = Praxis (Faith in Action)
i       i     o
v      v
e      e

I offer this in the context of Matthews Gospel, referring to our being a light, not hidden, for all to see, so that we the world may glorify God! (Matthew 5: 14-16)  If we LIVE, "4-GIVE", GIVE and DO, then our faith IN ACTION will lead to a world of many blessings, as people will not only SEE, but BE loved by God, through the love we share!  More on this as it evolves in the coming weeks, months, and years ahead.