Christ is YELLING!

Today's Readings

"But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.,,, Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?"              - John 7: 10,26

If Christ were in the room, would you recognize Him?  As we continue to get to know Pope Francis, we have been thrown into an opportunity to reconsider how we view the "poor".  With the Holy Father leading the way, we are being treated to a perspective which advocates that each man, woman and child truly matters, no matter the status, and no matter which side of the street they are on... All are loved by God!

In today's Gospel, Jesus has to make the decision to visit the Temple in disguise, as folks were trying to kill him.  He avoided arrest, and no one laid a hand upon him "because his hour had not yet come." (John 7:30)  Many questioned whether it was him or not, and even though he spoke openly, no one seemed to truly recognize him, so Jesus YELLED OUT!  "You know me, and also know where I am from." (John 7:28)  And you can fill in the rest... Why are you not seeing me, and accepting me?  Why are you not walking with me, or seeking to do the will of the One who sent me?

Dare I say, Christ continues to YELL at the top of his voice, in the lives of the poor, and in the faces of the children!  Mother Teresa said that "each one of them is Jesus in disguise."  The Gospel speaks directly to us when it asks, "Could the authorities [that is you and me, and our expert opinions on all things religious, political, and such] have realized that he is the Christ?" (John 7:26)

Pope Francis spoke to this challenge in his first homily on Thursday, March 14, 2013, calling on us to recognize that Christ is indeed in our midst, calling on us to walk, build and profess his holy name.  He said, "The same Peter who confessed Jesus Christ, says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let us not speak of the Cross. This has nothing to do with it.” He says, “I’ll follow you on other ways, that do not include the Cross.” When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, Popes, but not disciples of the Lord."

This definitive challenge to the Church (that means you and me) declares that we are to recognize the face of Christ, and be ready to help carry the burden for all who need his love.  To not recognize him, as we all are prone to do, or not do the job that needs to be done in his name, makes us the ignorant authority!  So Christ continues to YELL into our ears, "You know me, and also where I am from!" (John 7:28)  LET'S GET TO WORK!

"I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul." - Cat Stevens

He Used To Be The Pope (Epilogue)

His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pontiff Emeritus used to be the Pope, so he should get the last word...  From the Huffington Post/AP transcript:

Dear friends, I'm happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o'clock this evening and then no more.

I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth. But I would still ... thank you ... I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your sympathy.

Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!" (Pope Benedict XVI from Castel Gandolfo - February 28, 2013)

Three of a Perfect Pair

Today's Readings

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9: 23-24

The calendar this year offers a unique combo of dates that truly helps define our real purpose as a people. To combine Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day allows all to see that with sacrifice comes love.

• Sacrifice... Sacrifice is the day to day work. Sacrifice is the full commitment to each other over the things that could be getting in the way. Sacrifice is the reality that, even when it doesn't seem to be working, the work and the commitment continues. Sacrifice is an intentional "giving up" of self, so as to "give" so as to help meet other's needs. Sacrifice gets more difficult before it gets easy.

• Love... "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

• Work... The work of Ash Wednesday is to let your heart know that you are ready to "repent for your sin, and be faithful to the Gospel." (That's what they said when you were getting that ash on your head yesterday... Hope you washed your face this morning!) The repenting is the sacrifice, and the love is the Gospel; which by the way, calls us all to love one another!  The work of Valentine's Day is to let your heart be shared with the people you love, usually uttered in the phrase, "Will you be mine?" (Which usually is accompanied by a box of chocolates, or a rose to symbolize just how sweet and beautiful they are!). The Sharing and the symbols are the work, and the love is the purpose that drives us.

So, just like sacrifice, love is not a feeling.  It is work.  Just like sacrifice, love is not easy, it is purposeful.  Just like sacrifice, love tells the world that you mean business... You care... You have faith... You have hope... And yes, you have a love that serves them, struggles with them, rejoices with them, and grows with them, denying your very self to work for them daily.

That's life, that's sacrifice, and that's love... And that's why Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day go well together, and why sacrifice, love and work are "three of a perfect pair!" (a stretch of a King Crimson reference).

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Message for the Government...

Dear Washington,

Stop the grandstanding and just make the right decision to do the right thing! There's no play money left in the bank, so cut the spending and focus on the work of your hands. That is, let us live good lives, and have the opportunity to live out our calling, without having to worry about you guys and the destruction of the infrastructure. We're in a pickle because you don't like to lose, and hence have avoided the tough decisions for too long. My guess is that few of you will be re-elected anyway, so you might as well spend your last months in Washington trying to get things right!

Respectfully,
Greg, "The Little Guy"

"In everything you do, act without grumbling or arguing; prove yourselves innocent and straightforward, children of God beyond reproach in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation—among whom you shine like the stars in the sky." Philippians 2:14-15

Always Ready to Share a Reason for Hope!

One relatively new dimension to the GregCast is that I am gainfully employed as the Director of Liturgy and Music for my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. Each week, I like to send my team of folks a little reflection that points us to the following Sunday's Scripture, and what it can add to our ministry focus. Thanks to the joys of copying and pasting, I will include those reflection here whenever I think about it... So here's the latest:

Always Ready to Share a Reason for Hope!

This coming week, we begin the home stretch towards Pentecost and the true Easter call to live out our faith for a world that desperately needs it. Our purpose here, with these weekly reflection, is to always keep in mind the reason we sing, and the reason serve. Our song, helps others sing “The Song” of Christ’s love and promise for the world! This week, we’ll continue hearing advice from Peter, the fisherman who would be Pope… Peter, il primo Papa! “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear…” (1 Peter 3: 15-16) Let us all move through our week, our worship, and our lives, always ready to give evidence of God grace by the way we live and carry ourselves.

The GregCast Blogs 2011

Well it's been a year, and just like last year, the desire to Blog has reared it's time-consuming head again!

Maybe the New Year's "Blog-olution" should be shorter posts, and more from the heart. Bloggers all over the universe seem to do this, so why should I attempt to write next "War and Peace"? Short and sweet, with raw emotion... Here goes:

The snow continues, ever so lightly, to fall in the area. It's beautiful and getting old all at the same time. Kids need school to learn and keep Dad sane. I get to work today, so I am running for the car in hopes to be a productive part of the work force!

Now the universe can relax... I have spoken!