Gospel Reflection: Sept. 30, 2007

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
September 30, 2007

Read Sunday's Gospel, Luke 16:19-31.

Gospel Summary:

As was often Jesus' message, today's Gospel reverses the rich and poor of this world and the next. Lazarus, a poor beggar who was most likely crippled and had open sores that dogs licked, sat every day beneath the window of a rich man. The rich man dined lavishly everyday and completely ignored Lazarus. Eventually, they both died and the angels carried Lazarus to heaven where he was held by Abraham. The rich man went to hell where he was parched and tormented. Looking up, the rich man saw Lazarus comforted by Abraham and still with arrogant behavior, asked Abraham to send Lazarus down to dip water onto his tongue. Abraham explained that there could be no crossing from one place to the next and that the rich man was stuck with the consequences of his earthly behavior. The man knew it futile then to argue for himself but begged Abraham to send someone to his brothers to warn them that they needed to change, or they would end up as he had. Abraham reminded the man that his brothers had already been told all that, and it was now up to them whether or not they believed it. Even the raising of a dead person would not convince them if their hearts were closed.

Reflection for Families:

Most often we think of ourselves as rich people sharing our resources with those in need, and indeed, that is what we, as Christians, are called to do. But have we ever been the one being served? Perhaps we have not found it necessary to receive material goods from others, but what have others given us out of generosity in the form or time, energy, or actions. Maybe someone sat with us when one of our children was sick, or helped us with some physical chore when our burden was too heavy to carry alone. It might even be a coach or teacher who has helped our children in a generous way. How can the actions of these people help us better live this Gospel message today? What can we give of ourselves?

Bringing the Gospel Into Your Family:

Gather items from your home that are in good condition and not necessarily the things you plan to get rid of anywayÐmaybe a new item of clothing, a new book, or toy that you're not quite finished with. Place them all in one area of your home, possibly a prayer area. Pray over the items and for the people who will be receiving them and then take them to a shelter for families that are suffering hardship. Continue to pray for the people who will receive and use the items you offer.

Discussion Starters:

1. The way I feel about having so much more than someone else is . . .
2. One way I believe we can fill in the distance between the world of "haves" and "have nots" is . . .
3. One of the greatest incidents of inequality that I see is . . .

Gospel reflection: Sept. 23, 2007

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
September 23, 2007

Read Sunday's Gospel, Luke 16:1-13.

Gospel Summary:

At first it would seem that this Gospel passage praises dishonesty, but in fact, it gives credit for a clever and quick response. There was a man who managed the land for his master. What his misdeeds were is not quite clear, but something had gone wrong in their relationship and the manager was about to be fired. Not physically able to dig ditches and too proud to beg, the manager worried about how he would live. In a quick response, he went to all the people who owed his master produce and had them change their bills to reflect a lesser amount. In this way the people who saved money would welcome the manger into their homes once he had been fired. The master wasn't rewarding the manager for his dishonesty, but for his cleverness and quick thinking. The point Jesus wanted to make with this parable was to let the crowd know that they should be wise in their use of the world's goods, because if they are used selfishly, they will fail us. However, if we share our resources with others, true wealth will await us in the Kingdom. The final point of Jesus' words was that we cannot serve two masters, God and money.

Reflection for Families:

Children learn at a young age that "buying friends" is a possibility. Even we adults use our resources to entertain friends. How often do we do things with our friends that we think will build our relationships by spending money either on food, entertainment, or gifts? The point of this Gospel is to help us remember that the most important way we can use our resources is in the service of others. From time to time, as we see our children selecting elaborate birthday gifts for a friend, or wanting to include friends in an expensive form of entertainment, we may need to remind them and ourselves of the message in today's Gospel.

Bringing the Gospel Into Your Family:

Think about the next opportunity each member will have for selecting a gift. It might be for a relative or friend's birthday or Christmas in a few months. Spend some time and energy thinking about a gift that would have special meaning for that friend and begin now to prepare it. Perhaps you could make a collage or scrapbook of your friendship, write a poem, or reflection that speaks from your heart about how much the person means to you. Take the money you would normally have spent on the gift and apply it toward helping someone who is in need.

Discussion Starters:

1. The greatest trust someone has shown in me is . . .
2. I tend to serve two masters when I . . .
3. One of the ways I use my resources to serve God is by . . .

Gospel Reflection: Sept. 16, 2007

Quotes:

Christ is in search of every human being, whatever the situation! … Jesus wants to save each one. And with a salvation which is offered, not imposed.

--Message of John Paul II for the Jubilee in Prisons, 9 July 2000

We are still a long way from the time when our conscience can be certain of having done everything possible to prevent crime and to control it effectively so that it no longer does harm and, at the same time, to offer to those who commit crimes a way of redeeming themselves and making a positive return to society. If all those in some way involved in the problem tried to . . . develop this line of thought, perhaps humanity as a whole could take a great step forward in creating a more serene and peaceful society.

--John Paul II, July 9, 2000

We believe that because we are all created by God, "none of us is the sum total of the worst act we have ever committed. . . . As a people of faith, we believe that grace can transform even the most hardened and cruel human beings."

--Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration,

A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States

Whenever there is an accident or a tragedy, there is a search for someone to blame. Often all the modern means of communication join in; accusations, resignations, demands for compensation and the rest. If a guilty person is found, then an orgy of condemnation and vilification. Rarely a sense of, there but for the grace of God go I. Instead of dealing gently with one another's failure because of our own vulnerability to criticism, there is the presumption that we are in a fit condition to judge and to condemn.
--David Bronnert


Thoughts for your consideration:

• The first reading from Exodus is about the process of coming to find a God who is not vengeful, but who is willing to show mercy and forgiveness.

• Jesus tells three stories to make his point about the mercy of God. God is concerned about redemption and forgiveness. God wants to “save sinners.” God wants to bring people to the fullness of life. God wants to reconcile individuals, groups, and nations.

• Sometimes even religious people have trouble finding the merciful side of God. So many people fall into the trap of condemning others and showing no mercy. We can be tempted to violence and revenge when we face evil. Nations and groups can be tempted to resort to war or terror rather than understanding, nonviolence, and reconciliation.

• The challenge of today’s scriptures is to apply the message of mercy to our image of God and especially to our own way of treating others. (“Be merciful as God is merciful.”)

• A further challenge is to apply this gift not only to our interpersonal relationships and our struggle with personal sin, but also to social sin – to our prejudices, to our racial attitudes, to our way of treating minorities or anyone different than ourselves, to our ways of dealing with national and ethnic groups, to our way of treating all our brothers and sisters.

• An even further challenge is to apply this vision of mercy and reconciliation to our criminal justice system, to our country’s use of the death penalty, to our ways of allotting educational resources to children in different neighborhoods, to our ways of dealing with those who are struggling with substance abuse, to situations of violence and war in any part of the world, to our international relationships, especially toward those nations we have condemned and sanctioned, like Iraq, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba, and also to groups that use violence like Al Qaeda, the Taliban, or even our own nation.

• The gospel groups together three parables which try to teach us about God’s mercy and compassion. In each story there is a powerful passion for finding the lost. The father deeply desires his younger son to come back and desires his older son to come into the party. The shepherd passionately desires to find the lost sheep. The woman looks everywhere until she finds her lost coin. God has a passion for all the people of the world. As we pray today, we might ask ourselves: “What is God’s passion today as God looks at our world?” How do we share that passion in our desires for the world and its people?


Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group:• Share about an experience where you received forgiveness and acceptance.
• How did this experience change you behavior?
• How did it change you way of treating other people?

Actions -- Links:

The US Catholic Bishops have reflected on the US criminal justice system in light of Catholic Social Teaching. They reflections resulted in a statement issued on November 15, 2000. Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice: A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States
It is available at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/criminal.shtml

Sojourners is organizing a “Prayer Surge for Peace” in Iraq and asking people to tell their representatives and to call on them to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. For info go to:
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/surgeforpeace/8uuk7grr8m6nt5?

Prayers of Intercession:
Response: God, help us to be merciful as you are merciful.

For an end to the war in Iraq and genuine peace and reconciliation, we pray….
For an end to all terrorism and militarism anywhere around our world, we pray….
For all those in prison or jail, we pray…..
For all ex-prisoners, we pray….
For all those without adequate employment or a living wage, we pray….
For all those without enough to eat or a decent place to live, we pray….
For refugees and for immigrants, we pray….
For an end to all racism, sexism, discrimination, and exclusion of others, we pray….

Prayer – Meditation:

For a poem “Prayer for Reconciliation” go to
http://www.invitationtoprayer.org/prayers_reconciliation.html
“Gracious God, ruling the earth and its people not by terror but in love; we worship you.”

For “Reconciliation - A Prayer” by Joy Harjo, go to http://www.hanksville.org/storytellers/joy/poems/reconciliation.html
“All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice.”

--Lectionary Reflection by Fr. John Bucki, S.J.

Gospel Reflection: Sept. 9, 2007

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
September 9, 2007

Read Sunday's Gospel, Luke 14:25-33.

Gospel Summary:

The people in the large crowd that Jesus addressed in today's Gospel were deeply committed to loving and honoring their parents. That's why Jesus' words must have been shocking to them saying that they must turn from their parents (some translations even say ÒhateÓ). The point Jesus wanted to make was that nothing, not family nor possessions, could interfere with a person's choice to follow Jesus. Followers of Jesus were to carefully calculate their commitment. Jesus meticulously helped them understand this process by comparing it to a builder who carefully planned out the structure to be built before breaking ground or to a military leader who calculated the size of his army versus the opponent's. The follower must be willing to pay the price of discipleship before making the choice so that he/she doesn't quit the commitment.

Reflection for Families:

This is a hard reading for parents if we take it literally. It helps to understand that Jesus was making a point about how committed we should be if we want to follow him. Discipleship is not something we go away by ourselves and do. It's how we live in our everyday world. It's how we treat our children, our friends and spouses, coworkers, neighbors, and strangers. When we count the cost of discipleship each morning when we get out of bed, we might consider the challenges we will face with people throughout the day. Even thinking ahead about how we will deal with expected issues or unexpected irritations will help us act like disciples. Asking Jesus to help us throughout the day will remind us that we are not alone!

Bringing the Gospel Into Your Family:

Have each person in the family cut out a cross from a large sheet of paper and draw symbols on the cross that describe their personal commitment to Jesus. Help family members realize that discipleship is demanded in our everyday lives, at home, at work, at school, in our neighborhoods and community. After the symbols are finished, share your ideas of what you might turn away from in order to faithfully follow Jesus. What kind of planning and foresight does it take for you to do the things you've drawn on your cross?

Discussion Starters:

1. One thing in my life that gets in the way of following Jesus is ...
2. One person I know who lives this Gospel and is a faithful follower of Jesus, is . . . and I see him/her paying the price of discipleship by ...
3. As a follower, I think Jesus expects me to ...

MOMENTS REFLECTION by: Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

Exit
By: Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
Inquirer
Last updated 08:12pm (Mla time) 09/01/2007


THE STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A PROUD LION who visited a tiny mouse. “Hey mouse, I’m getting married. What’s the best advice you can give?” the lion asked.

“Just remember this my friend, I too was a lion before I got married,” said the mouse.

* * *

In today’s Gospel (Lk. 14, 7-14) Jesus reminds us to be humble so as to avoid embarrassment. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” People who think of themselves as lions or lionesses would do well to listen and reflect on Jesus’ words and warning today. History shows that those who exalt themselves, those who perpetuate themselves, those who hold on to money, power and pride, made a miserable, shameful and ugly exit from this life.

* * *

Politicians and government officials could and should learn a lesson or two about humility from “Among Ed” Panlilio, governor of Pampanga. In my Mass at the Carmelite convent in Angeles City last Aug. 27, I spotted him in the crowd. He arrived without fanfare, no advance party, no blinkers and sirens, no cordon sanitaire. He was just himself, and by himself, coming before his God to pray. He/she who knows how to kneel before God will not succumb to pride, and consequently, will not go astray.

* * *

After the Mass, I acknowledged the presence of “Among Ed,” and asked him to come up, to the great delight of the congregation. The applause was long and loud. Not only that, it was sincere and spontaneous, not scripted, not rehashed. And when he talked, he talked short, he talked simple, he talked humble, and he talked love.

* * *

It was my first time to meet my classmate since he became governor, but I could feel that he has not allowed the pressures nor the perks of his office come to his head. The warm embrace, the solid handshake, the sincere smile, and the humble talk, all point to a person who sees himself not as a lord, but as a servant of the Lord, who has been given the mission to serve his people as priest and governor.

* * *

After his talk, I requested “Among Ed” to go before the tabernacle and asked the congregation to stretch their hands to him in prayer. As he knelt before the Lord, we all prayed for his safety, guidance and strength to carry out his mission. That one moment captured what a public servant should be—called by God, chosen by the people, to be a humble servant of all. What a contrast to many of our so-called public servants who are called by ambition, not chosen by the people, and who lord it over everybody.

* * *

The office has not changed the man a bit. Governor Ed still wears sandals and shirts, and his dangling reading glasses, and his warm and sincere smile. But the man has changed the office a lot. He has brought government closer—and made it more real—to the people. The secret? He is focused on the mission, not on the “commission,” and he is not misty-eyed about his position and neither is he blinded by ambition.

* * *

To those who are lions now, or who think of themselves as lions now, make sure that you don’t exit in disgrace like a mouse. Those who think and talk big, don’t forget your exit. You too will exit, that’s for sure!

What kind of exit will you have? Don’t just focus on your entrance or your performance. Rather, prepare for your exit and disappearance. Yes, make sure you don’t exit like a tiny mouse.

* * *

September is Mama Mary’s birthday. May this humble woman remind us that humility is the road to God’s heart and the sure formula to a peaceful, meaningful life. If your life is messy and heavy right now, maybe it’s time to dispose of your pride, and humble yourself before others and before God. Fade away, and God will show you the way.

* * *

Lately, I’ve been thinking of my own exit from this life. I have no big plans for my retirement years. In fact, I don’t even know if I’ll have any at all. Maybe I’ll go fast and soon, I really don’t know. All I ask from God in humility is that I go in peace, and I leave behind peace. May I just be given a chance to do my mission for my God, to make reparations for my mistakes, and love while I live. I pray that in the end, I’d leave behind more love than hurt feelings in this life. This I humbly pray in Jesus name. Amen.

* * *

Hey, we all will go, and we all will leave this world, sometime. May we all leave this world without much regrets. May we all leave this world in peace. May we all leave this world a better place. If only we had more humility and less pride, if only we had less selfishness, and more love, then, we all would have a graceful exit in this life.

* * *

Starting Sept. 2, the Healing Eucharist, our Sunday TV Mass, will be broadcast at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. This Healing Eucharist is broadcast worldwide on TFC.

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to remember my exit, and to live a beautiful life, not just exist. Amen.