"Hey, How Is Everything?"

Today's Readings

"Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher." John 20:16

Have you ever looked at someone and swear that you've met them before, but you're just not sure?  Do you stare at them and say nothing, or do you say, "Excuse me.  Haven't we met?"  Today, on this third day of Easter, I'm reminded of those times when I glance at a familiar face, and I approach them, knowing that we've met, but still wondering who they are.  Sometimes I get a few words out, and sometimes I don't, but these moments always seem to bring forth from this other person, a confident statement like, "Greg!"

At the risk of sounding vain, I have been blessed with an unmistakable sort of build.  I look like I always did, and I guess I always will.  In my own mind, I'm recognizable because of my physical stature, the way I walk, and yes, maybe even a little bit of that "GregBlog" grin as well... But when I come across someone I haven't seen since high school, they remember me enough to say, "Greg?"  I sometimes remember their name, or I just smile and say, "Hey!  How is everything?"

Today's Gospel offers a similar moment as Mary Magdalene in a similar spot... She sees the resurrected Christ, and knows that there is something familiar about his presence, and even opens the conversation thinking that he's the gardner, only to have Jesus say, "Mary!"  And at that moment, she sees him, and calls him Rabbouni, recognizing Him for who He truly is... The Risen Lord!

Just like when I see people that I've known, but can't seem to connect the face and the name, Mary does not recognize the Christ.  But notice that Jesus calls HER by name!  He connects with her very self, simply by saying, "Mary!"  Now this is where I need work, because in that encounter, Mary recognizes Jesus in return... I, on the other hand, would probably have said something stupid like, "Uh... Hey!  How is everything?"  

Which brings up my GregBlog question of the day... 

When Jesus calls you by name, will you see Him and know Him for who He truly is, or just say "Hey," wondering to yourself, "Wow, that guy looks familiar"?

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.

From the Back Pew: No More Armageddon!

Today I am writing from the back pew of St. John's Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama (my home) just before the start of our evening session of our Parish Lenten Mission...

Today's Readings

"A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. " Psalm 51:12

The story of Jonah is certainly popular enough that I don't need to re-tell it, but remember that there's more to that story than just him living inside a whale. The real truth of the matter was that Jonah couldn't hide from God's desire to want him to change and become a man of His Word, so he could move others to do the same! Nineveh was most certainly the beneficiary of God's desire and Jonah's YES!

Christ came to do the same, and much more, as he recalled that "at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and [then said] there is something greater than Jonah here.” (Luke 11:32). Many of us share in the desire for a clean heart, and a strong spirit, and we never want to be far from God. Yet, we get a little lazy with all of our perks, thinking that we've got all that we need. Jesus the Christ, has come to the world and to you and me, to announce the Good News of God's love, calling us to real conversion. This is what Lent is truly about... Making the change!

Jonah made that sort of change, and then took on the task of helping God to change His world! We as Christians, are called to embrace this change of self, and make the same kind of proclamation to our world that needs God's love so desperately. Threats of Armageddon are not necessary, we need to simply share God's love!

Psalm 151... Now You Sing!

And now my head shall be raised above my foes who surround me and I shall offer within his tent a sacrifice of joy.  I will sing and make music for the Lord.
- Psalm 27

Did you know that I now serve the Church as a Parish Director of Liturgy and Music?  I never really stress this in my writing, and while I am blessed to be a tad biased by my years in Youth Ministry, I am beginning to open a new door, understanding a new way of celebrating God's place in my life.

Tonight, my parish kicks off another season of Music Ministry.  We gather our choirs this evening to invite new voices to join in singing God's joyful song.  The folks that have been around for a while, have welcomed me and guided me towards this new doorway, and I am eternally grateful for that!  Look at the Psalm above, and raise your heads above all your "stuff" and smile at God right in the face, singing for joy!  (My wife's Gramma-Jen Jen said that at our Wedding, "I look at my God right in the face!")

So, whether we sing or not, let us make a joyful noise for all to hear!  Let us make a sacrifice of joy!  "Let us sing and make music for the Lord!"

50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Flesh!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6)

Easter Day #27: Flesh!

I hope the message from above doesn’t come off as a threat, for it would seem that this is one of those “Glass half full or empty” situations. If you are feeling good about life and faith, then you feel empowered because you have Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life”! If you are feeling bad about life, or not excited about faith, then I wouldn’t blame you for feeling a little intimidated or left out at the comment that “no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Today’s “WAY to Get Through Easter” is obviously through Jesus Christ. For me and the faith I profess, I know Him through the His real presence in my life in the Eucharist (Communion). But I also know Him in the real goodness of the people and the moments He’s brought into my life.

To know someone “in the FLESH” is to truly know them inside and out. To have Christ offer His FLESH as a sacrifice for all, is to give of Himself inside and out. So it follows that if we are to give of ourselves to those who need us, we too must do so completely! To those who struggle with faith, and this “Jesus Thing”, and aren’t sure that “Jesus is the way”; I hope that the actions of those of us who do believe are subtle ways that Christ is coming to you “in the FLESH” through our works! I’ve always believed that God is very patient, and that there is NO RUSH on when the “Way” begins. After all, getting to know someone “inside and out” takes time.

The subtle presence of Christ in one’s life, through the actions of others, ultimately brings one to a true understanding of just how present Jesus has been all along! So for you believers out there, keep sharing Christ and be careful not to judge the guy who just needs more time. For you non-believers, “the way, the truth and the life” is all around you!

All is well!

50 ways to Get Through Easter... Discipleship!

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (John 6: 35)

Easter Day #18 - Today’s word: Discipleship!

I should have lots to say about today’s word, being that all I’ve been blogging and talking about is DISCIPLESHIP these past few weeks. So this is a good time to review. We’re almost 3 weeks into the Easter Season, and our call is to take the message and our witness of the resurrection into the world... That message is that “He is Risen!”

As DISCIPLES we are called to be active and animated in our sharing of the faith. We help folks stay awake to the truth about their being a child of God, born and reborn to bloom and become a valued part of His body, enlivened with the “Ruah” or the breath of God! With a sense of brio, and a “Carpe Diem” style attitude, we must seize every day, knowing that we stand on the firm foundation of our Church, confirmed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work, always conscious of the power of the faith given to us to continue to proclaim throughout the world! We are created and dedicated to make DISCIPLES of all nations! So lets do it!

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!